GB2230479A - Trigger operated spray dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A nozzle device for a trigger-operated spray dispenser, comprising a body (30) of generally tubular form for fitting at one end (32) to outlet from a trigger-operated pump mechanism (Fig. 1) fitted with a closure member requiring applied pressure to close off said outlet. The body has an internal inlet passageway (34) extending away from its said one end (32) and being at an angle (36) to its other end (42). An internal outlet passageway (40) from said other end communicates at said angle (36). Spray jet forming means (46, 48) is at said other end (42). An inwardly projecting actuator formation (32) is operative when fitted to said trigger operated spray dispenser to close off or release said closure member by rotation of the body (30) at its said one end. (42). <IMAGE>

Description

TRIGGER OPERATED SPRAY NOZZLE This invention relates to trigger operated spray dispensers for liquid goods.

Such dispensers fitted to tops of necks of containers have become popular for various products, notably cleansing agents etc. In general, a trigger operated spray gun is associated with an in-line nozzle to a spray aperture, often with spray angle variation down to a jet as the nozzle is rotated. Such customary forward facing nozzle and an incorporated sealing closure operated by a first range of rotation or twisting of the nozzle for opening or closing utilising abutment with the apertured end of the nozzle has proved particularly useful, but does present problems in applying spray to ceilings and cornices. The one dispenser known to us with an upwardly directed nozzle exit does not have any sealing provision, which presents problems over loss of contents for products supplied complete.Also, its upwardly directed exit of its nozzle is of two part construction as an end-apertured cylinder and a free sliding exteriorly grooved inner part or piston serving to feed liquid from a substantially flat end into a chamber formed between . Fv, * ~ confronting recessing of the inner part or piston and conical formation of the end of the cylinder to its aperture, and is difficult to assemble due mainly to its inner part or piston being small to fit within its outer part itself constrained to be inside a short angled accommodation.

It is an object of this invention to mitigate one or more of such problems and difficulties.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a nozzle device for a trigger operated spray dispenser, comprising a body of generally tubular form for fitting at one end to outlet from a trigger operated pump mechanism fitted with a closure member requiring applied pressure to close off said outlet, the body having an internal inlet passage extending away from said one end and being angled to its other end with an internal outlet passageway from said other end communicating at said angle with the inlet passageway, spray jet forming means at said other end, and an inwardly projecting actuator formation operative to close or release said closure member by rotation of the body at its one end when fitted to said outlet.

Preferably, the spray jet forming means comprises inner and outer members with the outer member inset in a recess so as to extend from said other end as a substantially stepless extension or part of said outlet passageway.

The inner member can be formed to aid smooth liquid flow and reduce drag without undue eddy current or cavitation effects by applying generally conical curvature to its end first encountered by dispensed liquid. A substantially hemispherical end is effective in relation to required trigger pressure. A shallow well at the spray forming end of the inner member can produce a wide angle spray. Deepening the well reduces the angle of spray, down to a jet for a substantially hemispherical well shape.

Preferably, the projecting actuator formation is at or near the end of said inlet passageway, conveniently at side wall extension of said outlet passageway centrally of said inlet passageway for a centrally operated diaphragm type of said closure member.

Preferably, rotation of said body from closing off to permitting full opening of said closure member is about 360" or less to a dispensing position where said other end is directed upwardly, further preferably permitting at least partial opening of the closure member at about 90 or less from said upwardly directed position.

Substantially stepless contiguity of the outer member of the spray jet with said outlet passageway allows use of spray jet inner members ofmaximum diameter for their purpose, and aids fitting of the spray jet inner and outer members.

Provision of said closure member actuator formation at or near the end of said inlet passageway is advantageous both for compactness of nozzle construction and generally for enabling closing off during transit and storage.

Specific implementation of this invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an outline side elevational view of a trigger-operated pump mechanism; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a nozzle concerning one embodiment of this invention; Figure 3 is an end view of that nozzle; Figures 4 and 5 are side and end views of a spray forming inner member; and Figures 6 and 7 are end and sectional views of a spray forming outer member.

In the drawings, the trigger operated pump mechanism is indicated at 10 with a connector 12 for a liquid container, a body 14 containing the pump mechanism, a trigger 16 to operate the pump mechanism, and an outlet 18 for liquid delivered by the pump mechanism. Such mechanisms are known, as are closure members such as that indicated at 20 for snap fitting by cooperating rib 22 and groove 24 onto the outlet 18 at its end, and having a closure pip 26 resiliently mounted by arms 28 to allow liquid exit from the outlet 18 unless the pip 26 is deflected in the direction of the arrow A to close off the outlet 18. Together, the pip 26 and arms 28 constitute a diaphragm type closure.

Turning to Figures 2 to 6, nozzle body 30 is generally tubular and has one end 32 by which it is securable to outlet 18 of the trigger pump 10, specifically by cooperating screw threads 32S and 18S.

Inlet passageway 34 extends from the one end 32 of the body 30 and the latter is angled at 36 to present an extension 38 shown upwardly directed in Figure 2 with an outlet passageway 40 to the other end 42 of the body 30.

That other end 42 is stepped at 44 to take outer member 46 of a spray jet provision having a free inner member 48 as a piston in a bore that is essentially the passageway 40, i.e. stepless and of the same diameter through the outer spray member 46. The spray jet provision 46,48 has a central aperture 46A and tapers thereto at 46T, for the outer member 46, and inclined exterior grooves 48G to a shallow end well 48W, for the inner member 48. The outer spray member 46 conveniently snap-fits into the recessing 44 by way of cooperating rib and groove formations 44R and 46G.

The shallow end well 48W contributes to production of a wide angle spray, as is particularly advantageous for applications upwardly to a ceiling or into a corner or cornice. Deeper well formations, preferably in a curving manner as concave spherical surface formations, produce narrower angle sprays. A hemispherical well can produce a narrow jet. The rounded, substantially spherical end 48S contributes significantly to improved liquid flow to the grooves 48G and consequent easing of trigger operation for disposing.

Communication between inlet and outlet passageways 34 and 40 is shown at 50, effectively at extension 51 of the side walling of the outlet passageway 40 towards the end of the inlet passageway 34, actually to just past the centre line or axis of the latter. Substantially on that axis is a pip formation 52 operative as a actuator for the closure member 20 by engaging the pip 26 thereof.

Depending on the pitch of the threadings 18S,32S and the movement required of the closure pip 26 as part of a pervious diaphragm arrangement including its support arms 28, rotation of the nozzle 30 required to go between closed and open for the closure diaphragm 26,28 can be of any angular extent.

Between about 1800 and about 360 , i.e. half to full turn, is preferred for that rotation, so that the nozzle 30 will go between upwardly directed positions or between upwardly and downwardly directed positions for "open" and "closed", respectively. Further, it is preferred that some liquid may pass at about 90 , i.e. a quarter turn, before the "open" upwardly directed position is reached from the "closed" position. Then, not only is an upwardly directed spray jet available, but also anything from sideways to upward directions of spray output. At the quarter turn position, the closure member 20 may be only partially open, or wholly open as desired.

Claims (13)

1. A nozzle device for a trigger-operated spray dispenser, comprising a body of generally tubular form for fitting at one end to outlet from a trigger-operated pump mechanism fitted with a closure member requiring applied pressure to close off said outlet, the body having an internal inlet passageway extending away from its said one end and being at an angle to its other end with an internal outlet passageway from said other end communicating at said angle, spray jet forming means at said other end, and an inwardly projecting actuator formation operative when fitted to said trigger operated spray dispenser to close off or release said closure member by rotation of the body at its said one end.

2. A nozzle device according to claim l, wherein the spray jet forming means comprises inner and outer members with the outer member inset in a recess so as to extend from said other end as a substantially stepless extension or part of said outlet passageway.

3. A nozzle device according to claim 2, wherein the inner member has a generally conical curvature end first encountered by liquid dispensed through the nozzle device from said trigger operated dispenser when fitted with the nozzle device.

4. A nozzle device according to claim 3, wherein said generally conical curvature is substantially hemispherical.

5. A nozzle device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the inner member has a shallow well at its other end whereat spray forming takes place in use.

6. A nozzle device according to claim 5, wherein the depth of the well contributes to determining the angle of spray formation.

7. A nozzle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inwardly projecting actuator formation is at or near the end of the inlet passageway.

8. A nozzle device according to claim 7 wherein the actuator formation is at a side wall extension of said outlet passageway and disposed substantially centrally of said inlet passageway.

9. A nozzle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body when fitted to a said trigger operated dispenser requires up to about 360" rotation for said closure member to open fully with said other end then directed upwardly.

10. A nozzle device according to claim 9, wherein said rotation permits at least partial opening of said closure member at up to about 90" from said other and being upwardly directed.

11. A nozzle device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawing.

12. A trigger operated spray dispenser fitted with a nozzle device according to any preceding claim.

13. A trigger operated spray dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.