Patent Publication Number: US-9409195-B2

Title: Trigger sprayer valves

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/474,888, entitled “TRIGGER SPRAYERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME,” filed 13 Apr. 2011, and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to trigger sprayer valves and more particularly to inlet and discharge valves used with trigger sprayers, including improved pre-compression discharge valves. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Trigger sprayers are well known and are commonly used as delivery devices to deliver a product, such as a liquid, from a container to a surface or an area in which the product is desired. For example, trigger sprayers may be used to apply cleaning agents to hard surfaces or to deliver air freshener to a volume of air. The use and applications for such devices are well known. 
     A conventional trigger sprayer typically includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A pump chamber may be formed in the valve body and a piston may be seated in the pump chamber and moveable therein to alter the volume of the pump chamber. A piston is typically attached to a trigger and the trigger, piston, or both trigger and piston may be biased by a spring. An inlet valve in communication with the valve body inlet and the pump chamber regulates the flow of product into the pump chamber. Similarly, an outlet valve seated between the pump chamber and the valve body outlet regulates flow of a product out of the pump chamber and through the valve body outlet. The valve body may be attached to or in communication with a container holding a product. The connection may be made with a closure system such as a bayonet system integrated with the valve body or a screw connection mated with the valve body as known in the art. 
     Examples of trigger sprayers are illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,900, U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,056 and PCT Publication WO2010124040, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     While there are numerous trigger sprayer designs available in the market, improvements and new designs are continually being developed. For example, new all-plastic designs may be desirable so that the trigger sprayer may be easily recycled. New designs may also offer improved economics or reduced material weight and part counts. In other instances, it may be desirable for a trigger sprayer to include a pre-compression feature which allows for the build-up of pressure prior to the release of a product through an outlet valve such that the pressure build-up is such that a sufficient force is applied to the product being dispensed to create a desired spray pattern or to achieve finer particle sizes upon dispensing. Pre-compression systems may also be desirable for other reasons. An example of a pre-compression valve system for a trigger sprayer is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,900. Improvements in such pre-compression valves may enhance the performance or user acceptance of a trigger sprayer. 
     In still other instances, it may be desirable to have a trigger sprayer valve body design which may be fitted with either a pre-compression valve system for those applications desiring pre-compression or a non-pre-compression valve system for use when pre-compression is not desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, various pre-compression systems are incorporated with a trigger sprayer to provide a pre-compression option for a trigger sprayer. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer may include a two piece discharge valve. A first valve component may be seated on a valve seat and held in position by a frame. The frame may interlock with, attach to, or be otherwise secured to the valve body of the trigger sprayer to secure the valve on the valve seat. 
     According to other embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer valve body may be configured to accept a pre-compression valve or a non-pre-compression valve such that a trigger sprayer having a pre-compression option may be made from a majority of the same parts used for a non-pre-compression version of the same trigger sprayer. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer may include an option for a pre-compression discharge valve or a non-pre-compression discharge valve. In certain embodiments, a pre-compression discharge valve may include a bi-injected, two material discharge valve. In other embodiments, a bi-injected discharge valve may be made of the same material having different stiffness, rigidity, or other features and characteristics. In still other embodiments, a pre-compression discharge valve may include a valve member and a frame member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a blown apart view of a valve body and discharge valve according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of a discharge valve assembled with a valve body according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve assembled with a valve body and inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve assembled with a valve body and shroud according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a valve and plug system according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a plug according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a plug according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an exploded-view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the trigger sprayer illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trigger sprayer according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the trigger sprayer illustrated in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve body according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the valve body illustrated in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a front-view of a valve body according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a side-view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a side-view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a frame of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a frame of a discharge valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve body according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates a front-view of a valve body according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the valve body illustrated in  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 40  illustrates a front-view of an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates a side-view of an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates a rear-view of an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 43  illustrates an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invnetion; 
         FIG. 44  illustrates an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 45  illustrates an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 46  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 47  illustrates an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 48  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inlet valve according to various embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer may include a discharge valve which allows a pressure build-up or pre-compression prior to the unseating of the discharge valve. In some embodiments of the invention, a valve body may be configured to accept either a discharge valve capable of providing pre-compression to the trigger sprayer or a valve and plug for use in those applications where pre-compression is not desired. 
     A trigger sprayer  100  according to some embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, a trigger sprayer  100  may include a valve body  110 . The valve body  110  may include an inlet  112  and an outlet  114 . The inlet  112  and outlet  114  may be in communication with a pump chamber  113 . A piston  120  may be seated in the pump chamber  113 . An inlet valve  130  may be seated in a valve seat between the inlet  112  and the pump chamber  113 . A discharge valve  140  may be seated in a valve seat between the pump chamber  113  and the outlet  114 . In some embodiments, a tube retainer  118  may integrally formed with the valve body  110  as illustrated. In other embodiments, a tube retainer may fit into a portion of the valve body  110 . A nozzle  160  may be fitted or mated with the valve body  110  as known. The trigger sprayer  100  may also include a shroud  190  attached to or mated with the valve body  110  and an attachment system  192  for securing the trigger sprayer  100  to a container. The attachment system  192  may include a bayonet attachment system molded with the valve body  110 , a bayonet attachment system molded in a separate part, a screw-type attachment system molded as a separate part, or any other conventional attachment system. The trigger sprayer  100  may also include a dip tube  194  secured in a tube retainer  118 . 
     A trigger  152  and spring  154  may also be included as part of a trigger sprayer  100 . While an integrated trigger  152  and spring  154  combination is illustrated in various figures herein, it is understood that various embodiments of the invention may incorporate other trigger  152  and spring  154  combinations, including such combinations where the trigger  152  and spring  154  are not integrated as a single component. For example, a conventional trigger and metal coil spring or plastic spring may be used with various embodiments of the invention. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, the discharge valve  140  may be made of a flexible material having the ability to flex or deform upon the exertion of a certain amount of force on the discharge valve  140 . For example, the material used for a discharge valve  140  may be selected based upon the desired discharge force. In some embodiments the discharge valve  140  may be made of an elastomeric material. In other embodiments, the discharge valve  140  may be made of a flexible material, a plastic material, a urethane material, a silicon material or any other desired material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a discharge valve  140  may be seated in a valve seat in the valve body  110 . The valve seat may be located in a top portion of the valve body  110  such that during assembly a discharge valve  140  may be seated in the valve seat opening in the valve body  110 . A shroud  190  may then be assembled to the valve body  110  and a portion of the shroud  190  may secure the discharge valve  140  in its seated position. As product is pumped out of the pump chamber  113  it may contact the discharge valve  140  and apply a pressure against the discharge valve  140 . According to various embodiments of the invention, the discharge valve  140  will maintain a seal against the valve seat until a pre-determined pressure is reached at which time the discharge valve  140  will unseat and allow product to pass by the discharge valve  140  and towards the outlet  114 . 
     A trigger sprayer  100  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, the trigger sprayer  100  includes a valve body  110  having an inlet  112  and an outlet  114 . An inlet valve  130  may be seated in a valve seat between the inlet  112  and the pump chamber  113 . A discharge valve  140  may be seated in a valve seat between the pump chamber  113  and the outlet  114 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the valve seat for the discharge valve  140  may be located in a rear portion of the valve body  110  rather than on a top portion of the valve body  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The discharge valve  140  of the trigger sprayer  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be retained within the valve seat in part by a portion of the shroud  190 . As the trigger  152  is actuated, the piston  120  is moved in the pump chamber  113 , applying force to the product in the pump chamber  113  which in turn applies force to the discharge valve  140 . Once the force on the discharge valve  140  reaches a force capable of unseating the discharge valve  140 , the discharge valve unseats and allows product to pass the discharge valve  140  and flow to the outlet  114 . 
     As with the discharge valve  140  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the discharge valve  140  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be made of a flexible or elastomeric material. The material of the discharge valve  140  may be selected to provide particular characteristics to the discharge valve  140 , such as a sufficient rigidity or stiffness to prevent deformation or movement of the discharge valve  140  until a certain amount of force or pressure is applied to the discharge valve  140 . In some embodiments, the discharge valve  140  may also be shaped or engineered to provide desired characteristics. For example, the thickness of material may be altered or varied or ribs or other supporting structures may be designed as part of the discharge valve  140  to achieve the desired characteristics. 
     A trigger sprayer  100  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . While the configuration of the valve body  110  is similar to other embodiments of the invention, the discharge path from the pump chamber  113  to the outlet  114  may be configured differently and the discharge valve  240  may include a bi-injected discharge valve  240  assembly or multi-component discharge valve  240  assembly. 
     For example, a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve  240  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and a discharge valve  240  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Assembly of a discharge valve  240  with a valve body  110  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a discharge valve  240  may include a frame  242  and a valve  244  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 9 . The frame  242  and valve  244  may be bi-injected or formed of multiple components. According to some embodiments of the invention, a frame  242  may be formed of polypropylene or other plastic material. According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve  244  may be formed of an olefin based polymer, silicon, other polymer material, or plastic material. While various materials for the frame  242  and valve  244  are described herein, other materials may also be used and the various embodiments of the invention are not limited by the selection of materials for the discharge valve  240 . 
     A discharge valve  240  according to various embodiments of the invention may have a valve  244  bi-injected or mated with a frame  242  such that the frame  242  may support the valve  244 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a valve  244  may be encompassed by and supported by the frame  242 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a portion of the valve  244  may sit within an opening in the frame  242  and a portion of the valve  244  may wrap around a portion of the frame  242 . When assembled to a valve body  110  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the frame  242  may secure the valve  244  in a seated position on a portion of the valve body  110 . According to some embodiments of the invention, a frame  242  may also include features to help secure the frame  242  to the valve body  110 . For example, a frame  242  may include snap beads, locking projections or other configurations which allow the frame  242  to be secured to the valve body  110 . A valve body  110  may also include features to help retain a frame  242  to the valve body  110  when assembled. 
     A close-up, cross-sectional view of a discharge valve  240  assembled with a valve body  110  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated  FIG. 10 . As shown, a discharge valve  240  may be assembled to a valve body  110 . The valve  244  portion of the discharge valve  240  may be seated against an outlet portion  111  of the valve body  110 . Upon the flow of a product through the outlet portion  111  of the valve body  110 , the product may apply a force against the valve  244  seated against the outlet portion  111 . Such pressure may flex the valve  244  or cause the valve  244  to move such that a product may pass by the discharge valve  240  and the outlet  114  of the trigger sprayer  100 . 
     As illustrated, the frame  242  of the discharge valve  240  may secure the valve  244  in a seated position. Once sufficient pressure on the valve  244  is removed, the valve  244  may reseat on the outlet portion  111  of the valve body  110 . The frame  242  may help retain the valve  244  in the proper position. For example, the positioning of the frame  242  with respect to the valve body  110  may secure the valve  244  in a position that prevents blow-outs of the valve  244 . The frame  242  may prevent such blow-outs because the valve  244  is retained upstream of the outlet portion  111  by the frame  242 . Thus, when the valve  244  is opened it is stretched and may be pulled back to a seated position by the elastic characteristics or features of the valve  244  material. Such a configuration may provide improved seating for a pre-compression valve. 
     A discharge valve  240  may be secured to a valve body  110  in various ways. According to some embodiments of the invention, a discharge valve  240  may be secured as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In some embodiments, the frame  242  of a discharge valve  240  may include projections which may mate with or contact projections or tabs on a valve body  110 . The contact of the projections may hold a frame  242  in place during operation of a trigger sprayer  100 . In other embodiments, a shroud  190  may also hold the discharge valve  240  in place or assist with the mating of a discharge valve  240  with a valve body  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a shroud  190  may frictionally fit against a frame  242  of a discharge valve  240  to retain or help retain the frame  242  in communication with a valve body  110 . The positioning of portions of the shroud  190  around the frame  242  or against the frame  242  may secure the frame  242  in an assembled position. In addition, a frame  242  may include projections which mate with a shroud  190  or a shroud  190  may include projections that mate with the frame  242  such that the frame  242  and shroud  190  may be locked or mated together. 
     Although a discharge valve  240  according to certain embodiments of the invention may be bi-injected, a discharge valve  240  may also be assembled from two or more parts. For example, the frame  242  may be molded and assembled with a valve  244  which is molded separately. The frame  242  and valve  244  may be snap-fit together, welded together, glued together, or otherwise assembled as a single discharge valve  240  assembly. In other embodiments, a frame  242  and valve  244  may not be connected but instead press-fit or friction fit together or in a sealing configuration during assembly with a valve body  110 , shroud  190 , or other components of a trigger sprayer  100 . 
     A trigger sprayer  100  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated, a trigger sprayer  100  according to embodiments of the invention may include a valve  130  having both an inlet valve and an outlet valve. For example, a valve system such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,056 may be used with various embodiments of the invention. Such a valve system may be used for a trigger sprayer  100  which does not or may not include a pre-compression system. However, such a valve system may be used with a valve body  110  similar to or identical to the valve body  110  used with other embodiments of the invention. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, a trigger sprayer  100  may include a plug  340  in place of a discharge valve  240 . A plug  340  may seal an opening in the valve body  110  where a discharge valve  240  could be placed and may allow a product discharged from a pump chamber  113  to flow past the plug towards the outlet  114 . Thus, a valve body  110  according to various embodiments of the invention may be used to assemble either a pre-compression type trigger sprayer  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  or a non-pre-compression type trigger sprayer  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . For example, if a pre-compression type trigger sprayer  100  is desired, a valve body  110  may be assembled with a discharge valve  240  according to embodiments of the invention. If a non-pre-compression type trigger sprayer  100  is desired, a valve body  110  may be assembled with a valve  130  having an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a plug  340  may be used in place of the discharge valve  240 . 
     A cross-sectional, close-up view of a valve  130  and plug  340  combination assembled with a valve body  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     A plug  340  according to embodiments of the invention may be made of any desired material and in any desired shape. A plug  340  design according to certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . As illustrated, a plug  340  may include features similar to a discharge valve  240  in that it may include projections or other features which may be used to secure a plug  340  to a valve body  110 . The configuration or shape of the plug  340  may also be altered to fit the valve body  110  as desired and to provide a product flow path from the pump chamber  113  to the outlet  114 . 
     An exploded view of a trigger sprayer  400  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 16 . As shown, a trigger sprayer  400  may include an assembly of a valve body  410 , an inlet valve  430 , an actuator  450 , a piston  420 , a nozzle  460 , a shroud  490 , an attachment system  492 , a dip tube  494 , and a discharge valve  440 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the discharge valve  440  may include a frame  442  and a valve  444  wherein the frame  442  may attach to or snap-fit with the valve body  410  and may secure the valve  444  on, against, or in proximity to a valve seat of the valve body  410 . 
     Conventional methods may be used to assemble a trigger sprayer  400  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 16  and components such as the nozzle  460 , shroud  490 , attachment system  492 , dip tube  494 , piston  420 , actuator  450  and valves may be assembled as desired. In addition, a trigger sprayer  400  according to embodiments of the invention may be assembled to a bottle or other container as desired and known in the art. For example, a screw-on attachment system  492  may be used to attach a trigger sprayer  400  to a bottle having a corresponding screw-type thread system. In other examples, a valve body  410  may include a bayonet-type attachment system  492  which may be mated with and attached to a bottle or container having corresponding bayonet connectors. 
     A cross-sectional view of an assembled trigger sprayer  400  according to some embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 17 . As illustrated, the trigger sprayer  400  is in a non-actuated position having a piston  420  seated in a variable volume pump chamber  422 . A portion of an inlet valve  430  is seated against a pump chamber inlet  423  and a portion of a discharge valve  440  is seated against a pump chamber outlet  425 . 
     A blown-up view of the inlet valve  430  and discharge valve  440  encompassed by the dotted lines in  FIG. 17  is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . As illustrated, an inlet valve  430  may be seated in a pump chamber  422  with an inlet valve member  433  seated against a pump chamber inlet  423 . A valve  444  of a discharge valve  440  may be seated against a valve seat  470  surrounding the pump chamber outlet  425  as illustrated. A frame  442  may secure the valve  444  against the valve seat  470  and in a position of contact with the valve body  410 . One or more outer edges  449  of the valve  444  may contact the valve body  410  and form a seal therewith. 
     A cross-sectional view of an assembled trigger sprayer  400  according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . As illustrated, the trigger sprayer  400  may be in an actuated or partially actuated position wherein a piston  420  has moved within a pump chamber  422 , reducing the volume therein and forcing product through the pump chamber outlet  425  such that the valve  444  of the discharge valve  440  is unseated from the valve seat  470 . 
     A blown-up view of the discharge valve  440  encompassed by the dotted lines in  FIG. 19  is illustrated in  FIG. 20 . As illustrated, when a piston  420  is moved in a pump chamber  422  by actuation of the trigger sprayer  400 , the piston forces fluid or product through the pump chamber outlet  425 , past valve  444  and into the discharge passageway or outlet  414  as illustrated by the bold fluid flow path line in  FIG. 20 . As the piston  420  moves within the pump chamber  422 , the chamber size is reduced and any fluid or product within the pump chamber  422  passes into the pump chamber outlet  425  to encounter the valve  444 . Once a certain pressure on the valve  444  is reached—the cracking pressure—the valve  444  may unseat from the valve seat  470 , allowing fluid or product to flow past the valve  444  and into the discharge passageway or outlet  414 . 
     A cross-sectional view of a valve body  410  of a trigger sprayer  400  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 21 . A valve body  410  may be configured in a conventional manner and may include a pump chamber  422  which may be defined by an opening in the valve body  410  and a piston  420  inserted in the opening. The pump chamber  422  may include a pump chamber inlet  423  and a pump chamber outlet  425 . Fluid or product may flow from an inlet  412  of the valve body  410  through the pump chamber inlet  423  into the pump chamber  422  and out through the pump chamber outlet  425  into the discharge passageway or outlet  414  of the valve body  410 . In some embodiments of the invention, a pump chamber outlet  425  may be in direct communication with the outlet  414  or may be in indirect communication such as illustrated in  FIG. 21  wherein the pump chamber outlet  425  opens to an opening in the valve body  410  which is in communication with the outlet  414 . In some embodiments of the invention, the pump chamber outlet  425  may be centered along an axis which is parallel to an axis of the outlet  414 . In other embodiments of the invention, the pump chamber outlet  425  may be centered along an axis which is perpendicular to an axis of the outlet  414 . In still other embodiments of the invention, the pump chamber outlet  425  may be centered along an axis that is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the axis of the outlet  414 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a discharge valve seat  470  may be located at an exit of, or end of, the pump chamber outlet  425  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 21 through 23 . In some embodiments, the valve seat  470  may include a circular shape as illustrated. In other embodiments, the shape of the valve seat  470  may be selected as desired. 
     A close-up of the valve seat  470  and pump chamber outlet  425  designated by broken lines in  FIG. 21  is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . In some embodiments of the invention, the valve seat  470  may include one or more features to facilitate sealing of the valve seat  470  with a valve  444 . For example, a valve seat  470  may include a sealing ring, one or more lips, one or more flashes, one or more nipples, or other features configured to mate with or seal with a valve  444 . A valve seat  470  may also include a rim which contacts a valve  444  making a seal therewith. In some embodiments of the invention, the valve seat  470  may include a sloped interior surface such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22  which may facilitate positioning of a portion of a valve  444  in or against the valve seat  470 . For example, a close-up view of a discharge valve  440  in an assembled trigger sprayer  410  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . As illustrated, a valve lip  447  seats or contacts an interior of the valve seat  470 . As the valve  444  is assembled to the valve body  410 , the valve lip  447  may make contact with the sloped interior surfaces of the valve seat  470  and the corresponding slope on the valve lip  447  may facilitate sealing of the valve  444  with the valve seat  470  at an end of the pump chamber outlet  425 . Upon actuation of a trigger sprayer  400 , the valve  444  may unseat from the valve seat  470  as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . 
     A valve  444  for use with various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 . As illustrated, a valve  444  according to various embodiments of the invention may be circular in shape and may include a number of different surfaces. In some embodiments of the invention, a valve  444  may include a circular body  446  terminating in an outer circumference having one or more outer edges  449  or sealing surfaces. The body  446  may have a thickness T v  as illustrated between the lines in  FIG. 26 . The thickness T v  may also vary along the surface of the body  446 . For example, the thickness T v  may vary where other features occur along the surface of the body  446  such as at a location of a valve lip  447  or an outer surface having one or more outer edges  449 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , a valve  444  may include two outer edges  449 . The circumference along the one or more outer edges may be identical or different. In addition, a portion of the body  446  between one or more outer edges  449  may have a smaller circumference than a circumference of the one or more outer edges  449 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , a trough or depression exists between a first outer edge  449  and the second outer edge  449 , wherein the circumference around the bottom-most point in the depression is less than the circumference around one or more of the outer edges  449 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , a valve  444  may also include one or more valve lips  447 . A valve lip  447 , according to various embodiments of the invention, may include one or more surfaces configured to mate with one or more surfaces of a valve seat  470  on a pump chamber outlet  425 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , a valve lip  447  may include a sloping surface configured to mate with a valve seat  470 . According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve lip  447  may be shaped or configured to seal against a valve seat  470  to prevent the flow of a product past the valve lip  447  until a certain force or pressure against the valve  444  is reached. The slope or shape of the valve lip  447  may ensure a seal against a valve seat  470 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a valve lip  447  may be circular in shape and may include one or more sloping surfaces which may mate with, or seal with, a circular valve seat  470  on a valve body  410 . A valve lip  447  may seat within, or seal with, an interior portion of a valve seat  470  or a pump chamber outlet  425 . 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, a valve  444  may also include one or more valve stems  448 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , a single valve stem  448  may be included with certain embodiments. A valve stem  448  may extend outwards from a body  446  on one or both sides of the body  446 . As illustrated, a valve stem  448  may be perpendicular to the body  446 . In other embodiments, a valve stem  448  may extend away from a body  446  at another angle. According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  448  may configured or shaped to facilitate the assembly of a valve  444  with a trigger sprayer  400 . In some embodiments, a valve stem  448  may extend through a portion of a frame  442 . 
     A valve  444  having a valve lip  447  seated against a valve seat  470  is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . As illustrated, when a valve  444  is seated in an assembled trigger sprayer  400 , the valve lip  447  may seat against or seal against the valve seat  470 . The seating of the valve lip  447  against the valve seat  470  and the positioning of the valve  444  in the trigger sprayer  400  may cause the body  446  to flex as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . Flexion of the body  446  may apply pressure on the valve lip  447  to assist with the sealing of the valve  444 . In addition, pressure on the valve  444  due to placement within the trigger sprayer  400  may apply pressure to the one or more outer edges  449  of the valve  444 , sealing the one or more outer edges  449  to the valve body  410  such that product in a discharge passageway or outlet  414  may not leak past the valve  444  and into other portions of the trigger sprayer  400 . 
     Upon actuation, a valve  444  and body  446  may be deformed as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , allowing product to flow past the valve  444 . Upon the application of pressure or force against the valve  444  caused by actuation of the trigger sprayer  400 , the one or more valve lips  447  may unseat from the valve seat  470 . Movement of the body  446  may be stopped by the positioning of the frame  442  next to the valve  444 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a back portion of the body  446  may contact the frame  442  such that continued flexion or movement of the body  446  is stopped and the fluid flow passage past the valve  444  is fixed. Upon a decrease in the pressure applied to the valve  444 , the valve  444  may return to the non-actuated position illustrated in  FIG. 18 , stopping the flow of fluid or product past the valve  444 . 
     A valve  444  for use with various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 27 through 29 . The illustrated valve  444  is similar to the valve illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , however, the valve  444  illustrated in  FIGS. 27 through 29  has a greater thickness T v . 
     A body  446  according to various embodiments of the invention may include a thickness T v  of about 0.50 millimeters (0.019 inches). In other embodiments, a thickness T v  may be about 0.80 millimeters (0.032 inches). While any thickness T v  may be used with embodiments of the invention, in some embodiments, a body  446  may have a thickness T v  of between about 0.40 millimeters (0.015 inches) and about 0.90 millimeters (0.036 inches). According to other embodiments of the invention, a body  446  may have a thickness T v  of between about 0.25 millimeters (0.009 inches) and about 1.25 millimeters (0.05 inches). According to still other embodiments of the invention, a thickness T v  along the body  446  may vary, including thicker portions and thinner portions as desired. The thickness T v  of the body  446  may be selected or designed to provide a desired resistance or minimum cracking pressure needed to unseat the one or more valve lips  447  from a valve seat  470 . 
     A valve  444  according to various embodiments of the invention may be made of any desired material. In some embodiments, a valve  444  may be formed of an elastic material or material capable of deforming and returning to a non-deformed state. In certain embodiments, a valve  444  may be formed of an olefin based polymer, silicon, other polymer material, or plastic material. While various materials are described, other materials may also be used and the various embodiments of the invention are not limited by the selection of materials for the valve  444 . 
     A discharge valve  440  including a frame  442  and valve  444  combination according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 30 through 32 . As illustrated, a valve  444  may be a part of, molded with, or connected to a frame  442  as illustrated. A valve  444  may include one or more valve lips  447  and one or more outer edges  449 . In some embodiments of the invention, the one or more valve lips  447  may seat with a valve seat  470  of a trigger sprayer to form a seal therewith. In addition, the one or more outer edges  449  may contact a portion of a valve body  410  to form a seal therewith. 
     Cross-sectional views of the discharge valve  440  illustrated in  FIG. 30  are illustrated in  FIGS. 31 and 32  as represented by the cross-section lines in  FIG. 30 . 
     A discharge valve including a frame  442  and valve  444  combination according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 33 and 34 . As illustrated, a valve  444  may be connected to, bi-injected with, snapped to, or otherwise secured to a frame  442 . A frame  442  may include one or more latches  443  which may be configured to snap to, latch with, or otherwise secure to a valve body  410 . The latching of a frame  442  to a valve body  410  may help retain a valve  444  in position such that a valve lip  447  may seat against a valve seat  470 . One or more outer edges  449  may also be positioned against a valve body  410  and held in position by a frame  442  latched to a valve body  410 . According to some embodiments of the invention, a frame  442  may include two latches  443  such as the opposing latches illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 36 . 
     A frame  442  according to some embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 35 and 36 . A frame  442  may be made of any desirable material; for example, a frame  442  according to certain embodiments of the invention may be molded of a plastic or resin material. A frame  442  may include one or more latches  443  extending therefrom. A latch  443  may be configured to secure to a valve body  410 . Any type of latch or securing system may be used to secure a frame  442  to a valve body  410  as desired. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a valve  444  may be secured to the frame  442  as illustrated in  FIGS. 30 through 34 . According to other embodiments of the invention, a frame  442  may be assembled with a valve  444  such that a valve  444  is held between a valve body  410  and the frame  442  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 20 . 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, a frame  442  may include a frame rim  441  as illustrated. A frame rim  441  may include a circular, or other shaped, opening through which a portion of a valve  444 , such as a valve stem  448 , may extend. According to various embodiments of the invention, a frame rim  441  may stop a valve  444 , or portion of a valve  444 , from moving along an axis of the valve  444  during actuation of a trigger sprayer  400 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , when actuated, a valve  444  or body  446  portion may flex such that the one or more valve lips  447  unseat from a valve seat  470 . The frame rim  441  may stop the movement of the body  446  or valve  444  such that a fixed opening size or flow path through the valve seat  470  and past the valve  444  is available. In addition, a frame rim  441  may decrease the wear on a valve  444  as it limits the extension or flexion of the valve  444  during actuation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a frame  442  may also assist with the seating of the one or more outer edges  449  against a valve body  410 . The frame  442  may hold the one or more outer edges  449  of the valve  444  in position within the trigger sprayer  400  such that the outer edges  449  seal against the valve body and help to retain the valve  444  in a position to allow the valve  444  to stop the flow of product from a piston chamber when a trigger sprayer  400  is not being actuated. 
     A valve body  410  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 37 and 39 . As illustrated, the valve body  410  may include an alternative configuration for accepting an alternative inlet valve  430 . A valve body  410  may include a pump chamber inlet  423  and a pump chamber outlet  425  similar to other embodiments of the invention. A valve seat  470  may also be included on one end of the pump chamber outlet  425 . The valve body  410  may be configured to retain one or more of the inlet valves  430  illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 50 . 
     An inlet valve  430  according to some embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 43 . As illustrated, an inlet valve  430  may include an inlet valve member  433  configured to sit in, or seat against, a pump chamber inlet  423  and act as a valve into the pump chamber. An inlet valve  430  may also include a valve arm  435  supporting the inlet valve member  433 . The valve arm  435  may be flexible such that the inlet valve member  433  may move in response to operation of a trigger sprayer  400 . The valve arm  435  may also include one or more valve arm openings  434 . The one or more valve arm openings  434  may allow the valve arm to flex or may be sized and shaped to alter the amount of force required to flex the valve arm  435  to move the inlet valve member  433 . An inlet valve  430  may also include one or more posts  436  which may secure within one or more openings of a valve body  410  to secure the inlet valve  430  within a pump chamber. 
     An inlet valve  430  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 43, 45 and 46 . As illustrated in  FIG. 43 , an inlet valve  430  may include a circular support structure, three valve arms  435  and an inlet valve member  433  connected to the three valve arms  435 . Each of the three valve arms  435  may flex and may allow movement of the inlet valve member  433 . The inlet valve member  433  may also include a valve seal  437  which may seal against a portion of a pump chamber inlet  423  to form a seal therewith. 
     Alternative views of the inlet valve  430  illustrated in  FIG. 43  are illustrated in  FIGS. 45 and 46 . 
     An inlet valve  430  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 44, 47 and 48 . As illustrated in  FIG. 44 , an inlet valve  430  may include a circular support structure, two valve arms  435  and an inlet valve member  433  connected to the two valve arms  435 . Each of the two valve arms  435  may flex and may allow movement of the inlet valve member  433 . The inlet valve member  433  may also include a valve seal  437  which may seal against a portion of a pump chamber inlet  423  to form a seal therewith. 
     Alternative views of the inlet valve  430  illustrated in  FIG. 44  are illustrated in  FIGS. 47 and 48 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a circular support structure of an inlet valve  430  may snap into, connect to, fit into, or otherwise be connected to a valve body  410  such that an inlet valve member  433  may sit or seal with a pump chamber inlet  423  to prevent the flow of fluid through the pump chamber inlet  423  during actuation of a trigger sprayer  400  and to allow fluid flow through the pump chamber inlet  423  upon return of the piston  420  from an actuated to a non-actuated position within the pump chamber. 
     While various embodiments of an inlet valve  430  are illustrated with two and three valve arms  435 , it is understood that various embodiments of the invention may include more than two or three valve arms  435 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, an inlet valve  430  may be made of a flexible material. For example, an inlet valve  430  may be made of silicon, rubber, an olefin based polymer, a urethane based polymer, or other polymer materials. 
     While various materials are disclosed herein for use in forming discharge valves and plugs, it is understood that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the use of such materials and that any desirable material may be selected for use with the various embodiments of the invention. 
     With the pre-compression systems of the various embodiments of the invention, higher cracking pressures for the discharge valve  140 ,  240 ,  440  are desired to improve the pre-compression effects on a product being pumped. However, as the cracking pressure of a discharge valve  140 ,  240 ,  440  is increased, the ability of a trigger sprayer  100  to prime is reduced. In order to overcome such issues, the compression ratio during priming may need to be improved. In order to improve the compression ratio of the trigger sprayers  100  according to various embodiments of the invention, a piston  120  may be configured or shaped to improve the compression ration. In some embodiments, for example, a rear portion of the piston  120 , or the portion of the piston  120  in contact with a product within a pump chamber  113 , in each of  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10  is shaped or includes geometry which conforms to or approximates the shape and geometry of the valve body  110  and inlet valve  130  on the interior of the pump chamber  113 . By altering the geometry of the piston  120  portion within the valve chamber  113  to match, or closely resemble, the geometry of the valve body  110  and inlet valve  130  within the pump chamber  113 , the compression ratio of the trigger sprayer  100  may be improved or maximized. The improved compression ratio resulting from the conforming geometries of the piston  120  and geometries within the pump chamber  113  allows trigger sprayers  100  according to embodiments of the invention to prime even when the discharge valves  140 ,  240 ,  440  have higher cracking pressures. 
     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.