Abstract
An improved pump is disclosed comprising a pump body having a piston supported by a base from a fluid reservoir. A trigger extends a between a first portion and a second portion with an intermediate trigger pivot mounted relative to the base. A cam and a cam follower couples the first portion of the trigger with the piston for enabling a depression of the second portion trigger to move the piston to spray fluid from the pump body orifice.
Claims
1. An improved pump dispenser for discharging a fluid from a fluid reservoir, comprising: a pump body extending between a first and a second cylindrical end; a pump body orifice located in said first end of said pump body; a piston slidably mounted in said pump body; a base supporting said pump body relative to the fluid reservoir; a trigger extending a between a first portion and a second portion; a base pivot pivotably mounting said trigger relative to said base; a first and a second cam defined in said first portion of said trigger; a U-shape linkage straddling opposed sides of said pump body for engaging with said piston; a first and a second cam follower located on a first and a second distal end of said U-shape linkage for coupling with said first and second cams defined in said first portion of said trigger; said first cam follower having a first lower cam follower and a first upper cam follower; said second cam follower having a second lower cam follower and a second upper cam follower; said first lower cam follower and said first upper cam follower engaging with said first cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling a pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice; and said second lower cam follower and said second upper cam follower engaging with said second cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling said pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice.
2. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cam followers includes plural cam follower projections.
3. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first and a second linear slot is defined in opposed sides of said pump body; and said U-shape linkage slidably mounted in said first and second linear slots.
4. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 1, further including an appendage coupling member extending between said U-shaped linkage for preventing diverging of said U-shaped linkage upon actuation of said trigger.
5. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 4, further including a coupling member groove defined by said first cam follower, said second cam follower and said appendage coupling member; and said coupling member groove encircling said pump body for further directing the linear displacement of said U-shaped linkage relative to said body.
6. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 1, further including an upper guide rib coupled to said U-shape linkage and extending towards said pump body; a lower guide rib coupled to said U-shape linkage and extending towards said pump body; and said upper guide rib and said lower guide rib assist in directing the linear movement of said U-shape linkage relative to said pump body and assisting in preventing binding between said U-shape linkage and U-shape pump body.
7. An improved pump dispenser for discharging a fluid from a fluid reservoir, comprising: a pump body extending between a first and a second cylindrical end; a pump body orifice located in said first end of said pump body; a piston slidably mounted in said pump body; a base supporting said pump body relative to the fluid reservoir; a trigger extending a between a first portion and a second portion; a base pivot pivotably mounting said trigger relative to said base; a first and a second cam defined in said first portion of said trigger; a linkage engaging with said piston; a first and a second cam follower located on said linkage for coupling with said first and second cams defined in said first portion of said trigger; said first cam follower having a first lower cam follower and a first upper cam follower; said second cam follower having a second lower cam follower and a second upper cam follower; said first lower cam follower and said first upper cam follower engaging with said first cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling a pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice; and said second lower cam follower and said second upper cam follower engaging with said second cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling said pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice.
8. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, further including an appendage coupling member extending between said linkage for preventing diverging of said linkage upon actuation of said trigger.
9. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, further including a coupling member groove defined by said first cam follower, said second cam follower and said appendage coupling member; and said coupling member groove encircling said pump body for further directing the linear displacement of said linkage relative to said body.
10. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, further including an upper guide rib coupled to said linkage and extending towards said pump body; a lower guide rib coupled to said linkage and extending towards said pump body; and said upper guide rib and said lower guide rib assist in directing the linear movement of said linkage relative to said pump body and assisting in preventing binding between said linkage and said pump body.
11. An improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base connector connects said pump body to said base in a deformable engagement for simplify assembly and changing the appearance of the pump dispenser.
12. An improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base connector connects said pump body to said base in a deformable engagement for allowing the use of multiple styles and types of nozzle designs to change the spray characteristics of the pump dispenser.
13. An improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base connector connects said pump body to said base in a deformable engagement for allowing the use multiple styles of trigger elements to change the appearance, actuation forces and ergonomics of the pump dispenser.
14. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, including a return spring for biasing said piston in an unattended position, a pivot of said trigger moving said piston against the bias of said spring for spraying a fluid from said pump body orifice.
15. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, wherein said base connector secures the pump body to said base enabling the interchange of different pump bodies.
16. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, including a hood for covering the pump body for changing the appearance of the pump dispenser.
17. The improved pump dispenser as set forth in claim 7, including an arm extending from said base; and said base pivot mounted on said arm for pivoting said trigger.
18. An improved pump dispenser for discharging a fluid from a fluid reservoir, comprising: a pump body extending between a first and a second cylindrical end; a pump body orifice located in said first end of said pump body; a piston slidably mounted in said pump body; a base supporting said pump body relative to the fluid reservoir; a trigger extending a between a first portion and a second portion; a base pivot pivotably mounting said trigger relative to said base; a first and a second cam defined in said first portion of said trigger; a linkage engaging with said piston; a first and a second cam follower located on said linkage for coupling with said first and second cams defined in said first portion of said trigger; said first cam follower having a first lower cam follower and a first upper cam follower; said second cam follower having a second lower cam follower and a second upper cam follower; said first lower cam follower and said first upper cam follower engaging with said first cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling a pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice; said second lower cam follower and said second upper cam follower engaging with said second cam in difference orientations between an unattended trigger position and a fully depressed trigger position for enabling said pivoting movement of said second portion trigger to move linearly said piston to spray fluid from said pump body orifice; and an appendage coupling member extending between said linkage for preventing diverging of said linkage upon actuation of said trigger.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is side view of a first embodiment of an improved pump dispenser of the present invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is side view of the improved pump dispenser of FIG. 1 with a decorative cover removed;
(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2;
(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 2;
(6) FIG. 5 is a rear view of FIG. 2;
(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 with the trigger removed;
(8) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6 illustrating the separation of a pump body from a base;
(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the pump body of FIGS. 1-7;
(10) FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 8;
(11) FIG. 10 is a rear view of FIG. 8;
(12) FIG. 11 is an enlarged front isometric view of the piston of the improved pump dispenser of the present invention;
(13) FIG. 12 is an enlarged back isometric view of the piston of FIG. 11;
(14) FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the piston of FIG. 11;
(15) FIG. 14 is a front view of the piston;
(16) FIG. 15 is a back view of the piston;
(17) FIG. 16 is a side view of the linkage of FIGS. 2-5;
(18) FIG. 17 is a top view of FIG. 16;
(19) FIG. 18 is a rear view of FIG. 16;
(20) FIG. 19 is a side view of the linkage and pump body of FIGS. 2-5;
(21) FIG. 20 is a top view of FIG. 19;
(22) FIG. 21 is a rear view of FIG. 19;
(23) FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the improved pump dispenser of FIG. 2 in an unattended trigger position;
(24) FIG. 23 is a sectional view along line 23-23 in FIG. 22;
(25) FIG. 24 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 22 with the improved pump dispenser in partially depressed trigger position;
(26) FIG. 25 is a sectional view along line 25-25 in FIG. 24;
(27) FIG. 26 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 24 with the improved pump dispenser in fully depressed trigger position;
(28) FIG. 27 is a sectional view along line 27-27 in FIG. 26;
(29) FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 23;
(30) FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25;
(31) FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 27;
(32) FIG. 31 is side view of a second embodiment of an improved pump dispenser of the present invention;
(33) FIG. 32 is side view of the improved pump dispenser of FIG. 31 with a decorative cover removed;
(34) FIG. 33 is a top view of FIG. 32;
(35) FIG. 34 is a front view of FIG. 32;
(36) FIG. 35 is a rear view of FIG. 32;
(37) FIG. 36 is a sectional view along line 36-36 in FIG. 35 with the trigger removed;
(38) FIG. 37 is an exploded view of FIG. 36 illustrating the separation of a pump body from a base;
(39) FIG. 38 is a side view of the pump body of FIGS. 31-37;
(40) FIG. 39 is a top view of FIG. 38;
(41) FIG. 40 is a rear view of FIG. 38;
(42) FIG. 41 is an enlarged front isometric view of the piston of the improved pump dispenser of the present invention;
(43) FIG. 42 is an enlarged back isometric view of the piston of FIG. 41;
(44) FIG. 43 is a front view of the piston;
(45) FIG. 44 is a side sectional view of the piston of FIG. 41;
(46) FIG. 45 is a back view of the piston;
(47) FIG. 46 is a top view of the linkage of FIGS. 32-35;
(48) FIG. 47 is a side view of FIG. 46;
(49) FIG. 48 is a front view of FIG. 46;
(50) FIG. 49 is a rear view of FIG. 46;
(51) FIG. 50 is an isometric view of the improved pump dispenser of FIG. 32 in an unattended trigger position;
(52) FIG. 51 is a sectional view along line 51-51 in FIG. 50;
(53) FIG. 52 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 50 with the improved pump dispenser in partially depressed trigger position;
(54) FIG. 53 is a sectional view along line 53-53 in FIG. 52;
(55) FIG. 54 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 52 with the improved pump dispenser in fully depressed trigger position;
(56) FIG. 55 is a sectional view along line 55-55 in FIG. 54;
(57) FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 51;
(58) FIG. 57 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 53;
(59) FIG. 58 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 55;
(60) FIG. 59 is a view similar to FIG. 31 illustrating a hand grasping the improved pump dispenser;
(61) FIG. 60 is an enlarged sectional view of the trigger of FIG. 59 illustrating the hand engaging the trigger;
(62) FIG. 61 is a graph illustrating time vs. load for a first other pump dispenser;
(63) FIG. 62 is a graph illustrating time vs. load for a second other pump dispenser; and
(64) FIG. 63 is a graph illustrating time vs. load for the improved pump dispenser of the present invention.
(65) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DISCUSSION
(66) FIGS. 1-60 illustrate an improved pump dispenser 5 and an improved actuator for a pump 7. The improved pump dispenser 5 and improved actuator for a pump 7 of the present invention discharges a fluid 10 from a fluid reservoir 12 shown as a container 14. The improved pump dispenser 5 or an actuator 7 comprises a base 20 supporting a pump body 30 relative to the fluid reservoir 12. The pump body 30 has a piston 40 operated by a trigger 50 through a cam 55 and a cam follower 60 and a linkage 70 for enabling a depression of the trigger 50 to spray fluid 10 from the pump body 30.
(67) The improved pump dispenser 5 includes decorative hood 80 for covering the pump body 30, the cam 55, the cam follower 60 and the linkage 70. Preferably, the decorative hood 80 is interchangeable during the assembly process for changing the appearance of the pump dispenser for various different application, different users, different customers and the like.
(68) FIGS. 2-5 and 32-35 are various views of the improved pump dispenser 5 of the present invention with the decorative hood 80 removed. The base 20 includes a fluid reservoir attachment 21 for attaching the base 20 to the fluid reservoir 12. A base sleeve lock 27 may engage the base 20 for positioning the fluid reservoir attachment 21 there between and attaching the base 20 to the fluid reservoir attachment 21. The fluid reservoir attachment 21 may comprise various attachment devices that are well known to those skilled in the art.
(69) In this example, the base 20 is separate from the pump body 30. As will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 6-7 and 36-37, a base connector 22 connects the pump body 30 to the base 20 in a deformable engagement. The separation of the base 20 from the pump body 30 enables the interchange of different pump bodies. The interchange of different pump bodies permit the actuator of the present invention comprising the cam 55 and the cam follower 60 to be used with different pump designs, different pump characteristic and different pump fluids. In the alternative, the base 20 and the pump body may be formed from a single unitary polymeric material.
(70) The base 20 includes a base arm 23 extending from the base 20. A base pivot 24 is located on the base arm 23 for pivoting the trigger 50. In this example, the base 20 includes a first and a second base arm 23A and 23B extending from the base 20 with first and second base pivots 24A and 24B mounted on the first and second base arms arm 23A and 23B. The first and second base pivots 24A and 24B are shown as integral pins extending toward one another between the first and second base arms arm 23A and 23B.
(71) FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 with the trigger 50 removed. FIG. 36 is a sectional view along line 36-36 in FIG. 35 with the trigger 50 removed. The base 20 includes a one-way valve 25 communicating the pump body 30 with the fluid reservoir 12 for enabling fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir into the pump body 30. A dip tube 16 may be coupled adjacent to the one-way valve 25 for withdrawing the fluid 10 from the bottom of the fluid reservoir 12 for more completely emptying the container 14. The base 20 includes a vent 26 communicating the pump body 30 with the fluid reservoir 12 for venting the fluid reservoir 12 as should be well known to those skilled in the art. The piston 40 is slidably mounted within the pump body 30.
(72) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6 illustrating the separation of a pump body 30 from the base 20. FIG. 37 is an exploded view of FIG. 36 illustrating the separation of a pump body 30 from the base 20. In this example, the base connector 22 includes plural deformable locks 38 engaging with the one-way valve 25 and the vent 26 for securing the pump body 30 to the base 20. It should be appreciate by those skilled in the art that various other devices may be used to secure the pump body 30 to the base 20.
(73) FIGS. 8-10 are views of only the pump body 30 of the improved pump dispenser 5 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIGS. 38-40 are views of only the pump body 30 of the improved pump dispenser 5 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 31-37. The pump body 30 extends between a first end 31 and a second end 32 and has a generally cylindrical shape having a sidewall 33.
(74) The first end 31 of the pump body 30 is a closed end whereas the second end 32 of the pump body 30 is an open end. A pump body orifice 34 is defined in the closed first end 31 of the pump body 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 33, a nozzle check valve 100 is coupled to the pump body orifice 34 for preventing air back into the pump body 30. A slot 35 is defined in the sidewall 33 extending from the second end 32. In this example, a first and a second linear slot 35A and 35B are defined on opposed sides of the pump body 30.
(75) A fluid input port 36 and a vent port 37 are defined in the bottom of the pump body 30. The fluid input port 36 and a vent port 37 are in fluid communication with the one-way valve 25 and the vent 26 of the base 20. The plural deformable locks 38 engage with the one-way valve 25 and the vent 26 for securing the pump body 30 to the base 20 to form the base connectors 22.
(76) FIGS. 11-15 are various views of the piston 40 of the improved pump dispenser 5 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIGS. 41-45 are various views of the piston 40 of the improved pump dispenser 5 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 31-37. The piston 40 comprises a front resilient conical shell 41 and a back resilient conical shell 42. The front and back resilient conical shells 41 and 42 are supported by an inner cylindrical plug 43. A front end 44 of the inner cylindrical plug 43 defines a spring seat 45 whereas the back end of the inner cylindrical plug 43 defines a piston actuator surface 47. Referring back to FIGS. 6 and 36, a piston chamber 48 is defined by the sidewall 33 and the front conical shell 41 of the piston and the first end 31 of the pump body 30. The piston 40 may include a front circular seal 41A located adjacent to the terminal end of the front conical shell 41 and a back circular seal 42A located adjacent to the terminal end of the back conical shell 42. The front circular seal 41A and the back circular seal 42A engage with the interior wall of the sidewall 33 for providing a dual seal for preventing fluid 10 from leaking from the pump body 30.
(77) FIGS. 1-30 and specifically FIGS. 11-15 illustrate the piston 40 including a back piston actuator surface 47A wherein the piston actuator surface 47 is located beyond or outside of the back conical shell 42. FIGS. 31-63 and specifically FIGS. 41-45 illustrate the piston 40 including a front piston actuator surface 47B wherein the piston actuator surface 47 is located generally contiguous to the front conical shell 41. The front piston actuator surface 47B provides for a more efficient pump dispenser 2 and actuator for a pump 7 by increasing the compression of the fluid 10 within the body pump 30. In addition, the front piston actuator surface 47B reduces the number of trigger 50 displacements needed to prime the pump body 30.
(78) A return spring 49 is located between the spring seat 45 of the inner cylindrical plug 43 of the piston 40 and the first end 31 of the pump body 30. The return spring 49 biases the piston 40 in an unattended position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 36. A movement of the front conical shell 41 of the piston 40 to the left in FIG. 6 discharges any fluid within the piston chamber 48 through the pump body orifice 34. The linear movement of the piston 40 and the position of the pump body orifice 34 results in a linear fluid path from the piston 40 to the pump body orifice 34.
(79) The movement of the piston 40 to the left in FIGS. 6 and 36, opens the vent port 37 to communicate with the open second end 32 of the pump body 30 thereby venting the fluid reservoir 12. A return movement of the front conical shell 41 of the piston 40 to the right and to the unattended position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 36, draws fluid 10 from the fluid reservoir 12 through the one-way valve 25 and the fluid input port 36 to refill the piston chamber 48 with fluid 10.
(80) Referring back to FIGS. 2-5 and 32-35, the trigger 50 extends between a first portion 51 and a second portion 52 with a trigger pivot 53 located therebetween. In this example, the trigger pivot 53 comprises a first and a second pivot hole 53A and 53B located on opposed edges of the trigger 50. The first and second pivot holes 53A and 53B receive the first and second base pivots 24A and 24B mounted on the first and second base arms arm 23A and 23B for pivoting the trigger 50 relative to the base 20.
(81) A cam 55 is located on the first portion 51 of the trigger 50 whereas a finger pad 57 is located on the second portion 52 of the trigger 50. In this example, the cam 55 comprises a first and a second cam 55A and 55B located on opposed edges of the trigger 50. The first and second cams 55A and 55B straddle the pump body orifice 34 defined in the closed first end 31 of the pump body 30.
(82) A cam follower 60 is connected to the piston 40 through a linkage 70. The cam 55 and the cam follower 60 couple the first portion 51 of the trigger 50 with the piston 40 for enabling a depression of the second portion 52 of the trigger 50 to move the piston 40 to spray fluid 10 from the pump body orifice 34.
(83) FIGS. 16-18 are various views of the linkage 70 of FIGS. 2-5 connecting the cam follower 60 to the piston 40. FIGS. 46-49 are various views of the linkage 70 of FIGS. 32-35 connecting the cam follower 60 to the piston 40. The linkage 70 may comprise a central cylindrical ring 72 having an inner dimension to slide on an outer surface of the sidewall 33 of the pump body 30. The linkage 70 may further comprise a partial central cylindrical ring 72B having an inner dimension to slide on an outer surface of the sidewall 33 of the pump body 30. A front appendage 73 extends from a forward end of the central cylindrical ring 72 for supporting the cam follower 60. In this example, the front appendage 73 comprises a first and a second front appendage 73A and 73B supporting a first and a second cam follower 61 and 62. The central cylindrical ring 72 and the first and second front appendages 73A and 73B form a generally U-shape linkage 76 straddling opposed sides of the pump body 30.
(84) Preferably, each of the first and second cam followers 61 and 62 comprise plural cam followers including first lower and upper cam followers 61A and 61B and second lower and upper cam followers 62A and 62B.
(85) A back appendage 74 extends from a back end of the central cylindrical ring 72 for supporting a piston actuator 75. In this example, the back appendage 74 comprises a first and a second back appendage 74A and 74B supporting the piston actuator 75. The piston actuator 75 is shown as a generally circular plate 75B located between the first and second back appendages 74A and 74B.
(86) FIGS. 2-7 and 19-30 are various views of the linkage 70 slidably mounted on the pump body 30. FIGS. 32-37 and 50-58 are various views of the linkage 70 slidably mounted on the pump body 30. The diameter of the piston actuator 75 is less than the inner diameter of the inner sidewall 33 of the pump body 30 enabling the piston actuator 75 to enter the pump body 30 to engage with the piston actuator surface 47 to move the piston 40 therein. The piston actuator 75 is secured to the first and second back appendages 74A and 74B by a first and a second guide 77A and 77B. The first and second guides 77A and 77B slide within the first and second linear slots 35A and 35B defined in the pump body 30 in a linear motion.
(87) The first and second back appendages 74A and 74B also support a lower retainer 78. The lower retainer 78 is partially cylindrical having an inner cylindrical dimension configuration to slide on an outer bottom surface of the sidewall 33 of the pump body 30. More specifically, the lower retainer 78 may include a first lower retainer 78A and a second lower retainer 78B. The central cylindrical ring 72 in combination with the first and second guides 77A and 77B within the first and second linear slots 35A and 35B and the lower retainer 78 insure a linear movement for the linkage and the cam follower 60.
(88) As best shown in FIGS. 5, 18, 21, 35, 48, and 49, the linkage 70 may include an upper guide rib 72A extending into the central cylindrical ring 72. The first lower retainer 78A and the second lower retainer 78B may include a first lower guide rib 79A and a second lower guide rib 79B respectively. The upper guide rib 72A, the first lower guide rib 79A and the second lower guide rib 79B slidably engage the central cylindrical ring 72 for distancing the central cylindrical ring 72 from the pump body 30. The upper guide rib 72A, the first lower guide rib 79A and the second lower guide rib 79B assist in providing and directing the linear movement of the linkage 70 relative to the pump body 30 and assist in preventing binding between the linkage 70 and the pump body 30.
(89) FIGS. 31-63 and specifically FIGS. 46-49 illustrate the linkage 70 including an appendage coupling member 73C extending between the first front appendage 73A and the second front appendage 73B. The appendage coupling member 73C assists in preventing the first front appendage 73A and the second front appendage 73B from diverging upon the actuation of the pump dispenser 5 and the actuator 7. More specifically, the appendage coupling member 73C assist in maintaining a constant distance between the first front appendage 73A and the second front appendage 73B along the length of the first front appendage 73A and the second front appendage 73B. By preventing the separation of the first front appendage 73A and the second front appendage 73B the efficiency of the pump body 30 is improved.
(90) FIGS. 31-63 and specifically FIGS. 46-49 also illustrate the appendage coupling member 73C, the first cam follower 61 and the second cam follower 62 defining a coupling member groove 73D. The coupling member groove 73D partially encircles the pump body orifice 34 to further assist in maintaining and directing the linear displacement of the linkage 70 relative to the body 30 and assist in preventing binding between the linkage 70 and the pump body 30.
(91) FIGS. 22-23 and 50-51 illustrate the improved pump dispenser 5 in an unattended trigger position. The cam 55 and the cam follower 60 couple the first portion 51 of the trigger 50 with the piston 40 through the linkage 70 for enabling a depression of the second portion 52 of the trigger 50 to move the piston 40 to spray fluid 10 from the pump body orifice 34. The first portion 51 of the trigger 50 engages an outside surface of the first end 31 of the pump body 30 providing a stop for the movement of the piston 40 to the right in FIGS. 23 and 51 through the urging of the return spring 49.
(92) FIGS. 24-25 and 52-53 illustrate the improved pump dispenser 5 in partially depressed trigger position. The cam 55 and the cam follower 60 transform the pivoting movement of the trigger 50 into a linear movement of the linkage 70. The linear movement of the linkage 70 is coupled to the linear movement of the piston 40 to spray fluid 10 from the pump body orifice 34.
(93) FIGS. 26-27 and 54-55 illustrate the improved pump dispenser 5 in fully depressed trigger position. The pivoting of the trigger 50 moves the piston against the bias of the return spring 49 for spraying the fluid 10 from the pump body orifice 34. The pivoting of the trigger 50 is limited by the tension of the return spring 49 between the piston 40 and the first end 31 of the pump body 30.
(94) FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 23 in the unattended trigger position. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 51 in the unattended trigger position. The second lower and upper cam followers 62A and 62B engage with the second cam 55B with a similar engagement occurring between the first lower and upper cam followers 61A and 61B and the first cam 55A.
(95) FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25 in partially depressed trigger position. FIG. 57 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 53 in partially depressed trigger position. The second lower and upper cam followers 62A and 62B engage with the second cam 55B in a different orientation. A similar engagement occurs between the first lower and upper cam followers 61A and 61B and the first cam 55A.
(96) FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 27 in fully depressed trigger position. FIG. 58 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 55 in fully depressed trigger position. The second lower and upper cam followers 62A and 62B engage with the second cam 55B in still a different orientation. A similar engagement occurs between the first lower and upper cam followers 61A and 61B and the first cam 55A. The curvature of the cam 55 in combination with the cam follower 60 translates the rotational movement of the trigger 50 into a linear movement of the linkage 70
(97) FIGS. 31-35, 50-55 and specifically FIGS. 59-60 illustrate the trigger 50 including a first concave tapering recess 56A and a second concave tapering recess 56B. The first concave tapering recess 56A and a second concave tapering recess 56B improve the ergonomics of the trigger by improving the comfort, function and assist in positioning one or more fingers 91, 92, 93 of the hand 90 upon the trigger 50. The first concave tapering recess 56A and the second concave tapering recess 56B assist in aligning one or more fingers 91, 92, 93 of the hand 90 on the trigger 54 at an optimal position to activate the pump dispenser 5 and the actuator 7. For example, FIGS. 59 and 60 illustrate the index finger 91 compressing against the first concave tapering recess 56A and the second concave tapering recess 56B of the trigger 50.
(98) In addition, the trigger 50 may include an outer elliptical aperture 57A adjacent to the exterior surface of the trigger 50. A tapering cylindrical surface 57B is positioned below the outer elliptical aperture 57A. An inner elliptical aperture 57C is positioned below the tapering cylindrical surface 57B. The combination of the outer elliptical aperture 57A, the tapering cylindrical surface 57B and the inner elliptical aperture 57C provide improved ergonomics of the trigger 50 by improving the comfort, function and assist in positioning one or more fingers 91, 92, 93 of the hand 90 upon the trigger 50. The outer elliptical aperture 57A, the tapering cylindrical surface 57B and the inner elliptical aperture 57C assist in aligning one or more fingers 91, 92, 93 of the hand 90 on the trigger 54 at an optimal position to activate the pump dispenser 5 and the actuator 7. FIGS. 59 and 60 illustrate the middle finger 92 compressing against the first concave tapering recess 56A and the second concave tapering recess 56B of the trigger 50. The combination of the first concave tapering recess 56A, the second concave tapering recess 56B, outer elliptical aperture 57A, the tapering cylindrical surface 57B and the inner elliptical aperture 57C assist in positioning one or more fingers 91, 92, 93 of the hand 90 at an optimal position to activate the pump dispenser 5 and the actuator 7.
(99) FIGS. 61 and 62 illustrate graphs of other pump dispensers having time vs. load coordinates. In FIG. 61 the pump dispenser required a maximum load of 4.04 pound-force (lbf) over an eleven (11) second interval. In FIG. 62 the pump dispenser required a maximum load of over 5 pound-force (lbf) over a ten (10) second interval. FIG. 63 illustrates a graph of the improved pump dispenser 5 and the improved actuator for the pump 7 having time vs. load coordinates. In FIG. 63 the improved pump dispenser 5 and the improved actuator for the pump 7 required a maximum load of 2.36 pound-force (lbf) over a ten (10) second interval.
(100) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
