Abstract: A valve assembly (10) for dispensing a flowable product from a pressurised container (200), the valve assembly comprises a resilient sleeve member (16) comprising a lower fixing portion (18), an intermediate deformable portion (20) and an upper sealing portion (22), a valve stem (28) extending within the resilient sleeve member (16) and fixed to the lower fixing portion (18) of the resilient sleeve member (16), and an actuator (46) mounted on the upper sealing portion (22) of the resilient sleeve member (16). The valve stem (28) includes a hollow cylindrical body (38), an end cap (32) closing an upper end of the hollow cylindrical body (38), and one or more apertures (34) arranged around the circumference of the hollow cylindrical body (38) adjacent to the end cap (32). The apertures (34) are covered by the upper sealing portion (22) of the resilient sleeve member (16) in a closed position of the valve assembly (10).

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) for dispensing a flowable product from a pressurised container (200), the valve assembly comprises a resilient sleeve member (16) comprising a lower fixing portion (18), an intermediate deformable portion (20) and an upper sealing portion (22), a valve stem (28) extending within the resilient sleeve member (16) and fixed to the lower fixing portion (18) of the resilient sleeve member (16), and an actuator (46) mounted on the upper sealing portion (22) of the resilient sleeve member (16). The valve stem (28) includes a hollow cylindrical body (38), an end cap (32) closing an upper end of the hollow cylindrical body (38), and one or more apertures (34) arranged around the circumference of the hollow cylindrical body (38) adjacent to the end cap (32). The apertures (34) are covered by the upper sealing portion (22) of the resilient sleeve member (16) in a closed position of the valve assembly (10).

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a dispensing apparatus comprises a valve, a lever arranged to open the valve to dispense product, and variable spacer means arranged to limit the travel of the lever by a variable amount according to the relative position of the lever and the variable spacer means. The variable spacer means includes a plurality of spacer portions of differing thickness, each spacer portion being arranged to limit the travel of the lever by a predetermined amount. One spacer portion may be arranged to allow a full range of travel of the lever so that by pressing the lever fully the valve is fully opened. Another spacer portion may be arranged to allow a partial range of travel of the lever so that the valve is opened to an intermediate flow setting. Further spacer portions may be arranged to provide further intermediate flow settings.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a product from a container is disclosed. The dispenser includes a product chamber within the container; a valve adjacent to the product chamber; a hinge assembly secured to the opening of the container and to which is connected a nozzle assembly; and a lever attached by means of the hinge assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an actuator portion provided with a lever bearing surface which co-operates with a bearing portion on the lever such that operation of the lever causes movement of the actuator portion to open the valve and permit flow of the product out of the container. The nozzle assembly includes at least one dog tooth and the hinge assembly includes at least one slot, such that the valve can open only when the dog tooth is aligned with the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for introducing an additive material (131) in the form of a liquid or granulated solid into a liquid (40) stored in a first container (150). The additive component (131) is stored separately from the liquid (40) in a dip tube or conduit (130). The dip tube (130) is a resilient hollow tubular member and has a valve (300) at one end, adapted to open when the dip tube (130) is subject to internal pressure to allow the passage of said additive material (131) therethrough. The valve prevents the additive material (131) from leaking or dripping into the liquid (40) in the first container (150) when the dip tube and first container are at the same pressure, but which allows the passage of liquid or pourable solid additive from the dip tube (130) into the liquid (40) in the first container (150) when the dip tube is pressurised by introduction of propellant fluid (116, 516).

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing a product from a container (12) includes: a product chamber within the container (12); a valve (14) adjacent to the product chamber; a hinge assembly secured to the opening of the container and to which is connected a nozzle assembly (20); and a lever (18) attached by means of the hinge assembly. The nozzle assembly (20) is rotatable between open and closed positions and includes an actuator portion provided with a cam surface (96, 98) which co-operates with a bearing portion (100) on the lever (18) such that, when the nozzle assembly (20) is in the open position, operation of the lever (18) causes movement of the actuator portion to open the valve (14) and permit flow of the product out of the container (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for introducing an additive component (131) in the form of a liquid or granulated solid into a liquid (40) stored in a first container (150). The additive component (131) is stored separately from the liquid (40) in a dip tube or conduit (132). The container (150) has an opening closed by a releasable closure (152). A second container or tank (111) containing pressurized propellant fluid (116) is positioned in the neck or closure of the first container, adjacent to the opening. The dip tube or conduit (132) has a first end communicating with the tank and a second end extending down into the first liquid in the first container. The dip tube (132) contains an additive (131) which is expelled from the dip tube into the first liquid by the entry of the propellant fluid from the tank into the dip tube on release of the releasable closure.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing a product from a container (12) includes: a product chamber within the container (12); a valve (14) adjacent to the product chamber; a hinge assembly secured to the opening of the container and to which is connected a nozzle assembly (20); and a lever (18) attached by means of the hinge assembly. The nozzle assembly (20) is rotatable between open and closed positions and includes an actuator portion provided with a cam surface (96, 98) which co-operates with a bearing portion (100) on the lever (18) such that, when the nozzle assembly (20) is in the open position, operation of the lever (18) causes movement of the actuator portion to open the valve (14) and permit flow of the product out of the container (12).

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a product from a container under pressure of a propellant by means of a composite piston. The apparatus has a valve operated by means of an actuator and a lever. The actuator co-operates with the valve and lever by means of a screw thread arrangement, such that turning actuator relative to the lever varies the flow rate of product out of the apparatus. The valve is a hollow cylindrical tube which is open at one end and closed at the second end, either permanently or by means of a flap valve which allows insertion of the product. A number of ports are arranged around the circumference of the tube adjacent to the second end to allow product to flow through the valve when the lever is operated. The composite piston comprises a first piston coupled to a second piston by mutually engageable central stems and enclosing between the pistons a viscous substance which contacts the inside wall of the container to provide an effective seal.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a product from a container under pressure of a propellant by means of a composite piston (138). The apparatus has a valve (104) operated by means of an actuator (108) and a lever (166). The actuator cooperates with the valve and lever, by means of a screw thread arrangement (110), such that turning actuator relative to the lever varies the flow rate of product out of the apparatus. The valve is a hollow cylindrical tube (104) which is open at one end and closed at the second end, either permanently or by means of a flap valve (112) which allows insertion of the product. A number of ports (116) are arranged around the circumference of the tube (104) adjacent to the second end to allow product to flow through the valve when the lever is operated.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a product from a container under pressure of a propellant by means of a composite piston (138). The apparatus has a valve (104) operated by means of an actuator (108) and a lever (166). The actuator co-operates with the valve and lever by means of a screw thread arrangement (110), such that turning actuator relative to the lever varies the flow rate of product out of the apparatus. The valve is a hollow cylindrical tube (104) which is open at one end and closed at the second end, either permanently or by means of a flap valve (112) which allows insertion of the product. A number of ports (116) are arranged around the circumference of the tube (104) adjacent to the second end to allow product to flow through the valve when the lever is operated.

Abstract: A first container (60) contains a first liquid. The first container includes an opening which is closed by a releasable closure (61) and a second container (20) located in the first container (60) adjacent the opening of the first container (60). The second container (20) contains a fluid (15,16) and the second container (20) is adapted to release the fluid (15,16) into the first container (60) and into contact with the first liquid on release of the closure (61) from the first container (60).

Abstract: A gas storage and dispensing system is described for the substantially reversible storage of a gas. The system comprises a material (4) having open voids occupied by a liquid. The liquid is a solvent of the gas and such occupation of the open voids by the liquid, with the gas dissolved therein, forms a reversible sorption gas storage system. The system tends to sorb increasing quantities of gas in increasing ambient gas pressure and desorb previously sorbed gas with decreases in ambient gas pressure. The system may be used in a pressure pack dispenser for dispensing a product (11) under pressure of a propellent gas, where the system provides the source of pressurised propellent gas.

Abstract: Systems for storing and dispensing gases. The gas storage systems are two-phase gas/solid or gas/liquid, or three-phase gas/liquid/solid, functioning by reversible sorption. In gas storage systems having a solid phase, use is made of a polymeric material, preferably a hydrogel, having microvoids functioning as interstitial stores for gas. Reversible gas sorption in the microporous polymer is improved by treatment with a swelling promoter. The stored gas may be a propellant, and reversible sorption propellant storage may be used in all types of pressure pack dispenser. Cryogenic techniques facilitate preparation of propellant systems with standardized parameters. The invention enables use of safe and environmentally benign gases as propellants.

Abstract: The valve of an aerosol can is actuated by a lever having a handle portion and an intermediate portion bearing on a lock member. The lever is pivotably mounted in a clip. The lock member is in screw-threaded engagement with the valve for movement the realong between closed and open positions. The lock member can be placed in any intermediate position to set a desired flow rate through the valve when the lever is depressed by the user.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing material under propellant pressure, particularly highly viscous material, includes a container having a piston therein, the material to be dispensed being located on one side of the piston and the propellant on the other. Penetration of propellant into the material to be dispensed is prevented by providing sealant which engages the container wall and slides with the piston, the sealant being of flowable material such as organic and mineral liquids and greases and mastics based on these or aqueous based gels and mastics.