GB1583469A

GB1583469A - Fluid dispenser method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1583469A
Application number: GB40812/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ethyl Products Co
Current assignee: Ethyl Products Co
Priority date: 1976-10-05
Filing date: 1977-09-30
Publication date: 1981-01-28
Also published as: DE2760352C2; DE2760216C2; JPS5441728B2; JPS5345712A; MX146527A; ES462901A1; CA1059083A; IT1090408B; FR2366878A1; BR7706644A; DE2744654A1; GB1583470A; AR218039A1; FR2366878B1; DE2759914C2; DE2744654C2

Description

(54) FLUID DISPENSER METHOD AND APPARATUS (71) We, ETHYL PRODUCTS COMPANY, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Virgina, United States of America, 330 Southforth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23217, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following state ment The invention relates to fluid dispensing.

Aerosol dispensers widely used in the packaging industry present two major problems: atmospheric pollution from the propellant and disposal of the cannister without the risk of explosion and the accompanying hazard to personal safety. The use of hand actuated pump dispensers as a substitute for aerosol dispensers obviates these problems but is not practical in many circumstances because conventional pump dispensers are difficult to ship and expensive to construct.

Typically, fluid dispensers are attached to fluid containers prior to shipping. In order for fluid to be withdrawn from the container, a venting passage from the atmosphere to the interior of the container must be provided. However, unless the dispenser or container is provided with means for sealing the venting passage, fluid often leaks from the container during shipping.

One known approach to this problem is a vent seal which may be disabled by tightening a cap over the nozzle. By way of example, this approach is illustrated in the Powers U.S. Patent No. 3,780,951, dated December 25, 1973. Another known approach to the problem is the provision of a releasable locking pin to maintain the piston in a position which blocks the vent.

In this approach, the pin must be manually released before the trigger can be operated.

This approach is illustrated, e.g., in the Hellenkamp U.S. Patent No. 3,840,157, dated October 8, 1974. These conventional seals and locking structures may be difficult for the consumer to operate generally requiring the production of explanatory literature, and often entail considerable additional production expense due to the necessity of producing additional parts and of performing additional manufacturing steps in the fabrication of the structure. Because of the expense associated with the assembly, it is desirable that the number of separately molded parts of a fluid dispenser be minimized. Furthermore the operation of the trigger and its retention in the dispenser housing is often a problem in such pump dispensers.

Fluid pump dispensers are generally provided with a nozzle structure including a check valve for blocking communication between the pump chamber and a nozzle aperture. A nozzle structure of this type is illustrated, e.g., in the Vanier U.S. Patent No. 3,685,739, dated August 22, 1972. It is desirable that the nozzle structure be adjustable to provide widely varying discharge patterns and for disabling the outlet check valve. A seal must also be provided to prevent fluid leakage at the sliding interface of the nozzle structure adjustment means.

It is desirable that a fluid dispenser have a large, protruding, and easily grasped trigger defining a long lever arm for actuating the dispenser pump. Dispensers having such easily grasped triggers are often difficult to economically and safely package for shipping.

The triggers of many conventional fluid dispensers are attached to the dispenser housing with rivets or pins. This method generally requires the fabricating of additional parts and the performing of additional production steps to insert the pin or rivet. An example of this type of trigger connection is illustrated in the Hellenkamp U.S. Patent No. 3,840,157.

In another known method of assembly, the trigger is attached to the dispenser housing by outwardly flexing the lateral walls of the dispenser housing to permit the engagement of mating surfaces on the trigger and housing. This method of assembly has a disadvantage in that flexure may damage the relatively fragile dispenser mechanism or the housing by exceeding the limit of elastic deformation.

Typically, fluid is discharged from a spray dispenser by reducing the volume of a pump chamber, thereby opening a pressure responsive outlet check valve. In conventional spray dispensers the volume of the pump chamber may be varied by operating a piston, as illustrated in the Hellenkamp U.S. Patent No. 3,840,157, or the volume of the pump chamber may be varied by flexing a wall of a flexible tubular member, having an outlet valve integral therewith, as illustrated in the Micallef U.S. Patent No. 3,749,290. Both dispensers are configured in the approximate shape of a pistol, the nozzle being located at the end of a forwardly protruding portion of the housing and the pump chamber being located within the portion of the housing grasped by the hand. While the Micallef dispenser has several inherent advantages, the dispenser has a disadvantage in that the protruding nozzle cap is provided separate and displaced from the outlet valve of the dispenser, which is formed by interengaging surfaces of the flexible tubular member, thus restricting the accessibility of the outlet valve for adjustment to modify the discharge pattern of the dispenser.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing fluids from a container comprising; a fluid dispenser including a housing, a trigger pivotally mounted on said housing, a pump chamber disposed within the housing and responsive to said trigger for varying the volume of said pump chamber, an inlet conduit between the pump chamber and the fluid container, an outlet conduit communicating with the pump chamber, an inlet valve member, a flexible outlet valve having a solid central portion normally blocking communication with the end of the outlet conduit, an intermediate portion of the valve having at least one aperture therein, and an adjustable nozzle cap on the end of the outlet conduit for contacting the front face of the outlet valve to prevent flexure of said valve and to be spaced therefrom to permit flexure of said valve for varying the discharge pattern of the fluid dispensed.

By way of example, embodiments of fluid dispensing apparatus according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a fluid dispenser embodiment of the present invention, having a fluid filter, attached to a fluid container; Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation taken through the major axis of one embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; Figure 3 is a pictorial view of the piston inlet conduit of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating the container vent passages; Figure 4 is a pictorial view in partial section of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a trigger assembly method; Figure 5 is a section taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a section taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5; Figures 7-9 are sections of the nozzle structure of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 2 showing the adjustment of the structure to vary the nozzle discharge pattern; Figure 10 is a section taken along lines 10-10 of Figure 2; Figure 11 is a section taken along lines 11-11 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a section taken along lines 12-12 of Figure 2; Figure 13 is a sectional view of an elevation of an alternate fluid dispenser embodiment with a flexible pumping chamber; Figure 14 is a pictorial view of an inlet conduit filter embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a pictorial view showing the filter embodiment of Figure 14 attached to an inlet dip tube of a dispenser; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a one-piece molded member for providing a fluid filter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 17 is a plan view of the molded member of Figure 16.

To facilitate an understanding of the methods and structures of the present invention, reference may be had to the following: TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Fluid Dispenser Structure B. Method of Assembling and Venting C. Operation of the Fluid Supply and Discharge Assistant D. Operation of the Nozzle Structure E. Nozzle Structure and Flexible Pump Chamber F. One-piece Fluid Filter A. Fluid Dispenser Structure Referring first to Figure 1, a fluid dispenser 10 is shown threadably attached to a fluid container 11. By actuating trigger 12, fluid from the reservoir 13 may be drawn through a one-piece molded filter 14 into the fluid dispenser body 15 via dip tube 16. The fluid may then be ejected through an adjustable nozzle 17. The fluid dispenser body 15 is described in greater detail in connection with Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 2, a fluid dispenser includes a housing 22 adapted for mounting on the threaded orifice of a fluid container (not shown). A pump chamber 24 is disposed within the housing 22. A fluid supply and discharge assistant 26 includes a piston 27 and a conduit 28 which provides fluid to the pump chamber 24 from the container. The piston conduit 28 may be provided with an inlet conduit 30 adapted to extend into the container to draw fluid into the pump chamber 24 via the piston conduit 28 and an inlet check valve 32. The piston 27 may be actuated against the bias of a coil spring 40 by squeezing trigger 36 thereby reducing the enclosed volume 38 of the pump chamber 24.

A flexible member 42 in contact with the piston 27 functions as the movable portion of the inlet check valve 32 and as a piston ring. Alternatively, the flexible member may be formed integral with the piston 27. The flexible member 42 may in dude a central portion 44 adapted to contact a valve seat 46 integral with the piston to block a piston conduit orifice 47 and thereby block communication between the container and the pump chamber in response to the pressure within the pump chamber. The central portion 44 of the flexible member 42 may be frustoconical in shape to facilitate sealing en engagement with the valve seat 46. In an alternate embodiment, the piston conduit may be blocked in response to pressure within the pump chamber by a ball check valve (not shown).

The flexible member may further comprise an annular portion 48 contacting the piston and the coil spring 40. A plurality of radially oriented, arch-shaped bands 50 of a thinner cross section than the central portion may be used to connect the central portion to the annular portion and permit relative movement there between. A radial edge 52 of the flexible member 42 may form a fluid tight seal between the piston 27 and the inner wall of the pump chamber 24.

As shown in the section illustrated in Figure 5, the various portions of the flexible member described above have concentric relationships. The central portion 260 of the flexible member is attached to the piston engaging annular portion 262 of the flexible member by a plurality of the arch-shaped bands 264. Apertures 266 in the flexible member lie between the bands 264 and a peripheral edge 268 of the flexible member is adapated to contact the inner wall of the pump chamber. Reference may also be had to Figure 6, where the features of the flexible member of Figure 5 are illustrated.

Referring once more to the dispenser illustrated in Figure 1 and more particularly to the vent shipping seal, the piston conduit 28 may pass through an aperture in the container closure 70. The outer wall 72 of the conduit 28 and the inner wall 74 of the aperture of the container closure may define a container venting passage formed by txial indentations in either the conduit wall 72 or the wall of the closure 74. A venting passage may also be provided by a loose fit between the piston conduit and the container closure aperture.

Mating surface 76 of the piston conduit and mating surface 78 of the container closure may be provided to block the venting passages when the mating surfaces are engaged.

A preferred embodiment of the vent shipping seal is illustrated with reference to Figure 3. In Figure 3, a piston conduit or inlet conduit of a spray dispenser 80 contains indentations or grooves 82 in the outer wall of the conduit 80 to define, together with the surface of the inner wall of the container closure, venting passages for the container. A raised ring 84 axially displaced from the upper ends 86 of the indentations 82 may be operative to block the venting passages when engaged with the surface of a groove in the inner wall of the aperture of the container closure.

The mating surface 84 depicted in Figure 3 as a raised ring may alternatively be configured as a groove so long as the desired seal is obtained.

With continued reference to Figure 2, the trigger 36 of the dispenser has a spiralshaped member 92 which pivots on an inwardly projecting peg 94 on opposite sides of the dispenser housing. It may be noted that single or plural spiral-shaped members may be formed in either the housing or the trigger and single or plural pegs may be formed in the other of the housing and trigger.

The housing of the dispenser may include a separate housing head portion 96. The housing head portion 96 may be formed with a downwardly depending ear 98 for engaging the spiral-shaped member 92. A curved surface 100 of the ear 98 may slidably engage a portion 102 of the spiralshaped member to prevent the spiral-shaped member from disengaging the pegs 94.

An arm 95 of the trigger is adapted to mate with the piston and piston conduit thereby limiting the arc through which the trigger may pivot to the length of the piston stroke. Fluid in the pump chamber 38 may be discharged from the dispenser through an outlet conduit 104 and a nozzle structure 106. The nozzle structure 106 may include a valve seat 108 communicating with the outlet conduit 104 and a nozzle cap 110 having an aperture 112 through which the fluid is discharged. An outlet check valve 114 includes flexible member 116 and the valve seat 108. A movable central portion 118 of the flexible member 116 may contact that valve seat 108 to block communication between the aperture 112 and the pump chamber 38 responsive to pressure within the pump chamber 38.

The central portion 118 of the flexible member may be frustoconical in shape with the central portion 118 surrounded by an annular portion 120 having apertures 121 to provide a fluid flow path when the central portion is not seated on the valve seat. An integral O-ring 122 is provided by the peripheral portion of the flexible member 116 to form a seal between the nozzle cap 110 and the housing 124 surrounding the outlet conduit.

The housing 124 and the nozzle cap 110 may be provided with threads 126. Rotation of the nozzle cap 110 with respect to the housing 124 may be operative to adjust the pressural contact between the inner central surface 128 of the nozzle cap and the central portion 118 of the flexible member. Either the central portion of the flexible member 116 or the inner central portion of the nozzle cap 128 may be formed with bosses 129 for contacting the other of the cap or flexible member.

The bosses may be operative to deflect the flow of fluid adjacent the bosses. Adjustment of the nozzle cap may vary the contact between the central portion of the flexible member and the bosses when the outlet check valve is open, thereby varying the discharge pattern of the dispenser.

As shown in Figure 10, the flexible member 116 of Figure 2 has a central, frustoconical portion 340 surrounded by an apertured annular region 342. The apertures 344 provide fluid flow passages between the outlet conduit and the aperture in the nozzle cap when the check valve is open.

The O-ring portion (not shown) of the flexible member is attached to the peripheral edge 346 of the apertured annular portion 342 of the flexible member.

As shown more clearly in Figure 11.

the frustoconical portion 350 of the flexible member is connected to the integral O-ring 352 by the apertured annular portion 354.

The portion 354 may be thinner in cross section than the central portion 150 to permit relative movement of the central portion 150 with respect to the O-ring 152. Apertures 356 in the annular portion 354 may provide fluid flow passages through the member.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional yiew taken along lines 12-12 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 12, the nozzle cap 360 includes an aperture 362 formed in the central circular well 364 of the nozzle cap. Bosses 366 may be formed on the central inner surface of the nozzle cap and, the bosses may be of different heights. In one embodiment of the invention, adjacent bosses may be of alternate heights, e.g., boss 380 of Figure 12 may be of one height while boss 382 is of a different height.

B. Dispenser Assembly and Venting The assembly and venting of the fluid dispenser of Figure 2 may be understood more readily by reference to Figure 4 where a fluid dispensor 200 is illustrated as including a trigger 202 pivotably engaging the housing 204. This engagement may be accomplished by interengaging the spiral member 206 on the trigger with a peg 208 on the housing so that the centre of the peg is located in the interior space defined by the spiral between line 207 and the tightly curved portion of the spiral 209.

Advantageously, the peg may be located at the center 210 of the shortest radius of the spiral. At the same time an arm 212 of the trigger may be mated with the discharge assistant 214 (shown in phantom).

The head portion 216 of the housing 204 may then be positioned so that the curved surface 218 of the downwardly depending ear 220 of the housing head may slidably contact a portion of the spiralshaped member 206 to prevent the spiral-shaped member from disengaging the peg 208.

Once the trigger 202 is pivotably mounted to the housing, the container (not shown) may be vented by squeezing the trigger toward the central portion of the housing 204 to cause upward motion of the discharge assistant 214. This upward motion may cause the radially outward flexing of mating surface 222 from the mating surface 224 thereby causing the surfaces to disengage and move axially with respect to one another to open venting passages 226. This permits air to enter the container to displace fluid removed by the pumping action of the dispenser.

C. Fluid Supply and Discharge Assistant Operation The operation of the pumping mechanism of the fluid dispenser may be more easily understood with reference to Figure 2 where it can be seen that the initial squeezing of the trigger 36 toward the central portion of the dispenser operates to disengage the vent seal as described above and to reduce the enclosed volume of the pump chamber 38 to discharge air via the outlet conduit 104, the valve seat 108, the flexible member apertures 121 and the nozzle cap aperture 112. When the trigger 36 is released, the coil spring 40 urges the piston 34 downwardly to increase the enclosed volume of the pump chamber and thus reduce the pressure therein. This reduction in pressure in the pump chamber may cause the central portion 118 of the flexible member 116 to seat on the valve seat 108 to close the outlet check valve. This reduction in pressure in the pump- chamber may likewise cause the central portion 44 of the flexible member 32 to unseat from valve seat 46 to open the inlet check valve and cause fluid to be drawn from the container into the pump chamber via the inlet conduit 30, the piston inlet conduit 28, the piston conduit orifice 47 and the apertures in the flexible member 32. Air may enter the container along vent passages 72 to compensate pressuraly for the wtihdrawal of fluid from the container.

Further squeezing of the trigger 36 may be operative to drive the piston upwardly once more to reduce the enclosed volume of the pump chamber 38. This reduction in volume discharges fluid from the pump chamber via the outlet conduct 104, the check valve 114, the apertures 121 and the nozzle cap aperture 112. This increased pressure in the pump chamber is also operative to open the outlet check valve 114 by unseating the central portion 118 of the flexible member 116 from valve seat 108. A series of fluid discharges from the dispenser may be obtained by the alternate squeezing and releasing of the trigger.

D. Nozzle Structure Operation The operation of the spray dispenser nozzle structure maybe understood with reference to Figures 7 through 9. As shown in Figure 7, fluid may be supplied to the nozzle structure 300 via a conduit 302. An orifice 304 of the conduit 302 forms a valve seat 303 for an outlet check valve 306, and a frustoconical shaped central portion 308 of the flexible member 310 may be utilized to block the orifice 304 in response to pressure within the conduit 302. If the pressure in the conduit 302 is less than the ambient pressure about the nozzle structure, the central portion 308 of the flexible member may be seated on the valve seat 303 as shown in Figure 7. When the pressure in the conduit exceeds the ambient pressure the central portion 308 of the flexible member may be unseated from the vave seat 303 as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 where like features of Figure 7 are identified with like numbers.

With reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a nozzle cap 312 may be provided for threaded engagement with the portion 314 of the dispenser defining conduit 302 and may be formed with an aperture 316 through which fluid is discharged from the dispenser. The nozzle cap engages an O- ring portion 318 of the flexible member to retain the periphery of the flexible member in a fixed position with respect to the valve seat 303 and to provide a fluid tight seal between the nozzle cap and the conduit defining portion 314 of the dispenser. Rotation of the nozzle cap 312 along the path defined by the threads 320 may vary the distance and/or pressural contact between the central portion of the flexible member and the inner central surface 322 of the nozzle cap. Bosses 324 may be formed in either the inner central surface 322 of the nozzle cap or the central portion 308 of the flexible member to deflect fluid flow. Alternatively, fluid directing recesses may be formed in either the inner central surface 322 of the nozzle cap or the central portion 308 of the flexible member to direct fluid flow.

As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9, fluid pressure in the conduit 302 may unseat the central portion 308 of the flexible member from the valve seat 303 and be discharged from the aperture 316 via the orifice 304 and the apertures 326 in the flexible member. When the cap is positioned with respect to the flexible member as shown in Figure 8, the discharged fluid must pass between bosses 324 before it is discharged through the aperture 316, and, therefore, is swirled. The resultant discharge pattern may be a - spray dispensed over a relatively wide area. When the nozzle cap is positioned with respect to the flexible member as shown in Figure 9, the fluid may pass from apertures 326 in the flexible member through aperture 316 in the nozzle cap without passing between the bosses 324, and is not swirled by the bosses. The resultant discharge pattern may, therefore, be in the form of a stream.

Where bosses of varying heights are provided the discharge pattern of the sprayer may be varied by selectively adjusting the nozzle cap to selectively cause contact between the flexible member and some or all of the bosses when the outlet check valve opens.

E. Nozzle Structure and Flexible Pump Chamber Alternatively, the nozzle structure described in connection with Figures 7-12 may be employed in a fluid dispenser having a flexible pump chamber as shown in Figure 13.

With reference to Figure 13, a fluid dispenser may include a housing 384 adapted for mounting -on the threaded orifice of a fluid container (not shown). A variable volume pump chamber 385 may be located within the housing 384. The pump chamber may be partially defined by a flexible tubular member 386 having an open axial end 387 in communication with nozzle structure 388 of the type described in connection with Figures 7-12. Fluid may be supplied to the variable volume pump chamber 385 via an inlet conduit 389 and an inlet check valve 390. The dispenser may be actuated by pivoting a trigger 391 to press an arm 392 of the trigger against a portion of the wall of the flexible tubular member 386, thereby reducing the enclosed volume of the pump chamber 385. When the trigger is released the elastic bias of the tubular member may tend to return the member 386 to its distended position (shown in phantom).

The upper axial end 387 of the flexible tubular member 386 may communicate with the outlet check valve of the nozzle structure 388 via outlet conduit 393. A cylindrical chamber 394 in the housing 384 may cooperate with the flexible member to define the pump chamber and conduit fluid discharged from the hollow of the flexible tubular member to the outlet conduit 393.

The flexible tubular member may be sealably positioned with respect to the cylindrical chamber by means of a flange formed in an upper portion of the wall of the tubular member which engages a corresponding indentation in the housing 384.

The trigger 391 may be mounted to the housing 384 for pivoting about axis perpendicular to the plane of the Figure. The arm 392 of the trigger 391 may be pivotably mounted to the trigger and pass substantially horizontally through an aperture in the housing. The arm 392 may be moulded integrally with the trigger 391 and have a narrowed portion joining the arm thereto, to permit pivoting of the arm with respect to the trigger.

In operation, the spray dispenser of Figure 13 may be disposed on a fluid container and the trigger 391 squeezed and released to prime the dispenser. The release of the trigger permits the flexible tubular member to return to its distended position, thereby reducing the pressure in the pump chamber, closing the outlet check valve in the nozzle structure 388, and drawing fluid into the pump chamber 385 via the inlet conduit 389 and the inlet check valve 390.

If the trigger is again squeezed, the volume of the pump chamber 395 is reduced, thereby pressuring the pump chamber, closing the inlet check valve 390 and opening the outlet check valve in the nozzle structure 388. Fluid in the pump chamber may be discharged through the aperture of the nozzle structure via the chamber 385, outlet conduit 393, and the outlet check valve and apertures of the nozzle structure 388.

F. One-Piece Fluid Filter Referring now to Figure 14, a dip tube filter embodiment of the present invention is shown. The filter may include two generally circular plates 412 and 414. The plate 412 may also be annular in shape, and have radially extending ribs 416 formed in a surface thereof. A tubular hub portion 418 may extend coaxially from the annular plate 412. The hollow of the tubular portion 418 (not shown) may communicate with the central opening (not shown) of the annular plate 412. The plates 412 and 414 may be connected along portions of their circumferences by an integral hinge 420.

The plates 412 and 414 may be pivoted with respect to one another about an axis 422, defined by the hinge, to expose the ribs 416 for cleaning.

Figure 15 is a pictorial view of a filtered fluid supply embodiment 430 of the present invention attached to a conventional fluid dispenser 432. The filtered fluid supply apparatus may include a fluid container 434 with a bottom wall 436 and a mouth 438 for threaded attachment to the fluid dispenser 432. An inlet dip tube 440, providing fluid communication between the dispenser 432 and the container 434, may extend from the mouth 438 of the container toward the bottom wall 436 of the container. A fluid filter 442 may be attached to an end portion of the dip tube 440. The filter 442 may include a collar portion 444 having a tubular portion 446 for engaging the dip tube 440 and a first generally circular plate 448. A second generally circular plate, selectively positionable adjacent to the first circular plate may be hingedly connected by means of hinge portion 452 to the first circular plate. At least one of the first and second plates may be formed with radially extending ribs 454 for providing a plurality of fluid passages between the plates in communication with said tubular portion 446 and the dip tube 440. The second plate may be located adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 436 of the fluid container.

In operation, a molded member having the above described portions 446, 448, 450 and 452 is provided. The tubular portion 446 may be grippingly engaged to the dip tube 440; the inner surface of the tubular portion 446 frictionally contacting the outer wall of the dip tube 440. The second circular plate 450 may be pivoted with respect to the first circular plate 448 about the hingle portion 452 to locate the second circular plate coaxially adjacent to the first circular plate. When so positioned the ribs on the one of the circular plates cooperates to define passages between the circular plates. The dispenser dip tube and filter may then be threadably engaged to the container 430 and the filter emersed in a fluid 456 within the container. The dispenser 432 may be actuated to draw fluid through the filter and into the dispenser via the tubu lar portion 446 and the dip tube 440. Fluid drawn into the dip tube 440 must first pass between the ribs 454 of the filter. It will be understood that solid material suspended in the fluid 456 will be prevented from entering the dip tube by the ribs 454.

The ribs 454 may extended radially inwardly from the circumference of the circular plate 448 and 450 and, thus the area for filtering may be maximised. The second circular plate 450 may be located adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 436 of the container 434. In this configuration, virtually all of the fluid 456 may be withdrawn from the container 434 through the filter, before the fluid level falls below the level of the passages between the ribs.

Figure 16 is a cross sctional view of a one piece molded member 460 for providing a fluid filter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The member may include an annular plate portion 462 having a central opening 464. A tubular portion 466 may extend axially from the annular plate portion, a hollow 468 of the tubular portion communicating with the central omening 464 in the annular plate portion. A generallv circular plate portion 470 may be hingedly connected to the annular plate portion 462 by a hinge portion 472 of relatively thinner cross section than either of the plate portions. Members 474, axially extending from the circular plate portion may be adapted to pressurely engage the tubular portion 466 to maintain surfaces 476 and 478 of the plate portions coaxially adjacent one another. At least one of the surfaces 476 and 478 may be formed with radially extending ribs, such as ribs 480. When the surfaces 476 and 478 are located coaxially adjacent to one another, the ribs provide a plurality of fluid passages between the plates which communicate with the hollow 468 of the tubular portion 460.

The tubular - portion - 466 may be formed with a first hollow portion 482 for receiving the members 474. Radial ends of the members 474 may - pressurely engage the inner wall 484 of the tubular member. The tubular portion 466 may be formed with first and second inwardly extending flanges 486 and 488. When the dip tube is inserted into the hollow 468 of the tubular portion 466, the flange 486 limits the extent to which the dip tube may be inserted. The gripping flange 488 is adapted to frictionally engage the dip tube and inhibit separation of the filter from the dip tube.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the molded member 460 described in conection with Figure 16, like structures being identified by the same numerals employed in Figure 16. The molded member 460 includes the annular shaped plate 462 connected by the hinge portion 472 to tnc circular plate portion 470. In the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17 the surface 478 of the plate 470 is a relatively smooth and the surface 476 of the plate 462 is formed with the ribs 480.

The ribs 480 may extend radially inwardly from a circumference 490 of the surface 476 to a radius 492 intermediate the circumference and the central opening 464 in the annular plate 461. In this way maximum filtering area is obtained along the circumference 490 of the plates, while restriction of fluid flow is minimized.

The members 474 for pressurely engaging the rubular portion may extend radially outwardly as shown in Figure 17. Radial ends 494 of the members 474 are adapted to engage the inner wall of the tubular portion 466 (shown in Figure 16).

In operation the circular plates may be pivoted with respect to one another to coaxially align the plates and locate the surfaces 476 and 478 adjacent one another, the members 474 engaging the tubular portion 466 to maintain the surfaces adjacent one another. Solid material prevented from entering the dip tube by the ribs 480 may accumulate in the vicinity of the ribs. When this occurs the plates may be pivoted with respect to one another about the hinge portion 472 to expose the ribs to permit the solid material to be cleaned away.

Reference is made to our copending Divisional Application No. 5467/80 (Serial No. 1 583 470) which contains the same description as this application but has claims directed to a filter.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An apparatus for dispensing fluids from a container comprising; a fluid dispenser including a housing, a trigger pivotally mounted on said housing, a pump chamber disposed within the housing and responsive to said trigger for varying the volume of said pump chamber, an inlet conduit between the pump chamber and the fluid container, an outlet conduit communicating with the pump chamber, an inlet valve member, a flexible outlet valve having a solid central portion normally blocking communication with the end of the outlet conduit, an intermediate portion of the valve having at least one aperture therein, and an adjustable nozzle cap on the end of the outlet conduit for contacting the front face of the outlet valve to prevent flexure of said valve and to be spaced therefrom to permit flexure of said valve for varying the discharge pattern of the fluid dispensed.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim l, wherein the trigger is pivoted to the housing without piercing the trigger or housing by a spiral-shaped member mounted on

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. lar portion 446 and the dip tube 440. Fluid drawn into the dip tube 440 must first pass between the ribs 454 of the filter. It will be understood that solid material suspended in the fluid 456 will be prevented from entering the dip tube by the ribs 454. The ribs 454 may extended radially inwardly from the circumference of the circular plate 448 and 450 and, thus the area for filtering may be maximised. The second circular plate 450 may be located adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 436 of the container 434. In this configuration, virtually all of the fluid 456 may be withdrawn from the container 434 through the filter, before the fluid level falls below the level of the passages between the ribs. Figure 16 is a cross sctional view of a one piece molded member 460 for providing a fluid filter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The member may include an annular plate portion 462 having a central opening 464. A tubular portion 466 may extend axially from the annular plate portion, a hollow 468 of the tubular portion communicating with the central omening 464 in the annular plate portion. A generallv circular plate portion 470 may be hingedly connected to the annular plate portion 462 by a hinge portion 472 of relatively thinner cross section than either of the plate portions. Members 474, axially extending from the circular plate portion may be adapted to pressurely engage the tubular portion 466 to maintain surfaces 476 and 478 of the plate portions coaxially adjacent one another. At least one of the surfaces 476 and 478 may be formed with radially extending ribs, such as ribs 480. When the surfaces 476 and 478 are located coaxially adjacent to one another, the ribs provide a plurality of fluid passages between the plates which communicate with the hollow 468 of the tubular portion 460. The tubular - portion - 466 may be formed with a first hollow portion 482 for receiving the members 474. Radial ends of the members 474 may - pressurely engage the inner wall 484 of the tubular member. The tubular portion 466 may be formed with first and second inwardly extending flanges 486 and 488. When the dip tube is inserted into the hollow 468 of the tubular portion 466, the flange 486 limits the extent to which the dip tube may be inserted. The gripping flange 488 is adapted to frictionally engage the dip tube and inhibit separation of the filter from the dip tube. Figure 17 is a plan view of the molded member 460 described in conection with Figure 16, like structures being identified by the same numerals employed in Figure 16. The molded member 460 includes the annular shaped plate 462 connected by the hinge portion 472 to tnc circular plate portion 470. In the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17 the surface 478 of the plate 470 is a relatively smooth and the surface 476 of the plate 462 is formed with the ribs 480. The ribs 480 may extend radially inwardly from a circumference 490 of the surface 476 to a radius 492 intermediate the circumference and the central opening 464 in the annular plate 461. In this way maximum filtering area is obtained along the circumference 490 of the plates, while restriction of fluid flow is minimized. The members 474 for pressurely engaging the rubular portion may extend radially outwardly as shown in Figure 17. Radial ends 494 of the members 474 are adapted to engage the inner wall of the tubular portion 466 (shown in Figure 16). In operation the circular plates may be pivoted with respect to one another to coaxially align the plates and locate the surfaces 476 and 478 adjacent one another, the members 474 engaging the tubular portion 466 to maintain the surfaces adjacent one another. Solid material prevented from entering the dip tube by the ribs 480 may accumulate in the vicinity of the ribs. When this occurs the plates may be pivoted with respect to one another about the hinge portion 472 to expose the ribs to permit the solid material to be cleaned away. Reference is made to our copending Divisional Application No. 5467/80 (Serial No. 1 583 470) which contains the same description as this application but has claims directed to a filter. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for dispensing fluids from a container comprising; a fluid dispenser including a housing, a trigger pivotally mounted on said housing, a pump chamber disposed within the housing and responsive to said trigger for varying the volume of said pump chamber, an inlet conduit between the pump chamber and the fluid container, an outlet conduit communicating with the pump chamber, an inlet valve member, a flexible outlet valve having a solid central portion normally blocking communication with the end of the outlet conduit, an intermediate portion of the valve having at least one aperture therein, and an adjustable nozzle cap on the end of the outlet conduit for contacting the front face of the outlet valve to prevent flexure of said valve and to be spaced therefrom to permit flexure of said valve for varying the discharge pattern of the fluid dispensed.

the housing or the trigger. and apeg on the trigger or the housing for pivotably engaging the spiral-shaped member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the spiral-shaped member is carried by the trigger, and the housing ineludes a first portion for carrying the peg, and a second portion for carrying an ear with a surface curved for contacting a portion of the spiral-shaped member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a piston is received in the pump chamber, and the trigger includes an arm mating at one end with the piston when the trigger is in an operable position whereby the limits of the piston stroke limit the arc through which the trigger is pivotable to thereby prevent disengagement of the peg and the spiral-shaped member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the nozzle cap includes a plurality of bosses adapted to contact the flexible outlet valve for swirling fluid passing therebetween.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the inlet valve member is flexible and is adapted to engage a valve seat in a sealing relationship; the flexible valve member including a relatively stiff central portion adapted to engage the valve seat in a sealing relationship therewith; a relatively flexible intermediate portion having at least one aperture therein; and a radially outwardly extending peripheral sealing edge for slidably contacting the interior wall of the pump chamber.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the outer end of the outlet conduit forms the valve seat for the outlet valve, and the outlet valve includes an O-ring peripheral portion sealably engaging the radially inner surface of the nozzle cap in a sliding relationship thereto.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the container ineludes a closure member provided with a radially inward facing wall contacting a portion of the outwardly facing wall of the inlet conduit, and includng a container venting passage between the inward and the outward facing walls, the venting passage being selectively blocked by engagement of mating surfaces on the inward and outward facing walls.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein one of inward and outward facing walls is formed with an indentation to provide the venting passage, and wherein one of the inward and outward facing walls is formed with a raised circumferential portion adapted to mate with a depressed circumferential portion of the other of the inward and outward facing walls to thereby block the venting passage.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterized in that the venting passage includes at least one axially elongated indentation in the outer wall of the inlet conduit.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap or the outlet valve is formed with bosses for imparting a swirl to fluid dispensed from the nozzle, the bosses being of different heights so that adjustment of the clearance between the nozzle cap and outlet valve may vary the discharge pattern of the apparatus.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim I, wherein fluid directing recesses are formed in one of the front face provided on the outlet valve and the rear face provided on the nozzle cap.

13. Apparatus for dispensing fluids substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 12 or Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.