MXPA98002205A - Molded bottle with active bulb pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bottle for dispersing or spraying liquids comprising: a) a chamber for the liquid, b) a siphon tube integrally formed and in communication with the chamber for the liquid to receive the liquid from said chamber, said siphon tube extending along the chamber for the liquid; c) an activating bulb in communication with an opening in the siphon tube for receiving liquid from the siphon tube, said activator bulb being separated from said siphon tube by a wall; and d) means for preventing a counter flow of the liquid within said chamber for the liquid through said siphon tube when said activator bulb is pressed.

Description

MOLDED BOTTLE WITH BULB PUMP ACTIVATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to dispenser pump bottles and plastic rolling pump and, more particularly, to plastic bottles having an integrally molded trigger bulb pump. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A glass cleaner bottle is an example of the kind of roller bottles, to which it is l |? direct this invention. Hard surface sprays, hair and cosmetic sprays and pesticide sprays are additional examples of applications to which this invention is directed. However, conventional spray bottles As such, they comprise numerous parts and are relatively expensive to process and assemble. In fact, the sprinkler mechanisms of these bottles often cost more than the product contained within the bottle.

Also, roll bottles are usually relatively complicated, so that many small parts must be handled and assembled during processing. For example, many spray mechanisms include piston-style pumps, activator handles, siphon tubes and nozzles allowing 5 variable spray settings. In addition, because there is some probability of failure during operation for each part, there is almost certainly a higher than necessary number of defective bottles. Another problem associated with conventional roll bottles is that some of the product is wasted. For example, a conventional window cleaner spray bottle contains a tube in the center of the bottle to suck liquid into the spray mechanism. The tube falls short of the bottom of the bottle so that the bottom does not block liquid from the tube. In this way, when the bottle is almost empty, any liquid under the tube will remain in the bottle. Also, more than the desired amount of the product can be sprayed on each application, resulting in a waste, since neither the volume of the product to be dispersed nor the duration of the spray can be easily controlled. An additional important consideration is the ease of the spray bottle to be used. Many people, especially elderly people and people with arthritic hands, may have difficulty manipulating conventional activator sprinklers. Significant force is required to press the activator of some rolling bottles. In this way, it is desired to provide a spray bottle with an activator that can be operated by the fingers or operated by the palm, and which achieves the maximum available stroke per square inch (PSI) to spray the liquid. It would also be desirable if the actuator included a finger grip configuration to improve user comfort, as well as making the actuator easier to hold and press. Another consideration with respect to ease of use involves large capacity sprinklers. Large capacity sprinklers, such as those currently used in the gardening industry, require two hands. The large bottle or container must be carried in one hand, while the sprayer is held in the other. A large-capacity spray bottle that can be held in one hand and operated either by the fingers or operated by the palm should be significantly less difficult to handle and more efficient to use. With the growing emphasis that has been placed on environmental issues, the ability to refill the spray bottle with more product instead of getting rid of the empty bottle is extremely important. However, because many users may prefer to buy a new bottle instead, the spray bottles must be made from a recyclable material. U.S. Patent No. 5,303,851 (Libit et al.) Discloses a dispensing bottle or sprayed with a pump integrally molded to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with conventional spray bottles. The bottle molded with bulb pump activator of the present invention offers improvements to the bottle shown in the patent of Libit et al. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a molded bottle for spraying or dispersing liquids. The bottle includes a main chamber for the liquid and a siphon tube which extends along the chamber and receives the liquid from it. The siphon tube is also compression molded so that the valve seat is formed therein. A separate activator bulb connects to the top of the siphon tube to receive and contain the liquid, which is sucked into the tube when the activating bulb is decompressed. After the activating bulb is completely filled with liquid any pressure subsequently applied to the activating bulb will cause the liquid to be sprayed out of the bottle through a single-pass outlet valve located above the activating bulb chamber, which prevents that the air enters the activating bulb during its decompression. The bottle molded with activator bulb is both economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Apart from being recyclable and refillable, the rolling bottle comprises few parts, which require a minimum amount of assembly and reduce the probability of failure. In addition, the user can easily select and control the volume and duration of the dispersed product, resulting in less loss. The molded bottle is also easy to use since the activating bulb can be operated either by the fingers or operated by the palm, thus achieving the maximum stroke per square inch (PSI) to spray the liquid. The design of the bottle and the activating bulb additionally facilitates the elastic recovery and ensures a fast filling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roller bottle with a finger operated activator bulb pump; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the bottle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the bottle; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the bottle; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle taken along 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial side elevational view of a second embodiment of the roller bottle with an activating bulb pump driven with the palm; and Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention, including a large capacity roll bottle with an activating bulb pump driven with the palm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a rolling bottle 20, as shown in Figure 1. The rolling bottle 20 is preferably molded by blowing air, although it can be made by any suitable process. It is preferred that the bottle be made from a plastic, which is quite easy to tighten, but with enough plastic memory to make the bottle return to its original shape when it is released after it has been squeezed. Suitable plastics include all densities of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinylchloride (PVC), as well as other plastic compounds. As shown in Figures 1-5, the bottle 20 has a main fluid or liquid containing the chamber 22, which can be filled and refilled through a conventional neck opening 24. The chamber 22 further includes a narrow neck portion 21 having a series of projections or depressions 23 formed on a surface therein for holding . A flange 25 protrudes from the neck 21 above the projections 23 to further improve the hold of the bottle. The bottle has a siphon tube 26 formed integrally with, but out of, the chamber 22 as the bottle is molded by air insufflation. At 27, the bottom of the tube 26 is in open communication with the interior of the chamber 22. Therefore, as the level of the liquid or fluid increases with the filling of the chamber 22, that same liquid or fluid also increases in the tube 26. A separate activating bulb pump 28 having an outer wall 60, preferably convex, and an opposite inner wall 62, is integrally molded to, but separated from the siphon tube 26 and is in fluid-liquid communication with the same only in the upper part of the tube at 29. A network 34 desirably separates and spaces the activating bulb 28 from the siphon tube 26. The integral siphon tube 26 is compression molded in a manner that creates a valve seat 36 within the siphon tube 26. A check valve 38 is placed in a position above the valve seat 36 and adjacent the opening 29 between the activator bulb 28 and the siphon tube 26, as shown in Figure 5. The valve verify ication 38 can be any suitable device, such as a duckbill valve, flap or ball bearing and be of a compatible material and of higher density than the materials that are dispersed. Also, if a ball bearing is used as the check valve 38, the siphon tube 26 must have two protrusions 40 extending inward to prevent the ball bearing from rising too far and failing to function. Alternatively, a sleeve seal (not shown) can be used to accomplish the same purpose, as well as to create a seal between the cover 42 and the inside diameter of the siphon tube 26. The purpose of the check valve is to stop the inverse pressure, ie, preventing backflow inside the siphon tube 26. A suitable cover 42 can be screwed or snapped onto the roll bottle 20. The cover preferably includes a stalactite member 44, which extends down into the integral siphon tube 26. Siphon tube 26 may include two or more protrusions 46 extending inward and hold stalactite 44 and cover 42 securely in place. The cover 42 for the roller bottle 20 preferably includes a second check valve 48. The check valve 48 can be any suitable device, such as a slide piston, a duckbill valve or a ball bearing. This check valve prevents air from entering the roller bottle. However, even if a small amount of air is allowed by the check valve 48 on the cover 42, the activator bulb 28 will remain primed, as described hereinafter. At the top of the cover 42, there is a suitable conventional nozzle 50, by which the fluid escapes as it is sprayed from the bottle. This nozzle 50 may have any geometric shape, which is more convenient for the proposed use. Here, the nozzle is shown as a tube molded into the cover 42. However, the nozzle could also have other shapes, such as a pedestal, which projects up the cover, or simply a very small opening on the top. cover, depending on the liquid to be dispersed and the proposed application. To use the roll bottle of the present invention, the liquid is emptied into the neck opening 24. As the roll bottle 20 is filled, the level of the liquid increases within the main chamber 22 and the siphon tube 26. Once the bottle is filled with liquid (Figure 5), a finger, several fingers, or a hand applies a pressure 30 against the empty activator bulb 28 and forces any air into the bulb through the check valve 48 and removes it by the nozzle 50. The pressure 30 reduces the volume of the activating bulb 28. When the pressure 30 is released, the memory of the plastic causes the bulb 28 to return to its original shape, thus creating a vacuum within the bulb since air can not return from the atmosphere through the check valve 48. The vacuum in the activator bulb 28 causes the liquid inside the siphon tube to be sucked and cascaded into the activator bulb through the opening 29. Once it is does this, the bulb or activator is printed to disperse liquid with the next pressure of the activating bulb, and will remain primed as long as there is liquid in the chamber 22. The next time a pressure 30 is applied to the activating bulb now fully primed 28, the check valve 38 prevents a backflow of fluid from the bulb 28 to the main chamber 22 through the tube 26. Preferably, the fluid is forced from the bulb 28 towards the cover 42 through the check valve 48 and is emitted by the nozzle 50. As the liquid exits the bottle, atmospheric air can flow through a vent hole in the cover and into the chamber 22 in order to replenish the displaced fluid as it is sprayed from the bottle. The volume of the spray product to be released depends on the size of the activating bulb 28. Preferably, the activating bulb will maintain one or more ounces of the liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the activator bulb maintains approximately one ounce of the liquid and approximately one third of an ounce is released with each bulb pressure. The user is also able to select and control the volume and duration of the dispersed or sprayed liquid through the manual compression force applied to the activating bulb and the duration of application of the force. In other words, a small, short pressure produces a small amount of dispersed or sprayed liquid, and a long, hard pressure produces a larger amount of dispersed or sprayed liquid. The activator bulb 28 and the bottle 20 are ergonomically designed with a finger grip configuration 32 so that the maximum stroke per square inch (PSI) for spraying the liquid is generated by the human hand. The finger grips not only improve comfort, but also make the activator easy to hold and press. In addition, the activating bulb preferably contains a separation seal 33 below its center, as shown in Figure 3, which increases the elasticity of the plastic. The net 34 prevents the opening 29 between the activating bulb and the siphon tube from obtaining compression when the bulb 28 is pressed, and thus block the flow of the fluid. In addition, the net produces an elastic recovery action of the activating bulb following the compression, thus increasing the speed of elastic recovery and the filling speed of the activating bulb. In this way, the finger grip configuration 32, the ergonomically designed construction of the activator bulb 28, the separator joint 33 and the net 34, are combined together to facilitate rapid elastic recovery of the activator bulb and to ensure a fast filling speed with a suitable vacuum. The roll bottle 52 shown in Figure 6 is a second embodiment of the present invention. The reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in figures 1-5. The embodiment of figure 6 has a smooth convex activating bulb 54 such that it can be pressed by the palm of the hand instead of the fingers. A finger grip configuration 56 is provided in the bottle opposite the activating bulb 54. When the bulb is pressed by the palm, it collapses, with the results described above with respect to pressure 30. This mode with the activating bulb driven by the palm 54, provides a mechanical advantage, since it allows a person with less physical strength or arthritis in the fingers to easily use the rolling bottle. The large capacity of the rolling bottle 58 shown in Figure 7 is another alternative embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in 'figures 1-6. In the embodiment of Figure 7, an opening 60 is provided for dividing the neck 24 into a finger grip portion 62 and a handle portion 64. The user inserts his fingers through the opening 60 and rests them on the grip portion. for fingers 62, while pressing the smooth activator bulb 54 with the palm of your hand. The results of the pressure activating bulb 54 with pressure 30 are the same as described above. This modality has the advantage of only requiring the use of one hand to simultaneously hold the large bottle and spray the liquid. The handle portion 64 also serves as a convenient means of carrying the large capacity rolling bottle when it is not in use. Although the present invention is described above with respect to illustrative or preferred embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention. Preferably, it is intended that the invention cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within its spirit and scope, as defined by the appended claims

Claims (18)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A bottle for dispersing or spraying liquids comprising: a) a chamber for the liquid; b) a siphon tube integrally formed and in communication with the chamber for the liquid to receive the liquid from said chamber, said siphon tube extending along the chamber for the liquid; c) an activating bulb in communication with an opening in the siphon tube for receiving liquid from the siphon tube, said activating bulb being separated from said siphon tube by a wall; and d) means for preventing backflow of the liquid into said chamber for the liquid through said siphon tube when said activator bulb is pressed.
2. 2. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottle is molded by insufflation of air.
3. 3. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the activating bulb can contain at least about one ounce of liquid.
4. 4. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the activating bulb has a convex wall.
5. The bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that the activating bulb has a finger grip configuration on said convex wall.
6. 6. The bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that said convex wall has a smooth surface.
7. The bottle according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottle has a convex finger grip configuration opposite the smooth trigger bulb.
8. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that said chamber for the liquid has a neck, and said activating bulb is separated from said neck by said siphon tube.
9. 9. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that a network separates the activating bulb from the siphon tube.
10. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that said counterflow prevention means includes a valve seat in the siphon tube and a first check valve positioned above the valve seat adjacent to the opening between the activator bulb and the siphon tube.
11. 11. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a cover that allows the filling and dispersion of the liquid to and from said chamber for the liquid.
12. The bottle according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover includes a nozzle and a second check valve to prevent air from entering the bottle through said nozzle.
13. The bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a neck with an opening that divides the neck into a finger grip portion and a handle portion.
14. 14. A bottle molded by insufflation of air to disperse or spray liquids comprising: a) a chamber for the liquid; b) a siphon tube integrally formed and in communication with the chamber for the liquid to receive the liquid from said chamber, said siphon tube extending along the chamber for the liquid; c) an activating bulb in communication with an opening in the siphon tube to receive liquid from the siphon tube, said activating bulb defined by a pair of opposite walls; d) a network formed between the activating bulb and the siphon tube; and e) means in said siphon tube to prevent backflow of the liquid into said chamber for the liquid through said siphon tube when said activator bulb is pressed.
15. 15. The bottle according to claim 14, characterized in that it also includes a cover on said chamber for the liquid that allows the filling of said chamber for the liquid and the dispersion of the liquid from said siphon tube.
16. 16. The bottle according to claim 14, characterized in that the activating bulb can contain at least about one ounce of liquid.
17. 17. The bottle according to claim 14, characterized in that the activating bulb has a finger grip configuration molded into one of said opposite walls.
18. 18. The bottle according to claim 14, characterized in that the activating bulb extends along a portion of said siphon tube.