Patent Description:
In particular, the subject of the present invention is a trigger dispensing head applicable to a bottle, equipped with a dispensing nozzle that may be moved between an opening and a closing position, in which the trigger actuation stroke is allowed and prevented, respectively.

In the field of trigger dispensing devices, there is a particular need to prevent unintentional trigger actuation, for example during transport, such as, for example, illustrated in the International Application <CIT> in the name of the Applicant.

In addition, the industry is driven by a constant reduction in the number of components and their size, designing parts that are multifunctional, simple to produce, cost-effective, and intuitive to use. Further examples of dispensing devices are described in documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to meet the needs of the industry and to overcome the drawbacks of the solutions of the prior art. Such object is achieved by a dispensing head according to claim <NUM> and the dispensing device according to claim <NUM>. Dependent claims identify additional advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the dispensing head according to the present invention will be apparent from the description below-mentioned, given by way of exemplary and non-limiting title in accordance with the figures in the appended tables, wherein:.

With reference to the figures in the attached drawings, a trigger dispensing device according to the present invention is collectively referred to as <NUM>. The dispensing device <NUM> comprising a bottle <NUM> and a dispensing head <NUM>, removably or irremovably applicable to a neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>, for example, via a threaded connection or bayonet connection. Preferably, the neck <NUM> consists of an annular neck wall <NUM> extending along a central neck axis X to connect with the dispensing head <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the dispensing head <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> for supporting the components, preferably made in one single piece, for example of plastics material, by injection molding.

The frame <NUM> supports a first annular wall <NUM> extending along a piston axis Y, incident to the neck axis X, for example orthogonally; the first wall <NUM> delimits a piston chamber <NUM>, in which a piston <NUM> is sealingly slidable. Preferably, the frame <NUM> comprises the first wall <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> further supports a second annular wall <NUM> extending along a dispensing axis Z, preferably parallel to the piston axis Y; the second wall <NUM> delimits a dispensing duct <NUM>, suitable to be placed in communication with the piston chamber <NUM> and ending with a dispensing end <NUM>. Preferably, the frame <NUM> comprises the second wall <NUM>.

The piston chamber <NUM> is in communication with a main duct <NUM> for the inlet of the product suctioned into the piston chamber <NUM> and for the outlet of the product to be dispensed from the piston chamber <NUM> towards the dispensing duct <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> also supports an annular main wall <NUM>, protruding from the second wall <NUM>, preferably parallel to the neck axis X, which has a main inner side surface provided with a plurality of recesses forming passages for the product being dispensed.

Preferably, the frame <NUM> comprises the main wall <NUM>.

The head <NUM> further comprises suction valve means configured to operate between a closing position, assumed in the dispensing configuration of the head <NUM>, in which the suction and the passage of the product towards the compartment of the bottle <NUM> are prevented, and an opening position of the head <NUM>, assumed in the suction configuration, in which the suction is allowed.

The head <NUM> comprises pre-compression valve means configured to operate between the main duct <NUM> and the dispensing duct <NUM> and suitable, in a dispensing step, to pass the product from the piston chamber <NUM> towards the dispensing duct <NUM> only when the pressure of the product in the piston chamber <NUM> exceeds a predefined threshold value. In addition, in a suction step, the pre-compression valve means are suitable to prevent the passage of air from the dispensing duct <NUM> to the piston chamber <NUM>.

Said pre-compression valve means comprise a valve assembly <NUM> comprising a tang <NUM>, an elastically deformable membrane <NUM>, and an engagement portion <NUM>. Preferably, the valve assembly <NUM> is made in one single piece of plastics material, for example by injection molding.

The tang <NUM> has a tang portion slidable on the main wall <NUM>. In a resting configuration, the tang <NUM> is in contact with a sealing band of the main wall <NUM>. During an initial sub-step of the dispensing step, wherein, by actuating the trigger, the pressure of the product in the piston chamber <NUM> increases, the tang <NUM> slides, while maintaining contact with the sealing band, and the product does not pass towards the dispensing duct <NUM>. During a second sub-step of the dispensing step, at the beginning of which the product pressure is greater than or equal to a predefined threshold pressure, the tang <NUM> slides along the main inner side surface of the main wall <NUM> past the sealing band, so as to allow the product to pass outside the tang, towards the dispensing duct <NUM>.

Moreover, the tang <NUM> is penetrated by a suction duct <NUM> suitable to place the main duct <NUM> in communication with the compartment of the bottle <NUM>. Along the suction duct <NUM>, said suction valve means comprise a ball <NUM>, movable in the suction duct <NUM>, which occludes the suction duct <NUM> in the closing position and at least partially frees the dispensing duct <NUM> in the opening position.

Additional structural and functional details of the pre-compression and suction valve means are illustrated in the International Application <CIT>, in the name of the Applicant, the teaching of which is incorporated herein.

The dispensing head <NUM> comprises a manually operable trigger <NUM> operatively connected to the piston <NUM> to move it between a rest position and a limit stop position.

Preferably, the trigger <NUM> comprises a lever <NUM> having a front surface <NUM> suitable to support a user's fingers to actuate the dispensing head, and a back surface <NUM> opposite to the front surface <NUM>, for instance facing the piston <NUM>.

The trigger <NUM> comprises a trigger engagement portion <NUM> to connect with the piston <NUM>. For example, the trigger engagement portion <NUM> is hinged to a piston engagement portion <NUM> of the piston <NUM>, forming a shape or interlocking coupling.

The trigger <NUM> also comprises frame connection members <NUM>, for example a pair of hooks <NUM> engageable in rotation to the frame <NUM>, which enable the movement of the trigger <NUM>, and in particular of the lever <NUM>.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises a nozzle <NUM>, applied to an annular end section 20b of the second wall <NUM>, which defines the dispensing end <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>. The nozzle has a nozzle axis K, preferably parallel to the dispensing axis Z.

The nozzle <NUM>, preferably made in one single piece, for example of plastics material, comprises a base <NUM>, orthogonal to the nozzle axis K, from which an annular gripping wall <NUM> extends, coaxial to the nozzle axis K. The gripping wall <NUM> is shaped to be maneuvered, preferably rotated, about the nozzle axis K, for example manually by a user, between an opening position and a closing position of the nozzle <NUM>, which is discussed below.

Preferably, the nozzle <NUM> comprises an annular connection wall <NUM>, placed radially internally to the gripping wall <NUM>, projecting axially from the base <NUM>, suitable to form a snap-connection on an external surface of the end section 20b.

In addition, the nozzle <NUM> comprises an annular sealing lip <NUM>, placed radially internally to the connection wall <NUM>, protruding axially from the base <NUM>, suitable to form a seal with an inner surface of the end section 20b.

According to the invention, the nozzle <NUM> is applied to the end section 20b in a movable manner, for instance rotatable with respect to the nozzle axis K, between an opening position, in which the trigger actuation stroke <NUM> is allowed, and a closing position, in which trigger actuation stroke <NUM> is prevented.

Preferably, moreover, in the closing position dispensing of the product is also prevented. In particular, the nozzle <NUM> comprises an annular conveying wall <NUM>, positioned radially internally to the sealing lip <NUM>, protruding axially from the base <NUM>, which delimits a nozzle chamber <NUM> in communication with the dispensing duct <NUM> in the opening position of the nozzle <NUM>.

The base <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> has a nozzle passage <NUM> through the thickness thereof, coaxial to the nozzle axis K, which places the nozzle chamber <NUM> in communication with the exterior, emerging, via an outer port 70a, towards an outer face 58a of the base <NUM>.

Preferably, however, in the closing position of the nozzle <NUM>, the nozzle chamber <NUM> is fluidly separated from the dispensing duct <NUM>, preventing the product from dispensing.

Preferably, the nozzle <NUM> comprises at least one connection window <NUM> open on an outer face 58a of the base <NUM>, being engageable, for example, by snapping, to a foamer of the dispensing head <NUM>.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises a locking member <NUM> positioned on the trigger <NUM>.

Preferably, the locking member <NUM> has a hook shape made in one piece with the trigger <NUM>, protruding therefrom, for instance protruding from the front surface <NUM> of the lever <NUM>.

Preferably, the locking member <NUM> is positioned along the lever <NUM> between the piston axis Y and the nozzle axis K.

In one embodiment, the gripping wall <NUM> annularly defines a nozzle housing <NUM>, within which the locking member <NUM> houses the nozzle <NUM> in the closing position.

In addition, in the opening position of the nozzle <NUM> and with the trigger <NUM> stopped, i.e., when the trigger <NUM> is not actuated and does not bias the piston <NUM> from its rest position, the locking member <NUM> is preferably arranged in the nozzle housing <NUM>.

Preferably, an annular inner surface <NUM> of the gripping wall <NUM> annularly delimits said nozzle housing <NUM>, and the locking member <NUM> slides in contact with said inner surface <NUM> during the positioning of the nozzle <NUM> from the opening position to the closing position and vice versa.

According to the invention, the nozzle <NUM> also comprises an actuation compartment <NUM> positioned on the gripping wall <NUM> and suitable to accommodate the locking member <NUM> in the opening position of the nozzle <NUM>.

Preferably the actuation compartment <NUM> is a recess in the gripping wall <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the actuation compartment <NUM> passes radially through the thickness in the gripping wall <NUM>, being delimited perimetrically by an actuation compartment edge <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>, i.e., open on the inner surface <NUM>.

Specifically, the locking member <NUM> is freely movable in said actuation compartment <NUM> in the opening position of the nozzle <NUM>, allowing the actuation stroke of the trigger <NUM>.

Preferably, the actuation compartment <NUM> is axially open at a free end <NUM> of the gripping wall <NUM>, i.e., it is accessible from said free end <NUM> along the nozzle axis K.

Preferably, the locking member <NUM> is movable along an imaginary plane passing through the nozzle axis K, for example by making a rotation during the actuation stroke of the trigger <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, during the actuation stroke of the trigger <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> passes through the actuation compartment <NUM> in a radial direction relative to the nozzle axis <NUM>.

Preferably, during the actuation stroke of the trigger <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> passes through the actuation compartment <NUM> in the axial direction.

In other words, in the opening position of the nozzle <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> is free to pass radially and/or axially through the actuation compartment <NUM>, following the movement made by the trigger <NUM>, for example, the lever <NUM>, during its actuation stroke.

According to the invention, the nozzle <NUM> further comprises an interference element <NUM> positioned on the gripping wall <NUM>, for example on its inner surface <NUM>, and the locking member <NUM> engages the interference element <NUM> in the closing position of the nozzle <NUM> in such a way as to prevent the actuation stroke of the trigger <NUM>.

Preferably, the locking member <NUM> is provided with an end tooth <NUM>, suitable for snap-engaging the interference element <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> comprises a locking compartment <NUM>, located on the gripping wall <NUM> and suitable to at least partially accommodate the locking member <NUM> in the closing position of the nozzle <NUM>.

Preferably, the locking compartment <NUM> is a recess in the gripping wall <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the locking compartment <NUM> radially passes through the thickness of the gripping wall <NUM>, being delimited perimetrically by a locking compartment edge <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>, and being open on the inner surface <NUM>.

Preferably, the locking compartment edge <NUM> accommodates at least partially the interference element <NUM> in the radial direction.

In a preferred embodiment, a resistant portion <NUM> of said locking compartment edge <NUM>, for example, a sharp edge thereof positioned on the inner surface <NUM>, forms the interference element <NUM> that is engaged by the locking member <NUM> in the closing position of the nozzle <NUM>.

Preferably, moreover, the nozzle comprises an auxiliary groove, made in the gripping wall and open on the inner surface between the actuation compartment and the locking compartment. Preferably, the locking member <NUM> is movable in said auxiliary groove, preferably is guided, during the positioning of the nozzle from the opening position to the closing position and vice versa.

In one embodiment, the locking member <NUM> has a T-shaped section along a section plane transverse to the gripping wall <NUM>, i.e., transverse to the nozzle axis K.

The nozzle <NUM> comprises at least one backing wall <NUM>, <NUM> radially protruding internally from the gripping wall <NUM>, configured to form a limit stop for the locking member <NUM> upon reaching the closing position and/or the opening position.

In one embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> comprises a first backing wall <NUM> protruding radially internally from the gripping wall <NUM>, i.e., from the inner surface <NUM>, which forms a limit stop for the locking member <NUM> upon reaching the opening position.

Preferably, the first backing wall <NUM> is positioned at a portion of the actuation window edge <NUM>, for example on one side thereof, oriented along the nozzle axis K.

In one embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> is provided with a second backing wall <NUM> radially protruding internally from the gripping wall <NUM>, i.e., from the inner surface <NUM>, configured to form a limit stop for the locking member <NUM> when the closing position is reached.

Preferably, said second backing wall <NUM> is positioned at a portion of the locking compartment edge <NUM>, such as on one side thereof, oriented along the nozzle axis K.

In other words, the first backing wall <NUM> and the second backing wall <NUM> prevent the nozzle <NUM> from rotating further in a certain direction, for example, clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, suggesting to the user the effective positioning of the locking member <NUM>.

Innovatively, the dispensing head described above, provided with the nozzle and the locking member, meets the needs of the industry, as it forms a locking system that prevents the actuation stroke of the trigger in a simple and intuitive way, comprising a limited number of integrated and multifunctional components.

Claim 1:
A trigger dispensing head (<NUM>) for a dispensing device (<NUM>), comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>) applicable to a bottle (<NUM>) of the dispensing device (<NUM>);
- a manually-operable trigger (<NUM>);
- a piston chamber (<NUM>) supported by the frame (<NUM>) and a piston (<NUM>) sealingly slidable in the piston chamber (<NUM>) along a piston axis (Y) through actuation by the trigger (<NUM>);
- a dispensing duct (<NUM>), ending with a dispensing end (<NUM>), in communication with the piston chamber (<NUM>) to take the product being dispensed from the piston chamber (<NUM>) towards the external environment;
- a suction duct (<NUM>) in communication with the piston chamber (<NUM>) to take the product being suctioned from the bottle (<NUM>) to the piston chamber (<NUM>);
- suction valve means adapted to operate between the piston chamber (<NUM>) and the suction duct (<NUM>) to allow the passage of the product being suctioned from the bottle (<NUM>) to the piston chamber (<NUM>) during the suction step and to prevent the product from returning from the piston chamber (<NUM>) to the bottle (<NUM>) during the dispensing step;
- a locking member (<NUM>) positioned on the trigger (<NUM>);
- a nozzle (<NUM>) engaged to the frame (<NUM>) having a nozzle axis (K), comprising:
i) a base (<NUM>) positioned at the dispensing end (<NUM>), provided with a nozzle passageway (<NUM>) and an outer port (70a);
ii) an annular gripping wall (<NUM>) extending from the base (<NUM>);
iii) an actuation compartment (<NUM>) located on the gripping wall (<NUM>), suitable for receiving the locking member (<NUM>);
iv) an interference element (<NUM>) positioned on the gripping wall (<NUM>);
wherein the nozzle (<NUM>) is positionable in a closing position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) engages the interference element (<NUM>) preventing the actuation stroke of the trigger (<NUM>), and in an opening position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) is freely movable in the actuation compartment (<NUM>) allowing the actuation stroke of the trigger (<NUM>);
wherein the nozzle (<NUM>) comprises at least one backing wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) radially protruding internally from the gripping wall (<NUM>), configured to form a limit stop for the locking member (<NUM>) upon reaching the closing position and/or the opening position.