Dispenser, and refill

Abstract

A dispenser capable of dispensing a fluid via a vertically-oriented piezo device comprises a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed, an outlet at a base portion of the reservoir, leading to a dispensing port that comprises a piezo element drivable to vibrate and thereby dispense fluid from the dispensing port, a bleed tube communicating at one end with the dispensing port, extending therefrom to a location above the dispensing port, and including a selectively closeable valve, and a source of below-atmospheric pressure to the portion of the reservoir above the fluid. Embodiments of refills suitable for such a dispensing apparatus are also described.

1 . A refill for removably fitting to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid in an aerosol form from a dispensing outlet, the refill comprising an internal reservoir containing the fluid to be dispensed and having an outlet at a lower extremity, and an upwardly-extending fluid conduit, separate from the reservoir, which, when the refill is in use in the dispensing apparatus, extends upwardly above the dispensing outlet. 
     
     
         2 . The refill according to  claim 1  further comprising a port at an upper extremity of the reservoir, for application of a below-atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The refill according to  claim 1  further comprising a port at a lower extremity of the fluid conduit, for connection to the dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The refill according to  claim 1  further comprising a port at an upper extremity of the fluid conduit, for connection to a selectively closeable valve. 
     
     
         5 . A refill for removably fitting to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid in an aerosol form from a dispensing outlet, the refill comprising a reservoir containing the fluid to be dispensed, with an outlet at a lower extremity of the reservoir for connection to the dispensing outlet, when the refill is in use in the dispensing apparatus, and a port at an upper extremity of the reservoir for application of a below-atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The refill according to  claim 1  further comprising a septum type seal to close the outlet at the lower extremity of the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The refill according to  claim 2  further comprising a septum type seal to close the port at the upper extremity of the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The refill according to  claim 3  further comprising a septum type seal to close the outlet at the lower extremity of the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The refill according to  claim 4  further comprising a septum type seal to close the outlet at the upper extremity of the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The refill according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid conduit extends outside and alongside the reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The refill according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid conduit extends through the reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The refill according to  claim 1  wherein the upper extremity of the fluid conduit is proximate a top surface of the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The refill according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid is an air freshening composition. 
     
     
         14 . The refill according to  claim 5  further comprising septum type seals to close the outlet and the port. 
     
     
         15 . The refill according to  claim 5  wherein the fluid is an air freshening composition.