Gooey blobs eliminated in dispensers

Problem: Dispensers of shaving foam and whipped cream have a strong tendency to leave material behind in the spray cap's internal channel. This leads to a partly dried gobbet of matter when the can is next used. Apart from possibly blocking the jet, it is particularly unpleasant if it happens to be foodstuff that has since gone off. Solution: Lymington based Rodd Industrial Design, working in conjunction with Lionstar Corp, a Birmingham based spray technology specialist, has solved the problem by coming up with a new cap design. The part is made by twin shot injection moulding. The base is rigid, but the upper part is elastomeric. In the inactive position, the upper part rests against the base. A channel section in the elastomeric part fits into and occupies the feed channel in the lower part. When the button is pressed, product is forced out under pressure, opening a path between the two channel sections. When the button is released, a rod element moulded into the elastomeric section acts as a spring and presses the elastomeric channel section back into the hard plastic channel. The rod exerts sufficient pressure to force out any remaining product, so that none remains to dry and/or deteriorate. The Birmingham company has licensed the 'foamcap' to leading closure and lidding manufacturer, Ten Cate Plasticum on a European basis. Applications: The two companies are said to have been "inundated" with enquiries and expect to see first commercial applications in early 2004. Tim Rodd, Director of Rodd Industrial Design describes it as a, "Why has no one thought of that before" idea. The same principles are applicable to any kind of liquid or gel dispensing application, whether domestic or industrial. TS Rodd Industrial Design