WO2006059080A1

WO2006059080A1 - A valve for a pressurised dispenser and a pressurised dispenser comprising such a valve

Info

Publication number: WO2006059080A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/004556
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Laidler
Original assignee: Keith Laidler
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2005-11-30
Publication date: 2006-06-08

Abstract

A valve (10) for controlling the release of a fluid from a pressurised container includes a valve housing (11) and a valve member (14) located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position. A hollow outlet stem (16) is associated with the valve member. The valve also has valve housing inlet means (142) through which a fluid to be dispensed can enter the housing, and stem inlet means (126) though which fluid can enter the stem to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position. The valve incorporates at least one control means (142) for modifying the characteristics of the fluid to control the quality of the fluid dispensed. The valve is particularly adapted for use with aerosol dispensers.

Description

A Valve for a Pressurised Dispenser and a Pressurised Dispenser Comprising

Such a Valve

The present invention relates to a valve for a pressurised dispenser and a pressurised dispenser comprising such a valve. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a valve for a pressurized dispenser which dispenses a liquid product in the form of an aerosol or atomized spray and to such dispensers comprising the inventive valve.

Pressurised dispensers are used to dispense a variety of products. Known pressurised dispensers comprise a container or canister for the product, which will often be a liquid or liquor. A propellant is introduced into the container to pressurise the contents and an outlet valve is provided to control release of the product, together with the propellant. It is known to use pressurised dispensers to deliver products in the form of a bolus of liquid or as foam or, when a nozzle arrangement is used, as an aerosol or atomized spray. Dispensers commonly referred to as aerosol canisters are an example of this latter type of pressurised dispenser.

In many applications, the container is pressurised by the addition of a propellant as part of the filling process and is supplied to the end user in a pressurised state. Typical propellants, such as butane DME, CO2, Nitrogen and compressed air, are gaseous at normal temperature and pressure, but some may be maintained in liquid form inside the container. The product to be dispensed may be suspended in the propellant in solid or liquid form or it may be dissolved in the propellant. In certain dispensers which use compressed air as the propellant, a pump is provided so that end user can pressurise the container prior to each use. This arrangement is often used for dispensing weed killer and insecticides for example.

A large number of commercial products are presented to consumers in the form of a pressurised dispenser, including, for example, antiperspirant sprays, de-odorant sprays, perfumes, air fresheners, antiseptics, paints, insecticides, polish, hair care products, pharmaceuticals, water, lubricants, soap lotions, insecticides, food, foams as well as various garden and household sprays.

Many pressurised dispensers have a nozzle fitted to the outlet valve which is adapted so that the fluid stored in the container can be dispensed in the form of a spray or mist. The nozzle is configured to cause the fluid stream passing through the nozzle to break up or "atomize" into numerous droplets as it is ejected under pressure through one or more outlet orifices in the form of a spray or mist.

The optimum size of the droplets required in a spray depends primarily on the particular product concerned and the application for which it is intended. For example, a pharmaceutical spray that contains a drug intended to be inhaled by a patient (e.g. an asthmatic patient) usually requires very small droplets, which can penetrate deep into the lungs. In contrast, a polish spray preferably comprises spray droplets with larger diameters to promote the impaction of the aerosol droplets on the surface that is to be polished and, particularly if the spray is toxic, to reduce the extent of inhalation.

The size of the aerosol droplets produced by conventional nozzle arrangements is dictated by a number of factors, including the dimensions of the outlet orifice(s) and the pressure with which the fluid is forced through the nozzle. However, problems can arise if it is desired to produce a spray that comprises small droplets with narrow droplet size distributions, particularly at low pressures. The use of low pressures for generating sprays is becoming increasingly desirable because it enables the quantity of propellant present in the spray to be reduced or alternative propellants which typically produce lower pressures (e.g. compressed gas) to be used. The desire to reduce the level of propellant used in aerosol containers is a topical issue at the moment and is likely to become more important in the future due to legislation planned in certain countries, which proposes to impose restrictions on the amount of propellant that can be used in hand-held aerosol canisters. A reduction in the level of propellant causes a reduction in the pressure available to drive the fluid through the nozzle arrangement and also results in less propellant being present in the mixture to assist with the droplet break up. Therefore, there is a requirement for a valve and nozzle arrangement that is capable of producing an aerosol spray composed of suitably small droplets at low pressures.

A further problem with known pressurised dispensers fitted with conventional nozzle arrangements is that the size of the spray droplets generated tends to increase during the lifetime of the dispenser, particularly towards the end of the dispensers life as the pressure within the canister reduces as the contents become gradually depleted. This reduction in pressure causes an observable increase in the size of the droplets generated and thus, the quality of the spray produced is compromised.

The problem of providing a high quality spray at low pressures is further exacerbated if the fluid concerned has a high viscosity because it becomes harder to atomize the fluid into sufficiently small droplets.

In order to overcome or at least reduce the above problems, it is known to incorporate into the outlet passage of a nozzle various features that manipulate the fluid passing through. Such features may include shaping of the outlet orifice to enhance the spray formation. It is also known to provide a swirl chamber adjacent the outlet orifice in which the fluid is caused to spin before it passes through the outlet orifice.

International patent application WO 01/89958 Al describes variety of internal control features that can be incorporated into the fluid passage of a nozzle to manipulate the fluid flowing through the passage as a means of affecting the fluid droplet size produced in the final aerosol or spray. Such features include: expansion chamber means, inner orifice or constriction means arranged to form a spray of the fluid in the passage, multiple-channel means, dog-leg means, swirl means, and venturi means. For a full description of these features and how they can be used to control the droplet size in an aerosol, the reader should refer to WO 01/89958 Al₅ the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

The control features described in WO 01/89958 Al can be used in different combinations to control droplet size in different ways. It has been found that a useful combination is to position one or more inner orifices upstream of an expansion chamber so that the fluid is sprayed into the chamber through the, or each, orifice. Surprisingly, it has been found to be particularly beneficial to incorporate into the nozzle passage two or more expansion chambers arranged in series so that liquor is sprayed into one chamber and then reformed into liquor in a further part of the passage or in a further inner orifice before being sprayed again into another chamber.

In a further development described in International patent application WO2005/005053 Al, it has been proposed to spray or jet fluid into an expansion chamber in the nozzle passage through two or more inlet orifices as a means of controlling or affecting the droplet size in the final spray. By varying the direction and relative orientation of the inlet orifices, the turbulence of the fluid passing through the chamber can be controlled and this has been found to affect the size of the droplets produced in the final spray. The inlet streams may be directed towards each other so that they impact on each other or they may be directed towards the edges of the chamber or into corners or other shaped features of the chamber. The inlets may enter from the rear of the chamber so that the inlet streams flow generally in a direction from the input end of the chamber towards an output end or they may enter from a side of the chamber so that the inlet streams flow generally in a direction transverse to the overall direction of flow through the chamber. A combination of rear and side inlets can be used. Furthermore, certain of the inlets can be used to introduce a flow of gas, such as air, whilst others introduce a flow of liquor so that the gas and liquor mix in the chamber. For a detailed description of the use of multiple inlet channels to an expansion chamber and the various embodiments described, the reader should refer to WO2005/005053 Al₅ the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

Varying the shape of an expansion chamber in the nozzle outlet passage has also been found to affect the turbulence of the fluid passing through and so can be used to control the size of the fluid droplets produced in the final spray. A chamber having a complex shape that presents a number of sharp edges and/or recesses into which the fluid passing through the chamber can enter will tend to increase the turbulence of the fluid. On the other hand, if the walls of the chamber are smooth and any changes in width or diameter gradual, less turbulence will be generated. For a detailed description of the use of shaped expansion chambers in this way, the reader should refer to International patent application WO2005/005055 Al, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

In order to ensure good atomization of the spray or aerosol, the fluid passing through the nozzle outlet passage must be maintained at a high pressure. To achieve this, the outlet passage must be kept as small as possible.

This is a problem as there is often little room available in the outlet passage to incorporate spray control features such as those described above.

In many pressurised dispensers where the product to be dispensed is a liquid, such as a liquor, the propellant exists as a gas above the liquor and also partly in solution. When the liquor is sprayed, the gas comes out of solution and helps to breakup the droplets improving atomization. To take advantage of this, some known aerosol dispenser valves are provided with one or more fine holes in the housing of the valve through which the propellant gas can be bled into the liquor inside the valve housing. This is known in the art as a vapour phase tap (VPT).

Controlling the flow of the gas into the valve housing thorough a VPT has been found to make a significant difference to the droplet size and to the spray form of the dispenser. It has been found in particular that several small holes give better results than one large hole. However, there are difficulties in manufacturing small holes, especially where the valves are manufactured from polymeric materials in very high volumes. Typically, VPT holes are produced using pins. In order to produce smaller holes the size of the pins needs to be reduced in size but if very fine pins are used they have a tendency to break. A further problem with very small holes is that they can become blocked.

There is a need then to provide an improved valve for pressurised dispenser that overcomes, or at least reduces, the problems of the prior art.

It is an objective of the invention to provide an improved valve for a pressurised dispenser that will overcome many of the disadvantages of the known pressurised dispensers. It is a further objective of the invention to provide an improved pressurised dispenser incorporating such a valve.

Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising a hollow outlet stem associated with the valve member, valve housing inlet means through which a fluid to be dispensed can enter the housing, and stem inlet means though which fluid can enter the stem to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, wherein, the valve incorporates at least one control means for manipulating the fluid passing through the valve to control the quality of the fluid dispensed. Incorporating into the valve and/or stem some or all of the means previously used in the nozzle to improve the quality of the product dispensed overcomes a number of the limitations of the prior art. For example, it may be possible to incorporate control means in the valve and stem in addition to those used in the nozzle to further improve the quality of the final product delivery. Alternatively, control means may be incorporated into the valve and stem in place of those previously used in the nozzle to enable the size of the nozzle to be reduced without adversely affect the quality of the final product delivery. Indeed, in certain applications the nozzle may be omitted altogether and all the means necessary to dispense the product as an atomized spray and/or as a foam may be incorporated into the valve and stem. Usually the product is delivered as an atomized spray or aerosol and the control means are used as a means of affecting the size of the droplets in the spray and the droplet size distribution. However, the invention may also have application for dispensers that deliver the product as a foam, in which case the control means can be used to control the quality of the foam.

The fluid to be dispensed may be a liquid and at least one of the valve housing and the valve stem may comprise a VPT inlet to enable, in use, a gaseous propellant to enter a respective one of the housing and the stem to mix with the liquid therein at least when the valve is open, in which at least one of the fluid inlet to the valve housing, the fluid inlet to the valve stem, and the VPT inlet is configured to promote or enhance mixing of the gas and the liquid. The liquid may be caused to spin in at least one of the housing and the stem to enhance mixing of the gas and the liquid.

The fluid inlet to the housing may have at least one opening through which the liquid flows to enter the housing when the valve is open, and the at least one opening may be configured such that, in use, the liquid passing through the opening forms a jet or spray in the housing. The fluid inlet to the valve housing may include more than one opening through which the liquid flows to enter the housing when the valve is open, and each opening may be configured such that the liquid passing through forms a jet or spray in the housing.

At least one of the valve housing fluid inlet openings may be configured to direct the liquid into the housing tangentially when the valve is open.

Where there is more than one valve housing fluid inlet opening, at least some of the valve housing fluid inlet openings may be configured to direct the liquid into the valve housing along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

The, or each, valve housing fluid inlet opening may be formed in a wall of the valve housing or through a closure member positioned across a larger inlet opening to the valve housing.

The, or each, valve housing fluid inlet opening may be defined between a first inlet defining part associated with the valve member and a second inlet defining part associated with the valve housing when the valve member is in the valve open position.

The first and second inlet defining parts may be arranged so that they abut one another or are in close proximity to each other when the valve member is in the valve open position to define the at least one valve housing fluid inlet opening between themselves but are spaced apart from one other when the valve member is in the valve closed position.

The first inlet defining part may be a surface region on or associated with the valve member and the second inlet defining part may be a corresponding surface region on or associated with the valve housing, the surface regions contacting one another or being in close proximity to each other when the valve member is in the valve open position. At least one of the corresponding surface regions may be tapered.

At least one of the corresponding surface regions may have one or more grooves or slots formed therein which form the valve housing inlet openings when the valve member is in the valve open position.

In one embodiment, the valve housing has an inlet means having a fluid passage through which the liquid flows to enter the housing, the valve member having a surface region which abuts a corresponding surface region of the inlet means when the valve member is in the valve open position to close off the fluid passage, there being one or more groves or slots in at least one of the abutting surface regions of the valve member and the inlet means, through which liquid can flow from the fluid passage to enter the chamber. The valve housing inlet means may be an inlet tube having a portion which extends into a recess or chamber within the valve housing. In an alternative embodiment, the valve housing inlet means is a partition member which separates the valve housing into a first, lower chamber and a second, upper chamber, the valve housing having a VPT inlet into the first chamber to enable a propellant gas to enter the first chamber, the partition member having at least one liquid passage fluidly connected with an inlet means through which a liquid can flow to enter the second upper chamber, the partition member also having at least one VPT inlet opening through which propellant gas may flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, the valve member having a surface region which abuts a corresponding surface region on the partition member to close of the at least one liquid passage and to at least partially restrict the VPT inlet opening when the valve member is in the valve open position, at least one of the abutting surface regions of the partition member and the valve member having one or more grooves or slots therein through which the liquid may flow from the liquid passage to enter the second chamber of the housing when the valve member is in the valve open position. The second inlet defining part may be a wall of the valve housing or a closure member across an inlet region of the valve housing in which there are one or more openings and the first inlet defining part may be a surface region of the valve member which abuts or lies in close proximity to the wall or closure member when the valve member is in the valve open position so as to partially close off or restrict the, or each, opening.

The valve member may have a fluid passage through which the liquid enters the valve housing when the valve is open. In one embodiment, the fluid passage comprises a longitudinal bore and one or more lateral bores that extend from the longitudinal bore to a surface of the valve member within the housing, the arrangement being such that when the valve is open, the liquid flows through the longitudinal bore and into the one or more lateral bores which direct the liquid into the housing. The one or more lateral bores in this embodiment comprising the one or more valve housing fluid inlet openings. The valve housing may have an opening which in use is fluidly connected to a source of liquid to be dispensed, and the longitudinal bore in the valve member may extend through an abutment portion of the valve member which is configured to abut a wall of the valve housing in which the opening is formed when the valve is open, the arrangement being such that an open end of the longitudinal bore aligns with the opening when the valve member is in the valve open position such that the liquid may flow through the opening and into the longitudinal bore.

Where the fluid to be dispensed is a liquid, the flow of liquid through the valve can be regulated to prevent the housing from becoming flooded when the valve is open, such that the liquid can be sprayed into the housing through the at least one fluid inlet opening.

The valve housing may have at least one VPT opening through which, in use, a propellant gas can pass to enter the housing. There may be means associated with the valve member that is operable to partially restrict or obscure the at least one VPT opening when the valve member is in the valve open position, the VPT opening being substantially unrestricted or obscured when the valve member is in the valve closed position, A portion of the valve member may be arranged to align in close proximity with the, or each, VPT opening when the valve member is in the valve open position so as to partially restrict or obscure the, or each, VPT opening.

The VPT opening may extend through a region of a wall of the valve housing having an increased thickness when compared with the majority of the wall.

The at least one VPT opening may be configured to direct propellant gas into the housing tangentially. The fluid inlet to the housing may also be configured to direct the liquid into the housing substantially tangentially, in which case the propellant gas and the liquid may be directed into the housing in generally opposing tangential directions. Where there is more than one VPT opening in the valve housing, at least some of the openings can be configured to direct the propellant gas into the housing along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

One or more deflection means or baffles can be provided on the inside of the housing or on the valve member for deflecting the propellant gas passing through the at least one VPT opening tangentially or circumferentially about the housing.

One or more formations may be provided on an outer surface of the valve member which are configured to promote rotation or spinning of the fluid within the valve housing. The formations may take the form of a scroll or screw thread around an outer surface of the valve member. An internal surface of the housing can be textured so as to promote the generation of turbulence in the fluid passing through the housing when the valve is open.

An internal surface of the housing can have one or more protuberances which are configured to generate turbulence in the fluid passing though the housing when the valve is open.

A lateral wall of the valve housing can have at least one portion which is shaped to promote turbulence in the fluid passing through the valve housing when the valve is open. The lateral wall of the valve housing may have a non- cylindrical portion in addition to any tapered wall portion at the inlet region of the housing.

A lateral wall of the valve housing may have at least one surface region which is angled to oppose the general direction of flow of the fluid through the housing when the valve is open. The fluid inlet to the stem may include one or more restricted openings configured to direct fluid into the stem in the form of a jet or spray when the valve is open. There may be more than one stem inlet opening, each opening being configured to direct fluid into the stem in the form of a jet or spray when the valve is open.

The one or more stem inlet openings can be configured to direct the fluid into the stem tangentially. Where there is more than one stem inlet opening, at least some of the openings can be configured to direct fluid into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the valve stem is mounted to the valve member for movement between a first position, in which an end region of the stem is in abutment with a portion of the valve member, and a second position, in which the end region of the stem is spaced from said portion of the valve member, the one or more stem inlet openings being defined between the end region of the valve stem and said portion of the valve housing when the stem is in the first position. The valve stem may be resiliency biased towards the second position, the arrangement being such that, in use, the stem is moved to the first position against the bias force as a result of pressure applied to the stem by a user actuating the valve.

There may be one or more first stem inlet openings configured to direct a liquid into the stem and one or more second stem inlet openings which are configured to direct a propellant gas into the stem. The, or each, first stem inlet opening may be configured to direct liquid into the stem in the form of a jet or a spray. At least one of the one or more first stem inlet openings may be configured to direct the liquid into the stem tangentially. Where there is more than one first stem inlet opening, at least some of the openings may be configured to direct the liquid into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

At least one of the one or more second stem inlet openings may be configured to direct the propellant gas into the stem tangentially. Where there is more than one second stem inlet opening, at least some may be configured to direct the propellant gas into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter- tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

At least one of the first stem inlet openings and at least one of the second stem inlet openings can be configured to direct the liquid and the propellant gas along paths that intersect within the stem.

The stem may be divided into two separate stem regions over at least part of its length, the first stem inlet opening or openings being configured to direct the liquid into one of the stem regions and the second stem inlet opening or openings being configured to direct the propellant gas into the other of the stem regions. The stem may have an outer tube portion and an inner tube portion which extends from an inlet end of the stem over at least part of the length of the stem, the interior of the inner tube portion comprising one of the two stem regions whilst the space between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion comprises the other of the stem regions.

The interior surface of the stem can be textured to create turbulence in the fluid passing through the stem when the valve is open. The interior of the stem may be provided with one or more protuberances configured to create turbulence in the fluid passing through the stem when the valve is open.

The interior surface of the stem can be non-cylindrical, at least in the region where the fluid is introduced into the stem and may have one or more surface regions which are inclined so as to oppose the general direction of flow of the fluid through the stem.

A partition means may divide the stem into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, in which case, at least one opening may be provided in the partition means through which the fluid can pass from the upstream portion into the downstream portion. The at least one opening in the stem partition means may be configured such that, in use, the fluid enters the downstream portion of the stem in the form of a jet or spray. The at least one opening in the stem partition means may direct the fluid into the downstream portion of the stem tangentially. Where there is more than one opening in the stem partition means, at least some of the openings may be configured to direct fluid into the downstream portion of the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter- tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

A downstream or outlet end of the valve stem may have at least one restricted opening through which, in use, fluid can exit the stem when the valve is open. The at least one rested opening at the downstream or outlet end of the stem may comprise a final outlet or spray orifice.

In one particular embodiment, the valve member has a fluid passage with an outlet end that is in direct fluid connection with the interior of the valve stem via the one or more first stem inlet openings and an inlet end that is configured so as to be in fluid connection with a first portion of the valve housing when the valve member is in the valve open position, the valve housing having an inlet means for admitting a liquid to be dispensed into the first portion. The valve housing may also have a second housing portion separated from first portion, and inlet means in the housing for admitting a propellant gas into the second housing portion, the arrangement being such that the one or more second stem inlet openings are in fluid connection with the second housing portion when the valve member is in the valve open position to admit propellant gas into the stem from the second housing portion.

The flow of fluid through the valve can be regulated to prevent the stem from becoming flooded when the valve is opened so that the liquid can be sprayed though the stem inlet openings into the stem or through the stem partition openings into the downstream portion of the stem.

The valve housing, the valve member and the valve stem may all be manufactured from one or more polymeric materials.

The stem may be an integral part of the valve member or it may be a separate component mounted or otherwise attached to the valve member.

Flow control means can be provided to regulate the flow of liquid and/or propellant gas through the valve.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising a hollow outlet stem associated with the valve member, the valve member having a fluid passage, an inlet end of which passage is connectable with a source of fluid to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, an outlet end of the fluid passage being in fluid connection with the interior of the stem via one or more first stem inlet openings, each first stem inlet opening being configured so that the liquid passing through it in use enters the stem as a jet or a spray.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising an outlet stem associated with the valve member, inlet means through which a liquid to be dispensed can enter the stem to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, the valve further comprising a VPT for admitting, in use, a propellant gas into at least one of the valve housing and the stem and flow control means for regulating the rate of flow of at least one of the propellant gas through the VPT and the liquid through the valve when the valve is open. Flow control means may be provided for regulating the rate of flow of both the propellant gas through the VPT and the liquid through the valve when the valve is open. The, or each, flow control means may be configured to maintain a substantially constant rate of flow of the propellant gas or the liquid as the case maybe. A flow control means may be located in the liquid flow path downstream of the VPT for regulating the rate of flow of the mixed liquid and propellant gas through the valve when the valve is open.

Valves in accordance with either of the first, second or third aspects may have a fluid orifice and means for restricting the flow of fluid through the orifice when the valve is open. The restricting means may be a flow control member which in use is biased against a surface in which the orifice is formed by the pressure of the fluid, at least when the valve is opened, so as to restrict the flow of fluid through the orifice The flow control member may be a flap or a flow control element.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a pressurised dispenser comprising a valve in accordance with either of the first, second or third aspects of the invention. The pressurised dispenser may further comprise a container for a fluid to be dispensed. The dispenser may be adapted to dispense a fluid in the form of an aerosol or atomized spray, in which case the dispenser may also include an atomising nozzle arrangement in fluid connection with an outlet end of the stem. Alternatively, where the downstream or outlet end of the stem has one or more restricted openings, the, or each restricted opening may be a final spray orifice.

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a known male aerosol valve arrangement, showing the valve when closed;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the known aerosol valve when open;

Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of a valve for a dispenser in accordance with the invention, showing the valve in a closed position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the valve in an open position;

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 3 showing the valve in a closed position;

Figures 6 , 7 and 8 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a second embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention; Figures 9, 10 and 11 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a third embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a fourth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 15, 16 and 17 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a fifth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 18, 19 and 20 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a sixth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 21, 22 and 23 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a seventh embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 24, 25 and 26 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing an eighth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 27, 28 and 29 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a ninth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 30, 31 and 32 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a tenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 33, 34 and 35a are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing an eleventh embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention; Figures 35b and 35c are views similar to that of Figure 35a but showing alternative groove formations;

Figures 36, 37 and 38 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a twelfth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 39, 40 and 41 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a thirteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 42, 43 and 44 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a fourteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 45, 46 and 47 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a fifteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 48, 49 and 50 are views similar Figures 3 to 5 but showing a sixteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 51 and 52 are views similar Figures 3 and 4 but showing a seventeenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 53 and 54 are views similar Figures 3 and 4 but showing an eighteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 55 and 56 are views similar Figures 3 and 4 but showing a nineteenth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention; Figures 57 and 58 are views similar Figures 3 and 4 but showing a twentieth embodiment of a valve for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 59 to 79 are schematic cross sectional views of part of a stem for use in a valve and dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figures 8OA and 80B are longitudinal cross sectional views through a further embodiment of a dispenser valve in accordance with the invention, showing the valve in an open condition and a closed condition respectively;

Figure 81 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through a housing forming part of the valve of Figures 8OA & 8OB;

Figure 82 is a plan view of the housing of Figure 81;

Figure 83 is a side elevation of a valve member and integral stem of the valve of Figures 8OA & 80B;

Figure 84 is a cross sectional view through the valve member of Figure 83 taken on line X-X;

Figure 85 is a plan view of the valve member of Figure 83;

Figures 86A and 86B are partially sectioned perspective views of a yet further embodiment of a valve in accordance with the invention, showing the valve in open and closed configurations respectively;

Figures 87A and 87B are partially sectioned perspective views of a valve member and housing forming part of the valve of Figures 86A and 86B, shown in their valve open and valve closed configurations respectively;

Figure 88 is a perspective view of a valve member forming part of the valve of Figures 86A and 86B;

Figure 89 is a perspective view of a valve member and valve housing forming part of the valve of Figures 86A and 86B; Figure 90, is a view similar to that of Figure 87A but in an enlarged scale;

Figures 91 A and 9 IB are views similar to those of Figures 86A and 86B but showing a valve in accordance with still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 92 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a part of a valve in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 93 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of an inlet member forming part of the valve of Figure 92.

The same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar features in all the drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show a known male type aerosol valve 10. The valve 10 has a hollow plastic housing 11 mounted in a metal cup 12. A sealing gasket 13 is located in a recess at the upper end of the housing. A valve member 14 is slidably positioned inside the housing and is biased upwardly by means of a spring 15. A valve stem 16 projects upwardly from the valve member and is received in an actuator/nozzle 17. A lower end of the housing provides an inlet 18 to the valve and also mounts a dip tube 19. The valve stem 16 is hollow and a hole 20 is provided at the base of the stem through which fluid can exit the valve housing and enter the stem.

With reference to the valves described and claimed herein, the terms "upper" and "lower" and the like should be understood to refer to the valves and their component parts when positioned as shown in the Figures, which is the orientation in which the valves will typically be used. However, it should be understood that the valves can be used in other orientations and the use of such terms should construed accordingly. When the valve 10 is closed, the valve member 14 is biased by the spring 15 to its upper position, as shown in Figure 1, so that the hole 20 is sealed by the gasket. However, when downward pressure is applied to the actuator/nozzle 17, the valve member 14 is moved downwardly in the housing against the bias of the spring, as shown in Figure 2, so that hole 20 becomes exposed. The product, together with the propellant, passes through hole 20 into the stem from where it enters an outlet passage 21 in the actuator/nozzle before being dispensed in aerosol or spray form from an outlet orifice 22 of the actuator/nozzle.

A known female aerosol valve has a similar construction, except that the valve stem 16 forms part of the actuator/nozzle 17 and is mounted to the valve member 14 which is in the form of a valve seat mounted in the housing.

Known aerosol valves tend to have a large inlet to the valve housing compared to the size of the final outlet orifice of the nozzle. As a result, the valve housing and stem tend to be flooded once the valve is opened and the fluid product, usually a liquid, passes through the valve and stem in a constant stream. However, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, it has been found that by suitable design, the fluid can be manipulated or worked as it passes through valve and/or the stem so as to improve or vary to quality of spray or foam produced at the final outlet orifice.

Figures 3 to 5 show a first embodiment of an outlet valve 10 for a pressurised dispenser in accordance with the present embodiment. The valve 10 is a male valve and is similar in construction to the prior art valve described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2. Hence the valve 10 comprises a valve housing 11, a metal cup 12, a sealing gasket 13, a valve member 14, a spring 15, a valve stem 16, and a dip tube 19 (only part of which is shown).

The valve 10 differs from the prior art valve described previously in that it is provided with a VPT, which is in the form of a small hole 30 in the side or lateral wall of the housing 12. When the valve is fitted to an aerosol canister, the hole 30 will enable propellant gas to enter the housing from the an upper region of the canister to mix with the fluid being dispensed.

The problems associated with tying to provide very small VPT openings are addressed in the present embodiment by using a larger VPT hole but reducing the size of the VPT opening through which the gas must pass when the valve 10 is actuated by using the valve member 14 to partially block or restrict the VPT hole. This is achieved by positioning a curved plastic column

31 on the inside of the housing 12 in the region of the VPT hole 30 and extending the hole 30 through the column 31.

The valve member 14 has a larger diameter upper body portion 14a and a smaller diameter lower body portion 14b that is received within the spring 15. As shown in Figure 3, when the valve is closed, the larger diameter upper portion is positioned above the VPT hole 30, which is fully open. However, when the valve is opened, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the larger diameter body portion 14a of the valve member covers the VPT hole 30 leaving a very fine gap 32 between the body portion 14a and the column 31, through which the gas must past. The small gap 32 thus becomes the VPT.

The above arrangement enables a very small VPT to be produced using a relatively large hole size and so avoids the problems associated with using fine pins to produce smaller holes in the housing itself. Conventional VPTs are typically 0.2-0.45 mm in diameter but may be only 0.05 - 0.15 mm in diameter where compressed gas is used as the propellant. However, with this arrangement the VPT hole 30 can be made as large as required but will typically be 0.5 to 1.2 mm in diameter.

The VPT is also self cleaning, as any small particles that may become trapped in the VPT hole 30 or between the hole of the valve member 14 when the valve is open are released when the valve is closed and the valve member 14 moves back to its upper, valve closed position. A further advantage of the present embodiment is that the gas entering the housing through the gap 32 is directed circumferentially or tangentially in two opposing directions so that it spins or rotates within the housing 11. This helps to induce turbulence in the fluid passing through the housing 11 and promotes thorough mixing of the gas and the liquid.

The column 31 may be provided by means of a separate insert located in the housing 11 by any suitable means. Alternatively, the column may be formed as an integral part of the housing. Furthermore, rather than using a column 31, a similar effect could be achieved by reducing the inner diameter of the housing, at least in the region of the VPT hole 30 or by increasing the outer diameter of the upper body portion 14a of the valve member 14.

Although in the above described embodiment there is only one VPT hole 30, more than hole could be provided. Also, the hole or holes 30 can enter the housing straight, so as to direct the propellant gas across the housing or tangentially, so as to direct the propellant circumferentially around the surface of the housing. Where there is more than one tangential VPT opening, they may all be arranged to direct the gas in the same circumferential direction or some may direct the gas into the housing in opposite circumferential directions, otherwise referred to as counter-tangentially. Furthermore, additional holes or openings (not shown) through the side of housing can be provided for the liquid in the canister to enter the housing. These further openings may also enter the housing straight, tangentially, or counter tangentially. Where both the VPT and the liquor openings are tangential, they may direct the gas and liquor in the same general circumferential direction or in opposite directions so that the gas and the liquor spin counter-tangentially inside the housing 11.

The terms "tangential", "tangentially" and the like are used herein to indicate that the openings direct fluid in a direction that is substantially tangential to a circle drawn about an axis of the relevant part. Tangential inlets are arranged to direct the fluid onto the surface of the housing or the stem so that the fluid is caused to spin within the housing or stem.

The flow of gas through the VPT can be varied in numerous ways by modifying the column and/or the hole 30. Figures 6 to 14 illustrate a number of alternative arrangements for varying the flow through the VPT. The valves 10 in each of these embodiments are otherwise the same as that described above with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a variation in which the column 31 is adapted to cover a central part of the hole 30 in the housing wall, so that the gas enters through the hole 30 either side of column 31. The flow of gas through the VPT will be split either side of the column 31 to flow counter-tangentially into the housing.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11, the column covers one side of the hole 30 in the housing wall and is shaped so as to direct the gas to enter tangentially so that it spins within the housing 11.

The embodiment of Figures 12 to 14 is the same as that shown in Figures 6 to 8 except that a thread or scroll 33 is formed on the outer circumference of the upper body portion 14a of the valve member 14. The thread or scroll 33 helps the gas and the fluid in the housing to spin or rotate about the inside of the housing. A similar surface pattern could be provided on the valve member 14 in any of the embodiments described herein.

The above described embodiments all incorporate means for varying and controlling the inflow of gas into the housing 11 through a VPT 30. Such means can be used to control the size of the droplets in the final spray produced by the dispenser. In addition, or as an alternative, the quality of the spray can be improved by modifying the way the liquor or other fluid product enters the housing 11 of the valve 10. In conventional aerosol valves, one inlet 18 is provide at a lower end of the valve and which is large in comparison with the hole 20 through which the fluid exits the housing 11 and enters the valve stem 16. Thus the housing 11 of a conventional aerosol valve is little more than an extension of the canister in that it is full of liquor with some propellant gas contained in that liquor. A VPT can be used to add extra propellant gas into the liquor as the aerosol canister is used and the liquor simply enters the housing through the inlet opening 18 as a stream.

Figures 15 to 47 disclose various embodiments in which the size of liquor inlet into the housing 11 is reduced so that it is smaller than a standard inlet 20 into the stem. It is preferred that the liquor inlet is modified to form one or more openings or orifices that are designed so that the liquor passing through is sprayed or jetted into the housing. This arrangement acts in a manner similar to the use of an inner orifice in combination with an expansion chamber in a nozzle as described in International patent application WO 01/89958 Al. In these embodiments, the valve housing 11 effectively becomes a chamber separate from the remainder of the canister into which liquor is sprayed or jetted through the inlet openings or orifices. The volume of liquor in the housing 11 will depend on the relative size of the inlet openings or orifices into the valve housing and the smallest orifice further downstream in the system.

Thus the chamber formed in the housing 11 into which the liquor is sprayed or jetted may contain part gas and part liquor or may be full of liquor. When the chamber is full of liquor, the liquor will tend to jet through the inlet openings rather than forming a spray.

It will be noted that each of the valves shown in Figures 15 to 47 includes one of the VPT arrangements as shown in Figures 3 to 14. It should be understood that the liquor inlet arrangements shown in Figures 15 to 47 are not limited to use with the specific VPT arrangement shown in the respective drawings. Rather, any of the liquor inlet arrangements shown can be used with any suitable VPT arrangement, including any of the VPT arrangements described above with reference to Figures 3 to 14 of the drawings, a conventional VPT or no VPT at all.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 17, the lower body portion 14b of the valve member 14 is extended and its lower end 14c is tapered. The arrangement is such that when the valve is opened, as shown in Figure 16, the lower end 14c of the valve member contacts a tapered lower portion 1 Ia of the housing 11 that leads into the inlet opening 18. The lower end 14c of the valve member is provided with one or more grooves 34 the outer open sides of which are closed off by the tapered portion 11a of the valve housing when the valve is opened. This creates restricted openings through the grooves 34 for liquor to enter the housing 11. Preferably, the restricted openings are small enough that the liquor forms a spray when entering the housing 11 through the openings. In the present embodiment there are three grooves but more or less than three grooves can be provided as appropriate.

The present embodiment has the advantage that the liquor inlet openings or orifices into the housing provided by the grooves 34 are self cleaning, as any small particles trapped in the openings will be freed when the valve is closed and the valve member 14 moves away from the tapered section 11a of the housing to the position shown in Figure 15.

It will be appreciated that the grooves 34 could be provided in the tapered portion 11a of the housing rather than, or as well as, on the lower end 14c of the valve member. Indeed, the grooves 34 can be provide anywhere on the housing 11 or the valve member 14 or on any part mounted to the housing 11 or valve member 14, provided the grooves 34 are closed to produce restricted openings when the valve 10 is actuated.

It should be noted that Figure 17 is a composite schematic cross sectional view looking upwardly through the valve 10 of Figures 16 and 17, showing the grooves 34 formed on the lower end 14c of the valve member 14. The view also shows a VPT arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 5. As indicated above, it will be appreciated that any form of VPT could be used or no VPT could be provided.

Figures 18 to 20 show a valve 10 with a liquor inlet arrangement similar to that shown in the previous embodiment, except that no grooves are provided on the lower end 14c of the valve member 14. In this case, the arrangement is such that there is a very fine gap 35 between the lower end 14c of the valve member 14 and the tapered portion 11a of the housing when the valve is opened, as shown in Figure 19. The liquor is caused to spray or jet into the housing 11 through the gap 35 all around the valve member. Again, this embodiment has the advantage that the liquor inlet is self cleaning.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 21 to 26, the lower body portion

14b of the valve member is not extended and one or more orifices 36 are formed in a closure member or wall 37 that extends across the inlet 18 to the valve housing 11. The orifices can be straight and/or they can direct the liquor towards a wall of the housing or towards the spring or the valve member 14.

Where there is more than one orifice 36, the orifices may be parallel, as shown in Figures 21 and 24 to 26. Alternatively, they may be convergent, as shown in Figure 22, so that they strike each other, or divergent.

It is also possible to provide inlet orifices for the liquor through the side wall of the housing 11. Figures 27 to 29 and Figures 30 to 32 disclose two such embodiments.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 27 to 29, the lower end of the housing 11 has a reduced diameter portion l ib which is closed at the bottom end. One or more inlet orifices 38 are provided in a side wall of the reduced diameter portion l ib. The dip tube 19 locates on the larger diameter upper portion l ie of the housing so that the liquor in the canister is able to enter the housing through the orifices 38. In this embodiment, the orifices 38 are located below the valve member 14. The embodiment shown in Figures 30 to 32 is similar except that the reduced diameter portion l ib of the housing 11 is extended upwardly so that the inlet orifices 38 are positioned in line with the valve member 14.

The embodiments shown in Figures 27 to 32 could be modified so that the valve member 14 abuts or is in close proximity to the housing 11 in the region of the inlet orifices 38 so as to reduce the size of the orifices when the valve is actuated in a manner similar to the VPT arrangements shown in Figures 3 to 14.

Figures 33 to 35 illustrate an embodiment in which grooves 34 are formed in the upper surface of the tapered portion 11a of the valve housing. The valve member 14 is extended so that when the valve is opened, as shown in Figure 34, a lower end of the valve member 14c closes off the open, upper side of the grooves to form inlet orifices into the housing between the grooves 34 and the lower end face 14c of the valve member. As shown in Figure 35a, the grooves 34 may be straight so as to direct the fluid straight at the side walls of the housing 11. Alternatively, the grooves can be angled, as shown in Figures 35b and 35 c, to direct the fluid tangentially around the housing 11. In the embodiment shown in Figure 35b, both grooves are angled in the same direction so that the fluid streams entering the housing through the two grooves move in the same tangential direction. In Figure 35c, the grooves 34 are angled in opposite directions so that the fluid enters through the grooves counter- tangentially.

Figures 36 to 38 show an embodiment that is similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 21 to 26 above. However, in the present embodiment the closure member 37 has one or more narrow slits 39 and the lower body portion 14b of the valve member is extended so that it abuts the closure member to partially cover the slits to define restricted openings or orifices into the housing 11 when the valve is open, as shown in Figure 37. This arrangement has the advantage that it is self-cleaning as any small particles caught in the inlet orifices will be released when the valve member 14 is in the closed position.

Figures 39 to 41 show an embodiment adapted so that the liquor enters the housing 11 with a spinning motion. The inlet 18 is partially closed by means of a closure member 37 having a relatively large central opening 40. The lower body portion 14b of the valve member 14 is extended so that a lower end 14c thereof contacts or is close to an upper surface of the closure member 37 when the valve 10 is opened, as shown in Figure 40. One or more curved grooves 41 are formed in the lower end 14c of the valve member 14. The open lower face of the grooves 41 is closed off by the closure member 37 when the valve 10 is opened so that one or more curved inlet orifices are defined between the grooves 41 and the closure member 37. Liquor or other fluid in the canister is able to enter the inner end of the grooves 41 when the valve is opened through the central opening 40 in the closure member 37 and passes into the housing through the curved inlet orifices. Due to the shape of the orifices, the liquor entering the housing 11 is directed circumferentially or tangentially so that it spins within the housing. By varying the shape of the groove or grooves 41, the direction of the liquor entering the housing can be varied. This arrangement is also self-cleaning.

It will be appreciated that the grooves 41 could be provided in the upper surface of the closure member 37 rather than, or as well as, the lower end face 14c of the valve member.

Figures 42 to 44 show a further embodiment having side inlet orifices into the housing similar to the embodiment described above in relation to Figures 30 to 32. However, this embodiment is modified so that gas can enter the housing through one or more inlet orifices 42 located in the side wall of the housing above the above top of the dip tube 19. The gas inlet orifices 42 may direct the gas into the housing straight, tangentially, counter-tangentially, or in any given direction. Where there is more then one inlet orifice 42 for the gas, the inlet orifices may direct the fluid along paths that are parallel, divergent, convergent or any combination of any of these. Similar side inlet orifices 42 for the propellant gas can be provided in any of the embodiments described above.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 45 to 47, a chamber 43 is formed in a lower portion of the housing below the valve member 14. The chamber 43 is formed in this case by reducing the inner diameter of a section of the housing Hd. This provides a ledge or upper surface 44 on which a lower end of the spring 15 can rest. In this embodiment, the chamber provides an environment into which the liquor or gas can enter the housing without impinging on any of the internal parts such as the valve member 14 or the spring 15. Liquor and/or gas inputs into the chamber 43 can be provided in any of the ways described above. For example, Figure 45 shows inlet orifices for liquor similar to those described above with reference to Figures 21 to 26. Figures 46 and 47, on the other hand, show a liquor input arranged in a manner similar to that of the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 36 to 38. In this embodiment, the liquor entering the housing is forced to flow around the extended portion of the valve member.

Whilst the embodiments described above have all been described with reference to male type aerosol valves, the arrangements shown can be equally applied to a female type aerosol valves in which the valve stem 16 is an integral part of the actuator/nozzle 17. For example, Figures 48 to 50 illustrate a female aerosol valve 10 having a VPT arrangement similar to that disclosed above with reference to Figures 9 to 11. The female valve 10 is similar to the male valve described previously except that the valve member 14 is in the form of a valve seat having an upper cup formation 50 that engages with a lower surface of the gasket 13 when the valve is closed, as shown in Figure 48. Figures 48 and 49 show the actuator 17 with the integral stem 16 spaced from the valve member 14 for clarity. As illustrated in Figure 51, when mounted to the valve member 14, the stem 16 seals within an orifice formed in the gasket 13 and a gap 20 is provided between the stem and the valve member 14 through which the liquor can enter the stem.

In addition to the various arrangements described above by which the liquor and gas can enter the housing 11, it is also possible to modify a male or female valve to control the entry of the liquor into the stem in various ways. In Figure 52, the bottom of the valve stem 16 and an upper conical surface of the valve member 14d within the cup are configured to produce one or more inlet orifices through which the liquor can be sprayed into the stem. The arrangement may be similar to that described above with reference to Figures 15 to 17, whereby small grooves are formed in the surface 14d of the valve member or the base of the stem 16 to define small inlet orifices or orifices when the base of the stem 16 is in contact with the upper surface 14d of the valve member 14. It will be appreciated that numerous configurations could be adopted to provide suitable inlet orifices. These can be arranged to vary the direction and nature of the flow between the valve member and the stem as required for any particular application. For example, the orifices could be configured to generate a swirling or spinning flow in the stem or the orifices could be convergent or divergent to vary the amount of turbulence in the stem as a means of controlling the droplet size in the aerosol or spray produced. The orifices are preferably configured to cause the liquid passing through to be sprayed or jetted into the stem.

Figures 53 and 54 show a self-cleaning variation of the previous embodiment, in which the bottom of the valve stem 16 is initially clear of the upper conical surface 14d of the valve member 14 when the valve is closed, as shown in Figure 54. When the actuator 17 is depressed, the stem initially contacts the upper surface 14d of the valve member 14 to define the inlet orifices into the stem, further downward movement of the actuator moves the valve member 14 to its open position so that the dispenser is actuated. When the actuator 17 is released, the valve member 14 closes and the stem 16 is biased away from the upper surface 14d of the valve member. This arrangement has the benefit that the inlet orifices between the valve member 14 and the stem 16 are self-cleaning, as any particles trapped in the inlets will be released when the stem 16 moves away from the upper surface of the valve member 14.

The stem 16 may be biased away from the valve member 14 by any suitable means, such as resiliently deformable ribs 14e on the valve member 14 or the stem 16 which initially deflect allowing the stem to mate against the upper surface 14d of the valve member 14. When the actuator is released, the resilience in the ribs causes the stem and the valve member 14 to separate as shown in Figure 54.

Figures 55 and 56 show a further embodiment of a female aerosol valve 10 in which the stem 16 is biased away from the valve member 14 when it is at rest. In this embodiment, the bottom end of the stem 16 is closed and a number of inlet orifices 51 are provided in the side walls of the stem towards its lower end or base. When the valve 10 is closed, as shown Figure 56, the stem is biased upwardly so that the inlet orifices are 51 are closed by the gasket 13. When the valve is actuated, downward pressure on the actuator (not shown) moves the stem 16 downwardly until it contacts the upper surface 14d of the valve member 14. This moves the inlet orifices 51 in the stem clear of the gasket 13. Further downward pressure on the actuator moves the valve member

14 downwardly against the bias of the spring 15 to move the cup away from the lower surface of the gasket 13 and spraying commences.

The inlet orifices 51 can be parallel, convergent and/or divergent. They may direct fluid straight into the stem or may direct the fluid tangentially, counter-tangentially or any combination of the above. The orifices may be arranged so that the fluid is sprayed or jetted into the stem 16.

Although the valve shown in Figures 55 and 56 is a female type valve, similar side inlet orifices could be used in a male type aerosol valve.

Figures 57 and 58 illustrate a male type aerosol valve 10 adapted so that liquor enters the stem through inlet orifices in the base of the stem whilst propellant gas enters the stem via one or more inlet orifices in the side wall of the stem.

The valve 10 in this embodiment has a lower gasket 52 in the housing 11 and a hole 53 through a side wall of the housing 11 above the lower gasket. This enables propellant gas in the upper region of the canister to enter a chamber 54 formed in the housing between the upper and lower gaskets. The stem 16 is mounted to, or formed integrally with, a valve member 14 that extends through the housing 11.

An L shaped through bore or fluid passage 55 extends through the valve member 14 from just below the stem 16 to the lower edge of the valve member where the passage exits sideways to form a liquor inlet 56. One or more first stem inlet orifices 57 fluidly connect the interior of the stem to the fluid passage 54 through the base of the stem.

Further or second stem inlet orifices 58 are provided in the side wall of the stem just above its base. The side inlet orifices enable propellant gas to enter the stem from the chamber 54 above the lower gasket when the valve 10 is opened.

As shown in Figure 58, when the valve 10 is closed, the valve member 14 is biased to its upper closed position so that the liquor inlet 56 is sealed by the lower gasket 52 and the side inlet orifices 58 into the stem 16 are sealed by the upper gasket 13. When the valve 10 is actuated, as shown in Figure 57, downward pressure applied to an actuator (not shown) moves the valve member 14 downwardly against the bias of the spring 15 so that the liquor inlet 56 becomes exposed below the lower gasket 52, to enable liquor to enter the fluid passage 55 and pass into the stem through the first stem inlet orifices 57. At the same time, the second stem inlet orifices 58 become exposed below the upper gasket 13, so that gas in the chamber 54 can enter the stem 16 through the second inlet orifices 58 to mix with the liquor.

The inlet orifices 57, 58 into the stem can be arranged in any suitable manner. For example, the gas inlet orifices 58 could direct the gas straight into the stem or tangentially to cause the gas to rotate or spin within the stem. Two or more inlets may face each other across the stem so that their streams strike each other, or they may be arranged to direct the gas into the stem tangentially, in the same circumferential same direction or in opposing circumferential directions. Similarly, the liquor inlet orifice or orifices 57 could be directed straight into the stem or they could be arranged to direct the liquor towards the gas streams entering from the gas inlet orifices 58 or towards the walls of the stem. Where there is more than one liquor inlet orifice 57, the inlet orifices may direct the fluid along paths that are parallel, mutually convergent or divergent or any combination of thereof. The, or each, liquor inlet orifice may cause the liquid flowing through to enter the stem as a spray or jet.

Numerous arrangements can be used to direct the liquor and/or gas into the stem 16 in many different ways in order to control or affect the size of the fluid droplets produced in the final aerosol. Figures 59 to 19 are schematic views of a lower portion of the stem illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated that, in practice, the stems 16 will extend upwardly toward the actuator/nozzle from the portion of the stem shown in Figures 59 to 79. The various embodiments shown can be adapted for use with male or female type aerosol valves including any of those described above. Figures 59, 67, 73 and 74 illustrate embodiments in which a liquor and gas entering the stem 16 can be kept separate over at least a part of the length of the stem. This is achieved by splitting the stem into separate regions 59, 60 using an inner stem portion 61 and having inlets 62, 63 into each portion. In the embodiment shown in Figure 59, a single inlet orifice 62 is shown entering the inner region 59 through the base of the stem, whilst a further inlet 63 is provided in the side wall of the stem that leads into the outer region. The side inlet orifice 63 may be for gas and the lower inlet 62 may be for liquor, however this can be reversed if required so that the gas enters the inner region and the liquor the outer region. It will be appreciated that number and disposition of the inlet orifices into each region can be varied according to the requirements of the particular application. For example, Figure 67 shows two parallel inlet orifices 62a, 62b entering the inner region through the base of the stem and two parallel side inlet orifices 63a, 63b entering the outer region from either side and Figure 73 shows two convergent inlet orifices 62c, 62d entering the inner region through the base of the stem 16. Figure 74 shows two parallel inlet orifices 62e, 62f entering the inner region and two parallel inlet orifices 63 c, 63 d entering the outer region. The Figure 74 embodiment also illustrates that the length of the inner stem portion 61 may be varied to change the distance over which the gas and liquor are kept separate. In this case, the inner stem 61 has been shorted compared to the other embodiments.

The remaining Figures 60 to 66, 68 to 72, and 75 to 79 illustrate various arrangements of inlet orifices into a unified stem. It will be appreciated that the inlet arrangements shown could be used in any desired combination and that these are only examples of a wide variety of inlet orifice arrangements that could be adopted.

Figures 61, 62, 68, 69, 72, 75, & 79 illustrate how a region of the stem, particularly a lower region close to where the fluid enters the stem, can be shaped to affect the flow of the fluid passing through the stem and thereby the quality and droplet size in the final spray. In the embodiments shown, the stems

16 have shaped side wall portions 64 that may be curved and/or angled. These wall portions may be smooth or textured. The shapes shown in these drawings are examples only and it will be appreciated that any suitable shape could be used in place of the smooth cylindrical shape of a conventional nozzle stem.

For example, the walls may be shaped to provide concave and/or convex regions in the stem. The stem can be adapted in this way to provide a shaped chamber such as those disclosed in WO 2005/005055 Al referred to above.

Thus the internal surface of the stem may have surfaces which are angled or inclined so as to oppose the general direction of flow through the stem to cause turbulence within the stem.

In Figures 63, 68-70, 75 & 79, the stem 16 is divided by means of a wall or partition means 65 to form a chamber 66 with outlet orifices 67 in the partition leading into a downstream portion of the stem (not shown). It will be appreciated that although not shown in the drawings, in most applications the stem 16 will continue upwardly from the region shown to receive an actuator/nozzle. A variety of different outlet orifice 67 arrangements can be used, including a single outlet orifice 67 or multiple outlet orifices 67 that can be parallel, convergent and/or divergent, tangential or counter-tangential or any combination thereof. It should be noted that any of the outlet orifice arrangements shown in these views can be used in combination with any of the inlet orifice arrangements or shaped chamber arrangements shown in any of Figures 59 to 79. In certain embodiments, the stem could be divided into two or more chambers along its length by means of a number of such walls or partitions 65 with one or more passageways or orifices leading from one chamber into the next. Preferably the orifices in the partition means are arranged to cause the fluid passing through to form a spray or jet in the downstream portion of the stem. In certain applications there may be no requirement to use a separate actuator/nozzle on the end of the stem. In this arrangement, a wall similar to the dividing wall 65 can be provided at the outermost end of the stem with one or more final outlet or spray orifices 67 extending through the wall.

It will be appreciated that Figures 59 to 79 are illustrative examples only and that any suitable inlet orifice and/or outlet orifice and/or shaped chamber configuration can be used in the stem within the scope of the invention. In particular, it should be understood that any of inlet and/or outlet orifice configurations shown in these drawings can be combined with any of the shaped chamber configurations. Furthermore, any of the stem arrangements described can be combined with any of the aerosol valve housing arrangements as described with reference to Figures 3 to 58.

Figures 80 to 85 show a yet further embodiment of a valve 10 for use in a dispenser in accordance with the invention. The valve 10 comprises a valve housing 11 and a valve member 14.

As can be seen best from Figure 81, the valve housing 11 has a main body portion 70 with a central recess 71 for receiving the valve member 14. A spigot 72 projects from the main body portion and is configured to mount a dip tube (not shown). A central bore 73 extends along the length of the spigot 72 and is fluidly connected with the central recess 71 by means of an orifice 75 through the base 74 of the central recess. A seal 13 (see Figures 80A & 80B) is located at the outer (or upper as shown) end of the central recess 71 for engagement with the valve member 14, as will be described in more detail later. A VPT opening 76 is provided in a side wall of the main body portion 70 to enable propellant gas in the canister to enter the central recess 71 of the valve housing 11. As shown in hidden detail in Figure 82, the VPT opening 76 is angled so as to introduce the gas tangentially into the central recess 71 so that the gas is caused to spin about the outside of the recess. The valve member 14 has a lower portion 77, an intermediate portion 78, and a valve stem 79. A stem groove 80 between the intermediate portion 78 and the stem has one or more openings 81 which connect with a first blind bore 82 which extends though the valve stem from a position just below the openings 81 to the upper surface. In use, an actuator/nozzle (not shown) is located on the stem and the fluid passes through the first blind bore 82 into an inlet of the actuator/nozzle. The stem 79 has a first lower region 79A having four flat sides forming a square in cross section and a second upper region 79B having a circular cross section on which the actuator/nozzle is received.

A second blind bore 83 extends through the valve member 14 from the distal or lower end 84 of the lower portion 77 to a position within the intermediate portion 78. A lateral bore 85 extends from the outer cylindrical surface 86 of the intermediate portion to connect with the blind bore 83.

As shown in Figures 80A and 8OB, both the intermediate portion 78 and the lower portion 77 of the valve member are received in the central recess 71 of the valve housing. The intermediate portion 78 has a larger diameter than the lower portion 77 and a spring (not shown) is positioned about the lower portion

77 such that it extends between the base 74 of the central recess 71 and a collar

87 formed between the intermediate 78 and lower 77 portions of the valve member 14. As shown in Figure 80A₅ when the valve is not actuated, the spring acts to bias the valve member 14 away from the base 74 of the central recess 71 to a position in which the outer cylindrical surface 86 of the intermediate portion 78 is engaged by the seal 13 at a location above the opening to the lateral bore 85. This closes the valve by preventing fluid in the central recess 71 from entering the openings 81. In this position, the end 84 of the lower portion

77 of the valve member 14 is spaced from the base 74 of the central recess.

To open the valve 10 and actuate the dispenser, the valve member 14 is depressed against the bias of the spring until the end 84 of the lower portion 77 of the valve member engages with the base 74 of the central recess 71 as shown in Figure 80B. As the valve member 14 is depressed within the housing 11, the seal 13 engages with a portion of the stem 79 above the stem groove 80 so that fluid within the central recess 71 can enter the opening(s) 81 to be dispensed through the first blind bore 82 and the actuator/nozzle. With the end 84 of the lower portion 77 of the valve member 14 in contact with base 74 of the central recess, the second blind bore 83 in the valve member aligns with the central orifice 75 in the base 74 of the central recess so that the liquid product in the dispenser enters the central recess of the housing 71 through the second blind bore 83 and the lateral bore 85.

As can be seen from Figure 84, the lateral bore 85 in the valve member is angled so that the liquid enters the central recess 71 tangentially and is caused to spin around the recess. At the same time, propellant gas enters the central recess 71 through the VPT 76 so that the gas and liquid mix as they circulate about the outside of the central recess 71 around the intermediate portion 78 of the valve member. Preferably, the lateral bore is arranged so that the liquid enters the central recess 71 as a spray or jet, the lateral bore 85 becoming in effect a fluid inlet orifice for the liquid entering the valve housing.

In the present embodiment, the lateral bore 85 in the valve member 14 and the VPT opening 76 in the valve housing are arranged so that the gas entering through the VPT and the liquid entering through the lateral bore 85 are directed to spin counter tangentially. This effectively creates a swirl chamber within the central recess 71 of the valve housing 11 and is arranged so that the gas forms fine bubbles in the liquid which will result in finer droplets being produced in the spray at the outlet orifice 22.

In the present embodiment, the VPT opening 76 is positioned slightly above the opening of the lateral bore 85 when the valve 10 is open. However, the valve can be configured so that the propellant gas enters the central recess 71 on the same plane as the liquid or just below it.

To ensure that the liquid passes through the bores 83, 85 when the valve is opened, the end 84 of the lower portion 77 of the valve member 17 is chamfered and a correspondingly shaped recess 88 is formed in the base 74 of the central recess 71. However, any means for creating a sealing interface can be used.

More than one lateral bore 85 can be provided in the valve member, in which case, all the lateral bores can direct the liquid into the central recess 71 tangentially. Alternatively, the lateral bores 85 could be arranged to direct the liquid into the central recess counter tangentially or in any desired direction. Similarly, more than one VPT opening 76 can be provided in the valve housing and these can be arranged to direct the gas into the central recess 71 tangentially, counter tangentially or in any desired direction. In certain applications, the VPT opening 76 can be omitted altogether. In this embodiment, the liquid product is preferably directed into the central recess 71 through two or more lateral bores 85 so that the liquid is caused to spin or so that turbulence is created which affects the size of the droplets produced at the outlet orifice of the nozzle. It may be particularly effective to arrange for two or more lateral bores 85 in the valve member direct the liquid counter tangentially into the central recess where no VPT 76 is present.

In a further modification, rather than arranging the lateral bores 85 and/or the VPT openings 76 to direct the liquid and/or gas into the central recess tangentially or counter tangentially, deflector plates may provided in the central recess 71 and/or on the valve member 14 to cause the liquid and/or gas to spin or to create a desired turbulence.

In a variation on the embodiments disclosed above, a flap means may be used to partially close any of the inlet openings or orifices when the valve is opened. Typically, the flap is located upstream of the opening so as to be forced into abutment with the inlet side of the opening when the fluid is flowing through the opening. The flap is arranged to partially block or obscure the inlet opening and so reduce its effective size. The flap is arranged to be resiliently biased away from the opening when the flow of fluid stops. This may be as a result of the inherent resilience of the flap or by means of additional resilient means acting on the flap. For a more detailed description of this type of flap arrangement, the reader should refer to International patent application WO2005/005054, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

Figures 86A to 89 illustrate a valve 10 for a pressurised dispenser in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. The valve 10 has a housing 11 having a main body portion 100 with a central recess which defines an internal chamber 102. A valve member 14 is located in the chamber 102 and is movable from a valve closed position, as shown in Figures 86A and 87A, and a valve open position, as shown in Figures 86B and 87B.

In Figures 86A and 86B₅ an upper end of the housing is shown as being received within a central recessed portion of a valve cup 12, in a manner well known in the art. The cup 12 will typically form part of a closure of an associated container or canister (not shown) to which the valve 10 is fitted to form a dispenser.

In the present embodiment, the housing 11 and the valve member 14 are made of one or more polymeric materials, whilst the valve cup 12 is made of a metallic material. However, it will be appreciated than any suitable materials can be used. For example, the container and valve cup may be made from polymeric materials, in which case the valve cup may be welded to the container. The main body portion 100 of the housing has an annular wall 104 which defines the sides of the chamber 102 and a base 106 which closes off the lower end of the chamber. The open upper end of the chamber 102 in the housing 11 is closed off by the valve member 14 when the valve is assembled, as will be discussed in more detail below.

An inlet tube or spigot 108 projects downwardly from the base 106 of the housing and is adapted to mount a dip tube (not shown). A portion 110 of the inlet tube also extends upwardly from the base into a lower region of the chamber 102a. A central bore 112 extends through the length of the tube 108 to form an inlet 109 through which the fluid product, usually a liquid, can flow into the chamber 102 from the associated canister.

A vapour phase tap (VPT) 114 is provided in a region of the base 106 of the housing 11 between the inlet tube 108 and the annular wall 104. The construction and operation of the VPT will be discussed in more detail below.

The valve member 14 is formed as a singly unitary item and comprises a generally circular body portion 116 which is spaced inwardly from the surface of the annular wall 104 of the housing which defines the chamber 102. The body includes an integral valve stem 118 which projects upwardly out from the housing and has a central bore 120. In use, an actuator will be mounted to the free end of the stem, the actuator having one or more outlet orifices from which the fluid is dispensed and which are fluidly connected with the bore 120 of the stem by means of one or more fluid passageways. In alternative embodiments, the valve 10 may be of the female type in which the valve stem 118 is an integral part of the actuator and is received in a recess in the valve member 14. Where the dispenser is an aerosol dispenser, the actuator will comprise an atomizing nozzle adapted to break the flow of product through the nozzle into small droplets to form an atomized spray at the outlet orifice(s). However, the actuator may be adapted to deliver the product as foam or a bolus of liquid. Extending outwardly about the body portion 116 of the valve member is an integral flange 122. An outer diameter region of the flange locates on an upwardly facing shoulder 124 at the upper end of the valve housing. As shown in Figures 86A and 86B, the outer diameter region of the flange 122 is held in position on the shoulder by an inner annular flange portion 125 of the valve cup 12. The integral flange 122 is resiliently flexible and acts as a seal between the housing shoulder 124 and the valve cup to prevent fluid escaping though the open upper end of the chamber. One or more lateral bores 126 in the main body portion of the valve member 14 acts as a transfer passage to fluidly connect the valve stem bore 120 with the chamber 102 at a position below the integral flange.

An integral resilient skirt or bell 128 projects outwardly and downwardly about the body portion 116 of the valve member 14. The skirt 128 functions as a seal to prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet 109 into the one or more lateral bores 126 when the valve member is in the valve closed position as shown in Figures 86A₅ 87 A, and 90. To this end, a distal end 130 of the skirt 128 sealingly engages a smooth sealing surface 132 on the annular wall 104 of the housing. When the valve 10 is closed, the pressure of the fluid in the region of the chamber 102a below the skirt act on the inner surface of the skirt 130 and will tend to force the skirt outwardly to increase the force with which the skirt 128 engages the sealing surface 132.

A non-sealing region 134 is provided on the annular wall 104 of the housing adjacent to and below the sealing surface 132. In the present embodiment, the non-sealing region 134 comprises an inwardly projecting shoulder having a series of grooves or slots 136 that run in a longitudinal direction of the housing. The arrangement is such that when the distal end 130 of the skirt 128 rides up on the shoulder, the skirt is distorted and fluid can flow through the grooves 136 from one side of the skirt 128 to the other. It will be appreciated that other arrangements can be used to form a non- sealing region. For example, the non-sealing region may not have a shoulder but simply have the grooves 136 formed in the flat wall of the housing. Alternatively, the non-sealing region may comprise a larger diameter recessed region of the annular wall 104 with which the skirt 128 is unable to make sealing contact. Numerous other arrangements for providing a non-sealing region will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

In order to open the valve 10, the valve member 14 is depressed into the housing, usually as a result of a user applying pressure to an actuator mounted to the valve stem. This moves the valve member 14 to the valve open position shown in Figures 86B and 87B. In this position, the distal end 130 of the skirt 128 is moved from the sealing surface 132 on to the shoulder 134 which forms the non-sealing region so that the skirt 128 is deformed inwardly. With the skirt 128 in this position, fluid is able to flow through the inlet 109, down about the internal portion 110 of the inlet tube, through the slots 136 past the distal end 130 of the skirt into an upper region of the chamber 102b above the skirt. From the upper region of the chamber, the fluid can flow through the one or more lateral bores 126 of the valve member into the central bore 120 of the valve stem 118 to be dispensed through a nozzle mounted to the stem.

In addition to acting as a seal, the skirt portion 128 in co-operation with the slots 136 can act as a filter to prevent the stem 118 and/or the actuator/nozzle becoming blocked. This is achieved by ensuring that the cross sectional area though each slot when the valve is open is smaller than the smallest cross sectional area of the downstream flow path through the valve member, stem and nozzle.

As shown in Figures 86B and 87B, when the valve member 14 is depressed to the valve open position, the integral resiliently flexible flange portion 122 of the valve member is deformed. Due to the resilience of the material of the flange portion 122, a restoring force is created which tends to bias the valve member 14 back to the valve closed position when the applied pressure is removed from the nozzle. The integral resilient flange portion 122 thus functions as a resilient means for closing the valve and obviates the need for a separate spring as used in a conventional aerosol or other pressurised dispenser valve. Movement of the valve member 14 to the valve closed position is also assisted by the pressure of the fluid acting on the inner surface of skirt 128. In addition, by appropriate design, it can be arranged that the skirt 128 itself will also generate a bias force tending to move the valve member towards the valve closed position. The flange 122 could be shaped to improve the spring action. For example, rather than being flat, the flange 122 could be domed.

The body portion 116 of the valve member 14 has an abutment portion 138 which extends inside the skirt 128 towards an inner end face 140 of the internal inlet tube portion 110. When the valve member 14 is in the valve open position, a lower end face 139 of the abutment portion 138 abuts the upper end face 140 of the inlet tube to at least partially close the inlet 109. One or more grooves 142 are formed in the upper end face 140 of the inlet tube through which the fluid product from the container, usually a liquid, passes to enter the lower region 102a of the chamber below the skirt 128. The one or more grooves 142 are angled to cause the liquid to spin in the lower region 102a of the chamber about the inner portion 110 of the inlet tube 108 before it enters the slots 136 in the further shoulder. As the liquid spins about the internal portion 110 of the inlet tube, it mixes with the gas entering through the VPT 114. Causing the liquid to spin in the lower region 102a of chamber ensures that the gas entering through the VPT is thoroughly mixed with the liquid product, which in turn improves the quality of the spray produced.

Rather than being formed on the end face of the inlet tube 108, the grooves 142 could alternatively be formed in the lower end face 139 of the abutment portion 138 on the valve member or indeed grooves could be provided in the end faces of both the abutment portion 138 of the valve member and the inlet tube 108. The grooves are preferable arranged so that the liquid passing through is sprayed or jetted into the valve housing.

The VPT 114 may be formed in a conventional manner as a very small opening. Conventional VPTs are 0.2-0.45 mm in diameter but may be 0.05 - 0.15 mm in diameter where compressed gas is used as the propellant. However, such small openings can be difficult to manufacture. As an alternative, the VPT opening 114 may be made larger than would be used in a conventional VPT and the end 130 of the skirt 128 can be arranged to partially cover the opening 114 when the valve is open. A larger hole is generally easier to manufacture but by partially covering the hole 114 with the end of the skirt 128 when the valve is open, it can be ensured that the actual space through which the gas must flow when the valve is open is similar in size to that of a conventional VPT. With this arrangement the VPT opening 114 can be made as large as required but will typically be 0.5 to 1.2 mm in diameter.

Alternatively, or in addition, a flow control means can be used to control the rate of flow of the propellant gas through the VPT. As shown in Figures 86, 87, and 90, a larger diameter circular recess 144 is provided in the base of the chamber below the smaller VPT opening 114. This recess can be used to accommodate a flow control device. Any suitable flow control device can be used which will preferably be adapted to provide a generally constant rate of flow of the gas through the VPT despite changes in pressure in the canister over the life of the dispenser.

A typical flow control device that might be used in a valve in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 7. In this arrangement, a flow control element 146 is movably retained in the recess 144. When the valve 10 is opened, the pressure differential across the VPT opening gives rise to a flow of propellant gas through the recess 144 and the VPT 114. The pressure differential and the flow of gas forces the flow control element into contact with the end wall 148 of the recess in which the VPT opening 114 is formed to partially obscure the VPT opening 114. However, the end wall 148 and the element 146 are designed so that a perfect seal is not formed and that a minimum flow of gas through the VPT is maintained. The arrangement is such that when the pressure in the canister and the pressure differential across the VPT are high, the flow control element 146 is forced against the end wall 148 with a high force to close of the VPT to its minimum extent and so restricting the flow of gas. As the pressure in the canister and/or the pressure differential drop, the force with which the flow control element 146 is pressed against the end wall 148 falls so that a larger flow path through the VPT is provided. By appropriate design, it can be arranged that the flow of gas through the VPT 114 remains generally constant over the life of the dispenser. The end wall may have a small raised lip for contact with the flow control element 146.

Whether a flow control means is incorporated into the VPT or not, the rate at which gas flows through the VPT 114 is affected not only by the size of the VPT opening 114 and the pressure of the gas in the canister but also the pressure difference between the gas in the canister and the liquid inside the chamber 102a adjacent the VPT. The pressure of the liquid in the chamber 102 is governed by the rate of flow of the liquid into the chamber through the inlet 109 relative to rate of flow of the liquid out of the chamber, which is in turn governed by the rate of flow through the smallest downstream orifice, which may be the final outlet orifice of the nozzle. Thus if the flow into the chamber is the same as the flow out, the pressure of the liquid in the chamber 102a will be small. This results in a large pressure differential between the gas in the canister and the liquid in the chamber and so leads to a higher rate of flow of gas through the VPT. On the other hand, if the flow of liquid into the chamber 102a is higher than the flow out, the pressure of the liquid in the chamber will be closer to that of the gas in the canister and the rate of flow of gas through the VPT will be reduced.

It can be seen, therefore, that controlling the rate of flow of the liquid product through the housing chamber can be used to control the rate of flow of the propellant gas through the VPT 114. Controlling the rate of flow of the liquid product can be achieved not only by varying the relative sizes of the inlet

109 to the housing chamber and the smallest of the downstream orifices but also by means of a flow control device to regulate the flow of the liquid through the housing chamber. Such a flow control device could be incorporated in the housing or as part of the inlet to the housing. Any suitable flow control device can be used and may take a form similar to the gas flow control device shown in Figure 90 but suitably adapted for use with fluids.

It will be appreciated that in certain applications, the VPT 114 may be omitted altogether.

Figures 91 A and 9 IB illustrate a further embodiment of a valve

10, in accordance with the invention. The valve 10 in this embodiment is identical to the valve 10 of the previously described embodiment except that it is a female type valve in which the valve stem 118 is integral with a spray nozzle 150 rather than the valve member 14. Accordingly, the body portion 116 of the valve member 14 has a circular recess 152 in its upper face into which a lower end of the valve stem is sealingly received. The lateral bore is formed in a base region of the recess 152 to fiuidly connect the bore in the valve stem to the chamber 102. In all other respects, the valve 10 is the same as the valve^' 10 described above with reference to Figures 86 to 90 and operates in the same manner.

During manufacture of a pressurised dispenser, the liquid product is usually introduced into the canister and the valve 10 then fixed in place. The propellant is later introduced to pressurise the canister. This may be carried out at a separate location to the initial filling of the canister with liquid product. There are two main methods by which the propellant is introduced. In most countries outside of North America the valve is depressed and the propellant is injected through the stem. In North America, the valve member 14 is lifted and the propellant gas is injected through the valve cup around and beneath the valve member.

Valves in accordance with the invention can be adapted for filing using either of the known methods. For example, with a valve 10 in accordance with the embodiments shown in Figures 86 to 91, the propellant can simply be injected through the stem 118 under pressure to force the skirt 128 inwardly, allowing the propellant to pass through the valve inlet into the canister. Alternatively, the valve member 14 can be lifted to raise the distal end of the skirt member into line with a larger diameter recessed region 153 of the annular wall 104 so that fluid can be injected past the skirt 104. One or more recesses (not shown) can be provided in the outer surface of the stem 118 to allow the valve member 14 to be lifted in a known manner. A small slit or opening can be provided in the base of the valve member 14 next to the flange 122. When the valve member is lifted it will stretch so that the slit or opening opens up to enable the propellant to be injected into the canister. Because the valve member is made from resilient materials the slit or opening will tend to be self sealing during normal use of the valve. Furthermore, when the valve is depressed to actuate the dispenser, this would further seal the slit or opening, so that the product will be forced though the stem and nozzle. Another way of adapting the valve 10 for use with the North American method of filling would be to provide an opening through the flange 122 and to provide a further resilient skirt or seal member just below the flange but above the lateral bore 126 to seal the opening in normal use. To fill the canister the propellant is injected through the opening forcing the further skirt or seal member away from the flange. Figures 92 and 93 illustrate, schematically, a further alternative embodiment of a valve 10 in accordance with the invention. The valve 10 in accordance with this embodiment is similar to the valves described above with reference to Figures 86 to 91, the most significant difference being that the seal member 156 in this embodiment takes the form of a flexible O-ring like body formed on the valve member 14 and which projects generally radially outwardly thereof to contact the annular wall of the valve housing 11. When the valve member is in the closed position, the ring- like seal member 156 contacts a smooth region of the annular wall which forms a sealing surface 158. This prevents the fluid flowing from the inlet to the lateral bore 126. Below the sealing surface 158, a non-sealing region of the housing wall which comprises an inwardly directed shoulder 162 on to which the seal member moves when the valve member is moved to the valve open position. This distorts the seal member 156 allowing fluid to flow past the seal member through a series of grooves or slots (not shown) which are formed in the shoulder. The shoulder could be omitted and the grooves or slots could simply be formed in the surface of the annular housing wall 104 below the sealing surface but this may be more difficult to manufacture. As discussed in relation to the previous two embodiments, other arrangements for providing a non-sealing region may be used. The grooves or slots may be dimensioned so they act as a filter to prevent foreign matter entering and blocking the valve stem and any nozzle which may be fitted to the stem.

As with the previous two embodiments, the valve member 14 has an integral flange portion 122 which seals the top of the chamber 102 and which acts as a resilient means to bias the valve member 14 to the valve closed position.

The inlet to the housing 11 comprises an inlet member 164 having a central hole 166 in fluid connection with an opening 168 in the base of the housing via a tube member 170. In practice, the opening 168 in the housing will be connected with a dip tube (not shown) and the housing can be provided with a downwardly depending inlet tube to which the dip tube can be mounted. The outer diameter of the inlet member 164 is a close fit in the housing and fluidly separates the region of the chamber 102a above the inlet member from the region 102c below.

The upper edge of the inlet member is chamfered to form an upper surface 172 which is of a reduced diameter compared to the remainder of the inlet member. As shown in Figure 10, the upper surface 172 has one or more grooves 174 formed therein which lead from the central hole to the edge of the chamfered region. The valve member has an abutment portion 176 which is of a similar diameter to the upper surface 172 of the inlet member. The arrangement is such that a lower end face of the abutment portion 172 abuts with and covers the upper surface 172 of the inlet member when the valve member is moved to the valve open position. This closes off the central hole 166 and the grooves 174 so that the grooves form lateral inlet passages to direct the liquid product entering the valve housing outwardly towards the wall of the chamber. Figure 93 illustrates two different possible groove formations 174a, 174b. A first groove formation 174a directs the fluid straight towards the wall of the clamber whilst groove formation 174b is curved to direct the fluid tangentially on to the wall of the chamber so that it is caused to spin about the abutment portion 172 of the valve member. The grooves 174 preferably cause the liquid passing through to form a spray or jet in the valve housing.

A WT hole 178 is formed through the inlet member 164 offset towards one side so that it is positioned across the inner edge of the chamfered region. The VPT 178 connects the region of the chamber 102a above the inlet member 164 to the region of the chamber 102c below the inlet member. An opening is provided in the housing to allow propellant gas in an associated canister to pass into the region 102c of the chamber below the inlet member 164 from where it passes through the VPT 178 to mix with the liquid product in the chamber above the inlet member. The VPT hole 178 is partially obscured by the abutment portion of the valve member when it is in the valve open position. This enables the VPT to be formed using a larger hole 178 through the inlet member 164 and so is easier to manufacture than a small hole. The arrangement also renders the VPT self-cleaning as any particle(s) which lodge in the VPT when the valve is open can move away when the valve closes and the skirt moves away from the VPT opening 114. Alternatively, or in addition, a flow control means can be provided in the VPT opening 178 in a manner similar to that described above in relation to the embodiment in Figure 90.

Although not shown in Figure 92, in practice the annular wall 104 of the housing has a further non-sealing region above the sealing surface 158. This region may also have grooves or slots or may simply be a recessed portion of the wall having a larger internal diameter such that the seal member 156 is unable to form a seal therewith. In order to inject propellant into a canister to which the valve 10 is fitted, the valve member 14 is lifted upwardly, raising the seal member 156 into line with the further non-sealing region so that the propellant can be injected into the canister past the seal member 156. A conventional recess (not shown) can be provided in the stem to assist in lifting the valve member. The propellant gas may be injected through the stem or through a slit or opening in the valve member or the flange 122 as discussed above in relation to the previous two embodiments.

The valves 10 described above with reference to Figures 86 to 93 can be modified in a number of ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, two seal members can be provided to create a double seal. These might be two sealing skirts 128, two O-ring like members 156 or one of each.

In the embodiments described above in relation to Figures 86 to 93, the valve member 14 is made entirely from a suitably flexible and resilient polymeric material such as TPE, TPV, flexible polypropylene, or a thermoplastic rubber such as Santoprene (RTM), whilst the housing 11 is made from a substantially rigid polymeric material in a conventional manner. However, the valve member 14 could be manufactured from at least two different materials using a bi-injection moulding process. In this arrangement, the body portion and the stem would be moulded in a first step from a polymeric material which is relatively rigid and the flange 122 and skirt 128 would be over moulded onto the main body portion in a second step using a second polymeric material which has the necessary flexibility and resilience. The entire outer surface of valve member and the stem may be over moulded in the second flexible material so that the valve member and stem are able to form an improved seal with the valve housing and/or the nozzle.

The term "rigid material" in this context should be understood to encompass any polymeric material which is substantially rigid after moulding and setting, whilst the term "flexible material" should be understood to encompass any polymeric material which retains a suitable degree of flexibility after moulding and setting.

Rather than forming the seal means and the resilient member integrally with the valve member 14, at least one of these could be formed integrally as part of the housing 11. This would require the housing 11 to have one or more resiliently flexible portions which co-operate with the valve member to act as the seal means and/or the resilient means. The housing could be formed entirely from a resiliently flexible material but would have to be designed to have sufficient rigidity, particularly in the upper region to be able to function correctly. Alternatively, the resiliently deformable portions could be over moulded onto a rigid body of the housing using a bi-injection process. In this arrangement, the valve member 14 could be formed entirely from a rigid material or it could also have resiliently deformable portions. Whilst it is preferable that the functions of the sealing means and the resilient means are both performed by integral components of the valve member and/or valve housing, it will be appreciated one or other of these functions can be performed by one or more separate components. For example, the flange 122 need not be integral with the valve member 14 but could be a separate component. Alternatively, the integral skirt 128 or the seal member 156 could be omitted and a separate seal fitted to the valve member 14.

Valves in accordance with the invention can be adapted for use with a variety of pressurised dispensers for use in dispensing a wide variety of products of different viscosities using a wide variety of propellants including, but not limited to, butane, DME, CO2, nitrogen and compressed air. The valves may be adapted for use with aerosol dispensers in which case they may be used in combination with an atomizing nozzle. Furthermore, valves in accordance with the invention may be adapted for use with dispensers that deliver product as a foam or as a bolus of liquid. Valves in accordance with the invention may be adapted for use with dispensers that are pre-charged with a propellant prior to being made available to the end user or to dispensers that comprise a pump means to enable an end user to pressurise the canister prior to each use.

Either or both of the stem and the valve housing may be manufactured in two or more parts that when assembled together define the various fluid passages and the control features incorporated therein. All the component parts of the stem and/or the valve housing may be produced from moulded plastics.

The component parts may be manufactured in a common mould and interconnected by means of one or more live hinge about which they can be moved to assemble the parts together. Thus, in order to manufacture either the stem or the valve housing, these parts can be effectively split down the middle into two separate components that are assembled together. Although the invention has been described primarily in relation to an aerosol dispenser adapted to dispense a liquor using a propellant that is present at least partly as a gas, it should be understood that the invention could equally apply to an aerosol adapted to dispense a product in powder form or which is a gas.

Whereas the invention has been described in relation to what are currently considered to be the most practicable and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to disclosed arrangements but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the scope of the invention. For example, any of the spray control features as disclosed in the applicant's International patent applications referred to above, the contents of which have been incorporated herein by reference, could be incorporated into the valve and/or stem of an aerosol dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.

Claims

1. A valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising a hollow outlet stem associated with the valve member, valve housing inlet means through which a fluid to be dispensed can enter the housing, and stem inlet means though which fluid can enter the stem to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, wherein, the valve incorporates at least one control means for manipulating, in use, the fluid passing through the valve to control the quality of the fluid dispensed.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, in which the fluid to be dispensed is a liquid and at least one of the valve housing and the valve stem comprises a VPT inlet to enable, in use, a gaseous propellant to enter a respective one of the housing and the stem to mix with the liquid therein at least when the valve is open, in which at least one of the fluid inlet to the valve housing, the fluid inlet to the valve stem, and the VPT inlet is configured to enhance mixing of the gas and the liquid.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 2, in which the liquid is caused to spin in at least one of the housing and the stem to enhance mixing of the gas and the liquid.

4. A valve as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the fluid inlet to the housing comprises at least one opening through which the liquid flows to enter the housing when the valve is open, the at least one opening being configured such that, in use, the liquid passing through the opening forms a jet or spray in the housing.

5. A valve as claimed in claim 4, in which the fluid inlet to the valve housing comprises more than one opening through which the liquid flows to enter the housing when the valve is open, each opening being configured such that the liquid passing through forms a jet or spray in the housing.

6. A valve as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which at least one of the valve housing fluid inlet openings is configured to direct the liquid into the housing tangentially when the valve is open.

7. A valve as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 when dependant on claim 5, in which at least some of the valve housing fluid inlet openings are configured to direct the liquid into the valve housing along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

8. A valve as claimed in any in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which the at least one valve housing fluid inlet opening is formed in a wall of the valve housing.

9. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which the at least one valve housing inlet opening is formed through a closure member positioned across an inlet opening to the valve housing.

10. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in which the, or each, valve housing fluid inlet opening is defined between a first inlet defining part associated with the valve member and a second inlet defining part associated with the valve housing, at least when the valve member is in the valve open position.

11. A valve as claimed in claim 10, in which, in use, the first and second inlet defining parts abut one another or are in close proximity to each other when the valve member is in the valve open position to define the at least one valve housing fluid inlet opening between themselves but are spaced apart from one other when the valve member is in the valve closed position.

12. A valve as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which the first inlet defining part comprises a surface region on or associated with the valve member and the second inlet defining part comprises a corresponding surface region on or associated with the valve housing, the surface regions contacting one another or being in close proximity to each other when the valve member is in the valve open position.

13. A valve as claimed in claim 12, in which at least one of the corresponding surface regions is tapered.

- 14. A valve as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, in which at least one of the corresponding surface regions has one or more grooves or slots formed therein which form the valve housing inlet openings when the valve member is in the valve open position.

15. A valve as claimed in claim 14, the valve housing comprising an inlet means having a bore through which the liquid flows to enter the housing, the valve member having a surface region which abuts a corresponding surface region of the inlet means when the valve member is in the valve open position to cover an open end of the bore, there being one or more groves or slots in at least one of the abutting surface regions of the valve member and the inlet means, through which liquid can flow from the bore to enter the chamber.

16. A valve as claimed in claim 15, in which the valve housing inlet means comprises an inlet tube having a portion which extends into a recess or chamber within the valve housing.

17. A valve as claimed in claim 15, in which the valve housing inlet means comprises a partition member which separates the valve housing into a first, lower chamber and a second, upper chamber, the valve housing having a VPT inlet into the first chamber to enable a propellant gas to enter the first chamber, the partition member having at least one liquid bore fluidly connected with an inlet means through which a liquid can flow to enter the second upper chamber, the partition member also having at least one VPT inlet opening through which propellant gas may flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, the valve member having a surface region which abuts a corresponding surface region on the partition member to cover and open end of the at least one liquid bore and to at least partially restrict the VPT inlet opening when the valve member is in the valve open position, at least one of the abutting surface regions of the partition member and the valve member having one or more grooves or slots therein through which the liquid may flow from the liquid bore to enter the second chamber of the housing when the valve member is in the valve open position.

18. A valve as claimed in claim 12, in which the second inlet defining part comprises a wall or inlet closure member in the valve housing in which there are one or more openings, the first inlet defining part comprising a surface region of the valve member which abuts or lies in close proximity to the wall or closure member when the valve member is in the valve open position so as to partially close off or restrict the, or each, opening.

19. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, in which the valve member comprises a fluid passage through which the liquid enters the valve housing when the valve is open.

20. A valve as claimed in claim 19, in which the fluid passage comprises a longitudinal bore and one or more lateral bores that extend from the longitudinal bore to a surface of the valve member within the housing, the arrangement being such that when the valve is open, the liquid flows through the longitudinal bore and into the one or more lateral bores which direct the liquid into the housing.

21. A valve as claimed in claim 20, in which the valve housing comprises an opening which in use is fluidly connected to a source of liquid to be dispensed, the longitudinal bore in the valve member extends through an abutment portion of the valve member, the abutment portion being configured to abut a wall of the valve housing in which the opening is formed when the valve is open to align an open end of the longitudinal bore with the opening such that the liquid may flow through the opening and into the longitudinal bore.

22. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the valve housing comprises at least one VPT opening through which, in use, a propellant gas can pass to enter the housing.

23. A valve as claimed in claim 22, in which means associated with the valve member is operable to partially restrict or obscure the at least one VPT opening when the valve member is in the valve open position, the VPT opening being substantially unrestricted or obscured when the valve member is in the valve closed position.

24. A valve as claimed in claim 23, in which a portion of the valve member aligns in close proximity with the, or each, VPT opening when the valve member is in the valve open position so as to partially restrict or obscure the, or each, VPT opening.

25. A valve as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, in which the VPT opening extends through a region of a wall of the valve housing having an increased thickness when compared with the majority of the wall.

26. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, in which the at least one VPT opening is configured to direct propellant gas into the housing tangentially.

27. A valve as claimed in claim 26 when dependant on claim 2 or claim 3, in which the at least one VPT opening is configured to direct propellant gas into the housing substantially tangentially and the fluid inlet to the housing is configured to direct the liquid into the housing substantially tangentially.

28. A valve as claimed in claim 27, in which the at least one VPT opening and the fluid inlet to the housing are configured to direct the gas and liquid into the housing in generally opposing tangential directions.

29. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28 having more than one VPT opening in the valve housing, in which at least some of the openings are configured to direct the propellant gas into the housing along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

30. A valve as claimed in any of claims 22 to 29, in which means are provided inside the valve housing for deflecting the propellant gas passing through the at least one VPT opening circumferentially about the housing.

31. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which one or more formations are provided on an outer surface of the valve member which are configured to promote rotation or spinning of the fluid within the valve housing.

32. A valve as claimed in claim 31, in which a scroll or screw thread is formed around an outer surface of the valve member.

33. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which an internal surface of the housing is textured so as to promote the generation of turbulence in the fluid passing through the housing when the valve is open.

34. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which an internal surface of the housing has one or more protuberances which are configured to generate turbulence in the fluid passing though the housing when the valve is open.

35. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the lateral wall of the valve housing has at least one portion which is shaped to promote turbulence in the fluid passing through the valve housing when the valve is open.

36. A valve as claimed in claim 35, in which the lateral wall of the valve housing comprises at least one surface region which opposes the general direction of flow of the fluid through the housing when the valve is open.

37. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the fluid inlet to the stem comprises one or more openings configured to direct fluid into the stem in the form of a jet or spray when the valve is open.

38. A valve as claimed in claim 37, in which the fluid inlet to the stem comprises more than one opening, each opening being configured to direct fluid into the stem in the form of a jet or spray when the valve is open.

39. A valve as claimed in claim 37 or claim 38, in which the one or more stem inlet openings are configured to direct the fluid into the stem tangentially.

40. A valve as claimed in claim 37, in which there is more than one stem inlet opening, at least some of which are configured to direct fluid into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

41. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 40, in which the valve stem is mounted to the valve member for movement between a first position, in which an end region of the stem is in abutment with a portion of the valve member, and a second position, in the end region of the stem is spaced from said portion of the valve member, the one or more stem inlet openings being defined between the end region of the valve stem and said portion of the valve housing when the stem is in the first position.

42. A valve as claimed in claim 41, in which the valve stem is resiliently biased towards the second position, the arrangement being such that in use, the stem is moved to the first position against the bias force as a result of pressure applied to the stem by a user actuating the valve.

43. A valve as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which there are one or more first stem inlet openings configured to direct the liquid into the stem and one or more second stem inlet openings which are configured to direct a propellant gas into the stem.

44. A valve as claimed in claim 43, in which the, or each, first stem inlet opening is configured to direct liquid into the stem in the form of a jet or a spray.

45. A valve as claimed in claim 44, in which at least one of the one or more first stem inlet openings is configured to direct the liquid into the stem tangentially.

46. A valve as claimed in claim 44, in which there is more than one first stem inlet opening, at least some of which are configured to direct the liquid into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

47. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 46, in which at least one of the one or more second stem inlet openings is configured to direct the propellant gas into the stem tangentially.

48. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 47, in which there is more than one second stem inlet opening, at least some of which are configured to direct the propellant gas into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

49. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48, in which at least one of the first stem inlet openings and at least one of the second stem inlet openings are configured to direct the liquid and the propellant gas along paths that intersect within the stem.

50. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48, in which the stem is divided into two separate stem regions over at least part of its length, the first stem inlet opening or openings being configured to direct the liquid into one of the stem regions and the second stem inlet opening or openings being configured to direct the propellant gas into the other of the stem regions .

51. A valve as claimed in claim 50, in which the stem has an outer tube portion and an inner tube portion which extends over at least part of the length of the stem, the interior of the inner tube portion comprising one of the two stem regions whilst the space between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion comprises the other of the stem regions.

52. A valve as claimed in claim 50 or claim 51, in which the stem is divided into two separate regions over only part of the length of the stem so that, in use, the liquid and the gas streams are mixed within the stem.

53. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to^ 52, in which the interior surface of the stem is textured to create turbulence in the fluid passing through the stem when the valve is open.

54. A valve as claimed in any one claims 43 to 53, in which the interior of the stem has one or more protuberances which are configured to create turbulence in the fluid passing through the stem when the valve is open.

55. A valve stem as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 54, in which an interior surface region of the stem is non-cylindrical.

56. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 55, in which the stem comprises a partition means dividing the stem into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, at least one opening being provided in the partition means through which the fluid can pass from the upstream portion into the downstream portion.

57. A valve as claimed in claim 56, in which the at least one opening in the stem partition means is configured such that, in use, the fluid enters the downstream portion of the stem in the form of a jet or spray.

58. A valve as claimed in claim 57, in which the at least one opening in the stem partition means directs the fluid into the downstream portion of the stem tangentially.

59. A valve as claimed in claim 57, in which there is more than one opening in the stem partition means, at least some of the openings being configured to direct fluid into the stem along paths that are: tangential, counter-tangential, mutually divergent, mutually convergent, or any combination thereof.

60. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which a downstream or outlet end of the valve stem is closed by means of a closure member or wall, there being at least one opening through the closure member or wall through which, in use, fluid flowing through the stem when the valve is open can exit the stem.

61. A valve as claimed in claim 60, in which the at least one opening through the closure member or wall comprises a final outlet orifice.

62. A valve as claimed any one of claims 43 to 61, in which a fluid passage extends through the valve member, an outlet end of the fluid passage being in direct fluid connection with the interior of the valve stem via the one or more first stem inlet openings, the inlet end of the fluid passage being in fluid connection with a first portion of the valve housing when the valve member is in the valve open position, the valve housing having an inlet means for admitting a liquid to be dispensed into the first portion.

63. A valve as claimed in claim 62, in which the valve housing has a second housing portion separated from first portion, inlet means in the housing for admitting a propellant gas into the second housing portion when the valve is in use, the one or more second stem inlet openings being in fluid connection with the second housing portion when the valve member is in the valve open position.

64. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the valve housing, the valve member and the valve stem are all manufactured from one or more polymeric materials.

65. A valve as claimed in claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 62 when dependent on claim 4, in which the flow of liquid through the valve is regulated to prevent the housing from becoming flooded when the valve is open, such that the liquid is sprayed into the housing through the at least one fluid inlet opening into the housing.

66. A valve as claimed in claim 37 or claim 57, in which the fluid is sprayed through the respective openings, the flow of fluid through the valve being regulated to prevent the stem from becoming flooded when the valve is opened.

67. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the stem is integral with the valve member.

68. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 66, in which the stem and valve member are separate components, the stem being mounted or otherwise attached to the valve member.

69. A valve as claimed in claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 68 when dependant on claim 2, in which flow control means are provided to regulate the flow of liquid through the valve.

70. A valve as claimed in claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 69 when dependant on claim 2, in which flow control means are provided to regulate the flow of propellant gas into the housing or stem.

71. A valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising a hollow outlet stem associated with the valve member, the valve member having a fluid passage an inlet end of which is connectable with a source of fluid to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, an outlet end of the fluid passage being in fluid connection with the interior of the stem via one or more first stem inlet openings.

72. A valve as claimed in any one of the previous claims, the valve comprising a fluid orifice having means for restricting the flow of fluid through the orifice when the valve is open.

73. A valve as claimed in claim 72, in which the restricting means comprises a flow control member which in use is biased against a surface in which the orifice is formed by the pressure of the fluid, at least when the valve is opened so as to restrict the flow of fluid through the orifice.

74. A valve as claimed in claim 73, in which the flow control member is a flap.

75. A valve as claimed in claim 73, in which the flow control member is a flow control element.

76. A valve for a pressurised dispenser, the valve comprising a valve housing and a valve member located in the valve housing for movement between a valve closed position and a valve open position, the valve further comprising an outlet stem associated with the valve member, inlet means through which a liquid to be dispensed can enter the stem to be dispensed when the valve member is in the valve open position, the valve further comprising a VPT for admitting, in use, a propellant gas into at least one of the valve housing and the stem and flow control means for regulating the rate of flow of at least one of the propellant gas through the VPT and the liquid through the valve when the valve is open.

77. A valve as claimed in claim 76, in which flow control means are provided for regulating the rate of flow of both the propellant gas through the VPT and the liquid through the valve when the valve is open.

78. A valve as claimed in claim 76 or claim 77, in which the, or each, flow control means is configured to maintain a substantially constant rate of flow of the propellant gas or the liquid as the case maybe.

79. A valve as claimed in claim 76, in which a flow control means is located in the liquid flow path downstream of the VPT for regulating the rate of flow of the mixed liquid and propellant gas through the valve when the valve is open.

80. A pressurised dispenser comprising a valve in accordance with any one of the previous claims.

81. A pressurised dispenser as claimed in claim 80, further comprising a container for a fluid to be dispensed.

82. A pressurised dispenser as claimed in claim 80 or claim 81, in which the dispenser is adapted to dispense a fluid in the form of an aerosol or atomized spray.

83. A pressurised dispenser as claimed in claim 80, further comprising an atomizing nozzle arrangement in fluid connection with an outlet end of the stem.

84. A pressurised dispenser as claimed in claim 80 when dependant on claim 61, in which the, or each opening in the end wall or closure member comprises a final spray orifice.