Dispenser regulator

Abstract

This invention relates to a regulator 6 for regulating flow of a liquid from a dispenser 1 that dispenses the liquid from a container 3 containing the liquid 4 . The regulator has an inlet 9 to receive the dispensed liquid and an exit 16 through which the liquid is delivered to the user. The inlet 9 receives the liquid receives the liquid at a first speed and delivers it to the user at a second speed which is substantially less than the first speed. The invention also encompasses a dispenser for dispensing the liquid including such a regulator.

1 . A regulator for regulating flow of liquid from a dispenser, the dispenser having an actuator that is operable to dispense a volume of liquid from a container through an outlet at a first speed, the regulator having an inlet to receive the dispensed liquid and an exit through which the liquid is delivered to the user at a second speed, a passageway extending between the inlet and the exit at least a portion of which is flared at least in a horizontal plane the regulator having at least one obstruction in the passageway to the flow of liquid, whereby the second speed is substantially less than the first speed. 
   
   
       2 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the second speed is between one half to one quarter of the first speed. 
   
   
       3 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one obstruction is positioned in the horizontally flared portion of the passageway. 
   
   
       4 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the obstruction extends substantially over the entire width of the flared portion of the passageway causing a vertical constriction of the passageway. 
   
   
       5 . A regulator according to  claim 4  wherein the horizontally flared portion of the passageway includes a vertically flared portion downstream from the obstruction. 
   
   
       6 . A regulator according to  claim 4  wherein a height of the passageway adjacent the exit is substantially constant. 
   
   
       7 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one obstruction extends substantially across the entire height of the horizontally flared portion causing a horizontal constriction of the passageway. 
   
   
       8 . A regulator according to  claim 7  including a plurality of obstructions each extending substantially across the entire height of the horizontally flared portion causing the horizontal constriction of the passageway. 
   
   
       9 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the passageway includes a constricted portion between the horizontally flared portion and the exit, whereby the constricted portion is configured to retain the liquid within the passageway by surface tension. 
   
   
       10 . A regulator according to  claim 9  wherein the constricted portion includes a plurality of capillary apertures. 
   
   
       11 . A regulator according to  claim 1  wherein the obstruction is positioned adjacent the exit of the regulator. 
   
   
       12 . A regulator according to  claim 11  wherein the obstruction is movable between an active position whereby it blocks the exit and an inactive position whereby liquid can pass through the exit. 
   
   
       13 . A regulator according to  claim 12  wherein the obstruction forms part of a resiliently flexible flap that urges the obstruction to adopt the active position. 
   
   
       14 . A regulator according to  claim 11  including further obstructions positioned in the horizontally flared portion of the passageway. 
   
   
       15 . A dispenser for dispensing a liquid including:
 a container for containing a bulk volume of the liquid;   an actuator that is operable to dispense a volume of liquid from the container; and   a regulator as defined in  claim 1 .