Container

Abstract

A container ( 1 ) containing a dispensable fluid, the container having a valve mechanism, the valve mechanism having an outwardly extending pillar ( 5 ), the pillar ( 5 ) having external sides which have a screw thread, the valve mechanism also having a cantilevered hollow stem which extends through or from an aperture ( 11 ) in the pillar, the valve mechanism able to assume open and closed dispositions, the open disposition characterised in that the stem channels the fluid to a location outside of the container.

1 . A container containing a dispensable fluid, the container comprising a valve mechanism, the valve mechanism having an outwardly extending pillar, the pillar having external sides which have a screw thread, the valve mechanism also having a cantilevered hollow stem which extends through or from an aperture in the pillar, the valve mechanism able to assume open and closed dispositions, the open disposition characterized in that the stem channels the fluid to a location outside of the container. 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the stem comprises a tube. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the stem cantilevers upwardly from the pillar when the container is in its normal in-use orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container has an end cap which closes the container and the pillar is an integral part of the end cap. 
     
     
         5 . A The container of  claim 4 , wherein the end cap has side walls extending around the pillar. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the end cap has side walls extending around the pillar to approximately the same height as the pillar. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , having a substantially cantilevered dip tube arranged to direct the fluid towards the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises an aerosol spray material. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , formed such that it is suitable for releasable attachment to a spray dispenser head such that spray material can move from within the container and into the spray dispenser head for controlled release by the spray dispenser head to an atmosphere outside the container and outside the spray dispenser head. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  attached to the spray dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A container containing a pressurized spray material, the container comprising a valve mechanism, the valve mechanism having an outwardly extending pillar, the pillar having external sides which have a screw thread, the valve mechanism also having a cantilevered hollow stem, the stem extending through or from an aperture in the pillar and having an outlet aperture sealed by a resilient washer wherein such seal is maintained as a consequence of spring pressure acting on the stem, the valve mechanism able to assume an open disposition when external pressure is placed on the stem to counter the pressure from the spring such that the aperture of the stem is forced to move in a direction away from the washer to open that aperture to the spray material such that the stem channels the spray material to a location outside of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the stem comprises a tube. 
     
     
         15 . An aerosol can or other container that contains a liquid and/or gas contents, the container comprising a valve mechanism attached to one end, the valve mechanism having a metal mounting cup that incorporates a pillar with a screw thread, and an upwardly cantilevered protruding tube.