CN105307952A - Fluid dispensing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for dispensing fluid comprising an elongated valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet in positionable fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, and at least one locking member. An element locks the fluid dispensing member relative to the valve member, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member. A valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device and a method of making the valve assembly are also provided.

Description

Fluid dispensing device and method

field of invention

The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to aerosol fluid dispensing devices and valve assemblies for such devices.

Conventional aerosol fluid dispensing devices, such as aerosol cans, automated wall or floor mounted dispensing units, and the like contain pressurized fluid to be dispensed. Such devices typically include a valve assembly located at the upper portion of the aerosol can for dispensing metered doses of the liquid product from the can. A conventional valve assembly used in such devices includes a valve body, an elongated stem movable within the valve body between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and an actuator for moving the stem. The actuator is attached to the rod by a simple interference fit. The actuator typically includes a nozzle for dispensing fluid from the aerosol can or other fluid container in a predetermined manner when the actuator is operated manually or automatically.

However, the actuator can be easily removed from the stem and the contents of the canister, or other product containers of the aerosol dispensing device may be damaged. For example, another substance such as caustic or acid may be deliberately injected into the tank thereby contaminating the contents of the tank, the entire contents may be removed from the tank, or an empty tank may be refilled, and so on. Also, the actuator can be removed from the aerosol can, intentionally or by mistake, and used on a different can, which may or may not be made by the same company, or these different cans may or may not be made by the same company, or The tanks may or may not contain the same product. Additionally, for example, an empty fluid container may be removed from an automated wall-mounted aerosol dispensing unit and mistakenly replaced with an incorrect fluid container containing a different product. The actuator may also be accidentally knocked off and/or lost during transport, storage or use, and restocking these items on the shelf and/or at the point of sale at least partially renders a fully filled aerosol can ineffective. A removed actuator can also be dangerous to young children and pets if swallowed.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially alleviate the above mentioned problems.

It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system, the valve assembly including an actuator locked to the valve stem to prevent the actuator from being deliberately or accidentally removed from the valve stem. Stem removed.

It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that includes an actuator that is locked to a valve stem to prevent the contents of a fluid container of the system from being damaged .

It is an object of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that is simple, fast and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing fluid comprising:

an elongated valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet positionable in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and

At least one locking element for locking the fluid dispensing member relative to the valve member, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

Suitably, the at least one locking element comprises a coupling member having an inner surface for receiving the fluid outlet end of the valve member and an outer surface engageable with the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.

Suitably, the inner surface of the coupling member comprises at least one protrusion which is received by at least one recess in the outer surface of said valve member for attaching the coupling member to said valve member.

Suitably, the at least one projection comprises at least one continuous annular projection which is in contact with at least one continuous annular recess of the valve member or a plurality of radially spaced recesses in the valve member. The intermittent recesses correspond.

Suitably, the at least one projection comprises a plurality of radially spaced intermittent projections which are in contact with the plurality of radially spaced intermittent recesses of the valve member or at least one continuous annular recess in the valve member.

Suitably, the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of axially spaced protrusions corresponding to the plurality of axially spaced recesses in the valve member.

Suitably, each of the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprises a plurality of radially spaced intermittent projections corresponding to the plurality of radially spaced intermittent recesses in the valve member.

Suitably, the plurality of axially spaced projections comprises four projections each spaced radially from each other by 90°, the four projections being in contact with a plurality of Correspondingly arranged recesses correspond.

Suitably, the at least one protrusion of the coupling member comprises a generally curved outer surface for corresponding engagement with a complementary shaped inner surface of the at least one recess in the valve member.

Suitably, the at least one protrusion has a height of about 0.1 mm to 5 mm from the inner surface of the sleeve and a width of about 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

Suitably, the at least one protrusion has a height of about 0.5 mm from the inner surface of the sleeve and a width of about 1 mm.

Suitably, the at least one recess has a depth of about 0.1 mm to 5 mm from the outer surface of the valve member and a width of about 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

Suitably, the at least one recess has a depth of about 0.1 mm from the outer surface of the valve member and a width of about 0.9 mm.

Suitably, the coupling member comprises at least one recess or aperture in the outer surface which receives at least one protrusion extending from the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member to lock the fluid dispensing member to the coupling member.

Suitably, the at least one recess of the coupling member has a diameter of about 0.5 mm and a depth of about 0.1 mm.

Suitably, the coupling member includes an inwardly extending flange portion abutting the fluid outlet end of the valve member when the coupling member is mounted on and connected to said valve member .

Suitably, the inwardly extending flange portion includes an orifice for fluidly communicating the fluid outlet of the valve member with the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member.

Suitably, the coupling member comprises a sleeve.

Suitably, the fluid dispensing member comprises at least one locking element.

Suitably, the at least one locking element comprises at least one protrusion extending from the inner surface of the elongated valve member.

Suitably, the fluid dispensing member comprises a bore for receiving the fluid outlet end of the elongate valve member, and the at least one protrusion extends from an inner surface of the bore.

Suitably, the at least one protrusion comprises a barb-like portion which snaps into the fluid outlet end to allow the valve member to be received into the fluid dispensing member while preventing the fluid dispensing member from being removed from the valve member. remove.

Suitably, the valve member comprises one or more recesses extending into the outer surface of the valve member for correspondingly locking the at least one protrusion therein to connect the fluid dispensing member to the valve member .

Suitably, the elongate valve member is substantially cylindrical.

Suitably, the device further comprises a nozzle for dispensing fluid towards the target location, the nozzle comprising a fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member.

Suitably, the device further comprises an actuator for moving the valve member in the valve body between the valve closed position and the valve open position.

Suitably, the fluid dispensing member comprises the actuator.

Suitably one or more of the valve member, locking element and fluid dispensing member comprises a plastic material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol fluid dispensing device comprising a valve assembly according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongated valve member for a fluid dispensing valve assembly comprising:

a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet positionable in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and

At least one locking element for locking the fluid dispensing member relative to the valve member, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking element for a fluid dispensing valve assembly comprising:

At least one locking element for locking the fluid dispensing member relative to the elongate valve member, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a device for dispensing fluid comprising:

The fluid dispensing member is locked relative to the elongate valve member by at least one locking element, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

Suitably, the method also includes:

A coupling member is mounted over the fluid outlet end of the valve member, wherein the coupling member includes an inner surface for receiving the fluid outlet end of the valve member and an outer surface engageable with the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.

Suitably, the method also includes:

Engaging at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface of the coupling member into at least one recess in an outer surface of the valve member to lock the coupling member to the valve member.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of at least one locking element for locking a fluid dispensing member relative to an elongate valve member, wherein the fluid outlet aperture of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking the actuator relative to the aerosol valve stem to prevent accidental or deliberate removal of the actuator from the aerosol can or automated dispensing equipment , and more particularly from aerosol cans or rods in automated dispensing equipment.

Certain embodiments of the present invention can prevent the liquid product contained in the canister from being intentionally damaged, removed or refilled, and certain embodiments of the present invention can also prevent different actuators from being used in specific aerosol cans or Automatic distribution equipment.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and possibly incorrect product containers from being mistakenly or intentionally used with a particular type of actuator.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle assembly that is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent damage during transport, storage, use The actuator/nozzle assembly is accidentally knocked off during such a process and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing the relatively small actuator/nozzle assembly, which could otherwise be fatal.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly attached to an upper portion of an aerosol can according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuator connectable to the stem of the valve assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the sleeve of the stem attached to the distal end of the stem of the valve assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of the rod of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the rod of Figure 3;

Figure 6a shows a three-dimensional solid view of an additional embodiment of a rod sleeve according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of the rod of Figure 6a;

Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional solid view of a rod according to some embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an additional valve assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention.

detailed description

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts.

Figure 1 illustrates a valve assembly 100 according to some embodiments of the invention. The valve assembly 100 is attached to the upper "cup" portion 102 of the aerosol can, which is typically made of tin-plated steel or tin-plated aluminum or the like. The tank contains a pressurized fluid product, typically a liquid such as air freshener, deodorant, furniture polish, foam, mousse, gel, or the like, and the valve assembly 100 will dispense a measured amount of the product Mix with a suitable propellant such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air or the like.

The valve assembly 100 includes a valve body 104 having a lower portion 106 and an upper portion 108 . The upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 includes a central throughbore 110 having a proximal end portion 112 and a distal end portion 114 . The upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 includes an inwardly extending annular shoulder 116 at a distal end portion 114 . An elongate valve member or "stem" 118 is slidably movable in the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104, and the elongate valve member or "stem" 118 includes an outwardly extending annular shoulder 120 abutting the valve body Shoulder 116 of upper portion 108 of valve 104 to limit axial movement of stem 118 within valve body 104 . One end of the compression spring 122 is located on the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104 , while the other end of the spring 122 abuts the underside of the shoulder 120 of the stem 118 . As shown in FIG. 1 , a spring 122 biases the stem 118 outwardly and toward the valve closed position. The central wall portion of the canister upper cup portion 102 is constrained around the outwardly extending upper shoulder 125 of the valve body 104 to securely attach the valve assembly 100 to the interior of the canister upper cup portion 102 . An inner gasket 124, such as an O-ring or gasket, seals the interface between the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 and the upper cup portion 102 of the canister and also seals around the stem 118 while allowing the stem to pivot relative to the canister 102 and valve body 104. to move.

The valve assembly of Figure 1 was assembled as described below. The distal end 117 of the rod 118 is slidably inserted through the central through hole 110 of the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 via the proximal end 112 of the through hole 110 . The spring 122 is then inserted into the proximal end portion 112 of the through hole 110 and the spring 122 is placed over the proximal end 119 of the rod 118 to abut the shoulder 120 of the rod 118 . The proximal end portion 112 of the valve body 104 is then attached to the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104 by a snap fit, thread, or similar connection to position the stem 118 and spring 122 in the assembled valve body 104 . An inner gasket 124 is placed over the stem 118 to seat in an annular groove 126 in the distal end portion 114 of the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 . The stem 118 then passes through a central aperture 128 centrally disposed in the cup portion 102 of the canister in the raised boss region, and the valve assembly 100 is positioned within the boss region. The walls of the boss area are then crimped inwardly to securely attach the valve assembly 100 to the interior of the upper cup portion 102 of the canister. A dip tube (not shown) is then attached to the inlet portion 130 of the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104, which extends towards the base of the tank 102 for dispensing fluid from the bottom of the tank, even when the tank is nearly empty. when. An empty can body (not shown) having a base portion and a cylindrical wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion is filled with the product, usually in liquid form, containing all active ingredients except the propellant. The cup portion 102 of the can is then attached to the wall portion of the can by crimping, welding, etc. to form the assembled aerosol dispensing system. An outer gasket (not shown) may be positioned between the cup portion 102 and the tank body to which the cup portion 102 is attached. The propellant is then injected under pressure through the valve assembly 100 via the distal end 117 of the stem 118 . The propellant may be in the form of liquefied or compressed gas or the like. If a liquefied gas is used, the liquefied gas will exist in the head space of the aerosol can as both liquid and vapor, and as the product is dispensed from the can, the volume of liquid product in the can will change over time And increase. If compressed gas is used as the propellant, the compressed gas will only be in the head space above the liquid product in the can, and there will be little or no increased liquid volume, and the pressure of the propellant will increase over the life of the can time will decrease. The pressurized tank is then leak tested.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the actuator 200 is then fitted to the distal end 117 of the rod 118 . The nozzle portion 202 of the actuator 200 is in fluid communication with the bore 121 of the stem 118 through one or more passages 204 formed in the actuator 200 . The actuator 200 thus provides a nozzle portion 202 for dispensing fluid from the canister 102 in a predetermined manner, the actuator 200 placing the nozzle portion 202 in fluid communication with the contents of the aerosol canister 102 when the valve assembly 100 is in the open state, And the actuator 200 also provides a relatively large surface area for actuating the valve assembly 100 in use by manually pressing down on the actuator 200 .

In use, a force is applied downwards to the outer surface 206 of the actuator 202 which in turn pushes the stem 118 upwardly and into the valve body 104 . As shown in FIG. 3 , this downward force overcomes the spring force of spring 122 (which would otherwise bias stem 118 and actuator 200 upward) to move stem 118 downward into valve body 104 and to move stem 118 downward. Move into the valve open position. In the valve open position, at least one product inlet orifice 310 in the side of the valve stem 118 is moved from the outside and through the inner gasket 124 into fluid communication with the upper inner chamber 312 of the valve body 104, the upper inner chamber 312 Bounded by upper portion 108 of valve body 104 , inner gasket 124 and stem 118 and shoulder 120 of stem 118 . Depending on the type of product to be dispensed from the tank, the diameter of the fluid inlet aperture 310 is on the order of about 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

As best shown in FIG. 7 , the shoulder 120 of the stem 118 includes notched areas 720 each having a lower central bore 324 extending laterally into the stem 118 to align with the proximal end 119 of the stem 118 . The corresponding orifice 322 communicates. The lower central bore 324 terminates at a fluid inlet in the proximal end 119 of the stem 118 to communicate with a dip tube (not shown) attached to the inlet portion 130 of the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104 . Thus, the liquid product stored under pressure in the tank is forced by the propellant up the dip tube, through the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104 and the lower hole 324 of the stem 118 via the orifice 322 and the notched area 720 of the stem 118 and into into the upper chamber 312. When the stem 118 is in the valve open position, the fluid inlet 310 is positioned in the upper inner chamber 312 and thus fluid product is forced into the upper bore 121 of the stem 118 and expelled from the stem at the fluid outlet in the distal end 117 of the stem. The product then enters the passageway 204 of the actuator 200 before being dispensed via the nozzle portion 202 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the stem 118 according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a plurality of recesses 550 each extending inwardly at the distal end 117 of the stem 118 . The recesses 550 are axially spaced along the shaft 118 and each recess may comprise a continuous annular recess or groove around the shaft or a number of intermittent and annularly spaced recesses (as shown). Each intermittent recess as shown in FIG. 7 has a depth of about 0.1 mm, a width of about 0.9 mm, and an arc length of about 3 mm. Rod 118 has a diameter of about 2mm to 4mm, and suitably about 3.2mm in diameter.

Optionally, the rod 118 may include at least one recess or at least two recesses, one of which is an upper recess and the other of which is a lower recess, the lower recess being radially offset and axially spaced from the upper recess. Each recess 550 may be of generally semicircular profile or have any suitable shape or profile, such as a generally triangular or square indentation formed in the wall of stem 118 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , coupling member 400 in the form of a sleeve has an inner bore 410 defining an inner surface 412 . A plurality of axially spaced annular protrusions 450 extend inwardly from the inner surface 412 relative to the axis of the coupling member 400 . The protrusions 450 are sized and spaced to align with corresponding recesses 550 in the rod 118 such that when the coupling member 400 is placed over the distal end 117 of the rod 118, each protrusion 450 snaps into a corresponding recess 550. to securely attach the coupling member 400 to the rod 118 . As shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b , a coupling member 600 according to some embodiments of the present invention may include an inwardly extending shoulder portion 620 that, when the coupling member 600 is mounted on the distal end 117 of the rod 118 , 620 acts as a stop and provides a stronger connection between coupling member 600 and rod 118 . Annular shoulder portion 620 defines an orifice 625 to allow liquid product to flow from stem 118 to actuator 200 and nozzle portion 202 . The orifice 625 has a diameter on the order of about 1 mm to 2 mm, and is suitably 1.1 mm in diameter. The coupling member 600 also includes spaced apart and intermittent projections 650 for connecting with corresponding recesses 550 in the rod 118 .

The coupling member 400, 600 according to certain embodiments of the present invention comprises a single annular protrusion or a plurality of intermittent radially spaced protrusions arranged around a substantially identical cross-section of the coupling member. Optionally, the at least one protrusion may comprise a plurality of discontinuous spaced apart protrusions arranged in a helical arrangement around the inner surface of the coupling member. Further alternatively, the coupling member and rod may each comprise corresponding threads. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member having at least one barb-shaped protrusion that cooperates with at least one corresponding recess in the rod to allow the coupling member to be slidably mounted On the rod, while preventing the coupling member from being removed from the rod. Two or more axially spaced protrusions and corresponding recesses help to further provide a stable and secure connection between the coupling member and thus the actuator and the rod.

The actuator 200 includes at least one protrusion 250 in the central bore portion 210 of the actuator 200 that defines an opening for fluidly communicating the rod 118 with the nozzle portion 202 of the actuator 200. part of pathway 204 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the protrusions 250 snap into corresponding recesses or apertures 660 in the side of the coupling member 600 . The recess or aperture 660 has a diameter of about 0.5 mm and a depth of about 0.1 mm. The corresponding protrusion of the actuator 200 is correspondingly sized to fit the recess or aperture 660 in the coupling member. The actuator 200 is thus firmly attachable to the coupling member 400 , 600 .

Certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member with one or more recesses and a rod with one or more corresponding protrusions. Also, certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator having one or more recesses in the central bore portion 210, and the coupling member 400, 600 may include one or more recesses for the actuator. One or more corresponding projections cooperate to securely attach the actuator to the coupling member and thereby lock the actuator relative to the rod. Alternatively, some embodiments of the invention may provide a coupling member having a tapered outer surface that mates with a corresponding tapered inner surface of the actuator so that when the actuator is placed on the coupling member, the coupling member snaps into place. fits into the tapered inner surface of the actuator and is prevented from being removed from the coupling member due to the barb-shaped connection interface between the two parts, ie the actuator is locked relative to the rod by the coupling member. Alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator comprising at least one protrusion for locking the actuator directly to the stem of the valve assembly. For example, the at least one protrusion may comprise a barb or toothed ring element which, when the actuator is mounted on the rod, snaps into a relatively soft outer surface of the rod, thereby preventing triggering of the actuator. The actuator is removed from the rod. The at least one protrusion may comprise a plurality of spaced apart protrusions, and/or the protrusions may be arranged continuously or intermittently around the inner surface of the actuator engageable with the rod.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface of the coupling member 400, 600 and the inner surface of the central bore portion 210 of the actuator 200 may be complementary shaped so that only this type/form of actuator can securely Attached to the coupling member 400 , 600 , and thus to the rod 118 . For example, the outer surfaces of the coupling members 400, 600 and the central bore portion 210 may be of substantially similar diameter or substantially hexagonal in cross-section, or similar shapes. The coupling member 400 , 600 may include a generally cylindrical outer surface with a flat portion to serve as a key for engagement with a corresponding flat inner surface portion of the actuator 200 . Such structures allow certain types or models of actuators to be used with certain fluid dispensing devices, and prevent other types of actuators from being used with certain fluid dispensing devices, and/or prevent different fluid dispensing devices from being used with certain fluid dispensing devices. actuator used together.

The valve body 106, 108, stem 118, actuator 200 and/or coupling member 400, 600 may be any suitable material, such as a plastic material or a metallic material.

During assembly of the aerosol can, the coupling member 400, 600 is inserted into the actuator 200 through at least one protrusion 250 and a corresponding recess or aperture 660 in the coupling member 400, 600 and is securely fixed to the actuator 200. . When the coupling member 400, 600 is inserted into the actuator 200, the protrusions of the actuator align with corresponding recesses or apertures 660 in the coupling member 400, 600 and snap into corresponding openings 660 in the coupling member 400, 600. In the recess or orifice 660. A form of adhesive may also optionally be used to further secure the coupling member to the actuator. The actuator 200 and coupling member 400, 600 are then placed over the rod 118, and a downward force applied to the actuator 200 aligns the protrusion 450, 650 of the coupling member and aligns the protrusion 450 of the coupling member. , 650 snap into corresponding recesses 550 of stem 118 to securely lock coupling members 400 , 600 and thereby lock actuator 200 to stem 118 . In addition, a form of adhesive may also optionally be used to further secure the coupling member to the rod. A valve assembly 800 according to some embodiments of the invention is shown in Figure 8, the valve assembly 800 comprising the coupling member 600 as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The valve assembly 800 as shown in FIG. 8 has a longer valve body comprising an interconnected lower body portion 806 and an upper body portion 808 that accommodate a relatively large Long rod 818 and compression spring 822. The lower body portion 806 includes a product inlet 830 for attachment to a dip tube. The upper body portion 808 provides a recess for locating an inner gasket 824 for sealing between the valve assembly 800 and the cup portion of the aerosol can.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking the actuator relative to the aerosol valve stem to prevent accidental or deliberate removal of the actuator from the aerosol can or automated dispensing equipment , and more particularly from aerosol cans or rods in automated dispensing equipment. Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent the liquid product contained in the canister from being intentionally damaged, removed or refilled, and also prevent different actuators from being used in specific aerosol canisters or automated dispensing equipment. superior. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and potentially incorrect product containers from being mistakenly or intentionally used with certain types of actuators. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle assembly that is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent damage during transport, storage, use The actuator/nozzle assembly is accidentally knocked off while waiting, and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing the relatively small actuator/nozzle assembly, which could otherwise be fatal. If the actuator of a valve assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention is accidentally or deliberately pushed away from the stem of the valve assembly, the stem and/or actuator can snap and irreparably fail, thereby disabling the aerosol device. is ineffective, and thus prevents a different actuator from being used with the device or product container, eg preventing the device's tank from being used with the same actuator or another actuator. The rod will also be damaged, preventing its reuse and/or the product contained in the device being removed, refilled or damaged. The stem of the valve assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention includes one or more frangible regions to allow the stem to fail or break when a predetermined force is applied to the actuator and/or the stem. Such frangible areas include one or more thin ring-shaped recesses, regions of reduced thickness, indentations, etc. in the wall of the stem which do not compromise the integrity of the stem during normal Dispensing allows a substantially axial force to be applied to the rod via the actuator without failure, while allowing the rod to at least partially fracture during normal use when a predetermined shear force is applied to the rod and/or the actuator. Optionally, one or more recesses in the stem may provide a frangible portion to allow the stem to break when excessive shear forces are applied to the actuator or the stem.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to exclude (and do not exclude) other parts, Additions, parts, wholes or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where an indefinite article is used, this specification should be read to contemplate the plural as well as the singular, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), and/or all steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except where at least Some are outside of mutually exclusive combinations. The invention is not limited to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including the appended claims and drawings), or to any novel feature or novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed sexual combination.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents related to this application filed concurrently with or prior to this specification and open to public inspection together with this specification, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (34)

1., for a device for distributing fluids, comprising:

Microscler valve member, it has the fluid egress point and fluid intake that can be positioned to be communicated with fluid reservoir fluid; With

At least one locking member, it is for locking flow distribution element relative to described valve member, and the fluid outlet aperture of wherein said flow distribution element is communicated with the described fluid egress point fluid of described valve member.

2. device according to claim 1, wherein, at least one locking member described comprises coupling member, and described coupling member has the inside face of the fluid egress point end for receiving described valve member and outside face pieceable with the inside face of described flow distribution element.

3. device according to claim 2, wherein, the described inside face of described coupling member comprises at least one salient, and at least one salient described is received by least one recess in the outside face of described valve member so that described coupling member is attached to described valve member.

4. device according to claim 3, wherein, at least one salient described comprises at least one continuous print annular protrusion, and the recess of the multiple interruptions be radially spaced at least one continuous print annular recess of at least one continuous print annular protrusion described and described valve member or described valve member is corresponding.

5. device according to claim 3, wherein, at least one salient described comprises the salient of multiple interruption be radially spaced, and at least one the continuous print annular recess in the recess of the salient of described multiple interruption be radially spaced and multiple interruptions be radially spaced of described valve member or described valve member is corresponding.

6. the device according to any one of claim 3 to 5, wherein, at least one salient described comprises multiple axially spaced salient, and described multiple axially spaced salient corresponds to the multiple axially spaced recess in described valve member.

7. device according to claim 6, wherein, each in described multiple axially spaced salient comprises the salient of multiple radially spaced interruption, and the described salient of multiple radially spaced interruption is corresponding with the recess of the multiple radially spaced interruption in described valve member.

8. device according to claim 7, wherein, described multiple salient be radially spaced comprises four salients be radially spaced apart from each other with 90 ° separately, and described four salients are corresponding with the multiple recesses correspondingly arranged in described valve member.

9. the device according to any one of claim 3 to 8, wherein, at least one salient described of described coupling member comprises outside face bending substantially, with in described valve member described in the inside face be complementally shaped of at least one recess engage accordingly.

10. the device according to any one of claim 3 to 9, wherein, the described inside face that at least one salient described has apart from described sleeve pipe is approximately the height of about 0.1mm to 5mm and is approximately the width of about 0.1mm to 5mm.

11. devices according to any one of claim 3 to 10, wherein, the described outside face that at least one recess described has apart from described valve member is approximately the degree of depth of about 0.1mm to 5mm and is approximately the width of about 0.1mm to 5mm.

12. devices according to any one of claim 2 to 11, wherein, described coupling member is included at least one recess in described outside face or aperture, and at least one recess described or aperture receive at least one salient extended from the described inside face of described flow distribution element so that described flow distribution element is locked to described coupling member.

13. devices according to claim 12, wherein, at least one recess described has the diameter being approximately about 0.5mm and the degree of depth being approximately about 0.1mm.

14. devices according to any one of claim 2 to 13, wherein, described coupling member comprises the flange portion extended internally, the described flange portion extended internally when described coupling member to be arranged on described valve member and to be connected to described valve member, the described fluid egress point end of adjacent described valve member.

15. devices according to claim 14, wherein, described in the flange portion that extends internally comprise the aperture that the described fluid egress point of described valve member is communicated with the described fluid outlet aperture fluid of described flow distribution element.

16. devices according to any one of claim 2 to 15, wherein, described coupling member comprises sleeve pipe.

17. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, described flow distribution element comprises at least one locking member described.

18. devices according to claim 17, wherein, at least one locking member described comprises at least one salient extended from the inside face of described microscler valve member.

19. devices according to claim 18, wherein, described flow distribution element comprises the endoporus of the fluid egress point end of receiving described microscler valve member, and at least one salient described extends from the inside face of described endoporus.

20. devices according to claim 19, wherein, at least one salient described comprises barb-like part, described barb-like part to be snapped in described fluid egress point end to allow described valve member to be received in described flow distribution element, stops described flow distribution element to be removed from described valve member simultaneously.

21. devices according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, described valve member comprises the one or more recesses in the outside face extending to described valve member, and described one or more recess is used at least one salient described is locked onto in described one or more recess accordingly so that described flow distribution element is connected to described valve member.

22. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, described microscler valve member is generic cylindrical.

23. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, also comprises for the nozzle to target location distributing fluids, and described nozzle comprises the described fluid outlet aperture of described flow distribution element.

24., according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, also comprise actuator, and described actuator is used between valve off position and valve opening position, moving described valve member in valve body.

25. devices according to claim 24, wherein, described flow distribution element comprises described actuator.

26. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, one or more in described valve member, locking member and flow distribution element comprise plastic material.

27. 1 kinds of valve modules for fluid dispensing apparatus, comprise according to any one in claim 1 to 26 or multinomial described device.

28. 1 kinds of aerosol flow distributing equipments, comprise valve module according to claim 27.

29. 1 kinds, for the microscler valve member of dispensing valve assembly, comprising:

Fluid egress point and fluid intake, described fluid egress point and described fluid intake can be positioned to be communicated with fluid reservoir fluid; With

At least one locking member, it is for locking flow distribution element relative to described valve member, and the fluid outlet aperture of wherein said flow distribution element is communicated with the described fluid egress point fluid of described valve member.

30. 1 kinds, for the locking member of dispensing valve assembly, comprising:

At least one locking member, it is for locking flow distribution element relative to microscler valve member, and the fluid outlet aperture of wherein said flow distribution element is communicated with the fluid egress point fluid of described valve member.

31. 1 kinds of manufactures are used for the method for the device of distributing fluids, comprising:

By at least one locking member relative to microscler valve member locking flow distribution element, the fluid outlet aperture of wherein said flow distribution element is communicated with the fluid egress point fluid of described valve member.

32. methods according to claim 31, also comprise:

On fluid egress point end coupling member being arranged on described valve member, wherein said coupling member comprises the inside face of the described fluid egress point end for receiving described valve member and outside face pieceable with the inside face of described flow distribution element.

33. methods according to claim 32, also comprise:

At least one salient that described inside face from described coupling member extends is joined at least one recess in the outside face of described valve member so that described coupling member is locked to described valve member.

The purposes of 34. at least one locking member, for locking flow distribution element relative to microscler valve member, wherein, the fluid outlet aperture of described flow distribution element is communicated with the fluid egress point fluid of described valve member.