Abstract:
A trigger head for a dispensing device for at least two substances including a pumping system to compress the substances separately and simultaneously before dispensing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application serial number BS2014A000085, entitled: “TRIGGER-DISPENSING DEVICE FOR TWO OR MORE LIQUIDS”: filed Apr. 18, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This invention refers to a manual trigger-dispensing device for liquids for at least two substances, generally liquids, for example for the hygiene of the home, the deodorization of rooms, the treatment of fabrics before ironing, and the like. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Trigger devices are very widespread, as can be seen on supermarket shelves, especially for their ease of use and functionality. Every year many hundreds of millions of pieces are produced. 
     Among the numerous types, there are devices for two or more substances, particularly appreciated in applications such as hygiene of the home. In fact, it was found that the combination of several substances provides accentuated action, for example sanitizing, if the combination takes place shortly before dispensing from the device or even if the combination is realized on the surface itself. 
     There are numerous trigger-dispensing device solutions for two or more substances. 
     However, the solutions of the prior art sometimes have the drawback of not achieving a good mixture of the substances to be combined, frustrating, as was said above, the main purpose of this type of devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The purpose of this invention is to provide a trigger-dispensing device for two or more substances that meets the needs of the sector and overcomes the drawbacks referred to above. 
     This purpose is achieved by a trigger head of a trigger device, wherein the head comprises a trigger and pumping means operable by the trigger to aspirate simultaneously at least two substances and achieve dispensing, wherein the means for pumping are in addition suitable for carrying out a predetermined pre-compression of these substances, separately and simultaneously before dispensing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a trigger-dispensing device for two substances according to an embodiment of this invention, comprising a dispensing head and a bottle (shown separately in the figure); 
         FIG. 2  is the dispensing head of the device of  FIG. 1 , with parts separated; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the dispensing head according to a front view; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the dispensing head according to a rear view; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the dispensing head; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the dispensing head according to a further observation point; 
         FIG. 7  shows an enlargement of detail VII in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the dispensing head of  FIG. 5 , without cover; 
         FIGS. 9 a  to 9 c    illustrate the dispensing head, respectively, in a locked configuration, an unlocked and partially actuated configuration and in a final actuated configuration; 
         FIG. 10  shows a pre-compression valve of the dispensing head according to a further embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows a pre-compression valve of the dispensing head according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the accompanying figures,  1  generally indicates a trigger dispensing device for two or more substances, generally liquids before dispensing. 
     For clarity of exposition, hereinafter we will refer to variants of the invention for two substances, without precluding the extension of the innovative features to more than two substances. 
     The device  1  comprises a first containment compartment and a second containment, separated from each other, respectively for the containment of a first substance and a second substance, usually liquids. 
     For example, the device  1  comprises a bottle  6  made in a single piece, for example of plastic, provided internally with a partition wall that separates the two containment compartments. 
     Preferably, the bottle  6  includes a bottle coupling portion  10  for the attachment of a pre-assembled dispensing head  20 . 
     For example, the bottle coupling portion  10  includes a first neck  12  and a second neck  14 , comprising respective annular neck walls  12   a,   14   a , for example cylindrical, that define respective rectilinear coupling axes X 1 ,X 2 , parallel to each other. 
     The neck walls  12   a , 14   a  define respective openings  12   b , 14   b  for access to the respective containment compartments. 
     Preferably, the dispensing head  20  can be snap-coupled to the bottle  6 . 
     For example, the coupling portion includes fins for snap coupling; for example, each neck  12 , 14  comprises coupling fins  12   d , 14   d , protruding outward from the respective neck wall  12   a , 14   a.    
     For example, the coupling fins form two pairs, one for each neck  12 , 14 ; preferably, the fins of each pair have the same angular extension and are arranged symmetrically protruding from the neck, with respect to an imaginary plane containing the two coupling axes X 1 , X 2 . 
     The dispensing head  20  is preferably pre-assembled and applied to the bottle  6  after filling of the bottle with the substances to be dispensed. 
     The head  20  comprises a frame or chassis  22  for the support of the components. Preferably, the frame  22  can be snap-coupled to the bottle  6 . 
     For example, the frame  22  comprises an annular coupling head wall  24  suitable to externally surround the necks  12 , 14  of the bottle, provided with counter-coupling fins for snap engagement with the fins  12   d , 14   d  of the necks  12 , 14 . 
     The head  20  comprises pumping means suitable to operate to simultaneously achieve the suction and pre-compression of two or more substances, and the separate or combined dispensing of the substances. 
     The pumping means comprise a first pressure chamber  30   a  and a second pressure chamber  30   b  suitable to be placed in communication respectively with the first containment compartment and the second containment compartment of the bottle  6 , through respective inlet openings  31   a , 31   b , for example by means of respective tubes  32   a , 32   b  applied to the inlet openings  31   a , 31   b.    
     Furthermore, the head  20  comprises a first dispensing duct  40   a  and a second dispensing duct  40   b  for the dispensing of the substances from the respective pressure chambers  30   a , 30   b.    
     The pumping means further comprise a first piston  34   a  and a second piston  34   b  suitable to operate in the respective pressure chambers  30   a , 30   b  to pressurize the substances contained therein, for example, for translation along respective piston axes Y 1 ,Y 2 . 
     Preferably, each piston  34   a , 34   b  comprises a piston head  35   a , 35   b  and a piston rod  37   a , 37   b , that extend along the respective piston axes Y 1 ,Y 2  and that support the respective piston heads  35   a , 35   b.    
     Furthermore, the pressure means comprise suction valve means suitable to allow the transit of a substance from a respective containment compartment  2 , 4  of the bottle to the respective pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b  during a suction phase and prevent the return of the substance from the respective pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b  to the respective containment compartment  2 , 4  during a pre-compression step. 
     For example, the suction valve means comprise a first check valve  36   a , positioned between a first inlet opening  31   a  and the first pressure chamber  30   a , and a second check valve  36   b , positioned between a second inlet opening  31   b  and the second pressure chamber  30   b . 
     According to an embodiment, the check valves  36   a , 36   b  comprise an obturator  38   a , 38   b , sensitive to the action of the substance present in the pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b , for example in the form a ball, and an obturator seat. 
     In addition, the pumping means comprises pre-compression valve means suitable to allow the passage of substances from respective pressure chambers  30   a ,  30   b  to the respective delivery ducts  40   a ,  40   b  when the pressure of the substances in the pressure chambers exceeds a predefined threshold pressure and suitable to prevent the transit of the substances from the respective pressure chambers  30   a , 30   b  to the respective delivery ducts  40   a , 40   b  when the pressure of the substances in the pressure chambers is less than a predefined threshold pressure. 
     Preferably, the pressure threshold is greater than 1 bar; more preferably, the pressure threshold is greater than 3 bar. 
     For example, the pre-compression valve means comprise a first pre-compression valve  42   a , operating between the first pressure chamber  30   a  and the first delivery duct  40   a , and a second pre-compression valve  42   b , operating between the second pressure chamber  30   b  and the second delivery duct  40   b . 
     For example, the pre-compression valves  42   a , 42   b  each comprise an obturator plate  44   a , 44   b , a piston head body  46   a , 46   b , a pre-compression spring  48   a , 48   b  (which presses on the piston head body  46   a , 46   b ) and a return spring  50   a , 50   b  (which presses on the obturator plate  44   a , 44   b ). 
     In the step of simultaneous pre-compression of the substances, the pre-compression spring  48   a , 48   b  and the return spring  50   a , 50   b , which work in an antagonistic manner, hold integral between them the obturator plate  44   a , 44   b  and the piston head body  46   a , 46   b , closing the access of the pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b  to the respective delivery duct  40   a , 40   b . 
     The assembly formed by the obturator plate  44   a , 44   b  and the piston head body  46   a  operates from the piston head  35   a , 35   b , which compresses the substance in the pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b . 
     The action of the piston  34   a , 34   b  produces a pressure increase in the pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b , until the predetermined threshold pressure is exceeded. 
     Since the pre-compression spring  50   a , 50   b  works in opposition to the action of the pressure in the pressure chamber  30   a , 30   b , upon reaching the threshold pressure, the piston head body  46   a,   46   b  separates from the obturator plate  44   a,   44   b , opening the access to the respective delivery duct  40   a,   40   b , simultaneously for the two substances. 
     Preferably, the pumping means comprise a first hollow casing  60   a  and a second hollow casing  60   b , having prevailing extension along the respective piston axes Y 1 , Y 2 . 
     Inside each casing  60   a,   60   b , the pressure chamber  30   a ,  30   b  is formed, the piston  34   a,   34   b  is operating, for example, slidingly, and the check valve  36   a,   36   b  and the pre-compression valve  42   a,   42   b  are housed. 
     Preferably the head  20  comprises a connecting flange for the simultaneous connection of the two casings  60   a,   60   b  to the frame  22 . 
     The casings  60   a,   60   b  are applied to the flange  70 , which is, in turn, affixed to the frame  22 , and from the flange the piston rods  37   a,   37   b  protrude axially. 
     Furthermore, the head  20  comprises a trigger  90  hinged to the frame  22  at a trigger-connection point  90 , and actuation means, operable from the trigger  90 , for the simultaneous activation of the pistons  34   a,   34   b.    
     In a preferred embodiment, the actuation means comprise a transmission member  100 , hinged to the frame  22  at a pivot point  102 , engageable by the trigger  90 , so that a rotation of the trigger  90  corresponds to a counter-rotation of the transmission member  100 . 
     In particular, having defined an imaginary plane containing the two pistons axes Y 1 ,Y 2 , for the head  20  (and for the device  1 ), a right side is defined by one part of the imaginary plane, and a left side by the other part. Preferably, the imaginary plane so defined intersects the trigger  90 . 
     Preferably, the trigger  90  comprises a trigger engagement portion  94  for engagement with the transmission member  100 , wherein the portion  94  includes two protrusions  96 , one on one side and one on the other side of the head. 
     Similarly, the transmission member  100  comprises an engagement organ portion  104  for engagement with the trigger  90 , wherein the portion  104  comprises two elongations  96 , one on one side and one on the other side of the head. 
     The transmission member  100  also includes a main portion  108 , straddling between the sides of the head  20 , from which protrude the elongations  106 , due to the simultaneous action on the pistons  34   a,   34   b.    
     Moreover, the actuation means comprise, preferably, an intermediate body  120 , engageable by the transmission member  100  and suitable to translate along the pistons axes Y 1 ,Y 2 . 
     The two pistons  34   a,   34   b , and in particular the two piston rods  37   a,   37   b , are integrally connected to the intermediate body  120 . 
     In other words, the rotation of the trigger  90 , for example clockwise, by manual action of a user of the device  1 , causes the counter-rotation, for example counter-clockwise, of the transmission member  100 , that goes to push the intermediate body  120 , to which are integrally connected the two pistons  34   a,   34   b , which are so actuated in compression. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, as shown, the delivery ducts  40   a,   40   b  pass through the piston rods  37   a,   37   b  and the intermediate body  102 . 
     In particular, each delivery duct  40   a,   40   b  includes an initial section  122   a,   122   b  that extends inside the respective piston rod  37   a,   37   b , an elbow section  124   a,   124   b  that extends inside the intermediate body  120 , and an end section  126   a,   126   b  that extends in extensible tubes  128   a,   128   b  sealingly applied to the intermediate body  120 , up to a nozzle group  150  applied to the frame  22 . 
     The extensible tubes  128   a,   128   b  are suitable to compensate for the variation of position between the intermediate body  120  and the nozzle group  150  due to the movement undergone by the intermediate body  120  during the pre-compression step with respect to the nozzle group  150 , which remains fixed. 
     For example, the tubes  128   a,   128   b  have an over-abundant length or are made of extensible material. 
     For example, the tubes  128   a,   128   b  are made of plastic, for example low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the first delivery duct  40   a  and the second delivery duct  40   b  flow into a mixing chamber  152  inside the head  20 . 
     For example, the nozzle group  150  comprises a mixing chamber  152  into which the delivery ducts  40   a,   40   b  enter, and in particular their end sections  126   a,   126   b.    
     For example, the mixing chamber  150  is formed in a nozzle body  154  applied to the frame  22 , to which are sealingly applied the two flexible tubes  128   a,   128   b.    
     Additionally, the nozzle group  150  compress a nozzle mask  156  having a dispensing opening  158  in communication with the mixing chamber  152 , administered in a manner rotatable by a user to the nozzle body  154 , for example in order to close the dispensing opening  158  by rotation. 
     According to further variant embodiments, the delivery ducts each comprise a respective dispensing opening for the simultaneous and separate dispensing the two substances to the outside. 
     Furthermore, the head  20  preferably comprises removable locking means suitable to prevent accidental actuation of the trigger. 
     For example, the locking means comprise a removable latch  160 , suitable to be placed between the frame  22  and the trigger  90  to prevent the actuation of the trigger  90 . 
     For example, the latch  160  is hinged to the frame  22  in a latch hinging point  162  and presents an anchoring portion  164  suitable to couple itself to a protrusion  166  of the frame  22 . 
     Preferably, the latch  160  and the trigger  90  can be snap-coupled to each other. 
     In a locked configuration, the latch  160  is in an angular position in which it obstructs the actuation of the trigger  90  and the anchoring portion  164  is coupled to the protrusion  166  of the frame, so that the latch  160  stably maintains the position. 
     Preferably, in the configuration, the latch  160  is snap-coupled with the trigger  90 . 
     For rotation by a user, the anchoring portion  164  disengages from the protrusion  166  (and preferably the latch  160  and the trigger  90  release the mutual snap coupling) and the latch  160  is brought into an angular position in which it does not obstruct the actuation of the trigger  90 . 
     The head  20  further comprises a cover  170 , snap-coupleable to the frame  22 . 
     In particular, the frame  22  comprises a rear fin  172 , projecting externally from the coupling head wall  24  on the part opposite the trigger  90 , the side fins  174 , projecting from one side and the other of the frame  22 , above the coupling head wall  24 , and front side fins  178 , 180 , projecting from one side and the other of the frame  22  in the vicinity of the nozzle group  150 , all snap-coupled with the cover  170 . 
     Innovatively, the device according to this invention meets the needs of the sector, since it achieves an excellent mixing of the two substances thanks to the separate and simultaneous compression of both substances immediately before being combined with each other. 
     In other words, the pre-compression of the two substances prior to their combination, makes the mixing particularly effective, both in the event that it takes place in a mixing chamber inside the device and when it takes place on the object to be treated, for example a surface to be cleaned. 
     Advantageously, moreover, the assembly of the device is particularly fast and efficient, thanks to the snap connection between the head and the bottle. This advantage is especially appreciated in the sector, given the enormous volume of production. 
     According to a further advantageous aspect, the device is very reliable, thanks to the robust mechanism which ensures the actuation of the pistons in response to the actuation of the trigger. 
     Advantageously, moreover, the application of the dispensing head to the bottle is particularly fast, to the advantage of high-volume production. 
     According to further embodiments, the check valves comprise a flexible membrane deformable by the action of the this pressure in the pressure chamber. 
     For example, according to an embodiment ( FIG. 11 ), the check valve  36   a,   36   b  comprises a flexible membrane  236 , affixed to the frame  222 . 
     According to further embodiments, the pre-compression valve comprises a flexible membrane deformable by the action of the threshold pressure in the pressure chamber. 
     For example, the pre-compression valve  42   a,   42   b  is made in a single piece, for example in plastic, and comprises a deformable membrane  242 , for example of a convex shape towards the respective delivery duct  40   a,   40   b , and a sleeve  244  for positioning in a valve seat  246  of the frame  22 . 
     For example, the sleeve  244  is coupled to the frame  22 . According to a variant embodiment, the pre-compression valve means comprise a latch member applicable to the frame to clamp the sleeve to the frame.