DISPOSITIVO E SISTEMA PARA DISPENSAR UM LÍQUIDO

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid from a container comprising an inlet channel configured to be brought in fluid communication with the container and a pump in fluid communication with the inlet channel, the pump including a pump chamber and a piston reciprocally movable in the pump chamber. The liquid dispensing device further comprises a gas buffer in fluid communication with the pump, the gas buffer comprising a buffer chamber and a gas-filled compressible buffer bag arranged in the buffer chamber, a nozzle for dispensing the liquid, the nozzle in fluid communication with the pump and / or the gas buffer, and a pre-compression valve arranged between the pump and / or gas buffer and the nozzle. The pump chamber has an axis defining a direction of reciprocal movement of the piston which is arranged at an angle with respect to an axis of the inlet channel. The invention further relates to a system for dispensing a liquid, comprising a container and a liquid dispensing device as described above connected thereto.

Description

[001] The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid from a container as a spray or as a foam. In particular, the invention relates to a liquid dispensing device that allows a liquid to be dispensed at a precisely controlled outlet pressure and thus allows the droplet size to be maintained within a narrowly defined range.

[002] Document WO 2015 / 128446 A1 describes a liquid dispensing device comprising: a piston chamber; a movable piston within the piston chamber to pressurize the liquid to be dispensed; a nozzle with a defined flow rate to dispense the liquid; an outlet valve with a defined minimum opening pressure, disposed between the piston chamber and the nozzle; and a reservoir disposed between the piston chamber and the outlet valve. This type of liquid dispensing device, called a buffer pre-compression sprayer, is configured to be mounted on the neck of a container for the liquid to be dispensed. In one example of the prior art dispensing device, the reservoir is a gas buffer reservoir disposed in a slide containing the piston, while in another example the reservoir is a gas buffer reservoir extending to the neck of the container.

[003] The invention aims to provide a liquid dispensing device of the type discussed above, which is structurally simple, relatively easy to assemble and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[004] According to the invention, this is achieved by a device for dispensing a liquid from a container comprising an inlet channel configured to be placed in fluidic communication with the container, a pump in fluidic communication with the inlet channel, the pump including a pumping chamber and a piston reciprocally movable in the pumping chamber, and a Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 8 / 38 2 / 17 gas buffer reservoir in fluidic communication with the pump, the gas buffer reservoir comprising a damping chamber and a compressible damping bag filled with gas disposed in the damping chamber. The liquid dispensing device of the invention further comprises a nozzle for dispensing the liquid, the nozzle in fluidic communication with the pump and / or the gas buffer reservoir, and a pre-compression valve disposed between the pump and / or gas buffer reservoir and the nozzle. In this liquid dispensing device, the pumping chamber has a shaft defining a direction of reciprocating motion of the piston that is disposed at an angle relative to an axis of the inlet channel.

[005] In one embodiment of the liquid dispensing device, the axis of the pumping chamber may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inlet channel.

[006] In a further embodiment, the gas buffer reservoir may have a shaft that is arranged at an angle to the shaft of the pumping chamber.

[007] In one embodiment, the axis of the gas buffer reservoir may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pumping chamber. In this case, the gas buffer reservoir may be configured to extend to a neck of the vessel.

[008] In another embodiment, the axis of the gas buffer reservoir may be arranged at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the axis of the pumping chamber.

[009] In a further embodiment, an actuator may be operatively coupled to the piston and the gas buffer reservoir may be disposed on the side of the pumping chamber opposite the actuator.

[010] In yet another embodiment, the gas buffer reservoir may have a shaft that is arranged substantially parallel to the shaft of the chamber. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 9 / 38 3 / 17 pumping. In this case, the gas buffer reservoir may extend along an outlet channel that constitutes the fluid communication between the nozzle and the pump and / or the gas buffer reservoir.

[011] In one embodiment of the liquid dispensing device, the damping chamber may include at least one opening to establish fluid communication with the pump and with the nozzle, and at least one opening may be disposed in a part of the damping chamber facing the pump.

[012] In an alternative embodiment of the liquid dispensing device, the buffer chamber may include an inlet opening to establish fluid communication with the pump and an outlet opening to establish fluid communication with the nozzle. In this case, the buffer chamber may have a side wall that substantially surrounds the buffer bag and walls at opposite ends, and at least one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening may be disposed in the side wall.

[013] In one embodiment, the liquid dispensing device may additionally comprise a pump outlet valve to interrupt fluid communication between the gas buffer reservoir and the pump.

[014] The invention further relates to a system for dispensing a liquid comprising a container and a liquid dispensing device as defined above connected thereto.

[015] The invention will now be elucidated by means of a series of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are identified by reference numbers followed by 100, and in which:

[016] Figure 1 is a side view of a system for dispensing a liquid comprising a container and a first embodiment of a liquid dispensing device connected to it;

[017] Figure 2 is a front view of the system in Figure 1; Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 10 / 38 4 / 17

[018] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along lines III-III in Figure 2;

[019] Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative system for dispensing a liquid, comprising a different container and a second embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[020] Figure 5 is a front view of the system in Figure 4;

[021] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along lines VI-VI in Figure 5;

[022] Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 which shows a third embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[023] Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figures 6 and 7, showing the main parts of a fourth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[024] Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figures 6 to 8, showing the main parts of a fifth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[025] Figure 10 is a view corresponding to Figures 6 to 9, showing the main parts of a sixth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[026] Figure 11 is a schematic view corresponding to Figures 6 to 10, showing the main parts of a seventh embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[027] Figure 12 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device;

[028] Figure 13 is a front view of the liquid dispensing device of Figure 12; and

[029] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along lines XIVXIV in Figure 13.

[030] A system 1 for dispensing a liquid comprises a container 2 that is at least partially filled with the liquid to be dispensed and that has Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 11 / 38 5 / 17 a neck 3 (Figure 3). System 1 additionally comprises a liquid dispensing device 4 connected to the neck 3 container.

[031] The liquid dispensing device 4 comprises a pump 5 which includes a pumping chamber 6 and a piston 7 which is reciprocally movable in the pumping chamber 6 as indicated by arrow R. The device 4 further comprises a movable actuator 8, in the illustrated embodiment a trigger, which is operatively coupled to the piston 7. The actuator 8 may be pivotable or sliding, as indicated by arrow T. It may be moved inwards (to the right in the drawing) by a user applying force to initiate a pumping stroke, and may be moved outwards, for example, by a return spring (not shown).

[032] The liquid dispensing device 4 further comprises a gas buffer reservoir 9 which includes a buffer chamber 10 and a gas-filled compressible buffer bag 11 disposed in the buffer chamber 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the buffer chamber 10 is substantially cylindrical and the buffer bag 9 is tubular and has welded and closed ends 46. The gas buffer reservoir 9 is in fluid communication with the pump 5.

[033] The liquid dispensing device 4 also comprises a nozzle 12 for dispensing the liquid. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 12 is in fluidic communication with the pump 5 and also with the gas buffer reservoir 9. The fluidic communication between the nozzle 12 and the gas buffer reservoir 9 passes through the pump 5. In the illustrated embodiment, a fluidic connection between the pump 5 and the gas buffer reservoir 9 includes an opening 32 which is disposed in a part of the damping chamber 10 facing the pump 5.

[034] A pre-compression valve 13 is disposed between the pump 5 and gas buffer reservoir 9 on one side and the nozzle 12 on the other. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-compression valve 13 is a dome valve that is disposed in a chamber. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 12 / 38 6 / 17 of valve 20 and locked in place by an end wall 21. The valve chamber 20 is shown offset, but parallel to the pumping chamber 6.

[035] Finally, the liquid dispensing device 4 comprises an inlet channel 14 which is configured to be placed in fluidic communication with the container 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet channel 14 is arranged along the damping chamber 10. The inlet channel 14 is configured to receive an upper end of an immersion tube 15 which extends into the container 2. The inlet channel 14 leads to an inlet opening 16 which can be closed by an inlet valve 17 which is sealed against a valve seat 33.

[036] In the embodiment shown, a pump inlet channel 18 connects the inlet opening 16 to the pumping chamber 6, while a pump outlet opening 19 connects the pumping chamber 6 to the valve chamber 20. An outlet opening 22 surrounded by a valve seat 23 is shown to connect the valve chamber 20 to an outlet channel 24 leading to the nozzle 12. In this embodiment, the pre-compression valve 13 normally abuts the valve seat 23 to interrupt fluid communication between the pump 5 and gas buffer reservoir 9 and the nozzle 12.

[037] Nozzle 12 includes a dispensing orifice 25 and can be rotated around an axis A between several positions that define different operating states, such as open and closed, spraying and foaming, or wide and narrow spray angles. These operating states can be indicated by different labels 26 and 27 on different sides of nozzle 12.

[038] The liquid dispensing device 4 may additionally include a connector 28 for connecting the device 4 to the container 2. In this embodiment, the connector 28 comprises a ring having an internal thread 29 that cooperates with an external thread 30 in the neck of the container 3.

[039] In the illustrated embodiment, the various parts of the dispensing device of Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 13 / 38 7 / 17 liquid 4 are covered by a cover 31 that extends between the annular connector 28 and the nozzle 12.

[040] According to one aspect of the invention, the pumping chamber 6 has an axis P defining the direction R of the reciprocating motion of the piston 7 which is arranged at an angle α with respect to an axis I of the inlet channel 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis P of the pumping chamber 6 is substantially perpendicular to the axis I of the inlet channel 14. In other words, during normal use of the liquid dispensing system 1, when the container 2 and the inlet channel 14 are substantially oriented vertically, the pumping chamber 6 will be substantially horizontal.

[041] As established above, in this embodiment, the inlet channel 14 is arranged along the damping chamber 10. Consequently, in this arrangement, an axis B of the gas buffer reservoir 9, which is substantially parallel to the axis I of the inlet channel 14, is substantially perpendicular to the axis P of the pumping chamber 6. During normal use of the liquid dispensing system 1, the gas buffer reservoir 9 will be substantially oriented vertically. Arranging the gas buffer reservoir 9 along the inlet channel 14 allows it to extend through the neck 3 into the container 2. In this way, the gas buffer reservoir 9 can be at least partially accommodated in the free space 35 of the container 2, resulting in a liquid dispensing system 1 that can be relatively compact.

[042] During the use of the liquid dispensing system 1, the pump 5 will first be primed by activating the trigger 8 one or more times. After priming, whenever the piston 7 is moved outwards by the return spring after a pumping stroke, the liquid will be drawn from the container 2 through the immersion tube 15, the inlet channel 14, the inlet opening 16 and the pump inlet channel 18 into the pumping chamber 6. During this return stroke or pumping stroke Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 14 / 38 8 / 17 suction, the intake valve 17 will be lifted from its valve seat 33 as a result of the suction applied by the piston 7 moving outward.

[043] During a subsequent pump stroke, as piston 7 is moved inward by trigger 8, inlet valve 17 will be closed by the pressure created by the inward movement of piston 7, and the liquid in the pumping chamber 6 will be forced through the pump outlet opening 19 into the valve chamber 20. At this location, the liquid pressure will act on the dome-shaped part of the pre-compression valve 13. When the liquid pressure in the pumping chamber 6 exceeds the burst pressure of the pre-compression valve 13, the pre-compression valve 13 will be lifted from its valve seat 23, allowing the liquid to flow through the outlet opening 22 and the outlet channel 24 towards the nozzle 12 to be dispensed through the orifice 25.

[044] The dimensions of the various parts of the liquid dispensing device 4 are such that the orifice 25 cannot dispense the liquid at the same rate as it is pressurized and forced through the pre-compression valve 13 by the actuation of the pump 5. The pressurized liquid that cannot be dispensed through the orifice 25 flows through the pump inlet channel 18 and the opening 32 to the buffer chamber 10, where it compresses the gas-filled buffer bag 11. In order to allow the pressurized liquid to reach the cylindrical part of the buffer bag 11, which is more easily compressible than the rounded top part, the buffer chamber 10 includes grooves or channels 45 in its side wall 34.

[045] If piston 7, after reaching the inner end of its stroke, is held in that position by a user who continues to exert force on the trigger 108, the pressurized liquid accumulated in the damping chamber 10 is forced out by the expansion of the gas-filled damping bag. 11. While the pressure stored in the gas-filled temporary storage bag 111 Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 15 / 38 9 / 17 exceeding the opening pressure of the pre-compression valve 113, this liquid will be forced to pass through the pre-compression valve 13 towards the nozzle 12, to be dispensed through the orifice 25. In this way, the liquid is dispensed by the nozzle 12 for an extended period.

[046] After the last return stroke of piston 7, that is, when the user stops operating pump 5, the liquid flow will be interrupted, since the remaining liquid in device 4 will be distributed over the volume of the pumping chamber 6 and the gas buffer reservoir 9 and its pressure will fall below the opening pressure of the pre-compression valve 13. The abrupt closing of the pre-compression valve 13 will prevent any dripping.

[047] In another embodiment of the liquid dispensing system 101 (Figures 4 to 6), a slightly different container 102 is combined with a second embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 104.

[048] In this embodiment, axis B of the gas buffer reservoir 109 is arranged substantially parallel to axis P of the pumping chamber 106, which in turn is substantially perpendicular to axis I of the inlet channel 114. The valve chamber 120 is shown to be arranged between the pump 105 and the gas buffer reservoir 109. In the illustrated embodiment, an axis V of the valve chamber 120 is substantially perpendicular to axis P of the pumping chamber 6, so that the pre-compression valve 113 is movable in the vertical direction towards or away from its valve seat 123.

[049] The pump outlet opening 119 is connected to a side wall of the valve chamber 120, while the gas buffer reservoir 109 is connected to the valve chamber 120 by the opening 132, which is arranged parallel to the outlet opening 122. This opening 132 is formed in the side wall 134 of the damping chamber 110, which faces the pump 105. A bend 136 connects the outlet opening 122 to the outlet channel 124, which is shown as substantially parallel to the chamber. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 16 / 38 10 / 17 pumping 106 and to the damping chamber 110.

[050] Also in this embodiment, during a return stroke or suction stroke of piston 107, the liquid will be drawn from the container 102 through the immersion tube 115 and the inlet channel 114, and passing through the open inlet valve 117 through the inlet opening 116 and the pump inlet channel 118 into the pumping chamber 106.

[051] During a subsequent pumping course, the inlet valve 117 will be closed and the liquid in the pumping chamber 106 will be forced through the pump outlet opening 119 into the valve chamber 120. In this location, the liquid pressure will flow around a sleeve 137 and act on the dome-shaped part of the pre-compression valve 113, forcing the dome-shaped part away from its valve seat 123. The excess liquid that cannot be dispensed through the orifice 125 will flow through the valve chamber 120 and the opening 132 to the buffer chamber 110, where it compresses the gas-filled buffer bag 111 to maintain pressure within the device 104.

[052] The accumulated liquid will be released from the damping chamber 110 if the piston 107 is held pressed at the end of the pumping stroke. This liquid will flow through the pre-compression valve 113 to prolong the dispensing phase. When the trigger 108 is released and the piston 107 performs a return stroke, the remaining liquid will flow from the damping chamber 110 back through the valve chamber 120 to the pumping chamber 106. This will immediately reduce the liquid pressure in the device 104 below the opening pressure of the pre-compression valve 113, which then closes to stop dispensing.

[053] Arranging the gas buffer reservoir 109 in the liquid dispensing device 104 simplifies the proper manufacturing process of the liquid dispensing system 101. When mounting the liquid dispensing device 104 and the container 102 at the end of a liquid filling line, only the immersion tube 115 Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 17 / 38 11 / 17 needs to be inserted into the neck 103 of the container 102. There is more free space around the immersion tube 115 than around a combination of immersion tube and storage chamber, as shown in Fig. 3, which allows greater freedom of movement and reduces the risk of inadvertent contact between the various parts during assembly.

[054] In a third embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 204, a check valve 238 is disposed between the gas buffer reservoir 209 and the pump 205 (Figure 7). This is the only difference between the second and third embodiments. In the embodiment illustrated, the check valve 238 is formed by an extension of the sleeve 237 of the dome valve 213, which seals against the side wall of the valve chamber 220.

[055] During the pumping stroke of piston 207, the third mode functions in exactly the same way as the second mode. During this pumping stroke, the pressurized liquid is forced into the valve chamber 220 and past the check valve 238. Part of the pressurized liquid flows through the open pre-compression valve 213 to orifice 225, while the excess liquid flows into the damping chamber 210.

[056] During the return stroke of piston 207, the third mode functions differently from the second mode. During this return stroke, the check valve 238 will close and the liquid accumulated in the gas buffer reservoir 209 will flow through the open pre-compression valve 213 to the orifice 225. This resembles the function of the second mode when the trigger is pressed at the end of the pumping stroke.

[057] If the pump 205 is activated at a sufficiently high frequency, the pressure buildup in the gas buffer reservoir 209 can be such that a continuous flow of liquid towards the orifice 225 is generated, which allows this embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 204 to act as an aerosol. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 18 / 38 12 / 17

[058] In a fourth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 304 (Figure 8), the gas buffer reservoir 309 is again disposed within the device itself, leaving only the immersion tube 315 to be inserted into the neck of the container 303. In this embodiment, the B and P axes of the gas buffer reservoir 309 and the pump 305 are again arranged substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the I axis of the inlet channel 314.

[059] The valve chamber 320 is shown to be disposed between the gas buffer reservoir 309 and the nozzle 312 and, again, with its V-axis substantially perpendicular to the P-axis of the pumping chamber 306. In this embodiment, the damping chamber 310 includes an inlet opening 339 connected to the pump outlet opening 319 and an outlet opening 340 connected to the valve chamber 320. The inlet opening 339 is shown to be disposed in the side wall 334 of the damping chamber 310, while the outlet opening 340 is disposed in an end wall 341.

[060] In this embodiment, the pump 305 and the gas buffer reservoir 309 are arranged in series. During the return or suction stroke of the piston 307, this embodiment of the device 304 operates in the same way as the other embodiments. The liquid will be drawn from the container 302 through the immersion tube 315 and the inlet channel 314, passing through the open inlet valve 317, through the inlet opening 316 and the pump inlet channel 318, into the pumping chamber 306.

[061] During the pumping stroke of piston 307, the pressurized liquid will be forced through the pump outlet opening 319 to the inlet opening 339 of the damping chamber 310. The liquid will then flow through the damping bag 311 to the outlet opening 340 and enter the valve chamber 320. When the liquid pressure exceeds the opening pressure, the dome-shaped part of the pre-compression valve 313 will be lifted from its seat 323 and the liquid Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 19 / 38 13 / 17 will flow through outlet opening 322 and outlet channel 324 towards orifice 325 of nozzle 312.

[062] Excess liquid, which cannot be dispensed at the pumping rate, will remain in the damping chamber 310, compressing the gas-filled damping bag 311. The liquid accumulated in the damping chamber 310 will be dispensed if the trigger 308 is held at the end of the pumping stroke of the piston 307. As soon as the trigger 308 is released, the piston 307 will be returned and the liquid will flow from the gas buffer reservoir 309 towards the pumping chamber 306, decreasing the liquid pressure below the opening pressure of the pre-compression valve, so that dispensing will be interrupted.

[063] In a fifth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 404 (Figure 9), the pump 405 and the gas buffer reservoir 409 are again arranged in series. However, in this embodiment the axis P of the pumping chamber 406 is arranged at an obtuse angle α to the axis I of the inlet channel 414. The gas buffer reservoir 409 is arranged on the side of the pumping chamber 406 opposite the actuator 408, and its axis B is arranged at an acute angle β to the axis P of the pumping chamber 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the angles α, β are supplementary angles and the gas buffer reservoir 409 is substantially parallel to the inlet channel 414. The inlet opening 439 of the buffer chamber 410 is again arranged in its side wall 434, but in this embodiment, the outlet opening 440 is also arranged in the side wall 434.

[064] This arrangement of the pump 405 and gas buffer reservoir 409 results in a dispensing device 404 that is somewhat more compact than the previous embodiments. However, this fifth embodiment works in the same way as the fourth embodiment. During a return stroke or suction stroke, the liquid will be drawn from the container 402 into the pumping chamber 406 through the immersion tube 415, inlet channel 414, inlet opening 416 and pump inlet channel 418. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 20 / 38 14 / 17 During a pumping course, the pressurized liquid will be forced through the pump outlet opening 419 to the reservoir inlet opening 439, passing through the buffer bag 411 to the outlet opening 440 and into the valve chamber 420.

[065] In a sixth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 504 (Figure 10), a portion of the gas buffer reservoir 509 may be disposed between the inlet channel 514 and the pump 505. In this embodiment, the P-axis of the pumping chamber 506 is substantially perpendicular to the I-axis of the inlet channel 514, while the B-axis of the gas buffer reservoir 509 is at an obtuse angle β to the P-axis of the pumping chamber 506 and at an acute angle γ to the I-axis of the inlet channel 514. The inlet channel 514 is connected to an inlet opening 539 in an end wall 541 of the buffer chamber 510, while an intermediate opening 542 in the side wall 534 of the buffer chamber 510 leads to a common pump inlet and outlet opening 543. An outlet opening 540 in the side wall 534 of the buffer chamber 510 leads to valve chamber 520 and nozzle 512.

[066] During the return or suction stroke of the piston 507, the liquid is again drawn in through the inlet opening 516, passing through the inlet valve 517. This liquid then enters the damping chamber 510 through the inlet opening 539 and flows through the gas-filled damping bag 511 through the slots 545 arranged in the side wall 534. The liquid is drawn from the damping chamber 510 to the pumping chamber 506 through the intermediate opening 542 and the pump inlet / outlet opening 543.

[067] During the stroke of the piston pump 507, the liquid is forced from the pumping chamber 506 through the pump inlet / outlet opening 543 and the intermediate opening 542 to the reservoir chamber 510. The pressurized liquid compresses the gas-filled buffer bag 511 and flows towards the opening. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 21 / 38 15 / 17 reserve outlet 540. Part of the pressurized liquid will flow into the valve chamber 520, passing through the pre-compression valve 513 and towards the nozzle 512 to be dispensed through the orifice 525, while the excess liquid will remain in the reserve chamber 510 to be dispensed if the trigger 508 is pressed at the end of the pump stroke. When the user releases the trigger 508 and allows the piston 507 to perform its return stroke, the liquid will immediately flow back from the gas buffer reservoir 509 to the pumping chamber 506, instantly stopping the dispensing.

[068] In a seventh embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 604 (Figure 11), the gas buffer reservoir 609 and the inlet channel 614 are arranged in parallel, as in the first embodiment.

[069] In the present invention, the shaft P of the pumping chamber 606 is arranged at an acute angle α to the shaft I of the inlet channel 614. The gas buffer reservoir 609 is again arranged on the side of the pumping chamber 606 opposite the actuator 608, and its shaft B is arranged at an acute angle β to the shaft of the pumping chamber P as well. The angles α, β are substantially identical and the gas buffer reservoir 609 is substantially parallel to the inlet channel 614.

[070] The opening 632 connecting the damping chamber 610 to the pumping chamber 606 and to the nozzle 612 is disposed in the side wall 634 facing the pump 605. The arrangement of the pre-compression valve 613, the outlet channel 624 and the nozzle 612 in this embodiment is the same as in the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments.

[071] During the return or suction stroke of piston 607, the liquid is again drawn through the inlet channel 614, passing through the inlet valve 617, through the pump inlet opening 618, into the pumping chamber 606. During the subsequent stroke of the pump, the inlet valve 617 will be closed and the liquid will be forced from the pumping chamber 606 through the pump outlet opening 619 into the valve chamber 620. The excess liquid that does not Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 22 / 38 Liquid 16 / 17 can be dispensed through the nozzle orifice 612, flowing through the opening 632 into the buffer chamber 610, where it will compress the gas-filled buffer bag 611 to maintain pressure within the device 604 and allow prolonged dispensing as long as the piston 607 is held at the end of the pump stroke. Again, as soon as the user releases the trigger 608, the liquid will return from the gas buffer reservoir 609 to the pumping chamber 606 and dispensing will stop.

[072] In an eighth embodiment of the liquid dispensing device 704 (Figures 12 to 14), the gas buffer reservoir 709 and the inlet channel 714 are arranged in parallel, as in the first embodiment. Also as in the first embodiment, the P-axis of the pumping chamber 706 is substantially perpendicular to both the B-axis of the reservoir 709 and the I-axis of the inlet channel 714. This eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in its form and dimensions, but functions substantially in the same way. One difference is that the nozzle 712 is not movable between various positions that define different operating states, but is fixed.

[073] In the present invention again, during a return or suction stroke of the piston 707, the liquid is drawn through the inlet channel 714, passing through the inlet valve (not shown), through the pump inlet opening 718 into the pumping chamber 706. During a subsequent pumping stroke, the inlet valve will be closed and the liquid will be forced from the pumping chamber 706 through the pump outlet opening 719, passing through the valve 713 through the outlet channel 724 to the nozzle 712. Excess liquid that cannot be dispensed through the nozzle orifice 725 will flow through the opening 732 at the opposite end of the pumping chamber 706 into the buffer chamber 710, where it will compress the gas-filled buffer bag 711 to maintain pressure within the device 704 and allow prolonged dispensing. Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 23 / 38 17 / 17 while piston 707 is held at the end of its pumping stroke. In the present invention again, once the user releases the trigger 708, the remaining liquid in the device 704 will be distributed over the volume of the pumping chamber 706 and the gas buffer reservoir 709 and its pressure will fall below the opening pressure of the pre-compression valve 713, so that the distribution will be interrupted.

[074] It should also be noted that, in all the embodiments illustrated, the reservoir casing is formed by two casing parts connected at a peripheral joint 44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544, 644 and 744.

[075] The invention provides a relatively simple yet effective dispensing device that allows for optimal control of the pressure at which the liquid is dispensed and, therefore, the bandwidth of the liquid droplets. Due to the presence of a reservoir, dispensing can be prolonged when the piston is held at the end of a pumping stroke. And when a check valve is arranged between the reservoir and the pump, dispensing can be substantially continuous while the pump is driven. As all parts of the dispensing device, including the reservoir, are made of plastic materials, the device can be recycled after use, thus reducing the carbon footprint and the amount of waste material.

[076] Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to them and can be varied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Device for dispensing a liquid from a container, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: - an inlet channel configured to be placed in fluidic communication with the container; - a pump in fluidic communication with the inlet channel, the pump including a pumping chamber and a piston reciprocally moving in the pumping chamber; - a gas buffer reservoir in fluidic communication with the pump, the gas buffer reservoir comprising a damping chamber and a compressible damping bag filled with gas disposed in the damping chamber; - a nozzle for dispensing the liquid, the nozzle in fluidic communication with the pump and / or the gas buffer reservoir; and - a pre-compression valve disposed between the pump and / or gas buffer reservoir and the nozzle; wherein the pumping chamber has an axis defining a direction of reciprocating motion of the piston which is disposed at an angle relative to an axis of the inlet channel.

2. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the axis of the pumping chamber is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inlet channel.

3. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the gas buffer reservoir has a shaft that is arranged at an angle to the shaft of the pumping chamber.

4. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the axis of the gas buffer reservoir is Petition 870250084862, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 25 / 38 2 / 3 substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pumping chamber.

5. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 3 or 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the gas buffer reservoir is configured to extend to the neck of the container.

6. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the axis of the gas buffer reservoir is arranged at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the axis of the pumping chamber.

7. Liquid dispensing device, according to any one of claims 3 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that an actuator is operatively coupled to the piston and in that the gas buffer reservoir is arranged on the side of the pumping chamber opposite the actuator.

8. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the gas buffer reservoir has a shaft that is arranged substantially parallel to the shaft of the pumping chamber.

9. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the gas buffer reservoir extends along an outlet channel that constitutes the fluid communication between the nozzle and the pump and / or the gas buffer reservoir.

10. Liquid dispensing device, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the damping chamber includes at least one opening to establish fluid communication with the pump and with the nozzle, the at least one opening being disposed in a part of the damping chamber facing the pump.

11. Liquid dispensing device, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the damping chamber includes an inlet opening to establish fluid communication with the pump and an outlet opening to establish fluid communication with the nozzle.

12. Liquid dispensing device, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the cushioning chamber has a side wall that substantially surrounds the cushioning bag and walls at opposite ends, and wherein at least one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening is disposed in the side wall.

13. Liquid dispensing device, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally comprises a pump outlet valve to interrupt fluid communication between the gas buffer reservoir and the pump.

14. System for dispensing a liquid, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a container and a liquid dispensing device, according to any of the preceding claims connected therewith.

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