초록 ▼

An actuator for dispensing the liquid contents of a container in the form of a spray includes an actuator cap, an axial spray channel with an orifice for spraying the contents of the container, and an axial feed channel for connection a container outlet to the spray channel. A breakup wedge is provi

An actuator for dispensing the liquid contents of a container in the form of a spray includes an actuator cap, an axial spray channel with an orifice for spraying the contents of the container, and an axial feed channel for connection a container outlet to the spray channel. A breakup wedge is provided in the feed channel such that it splits the feed channel into two sub channels, each connected via a side inlet opening with an inlet portion of the spray channel. Thus, in use, a flow of content is split into two sub flows by the breakup wedge, which sub flows subsequently collide in the inlet portion of the spray channel causing a turbulent flow of the liquid product in the inlet portion of the spray channel, which turbulent flow is guided by the spray channel towards and out of the dispensing opening.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An actuator for actuating a dispensing valve of a container that stores a liquid product, which container is pressurized or has a pump, for dispensing in a spray direction the liquid contents of that container in the form of a spray, wherein the actuator is formed as a single component by injecti

1. An actuator for actuating a dispensing valve of a container that stores a liquid product, which container is pressurized or has a pump, for dispensing in a spray direction the liquid contents of that container in the form of a spray, wherein the actuator is formed as a single component by injection molding of plastics material, the actuator comprising: an actuator cap;an axial feed channel having an inlet portion for connection to a container outlet to receive the pressurized contents of the container, wherein the axial feed channel has a central axis that extends in a feed direction,a breakup wedge provided in the feed channel and extending in the feed direction such that the breakup wedge splits the feed channel into two sub channels, for in use splitting a flow of liquid content in the feed channel into two sub flows, the two sub channels extending in the feed direction on opposite sides of the breakup wedge, andan axial spray channel, wherein the axial spray channel has a central axis that extends in the spray direction, and at an angle with the central axis of the feed channel, which angle lies in the range of 45 to 135 degrees, from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of the spray channel, at which outlet portion the axial spray channel has an orifice for spraying the contents of the container,wherein the axial spray channel at the inlet portion intersects with the two sub channels of the feed channel and the breakup wedge, and the sub channels each directly communicate with the spray channel via a side inlet opening in the inlet portion of the spray channel,wherein the side inlet openings are located on opposite sides of a virtual plane that comprises the central axis of the spray channel, andwherein the side inlet openings are separated from each other by the break up wedge, such that in use the sub flows of liquid product enter the inlet portion of the spray channel from opposite sides and collide in a head on collision in the inlet portion of the spray channel, the head on collision creating a turbulent flow of the liquid product which causes atomization of the liquid product into a spray comprising a fine mist of liquid droplets, wherein the spray is guided by the spray channel, along its central axis, towards and out of the orifice for spraying the contents of the container at the outlet portion of the spray channel. 2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the width of the breakup wedge adjacent the spray channel is smaller than the diameter of the spray channel. 3. The actuator according to claim 2, wherein the width of the breakup wedge is at least 70% of the diameter of the spray channel. 4. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein in the two side inlet openings have an elongated shape and extend in the circumferential direction of the spray channel. 5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the break up wedge comprises a virtual central plane, which central plane comprises a central axis of the spray channel. 6. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the breakup wedge extends in the feed channel upstream of the spray channel, and wherein in the section of the spray channel intersecting with the breakup wedge, when seen in side view, the two side inlet openings in the spray channel form a through opening in the breakup wedge. 7. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the breakup wedge in cross section has a Y-shape or T-shape, and splits the feed channel in an additional third sub channel, extending in the feed direction, and wherein the axial spray channel intersects with the two sub channels and the third sub channel of the feed channel, wherein the third sub channel, via an inlet opening at an end of the spray channel opposite the end of the spray channel with the spray opening, directly communicates with the spray channel. 8. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid product in the form of a spray, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises: a container for storing the liquid product, which container is provided with a dispensing valve having a valve outlet through which the liquid product is released under pressure, when actuated, andan actuator according to claim 1, which actuator is engaged with the dispensing valve such that the inlet portion of the axial feed channel is in communication with the valve outlet of said container. 9. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the container and dispensing valve together have the form of a conventional aerosol canister in which the liquid product is stored under pressure. 10. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dispensing valve includes pump device for urging the liquid product though the dispensing valve under pressure. 11. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dispensing valve is actuated by depressing the valve outlet of the dispensing valve. 12. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuator includes a recess for receiving an upper end of the valve outlet with a close fit, the recess being in communication with the inlet portion of the feed channel. 13. An injection mould for providing an actuator according to claim 1.