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Patent 2207200 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2207200
(54) English Title: DUAL COMPONENT TRIGGER SPRAYER WHICH MIXES COMPONENTS IN DISCHARGE PASSAGE
(54) French Title: PULVERISATEUR A DETENTE POUR DEUX PRODUITS, QUI MELANGE LES PRODUITS DANS UN PASSAGE DE DECHARGE
Status: Deemed expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B67D 7/70 (2010.01)
  • B05B 7/04 (2006.01)
  • B05B 9/043 (2006.01)
  • B05B 11/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • FOSTER, DONALD D. (United States of America)
  • LAFFEY, MARTIN S. (United States of America)
  • ZURCHER, JOHN A. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • CONTINENTAL AFA DISPENSING COMPANY (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • CONTICO INTERNATIONAL, INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: OSLER, HOSKIN & HARCOURT LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2006-10-31
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1995-12-05
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 1996-06-13
Examination requested: 2002-12-02
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1995/015734
(87) International Publication Number: WO1996/017800
(85) National Entry: 1997-06-05

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
08/349,741 United States of America 1994-12-05

Abstracts

English Abstract



The present invention pertains to a trigger sprayer (10)
which is connectable to two container volumes (16, 18)
containing separate liquids. The sprayer (10) has a trigger (76) that is
manipulated to draw the separate liquids into two separate pump
chambers (56, 58) and then supply the two separate liquids from
the pump chambers (56, 58) to a discharge passage (24) of the
sprayer (10). In the discharge passage (24) the separate liquids
are mixed together prior to their being dispensed from the
discharge passage (24) as a spray.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un pulvérisateur (10) à détente qui peut être relié à deux volumes de réservoirs (16, 18) contenant des liquides distincts. Le pulvérisateur (10) comprend une détente (76) que l'on actionne pour faire passer les liquides séparés dans deux compartiments de pompage (56, 58) et envoyer ensuite ces deux liquides des compartiments de pompage (56, 58) à un passage de décharge (24) du pulvérisateur (10). Dans le passage de décharge (24), les liquides séparés sont mélangés avant d'être distribués par le passage de décharge (24) sous forme de jet pulvérisé.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



-17-


What is claimed is:

1. A trigger sprayer which draws at least two separate
liquids from two separate container volumes and mixes the
liquids prior to their being dispensed by the sprayer, the
sprayer comprising:
a sprayer housing, the housing having a cap for
attaching the housing to two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids;
a fluid discharge passage in the housing, the
discharge passage having a length with opposite ends with a
nozzle orifice for dispensing liquid from the discharge
passage at one end and an inlet opening for receiving liquid
into the discharge passage at the opposite end;
a pair of separate side-by-side pump chambers in the
housing;
a pair of separate liquid passages in the housing,
each passage of the pair extending between one of the pair of
pump chambers and the discharge passage inlet, and between one
of the pair of pump chambers and one of the two separate
container volumes containing two separate liquids when the
sprayer housing is attached to the two separate container
volumes;
a pair of side-by-side pump pistons respectively
reciprocable in the pair of pump chambers; and
a single trigger pivotally connected to the sprayer
housing for pivoting movement of the trigger relative to the
housing, the trigger being operatively connected to the pistons
to cause reciprocating movement of the pistons in the pump
chambers in response to pivoting movement of the trigger
relative to the sprayer housing.


-18-


2. The trigger sprayer of claim 1, wherein:
the housing cap attaches the sprayer housing to a
single container having two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids.
3. The trigger sprayer of claim 1, wherein:
means are provided on the sprayer housing for
venting the two separate container volumes to an exterior
environment of the sprayer housing.
4. The trigger sprayer of claim 1 further comprising:
a pair of separate vent chambers in the sprayer
housing, each vent chamber communicating with one of the two
separate container volumes;
a pair of vent pistons positioned in the vent
chambers, each vent piston being reciprocably moveable between
a first position blocking venting of the container volume
through the vent chamber and a second position opening venting
of the container volume through the vent chamber, the trigger
being operatively connected to the vent pistons in a manner to
cause reciprocating movement of the vent pistons between their
first and second positions in response to pivoting movement of
the trigger on the housing.
5. The trigger sprayer of claim 1, wherein:
a pair of check valves are contained in the sprayer
housing, each check valve of the pair is positioned in one of
the pair of liquid passages.
6. The trigger sprayer of claim 1, wherein:
each liquid passage of the pair of separate liquid
passages has an exit opening that opens into the inlet opening
of the discharge passage.


-19-


7. The trigger sprayer of claim 6, wherein:
a one-way valve is contained in the discharge
passage at the inlet opening, the one-way valve seats over the
pair of exit openings of the pair of liquid passages and
permits liquid flow from the pair of exit openings into the
inlet opening while preventing liquid flow from the inlet
opening into the pair of exit openings.
8. The trigger sprayer of claim 1 further comprising a
push rod assembly operatively connecting the trigger to the
pump pistons in a manner to cause the pump pistons to move in
the pump chambers upon pivotal movement of the trigger
relative to the sprayer housing.
9. Trigger sprayer of claim 8, wherein:
a pair of separate projecting rods connect the push
rod assembly to the pair of pistons.
10. The trigger sprayer of claim 1, wherein:
a push rod assembly is connected to the pair of
pistons; and,
the trigger is operatively connected to the pair of
pistons by the push rod assembly to cause reciprocating
movement of the pair of pistons in the pair of pump chambers
in response to pivoting movement of the trigger on the sprayer
housing.
11. The trigger sprayer of claim 10, wherein:
the push rod assembly includes projecting rods that
connect the push rod assembly to the pair of pistons.
12. A trigger sprayer which draws at least two separate
liquids from two separate container volumes and mixes the
liquids prior to their being dispensed by the sprayer, the
sprayer comprising:


-20-


a sprayer housing, the housing having a cap for
attaching the housing to two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids;
a fluid discharge passage in the housing, the
discharge passage having a length with opposite ends with a
nozzle orifice for dispensing liquid from the discharge
passage at one end and an inlet opening for receiving liquid
into the discharge passage at the opposite end, the inlet
opening being positioned adjacent an end wall of the discharge
passage that is stationary within the sprayer housing;
a pair of separate liquid passages in the housing,
each passage of the pair extending between the discharge
passage inlet opening and one of the two separate container
volumes containing two separate liquids when the sprayer
housing is attached to the two separate container volumes;
a pair of exit openings in the discharge passage end
wall opening into the discharge passage at the inlet opening
of the discharge passage, each liquid passage of the pair of
separate liquid passages communicating with the discharge
passage through one of the pair of exit openings in the
discharge passage end wall;
a pair of separate side-by-side pumps in the sprayer
housing, each pump of the pair of pumps communicating with one
of the pair of liquid passages; and
a trigger pivotally connected to the sprayer housing
for pivoting movement of the trigger relative to the housing,
the trigger being operatively connected to portions of the
pumps to operate the pumps upon pivoting movement of the
trigger relative to the sprayer housing.


-21-


13. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
the housing cap attaches the sprayer housing to a
single container having two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids.
14. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
a one-way valve is contained in the discharge
passage and controls liquid flow through the pair of exit
openings in the discharge passage end wall, the one-way valve
is positioned in the discharge passage to permit liquid flow
through the pair of exit openings and into the inlet opening
of the discharge passage while preventing liquid flow from the
inlet opening of the discharge passage into the pair of exit
openings.
15. The trigger sprayer of claim 14, wherein:
a fluid spinner is contained in the discharge
passage and the one-way valve is connected to the fluid
spinner.
16. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
each pump of the pair of pumps communicates with the
discharge passage through one of the liquid passages and
through one of the exit openings in the discharge passage end
wall.
17. The trigger sprayer of claim 16, wherein:
each pump of the pair of pumps includes a pump
chamber having a piston mounted therein for reciprocating
movement of the piston in the pump chamber.
18. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
the sprayer housing contains means for venting the
two separate container volumes to an exterior environment of
the container volumes.


-22-


19. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
each pump of the pair of pumps includes a pump
chamber with a pump piston mounted in the pump chamber for
reciprocating movement of the pump piston therein, and each
pump piston of the pair of separate pumps is operatively
connected to the trigger for causing reciprocating movement of
the pair of pistons in response to pivoting movement of the
trigger.
20. The trigger sprayer of claim 19, wherein:
a pair of separate vent chambers are contained in
the sprayer housing, each vent chamber communicates with one
of the two separate container volumes containing two separate
liquids when the sprayer housing is attached to the two
separate container volumes, and a pair of vent pistons are
mounted in the pair of vent chambers for reciprocating
movements therein, the pair of vent pistons are operatively
connected to the trigger for causing reciprocating movement of
the vent pistons in the vent chambers in response to pivoting
movement of the trigger.
21. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
a pair of separate check valves are contained in the
sprayer housing, each check valve of the pair is positioned in
one of the pair of liquid passages.
22. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
the pair of pistons are connected by a push rod
assembly; and,
the trigger is operatively connected to the pair of
pistons by the push rod assembly in a manner for causing the
pair of pistons to reciprocate in the pair of pumps in response
to pivoting movement of the trigger on the sprayer housing.


-23-


23. The trigger sprayer of claim 22, wherein:
a pair of separate projecting rods connect the push
rod assembly to the pair of pistons.
24. The trigger sprayer of claim 12, wherein:
a push rod assembly is connected to the pair of
pistons; and,
the trigger is operatively connected to the pair of
pistons by the push rod assembly in a manner to cause
reciprocating movement of the pair of pistons in the pair of
pumps in response to pivoting movement of the trigger on the
sprayer housing.
25. The trigger sprayer of claim 24, wherein:
the push rod assembly includes projecting rods that
connect the push rod assembly to the pair of pistons.
26. A trigger sprayer which draws at least two separate
liquids from two separate container volumes and mixes the
liquids prior to their being dispensed by the sprayer, the
sprayer comprising:
a sprayer housing, the housing having a cap for
attaching the housing to two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids;
a fluid discharge passage in the housing, the
discharge passage having a length with opposite ends with a
nozzle orifice for dispensing liquid from the discharge
passage at one end and an inlet opening for receiving liquid
into the discharge passage at the opposite end of its length;
a pair of separate liquid passages in the housing,
each passage of the pair extending between the discharge
passage inlet opening and one of the two separate container
volumes containing two separate liquids when the sprayer
housing is attached to the two separate container volumes;


-24-


a pair of separate pump chambers in the sprayer
housing, each pump chamber communicating with one of the pair
of liquid passages, and each pump chamber having a pump piston
for reciprocating movement therein;
a trigger mounted on the sprayer housing for
pivoting movement of the trigger relative to the housing, the
trigger being operatively connected to the pump pistons for
causing reciprocating movement of each of the pump pistons in
their respective pump chambers in response to pivoting
movement of the trigger; and,
a pair of separate vent chambers in the housing,
each vent chamber of the pair communicating with one of the
two separate container volumes containing two separate liquids
when the sprayer housing is attached to the two separate
container volumes; and
each vent chamber having a vent piston mounted in
the vent chamber for reciprocating movement therein between a
first position of the vent piston in the vent chamber blocking
venting of the container volume through the vent chamber to an
exterior environment of the container volume, and a second
position of the vent piston in the vent chamber opening
venting of the container volume through the vent chamber to
the exterior environment, the vent pistons being operatively
connected to the trigger for causing reciprocating movement of
the vent pistons in the vent chambers in response to pivoting
movement of the trigger on the housing.
27. The trigger sprayer of claim 26, wherein:
the housing cap attaches the sprayer housing to a
single container having two separate container volumes
containing two separate liquids.


-25-


28. The trigger sprayer of claim 26, wherein:
a pair of check valves are contained in the sprayer
housing, each check valve of the pair is positioned in one of
the pair of liquid passages.
29. The trigger sprayer of claim 26, wherein:
each liquid passage of the pair of separate liquid
passages has an exit opening that opens into the inlet opening
of the discharge passage.
30. The trigger sprayer of claim 29, wherein:
a one-way valve is contained in the discharge
passage at the inlet opening, the one-way valve seats over the
pair of exit openings of the pair of liquid passages and
permits liquid flow from the pair of exit openings into the
inlet opening while preventing liquid flow from the inlet
opening into the pair of exit openings.
31. The trigger sprayer of claim 26, wherein:
the pump pistons and the vent pistons are connected
by a push rod assembly and the push rod assembly operatively
connects the pump pistons and the vent pistons to the trigger.
32. The trigger sprayer of claim 31, wherein:
the push rod assembly includes a pair of projecting
rods that connect the push rod assembly to the pump pistons.
33. A trigger operated fluid dispenser for
simultaneously dispensing first and second liquids separately
stored in respective first and second fluid compartments, the
dispenser comprising:
a dispenser housing having a pair of side-by-side
pump cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid
compartments, and a pair of separate discharge passageways for
passage of the liquids from the pump cylinders to a common
location;


-26-


a closure for mounting said dispenser housing to at
least one fluid container;
a nozzle connected to the dispenser housing, the
nozzle including a discharge orifice;
a fluid spinner assembly generally at said common
location and contained by the nozzle, the discharge passageways
opening into said common location;
a pair of side-by-side pump pistons reciprocable in
the pump cylinders, the pump pistons and pump cylinders
defining variable volume pump chambers, the pump pistons and
dispenser housing being configured so that reciprocation of
the pump pistons within the pump cylinders draws the liquids
from the fluid compartments into the pump chambers, forces the
drawn liquids through the discharge passageways to the common
location where the first and second liquids are united before
exiting through the discharge orifice as a spray; and
a trigger pivotally connected to the dispenser
housing, the trigger being operatively connected to the pump
pistons in a manner for simultaneously effecting reciprocation
of the pump pistons upon operation of the trigger.
34. A trigger operated fluid dispenser as set forth in
claim 33 wherein the fluid spinner assembly comprises a fluid
spinner and a one-way-valve, the one-way-valve being
configured to seat over exit openings of the pair of discharge
passageways for permitting liquid flow from the pair of exit
openings to the common location while checking liquid flow
from the common location to the exit openings.
35. A trigger operated fluid dispenser as set forth in
claim 34 wherein the one-way-valve is configured to seat
against portions of the dispenser housing.


-27-


36. A trigger operated fluid dispenser as set forth in
claim 35 wherein the one-way-valve is a circular diaphragm
valve.
37. A trigger operated fluid dispenser as set forth in
claim 36 wherein the one-way-valve includes a projection
generally at its center engageable with a portion of the
dispenser housing.
38. A trigger operated fluid dispenser for
simultaneously dispensing first and second liquids separately
stored in respective first and second fluid compartments, the
dispenser comprising:
a dispenser housing having a pair of side-by-side
pump cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid
compartments, and a pair of separate discharge passageways for
passage of the liquids from the pump cylinders to a discharge
passage, the discharge passageways having exit openings which
open into the discharge passage, the dispenser housing
defining a valve seat adjacent the exit openings;
a nozzle connected to the dispenser housing, the
nozzle including a discharge orifice, the discharge passage
being defined at least in part by the nozzle;
a fluid spinner assembly within said discharge
passage, the fluid spinner assembly including a fluid spinner
and a one-way-valve, the one-way-valve being configured to
releasably seat against the valve seat and over the exit
openings of the discharge passageways for permitting liquid
flow from the exit openings to the discharge passage while
checking liquid flow from the discharge passage to the exit
openings;
a pair of side-by-side pump pistons reciprocable in
the pump cylinders, the pump pistons and pump cylinders
defining variable volume pump chambers, the pump pistons and
dispenser housing being configured so that reciprocation of


-28-


the pump pistons within the pump cylinders draws the liquids
from the fluid compartments into the pump chambers, forces the
drawn liquids through the discharge passageways to the
discharge passage where the first and second liquids are
united before exiting through the discharge orifice as a
spray; and
a trigger pivotally connected to the dispenser
housing, the trigger being operatively connected to the pump
pistons in a manner for simultaneously effecting reciprocation
of the pump pistons upon operation of the trigger.
39. A trigger operated fluid dispenser as set forth in
claim 38 wherein the one-way-valve is a circular diaphragm
valve.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 fCT/IJS951i5734
1
DUAL COMPONENT TRIGGER SPRAYER
WHICH MIXIES COMPONENTS IN DISCHARGE PAS~>AGE
Backclround of the: Invention
(1) Field of the Invention
. The present invention pertains to a trigger
sprayer which is connectable to two container volumes
containing separate liquids. The sprayer has a trigger
that is manipulai:ed to draw the separate lictuids into two
separate pump ch~imbers and then supply the two separate
liquids from the pump chambers to a discharge passage of
the sprayer. In the discharge passage the two separate
liquids are mixed together prior to their being dispensed
from the discharge passage as a spray.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Trigger sprayers are those types of spr~iyers
having pivoting i:riggers that are manually manipulated to
dispense liquids from the sprayers. A typical trigger
sprayer is connecaed to a liquid container- for dispensing
the contents of i~he container as a spray, stream, or foam
in response to manual reciprocation of the trigger. This
type of trigger :sprayer has been employed in the past in
dispensing various different types of liquids from
containers to which the trigger sprayers have been
attached. Howeve=r, the conventional trigger sprayer has
drawbacks when ennployed with certain types of liquids.
Certain liquids dispensed from conventional
trigger sprayers are the product of two or more separate
component liquids that remain stable while separated but
have a limited shelf life when they are mixed together.
Trigger sprayers attached to containers containing
liquids of this type cannot remain in storage or on a
store shelf for a prolonged period of time before the
liquid product begins to lose its effectiveness. To
employ conventional trigger sprayers for dispensing
liquids of this i~ype and to ensure that the shelf life of
the liquid produces does not expire before the product is
sold, the separai~e liquid components of the final liquid


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/I1S95/15734
2
product must be mixed together to produce the final
liquid product dust prior to the liquid product being
packaged in the containers and shipped to the market
where they are offered for sale.
In addition, some liquid products are comprised of
one or more component liquids that do not readily mix
with each other, for example, water and oil. When liquid
products of this type are packaged in containers with
trigger sprayers, the separate liquid components that
make up the final product tend to separate from each
other while the product is stored in inventory or while
the product sits on a store shelf awaiting sale. In use
of a conventional sprayer containing a product of this
type, after the component liquids of the final product
had separated out, operation of the trigger sprayer would
result in dispensing only that liquid component that had
settled to the bottom of the container. In the oil and
water example, only the water component of the liquid
would be dispensed initially from the sprayer. Once all
of the water had been dispensed, then only oil would be
dispensed from the sprayer.
Various multiple-compartment trigger sprayers have
been dcasigned to overcome the problems associated with
the conventional trigger sprayer employed in dispensing
liquid products having limited shelf life and/or
components that tend to separate from each other over
time. These new designs include trigger sprayers that
are ati:ached to liquid containers that keep the component
parts of a liquid product separate from each other until
they are drawn from the containers by the trigger
sprayers. Trigger sprayers of this type include sprayers
that m~_x the separate component parts of a liquid product
for the first time in the pump chambers of the sprayers
prior i:o their being dispensed. However, even these
newer designs of trigger sprayers have drawbacks. Once
the trigger sprayer pump chamber is primed with the two


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 fCTIUS95/iS734
3
components of the final liquid product, as the trigger
sprayer sits between uses the shelf life of the liquid
product in the pump chamber could expire. Also, the
separate liquid components of the final product could
separate from each other in the sprayer pump chamber. As
a result, the next time the trigger sprayer is operated,
the liquid first: dispensed from the sprayer would be that
contained in the: pump chamber. This liquid could have an
expired shelf life or separated component liquids. In
either situation:, the quality of the liquid first
dispensed from t:he sprayer would be less than 'that
expected.
It is an object of the present invention to
overcome the disadvantages associated with prier art
trigger sprayers employed in dispensing liquids comprised
of at least two separate component liquids. Tlne trigger
sprayer of the present invention keeps the two component
liquids separate. from each other until they ar,~ mixed
together for the first time in the discharge p~3ssage of
the sprayer just prior to their being dispense~3 from the
sprayer. Thus, the problems of expired shelf :Life and/or
separation of component liquids in the container or
trigger sprayer are avoided.
Summary of the Invention
The trigger sprayer of the present invention is
designed to be attached to a container contain:Lng two
separate liquid components. The two liquid components
are mixed together into a final liquid product by the
sprayer just prior to their being dispensed fr«m the
sprayer. The sprayer of the invention may be connected
to two separate containers containing the two :separate
liquid components, or alternatively may be connected to a
single liquid container having a partition in :Lts
interior dividing the container into two separ~ite
container volumes containing the separate liqu~Ld
components.


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCTlUS95/15734
4
The trigger sprayer of the invention includes a
sprayer housing that is basically comprised of two
separate sections, a pump chamber section and a vent
chamber section. These two sections are molded separate
from each other for manufacturing economy, and then are
assembled together to form the housing of the trigger
sprayer.
Contained within the housing is a fluid discharge
passage:. A nozzle assembly having a liquid discharge
orifice is inserted into one end of the discharge passage
and an inlet opening is provided adjacent an end wall at
. the opposite end of the discharge passage. A fluid
spinner is contained in the discharge passage adjacent
the discharge orifice and a one-way valve is contained in
the discharge passage adjacent the inlet opening.
A pair of separate pump chambers are provided in
the pump chamber section of the housing. Each chamber
has a piston mounted for reciprocating movement therein.
Each of the pump pistons is connected to a single trigger
mounted. to the sprayer housing for pivoting movement of
the trigger relative to the housing. The pump pistons
are reciprocated in their respective pump chambers in
response to pivoting movement of the trigger.
A pair of separate vent chambers are provided in
the vent chamber section of the sprayer housing. Each
vent chamber of the pair communicates with one of the two
separate container volumes through a vent passageway that
extends between the vent chamber and its associated
container volume. A pair of vent pistons are contained
in the vent chambers for reciprocating movement of the
pistons therein. The reciprocating movement of the vent ,
pistons in the vent chambers opens and closes
communication between an exterior environment of the ,
sprayer housing and the two separate container volumes
through the pair of vent passageways and the pair of vent
chambers. Each of the vent pistons is operatively


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
Wo 96/17800 IPCT/LTS95/15734
connected to thE: trigger and reciprocates in its
associated vent chamber in response to pivoting movement
of the trigger on the sprayer housing.
A pair o:E' separate liquid passageways extends
5 through the sprayer housing. The pair of pass~3geways
communicate the pair of pump chambers with the inlet
opening of the fluid discharge passage through a pair of
exit openings a.n the end wall of the discharge passage.
The pair of liquid passageways also communicatEa the two
pump chambers with the two separate container volumes.
Each of the liquid passageways has a check valve therein.
The check valves of the two liquid passageways permit the
two separate liquids contained in the two sepamate
container volumes to be drawn through the passcsgeways to
the~pair of pump chambers in response to reciprocating
movement of the pump pistons within their respective
chambers. The clheck valves prevent the reverse: flow of
liquid from the pump chambers back through the
passageways to the two separate container volumes. The
two separate liquids drawn into the two separate pump
chambers are pumped from the two pump chambers through
the liquid passageways and the pair of exit openings into
the inlet opening of the discharge passage where the two
separate liquids are mixed together for the first time.
The flow of the i:wo liquids through the two exit openings
into the discharge passage inlet is controlled by the
one-way valve in the discharge passage. The one-way
valve permits the: flow of the two separate liquids =
through the exit openings to the inlet opening, but
prevents the reverse flow of liquid from the inlet
. opening through t;he pair of exit openings. The two
separate liquids mixed together in the discharg~a passage
form the final liquid product that is pumped through the
fluid spinner in the discharge passage and is dispensed
from the trigger sprayer through the nozzle ori:Eice.


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/US95/15734
6
Description of the Drawing FiQUres
Further objects and features of the present
invention are revealed in the following description of
the preferred embodiment of the invention and in the
drawing figures wherein:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view in section of a
trigger sprayer of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front elevation view in section of
the trigger sprayer of Figure 1 taken along the line 2-2
in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a rear elevation view in section of
the trigger spray of Figure 1 taken along the line 3-3 in
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevation view in section of
the pump chamber section of the sprayer housing; and
Figure 5 is a rear elevation view in section of
the pump chamber section of the sprayer housing taken
along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The trigger sprayer of the present invention is
designed to be attached to a container containing two
separate liquid components in separate interior volumes
of the container. The two liquid components kept
separate in the container are mixed together into the
final liquid product by the sprayer just prior to their
being dispensed from the sprayer. The sprayer of the
invention may be connected to two separate containers
containing the two separate liquid components in their
separate volumes, or alternatively may be connected to a
single: liquid container having a partition in its
interior dividing the container into two separate volumes .
containing the separate liquid components. The trigger
sprayer 10 of the invention is shown in Figure 1
connected to a single container 12 having an interior
partition 14 separating the container interior into
separaae container volumes 16, 18. The container shown


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
PCTII~L 9 5 / 15 ~ 3 ~+
IPEA/lIS 2 8 J UN 1996
in dashed lines in Figure 1 is employed for illustrative
purposes only and the trigger sprayer 10 of the F>resent
invention should not be interpreted as only being adapted
for use with this one particular type of contains:r.
The trigger sprayer 10 of the invention includes a
' sprayer housing that is basically comprised of two
separate housing sections, a pump chamber section 20 and
a vent chamber section 22. Both housing section:a are
constructed of plastic as is typical. The two housing
-sections are assembled to each other and the rem<3ining
component parts of the trigger sprayer are assembled into
these two housing sections as rill be explained.
- Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the pump housing
section 20 is shown disassembled from the vent chamber
section and the other component parts of the tri~~ger
sprayer. The pum~> chamber section 2O includes a fluid ,
discharge passage 24 that extends through the housing
between an outlet end 26 of the passage shown to the left
in Figure 4 and an inlet end 28 of the passage shown to
the right in Figure 4. The outlet end 26 of the passage
is dimensioned to receive the nozzle head 30 of the
sprayer shown in L~'igure 1. The discharge passage
terminates at the inlet end 28 at an end wall. 32 that
extends through the middle of the discharge passage and
around the periphery of the discharge passage. A valve
seat 34 is recessed into the middle of the end wall and
faces the inlet end 28 of the discharge passage. The end
wall 32 is formed stationary within the pump chamber
section 20 and defines a pair of semicircular eat
openings 36, 38 on opposite sides of the end wa7.l.
The exit openings 36, 38 are portions of two
liquid passages 40, 42 that extend through the pump
chamber section between the pair of exit openings 36, 38
to two separate sets of check valve abutments 4~6, 46.
The check valve abutments 44, 46 are positioned in two
further sections 48, 50 of the separate liquid passages.
ANtENDED SHEET

CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
95.f ~513~
tPEA/U~ ~; 8 ,~ UN 1996
8
The check valve abutments 44, 46 limit the movement of
ball valve element: within these two additional sections
48, 50 of the liquid passages as will be explained. The
two liquid passage sections 48, 50 extend downward from
the check valve abutments as shown in Figures 4 and 5 to
port openings 52, 54 in the passages that communi~~ate the
passages with pair:> of pump chambers 56, 58 also formed
in the pump chamber. section 20. Each of the pump
chambers 56, 58 ha~~ a cylindrical configuration
dimensioned to receive a pump piston, yet to be
described, for reciprocating movement therein.
It can be seen that the construction of the pump
chamber section 20 described thus far provides two
separate liquid pascsageways for flow of separate :Liquid
components from the: two pump chambers 56, 58 through the
port openings 52, 54 and the liquid passage ~Pctions 48,
50 bypassing the check valve abutments.44, 46 and flowing
through the liquid passage sections 40, 42 to the two
exit openings 36, 38. On passing through the two exit
openings 36, 38 in a discharge passage end wall 3:Z, the
two liquid components pumped from the two pump ch~3mbers
56, 58 are mixed together for the first time in the inlet
end 28 of the discharge passage 24.
The pump chamber section 20 is also provided with
a cylindrical section 60 below the two pump chambers 56,
58 that is dimensioned to receive the vent chamber
section 22 therein. The cylindrical section 60 o:E the
pump chamber section has an opening 62 in its forward
wall that provides access for a pair of vent pistons
3U extending into the vent chambers of the vent chamber
section yet to be described.
In Figure 1, the nozzle head 30 is shown assembled
into the outlet end. 26 of the discharge passage 2~~. The
nozzle head 30 has a tubular section 64 that is inserted
into the discharge passage outlet end 26 securing the
nozzle head to the pump chamber section 20 of the sprayer
~MfNt?ED SHEET


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 fCT/ITS95I15734
9
housing. The tubular section 64 terminates at its left
end as shown in Figure 1 in an orifice wall 66 having a
nozzle orifice 6E3 extending therethrough.
Partially contained within the tubular aection 64
of the nozzle head is a fluid spinner assembly 70. The
fluid assembly 70 has a fluid spinner at its left end
abutting against the orifice wall 66 and a one-way valve
72 at its right e:nd. The one-way valve 72 is formed as a
circular diaphrac_1m valve having a projection 74 at its
center that seat~> within the valve seat 34 formed in the
end. wall 32. The; perimeter of the one-way valve 72 seats
against the annu7_ar portion of the end wall 32. The
construction of t:he one-way valve 72 permits a flow of
fluid through the: two exit openings 36, 38 in the end
wall 32 into the inlet end 28 of a discharge passage 24,
but prevents the reverse flow of fluid from the discharge
passage inlet enct 28 into the two exit openings 36, 38.
Although a diaphragm type valve is shown-employed as tine
one-way valve 72, it should be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that other types of one-way 'valve
constructions may be employed in place of the diaphragm
valve.
A trigger 76 is mounted to the pump chamber
housing section 2.0 for pivoting movement of the trigger
relative to the trigger sprayer as is conventional. A
push rod assembly 78 is connected to the trigger 76 and
extends toward the pair of pump chambers 56, 58 from the
trigger. The push rod assembly includes a pair of
projecting rods that connect the assembly to a ;pair of
pistons 80, 82 (See Figure 3). The pair of pistons 80,
82 are mounted in the pair of pump chambers 56, 58 for
reciprocating movement of the pistons within th~a chambers
in response to pivoting movement of the trigger 76 on the
trigger sprayer. On manipulation of the trigger 76 to
the right as viewed in Figure 1, both pistons 80, 82 will
be caused to move to the right in their respective pump


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/LTS95/15734
chambers 56, 58 reducing the interior volumes of the
chambers and forcing any air in the chambers out through
the respective port openings 52, 54 when priming the
pump, and forcing the two separate liquids out of the
5 pump chambers 56, 58 through the respective port openings
52, 54 after the pump chambers have been primed with the
two separate liquids. The push rod assembly 78 also
comprises a pair of separate vent piston rods 84 (only
one of which is visible in the drawings) that extend to a
10 pair of vent pistons 86 (only one of which is visible in
the dre3wings). On manipulation of the trigger 76 on the
pump chamber housing section 20, the pair of vent pistons
86 are also caused to reciprocate within their respective
vent chambers yet to be described. Thus, the push rod
assembly 78 provides an operative connection between the
trigger 76 and the pair of pump pistons 82 and the pair
of vent pistons 86. On manipulation of the trigger 76,
the pa_Lr of pump pistons 82 and pair of vent pistons 86
are caused to reciprocate simultaneously in their
respective chambers due to the operative connection with
the trigger provided by the push rod assembly 78.
The vent chamber housing 22 has a cylindrical base
88 dima_nsioned to fit tight within the cylindrical
section 60 of the pump chamber housing section 20 as
shown :Ln Figure 1. The vent chamber section 22 also
includes a pair of vent chambers 90, 92 positioned side
by sidsa at the top of the cylindrical base 88. Each of
the vent chambers 90, 92 has a front opening that is
accessible through the front opening 62 of the pump
chambe~~ housing section 20. As seen in Figure 1, with
the vent chamber housing section 22 assembled into the ,
pump chamber section 20, the pair of vent pistons 86 and
their respective vent piston rods 84 extend through the ,
pump chamber housing section front opening 62 into the
front openings of the two vent chambers 90, 92,
positioning each of the vent pistons 86 in one of the two


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 IPCTILTS95/15734
11
vent chambers. The two vent chambers 90, 92 also


comprise their respective vent ports 94, 96 that


communicate the vent chambers with the separate interior


volumes to which. the trigger sprayer 10 is attached in


use. With the vent pistons 86 in their at rest positions


relative to the vent chambers 90, 92 shown in :E'igure 1,


venting communication from the two separate container


volumes and the exterior environment of the trigger


sprayer through the respective vent ports 94, !36 is


blocked by the vent pistons. When the trigger 76 is


manipulated to cause the vent pistons to move 'to the


right as shown in Figure 1 in their respective vent


chambers 90, 92, the vent pistons 86 pass over the


respective vent ports 94, 96 and thereby estaba.ish


venting communication from the two separate container


volumes through the vent ports 94, 96 and thei~_


associated vent chambers 90, 92 to the exteriom


environment of the trigger sprayer.


The vent chamber housing section 22 also comprises


a pair of separate liquid passage columns 98, ~L00 that


extend upwardly from the cylindrical base 88 oi_ the vent


chamber housing section. At the top of each l~.quid


passage column i.s formed a valve seat 102. A ball valve


104 rests on the valve seat 102 thereby provid~.ng a check


valve at the top of each liquid passage column. Movement


of the ball valme 104 off the valve seat 102 i;~ limited


by the check valve abutments 44, 46 formed at i:he top of


the pair of liquid passage sections 48, 50 in t;he pump


chamber housing ;section 20. It should be noted that a


portion of the e:Kterior circumference of each 7.iquid


passage column 98, 100 is slightly smaller than the


interior circumference of the liquid passage sections 48,


50 in the pump chamber housing section 20 into which the


liquid passage columns extend. This difference: in the


exterior dimensions of the liquid passage columns 98, 100


of the vent chamber section 22 and the inter_iox~




CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/US95/15734
12
dimensions of the liquid passage sections 48, 50 of the
pump chamber section 20 enable the two separate liquids
to flow past the pair of check valves in each of the
liquid passage sections 48, 50 and to the pair of post
openings 52, 54 of the respective pump chambers 56, 58 in '
the pump chamber housing section 20. As the two liquid
passage columns 98, 100 of the vent chamber section 22
extend downwardly from the valve seats 102 they increase
in diameter to an exterior diameter dimension that fits
snug within the interiors of the liquid passage sections
48, 50 of the pump chamber housing 20, thereby providing
a sealed connection between the exterior surfaces of the
vent chamber liquid passage columns 98, 100 and the
interior surfaces of the pump chamber liquid passage
sections 48, 50. At the bottom of each of the liquid
passage: columns 98, 100, is a connecting neck 106, 108.
The connecting necks 106, 108 are positioned side by side
within the cylindrical base 88 of the vent chamber
section and can best be seen in Figures 2 and 3.
Inserted. into the cylindrical base 88 of the vent
chamber housing section 22, is a dip tube adapter 114.
The dip tube adapter interconnects the trigger sprayer 10
with a container having two separate container volumes
containing two separate fluid components providing
communication between the two separate container volumes
and the two separate vent chambers 90, 92 and the two
separate liquid passage columns 98, 100.
The dip tube adapter 114 has a cylindrical side
wall 124 dimensioned to fit snug within the interior of
the vent chamber housing cylindrical base 88. An annular
flange 126 is provided at the bottom of the side wall.
The flange projects beneath the cylindrical base of the
vent criamber housing and over the top of the container
neck when the trigger sprayer is connected to the
container. Beneath the flange 126 is an annular gasket
128 that provides a seal between the annular flange 126


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/US95/15734
13
and the neck of a container when the trigger sprayer is
connected to ths: container. A circular top wall 130
covers over the top of the adapter cylindrical side wall
124. A partition wall 132 depends downward from the top
wall 130 and bi.~ects the interior of the adapter
surrounded by the side wall 124. As seen in Figure l,
the partition 1:,~2 extends to the bottom surface of the
adapter flange 1.26 and mates against the top of the
container partition 14 in sealed engagement. 'Together,
the gasket 128 and the sealed engagement between the
adapter partiticm 132 and the container partition 14 seal
the separate interior volumes 16, 18 of the container
from each other and prevent leakage of liquids between
these two separate volumes.
A pair of dip tube coupling sleeves 134, 136
depend downwardly from the adapter top wall 130. Each of
the dip tube sleeves are positioned on an oppo:~ite side
of the adapter partition 132. The interiors oi: the dip
tube sleeves 134, 136 are dimensioned to receive
respective dip tubes 138, 140 therein. As seem in Figure
l, each of the d.ip tubes 138, 140 received in t;he
respective dip tube sleeves 134, 136 depend downward into
the two respective separate interior volumes lE~, 18 of
the container 12. The dip tube sleeves 134,, 13.6 have
openings through the adapter tap wall 130 and communicate
with the respective liquid passage columns ~J8, 100
through respective intermediate fluid conducting conduits
142, 144. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, the clip tube 140
extends upwardly through the interior of the adapter 114
and into the dip tube sleeve 136. Liquid passing through
this dip tube 140 also passes through the dip tube sleeve
136 into the intermediate conduit 144 seen in Figure 3.
The intermediate conduit 144 projecting upwardly from the
top wall 130 of t:he adapter communicates with t:he
connecting neck 1.08 of the liquid passage colum~z 100 of
the pump chamber housing section 20. The liqui~3 passage

~
CA 02207200 1997-06-OS 9 5 / Z 5 ~ 3 ~
IPE~/U5~ ' 8 ,3 ~~ 1996
14
column 100 communicates with the pump chamber 58 through
the Check valve seat 102 and the chamber port opening 54.
As seen in figures 1 and 2, the other di~~ tube 138
extends upwardly through the interior of the adapter 114
and into the dip tube sleeve 134. Liquid passing through
this dip tube 138 also passes through the dip tube sleeve
134 into the intermediate conduit 142. The inte:rrnediate
conduit 142 communicating with the dip tube 138 has an
angled configuration best seen in Figure 1. The:
intermediate conduit 142 is-secured to the adapter top
wall 130 in a sealed engagement and channels liquid
received from the dip tube 138 through a section of the
conduit 142 that extends over the adapter top w<<11 130 to
another section of the conduit that projects from the top
wall into the connecting neck 106 of the liquid passage
column 98 of the pump chamber housing section 20. This,
intermediate conduit 142 provides liquid commun~.cation
from the dip tube 138, through the conduit, through the
liquid passage ce~lumn 98 to the pump chamber 56 through
the pump chamber port opening 52. The angled
configuration of the intermediate conduit 142 pE3rmits the
spaced positioning of the two dip tubes 138, 140 in which
they depend into the separate interior volumes of the
container 116.
125 Also projecting upwardly from the top wall 130 of
the adapter is a pair of vent port conduits 150, 152.
The vent port conduit 150 communicates through an opening
in the adapter top wall 130 with the separate interior
volume 16 of the container when the trigger sprayer is
connected to the container 12, and the vent port conduit
152 communicates through an opening in the adapter top
wall 130 with thsa separate interior volume lf~ of the
container when the trigger sprayer is connected to the
container. The vent port conduit 150 also communicates
with the vent port 94 of the vent chamber 90. The vent
port conduit 152 communicates through the vent port 96
AM~NDfD SHEET

CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 7PCT/US95/1573d
with the vent cheunber 92. With the arrangement:
described, as ths: vent pistons 86 are reciprocated in
their chambers 90, 92 past the respective vent part
openings 94, 96, communication between the exterior
' 5 environment and t:he container interior volume 16 is
established through the vent chamber 90, the vent port
opening 94 and the vent port conduit 150. Communication
between the exterior environment and the container
interior volume 7.8 is established through the vent
10 chamber 92, the vent port opening 96 and the vent port
conduit 152. In this manner, the sealed, separate
interior volumes of the container are both vented to the
exterior environment of the trigger sprayer.
In drawing liquid from the separate coni~ainer
15 volumes 16, 18, t:he trigger 76 is manipulate-:d causing the
two pump pistons 80, 82 to reciprocate within their
respective pump chambers 56, 58. The reciprocation of
the pistons in their chambers draws liquid up through the
two dip tubes 138, 140 and through their respective
intermediate conduits 142, 144 to their respective liquid
passage columns 98, 100. From the liquid passage columns
98, 100, the two separate liquids, continue their travel
bypassing the valve seats 102 at the top of each column
and being drawn into the pump chambers 56, 58 through
their respective port openings 52, 54. With the pump
chambers filled with the two separate liquids drawn from
the separate container volumes, continued reciprocation
of the pump pistons in their chambers causes the two
separate liquids to be forced out of the port openings
52, 54, through t;he liquid passage sections 48, 50
outside the liquid passage columns 98, 100 and to the
respective liquid: passage sections 40, 42 leading to the
discharge passage. 24. From the liquid passage sections
40, 42, the two separate liquids pass through t;he exit
openings 36, 38 in the end wall 32 of the discharge
passage and into the inlet end 28 of the discharge


CA 02207200 1997-06-OS
WO 96/17800 PCT/US95/15734
16
passage where the two separate liquids are mixed for the
first time. From the inlet end 28 of the discharge
passage, the now mixed two liquids continue through the
passage and are dispensed through the nozzle orifice 68
of the sprayer.
With the construction of the trigger sprayer
described above, two separate liquid components are kept
separate from each other in two separate container
volumes and are not mixed with each other until the two
separate liquids are drawn from the volumes by the
trigger sprayer through a pair of separate pump chambers
to the sprayer discharge passage 24 where the two
separate components are mixed together for the first
time.
While the present invention has been described by
reference to a specific embodiment, it should be
understood that modifications and variations of the
invention may be constructed without departing from the
scope of the invention defined in the following claims.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2006-10-31
(86) PCT Filing Date 1995-12-05
(87) PCT Publication Date 1996-06-13
(85) National Entry 1997-06-05
Examination Requested 2002-12-02
(45) Issued 2006-10-31
Deemed Expired 2015-12-07

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2003-12-05 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE 2004-11-30

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 1997-06-05
Application Fee $300.00 1997-06-05
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 1997-12-05 $100.00 1997-12-04
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 1998-12-07 $100.00 1998-11-30
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 1999-12-06 $100.00 1999-11-25
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2000-12-05 $150.00 2000-12-05
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2001-12-05 $150.00 2001-12-05
Request for Examination $400.00 2002-12-02
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2002-12-05 $150.00 2002-12-02
Reinstatement: Failure to Pay Application Maintenance Fees $200.00 2004-11-30
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 8 2003-12-05 $150.00 2004-11-30
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 9 2004-12-06 $200.00 2004-11-30
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 10 2005-12-05 $250.00 2005-11-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2006-06-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2006-06-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2006-06-29
Final Fee $300.00 2006-07-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2006-12-05 $250.00 2006-11-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2007-12-05 $250.00 2007-11-20
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2008-12-05 $250.00 2008-11-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2009-12-07 $250.00 2009-11-18
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2010-12-06 $450.00 2010-11-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2011-12-05 $450.00 2011-11-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 17 2012-12-05 $450.00 2012-11-19
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 18 2013-12-05 $450.00 2013-11-18
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CONTINENTAL AFA DISPENSING COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
CONTICO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONTINENTAL ACQUISITION CORP.
CONTINENTAL SPRAYERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FOSTER, DONALD D.
LAFFEY, MARTIN S.
ZURCHER, JOHN A.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 2006-10-03 1 28
Representative Drawing 1997-10-22 1 26
Cover Page 2006-10-03 2 64
Abstract 1997-06-05 1 67
Description 1997-06-05 16 811
Cover Page 1997-10-22 1 63
Claims 1997-06-05 11 519
Drawings 1997-06-05 4 180
Claims 2005-07-19 12 475
Assignment 1997-06-05 9 344
PCT 1997-06-05 18 797
Prosecution-Amendment 1997-06-05 1 23
Correspondence 2002-01-15 1 16
Fees 2002-12-02 1 41
Prosecution-Amendment 2002-12-02 1 35
Fees 2001-12-05 1 44
Fees 2000-12-05 1 45
Fees 2004-11-30 1 43
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-01-19 3 90
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-07-19 16 675
Correspondence 2006-07-13 2 57
Assignment 2006-07-13 7 197
Assignment 2006-06-29 6 170
Correspondence 2006-08-15 1 14