SPRAY DISPENSER

Abstract

A hand held spray dispenser in which air and liquid are pressurised towards a turbulence chamber and wherein air is introduced into the liquid adjacent to an inlet orifice of the turbulence chamber and the mixture passes through the inlet orifice into the turbulence chamber before being expelled through an exit orifice.

Claims

1. A hand held spray dispenser (1) comprising a liquid chamber (8), an air chamber (9, 10), and a turbulence chamber (40) comprising an inlet orifice (38) and an exit orifice (4), whereby flow of liquid in the liquid chamber (8) and flow of air in the air chamber (9, 10) towards the turbulence chamber (40) is prevented by one or more valves (33); when the valve or valves (33) are released, liquid is forced under pressure from the liquid chamber (8) to the turbulence chamber (40) via a liquid conduit (31) at a flow rate of from 0.15 to 0.6 g/s and air is forced under pressure from the air chamber (9, 10) to the turbulence chamber (40) via an air conduit (30) at a flow rate of from 0.4 to 3.0 L/min., the air being introduced into the liquid adjacent to but before entry into the inlet orifice (38) of turbulence chamber (40) and the mixture passing through the inlet orifice (38) into the turbulence chamber (40) before being expelled through the exit orifice (4), wherein the inlet orifice (38) and outlet orifice (4) of the turbulence chamber (40) are parallel and radially offset.

2. (canceled)

3. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet orifice (38) has a diameter which is equal to or greater than that of the exit orifice (4) of the turbulence chamber (40).

4. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, having a single inlet orifice (38) to the turbulence chamber (40).

5. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein a manual activation element (6) is used to energise one or more energy storage bodies (18) held within the dispenser (1), the one or more energy storage bodies (18) being used to pressurise the air in the air chamber (9, 10) and the liquid in the liquid chamber (8) towards to the turbulence chamber (40).

6. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein the manual activation element (6) is activated by rotation about the long axis (A, B) of the spray dispenser (1).

7. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein the manual activation element (6) is a collar (6) sat around the spray dispenser (1) in a plane orthogonal to the long axis (A, B) of the spray dispenser (1).

8. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein the manual activation element (6) rotates solely in one direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, whilst energising the one or more energy storage bodies (18).

9. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein one or more of the energy storage bodies is a spring (18).

10. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein pressurised air from the air chamber (9, 10) is used to pressurise the liquid in the liquid chamber (8) and thereby force it towards the turbulence chamber (40).

11. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid chamber (8) is part of a refill unit (7).

12. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air is pressurised to from 0.3 to 3 bar prior to being forced from the air chamber (9, 10).

13. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spray dispenser (1) is cylindrical in form.

14. A spray dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein activation involves a helical cam ramp (15) about which a cam follower (14) is forced to progress as a manual activation element (6) is rotated, this causing axial movement of an internal chassis (16) which in turn draws air into the air chamber (9, and simultaneously energises an energy storage body (18).

15. (canceled)

Description

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS AND FURTHER DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] The invention will now be further described by reference to specific embodiments. The following figures illustrate these embodiments. The specific embodiments are intended to clarify the invention but not to limit the invention.

[0076] The descriptions given of particular elements of the spray dispenser (1), such as the refill unit (7, 107, 207, 307), may be used with each of the other features herein described to the extent this would be practicable.

[0077] FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a spray dispenser (1) according to the invention.

[0078] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through a spray dispenser (1) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0079] FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the spray dispenser (1) illustrated in FIG. 2, but in a charged aka primed state.

[0080] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the spray dispenser (1) as illustrated in FIGS. 3.

[0081] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the spray dispenser (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, with the trigger (23) closed.

[0082] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the spray dispenser (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, with the trigger (23) opened.

[0083] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of refill unit (107) have an integrated dip-tube (132).

[0084] FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the refill unit (107) illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a spray nozzle (34) and associated components suitable for use with multiple embodiments of the invention, including the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0086] FIG. 10 is a view of an inlet chassis (36) which makes up part of a spray nozzle (34) suitable for use with multiple embodiments of the invention.

[0087] FIG. 11 is a view of a mechanical break up unit (37) which makes up a further part of a spray nozzle (34) suitable for use with multiple embodiments of the invention.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a front view of a second embodiment of a spray dispenser (101) according to the invention, in which the collar (106) may be rotated independent of the refill unit (107).

[0089] FIG. 13 is a cross-section through a spray dispenser (101) as illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0090] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the spray dispenser (101) as illustrated in FIGS. 13, but with the bellow (110) slightly expanded.

[0091] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of a spray dispenser (201) according to the invention, in which the refill unit (207) may be fitted centrally into the dispenser (201), but is shown separated therefrom in this figure.

[0092] FIG. 16 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, but with the refill unit (207) inserted into the dispenser (201).

[0093] FIG. 17 is a cross-section through a spray dispenser (201) as illustrated in FIG. 16 with the air chamber (210) being bellows (210) in a compressed state.

[0094] FIG. 18 is cross-section through a spray dispenser (201) as illustrated in FIG. 17, but with the bellows (210) expanded.

[0095] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-section through a central part of the spray dispenser (201) illustrated in FIG. 18.

[0096] FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of selected features of a further embodiment in which the liquid is forced from the liquid chamber (308) under direct mechanical pressure.

[0097] FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of selected features of an embodiment similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 20, but which has concentric pistons (442, 445) pressurising the liquid and air chambers (408 and 409 respectively).

[0098] FIGS. 22 to 25 are schematic representations of various stages of the dispensing for an embodiment again utilising direct pressurisation of liquid in a liquid chamber (509), this embodiment having a single manual activation element (551).

[0099] FIG. 1 illustrates the relative positioning of the features of a first embodiment of a spray dispenser (1) according to the invention, as seen from the front outside. The dispenser (1) comprises a spray thorough cap (2) at its top with an aperture (3) through which may be seen an exit orifice (4) through which the spray generated by the dispenser (1) emerges. Immediately below the spray through cap (2) is a cylindrical outer shell (5) and immediately below this is a rotatable collar (6). Immediately below the collar (6) there is a refill unit (7) for the dispenser (1). Further details of each of these features and other features are given below.

[0100] The spray dispenser (1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises a liquid chamber (8), holding a liquid composition (LC) which is to be sprayed, and an air chamber (9), which takes the form of inflatable bellows (10), shown collapsed in FIG. 2 and inflated in FIG. 3. The liquid chamber (8) is the main part refill unit (7).

[0101] The bellows (10) are moved from collapsed to inflated by means of the rotatable collar (6) sat around the periphery of the spray dispenser (1) in a plane orthogonal to the long axis (A) of the spray dispenser (1) and located below the bellows (10). In this embodiment, the collar (6) is attached to a refill unit (7), comprising the liquid chamber (8), which also rotates when the collar (6) is rotated. The refill unit (7) is reversibly attached to the collar (6) by a screw thread (11) between a neck (12) of the refill unit (7) and an internal cylindrical receiver (12) located within the collar (6).

[0102] The collar (6) has two indents (13) cut into its internal surface which house two ball cam followers (14). The ball cam followers (14) are designed to follow two cam ramps (15) on the outer surface of an internal chassis (16) and move up said cam ramps (15) as the collar (6) is rotated anticlockwise. The ball cam followers (14) are held in a fixed position on the inner surface of the collar (6) by the indents (13) in which they sit; hence, the internal chassis (16) is forced downwards into the rotatable collar (6) as the collar (6) is rotated anticlockwise.

[0103] Attached to the top of the internal chassis (16) at their lower end are the bellows (10). As the internal chassis (16) is forced downwards, the bellows (10) are pulled open and air enters them through a check valve (17). When the ball cam followers (14) have reached the top of their cam ramps (15), the bellows (10) are fully expanded, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0104] The internal chassis (16), which takes the form of an inverted cup, houses a main spring (18) for powering the spray mechanism. As the internal chassis (16) is forced downwards, the main spring (18) becomes compressed, reaching its maximum compression when the ball cam followers (14) have reached the top of their cam ramps (15) and the bellows (10) are fully expanded, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0105] The bellows (10) are of circular cross-section and closely surrounding them is the cylindrical outer shell (5). When the bellows (10) are collapsed, the outer shell (5) also surrounds a substantial portion of the internal chassis (16). The cylindrical outer shell (5) is attached to the rotatable collar (6) by snap-fit connection elements (19, 20) that run substantially around the lower circumference of the cylindrical outer shell (5) and the upper circumference of the rotatable collar (6) and which allows for rotation of the latter relative to the former.

[0106] Located around the internal surface of the outer shell (5) are multiple vertical splines (21) which project a short distance inwards towards the central axis (A) of the dispenser. These splines (21) interact with spline followers (22) which are radially recessed into an upper part of the internal chassis (16). Interaction between the splines (21) and the spline followers (22) prevent rotation of the internal chassis (16) relative to the outer shell (5).

[0107] Rotationally beyond the tops of the cam ramps (15), in an anticlockwise direction, the cam ramps (15) terminate at precipices (15P), one of which is shown in FIG. 2. When the ball cam followers (14) have reached this rotational position, the internal chassis (16) is forced upwards to an extent by the main spring (18), as the cam ramps (15) are no longer being held down the ball cam followers (14). As the internal chassis (16) moves upwards, the bellows (10) get compressed, but only until the air pressure in the bellows (10), which is maintained by the check valve (17), is sufficient to counter the force from the main spring (18). When this position is reached, the spray dispenser (1) is primed and ready for actuation. Actuation is achieved by depressing a trigger (23) at the top of the spray dispenser (1).

[0108] In some embodiments, not illustrated, there may be a blocking element preventing rotation of the collar (6) significantly beyond the rotational position referred to in the paragraph immediately above. In other embodiments (not illustrated), there may a sensory indicator that said position has been reached.

[0109] The effect of depressing the trigger (23) is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The trigger (23) is designed to pull back a horizontal conduit (24) located within the spray through cap (3) diametrically in line with the spray orifice (4). The trigger (23) has a hinge point (25) located below the horizontal conduit (25) and acts upon a blocking element (26) located above the conduit (25) and rigidly affixed thereto. The trigger (23) is bent into a right angle shape so that downward pressure on the end of the trigger (23) causes an element of lateral pressure on the blocking element (26) thereby drawing back the conduit (24). As the conduit (24) is drawn back, a valve spring (27) (vide infra) becomes compressed. When the trigger is released, the compressed valve spring (27) forces the horizontal conduit (24) back to its original position.

[0110] The horizonal conduit (24) comprises a central air channel (28) and an annular liquid channel (29) surrounding it. The aforementioned valve spring (27) sits in the annual liquid channel (29).

[0111] In other embodiments, not illustrated, it is possible to have a central liquid channel and a surrounding annular air channel.

[0112] The central air channel (28) is linked to the bellows (10) by a flexible air conduit (30) and the annual liquid channel (29) is linked to the refill unit (7) and its contents by a central, axial liquid conduit (31) linking to a flexible dip-tube (32) which enters the liquid composition (LC) in the liquid chamber (8).

[0113] Drawing back the horizonal conduit (24) with the trigger (23) opens an O-ring seal (33) between it and a spray nozzle (34) located at the front of the dispenser and comprising the exit orifice (4). When the horizonal conduit (24) is not drawn back, the O-ring seal (33) is held firmly closed by the valve spring (27). When the O-ring seal (33) is opened, air from the air channel (28) and liquid from the annular liquid channel (29) are allowed to enter the spray nozzle (34), as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0114] Air from the air channel (28) is forced into the spray nozzle (34) from the bellows (10) via the flexible air conduit (30), pressurised by the main spring (18). As this happens, the bellows (10) get compressed and the internal chassis (16) rises upwards under pressure from the main spring (18).

[0115] Liquid from the annular liquid channel (29) is forced under pressure into the spray nozzle (34) from the liquid chamber (8) via the central liquid conduit (31) and the dip-tube (32). In this embodiment, the liquid composition (LC) in the liquid chamber (8) is pressurised by air from the bellows (10) via an air-to-refill conduit (35) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The air-to-refill conduit (35) holds the central liquid conduit (31) within it and connects to the internal cylindrical receiver (12) located within the collar (6) in a manner such that the internal cylindrical receiver (12) may be rotated relative to the air-to-refill conduit (35) and associated central liquid conduit (31). The internal cylindrical receiver (12) rotates around an 0-ring seal (35S) between its inner circumference and an outer circumference of the air-to-refill conduit (35), shown in cross-section in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0116] In other embodiments, the liquid in the liquid chamber (8) may be pressurised in other ways.

[0117] The dip-tube (32) may extend directly from the central liquid conduit (31) or it may be integrated into a refill unit (107) as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In such embodiments, the top of a dip-tube (132) is held stationary in a neck (112) of the refill unit (107) by a sealing interface (141), which also helps to seal the top of a dip-tube (132) to the bottom of central liquid conduit (31) when the refill unit (107) is inserted. The top of the dip-tube (132) is typically covered by a seal (142), which needs to be removed or pierced prior to the refill unit (107) being inserted.

[0118] FIG. 9 gives a detailed view of the spray nozzle (34) and the terminal end of the horizonal conduit (24) when the O-ring seal (33) is open. The spray nozzle (34) is comprised of two components that fit tightly together. First, there is a valve chassis (36), which is further illustrated in FIG. 10. Secondly, there is a mechanical break up unit (37), which is further illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0119] The O-ring seal (33) seals against the internal face of the valve chassis (36) when the valve is closed. This blocks an inlet orifice (38) through an inner wall (39) of the valve chassis (36). When the O-ring seal (33) is released, air from the air channel (28) and liquid from liquid channel (29) are mixed adjacent to the inlet orifice (38) before entering a turbulence chamber (40) or turbulence chamber (40) via the inlet orifice (38). The turbulence chamber (40) exists between the valve chassis (36) and the mechanical break up unit (37) and has an annular form. The turbulence chamber (40) creates chaotic flow, typically reducing air bubble size within the liquid which enhance atomisation when the air-liquid mixture leaves the turbulence chamber (40) via the exit orifice (4) which is centrally located in the outer edge of the mechanical break up unit (37). The chaotic flow within the turbulence chamber (40) may be further enhanced by recessed channels (40) cut into internal face of the mechanical break up unit (37). In the present embodiment, there are four of these recessed channels (40) extending tangentially away from the exit orifice (4).

[0120] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a rotatable collar (106) may be rotated independent of an associated refill unit (107). Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. 12 shows the positioning of the major components, a rotatable collar (106) being located around a lower middle section of the dispenser (101) and the refill unit (107) being located below this. The collar (106) is designed to rotate around the long axis (B) of the cylindrical dispenser (101).

[0121] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14 shares many of the features of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, so those features will not be further described with reference to this embodiment in any detail. These features function in an analogous manner to those disclosed in the first embodiment described above.

[0122] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate that the second embodiment comprises a bellows (110), a main spring (118) and a refill unit (107). The refill unit (107) has a liquid chamber (108) and a neck (112), the neck (112) being reversibly attached to an internal cylindrical receiver (112) by a screw thread (111). The internal cylindrical receiver (112) is rotationally immobile on account of being moulded to an axial air-to-refill conduit (135) which is in turn held rotationally immobile by a top section of an axially mobile internal chassis (116).

[0123] There is also a rotatable collar (106) responsible for pulling the internal chassis (116) downwards and thereby expanding the bellows (110) and compressing the main spring (118), in a manner analogous to that occurring in the first embodiment described above.

[0124] In this second embodiment, the internal cylindrical receiver (112) holding the neck (112) of the refill unit (107) is attached to the collar (106) by a bead (106B) protruding from the inner surface of the collar (106) and a recess (112R) in the outer circumference of the internal cylindrical receiver (112) which accommodates the bead (106B). The bead (106B) and recess (112R) allow the collar (106) to rotate relative to the internal cylindrical receiver (112), in a manner analogous to the snap-fit connection elements (19, 20) between the lower circumference of the cylindrical outer shell (5) and the upper circumference of the rotatable collar (6) in the first embodiment described above. The bead (106B) and recess (112R) described above with reference to the second embodiment may also be snap-fit in nature.

[0125] In further embodiments of the present invention, a refill unit (207) may be centrally loaded into the spray dispenser (201). Such embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 19. FIG. 15 is an exploded view showing the refill unit (207) separated from the spray dispenser (201). Also shown is a seal (246) for retaining the contents of the refill unit (207). This needs to be removed before the refill unit (207) is inserted sideways into the dispenser (201). FIG. 16 shows the spray dispenser (201) with the refill unit (207) inserted.

[0126] In preferred embodiments having a centrally loaded refill unit (207), the refill unit (207) has an integrated or moulded-in dip-tube (232), as shown in FIG. 15. Before the refill unit (207) is inserted, the top of the moulded-in dip-tube (232) is covered by the seal (246) mentioned above. When the seal (246) has been removed or pierced and the refill unit (207) is inserted, the top of the dip-tube (232) links to an axial liquid conduit (231) above, which in turn links to an annular liquid channel (233) in a horizontal conduit (224) in a spray-through cap (203). These elements operate in an analogous manner to the equivalent features (32, 31, 33 and 24) in the first embodiment described herein above. At the lower end of the dip-tube (232), there is an inlet hole (247) allowing ingress of a liquid composition (LC) from a liquid chamber (208) into the dip-tubes (232).

[0127] FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate further features of spray dispensers (201) have a centrally loaded refill unit (207). Surrounding and holding the refill unit (207) there is a cylindrical outer shell (205). The outer shell (205) houses not only the refill unit (207) but a section of a flexible air conduit (230) that runs from bellows (210) at the bottom of the dispenser (201) to features located in and adjacent to the spray through cap (203) located at the top of the dispenser (201) (vide infra).

[0128] Extending downwards from the outer shell (205) there is an internal chassis (216) which performs the same function as the internal chassis (16) of the first embodiment of the invention as described hereinabove. Surrounding the internal chassis (216) there is a rotatable collar (206) which shares key features with the rotatable collar (6) of the first embodiment of the invention described hereinabove and performs the same function. Within the internal chassis (216) is the main spring (218) powering the dispenser (201).

[0129] Attached to the bottom of the internal chassis (216) is the upper end of the inflatable bellows (210), shown collapsed in FIG. 17 and inflated in FIG. 18. As the internal chassis (16) is forced upwards, the bellows (10) are pulled upwards and air enters them through a check valve (217).

[0130] The internal chassis (210) is forced upwards by the action of the rotatable collar (206) and cam ramps (215) and ball cam followers (214) analogous to those described in the first embodiment hereinabove. Just as in the first embodiment, when the cam followers (214) have been rotated beyond the ends of their respective cam ramps (215), the dispenser is primed and ready for actuation.

[0131] The central refill dispenser (201) is activated and operates in the same manner as the dispenser (1) of the first embodiment, apart from the details described differently hereinbelow. The main difference is that the cam ramps (215) of the central refill dispenser (201) are inverted compared with those of the first embodiment, resulting in the internal chassis (216) being pulled upwards as the collar (206) is rotated. Just as in the first embodiment, this expands the bellows (210) and prepares the dispenser (201) for actuation.

[0132] The rotatable collar (206) extends to a base (248) of the dispenser (201). Rotation of the collar (206) is actually a rotation of the entire lower part of the dispenser (201), comprising the collar (201) and the base (248) attached thereto.

[0133] As in the first embodiment, located around the internal surface of the outer shell (205) are multiple vertical splines (221) which project a short distance inwards towards the central axis (A) of the dispenser. These splines (221) interact with spline followers (222) which are radially recessed into the internal chassis (216). Interaction between the splines (221) and the spline followers (222) prevent rotation of the internal chassis (216) relative to the outer shell (205).

[0134] Actuation is achieved by depressing a trigger (223) at the top of the spray dispenser (201). The operation of the trigger (223) and mechanism of spray generation is essentially the same as in the first embodiment described hereinabove. A minor difference lies in the air pressure flow from the bellows (210) when the trigger (206) is released. Air pressure is exerted up the flexible air conduit (230) from the bellows (210) and passes towards a central air channel (228) in a horizonal conduit (224) as in the first embodiment. In so doing, it passes a T-junction (249), where some of the air pressure from the bellows (230) is diverted towards liquid in the refill unit (207) via an air-to-refill conduit (235). The air pressure from the air-to-refill conduit (235) forces liquid composition (LC) in a liquid chamber (208) of the refill unit (207) up the dip-tube (232) and into an annular liquid channel (229), as in the first embodiment described hereinabove. Generation of an aerosol spray proceeds in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0135] In other embodiments of the present invention, liquid in a liquid chamber (108) is directly pressurized by a manually activated element (350). Schematic representations of such embodiments, showing merely the interrelationship of the components, are shown in FIGS. 20 to 25.

[0136] FIG. 20 shows an arrangement whereby air is drawn into an air chamber (309) by a first manual activation element (351) attached to a piston (352), the air passing through an air inlet check valve (353) into an air chamber (309) and a compression spring (318A) around the piston (352) becoming compressed. A second independent actuation element (354) attached to a second piston (355) draws liquid into a liquid chamber (308) through a liquid check valve (356) and a second compression spring (318L) around the neck of the piston (355) becoming compressed. Following this priming step, pressure generated by springs (318A, 318L) may be used to pressurise the air and liquid through outlet valves (357, 358) and towards a spray nozzle (not shown). In FIG. 20, the manual activation elements (351, 354) are represented by ring pulls; however, these elements (351, 354) are representative of any activation element, particular one that is rotated with a unidirectional twist to generate pressure, indirectly in this embodiment, on the air in the air chamber (309). Also, the liquid chamber manual activation element (354) is representative of any manually activated element that could be used to draw back the piston (318), including ones which are rotated with a unidirectional twist to generate pressure on the liquid in the liquid chamber (308). The above statements concerning the manual activation elements (351, 354) are also true for analogous features in the following embodiment descriptions.

[0137] The embodiment represented in FIG. 21 is similar to that shown in FIG. 20, except that the pistons (452, 455) are arranged concentrically, with the liquid piston (455) on the inside. As with the embodiment of FIG. 20, the liquid chamber (408) has an inlet valve (454) and an outlet valve (456) and the air chamber (409) has an inlet valve (453) and an outlet valve (455). When the dispenser (1) is actuated, a first spring (418L) forces the liquid from the liquid chamber (408) and a second (larger) spring (418A) forces air from the air chamber (409). To refill the liquid chamber (408) and the air chamber (409), both the liquid piston (455) and an air piston (452) need to be withdrawn.

[0138] The embodiment represented in FIGS. 22 to 25 also comprises concentric pistons (552, 555) with the liquid piston (555) on the inside and valving (553, 556, 557, 558) as for the embodiments represented in FIGS. 20 and 21. This embodiment has the advantage that a single manual activation element (551) is required. FIG. 22 represents the dispenser (501) in a primed state, ready for actuation. Depression of a major (air) piston (552) by expansion of a compression spring (518) at first merely causes compression of the air in an air chamber (509). This position is shown in FIG. 23. When sufficient air pressure is generated in the air chamber (509), an air outlet valve (557) is opened and the released air is conveyed to a spray nozzle (not shown). This position is shown in FIG. 24. When the major piston (552) is depressed just beyond the position shown in FIG. 24, a cross member (559) within the major piston (552) engages with a top section of the inner liquid piston (555) and causes it to be depressed, thereby forcing liquid out of a liquid chamber (508) through a liquid outlet valve (558). This position is shown in FIG. 24. With air also exiting the air chamber (509) at the same time, air and liquid may be delivered to the spray nozzle at the same time to generate a spray.

[0139] To refill the spray dispenser (501) represented by FIGS. 22 to 25, the single manual activation element (551) is pulled upwards. This immediately pulls the air piston (552) upwards and starts to draw air into the air chamber (509) via the air inlet valve (553). When the air piston (552) has risen to near the top of the liquid piston (555), the top of a piston head section (560) of the air piston (552) interacts with a ledge (561) projecting laterally outwards from the top of the liquid piston (555). This causes the liquid piston (555) also to be pulled upwards and starts to draw liquid into the liquid chamber (508) via the liquid inlet valve (556). Elevation of the air piston head section (560) is stopped when its top hits stoppers (562) projecting inwards from the inner wall (563) of the dispenser (510). The stoppers (562) are positioned to stop elevation of the air piston (552) when a piston head (564) of the liquid piston (555) has reached the top of the liquid chamber (508) and the latter is full of liquid.