Direct-dispensing trigger head

Abstract

A direct-dispensing trigger head (4) comprises a frame (6), a leg (40), a valve element (60), and a piston (71). In the initial configuration of the dispensing head, the inner side surface (701) of the lip (70) of the valve element (60) sealingly abuts against the outer side surface (18e) of the inner frame wall (18), thus forming direct-dispensing valve means. The shutter (72) of the valve element (60) sealingly rests against the seat edge (64) of the leg (40), thus forming suction valve means.

Description

DESCRIPTION"DIRECT-DISPENSING TRIGGER HEAD"Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of trigger dispensing devices for dispensing a liquid product , e . g . , for dispensing a product for home hygiene, personal care, or fabric care .

[0002] These are widely consumed and highly widespread devices , as evidenced by the countless devices present on store shelves . It is estimated that several million units are marketed each year . Therefore, small evolutions in the structure, functionality, or production and logistical processes of such devices have a huge economic impact .Prior art

[0003] From the point of view of the product dispensing modes , such devices are substantially divided into two families : pre-compression dispensing devices and direct- dispensing devices .

[0004] Direct-dispensing devices are provided with normally closed valve dispensing means , which at the beginning of the step of actuating the trigger for dispensing, tend to open to allow the product to be dispensed . Usually, such devices are utilized in the case of liquid products for cleaning surfaces and whenever having a jet withnoticeable droplets is not problematic . For example, theApplicant has been assigned with International Application WO-A1-2024 / 079540 , in which a direct- dispensing device is disclosed .

[0005] Pre-compression dispensing devices , on the other hand, are provided with normally closed pre-compression valve means , which switch to the opened configuration only when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold, usually close to the end of the step of actuating the trigger for dispensing . Usually, such devices provide good compactness to the foam and a vaporization with no droplets and a spray pattern of constant shape and size . For example, the Applicant has been assigned with International Application WO-A1-2014 / 013352 , in which a pre-compression dispensing device is disclosed .

[0006] Obviously, direct-dispensing devices have a simpler structure and functionality, and production cost containment is essential to ensure adequate economic margins .Object of the invention

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide a direct-dispensing trigger dispensing device which has a particularly simple structure, such as to perform assembly operations quickly and reliably, and which isparticularly effective in use, in particular in terms of comfort of use, due to a smaller actuation force than that of equivalent pre-compression devices .

[0008] Furthermore, from an industrial point of view, it is an object of the present invention to allow the use of existing production and assembly equipment for precompression devices , for the production and assembly of the direct-dispensing device .

[0009] Such objects are achieved by a trigger dispensing device according to claim 1 . The dependent claims identify further advantageous preferred embodiments .Brief description of the figures

[0010] The features and advantages of the trigger dispensing device according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, according to the accompanying drawings , in which :- figure 1 shows a trigger dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a dispensing head and a bottle ;- figure 2 is a section view of the dispensing head, in an initial configuration;- figure 3 is an enlargement of the box I I I in figure 2 ;- figure 4 shows a frame of the dispensing head;- figure 5 is an enlargement of the box V in figure 4 ;- figure 6A shows a valve element of the dispensing head;- figure 6B is a section view of the valve element in figure 6A;- figure 6C is a side view of the valve element in figure 6A;- figure 6D is a top plan view of the valve element in figure 6A;- figure 7A shows a leg of the dispensing head;- figure 7B is a section view of the leg in figure 7A;- figure 7C is a side view of the leg in figure 7A;- figure 7D is a top plan view of the leg in figure 7A . Detailed description of the invention

[0011] According to the invention, a dispensing device 1 comprises a bottle 2 for containing a product , provided at the top with a neck ending with a circular opening, and a dispensing head 4 , applicable to the neck of the bottle, e . g . , by means of a threaded connection or a bayonet connection .

[0012] The dispensing head 4 comprises a frame 6 provided with a lower connection portion 8 and an upper functional portion 10 .

[0013] The connection portion 8 comprises an outer circumferential groove 12 , an inner circumferential groove 14 , spaced radially internally from the outer groove 12 , an annular intermediate wall 16, which extendsaxially and delimits radially internally the inner groove14 , and an annular inner wall 18 , which extends axially and is spaced radially internally from the intermediate wall 16 .

[0014] The intermediate wall 16 has an inner side surface 16i and an outer side surface 16e, while the inner wall 18 has an outer side surface 18e and an inner side surface 18i defining a central main axis Z .

[0015] The upper functional portion 10 comprises a pressure chamber 20 , usually circular and cylindrical in shape, having a piston axis X which intersects , e . g . , orthogonally, the main axis Z , in communication by means of a main passage 22 with a main compartment 24 circumferentially delimited by the inner wall 18 .

[0016] The frame 6 further comprises a dispensing conduit 26 comprising a first segment 28 , which extends along the main axis Z at least partially delimited by a region of said inner frame wall 18 , and a second segment 30 , which extends along the piston axis X . The first segment 28 is connectable upstream to the pressure chamber 20 by means of the main passage 22 and the main compartment 24 and downstream to the second segment 30 ; the second segment 30 is connected upstream to the first segment 28 and downstream to a product outlet port 32 .

[0017] The pressure chamber 20 is circumferentiallydelimited by a chamber wall 34 of the functional portion 10 of the frame, from which the intermediate wall 16 and the inner wall 18 protrude axially . Furthermore, said chamber wall 34 has a venting passage 36 to put the external environment into communication with the inner groove 14 , in order to form a venting path which will be discussed later .

[0018] The dispensing head 4 further comprises a leg 40 , preferably made in one piece of plastic material, e . g . , by means of injection molding, applicable to the connection portion 8 of the frame 6 .

[0019] The leg 40 comprises a leg base 42 from which a tubular tang 44 protrudes axially downward for the insertion of a dip tube and an annular seat edge 46 protrudes axially upward .

[0020] The leg 40 further comprises an inner leg wall 48 , protruding axially upward, spaced radially outside the seat edge 46, and an outer leg wall 50 , protruding axially upward, spaced radially outside the inner leg wall 48 .

[0021] The leg base 42 further has at least one venting leg passage 52 passing through the thickness of the leg base 42 , radially arranged between the outer leg wall 50 and the inner leg wall 48 .

[0022] Furthermore, the leg 40 preferably comprises a pairof guide flaps 56, protruding axially downward from the leg base 42 , for guiding the insertion into the neck of the bottle .

[0023] The application of the leg 40 to the frame 6 occurs by inserting the inner leg wall 48 into the inner groove 14 of the frame 6 and engaging said inner leg wall 48 with the intermediate frame wall 16 ; at the same time, the outer leg wall 50 is inserted into the outer groove 12 of the frame 6, engaging it in a sealing manner .

[0024] Once the leg 40 is applied to the frame 6, a compartment is delimited between the leg base 42 and the chamber wall 34 , in which a valve element 60 is housed .

[0025] The valve element 60 , made in a single piece of plastic material, e . g . , by means of injection molding, comprises an element base 62 from which an annular, f rustoconical outer element wall 64 , arranged radially close to a peripheral edge of the element base 62 , and an annular inner element wall 66, overall f rustoconical in shape, arranged radially inside the outer element wall 64 protrude axially at the top .

[0026] The inner element wall 66 comprises an annular foot 68 , joined to the leg base 42 , and an annular lip 70 , protruding from the foot 68 ; the foot 68 has a greater radial thickness than the lip 70 , so that the inner element wall 66 globally has a step .

[0027] The valve element 60 further comprises a shutter 72 and at least one hinge portion 74 , e . g . , in the form of an arm, which connects the shutter 72 to the element base 62 .

[0028] The valve element 60 further comprises a plurality of ridges 80 , protruding axially downward from the element base 62 , preferably at the peripheral edge .

[0029] With the leg 40 and the valve element 60 applied to the frame 6, the ridges 80 rest on the leg base 42 , and the outer element wall 64 is sealingly in contact against the inner side surface 16i of the intermediate frame wall 16 .

[0030] Furthermore, the inner surface 70i of the lip 70 of the valve element 60 sealingly abuts against the outer side surface 18e of the inner frame wall 18 and the shutter 72 rests against the seat edge 64 of the leg 40 in a sealing manner .

[0031] The dispensing head further comprises a piston 71 sealingly sliding alternately in the pressure chamber 20 along the piston axis X, provided with a front sealing lip 72 and a rear sealing lip 74 , a trigger 80 for manually actuating the dispensing head between an initial configuration and a final configuration during the actuation, and elastic return means adapted to operate permanently, either directly or indirectly on thetrigger 80 towards the initial configuration .

[0032] The lip 70 of the valve element 60 and the inner frame wall 18 form normally closed direct dispensing valve means , adapted to switch to an opened configuration to allow the product to transit from the pressure chamber 20 to the dispensing conduit 26 in an initial sub-step of a trigger actuation step, and adapted to switch to a closed configuration to prevent or restrict the product return from the dispensing conduit 26 to the pressure chamber 20 during a trigger release step .

[0033] Furthermore, the shutter 72 , the hinge portions 74 , and the seat edge 64 form normally closed suction valve means , adapted to switch to an opened configuration to allow the product to transit from the bottle to the pressure chamber 20 during the trigger release step, and adapted to switch to a closed configuration to prevent or restrict the product return from the pressure chamber to the bottle during the trigger actuation step .

[0034] Furthermore, the vent passage 36, the inner groove 14 , the venting leg passage 52 , and the rear sealing lip 74 of the piston 71 form venting means adapted to put the external environment and the bottle compartment into communication at least in one operating configuration of the head, e . g . , during the trigger release step, and preferably to prevent or restrict the connection betweenthe external environment and the bottle compartment at least in an initial resting configuration of the head .

[0035] Innovatively, the dispensing head according to the present invention meets the needs of the industry because it forms a direct-dispensing trigger device having a very simple structure, achievable at very low costs , and such as to require a simple, reliable, and very fast assembly method .

[0036] In particular, according to the invention, the application of the valve element and the leg to the frame occurs quickly, since such components are applied in sequence to the frame, along the same direction defined by the main axis .

[0037] It is apparent that , in order to meet contingent needs , those skilled in the art may make changes to the dispensing device or dispensing head described above, all contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims .

Claims

Claims1. A direct-dispensing trigger head (4) applicable to a bottle (2) , comprising:A) a frame (6) made in one piece of plastic material, comprising a lower connection portion (8) for the application to the bottle and an upper functional portion ( 10 ) , wherein : a) the lower connection portion (8) comprises an annular intermediate frame wall (16) , having an inner side surface (16i) and an outer side surface (16e) , and an annular inner frame wall (18) , having an inner side surface (18i) , defining a central main axis (Z) , and an outer side surface (18e) , said inner frame wall (18) being spaced radially internally from the intermediate frame wall (16) ; b) the upper functional portion (10) comprises a pressure chamber (20) having a piston axis (X) which intersects the main axis (Z) , in communication by means of a main passage (22) with a main compartment (24) delimited by the inner frame wall (18) , said pressure chamber (20) being at least partially delimited by a chamber wall (34) , from which the intermediate frame wall (16) and the inner frame wall (18) protrude; c) a dispensing conduit (26) comprises a first segment (28) , which extends along the main axis (Z) and is atleast partially delimited by a region of said inner frame wall (18) , and a second segment (30) , which extends along the piston axis (X) , wherein the first segment (28) is connectable upstream to the pressure chamber (20) by means of the main passage (22) and the main compartment (24) and downstream to the second segment (30) , and the second segment (30) is connected upstream to the first segment (28) and downstream has a product outlet port (32) ;B) a leg (40) made in one piece of plastic material, configured to be connected to the connection portion (8) of the frame (6) , comprising a leg base (42) from which an annular seat edge (46) axially protrudes at the top, having a seat axis (Y) either parallel to or coinciding with the main axis (Z) ;C) a valve element (60) made in one piece of plastic material, comprising: a) an element base (62) from which an annular, f rustoconical outer element wall (64) , arranged radially close to a peripheral edge of the element base (62) , and an annular inner element wall (66) , overall f rustoconical in shape, arranged radially inside the outer element wall (64) , protrude axially at the top, wherein the inner element wall (66) comprises an annular lip (70) having an outer side surface (70e) and an inner side surface (70i)having an element axis (K) either parallel to or coinciding with the main axis (Z) ; b) a shutter (72) and at least one hinge portion (74) , which connects the shutter (72) to the element base (62) , said shutter being arranged in a base compartment circumferentially delimited by the inner element wall (66) ;D) a piston (71) sealingly sliding alternately in the pressure chamber (20) along the piston axis (X) , a trigger (80) engaged with the piston (71) for manually actuating the dispensing head from an initial configuration to a final configuration during the actuation, and elastic return means adapted to operate permanently, either directly or indirectly, on the trigger (80) towards the initial configuration; wherein, in the initial configuration of the dispensing head, the inner side surface (70i) of the lip (70) of the valve element (60) sealingly abuts against the outer side surface (18e) of the inner frame wall (18) forming direct-dispensing valve means and the shutter (72) sealingly rests against the seat edge (64) of the leg (40) forming suction valve means.

2. A trigger head according to claim 1, wherein the inner element wall (66) further comprises an annular foot (68) , connected to the base leg (42) , said lip (70) protrudingaxially from the foot (68) and said foot (68) radially having a greater thickness than the lip (70) .

3. A trigger head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve element (60) further comprises an annular, f rustoconical outer element wall (64) , arranged radially close to a peripheral edge of the element base (62) , sealingly in contact against the inner side surface (16i) of the intermediate frame wall (16) . . A trigger head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve element (60) further comprises a plurality of ridges (80) , protruding axially at the bottom from the element base (62) , resting on the leg base ( 42 ) .

5. A trigger head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said direct-dispensing valve means are adapted to switch to an opened configuration to allow the product to transit from the pressure chamber (20) to the dispensing conduit (26) in an initial sub-step of a trigger actuation step.

6. A trigger head according to claim 5, wherein said direct-dispensing valve means are further adapted to switch to a closed configuration to prevent or restrict the product return from the dispensing conduit (26) towards the pressure chamber (20) during a trigger release step.

7. A trigger head according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising venting means adapted to put the external environment and the bottle compartment into communication at least in an operating configuration of the trigger head.

8. A dispensing device (1) comprising:- a bottle (2) for containing a product to be dispensed;- a trigger head (4) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the trigger head (4) is applied to the bottle (2) by means of a threaded connection or by means of a bayonet connection.

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