Spray dispensing

Abstract

Spray dispensing of a metered quantity of a preferably semi-liquid product from a filled container having a fixed wall provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of generally open and unobstructed discharge passageways. A moveable wall spaced apart from the fixed wall is impacted with a moving mass to induce a pressure pulse in the product sufficient to surge a metered quantity of product less than the entire content of the container through the generally open and unobstructed discharge passageways with sufficient velocity as to break away from the passageways and the remaining product within the container for ballistic travel generally normal the fixed wall outwardly of the container. A plurality of uniform discharge passageways and a proper match of product formulation and energy input produces a generally uniformly moving cluster of generally uniformly defined and moving particles. The cluster of particles may be aimed toward a target surface and the deposition pattern thereon may, by proper selection of energy and product, define a projection of the discharge passageway pattern selectively comprising either a discrete projection of the individual discharge passageways or a generally uniform coverage of the passageway locus set. A specific, preferred embodiment is as a non-contact dispenser of a stable, non-crusting, anhydrous, thixotropic antiperspirant cream, dispensed at a relatively low velocity so as to adhere to axilla surfaces with a minimum of rebound.