Abstract:
Dispensing platforms, both manually operated and motion sensor based, are presented. Such devices incorporate two components: (i) “Flair” “bag within a bag” technology, and (ii) a OnePak™ dispensing head (normally closed outlet valve). Such platforms can be overpressure or underpressure based, and can interface with various Flair™ bottles. In exemplary systems (i) the fluid or other dispensate, and (ii) the propellant, whether a fluid, a gas, air or other, are provided in completely separated circuits, controlled separately, and only optionally mixed at final dispensing, downstream of the outlet valve. A propellant can be used for other ancillary functions, such as cleaning a spout or output channel, making foam or spray, controlling valves, pistons, pumps, making noise, etc.
Abstract:
Various spray devices are presented for mixing two media. A device can include a housing, a first supply line for supplying a first medium, a second supply line for supplying a second medium, and a flow channel leading to a nozzle. The first and second media, for example, a gas and a liquid, respectively, can be mixed in various ways. Following such mixing, the mixed media are guided to an outlet nozzle or bore, and ejected. Using injection molding techniques, very fine grooves can be made in an exemplary spray nozzle device, by appropriately fashioning an injection mold. By carefully controlling the size, shape and dimensions of such grooves, and the pressures at which the two media are fed to the spray nozzle device, a correct ratio of air to liquid can be precisely maintained, which is key to obtaining a desired spray or foam as to droplet size, droplet speed, and type of spray, mist or foam.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for the dosed dispensing of a liquid from a container connected to an outflow channel closable by a liquid valve are presented. Such methods include opening the liquid valve, dispensing a measure of liquid from the container through the outflow channel, closing the liquid valve, and blowing out the outflow channel after closing the liquid valve. For example, during or after closing of the liquid valve the outflow channel can be connected to a gaseous source, the gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Or, for example, where Flair™ technology is used, a limited quantity of a displacing gas can be guided to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve, or can be guided into an intermediate chamber connected to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve.
Abstract:
A device for dispensing a medium from a container is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary container has at least one feed opening connectable to the container by means of coupling means, a dispensing conduit manufactured from substantially flexibly deformable material, and a closing means for a substantially air-tight closing of the dispensing conduit therewith. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention methods for the manufacture of such exemplary dispensing devices can include injection molding the coupling means and the dispensing conduit as a perform, and stretching, blowing or any combination of stretching and blowing a portion of the preform so as to obtain a substantially flexibly deformable, thin-walled dispensing conduit. Alternatively, for example, the coupling means and the dispensing conduit can be separately generated, and later unified or joined, such as, for example, by being ultrasonically welded together, or for example, by in-mold labeling methods, over-molding, welding (via laser, ultrasonic, radiofrequency, heat, mirror, etc.), sealing, clamping, gluing, etc. or any known technique for joining together such disparate parts. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention at least the dispensing conduit is injection molded from a thermoplastic material. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention such thermoplastic material can include, for example, polyolefins, polyamides, thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or any combinations thereof.
Abstract:
A liquid dispensing device includes a dispensing head, an outlet valve and a nozzle. The dispensing head includes an inlet valve, a piston and a piston chamber, an actuator for controlling the piston, and a buffer or bladder. The outlet valve has a defined minimum opening pressure and is in direct fluid communication with either the buffer or bladder, or both the buffer or bladder and the piston chamber. The nozzle, with a defined throughput, is in fluid communication with the outlet valve. A volume of the piston chamber, a volume of the buffer, a pressure response of the buffer, the throughput of the nozzle, and the minimum opening pressure of the outlet valve are together arranged to restrict the outlet pressures of liquid droplets exiting the nozzle within a defined range of from (P−ΔP) to (P+ΔP), where P is a nominal pressure and ΔP a maximum pressure variation.
Abstract:
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various novel dispensing devices can be provided. Such devices can involve a range of sprayer heads and sprayer/foamer systems incorporating such heads. Novel sprayer/foamer heads can include buffers of various types. By using a buffer, a user need not continually be pumping the device in order for the device to be spraying or foaming. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such a buffer can be spring loaded, spring loaded combination, elastomeric or gas. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the buffer can be in line or adjacent to a piston chamber. If adjacent, it can be connected to the piston chamber with a one way valve, to provide for spray after a downstroke of the piston has been completed, or without, to allow spraying to cease once a user releases the trigger or other actuator. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such novel sprayers and foamers can be mounted upside down, in various “Flairomop” devices, used to clean floors or the like. When using a buffer, a piston chamber can be designed to deliver greater amount of liquid per unit time than can be possibly dispensed through the nozzle or nozzles. The fraction of liquid that cannot be sent through the nozzle(s), due to their inherent restriction, can thus be sent to the buffer for dispensing after the piston downstroke has been completed. A volume of the piston chamber, a volume of the buffer, a pressure response of the buffer, the throughput of the nozzle, and the minimum opening pressure of the outlet valve can be arranged to restrict the outlet pressures of liquid droplets exiting the nozzle within a defined range.
Abstract:
A gas-filled resilient body and uses thereof are described. The gas-filled resilient body may be used as a valve member, as a spring or as a gas-propelled dispenser.
Abstract:
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Flair® based aerosol-type devices can be provided. Such, devices utilize a combination of Flair® technology, pre-compression valves and aerosol like pressurization of the dispensed liquid. Such a dispensing device has a main body comprising a pressure chamber, the latter being provided with a pressure piston and a pressure spring. The device further has a piston and a piston chamber which draws liquid from a reservoir and fills the pressure chamber with that liquid as a user operates the trigger in various compression and release strokes. The piston chamber has both an inlet valve and an outlet valve. In a dispensing head a valve is provided to regulate the strength of the flow and preclude leakage. Once the liquid is sufficiently pressurized, it can be dispensed by a user opening an activation valve, such as by pressing on an activation button, and spray can be abruptly stopped by a user ceasing to push on such button. Or, for example, in alternate embodiments without an activation button, once the liquid is sufficiently pressurized, continuous spray occurs until the pressure chamber is emptied. By repeatedly pumping the trigger before the pressure chamber is fully emptied, continuous spray can be achieved. By designing the input volume to be amply greater than the volume of the pressure chamber, continuous spray with fewer pumping strokes can be implemented.
Abstract:
Dispensing devices can include buffers. This obviates the need for continually pumping the device to dispense spray or foam. A buffer can be spring loaded, spring loaded combination, elastomeric or gas, and can be in line or adjacent to a piston chamber. Such sprayers and foamers can be mounted upside down. With a buffer, a piston chamber can deliver a greater amount of liquid per unit time than can be dispensed through the nozzle(s). The fraction of liquid that cannot be dispensed can be sent to the buffer for dispensing after the piston downstroke has completed. Volume of the piston chamber and buffer, pressure response of the buffer, throughput of the nozzle, and the minimum opening pressure of the outlet valve can be arranged to restrict the outlet pressures of liquid droplets exiting the nozzle within a defined range.