DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID FROM A CONTAINER, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID

Abstract

A device for dispensing a liquid from a container is disclosed, comprising: an engine, comprising a nozzle and a pump for transferring liquid from the container to the nozzle; a trigger, moveable between a first position and a second position, connected to the pump for actuating the pump when brought from the first to the second position, and connecting means, for connecting the engine to the container characterized by
a slider with at least one restricting element, slideable between a non-restricting position, in which the trigger is moveable between the first and second position, and a restricting position, in which the at least one restricting element restricts the movement of the trigger between the first and the second position.

Claims

1-36. (canceled)

37. A device for dispensing a liquid from a container, comprising: an engine comprising a nozzle and a pump for transferring liquid from the container to the nozzle; a trigger moveable between a first position and a second position, connected to the pump for actuating the pump when brought from the first to the second position, connecting means for connecting the engine to the container, and a slider with at least one restricting element, slideable between a non-restricting position in which the trigger is moveable between the first and second position, and a restricting position in which the at least one restricting element restricts the movement of the trigger between the first and the second position.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein the trigger comprises at least one engaging element extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the trigger between the first and the second position, wherein the at least one restricting element restricts the movement of the at least one engaging element between the first and the second position with respect to the non-restricting position.

39. The device according to claim 37, wherein the at least one restricting element comprises a projection, and the at least one engaging element comprises a protrusion, wherein the projection and the protrusion are configured for engaging with each other in the restricting position.

40. The according to claim 37, wherein the device is provided with first and second restricting elements and first and second engaging elements, the first restricting element and first engaging element arranged on one side of the nozzle, and the second restricting element and second engaging element arranged on the opposite side of the nozzle.

41. The according to claim 37, wherein at least one of the restricting element and the engaging element are sloping towards each other.

42. The according to claim 37, wherein the slider is provided on a surface of the device opposing the connecting means.

43. The according to claim 37, wherein the pump comprises a pump chamber adapted to be brought into fluid communication with the container, and a piston arranged in the pump chamber mechanically connected or connectable to the trigger, and wherein the engine comprises an outlet channel fluidly connecting the pump chamber to the nozzle.

44. The according to claim 43, wherein the pump has a suction side adapted to be brought into fluid communication with the container, and a pressure side adapted to be brought into fluid communication with the outlet channel, and wherein the device further comprises a pre-compression valve arranged in the outlet channel, and a buffer in fluid connection with the outlet channel.

45. The according to claim 44, wherein the pre-compression valve is oriented with its direction of valve movement between an opened and closed position in a direction substantially in line with an orifice in the nozzle.

46. The according to claim 37, wherein the engine is composed of a first engine part comprising the pump, and a second engine part comprising the nozzle, the first and second engine part being mechanically connected or connectable to each other.

47. The according to claim 46, wherein the second engine part comprises at least one of the slider and the outlet channel.

48. The according to claim 37, further comprising a guiding means for guiding the movement of the slider.

49. The according to claim 37, wherein the trigger comprises biasing means connected or connectable to the engine for urging the trigger towards the first position, said biasing means comprising at least one resilient arm, wherein a free end of the at least one resilient arm is provided with a downwardly directed tooth for engaging or engaged in a pocket in the engine.

50. The according to claim 37, wherein the dispensing device comprises a shroud for at least partially covering the slider, which shroud is further provided with means for accessing the slider through the shroud.

51. The according to claim 50, wherein the shroud comprises an actuator operable from the exterior of the shroud configured for moving the slider between the restricting and non-restricting position.

52. The according to claim 51, wherein the actuator is arranged for moving the slider between the restricting and non-restricting position by a hooking part provided on one of the slider and the actuator, the hooking part cooperating with a cavity provided in the other of the slider and the actuator.

53. The according to claim 37, wherein the trigger is hingeably connected to the engine for movement between its first and second position.

54. The according to claim 37, wherein the slider is configured for restricting the movement of the trigger from the first position to the second position.

55. The according to claim 37, wherein the range of movement of the trigger and the dimensions of the slider are such that the slider is moveable from the non-restricting position to the restricting position in only one of the first and the second position of the trigger.

56. A system for dispensing a liquid, comprising a container that is at least partially filled with the liquid, and a dispensing device according to claim 37 connected to the container.

Description

[0102] The invention will now be illustrated by way of an example, with reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0103] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dispensing device of the invention, with the toggle in the non-restricting position and the trigger in a first neutral position, and with a possible container connected to it indicated in phantom.

[0104] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 1, with the slider in the restricting position, the trigger in the first neutral position and the shroud removed to show the engine, and a detailed rear perspective view at an enlarged scale of the connection of the resilient arm of the trigger (shown in phantom) to the engine.

[0105] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 1.

[0106] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing device along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, with the slider in the restricting position, the trigger in the first neutral position and the shroud removed.

[0107] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the device of FIG. 1 with the slider in a restricting and non-restricting position, respectively, and the shroud removed to show the engine, and with the trigger shown in phantom in FIG. 5B.

[0108] FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the dispensing device, with the toggle in the restricting position and the shroud shown in phantom.

[0109] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the dispensing device according to FIG. 1 at the same position as in FIG. 4, with the slider in the non-restricting position, the trigger in the first neutral position and the shroud removed.

[0110] A device 1 for dispensing a liquid (not shown) from a container C (shown in phantom in FIG. 1), such as a bag-in-bottle container, comprises an engine 2 (FIG. 2), a trigger 5, and connecting means 6, for connecting the engine 2 to a neck part of the container C. The connecting means 6 may be configured to establish a bayonet connection, a screw connection or a snap connection with the container C. The engine 2 comprises a nozzle 3 and a pump 4 for transferring the liquid from the container C to the nozzle 3. The trigger 5 is moveable between a first neutral position and a second at least substantially depressed position, and is connected to the pump 4 for actuating the pump 4 when brought from the first to the second position. In the illustrated embodiment the trigger 5 includes a handling part 56 which is connected to two wings 57 extending on opposite sides of the engine 2. Each wing 57 in turn is connected to a resilient arm 24 to be discussed below. Movement of the trigger 5 between the first and second positions in this case is a pivoting movement about a hinge axis 17, as illustrated by arrow T1.

[0111] At its top 7, opposite to the connecting means 6, the engine 2 of the device 1 is provided with a slider 9, with two restricting elements or projections 10, 11, which are connected to free ends of legs of a a U-shaped end 12 of the slider 9. These projections 10, 11 are arranged on opposite sides with respect to nozzle 3, and are directed inside out, as seen from the center of the engine 2.

[0112] The trigger 5 is provided with engaging elements 13, 14 on upper edges 15, 16 opposing the connecting means 6, near the top 7, which extend radially with respect to the hinge axis 17 (FIG. 5A, 5B) of the trigger 5.

[0113] The slider 9 is slideable in the direction of arrow R1 between a non-restricting position, in which the trigger 5 is moveable from the first position to the second position and vice versa (FIG. 1, FIG. 5B, FIG. 7), and a restricting position (FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 6). The sliding movement of the slider 9 is in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the trigger 5 between its first and second positions—although the slider 9 moves in a linear way, as opposed to the pivoting movement of the trigger 5. The restricting elements 10, 11 are arranged at a position adjacent to the position of the engaging elements 13, 14 in the first or neutral position. In the restricting position, the restricting elements 10, 11 restrict the movement of the trigger 5 between from the first to the second position, by extending in a path T2 of the engaging elements 13, 14 between the first and second position of the trigger 5. In the non-restricting position, the restricting elements 10′, 11′ do not extend in this path T2, allowing the trigger 5 to move between its first and second positions for actuating the pump 4. In the latter position, a portion of the engine 2, namely a valve chamber 18 accommodating a pre-compression valve 19 (FIG. 4), is nested in the U-shaped end 12 of the slider 9, while the restricting elements 10, 11 are arranged around this engine portion (FIG. 5A, 5B).

[0114] In order to guide the movement of the slider 9, the slider 9 is bound by the upper edges 15, 16 of the trigger. Furthermore, the slider 9 is provided with two legs 20, 21 on the side of the slider 9 opposite the restricting elements 10, 11. These legs 20, 21 are slidably received in C-shaped outwardly directed slots 22, 23 formed in guide elements 58, 59 at the top 7 of the engine 2.

[0115] As can be identified from FIGS. 5A and 5B, both the projections 10, 11 and the protrusions 13, 14 have sloping surfaces facing each other. In this case, the projections 10, 11 each have a sloping upper surface 60, 61 facing the protrusions 13, 14, and the protrusions 13, 14 each have a sloping surface on a side facing towards the trigger 5. These sloping surfaces allow the trigger 5 to move between its first and second position even when the slider 9 is in its restricting position, namely upon the exertion of an operating force on the trigger 5 which is substantially above a standard operating force for a period of time. This may occur e.g. when a user persistently tries to force the trigger 5 from its first position to its second position with the slider 9 in its restricting position. In that case the protrusions 13, 14 move downwards on the sloping upper surfaces 60, 61 of the projections 10, 11, causing upper parts of the wings 57 carrying the protrusions 13, 14 to be elastically deformed and to bend outwards in the direction of arrow B. Once the protrusions 13, 14 have passed the projections 10, 11 they return to their original positions. By allowing the protrusions 13, 14 to ride over the sloping surfaces 60, 61 of the projections 10, 11, damage to the trigger 5 and or the slider 9 may be prevented. In that respect it should be noted that the purpose of restricting movement of the trigger 5 is merely to prevent inadvertent actuation when e.g. the dispensing device is carried in a user's bag or pocket, which will not normally involve any significant loads.

[0116] In order to urge the trigger 5 towards its first position, the trigger 5 is provided with biasing means. In this embodiment the biasing means comprise a pair of resilient arms 24 arranged on opposite sides of the trigger 5—of which only one is visible here. In the illustrated embodiment a tooth 25 is provided on a free end 26 of each arm 24. This tooth 25 is downwardly directed, and is engaged in pocket 27 in the engine 2 (shown in detail in FIG. 2). In this way the trigger 5 is securely connected to the engine 2.

[0117] As can be identified from FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment the engine 2 is composed of a first engine part 28, comprising the pump 4, and a second engine part 29, comprising the nozzle 3, the slider 9, an outlet channel 30, and a connector 31 for connecting to the first engine part 28. By dividing the engine 2 into a first engine part 28 and a second engine part 29, it is possible to mount the trigger 5 on the first engine part 28, without having to pass the nozzle 3, while still allowing the nozzle to restrict the range of movement of the trigger 5. Consequently, such a device 1 may be assembled by first providing the first engine part 28 and the trigger 5, and by connecting the trigger 5 to the first engine part 28, such that it is able to move between the first position and the second position, for actuating the pump when brought from the first to the second position. Subsequently the second engine part 29 is provided and this second engine part 29 is connected to the first engine part 28 only after connecting the trigger 5 to the first engine part 28 (FIG. 3). The assembly method further comprises the step of arranging the slider 9 to be slidable between the non-restricting position and the restricting position.

[0118] In order to cover the engine 2 and the slider 9 arranged on the engine 2, the device 1 is provided with a shroud 32, which is composed of a main shroud part 33 and a cover shroud part 34 The cover shroud part 34 closes off an open top in the main shroud part 33, and fits to the trigger 5 in its first position. Both the cover shroud part 34 and the trigger 5 are provided with a semi-circular recess which together form a circle fitting around the circular nozzle 3.

[0119] In order for the slider 9 to remain accessible, the cover shroud part 34 is provided with an actuator in the form of a toggle 35, which is slidable back and forth in the direction of the arrow R2. This toggle 35 has a surface shaped for engagingly receiving a user's finger. The toggle 35 is accommodated in a recess 36 in the cover shroud part 34, and is bound by an upper edge 37 of the recess 36. The toggle 35 is provided with a hooking part 38, which is engaged in a cavity 39 in the slider 9. Since the toggle 35 is arranged in the cover shroud part 34 at the top of the device 1, it is easy to operate, e.g. by a user's thumb.

[0120] The pump 4 of the engine 2 has a suction side S that is adapted to be brought in fluid communication with the container C via an inlet channel 53. In the illustrated embodiment a dip tube 40 extending into the container C is connected to the inlet channel 53. The pump 4 also has a pressure side P that is in fluid communication with the nozzle 3 via outlet channel 30.

[0121] In the illustrated embodiment the pre-compression valve 19 in the outlet channel 30 is arranged in a horizontal orientation, i.e. its direction of valve movement between an opened and closed position is substantially in line with a dispensing orifice 50 in the nozzle 3. In this embodiment, the pre-compression valve 19 is a dome valve, which is snugly fitted in the valve chamber 18. The dome valve includes a sleeve 47 and a resiliently flexible diaphragm 48 which sealingly engages a valve seat 49. The pre-compression valve 19 has a cracking pressure which defines a lower limit of the pressure at which the liquid is sprayed.

[0122] The pump 4 includes a pump chamber 41 which is integrally formed with a frame 42 that includes the connecting means 6. A piston 44 is arranged for a sliding reciprocating movement in the pump chamber 41. This piston 44 is mechanically connected to the trigger 5, for moving the piston 44 and the pump chamber 41 with respect to each other upon the actuation of the trigger 5.

[0123] A buffer 43, here embodied as a gas buffer, extends through the annular connecting means 6 into the neck part of the container C. The buffer 43 is in fluid communication with the outlet channel 30 and can be brought into fluid communication with the pump chamber 41. In this embodiment the buffer 43 includes a gas-filled body 51 arranged in a buffer chamber 52. The gas-filled body 51 is locked in the buffer chamber 52 by a top part 55. The buffer 43 serves to store liquid by compression of the gas-filled body 52 when the pump 4 provides more liquid to the outlet channel 30 than the nozzle 3 can dispense. In this way liquid pressure may be maintained even after the trigger 5 has stopped actuating the pump 41.

[0124] At the suction side S, the pump 4 is provided with an inlet valve 45 for opening the pump chamber 41 to the inlet channel 53 when an active volume of the pump chamber 41 is increased, i.e. when the piston 44 is moved away from a bottom 54 of the pump chamber 41. The inlet valve 45 is further configured for at least partially closing off the connection to the inlet channel 53 when the active volume of the pump chamber 41 is decreased.

[0125] At its pressure side P, the pump 4 is provided with an outlet valve 46 for opening the pump chamber 41 to the outlet channel 30 when the active volume of the pump chamber 41 is decreased, i.e. when the piston 44 is moved towards the bottom 54 of the pump chamber 41. The outlet valve 46 is further configured for at least partially closing off the connection to the outlet channel 30 when the active volume of the pump chamber 41 is increased.

[0126] A variant 102 of the engine is shown in FIG. 7, of which only the differences with respect to the first embodiment are described in detail. All parts corresponding with those of FIG. 4 have been identified by identical reference numerals. It should be noted that the slider 9 is shown in its advanced non-restricting position. Instead of the gas buffer 43, the engine 102 is provided with a spring buffer 143, comprising a plunger 151A loaded by a spring 151B which are arranged in a buffer chamber 152. The spring-loaded plunger 151A is held in the buffer chamber 152 by a top part 155.

[0127] In this way the invention provides a liquid dispensing device that is easier to manufacture, store and transport than conventional devices of this type. Moreover, the liquid dispensing device of the invention is more compact than conventional devices.

[0128] Although the invention has been described here by way of some examples, it will be clear that it may be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the following claims.