Spraying Device and Refill Therefor

Abstract

A spraying device with a replaceable refill of fluid therein is described, wherein: the refill comprises a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, a valve stem at an upper portion of the body and a spray head wherein said spray head has a neck portion and a nozzle portion, in said neck portion is an inlet section attached to the valve stem and in said nozzle portion is a fluid exit orifice for directing, in use, sprayed fluid; and the device comprises an outer housing adapted to receive the refill therein, the outer housing is provided with an aperture suitable for permitting, in use, the spraying of the fluid from the fluid exit orifice of the spray head therethrough, the device comprises actuation means configured for periodic actuation of the refill, the device further comprises an inner housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray head therein, and the device is provided with detection means within the inner housing configured to distinguish between at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of relatively higher reflectance on the spray head of said refill; and characterised in that the detection means are directed toward either a right side or a left side of the neck portion of a spray head and a corresponding side of the neck portion of said spray head is provided with said at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance. Methods of operation of such a spraying device are also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates to a device and refill for spraying a fluid and particularly, but not exclusively to a device for spraying fluids such as fragrances, deodorizing fluids and / or a pest control materials or the like. The present invention also relates to a method of using such a device and refill.BACKGROUND [0002]Prior art devices for spraying fragrances, deodorising agents and sanitising fluids into a room generally consist of a device containing a removable source of fluid. With such an arrangement once the source of fluid has been completely exhausted, the source can be replaced rather than replacing the entire device. Typically such sources come in many forms, including containers, bottles, cans and cartridges (generically, all such containers, bottles, cans and cartridges hereinafter will be referred to as “refills”). Such refills can be pump sprays or aerosols, including metered and non-metered versions thereof.[0003]Known prior art devi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Thirdly, a further advantage of the present invention spray head is improved sensitivity throughout the life of use of the refill. During the use of the device and refill the quantity of fluid in the refill will decrease which will decrease the mass of the refill. The actuation means of the device will remain substantially constant however. For devices where the actuation means does not move co-axially with the permitted movement of the valve stem, toward the end of the life of the refill there may be increased lateral movement of the spray head when the actuation means bears against the spray head to open an internal valve of the refill to spray the fluid. The lateral movement may cause the spray head to move away from the detection means and compromise the ability of said means to determine whether there is at least one area of lower reflectance and at least one area of higher reflectance on the neck portion of the spray head. Advantageously however, the problem of sensitivity may be overcome or minimised when the spray head is provided with at least two areas of lower reflectance and at least three areas of higher reflectance or provided with at least three areas of lower reflectance and at least two areas of higher reflectance as the detection means is provided with a greater number of opportunities to distinguish between at least two areas of differing reflectance thus recognising or not a refill of the present invention.

Problems solved by technology

The shape of a refill is typically standardised to a certain degree, as such, spraying devices may unwittingly provide an opportunity to facilitate vandalism or dangerous behaviour.

Specifically, vandals or the like may seek to intentionally insert a dangerous source of sprayable fluid into a spraying device.

For instance, where the device is for spraying a fragrance and the refill is an aerosol of a standard size, one form of vandalism and / or intentional abuse could be the insertion of a paint aerosol into the device.

The resulting damage from such abuse could be substantial.

Such abuse would likely be associated with a significant health and safety risk.

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