The composition of a fine mist spray bottle involves many different parts. The design and names of parts may vary by manufacturer. Nonetheless, they all use basically the same principles.
As a general guide, we can refer to this list to determine the different parts of building this smart device. Let's try to see what these components are so we can better understand how to clean them up later.
Dust cap
Actuator
insert
closure
Gasket
pump mechanism
dip tube
Dust cap
The dust cap is the very top of the bottle. It is a hard hat that protects the actuator and nozzle from dust and other harmful substances. It also prevents you from accidentally pressing the actuator.
Dust caps are available in different materials and finishes. Some may consider it an appendage that can be easily lost. Still, its purpose is clearly important.
We recommend that you do not reuse spray bottles without dust caps. If possible, look for replacement caps.
Actuator or Trigger
The actuator is covered by a dust cap, which is the part you press down to dispense the contents of the bottle. It sticks out of the container like a head.
You may be familiar with lotion dispensers with table top actuators, thin necks and flat tops. However, the actuator in the fine mist spray bottle is hollow to accommodate other components. In fine mist spray bottles, the actual spray holes can also be found on the surface of the actuator.
Insert or Nozzle
The insert is actually the mouth of the fine mist spray bottle. More importantly, however, it's actually the part that defines the spray bottle. This nub turns the liquid contents into a mist. Its interior consists of multiple channels through which the liquid passes before leaving the container.
The insert is installed inside the actuator and is only shown as a small hole on its surface.
closure
The cap wraps the spray bottle under the actuator, like a collar. The cap holds all the components to the actual bottle. The dust cover also sits on top of the lid, where it snaps securely into place.
The closure can be smooth, matte or satin. Sometimes it's even designed to be seamless with the bottle.
Gasket
Although it's one of the least visible parts, the gasket is actually an important part of the spray bottle assembly. A gasket is a thin, flat material that acts as a seal to keep contents from leaking. It's in the area where the bottom of the cap meets the actual bottle.
The material used as the gasket may vary depending on the leak-proof substance. It is tested to ensure its compatibility and reliability.
pump mechanism
At the heart of every fine mist spray bottle is the pump mechanism. Unlike other components, the pump mechanism consists of several smaller components, including the piston, housing cover, valve stem, spring, seal, and female housing.
The previous part of this article explained how the pump works. It transfers the liquid contents from the container to the actuator. The alternating action of pushing the actuator down and causing it to spring back powers the pump. The release actuator allows the pump to draw the liquid contents from the bottle and fill its chamber. So pushing the actuator down is what pushes the liquid from the chamber to the insert and out of the bottle.
Did you notice that when the spray bottle just came out of the store, it didn't expel the contents in the first few presses? That's because of how the pump mechanism works. When the spray bottle is still unused, the pump chamber is still empty. It requires the ejection motion of the actuator so that it fills its chamber first. Naturally, the content will appear on the second or third print only after the chamber is filled.
dip tube
To get the liquid contents from the bottom of the bottle into the pump, they pass through a thin channel called a dip tube.
The dip tube is attached to the bottom of the pump and extends to the very bottom of the container. Its bottom is usually cut into a "V" shape or beveled to prevent the tube from clogging.
bottle/body
The actual bottle or body is the largest part of the entire spray bottle. It basically holds liquid contents and keeps the container upright.
Although most dispensing parts are made of plastic (except springs), the body may be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, and glass.
In terms of the advantages of reuse, we recommend that you choose a spray bottle made of glass. Glass has unique adsorption properties that allow it to hold liquids more efficiently than other materials. Learn more about the benefits of glass bottles here.
