Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising an elongate valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, and at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to the valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member. A valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device and a method of manufacturing a valve assembly are also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to aerosol fluid dispensing devices and valve assemblies for such devices. 
         [0002]    Conventional aerosol fluid dispensing devices, such as an aerosol can, automatic wall or floor-mounted dispenser unit or the like, contain a pressurised fluid to be dispensed. Such devices typically comprise a valve assembly located at an upper portion of an aerosol can for dispensing a metered dosage of liquid product from the can. A conventional valve assembly used in such devices includes a valve body, an elongate stem movable within the valve body between valve open and valve closed positions, and an actuator for moving the stem. The actuator is attached to the stem via a simple interference fit. The actuator typically includes a nozzle for dispensing fluid in a predetermined pattern from the aerosol can or other fluid container when the actuator is operated manually or automatically. 
         [0003]    However, the actuator can be easily removed from the stem and the contents of the can, or other product container of an aerosol dispensing device, can be tampered with. For example, another substance, such as caustic soda or acid, can be maliciously injected into the can to contaminate its contents, entire contents can be removed from the can, or an empty can may be refilled, or the like. Furthermore, the actuator may be maliciously or erroneously removed from an aerosol can and used on a different can which may or may not be manufactured by the same company or contain the same product. In addition, an empty fluid container may be removed from an automatic wall-mounted aerosol dispensing unit for example and erroneously replaced with an incorrect fluid container containing a different product. The actuator may also be accidently knocked off and/or lost during transit, storage or use, restocking items on a shelf and/or at the point of sale, rendering an at least partially full aerosol can useless. A removed actuator can also be a hazard to young children and pets if swallowed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems. 
         [0005]    It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that includes an actuator that is locked to a valve stem to prevent the actuator from being maliciously or accidently removed from the valve stem. 
         [0006]    It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that includes an actuator that is locked to a valve stem to prevent the contents of a fluid container of the system being tampered with. 
         [0007]    It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that is simple, quick and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. 
         [0008]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
       an elongate valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and   at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to the valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.       
 
         [0011]    Aptly, the at least one locking element comprises a coupling member having an inner surface for receiving a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member. 
         [0012]    Aptly, the inner surface of the coupling member comprises at least one projection that is received by at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to attach the coupling member to said valve member. 
         [0013]    Aptly, the at least one projection comprises at least one continuous annular projection that corresponds with at least one continuous annular recess of the valve member or a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses in the valve member. 
         [0014]    Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses of the valve member or at least one continuous annular recess in the valve member. 
         [0015]    Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a plurality of axially spaced apart projections that correspond to a plurality of axially spaced apart recesses in the valve member. 
         [0016]    Aptly, each of the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise a plurality of radially spaced intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced intermittent recesses in the valve member. 
         [0017]    Aptly, the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise four projections each radially spaced apart from one another by ninety degrees that correspond with a plurality of correspondingly arranged recesses in the valve member. 
         [0018]    Aptly, the at least one projection of the coupling member comprises a substantially curved outer surface to correspondingly engage with a complementarily shaped inner surface of the at least one recess in the valve member. 
         [0019]    Aptly, the at least one projection has a height from the inner surface of the collar of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm. 
         [0020]    Aptly, the at least one projection has a height from the inner surface of the collar of about around 0.5 mm and a width of about around 1 mm. 
         [0021]    Aptly, the at least one recess has a depth from the outer surface of the valve member of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm. 
         [0022]    Aptly, the at least one recess has a depth from the outer surface of the valve member of about around 0.1 mm and a width of about around 0.9 mm. 
         [0023]    Aptly, the coupling member comprises at least one recess or aperture in the outer surface that receives at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member to lock the fluid dispensing member to the coupling member. 
         [0024]    Aptly, the at least one recess of the coupling member has a diameter of about around 0.5 mm and a depth of about around 0.1 mm. 
         [0025]    Aptly, the coupling member comprises an inwardly extending flange portion that abuts the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member when the coupling member is mounted on and connected to said valve member. 
         [0026]    Aptly, the inwardly extending flange portion comprises an aperture to fluidly communicate the fluid outlet of the valve member with the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member. 
         [0027]    Aptly, the coupling member comprises a collar. 
         [0028]    Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises the at least one locking element. 
         [0029]    Aptly, the at least one locking element comprises at least one projection extending from an inner surface of the elongate valve member. 
         [0030]    Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises an inner bore that receives a fluid outlet end portion of the elongate valve member, and the at least one projection extends from an inner surface of the inner bore. 
         [0031]    Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a barb-like portion that bites into the fluid outlet end portion to allow the valve member to be received into the fluid dispensing member whilst preventing the fluid dispensing member from being removed from the valve member. 
         [0032]    Aptly, the valve member comprises one or more recesses extending into an outer surface of the valve member for the at least one projection to correspondingly lock into to connect the fluid dispensing member to the valve member. 
         [0033]    Aptly, the elongate valve member is substantially cylindrical. 
         [0034]    Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a nozzle that comprises the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member for dispensing fluid towards a target location. 
         [0035]    Aptly, the apparatus further comprises an actuator for moving the valve member in a valve body between a valve closed position and a valve open position. 
         [0036]    Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises the actuator. 
         [0037]    Aptly, one or more of the valve member, locking element and fluid dispensing member comprise a plastics material. 
         [0038]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device, comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. 
         [0039]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol fluid dispensing device comprising the valve assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention. 
         [0040]    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate valve member for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising:
       a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and   at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to the valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.       
 
         [0043]    According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking element for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising:
       at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member.       
 
         [0045]    According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
       via at least one locking element, locking a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member.       
 
         [0047]    Aptly, the method further comprises:
       mounting a coupling member over a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member, wherein the coupling member comprises an inner surface for receiving the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.       
 
         [0049]    Aptly, the method further comprises:
       engaging at least one projection that extends from the inner surface of said coupling member into at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to lock the coupling member to said valve member.       
 
         [0051]    According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member. 
         [0052]    Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking an actuator with respect to an aerosol valve stem to prevent the actuator being accidentally or maliciously removed from an aerosol can or automatic dispensing device, and more particularly from the stem thereof. 
         [0053]    Certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent liquid product contained in the can from being maliciously tampered with, removed or refilled and also prevents a different actuator being used on a particular aerosol can or automatic dispensing device. 
         [0054]    Certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and potentially incorrect product containers being erroneously or maliciously used with a particular type of actuator. 
         [0055]    Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle component which is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent the same being accidentally knocked off the device during transit, storage, use, or the like and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing a relatively small actuator/nozzle component which could otherwise be fatal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0056]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0057]      FIG. 1  illustrates a sectional view of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention attached to the upper portion of an aerosol can; 
           [0058]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of an actuator connectable to the stem of the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view showing a stem collar attached to a distal end of the stem of the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of the stem collar of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of the stem of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 6 a    illustrates a three-dimensional solid view of a further embodiment of a stem collar according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 6 b    illustrates a sectional view of the stem collar of  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates a three-dimensional solid view of a stem according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0065]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sectional view of a further valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0066]    In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
         [0067]      FIG. 1  illustrates a valve assembly  100  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The valve assembly  100  is attached to an upper ‘cup’ portion  102  of an aerosol can which is typically made of tinplated steel or aluminium or the like. The can contains a pressurised fluid product, typically a liquid, such as an air freshener, deodorant, furniture polish, foam, mousse, gel, or the like, and the valve assembly  100  mixes a metered amount of the product to be dispensed with a suitable propellant such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air or the like. 
         [0068]    The valve assembly  100  comprises a valve body  104  having a lower portion  106  and an upper portion  108 . The upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  includes a central throughbore  110  having a proximal end portion  112  and a distal end portion  114 . The upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  includes an annular shoulder  116  extending inwardly at the distal end portion  114 . An elongate valve member or ‘stem’  118  is slidably moveable in the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  and includes an outwardly extending annular shoulder  120  that abuts with the shoulder  116  of the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  to limit axial movement of stem  118  in the valve body  104 . One end of a compression spring  122  sits on the lower portion  106  of the valve body  104  whilst the other end of the spring  122  abuts an underside of the shoulder  120  of the stem  118 . The spring  122  biases the stem  118  outwardly and towards a valve closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A central wall portion of the upper cup portion  102  of the can is crimped around an outwardly extending upper shoulder  125  of the valve body  104  to securely attach the valve assembly  100  to the inside of the upper cup portion  102  of the can. An inner gasket  124 , such as an O-ring or washer or the like, seals the interface between the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  and the upper cup portion  102  of the can and also around the stem  118  whilst allowing the stem to axially move relative to the can  102  and the valve body  104 . 
         [0069]    The valve assembly of  FIG. 1  is assembled as follows. A distal end  117  of the stem  118  is slidably inserted through the central throughbore  110  of the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104  via the proximal end  112  of the throughbore  110 . The spring  122  is then inserted into the proximal end portion  112  of the throughbore  110  and placed over a proximal end  119  of the stem  118  to abut the shoulder  120  of the stem  118 . The proximal end portion  112  of the valve body  104  is then attached via a snap-fit, screw thread, or the like, connection to the lower portion  106  of the valve body  104  to locate the stem  118  and spring  122  in the assembled valve body  104 . The inner gasket  124  is placed over the stem  118  to sit in an annular recess  126  in the distal end portion  114  of the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104 . The stem  118  is then passed through a central aperture  128  in a raised boss region centrally disposed in the cup portion  102  of the can and the valve assembly  100  is located inside the boss region. The walls of the boss region are then crimped inwardly to securely attach the valve assembly  100  to the inside of the upper cup portion  102  of the can. A dip tube (not shown) is then attached to an inlet portion  130  of the lower portion  106  of the valve body  104  which extends towards a base of the can  102  for dispensing fluid from the bottom of the can even when the can is almost empty. An empty can body (not shown) having a base portion and a cylindrical wall portion extending upwardly therefrom is filled with product, usually in the form of a liquid, which contains all the active ingredients except for the propellant. The cup portion  102  of the can is then attached to the wall portion of the can by crimping, welding or the like, to form an assembled aerosol dispensing system. An outer gasket (not shown) may be located between the cup portion  102  and the can body to which the cup portion  102  is attached. The propellant is then injected under pressure through the valve assembly  100  via the distal end  117  of the stem  118 . The propellant may be in the form of a liquefied gas or compressed gas or the like. If a liquefied gas is used, it will exist as both a liquid and a vapour in the head space of the aerosol can and the volume of the liquid product in the can will increase over time as the product is dispensed therefrom. If a compressed gas is used as the propellant, it will typically only be in the head space above the liquid product in the can and there will be little or no increase in liquid volume and the pressure of the propellant will decrease over time during the life of the can. The pressurised can is then leak tested. 
         [0070]    An actuator  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is then fitted onto the distal end  117  of the stem  118 . A nozzle portion  202  of the actuator  200  fluidly communicates with a bore  121  of the stem  118  via one or more passageways  204  formed in the actuator  200 . 
         [0071]    The actuator  200  therefore provides a nozzle portion  202  for dispensing fluid in a predetermined pattern from the can  102 , fluidly communicates the nozzle portion  202  with the contents of the aerosol can  102  when the valve assembly  100  is in an open state and also provides a relatively large surface area for actuating the valve assembly  100  by pressing manually down on the actuator  200  in use. 
         [0072]    In use, a force is applied downwardly to an outer surface  206  of the actuator  202  which in turn forces the stem  118  downwardly and into the valve body  104 . This downward force overcomes a spring force of the spring  122 , which otherwise biases the stem  118  and actuator  200  upwardly, to move the stem  118  downwardly into the valve body  104  and into a valve open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the valve open position, at least one product inlet aperture  310  in the side of the valve stem  118  is moved from outside and past the inner gasket  124  to be brought into fluid communication with an upper inner chamber  312  of the valve body  104  which is defined by the upper portion  108  of the valve body  104 , the inner gasket  124  and the stem  118  and shoulder  120  thereof. The fluid inlet aperture  310  is about around 0.3-1 mm in diameter depending on the type of product to be dispensed from the can. 
         [0073]    As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the shoulder  120  of the stem  118  includes a number of notched regions  720  each having a respective aperture  322  extending laterally into the stem  118  to communicate with a lower central bore  324  in the proximal end  119  of the stem  118 . The lower central bore  324  terminates at a fluid inlet in the proximal end  119  of the stem  118  to communicate with the dip tube (not shown) attached to the inlet portion  130  of the lower portion  106  of the valve body  104 . Thus, liquid product stored under pressure in the can is forced up the dip tube by the propellant, through the lower portion  106  of the valve body  104  and the lower bore  324  of the stem  118  and into the upper chamber  312  via the apertures  322  and notched regions  720  of the stem  118 . When the stem  118  is in the valve open position, the fluid inlet  310  is located in the upper chamber  312  and thus liquid product is caused to enter the upper bore  121  of the stem  118  and exit the stem at a fluid outlet in its distal end  117 . The product then enters the passageways  204  of the actuator  200  before being dispensed via the nozzle portion  202 . 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the stem  118  according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a plurality of recesses  550  each extending inwardly at the distal end  117  of the stem  118 . The recesses  550  are axially spaced apart along the stem  118  and each may comprise a continuous annular recess or groove around the stem or a number of intermittent and annularly spaced recesses (as shown). Each intermittent recess as shown in  FIG. 7  has a depth of about around 0.1 mm, a width of about around 0.9 mm and a curved length of about around 3 mm. The stem  118  has a diameter of about around 2 to 4 mm and aptly about around 3.2 mm. 
         [0075]    Alternatively, the stem  118  may comprise at least one recess or at least two recesses where one recess is an upper recess and the other recess is a lower recess which is radially offset and spaced axially from the upper recess. Each recess  550  may be substantially semi-circular in profile or have any suitable shape or profile, such as a substantially triangular or square notch formed in the wall of the stem  118 . 
         [0076]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a coupling member  400  in the form of a collar has an inner bore  410  defining an inner surface  412 . A plurality of axially spaced apart annular projections  450  extend inwardly from the inner surface  412  with respect to an axis of the coupling member  400 . The projections  450  are sized and spaced so as to align with the corresponding recesses  550  in the stem  118  such that when the coupling member  400  is placed over the distal end  117  of the stem  118 , each projection  450  snaps into a respective recess  550  to securely attach the coupling member  400  to stem  118 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , a coupling member  600  according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include an inwardly extending shoulder portion  620  to act as a stop when mounting the coupling member  600  on the distal end  117  of the stem  118  and to provide a more secure connection between is the coupling member  600  and the stem  118 . The annular shoulder portion  620  defines an aperture  625  to allow liquid product to flow from the stem  118  to the actuator  200  and nozzle portion  202 . The aperture  625  has a diameter of about around 1-2 mm and aptly is 1.1 mm in diameter. The coupling member  600  also includes the spaced apart and intermittent projections  650  for connecting with the corresponding recesses  550  in the stem  118 . 
         [0077]    The coupling member  400 ,  600  according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include a single annular projection or a plurality of intermittent radially spaced projections arranged around substantially the same cross section of the coupling member. Alternatively, the at least one projection may comprise a plurality of intermittently spaced projections arranged around the inner surface of the coupling member in a spiral arrangement. Further alternatively, the coupling member and stem may each comprise corresponding screw threads. An alternative embodiment of the present invention may provide a coupling member having at least one barb-like projection which cooperates with at least one corresponding recess in the stem to allow the coupling member to be slideably mounted onto the stem whilst preventing the coupling member being removed from the stem. Two or more axially spaced projections and corresponding recesses helps further provide a stable and secure connection between the coupling member, and in turn the actuator, and the stem. 
         [0078]    The actuator  200  includes at least one projection  250  in a central bore portion  210  of the actuator  200  which defines a section of the passageway  204  for fluidly communicating the stem  118  with the nozzle portion  202  of the actuator  200 . The projection  250  snaps into a corresponding recess or aperture  660  in the side of the coupling member  600 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The recess or aperture  660  has a diameter of about around 0.5 mm and a depth of about around 0.1 mm. The corresponding projection of the actuator  200  is sized accordingly to cooperate with the recess or aperture  660  in the coupling member. The actuator  200  is thus securely attachable to the coupling member  400 ,  600 . 
         [0079]    Certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member having one or more recesses and a stem having one or more corresponding projections. Likewise, certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator having one or more recesses in a central bore portion  210  and the coupling member  400 ,  600  may include one or more corresponding projections that cooperate with the one or more recesses of the actuator to securely attach the actuator to the coupling member and in turn lock the actuator with respect to the stem. Further alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member having a tapered outer surface that cooperates with a correspondingly tapered inner surface of the actuator such that when the actuator is placed on the coupling member, the coupling member snaps into the tapered inner surface of the actuator and is prevented from being removed from the coupling member in view of the barb-like connecting interface between the two components, i.e. the actuator is locked with respect to the stem via the coupling member. Further alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator comprising at least one projection for locking the actuator directly to the stem of a valve assembly. For example, the at least one projection may comprise a barb or tooth-like annular element that bites into a relatively soft outer surface of the stem when the actuator is mounted onto the stem thereby preventing the actuator from being removed from the stem. The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of spaced apart projections and/or may be continuous or intermittently arranged around an inner surface of the actuator engagable with the stem. 
         [0080]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an outer surface of the coupling member  400 ,  600  and an inner surface of the central bore portion  210  of the actuator  200  may be complementarily shaped such that only that type/form of actuator can be securely attached to the coupling member  400 ,  600  and in turn the stem  118 . For example, the outer surface of the coupling member  400 ,  600  and the central bore portion  210  may be a substantially similar diameter in cross section or substantially hexagonal, or the like. The coupling member  400 ,  600  may comprise a substantially cylindrical outer surface having a flat portion to act as a key for engagement with a corresponding flat inner surface portion of the actuator  200 . Such an arrangement allows a certain type or make of actuator to be used with a certain fluid dispensing device and prevents other types of actuator being used with a particular fluid dispensing device and/or different fluid dispensing devices being used with a certain actuator. 
         [0081]    The valve body  106 ,  108 , stem  118 , actuator  200  and/or coupling member  400 ,  600  may be any suitable material such as a plastics or metal material. 
         [0082]    During assembly of the aerosol can, the coupling member  400 ,  600  is inserted into and securely attached to the actuator  200  via the at least one projection  250  and corresponding recess or aperture  660  in the coupling member  400 ,  600 . When the coupling member  400 ,  600  is inserted into the actuator  200 , the projection of the actuator aligns with and snaps into the corresponding recess or aperture  660  in the coupling member  400 ,  600 . A form of adhesive may optionally also be used to further secure the coupling member to the actuator. The actuator  200  and coupling member  400 ,  600  are then placed over the stem  118  and a downward force applied to the actuator  200  aligns and snaps the projections  450 ,  650  of the coupling member into the corresponding recesses  550  of the stem  118  to securely lock the coupling member  400 ,  600 , and in turn the actuator  200 , to the valve stem  118 . Again, a form of adhesive may optionally also be used to further secure the coupling member to the stem. A valve assembly  800  according to certain embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8  which includes the coupling member  600  as shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   . The valve assembly  800  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  has a longer valve body comprising the interconnecting lower body portion  806  and upper body portion  808  which house a relatively long stem  818  and compression spring  822 . The lower body portion  806  includes the product inlet  830  for attaching to a dib tube. The upper body portion  808  provides a recess for locating the inner gasket  824  for sealing between the valve assembly  800  and a cup portion of an aerosol can. 
         [0083]    Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking an actuator with respect to an aerosol valve stem to prevent the actuator being accidentally or maliciously removed from an aerosol can or automatic dispensing device, and more particularly from the stem thereof. Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent liquid product contained in the can from being maliciously tampered with, removed or refilled and also prevents a different actuator being used on a particular aerosol can or automatic dispensing device. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and potentially incorrect product containers being erroneously or maliciously used with a particular type of actuator. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle component which is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent the same being accidentally knocked off the device during transit, storage, use, or the like and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing a relatively small actuator/nozzle component which could otherwise be fatal. If an actuator of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention is accidentally or maliciously forced away from the stem of the valve assembly, the stem and/or actuator may snap and fail irrevocably rendering the aerosol device useless and thus preventing a different actuator being used with the device or the product container, e.g. can, of the device being used with the same or another actuator. The stem will also be damaged preventing its reuse and/or product contained in the device being removed, refilled or tampered with. The stem of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include one or more frangible regions to allow the stem to fail or fracture when a predetermined force is applied to the actuator and/or stem. Such a frangible region may include one or more fine annular recesses, regions of reduced thickness, die-cuts or the like in the wall of the stem which does not compromise the integrity of the stem during normal use and allows a substantially axial force to be applied to the stem via the actuator without failing when product is to be dispensed from the aerosol device, whilst allowing the stem to at least partially fracture when a predetermined shear force is applied to the stem and/or actuator during abnormal use. Alternatively, the one or more recesses in the stem may provide a frangible portion to allow the stem to fracture when an excessive shear force is applied to the actuator or stem. 
         [0084]    Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to” and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. 
         [0085]    Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
         [0086]    The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.