Trigger bombs

Description

1 / 12 TRIGGER BOMBS

[0001] The present invention relates to dispensers for liquid products and particularly to so-called “trigger pumps” of the type that have an operable trigger to drive a piston along a pump chamber and thus to force the liquid product under pressure from the pump chamber and through a dispensing orifice into a nozzle.

[0002] Known trigger pumps are described in document WO2022023579.

[0003] In the plastic packaging industry, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. This has led to an increase in the use of recycled plastic materials in the production of plastic packaging products.

[0004] As the use of recycled plastic in packaging becomes more prevalent, new challenges arise in ensuring product quality and consistency. Recycled plastic materials do not have the same properties as virgin plastic materials, which can affect the performance and appearance of the final product in the packaging.

[0005] It has been found that in dispensers that have a pump chamber and piston made of a mixture of recycled plastic and virgin plastic, leakage between the piston and the pump chamber appears sooner than in a pump chamber and piston made only of virgin plastic.

[0006] The objective of this invention is to create a product that can be manufactured using virgin, recycled, or a combination of both materials, while maintaining high performance standards.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a trigger pump dispenser comprising: - a main body, comprising - a pump chamber, - an entry point communicating with said bomb chamber, Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 11 / 81 2 / 12 - an exit door communicating with said pump chamber, - an inlet valve located between the pump chamber and the inlet port, - an outlet valve located between the pump chamber and the outlet port, - a piston, seated in the pump chamber to define a variable volume in said pump chamber and movable between a retracted position of larger chamber volume and an inserted position of smaller chamber volume, - in which the pump chamber has a conical shape.

[0008] The conical shape of the pump chamber helps to prevent or at least delay leakage, especially for a pump chamber and piston comprising recycled plastic.

[0009] The fact that the pump chamber has a conical shape means that the pump chamber is essentially a conical skull open at both ends. The larger end is open to allow the insertion of a piston inside the pump chamber. The smaller end is open to allow the passage of a liquid into and out of the pump chamber by means of the inlet valve and the outlet valve.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pump chamber is characterized by a conical shape of the pump chamber that has a semi-angle of 0.1° to 0.5° and, preferably, of 0.2° to 0.4°. Without adhering to any theory, this semi-angle range offers ideal leak prevention.

[0011] In the context of this patent, the half angle of the conical pump chamber is the angle formed by the intersection of a plane passing through one of the inclined sides of the conical pump chamber and the geometric axis of revolution of the conical pump chamber.

[0012] It has been observed that, in most embodiments, the piston movement is not a linear movement, but rather a slightly curved movement. Consequently, solutions are needed to prevent leaks between the piston and the outer wall of the piston chamber. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 12 / 81 3 / 12

[0013] The piston is defined by a length and comprises a first sealing rim that has a defined length and a defined thickness, and a second sealing rim that has a defined length and a defined thickness.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first sealing edge and the length of the second sealing edge is 2 to 6 and, preferably, 3 to 5. This ratio helps prevent said leakage.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first sealing edge and the thickness of the first sealing edge is 9 to 18. In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the second sealing edge and the thickness of the second sealing edge is 3.5 to 8. This ratio helps prevent said leakage.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first sealing rim and the average diameter of the pump chamber is 0.51 to 0.61, preferably 0.53 to 0.59. In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the second sealing rim and the average diameter of the pump chamber is 0.08 to 0.18, and preferably 0.10 to 0.16. This ratio helps prevent said leakage.

[0017] In the present description and claims, the term average diameter of the pump chamber should be understood as the average value between the diameters of the two open sides of the pump chamber.

[0018] The present invention will now be described more particularly in reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of the trigger pump dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the main body of a trigger pump dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a trigger pump dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 13 / 81 4 / 12 Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of a trigger pump dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a piston according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of a piston according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a piston according to various embodiments of the invention. Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a piston according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Different aspects and / or embodiments of the invention may be used separately or in combination.

[0020] Additional particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are presented in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features of dependent claims may be combined with features of independent claims, as appropriate, and in combinations with others that are explicitly presented in the claims.

[0021] The present invention will now be described more particularly in reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate and implement the systems and processes described herein. It is important to understand that the embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be interpreted as limiting the examples presented herein.

[0023] Consequently, although the modalities may be modified in various ways and assume various alternative forms, specific modalities thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intention to limit the particular forms revealed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 81 5 / 12 are covered by the scope of the appended claims and must be included. Elements of the exemplary embodiments are consistently represented by the same reference numbers in all drawings and detailed description, where appropriate.

[0024] The terminology used in the present invention to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are singular because they have a single reference; however, the use of the singular form in this document should not preclude the presence of more than one reference. In other words, the elements referred to in the singular may be one or more in number, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used in the present invention, specify the presence of mentioned features, items, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or inclusion of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements and / or components, and / or groups thereof.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this document shall be interpreted as commonly used in the art. It shall further be understood that terms in common usage shall also be interpreted as commonly used in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly defined as such in this document.

[0026] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail in this document, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not strictly limited to the embodiments shown and that various alterations and modifications may be made thereto by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] A trigger pump dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The trigger pump dispenser 1 Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 15 / 81 6 / 12 comprises a main body 11 which includes a conical pump chamber 20. The conical pump chamber 20 comprises an outer wall 21. In this embodiment, the half angle of the conical pump chamber 20 is 0.3°. As illustrated in Figure 2, the half angle is formed by the intersection of the plane 201 passing through one of the inclined sides of the conical pump chamber 20 and the axis of rotation 202 of the pump chamber 20.

[0028] The main body 11 includes an inlet port 23 and an outlet port 24 that are in communication with the pump chamber 20.

[0029] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1, the pump chamber includes a vent hole 27.

[0030] An inlet valve 25 is seated between the pump chamber 20 and the inlet port 23. The inlet valve 25 is adapted to open the inlet port when the liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the pump chamber through the inlet port, as the pump chamber volume increases when the piston is moved from the inserted to the retracted position.

[0031] An outlet valve 26 is seated between the pump chamber 20 and the outlet port 24. The outlet valve 26 is adapted to open the outlet port when the pump chamber decreases in volume as the liquid in it is dispensed through the outlet port and adapted to close when the pump chamber increases in volume. In some embodiments, the outlet valve 26 is capable of deforming with the application of a force on the outlet valve 26.

[0032] In some embodiments, the outlet valve comprises an operable pre-compression valve to allow liquid to pass through the outlet port only after a predetermined high pressure.

[0033] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1, the inlet valve 25 and the outlet valve 26 can be connected together.

[0034] In some alternative embodiments, the inlet valve and the outlet valve may be combined into a single valve that performs the function of both valves. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 81 7 / 12

[0035] In some embodiments, the main body 11 includes a tube retainer 12.

[0036] In some embodiments, the tube retainer 12 is integrally formed with the main body 11. In some alternative embodiments, the tube retainer may fit into a part of the main body.

[0037] In some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser may include a fastening system 70 for attaching the trigger pump dispenser to a container.

[0038] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1, the fastening system 70 can fit into a part of the main body 11. In some alternative embodiments, the fastening system is integrally formed with the main body 11.

[0039] For example, the fastening system may include a bayonet-type fastening system molded with the main body 11, a bayonet-type fastening system molded as a separate piece, a screw-type fastening system molded as a separate piece, or any other conventional fastening system.

[0040] The trigger pump dispenser includes a piston 30 that can be seated in the pump chamber 20 and can change the volume inside the pump chamber 20.

[0041] In some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser may include a nozzle 40. In some embodiments, the nozzle 40 is fitted or coupled to the main body 11. In some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser may comprise a sight glass 41. The sight glass allows monitoring of the dispensed liquid and protects the user and surrounding surfaces from accidental exposure.

[0042] In some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser may comprise an enclosure 50. In some embodiments, the enclosure is fixed or coupled to the main body 11.

[0043] In some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 17 / 81 8 / 12 comprises a trigger 60 and polarizing elements 61 for polarizing the trigger towards its initial position. The trigger 60 is coupled with the piston 30 and is movable from an initial position where the piston is in the retracted position to a depressed position where the piston is in the inserted position. The trigger 60 and the polarizing elements 61 can be formed in the same component.

[0044] In some embodiments, the polarizing elements may comprise a pair of mutually spaced curved spring arms.

[0045] The spring arms may be unconnected except via the trigger. The arms may be joined to the trigger at articulation points, where the arms may articulate relative to the trigger during use. This may, for example, be used to provide a more powerful spring action.

[0046] It is understood that various embodiments of the invention may incorporate other combinations of trigger and polarization elements, including combinations comprising a trigger and a spring.

[0047] In some embodiments, during use, actuation of the trigger 60 causes the piston 30 to move from its retracted position to its lowered position within the pump chamber 20, reducing the internal volume of the chamber and forcing the product towards the outlet port 24. This movement applies a force to the outlet valve 26, which, when it exceeds a predetermined limit, causes the outlet valve 26 to open. As a result, the product flows through the outlet valve 26, the outlet port 24, and the nozzle 40. Then, the polarizing medium 61 initiates the suction stroke, during which the piston 30 moves away from the valves and returns to its retracted position, creating a vacuum within the cylinder chamber. This vacuum generates a negative pressure in the pump chamber 20, causing the inlet valve 25 to close and allowing the liquid to enter the pump chamber 20 through the inlet port 27.Piston 30 remains in its retracted position until trigger 60 is activated again, at which point the cycle repeats.

[0048] A sectional view of a main body 11 is illustrated in Figure 2. The main body 11 comprises a conical pump chamber 20, whose volume Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 81 9 / 12 is represented in a dotted area. In some embodiments, the main body 11 comprises a piston compartment 28 extending from the pump chamber 20 and towards the trigger 60. The piston compartment 28 is capable of housing a piston in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the main body comprises a valve compartment 29 extending from the pump chamber 20 and towards the inlet port 23 and the outlet port 24. One or more valves, such as an inlet valve and an outlet valve, may be seated in this valve compartment. As illustrated in Figure 2, the valve compartment 29 may comprise ribs 291, 292, 293 to hold an inlet valve seated between the pump chamber 20 and an inlet port 23 and to hold the outlet valve seated between the pump chamber and an outlet port 24. This can be done by blocking the sides of the valves with the ribs and / or locking the ribs into the recessed section of the valves.

[0049] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a trigger pump dispenser 1, according to various embodiments of the invention. As shown, in some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser includes a nozzle 40 fitted or coupled to a main body, a display 41, and a housing 50 fixed or coupled to the main body. The trigger pump dispenser may include a trigger 60 with finger recesses 63. The trigger pump dispenser may include a fastening system 70 for attaching the trigger pump dispenser to a container and an attached immersion tube 71.

[0050] An exploded view of a trigger pump dispenser according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4. As shown, in some embodiments, the trigger pump dispenser includes an assembly of a main body 11 comprising a pump chamber 20 having an outer wall 21 and a rear wall 22, wherein the outer wall 21 is conical in shape, an inlet port 23, an outlet port 24, an inlet valve 25, an outlet valve 26, a piston 30, a nozzle 40, Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 19 / 81 10 / 12 a display 41, a housing 50, a trigger 60, polarizing elements 61, a fastening system 70 and an immersion tube 71.

[0051] A sectional view of a piston 30 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 to 7.

[0052] In some embodiments, the piston 30 is a single piece comprising a piston rod 33, a piston base 34, a first sealing flange 31 and a second sealing flange 32.

[0053] As illustrated in Figure 5, the piston rod 33 can be a tube or a hollow cylinder. A first end 33A of the piston rod 33 is connected or attached to a trigger.

[0054] The piston base 34 is a cylinder that can be opened at one end 34A and can be closed at the other end 34B, enclosing a part of the piston rod 33.

[0055] The first sealing rim 31 is an essentially conical trunk extending from the open end 34A of the piston base, opposite the first end 33A of the piston and away from the piston rod 33. The diameter of the first sealing rim 31 is larger than that of the first end 33A of the piston.

[0056] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 5, the piston comprises a hollow cylinder 35 extending from the first sealing rim 31 towards the first end 33A of the piston rod 33 and has a geometric axis of revolution essentially parallel to the piston rod 33. This hollow cylinder has a diameter larger than the diameter of the piston base 34.

[0057] The second sealing rim 32 is essentially a truncated cone extending from the hollow cylinder 35, opposite the first end 33A of the piston and away from the piston rod 33. The diameter of the second sealing rim 32 is larger than that of the first end 33A of the piston.

[0058] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, piston 30 can be defined by a length 30L, which is the distance between its two opposite ends 33A and 33B. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 81 11 / 12

[0059] The first sealing edge 31 can be defined by the length 31L and the thickness 31T. As illustrated in Figure 5, the length 31L of the first sealing edge 31 corresponds to the perpendicular distance between the two planes of the bases of the truncated cone that is the first sealing edge 31. As illustrated in Figure 6, the thickness 31T of the first sealing edge 31 is the perpendicular distance to its inclined height.

[0060] The second sealing edge 32 can be defined by a length 32L and a thickness 32T. As illustrated in Figure 5, the length 32L of the second sealing edge 32 corresponds to the perpendicular distance between the two planes of the bases of the truncated cone that is the second sealing edge 32. As illustrated in Figure 6, the thickness 32T of the second sealing edge 32 is the perpendicular distance to its inclined height.

[0061] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the ratio between the length 31L of the first sealing edge 31 and the length 32L of the second sealing edge 32 is 4.2.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 6, the ratio between the length 31L and the thickness 31T is 14.

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the ratio between the length 32L and the thickness 32T is 6.0.

[0064] As illustrated, the conical pump chamber 20 has an average diameter that is the average value between the diameters 20D1 and 20D2 of the two open sides of the pump chamber 20.

[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the ratio between the length 31L of the first sealing rim 31 and the average diameter 20D of the pump chamber 20 is 0.56.

[0066] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the ratio between the length 32L of the second sealing rim 32 and the average diameter 20D of the pump chamber 20 is 0.13.

[0067] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 8, the piston 30 Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 81 12 / 12 includes a base 34 with ribs 341. These ribs facilitate demolding of the piston. In some preferred embodiments, the piston has from 4 to 10 ribs. The ribs 341 extend in a direction parallel to the geometric axis of rotation of the piston base 34. In some preferred embodiments, the ribs 341 extend the entire length of the piston base 34. In some preferred embodiments, said ribs 341 are evenly spaced around the piston base 34.

[0068] In some embodiments, the main body and piston are made of 10 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic. In some embodiments, the main body and piston are made of 30 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic. In some embodiments, the main body and piston are made of 50 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic.

[0069] Recycled plastics, as used in this patent application, refers to plastic materials that have been previously used and processed through collection, sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing techniques to create new products or raw materials for manufacturing. These materials can originate from various sources, including post-consumer waste, post-industrial waste, and agricultural waste. The recycling process involves breaking down used plastic into smaller pieces or melting it down, removing contaminants, and transforming it into new plastic products or raw materials for manufacturing. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 22 / 81

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Trigger pump dispenser, characterized by comprising: - a main body, comprising - a pump chamber, - an inlet port communicating with said pump chamber, - an outlet port communicating with said pump chamber, - an inlet valve seated between the pump chamber and the inlet port, - an outlet valve seated between the pump chamber and the outlet port - a piston, seated in the pump chamber to define a variable volume in said pump chamber and movable between a retracted position of larger chamber volume and an inserted position of smaller chamber volume, - wherein the pump chamber has a conical shape.

2. Trigger pump dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the conical shape of the pump chamber has a half angle of 0.1° to 0.5°.

3. Trigger pump dispenser, according to claim 2, characterized in that the conical shape of the pump chamber has a half angle of 0.2° to 0.4°.

4. Trigger pump dispenser, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston comprises a first sealing rim and a second sealing rim, and in that the length of the first sealing rim and the length of the second sealing rim are from 2 to 6.

5. Trigger pump dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the length of the first sealing rim and the length of the second sealing rim are 3 to 5.

6. Trigger pump dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston comprises a first sealing rim and a second sealing rim, and in that the ratio between the length of the first sealing rim and the thickness of the second sealing rim is 9 to 18.

7. Trigger pump dispenser, according to claim 6, characterized in that the piston comprises a first sealing rim and a second sealing rim, and in that the ratio between the length of the second sealing rim and the thickness of the second sealing rim is from 3.5 to 8.

8. Trigger pump dispenser, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston comprises a first sealing rim and a second sealing rim, and in that the ratio between the length of the first sealing rim and the average diameter of the pump chamber is from 0.51 to 0.

61.

9. Trigger pump dispenser, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston comprises a first sealing rim and a second sealing rim, and in that the ratio between the length of the second sealing rim and the average diameter of the pump chamber is from 0.08 to 0.

18.

10. Trigger pump dispenser, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston includes a base comprising ribs.

11. Trigger pump dispenser, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body and piston are formed from 10 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic.

12. Trigger pump dispenser, according to claim 11, characterized in that the main body and piston are formed from 30 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic.

13. Trigger pump dispenser, according to claim 12, characterized in that the main body and piston are formed from 50 to 100 percent by weight of recycled plastic. Petition 870250089871, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 24 / 81 3 / 3

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