Fluid dispensing apparatus and method of use thereof

A dispensing nozzle assembly comprising:

• a nozzle member provided with one or more dispensing apertures to allow fluid to be dispensed therefrom in use;
• closure means provided on or associated with the nozzle member and movable relative thereto between a closed position, wherein the closure means closes the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid cannot be dispensed from the one or more dispensing apertures, and an open position, wherein the closure means are moved at least partially clear of the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid can be dispensed through the dispensing apertures in use;
• a magnetic switch moveable between an “on” position for allowing fluid to flow into the nozzle member for dispensing through the one or more dispensing apertures in use, and an “off” position for preventing fluid flowing into the nozzle member in use;
• wherein the magnetic switch is arranged such that movement of the closure means relative to the nozzle member moves or actuates the magnetic switch between the on and off positions in use;
• wherein the magnetic switch includes magnetic means or a magnetic member on or associated with one of the closure means or a housing portion of the assembly, and a magnetic sensor provided on or associated with the other of the closure means or the housing portion, the magnetic switch arranged such that when the magnetic means or member is moved a pre-determined distance towards the magnetic sensor, the switch is moved to the on position, and when the magnetic means or member is moved a pre-determined distance away from the magnetic sensor, the switch is moved to the off position.

A dispensing nozzle assembly comprising:

• a nozzle member provided with one or more dispensing apertures to allow fluid to be dispensed therefrom in use;
• closure means provided on or associated with the nozzle member and movable relative thereto between a closed position, wherein the closure means closes the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid cannot be dispensed from the one or more dispensing apertures, and an open position, wherein the closure means are moved at least partially clear of the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid can be dispensed through the dispensing apertures in use;
• switch means moveable between an “on” position for allowing fluid to flow into the nozzle member for dispensing through the one or more dispensing apertures in use, and an “off” position for preventing fluid flowing into the nozzle member in use;
• wherein the switch means are arranged such that movement of the closure means relative to the nozzle member moves or actuates the switch means between the on and off positions in use;
• and
• wherein the switch is in wired or wireless communication with control means for controlling one or more operations conditions relating to the dispensing nozzle assembly.

A method of using a dispensing nozzle assembly, the dispensing nozzle assembly comprising:

• a nozzle member provided with one or more dispensing apertures to allow fluid to be dispensed therefrom in use;
• said method including the steps of:
• moving closure means provided on or associated with the nozzle member relative thereto between a closed position, wherein the closure means closes the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid cannot be dispensed from the one or more dispensing apertures, and an open position, wherein the closure means are moved at least partially clear of the one or more dispensing apertures and fluid can be dispensed through the one or more dispensing apertures in use;
• moving switch means between an “on” position for allowing fluid to flow into the nozzle member for dispensing through the one or more dispensing apertures in use, and an “off” position for preventing fluid flowing into the nozzle member in use;
• wherein the switch means are arranged such that movement of the closure means relative to the nozzle member moves or actuates the switch means between the on and off positions;
• wherein the dispensing nozzle assembly is for use with a bottom filling fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluid into a receptacle via a base of the receptacle in use;
• and
• wherein the closure means is movable from the closed position to the open position in use by:
• placing the receptacle on the closure means;
• and/or
• pushing down manually on the closure means and/or the receptacle if the receptacle is located on the closure means.