WO2004054723A1

WO2004054723A1 - Improvements in or relating to pump-action nozzle devices

Info

Publication number: WO2004054723A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Laidler
Original assignee: Incro Limited
Priority date: 2002-12-13
Filing date: 2003-12-05
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Also published as: CA2509324A1; AU2003290230A1; US20060071030A1; JP2006509694A; BR0316936A; AU2003295088A1; EP1569758A1; MXPA05006300A; WO2004054722A1

Abstract

In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a pump-action nozzle device (100) adapted to be fitted to a container and to enable fluid stored in the interior of said container to be dispensed during use, which has a body which defines: an internal chamber (107); an outlet (112) through which fluid dispensed from said chamber (107) is ejected from the device(100, said outlet (112) further comprising an outlet valve (105) configured to only open and permit fluid to be dispensed from the chamber (107) when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure; and an inlet (110) through which fluid can be drawn into said chamber, said inlet (110) further comprising a valve (108a) configured to only open and permit fluid to be drawn into the chamber (107) when the pressure within the chamber (107) falls below the external pressure. The body of the device comprises a base portion (101) and a housing portion (162), said base portion (101) and housing (102) portions together defining the internal chamber (107) of the device (100) and being slidably mounted to one another such that said housing portion (102) can be slid towards the base portion (101) to reduce the internal volume of the chamber (107) during a first stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within the chamber (102) to increase and any fluid stored therein to be dispensed through said outlet (112) to be dispensed if the pressure therein exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold pressure required to open the outlet valve (105), and then slid away from the base to increase the volume of the chamber (107) during a second stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within the chamber (107) to reduce and fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet (110). In another aspect the present invention relates to a pump-action nozzle device which additionally comprises an air chamber (203) configured to co-eject a stream of air with liquid dispensed from the device in the usual manner.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PUMP-ACTION NOZZLE

DEVICES

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to pump-

action nozzle devices.

Pump-action nozzle devices are commonly used as a means for

dispensing a liquid from the interior of non-pressurised containers.

Conventional pump-action nozzle devices are adapted to be fitted to an outlet

opening of a container and comprise an internal chamber which is compressed

when an actuator of the nozzle device is operated, thereby increasing the

pressure within the chamber and forcing any liquid present therein to flow out

through an outlet of the device. Once the desired volume of liquid has been

dispensed, or the chamber has been compressed to its fullest extent, the actuator

is then released by the operator and the chamber is allowed to re-expand, which

causes the pressure within the chamber to reduce, which in turn causes more

liquid to be drawn into the chamber from the associated container through an

inlet. One-way valves are provided at the inlet and the outlet to ensure that

fluid can only be expelled from the internal chamber through the outlet and

drawn into the chamber through the inlet.

The actuator is typically a portion of the body of the nozzle device that

can be depressed and subsequently released by an operator (generally known as

pump nozzle devices), or a trigger that an operator can pull and then subsequently release (generally known as trigger-actuated nozzle devices), to

cause the chamber to be compressed and then re-expanded respectively.

There are a number of drawbacks associated with conventional pump-

action nozzle devices. Firstly, the conventional devices tend to be extremely

complex in design and typically comprise numerous different component parts

(usually between 8 and 10 individual components in pump nozzle devices and

between 10 and 14 individual components in trigger nozzle devices). As a

consequence, these devices can be costly to manufacture due to the amount of

material required to form the individual components and the assembly

processes involved. Secondly, the conventional devices tend to be bulky

(which again increases the raw material costs) and a proportion of this bulk is

invariably disposed inside the container to which the device is attached. This

creates a drawback in that the nozzle device takes up a proportion of the

internal volume of the container, which can be a particular problem in small

containers where the available space inside the container is limited. Finally, the

size of the pump-action device is also dictated to certain extent by the size of

the container to which it is attached. Thus, the size of the device is usually

restricted in small containers, and especially small containers with narrow

necks, and this limits the amount of pressure that can be generated by the

device as well as the volume of fluid that can be dispensed, and, for this reason,

can be detrimental to the performance of the device.

Therefore, there is a desire for a pump-action nozzle device which is: (i) simpler in design;

(ii) utilises less components; and

(iii) is generally less bulky and costly to produce when compared with

the conventional pump-action nozzle devices.

The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned problems

associated with conventional pump-action nozzle devices by providing, in a

first aspect, a pump-action nozzle device adapted to be fitted to a container and

to enable fluid stored in the interior of said container to be dispensed during

use, said device having a body which defines:

(i) an internal chamber;

(ii) an outlet through which fluid dispensed from said chamber is

ejected from the device, said outlet further comprising an outlet

valve configured to only open and permit fluid to be dispensed

from the chamber when the pressure therein exceeds a

predetermined minimum threshold pressure; and

(iii) an inlet through which fluid can be drawn into said chamber, said

inlet further comprising a valve configured to only open and

permit fluid to be drawn into the chamber when the pressure

within the chamber falls below the external pressure,

wherein said body comprises a base portion and a housing portion, said

base portion and housing portions together defining the internal chamber of the device and being slidably mounted to one another such that said housing

portion can be slid towards the base portion to reduce the internal volume of the

chamber during a first stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within

the chamber to increase and any fluid stored therein to be dispensed through

said outlet to be dispensed when the pressure therein exceeds the predetermined

minimum threshold pressure required to open the outlet valve, and then slid

away from the base to increase the volume of the chamber during a second

stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within the chamber to reduce

and fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet when the pressure

within the chamber falls below the external pressure.

For the avoidance of doubt the expression "external pressure" is used

herein to denote the pressure outside the device and may therefore include the

pressure in the surrounding environment (atmospheric pressure) or the pressure

within the container (which may differ from the atmosphere pressure).

When compared to conventional pump-action nozzle devices, the

devices of the present invention are simpler in design/construction and

comprise a reduced number of components. For instance, it is commonplace

for the internal chamber of a conventional pump-action nozzle device to be a

separate component part of the device which is fitted into the housing of the

nozzle device and typically extends into the interior of the container. In the

nozzle devices of the present invention, however, there is no separate internal

chamber component because the chamber is defined by the base and housing portions of the body. Similarly, the inlet and outlet valves are, in preferred

embodiments, defined by the body of the nozzle arrangement, thereby obviating

the necessity for numerous individual components to be present. This enables a

functioning nozzle device to be moulded from a suitable material, such as

plastic, and provides significant cost savings by reducing the amount material

required to manufacture the devices, as well as reducing the

construction/assembly costs. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the

invention, the bulk of the device can be significantly reduced and the chamber

can be positioned outside the container (or substantially outside of the

container), thereby enabling the device to be fitted to the openings of containers

of virtually any size, without the amount of pressure that can be generated

being influenced by the size of the container and the constraints that this would

impose of the dimensions of the device (as is the case with conventional pump

nozzle devices).

The nozzle device of the present invention may be adapted to be fitted to

a container by any suitable means. Preferably, it is the base portion of the

nozzle device that is configured to be fitted to an opening of a container. In a

preferred embodiment, the base comprises a cavity adapted to receive a

correspondingly neck of the container which defines the opening of the

container. The neck may be secured in the cavity by any suitable securing

means. Preferably, the base is a screw top which can be fitted to an opening of

the container (i.e. the neck of the container is provided with a screw thread that is adapted to screw into a groove formed in the internal wall of the base, or vice

versa).

Preferably, the base also defines the inlet of the device.

It is also preferred that an upper surface of the base (or a surface

disposed on the opposing side of the base to the surface which is configured to

be fitted to a container) forms an internal surface or wall of the chamber. Most

preferably, the internal surface is an end wall or surface which is disposed

outside the interior of the container. The remaining walls of the chamber are

preferably formed by the housing, which is also preferably mounted onto the

upper surface on the base. As a consequence, it will be appreciated that the

chamber is defined between the base and housing will be substantially outside

of the container to which the base is attached. Thus, although a small portion

of the device may extend into the interior of the container, it is preferred that

substantially entire internal chamber is positioned outside the container.

It is preferable, therefore, that the housing forms one or more internal

walls of the chamber. In especially preferred embodiments of the invention, the

base defines one end of the chamber and the housing defines the opposing end

and a side wall of the chamber.

Preferably, the housing is slidably mounted within a recess or groove

formed on an upper surface of the base (or a surface disposed on the opposing

side of the base to the surface which is configured to be fitted to a container). In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the chamber of the

device further comprises a plunger. The function of the plunger is primarily to

enable virtually the entire contents of the chamber to be expelled when the

volume of the internal chamber is reduced during the first stage of the operation

of the device of the invention and to prevent any fluid leaking out between any

gaps between the mounting of the housing and the base.

To enable the plunger to perform this function it must form a seal with

the sides of the chamber to contain the fluid within a sealed portion of the

chamber. In certain embodiments it is preferred that the plunger contacts the

side wall of the chamber. In such embodiments of the invention, it is preferred

that the plunger forms two seals with the wall of the chamber, namely a first

seal which is formed where the plunger meets the side wall to define the sealed

portion of the chamber and thereby prevents the product leaking past the

plunger during the first stage of operation, and a second seal formed on the

opposing side of the plunger which prevents air being drawn into the chamber

(from gaps or leaks between the housing and the base) instead fluid being

drawn in through the inlet during the second stage of operation of the device.

The seal or seals must be maintained while the housing is moved relative to the

base to facilitate the expansion and/or compression of the chamber. The

plunger may be fixed to the housing within the chamber so that when the

housing moves relative to the base during the operation the device, the plunger

also moves. Preferably, however, the plunger is seated on an upper surface of the base of the device so that the space within the sealed portion of the chamber

is defined between said plunger and the internal walls of the housing. It will be

appreciated that the plunger will remain stationery within the chamber in this

position as the housing is slid relative to the base during the operation of the

device.

The plunger may be made from any suitable material, such as rubber or

plastics materials, for example. The plunger may be integrally formed with the

base, but is preferably a separate component that may optionally be formed

from a different material to that of the base.

In alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, the plunger may

be replaced by a resiliently deformable insert which defines an internal sealed

compartment which contains the fluid present in the chamber. Preferably the

insert extends from one end of the chamber to the opposing end (as described

fttrther in reference to the accompanying drawing below). In such cases, the

insert is configured to resiliently deform from an initial resiliently biased

configuration when said housing is slid towards the base to compress the

chamber, and return to its non-deformed or resilient biased configuration as the

housing is returned to its original position and the internal volume of the

chamber is increased.

Preferably, the nozzle device comprises a resilient means which is

resiliently biased to urge said base and said housing apart. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the resilient means is a spring disposed within

the chamber. In alternative embodiments wherein the fluid present within the

chamber is contained within a resiliently deformable insert, as discussed above,

said insert forms the resilient means which is biased to urge the base and the

housing apart. Preferably, cooperating detents provided on the base and the

housing contact each other to limit the distance that the housing may slide away

from the base.

Thus, in use, an operator wishing to dispense the contents of the

container can apply pressure to the housing of the device against the action of

the resilient means and thereby cause the volume of the internal chamber to be

reduced and any fluid present therein to be dispensed through the outlet. Once

the pressure applied by the operator to the housing has been released, the

resilient means urges then urges the housing and the base apart and thus causes

the contents of the container to be drawn into the chamber of the device ready

for the next actuation by the operator.

Preferably, at least a portion of the internal passageway of the outlet is

defined between the abutment surfaces of two or more component parts of the

nozzle device.

In certain embodiments of the invention a portion of the internal

passageway may be defined by just one of said component parts. In preferred

embodiments of the invention, however, each of said parts has an abutment

surface which contacts opposing abutment surfaces of the other parts when the respective parts are contacted together in the assembled nozzle device and at

least one of the abutment surfaces has one or more groove and/or recesses

formed thereon which defines the internal passageway when said parts are

contacted together.

It is most preferred that the at least a portion of the internal passageway

is defined between two component parts of said body. In such cases, the at

least a portion of the passageway is defined between opposing abutment

surfaces of said two parts and at least one of said abutment surfaces has one or

more grooves and/or recesses formed thereon which define the passageway

when the abutment surfaces of the two parts are contacted together. Most

preferably, both of said abutment surfaces have one or more grooves and/or

recesses formed thereon which align to define said passageway when the

abutment surfaces of said parts are contacted together.

Examples of nozzle devices formed of two separate parts having

abutment surfaces which define an internal passageway of a nozzle device are

described in WO 01/89958 and W0 97/31841, and the entire contents of these

documents are incoφorated herein by reference.

The outlet valve may be any suitable valve assembly configured to only

open and permit fluid to flow through the outlet when the volume of the

chamber is reduced and the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined minimum

threshold pressure. The minimum threshold pressure required will depend on

the application of the nozzle device. For instance, the threshold pressure may be set very low if the product is to be dispensed slowly or gradually (as is the

case with, for example, soaps, creams etc.) whereas the threshold pressure may

be much higher if the nozzle device is to be used to generate a spray. In the

latter case, the contents of the chamber may be ejected at a pressure of 6 bars,

for example, and in such cases the minimum threshold pressure of the outlet

valve may be set at 5 bars. The outlet valve could be a ball valve, for example,

where the ball is displaced to open the valve when the pressure within the

chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the outlet valve is

defined by the body of the nozzle arrangement.

Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention wherein the

outlet comprises a outlet orifice and an internal passageway, at least a portion

of which is defined between the abutment surfaces of two or more parts of the

nozzle device, the outlet valve is preferably formed within said portion of the

internal passageway that is defined between the abutment surfaces of two or

more parts of the nozzle device, although it may also be formed in a portion of

the internal passageway that is defined by just one of said parts. Most

preferably, the valve comprises a valve member that is formed on one of the

component parts, said valve member being resiliently biased against the

opposing surface of the other component part or parts, thereby closing the

internal passageway formed there between, and being configured to be

displaced so as to define an open channel through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold

pressure.

Preferably, the valve member is in the form of a resiliently deformable

flap that is mounted to one of said component parts and is resiliently biased into

a configuration whereby the flap extends across the internal passageway and

closes the passageway. The flap is further configured to resiliently deform

when the pressure within the chamber is at or exceeds a predetermined

minimum threshold pressure to define an opening or channel through which

fluid from the chamber can flow along the internal passageway to the outlet

orifice, where it is ejected in the form of a spray. The flap may simply extend

across the passageway, but it is preferable that the flap is resiliently biased

against an opposing abutment surface or surfaces, which define the internal

passageway. It is especially preferred that the flap is mounted within a chamber

formed within the internal passageway. The chamber provides sufficient space

for the flap to be deflected from its resiliently biased position to open the valve

when the pressure within the chamber is at or exceeds the predetermined

nu^'nimum threshold. The flap will also be configured so that it can only be

distended by fluid pressure acting towards the outlet and not in the opposite

direction, there by making the valve a one-way outlet valve.

Alternatively, the valve member is in the form of a plug which is

resiliently biased into a position in which the plug blocks the internal

passageway, but is configured to also be displaced to define an opening or channel through which fluid can flow when the when the pressure within the

chamber is at or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold. Although the

plug itself may be configured to deform so as to define a channel or opening

through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber (and acting

on the plug) is at or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold, it is most

preferable that the plug is mounted to a resiliently deformable surface which

can deform to withdraw the plug from the internal passageway when the

requisite pressure within the chamber has been achieved.

As a further alternative, the valve member may be adapted to resiliently

collapse or otherwise deform, thereby foπning a channel through which fluid

can pass when a minimum pressure within the chamber has been achieved.

The valve member and/or the surface on which it is mounted may be

made from any suitable resiliently deformable material, such as a deformable

plastic material or a rubber material.

The outlet orifice is positioned at the end of the internal passageway.

Preferably, the outlet orifice is formed at an edge of the abutment surfaces of

the at least two parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet is defined by the

housing portion of the body. Preferably, the housing comprises two component

parts and said at least a portion of the internal passageway of the outlet is

defined between the two component parts of the housing. In an especially

preferred embodiment of the invention the housing comprises a first component part that defines the internal chamber together with the base and comprises an

aperture which forms an initial section of the internal passageway, and a second

component part which is fitted to the first part to such that abutment surfaces of

said first and second parts are contacted together to define the remainder of the

internal passageway there between.

In embodiments of the invention which are adapted to generate a spray

of the fluid dispensed through the outlet during use, it is preferable that the

internal passageway further comprises one or more internal spray-modifying

features. As an alternative, the nozzle device may be configured to receive an

insert which comprises one or more spray-modifying features. The insert can

be positioned in relation to the nozzle device so that fluid exiting the outlet

orifice flows into an inlet of said insert and through an internal passageway

comprising the one or more internal spray modifying features formed therein to

an outlet orifice of the insert where the fluid is ejected.

Suitable spray-modifying features that may be incorporated within the

internal fluid flow passageway or present in an insert fitted thereto are known

in the art and are described ftirther in, for example, International Patent

Publication No. WO 01/89958, the entire contents of which are incorporated

herein by reference. Illustrative examples of such features include one or more

features selected from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a swirl

chamber, an internal orifice, multiple passageway branches, a dog-leg

arrangement (where the passageway comprises a turn in one direction, typically through ninety degrees, followed by a turn back in the opposing direction), a

venturi chamber (where air is drawn into the fluid stream by venture), an outlet

orifice in the form of a slit, or multiple outlet orifices.

It is preferable that outlet valve is positioned before (or upstream from)

the one or more spray modifying features, such that fluid can only flow through

the spray modifying features when the pre-compression valve is open.

The inlet valve may be any suitable valve assembly which enables the

contents of the container to flow into the chamber of the device only when the

pressure within the chamber falls below the external pressure, but which

prevents flow in the other direction during the first stage of operation of the

device. In certain embodiments of the invention, the plunger is seated on the

upper surface of the base and comprises valve member or stem which extends

from the main body of the plunger and is received in a sealing engagement with

a valve seat formed in the base. In alternative embodiments, the valve member

or stem may be a separate component, i.e. it is not integrally formed with the

plunger. During the second stage of operation, the valve member or stem is

displaced from the valve seat to form an opening through which the contents of

the container may flow into the chamber of the device when the pressure within

the chamber falls below the external pressure.

In order to prevent the container to which the device is attached from

collapsing when fluid is dispensed from the interior of the container and the

pressure therein is reduced, it is preferable that the device comprises an air leak valve configured to enable air from the external environment to access the

interior of the container to equalise any pressure differential that exists between

them. Any suitable form of air leak would suffice. Preferably, however, the air

leak valve is a one-way valve, which enables air to flow into the container from

the outside, but prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction, and hence,

prevents any product in the container from leaking out through the air leak

valve if the container is inverted, for example. Illustrative examples of suitable

air leak valve arrangements formed in the device of the present invention are

described below in reference to Figures 9A, 9B and 9C.

Preferably, a dip tube is fitted to the base to enable a product stored in

the container to be drawn into the device from the interior of the container.

For certain applications, it is desirable to co-eject air together with the

contents of the container passing through the nozzle outlet. For instance, the air

could be mixed with the product to impart a certain consistency to the product,

which is desirable for certain products, such as, for example, foams or mousses.

Alternatively a pressurised air stream could be used to atomise droplets of

liquid passing through the nozzle outlet to create a fine spray. For this latter

application it is especially desirable to be able to introduce an air stream at a

predetermined location along the length of the fluid flow passage of the nozzle

outlet. Hence, in certain embodiments of the invention, the chamber of the

device is divided into two separate compartments, a first of said compartments

comprising the inlet valve and the outlet valve and being configured dispense fluid drawn in through the inlet of the device during the first and second stages

of operation, and a second of said compartments being a separate an air

compartment or chamber configured to a eject a stream of air through the

nozzle outlet during the first stage of operation and draw air in from the outside

during a second stage of operation. Hence, the movement of the housing

relative to the base to cause the compression of the chamber during the first

stage of operation in such embodiments causes the contents of the container to

be dispensed through the nozzle outlet in the usual manner, and additionally

forces air from the second compartment though an outlet channel into the

nozzle outlet, where the mixing of the air with the contents of the container

passing through the nozzle outlet occurs.

Preferably, the said air chamber is provided with an outlet valve

configured to only open and permit a stream air to flow through the outlet of

the nozzle arrangement when the pressure within the air compartment exceeds a

predeteπnined ininimum pressure.

In preferred embodiments of the invention wherein the outlet comprises

an outlet orifice and an internal passageway, the air stream ejected from said air

compartment/chamber during the first stage of operation may be introduced

into said internal passageway at any position along its length through an outlet

channel of the air compartment.

It is also preferred that the nozzle device further comprises an air inlet valve configured to open and permit air to access the air compartment only

when the pressure therein falls below the external pressure. Therefore, during

the second stage of operation of the device, air is drawn into the air chamber

from the external environment through a one-way air inlet valve which allows

air to access the air compartment of chamber when the pressure in the chamber

is decreased relative to that of the external environment, i.e. when the volume

of the chamber is increased by moving the housing and the base apart, but

prevents the flow of air in the opposite direction during the first stage of

operation. The air may be drawn into the air chamber/compartment through

the nozzle, outlet and/or through gaps formed between the housing and the base

and/or a designated air inlet.

Preferably, the first compartment comprises a plunger as discussed

above and the second air chamber/compartment is also provided with an air

plunger. Preferably, the air plunger is adapted to form a seal with the housing

which prevents the air present in the air chamber/compartment from leaking

past the air plunger during the first stage of operation, but which allows air to

flow past during the second stage of operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the air inlet valve also functions as the air

release between the interior of the chamber and the external environment.

The nozzle devices of the present invention are preferably formed from

plastic. The component parts of the nozzle arrangement may be moulded individually and then connected together to form the assembled nozzle

arrangement. Alternatively, some or all of the components may be formed by a

bi-injection moulding process whereby a first component is moulded during a

first moulding stage and a second component part is then moulded onto the first

component part during a second moulding stage. The first and second

component parts may be made from the same or a different material.

In embodiments where the housing is composed of two component parts,

each component part may be made moulded separately and then joined together

or by a bi-injection moulding process, as described above. As an additional

alternative, the two component parts may be connected to one another by a

hinge or foldable connection element and moulded in a single moulding

operation and then folded over about said hinge or connection element to form

the assembled housing component.

The respective parts, once formed, may be permanently fixed together

or, alternatively, the parts may be releasably connectable to one another. This

latter form of assembly is preferred because it enables the respective parts to be

separated to expose the interior of the nozzle device for cleaning.

The device of the present invention may also be provided with a trigger

actuator which enables the first and second stages of operation to be facilitated

by the operation of a trigger, rather than applying pressure to the housing

directly. The trigger actuator is preferably configured so that, when the trigger is pulled, the housing of the device is caused to move towards the base and

compress the chamber of the device formed there between, thereby causing the

pressure within the chamber to increase and the fluid present therein to be

dispensed through the nozzle outlet. When the trigger is released, the housing

is free to move away from the base so as to cause the volume of the chamber to

expand and thereby draw more product (and air if an air compartment is

present) into the chamber.

Preferably, the trigger actuator is a separate component that is fitted to

the pump-action nozzle device and which comprises a trigger handle and two

attachment elements. Preferably, a first attachment element fixes the actuator

to the base and a second attachment element attaches the trigger actuator to the

housing, said elements being moveable towards each other when the trigger is

pulled and moveable apart from each other when the trigger is released and

returned to its original position.

Preferably, one attachment element is integrally formed with the trigger

and is pivotally attached to the base of the device and the other attachment

element, the other attachment element being pivotally mounted to the housing

of the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a

trigger actuator adapted to be fitted to a pump nozzle device comprising an

internally compressible chamber formed between a housing and a base of the device, said housing being moveable relative to the base to facilitate the

expansion of the internal chamber in a first stage of operation and the

compression of the chamber in a second stage of operation, said trigger actuator

comprising a trigger handle and means by which the trigger actuator may be

connected to the base and means by which the trigger actuator may be attached

the housing, wherein said trigger actuator is configured so that when the trigger

is pulled towards the nozzle device said housing is caused to move relative to

the base and compress the chamber during the second stage of operation and

when said trigger is released said housing is caused to move relative to the base

to expand the chamber during the first stage of operation.

Thus, the trigger actuator provides a means by which a pump nozzle

device may be converted into a trigger actuated pump-action nozzle device.

The trigger actuator is preferably formed as discussed above.

In more general terms, it can be particularly desirable to co-eject air

from a pump-action nozzle device because, in the case of devices adapted to

generate a spray (e.g. finger pump and trigger spray nozzle devices), the quality

of the spray produced at low pressures can often be poor and the mixing of the

fluid with an air stream provides a means by which the spray droplets ejected

from the nozzle device can be further atomised prior to ejection from the nozzle

device. In addition, it can also be desirable to introduce air into a low pressure

dispenser which is dispensing a product such as a foam or mousse. Although it is commonplace to co-eject air from industrial scale nozzle devices where high

volumes of air and high pressures are can be used, it is less common (although

not unknown) to co-eject air with another fluid from a pump-action nozzle

device. This is because the amount of air that can be contained in such devices

is limited (up to a maximum of 10 times the volume of liquid dispensed and

more typically between 5 and 10 times the volume of liquid) and the pressure

generated by such devices is typically low (between 3 and 6 bars).

Conventional nozzle devices (commonly referred to as air pumps) are

generally large complex structures that are difficult to manufacture, particularly

at low cost (due to the material and assembly costs involved). It is a further

object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a pump-action nozzle

arrangement which can co-eject air together with another fluid from a container

and which is also simple and compact nozzle device that is inexpensive to

produce and comprises only a few separate components.

Hence, according to a third aspect of the present invention there is

provided a pump-action nozzle device adapted to be fitted to an opening of a

container and enable a liquid to be dispensed from the interior of said container

during use, said nozzle device having a body which defines an internal chamber

and which comprises:

(i) an inlet having a one-way valve through which fluid can be drawn

into said chamber; (ii) an outlet orifice;

(iii) an internal passageway that connects said chamber to said outlet

orifice;

(iv) a one-way outlet valve disposed in said internal passageway and

adapted to only open and permit fluid to flow along said passageway when the

pressure within the internal chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum

pressure; and

(iv) an actuator;

wherein said body is configured such that the internal volume of the

chamber is reduced when said actuator is operated, thereby causing fluid stored

in the chamber to be ejected through said outlet valve and along said internal

passageway to the outlet orifice, and increased when said actuator is released,

thereby causing fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet;

characterised in that said body further defines an air chamber configured

to dispense a stream of air into said internal passageway or said outlet orifice

when said actuator is operated through an outlet channel which connects said

air chamber to a position along said internal passageway or said outlet, said

body being configured such that the internal volume of the chamber is reduced

when said actuator is operated, thereby causing air present in the air chamber to

be ejected through said outlet channel and into said internal passageway or said

outlet orifice, and increased when said actuator is released, thereby causing air

to be drawn into the air chamber from the external environment. Preferably the nozzle devices of the third aspect of the present invention

comprise one or more features of the nozzle arrangements of the first aspect of

the present invention defined above (even if no specifically reiterated below).

During the normal operation of the device of the third aspect of the

present invention, the actuator is operated to compress both the internal

chamber of the device and the air chamber to cause fluid present in the internal

chamber and air present in the air chamber, respectively, to be dispensed

through the outlet orifice. Once the actuator is then released, the volume of the

chambers can be increased to cause fluid to be drawn into the internal chamber

through the inlet of the device and air to be drawn into the air chamber.

It is preferable that one or more of the internal chamber, inlet (and inlet

valve), outlet valve (and outlet valve) are defined by the body of the device, as

discussed above. Most preferably, all of the aforementioned components are

defined by the body of the device. Thus, in such embodiments, the device of the

third present invention is simpler in design/construction and comprises a

reduced number of components. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the

invention, the bulk of the device can be significantly reduced and the chamber

can be positioned outside the container (or substantially outside of the

of virtually any size, without the amount of pressure that can be generated

being influenced by the size of the container and the constraints that this would impose of the dimensions of the device (as is the case with conventional pump

nozzle devices).

Preferably, the device comprises a resilient means configured to cause

the volume of the chamber to increase once the actuator is released.

Preferably, the body of the device comprises two component parts that

can be moved towards one another to compress the internal chamber and the air

chamber, and away from one another to cause the chamber to expand. The

resilient means is preferably biased against both of said parts to urge the two

parts away from one another. The resilient means may be a spring or other

resiliently deformable insert provided in one or both said internal chamber and

said air chamber.

The air chamber may be a separate compartment of the internal chamber

or may be a separate chamber altogether.

Air may be drawn into the air chamber through outlet orifice and the

internal passageway of the device and into the air chamber through the outlet

channel when the actuator is released and the volume of said chamber is caused

to increase/expand. In such cases, air is prevented from accessing the internal

chamber by the one-way outlet valve. Preferably, however, the device may

further comprise an air inlet through which air is drawn into the air chamber

from outside the device. The air inlet preferably comprises an air inlet valve

configured to only open and permit air to be drawn into the chamber when the pressure therein falls below the external pressure (i.e. when the volume of the

chamber is caused to increase).

The outlet channel may be one or more fine holes or pores which permit

air to flow through but prevent any liquid from the internal chamber flowing

through the internal passageway from accessing the air chamber. Most

preferably, however, the outlet channel comprises an air release valve adapted

to only open and permit fluid to flow along said passageway when the pressure

within the air chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure. Any

suitable air release valve may be used. In embodiments of the third aspect of

the invention where air is drawn into the air chamber through the outlet orifice

and the internal passageway, the air release valve will be a two-way valve

configured to permit air to flow out of the air chamber when the pressure within

the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure, and flow into the air

chamber when the pressure therein falls below the external pressure. In

embodiments of the third aspect of the invention where air is drawn into the air

chamber through a separate air inlet, the air release valve is preferably a one

way valve configured to only open and permit air to flow out of the air chamber

when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined minimum.

Preferably, the outlet valve and the air release valve are configured to

open at substantially the same ininimum threshold pressure. This ensures that

the fluid from the internal chamber and the air from the air chamber are both released at the same time. Clearly this can be modified to enable either the air

or liquid to be dispensed first if this is desired.

Preferably, the internal passageway is separated from said air chamber

by a wall of the body and said outlet channel is formed in said wall at any

desired position so that air can be ejected into said internal passageway at any

desired position along the length of the internal passageway.

In preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention the

chamber is positioned either above or below the internal passageway and said

outlet channel is formed in an upper or lower wall of the chamber respectively.

Preferably the outlet channel is positioned so that air is introduced into

the internal passageway downstream from the outlet valve (i.e. it is introduced

at a position between the outlet valve and the outlet orifice).

Preferably, at least a portion of the internal passageway of the outlet is

defined between the abutment surfaces of two or more component parts of the

nozzle device.

In certain embodiments of the third aspect of the invention a portion of

the internal passageway may be defined by just one of said component parts. In

preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, however, each of

said parts has an abutment surface which contacts the abutment surfaces of the

other parts when the parts are contacted together in the assembled nozzle

device, and at least one of said abutment surfaces has one or more groove and/or recesses formed thereon which define said internal passageway between

the abutment surfaces when said parts are contacted together. It is most

preferred that the at least a portion of the internal passageway is defined

between two component parts of said body. In such cases, the at least a portion

of the passageway is defined between opposing abutment surfaces of said two

parts and at least one of said abutment surfaces has one or more grooves and/or

recesses formed thereon which define said passageway when the abutment

surfaces of said parts are contacted together. Most preferably, both of said

abutment surfaces have one or more grooves and/or recesses formed thereon

which align to define said passageway when the abutment surfaces of said parts

are contacted together.

Examples of nozzle devices formed of two separate parts which define

an internal passageway of the device are described in WO 01/89958 and W0

97/31841, and the entire contents of these documents are incoφorated herein by

reference.

The outlet valve may be any suitable valve assembly configured to only

open and permit fluid to flow through the outlet when the volume of the

chamber is reduced and the pressure therein exceeds a predeteimined minimum

threshold pressure. The minimum threshold pressure required will depend on

the application of the nozzle device. For instance, the threshold pressure may

be set very low if the product is to be dispensed slowly or gradually at a low

pressure (as is the case with, for example, soaps, creams etc.) whereas the threshold pressure may be much higher if the nozzle device is to be used to

generate a spray. In the latter case, the contents of the chamber may be ejected

at a pressure of 6 bars, for example, (although it could be as low as 2 to 3 bars

in some cases) and in such cases the minimum threshold pressure of the outlet

where the ball is displaced to open the valve when the pressure within the

chamber exceeds a predetermined πώiimum threshold. In a preferred

embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, however, the outlet valve is a

flap valve in which the flap is resiliently mounted so as to reside in a position in

which a channel between the chamber and nozzle outlet is closed (i.e. the valve

is closed), but may be distended to a position in which said channel is open (i.e.

the valve is open) when the pressure within the chamber exceeds the

predetermined πiinimum threshold pressure.

In preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention wherein

the outlet comprises a outlet orifice and an internal passageway, at least a

portion of which is defined between the abutment surfaces of two or more parts

of the nozzle device, the outlet valve is preferably formed by said portion of the

internal passageway that is defined between the abutment surfaces of two or

more parts of the nozzle device, although it may also be formed in a portion of

the internal passageway that is defined by just one of said parts. Most

preferably, the valve comprises a valve member that is formed on one of the

component parts, said valve member being resiliently biased against the opposing surface of the other component part or parts, thereby closing the

internal passageway formed there between, and being configured to be

displaced so as to define an open channel through which fluid can flow when

the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined ininimum threshold

pressure.

Preferably, the valve member is in the form of a resiliently deformable

a configuration whereby the flap extends across the internal passageway and

closes the passageway. The flap is further configured to resiliently deform

when the pressure within the chamber is at or exceeds a predete-rnined

minimum threshold pressure to define an opening or channel through which

fluid from the chamber can flow along the internal passageway to the outlet

orifice, where it is ejected in the form of a spray. The flap may simply extend

across the passageway, but it is preferable that the flap is resiliently biased

against an opposing abutment surface or surfaces, which define the internal

passageway. It is especially preferred that the flap is mounted within chamber

formed within the internal passageway. The chamber provides sufficient space

when the pressure within the chamber is at or exceeds the predetermined

minimum threshold.

Alternatively, the valve member is in the form of a plug which is

resiliently biased into a position in which the plug blocks the internal passageway, but is configured to also be displaced to define an opening or

channel through which fluid can flow when the when the pressure within the

chamber is at or exceeds the predetermined niinimum threshold. Although the

plug itself may be configured to deform so as to define a channel or opening

through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber (and acting

on the plug) is at or exceeds the predetermined niinimum threshold, it is most

preferable that the plug is mounted to a resiliently deformable surface which

can deform to withdraw the plug from the internal passageway when the

requisite pressure within the chamber has been achieved.

The valve member and/or the surface on which it is mounted may be

made from any suitable resiliently deformable material, such as a deformable

plastic material or a rubber material.

In general it is preferable that the outlet valve is defined by the body of

the device rather than being a separate component. Thus, one part of the body

comprises a valve member formed thereon as an integral component, which

shuts off or closes the internal passageway but which can be displaced to open

the valve when the pressure within the chamber exceeds the predetermined

mii-imum threshold pressure.

The outlet orifice is positioned at the end of the internal passageway.

Preferably, the outlet orifice is formed at an edge of the abutment surfaces of

the at least two parts In embodiments where the internal passageway is defined by two or

more abutment surfaces (preferably two abutment surfaces), the outlet channel

of the air chamber extends from a position on one of said abutment surfaces to

the air chamber.

In embodiments of the third aspect of the invention which are adapted to

generate a spray of the fluid dispensed through the outlet during use, it is

preferable that the internal passageway further comprises one or more internal

spray-modifying features. As an alternative, the nozzle device may be

configured to receive an insert which comprises one or more spray-modifying

features. The insert can be positioned in relation to the nozzle device so that

fluid exiting the outlet orifice flows into an inlet of said insert and through an

internal passageway comprising the one or more internal spray modifying

features formed therein to an outlet orifice of the insert where the fluid is

ejected.

Suitable spray-modifying features that may be incoφorated within the

internal fluid flow passageway or present in an insert fitted thereto are known

in the art and are described further in, for example, International Patent

Publication No. WO 01/89958, the entire contents of which are incoφorated

herein by reference. Illustrative examples of such features include one or more

features selected from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a swirl

chamber, an internal orifice, multiple passageway branches, a dog-leg

orifice in the form of a slit, or multiple outlet orifices.

It is preferable that outlet valve is positioned before (or upstream from)

the one or more spray modifying features, such that fluid can only flow through

the spray modifying features when the pre-compression valve is open.

It is also especially preferred that the outlet channel is arranged to

introduce air into an internal chamber formed in the internal passageway or the

insert (whereby the outlet channel may align with a hole formed in the insert

through which the air can flow into the insert). Such a chamber may be an

expansion chamber or a swirl chamber.

The inlet valve may be any suitable valve assembly which enables the

contents of the container to flow into the chamber of the device only when the

pressure within the chamber falls below the external pressure, but which

prevents flow in the other direction during the first stage of operation of the

device.

The actuator may be any suitable means by which the compression and

subsequent re-expansion of the chamber may be facilitated. For instance, the

actuator may be a portion of the body that can be pressed by an operator to

facilitate the compression of the chamber, or the nozzle arrangement may

further comprise a trigger actuator that can be pulled by an operator to facilitate

the compression of the chamber. In order to prevent the container to which the device is attached from collapsing

when fluid is dispensed from the interior of the container and the pressure

therein is reduced, it is preferable that the device comprises an air leak valve

configured to enable air from the external environment to access the interior of

the container to equalise any pressure differential that exists between them.

Any suitable form of air leak would suffice. Preferably, however, the air leak

valve is a one-way valve, which enables air to flow into the container from the

outside, but prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction, and hence, prevents

any product in the container from leaking out through the air leak valve if the

container is inverted, for example. Illustrative examples of suitable air leak

valve arrangements formed in the device of the present invention are described

below in reference to Figures 9 A, 9B and 9C.

The nozzle devices of the third aspect of the present invention are

preferably formed from plastic. The component parts of the nozzle

arrangement may be moulded individually and then connected together to form

the assembled nozzle arrangement. Alternatively, some or all of the

components may be formed by a bi-injection moulding process whereby a first

component is moulded during a first moulding stage and a second component

part is then moulded onto the first component part during a second moulding

stage. The first and second component parts may be made from the same or a

different material. In embodiments where the housing is composed of two component parts,

each component part may be made moulded separately and then joined together

or by a bi-injection moulding process, as described above. As an additional

alternative, the two component parts may be connected to one another by a

binge or foldable connection element and moulded in a single moulding

operation and then folded over about said hinge or connection element to form

the assembled housing component.

The respective parts, once formed, may be permanently fixed together by, for

example, ultrasonic welding, or alternatively, the parts may be releasably

connectable to one another. This latter form of assembly is preferred because it

enables the respective parts to be separated to expose the interior of the nozzle

device for cleaning

How the invention may be put into effect will now be described further

by way of example only in reference to the following Figures, in which:

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view taken through a first embodiment of

a device of the present invention;

Figure IB is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the components

which make up the device shown in Figure 1 A;

Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view taken through a second embodiment

of a device of the present invention;

Figure 2B is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the components which make up the device shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 3 A is a cross-sectional view of the housing 102 shown in Figures

2A and 2B;

Figure 3B is a plan view of the underside of the housing 102 shown in

Figures 2A and 2B;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the base 101 shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the plunger 108 shown in Figures

2A and 2B;

Figure 5B is a plan view of the plunger 108 shown in Figures 2A and

2B;

Figures 6A and 6B are both cross-sectional views showing the top

portion of the housing shown in Figure 2A and 2B nozzle outlet with the lid

104 partly displaced from the housing (Figure 6A) and in contact with the

housing 102 (Figure 6B);

Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle outlet 106 shown in

Figures 2 A and 2B;

Figure 7B is a perspective view of the recess 704 shown in Figure 7A;

Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of Figure 7A

in an assembled nozzle outlet;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional diagrammatical view taken through the upper portion of the housing 102 of an alternative embodiment of the present

invention which incoφorates an alternative version of the second valve;

Figures 9A to 9c are cross-sectional diagrammatical views showing

various embodiments of an air leak valve;

Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of a device of the present invention

which is fitted with a trigger actuator;

Figure 1 OB is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 8 A

when the trigger has been pulled to cause the housing to move relative to the

base;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through the housing 102 of an

alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12A is an exploded cross-sectional view of a further alternative

embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12B is a cross-sectional view of the assembled nozzle

arrangement shown in Figure 12 A;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment

of the present invention; and

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view to yet another alternative

embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 to 14 all exemplify the first aspect of the present invention. Figures 10A and 10B exemplify the second aspect of the present invention and

Figures 2 A to 8, 13 and 14 exemplify the third aspect of the present invention.

In the following description of the Figures, like reference numerals will

be used to denote like or corresponding parts in different Figures.

A first embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention is

shown in Figures 1A and IB. The device 100 comprises a base 101 which

defines a cavity 150, the internal walls of which are provided with a screw

thread 151 formed therein. This internal cavity 150 is adapted to receive a

corresponding shaped and screw-threaded neck of a container, thereby enabling

the device 100 to be screwed onto the container for use.

The device 100 further comprises a housing 102 which is slidably

mounted within a recessed groove 103 formed on the upper surface of the base

101. The groove 103 of the base is provided with detents (in this case an

inwardly projecting rim 101a) which abut co-operating detents (in this case an

outwardly projecting rim 102a) formed on the housing 102 to limit the upward

movement of the housing relative to the base and thereby prevent the housing

from sliding out of engagement with the base during use.

The base 101 and housing 102 together define an internal chamber 107

in which a plunger 108 is disposed. The plunger 108 is seated on the base 101

and extends across the entire width of the chamber 107 to abut the side walls of

the chamber formed by the housing 102 and form a sealing engagement therewith.

The plunger 108 also comprises an integrally formed, downwardly

extending valve member 108a, which is received within a valve seat 109

formed in the base 101. The valve member 108a, together with the valve seat

109, form the so-called inlet valve of the device between the chamber and the

interior of the container. An inlet channel 110 is also formed in the base 101

and a dip tube (not shown) is fitted to this channel to enable the contents of the

container to be drawn into the chamber 107 of the device 100 through the inlet

valve during use, as described further below.

The housing 102 comprises a first part 102c which defines the internal

chamber 107 and additionally comprises a second part in the form of a lid 104.

The first part 102c defines an upper wall 102d and side wall 102e of the

chamber, as well as an initial portion 106a of the internal passageway 106. The

remainder of the internal passageway 106 is defined between respective

abutment surfaces of the lid 104 and the first part of the housing 102c. In this

regard, the abutment surfaces of the first part 102c and the lid 104 comprises

recesses and/or grooves formed thereon which align when the respective

abutment surfaces are contacted together to define the remainder of the internal

passageway 106. An outlet orifice 112 is formed where the grooves/recesses

meet the edge of the abutment surfaces of the housing 102c and the lid 104.

A one-way outlet valve is formed within the internal passageway defined by the abutment surfaces of the lid 104 and the first part of the housing 102c.

In this regard, the lid 104 is provided with a resiliently mounted flap 105 which

sits in a chamber 105a formed in the internal passageway to form the outlet

valve. The flap 105 is resiliently biased against the upper surface of the first

part on the housing 102a to close the internal passageway 106, but can be

displaced towards the outlet 112 when the pressure within the chamber exceeds

a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. The outlet valve is a one-way

valve because the flap cannot be displaced towards the chamber 107.

A coiled spring 111 is positioned within the chamber 107. The spring is

biased at one end against the housing 102 and the base 101 at its other end. The

housing additional comprises a support member 102b which extends

downwards from its upper surface and is positioned inside the bore defined by

the coiled spring 111. The support member 102b provides support to the

spring and also enables the spring to be kept in place while the device is

assembled.

The spring urges the housing 102 upwards and away from the base so

that the rim 102a of the housing abuts the internal rim 101a of the base, thereby

limiting the extent of upward movement of the housing 102. In this position

(and as shown in Figure 1A) the internal chamber 107 possesses its maximum

internal volume. During use, the lid 104 of the housing 102 can be pressed

downwards by an operator so as to cause the housing 102 to slide towards the

base 101, against the action of the spring 111. During this movement, the internal volume of the chamber 107 is reduced and this in turn results in the

compression of the chamber 107. The resultant increase in pressure in the

chamber pushes the valve member 108a of the plunger into a sealing

engagement with the valve seat 109, thereby closing the inlet valve and

preventing the contents of the chamber flowing from the chamber 107 into the

interior of the container. Furthermore, once the pressure within the chamber

reaches a predetermined n- nimum threshold value, for example 5 bars, the

contents of the container cause the resiliently mounted flap 105 to be displaced

from a position in which the outlet is blocked to a position in which the outlet is

open, thereby enabling the contents stored within the chamber 107 to flow

through the outlet valve, along the internal passageway 106 and then be

dispensed from the device through the outlet orifice 112.

Once the desired amount of product has been dispensed or the housing

has been depressed to its fullest extent so that the maximum quantity of product

has been dispensed from the chamber, then the operator will release the

pressure applied to the housing and the housing will slide back to its initial

position (as shown in Figure 1A) under the action of the spring 111. In doing

so the internal volume of the chamber 107 increases and this creates a reduced

pressure within the chamber 107. The outlet valve is closed during this process

because once the pressure falls below the lninimum threshold, the resiliently

mounted flap 105 returns to the position in which it covers the outlet 105a. The

reduced pressure within the chamber 107 causes the inlet valve to be opened, i.e. the valve member 108a of the plunger 108 is displaced from the valve seat

110 and the contents of the container are drawn into the chamber 107 to

replenish the contents previously dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment, the plunger would be replaced with the

plunger shown in Figure 9C, thereby additionally providing the device 100 with

an air leak valve.

Referring to Figure 2A and 2B, there is shown a second embodiment of

a device 200 of the present invention. This second embodiment is the same as

the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in many respects and this is illustrated by

the use of the same reference numerals to denote like or corresponding parts.

There is, however, one principal difference in that the housing 102 is formed to

define a chamber 107 that is composed of two separate, internally-sealed

compartments. The central compartment 107a is equivalent to the chamber 107

shown in Figure 1 in that the contents of the container pass through it during

use. The circular wall -201 of the housing 102 defines the central compartment

107a. This wall 201 is received wilhin a corresponding circular recessed

groove 202 formed in the upper surface of the base 101. Thus, during use the

wall 201 slides within the recessed groove 202. The chamber 107a comprises a

smaller plunger 108 and a spring 111, the functions of which are identical to

that described in reference to Figures 1 A and IB.

The second compartment is an air chamber 203 which surrounds the central compartment 107a. The air compartment 203 is defined between the

outside wall of the housing 102 and the inner wall 201. An air plunger 204 is

seated on the base wilhin the air compartment 203 and performs the same

function as the plunger 108 described in reference to Figure 1. In this

embodiment, the air plunger 204 is circular in shape and comprises a recess 205

formed in its under surface which, when seated onto the base in the final

assembly, as shown in Figure 2A, receives the upright protrusion 206 formed

on the base. A plan view of the upper surface of the base 101 is shown in

Figure 4 to illustrate the arrangement of the respective recesses and protrusions.

The air chamber 203 comprises an outlet channel 204 which connects

the air chamber 203 to a position along the length of the internal passageway

106, such that air ejected from the air chamber 203 when the housing of the

device is displaced towards the base thereby comprising the chambers 107 and

203) entering the internal passageway 106 downstream from the outlet valve

and is dispensed with the liquid dispensed from the chamber 107.

An air release valve (not shown) is provided in the outlet channel 204.

The valve is a two way valve adapted to open and permit air to be dispensed

from the chamber 203 only when a predetermined minimum pressure is

achieved therein. The valve is preferably configured to open at the same time

as the outlet valve so that the liquid dispensed from the chamber 107 is

simultaneously released with air from the air chamber. This ensures that the air

and liquid mix wilhin the internal passageway 106. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the housing 102 may be

wider than the base and configured so that the outer wall of the housing slides

over the outer wall of the base. This construction is preferred for embodiments

of the invention which comprise an air leak, as discussed further below in

reference to Figure 9C.

For the puφose of illustration, housing 102 of the embodiment shown in

Figure 2 is shown in Figures 3 A and 3B. Referring to these Figures, it can be

seen that the housing has two outlets formed in its upper surface, namely the

initial portion of the internal passageway 106a, and the outlet channel 204

through which the contents of the air chamber 203 are ejected during use into

the internal passageway 106 defined between the lid 104 and the upper surface

of the first part 102c of the housing 102.

The plunger 108 of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 A and 2B is

shown in more detail in Figures 5 A and 5B. The upper portion of the plunger

108 is shaped to form two tight sealing engagements with the wall 201 of the

central chamber 107a when positioned within the assembled device, as shown

in Figure 2A. Specifically, a first seal, which prevents air leaking past the

plunger during the second stage of operation, is formed by the edge 501

contacting the wall of the housing 201. A second seal, which prevents air

leaking past the plunger during the first stage of operation, is formed by the

contact of the edge 502 with the housing 201. If the second seal was not

present, the edge 501 could be displaced from contact with the housing during the first stage of operation of the device by the pressure difference between the

interior of the compartment and the outside environment, thereby causing air to

flow into the compartment 107a, instead of product being drawing in through

the inlet valve. The plunger also has a downwardly extending valve member

108a which terminates in a truncated cone which is received within the aperture

defined by the valve seat 109 of the base 101 to form the inlet valve.

The upper portion of the housing 102 is shown in more detail in Figures

6A and 6B. Fitted to the upper surface of a first part of the housing 102c is a

lid 104. The lid is composed of two parts, a body 601 which is adapted to be

fitted to the upper portion of the housing 102 and a hinged Hd portion 602. The

hinged lid portion 602 has the resiliently deformable flap 105a formed on its

under surface which, when the lid is brought together with the body 601, forms

the outlet valve, as previously described. The hinged lid portion 602 also has

an abutment surface having grooves and/or recesses formed thereon which,

when the lid is contacted with a corresponding abutment surface formed on the

upper surface of the housing 102 which has corresponding grooves and/or

recesses formed thereon, defines the nozzle outlet 106.

A plan view of abutment surface of the upper surface of the housing 102

is shown in Figure 7A. The abutment surface 701 comprises an aperture which

extends to the internal chamber 107a and forms an initial portion 106a of the

internal passageway and a groove 702 which extends from the second valve to

an edge of the abutment surface 703. Formed within the groove 702 is a deepened recess 704. The recess 704 is shown in more detail in Figure 7B

where it can be seen that the recess is semicircular in cross-sectional profile and

the channel 204 that extends from the air chamber 203 into the recess. The

abutment surface of the lid 602 (not shown) comprises a similar groove to the

groove 702 with an equivalent a recess equivalent to the recess 704 formed

therein. Thus, when the two abutment surfaces are brought into contact, the

grooves and recesses formed therein align to form a fluid flow passageway

which extends from the second valve to the outlet 703 of the device and

comprises a circular chamber formed by the alignment of the recess 704 and the

corresponding recess of the abutment surface of the lid 602. The chamber thus

formed is known as an expansion chamber. In use, the contents of the internal

chamber 107a passes through the second valve into the passageway formed by

the groove 702 and its equivalent on the opposing abutment surface of the lid

104. The fluid is then sprayed into the expansion chamber (see reference 710

in Figure 7C) formed by the recess 704 and the corresponding recess in the

opposing abutment surface of the lid through an orifice formed in the

passageway (not shown). The spray droplets thus formed mix with an air

stream ejected from the air chamber 203 in the expansion chamber 710 and then

continue along the passageway to the outlet 112 where they are ejected from the

device in the form of a spray.

To prevent the occurrence of leaks, the fluid outlet arrangement is

surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped recess 705 formed in the abutment surface of the housing 102 which receives a correspondingly shaped protrusion 706

(see Figure 7C) formed on the abutment surface of the lid, as shown in Figure

7C, to form a horseshoe-shaped seal barrier. In a similar manner, further

recesses 707 extend from either side of the horseshoe-shaped recess 705

towards the groove 702 at various points along the length of the groove 702.

These further recesses also receive correspondingly shaped protrusions on the

abutment surface of the lid and, together with the horseshoe-shaped seal barrier,

define a series of internally sealed compartments around portions of the fluid

flow passageway when the abutment surfaces of the upper surface of the

housing 102 and the lid 602 are brought into contact. Any fluid that leaks from

the fluid flow passage during use is then trapped within one of these

compartments and prevented from seeping between the abutment surfaces and

leaking from the nozzle outlet.

The channel 204 is shown in Figures 7A and 7B as a direct channel

between the air chamber 203 (not shown) and the internal passageway 106 of

the nozzle outlet. Where the nozzle outlet is formed between the abutment

surfaces of two or more parts, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, it shall be

appreciated that the air can be conveniently channelled to virtually any point

along the length of the fluid flow passage that is desired by positioning the

opening of the outlet channel 204 so that air enters the channel where it is

desired.

Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of Figure 7A. In Figure 7C the horseshoe-shaped recesses 705 and the horseshoe-shaped

protrusion 706, which form the horseshoe shaped seal, are visible on either side

of the expansion chamber 710. The fluid flow passage 711 which opens to the

expansion chamber 710 is also shown.

An alternative embodiment of the lid 104 is shown in Figure 8. In this

embodiment, the lid 104 is fitted to the upper surface of the first part 102c

housing 102 shown in Figures 1A and IB in the usual manner. The initial

portion of the internal passageway 106a formed by first part 102c of the

housing 102 is covered by a resiliently deformable membrane 801, which is

integrally formed in the lid 104, and has a downwardly extending plug 802

which is received within the upper portion of the initial portion of the

passageway 106a. The membrane 801 and plug 802 effectively form an

alternative form of valve member for the outlet valve of the device. During

use, i.e. when the housing is pushed towards the base 101 to eject the contents

of the chamber through the internal passage 106 and the outlet 112, the pressure

within the chamber increases to a predetermined threshold level and, once this

level is attained or exceeded, the membrane 801 is caused to deform away from

the opening of the portion of the passageway 106a thereby withdrawing the

plug 802 and foπning an opening through which the contents of the chamber

may flow to the outlet 106. After use, i.e. when the pressure falls below the

-mnimum threshold, the membrane returns to its original position in which the

channel 301 is closed, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 9A shows a modification to the air plunger 204 and base 101

shown in Figures 2A and 2B which provides an air leak to equalise any

pressure differential that develops between the interior of the container and the

external environment. Only the relevant portion of the device is shown in

Figure 9A for the puφose of illustration. As previously discussed in reference

to Figures 2 A and 2B, the housing 102 is slidably mounted in a recess 103 of

the base 101 and an air plunger 204 is seated on a protrusion ridge 206 formed

in the base 101. As shown in Figure 9 A, the air plunger 204 is modified to

include a downwardly extending resiliently mounted arm 901 which contacts

the internal wall of the housing. The resiliently mounted arm 901 is positioned

adjacent to an air leak opening 902 formed within the base and is capable of

movement between a position in which said arm covers and closes the air leak

opening and a position in which the air leak is open, thereby enabling air to

flow between the external environment and the interior of the container. As

can be seen in Figure 9A, the resiliently mounted arm 901 of the plunger 204

can be urged into the closed position by an enlarged annular rim 903 at the base

of the internal wall of the housing 101, which urges the resiliently mounted arm

into a position in which the air leak is closed when the device is not in use.

When the housing is pushed downwards relative to the base, the arm 901 of the

air plunger 204 is resiliently biased to still seal the opening 902, whereas when

the housing moves upwards relative to the base, the arm 901 is displaced from

the opening 902 and air can pass through the opening until the rim 903 urges the arm 901 back towards the opening to reform the seal.

Figure 9B shows yet another alternative embodiment of the device of the

present invention which comprises an air leak formed therein. The embodiment

shown in figure 9B is similar to that shown in Figures 2A and 2B in certain

respects. However, this embodiment differs in that the central compartment

107a of the chamber is provided with a plunger of different construction to the

plunger 108. In this embodiment, the plunger in the central cavity 107a is

shown by the reference 910 and a separate valve member 911 is received within

the valve seat 109 of the base 101 to form the first valve. A ledge or set of post

912 onto which the spring 111 is mounted is provided between the valve

member 911 and the plunger 910. A further modification is that the second

valve is formed by a resiliently deformable membrane 801 having a

downwardly extending member 802 which is received wilhin the outlet channel

301, rather than the flap 105 which covers the opening 105a previously

described.

The air plunger 204 is also of a different form but, in common with the

embodiment shown in Figure 9 A, comprises a resiliently mounted arm 901

which is also capable of being urged from a position in which the arm is

displaced from an air leak opening 902 formed in the base and the air leak is

open, to a position in which the air leak 902 is closed. Again, the arm 901 of

the air plunger 204 is urged into the position whereby the air leak 902 is closed

when an enlarged rim 903 formed at the base of the internal wall of the housing 102 slides past the arm 901. Hence, when the housing is pressed down relative

to the base, as shown in Figure 9B, the air leak is open, but if the housing is

released so that the spring 111 pushes the housing upwards until the rim 102a

abuts the rim 101a, then the arm is urged into the position whereby the air leak

is closed by the enlarged rim 903.

Figure 9C shows a further alternative embodiment of the device, which

comprises an air leak. In this embodiment, the outer wall of the housing slides

over the outer surface of the base when the housing is pushed down relative to

the base, rather than being slidably mounted within a recessed groove formed in

the upper surface of the base, as in all of the previous embodiments. In this

embodiment, the air plunger 204 is in the form of a wedge which possesses two

arms. A first arm 901 contacts the side of the base to form a seal to close the

air leak 902 formed in the base, whereas the second arm 920 forms a tight

sealing engagement with the internal wall of the air compartment 203. The seal

formed by the arm 901 is only very light and this are can be deflected to a

position in which the air leak is open if the external pressure exceeds the

pressure within the container. The leakage of the contents of the container out

of through the air leak 902 is prevented, however, because the arm 902 forms a

seal against the wall of the base as shown in Figure 9C and cannot be deflected

further to enable flow to occur out of the container.

Figures 10A and 10B show a container 1000 fitted with a device 100 of

the present invention which is provided with a trigger actuator 1001. The trigger actuator 1001 is composed of two pivotally connected parts 1002 and

1003 connected together by a plastic binge at 1004. Part 1002 consists of an

attachment element 1002a which is pivotally connected to the base of the

device and a trigger 1002b which can be operated by a user in the normal

manner. Part 1003 is pivotally mounted to the lid 104 of the housing 102.

Operation of the trigger by pulling it towards the container pulls the part 1002

downwards about the pivotal connection to the base and this action in turn

causes the part 1003 to pull the housing downwards relative to the base, (thus

compressing the chamber therein and causing the product, or a mixture of

product and air (if an air chamber is present), to be dispensed through the

nozzle outlet).

The housing 102 and plunger 108 of an alternative embodiment of the

present invention is shown in Figure 11. This embodiment is the same as that

shown in Figures 1A and IB except that the plunger 108 comprises upwardly

and outwardly extending wall 108b which defines a liquid containing,

resiliently deformable insert or compartment 107a within the chamber 107. The

upwardly and outwardly extending wall 108b is resiliently deformable so that

when the housing 102 is displaced towards the base 101 (not shown in Figure

11) the wall will deform/collapse so that the pressure within the compartment

107a increases and fluid present therein will be dispensed through the internal

passageway 106 and the outlet when the pressure is sufficient to open the outlet

valve. In this embodiment the resilient deformable wall/insert 108b is the resilient means which, instead of the spring 111 and post 102b required in the

embodiment shown in Figures 1A and IB, forces the housing 102 away from

the base 101 to cause the volume of the chamber to increase when the actuator

is not operated, or it is released after operation.

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in

Figures 12A and 12B. This embodiment is identical to the embodiment

described in reference to Figure 11, except that the resiliently deformable insert

or wall 108b is formed as a resiliently deformable bellows or concertina, which

compresses when the chamber 107 is compressed by the operation of the

actuator (i.e. pressing the housing downwards towards the base 101) and

subsequently returns to its original configuration, as shown in Figures 12A and

12B, when the pressure applied to the actuator is released.

The embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 11, 12A and 12B,

are the simplest embodiments of the present invention comprising only three

separate component parts, namely the base 101, the housing 102 (including the

lid 104) and the insert/valve member 108. Accordingly, these embodiments

will be particularly cheap to produce.

A further modified embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 13.

This embodiment is identical to that shown in Figures 12A and 12B, except that

an additional resiliently deformable bellows or concertina insert 1301 is

provided inside the insert 108b. In this embodiment, the compartment 107a forms an air chamber, equivalent to the air chamber 203, and the inner

compartment 1302 contains the liquid drawn in through the inlet. Liquid drawn

in through the inlet is transferred into the internal compartment 1302 through

the stem 1303 of the plunger 801.

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in

Figure 14. In this embodiment a resiliently deformable insert 1401 is

positioned within the internal chamber 107 defined between the first part of the

housing 102c and the base 101. The insert 1401 is formed by two

interconnected sections 1401a and 1401bwhich define a central

compartment/chamber 1302 and an outer air compartment/chamber 203/107a.

The insert 1401 also defines a one-way inlet valve 1402, a one-way outlet valve

1403, a one-way air release valve 1404, a one-way air inlet valve 1405 and a

one-way air release valve.

Thus, when the housing 102 is pushed downwards towards the base 101

(i.e. when the actuator is operated), the insert is compressed and the pressure

within the chambers 1302 and 203/107a increases, thereby causing the valves

1403 and 1404 to open when the pressure within the chambers exceed the

minimum threshold pressure, and the fluid and air present in these chambers to

be ejected through the internal passageway 106 to outlet 112. Once the desired

amount of the fluid has been released, or the housing 102 has been depressed its

fullest extent, the applied pressure is released (i.e. the actuator is released) and

the insert then urges the base 101 and the housing 102 apart due to its inherent resiliency. This causes more fluid to be drawn into the chamber 1302 through

the inlet valve 1402 and more air to be drawn into the air chamber through the

air inlet valve 1405. Any pressure differential between the interior of the

container and the external environment will be equalised through the air release

valve.

Claims

1. A pump-action nozzle device adapted to be fitted to a container and to

enable fluid stored in the interior of said container to be dispensed during use,

said device having a body which defines:

(iv) an internal chamber;

(v) an outlet through which fluid dispensed from said chamber is

ejected from the device, said outlet further comprising an outlet

valve configured to only open and permit fluid to be dispensed

from the chamber when the pressure therein exceeds a

predetermined minimum threshold pressure; and

(vi) an inlet through which fluid can be drawn into said chamber, said

inlet further comprising a valve configured to only open and

permit fluid to be drawn into the chamber when the pressure

within the chamber falls below the external pressure,

wherein said body comprises a base portion and a housing portion, said

base portion and housing portions together defining the internal chamber of the

device and being slidably mounted to one another such that said housing

chamber during a first stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within

the chamber to increase and any fluid stored therein to be dispensed through

said outlet to be dispensed if the pressure therein exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold pressure required to open the outlet valve, and then slid

away from the base to increase the volume of the chamber during a second

stage of operation, thereby causing the pressure within the chamber to reduce

and fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet.

2. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 1, wherein the base is

configured to be fitted to a container.

3. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein

the base defines the inlet.

4. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein an under surface of the base is configured to be fitted to a

container and the upper surface of the base forms an internal surface of the

chamber.

5. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the housing forms one or more internal walls of the chamber

6. A pump-action nozzle device according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the

housing defines the side wall and an end wall of the chamber and the base

defines the opposing end wall.

7. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

wherein the housing is slidably mounted wilhin a recess formed in an upper

surface of the base.

8. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the internal chamber further comprises a plunger.

9. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 8, wherein the plunger

remains stationery while the housing is moved relative to the base.

10. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the plunger forms two seals with the side walls of the chamber,

a first of said seals being configured to prevent fluid leaking past the plunger

during the first stage of operation and a second of said seals being configured to

prevent air leaking into the being drawn into the chamber during the second

stage of operation of the device.

11. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 8 to 10,

wherein the plunger is seated on the base.

12. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 11, wherein the plunger

additionally comprises a valve member which is received by a valve seat

formed by the base to form said inlet valve.

13. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein said nozzle arrangement comprises a resilient means which is

resiliently biased to urge said base and said housing apart.

14. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 13, wherein said

resilient means is a spring disposed within the chamber.

15. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and

13, wherein fluid present within said internal chamber is contained wilhin a

resiliently deformable insert, which is resiliently biased to urge said housing to

and said base apart and is configured to be compressed when the volume of the

chamber is reduced by sliding the housing towards the base.

16. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein cooperating detents provided on the base and the housing abut

one another to limit the extent by which the housing may move away from the

base.

17. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet orifice and an internal

passageway which connects said chamber to said outlet orifice.

18. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 17, wherein said outlet

valve defined by the body and is disposed wilhin said internal passageway.

19. A pump action nozzle device according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein

at least a portion of the internal passageway is defined between the abutment

surfaces of two or more component parts of the body of the nozzle device.

20. A pump action nozzle device according to claim 19, wherein a portion of

the internal passageway is also defined by just one of said component parts.

21. A pump action nozzle device according to claim 20, wherein said outlet

valve is formed on said part and disposed within said portion.

22. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims 17 to 20,

wherein the valve is disposed in the at least a portion of the internal passageway

that is defined between the abutment surfaces of the two or more component

parts of the body.

23. A pump action nozzle device according to claim 22, wherein a valve

member of the outlet valve is formed on one of said parts, said valve member

being resiliently biased to assume a position in which the internal passageway is

closed and being further configured to only be displaced from said resiliently

biased position to define an open channel through which fluid can flow when

the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold

pressure.

24. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims 17 to 23,

wherein each of said parts has an abutment surface which contacts the abutment

surfaces of the other parts when the parts are contacted together in the

assembled nozzle device, at least one of said abutment surfaces having one or

more groove and/or recesses formed thereon which define said internal

passageway between the abutment surfaces when said parts are contacted

together.

25. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims the

preceding claims, wherein said outlet is defined by the housing portion of the

body.

26. A pump-action nozzle arrangement according to any one of the

preceding claims, wherein said housing further comprises two component parts.

27. A pump-action nozzle arrangement according to claim 26, wherein at

least a portion of said passageway is defined between two component parts of

the housing portion of said body.

28. A pump action nozzle device according to claim 26 or claim 27, wherein

said housing comprises a first component part that defines said chamber

together with said base and a second component part which is fitted to said first

part to such that abutment surfaces of said first and second parts are contacted

together to define at least a portion of the internal passageway.

29. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims 17 to 24

and 27 to 28, wherein the outlet orifice is formed at an edge of the abutment

surfaces of the two or more component parts.

30. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims 17 to 24

and 27 to 29, wherein said internal passageway further comprises one or more

internal spray-modifying features.

31. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to

30, wherein said nozzle arrangement is configured to receive an insert

comprising one or more spray modifying features, said insert being configured

such that fluid exiting the outlet orifice flows into said insert, through the one

or more spray modifying features, and is ejected through an outlet of the insert.

32. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to claims 30 or 31,

wherein said spray-modifying features include one or more features selected

from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a swirl chamber, an

internal orifice, multiple passageway branches, a dog-leg arrangement, a

venturi chamber, an outlet orifice in the form of a slit, or multiple outlet

orifices.

33. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of the

preceding claims, wherein said device further comprises an air leak valve

the container to equalise any pressure differential that exists between them.

34. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of the

preceding claims, wherein said chamber is divided into two compartments, a

first of said compartments comprising the inlet valve and the outlet valve and

being configured dispense fluid drawn in through the inlet of the device during

the first and second stages of operation, and a second of said compartments

being a separate an air compartment configured to a eject a stream of air

through the nozzle outlet during the first stage of operation and draw air in

from the outside during a second stage of operation.

35. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to claim 34, wherein said

air chamber is provided with an outlet valve configured to only open and permit

a stream air to flow through the outlet of the nozzle arrangement when the

pressure within the air compartment exceeds a predetermined minimum

pressure.

36. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to claims 17 to 24 in

combination with claim 34 or 35, wherein said air stream is introduced into said

internal passageway at any position along its length through an outlet channel

of the air compartment.

37. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of claims 34 to

36, wherein said air compartment further comprises an air inlet valve.

38. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of the

preceding claims, wherein said device further comprises a trigger actuator

configured such that when said trigger is pulled, said housing is caused to slide

towards said base in said first stage of operation.

39. A trigger actuator adapted to be fitted to a pump-action nozzle device as

defined in any one of claims 1 to 17, said trigger actuator comprising a trigger

and means by which the trigger actuator may be connected to the base and the

housing, wherein said trigger actuator is configured so that when the trigger is

pulled said housing is caused to move relative to the base and compress the

chamber during the first stage of operation and when said trigger is released

said housing can move relative to the base to expand the chamber during the

first stage of operation.

40. A trigger actuator according to claim 39, wherein said trigger actuator is

connected to the base of the nozzle device by a first attachment element and the

housing by a second attachment element, said elements being moveable towards each other when the trigger is pulled and moveable apart from each

other when the trigger is returned to its original position.

41. A pump action nozzle device adapted to be fitted to an opening of a

container and enable a liquid to be dispensed from the interior of said container,

said nozzle device having a body which defines an internal chamber and which

comprises:

(i) an inlet having a one-way valve through which fluid can be drawn

into said chamber;

(ii) an outlet orifice;

(iii) an internal passageway that connects said chamber to said outlet

orifice;

(iv) a one-way outlet valve d sposed in said internal passageway and

adapted to only open and permit fluid to flow along said passageway when the

pressure within the internal chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum

pressure; and

(iv) an actuator;

wherein said body is configured such that the internal volume of the

chamber is reduced when said actuator is operated, thereby causing fluid stored

in the chamber to be ejected through said outlet valve and along said internal passageway to the outlet orifice, and increased when said actuator is released,

thereby causing fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet;

characterised in that said body further defines an air chamber configured

when said actuator is operated through an outlet channel which connects said

air chamber to a position along said internal passageway or said outlet, said

body being configured such that the internal volume of the chamber is reduced

to be drawn into the air chamber.

42. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 41, wherein the device

comprises a resilient means configured to cause the volume of the chamber to

increase once the actuator is released.

43. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 41 or claim 42, wherein

the body of the device comprises two component parts that can be moved

towards one another to compress both the internal chamber and the air chamber

and away from one another to cause both the internal chamber and the air

chamber to expand.

44. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 43, wherein the

resilient means is biased against both of said parts to urge the two parts away

from one another and said chamber is compressed by applying a pressure

against the action of said resilient means.

45. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 44, wherein the

resilient means is a spring or a resiliently deformable insert provided in one or

, both said internal chamber and said air chamber.

46. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one or claims 41 to 45,

wherein air is drawn into the air chamber through outlet orifice, internal

passageway and outlet channel when the actuator is released and the volume of

said chamber is caused to increase/expand.

47. A pump-action nozzle device s ording to any one of claims 41 to 45,

wherein the device further comprises an air inlet through which air is drawn

into the air chamber from outside the device.

48. A pump-action nozzle device according to claims 47, wherein the air

inlet comprises an air inlet valve configured to only open and permit air to be drawn into the air chamber when the pressure therein falls below the external

pressure.

49. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 48,

wherein air is introduced into the internal passageway at a position which is

downstream from the outlet valve.

50. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 49,

wherein the outlet channel is one or more fine holes or pores which permit air

to flow through but prevent liquid from the internal chamber accessing the air

chamber.

51. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 49,

wherein the outlet channel comprises an air release valve adapted to only open

and permit fluid to flow along said passageway when the pressure wilhin the air

chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure.

52. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 46 in combination with

claim 51, wherein the air release valve is a two-way valve configured to permit

air to flow (i) out of the air chamber when the pressure within the chamber

exceeds a predetermined n-inimum pressure, and (ii) into the air chamber when

the pressure therein is below the external pressure.

53. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 47, 48, 51

and 52, wherein the air release valve is a one way valve configured to only

open and permit air to flow out of the air chamber when the pressure therein

exceeds a predetermined minimum and prevent flow in the opposite direction.

54. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 51 to 53,

wherein the outlet valve and the air release valve are configured to open when

substantially the same minimum threshold pressure.

55. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 55,

wherein the internal passageway is separated from said air chamber by a wall of

the body and said outlet channel is formed in said wall at any desired position

so that air can be ejected into said internal passageway to any desired position

along the length of the internal passageway.

55. A pump-action nozzle device according to claims 55, wherein the

chamber is positioned either above or below the internal passageway and said

outlet channel is formed in an upper or lower wall of the chamber respectively.

56. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 55,

wherein at least a portion of the internal passageway of the outlet is defined

between the abutment surfaces of two or more component parts of the nozzle

device.

57. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 56, wherein a portion

of the internal passageway may be defined by just one of said component parts.

58. A pump-action nozzle device according to claims 56 or 57, wherein each

of said parts has an abutment surface which contacts the abutment surfaces of

the other parts when the respective component parts are contacted together in

the assembled nozzle device and at least one of said abutment surfaces has one

or more groove and/or recesses formed thereon which define said internal

passageway between the abutment surfaces when said parts are contacted

together.

59. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 58, wherein the at least

a portion of the internal passageway is defined between two component parts of

said body.

60. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 59, wherein the at least

a portion of the passageway is defined between opposing abutment surfaces of said two parts and at least one of said abutment surfaces having one or more

grooves and/or recesses formed thereon which define said passageway when

the abutment surfaces of said parts are contacted together.

61. A pump-action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 60,

wherein the outlet valve is formed by the body of the nozzle arrangement.

62. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 61, wherein at least a

portion of the internal passageway is defined between the abutment surfaces of

two or more parts of the nozzle device and the outlet valve is formed within

said portion of the internal passageway.

63. A pump-action nozzle device according to claim 62, wherein the outlet

valve comprises a valve member that is formed on one of the component parts,

said valve member being resiliently biased against the opposing surface of the

other component part or parts, thereby closing the internal passageway formed

there between, and being configured to be displaced so as to define an open

channel through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber

exceeds a predeteπnined rninimum threshold pressure.

64. A pump action nozzle device according to any one of claims 41 to 63,

wherein said internal passageway further comprises one or more internal spray-

modifying features.

65. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of claims 41 to

63, wherein said nozzle arrangement is configured to receive an insert

comprising one or more spray modifying features, said insert being configured

66. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to claims 64 or 65,

wherein said spray-modifying features include one or more features selected

from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a swirl chamber, an

internal orifice, multiple passageway branches, a dog-leg arrangement, a

venturi chamber, an outlet orifice in the form of a slit, or multiple outlet

orifices.

67. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of claims 64 to

66, wherein said outlet channel is arranged so that air from the air chamber is

introduced into a chamber formed in the internal passageway.

68. A pump action nozzle arrangement according to any one of claims 41 to

67, wherein said device further comprises an air leak valve configured to enable

air from the external environment to access the interior of the container to

equalise any pressure differential that exists between them.

69. A container comprising a pump-action nozzle arrangement as defined in

any one of claims 1 to 40 fitted thereto.

70. A container comprising a pump-action nozzle arrangement as defined

in any one of claims 41 to 68 fitted thereto.