CA2246294C - System and method for one-way spray/aerosol tip - Google Patents
System and method for one-way spray/aerosol tip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2246294C CA2246294C CA002246294A CA2246294A CA2246294C CA 2246294 C CA2246294 C CA 2246294C CA 002246294 A CA002246294 A CA 002246294A CA 2246294 A CA2246294 A CA 2246294A CA 2246294 C CA2246294 C CA 2246294C
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- Prior art keywords
- outlet
- rigid shaft
- flexible
- normally
- outlet portion
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/28—Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
- B05B11/007—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed being opened by deformation of a sealing element made of resiliently deformable material, e.g. flaps, skirts, duck-bill valves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
- B05B1/3405—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl
- B05B1/341—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
- B05B1/3405—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl
- B05B1/341—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet
- B05B1/3421—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber
- B05B1/3431—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves
- B05B1/3436—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves the interface being a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
- B05B11/0072—A valve member forming part of an outlet opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
- B05B11/0075—Two outlet valves being placed in a delivery conduit, one downstream the other
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
- B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
- B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
Abstract
A nozzle mechanism for generating an aerosol-type liquid discharge is provided, which nozzle mechanism ensures one-way movement of liquid during discharge and also has a substantially zero "dead volume" at the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle mechanism includes a flexible nozzle portion with an outlet and a fluid channel, a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion, and a rigid housing surrounding the flexible nozzle portion and exposing the outlet. The rigid shaft interfaces the outlet to form a first normally--closed, one-way valve, as well as to define a swirling chamber for collecting the liquid which has been channeled from the liquid reservoir, prior to being discharged via the outlet. The outlet has a tubular wall with thickness that decreases along the elongated axis of symmetry for the outlet toward the tip of the outlet. The fluid channel is circumferentially positioned within the flexible nozzle portion to create swirling action of the liquid delivered to said swirling chamber. Once the pressure on the swirling liquid reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform the portion of the outlet forming the first normally--closed valve, the liquid in the swirling chamber is discharged through the outlet. The nozzle mechanism is coupled to a flexible body portion which has a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion. The rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portions extends down into the flexible body portion so that a second portion of the rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed, one--way valve in the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the swirling chamber.
Description
?OC::Ei NC'. 57556/139 SYSTEM & METHOD FOR ONE-WAY SPRAY/AEROSOL TIP
Field of the Invention `
This invention relates generaLly to a system and method for ger,erating a spray and/or an aerosol-type discharge, and relates more particularly no a system and a io method for generating a spray and/or an aerosol-type discharge by means of an aerosol-tip mechanism which ensures one-way movement of liquid through the aerosol-tip mechanism.
DOCKET NO. 57556/139 Backc7round of the Invention :In recent years, spray and/c;r aerosol-type dispensers have received attention for their use in dispensing l.i_quids, particularly medicaments. One persistent p--oblem in designing spray and/or aerosol dispensers for dispensing medicaments is preventing contaminatiozt of the medicament which can occur when the medicament that has been exposed to ambient air returns io and/or remains in the aerosol outlet channel, e.g., within the aerosol nozzle. One solution to this problem is to simply add pieservatives to the medicament being dispensed, thereby prevE,nting bacterial growth. However, this solution has obvious disadvantages, e.g., added costs and toxiEity of is the preservatives. In order to prevent bacterial growth in medicament which does not contain preservatives while allowing dispensation of multiple doses of the medicament, the aerosol rozzle must prevent medicament that has been previously exposed to ambient air from being sucked back 20 into the aerosol outlet channel.
Another problem in designing spray and/or aerosol dispenser for dispensing medicaments is minimizing the number of conipon?nts which constitute the spray/aerosol dispenser. F,.s the rlumber of components increases, the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 difficulty and cost of mass producti.or increases.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an outlet nozzle or tip mechanism for dispensing 17quid from a pump-type dispenser in aerosol or spray form, which nozzle or tip mech.anism is adapted for combination with the pump-type dispenser without the need for additional components for, or modi i:a~lu~~ u,_, the pump-type dispenser for facilitating the combination.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an oL.tlet nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle ensures o:ne-way movement of liquird through the nozzle.
It is yet another object of rhe present invention to provide a method of dispensing liquid through an offtlet nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which method ensures one-way movement of liquid through the nozzle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an outlet. nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle has a substantially zero "dead volume" in which liquid that has been exposed to ambient air can remain, i.e., the liquid is completely released once it passes through the outlet nozzle, or the combined effect of the surface tensions of the liquid and the surrounding outlet nozzle forces any remaining liquid out of, and away from, DOCKET NO. 57556/139 the outlet pDrt7_on.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of ensuring that no liquid which has been exposed to ambient air returns to the interior portion of the nozzlf-, of an aerosol dispenser.
It is yet another,object of the present invention to provide an aerosol dispenser with a one-way nozzle, which dispenser miriimizes the number of parts for manufacturing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an aerosol dispenser having a plurality of valve mechanisms iri. the fl.uid communication path between the liquid reser~,oir and the outlet nozzle to ensure minimization of contact between the content of the liquid reservoir ant liquid which may have been previously exposed to ambient air.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an outle-: nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle is adapted to generate an aerosol-type discharge by means of elastic, radial deformation along the circumference of the nozzle wh:i.ch provides an integral spring, while substantially ma:Lntaining the physical profile in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aerosol-type dispenser wh:icr: does not require DOCKET NO. 57556/139 propellants such as CFCs, the release or. which is harmful to the ozone la~~er, or the release presst.rE-1 of which propellant is temperatu,-e dependent, thereby crea.t:_ng variations in dispensed dosages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a puMp-and-nozzle system for yenerating an aerosol-type discharge via a swirling chamber by means of an integral spr_;.ng effect achieved by elastic, radial deformation ialong the circumference of the nozzle, which aerosol-type discharge is achieved wit.h a minimum of "head loss. "
Summary of the Invention "
In accordance with the above objects, t.he present invention provides a nozzle mechanism for generating an aerosol-type liquid discharge, which nozzle mechanism ensures one-way rnovement of liquid and also has a substantially zero "dead volume" at the tip of the nozzle.
The nozzle mechanism according to the present invention may be adapted fcr use with a variety of types of liquid-dispensing apparatuses, for example, medicament dispensers which channel liquid from a liquid reservoir through the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 nozzle mechan.isn by application of prt=rssure via a pump mechanism.
In one embodiment of the nozze mechanism according to the present invention, the nozzle mechanism includes a f;_exi.ble nozzle portion with an outlet and a fluid channe!.., a. rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion, and a rigid housing surrounding the flexible nozzle portion and exposing the outl.et:. The rigid shaft interfaces tt-ie outlet to form a first normally-closed, circumferent-"al valve as well as to define a collecting chamber, or E, "swirl ing chamber," for t:emporarily collecting the liquid wh.ich has been channeled from the liquid reservoir, piior to being discharged via the outlet. The outlet has ar elastic outer wall, the rhi.ckness of which decreases along the elongated axis of symmetry of the outlet from a bottom portion of the outlet toward the tip of the outlet, thereby facilitating one-way movement of liquid through, and out of, the outlet.
In the above-described embodiment, the fluid channel, which defines a portion of a fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber, is circumferentially positioned within the flexible nozzle portion. The circumferentially positioned fluid channel provides uniform pressure with a minimum of head DOCKET NO. 57556/139 loss. As a result, the liquid pressure is uniforrnly applied at the ent:ry point of the swirling chamber once the pressure within the cLrcumferentially positioned fluid channel reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform a second normai_ly-closed, circumferential valve forming a portion of the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber, whicn second normally-closed valve is described in further detail below.
The above--described embodiment of nozzle mechanism according to the present invention may be coupled to a flexible body portion which has a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion, along the elongated axis of symmetry off t.he body portS-on.
The rigid shaft received within the flexi.ble nozzle portions extends down into the flexible body port~lon so that a second portion of tre rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion to fcrm -:he second normally-closed, circumferential valve in the fluid communication path be~tween the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber. As with the first normally-closed, circumferential valve, the second normally-closed, circumferential valve is opened when the pressure on the liquid in thE=_ fluid communication path reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform the portion ~-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 of the flexiole body portion formin~4 ~.h = second normally-closed, circ..imferential valve.
Onf_~ advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present i_nvention is that the confiquration of the outlet portion substantially eliminates the possibility that liquid in the nozzle mechanism will come in contact with ambient air and subsequently return ar;d/or remain in the interior portion of the nozzle mechanism.. The nozzle mechanism achieves this result by means (:-)f the first normally-closed valve, which facilitates one-way movement of liquid from the nozzle mechanism through the outlet portion during discharge. Due to the first normally-closed valve, the outlet portion has a substantially zero "dead volume", i.e., a space in which liquid that has been exposed to`
i5 ambient air can remain.
In addition to the first normally-closed valve, the second ncrma:Lly-closed valve positi.oned along the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the outlet adds further assurances that liquid in the liquid reservoir will not be contaminated by liquid that has been exposed to ambient air and subsequently reintroduced into the nozzle mechanism. Because the first and second normally-closed valves are positioned along the fluid communication path to open asynchronously during fluid DOCKET NO. 57556/139 communication leading to discharge t,hr ol.:gh the outlet, failure of e:i_ther one of the valves w.-11 not affect the integrity of the nozzle mechanism to prevent contamination of the liquid in the liquid r.eservoi.r.
Another advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention is tr.at the nozzle mechanism experiences substantially no deformation along the direction of the discharge path through ~.he outlet, i.e., the elongatec axis of symmetry for the ot.ztlet. As a result, the physical profile of the fluid channel, which induces swirling action of the liquid in the collecting chamber of the nozzle mecha:zism, is maintained during liquid discharge..
Ancther advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present inverition is t~hat the number-of is parts which constitute the nozzle mechani.sm and, in turn, the dispensing system which includes a pump mechanism in combination with the nozzle mechanism, is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional riozzle mechanisms.
The reduced number of parts reduces costs and manufacturing complexity.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser for dispensing liquid content by application of pressure, comprising: a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said liquid content, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion; a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said liquid content prior to expulsion via said outlet portion; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion; wherein said liquid content in said swirling chamber is expelled via said normally-closed valve upon reaching a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid-dispensing mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, comprising: a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a first point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of said flexible nozzle portion; a flexible body portion connected to said -9a-flexible nozzle portion, said body portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion; a rigid shaft member received within said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion, a first portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said outlet portion to form a first normally-closed valve, said first portion of said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for collecting liquid from said liquid reservoir prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, a second portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion and exposing said outlet portion; wherein a content of said liquid reservoir is channeled into said swirling chamber from said liquid reservoir via said second normally-closed valve upon application of sufficient pressure to open said second normally-closed valve, and wherein said liquid in said swirling chamber is expelled via said first normally-closed valve upon reaching a pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol-type fluid discharge from a dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, said dispenser comprising a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said fluid discharge, said outlet -9b-portion having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle portion toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion, a portion of a rigid shaft member received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said portion of said rigid shaft member and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said fluid dicharge prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, said flexible nozzle portion further comprising a circumferentially positioned fluid channel defining a portion of a fluid communication path between said liquid reservoir and said swirling chamber, and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion, which method comprises: channeling liquid content of said liquid reservoir into said fluid communication path by application of pressure; channeling said liquid content into said swirling chamber via said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure, thereby creating swirling movement of said liquid content in said swirling chamber; and expelling said liquid content of said swirling chamber through said outlet portion via said normally-closed valve by application of pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve while substantially preventing deformation of said outlet portion along the axial direction by relative urging of said rigid housing; wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along -9c-the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
-9d-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 BRIEF DESCRIYTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fic;. 1 is a cross-sectional view along the length of aerosol d.spenser including one embodiment of a nozzle mechanism according to the present invention.
Fic,'. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow path of liquid through the fluid communication path between the iiquid reservoir and the nozzle mechanism of the aerosol dispenser shown in Fig. 1.
Fic. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A
shown in Fig. 1.
Fic. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one =tage of deformation of avai.ve in the nozzle mechanism according to the present invent:ion shown in`Fig.
l .
Fiq. 413 is an enlarged cross - sr~~ctional view showing another stage of deformation of ihe valve in the nozzle mechanism according to the present. invention shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one stage of deformation of a valve in the body portion of the aerosol dispenser shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another stage of deformation ot:~- the valve in the DOCKE'?' NO. 57556/139 body portion of the aerosol dispenser shown in F.Lg. 1.
Fici. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention.
Fic;. 6B is a cross-sectional view along line B-B
shown in Fig. 6A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring generally to Figs. 1 and 3, an aerosol-type dispenser system including a first exemplary embodiment.
of an aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism Z2 according to the present invention is indicated generally at 1. The frrst 1s exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip rnechanism 2 includes a flexible nozzle portion 10 having an otltlet portion 108 and a fluid channel or swirling channel. 104, a rigid shaft 102 received within the flexible nozzle portion 10, and a rigid external housing 101 surrounding the flexible nozzle portion 10 and exposing the outlet portion 108. The rigid shaft 102 interfaces the interior of the outlet portion 108 to form a first normally-closed valve I05, as well as to define a swirling chamber or collecting chamber 103 for liquid which has been channeled from a l.--quid reservoir, --ii-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 prior to being discharged via the outlet portion 108 of the aerosol tip mechanism 2.
As shcwn in Figs. 1 and 3, fo7 the first exemplary embodiment o, the aerosol tip mechanism, the swirling channel or f_..uid channel 104 includes gaps between walls 1021a and 101':1b circ.umferentially surrounding the rigid shaft 102. The swirling channel 104, which is described in further detail below, channels fluid. i~:zto~ the swirling chamber 103.
A second exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism 2 according to the present invention is shown in Figs.. 6A and 6B. The second exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the first exemplary embodiment, with one exception. In contrast to the f-irst exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the second exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism does not include walls 1021a and 1021b circumferentially surrounding the rigid shaft 102. Accordingly, in the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the swirling channel 104 is simply an integral part of the swirling chamber 103.
As shown in Fig. 1, the first exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism 2 according to the present inveni--ion is coupled to a flexibi.e body portion 107 which has a s.-ibstantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion 10, along the elongated axis of symmetry of the body portion. The rigid shaft 102 received within the flexible nozzle portion 10 extends down into the s flexible body portion 107 so that a second portion 102a of the rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion 107 to form a second normally-closed valve 106.
Referring generally to Figs. 1 and 2, the fluid communication path 201 of liquid from the liquid reservoir to the outlet portion 108 successively traverses the first and second.normally-closed valves 105 and 106, respectively.
A pump mechanism 110 of the dispenser system 1, acting in concert with a pump-body portion 111 of the dispenser system, channels the liquid from the liquid reservoir-along the fluid communication path 201 by application of pressure.
It should be noted that the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with a wide variety of liquid dispensing systems, one example of which is illustrated in applicant's commonly owned U.S. Patent Number 5,746,728 issued May 5, 1998 entitled "Fluid Pump Without Dead Volume". Accordingly, it should be understood that the pump mechanism 110 and the pump-body portion 111 of the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 dispenser sy:>terr. shown in Figs. 1 arid 2 are mere 1y exemplary and generic _epresentation of a widE' variety of dispensing systems.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the liquid from the liquid reser-voir is initially channeled t:hrough a circumferent]al channel or groove 109 formed on the exterior of the second portion 102a of the rigid shaft. Once the pressure on the liquid in the fluid comm!inicatiori path reaches a thieshold pressure sufficient t:o radially deform the flexible body portion 137, a portion 501 of the flexible body portion 107 for.ming a lower segment of the second normally-cloEed valve 106 is radially deformed by the liquid, thereby operiing the second normally-closed valve 106, as showr: in Fig. 5A. As the liquid passes through the is second normally-closed valve 106 toward the flexible nozzle portion 10, sequential segments of the fl.exible body portion 107 forming the second normally-closed valve 106 are radially defcrmed, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, until the liquid finally passes through the upper-most segment 502 of the flexible body portion 107 forming the second normally-closed valve 106.
As shown in Figs. SA and 5B, because the wall thickness of the flexible body portion 107 decreases from the lower segment: 501 to the upper segment 502 of the second DOCKET NO. 57556/139 normally-clo:ed valve 106, i.e., along t_~ie elongated axis of symmetry S of the nozzle mechanism, the i_ower segment 501 of the valve 10F is suhstantially c:losed by the time the liquid has reached the upper segment 502. Because the energy required to cpen the lower segment 501 of. the valve 106 is greater than the energy required to open the upper segment 502, the liquid is rlaturally biased to n~intaln lts forward movement thrcugh the second valve 106 in the flexible body portion 107 ence the lower segment 501 has been opened. In this manner, the second normally-closed valve 106 ensures liquid movement only in the direction towards the flexible nozzle portion 10.
Once the liquid in the fluid communication path 201 has traveYsed the second normally-closed valve 10t', the is liquid then enters the fluid channel 104 within the flexible nozzle portio~z 10 of the first embodiment of the aerosol tip mechanism 2, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The fluid channel 104, Nhic:h defines a portion of the fluid communication path 201 between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber 103, is circumferentially positioned within the fl?xible nozzle portion, as shown in Fig. 3. The circumferentially positioned fluid channel 104 creates swirling action of the liquid, indicated in Fig. 3 by the directional a,.-row 301, as it is chanrieled into the swirling -1.5-DOCKET NO. 57556/13 chambe.r 103. For the second embodiment of the aerosol tip mechanism shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the liquid directly enters the svirling chamber 103 via the space 601 once the liquid in the f:Luid communication path 201 has traversed the second normally--closed valve 106. "The swirling action of the liquid is maintained in the swirlinq chamber until the liquid is di3charged via the outlet portion 108, the mechanics of which discharging action is described in detail below.
Re~:erring generally to Figs. 1, 4A and 4B, the liquid in th~~ swirling chamber is discharged via the outlet portion 108 wher.. the liquid pressure reaches a threshold pressure suf:-icient to radially deform the outlet portion 108 forming !he first normally-closed valve 105. As with is the second normally--closed valve 106 described above, the liquid movement through the first normally-closed valve 105 involves sequential deformation of segments of the outlet portion 108. As shown in Fig. 4A, a portion 401 of the outlet portion 108 forming a lower segment of the first normally-closed valve 105 is radially deformed by the liquid, therEAby opening the first normally-closed valve 105.
As the liquid passes through the first normally-closed valve 105 toward the tip of the outlet portion 108, sequential segments of the outlet portion 108 forming the first DOCKET N0. 57556/139 normally-clo~ed valve 105 are radiaLl,,, deformed, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, until the liquid fl-nally passes through the upper-most s~~gment 402 of the outlet: portion 108 forming the first normalLy-closed valve 105.
As shown in Figs. 1, 4A arld 4B, the wall thickness of the outlel pcrtion 108 decreases from the lower segment 401 towards 1_he upper segment 402 of the first normally-closed valve 105, i.e., along the elongated axis of symmetry S of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanisrr. Due to this io steady decreEi.se in wall thickness, the lower segment 401 of the valve 101 is substantially closed by the time the liquid has reached the upper segment 402, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. Because the energy required to open the lower segment 401 of the ve:lve 105 is greater t.han ti7e energy r..equi`ed to open the uppEr segment 402, the liquid is naturally biased to maintain its forward movement through the first valve 105 in the outlet portion 108 once the lower segment 401 has been opened. Accordingly, the valve 105 ensures liquid movement onl~ in the direction towards the exterior tip of the nozzle pcrtion 10.
Duzing the discharge of liquid through the outlet portion 108, the only segment of the f._e.xible nozzle portion 10 which experiences deformation along t_ze elongated axis of symmetry S of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism is the -~.7-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 outlet portican 108. The remaining segments of the flexible nozzle portion are prevented by rhe rigid housin(j 101 from deformation zmlong the elongated axis of symmetry S. Even the outlet pc)rtion 1.08 experiences only minimal deformation along the axis S; the significant defermation is along the radial direction. Furthernlore, the outlet portion 108 does not exert a force along the axis S on the rigid shaft 102, i.e., the outlet portion 108 does not r.u:) the rigid shaft during openirg or closing cf the first valve 105.
Accordingly, because of the absence of any rubbing contact between the cutlet portion 108 and the r_igid shaft 102, the chances of ccntaminants entering the swii-ling chamber 103 are minimized.
One advantage of the aerosol t:.p or nozzle -mechanism according to the present invention is the above-described prevention of axial deformataori of the flexible nozzle portion 10 by the rigid housing 101. Because the flexible nozzLe portion 10, with the exception of the outlet portion 108, experiences substantially no deformation along the elongated axis of symmetry S shown in Fig. 4A, the physical profile of the fluid channel 104, which induces swirling act:ion of the liquid channeled into the swirling chamber 103, s maintained during liquid discharge. An axial deforma.ion of the flexible nozzle portion 10 along DOCKET NO. 57556/139 the directio:l of liquid discharge wc.)uid deform the fluid channel 104, which in turn would prevent the swirling action from occurring.
In the above-described embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechariism according to the present invention, the flexible nozzle portion 10, t.he f.lex_ible body portion 107 and the pump-body portion 111 may oe: nau-e oi any one of several matei-ials well known in the a.rt, including butadiene polyethylene styrene (KR.ATONT~), polyethylene, polyurethane lo or other plastic materials, thermoplastic elastomers or other elastic, materials. KR.ATONT`t is particularly well suited for tris purpose because of its characteristic resistance tc, permarlent deformation, or "creep," which typically occurs with passage of time. -Ancther advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism according to the present invent.ion is that the number of pazts which constitute the nozzle mechanism and, in turn, the dispensing system which includes a pump mechanism in combination with the nozzle mechanism, is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional nozzle mechanisms. AS can be seen from Fig. 1, an aerosol-type dispensing system incorporating the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention can be made using only three discrete parts: the rigid housing 101; an integral, DOCKET NO. 57556/139 flexible pie..e encompassing the flexible nozzle portion 10, the flexible bociy portion 107 and the pump-body portion 111;
and the rigi:3 shaft 102 formed integral-Ly with the pump mechanism 11). Because only three disci.-ete parts are required, the cost and complexity of manufacturing an aerosol-type dispensing system is signif:icantly reduced.
Ye-.: another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism accord.ing to the present invention is that the first normal:'..y-closed, one-way valve 10S with its decreasing wall thickness of the outlet portiori 1.08 substantially eliminates the possibility that liquid in the nozzle mechanism wi=.l come in contact with ambient air and subsequently return to the interior portion of the nozzle mechanism. Due to the decreasing wala thickness of t~re outlet portic:n 108, the liquid is naturally biased to maintain its forward movement through the first valve 105 in the outlet portion 108 once the thicker base portion of the valve has bee,n opened. Accordirigly, the outlet portion 108 has a substantially zero "dead volume," i.e., a space in which liquid that has been previously exposed to ambient air can remain.
Still another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mecharism according to the present invention is that the outlet pcrtion 1.08 does not rub the rigid shaft 102 DOCKET NO. 57556/139 during opening or closing of the first. valve 105 Accordingly, because of the absence of ariy rubbing contact between the outlet portion 108 and the rigid shaft 102, the chances of contaminants entering the swirling chamber 103 are minimizec[.
Still another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mecharism according to the present.. invention is the presence of rrultiple valves along the fl.:id communication path leading to 1--he outlet portion 108. In addition to the first normally-c:Losed valve, the second normally-closed valve positioned along the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the outlet adds further assurances that liquid in the liquid reservoir will not be contaminated by liquid that may have been accidentally exposed to ambient air and subsequeritly reintroduced into the nozzle mechanism.
Because the f:irst and second normally-closed valves are positioned along the fluid communication path to open sequentially, and hence asynchronously, during fluid communication leading to discharge through the outlet, failure of ei..her one of the valves will not affect the integrity of :-he nozzle mechanism to prevent contamination of the liquid in the liquid reservoir.
Whiie specific embodiments have been described above, it shoi.ild be readily apparent to those of ordinary ,DOCKET NO. 57556/139 skill in the art that the above-descri.bed embodiments are exemplary in nature since certain changes may be made thereto without departing from the teachings of the invention, ard the exemplary embodimenr_s should rlot to be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while the exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism according to the preser.t invention has been described as having tubular-shaped outl.e- _ portion, other shapes, e.g., square or rectangle, may be used for the outlet portion.
Field of the Invention `
This invention relates generaLly to a system and method for ger,erating a spray and/or an aerosol-type discharge, and relates more particularly no a system and a io method for generating a spray and/or an aerosol-type discharge by means of an aerosol-tip mechanism which ensures one-way movement of liquid through the aerosol-tip mechanism.
DOCKET NO. 57556/139 Backc7round of the Invention :In recent years, spray and/c;r aerosol-type dispensers have received attention for their use in dispensing l.i_quids, particularly medicaments. One persistent p--oblem in designing spray and/or aerosol dispensers for dispensing medicaments is preventing contaminatiozt of the medicament which can occur when the medicament that has been exposed to ambient air returns io and/or remains in the aerosol outlet channel, e.g., within the aerosol nozzle. One solution to this problem is to simply add pieservatives to the medicament being dispensed, thereby prevE,nting bacterial growth. However, this solution has obvious disadvantages, e.g., added costs and toxiEity of is the preservatives. In order to prevent bacterial growth in medicament which does not contain preservatives while allowing dispensation of multiple doses of the medicament, the aerosol rozzle must prevent medicament that has been previously exposed to ambient air from being sucked back 20 into the aerosol outlet channel.
Another problem in designing spray and/or aerosol dispenser for dispensing medicaments is minimizing the number of conipon?nts which constitute the spray/aerosol dispenser. F,.s the rlumber of components increases, the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 difficulty and cost of mass producti.or increases.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an outlet nozzle or tip mechanism for dispensing 17quid from a pump-type dispenser in aerosol or spray form, which nozzle or tip mech.anism is adapted for combination with the pump-type dispenser without the need for additional components for, or modi i:a~lu~~ u,_, the pump-type dispenser for facilitating the combination.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an oL.tlet nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle ensures o:ne-way movement of liquird through the nozzle.
It is yet another object of rhe present invention to provide a method of dispensing liquid through an offtlet nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which method ensures one-way movement of liquid through the nozzle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an outlet. nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle has a substantially zero "dead volume" in which liquid that has been exposed to ambient air can remain, i.e., the liquid is completely released once it passes through the outlet nozzle, or the combined effect of the surface tensions of the liquid and the surrounding outlet nozzle forces any remaining liquid out of, and away from, DOCKET NO. 57556/139 the outlet pDrt7_on.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of ensuring that no liquid which has been exposed to ambient air returns to the interior portion of the nozzlf-, of an aerosol dispenser.
It is yet another,object of the present invention to provide an aerosol dispenser with a one-way nozzle, which dispenser miriimizes the number of parts for manufacturing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an aerosol dispenser having a plurality of valve mechanisms iri. the fl.uid communication path between the liquid reser~,oir and the outlet nozzle to ensure minimization of contact between the content of the liquid reservoir ant liquid which may have been previously exposed to ambient air.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an outle-: nozzle for an aerosol dispenser, which nozzle is adapted to generate an aerosol-type discharge by means of elastic, radial deformation along the circumference of the nozzle wh:i.ch provides an integral spring, while substantially ma:Lntaining the physical profile in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aerosol-type dispenser wh:icr: does not require DOCKET NO. 57556/139 propellants such as CFCs, the release or. which is harmful to the ozone la~~er, or the release presst.rE-1 of which propellant is temperatu,-e dependent, thereby crea.t:_ng variations in dispensed dosages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a puMp-and-nozzle system for yenerating an aerosol-type discharge via a swirling chamber by means of an integral spr_;.ng effect achieved by elastic, radial deformation ialong the circumference of the nozzle, which aerosol-type discharge is achieved wit.h a minimum of "head loss. "
Summary of the Invention "
In accordance with the above objects, t.he present invention provides a nozzle mechanism for generating an aerosol-type liquid discharge, which nozzle mechanism ensures one-way rnovement of liquid and also has a substantially zero "dead volume" at the tip of the nozzle.
The nozzle mechanism according to the present invention may be adapted fcr use with a variety of types of liquid-dispensing apparatuses, for example, medicament dispensers which channel liquid from a liquid reservoir through the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 nozzle mechan.isn by application of prt=rssure via a pump mechanism.
In one embodiment of the nozze mechanism according to the present invention, the nozzle mechanism includes a f;_exi.ble nozzle portion with an outlet and a fluid channe!.., a. rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion, and a rigid housing surrounding the flexible nozzle portion and exposing the outl.et:. The rigid shaft interfaces tt-ie outlet to form a first normally-closed, circumferent-"al valve as well as to define a collecting chamber, or E, "swirl ing chamber," for t:emporarily collecting the liquid wh.ich has been channeled from the liquid reservoir, piior to being discharged via the outlet. The outlet has ar elastic outer wall, the rhi.ckness of which decreases along the elongated axis of symmetry of the outlet from a bottom portion of the outlet toward the tip of the outlet, thereby facilitating one-way movement of liquid through, and out of, the outlet.
In the above-described embodiment, the fluid channel, which defines a portion of a fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber, is circumferentially positioned within the flexible nozzle portion. The circumferentially positioned fluid channel provides uniform pressure with a minimum of head DOCKET NO. 57556/139 loss. As a result, the liquid pressure is uniforrnly applied at the ent:ry point of the swirling chamber once the pressure within the cLrcumferentially positioned fluid channel reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform a second normai_ly-closed, circumferential valve forming a portion of the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber, whicn second normally-closed valve is described in further detail below.
The above--described embodiment of nozzle mechanism according to the present invention may be coupled to a flexible body portion which has a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion, along the elongated axis of symmetry off t.he body portS-on.
The rigid shaft received within the flexi.ble nozzle portions extends down into the flexible body port~lon so that a second portion of tre rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion to fcrm -:he second normally-closed, circumferential valve in the fluid communication path be~tween the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber. As with the first normally-closed, circumferential valve, the second normally-closed, circumferential valve is opened when the pressure on the liquid in thE=_ fluid communication path reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform the portion ~-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 of the flexiole body portion formin~4 ~.h = second normally-closed, circ..imferential valve.
Onf_~ advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present i_nvention is that the confiquration of the outlet portion substantially eliminates the possibility that liquid in the nozzle mechanism will come in contact with ambient air and subsequently return ar;d/or remain in the interior portion of the nozzle mechanism.. The nozzle mechanism achieves this result by means (:-)f the first normally-closed valve, which facilitates one-way movement of liquid from the nozzle mechanism through the outlet portion during discharge. Due to the first normally-closed valve, the outlet portion has a substantially zero "dead volume", i.e., a space in which liquid that has been exposed to`
i5 ambient air can remain.
In addition to the first normally-closed valve, the second ncrma:Lly-closed valve positi.oned along the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the outlet adds further assurances that liquid in the liquid reservoir will not be contaminated by liquid that has been exposed to ambient air and subsequently reintroduced into the nozzle mechanism. Because the first and second normally-closed valves are positioned along the fluid communication path to open asynchronously during fluid DOCKET NO. 57556/139 communication leading to discharge t,hr ol.:gh the outlet, failure of e:i_ther one of the valves w.-11 not affect the integrity of the nozzle mechanism to prevent contamination of the liquid in the liquid r.eservoi.r.
Another advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention is tr.at the nozzle mechanism experiences substantially no deformation along the direction of the discharge path through ~.he outlet, i.e., the elongatec axis of symmetry for the ot.ztlet. As a result, the physical profile of the fluid channel, which induces swirling action of the liquid in the collecting chamber of the nozzle mecha:zism, is maintained during liquid discharge..
Ancther advantage of the nozzle mechanism according to the present inverition is t~hat the number-of is parts which constitute the nozzle mechani.sm and, in turn, the dispensing system which includes a pump mechanism in combination with the nozzle mechanism, is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional riozzle mechanisms.
The reduced number of parts reduces costs and manufacturing complexity.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser for dispensing liquid content by application of pressure, comprising: a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said liquid content, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion; a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said liquid content prior to expulsion via said outlet portion; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion; wherein said liquid content in said swirling chamber is expelled via said normally-closed valve upon reaching a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid-dispensing mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, comprising: a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a first point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of said flexible nozzle portion; a flexible body portion connected to said -9a-flexible nozzle portion, said body portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion; a rigid shaft member received within said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion, a first portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said outlet portion to form a first normally-closed valve, said first portion of said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for collecting liquid from said liquid reservoir prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, a second portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion and exposing said outlet portion; wherein a content of said liquid reservoir is channeled into said swirling chamber from said liquid reservoir via said second normally-closed valve upon application of sufficient pressure to open said second normally-closed valve, and wherein said liquid in said swirling chamber is expelled via said first normally-closed valve upon reaching a pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol-type fluid discharge from a dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, said dispenser comprising a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said fluid discharge, said outlet -9b-portion having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle portion toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion, a portion of a rigid shaft member received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said portion of said rigid shaft member and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said fluid dicharge prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, said flexible nozzle portion further comprising a circumferentially positioned fluid channel defining a portion of a fluid communication path between said liquid reservoir and said swirling chamber, and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion, which method comprises: channeling liquid content of said liquid reservoir into said fluid communication path by application of pressure; channeling said liquid content into said swirling chamber via said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure, thereby creating swirling movement of said liquid content in said swirling chamber; and expelling said liquid content of said swirling chamber through said outlet portion via said normally-closed valve by application of pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve while substantially preventing deformation of said outlet portion along the axial direction by relative urging of said rigid housing; wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along -9c-the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
-9d-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 BRIEF DESCRIYTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fic;. 1 is a cross-sectional view along the length of aerosol d.spenser including one embodiment of a nozzle mechanism according to the present invention.
Fic,'. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow path of liquid through the fluid communication path between the iiquid reservoir and the nozzle mechanism of the aerosol dispenser shown in Fig. 1.
Fic. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A
shown in Fig. 1.
Fic. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one =tage of deformation of avai.ve in the nozzle mechanism according to the present invent:ion shown in`Fig.
l .
Fiq. 413 is an enlarged cross - sr~~ctional view showing another stage of deformation of ihe valve in the nozzle mechanism according to the present. invention shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one stage of deformation of a valve in the body portion of the aerosol dispenser shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another stage of deformation ot:~- the valve in the DOCKE'?' NO. 57556/139 body portion of the aerosol dispenser shown in F.Lg. 1.
Fici. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention.
Fic;. 6B is a cross-sectional view along line B-B
shown in Fig. 6A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring generally to Figs. 1 and 3, an aerosol-type dispenser system including a first exemplary embodiment.
of an aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism Z2 according to the present invention is indicated generally at 1. The frrst 1s exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip rnechanism 2 includes a flexible nozzle portion 10 having an otltlet portion 108 and a fluid channel or swirling channel. 104, a rigid shaft 102 received within the flexible nozzle portion 10, and a rigid external housing 101 surrounding the flexible nozzle portion 10 and exposing the outlet portion 108. The rigid shaft 102 interfaces the interior of the outlet portion 108 to form a first normally-closed valve I05, as well as to define a swirling chamber or collecting chamber 103 for liquid which has been channeled from a l.--quid reservoir, --ii-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 prior to being discharged via the outlet portion 108 of the aerosol tip mechanism 2.
As shcwn in Figs. 1 and 3, fo7 the first exemplary embodiment o, the aerosol tip mechanism, the swirling channel or f_..uid channel 104 includes gaps between walls 1021a and 101':1b circ.umferentially surrounding the rigid shaft 102. The swirling channel 104, which is described in further detail below, channels fluid. i~:zto~ the swirling chamber 103.
A second exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism 2 according to the present invention is shown in Figs.. 6A and 6B. The second exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the first exemplary embodiment, with one exception. In contrast to the f-irst exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the second exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism does not include walls 1021a and 1021b circumferentially surrounding the rigid shaft 102. Accordingly, in the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the swirling channel 104 is simply an integral part of the swirling chamber 103.
As shown in Fig. 1, the first exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism 2 according to the present inveni--ion is coupled to a flexibi.e body portion 107 which has a s.-ibstantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion 10, along the elongated axis of symmetry of the body portion. The rigid shaft 102 received within the flexible nozzle portion 10 extends down into the s flexible body portion 107 so that a second portion 102a of the rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion 107 to form a second normally-closed valve 106.
Referring generally to Figs. 1 and 2, the fluid communication path 201 of liquid from the liquid reservoir to the outlet portion 108 successively traverses the first and second.normally-closed valves 105 and 106, respectively.
A pump mechanism 110 of the dispenser system 1, acting in concert with a pump-body portion 111 of the dispenser system, channels the liquid from the liquid reservoir-along the fluid communication path 201 by application of pressure.
It should be noted that the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with a wide variety of liquid dispensing systems, one example of which is illustrated in applicant's commonly owned U.S. Patent Number 5,746,728 issued May 5, 1998 entitled "Fluid Pump Without Dead Volume". Accordingly, it should be understood that the pump mechanism 110 and the pump-body portion 111 of the DOCKET NO. 57556/139 dispenser sy:>terr. shown in Figs. 1 arid 2 are mere 1y exemplary and generic _epresentation of a widE' variety of dispensing systems.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the liquid from the liquid reser-voir is initially channeled t:hrough a circumferent]al channel or groove 109 formed on the exterior of the second portion 102a of the rigid shaft. Once the pressure on the liquid in the fluid comm!inicatiori path reaches a thieshold pressure sufficient t:o radially deform the flexible body portion 137, a portion 501 of the flexible body portion 107 for.ming a lower segment of the second normally-cloEed valve 106 is radially deformed by the liquid, thereby operiing the second normally-closed valve 106, as showr: in Fig. 5A. As the liquid passes through the is second normally-closed valve 106 toward the flexible nozzle portion 10, sequential segments of the fl.exible body portion 107 forming the second normally-closed valve 106 are radially defcrmed, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, until the liquid finally passes through the upper-most segment 502 of the flexible body portion 107 forming the second normally-closed valve 106.
As shown in Figs. SA and 5B, because the wall thickness of the flexible body portion 107 decreases from the lower segment: 501 to the upper segment 502 of the second DOCKET NO. 57556/139 normally-clo:ed valve 106, i.e., along t_~ie elongated axis of symmetry S of the nozzle mechanism, the i_ower segment 501 of the valve 10F is suhstantially c:losed by the time the liquid has reached the upper segment 502. Because the energy required to cpen the lower segment 501 of. the valve 106 is greater than the energy required to open the upper segment 502, the liquid is rlaturally biased to n~intaln lts forward movement thrcugh the second valve 106 in the flexible body portion 107 ence the lower segment 501 has been opened. In this manner, the second normally-closed valve 106 ensures liquid movement only in the direction towards the flexible nozzle portion 10.
Once the liquid in the fluid communication path 201 has traveYsed the second normally-closed valve 10t', the is liquid then enters the fluid channel 104 within the flexible nozzle portio~z 10 of the first embodiment of the aerosol tip mechanism 2, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The fluid channel 104, Nhic:h defines a portion of the fluid communication path 201 between the liquid reservoir and the collecting chamber 103, is circumferentially positioned within the fl?xible nozzle portion, as shown in Fig. 3. The circumferentially positioned fluid channel 104 creates swirling action of the liquid, indicated in Fig. 3 by the directional a,.-row 301, as it is chanrieled into the swirling -1.5-DOCKET NO. 57556/13 chambe.r 103. For the second embodiment of the aerosol tip mechanism shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the liquid directly enters the svirling chamber 103 via the space 601 once the liquid in the f:Luid communication path 201 has traversed the second normally--closed valve 106. "The swirling action of the liquid is maintained in the swirlinq chamber until the liquid is di3charged via the outlet portion 108, the mechanics of which discharging action is described in detail below.
Re~:erring generally to Figs. 1, 4A and 4B, the liquid in th~~ swirling chamber is discharged via the outlet portion 108 wher.. the liquid pressure reaches a threshold pressure suf:-icient to radially deform the outlet portion 108 forming !he first normally-closed valve 105. As with is the second normally--closed valve 106 described above, the liquid movement through the first normally-closed valve 105 involves sequential deformation of segments of the outlet portion 108. As shown in Fig. 4A, a portion 401 of the outlet portion 108 forming a lower segment of the first normally-closed valve 105 is radially deformed by the liquid, therEAby opening the first normally-closed valve 105.
As the liquid passes through the first normally-closed valve 105 toward the tip of the outlet portion 108, sequential segments of the outlet portion 108 forming the first DOCKET N0. 57556/139 normally-clo~ed valve 105 are radiaLl,,, deformed, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, until the liquid fl-nally passes through the upper-most s~~gment 402 of the outlet: portion 108 forming the first normalLy-closed valve 105.
As shown in Figs. 1, 4A arld 4B, the wall thickness of the outlel pcrtion 108 decreases from the lower segment 401 towards 1_he upper segment 402 of the first normally-closed valve 105, i.e., along the elongated axis of symmetry S of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanisrr. Due to this io steady decreEi.se in wall thickness, the lower segment 401 of the valve 101 is substantially closed by the time the liquid has reached the upper segment 402, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. Because the energy required to open the lower segment 401 of the ve:lve 105 is greater t.han ti7e energy r..equi`ed to open the uppEr segment 402, the liquid is naturally biased to maintain its forward movement through the first valve 105 in the outlet portion 108 once the lower segment 401 has been opened. Accordingly, the valve 105 ensures liquid movement onl~ in the direction towards the exterior tip of the nozzle pcrtion 10.
Duzing the discharge of liquid through the outlet portion 108, the only segment of the f._e.xible nozzle portion 10 which experiences deformation along t_ze elongated axis of symmetry S of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism is the -~.7-DOCKET NO. 57556/139 outlet portican 108. The remaining segments of the flexible nozzle portion are prevented by rhe rigid housin(j 101 from deformation zmlong the elongated axis of symmetry S. Even the outlet pc)rtion 1.08 experiences only minimal deformation along the axis S; the significant defermation is along the radial direction. Furthernlore, the outlet portion 108 does not exert a force along the axis S on the rigid shaft 102, i.e., the outlet portion 108 does not r.u:) the rigid shaft during openirg or closing cf the first valve 105.
Accordingly, because of the absence of any rubbing contact between the cutlet portion 108 and the r_igid shaft 102, the chances of ccntaminants entering the swii-ling chamber 103 are minimized.
One advantage of the aerosol t:.p or nozzle -mechanism according to the present invention is the above-described prevention of axial deformataori of the flexible nozzle portion 10 by the rigid housing 101. Because the flexible nozzLe portion 10, with the exception of the outlet portion 108, experiences substantially no deformation along the elongated axis of symmetry S shown in Fig. 4A, the physical profile of the fluid channel 104, which induces swirling act:ion of the liquid channeled into the swirling chamber 103, s maintained during liquid discharge. An axial deforma.ion of the flexible nozzle portion 10 along DOCKET NO. 57556/139 the directio:l of liquid discharge wc.)uid deform the fluid channel 104, which in turn would prevent the swirling action from occurring.
In the above-described embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechariism according to the present invention, the flexible nozzle portion 10, t.he f.lex_ible body portion 107 and the pump-body portion 111 may oe: nau-e oi any one of several matei-ials well known in the a.rt, including butadiene polyethylene styrene (KR.ATONT~), polyethylene, polyurethane lo or other plastic materials, thermoplastic elastomers or other elastic, materials. KR.ATONT`t is particularly well suited for tris purpose because of its characteristic resistance tc, permarlent deformation, or "creep," which typically occurs with passage of time. -Ancther advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism according to the present invent.ion is that the number of pazts which constitute the nozzle mechanism and, in turn, the dispensing system which includes a pump mechanism in combination with the nozzle mechanism, is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional nozzle mechanisms. AS can be seen from Fig. 1, an aerosol-type dispensing system incorporating the nozzle mechanism according to the present invention can be made using only three discrete parts: the rigid housing 101; an integral, DOCKET NO. 57556/139 flexible pie..e encompassing the flexible nozzle portion 10, the flexible bociy portion 107 and the pump-body portion 111;
and the rigi:3 shaft 102 formed integral-Ly with the pump mechanism 11). Because only three disci.-ete parts are required, the cost and complexity of manufacturing an aerosol-type dispensing system is signif:icantly reduced.
Ye-.: another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism accord.ing to the present invention is that the first normal:'..y-closed, one-way valve 10S with its decreasing wall thickness of the outlet portiori 1.08 substantially eliminates the possibility that liquid in the nozzle mechanism wi=.l come in contact with ambient air and subsequently return to the interior portion of the nozzle mechanism. Due to the decreasing wala thickness of t~re outlet portic:n 108, the liquid is naturally biased to maintain its forward movement through the first valve 105 in the outlet portion 108 once the thicker base portion of the valve has bee,n opened. Accordirigly, the outlet portion 108 has a substantially zero "dead volume," i.e., a space in which liquid that has been previously exposed to ambient air can remain.
Still another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mecharism according to the present invention is that the outlet pcrtion 1.08 does not rub the rigid shaft 102 DOCKET NO. 57556/139 during opening or closing of the first. valve 105 Accordingly, because of the absence of ariy rubbing contact between the outlet portion 108 and the rigid shaft 102, the chances of contaminants entering the swirling chamber 103 are minimizec[.
Still another advantage of the aerosol tip or nozzle mecharism according to the present.. invention is the presence of rrultiple valves along the fl.:id communication path leading to 1--he outlet portion 108. In addition to the first normally-c:Losed valve, the second normally-closed valve positioned along the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the outlet adds further assurances that liquid in the liquid reservoir will not be contaminated by liquid that may have been accidentally exposed to ambient air and subsequeritly reintroduced into the nozzle mechanism.
Because the f:irst and second normally-closed valves are positioned along the fluid communication path to open sequentially, and hence asynchronously, during fluid communication leading to discharge through the outlet, failure of ei..her one of the valves will not affect the integrity of :-he nozzle mechanism to prevent contamination of the liquid in the liquid reservoir.
Whiie specific embodiments have been described above, it shoi.ild be readily apparent to those of ordinary ,DOCKET NO. 57556/139 skill in the art that the above-descri.bed embodiments are exemplary in nature since certain changes may be made thereto without departing from the teachings of the invention, ard the exemplary embodimenr_s should rlot to be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while the exemplary embodiment of the aerosol tip or nozzle mechanism according to the preser.t invention has been described as having tubular-shaped outl.e- _ portion, other shapes, e.g., square or rectangle, may be used for the outlet portion.
Claims (25)
1. A nozzle mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser for dispensing liquid content by application of pressure, comprising:
a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said liquid content, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion;
a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said liquid content prior to expulsion via said outlet portion;
and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion;
wherein said liquid content in said swirling chamber is expelled via said normally-closed valve upon reaching a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said liquid content, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion;
a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said liquid content prior to expulsion via said outlet portion;
and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion;
wherein said liquid content in said swirling chamber is expelled via said normally-closed valve upon reaching a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, and wherein said flexible nozzle portion further comprises a fluid channel defining a portion of a fluid communication path between said liquid reservoir and said swirling chamber, said fluid channel inducing swirling action of liquid delivered to said swirling chamber.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said fluid channel is positioned circumferentially in said flexible nozzle portion.
4. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said rigid housing is configured to axially abut at least a portion of said flexible nozzle portion thereby preventing axial deformation of said fluid channel.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said rigid shaft along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said rigid shaft is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said rigid shaft is open.
6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said rigid shaft along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said rigid shaft is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said rigid shaft is open.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said fluid channel is positioned circumferentially in said flexible nozzle portion.
8. The system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said rigid housing is configured to axially abut at least a portion of said flexible nozzle portion thereby preventing axial deformation of said fluid channel.
9. A fluid-dispensing mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, comprising:
a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a first point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of said flexible nozzle portion;
a flexible body portion connected to said flexible nozzle portion, said body portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion;
a rigid shaft member received within said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion, a first portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said outlet portion to form a first normally-closed valve, said first portion of said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for collecting liquid from said liquid reservoir prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, a second portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion and exposing said outlet portion;
wherein a content of said liquid reservoir is channeled into said swirling chamber from said liquid reservoir via said second normally-closed valve upon application of sufficient pressure to open said second normally-closed valve, and wherein said liquid in said swirling chamber is expelled via said first normally-closed valve upon reaching a pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a first point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of said flexible nozzle portion;
a flexible body portion connected to said flexible nozzle portion, said body portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion;
a rigid shaft member received within said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion, a first portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said outlet portion to form a first normally-closed valve, said first portion of said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for collecting liquid from said liquid reservoir prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, a second portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve; and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion and exposing said outlet portion;
wherein a content of said liquid reservoir is channeled into said swirling chamber from said liquid reservoir via said second normally-closed valve upon application of sufficient pressure to open said second normally-closed valve, and wherein said liquid in said swirling chamber is expelled via said first normally-closed valve upon reaching a pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said flexible nozzle portion further comprises a fluid channel defining a portion of a fluid communication path between said liquid reservoir and said swirling chamber, said fluid channel inducing swirling action of liquid delivered to said swirling chamber.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said fluid channel is positioned circumferentially in said flexible nozzle portion.
12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said rigid housing is configured to axially abut at least a portion of said flexible nozzle portion thereby preventing axial deformation of said fluid channel.
13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said first portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said first portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said first portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said second normally-closed valve is opened upon application of sufficient pressure to radially deform said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, and wherein said radial deformation of said flexible body portion comprises sequential deformation of portions of said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, whereby an initial point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and away from said swirling chamber is substantially closed when a final point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and near said swirling chamber is open.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said first and second normally-closed valves are opened asynchronously.
16. The system according to claim 10, wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said first portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said first portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said first portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said second normally-closed valve is opened upon application of sufficient pressure to radially deform said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, and wherein said radial deformation of said flexible body portion comprises sequential deformation of portions of said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, whereby an initial point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and away from said swirling chamber is substantially closed when a final point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and near said swirling chamber is open.
18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said first and second normally-closed valves are opened asynchronously.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said fluid channel is positioned circumferentially in said flexible nozzle portion.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said rigid housing further prevents axial deformation of the fluid channel.
21. The system according to claim 16, wherein said fluid channel is positioned circumferentially in said flexible nozzle portion.
22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said rigid housing further prevents axial deformation of the fluid channel.
23. A method of generating an aerosol-type fluid discharge from a dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, said dispenser comprising a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing said fluid discharge, said outlet portion having a wall thickness which decreases from a point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle portion toward a tip of the flexible nozzle portion, a portion of a rigid shaft member received within the flexible nozzle portion and interfacing said outlet portion to form a normally-closed valve, said portion of said rigid shaft member and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for said fluid dicharge prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, said flexible nozzle portion further comprising a circumferentially positioned fluid channel defining a portion of a fluid communication path between said liquid reservoir and said swirling chamber, and a rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and exposing said outlet portion, which method comprises:
channeling liquid content of said liquid reservoir into said fluid communication path by application of pressure;
channeling said liquid content into said swirling chamber via said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure, thereby creating swirling movement of said liquid content in said swirling chamber;
and expelling said liquid content of said swirling chamber through said outlet portion via said normally-closed valve by application of pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve while substantially preventing deformation of said outlet portion along the axial direction by relative urging of said rigid housing;
wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
channeling liquid content of said liquid reservoir into said fluid communication path by application of pressure;
channeling said liquid content into said swirling chamber via said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure, thereby creating swirling movement of said liquid content in said swirling chamber;
and expelling said liquid content of said swirling chamber through said outlet portion via said normally-closed valve by application of pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve while substantially preventing deformation of said outlet portion along the axial direction by relative urging of said rigid housing;
wherein said radial deformation of said outlet portion to open said normally-closed valve comprises sequential deformation of portions of said outlet portion interfacing said portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction, whereby an initial point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is substantially closed when a final point of separation along the axial direction between said outlet portion and said portion of said rigid shaft member is open.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said dispenser further comprises a flexible body portion connected to said flexible nozzle portion, said flexible body portion having a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion, and wherein said rigid shaft member further comprises a second portion interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve in said fluid communication path, which method further comprises, prior to the step of channeling said liquid content into said swirling chamber via said circumferentially positioned fluid channel, the step of;
channeling said liquid content through said second normally-closed valve into said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure to radially deform said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member to open said second normally-closed valve, wherein said radial deformation of said flexible body portion comprises sequential deformation of portions of said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, whereby an initial point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and away from said circumferentially positioned fluid channel is substantially closed when a final point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and near said circumferentially positioned fluid channel is open.
channeling said liquid content through said second normally-closed valve into said circumferentially positioned fluid channel by application of pressure to radially deform said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member to open said second normally-closed valve, wherein said radial deformation of said flexible body portion comprises sequential deformation of portions of said flexible body portion interfacing said second portion of said rigid shaft member, whereby an initial point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and away from said circumferentially positioned fluid channel is substantially closed when a final point of separation between said flexible body portion and said second portion of said rigid shaft member along the axial direction and near said circumferentially positioned fluid channel is open.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said first and second normally-closed valves are opened asynchronously.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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|---|---|---|---|
| US08/927,221 | 1997-09-10 | ||
| US08/927,221 US5855322A (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1997-09-10 | System and method for one-way spray aerosol tip |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2246294A1 CA2246294A1 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
| CA2246294C true CA2246294C (en) | 2009-01-20 |
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| CA002246294A Expired - Fee Related CA2246294C (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-09-01 | System and method for one-way spray/aerosol tip |
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| US (2) | US5855322A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0906786B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP4074949B2 (en) |
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-
1998
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- 1998-09-08 DE DE69820189T patent/DE69820189T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-08 AR ARP980104470A patent/AR015436A1/en unknown
- 1998-09-08 EP EP98307246A patent/EP0906786B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-08 AT AT98307246T patent/ATE255469T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-09-08 ES ES98307246T patent/ES2212228T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-09 BR BR9803401-4A patent/BR9803401A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-09-09 KR KR1019980037118A patent/KR100578444B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-09-09 AU AU83216/98A patent/AU732591B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-09-09 JP JP25572098A patent/JP4074949B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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-
1999
- 1999-10-07 HK HK99104419A patent/HK1019315A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69820189T2 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
| HK1019315A1 (en) | 2000-02-03 |
| EP0906786A2 (en) | 1999-04-07 |
| EP0906786A3 (en) | 2000-11-08 |
| KR100578444B1 (en) | 2006-07-25 |
| JPH11189282A (en) | 1999-07-13 |
| DE69820189D1 (en) | 2004-01-15 |
| EP0906786B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
| AR015436A1 (en) | 2001-05-02 |
| ES2212228T3 (en) | 2004-07-16 |
| US5855322A (en) | 1999-01-05 |
| AU732591B2 (en) | 2001-04-26 |
| US6053433A (en) | 2000-04-25 |
| KR19990029656A (en) | 1999-04-26 |
| BR9803401A (en) | 2001-03-20 |
| JP4074949B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 |
| AU8321698A (en) | 1999-03-25 |
| CA2246294A1 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
| ATE255469T1 (en) | 2003-12-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |