WO2011034869A1

WO2011034869A1 - Trigger sprayer comprising a movable shroud having a pump actuating ramp and arm

Info

Publication number: WO2011034869A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/048841
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Hildebrand
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar, Inc.
Priority date: 2009-09-15
Filing date: 2010-09-15
Publication date: 2011-03-24

Abstract

A mini-trigger spray device includes an improved shroud (210) having a ramp system (217) and one or more arms (216) such that the ramp system (217) and the one or more arms (216) work together to actuate a pump or actuator of the mini-trigger spray device.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

TRIGGER SPRAYER COMPRISING A MOVABLE SHROUD HAVING A PUMP ACTUATING RAMP AND ARM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242665, entitled "TRIGGER SPRAY DEVICE AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME," filed September 15, 2009, and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to trigger spray devices and more particularly to mini-trigger spray devices for delivering various quantities of product.

[0003] State of the Art: Trigger spray devices are well known. A subset of the trigger spray devices include spray devices known as "mini-triggers" which are smaller versions of the larger trigger sprayers and which deliver smaller quantities of product. In addition, mini-trigger devices are typically smaller in size and are used primarily in the beauty and personal care markets for delivering products such as hair care products, skin care products, sunscreens, fragrance products, and the like.

[0004] While various shapes, sizes, and configurations are available for mini- trigger spray devices, the amount of product that may be delivered by a mini-trigger spray device is often limited due to the size of the mini-trigger spray device. In some instances, the mini-trigger spray devices are unable to deliver a desired output, or a higher output, due to the geometric limitations of the stroke length and size of the mini-trigger sprayer device.

[0005] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, a mini-trigger spray device

100 according to the prior art includes a conventional pump system 112, an actuator 118 in communication with the pump system 112, a discharge spout 114 connected to the actuator

118 and a shroud 110 which acts to move the actuator 118 when the shroud 110 is pulled or actuated. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the mini-trigger spray device 100 is at rest, an arm 116 of the shroud 110 rests against the actuator 118. As the shroud 110 is actuated or

"triggered" by a user, the arm 116 acts on the actuator 118 pushing the actuator 118 down to release or pump a product through the mini-trigger spray device 100. As illustrated in FIGS.

3 and 4, when a conventional mini-trigger spray device 100 such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 is actuated, the shroud 110 may prevent full actuation of the actuator 118 such that a gap 120 exists between the actuator 118 and the pump system 112. The gap 120 represents lost actuation and thus lost spray from the mini-trigger spray device 100 because the actuator 118 is not able to be actuated through its full stroke.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to improve the output of a mini-trigger spray device or to increase the output using a fixed stroke as compared to conventional mini-trigger spray devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to certain embodiments of the invention, a shroud of a mini- trigger spray device may include one or more ramps configured to act on or apply a force against a discharge nozzle during the actuation of the mini-trigger spray device. The one or more ramps may be molded as an integral piece of a shroud.

[0008] According to other embodiments of the invention, a shroud of a mini-trigger spray device may include one or more ramps configured to act on or apply a force against a discharge nozzle and one or more arms configured to apply a force to an actuator during actuation of the mini-trigger spray device. The one or more ramps may be integrally formed with the shroud. The one or more ramps may also act on a discharge nozzle such that during actuation of the mini-trigger spray device, the one or more ramps forces a complete actuation of the pump system of the mini-trigger spray device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 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 descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a mini-trigger spray device as used in the prior art;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up of a portion of the mini-trigger device illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a mini-trigger spray device as used in the prior art in an actuated position;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up of a portion of the mini-trigger device illustrated in FIG. 3; [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a mini-trigger spray device according to embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up of a portion of the mini-trigger spray device illustrated in FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a mini-trigger spray device according to embodiments of the invention in an actuated position;

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up of a portion of the mini-trigger spray device illustrated in FIG. 7;

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shroud of a mini-trigger spray device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of a shroud of a mini-trigger spray device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shroud of a mini-trigger spray device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of a shroud of a mini-trigger spray device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve of a mini- trigger spray device according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0023] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mini-trigger spray device according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] According to embodiments of the invention, a mini-trigger spray device 200 may include a pump system 212, an actuator 218 in communication with the pump system

212, a discharge spout 214 in communication with the actuator 218 and a shroud 210. The components of a mini-trigger spray device 200 according to embodiments of the invention may be similar to those of a conventional mini-trigger spray device 100. However, according to various embodiments of the invention, the shroud 210 may include a ramp 217 or other projection for actuating a mini-trigger spray device 200 or a combination of a ramp 217 and one or more arms 216 for actuating a mini-trigger spray device 200.

[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8, a mini-trigger spray device 200 according to embodiments of the invention may include a ramp 217 positioned to interact with a portion of the discharge spout 214 connected to an actuator 218. As the shroud 210 of the mini-trigger spray device 200 is actuated, moved, or otherwise pulled, the ramp 217 acts on the discharge spout 214 to push the actuator 218 into the pump system 212 and to pump a product through the mini-trigger spray device 200. The ramp 217 may be curved or otherwise configured such that throughout the entire stroke of the shroud 210, the ramp 217 may act on the discharge spout 214 to pump the actuator 218. In this manner, the discharge spout 214 may be in contact with the ramp 217 throughout the stroke of the shroud 210 such that the entire actuation is accomplished as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0026] According to other embodiments of the invention, a shroud 210 may include a ramp 217 and one or more arms 216 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 12. A shroud 210 including both a ramp 217 and one or more arms 216 may act on an actuator 218, on a discharge spout 214, or on both an actuator 218 and a discharge spout 214 during the actuation of the shroud 210. For example, the shroud illustrated in FIG. 9 includes at least one arm 216 which may press against a platform or projection on an actuator 218 or a discharge spout 214 of a mini-trigger spray device 200 of the invention. As the shroud 210 is actuated and the force of the one or more arms 216 is insufficient to continue actuation of the actuator 218, the ramp 217 may apply a force to the discharge spout 214 such that the actuator 218 continues to be actuated by the shroud 210. Thus, according to some embodiments of the invention, the mechanism applying a force to a discharge spout 214 or an actuator 218 may change or shift from one or more arms 216 to a ramp 217 such that additional force may achieve a complete stroke of an actuator 218 or may make it easier to apply the necessary force to the actuator 218.

[0027] According to embodiments of the invention, the inclusion of a ramp 217 with a shroud 210 may facilitate additional discharge from the pump system 212. For instance, the use of a shroud 210 having a ramp 217 with the conventional mini-trigger spray device illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 results in the additional actuation of the actuator 118 such that the ramp 217 allows the actuator 118 to be actuated through the gap 120 illustrated in FIG. 4. The resulting spray from the conventional mini-trigger spray device 100 could therefore be improved with respect to the amount of product delivered per spray or actuation of the shroud 210. This improved output is desirable. Further, the inclusion of a ramp 217 may allow the force of actuation to be shifted, thereby making the stroke of the shroud 210 and the conventional mini-trigger spray device 100 feel better to a user.

[0028] A cross-sectional view of a mini-trigger spray device 200 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 14. As illustrated, a mini-trigger spray device 200 may include a pump system 212 and stanchion mounted to a closure device wherein a shroud 210 is moveably mounted to the stanchion and a discharge spout 214 is mounted to a pump such that movement of the discharge spout 214 actuates the pump. The shroud 210 may include one or more ramps 217 which may act on, mate with, or contact the discharge spout 214 at rest. Upon movement or actuation of the shroud 210, the one or more ramps 217 may apply a force to the discharge spout 214, which force may actuate the pump. Upon actuation of the pump, product may flow from the pump through the discharge spout 214 and out of the mini-trigger spray device 200. Spin mechanics for a desired spray pattern may be contained in the discharge spout 214 as plugs, orifice cups, or combinations thereof. The mini-trigger spray device 200 illustrated in FIG. 14 may be attached to a bottle or container by means of the closure device illustrated such that the mini-trigger spray device 200 may be used to evacuate a product contained in the container or bottle.

[0029] While the ramp 217 configurations illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 12 and 14 may be used with various embodiments of the invention, other configurations may also be used. For example, a ramp 217 may include alternative angles, curves, or overall shapes which are configured to mate with or act upon a discharge spout 214 to facilitate actuation of the mini-trigger spray device 200. The ramps 217 illustrated herein are not intended to, and do not, limit the configuration of a ramp 217 for an alternative design of a mini-trigger spray device 200.

[0030] According to embodiments of the invention, a mini-trigger spray device 200 according to embodiments of the invention may be attached to a container or bottle as conventionally known. Any known closure system used to connect mini-trigger spray devices to containers or bottles may be used with embodiments of the invention.

[0031] According to various embodiments of the invention, the components of a mini-trigger spray device 200 may be made of plastic or other desired material. The components may be molded from resin materials or otherwise shaped to form the desired forms.

[0032] 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 be 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 mini-trigger spray device, comprising:

a pump system;

an actuator in communication with the pump system;

a discharge spout in communication with the actuator;

a shroud; and

a ramp integral with the shroud and acting on the discharge spout.

2. The mini-trigger spray device of claim 1, further comprising at least one arm integral with the shroud and acting on the actuator.

3. A shroud for a mini-trigger spray device, comprising a rampconfigured to actuate a discharge spout.

4. The shroud of claim 3, wherein the ramp system is configured to improve the discharge quantity of the mini-trigger spray device.

5. A mini-trigger spray device, comprising:

a pump system comprising an actuator;

a discharge spout in communication with the actuator; and

a shroud comprising a ramp, wherein the ramp is in communication with the discharge spout.

6. The mini-trigger spray device of claim 5, further comprising:

a closure system; and

a stanchion mounted to the closure system.

7. The mini-trigger spray device of claim 6, wherein the closure system is configured to mount the pump system and stanchion to a container.