초록 ▼

A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has an effective pore size and/or p

A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has an effective pore size and/or permeability that decreases towards the spray head (23). Means and methods of creating the pore size and/or permeability gradients are discussed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid spray dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir for, in use, holding fluid to be dispensed;a spray head for dispensing the fluid, the spray head having a non-planar form; anda porous medium extending from the reservoir to the spray head through which, in use, fluid passes along a fluid path

1. A fluid spray dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir for, in use, holding fluid to be dispensed;a spray head for dispensing the fluid, the spray head having a non-planar form; anda porous medium extending from the reservoir to the spray head through which, in use, fluid passes along a fluid path from the reservoir to the spray head, the porous medium having an effective pore size that decreases along at least a part of the fluid path from the reservoir towards the spray head, the part of the fluid path along which the effective pore size decreases being within the reservoir;wherein the effective pore size of the medium is constant in the region immediately adjacent to the spray head. 2. A fluid spray dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the porous medium has a permeability, when saturated, that decreases towards the spray head. 3. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the effective pore size decreases smoothly from the reservoir to the spray head. 4. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the porous medium has a varying effective pore size as an inherent property. 5. A fluid spray dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir for, in use, holding fluid to be dispensed;a spray head for dispensing the fluid; anda porous medium extending from the reservoir to the spray head through which, in use, fluid passes along a fluid path from the reservoir to the spray head, the porous medium having an effective pore size that decreases along at least a part of the fluid path from the reservoir towards the spray head, the part of the fluid path along which the effective pore size decreases being within the reservoir;wherein the porous medium is supported by a structure which, by deforming at least part of the medium, causes the desired effective pore size gradient to be formed in the medium. 6. A fluid feed according to claim 5, wherein the medium, in its relaxed state, has a substantially ‘U-shaped’ form. 7. A fluid feed according to claim 5, wherein a section of porous medium is compressed by opposing walls whose profile creates areas of greater compression and areas of lesser compression within the medium. 8. A dispenser according to 5, wherein the structure is made from a porous medium arranged around an inner section of porous medium and maintaining the inner section in a compressed state within the structure. 9. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a pathway formed in the porous medium adjacent the spray head for the removal of ingested air. 10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the pathway is a channel lined by a different material to the porous medium in order to maintain the shape of the channel. 11. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the spray head includes a piezoelectric actuator and a perforate membrane. 12. A fluid spray dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir for, in use, holding fluid to be dispensed;a spray head for dispensing the fluid, the spray head having a non-planar form; anda porous medium extending from the reservoir to the spray head through which, in use, fluid passes along a fluid path from the reservoir to the spray head, the porous medium having a permeability, when saturated, that decreases along at least a part of the fluid path from the reservoir towards the spray head, the part of the fluid path along which the permeability when saturated decreases being within the reservoir; andwherein the permeability of the medium is constant in the region immediately adjacent to the spray head. 13. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the permeability decreases smoothly from the reservoir to the spray head. 14. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the porous medium has a varying permeability as an inherent property. 15. A fluid spray dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir for, in use, holding fluid to be dispensed;a spray head for dispensing the fluid; anda porous medium extending from the reservoir to the spray head through which, in use, fluid passes along a fluid path from the reservoir to the spray head, the porous medium having a permeability, when saturated, that decreases along at least a part of the fluid path from the reservoir towards the spray head, the part of the fluid path along which the permeability when saturated decreases being within the reservoir;wherein the porous medium is supported by a structure which, by deforming at least part of the medium, causes the desired permeability gradient to be formed in the medium. 16. A fluid feed according to claim 15, wherein the medium, in its relaxed state, has a substantially ‘U-shaped’ form. 17. A fluid feed according to claim 15, wherein a section of porous medium is compressed by opposing walls whose profile creates areas of greater compression and areas of lesser compression within the medium. 18. A dispenser according to any of claim 15, wherein the structure is made from a porous medium arranged around an inner section of porous medium and maintaining the inner section in a compressed state within the structure. 19. A dispenser according to claim 12, further comprising a pathway formed in the porous medium adjacent the spray head for the removal of ingested air. 20. A dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the pathway is a channel lined by a different material to the porous medium in order to maintain the shape of the channel. 21. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the spray head includes a piezoelectric actuator and a perforate membrane.