Plastic springs and trigger sprayers utilizing the same

Abstract

A plastic spring for a trigger sprayer may include a semi-circular base portion wrapped around a piston and engaging a flange thereon, with one or more spring arms extending away from the semi-circular base portion to engage with a spring seat molded into the valve body to provide a return force for a trigger associated with the trigger sprayer.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTIONPLASTIC SPRINGS AND TRIGGER SPRAYERS UTILIZING THE SAMEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Field of the Invention: Embodiments of the invention include plastic springs and plastic spring configurations used with trigger sprayers.

[0002] Description of Related Art: Trigger sprayers are used to dispense liquids through the application of a force to a trigger connected to a pump to facilitate the pumping of a fluid from a container, into a piston chamber, and then out of a fluid flow path from the piston chamber to an outlet orifice or nozzle. Trigger sprayers are well known and have been used for many years, yet improvements are continuing to be made to such devices. For example, U.S. Patent 1 1,691,166, which is incorporated herein by reference, shows in part the general components used to build or construct a trigger sprayer along with improved components to provide e-commerce leakage protection for the trigger sprayer.

[0003] Many trigger sprayers utilize metal springs to provide a counteracting force to the trigger, a piston seated in the piston chamber, or both, to return a trigger to its rest or actuation position following the actuation of a trigger. In some instances, metal springs have been replaced by plastic springs. For example, U.S. Patent 9,975,130, which is incorporated herein by reference, shows a trigger sprayer having a plastic spring integrated with the trigger of the trigger sprayer. While plastic spring use with trigger sprayers is known, there is a need to improve such springs and to make the springs with different plastic materials to help improve the sustainability and recyclability of triggers utilizing such plastic springs.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to certain embodiments of the invention, new plastic spring configurations are provided. In addition, new interaction features between a plastic spring and a valve body of a trigger sprayer are provided to improve the function of the trigger sprayer and to make the molding and assembly of a trigger sprayer utilizing such springs easier or cheaper.

[0005] According to various embodiments of the invention, a plastic spring for a trigger sprayer includes a semi-circular base portion and at least one spring arm extending off the semi-circular base portion and engaging a valve body of a trigger sprayer. The at least one spring arm preferably includes two spring arms, each one extending off an opposite endof the semi-circular shaped base portion. Each spring arm may include a first portion extending away from the base portion, a transitional portion, and a second portion extending further rearward relative to the base portion. In some embodiments, the transitional portion is curved or shaped like an “S” or reverse “S” depending on the side of the spring one is viewing. The first portion may be perpendicular to the base portion. The second portion may sit along an axis that is parallel to the axis along which the first portion sits. The end of the second portion is a terminal end that may seat against the valve body or in a seat molded with the valve body and configured to seat or retain the terminal end of the spring therein.

[0006] According to other embodiments of the invention, a plastic spring for a trigger sprayer includes a curved shape wrapped around a bottom portion of the piston bore of a valve body and curving upwards and towards a trigger. The spring may be attached to a piston, for example the end of a piston, or to a trigger associated with the trigger sprayer.

[0007] In still other embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer valve body may include one or more spring seats located on the sides of the valve body to accept one or more ends of a plastic spring in the one or more spring seats. Positioning of the ends of the plastic spring in the one or more spring seats secures the plastic spring against the valve body, providing a surface upon which portions of the spring may contact to stop movement of the spring at that end, allowing the spring to flex and provide a force against the trigger, piston, or both.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention utilizing a spring according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention utilizing a spring according to various embodiments of the invention; and

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention utilizing a spring according to various embodiments of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to embodiments of the invention, a plastic spring 200 may be utilized as a component of a trigger sprayer 100 to provide or impart a return force on a trigger, piston, or both following actuation of a trigger associated with the trigger sprayer 100.

[0013] As known in the art, a trigger sprayer 100 according to various embodiments of the invention may include conventional trigger sprayer components such as a valve body 1 10, a piston 170, a spring, a trigger 130 connected to the valve body 110 and in communication with the piston 170, a nozzle 158, a fluid valving system such as a tube retainer and ball for a ball valve or other valve structure, a closure configured to connect the trigger sprayer 100 to a container, a dip tube in fluid communication with the valve body 110, and a shroud. Unlike trigger sprayers known in the prior art, a trigger sprayer 100 according to embodiments of the invention includes a plastic spring 200 seated in a spring seat 120 which is part of the valve body 110.

[0014] A partial assembly of a trigger sprayer 100 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2. As illustrated, the trigger sprayer 100 may include a valve body 1 10 having a piston bore into which a piston 170 is inserted. The piston 170 may include a piston flange 172 about an outer edge of the piston 170 in which the outer circumference of the piston flange 172 is greater than the outer circumference of the piston 170 itself. A spring seat 120 is incorporated with and molded as a part of the valve body 110. A partial shroud 160 - in the illustrated embodiment, a lower portion of the shroud body and a closure shroud portion - may be attached to or molded with the valve body 110. A nozzle 158 may be attached to an opening or exit orifice in the valve body 110 and configured to selectively open, close, and choose the type of spray desired to be delivered by the trigger sprayer 100. A plastic spring 200 may be seated against the piston flange 172 and in contact with an outer surface of the piston 170 as illustrated. The other end of the spring 200 - two ends in the illustrated embodiment - is seated in a spring seat 120. A trigger 130 may be connected to the valve body 110 and the piston 170.

[0015] According to various embodiments of the invention, the diameter of a cross- sectional portion of the piston flange 172 is greater than the diameter of a cross-sectional portion of the piston 170. In some embodiments of the invention, the difference between the piston flange 172 diameter (DPf) and the piston 170 diameter (DP) is at least the width of the spring 200 portion seated against the piston flange 172. In some embodiments of theinvention, the difference between DPr and DPis less than the width of the spring 200 portion seated against the piston flange 172.

[0016] During operation of a trigger sprayer 100 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, the trigger 130 is moved towards the partial shroud 160, applying a force to the piston 170 which is being acted on by spring 200. As the trigger 130 is moved, the spring 200 flexes and pushes against the spring seat 120 and the piston flange 172, applying a resistance force to the movement of the trigger 130. Once the trigger 130 has been actuated and a fluid sprayed through the trigger sprayer 100, the trigger 130 is released and the tension or force in the flexed spring 200 returns the trigger 130 to the pre-actuation or rest position illustrated in FIG. 2. In this manner, the spring 200 replaces the traditional metal spring used with trigger sprayers.

[0017] According to various embodiments of the invention, the spring 200 illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2 has a semi-circular base that sits against the piston flange 172. Arms extend off of the semi-circular base along the piston 170. In some embodiments, the arms may be perpendicular to the semi-circular base. The arms then curve upwards and then again away from the direction of the semi-circular base. In some embodiments, this forms a shape that could be described as an ‘"S” shape. The spring 200 then extends towards the spring seat 120, where it terminates and the terminal end rests or seats in the spring seat 120. In some embodiments, the upper extension that extends away from the curved portion of the spring is parallel to the lower portion extending off the semi-circular base of the spring 200.

[0018] According to various embodiments, a spring 200 includes the semi-circular base portion, a first arm portion extending away from the semi-circular base portion, a second arm portion and a transition portion between the first arm portion and the second arm portion. The first arm portion may extend perpendicularly away from the semi-circular base portion. The transition portion extends off the first arm portion and connects the first arm portion to the second arm portion. The transition portion may be generally shaped in an ‘’S” or curved shape. The second arm portion extends away from the transition portion and may be on an axis that is parallel to an axis on which the first arm portion is positioned.

[0019] A trigger sprayer 100 according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, the spring 200 may have a different shape and configuration and the valve body may not include one or more spring seats 120. The spring 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a spring 200 that wraps around a lower portion of the piston chamber formed in the valve body 110 and having an arc upwards towards the rear of the valve body110 and then curving towards the front of the valve body 110 and the piston 170. The spring 200 may join the piston 170 at a front position thereof as illustrated. In other embodiments, the spring 200 may connect to a trigger 130 attached to the piston 170.

[0020] Application of a force against a trigger 130 attached to the trigger sprayer 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 results in a flexing of the spring 200 such that an upper portion of the spring 200 flexes upwards towards the top of the valve body 110. Upon release of the force on the trigger 130. the spring 200 forces the trigger 130 back into the non-actuation or rest state.

[0021] A spring 200 according to various embodiments of the invention may be made of a plastic material. For example, polypropylene materials, polyethylene materials, and other plastics may be used to make springs 200 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0022] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A spring for a trigger sprayer, comprising: a semi-circular base portion; and at least one spring arm extending off the semi-circular base portion.

2. The spring of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring arm further comprises: a first arm portion extending perpendicularly away from the semi-circular base portion; a transitional portion extending off the first arm and having an “S” shape; and a second arm portion extending away from the transitional portion wherein the second arm is parallel to the first arm.

3. A trigger sprayer, comprising: a valve body, comprising: a piston bore; and a spring seat on an outer surface of the valve body; a piston seated in the piston bore, comprising a piston flange; and a spring seated against the piston flange and engaged with the spring seat.

4. The trigger sprayer of claim 3, wherein the spring further comprises: a semi-circular base portion; and at least one spring arm extending off the semi-circular base portion.

5. The trigger sprayer of claim 3, wherein the spring further comprises: a semi-circular base portion; a first arm portion extending perpendicularly away from the semi-circular base portion; a transitional portion extending off the first arm and having anL‘S” shape; and a second arm portion extending away from the transitional portion wherein the second arm is parallel to the first arm.

6. The trigger sprayer of claim 5, wherein the second arm portion further comprises a terminal end seated in the spring seat.

7. The trigger sprayer of claim 3, wherein the spring comprises a polypropylene material.

8. The trigger sprayer of claim 3, wherein the spring comprises a polyethylene material.

9. The trigger sprayer of claim 4, wherein the at least one spring arm comprises two spring arms.

10. The trigger sprayer of claim 3, wherein the spring further comprises: a semi-circular base portion; a first arm portion extending perpendicularly away from the semi-circular base portion; a curved transitional portion extending off the first arm; and a second arm portion extending away from the transitional portion wherein the second arm is parallel to the first arm.

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