WO2008150812A1

WO2008150812A1 - Trigger sprayer shrouds and methods of using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008150812A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/065005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Sweeton; David Dejong
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-05-29
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2008-12-11

Abstract

A trigger sprayer shroud may include one or more openings within the shroud in which attachments may be inserted or connected such that the attachments may carry tools, provide advertising, alter the aesthestic appearance of the shroud, or improve the functionality of the shroud.

Description

APPLICATION FOR LETTERS PATENT

for

TRIGGER SPRAYER SHROUDS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

Inventors:

Steven L. Sweeton David L. Dejong

Applicant:

MeadWestvaco Corporation Attn: IP Legal Dept. Customer Number 66061 1021 Main Campus Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 TITLE OF THE INVENTION TRIGGER SPRAYER SHROUDS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/940,563, entitled "TRIGGER SPRAYER SHROUDS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME," filed May 29, 2007, and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to shrouds for trigger sprayers, and more particularly to trigger sprayer shrouds having a shroud opening or adapted for receiving and holding an accessory attachment.

[0003] State of the Art: Many of the known trigger actuated pump sprayers have a pump body of a molded thermoplastic material which includes a pump cylinder for the reception of a reciprocal pump piston which together therewith defines a variable volume pump chamber. The pump body includes an inlet passage leading to the pump chamber and a discharge barrel defining a discharge passage leading from the pump chamber and terminating in a nozzle on which a nozzle cap is mounted having a discharge orifice. A trigger lever is pivotally mounted to the pump body for actuating the pump piston upon a squeezing of the trigger, and a container closure cap is coupled to the pump body for mounting it to a container of liquid to be dispensed. In some instances, a trigger sprayer may include an open-fronted shroud which is provided for covering the pump body, the shroud being snap-fitted to the pump body in a known manner.

[0004] The shroud may be provided with a rear saddle, i.e., a rearward extending horizontal wall defining a shelf which rests upon the upper side of the operator's hand between the thumb and forefinger for supporting the trigger sprayer and the liquid filled container to which is it mounted. Examples of such ergonomic sprayers are found in design patents U.S. Des. 409,487, U.S. Des. 409,917 and U.S. Des. 409,918, commonly owned herewith.

[0005] Trigger actuated pump sprayers often dispense materials such as household cleaning fluids, automotive cleaners or waxes, and the like, hi using such materials, there may be an advantage to having readily available certain tools or implements to help with the task at hand.

[0006] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a trigger sprayer shroud configured to store one or more tools or implements for use with a product being dispensed by the trigger sprayer or for use with the trigger sprayer. It may also be desirable to provide a trigger sprayer shroud having space for advertising or other communications.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to certain embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer may include a shroud having a shroud opening. The shroud opening may hold a shroud attachment.

[0008] In some embodiments, a shroud opening may be defined by different portions of a shroud. In other embodiments, the shroud opening may be used to call attention to the shroud and the trigger sprayer employing the shroud.

[0009] According to other embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer shroud may include one or more attachments positioned within or configured with a shroud opening.

The attachments may include tools, advertisements, functional devices, lights, fragrances, or different colors. The attachment may be used to break up or aesthetically define a shroud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud according to embodiments of the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud and a shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention; [0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a top-down view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud according to embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a top-down view of a shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a top-down view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud and a shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud according to embodiments of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of a trigger sprayer having a shroud and shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a shroud according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom-perspective view of a shroud attachment according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] According to embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer shroud may include one or more shroud openings 220 configured for accepting one or more attachments 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. A trigger sprayer 100 may include conventional trigger sprayer components such as a bottle connector 110, a trigger 120, a nozzle 130, and a shroud 200. According to embodiments of the invention, the shroud 200 may be configured with one or more shroud openings 220 which may be configured to accept or retain one or more attachments 300.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a trigger sprayer shroud 200 according to embodiments of the invention may include a first shroud portion 210 and a second shroud portion 230. The first shroud portion 210 and second shroud portion 230 may be positioned or arranged to form a shroud opening 220 between at least a portion of the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first shroud portion 210 may include a platform below the second shroud portion 230 wherein the shroud opening 220 is defined by the space between an upper portion of the platform and a lower portion of the second shroud portion 230. The first shroud portion 210 and second shroud portion 230 may be connected by a middle portion such that the shroud 200 is a single piece.

[0023] A shroud 200 according to embodiments of the invention may be injection molded from one or more thermoplastic materials or one or more thermoplastic elastomer materials. The shroud 200 may also include one or more pieces. For example, a two-piece shroud (not shown) may include a first shroud piece which includes a platform and a second shroud piece which includes the crown. The first shroud piece and second shroud piece may be snapped together or otherwise connected to form a multi-piece shroud. The shroud 200 may also be bi-injection molded or tri-injection molded such that various portions of the shroud 200 are formed of different materials, different colored materials, or a combination thereof.

[0024] According to other embodiments of the invention, a shroud 200 may include one or more shroud openings 220 defined within the shroud 200. For example, a shroud 200 may include one or more shroud openings 220 projecting into an interior space of the shroud 200. A shroud opening 220 may or may not be defined by separate shroud portions and may include an opening in a surface of the shroud 200. While various embodiments of the invention are illustrated with shroud openings 220 defined by two or more shroud portions 210 and 230, it is understood that two or more shroud portions need not define the shroud opening 220.

[0025] The shroud portions 210 and 230 may define a shroud opening 220 which may be configured to accept one or more attachments 300. The configuration of a shroud opening 220 is not limited.

[0026] An example of an attachment 300 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The attachment 300 may be configured, shaped, or otherwise formed to fit within at least a portion of the shroud opening 220. An attachment 300 may include one or more tabs 310 which may be used to removeably or fixably connect the attachment 300 to the shroud 200. An attachment 300 may also include one or more guides 320 which may be used to help position the attachment 300 within the shroud opening 220 and/or to connect the attachment 300 to the shroud 200.

[0027] For example, the attachment 300 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be inserted into a shroud opening 220 as illustrated in FIG. 1 to form a shroud 200 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The shroud 200 in FIG. 3 includes an attachment 300 inserted into at least a portion of the shroud opening 220. The attachment 300 may include walls, shapes, or other configurations to match the contours of the shroud 200. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, outer walls of the attachment 300 are sloped such that the attachment 300 provides a smooth transition between the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230.

[0028] The attachment 300 may also include illustrations, writing, or other communications. For example, the attachment 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes the stylized mark "Calmar" on at least one side wall of the attachment 300. The inclusion of the stylized mark on at least one wall of the attachment 300 provides advertisement space on the attachment. According to various embodiments of the invention, the side walls of an attachment may include one or more advertisements or other communications capable of communicating with a user of the trigger sprayer 100.

[0029] Attachments 300 according to other embodiments of the invention may include functional devices, tools, implements, or decorative attachments. For example, an attachment 300 according to embodiments of the invention may include a tool, such as a brush, that may be used to brush away excess fluid distributed from a trigger sprayer. In other embodiments, the attachment 300 may include such things as light-emitting diodes, fragrance dispensers, sound producers, or other devices capable of enhancing the use of the trigger sprayer. The attachment 300 may also contain or incorporate tools or features that may be removed and used by an operator such as detailing tools or activated by a user such as a fragrance emitter.

[0030] Attachments 300 according to embodiments of the invention may also include different colors. The attachment 300 may be made of different colored materials or the attachment may be of a color different than the color of a shroud 200 in which the attachment 300 is being fixed. For example, a trigger sprayer 100 having a blue shroud 200 may be enhanced with the insertion of a yellow attachment 300 into a shroud opening 220 in the shroud 200. The use of different colored attachments 300 may allow the shroud 200 and attachment 300 combinations to reflect colors associated with a product to be dispensed by the trigger sprayer 100. In addition, if a multi-piece shroud 200 includes multiple colors, the addition of an attachment 300 with an additional color may increase the total number of colors found in the shroud 200. The appearance of multiple colors in a shroud 200 or in a shroud 200 and attachment 300 combination may split up the shroud 200 design or make the shroud 200 more appealing to a consumer. [0031] FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate top-down views of trigger sprayers 100, shrouds 200, and attachments 300 according to embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first shroud portion 210 may extend beyond a profile of the second shroud portion 230, forming a platform between the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230. The platform may include one or more grooves 212 that may be used to guide an attachment 300 into a desired position within a shroud opening 220 between the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230.

[0032] The attachment 300 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be inserted into a shroud opening 220. A tab 310 coupled to or integral with attachment 300 may clip onto shroud 200 or another portion of the trigger sprayer 100 when the attachment 300 is inserted into the shroud opening 220. The tab 310 may be used to removeably or fixably attach the attachment 300 to the shroud 200 or trigger sprayer 100.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the coupling of the attachment 300 with the shroud 200 may form a smooth transition between a first shroud portion 210 and a second shroud portion 230. The attachment 300 may also include advertising or other marks or indicia to identify the origin of the shroud 200, trigger sprayer 100, or product dispersed by the trigger sprayer 100. In addition, the attachment 300 may include other functional, decorative, or communicative elements according to other embodiments of the invention.

[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate rear- views of a trigger sprayer 100 incorporating a shroud 200 and a shroud 200 and attachment 300 according to embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the positioning of the first shroud portion 210 and second shroud portion 230 define a shroud opening 220. The shroud 200 may also include one or more guides (not shown) and one or more tab inserts 240. The tab insert 240 may accept a tab 310 of an attachment 300 and may removeably or fixedly hold the attachment 300 by a tab 310. An attachment 300 may be inserted in the shroud opening 220 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The attachment 300 may be configured to provide a smooth looking transition between the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230.

[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a shroud 200 according to various embodiments of the invention. The shroud 200 may include a first shroud portion 210 and a second shroud portion 230. A shroud opening 220 may be defined by the first shroud portion 210 and the second shroud portion 230. [0036] According to some embodiments of the invention, a shroud 200 may be used with a trigger sprayer 100 without an attachment 300. A shroud 200 such as that illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, may be used without an attachment to add particular aesthetic value to a trigger sprayer 100 or to make the trigger sprayer 100 stand-out. For example, in some instances a different look is desired for a trigger sprayer 100. The different look is particularly important on the store shelf where a consumer typically distinguishes one brand from another based upon the appearance of a shroud 200. A trigger sprayer 100 incorporating a shroud 200 such as that illustrated in FIG. 9 may stand-out when placed next to other trigger sprayers due to the shape and shroud opening 220 in the shroud 200 because the presence of the shroud opening 220 and space created therein is unique.

[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an attachment 300 according to embodiments of the invention. The attachment 300 may include a tab 310. The attachment may also include one or more guides 320. In some embodiments of the invention, the edges 330 of the attachment 300 may be squared off, rounded, or otherwise configured to enhance the automation assembly of a trigger sprayer 100. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, one or more edges 330 of the attachment 300 may include a square portion which may allow multiple attachments 300 to be pushed together along an assembly line without scaling or piling-up of the attachments 300 in a feeder or pre-assembly area.

[0038] A shroud 200 having one or more attachments 300 according to various embodiments of the invention may be assembled with a trigger sprayer 100 and a bottle or container for delivering a fluid or other substance from the trigger sprayer 100. For example, a trigger sprayer 100 may include a pump body having a pump cylinder for the reception of a pump piston, which may define a variable volume pump chamber. A trigger 120 may be pivotally mounted to the pump body for reciprocation of the piston within its cylinder against the bias of a return spring each time the trigger 120 is stroked by an operator in a known manner. The pump body may be mounted to a bottle or container using a bottle connector 110 such as a screw cap closure or bayonet closure. A dip tube connected to an inlet passage in a pump body may communicate fluid from within the container to the trigger sprayer 100 for release through nozzle 130. [0039] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only by the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A trigger sprayer shroud, comprising: a first shroud portion; and a second shroud portion, wherein the first shroud portion and second shroud portion define a shroud opening.

2. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 1, wherein the first shroud portion and the second shroud portion further comprise a molded thermoplastic material.

3. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 1, wherein the first shroud portion comprises a platform spaced apart from the second shroud portion.

4. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 1, further comprising an attachment positioned in the shroud opening.

5. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 4, wherein the attachment further comprises at least one tab.

6. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 4, wherein the attachment further comprises at least one guide.

7. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 4, wherein the attachment further comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a tool, a light, and a fragrance distributor.

8. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 1, further comprising: a bottle; a trigger sprayer, wherein the trigger sprayer shroud is removeably attached to the trigger sprayer; a bottle connector connecting the trigger sprayer with the bottle; and at least one fluid in the bottle for distribution through the trigger sprayer.

9. A trigger sprayer shroud, comprising: a first shroud portion; a second shroud portion; and an attachment positioned between the first shroud portion and the second shroud portion.

10. The trigger sprayer shroud of claim 9, further comprising a shroud opening defined by space between the first shroud portion and the second shroud portion.

11. A method for advertising a trigger sprayer, comprising providing a trigger sprayer having a shroud with a shroud opening.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting an attachment into the shroud opening wherein the attachment includes an advertisement.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising placing the trigger sprayer on a shelf with the shroud opening showing.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising configuring the trigger sprayer with an attachment in the shroud opening wherein the attachment is a different color than the shroud.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising configuring the trigger sprayer with an attachment in the shroud opening wherein the attachment comprises a device selected from a tool, a light emitting device, and a fragrance emitting device.