Precompression system for a liquid dispensing device and method of assembling such precompressed system

Abstract

A precompression system for a liquid dispensing device is presented, that prevents liquid from being discharged until a predetermined pressure has been built up. The system comprises a pump for drawing liquid through an inlet and discharging it through an outlet, and a precompression valve disposed between the pump and the outlet. The valve allows liquid in the pump to reach the outlet once the predetermined pressure is established, and stops liquid from reaching the outlet once the pressure falls below it. The precompression valve comprises an elastic diaphragm normally closing the valve opening, with a concave surface facing the valve opening and in fluid communication with the pump and a convex surface in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm may be stretched around a valve seat. Methods of assembling such a precompression system in a dispensing device are also presented.

Claims

1. A valve system for a liquid dispensing device having an inlet and an outlet, comprising: a pump chamber including a piston movable in the pump chamber for drawing liquid through the inlet and discharging the liquid through the outlet; and a valve chamber including a valve member disposed between the pump chamber and the outlet, wherein the valve chamber has an inlet end in fluid communication with said pump chamber, an outlet end in fluid communication with the outlet and a valve seat arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end and having an opening extending therethrough, wherein the valve member comprises an elastic diaphragm stretched around the valve seat normally closing the valve seat opening in a closed state, a first side of said diaphragm facing the valve seat opening and being in fluid communication with the pump chamber and a second side of said diaphragm in communication with atmospheric pressure, and wherein said valve member is compressively tensioned in said closed state and is arranged to move away from said valve seat to an open state where it is further compressively tensioned when subjected to at least a predetermined pressure of the liquid, wherein the valve member includes a sleeve integral with and surrounding and holding the outer periphery of the diaphragm, said sleeve being provided within said valve chamber, said sleeve having a lengthwise dimension that is substantially parallel to a direction of motion of the diaphragm within the valve chamber, and greater than a corresponding depth of the valve chamber, such that the sleeve is tightly pressed into the valve chamber in a compressed manner, and wherein the sleeve has one or more diametral dimensions substantially parallel to a plane of the diaphragm, at least one of said diametral dimensions being greater than said lengthwise dimension.

2. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the length of the sleeve extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm.

3. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the elastic diaphragm and the sleeve are integrally molded from a plastics material.

4. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the elastic diaphragm is molded in an unstretched shape that is substantially less concave than its shape when stretched over the valve seat.

5. The valve system of claim 4, wherein the elastic diaphragm is molded in a convex shape and is stretched to a concave shape when the sleeve is arranged in the valve chamber.

6. The valve system of claim 4, wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of ribs extending along an inner wall thereof substantially perpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm.

7. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the lengthwise dimension of the sleeve is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm.

8. The valve system of claim 1, wherein said valve chamber is operable to allow liquid in the pump chamber to reach the outlet only after a predetermined pressure is established in said pump chamber.

9. The valve system of claim 8 wherein said valve chamber is further operable to stop liquid from reaching the outlet when the pressure in the pump chamber falls below said predetermined pressure.

10. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes at least one stabilizing member holding the sleeve substantially fixed as the diaphragm moves.

11. A liquid dispensing device having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve system arranged therebetween the valve system comprising: a pump chamber including a piston movable in the pump chamber for drawing liquid through the inlet and discharging the liquid through the outlet; and a valve chamber including a valve member disposed between the pump chamber and the outlet, wherein the valve chamber has an inlet end in fluid communication with said pump chamber, an outlet end in fluid communication with the outlet and a valve seat arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the valve member comprises an elastic diaphragm stretched around the valve seat normally closing the valve seat opening in a closed state, a first side of said diaphragm facing the valve seat opening and being in fluid communication with the pump chamber and a second side of said diaphragm in communication with atmospheric pressure, and wherein said valve member is compressively tensioned in said closed state and is arranged to move away from said valve seat to an open state where it is further compressively tensioned when subjected to at least a predetermined pressure of the liquid, wherein the valve member includes a sleeve integral with and surrounding and holding the outer periphery of the diaphragm, said sleeve being provided within said valve chamber, said sleeve having a lengthwise dimension that is substantially parallel to a direction of motion of the diaphragm within the valve chamber, and greater than a corresponding depth of the valve chamber, such that the sleeve is tightly pressed into the valve chamber in a compressed manner, and wherein the sleeve has one or more diametral dimensions substantially parallel to a plane of the diaphragm, at least one of said diametral dimensions being greater than said lengthwise dimension.

12. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11, wherein said valve chamber is operable to allow liquid in the pump chamber to reach the outlet only after a predetermined pressure is established in said pump chamber.

13. The liquid dispensing device system of claim 12, wherein said valve chamber is further operable to stop liquid from reaching the outlet when the pressure in the pump chamber falls below said predetermined pressure.

14. The liquid dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the sleeve includes at least one stabilizing member holding the sleeve substantially fixed as the diaphragm moves.

15. A valve member for use in a valve chamber of a valve system for a liquid dispensing device, said valve member comprising: an elastic diaphragm stretched around a valve seat normally closing a valve seat opening in a closed state, a first side of said diaphragm facing the valve seat opening and being in fluid communication with the pump chamber and a second side of said diaphragm in communication with atmospheric pressure, wherein said valve member is compressively tensioned in said closed state and is arranged to move away from said valve seat to an open state where it is further compressively tensioned when subjected to at least a predetermined pressure of the liquid, wherein the valve member includes a sleeve integral with and surrounding and holding the outer periphery of the diaphragm, said sleeve being provided within said valve chamber, said sleeve having a lengthwise dimension that is substantially parallel to a direction of motion of the diaphragm within the valve chamber, and greater than a corresponding depth of the valve chamber, such that the sleeve is tightly pressed into the valve chamber in a compressed manner, and wherein the sleeve has one or more diametral dimensions substantially parallel to a plane of the diaphragm, at least one of said diametral dimensions being greater than said lengthwise dimension.

16. The valve member of claim 15, wherein the sleeve includes at least one stabilizing member holding the sleeve substantially fixed as the diaphragm moves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid dispenser subassembly having a housing, a piston, a trigger, an outlet nozzle and a precompression system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the precompression valve used in the liquid dispenser of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the precompression valve of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a first step for assembling the precompression system of the liquid dispenser in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the dispenser subassembly with the precompression valve loosely arranged in a valve chamber.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the liquid dispenser after a shroud of the housing has been mounted so as to secure and prestress the precompression valve.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid dispenser of FIG. 1 during a pump stroke, when the precompression valve is opened.

(8) FIG. 8 is a view corresponding with FIG. 7 and showing the liquid dispenser at the end of the pump stroke, when the precompression valve is closed again.

(9) FIG. 9 is a view corresponding with FIG. 2 and showing a precompression valve used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a view corresponding with FIG. 5 and showing the second embodiment of the precompression valve loosely arranged in a valve chamber.

(11) FIG. 11 is a view corresponding with FIG. 1 and showing the second embodiment of the liquid dispenser after assembly.

(12) FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a liquid dispenser including a housing, a pushbutton type operating element, a precompression valve, a dip tube, a locking element and a container, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 shows a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the liquid dispenser of FIG. 23 after final assembly thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 1 shows a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a liquid dispenser 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2, a pump 3, an operating mechanism 4, an inlet 5, an outlet 6 and a precompression system 7. A discharge nozzle 49 is arranged on the outlet 6 for atomizing the liquid that is dispensed. The liquid dispenser 1 is connected to a container 9 having an opening 10 bordered by a neck 11. In the illustrated embodiment this connection is a snap connection, which is effected by snapping lugs 12 arranged on an inner surface of the housing 2 into recesses 13 formed in the outer surface of the neck 11. A dip tube 14 extends from the inlet 5 of the liquid dispenser 1 into the container 9 for drawing liquid from the container 9 into the liquid dispenser 1.

(15) The pump 3 includes a pump chamber 15 and a piston 16 that is arranged in the pump chamber 15 for reciprocating movement. Pump chamber 15 has an inlet opening 17 communicating with the liquid dispenser inlet 5 and an outlet opening 18 communicating with a discharge conduit 19 that leads to the liquid dispenser outlet 6. Pump chamber 15 further has an aerating opening 20 communicating with the interior of the container 9. This aerating opening 20 is selectively opened and closed by two peripheral flaps 21, 22 arranged on the piston 16.

(16) The operating mechanism 4 includes a trigger 23, the top of which is pivotally connected to the housing 2 by means of a hinge (not shown here). Trigger 23 is also pivotally connected to piston 16 by means of a pin 24 received in an opening 25. The trigger 23 is biased to its extended position as shown in FIG. 1 by a pair of flexion springs (not shown here), which are arranged in the housing 2 outside the pump chamber 15.

(17) The precompression system 7 is arranged between the pump chamber 15 and the outlet 6. It includes a valve chamber 26 in which a precompression valve member 27 is arranged. The valve chamber 26 has an inlet end 28 communicating with the pump chamber outlet opening 18 and an outlet end 29 communicating with the discharge conduit 19 and hence the liquid dispenser outlet 6. Arranged between the inlet and outlet ends 28, 29 is an annular valve seat 31, which surrounds a valve opening 30 that constitutes the outlet end 29 of the valve chamber. Precompression valve member 27 includes an elastic diaphragm 32 which normally closes the valve opening 30. This elastic diaphragm 32 is dome shaped and includes a concave surface 32A facing the valve seat 31 and its opening 30, as well as a convex surface 32B facing away from the valve seat opening 30 towards the interior of valve chamber 26. A stabilizing member 45 is attached to the center of the convex surface 32B.

(18) Precompression valve member 27 further includes a sleeve 33 surrounding and holding an outer periphery 34 of the elastic diaphragm 32. This sleeve 33 is arranged in the valve chamber 26 and seals against an inner wall 35 thereof by means of a peripheral flap 36 and an annular ridge 37 arranged on an outer surface 38 of the sleeve 33. Sleeve 33 further includes a second peripheral flap 39 which serves as a flap valve between liquid dispenser inlet 5 and inlet opening 17 of pump chamber 15. Finally, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, sleeve 33 includes a plurality of ribs 40 evenly distributed in peripheral direction and extending along an inner surface 41 of the sleeve 33. In the illustrated embodiment there are four ribs 40 each spaced 90 degrees from the adjacent ribs 40.

(19) Sleeve 33 has a stepped contour which corresponds with the stepped configuration of the inner wall 35 of the valve chamber 26. Sleeve 33 extends beyond the plane of the elastic diaphragm and has an inner ridge 42when considered in the direction of valve chamber 26which engages a bottom surface 46 of the valve chamber 26. The inner ridge 42 includes a plurality of openings 43 allowing liquid to flow from the pump chamber 15 towards the discharge conduit 19. The length of the sleeve 33 measured from the inner ridge 42 to an outer ridge 44 is slightly greater than the corresponding depth of the valve chamber 26. This ensures that the valve member 27 is tightly clamped in the valve chamber 26 when the liquid dispenser 1 is assembled. The force required for pressing the valve member 27 tightly into the valve chamber 26 is provided by an end wall 47 that forms part of a shroud 48 of the dispenser housing 2

(20) Valve member 27 including the sleeve 33 and elastic diaphragm 32 is integrally molded front a plastics material, like e.g. polypropylene. When molded, the elastic diaphragm 32 has a shape which is substantially less concaveconsidered in the direction facing the valve seat 31than it has when the valve member 27 is arranged in the valve chamber 26. In the illustrated embodiment the elastic diaphragm 32 is actually molded in a convex shape, which is inverted when the valve member 27 is pressed into the valve chamber 26 by the end wall 47. In this way the elastic diaphragm 32 is prestressed against or stretched over the valve seat 31, which is an important feature with a view to obtaining excellent sealing until the liquid in the pump chamber 15 reaches the predetermined pressure at which the precompression valve should open.

(21) Referring to FIG. 4, the precompression system 7 is assembled by first inserting the valve member 27 in the valve chamber 26, which is integrally formed as part of the housing 2 of the liquid dispenser 1. The valve member 27 is first pressed into the valve chamber 26 until the elastic diaphragm 32 engages the valve seat 31. In this position, which is shown in FIG. 5, the inner ridge 42 does not yet engage the bottom 46 of valve chamber 26. Since the distance between the elastic diaphragm 32when unstressedand the outer ridge sleeve 33 is greater than the distance between the valve seat 31 and the end of valve chamber 26, sleeve 33 of valve member 27 still protrudes somewhat from valve chamber 26.

(22) In a final assembly step the shroud 48 is connected to the rest of the housing 2. During this step the end wall 47 engages the protruding outer ridge 44 of sleeve 33 and presses valve member 27 tightly into valve chamber 26 until the inner ridge 42 abuts the valve chamber bottom 46. Since the valve seat 31 protrudes further from the valve chamber bottom 46 than the distance between the sleeve inner ridge 42 and the elastic diaphragm 32, the latter is stretched over the valve seat 31 and the face 32A of the diaphragm 32 assumes its concave shape, as shown in FIG. 6. The liquid dispenser 1 is now ready for operation.

(23) When the trigger 23 is first operated, the piston 16 will move inwards, reducing the volume of the pump chamber 15 and thereby compressing the air insideassuming the pump 3 has not been primed. The resulting air pressure is not enough to force the precompression valve away from the valve seat 31. When the trigger 23 is released, it will be returned to its original position by the springs. During this return or suction stroke, the pressure in she pump chamber 16 will be lowered, thus drawing liquid from the container 9 through the dip tube 14 and the dispenser inlet 5, past the flap valve 39, through the inlet opening 17 into the pump chamber 16.

(24) When the trigger 23 is operated again, movement of the piston 16 will result in a sharp increase in the pressure within the pump chamber 16, since the liquid is not compressible. This pressure acts on all parts of the pump chamber 16 and is also present in the outlet opening 18, which is closed by the elastic diaphragm 32 of the precompression valve 27. Once the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, for instance in the order of three bar, the elastic diaphragm 32 will stretch and be lifted from the valve seat 31, as shown in FIG. 7. This pressure is determined by the elasticity of the diaphragm 32 and the ambient pressure, which acts on the convex surface 320 of the diaphragm 32. Once the diaphragm 32 is lifted from the valve seat 32 pressurized liquid from the pump chamber 16 may flow through the outlet opening 18, between the valve seat 31 and the elastic diaphragm 32, into the valve opening 30. From there the liquid will flow through the discharge conduit 19 to the outlet 6 of the liquid dispenser 1. Since the liquid is dispensed only after reaching the predetermined pressure, it will be properly atomized upon leaving the outlet 6 and the spraying pattern will be evenly distributed, without any large drops being dispensed.

(25) Referring now to FIG. 8, when the pressure in the pump chamber 16 drops below the predetermined level at the end of the pump stroke, the elasticity of the diaphragm 32 will overcome the liquid pressure. Consequently the diaphragm 32 will contract again until it comes to rest against the valve seat 31. This closes the valve opening 30 and instantly interrupts the flow of liquid from the pump 3 to the outlet 6. In this way the liquid dispenser 1 will not drip at the end of the pump stroke.

(26) FIG. 9 shows a valve member 127 for use in a second embodiment of the precompression system 107. This valve member 127 has a square, rather than elongated shape, since its lengththe distance between the inner and outer edges 142 and 144, respectivelyis no larger than its diameter. This configuration results in a sturdy sleeve 133, which has even less tendency to deform when pressure is applied to the diaphragm 132. Although the length of this alternative valve member 127 is smaller than that of the valve member 27 of the first embodiment, it is still longer than the depth of the valve chamber 126. Consequently, the outer ridge 144 still protrudes from the valve chamber 126 when the valve member 127 has been inserted up to the point where the diaphragm 132 contacts the valve seat 131, as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, also in this embodiment the elastic diaphragm 132 is stretched and prestressed when the valve member 127 is finally clamped tight in the valve chamber 126 by connecting the shroud 148 including she end wall 147 to the rest of the liquid dispenser 101, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

(27) FIG. 12 shows a liquid dispenser 201 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Like the first and second embodiments, this liquid dispenser 201 comprises a housing 202, a pump 203, an operating mechanism 204, an inlet 205, an outlet 206 and a precompression system 207. The liquid dispenser 201 is again connected to a container 209 having an opening 210 bordered by a neck 211. A dip tube 214 again extends from the inlet 205 of the liquid dispenser 201 into the container 209 for drawing liquid from the container 209 into the liquid dispenser 201.

(28) This liquid dispenser 201 is not a trigger sprayer, but is intended for dispensing more viscous liquids like e.g. hand soap. Consequently, the discharge nozzle 249 at the outlet 206 is not arranged for atomizing the liquid, but merely for deflecting the flow of liquid downward. The dispenser further has a different mechanism for operating the pump 203, using a pushbutton 223 that is slidable within the housing 202, rather than a hinged trigger. The pushbutton 223 is biased to a position of rest by two substantially S-shaped combined torsion/flexion springs 250, only one of which is shown. In this embodiment of the liquid dispenser 201 the piston 216 is integrated in the pushbutton 223. This embodiment of the liquid dispenser 201 further includes a vent chamber 251 arranged next to the pump chamber 215. The pushbutton 223 also includes a second piston (not shown here) that is arranged for reciprocating movement in the vent chamber 251.

(29) The valve member 227 of this third embodiment is somewhat different from that of the first two embodiments in that the elastic diaphragm 232 is arranged substantially halfway the sleeve 233, rather than near its inner ridge 242. Like in the first two embodiments, the diaphragm 232 is stretched over the valve seat 231, as shown in FIG. 13. Its concave side 232A again faces both the valve opening 230 and the outlet opening 218 of the pump chamber 215 and is exposed to the pressure generated by the pump 203. The convex side 232B of the elastic diaphragm 232 faces the rear of the valve chamber 226 and is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

(30) Again, the elastic diaphragm 232 is originally molded in a shape that is substantially less concave than the shape it has to assume by being stretched over the valve seat 231 when valve member 227 is inserted into valve chamber 226. This deformation of the elastic diaphragm 232 leads to a certain degree of prestress that results in an excellent seal between the diaphragm 232 and the valve seat 231. Depending on the degree of prestress that is required to obtain the required sealing action and a specific precompression of the liquid, the elastic diaphragm 232 may also be molded in a straight or even a convex shape.

(31) The sleeve 233 includes an opening 243 in its side wall 235 for allowing liquid to pass from the outlet opening 218 of the pump chamber 215 to the valve opening 230. Since in this embodiment the pump 203 and the inlet 205 are arranged on opposite sides of the valve chamber 226, the sleeve 233 further includes a groove 252 allowing liquid to pass along the outside of the sleeve 233. In this embodiment, the outer ridge 244 of the sleeve 233 has a somewhat greater diameter than the outer end of the valve chamber 226 so that it is held thereby. The valve member 227 is locked in position by a plurality of ribs 253 protruding from end wall 247 of shroud 248.

(32) Reciprocating movement, of the pushbutton 223 between its two positions also reciprocates the pump piston 216 and the vent piston in the pump chamber 215 and vent chamber 251, respectively. During a suction stroke, the pump piston 216 moves in an onward direction to create a vacuum in the pump chamber 215, thereby drawing liquid from the container 209 through dip tube 214 and inlet 205, past the sleeve 233 and into the pump chamber 215. During a discharge stroke, the pump piston 216 moves in a downward direction to reduce the volume of the pump chamber 215. Once the pressure within the pump chamber 215 is greater than the combined elastic force of the diaphragm 232 and the ambient pressure on the convex face 232B of the diaphragm, the diaphragm 232 stretches and moves away from the valve seat 231 and the liquid is free to pass through the valve opening 230 and into the discharge conduit 219 towards the outlet 206.

(33) Although the invention has been illustrated by means of a number of examples, it should be apparent that it is not limited thereto. For example, the precompression system might be used in other types of liquid dispensers. Moreover, the flexible diaphragm and sleeve of the valve member could be formed separately. In addition, both the configuration of the elastic diaphragm and sleeve and the choice of materials might be varied as well. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims.