An improved dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus is provided, comprising a body (2) with a first portion (6) connectable to a primary container (20) containing a first fluid, and further comprising a secondary container (30) removably attached to a second portion (8) of the body and containing a second fluid. The secondary container (30) comprises a secondary container outlet (42), the secondary container outlet having a one-way secondary container outlet valve (43) which in a default position prevents fluid from leaving the secondary container via the secondary container outlet. The secondary container (30) further comprises a secondary container inlet (40), the secondary container inlet having a one-way secondary container inlet valve (41) configured to only permit fluid to enter the secondary container. A mixing chamber (50) is housed within the body (2) and is in fluid communication with the first and second containers (20,30) when they are attached to the apparatus. The mixing chamber (50) has an outlet (56) in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle (10) located on the body (2). An actuator mechanism is adapted to selectively draw fluid into the mixing chamber (50) from the primary and secondary containers (20,30) and force said fluid from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle (10). One-way primary and secondary mixing inlet valves (64,66) ensure that in use the first and second fluids may only flow into the mixing chamber (50) from their respective containers (20,30). A nozzle outlet valve (68) is located downstream of the mixing chamber (50) such that fluid may only flow away from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle (10).

Description

[0001] AN IMPROVED DISPENSING APPARATUS

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is a dispensing apparatus which mixes two separate fluids within the apparatus and then dispenses the mixture of fluids from a nozzle. The apparatus may dispense the fluids in an atomised spray, or else as a non-atomised flow or stream.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Manually-operated and automated fluid dispensers are known, and typically use an actuator mechanism to firstly draw fluid from a container up into a chamber within a dispenser head, and then force the fluid from the chamber to a nozzle on the dispenser head. They are typically single-use products which are formed from a variety of plastics materials which makes them difficult to recycle.

[0006] In certain applications a mixture of two fluids is to be dispensed as a mixed final product, and it is necessary to keep the fluids separate from one another up until the time of dispensing. This may be to increase the shelf-life of the product or else to avoid a reduction in the performance of the product if its constituents are mixed and left for a prolonged period of time before being dispensed. It may also be a way of ensuring that a concentrated fluid (e.g. disinfectant) is diluted to an appropriate level before dispensing. It can also mean that the dispenser can be re-used if the containers holding the two fluids can be removed from the dispenser head.

[0007] Where fluids are to be mixed in this manner there will be a primary bottle or container holding a primary fluid (e.g. water), which can be attached to a dispenser head. A detachable secondary container or pod, which is usually smaller than the primary container, holds a secondary fluid (e.g. concentrated disinfectant) and is removably attached to the dispenser head and can be replaced when empty or when a different additive product is required.

[0008] Both the primary and secondary containers are in fluid communication with a mixing chamber in the dispenser head. A piston attached to a trigger mechanism is located in the mixing chamber such that the reciprocal movement of the trigger and piston draws a mixture of the two fluids into the mixing chamber, and then forces the mixture out of the mixing chamber to a nozzle. One-way valves are provided between the respective fluid containers and the mixing chamber to ensure that fluid cannot return to the containers once in the mixing chamber. Another one-way valve is provided between the mixing chamber and nozzle to ensure that fluid cannot return to the mixing chamber.

[0009] In these known dispensers the mixing ratio of the primary and secondary fluids is fixed, with no in use adjustment provided. It is also possible in these known arrangements to continue to dispense the primary fluid when the secondary fluid in the attachable pod has run out. This can have safety implications, such as where one is intending to spray a concentrated disinfectant which is diluted with water before spraying, for example. If the disinfectant runs out, the actuator mechanism can still spray water alone from the primary container and consequently the areas being sprayed are not being disinfected.

[0010] Furthermore, the pod(s) supplied with known dispensers have no means for retaining the fluid in the pod once the pod has been opened and attached to the relevant components and conduits of the dispenser head, or at best have a check valve which does not permit flow back into the pod from the dispenser head. Either way this means that the pod contents can flow unchecked into the mixing chamber, particularly if the pod is squeezed or the contents warm up due to a rise in the ambient temperature around the pod. This means that accurate dosing of the pod contents is impossible. It also means that if the pod is not attached to the dispenser head its contents may be spilled during handling, transportation or storage if squeezed or heated as mentioned above.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages with existing twin fluid dispensers.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus, comprising:

[0014] a body comprising a first portion connectable to a primary container containing a first fluid; a secondary container removably attached to a second portion of the body and containing a second fluid, the secondary container comprising a secondary container outlet, the secondary container outlet having a one-way secondary container outlet valve which in a default position prevents fluid from leaving the secondary container via the secondary container outlet;

[0015] a mixing chamber housed within the body, the mixing chamber comprising: a first mixing chamber inlet in fluid communication with the primary container;

[0016] a second mixing chamber inlet in fluid communication with a proximal end of a secondary conduit, a distal end of the secondary conduit being in fluid communication with the secondary container outlet and having a valve engagement portion adapted to open the one-way secondary container outlet valve and allow fluid to leave the secondary container when the secondary container is attached to the body; and

[0017] a mixing chamber outlet in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle located on the body;

[0018] an actuator mechanism adapted to selectively draw fluid into the mixing chamber from the primary and secondary containers and force said fluid from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle;

[0019] a one-way primary mixing inlet valve located between the primary container and the mixing chamber such that in use the first fluid may only flow into the mixing chamber from the primary container;

[0020] a one-way secondary mixing inlet valve located between the distal end of the secondary conduit and the mixing chamber such that in use the second fluid may only flow into the mixing chamber from the secondary conduit; and

[0021] a nozzle outlet valve located downstream of the mixing chamber such that fluid may only flow away from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle;

[0022] wherein the secondary container further comprises a secondary container inlet, the secondary container inlet having a one-way secondary container inlet valve configured to only permit fluid to enter the secondary container.

[0023] Preferably, the dispensing apparatus further comprises:

[0024] a primary conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber inlet, and a distal end locatable in the primary container; and wherein the one-way primary mixing inlet valve is located between the distal end of the primary conduit and the mixing chamber such that in use the first fluid may only flow towards the mixing chamber.

[0025] Preferably, the dispensing nozzle is a spray nozzle, and the nozzle outlet valve is a one-way valve located downstream of the mixing chamber outlet such that fluid may only flow away from the mixing chamber towards the spray nozzle.

[0026] Preferably, the body further comprises an air conduit having a distal end open to atmosphere and a proximal end adapted to be in fluid communication with the oneway secondary container inlet valve when the secondary container is attached to the body.

[0027] Preferably, the secondary container inlet and outlet valves are duckbill valves.

[0028] Preferably, the secondary container is formed from a plastics material and the secondary container inlet and outlet valves are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer consisting of a mixture of the plastics material and an elastomer.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing apparatus further comprises an adjustable air inlet valve adapted to control the flow rate of air entering the secondary container inlet. The air inlet valve may be a rotary valve having a plurality of air apertures which can be selectively brought into fluid communication with the secondary container inlet, each air aperture having a different cross-sectional area.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the primary container may comprise a primary container inlet and an adjustable air inlet valve adapted to control the flow rate of air entering the primary container via the primary container inlet.

[0031] Preferably, the primary mixing inlet valve has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the secondary mixing inlet valve.

[0032] Preferably, the primary conduit has a substantially uniform primary cross-sectional area and the secondary conduit has a substantially uniform secondary cross- sectional area, where the primary cross-sectional area is larger than the secondary cross-sectional area.

[0033] Preferably, the actuator mechanism comprises:

[0034] a trigger member having a first end pivotably connected to the body;

[0035] a piston rod having a first end connected to the trigger;

[0036] a piston slidably located in the mixing chamber and connected to a second end of the piston rod; and

[0037] a biasing member located in the mixing chamber and configured to urge the piston and trigger towards an inactive position.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispensing apparatus;

[0041] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a detachable secondary container of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dispenser head of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1;

[0044] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser head shown in Figure 4 with primary and secondary containers removed;

[0045] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus;

[0046] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 6;

[0047] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a dispensing apparatus with the secondary container removed;

[0048] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 8 when the dispensing valve is closed; and

[0049] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figures 8 and 9 when the dispensing valve is open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] It should be noted that references to “vertical” and “horizontal” and relative terms such as “higher” and “lower” are used herein in the context of the apparatus being in a conventional upright orientation - as it would be if placed on a flat surface - and should be interpreted accordingly. This upright orientation is shown in each of the accompanying drawings.

[0051] A first embodiment of a dispensing apparatus is shown in Figures 1 to 5. In this first embodiment the dispensing apparatus is a manually operated spraying apparatus comprising a spray head 2 which contains an actuator mechanism, which will be described in more detail below. The spray head 2 has a first portion 6 which is adapted to engage with the neck 22 of a primary container or bottle 20. The first portion 6 and neck 22 are preferably engaged via a threaded connection but alternative connections such as a snap-fit or bayonet-type fitment may be used instead.

[0052] A second portion 8 of the spray head 2 is adapted to receive a detachable secondary container or pod 30. An engagement portion 32 of the secondary container 30 is preferably shaped so as to fit and engage with a complementary region within the second portion 8. In the illustrated embodiment the engagement portion 32 consists of lower and upper engagement faces 34,36 which lie in substantially vertical planes which are offset from one another, with a substantially horizontal engagement surface 38 extending between the lower and upper faces. The complementary region on the second portion 8 of the spray head 2 has lower and upper mounting surfaces 9,11 which lie in substantially vertical planes which are offset from one another but in the reverse of the arrangement of the lower and upper engagement faces 34,36. A substantially horizontal mounting surface 13 extends between the lower and upper mounting surfaces 9, 11.

[0053] The secondary container 30 has an inlet 40 towards the top of the container and an outlet 42 towards the bottom of the container. Preferably, the inlet 40 and outlet 42 are provided on the upper and lower engagement faces 36,34 respectively. The secondary container inlet 40 and the secondary container outlet 42 are each provided with respective one-way valves 41,43, which are both configured to allow fluid into the secondary container and prevent fluid flow out of the secondary container. Fluid is only able to leave the secondary container 30 through the outlet valve 43 when the outlet valve is opened by an engagement member on the spray head 2, as will be described below.

[0054] The secondary container 30 is preferably formed from a single material and complies with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

[0055] Also visible on the exterior of the spray head 2 is a spray nozzle 10 from which the contents of the primary and secondary containers 20,30 are sprayed. The nozzle 10 may be fixed or may be adjustable so as to vary the spray pattern and / or to open and close the nozzle. A rotary dial 12 is also visible on the top of the spray head 2. This dial 12 adjusts a flow of air entering the secondary container inlet 40 via the spray head 2, which again will be described in more detail below.

[0056] Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the spraying apparatus shown in Figure 1. This allows the various internal components within the spray head 2 to be seen. A mixing chamber 50 is located within the spray head 2 and has a first chamber inlet 52, a second chamber inlet 54 and a chamber outlet 56. The first chamber inlet 52 is in fluid communication with a primary conduit 58 which extends downwards from the spray head 2 such that an open distal end of the primary conduit 58 will be located towards the bottom of the primary container 20 when it is connected to the spray head. A secondary conduit 60 fluidly connects the second chamber inlet 54 with the secondary container outlet 42 when the secondary container 30 is mounted upon the spray head 2. A nozzle conduit 62 connects the chamber outlet 56 with the nozzle 10.

[0057] As best seen in Figures 4 and 5 one-way valves are provided for each of the primary, secondary and nozzle conduits 58,60,62 in the form of first inlet valve 64, second inlet valve 66 and outlet valve 68. These valves may be located in the first chamber inlet 52, second chamber inlet 54 and chamber outlet 56 or they may be located in the conduits 58,60,62 themselves. The first and second inlet valves 64,66 and outlet valve 68 may be flap valves, or they may be an alternative form of oneway valve such as ball valves, for example. Each one-way valve may be of a different type or they may all be of the same type. The actuator mechanism illustrated is manually operated and comprises a trigger 4 which has a first end 5 pivotably connected to the spray head 2 about a pivot shaft 3, and a second end 7 which is remote from the spray head. An intermediate portion 15 of the trigger 4 may be provided with one or more grip formations to assist an operator in gripping the trigger during use. Again, referring to Figures 4 and 5 in particular a piston rod 70 has a first end 72 attached to the trigger 4 and a second end 74 extending into the mixing chamber 50. Attached to the second end 74 of the rod 70 is a piston or plunger 76 which is configured to slide back and forth inside the mixing chamber 50. The second end 74 of the rod 70 is pivotably attached to the piston 76 so as to allow for the reciprocating axial motion of the piston within the mixing chamber 50. A biasing member 78 is located in the mixing chamber and urges the piston into an inactive position, which via the piston rod 70 means that the trigger 4 is always being urged away from the spray head 2. The biasing member 78 is shown as a compression spring but may take other forms, such as an elastomeric block for example.

[0058] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary container 30, which shows the engagement faces 34,36 and engagement surface 38 of the engagement portion 32 in more detail. Also visible are one-way secondary valves 41,43 which are located in the secondary container inlet 40 and outlet 42. These secondary valves 41,43 are preferably duckbill valves which only open upon contact with engagement portions of the spray head 2, as will be explained below. Alternative one-way valves which can be opened in a the same way may also be used in place of the duckbill valves.

[0059] These duckbill valves 41,43 are preferably formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, containing the same material as that from which the secondary container is formed. As such the container and valves can be recycled as a single unit.

[0060] Further details of the air inlet are best seen in Figure 5. The rotary dial 12 comprises an upper flange or cap 80 and a hollow cylindrical body 82 which extends from the cap 80. The body 82 sits within a correspondingly shaped recess 23 in an upper surface of the spray head 2, and can rotate relative to the spray head.

[0061] As seen best in Figure 1, the spray head 2 includes a trigger aperture 25 which is open to the outside of the spray head and which allows the trigger 4 to pivot back and forth. Consequently the interior of the spray head 2 has air within it which has entered through the trigger aperture 25 and which can pass into the recess 23 and the interior of the body 82 within the recess 23. A series of airflow apertures 84 are provided on the body 82 of the dial 12, where each aperture has a different cross-sectional area. An air conduit 86 has a first end 88 in fluid communication with the recess 23 and a second end 90 opening on the upper mounting surface 11 of the spray head 2. The second end 90 of the air conduit 86 projects slightly from the mounting surface 11 so as to be in fluid communication with the secondary container inlet 40 when the secondary container 30 is mounted on the spray head 2. The flow rate of air entering the first end 88 of the air conduit is dictated by whichever of the plurality of airflow apertures 84 of the dial 12 is aligned with it.

[0062] The secondary conduit 60 has a first end 61 in fluid communication with the second chamber inlet 54, and a second end 63 opening on the lower mounting surface 9 of the spray head 2. The first and second ends 61 ,63 of the secondary conduit 60 are at the same height due to the secondary conduit being substantially horizontal. The second end 63 of the secondary conduit 60 projects slightly from the lower mounting surface 9 so as to act as an engagement member for the secondary outlet valve 43 of the secondary container 30. When the secondary container 30 is mounted upon the second portion 8 of the spray head 2 the secondary inlet valve 41 is in fluid communication with the second end 90 of the air conduit 86 and the secondary outlet valve 43 is pressed open by the projecting second end 63 of the secondary conduit 60. This allows air to flow into the secondary container 30 via the air conduit 86 and the fluid contents of the secondary container to flow out into the mixing chamber 50 via the secondary conduit 60.

[0063] A second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus is shown in Figures 6 and 7. As with the first embodiment the second embodiment of the apparatus is a manually operated spray apparatus and also shares a number of the components with the first embodiment. These shared components will be allocated the same reference numbers where possible, and it should be assumed that they operate in the same manner unless stated otherwise. It should also be assumed that any components described or shown for the first time in respect of this second embodiment may also be present in the first embodiment unless expressly stated otherwise. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment. The spray head has been omitted from the view solely to ensure a complete view and description of the actuator mechanism and mixing chamber components. The second embodiment is also manually operated and hence also has a trigger 4 with a first end 5 which is pivotably connected to the spray head about a pivot shaft (neither shown in Figure 6), and a second end 7 which is remote from the spray head. A piston rod 70 has a first end (not shown) attached to the trigger 4 and a second end 74 extending into the mixing chamber 50. Attached to the second end 74 of the rod 70 is a piston or plunger 76 which is configured to slide back and forth inside the mixing chamber 50. The second end 74 of the rod 70 is pivotably attached to the piston 76 so as to allow for the reciprocating axial motion of the piston within the mixing chamber 50.

[0064] The principal difference between the first and second embodiments is the location of the second chamber inlet 54’ relative to the mixing chamber 50 and the first chamber inlet 52. In the first embodiment the second chamber inlet 54 is located on the rear of the mixing chamber 50, that is at the opposite end of the mixing chamber from the entry point of the piston rod 70. In the first embodiment the second chamber inlet 54 is also located higher up in the mixing chamber 50 than the first chamber inlet 52. In the second embodiment the second chamber inlet 54’ opens into the mixing chamber 50 from below in the same manner as the first chamber inlet 52. Furthermore, the first and second chamber inlets 52,54’ are at substantially the same vertical position relative to the mixing chamber 50. In other words, both inlets 52,54’ open into the mixing chamber 50 in substantially the same horizontal plane.

[0065] The repositioning of the second chamber inlet 54’ is achieved by adapting the second conduit 60’ such that it is substantially L-shaped with a 90 degree turn between the first and second ends 61’,63’. This means that the second end 63’ which connects to the secondary container 30 is lower than the first end 6T which connects to the second chamber inlet 54’

[0066] Figure 7 shows the second embodiment with the spray head 2 reinstated and with the primary and secondary containers 20,30 attached to their respective first and second portions 6,8 of the spray head 2. Both the first and second embodiments of the apparatus operate in the same way, and this shall now be described. Firstly, a primary container 20 holding a primary fluid (e.g. water) is attached to the first portion 6 of the spray head 2 such that the primary conduit 58 is located within the primary container. A secondary container 30 holding a secondary fluid (e.g. concentrated detergent) is mounted upon the second portion 8 of the spray head 2. As the secondary container 30 is brought into contact with the mounting surfaces of the spray head 2 the engagement member, which in the preferred embodiments is the second end 63 of the secondary conduit 60, will extend into the outlet 42 of the secondary container 30. In doing so this engagement member will push open the duckbill valve 43 located in the outlet 42, thus permitting fluid communication from the secondary container to the secondary conduit 60. The order in which the two containers 20,30 are secured to the spray head does not matter, but once both are secured in place the apparatus is ready for use.

[0067] The mixing chamber 50 will initially be free of any fluid other than air. Hence, when an operator pulls the trigger 4 for the first time the piston 76 will simply force the air in the mixing chamber 50 through the one-way outlet valve 68 and down the nozzle conduit 62 to the nozzle 10. The air cannot enter the primary or secondary conduits 58,60 as their respective one-way valves 64,68 prevent fluid flow in the upstream direction.

[0068] When the trigger is released after the initial pull the biasing member 78 urges the piston 76, piston rod 70 and trigger 4 into an inactive or rest position, which is incidentally the position of the trigger shown in each of the figures. As the piston 76 slides through the mixing chamber 50 back to the inactive position at least a partial vacuum is created in the chamber 50, and this causes doses of the primary and secondary fluids to be drawn into the mixing chamber from their respective containers 20,30. The primary and secondary fluids are hence mixed together in the mixing chamber 50. With the mixing chamber 50 now full of the mixed fluids the next time the trigger 4 is pulled from the inactive position to an active position the fluid in the mixing chamber will be forced by the piston 76 out of the chamber through the one-way outlet valve 68 and down the nozzle conduit 62, from where it exits the spray head 2 via the nozzle 10. As the trigger 4 is released and secondary fluid enters the mixing chamber from the secondary outlet 42 of the secondary container 30 an amount of air enters the secondary container via the air conduit 86 and secondary inlet 40. The flow rate of air which enters the secondary container 30 at this point can be adjusted via the rotary dial 12, with that flow rate dependent upon which of the plurality of air apertures 84 in the body 82 is aligned with the first end 88 of the air conduit 86. As a result, the rotary dial 12 controls the amount of the secondary fluid which leaves the secondary container 30 on each pull of the trigger 4. In restricting the flow rate of the air flowing into the secondary container, it requires more effort to draw the same volume of liquid into the mixing chamber from the secondary container and therefore the mixing chamber will draw more from the primary container to compensate.

[0069] Once the secondary container 30 is substantially emptied of the secondary fluid it will be full of air which has entered the secondary container over time via the secondary container inlet 40. As a result, if the trigger 4 is released at this stage it will be the air from the secondary container alone which is drawn into the mixing chamber 50, as the air can fill the chamber much more quickly than any remaining fluid from the primary conduit 58. When an operator pulls the trigger 4 again it will be solely air which is forced out of the chamber 50 and nozzle 10. This then indicates to the operator that at least one of the two containers 20,30 is empty and that the dilution or mixing of the primary fluid is no longer occurring. This is a useful safety measure as it ensures that the apparatus does not continue to spray the primary fluid alone once the secondary fluid has run out. If this happened an operator could carry on spraying water alone, unaware that the required disinfectant was no longer being mixed and sprayed from the nozzle with the water.

[0070] This may also happen in reverse, where if the primary container is empty of primary fluid air will be drawn into the mixing chamber via the primary conduit rather than any fluid still left in the secondary container. Air may be present in a head space within the primary container when it is filled with primary fluid. Air may also gradually enter the primary container whilst attached to the spray head via the connection between the primary container and the first portion of the spray head. Furthermore, a dedicated check valve may be provided on the primary container or spray head which allows air to enter the primary container as the primary fluid therein reduces in volume. A third embodiment of a dispensing apparatus is shown in Figures 8-10, where in this embodiment the apparatus is a dispensing pump, which uses a conventional pump dispenser mechanism in order to dispense a mixture of the primary and secondary fluids. The dispensing pump may be employed to dispense a relatively viscous fluid, such as a lotion or cream.

[0071] The apparatus comprises a dispenser head 102 which contains an actuator mechanism, which will be described in more detail below. The dispenser head 102 has a first portion 106 which is adapted to engage with the neck 22 of a primary container or bottle 20. The first portion 106 and neck 22 are preferably engaged via a threaded connection but alternative connections such as a snap-fit or bayonet-type fitment may be used instead.

[0072] A second portion 108 of the dispenser head 102 is adapted to receive a detachable secondary container or pod 130. An engagement portion 132 of the secondary container 130 is preferably shaped so as to fit and engage with a complementary region within the second portion 108. In the illustrated embodiment the secondary container 130 and fluid chamber therein are generally U-shaped, with a pair of hollow legs 131 which are located either side of the actuator mechanism when the secondary container is connected to the dispenser head 102.

[0073] The secondary container 130 has an inlet 140 on the top of the container and an outlet 142 towards the bottom of the container. The outlet 142 is preferably located on a web portion 133 of the secondary container 130, which connects the pair of hollow legs 131 to one another. The secondary container inlet 140 and the secondary container outlet 142 are each provided with respective one-way valves 141,143, which are both configured to allow fluid into the secondary container 130 and prevent fluid flow out of the secondary container. Fluid is only able to leave the secondary container 130 through the outlet valve 143 when the outlet valve is opened by an engagement member or portion on the dispenser head 102, as will be described below. As with the foregoing embodiments the secondary container 130 is preferably formed from a single material and complies with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

[0074] Also visible in Figure 8 is a cap 105 which has on its exterior a dispenser nozzle 110 from which the contents of the primary and secondary containers 20,130 are dispensed after they are mixed. The nozzle 110 may be fixed or may be adjustable so as to open and close the nozzle.

[0075] Figures 8-10 are vertical cross-sections through the dispensing apparatus, with the secondary container 130 shown detached from the dispensing head 102 in Figure 8, and attached to the dispensing head in Figures 9 and 10. This allows the various internal components within the dispenser head 102 to be seen. A mixing chamber 150 is located within the dispenser head 102 and has a first chamber inlet 152, a second chamber inlet 154 and a chamber outlet 156. The first chamber inlet 152 is in fluid communication with the neck 22 of the primary container 20, though it may extend further down into a lower region of the primary container if desired. A secondary conduit 160 fluidly connects the second chamber inlet 154 with the secondary container outlet 142 when the secondary container 130 is mounted upon the dispenser head 102. A nozzle conduit 162 connects the chamber outlet 156 with the nozzle 110.

[0076] One-way valves are provided for each of the primary and secondary conduits 158,160 in the form of first inlet valve 164 and second inlet valve 166. These valves may be located in the first chamber inlet 152 and second chamber inlet 154 or they may be located in the conduits 158,160 themselves. The first and second inlet valves 164,166 may be duckbill valves, flap valves, or ball valves, for example. Each one-way valve may be of a different type or they may all be of the same type.

[0077] Figure 8 shows the one-way secondary valves 141,143 which are located in the secondary container inlet 140 and outlet 142. These secondary valves 141,143 are preferably a flap valve and a duckbill valve, respectively. The secondary outlet valve 143 will only open to allow flow out of the secondary container upon contact with an engagement portion of the dispenser head 102, as will be explained below. The secondary valves may alternatively both be of the same type, e.g. duckbill valves or flap valves.

[0078] The one-way valves 141,143 are preferably formed from a thermoplastic elastomer containing the same material as that from which the secondary container is formed.. As such the container and valves can be recycled as a single unit.

[0079] The secondary conduit 160 has a first end 161 in fluid communication with the second chamber inlet 154, and a second end 163 which is open and projects generally horizontally from the dispenser head 102. The first and second ends 161,163 of the secondary conduit 160 are at the same height due to the secondary conduit being substantially horizontal. The second end 163 of the secondary conduit 160 acts as an engagement portion for the secondary outlet valve 143 of the secondary container 130. As seen in Figures 9 and 10, when the secondary container 130 is mounted upon the second portion 108 of the dispenser head 102 the secondary outlet valve 143 is pressed open by the projecting second end 163 of the secondary conduit 160. This allows the fluid contents of the secondary container 130 to flow out into the mixing chamber 150 via the secondary conduit 160. As fluid flows out of the secondary container 130 air is drawn into the secondary container via the secondary inlet 140 and the one-way secondary inlet valve 141.

[0080] As seen in Figure 8, the primary container 20 has a plurality of primary container inlets 21 A, 21 B circumferentially spaced about the sidewall of the primary container. Each primary container inlet 21 A, 21 B has a different cross-sectional area. A collar 33 is rotatably mounted on the exterior of the primary container 20 and has a collar aperture 35. Rotating the collar 33 relative to the primary container 20 allows the collar aperture 35 to be aligned with one of the primary container inlets 21 A, 21 B, thus varying the amount of air which is drawn into the primary container as the dispenser is operated.

[0081] A piston 31 lies within the primary container 20, and has an external diameter which is equal to, or only very slightly less than, the internal diameter of the primary container. The piston 31 hence acts as a barrier between a primary chamber 37 holding the primary fluid, and an air chamber 39 in fluid communication with the primary container inlets 21 A, 21 B. The piston 31 thus prevents the primary fluid from flowing out the air inlets 21 A, 21 B and moves upwards in the primary container 20 as the primary fluid is dispensed. How far the piston 31 moves up the primary container on each dispensing action is dictated by which air inlet 21 A, 21 B is exposed to the collar aperture 35 at the time. The more air that is allowed into the bottom of the primary container 20 the more of the primary fluid is pushed into the mixing chamber 150, whilst restricting the air flow means less primary fluid is pushed into the mixing chamber. In this way the ratio of primary and secondary fluids is adjusted.

[0082] The air inlet arrangement on the primary container 20 may be reversed, such that there is a single primary container inlet and associated one-way valve, and a plurality of collar apertures of varying cross-sectional area on the collar. This primary container inlet control arrangement may also be provided on the primary container of the first and second embodiments in place of a control valve on the secondary container inlet.

[0083] Figures 9 and 10 also show closed and open states of the dispensing apparatus, respectively. The actuator pump mechanism illustrated is manually operated and is of a known type but will be described here for completeness.

[0084] The actuator pump mechanism is located in the nozzle conduit 162. The mechanism comprises a stem 170 having an internal passage 172 through which fluid will flow from the mixing chamber outlet 156 to the dispensing nozzle 110 when the apparatus is open. The stem 170 has a first end 174 adjacent the mixing chamber outlet 156, and a distal end 176 of the stem passage 172 is in fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle 110. The stem first end 174 has one or more stem apertures 178 which selectively permit fluid to pass from outside of the stem 170 into the stem passage 172 and on to the dispensing nozzle 110.

[0085] The actuator mechanism further comprises a sleeve 180 which lies along the external surface of the stem 170, and a collar 182 which also lies along the external surface of the stem between the stem first end 174 and the sleeve 180. The sleeve 180 has a spring 184 which biases the sleeve and actuator mechanism overall towards the closed state. The stem 170, collar 182 and sleeve 180 can all slide axially within the nozzle conduit 162. When the cap 105 is pressed downwards this presses the sleeve 180 downwards, which in turn pushes both the collar 182 and first stem end 174 downwards as well. An axial distance between a proximal end of the sleeve 180 and the stem first end 174 is greater than the axial length of the collar 182. This creates a relatively small gap or tolerance whereby the collar 182 can move axially by a small amount relative to the stem first end 174 and the sleeve 180. As seen in Figure 9 when the mechanism is closed the collar 182 abuts the stem first end 174 and covers the or each stem aperture 178.

[0086] The collar is sized such that its outer circumference engages the inner surface of the nozzle conduit 162 in a friction fit. The combination of the relative movement possible between the collar 182 and stem 170 and the friction fit between the collar and nozzle conduit 162 means that as the cap 105 is pressed downwards the stem and collar will also move downwards, but in doing so the stem first end 174 moves downwards further than the collar. This results in the stem aperture(s) 178 now being exposed, as shown in Figure 10. This then allows fluid within the mixing chamber 150 to pass into the stem passage 172 via the stem aperture(s) 178 as the fluid is forced upwards by the pressure exerted by the stem first end 174 moving downwards into the mixing chamber 150. Once the cap 105 is released, it will move back upwards to the closed state under the action of the spring 184. This upward movement of the cap 105 also pulls the stem 170, collar 182 and sleeve 180 upwards and back into the position shown in Figure 9.

[0087] The mixing chamber can therefore be considered to be the volume downstream of the first and second inlet valves 164,166, and upstream of the stem aperture(s) 178. The stem aperture(s) 178, the stem 170 and collar 182 effectively form a nozzle outlet valve which allows fluid to flow from the mixing chamber in the direct of the nozzle when the apertures are open.

[0088] Thanks to the presence of the adjustable air inlet on either the primary or secondary container the present invention allows the mixing ratio of the primary and secondary fluids to be adjusted. It is also impossible to dispense only the primary or secondary fluid alone because when one of the two containers is empty air will be preferentially drawn into the mixing chamber instead of fluid from the container which is not empty. Hence the risk of dispensing an undiluted additive, or a primary fluid without any additive, is removed.

[0089] Furthermore, providing one-way valves on the secondary container inlet and outlet ensures that fluid cannot spill from the container when it is not attached to the dispenser head. Both valves are configured to allow fluid to pass into, but not out of, the secondary container through the inlet and outlet when the container is not attached to the dispenser head. The secondary outlet valve is only opened when the pod is attached to the dispenser head. Therefore if the pod is compressed or warmed up during handling, storage or transportation prior to being connected to a dispenser head the contents cannot leak out as the one-way valves are configured to prevent that.

[0090] The present invention uses opposing check valves in the secondary fluid line. The secondary outlet valve (the preferred duckbill valve) seals the secondary container when it is not attached to the dispenser head whilst the second inlet valve ensures that fluid cannot flow back into the secondary container from the mixing chamber even when the secondary outlet valve is open. This ensures that the secondary container contents are dosed purely based on the vacuum drawn in the mixing chamber when the trigger is released.

[0091] The cross-sectional areas of the first and second inlet valves may be substantially identical. Alternatively, the cross-sectional area of the second inlet valve may be less than that of the first inlet valve such that a lesser amount of the secondary fluid is drawn into the mixing chamber when compared with the primary fluid.

[0092] Whilst the preferred embodiments described herein have actuator mechanisms which allow for manual operation the present invention is not limited to manually operated dispensing apparatus. The present invention may also be provided in an automated configuration where a drive means such as an electric motor, for example, moves a drive member which may act upon the trigger, pump head or an alternative actuation member, or indeed directly on the piston or piston rod, in order to move dispense the mixture of the primary and secondary fluids. In the spraying embodiments the actuator mechanism may not comprise a piston within the mixing chamber. Instead a flexible diaphragm or similar may be placed in the mixing chamber and acted upon via a rod connected to a trigger or other actuator member. When the rod pushes upon the diaphragm it expands within the mixing chamber, thereby reducing the volume within the chamber and forcing fluid from the chamber in the same manner as a sliding piston would do. As the actuator and rod return towards an inactive position the diaphragm returns to its original shape, forming a vacuum and drawing fluid into the mixing chamber.

[0093] In the spraying embodiments the secondary container inlet may not be in fluid communication with an air conduit within the spray head. Instead, as with the pumping embodiment the secondary container inlet may be located upon an exterior surface of the secondary container such that air may pass directly into the secondary container via the secondary container inlet and one-way valve located therein. In this case, a rotary adjustment knob of the kind described above can be provided on the exterior of the secondary container instead of on the dispenser head. As in the embodiments described above the adjustment knob may have a number of apertures of different sizes which can be aligned and brought into fluid communication with the secondary container inlet. As such, the amount of air being drawn into the secondary container upon each actuator release can be varied in the same way as described above, only directly into the secondary container rather than through a conduit on the spray head.

[0094] The adjustable air valve, when present, may not be in the rotatable dial form shown in the illustrated embodiments. Instead air apertures of differing sizes may be provided along the air conduit, with each aperture in fluid communication with the air space within the spray head. A sliding member or rail is provided within the conduit, where an axial position of the member within the conduit dictates which one, or group, of the apertures is open to allow air flow into the conduit. A slider or other actuator can be provided on the exterior of the spray head for adjustment of the axial position of the sliding member.

[0095] These and other modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:a body comprising a first portion connectable to a primary container containing a first fluid;a secondary container removably attached to a second portion of the body and containing a second fluid, the secondary container comprising a secondary container outlet, the secondary container outlet having a one-way secondary container outlet valve which in a default position prevents fluid from leaving the secondary container via the secondary container outlet; a mixing chamber housed within the body, the mixing chamber comprising:a first mixing chamber inlet in fluid communication with the primary container;a second mixing chamber inlet in fluid communication with a proximal end of a secondary conduit, a distal end of the secondary conduit being in fluid communication with the secondary container outlet and having a valve engagement portion adapted to open the one-way secondary container outlet valve and allow fluid to leave the secondary container when the secondary container is attached to the body; anda mixing chamber outlet in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle located on the body;an actuator mechanism adapted to selectively draw fluid into the mixing chamber from the primary and secondary containers and force said fluid from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle;a one-way primary mixing inlet valve located between the primary container and the mixing chamber such that in use the first fluid may only flow into the mixing chamber from the primary container;a one-way secondary mixing inlet valve located between the distal end of the secondary conduit and the mixing chamber such that in use the second fluid may only flow into the mixing chamber from the secondary conduit; anda nozzle outlet valve located downstream of the mixing chamber such that fluid may only flow away from the mixing chamber towards the nozzle;wherein the secondary container further comprises a secondary container inlet, the secondary container inlet having a one-way secondary container inlet valve configured to only permit fluid to enter the secondary container.

2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:a primary conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber inlet, and a distal end locatable in the primary container; andwherein the one-way primary mixing inlet valve is located between the distal end of the primary conduit and the mixing chamber such that in use the first fluid may only flow towards the mixing chamber.

3. The dispensing apparatus of either preceding claim, wherein the dispensing nozzle is a spray nozzle, and the nozzle outlet valve is a one-way valve located downstream of the mixing chamber outlet such that fluid may only flow away from the mixing chamber towards the spray nozzle.

4. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body further comprises an air conduit having a distal end open to atmosphere and a proximal end adapted to be in fluid communication with the one-way secondary container inlet valve when the secondary container is attached to the body.

5. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary container inlet and outlet valves are duckbill valves.

6. The dispensing apparatus of any of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary container is formed from a plastics material and the secondary container inlet and outlet valves are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer consisting of a mixture of the plastics material and an elastomer.

7. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising an adjustable air inlet valve adapted to control the flow rate of air entering the secondary container inlet.

8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the air inlet valve is a rotary valve having a plurality of air apertures which can be selectively brought into fluid communication with the secondary container inlet, each air aperture having a different cross-sectional area.

9. The dispensing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the primary container comprises a primary container inlet and an adjustable air inlet valve adapted to control the flow rate of air entering the primary container via the primary container inlet.

10. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the primary mixing inlet valve has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the secondary mixing inlet valve.

11. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the primary conduit has a substantially uniform primary cross-sectional area and the secondary conduit has a substantially uniform secondary cross-sectional area, where the primary cross-sectional area is larger than the secondary cross-sectional area.

12. The dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises:a trigger member having a first end pivotably connected to the body; a piston rod having a first end connected to the trigger;a piston slidably located in the mixing chamber and connected to a second end of the piston rod; anda biasing member located in the mixing chamber and configured to urge the piston and trigger towards an inactive position.

Images