초록 ▼

A nozzle mechanism for generating an aerosol-type liquid discharge is provided, which nozzle mechanism ensures one-way movement of liquid during discharge and also has a substantially zero "dead volume" at the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle mechanism includes a flexible nozzle portion with an outlet

A nozzle mechanism for generating an aerosol-type liquid discharge is provided, which nozzle mechanism ensures one-way movement of liquid during discharge and also has a substantially zero "dead volume" at the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle mechanism includes a flexible nozzle portion with an outlet and a fluid channel, a rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portion, and a rigid housing surrounding the flexible nozzle portion and exposing the outlet. The rigid shaft interfaces the outlet to form a first normally-closed, one-way valve, as well as to define a swirling chamber for collecting the liquid which has been channeled from the liquid reservoir, prior to being discharged via the outlet. The outlet has a tubular wall with thickness that decreases along the elongated axis of symmetry for the outlet toward the tip of the outlet. The fluid channel is circumferentially positioned within the flexible nozzle portion to create swirling action of the liquid delivered to the swirling chamber. Once the pressure on the swirling liquid reaches a threshold pressure sufficient to radially deform the portion of the outlet forming the first normally-closed valve, the liquid in the swirling chamber is discharged through the outlet. The nozzle mechanism is coupled to a flexible body portion which has a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from the bottom of the body portion toward the flexible nozzle portion. The rigid shaft received within the flexible nozzle portions extends down into the flexible body portion so that a second portion of the rigid shaft interfaces the flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed, one-way valve in the fluid communication path between the liquid reservoir and the swirling chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [11.] A fluid-dispensing mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, comprising:a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a w

[ I claim:] [11.] A fluid-dispensing mechanism for an aerosol-type dispenser in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, comprising:a flexible nozzle portion having an outlet portion for dispensing liquid content of said dispenser, said outlet portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a first point along a direction of elongated axis of symmetry of said nozzle mechanism toward a tip of said flexible nozzle portion;a flexible body portion connected to said flexible nozzle portion, said body portion having a substantially tubular shape and a wall thickness which decreases from a second point along said axial direction toward said tip of said flexible nozzle portion;a rigid shaft member received within said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion, a first portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said outlet portion to form a first normally-closed valve, said first portion of said rigid shaft and interior of said flexible nozzle portion defining a swirling chamber for collecting liquid from said liquid reservoir prior to expulsion via said outlet portion, a second portion of said rigid shaft member interfacing said flexible body portion to form a second normally-closed valve; anda rigid housing surrounding said flexible nozzle portion and said flexible body portion and exposing said outlet portion;wherein a content of said fluid reservoir is channeled into said swirling chamber from said liquid reservoir via said second normally-closed valve upon application of sufficient pressure to open said second normally-closed valve, and wherein said liquid in said chamber is expelled via said first normally-closed valve upon reaching a pressure sufficient to radially deform said outlet portion to open said first normally-closed valve, and wherein said rigid housing prevents deformation of said outlet portion along said axial direction during expulsion of said liquid content of said swirling chamber via said outlet portion.