WO2013064299A1

WO2013064299A1 - Nozzle assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013064299A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/068085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo di FOGGIA
Original assignee: Unilever N.V.; Unilever Plc; Hindustan Unilever Limited
Priority date: 2011-10-31
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2013-05-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle member (1) and a closing member (18); whereby the nozzle member (1) comprises at least two directing ducts (5), placed in a holding element (2), divergingly toward their outer openings (6); and whereby the closing member (18) comprises an inner space, adapted to receive the nozzle member (1), such that upon receiving the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) and the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1) are confronting; wherein the nozzle assembly is characterised in that the shape of the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1) and the shape of the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) are selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) planar and (iii) combinations thereof, such that upon receiving of the nozzle member (1) by the closing member (18), a leak-proof sealing contact is provided between the inner surface portion (19) and outer surface portion (3). The invention also provides a method for the leak-proof closing of a container equipped with a nozzle assembly and optionally for the dispensing of a liquid composition in a plurality of diverging jets.

Description

NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a nozzle member and a closing member. The nozzle is particularly useful for dispensing liquid from a container in diverging squirts and for the leak-proof closing thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Nozzles for dispensing liquids in a squirt or a jet are generally known. For instance, a container for dispensing a cleaning liquid may be equipped with a simple nozzle featuring a single orifice through which a liquid may be dispersed, e.g. by squeezing the bottle. The advantage of equipping a container intended for storing and dispensing a cleaning liquid with a nozzle is that the liquid can easily be applied to a target surface in the form of a jet rather than by pouring the liquid.

A single orifice leads to a single jet of dispersed liquid. This may be a problem, for instance if good surface coverage of a target surface by the dispensed liquid is required. This problem may generally be solved by a nozzle or top comprising multiple outlet orifices from which the liquid may be dispensed.

For instance, US 2,727,787 discloses a clothes sprinkling device comprising a sprinkler head, the top portion of which is provided with widely spaced apertures. Moreover, GB 652,144 discloses a liquid sprinkler with a plurality of small sprinkling orifices. The orifices are long compared with their diameter (for instance at least five times the diameter), to impart a directional effect to the dispensed jets of liquid.

The above two sprinkling devices are suitable for sprinkling water, e.g. to dampen clothes to be ironed. A drawback of these devices is that they cannot be easily closed.

Especially if a container is intended for dispensing cleaning liquids - which may be aggressive or corrosive - the container should be closable such that the contents cannot be spilled during storage or transport or upon reopening. This generally requires a closing member such as a cap and moreover, one or more leak proof seals between the closing member and the container comprising the nozzle. An additional problem, in view of consumer safety, is possible fluid communication between any dead space inside the closing member and the interior of the container. Such communication might lead to the accumulation of liquid in the dead space, which may lead to dangerous spilling or splashing upon reopening by the consumer. This is particularly undesirable in case of a container intended for corrosive liquids such as bleach.

This problem might be solved by separately closing each outlet orifice by an individual closing member, but this is complex, susceptible to defects or to accidental omission, and hence this is less safe in the hands of an average consumer. Alternatively, a cap having an inner structure of pins and or ridges adapted to form a large number of individual seals for the individual orifices would require complicated manufacture, and would be fault-prone, especially during extended use, since wear of a single seal may already lead to the above undesirable situation.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly that is capable of dispensing a liquid by way of a plurality of diverging jets and that can be sealed in a leak-proof and/or spill proof way. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly adapted to be closable by a single closing member such as a cap, whereby the cap preferably has a simple construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly fit for leak proof closing such that only a low number of sealing contacts is required between a closing member and any orifices of a nozzle member adapted to be in fluid

communication with the interior of a container, in particular of a container for storing liquids such as aggressive or corrosive cleaning liquids. Furthermore it is an object to provide a method for the leak-proof and spill-proof closing of a container comprising a nozzle, preferably fit for dispensing a liquid in a plurality of diverging jets. DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

We have found that at least one or more of these objects can be achieved by the nozzle assembly of the present invention. This invention relates to a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle member and a closing member, whereby the nozzle is capable of dispensing a liquid in a plurality of diverging jets via at least two directing ducts. The nozzle member and the closing member are mutually adapted such that - upon placing the closing member on the nozzle member - a leak-proof sealing contact is provided between confronting surface portions of the closing member and the nozzle member. To this end, the shapes of said confronting surface portions are selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) smooth and concave, (iii) planar, and (iv) combinations thereof.

The nozzle assembly can thus be closed leak-proof and spill-proof with a closing member of relative straightforward construction. The nozzle assembly is therefore particularly useful for application in combination with containers for storage and dispensing of liquid compositions, especially liquid cleaning compositions such as aggressive or corrosive cleaning compositions.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle member (1 ) and a closing member (18);

whereby

the nozzle member (1 ) comprises

a holding element (2) with an outer surface portion (3) and an inner surface portion (4), and

at least two directing ducts (5), each with an outer opening (6) and an inner opening (7),

wherein

the ducts (5) are placed in the holding element (2), divergingly toward the outer openings (6);

the ratio R of the length (x) of the ducts from the inner opening (7) to the outer opening (6) to the diameter (y) of the ducts is at least 2:1 , the outer openings (6) of the directing ducts (5) are in the outer surface portion (3) of the holding element (2);

and whereby

the closing member (18) comprises

an inner surface portion (19) and an inner space, adapted to receive the nozzle member (1 ), such that upon receiving the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) and the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 ) are confronting; wherein the nozzle assembly is characterised in that

• the shape of the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 ) and the shape of the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) are selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) smooth and concave, (iii) planar and (iv) combinations thereof, such that

• upon receiving of the nozzle member (1 ) by the closing member (18), a leak-proof sealing contact is provided between the inner surface portion (19) and outer surface portion (3).

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a container (20) comprising at least one opening (21 ) equipped with a nozzle assembly according to the invention.

A third aspect of the invention is a method for the leak-proof closing of a container equipped with a nozzle assembly and optionally for the dispensing of a liquid composition in a plurality of diverging jets comprising the steps:

a. providing a container equipped with a nozzle assembly according to claim 13 and optionally filled with a dispensable liquid composition; whereby the nozzle part (1 ) is connected to opening (21 );

b. closing the outer openings (6) of the ducts (5) by applying the closing member (18), whereby the inner surface portion (19) sealingly engages the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 );

c. optionally opening the outer openings (6) by removing the closing member (18);

d. after opening the outer openings (6), optionally increasing the pressure inside the container (20) thereby dispensing at least part of the liquid composition from the container (20) via the diverging ducts (5) of the nozzle member (1 ).

A fourth aspect of the invention is use of a nozzle assembly according to the invention for the leak-proof closing of a container and optionally for dispensing a liquid comprised in the container in one or more diverging jets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

All figures provide schematic representations of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention or parts thereof.

Figure 1 provides a side-view cross section of a nozzle member 1 according to the present invention, wherein the nozzle member comprises two directing ducts 5.

Figure 2 provides a top view projection of the nozzle member of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 provides a detail of a directing duct 5.

Figure 4 provides a side-view cross section of an alternative nozzle member 1 according to the present invention.

Figure 5 provides a top view projection of the nozzle member of Figure 4 wherein the nozzle member comprises three directing ducts 5.

Figure 6 provides a side-view cross section of an alternative nozzle member 1 according to the present invention, wherein nozzle comprises 7 directing ducts 5 and wherein the inner openings 7 of the ducts 5 are in the inner surface portion 4 of the holding element 2.

Figure 7 provides a top view projection of the nozzle member of Figure 6.

Figure 8 provides a side-view cross section of another alternative nozzle member 1 according to the present invention, wherein the outer surface portion 3 is smooth and convex.

Figure 9 provides a side-view cross section of yet another alternative nozzle member 1 according to the present invention, comprising means 8 for fastening a closing member and means 9 for fastening a container.

Figure 10a provides a top view of a possible inner nozzle part 1 1 provided with notches.

Figure 10b provides a side-view cross section along the principal axis of the inner nozzle part of Figure 10.

Figure 10c provides a bottom view of the inner nozzle part of Figure 10.

Figure 11 provides side-view cross section of an outer nozzle part 10, along its principal axis, wherein the outer nozzle part is adapted to receive the inner nozzle part 1 1 as depicted in Figure 10.

Figure 12 provides a perspective view of an inner nozzle part 1 1 .

Figure 13 provides a side-view cross section of a nozzle assembly according to the present invention, wherein the cross section is along the principal axis of the assembly.

Figure 14 provides a detail corresponding to the area XIV in Figure 13, showing an alternative closing member comprising a ridge 22. Figure 15 provides another detail corresponding to the area XIV in Figure 13, showing another alternative closing member comprising a resilient body 23.

Figure 16 provides a cross-section of a container equipped with a nozzle assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of". Thus, the term "comprising" is meant not to be limiting to any subsequently stated elements but rather to optionally also encompass non-specified elements of major or minor functional importance. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

Whenever the words "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se.

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". Unless specified otherwise, numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

In the context of this invention two directions are essentially parallel when the acute angle between the directions is smaller than 10 degrees, preferably smaller than 5 degrees, more preferably smaller than 2 degrees. In the context of this description, two directions are essentially perpendicular when the acute angle between the directions is larger than 80 degrees, preferably larger than 85 degrees, more preferably larger than 88 degrees. The angle between two planes is considered to be the angle between their normal directions. The angle between a line and a plane is considered to be 90 degrees minus the angle between the direction of the line and the direction normal to the plane. The functioning of the nozzle assembly according to the invention is best described when it is attached to a container 20. Thus, openings, orifices and surface portions etc. of the members of the assembly are referred to as "inner" or "outer" in correspondence to whether they are intended to be primarily communicating with or directed towards the inside of the container 20 or to its surroundings, respectively.

Nozzle member

The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle member 1 , as described above.

The nozzle member 1 comprises a holding element 2, as shown in Figures 1 ,2, 4-9. The holding element is the part of the nozzle that holds the ducts 5 as described below. The holding element 2 may be a separate part that is affixed to other parts of the nozzle member 1 , such as ridges/plateaus/fastening means etc. It is preferred that the holding element 2 is an integral part of the nozzle member. The holding element 2 comprises an outer surface portion 3 and an inner surface portion 4. The shape of the outer surface portion 3 is selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) smooth and concave, (iii) planar and (iv) combinations thereof. The shape of the surface portion is further described below in conjunction with that of the confronting inner surface portion 18 of the closing member 18. As shown in Figures 1 , 4, 6, 9 and 13 the shape of the outer surface portion 3 is preferably planar. Alternatively, Figure 8 provides an example where the outer surface portion is convex. The outer surface portion 3 primarily serves as the part of the holding element 2 comprising the outer openings 6 of the directing ducts 5 as described below.

The inner surface portion 4 may be of arbitrary shape, it preferably has a shape selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) smooth and concave, (iii) planar and (iv) combinations thereof. Directing ducts 5

The nozzle member comprises at least two directing ducts 5, preferably two to ten, and more preferably three to seven, directing ducts 5. Each duct 5 has an outer opening (6) and an inner opening (7). Thus, when liquid is dispensed via the nozzle member 1 , liquid preferably flows (e.g. from a container) into the inner openings 7 of the directing ducts 5 and exits the ducts through the outer openings 6. ln order to obtain - upon dispensing - a diverging plurality of jets of liquid, the ducts (5) are placed in the holding element (2), divergingly toward the outer openings (6). Here, the diverging placement means that the radial distance (i.e. the distance in a plane perpendicular to the principal axis of the nozzle member 1 ) between the ducts 5 increases from the inner openings 7 to the outer openings 6, as is illustrated in figures 1 ,2, and 4 to 9. Therefore, preferably at least one of the ducts 5 is arranged with its principal direction at an angle with respect to the principal axis of the nozzle member 1 . The latter angle is termed the diverging angle A, as illustrated in Figure 3. Preferably, the diverging angle A of the diverging ducts 5 is from 5 to 60 degrees, more preferably from 5 to 50, even more preferably from 5 to 30 degrees and still more preferably from 10 to 15 degrees. All ducts 5 may have the same diverging angle A or they may have different angles A. For instance, part of the ducts 5 may be positioned such that their outer openings 7 are radially evenly distributed around the principal axis of the nozzle member 1 , while another duct 5 extends essentially parallel to or along the principal axis. An example of such an arrangement, wherein all ducts 5 except the central one are lying on a hypothetical cone centred around the principal axis of the nozzle member 1 is illustrated by Figure 7. To impart a direction to a liquid jet emanating from it upon dispensing, the ducts 5 should have an elongated shape. Therefore, the ratio R of the length x of the ducts from the inner opening 7 to the outer opening 6 to the diameter y of the ducts is at least 2:1 , preferably, at least 3:1 , more preferably at least 4:1 and even more preferably at least 6:1 . The ratio R is preferably less than 20:1 . Moreover, it is preferred that a portion p of the ducts 5 of at least two times, preferably at least 4 times the diameter of the ducts 5 starting from their outer openings 6 is straight. The parameters x, y, and p are illustrated in Figure 3. It is particularly preferred that the ducts 5 are straight. The ducts 5 may have any cross-sectional shape. This shape may be square, rectangular, oval, etc. Thus, the overall shape of the ducts 5 may for instance be (rectangular) cuboidal, a trapezoidal, truncated elliptoconical, frustoconical, cylindrical, or semi- cylindrical. The ducts 5 may also comprise segments of different such shapes. It is preferred that the ducts 5 essentially consist of cylindrical and frustoconical segments. It is particularly preferred that the ducts 5 are cylindrical, as shown for example in Figures 1 , 2 and 4 to 7. The ducts 5 may be an integrated part of the holding element 2, but they may also be separate ducts or tubes that are placed in the holding element 2. In both cases, however, the outer openings 6 of the directing ducts 5 are in the outer surface portion 3 of the holding element 2. That is, the ducts 5 do not extend beyond the outer surface portion 3 of the holding element 2. Conversely, the inner openings 7 of the ducts 5 can extend beyond the inner surface portion 4 of the holding element 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. It is preferred, though, that the inner openings 7 of the ducts 5 are in the inner surface portion 4 of the holding element 2. Thus, the directing ducts 5 are preferably embedded in the holding element 2, as shown in Figures 6, 8, 9, and 13.

The part of the nozzle comprising the holding element may be of arbitrary outer shape, subject to the requirements for the outer surface portion 3. It is preferred that the outer surface surrounding the directing ducts 5 is shaft like. It is particularly preferred that this shaft-like portion is cylindrical (such as illustrated by Fig 9 and 13), frustoconical or essentially consists of cylindrical and frustoconical segments. It is even more preferred that this shaft-like portion is tapered towards the outer surface portion 3.

Closing member

The nozzle assembly of the invention also comprises a closing member 18, as shown in Figure 13. The closing member 18 may be a cap, lid, top, or similar fitment. The closing member 18 is intended to seal the nozzle member in a leak-proof way.

Therefore, the closing member 18 comprises an inner surface portion 19 and an inner space, adapted to receive the nozzle member 1 , such that upon receiving the inner surface portion 19 of the closing member 18 and the outer surface portion 3 of the nozzle member 1 are confronting. Thus, the closing member 18 may for example be a cap that at least partially encloses the nozzle member 1.

Confronting surface portions 3 and 19

The nozzle assembly of the present invention is characterised in that the shape of the outer surface portion 3 of the nozzle member 1 and the shape of the inner surface portion 19 of the closing member 18 are selected from (i) smooth and convex, (ii) planar and (iii) combinations thereof, such that upon receiving of the nozzle member 1 by the closing member 18, a leak-proof sealing contact is provided between the inner surface portion 19 and outer surface portion 3. By thus matching the shapes of the outer surface portion 3 and the inner surface portion 19, a leak-proof closure of the outer openings 6 of the directing ducts 5 is achieved in a constructively relatively simple way. This closure therefore enhances the security of the closure.

The shapes of the outer surface portion 3 and the inner surface portion 19 do not have to exactly identical, but should preferably be sufficiently congruent so the provide the aforementioned leak-proof sealing contact. For the purpose of this invention, a sealing contact is considered leak-proof if it does not permit the passage of fluids under typical storage and transport conditions, in particular with respect to pressure. In typical use, the nozzle is applied on containers for use with cleaning liquids. Therefore, the leak- proof sealing contact should preferably also withstand the pressure generated by manual compression of such a container. In order for the confronting surface portions 3 and 19 to be sufficiently congruent, in case surface portion 3 is planar, surface portion 19 is preferably also planar; in case surface portion 3 is convex, surface portion 19 is preferably concave, and vice versa.

Moreover, the closure of the nozzle assembly is preferably also spill-proof. An assembly that is closed in a spill-proof way is directed at preventing the accumulation of liquid in any dead space in the closing member, when the assembly is in the closed state. Thus, the above leak-proof sealing contact preferably also prevent any communication between the inner openings 7 of the directing ducts 5 with any dead space in the closing member 18. Preferably, the shape of the outer surface portion 3 and the shape of the inner surface portion 19 are planar, for instance as shown in Figures 1 , 4, 6, 9, and 13. This provides for a straight-forward construction of both the nozzle member and the closing member and thus enhances their safety. Moreover, a more reliable leak-proof sealing is provided when the confronting surface portions 3 and 19 are both planar, because this arrangement leads to a more even pressure distribution over the respective surface portions 3 and 19.

The outer surface portion 3 of the nozzle member 1 is suitably delimited by an outer boundary. This may be a hypothetical boundary in case there is a smooth transition from the outer surface portion 3 to the adjacent surface portions of the nozzle member 1 , such as for instance a shaft-like portion, as shown by the embodiment of Figure 8. Preferably, the outer boundary is an outer edge 3a, as shown in Figs. 1 , 2, 4, 7, 9, 1 1 , and 13. A well-defined edge may assist in providing a leak-proof seal. It is particularly preferred that the outer edge 3a of the outer surface portion 3 is circular. A circular edge, in particular when combined with a planar surface portion 3, assists in an even pressure distribution along the circumference of the surface portion 3 upon closing the nozzle member 1 with the closing member 18, thus enhancing the reliability of the leak- proof sealing contact between the confronting surfaces 3 and 19. Preferably, the outer surface portion 3 of the holding element 2 has a diameter smaller than 40 mm, preferably smaller than 30 mm, even more preferably smaller than 20 mm and still more preferably between 7 and 18 mm. Here, the diameter refers to the largest diameter in the plane of the outer surface portion 3, or if the outer surface portion 3 is not planar, of the plane spanned by the outer boundary or the outer edge 3a of the outer surface portion 3 perpendicular to the principal axis of the holding element 2. The indicated diameters advantageously enhance the suitability of the nozzle member in dispensing liquids such as cleaning liquids in hard-to-reach areas, such as under the rim of a toilet bowl. The closing member 18 may be provided with additional features to enhance the quality, safety and endurance of the leak-proof sealing contact between the outer surface portion 3 and the inner surface portion 19. Thus, it may be preferred that the inner surface portion 19 of the closing member 18 comprises a resilient body 23, as illustrated for instance by the detail in Figure 15. Thus, the resilient body 23 effects the leak-proof sealing contact upon engagement of the confronting surfaces 3 and 19. The resilient body may be a body known in the art such as a resilient gasket, liner, washer, O-ring, etc, or - alternatively - the resilient body 23 may be an integral part of the closing member 18. It is particularly preferred that a planar shape of the confronting surface portions 3 and 19 as above is combined with the presence of a resilient body 23. In that case, flat lining material may be used. Thus, this configuration may advantageously simplify manufacture, since flat lining wads may easily yet precisely be prepared by methods known in the art, such as punching reels of lining material with a die having a shape compatible with the shape of the inner surface portion 19. Alternatively, the inner surface portion 19 preferably comprises a ridge 22 adapted to sealingly surround the outer edge 3a of the outer surface portion 3 of the nozzle member 1 . The ridge 22 is illustrated in Figure 14. Such a ridge 22 may also enhance the leak-proof sealing contact. The ridge 22 and the resilient body 23 may also be combined.

Fastening means

The nozzle member 1 and the closing member 18 are preferably equipped with a means to re-openably connect the closing member to the nozzle member. Thereto, the outside of the nozzle member 1 is preferably provided with a screw thread 8, a rim, or another usual means to facilitate fastening. A similar and interlocking means is preferably provided on the inside of the closing member 18, in order to removably fasten the closing member 18. Alternatively, the nozzle member 1 and the closing member 18 may also be mutually connected by a bridging member, preferably a hinging bridging member, as is for instance the case in a snap-on/snap-off closure. Such a configuration may suitably be moulded as a single piece. The nozzle member 1 preferably also comprises another fastening means 9 on the side opposite of the outer surface portion 3, such as to connect the nozzle member 1 to a container. Two-part nozzle member

The nozzle member 1 of the nozzle assembly according to the invention may be moulded as a single part. Alternatively - as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in Figures 10a, 10b, 10c, and 1 1 - the nozzle member may consist of multiple parts, to facilitate its manufacture. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, the nozzle member 1 comprises an outer nozzle part 10 and an inner nozzle part 1 1 , wherein the inner nozzle part 1 1 comprises a conically shaped surface portion 12, such that the cone angle B of the conically shaped surface portion 12 corresponds to the diverging angle A of the directing ducts 5; and wherein the outer nozzle part 10 comprises a conical inner surface portion 13 such that the space 14 that is surrounded by the inner surface portion 13 is adapted to receive the inner nozzle part 1 1 ; and wherein one or more of the conical surface portions 12 and 13 comprises notches 15 extending from the inner surface portion 16 to the outer surface portion 17 of the inner nozzle part 1 1 , such that the directing ducts 5 are formed between the confronting conically shaped surface portions 12 and 13. Here, a part is understood to be conically shaped if its shape can be construed as a segment of a hypothetical cone, e.g. a frustocone. That is, the conical shape need not include the hypothecial cone's apex. The outer nozzle part 10 and the inner nozzle part 1 1 may be manufactured separately and subsequently joined to form the nozzle member 1. Preferably, the outer nozzle part 10 and the inner nozzle part 1 1 comprise mutually compatible means to keep the inner part in place in the outer, such as for instance a rim and a notch.

Container

The closable nozzle assembly according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with a container. Therefore, the present invention in a second aspect also relates to a container 20 comprising at least one opening 21 equipped with a nozzle assembly according to the invention, as illustrated by Figure 16. Preferably, the configuration is such that the inner openings 7 of the directing ducts 5 are in fluid communication with the interior of the container 20. Preferably, the container is a squeezable container, since squeezable containers are particularly useful for dispensing liquids such as cleaning liquids. The container 20 preferably comprises a neck comprising the opening 21 . The container is preferably equipped with a fastening means compatible with that of the nozzle member 1 . The fastening means is more preferably located close to the opening 21 , even more preferably, the fastening means is located on the neck of the container 20. In case the container of the invention is intended to be used for dispensing e.g. harmful or corrosive liquids, it is particularly preferred that the nozzle member 1 is irreversibly connectable to the container 20, to improve the consumer safety of the system. To the same end, it is also preferred that upon fastening the nozzle member 1 to the container 20, a leak-proof sealing contact is provided between the container and the nozzle member. More preferably, this sealing contact is provided around the perimeter of the container opening 21. In view of consumer safety, it is furthermore particularly preferred that the closing member 18 and the nozzle member 1 are provided with mutually compatible (e.g. interlocking) fastening means that are child-resistant, such as a squeeze-and-turn cap. Manufacture of the nozzle assembly

The elements of the nozzle assembly according to the invention are preferably manufactured using materials and methods well-known in the art. Preferably, the elements of the nozzle assembly are manufactured from polymer materials, more preferably from thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers or polypropylene random copolymers. The elements of the nozzle assembly may for instance be manufactured by injection moulding. In particular injection moulding may be facilitated by fabricating the nozzle member 1 in two parts, such as the outer nozzle part 10 and the inner nozzle part 1 1 as described above.

Method and use

The present invention in a third aspect also provides a method for the leak-proof closing of a container equipped with a nozzle assembly and optionally for the dispensing of a liquid composition in a plurality of diverging jets as described above. Preferably, the method according to the invention also is a method for the spill-proof closing of said container. Leak-proof and/or spill-proof closing means that the assembly is closable in a leak-proof, a spill proof or a leak- and spill-proof way. A leak-proof seal or closure of the nozzle system blocks the passage of fluid from a container to the outside in the closed state. An assembly that is closed in a spill-proof way is also directed at preventing the accumulation of liquid in any dead space in the cap, when the assembly is in the closed state.

Thus, in accordance with the method, the container equipped with the nozzle assembly according to the invention may preferably be opened and closed multiple times; it may preferably also be used to dispense liquid, possibly multiple times, when the container is in the opened state.

As described above, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides use of a nozzle assembly according to the invention for the leak-proof closing of a container and optionally for dispensing a liquid comprised in the container in one or more diverging jets. Preferably, this use relates to use to provide a container equipped with a nozzle assembly according to the present invention that is also closable in a spill-proof way.

Claims

1 . Nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle member (1 ) and a closing member (18); whereby

the nozzle member (1 ) comprises

wherein

• the ducts (5) are placed in the holding element (2), divergingly toward the outer openings (6);

• the ratio R of the length (x) of the ducts from the inner opening (7) to the outer opening (6) to the diameter (y) of the ducts is at least 2:1 ,

• the outer openings (6) of the directing ducts (5) are in the outer surface portion (3) of the holding element (2);

and whereby

the closing member (18) comprises

an inner surface portion (19) and

an inner space, adapted to receive the nozzle member (1 ), such that upon receiving the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) and the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 ) are confronting; wherein the nozzle assembly is characterised in that

2. Nozzle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the outer surface portion (3) and the shape of the inner surface portion (19) are planar.

3. Nozzle assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer edge (3a) of the outer surface portion (3) is circular.

4. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner openings (7) of the ducts (5) are in the inner surface portion (4) of the holding element (2).

5. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising two to ten, more preferably three to seven, directing ducts (5).

6. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the diverging

angle (A) of the diverging ducts 5 is from 5 to 60 degrees.

7. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the ratio R is at least 3:1 , more preferably at least 4:1 and even more preferably at least 6:1 , and wherein ratio R is preferably less than 20:1.

8. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ducts (5) are cylindrical.

9. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer plane (3) of the holding element (2) has a diameter smaller than 40 mm, preferably smaller than 30 mm, even more preferably smaller than 20 mm and still more preferably between 7 and 18 mm.

10. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the nozzle

member (1 ) comprises

an outer nozzle part (10) and

an inner nozzle part (1 1 ),

wherein

the inner nozzle part (1 1 ) comprises a conically shaped surface portion (12), such that the cone angle (B) of the conically shaped surface portion (12) corresponds to the diverging angle (A) of the directing ducts (5);

and wherein the outer nozzle part (10) comprises a conical inner surface portion (13) such that the space (14) that is surrounded by the inner surface portion (13) is adapted to receive the inner nozzle part (1 1 );

and wherein

one or more of the conical surface portions (12) and (13) comprises notches (15) extending from the inner surface portion (16) to the outer surface portion

(17) of the inner nozzle part (1 1 ), such that the directing ducts (5) are formed between the confronting conically shaped surface portions (12) and (13).

1 1 . Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner surface portion (19) of the closing member (18) comprises a resilient body (23).

12. Nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the inner surface portion (19) comprises a ridge (22) adapted to sealingly surround the outer edge (3a) of the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 ).

13. Container (20) comprising at least one opening (21 ) equipped with a nozzle

assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for the leak-proof closing of a container equipped with a nozzle assembly and optionally for the dispensing of a liquid composition in a plurality of diverging jets comprising the steps:

b. closing the outer openings (6) of the ducts (5) by applying the closing member

(18) , whereby the inner surface portion (19) sealingly engages the outer surface portion (3) of the nozzle member (1 );

15. Use of a nozzle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for the leak-proof closing of a container and optionally for dispensing a liquid comprised in the container in one or more diverging jets.