Patent Description:
From time to time there is a requirement to dispense fluid from a container. For example, many healthcare products such as deodorants, hairsprays, suncreams and the like are provided to a consumer as fluids in containers. Examples of other such products that may be provided in such a manner are cooking products, cleaning products, painting products, and the like. In use there is sometimes a need to dispense the fluid contained within these containers to a desired location, for example on the human body.

Conventional fluid dispensing devices, such as an aerosol can, automatic wall or floor-mounted dispenser unit or the like, often contain a pressurised fluid to be dispensed. Such devices sometimes comprise a stem valve assembly located at an upper portion of a can or other such container for dispensing an amount of fluid product from the can. A stem valve assembly used in such devices may include a stem housing, an elongate stem movable within the stem housing between a valve open and valve closed position, and an actuator for moving the stem. The actuator is sometimes attached to the stem via a simple interference fit. The actuator may include a nozzle for dispensing fluid in a predetermined pattern from the can or other fluid container when the actuator is operated manually or automatically. The actuator sometimes selectively operates the stem valve assembly to allow discharge of the fluid as a spray from the nozzle by means of a propellant provided within the can/container.

Often these products are provided to consumers in the form or aerosols which contain the desired fluid along with a propellent, that is often a gas, in a can or other such container under pressure. Upon activation of a valve system, a mixture of the fluid and propellant is dispensed from the can as a spray.

Many conventional fluid dispensing devices need to be arranged substantially upright in order to dispense the desired fluid. Operating such devices in other orientations, for example an inverted orientation, may cause the device to dispense gas propellant only which may drain the aerosol container of propellant. This may result in some fluid in the can being unable to be dispensed due to a lack of propellant. Such fluid in the container is thus wasted.

Furthermore, some conventional fluid dispensing devices may contain complex valve components. Manufacturing such complex components, for example via moulding or extrusion or the like, can cause imperfections known generally as flash. For example, excess material can remain on inner surfaces of complex valve components which may reduce the efficiency of the valve component or may prevent the valve component from operating in a desired manner.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, describes a valve assembly including a housing with an internally projecting lip that seals against an outer surface of a valve stem inserted through it. A gas inlet is provided above the lip and a liquid inlet is provided below the lip. The lip ensures that a gas flow path and a liquid flow path are kept separate until the valve stem is moved to an open position, at which point a liquid inlet hole in the stem is brought into communication with the liquid inlet in the housing and a gas inlet hole in the stem is brought into communication with the gas inlet in the housing for the fluids mix in an outlet conduit in the stem.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement for a fluid dispensing device that is able to dispense fluid in a variety of orientations and that suffers reduced risk of manufacturing defects due to a generally symmetrical design.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement for a fluid dispensing device that is operable when the fluid dispensing device is inverted.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement that is generally symmetrical about a primary stem axis on which a valve stem is arranged. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing fluid, comprising: at least one inner wall of a housing member that at least partly surrounds an inner chamber region that is disposed within a main body portion of the housing member, an inner fluid port being disposed at a first end region of the inner chamber region and in fluid communication with an open region of the housing member disposed at a first end region of the housing member; at least one fluid communication passageway disposed within the main body portion and comprising a first end of the fluid communication passageway proximate to the open region, and a remaining end of the fluid communication passageway, proximate to a further end of the housing member, that is spaced apart from the first end of the housing member, the fluid communication passageway being disposed radially outside the inner chamber region and being in fluid communication with the open region; at least one wall fluid port extending through the inner wall and through an outer surface of the housing member to fluidly connect a fluid communication region located outside of the housing body and the inner chamber region; a closure element disposed in, and movable within, the inner chamber region to selectively limit fluid flow through the inner fluid port; wherein the housing member is connected to, or is integrally formed with, a valve assembly that includes an elongate valve stem associated with a respective stem axis and a stem housing that radially surrounds at least a portion of the valve stem, the stem housing comprising at least one stem housing fluid communication region that is in fluid communication with the fluid communication passageway and is fluidly connectable to an inner stem channel disposed along at least a portion of the valve stem, the stem housing further comprising at least one gas communication region that is fluidly connectable to the inner stem channel so that at least one fluid and at least one gas are mixable in the stem channel.

Aptly, the valve stem comprises a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the stem channel and selectively connectable with the stem housing fluid communication region, and a gas inlet port in fluid communication with the stem channel and selectively connectable with the gas fluid communication region, the fluid inlet port being disposed to be fluidly connected with the stem housing fluid communication region at the same time as the gas fluid port is fluidly with the gas fluid communication region to provide a fine spay in the stem channel by two fluid atomisation.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a valve seat region disposed within the inner chamber region proximate to the first fluid port, the closure element being locatable against the valve seat region for preventing fluid flow through the inner fluid port when the housing member is disposed in a first orientation.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a closure element support region disposed at a further end region of the inner chamber region that is spaced apart from the first end region of the inner chamber region, the closure element being locatable against the closure element support region to permit fluid flow through the inner fluid port when the housing member is disposed in a further orientation.

Aptly, the housing member is a single body piece that optionally comprises a single moulded body piece.

Aptly, the closure element has a maximum width that is smaller than a maximum width of a region of the inner chamber region in which the closure element is movable in operation.

Aptly, the closure element has a maximum width that is smaller than a maximum width of a region of the inner chamber region between the valve seat region and the closure element support region.

Aptly, the housing member is connected to the valve assembly at a further end region of the housing member that is spaced apart from the first end of the housing member.

Aptly, the inner chamber region, the inner fluid port and the open mouth are disposed on the stem axis and optionally are substantially symmetrical along the stem axis.

Aptly, the wall fluid port is oriented along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the stem axis.

Aptly, the at least one wall fluid port comprises a pair of wall fluid ports arranged at substantially opposite sides of the housing member.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a first fluid flow path extends from the open region, through the fluid communication passageway, through the stem housing fluid communication region and into the stem channel via a stem fluid port, the stem channel optionally extending along the stem axis.

Aptly, the first fluid path is operable for fluid flow when the housing member is disposed in the first orientation that optionally comprises the open region facing in a substantially downward direction.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises at least one gas pathway that is at least partly disposed between the housing member and a mounting cup through which the valve stem extends so that, in the first orientation, gas can pass through the gas inlet, into the gas communication region, and into a stem gas port via that in the valve stem to mix with fluid in the stem channel.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a further fluid flow path that extends from the fluid communication region to the inner chamber region via the wall fluid port and, via the inner fluid port from the inner chamber region through the fluid communication passageway and into the inner stem channel via a stem fluid inlet.

Aptly, the further fluid path is operable for fluid flow when the housing member is disposed in the further orientation that optionally comprises the open region facing in a substantially upward direction.

Aptly, in a first valve stem position the stem fluid port is closed to prevent fluid flow into the stem channel to thereby block the first fluid flow path or the further fluid flow path, and in a further valve stem position the stem fluid port is open to permit fluid flow into the stem channel to thereby permit fluid flow through the first fluid flow path or the further fluid flow path.

Aptly, the first valve stem position is an equilibrium position, and the further valve stem position is a position in which the valve stem is urged towards the housing member along the stem axis.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises at least one biasing element that urges the valve stem towards the first valve stem position.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises, a dip-tube comprising a first end region disposed in the open region and a further end region that is spaced apart from the housing body.

Aptly the apparatus further comprises a sloped wall region of the inner wall that is offset from an axis that touches the radially innermost part of the sloped wall region and is parallel with the stem axis so that the sloped wall region makes an angle of <NUM> degrees or less with the axis.

Aptly, the housing member comprises an open mouth region at the terminal end of the open region that is at the first end of the housing member, and a neck region that includes a channel disposed between the open mouth region and the main body portion.

Aptly, the valve seat region comprises an annular abutment surface for abutting against the closure element that is oblique relative to the stem axis and optionally makes a valve seat angle with the stem axis that is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees.

Aptly, the valve seat angle is around <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid dispensing device, comprising: at least one inner wall of a housing member that at least partly surrounds an inner chamber region that is disposed within a main body portion of the housing member, an inner fluid port being disposed at a first end region of the inner chamber region and in fluid communication with an open region of the housing member disposed at a first end region of the housing member; at least one fluid communication passageway disposed within the main body portion and comprising a first end of the fluid communication passageway proximate to the open region, and a remaining end of the fluid communication passageway, proximate to a further end of the housing member, that is spaced apart from the first end of the housing member, the fluid communication passageway being disposed radially outside the inner chamber region and being in fluid communication with the open region; at least one wall fluid port extending through the inner wall and through an outer surface of the housing member to fluidly connect a fluid communication region located outside of the housing body and the inner chamber region; a closure element disposed in, and movable within, the inner chamber region to selectively limit fluid flow through the inner fluid port; and a canister that is connected to a valve assembly via a mounting cup through which the valve stem extends and that comprises at least one fluid to be dispensed and at least one propellant that optionally is a gas; wherein the housing member is connected to, or is integrally formed with, the valve assembly that includes an elongate valve stem associated with a respective stem axis and a stem housing that radially surrounds at least a portion of the valve stem, the stem housing comprising at least one stem housing fluid communication region that is in fluid communication with the fluid communication passageway and is fluidly connectable to an inner stem channel disposed along at least a portion of the valve stem, the stem housing further comprising at least one gas communication region that is fluidly connectable to the inner stem channel so that at least one fluid and at least one gas are mixable in the stem channel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a fluid at a first end of a fluid communication passageway disposed within a main body portion of a housing member and proximate an open region that is located at a first end region of the housing member; and transporting the fluid from the from the first end of the fluid communication passageway to a further end of the fluid communication passageway located at a further end region of the housing member that is spaced apart from the first end region; transporting the fluid from the further end of the fluid communication passageway end to a stem housing fluid communication region that is located in a stem housing that surrounds at least a portion of a valve stem that is associated with a stem axis; providing at least one gas at a gas communication region that is fluidly connectable to an inner stem channel that extends along at least a portion of the valve stem and is connectable to the stem housing fluid communication region; and transporting the fluid from the first end of the fluid communication passageway to the further end of the fluid communication passageway includes transporting the fluid, via the fluid communication passageway, radially outside an inner chamber region that is at least partly surrounded by at least one inner wall of the housing member that is located in the main body portion.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: fluidly connecting the stem housing fluid communication region to the inner stem channel and simultaneously fluidly connecting the gas communication region to the inner stem channel.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: mixing the fluid and the gas in the inner stem channel.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a fine spray in the inner stem channel that is a mixture of the fluid and the gas by two fluid atomisation.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: in a first mode of operation, prior to providing the fluid at the first end of the fluid communication passageway, urging a closure element disposed within the inner chamber region against a valve seat region that is located proximate to a first end region of the inner chamber region to thereby prevent fluid flow through an inner fluid port that is in fluid communication with the open region and is disposed proximate to the first end region of the inner chamber region; providing the fluid at the open region; and transporting the fluid from the open region to the first end of the fluid communication passageway.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: orienting the housing member in a substantially upright configuration to locate the open region at a substantially downward position relative to the further end region, and simultaneously moving the closure element against the valve seat region.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: in a further mode of operation, prior to providing the fluid at the first passage end, urging a closure member disposed within the inner chamber region against a closure member support region that is disposed at a further end region of the inner chamber region that is spaced apart from an inner fluid port disposed proximate to a first end region of the inner chamber region to thereby permit fluid flow through the inner fluid port; via at least one wall fluid port extending through the inner wall and through an outer surface of the housing member, transporting fluid from a fluid communication region that outside of the housing member to the inner chamber region; and transporting fluid from the first fluid communication region to the first passage end via the inner fluid port.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: orienting the housing member in a substantially inverted configuration to locate the open region at a substantially upward position relative to the further end region, and simultaneously urging the closure element against the closure element support region.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: transporting, via the stem housing fluid communication region, the fluid from the further passage end at least partly around a valve assembly that is connected to the further end region of the housing member and comprises the valve stem and the stem housing; and transporting the fluid into the inner stem channel via at least one stem fluid port.

Aptly, the method further comprises the steps of: prior to transporting the fluid into the inner stem channel, urging the valve stem away from an equilibrium position to thereby open the stem fluid inlet of the valve stem optionally by urging the valve stem towards the housing member.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device that can be operated in a number of orientations of the device include an inverted orientation and an upright orientation.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a valve system for a fluid dispensing device that is generally symmetrical about a primary stem axis.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device that suffers reduced risk of manufacturing defects.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device that can continuously dispense fluid while being rotated by <NUM> degrees.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device that is operable in a variety of different orientations and that can dispense fluid as a fine spray by two fluid atomisation with gas propellant.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

<FIG> illustrates a fluid dispensing device <NUM> in an "open" mode of operation. The fluid dispensing device may, for example, be an aerosol spray device such as an aerosol can which provides fluid to be dispensed as a mist of particles. It will be appreciated that the can is an example of a container. Only a partial section of such a can is illustrated in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that other fluid dispensing devices which do not emit fluid as an aerosol may also be provided, for example devices emitting creams, gels, foams or the like. The fluid dispensing device <NUM> comprises a rigid container <NUM> onto which is mounted a stem valve assembly <NUM>. The stem valve assembly <NUM> is held in a central position at the top of the container <NUM> by way of a mounting cup <NUM>. The mounting cup <NUM> is selectively crimped around the edges of the rigid container <NUM> and around a region of the stem valve assembly <NUM> to thereby hermetically seal the container. The fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> also includes an outer sealing gasket <NUM> and inner sealing gasket <NUM> provided in the regions proximate the crimped regions of the mounting cup <NUM> to support the sealing provided by the crimping process. Alternatively, the fluid dispensing device may not include an outer and/or inner sealing gasket. Alternatively, the fluid dispensing device may include additional sealing gaskets. The inner and outer sealing gaskets of <FIG> are made from a polymeric material. Alternatively, any other suitable material may be used to make the inner and outer sealing gaskets. It will be appreciated that alternative methods for providing a sealing engagement may be used in place of crimping, for example interference fits, liquid sealants and the like. It will be appreciated that the container <NUM> may be made from a metallic material. Aptly the container <NUM> may be made from an alloy material, for example aluminium. The container <NUM> may be made from any other suitable material. It will be appreciated that the mounting cup <NUM> may be made from a metallic material. Aptly the mounting cup <NUM> may be made from an alloy material, for example aluminium. The mounting cup <NUM> may be made from any other suitable material.

A fluid reservoir <NUM> is provided within the sealed container and generally comprises a quantity of liquid (product) to be dispensed. It will be understood that the liquid in the fluid reservoir is an example of a fluid to be dispensed. Any liquid component is free to move in the container and will adopt a surface level due to gravitational effects. It will be appreciated that the surface level adopted by the liquid component in the container <NUM> will be dependent on the orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> and any given time. The fluid reservoir <NUM> may be dispensed from the device (when in the "open" mode of operation as is shown in <FIG>) by using a propellant contained within a head space <NUM> of the sealed container which "forces" the product to exit the container. The propellant may be a compressed gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air or the like. Mixtures of two or more gases may also be used as the propellant. It will be understood that according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the propellant may have some solubility with the fluid reservoir <NUM> and therefore upon dispersal of liquid product from the fluid reservoir, some propellant held as a liquid may also be dispersed. The gas in the head space may, for example, be at an initial pressure of <NUM> to <NUM> bar depending on the type of container in use. The initial pressure may, for example, be <NUM> to <NUM> bar. The initial pressure may, for example, be around <NUM> bar. Higher pressure cans, for example, cans with an initial pressure of <NUM> bar or higher, could of course instead be utilised.

The stem valve assembly <NUM> comprises an elongate valve stem <NUM> which can be moved in a reciprocating fashion along a primary stem axis <NUM> (represented by the broken line in <FIG>) upon pressing and releasing of an actuator <NUM> mounted to the valve stem. It will be understood that the elongate valve stem <NUM> sits in a first, closed position when no force is provided on the actuator and is held in this position by a resilient member <NUM> that is a spring in the system shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, any other suitable resilient member could instead be utilised. It will be understood that the spring <NUM> is an example of a biasing element. Any other suitable biasing element could alternatively be utilised. When the elongate valve stem <NUM> is in a closed position, corresponding to a closed mode of operation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM>, fluid is not able to communicate from a stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> that is located in a stem valve assembly housing <NUM>, to a dispense nozzle <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the stem valve assembly housing is an example of a stem housing. In use, the actuator <NUM> may be pressed downwards (towards the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>) as represented by the arrow A in <FIG>, and therefore selectively urged along the primary stem axis <NUM> to thereby overcome the force on the valve stem provided by the spring <NUM>, and thereby urge the elongate valve stem <NUM> into the open position shown in <FIG>. When the elongate valve stem <NUM> is in the open position, fluid is able to communicate between the stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> and the dispense nozzle <NUM>, thereby producing an external aerosol spray <NUM> which may be provided to a target. It will be appreciated that, in the closed position, the valve stem is pushed in an upwards direction (relative to the position shown in <FIG>) away from the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> so that a greater proportion of the valve stem protrudes out of the can through the mounting cup <NUM>.

As indicated above, the stem valve assembly <NUM> includes a stem valve assembly housing <NUM> which at least partly houses the elongate valve stem <NUM> and spring <NUM>. In the closed position of the valve stem <NUM>, wherein the spring <NUM> urges the valve stem upwards (in the viewpoint provided by <FIG>), a projecting shoulder <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> abuts against an inwardly projecting lip <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the stem valve assembly <NUM> to thereby sealingly engage the valve stem. That is to say, in the "closed" position of the fluid dispensing device, the projecting shoulder <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> abuts against the inwardly projecting lip <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> so that an effective seal is provided between the projecting shoulder <NUM> and the lip <NUM>. It will be understood that the inner sealing gasket <NUM>, when used, also contributes to sealingly engaging the valve stem <NUM>. It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present invention are usable with other conventional valve assemblies/actuators.

It will be appreciated that the valve stem <NUM> may be manufactured from a metallic material, for example an alloy material that may be aluminium. It will be appreciated that the stem <NUM> may be manufactured from a polymeric material, for example a plastic material. It will be appreciated that the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> may be manufactured from a polymeric material, for example a plastic material. It will be understood that the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> may be manufactured by moulding or the like. It will be understood that the stem valve assembly housing may be manufactured by extrusion or the like.

Upon pressing the actuator <NUM> and bringing the valve stem into the open position, as shown in <FIG>, the projecting shoulder <NUM> disengages from the inwardly projecting lip <NUM> and a stem fluid inlet port <NUM> of the valve stem moves to a location within the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> beneath the inwardly projecting lip <NUM>. This enables fluid communication between the stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> and the stem fluid inlet <NUM> so that fluid located in the stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> can pass into the stem fluid inlet. This thus allows fluid located in the stem valve assembly fluid communication region to travel into an inner stem channel <NUM> that extends at least partly through the stem along the primary stem axis and between the stem fluid inlet <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the stem fluid inlet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the stem fluid inlet <NUM> (that is a stem fluid inlet port <NUM>) is disposed on a side of the valve stem <NUM>. As will be discussed in more detail below, a gas flow passageway <NUM> is provided in the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> to facilitate fluid communication with a stem gas inlet <NUM> in the valve stem when the valve stem is in the open position. This facilitates entry of gas into the stem channel <NUM> via the stem gas port <NUM> when the stem is in the open position. Thus, when the stem is in the open position, liquid to be dispensed and propellant gas can mix in the stem channel. This will be discussed in more detail below. As shown in <FIG>, the stem gas inlet <NUM> is disposed on a side region of the valve stem <NUM> that is substantially opposite to the stem fluid inlet <NUM>. Alternatively the stem gas inlet <NUM> may be located at any other suitable position on the valve stem <NUM>.

The fluid dispensing device of <FIG> also includes a fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> that is arranged below (from the viewpoint provided in <FIG>) the stem valve assembly. As will be discussed below, the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> permits fluid dispensing from the fluid dispensing device <NUM> in a variety of orientations of the fluid dispensing device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a dip-tube <NUM> is connected to an end of the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> that faces downwards in the viewpoint provided in <FIG>.

It will be understood that the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> is locatable in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM> when the can is upright (as shown in <FIG>) due to the connected between the dip-tube <NUM> and the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM>. It will be understood that when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tipped with respect to the primary stem axis <NUM>, the dip tube <NUM> may no longer be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM>. As will be discussed below, when tipped the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> provides an alternative fluid pathway in which fluid may still be communicated to the dispense nozzle <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the stem valve assembly <NUM>, the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM>, the dip tube <NUM>, and the mounting cup <NUM> together form a valve arrangement <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail. As discussed with respect to <FIG>, the valve arrangement includes a stem valve assembly <NUM>. The stem valve assembly <NUM> includes a valve stem <NUM>, a portion of which is arranged in the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. The stem <NUM> includes a stem channel <NUM>, that is an internal channel, that extends along at least a part of the valve stem <NUM>, at least from the stem fluid inlet <NUM> to a terminal end of the stem <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the inner stem channel <NUM> extends from a position slightly past the stem fluid inlet <NUM> to a terminal end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. From the perspective shown in <FIG>, the terminal end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> is the upward most end of the stem. That is to say that the terminal end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> is the end of the stem most distal to, and facing away from, the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the inner stem channel extends only partly through the valve stem and is arranged along the primary stem axis <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Alternatively, the inners stem channel <NUM> may extend wholly through the stem <NUM>.

As indicated in <FIG> a portion of the stem that is located in the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> includes a flared-out stem region <NUM> beneath which an end of the spring <NUM> is arranged. It will be appreciated that the flared-out stem region <NUM> includes the projecting shoulder <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. The flared-out stem region <NUM> includes a spring abutment surface <NUM> that abuts against an end of the spring <NUM> and against which the spring <NUM> can impart a biasing force to urge the stem <NUM> towards the "closed" position which corresponds with the position of the stem <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device is in a "closed" mode of operation. As shown in <FIG>, the remaining end of the spring <NUM> sits in a spring seat <NUM> that is located proximate to a lowermost region the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> from the viewpoint shown in <FIG>. The spring seat <NUM> of <FIG> is a separate component to the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. That is to say that the spring seat <NUM> is not integrally formed with the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. Aptly the spring seat <NUM> may be integrally formed with the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>.

As noted with respect to <FIG>, the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of <FIG> includes a gas flow passageway <NUM> to permit gas flow into the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and the stem has a stem gas inlet <NUM> when the stem <NUM> is in an open position which corresponds to a position of the stem <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device is disposed in an "open" mode of operation. Thus the gas flow passageway <NUM> (along with the stem gas inlet <NUM>) permits gas within the stem valve assembly to enter into the inner stem channel <NUM> when the stem <NUM> is disposed in an open position (or open mode of operation). Gas flow through the stem valve assembly <NUM> will be discussed in more detail below.

As is shown in <FIG>, and as already discussed with respect to <FIG>, the valve arrangement also includes an inner sealing gasket <NUM> that is arranged around the stem <NUM> at the top (from the perspective shown in <FIG>) of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>, within the housing.

As was discussed with respect to <FIG>, a mounting cup <NUM> is crimped around the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. An outer sealing gasket <NUM> is arranged on an inner surface of at the outer circumference of the mounting cup <NUM> where the mounting cup <NUM> is connected to the can to thereby seal the interface between the mounting cup <NUM> and the can.

As discussed with respect to <FIG>, a fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> is also included in the valve arrangement <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> includes a fluid flow valve housing <NUM> that is an example of a housing member. The fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is located underneath, from the perspective shown in <FIG>, and is connected to the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. An open mouth region <NUM> of the of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is secured around a retaining portion <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> that is located at a lower end (from the view shown in <FIG>). The retaining portion <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> includes three circumferential ridges <NUM> that extend radially outwardly from the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> outer surface at the retaining portion <NUM>. One, two, or any other suitable number of ridges may of course alternatively be included. The ridges <NUM> each cooperate with a corresponding groove <NUM> in the inner surface of the open mouth region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and thus the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> are secured by a combination of an interference fit and the cooperation between the cooperating grooves <NUM> and ridges <NUM>. In the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> housing are two distinct units. That is to say that the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> are manufactured separately and are subsequently connected as described above. The stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> could of course be a single unit that is integrally formed. It will be appreciated that that other appropriate securing methods, such as use of screw threads alongside corresponding screws and the like, may be used to secure the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

At a remaining end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> is an open region <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> is substantially opposite to the end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> that includes the open mouth region <NUM>. That is to say that the end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> that includes the open region <NUM> is spaced apart from and is substantially parallel with the end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> that includes the open mouth region <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> that includes the open region <NUM> is an example of a first end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing and is thus an example of a first end of a housing member. It will also be understood that the end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> that includes the open mouth region <NUM> is an example of a further end of the fluid flow valve assembly housing and thus is also an example of a further end of a housing member. As is shown <FIG>, the open region <NUM> includes an elongate neck region that includes an open-ended channel <NUM>, that is to say the open-ended channel <NUM> is a channel that is open at the first end of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. An end region of the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged in the open-ended channel <NUM> so that the dip-tube <NUM> is secured to the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> via an interference fit.

It will be appreciated that by having separate parts enables (for example separate stem valve assembly housing <NUM>, dip-tube <NUM>, fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and mounting cup <NUM>) such components to be retrofitted to certain fluid dispensing devices.

<FIG> also shown how the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> extends from a main body portion <NUM> of the fluid flow valve assembly housing. The main body potion <NUM> of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM> is a widened region of the fluid flow assembly housing <NUM> relative to the open region <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> includes an inner chamber region <NUM>. The inner chamber region <NUM> is partially surrounded by a generally cylindrical inner wall <NUM> of the fluid flow valve assembly housing <NUM>. The inner chamber region <NUM> is thus generally cylindrical. It will be understood that the inner chamber region <NUM> may be of any other suitable shape and therefore any suitable number of inner walls may at least partly surround the inner chamber region <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, at a lower-most end of the inner chamber region <NUM> (from the viewpoint provided by <FIG>), that is an example of a first end region <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>, that is most proximate to the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>, an inner fluid port <NUM> is located. The inner fluid port <NUM> is in fluid communication with the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. A sealing ball <NUM>, that is an example of a closure element, is located in the inner chamber region <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the sealing ball <NUM> is movable in the inner chamber region <NUM>. The sealing ball may be manufactured from polymeric material or metallic material or composite material or the like. For example, the sealing ball <NUM> may be plastic or rubber or the like. It will be appreciated that any other suitable closure element may instead be utilised, for example a plate shaped closure element or a cylindrical closure element or a cube shaped closure element or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner chamber region <NUM> is both longer and wider than a diameter of the sealing ball <NUM> and thus the sealing ball <NUM> is movable both laterally and longitudinally in the inner chamber region <NUM>. That is to say that the sealing ball <NUM> is movable in three dimensions in the inner chamber region <NUM> including in an up and down motion (from the perspective view shown in <FIG>) and in a side to side motion (from the perspective view shown in <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> is able to sit against a valve seat <NUM> or collar (that is an example of a valve seat region) to fluidly disconnect the inner fluid port and the inner chamber region <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the sealing ball <NUM> is freely movable towards and away from the valve seat <NUM> in the inner chamber region <NUM>. It will be understood that the valve seat <NUM> is located proximate to the first end region <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> and proximate to the inner fluid port <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the top of the inner chamber region <NUM> (from the perspective view shown in <FIG>), that is an example of a further end region <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>, is provided by the spring seat <NUM>. It will be understood that the spring seat <NUM> is a separate unit with respect to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> (that includes the inner wall <NUM>) and sits on top of the cylindrical inner wall <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the further end region <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> is a remaining end of the inner chamber region <NUM> that is spaced apart from the first end region <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>.

The inner wall <NUM> if the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> includes two wall fluid ports <NUM> that are side ports disposed in the cylindrical inner wall <NUM>. Only one of these ports <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and extends into the page in the perspective view shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the remaining port <NUM> extends out of the page, in the perspective view shown in <FIG>, but is not illustrated in the cross sectional view of <FIG>. Alternatively, one, three, four or any other suitable number of wall fluid ports <NUM> can be utilised. The wall fluid ports fluidly connect the inner chamber region <NUM> (that includes an inner chamber fluid communication region <NUM>) with a fluid communication region <NUM> that is arranged external to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and within the can. The wall fluid ports <NUM> each extends through the inner surface <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and through an outer surface <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing.

As can also be seen in <FIG>, the main body portion <NUM> of the fluid flow valve inner housing includes two fluid communication passageways <NUM> on opposed sides of the inner chamber region <NUM> that extend around the inner chamber region <NUM> and are in fluid communication with the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. That is to say that the fluid communication passageways <NUM> are arranged radially outside of the inner chamber region <NUM> and are spaced apart from the inner chamber region <NUM> within then fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. It will be understood that the fluid communication passageways <NUM> each include a first end <NUM> that is located proximate to the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and a further end <NUM> that is located proximate to the open mouth region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. The fluid communication passageways <NUM> thus extend from the open region <NUM> to the open mouth region <NUM> through the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and thus fluidly connect the open region <NUM> and open mouth region <NUM>.

The fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of <FIG> is a single unit. That is to say the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is formed as a single body, optionally via a moulding process.

It will be understood that the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> are substantially symmetrical around the stem axis (with the exception of certain ports such as the gas flow passageway, the fluid wall fluid ports and the fluid communication pathways) However a planar slice through the stem valve assembly housing and the fluid flow valve assembly housing across the page of the viewpoint shown in <FIG> yields two symmetrical portions of the stem valve assembly housing and the fluid flow valve assembly housing. That is to say that the stem valve assembly housing and the fluid flow valve assembly housing each are a single unit, formed as single bodies, that each include substantially symmetrical half portions.

<FIG> illustrate a variety of orientations of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG>, in cross section, that may be utilised in operation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate how the fluid dispensing device <NUM> can be tilted, in an anticlockwise direction, from an upright orientation to an invented orientation in use while maintaining a substantially constant spray of fluid. <FIG> illustrate how the fluid dispensing device <NUM> can be tilted, in an anticlockwise direction, from an invented orientation to an upright orientation while maintaining a substantially constant spray of fluid.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> in an upwards or upright orientation <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the upright orientation is the same orientation as illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles and adopts a surface level that is substantially perpendicular to the primary stem axis <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) when the fluid dispensing device is in an upright orientation. <FIG> also helps illustrate how the stem <NUM> extends along an stem axis that is parallel with (and extends along) the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device is disposed in an upright orientation. <FIG> also helps illustrate how the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged such that an end of the dip-tube <NUM> not connected to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is disposed in the fluid reservoir when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in an upright orientation.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> tilted in diagonal, but still substantially upright, orientation <NUM> away from the upright position <NUM> of <FIG> in an anticlockwise direction. It will be understood that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from the upright orientation <NUM> of <FIG> in an anticlockwise direction. It will thus be understood that the stem <NUM> extends along an axis, that is a stem axis, that is at <NUM> degrees with respect to the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device is in the orientation <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles so that a surface level of the reservoir is oblique to the axis along which the stem <NUM> extends. It will be understood that the surface of the fluid reservoirs settles via gravity and thus will always be substantially perpendicular to the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged such that an end of the dip-tube <NUM> not connected to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is disposed in the fluid reservoir <NUM> in the orientation of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device <NUM> tilted from an upright orientation <NUM> in an anticlockwise direction to be in a substantially lateral orientation <NUM>. It will be understood that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from the upright orientation <NUM> of <FIG> in an anticlockwise direction. It will thus be understood that the stem <NUM> extends along an axis, that is a stem axis, that is at <NUM> degrees with respect to the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles so that a surface level of the reservoir is substantially parallel the axis along which the stem <NUM> extends. As shown in <FIG>, the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged such that an end of the dip-tube <NUM> not connected to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is disposed in the fluid reservoir <NUM> in the orientation of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device tilted in a diagonal, but substantially inverted, orientation <NUM> away from an upright <NUM> orientation in an anticlockwise direction. It will be understood that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from the upright orientation <NUM> of <FIG> in an anticlockwise direction. It will thus be understood that the stem <NUM> extends along an axis, that is a stem axis, that is at <NUM> degrees with respect to the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles so that a surface level of the reservoir is oblique to the axis along which the stem <NUM> extends. As shown in <FIG>, the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged such that an end of the dip-tube <NUM> not connected to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is disposed outside of fluid reservoir <NUM> in the orientation of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device <NUM> in an inverted orientation <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the inverted orientation <NUM> is an orientation that is rotated by <NUM> degrees from the upright orientation shown in <FIG>. It will thus be understood that the stem <NUM> extends along an axis, that is a stem axis, that is at <NUM> degrees with respect to the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM> of <FIG>. That is to say that the stem extends along the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> but points in the opposite direction (downwards) compared with the upright orientation <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles so that a surface level of the reservoir is substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the stem <NUM> extends. As shown in Figure <NUM>, the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged such that an end of the dip-tube <NUM> not connected to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is disposed outside of the fluid reservoir <NUM> in the orientation of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate the orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted from the inverted position <NUM> shown in <FIG> to the upright position illustrated in <FIG> <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device in an inverted orientation <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the inverted orientation <NUM> is an orientation that is rotated by <NUM> degrees from the upright orientation shown in <FIG> <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as the invented orientation <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device <NUM> in a tilted, but substantially downward facing, orientation <NUM> that is a <NUM> degree rotation from the inverted orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is substantially the same orientation <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device in a substantially sideways or lateral orientation <NUM> that is a <NUM> degree rotation from the inverted orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as the orientation <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>. It is noted however that the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed in a different position in the inner chamber region <NUM> relative to the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device in a tilted, but substantially upward facing, orientation <NUM>, that is a <NUM> degree rotation from the inverted orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as the orientation <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid dispensing device in an upright orientation <NUM> that is a <NUM> degree rotation from the inverted orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and is the substantially same orientation as is discussed with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the direction of fluid spray <NUM> from the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> disposed in the orientations shown in <FIG>. Direction <NUM><NUM> corresponds to the orientations <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>. Direction <NUM><NUM> corresponds to the orientations <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>. Direction <NUM><NUM> corresponds to the orientations <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>. Direction <NUM><NUM> corresponds to the orientations <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>. Direction <NUM><NUM> corresponds to the orientations <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is oriented in the substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates how liquid, that is a fluid to be dispensed initially disposed in the fluid reservoir, can flow through the valve arrangement when the fluid dispensing device is arranged in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate liquid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM>. It will be understood that the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> (and thus of the valve arrangement <NUM>) is an example of a first mode of operation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> and valve arrangement <NUM>. It will be understood that when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>, the remaining end of the dip-tube <NUM> that is not secured in the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is arranged proximate to the bottom of the can of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> and is thus arranged in the fluid reservoir <NUM> (should there be sufficient fluid remaining in the can for fluid dispensing). It will be understood that the gas propellent arranged in the headspace <NUM> above the fluid reservoir <NUM> is pressurised and thus pushes downwards on the fluid reservoir <NUM>. This pressure acting on the fluid reservoir <NUM> acts to urge the liquid up through the dip-tube <NUM> and into the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> (through the dip-tube <NUM> that is arranged in the open region <NUM>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> is arranged on the valve seat <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the sealing ball <NUM> is arranged on the valve seat <NUM> by gravity. The sealing ball <NUM> thus prevents liquid at the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> from entering the inner chamber region <NUM> via the inner fluid port <NUM>. That is to say that the inner chamber region <NUM> and the open region <NUM> are fluidly disconnected by the sealing ball <NUM>. Liquid is instead forced around, into, and through the two fluid communication passageways <NUM> and thus the fluid travels around the inner chamber region <NUM>. Liquid thus travels from the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> to the open mouth region <NUM> via the fluid communication passageways <NUM>. The liquid is thus forced from the open mouth region <NUM> up into a stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> (that is a stem housing fluid communication region) of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> extends around the valve stem <NUM>.

It will be understood that when the stem <NUM> is in a closed position, the stem shoulder <NUM> is urged into abutment with the inner lip <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> by the spring <NUM>. The stem shoulder <NUM> and inner lip <NUM> thus form a seal and prevent liquid from flowing into the stem fluid inlet <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. However, when the stem <NUM> is depressed and moved (or urged against the biasing force provided by the spring <NUM>) into an open position as shown in <FIG>, the stem shoulder <NUM> is axially separated from the inner lip <NUM> and the stem fluid inlet <NUM> is arranged below the inner lip <NUM> (from the viewpoint illustrated in <FIG>). As is illustrated in <FIG>, liquid is urged from the stem valve assembly fluid communication region <NUM> through the stem fluid inlet <NUM> and into the stem channel <NUM> to be sprayed out of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> when mixed with propellant.

<FIG> illustrates gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> on <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the upright configuration <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> in cross section. As shown in <FIG>, gas propellant in the can headspace <NUM> above the fluid reservoir <NUM> passes through a gas inlet region <NUM> between an inner surface of mounting cup <NUM> and the outer surface of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> at the open mouth region <NUM> of said housing. The gas passes, via the gas inlet region <NUM> into a gas communication region <NUM> located between the inner surface of the mounting cup <NUM> and an outer surface of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. The gas can then pass from the gas communication region <NUM> into the gas flow passageway <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>, from the gas flow passageway <NUM> to a gas flow region <NUM> beneath the inner sealing gasket <NUM> and radially around the stem <NUM>. When the stem <NUM> is in the closed position, the stem gas inlet <NUM> of the stem <NUM> is located at or above the inner sealing gasket <NUM> and thus the inner sealing gasket <NUM> prevents gas flow from the gas flow region <NUM> beneath the inner sealing gasket <NUM> into the stem gas inlet <NUM>. When the stem <NUM> is depressed and in an open position, as illustrated in <FIG>, the stem gas inlet <NUM> is moved to be located beneath the inner sealing gasket <NUM> and thus gas propellant can flow into the stem channel <NUM> via the stem gas inlet <NUM>.

It will be understood that liquid fluid and gas propellent enter the stem channel <NUM> simultaneously when the stem <NUM> is depressed, or urged towards the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>, to be in an open position. Two fluid atomisation thus occurs in the stem channel <NUM> when the liquid fluid and the gas propellant mix. That is to say, mixture between the high-pressure gas propellant and the liquid fluid to be dispensed results in the fluid being separated into fine droplets that is essentially is in a gas phase (or at least is substantially similar to being in a gas phase) which are propelled upwards though the stem channel <NUM> and out of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> via the nozzle <NUM> as a fine spray. The stem channel <NUM> is thus an example of a two fluid atomisation region. It will be appreciated that when the stem <NUM> is depressed into the open position, the stem fluid inlet <NUM> allows fluid to flow into the stem channel <NUM> at the same time as the stem gas inlet <NUM> allows gas to flow into the stem channel <NUM> to allow two fluid atomisation to occur.

It will be understood that, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>, the wall fluid ports <NUM> located in the inner wall <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> are located within the headspace region <NUM> of the can and thus pressurised propellant gas can pass from the headspace <NUM> into the inner chamber region <NUM>. The sealing ball <NUM>, which sits on the valve seat <NUM> and thus blocks fluid flow from the inner chamber region <NUM> through the inner fluid port <NUM> (effectively closing the inner fluid port <NUM>), thus prevents flow of gas propellant from the headspace into the liquid flow path through the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. That is to say, gas from the headspace <NUM>, which may, via the wall fluid ports <NUM>, pass into the inner chamber region <NUM> cannot pass through the inner fluid port <NUM> and towards (or into) the fluid communication passageways <NUM> due to the sealing ball <NUM> abutting against the valve seat <NUM>. Aptly the sealing ball <NUM> may be sized to prevent or limit propellant gas entering into the inner chamber region <NUM> via the wall fluid ports <NUM> when the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed against the valve seat <NUM>. The sealing ball <NUM> thus helps prevent or limit air surge and the like wherein pressurised gas rushes through the liquid flow path of the valve arrangement <NUM> so that, when actuated, the fluid dispensing device only dispenses, and thus wastes, propellant gas. Furthermore, any high-pressure gas located in the inner chamber region <NUM> (from the headspace <NUM> via the wall side ports <NUM>) may impart a pressure on the sealing ball <NUM>, urging the sealing ball <NUM> against the valve seat <NUM> and may increase the fluid sealing effect of the sealing ball <NUM> against the valve seat <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective view of a partial section the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> is arranged in the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The arrows shown in <FIG> help illustrate the liquid fluid flow path for liquid to be dispensed when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in an upright position or orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

It will be appreciated the speed of the product (liquid fluid) coming up through the dip-tube is relatively slow due to the product smallest orifice, which is the stem fluid inlet (or alternatively the inner stem channel) being smaller than the dip-tube. Optionally the stem fluid inlet has a diameter of around <NUM>. Optionally the dip-tube has an inner diameter of around <NUM>. Optionally any other suitable dimensions may be utilised. Using these exemplary dimensions, the velocity of the fluid coming up the dip tube can be shown to be around <NUM><NUM> ÷ <NUM><NUM> and is thus <NUM> times slower than that flowing through the stem orifice.

It will be appreciated that gravity and the density of the sealing ball is enough (or almost enough) to hold the ball on the seat even if the pressure differential (between the inside of the can of the fluid dispensing device and outside of the fluid dispensing device) is not evident after opening the valve.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section and in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is thus arranged in a diagonally tilted, but substantially upright, orientation <NUM>, <NUM> where the axis associated with the valve stem <NUM> is offset from the primary valve stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> by <NUM> degrees. That is to say that the angle of the primary stem axis of the fluid dispensing device of <FIG> makes an of around <NUM> degrees with the primary stem axis <NUM> of the upright orientation shown in <FIG>. That is to say that, in the position shown in <FIG>, the fluid dispensing device <NUM> has been tilted by an angle of around <NUM> degrees with respect to the upright position or orientation <NUM><NUM> shown in <FIG>. The arrows of <FIG> indicate liquid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the stem <NUM> is depressed into an open configuration, shown in <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, with similarity to the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> discussed with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, the flow path of liquid through the valve arrangement <NUM> is substantially the same as that described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates how gas flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shown the valve arrangement <NUM> in cross section. The arrows of <FIG> indicate gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device is arranged in the diagonally tilted, but substantially upright, orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown is substantially the same as that discussed with respect to <FIG>.

It will be understood that, alongside illustrating the valve assembly <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted away from the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> by <NUM> degrees, <FIG> and <FIG> also illustrate the valve assembly <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device is tilted away from an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) by <NUM> degrees as per the orientation <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of the sealing ball <NUM> and valve seat <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device in more detail. It will be understood that the sealing ball <NUM> and valve seat <NUM> shown in <FIG> are in a position that corresponds with the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> sits flush against the valve seat <NUM> to fluidly seal, or substantially fluidly seal, the region around the valve seat <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the sealing ball <NUM> thus acts to fluidly disconnect, or substantially fluidly disconnect, the inner chamber region <NUM> from the inner fluid port <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

As is illustrated in <FIG>, when the valve seat <NUM> is tilted (such as in the position shown in <FIG>) relative to the position of the valve seat <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the upright position <NUM>, <NUM> (as is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>) the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> acts in a direction that is oblique with respect to the axis along which the stem extends, that is a stem axis, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. It will be understood that this axis makes an angle of <NUM> degrees with the primary stem axis shown in <FIG>. It will also be understood that the inner chamber region <NUM> and valve seat <NUM> are arranged around the axis along which the stem extends. It will be appreciated that the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> extends along the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> (which is the stem axis <NUM> when then fluid dispensing device <NUM> is disposed in an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>) pointing downwards (towards the ground) when the sealing ball <NUM> is sealingly engaged with the valve seat <NUM>.

Respective force components of the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> (which act along the stem axis (Wx) at a given orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> upon which the centre of mass of the sealing ball <NUM> is located when the sealing ball <NUM> sits on the valve seat <NUM>, and act perpendicular to the stem axis (Wy)) can thus be resolved. The force components of the weight of the sealing ball are Wx=Wcos(θ) (extending along the stem axis) and Wy=Wsin(θ) (extending perpendicular to the stem axis).

It will be understood that various orientations of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> impact the position of the sealing ball <NUM> relative to the valve seat <NUM>. Various force components and the associated position of the sealing ball <NUM> are indicted in Table <NUM> when the orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is such that the stem axis (along which force component Wx extends) makes an angle of θ with a directly downward direction that is the direction in which the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> acts by gravity. It will be appreciated that the orientations described in Table <NUM> relate to rotating the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> and towards an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

Force components relating to the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> and comments regarding the position of the sealing ball <NUM> relative to the valve seat <NUM> at a variety of orientations of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> where the stem axis of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> makes an angle θ with a downward direction in which the weight of the sealing ball <NUM>.

As can be seen from Table <NUM>, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is rotated at an angle of around <NUM> degrees from the upright position <NUM>, <NUM> (as is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>), the fluid dispensing device <NUM> reaches a threshold position at which point any further rotation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> relating to the upright position <NUM>, <NUM> to increase the angle of rotation past <NUM> degrees will act to unseat the sealing ball <NUM> from the sealed position against the valve seat that is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, when the stem axis is rotated away from the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> at an angle of greater than <NUM> degrees, the sealing ball <NUM> does not fully abut against the valve seat <NUM>. If the sealing ball <NUM> is sized so as to block fluid flow through the wall fluid ports <NUM> when the sealing ball <NUM> is sat in a sealing position on the valve seat <NUM>, rotating the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> by greater than <NUM> degrees will act to effectively open the wall side ports <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the position of the sealing ball <NUM> relative to the valve seat <NUM> is responsive to gravity and optionally buoyancy.

<FIG> also shows how the valve seat <NUM> includes an annular abutment surface <NUM> against which sealing ball <NUM> abuts when the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed in a sealing position against the valve seat <NUM>. It will be understood that the abutment surface <NUM> surrounds circular opening that is the inner fluid port <NUM>. As is shown in <FIG>, the annular abutment surface <NUM> is oblique with respect to the stem axis. That is to say that annular abutment surface <NUM> is sloped or slanted. Thus, when the sealing ball <NUM> sits in a sealing position on the valve seat <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> partly intrudes through the valve seat <NUM> so that a portion of the sealing ball <NUM> is located in the inner fluid port <NUM>. Aptly the oblique valve seat <NUM> makes an angle of between around <NUM> to <NUM> degrees with the stem axis. Aptly this angle is between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees. Aptly this angle is around <NUM> degrees. Aptly this angle is around <NUM> degrees. It will be appreciated that the angle of the valve seat may help increase sealing provided by the sealing ball and the valve seat (by allowing the sealing ball to intrude partly through the valve seat (partly into the inner fluid port) and also may help in allowing he sealing ball to fall off the valve seat at a desired orientation of the fluid dispensing device.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> is arranged in the substantially sideways orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will be understood that the sideways or lateral orientation <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is an orientation <NUM> in which the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is rotated at <NUM> degrees relative to the upright position <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> in the sideways orientation <NUM>. Fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> is illustrated by the arrows in <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> is substantially the same as the fluid flow path described with respect to <FIG>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> has moved away from its sealing position against the valve seat <NUM>. That is to say that the sealing ball <NUM> is not fully seated against the annular abutment surface <NUM> of the valve seat <NUM> in a sealing manner. This is due to rotation of the fluid dispensing device by more than <NUM> degrees away from the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. It can be seen in <FIG> that the sealing ball <NUM> has instead moved to be in contact with the inner wall <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and is now only in contact with a portion of the valve seat <NUM>. Thus, a gap <NUM> is present at the remaining portion the valve seat <NUM> against which the sealing ball <NUM> is no longer abutting. It will be appreciated that if the wall fluid port <NUM> is located below a liquid fluid reservoir <NUM> level when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in a so-called sideways position <NUM> as is illustrated in <FIG>, liquid fluid may ingress into the inner chamber region <NUM> and may escape from the inner chamber region <NUM> through the inner fluid port <NUM> via the gap <NUM> between the valve seat <NUM> and the sealing ball <NUM>. Thus, even if the dip-tube <NUM> is wholly or intermediately located out of the fluid reservoir <NUM> due to a curvature of the dip-tube <NUM> or the like, some fluid may still be able to ingress into the fluid communication pathways <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>, via the gap <NUM>, and thus may be able to be dispensed in a similar manner as will be described with respect to the inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> that will be described below.

<FIG> illustrates how gas flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in the sidewise orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will be understood that <FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> in cross section. The arrows included in <FIG> illustrate gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM>. As is shown in <FIG>, gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> occurs in substantially the same manner as is described with respect to <FIG>. It is noted that liquid fluid cannot pass through the gas inlet region <NUM>, or does not easily pass through the gas inlet region <NUM>, between the mounting cup <NUM> and the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. Thus, even when the valve arrangement <NUM> is disposed sideways as shown in <FIG>, gas can enter the gas communication region <NUM> at the upmost portion of the gas inlet region <NUM> (from the sideways perspective view of the valve assembly illustrated in <FIG>) that would be outside of the fluid reservoir <NUM> and in the headspace <NUM> in the can, and can pass around the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> to access the gas flow passageway <NUM> in the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and enter into the stem channel <NUM> to mix with liquid fluid when the stem <NUM> is depressed.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> is in a tilted, but substantially downward facing, orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. The orientation of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is thus the orientation of the valve arrangement199 when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It will thus be understood that the orientation of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a position when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted away from the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> by an angle of <NUM> degrees so that the stem axis makes an angle of around <NUM> degrees with the primary stem axis <NUM> (that is the stem axis when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>) shown in <FIG>. when the fluid dispensing device is in an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. That is to say that the position shown in <FIG> shows the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device is tilted around <NUM> degrees from the upright position as shown in <FIG>. It will also be understood that the position of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is the position when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted away from an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> by <NUM> degrees as shown in Fight 3i.

In particular, <FIG> illustrates how fluid flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> is in a different position relative to the position of the sealing ball <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, 5c, <FIG> and <FIG>, and also in <FIG> and <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, instead of being located proximate to the valve seat <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> is located at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> against a rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> that is an opposite side of the spring seat <NUM> to the side that the spring <NUM> abuts against. That is to say that the sealing ball <NUM> is located against the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> that forms a surface of the inner chamber region <NUM> at the further end <NUM> of the chamber. It will be appreciated that the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> is an example of a closure member support region. It will be appreciated that the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> includes a generally concave central region <NUM> around which an annular lip <NUM> extends. As shown in the cross-sectional view shown in <FIG>, the generally concave <NUM> region has a generally arcuate cross section which extends between projecting cross sectional regions which correspond to the annular lip <NUM>.

<FIG> shows how the annular lip <NUM> on the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> is sized to cooperate with the cylindrical inner surface <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> so that the annular lip <NUM> sits inside an end region of the cylindrical inner surface <NUM>. Outer walls of the annular lip region <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> thus abut against a portion of the cylindrical inner surface <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the outer surface of the annular lip <NUM> is similar to the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface <NUM> so that the annular lip <NUM> forms an interference fit with the inner surface <NUM> and thus connects the spring seat <NUM> to the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. As shown, an annular abutment surface is arranged radially outside of the annular lip <NUM> which abuts against the inner cylindrical surface <NUM>. The spring seat <NUM> and inner surface <NUM> thus partly surround the inner chamber region <NUM>.

As is shown in <FIG> the concave region <NUM> on the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> results in the inner chamber region <NUM> having a concave end region at the further end <NUM> of the chamber. It will be understood that the sealing ball <NUM> is sized so that the sealing ball diameter is around the same size, or less than, the size of a diameter of the annular lip <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM>. The sealing ball <NUM> can therefore sit within the annular lip <NUM> and can intrude into the concave end region, that is the concave region <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM>, when the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>. It will be understood that when the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>, within the annular lip <NUM> and concave region <NUM> of the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed away from the inner fluid port <NUM> and thus does not prevent fluid flow through said port. Similarly, the sealing ball <NUM> is distal to the wall ports <NUM> and thus does not prevent, or reduce, fluid flow through the wall ports <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the sealing ball <NUM> can be located in the position shown in <FIG> by gravity. As previously discussed, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted <NUM> degrees from the upright position as is shown in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> falls away from its sealing position against the valve seat <NUM> but remains in contact with a portion of the seat <NUM> (the portion of the seat closest to the ground) by gravity. It will be understood that the position of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a threshold orientation where any further rotation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> away from the upright orientation (and towards the inverted orientation), from the position of <FIG> causes the sealing ball <NUM> to roll away from the valve seat <NUM> along a lower portion of the inner wall <NUM> by gravity. Thus, the sealing ball <NUM> rolls towards the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> (towards the spring seat <NUM>) and into the concave region <NUM> of the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> by gravity.

As shown in <FIG>, the fluid flow path through the valve arrangement differs from the fluid flow path described with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, 5c, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. When the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> settles substantially towards the upper end on the can (the end upon which the mounting cup <NUM> is secured). The wall fluid ports <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> are thus arranged beneath the level of liquid fluid in the can. Thus, liquid fluid from outside of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>, at a fluid communication region of the can that is outside of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>, flows through the wall fluid ports <NUM> into the inner chamber region <NUM>. Liquid can then pass from the inner chamber region <NUM> through the inner fluid port <NUM>, which is open as the sealing ball <NUM> is located at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> and into a first end <NUM> of each fluid communication passageway <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of each fluid communication passageway <NUM> is located proximate to the open region <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. Liquid fluid thus can then pass through the fluid communication passageways <NUM> towards the further end <NUM> of the fluid communication passageways <NUM> (each disposed proximate to stem valve assembly housing <NUM>). Liquid fluid then passes around the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> and into the stem <NUM> as has been described with respect to <FIG>.

It will be appreciated that when sealing ball <NUM> is arranged towards the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> does not act to block or reduce fluid flow into the inner chamber region <NUM> via the wall fluid ports <NUM>.

As shown by the arrows in <FIG>, if the end of the dip-tube (that is not connected to the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM>) is still immersed in the fluid reservoir <NUM> when the valve arrangement <NUM> is in the position shown in <FIG> (which depends on the length and shape of the dip-tube <NUM> as well as how much liquid fluid is left in the can) some fluid may travel through the dip-tube <NUM> into the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and thus may pass through the valve arrangement <NUM> as has been described with respect to <FIG>. If however the end of the dip-tube <NUM> (that is not connected to the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM> and is distal to the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM>) is not immersed in the fluid reservoir when the valve arrangement <NUM> is arranged in the position shown in <FIG> (as is the case with respect to the fluid dispensing device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), it will be understood that no fluid will pass into the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> via the dip tube <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates how the propellant gas in the can headspace <NUM> acts when the valve arrangement <NUM> is arranged in the orientation shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows the valve arrangement <NUM> in cross section. As shown with respect to <FIG>, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the oblique or tilted and substantially downward facing orientation <NUM>, <NUM> (relative to the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>), the liquid fluid reservoir <NUM> settles towards the top of the can (where the mounting cup <NUM> is arranged) and the headspace <NUM> which contains the propellant gas is arranged above the fluid reservoir <NUM> (as the propellant gas is less dense than the liquid fluid) towards the bottom end of the can (which from the perspective view shown in <FIG> is in a substantially upward direction). The propellant gas thus provides a pressure on the fluid reservoir <NUM> and forces liquid fluid to flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> as described above with reference to <FIG>. The gas provides a substantially equal pressure on the fluid reservoir <NUM> across the surface of the settled liquid fluid reservoir <NUM>. Gas however is separated from the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> in the orientation of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Thus no gas enters the stem <NUM> or is dispensed from the device <NUM> when the stem <NUM> is depressed (or urged towards the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>) when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Thus, in the orientation of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> no gas is dispensed when the device is actuated, only liquid is dispensed.

<FIG> illustrates how the sealing ball <NUM> sits against the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> when the valve arrangement <NUM> is arranged in the orientation shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the sealing ball <NUM> and sealing ball support surface of the spring seat <NUM> in more detail. It will be understood that the sealing ball <NUM> and spring seat shown in <FIG> are in a position that corresponds with the orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> thus illustrates how the sealing ball <NUM> sits against the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> when the valve arrangement <NUM> is arranged in the orientation shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the sealing ball <NUM> sits within the annular lip 1040of the spring seat rear surface <NUM> and intrudes into the concave region <NUM> of the spring seat rear surface <NUM> at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>. The sealing ball <NUM> is thus disposed distal to the inner fluid port <NUM> and the wall fluid ports <NUM>. It will be appreciated that this acts to fluidly connect the inner chamber region <NUM> with the inner fluid port <NUM> (and wall fluid ports <NUM> should the sealing ball be sized to effectively close the wall fluid ports <NUM> from the inner chamber region <NUM> when the sealing ball is disposed against the valve seat <NUM>).

As is illustrated in <FIG>, in the orientation <NUM>, <NUM> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> acts in a direction that is oblique with respect to the stem axis along which the stem extends in this particular orientation of the device It will be understood that the inner chamber region <NUM> and spring seat <NUM> are arranged on, and are substantially symmetrical around, this stem axis. Respective force components which act along the stem axis (Wx;upon which the centre of mass of the sealing ball is located when the sealing ball is arranged within the annular lip <NUM> of the spring seat rear surface <NUM>), and act along an axis that is extends through the centre of mass of the sealing ball and is perpendicular to the stem axis (Wy) can thus be resolved. The force components of the weight of the sealing ball are Wx=Wcos(θ) (extending along the stem axis) and Wy=Wsin(θ) (extending perpendicular to the stem axis).

It will be understood that various orientations of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> impact the position of the sealing ball <NUM> relative to the spring seat support surface. Various force components and the associated position of the sealing ball <NUM> are indicted in Table <NUM> wherein the orientation of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is such that the stem axis (along which force component Wx extends) makes an angle of θ with a directly downward direction that is the direction in which the weight of the sealing ball acts by gravity. It will be appreciated that the orientations in Table <NUM> relate to rotating a fluid dispensing device away from an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> and towards an upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

Force components relating to the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> and comments regarding the position of the sealing ball <NUM> relative to the sealing ball support region at a variety of orientations of a fluid dispensing device <NUM> where a stem axis of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> makes an angle θ with a downward direction in which the weight of the sealing ball <NUM> is directed.

As can be seen from Table <NUM>, when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is rotated at an angle of around <NUM> degrees from an inverted orientation the fluid dispensing device <NUM> reaches a threshold position at which point any further rotation of the fluid dispensing device from the inverted orientation <NUM><NUM> towards the upright position <NUM>, <NUM> will act to move the sealing ball <NUM> away from the closure element support surface so that the sealing ball falls out of the annular lip <NUM> if the spring seat <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> is arranged in an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. It will be understood that the inverted position is shown in <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> indicate how fluid flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> in the inverted orientation shown is substantially the same as liquid flow described with respect to <FIG>.

It is noted that, in the inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> the dip-tube <NUM> is arranged outside of the fluid reservoir <NUM> and in the headspace <NUM>. This can be seen in <FIG>.

Thus, no liquid fluid flows through the dip-tube <NUM> and into the fluid flow valve assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates propellant gas behaviour when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is arranged in the inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> in cross section in the position shown in <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, the propellant gas behaves in substantially the same manner as is described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective partial section view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> when the fluid dispensing device of <FIG> is in an inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> help illustrate liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in the inverted orientation.

It will be appreciated that the can may have an inner pressure of <NUM> bar or <NUM> bar or <NUM> bar, for example. It will be understood that the pressure, when the can (or fluid dispensing device) is inverted is operating on all regions of the surface of the fluid reservoir equally including any residual liquid in the dip-tube, the liquid in the can breast and the liquid in the wall fluid ports until the stem urged into an open position and a pressure drop occurs. Thus, this pressure allows liquid which ingresses into the inner chamber region via the wall fluid ports (when the fluid dispensing device is in an inverted orientation) to effectively travel upwards against gravity to pass through the inner fluid port and reach the fluid communication pathways.

It will be appreciated that fluid flow through the valve arrangement in an upright orientation, that is a first orientation, corresponds to a first mode of operation of the valve arrangement. It will be appreciated that fluid flow through the valve arrangement in an inverted orientation, that is a further orientation, corresponds to a further mode of operation of the valve arrangement.

<FIG> illustrates the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG> is in the substantially sideways or lateral orientation <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates how liquid fluid flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM> when the fluid dispending device <NUM> is in the sideways orientation <NUM> of <FIG>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate fluid flow. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as the orientation shown in <FIG> and <FIG> however, the sealing ball <NUM> in the arrangement shown in <FIG> is different position that in the orientation shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, instead of being located proximate to the valve seat <NUM> the sealing ball <NUM> is located at the further end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> against the closure element support surface. It will be understood that the sealing ball <NUM> may alternatively fall out of the annular lip <NUM> and be disposed against a lower portion of inner wall <NUM>. This may depend on the pressure incident on the sealing ball and may depend on the weight of the sealing ball or the buoyancy of the sealing ball and the like. This may also depend on the amount of fluid and/or gas located in the inner chamber region <NUM>. It will be understood that the sideways orientation of <FIG> occurs when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is tilted from the inverted orientation <NUM>, <NUM> towards the upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM> by <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> illustrates how liquid fluid flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement. It will be understood that liquid fluid flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> in the orientation shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as is described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates how gas flow occurs through the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in the sideways orientation shown in <FIG>. The valve arrangement is shown in cross section in <FIG>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM>. It will be understood that gas flow through the valve arrangement <NUM> in the orientation shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an alternative inner chamber region <NUM> in cross section that may be utilised in the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, the alternative inner chamber region <NUM> includes a wall side port <NUM> with a substantially rectangular cross section and an inner fluid port <NUM> (and valve seat <NUM> in which a sealing ball <NUM> can sit) that is off-centre with respect to the inner chamber region <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of an alternative valve seat <NUM> that may be utilised in the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the valve seat <NUM> does not include an abutment surface that is oblique to a stem axis. Instead, the valve seat <NUM> includes a through hole <NUM> through a substantially square bottom wall <NUM> of an inner chamber region <NUM> that is sized to be slightly smaller than a diameter of a sealing ball <NUM> that can sit within the hole <NUM>. It will be understood that the hole <NUM> though the bottom wall <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> is an inner fluid port. Thus, when the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed in a sealing position against the valve seat <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> sits in the hole <NUM> and blocks fluid flow through the inner fluid port.

<FIG> illustrates schematic view of an alternative inner chamber region that may be utilised in the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> of the fluid dispensing device <NUM> of <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, an inner wall region <NUM>, or a portion of an inner wall, of the inner chamber region <NUM> is oblique with respect to the major axis associated with the inner chamber region <NUM>. Thus, this inner wall region <NUM>, that is a slanted wall region, is oblique with respect to a respective stem axis in a valve assembly. As shown in <FIG>, the slanted wall region <NUM> is flared out towards an upper end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> (distal to an inner fluid port <NUM> in a bottom end of the inner chamber region) so that the inner chamber region <NUM> is narrower towards an end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> that includes the inner fluid port <NUM> (and a valve seat <NUM>), and widens towards the upper end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM>. The slanted wall region <NUM> shown in <FIG> is oblique to an axis <NUM> that is parallel with the stem axis and that touches the innermost part of the slanted wall region <NUM> (at the lowest end of the slanted wall region) so that the slanted wall region <NUM> makes an angle of <NUM> degrees with the axis <NUM>. Alternatively, any angle between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees could be utilised. It will be understood that such a slanted wall region <NUM> results in a sealing ball <NUM> rolling towards the upper end <NUM> of the inner chamber region <NUM> when a fluid dispensing device is tilted at an angle that is less than <NUM> degrees from the upright orientation. Although <FIG> illustrates the valve seat <NUM> of <FIG> being utilised alongside the slanted wall region <NUM>, it will be appreciated that a slanted wall region could be utilised in the inner chamber region <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the spring seat is mounted in the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a side-on perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section. <FIG> helps illustrate how the wall side ports <NUM> extend wholly through a portion of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> from (and through) the inner surface <NUM>, that at least partly boundaries the inner chamber region <NUM> to (and through) an outer surface <NUM> if the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. <FIG> also indicates how the fluid communication passageways <NUM> do not intersect the wall side ports <NUM>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the two wall fluid ports <NUM> are each arranged at substantially opposite sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section. It will be appreciated that the perspective view shown in <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation (about a major axis of the fluid flow valve housing that corresponds with the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG>) of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> relative to the perspective view of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the two fluid communication passageways <NUM> are arranged at substantially opposite sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate how liquid fluid flow occurs through the fluid flow valve <NUM> housing when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a still further perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the fluid communication passageways <NUM> extends through the housing <NUM> and are radially outside of the inner chamber region <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate how liquid fluid flow occurs through the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> when the flid dispensing device <NUM> is in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates how the fluid communication passageways <NUM> extend around respective wall port blocks <NUM> that are solid parts of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> through which the respective wall fluid ports <NUM> extend. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate how liquid fluid flow occurs through the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates how the fluid communication passageways <NUM> extend around respective wall port blocks <NUM> that are solid parts of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> through which the respective wall fluid ports extend <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> illustrate how liquid fluid flow occurs through the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> when the fluid dispensing device <NUM> is in a substantially upright orientation <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the inner fluid port <NUM> is arranged at the first end, that is a bottom end, of the inner chamber region <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a different bottom-up perspective view of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the inner fluid port <NUM> is arranged at the first end, that is a bottom end, of the inner chamber region <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic top-down view of the two fluid communication passageways <NUM>, the inner chamber region <NUM> and the two wall ports <NUM> that are disposed in the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. <FIG> helps illustrates how the two fluid communication passageways <NUM> are arranged at substantially opposite sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> and are generally arcuate in cross section. <FIG> also helps illustrate how the two fluid flow passageways <NUM> are not disposed on the same sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> as the wall fluid ports <NUM>. The fluid flow passageways thus do not intersect the wall fluid ports <NUM>. The two wall fluid ports <NUM> are instead disposed in respective wall fluid port blocks <NUM> that are each arranged on substantially opposite sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section that is in a substantially upright orientation. It will be understood that the valve arrangement <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is in a closed configuration. That is to say the stem <NUM> is biased upwards by the spring <NUM> so that the stem shoulder <NUM> abuts against the inner lip <NUM> of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the stem fluid inlet <NUM> and the stem gas inlet <NUM> are fluidly disconnected from the fluid flow path and gas flow path respectively when the stem <NUM> is in a closed configuration.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view in cross section of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in an upright position and in an open configuration. It will be understood that an external force has urged the stem <NUM> downwards. <FIG> helps illustrate how the stem fluid inlet <NUM> and stem gas inlet <NUM> are fluidly connected to the fluid flow path and gas flow path respectively when the stem is in the open configuration.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section in an inverted orientation. It will be understood that, as well as being inverted, the perspective view of <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation about the primary stem axis <NUM> shown in <FIG> relative to the perspective view shown in <FIG> helps illustrate how the two wall fluid flow ports <NUM> extends through valve blocks <NUM> that are disposed on opposite sides of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the assembled valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> is connected below a stem valve assembly housing <NUM> around which a mounting cup <NUM> is arranged.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down perspective view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down perspective view of the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the spring seat <NUM> includes a spring cavity <NUM> in which the spring <NUM> is arranged. A number of spring support elements <NUM> help support the spring in the correct position.

<FIG> illustrates a side-on perspective view of the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the spring seat includes an annular lip <NUM> on its rear surface for receiving the sealing ball <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates bottom-up perspective view of the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

Figure 26d illustrates a perspective view of the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>in cross section. Figure 26d helps illustrate how the rear surface <NUM> of the spring seat includes a concave region <NUM> into which the sealing ball <NUM> can intrude in use.

Figure 26e illustrates a further perspective view of the spring seat <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. Figure 26e helps illustrate the spring cavity <NUM> on the top region <NUM> of the spring seat <NUM> into which the spring <NUM> can be arranged.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down perspective view of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a side on perspective view of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how a gas flow passageway <NUM> is arranged in the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> that forms part of a gas flow path between the headspace region <NUM> of the can and the stem channel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in cross section. <FIG> helps illustrate how the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> includes a bore <NUM> in which the stem <NUM> is arranged in use. <FIG> also includes two circled regions denoted by B and C respectively.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the circled region denoted by C in more detail. <FIG> helps illustrate how a connecting portion <NUM>, that is a narrowed lower portion, of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> includes a number of outwardly extending circumferential ribs or ridges <NUM> that help secure the stem valve assembly housing to the open mouth <NUM> of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> that has corresponding grooves <NUM>.

Figure 27f illustrates a cross sectional view of the circled region denoted by B in more detail. Figure 27f helps illustrate how the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> includes an inwardly facing lip <NUM> that helps fluidly disconnect the stem channel <NUM> from the stem valve assembly housing. Figure 27f also helps illustrate how a gas flow region <NUM> is located underneath in the space where the inner sealing gasket <NUM> is arranged in use. This gas flow region <NUM> helps transport gas from the gas flow passageway <NUM> to the stem channel <NUM> when the stem <NUM> is in an open configuration.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective view of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM> of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>in an upright orientation when the stem <NUM> is arranged in a closed configuration.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in an upright orientation when the stem <NUM> is arranged in a closed configuration. It will be appreciated that the viewpoint shown in <FIG> is a <NUM> degree rotation about the stem axis <NUM> relative to the valve assembly shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in an upright orientation when the stem <NUM> is in an open configuration. It will be appreciated that, other than the valve arrangement <NUM> being in an open configuration, the viewpoint shown in <FIG> is the same viewpoint shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in an invented orientation when the stem is in a closed configuration. It will be appreciated that, other than the valve assembly being inverted, the viewpoint shown in <FIG> is the same viewpoint shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the assembled valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the fluid flow housing is connected below a stem valve assembly housing around which a mounting cup is arranged.

<FIG> illustrates a different perspective view of the valve arrangement f <FIG>. <FIG> helps illustrate how the wall fluid ports <NUM> extend through the outer surface of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>.

<FIG> helps illustrate how the valve arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> can be assembled. As shown in <FIG>, the spring seat <NUM>, which includes a spring cavity on the top surface of the spring seat <NUM> in which the spring <NUM> is arranged, is provided through the open mouth region of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> so that the spring seat <NUM> closes the top end, which is the further end, of the inner chamber region <NUM> located in the main body portion of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the annular rib located on the rear surface of the spring seat <NUM> is arranged to be within an end portion of the cylindrical inner surface of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> that partly surrounds the inner chamber region. It will also be understood that prior to arranging the spring seat <NUM> in the fluid flow valve housing <NUM>, the sealing ball <NUM> is provided through the upper end, that is the further end, of the inner chamber region <NUM> so that the sealing ball <NUM> is disposed within the inner chamber region <NUM>.

An outer sealing gasket <NUM> is arranged inside an outer circumferential wall of a mounting cup <NUM> that is crimped into the top of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. The stem valve assembly, that is surrounded by the mounting cup <NUM>, is connected to the open mouth of the fluid flow valve housing <NUM> via a connecting portion of the stem valve assembly housing <NUM>. This is done either before or after or simultaneously with the outer gasket <NUM> being provided to the mounting cup <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Apparatus for dispensing fluid, comprising:
a housing member (<NUM>), wherein at least one inner wall (<NUM>) of the housing member (<NUM>) at least partly surrounds an inner chamber region (<NUM>) that is disposed within a main body portion of the housing member (<NUM>), an inner fluid port (<NUM>) being disposed at a first end region of the inner chamber region (<NUM>) and in fluid communication with an open region (<NUM>) of the housing member (<NUM>) disposed at a first end region of the housing member;
at least one fluid communication passageway (<NUM>) disposed within the main body portion and comprising a first end of the at least one fluid communication passageway proximate to the open region (<NUM>), and a remaining end of the at least one fluid communication passageway, proximate to a further end of the housing member, that is spaced apart from the first end region of the housing member, the at least one fluid communication passageway (<NUM>) being disposed radially outside the inner chamber region (<NUM>) and being in fluid communication with the open region (<NUM>);
at least one wall fluid port (<NUM>) extending through the inner wall (<NUM>) and through an outer surface of the housing member (<NUM>) to fluidly connect a fluid communication region located outside of the housing body and the inner chamber region (<NUM>); and
a closure element (<NUM>) disposed in, and movable within, the inner chamber region (<NUM>) to selectively limit fluid flow through the inner fluid port (<NUM>); wherein
the housing member (<NUM>) is connected to, or is integrally formed with, a valve assembly (<NUM>) that includes an elongate valve stem (<NUM>) associated with a respective stem axis (<NUM>) and a stem housing that radially surrounds at least a portion of the elongate valve stem (<NUM>), the stem housing comprising at least one stem housing fluid communication region (<NUM>) that is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid communication passageway (<NUM>) and is fluidly connectable to an inner stem channel (<NUM>) disposed along at least a portion of the elongate valve stem (<NUM>), the stem housing further comprising at least one gas communication region (<NUM>) that is fluidly connectable to the inner stem channel (<NUM>) so that at least one fluid and at least one gas are mixable in the inner stem channel (<NUM>).