Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Back~roun(I_of the Invention
~ erosol (lispensers ~idely used in the packaging indu~try
pLesent two major problems: atmospheric pollution from the
propellant and d~sposal of the cannister without the risk of
explosion and the accompanying hazard to personal safety. The use
of hand actuated pump dispensers as a substitute for aerosol
dispensers obviates these problems but is not practical in many
circumstances because conventional pump dispensers are difficult
to ship and expensive to construct. Accordingly, it ls a pr~mary
10 ob~ect of the present invention to provide a novel fluid dispenser
which is inexpensively fabricsted and easily shipped.
Typically, fluid dispensers are attached to fluid con-
tainers prior to shipping. ~n order for fluid to be withdrawn
from the container, a venting passage from the atmosphere to the
interior of the container must be provided. However, unless the
dispenser or container is provided with means fo~ sealing the
venting passage, fluid often leaks from the container during
shipping. One known approach to this problem is a vent seal which
may be disabled by tightening a cap over the nozzle. By way of
20 example, this approach is illustrated in the Powers U.S. Patent
No. 3,780,951~ dated Decembes 25, 1973. Another known approach to
the problem is the provision o~ a releasable locking pin to
~aintain the piston in a position which blocks the vent. In this
approach, the pin must be manually released before the trigger can
be operated. This approàch is illustrated, e.g., in the
Hellenkamp U.S. Patent No. 3,840,157, dated October 8, 1974. These
conventional seals and locking structures may be difficult for
the consumer to operate, generally requiring the production of
explanatory literature, and often entail considerable additional
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pro~uc~ion expcnse duc to the necessity of produclng additional
parts and of per~ormlng add~tional manufacturing steps in the
fabrication of the structure. It is accordingly, an ob~ect of the
present invention to provide a novel fluid dispenser with an
easily and inexpensively ~abricated vent shipping seal which does
not require explanatory literature and ~hich may be released by
actuation of the dispenser trigger.
Because of the expense associated with the assembly, it
is desirable that the number of separately molded parts of a fluld
dispenser be minimized. It is, accordingly, an ob~ect of the
present invention to provide a novel pump dispenser with an integral
container conduit and vent shipping seal, an integral piston and
inlet check valve seat, andlor an integral piston seal and inlet
check valve member.
The operation of the trigger and its retention in the
dispenser housing is often a problem and it is yet another ob~ect
of the present invention to provide a novel pump dispenser in
which the length of the piston stroke is utilized to retain the
trigger operably connected to the housing. In the preferred
embodiment, this is accomplished by directly connecting the piston
with an actuating arm of the dispenser trigger to thereby limit
the arc through which the trigger may pivot.
Fluid pump dispensers are generally provided with a
nozzle structure including a check valve for blocking communication
between the pump chamber and a nozzle aperture. A nozzle structure
of this type is illustrated, e.g., in the Vanier U.S. Patent No.
3,685,739, dated August 22, 1972. It is desirable that the nozzle
structure be ad~ustable to provide widely varying discharge
patterns and for disabling the outlet check valve. A seal must
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also be provi~ed to prevellt ~luLd leakage at the sliding interface
of the noY~le str~1c~ure adjustment means. It is, of course, alRo
desirable that the number of separately molded parts of the fluld
dispenser be minimized. Accordingly, it is an ob~ect of the
present invention to provide a novel fluid dispenser having an
adjustable nozzle for varying the discharge pattern of the dis-
penser, comprising only two separately molded parts attached to
the dispenser housing.
It is desirable that a fluid dispenser have a large,
protruding, and easily grasped trigger defining a long lever arm
for actuating the dispenser pump. Dispensers having such easily
grasped triggers are often difficult to economically and safely
package for shipping. It is an ob~ect of the present invention
to obviate such shipping problems by providing a novel dispenser
having a large, easily operated trigger which may be conveniently
and easily attached to the dispenser housing after delivery of
the dispenser.
The triggers of many conventional fluid dispensers are
attached to the dispenser housing with rivets or pins. This
method generally requires the fabricating of additional parts
and the performing of additional production steps to insert the
pin or rivet. An example of this type of trigger connection is
illustrated in the Hellenkamp U.S. Patent ~o. 3,840,157.
In another known method of assembly, the trigger is
attached to the dispenser housing by outwardly flexing the lateral
walls of the dispenser housing to permit the engagement of mating
surfaces on the trigger and housing. This method of assembly has
a disadvantage in that f].exure may damage the relatively fragile
dispenser mechanism or the housing by exceeding the limit of
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eLastic deformation. ~ccordingly, lt is an object of the present
invention to avoid the expense of rivet attachment and ~he danger
of housing dan~age b~ providing a novel, r~vetless fluid dispenser
trigger which may be pivotably attached in the dispenser housing
without lateral flexing of the housing.
Typically? fluid is discharged $ro~ a spray dispenser by
reducing the volume of a pump chamber, thereby opening a pressure
responsive outlct check valve. In conventional spray dispensers
the volume of the pump chamber m~y be varied by operating a piston,
as illustrated in the Hellenk~mp U,S. Patent No, 3~840~157~ or the
volume of the pump ch~mber may be varied by flexlng a wall of a
flexible tubular member, ha~ing an Qutlet valve integral therewith,
as illustrated in the Micallef U.S, Patent No, 3~749,2~0. Both
dispense~s are configured in the approximate shspe of a pistol,
the nozzle being located st the end of a forwsrdly protruding i~
portion of the housing and the pump chamber being located within
the portion of the housing g~asped by the hsnd. While the Mlcallef
dispenser has several ,inherent advantages ? the dlspenser hss a
disadvsntage in that-the protFuding nozzle cap is provided separate
snd displsced from the outlet valve of the dispenser, which is
formed by interengaging surfaces of the flexible tubular member,
thus restricting the sccessibllity of the outlet vslve for adjust-
ment to modify the discharge psttern of the dispenser,
Accordingly, it is a further object of the present
invention to provide a spray dispenser having a pump chamber defined
by a flexible tubulsr member, and a nozzle structure displaced
from the pump chamber, hsvin~ an outlet chec~ vslve which cooperates
with sn adjustsble nozzle cap to vary the discharge pattern of the
dispenser.
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~r~le Drawings
_
I:igure 1 is a pic~orial view of a fluid dispenser
embodiment of the present invention having a fluid filter?
attached to a fluid container;
Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation taken through
the ma~or ~xis of one embodiment of the dispenser o~ the present ,~
invention;
Figure 3 is a pictorial view of the piston inlet conduit
of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating the container vent
passages;
Figure 4 is a pictorial view in partial section of an
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a tri8ger
assembly method;
Figure 5 is a section taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a section taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 5;::
Figures 7-9 are sections of the nozzle structure of the
embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 2 showing
the ad;ustment of the structure to vary the nozzle discharge
pattern;
Figure 10 is a section taken along lines 9-9 of Figure 2;
Figure 11 ls a section taken along lines lQ-iO of
Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a section taken along lines 11-11 of Figure `
l; .
Figure 13 is a sectional view of an elevation of an ~ -
alter~ate fluid dispenser embodiment with a flexible pumping
chamber; , ..
Figure 14 is a pictorial view of an inlet conduit filter
embodiment of the present invention.
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Figure 15 i8 a pictorial v~ew showing the filter embodi-
ment of Figure 14 at~ached to an inlet dip tube of a dispenser;
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a one-piece molded
member for providing a fluid filter according to an embodiment of
the present invention; and
Figure 17 is a plan view of the molded member of Figure
3.
Detailed Description
To facilitate an understanding of the methods and
t0 structures of the present invention, reference may be had to the
following:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Fluid Dispenser Structure
B. Method of Assembling and Venting
C. Operation of the Fluid Supply and Discharge
Assistant
D. Operation of the Nozzle Structure
E. Nozzle Structure and Flexible Pump
Chamber
F. One~Piece Fluid Filter
A. Fluid Dispenser Structure
Referring first to Figure 1, a fluid dispenser 10 is
shown threadably attached to a fluid container 11. By actuating
trigger 12, fluid from the reservoir 13 may be drawn through a
one-piece molded filter 14 into the fluid dispenser body 15 via
dip tube 16. The fluid may then be e~ected through an ad~ustable
nozzle 17. The fluid dispenser body lS is described in greater
detail in connection with Figure 2.
With reference to Figure 2, a fluid dispenser includes
a housing 22 adapted for mounting on the threaded orifice of a
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fluid container (not shown). A pump chamber 24 is d~sposed within
the housing 22. A fluid supply and discharge assistant 26 includes
a piston 27 and a conduit 28 which provides fluid to the pump
chamber 24 from the container. The piston conduit 28 may be
provided with an inlet conduit 30 adapted to extend into the
container to draw fluid into the pump chamber 24 via the piston
conduit 28 and an inlet check valve 32. The piston 27 may be
actuated against the bias of a coil spring 40 by squee~ing trigger
36 thereby reducing the enclosed volume 38 of the pump chamber 24.
A flexible member 42 in contact with the piston 27
functions as the movable portion of the inlet check valve 32 and
as a piston ring. Alternatively, the flexible member may be formed
integral with the piston 27. The flexible member 42 may include
a central portion 44 adapted to contact a valve seat 46 integral
with the piston to block a piston conduit orifice 47 and thereby
block communication between the container and the pump chamber in
response to the pressure within the pump chamber. The central
portion 44 of the flexible member 42 may be frustoconical in shape
to facilitate sealing engagement with the valve seat 46. In an
alternate embodiment, the piston conduit may be blocked in response
to pressure within the pump chamber by a ball check valve (not
shown).
The flexible member may further comprise an annular
portion 48 contacting the piston and the coil spring 40. A
plurality of radially oriented, arch-shaped bands 50 of a thinner
cross-section than the central portion may be used to connect the
central portion to the annular portion and permit relative movement .-
therebetween. A radial edge 52 of the flexible member 42 may form
a fluid tight seal between the piston 27 and the inner wall of the
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pump chamber 24.
As sllown in ~he section illustrated in Figure 5, the
various portions of the flexible member described above have
concentric relationships. The central portion 260 of the flexible
member is attached to the piston engaging annular portion 262
of the flexible member by a plurality of the arch-shaped bands
264. Apertures 266 ln the flexi~le member lie between the bands
264 and a peripheral edge 268 of the flexible member is adapted to
contact the inner wall of the pump chamber. Reference may also
be had to Figure 6~ where the features of the flexible member of
Figure 5 are illustrated.
Referring once more to the dispenser illustrated in
Figure 1 and more particularly to the vent shipping seal, the
piston conduit 28 may pass through an aperture in the container
closure 70. T-he outer wall 72 of the conduit 28 and the inner
wall 74 of the aperture of the container closure may define a
container venting passage formed by axial indentations in either
the conduit wall 72 or the wall of the closure 74. A venting
passage may also be provided by a loose fit between the piston
conduit and the container closure aperture. Mating surface 76 of
the piston conduit and mating surface 78 of the container closure
may be provided to block the venting passages when the mating
surfaces are engaged.
A preferred embodiment of the vent shipping seal is
illustrated with reference to Pigure 3. In Figure 3, a pisto~
conduit or inlet conduit of a spray dispenser 80 contains
indentations or grooves 82 in the outer wall of the conduit 80 to
define, together with the surface of the inner wall of the container
closure, venting passages for the container. A raised ring 84
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axially ~isplaced from the upper end~ 86 of tlle indentations 82
may be operative to block the venting passages when engaged with
the surface of a groove in the inner wall of the aperture of the
container closure. The mating surface 84 depicted in Flgure 3
as a raised ring may alternatively be configured as a groove so
long as the desired seal is obtained.
With continued reference to Figure,2, the trigger 36
of the dispenser has a spiral-shaped member 92 which pivots on
an inwardly pro~ecting peg 94 on opposite sides of the dispenser
lO housing. It may be noted that single or plural spiral-shaped
members may be formed in either the housing or the trigger and
single or plural pegs may be formed in the other of the housing
and trigger.
The housing of the dispenser may include a separate
housing head portion 96. The housing head portion 96 may be
formed with a downwardly depending ear 98 for engaging the spiral-
shaped member 92. A curved surface 100 of the ear 98 may slidably
engage a portion 102 of the spiral-shaped member to prevent the
spiral-shaped member from disengaging the pegs 94.
An arm 95 of the trigger is adapted to mate with the
piston and piston conduit thereby limiting the arc through which
the trigger may pivot to the length of the piston stroke. Fluid
in the pump chamber 38 may be discharged from the dispenser
through an outlet conduit 104 and a nozzle structure 106. The
nozzlo structure 106 may include a valve seat 108 communicating
with the outlet conduit 104 and a nozzle cap llO having an aperture
112 through which the fluid is discharged. An outlet check valve
114 includes flexible member 116 and the valve seat 108. A
movable ,central portion 118 of the flexible member 116 may contact
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that valve seat 108 Lo block communication betwecn the aperture
112 and thc pump chamber 38 responsive to pressure within the
pump chamber 38.
The central portion 118 of the flexible member may be
frustoconical in shape with the central portion 118 surrounded by
an annular portion 120 having apertures 121 to provide a fluid flow
path when the central portion is not seated on the valve seat. An
integral 0-ring 122 is provided by the peripheral portion of the
flexible member 114 to orm a seal between the nozzle cap 110 and
the housing 124 surrounding the outlet conduit.
The housing 124 and the nozzle cap 110 may be provided
with threads 126. Rotation of the nozzle cap 110 with respect to
the housing 124 may be operative to ad~ust the pressural contact
between the inner central surface 128 of the nozæle cap and the central
portion of the flexible member 118. Either the central portion
of the flexible member 114 or the inner central portion of the
nozzle cap 128 may be formed with bosses 129 for contacting the
other of the cap or flexible member. The bosses may be operative
to deflect the flow of fluid ad~acent the bosses. Adjustmént
of the nozzle cap may vary the contact between the central portion
of the flexible member and the bosses when the outlet check valve
is open, thereby varying the discharge pattern of the dispenser.
As shown in Figure 10, the flexible member 116 of Figure
2 has a central, frustoconical portion 340 surrounded by an
apertured annular region 342. The apertures 344 provide fluid
flow passages between the outlet conduit and the aperture in the
nozzle cap when the check valve is open. The 0-ring portion (not
shown) of the flexible member is attached to the peripheral edge
346 of the apertured annular portion 342 of the flexible member.
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~ s sllown more ~learly in Figure 11, the frusto~onical
portion 350 of the flexiblc member is connected to the integral
0-ring 352 by the apertured annu~ar portion 354. The portion 354
may be thinner in cross-sectlon than the central portion lS0 to
permi~ relative movement of the central portion 150 with respect
to the 0-ring 152. Apertures 356 in the annular portion 354 may
provide fluid flow passages through the member.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines
11-11 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 12, ~he nozzle cap 36n
includes an aperture 362 formed in the central circular well 364
of the nozzle cap. Bosses 366 may be formed on the central inner
surface of the nozzle cap and, the bosses may be of different
heights. In one embodiment of the invention, ad~acent bosses may
be of alternate heights, e.g., boss 380 of Figure 12 may be of one
height while boss 382 is of a different height.
B. Dispenser Assembly and Venting~
The assembly and venting of the fluid dispenser of Figure
2 may be understood more readily by reference to Figure 4 where
a fluid dispenser 200 is illustrated as including a trigger 202
pivotably engaging the housing 204. This engagement may be
accomplished by interengaging the spiral member 206 on the trigger
with a peg 208 on the housing so that the center of the peg is
located in the interior space defined by the spiral between line
207 and the tightly curved portion of the spiral 209. Advantàge-
ously, the peg may be located at the center 210 of the shortest
radius of the spiral. At the same time an arm 212 of the trigger
may be mated with the discharge assistànt 214 (shown in phanton).
The head portion 216 of the housing 204 may then be positioned so
that the curved surfaces 218 of the downwardly depending ear 220
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of the housing hcad may sLidably cont~ct a portion o~ the spiral-
shaped member 206 to prevent the spiral-shaped member from dls-
engaging the peg 208.
Once the trigger 202 is pivotably mounted to the housing,
the container (not shown) may be vented by squeezing the trigger
toward the central portion of the housing 204 to cause upward
motlon of the discharge assistant 214. This upward motion may
cause the radially outward flexing of mating surface 222 from the
mating surface 224 thereby causing the surfaces to disengage and
move axially with respect to one another to open venting passages
226. This permits air to enter the container to displace fluid
removed by the pumping action of the dispenser.
C. Fluid Supply and Dischar~e Assistant Operation
The operation of the pumping mechanism of the fluid
dispenser may be more easily understood with reference to Figure 2
where it can be seen that the initial squeezing of the trigger
36 toward the central portion of the dispenser operates to dis-
engage the vent seal as described above~and to reduce the enclosed
volume of the pump chamber 38 to discharge air via the outlet
conduit 104, the valve seat 108, the flexible member apertures 121
and the nozzle cap aperture 112. When the trigger 36 is released,
the coil spring 40 urges the piston 34 downwardly to increase the
enclosed volume of the pump chamber and thus reduce the pressure
therein. This reduction in pressure in the pump chamber may cause
the central portion 118 of the flexible member 116 to seat on the
valve seat 108 to close the outlet check valve. This reduction
in pressure in the pump chamber may likewise cause the central
portion 44 of the flexible member 32 to unseat from valve seat 46
to open the inlet check valve and cause fluid to be drawn from the
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contalner into the pump ch~mber via the inlet conduit 30, the
piston in].et conduit 28, the piston conduit orlfice 47 and the
apertures in the flexible member 32. Air may enter the container
along vent passages 72 to compensate pressuraly for the withdrawal
of fluid from the container.
Further squeezing of the trig~er 36 may be operative to
drive the piston upwardly once more to reduce the enclosed volume
of the pump chamber 38. This reduction in volume discharges fluid
from the pump chamber via the outlet conduit 104, the check valve
114, the apertures 121 and the nozzle cap aperture 112. This
increased pressure in the pump chamber is also operative to open
the inlet check valve 114 by unseating the central portion 118 of
the flexible member 116 from valve seat 108. A series of fluid
discharges from the dispenser may be obtained by the alternate
squeezing and releasing of the trigger.
D. Nozzle Structure Operation
The operation of the spray dispenser nozzle structure
may be understood with reference to Figures 7 through 9. As shown
in Figure 7, fluid may be supplied to the nozzle structure 300 via
a conduit 302. An orifice 304 of the conduit 302 forms a valve
seat 303 for an outlet check valve 306, and a frustoconical shaped
central portion 308 o-f the flexible member 310 may be utilized to
block the orifice 304 in response to pressure within the conduit
302. If the pressure in the conduit 302 is less than the ambient
pressure about the nozzle structure, the central portion 308 of
the flexible member may be seated on the valve seat 303 as shown
in Figure 7. When the pressure in the conduit exceeds the ambient
pressure the central portion 308 of the flexible member may be
unseated from the valve seat 303 as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9
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where like features of F-i~ure 7 arc identified with like numbers.
With rcerence to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a nozzle cap 312
may be provided ~or threa~ed engagement with the portion 314 of
the dispenser defining conduit 302 and may be formed with an
aperture 316 through which fluid is discharged from the dispenser.
The nozzle cap engages an 0-ring portion 318 of the flexible
member to retain the periphery of the flexible member in a fixed
position with respect to the valve seat 303 and to provide a fluid
tight seal between the nozzle cap and the conduit defining portion
314 of the dispenser. Rotation of the nozzle cap 312 along the
path defined by the threads 320 may vary the distance and/or
pressural contact between the central portion of the flexible
member and the inner central surface 322 of the nozzle cap. Bosses
324 may be formed in either the inner central surface 322 of the
nozzle cap or the central portion 308 of the flexible member to
deflect fluid flow. Alternatively, fluid directing recesses may
be formed in either the inner central surface 322 of the nozzle
cap or the central portion 308 of the flexible member to direct
fluid flow.
As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9, fluid pressure in
the conduit 302 may unseat the central portion 308 of the flexible
member from the valve seat 303 and be discharged from the aperture
316 via the orifice 304 and the apertures 326 in the flexible
member. When the cap is positioned with respect to the flexible
member as shown in Figure 8, the discharged fluid must pass between
bosses 324 before it is discharged through aperture 316, and,
therefore, is swirled. The resultant discharge pattern may be a
spray dispensed over a relatively wide area. When the nozzle cap
is positioned with respect to the flexible member as shown in
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Figure 9, the flllid may pass from apertures 326 in the flexible
member through aperture 316 in the nozzle cap without passing
between the bosses 324, and is not swirled by the bosses. The
resultant discharge pattern may, therefore, be in the form of
a stream.
Where bosses of varying heights are provided the dlscharge
pattern of the sprayer may be varied by selectively ad~usting the
nozzle cap to selectively cause contact between the flexible
member and some or all of the bosses when the outlet check valve
opens.
E. Nozzle Structure and Flexible Pump Chamber
Alternatively, the nozzle structure described in connec-
tion with Figures 7-12 may be employed in a fluid dispenser having
a flexible pump chamber, as shown in Figure 13.
With reference to Figure 13, a fluid dispenser may include
a housing 384 adapted for mounting on the threaded orifice of a
fluid container (not shown). A variable volume pump chamber 385
may be located within the housing 384. The pump chamber may be
partially defined by a flexible tubular member 386 having an open
axial end 387 in communication with nozzle structure 388 of the
type described in connnection with Figures 7-12. Fluid may be
supplied to the variable volume pump chamber 385 via an inlet
conduit 389 and an inlet check valve 390. The dispenser may be
actuated by pivoting a trigger 391 to press an arm 392 of the
trigger against a portion of the wall of the flexible tubulari
member 386, thereby reducing the enclosed volume of the pump chamber
385. When the trigger is released the elastic bias o~ the tubular
member may tend to return the member 386 to its distended position
(shown in phantom).
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Tlle llpper axiaL cnd 387 of the flexible tubular member
386 may communicate witll the outlet check valve of the nozzle
structure 388 via outlet conduit 393. A cylindrical chamber 394
in the housing 384 may cooperate with the flexible member to define
the pump chamber and conduit fluid discharged from the hollow of
tlle flexible tubular member to the outlet conduit 393. The flexible
tubular member may be sealably positioned with respect to the
cylindrical chamber by means of a flange formed in an upper portion
of the wall of the tubular member which engages a corresponding
indentation in the housing 384.
The trigger 391 may be mounted to the hQusing 384 for
pivoting about axis perpendicular to the plane of the Figure. The
arm 392 of the trigger 391 may be pivotably mounted to the trigger
and pass substantially horizontally through an aperture in the
housing. The arm 218 may be molded integrally with the trigger
391 and have a narrowed portion joining the arm thereto, to permit
pivoting of the arm with respect to the trigger.
In operation, the spray dispenser of Figure 13 may
be disposed on a fluid container and the trigger 391 squeezed and
released to prime the dispenser. The release of the trigger
permits the flexible tubular member to return to its distended
position, thereby reducing the pressure in the pump chamber?
closing the outlet check valve in the nozzle structure 388, and
drawing fluid into the pump chamber 385 via the inlet conduit 389
and the inlet check valve 390, If the trigger is again squeezed,
the volume of the pump chamber 395 is reduced, thereby pressuring
the pump chamber, closing the inlet check v~lve 390 and opening
the outlet check valve in the nozzle structure 388. Fluid in the
pump chamber may be discharged through the aperture of the nozzle
structure via the chamber 385, outlet conduit 393? and the outlet
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check valve ~nd apertures of the no~7.1e structure 388.
F. One-Piece Fluid Filtcr
Referring now to Figure 14, a dlp tube filter embodiment
of the present invention is shown. The filter may include two
generally circular plates 412 and 414. The plate 412 may also
be annular in shape, and have radially extending ribs 416 formed
in a surface thereof. A tubular hub portion 418 may extend
coaxially from the annular plate 412. The hollow of the tubular
portion 418 (not shown) may communicate with the central opening
(not shown) of the annular plate 412. The plates 412 and 414 may
be connected along portions of their circumferences by an integral
hinge 420. The plates 412 and 414 may be pivoted ~ith respect to
one another about an axis 422, defined by the hinge, to expose the
ribs 416 for cleaning.
Figure 15 is a pictorial view of a fil~ered fluid supply
embodiment 430 of the present invention attached to a conventional
fluid dispenser 432. The filtered fluid supply apparatus may
include a fluid container 434 with a bottom wall 436 a~d a mouth
438 for threaded attachment to the fluid dispenser 432. An inlet
dip tube 440, providing fluid communication between the dispenser
432 and the container 434, may extend from the mouth 438 of the
container toward the bottom wall 436 of the container. A fluid
filter 442 may be attached to an end portion of the dip tube 440.
The filter 442 may include a collar portion 444 having a tubular
portion 446 for engaging the dip tube 440 and a first generally
circular plate 448. A second generally circular plate, selectively
positionable ad~acent to the first circular plate may be hingedly
connected by means of hinge portion 452 to the first circular
plate. At least one of the first and second plates may be formed
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wlth radially ext~nding ribs 454 for providing a plurality of ~luid
passages be~ween the plates in commun~cation with said tubular
portion 446 and the dip tube 440. T~e second plate may be located
ad~acent and parallel to the bottom wall 436 of the fluid container.
In operation, a molded member having the above described
portions 446, 448, 450 and 452 is provided. The tubular portion
446 may be grippingly engaged to the dip tube 440; the inner
surface of the tubular portion 446 frictionally contacting the
outer wall of the dip tube 440. The second circular plate 450 may
be pivoted with respect to the first circular plate 448 about the
hinge portion 452 to locate the second circular plate coaxially
ad~acent to the first circular plate. When so positioned the rib~
on the one of the circular plates cooperate to define fluid
passages between the circular plates. The dispenser dip tube and
filter may then be threadably engaged to the container 430 and the
filter emersed in a fluid 456 within the container. The dispenser
432 may be actuated to draw fluid through the filter and into the
dispenser via the tubular portion 446 and the dip tube 440. Fluid
drawn into the dip tube 440 must first pass between the ribs 454 of
the filter. It will be understood that solid material suspended
in the fluid 456 will be prevented from entering the dip tube by
the ribs 454.
The ribs 454 may extend radially inwardly from the
circumference of the circular plates 448 and 450 and, thus the area
for filtering may be maximized. The second circular plate 450
may be located adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 436 of the
container 434. In this configuration, virtually all of the fluid
456 may be withdrawn from the container 434 through the filter,
before the fluid level falls below the level of the passages
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between the ribs.
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a one piece molded
mem~er 460 for providing a fluid filter according to an embodiment
of the present lnvention. The member may include an annular plate
portion 462 having a central openlng 464. A tubular portion 466
may extend axially from the annular plate portion, a hollow 468 of
the tubular portion communicating with the central opening 464 ln
the annular pate portion. A generally circular plate portion 470
may be hingedly connected to the annular plate portion 462 by a
hinge portion 472 of`relatively thinner cross-section than either
of the plate portions. Members 474, axially extending from the
circular plate portion may be adapted to pressurely engage the
tubular portion 466 ~o maintain surfaces 476 and 478 of the plate
portions coaxially ajdacent one another. At least one of the
surfaces 476 and 478 may be formed with radially extending ribs,
such as ribs 480. I~hen the surfaces 476 and 478 are located
coaxailly adjacent to one another, the ribs provide a plurality of
fluid passages between the plates which communicate with the
hollow 468 of the tubular portion 460.
The tubular portion 466 may be formed with a first hollow
portion 482 for receiving the members 474. Radial ends of the
members 474 may pressurely engage the inner wall 484 of the tubular
member. The tubular portion 466 may be formed with first and
second inwardly extending flanges 486 and 488. When the dip tube
is inserted into the hollow 4'68 of the tubular portion 466, the
flange 486 limits the extent to which the dip tube may be inserted,
The gripping flange 488 is adapted to frictionally engage the dip
tube and inhibit separation of the filter from the dip tube.
Figure 17 is a plan view of the molded member 460
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described in connection wiLh Figure 16, ILke structures being
identifled by the sa~e numerals employed in Figure 16. The molded
member 460 include~ the annular sllaped plate 462 connected by the
llinge portion 472 to tlle circular plnte portion 470. In the
embodiment of Figures 16 and 17 the surface 478 of the plate 470
is a relatively smooth and the surface 476 of the plate 462 is
formed with the ribs 480. The ribs 480 may extend radially lnwardly
from a circumference 490 of the surface 476 to a radlus 492 inter-
mediate the circumference and the central opening 464 in the asnular
plate 461. In this way maximum filtering area is obtained along
the circumference 490 of the plates~ while restriction of fluid
flow is minimized.
` The members 474 for pressurely engaging the tubular
portion may extend radially outwardly as shown in Figure 17.
Radial ends 494 of the members 474 are adapted to engage the inner
wall of the tubular portion 466 (shown in Figure 16).
In operation the circular plates may be pivoted with
respect to one another to coaxially align the plates and locate
the surfaces 476 and 478 ad~acent one another, the members 474
engaging the tubular portion 466 to mainta~n the surfaces adjacent i
one another. Solid material prevented from entering the dip tube
by the ribs 480 may accumulate in the vicinity of the ribs. When
this occurs the plates may be pivoted with respect to one another
about the hinge portion 472 to expose the ribs to permit the solid
material to be cleaned away.
The principals, preferred embodiments and modes of
operation of the present invention have been described in the fore-
going specification. The invention which is intended to be
protected is not, however, to be construed as limited to the
,
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particular forms disclosed, since these are to be regarded as
illustratlve rather than restrlctlve. Variatlons and changes may
be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
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