Trigger dispensing device

Abstract

A trigger dispensing head (10) suitable for use with a bottle comprises a valve device comprising a dome-shaped valve body (60) provided with an elastically deformable membrane (68) comprising an annular sealing ring (70) forming a head seal of the prestressed valve device.

Description

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of triggering devices for dispensing products; in particular, the object of the invention is a triggering device equipped with an innovative prestressed valve.

[0002] These devices are widely used in the market for countless purposes; for example, they are used to dispense products for surface hygiene, to deodorize the environment, to facilitate ironing clothes, for personal care, for plant care, and for many other purposes.

[0003] One of the most popular features of trigger dispensers is the ability to pre-stress the product before it is dispensed. This offers numerous benefits, such as a more uniform spray pattern and a finer distribution of dispensed droplets. Numerous solutions exist for trigger dispensers equipped with valves for pre-stressing the product. For example, one solution is outlined in WO-A1-2014 / 013352 in the name of the applicant.

[0004] However, currently known solutions have some disadvantages, such as the need to provide components with very tight manufacturing tolerances in order to ensure optimal operation of the prestressed valve.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a trigger dispenser that overcomes these drawbacks and meets the above requirements.

[0006] This object is achieved by a trigger-dispensing head according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe additional advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0007] The characteristics and advantages of the trigger dispenser according to the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] - Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a trigger dispensing head of a dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] - Figure 1a yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the illustration 1a in FIG, depicting the valve arrangement of the dispensing head;

[0010] - Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a trigger dispensing head of a dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] - Figure 2a yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the inset IIa in FIG, depicting the valve mechanism of the dispensing head;

[0012] - Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a trigger dispensing head of a dispenser according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] - Figure 3a yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of inset IIIa in FIG, depicting the valve arrangement of the dispensing head.

[0014] The trigger dispenser according to the invention comprises a bottle for containing the product to be dispensed, the bottle being provided with a neck having a main axis X and a mouth, and a trigger dispense head 10 adapted, for example in a detachable manner, to the neck of the bottle.

[0015] For example, the dispensing head is attached to the bottle by means of a threaded closure comprising a threaded ring screwable onto the neck and suitable for fixing the dispensing head on the neck of the bottle; according to another example, the dispensing head is applied to the bottle via a bayonet closure.

[0016] The dispensing head 10 comprises a frame 12 for supporting the components. Preferably, the frame 12 is made in one piece from a plastic material, for example by injection moulding.

[0017] The dispenser head 10 further comprises a piston 14 and a piston chamber 16 , for example formed in a frame 12 , within which the piston 14 is sealably slidable along a piston axis Y, preferably associated to the main axis X, for example orthogonal thereto.

[0018] The dispenser head 10 further comprises a manually operable trigger 18 supported by the frame 12 , the trigger 18 being articulated in a rotatable manner or driven in a translational manner, for example, and connected to the piston 14 .

[0019] The dispenser head 10 also comprises elastic return means, for example comprising a spring, suitable for permanently urging the trigger or the piston towards an initial rest configuration.

[0020] The dispensing head 10 further comprises a dispensing duct 20 which communicates at a first end 22 with the external environment, for example via a nozzle 24 of the dispensing head 10 supported by the frame 12. The dispensing duct 20 extends along a dispensing axis Z, preferably parallel to the piston axis Y.

[0021] The dispenser head 10 further comprises a secondary tube 26 connected at one end to the second end 28 of the dispenser tube 20 and at the other end connectable to the piston chamber 16. The secondary tube 26 extends along a secondary axis K, preferably parallel to the main axis X.

[0022] The dispenser head 10 also comprises a primary duct 30 leading out from the piston chamber 16 and peripherally delimited by an annular main wall 32 , for example integral with the frame 12 and preferably coaxial with the main axis X.

[0023] The main wall 32 has an inner side surface 32a facing the primary tube 30 and an opposing outer side surface 32b facing the delivery compartment 52 discussed below.

[0024] The dispenser head 10 also has a compartment 34 which is connected upstream to the primary duct 30 and downstream to the secondary duct 26 .

[0025] The compartment 34 is annularly delimited by an annular compartment wall 36 , for example integral with the frame 12 , preferably coaxial with the main axis X, and arranged radially outside the main wall 32 .

[0026] The main wall 32 ends in the compartment 34 , and a head surface 32 c of the main wall faces the compartment 34 , and is, for example, in the shape of a circular arch or a truncated cone, connecting the inner surface 32 a and the outer surface 32 b .

[0027] Preferably, the main wall 32 extends from a chamber wall 165 of the frame 12 , which annularly delimits the piston chamber 16 .

[0028] Preferably, the main wall 32 extends along a wall axis S, which coincides with the main axis X, for example.

[0029] Preferably, the head surface 32 c annularly defines a pipe mouth 33 connecting the primary pipe 30 with the compartment 34 .

[0030] The dispenser head 10 further comprises an auxiliary body 40 connectable to the frame 12, for example by a snap connection, so as to at least partially define said compartment 34. The auxiliary body 40 is engageable to the compartment wall 36, for example by means of a screw connection or a snap connection.

[0031] For example, the auxiliary body 40 comprises a base 42, a side wall 44 and an extension 46, wherein the base is generally located in a plane orthogonal to the main axis X, the side wall protruding from the base 42 along the axial periphery and connectable to the compartment wall 36, the extension protruding axially from the base 42, and having a suction hole 47 on the opposite part of the side wall 44, which passes through the thickness of the base 42. A small tube 48 can be inserted into the suction hole 47 for discharging the product.

[0032] The dispensing head 10 also includes valve means for dispensing and aspirating the product. The valve means comprises:

[0033] - a dispensing valve device adapted to allow the product to pass from the piston chamber to the dispensing tube during the product dispensing phase and to prevent the product from returning from the dispensing tube to the piston chamber during the product aspiration phase;

[0034] - Suction valve means adapted to allow the product to pass from the bottle to the piston chamber during the product aspiration phase and to prevent the product from returning from the piston chamber to the bottle during the product dispensing phase.

[0035] A valve vent is also provided to allow air to enter the bottle during drawing of the product from the bottle.

[0036] The valve arrangement is housed in the compartment 34 and comprises a valve body 60 , for example made in one piece from a plastic material.

[0037] The dome-shaped valve body 60 comprises an annular valve wall 61 comprising an annular, preferably wavy, valve body foot 62 which rests on the base 42 of the auxiliary body 40, preferably abutting the side wall 44 of said auxiliary body 40. Preferably, the valve body foot 62 is mechanically coupled to the side wall 44 or to the compartment wall 36, for example by snap-fitting or by means of threads, forming an example of applying the auxiliary body 40 to the compartment wall 36.

[0038] The valve wall 61 further comprises an annular valve body wall 64 having a predetermined axial extension, projecting from the valve body foot 62. Preferably, the valve body wall 64 is in contact with the compartment wall 36, for example via a sealing lip 66, thereby forming a seal.

[0039] The valve wall 61 further includes an elastically deformable membrane 68, which protrudes from, for example, the valve body wall 64 and is configured to contact the main wall 32 of the frame 12 to form a seal. In particular, the membrane 68 includes a sealing ring 70, for example having a triangular or pointed cross-section, configured to contact the head surface 32c of the main wall 32 and form a seal therewith.

[0040] The valve wall 61 divides the compartment 34 into a suction compartment 50 connected to the suction orifice 47 and a delivery compartment 52 connected to the secondary pipe 26 .

[0041] The membrane 68 (particularly with the sealing ring 70) and the main wall 32 (with the head surface 32c) form a prestressed valve device, which is suitable for allowing the product to pass from the piston chamber 16 to the dispensing tube 20 when the pressure in the piston chamber 16 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and preventing the product from passing from the piston chamber 16 to the dispensing tube 20 when the pressure in the piston chamber 16 is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0042] In other words, in the first sub-step of the dispensing phase, when the piston starts from the rest configuration and moves into the piston chamber, the pressure in the piston chamber increases, but the prestressed valve means remains closed, preventing the product from entering the secondary duct 26 .

[0043] In this first sub-step, the product accumulates in the primary tube 30 and, whether or not it undergoes a local deformation, the increase in pressure is absorbed by a portion of the membrane, generally inside the sealing ring 70 .

[0044] Once the threshold pressure has been exceeded, in a second sub-step of the dispensing phase, the prestressed valve means opens and allows the product to pass from the piston chamber 16 through the orifice 33 of the primary pipe 30 to the dispensing pipe 20 .

[0045] During this second sub-step, deformation of the membrane, in particular its lowering, allows the sealing ring 70 to separate from the head surface 32 c of the main wall 32 , thereby allowing the passage of the product.

[0046] The suction valve device includes, for example, a suction channel 71 that passes through the membrane 68 of the valve body 60 to connect the primary pipe 30 with the suction compartment 50 , and the mouth of the suction channel 71 on the primary pipe 30 side is surrounded by a sealing ring 70 .

[0047] The suction valve device further comprises a ball 72 arranged in the suction channel 71 and movable between a position in which it closes the suction channel 71 during the product dispensing phase and a position in which it at least partially opens the suction channel during the product aspiration phase.

[0048] Preferably, the suction channel 71 is annularly delimited by an annular channel wall 74 which projects from the membrane 68 concentrically with the sealing ring 70 and extends axially into the primary pipe 30 and the suction compartment 50 .

[0049] In one embodiment, during the first sub-step, the product accumulates radially inside the channel wall 74 .

[0050] Preferably, the channel wall 74 is distinct from the inside surface 32a of the main wall 32. For example, the channel wall 74 is inserted into the primary tube 30 and is substantially free to move axially during deformation of the membrane 68.

[0051] In other words, the channel wall 74 is inserted through the pipe opening 33 with clearance.

[0052] Preferably, the leakage of product between the channel wall 74 and the inner surface 32a is also negligible. In other words, the channel wall 74 and the inner surface 32a are not sealed.

[0053] The membrane 68 of the valve body 60 has a suction side 68 a facing the suction compartment 50 and a delivery side 68 b facing the delivery compartment 52 .

[0054] In one embodiment, the sealing ring 70 is made outside the channel wall 74 relative to the wall axis S. Preferably, the sealing ring 70 projects from the conveying side 68 b of the membrane 68 .

[0055] According to one embodiment ( Figure 1 and Figure 1a ), the membrane 68 has an overall convex shape toward the conveying side, that is, the conveying side is convex and the suction side is concave.

[0056] According to another embodiment ( Figure 2 and Figure 2a ), the membrane 68 has an overall flat shape, ie, the delivery side is flat and the suction side is flat.

[0057] According to yet another embodiment ( Figure 3 and Figure 3a ), the membrane 68 has an overall concave shape toward the conveying side, that is, the conveying side is concave and the suction side is convex.

[0058] According to a variant, the suction valve device comprises a flexible sealing portion made integral with the membrane and suitable for opening and closing the suction channel.

[0059] Innovatively, the dispenser head according to the invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, since the structure of the prestressed valve device provided with the head seal forms a very effective and easy-to-implement seal.

[0060] Advantageously, since the channel walls do not serve a sealing function, they are easier to manufacture and are not subject to strict manufacturing tolerances.

Claims

1. A trigger dispensing head (10) adapted for use with a bottle for containing a product to be dispensed, comprising: a piston chamber (16), a piston (14) sealingly sliding in the piston chamber (16), and a manually operable trigger (18) connected to the piston (14) for dispensing and aspirating the product; - a main wall (32) defining a primary tube (30) leading from the piston chamber (16); - a compartment wall (36) annularly delimiting a compartment (34), downstream of said primary pipe (30); a secondary pipe (26) downstream of the compartment (34) and a distribution pipe (20), the secondary pipe being connected to the external environment downstream of the secondary pipe (26); an auxiliary body (40) connected to the compartment wall (36) comprising a base (42) and a suction hole (47) passing through the base (42); - valve means for aspirating and dispensing said product; - wherein the valve device is housed in the compartment (34) and comprises a dome-shaped valve body (60) supported by the seat (42) of the auxiliary body (40) and comprising an at least partially deformable annular valve wall (61); - wherein the valve wall (61) divides the compartment (34) into a suction compartment (50) and a delivery compartment (52), the suction compartment being in communication with the suction hole (47) and the delivery compartment being in communication with the secondary pipe (26); - and wherein the valve wall (61) comprises an elastically deformable membrane (68), - wherein the main wall (32) has: an inner surface (32a) facing the primary tube (30); an outer surface (32b) facing the transport compartment (52); and a dome-shaped head surface (32c) connecting the inner surface (32a) and the outer surface (32b) and facing the compartment (34); - wherein the elastically deformable membrane comprises an annular sealing ring (70) in abutment against the head surface (32c) of the main wall (32), thereby forming a prestressed valve device suitable for allowing the transfer of product to the dispensing tube (20) when the pressure in the piston chamber (16) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein: The head surface (32c) annularly defines a pipe mouth (33) connecting the primary pipe (30) and the compartment (34).

3. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The membrane (68) has a suction side (68a) facing the suction compartment (50) and a delivery side (68b) facing the delivery compartment (52).

4. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 3, wherein: The membrane (68) has an overall convex shape towards the delivery compartment, ie the delivery side is convex and the suction side is concave.

5. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 3, wherein: The membrane (68) has a generally flat shape, ie the delivery side is flat and the suction side is flat.

6. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 3, wherein: The membrane (68) has an overall convex shape towards the delivery side, ie the delivery side is concave and the suction side is convex.

7. A trigger dispense head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The valve device comprises a suction valve device, the suction valve device comprising: - a suction channel (71) passing through the membrane (68) of the valve body (60) and connecting the primary tube (30) and the suction compartment (50), the mouth of the suction channel on one side of the primary tube (30) being surrounded by the sealing ring (70); A ball (72) arranged in the suction channel (71) and movable between a position closing the suction channel (71) and a position leaving the suction channel at least partially open.

8. The trigger dispensing head according to claim 7, wherein: The suction channel (71) is annularly defined by an annular channel wall (74) which projects from the membrane (68), is concentric with the sealing ring (70) and extends axially into the primary pipe (30) and the suction compartment (50).

9. A dispenser comprising: - a bottle (2) for containing the product to be dispensed; - A trigger-dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims.

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