Patent Publication Number: US-9409194-B2

Title: Dispensing device for a liquid with multifunction nozzle

Description:
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/IT2010/000257, filed Jun. 09, 2010. 
     The present invention relates to a dispensing device for a liquid, manually operated, for example by a trigger. In particular, the present invention relates to a trigger dispensing device able to dispense the liquid in at least two forms of the dispensed jet. Such type of dispensing device is known in the sector as a “multifunction” dispensing device. 
     In the dispensing devices sector and in particular in that of the devices destined for domestic use, the need to spray liquid with multiples types of jet is strongly felt, for example so as to obtain an almost continuous jet in a clearly specified direction, or a more nebulised jet distributed in space. The two jets are generally dispensed from different openings on the nozzle. 
     Many solutions of multifunction dispenser devices exist. Some of these are illustrated for example in documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,997,397, 6,536,686, 6,446,882, 6,382,527, 5,664,732, IT 1311301. 
     In particular, one solution is illustrated in the patent application BS2010A000003 in the name of the Applicant. 
     The purpose of the present invention is to further improve the functionality of the existing solutions, making them simpler to use by the final user, further simplifying the structure of the device. 
     Such purpose is achieved by a dispensing device made according to claim  1 . 
    
    
     
       The characteristics and advantages of the dispensing device according to the present invention will be clear from the description below, made by way of a non-limiting example, according to the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a dispensing head according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    respectively show an axonometric view, a view in longitudinal cross-section and a cross-section, ground view of an assembly formed of a tang, a nozzle and an insert of the dispensing device of  FIG. 1 , in a closed configuration; 
         FIGS. 3 a , 3 b  and 3 c    respectively show an axonometric view, a view in longitudinal cross-section and a cross-section, ground view of an assembly formed of a tang, a nozzle and an insert of the dispensing device of  FIG. 1 , in a first, open configuration for example for spray dispensing of the liquid; 
         FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c    respectively show an axonometric view, a view in longitudinal cross-section and a cross-section, ground view of an assembly formed of a tang, a nozzle and an insert of the dispensing device of  FIG. 1 , in a second, open configuration for example for foam dispensing of the liquid; 
         FIG. 5  shows an axonometric view of the tang; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show respective axonometric views from the outside and the inside of the nozzle; 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    show respective axonometric views from the outside and the inside of the insert; 
         FIG. 8  shows an axonometric view of the tang engaged with the nozzle and with the insert. 
     
    
    
     According to the present invention, a manually operated dispensing device for a liquid, for example trigger-operated, comprises a container to contain the liquid and a dispensing head  1 , mechanically associable to the container to dispense the liquid. 
     In particular, the head  1  is connectable to the neck of the container, for example by means of a threaded connection or a bayonet connection. 
     The head  1  comprises pumping means suitable for aspirating liquid from the container and sending it towards the outside environment for dispensing. 
     For example, the pumping means comprise a pumping chamber suitable for placing in fluidic communication with the chamber of the container, an exit duct suitable for being placed in communication with the pumping chamber and with the outside environment, and a piston sealed so as to slide in the pumping chamber. 
     Furthermore, the head  1  comprises manual operating means suitable for being operated manually to activate the pumping means. 
     For example, the operating means comprise a trigger connected mechanically to the piston of the pumping means. 
     The exit duct extends along a straight dispensing axis X. 
     The head  1  comprises a tubular tang  12  which has an inner tang duct  14 , defining a section of the exit duct, and comprises an eccentric section  16  in relation to the dispensing axis X. 
     In particular, the eccentric section  16  is made as a notch projecting radially in relation to the dispensing axis X, at the distal end of the tang  12 . 
     The tang  12  comprises a pair of outer bosses  18 , projecting radially, angularly distanced, between which a housing  20  is formed. 
     Preferably, the tang  12  comprises a first collar  22 , projecting externally radially, from the periphery of which said bosses  18  project. 
     Preferably, in addition, the tang  12  comprises a second collar  24 , projecting externally radially, positioned between the first collar  22  and the end of the tang  12 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, in addition, the tang  12  comprises a third collar  26 , projecting outwards radially, positioned at the end of the tang  12 , inside which the duct aperture  14   a  corresponding to the tang duct  14  and the eccentric aperture  16   a,  corresponding to the eccentric section  16  of the tang duct  14  open. 
     Furthermore, the head  2  comprises a nozzle  30 , applicable to the end of the tang  12 , comprising a front wall  32 , defined internally by an inner face  32   a  and externally by an outer face  32   b , substantially perpendicular to the dispensing axis X. 
     The front wall  32  of the nozzle  30  abuts with the tang  12 , sealing this, that is abutting with the third collar  26 . 
     The front wall  32  has, in addition, at least one channel  34 , made on the inner face  32   a  of the front wall  32 , and a through hole  36  through the thickness of the front wall  32 , open therefore on the inner wall  32   a  and the outer wall  32   b , in communication with the channel  34 . 
     The channel  4  extends annularly around the dispensing axis X, forming a closed circuit which starts from the through hole  36  and ends in said through hole  36 , surrounding the dispensing axis X. 
     Once the nozzle  30  has been applied to the tang  12 , the channel  34  is in communication with the eccentric section  16  of the tang duct  14 . 
     In addition, preferably, the nozzle  30  has a central aperture  38  in line with the dispensing axis X, of such size and form as to leave completely uncovered the aperture  14   a  of the tang duct  14  and cover at least in part the aperture  16   a  of the eccentric section  16 . 
     In addition, the nozzle  30  comprises an annular skirt  40  projecting axially from the front wall  32 , destined to axially overlap the tang  12  at least in part. 
     Preferably, the skirt  40  comprises at least one inner boss  42 , for example annular and continuous, projecting radially internally, able to snap onto the second collar  24  of the tang  12 , to hook the nozzle  30  to the tang  12 . 
     Axially, the skirt  40  terminates in an annular rim  44 . 
     In addition, the nozzle  30  comprises a tooth  50 , preferably projecting from the skirt  40 , for example projecting axially beyond the annular rim  44 , suitable for being lodged in the housing  20  of the tang  12 , between the bosses  18 . 
     The bosses  18  and the tooth  50  form an example of anti-rotation constraint means able to bilaterally constrain the rotation of the nozzle  30  in relation to the tang  12 . 
     Furthermore, the dispensing head  1  comprises an insert  60 , applied to the nozzle  30 , fitted with connection means able to connect the insert  60  to the nozzle  30  in a rotatable manner around the dispensing axis X, constraining it axially. 
     The insert  60  comprises a main wall  61  defined by an inner face  61   a  and an outer face  61   b , substantially perpendicular to the dispensing axis X. 
     The insert comprises, in addition, a first opening  62  and a second opening  64 , made as through apertures crossing the axial thickness of the main wall  61  having their entrances on the inner surface  61   a , positioned angularly distanced in relation to the dispensing axis X, for example by 180°. 
     For example, the insert  60  comprises a mesh  80 , applied to the second opening  64  to dispense the liquid as a foam. 
     Preferably, in addition, the insert  60  comprises an obturator  68  made by an axial protuberance, coaxial to the dispensing axis X, projecting from the main wall  61 , extending so as to cross the front wall  32  of the nozzle  30  and insert itself in the nozzle duct  14  of the tang  12  through the aperture  14   a.    
     The obturator  68  is suitable, rotating around the dispensing axis X, to close/open access between the tang duct  14  and the eccentric section  16 . 
     To such purpose, the obturator is annularly shaped, at least in an end section, with two circular, partially cylindrical surfaces, opposite the dispensing axis, and two flat and parallel surfaces, also opposite the dispensing axis. 
     Preferably, in addition, the insert  60  comprises an annular mantle  70 , projecting axially from the main wall  61 , destined to axially overlap the skirt  40  of the nozzle  30  at least partially. 
     The mantle  70  is suitable for being rotated manually, to rotate the insert  60 . 
     Preferably, the mantle  70  has on its outer surface explanatory indications of the functioning configuration of the dispensing head. For example, the mantle has on the outer surface indentations forming the word “OFF” or symbols or captions, such as “SPRAY” or “FOAM”, which identify the type of jet obtained when said symbol is aligned with a fixed indicator in relation to rotation of the insert. 
     By rotating the insert  60  around the dispensing axis X, the first opening  62  and the second opening  64  are selectively in communication with the through hole  36  of the nozzle  30 , so as to select the desired type of jet. 
     In a closed configuration, corresponding to an angular, closed position of the insert  60  ( FIGS. 2 a  to 2 c   ), the obturator  68  of the insert  60  closes the fluidic connection between the nozzle duct  14  and the eccentric section  16 . No dispensing of liquid is therefore performed. 
     In a first dispensing configuration, corresponding to a first angular dispensing position of the insert  60  ( FIGS. 3 a  to 3 c   ), rotated in relation to the closed angular position, the obturator  68  leaves the passage from the nozzle duct  14  to the eccentric section  16  free and the first opening  62  is at least partially overlapped at the through hole  36  of the nozzle  30 . 
     During manual rotation of the insert  60 , the nozzle remains fixed, in as much as constrained by the anti-rotation constraint means to the tang  12 . 
     Two conditions arise: the liquid transits from the nozzle duct  14  to the eccentric section  16  and from this, following the channel  34  of the nozzle, reaches the through hole  36 ; the at least partial alignment of the first opening  62  and the through hole  36  makes it possible to dispense the liquid, for example in the form of a spray. 
     In said first dispensing configuration, the second opening  64  is not in fluidic communication with the through hole  36 ; consequently, no liquid is dispensed from the second opening  64 . 
     By rotating the insert  60  from the position of the first configuration, for example by 180°, one reaches a second dispensing configuration ( FIGS. 4 a  to 4 c   ), wherein the obturator  68  leaves the passage from the nozzle duct  14  to the eccentric section  16  free and the second opening  64  is at least partially overlapped at the through hole  36  of the nozzle  30 . 
     During manual rotation of the insert  60 , the nozzle remains fixed, in as much as constrained by the anti-rotation constraint means to the tang  12 . 
     Two conditions arise: the liquid transits from the nozzle duct  14  to the eccentric section  16  and from this, following the channel  34  of the nozzle, reaches the through hole  36 ; the at least partial alignment of the second opening  64  and the through hole  36  makes it possible to dispense the liquid, for example in the form of foam. 
     In said first dispensing configuration, the first opening  62  is not in fluidic communication with the through hole  36 ; consequently, no liquid is dispensed from the first opening  62 . 
     Innovatively, the dispensing head according to the present invention is extremely simple to use, especially as regards the selection of a specific form of jet and closing of the device. 
     Such simplicity of use is combined with a considerable structural simplicity, which makes production cheaper. 
     According to a further advantageous aspect, the dispensing device can be used in an intuitive manner in that the jet of liquid dispensed is always in the same position in relation to the dispensing device, thereby not confusing the user. For example, in the embodiment shown, looking at the insert of  FIG. 3 a    or  4   a  from the front, dispensing is always from the top window, while by rotating the nozzle the type of jet dispensed is changed.