Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPRAY CAPS
The present invention relates to what are co~nonly
called "spray caps"~ A spray ~ap is attached to a con
tainer of liquid to dispense bursts whan a manual actuator
or "trigger" i~ operated.
S Spray caps have long been known that meet some or all
o~ a range of requireme~ts. In one respect, a spray cap
is to provide a spray discharge in one adjustment of its
nozzle and to be positively shut off in another nozzle
adjustment. As an additional alternative, the nozzle of
some spray caps is adjustable to provide "stream" or "jet"
bursts of discharge in addition to the shut-off and
"sprayl' choices.
Nozzles of spray caps that are adjustable to varied
settings may be leaky; and a variety of relatively com-
plicated forms of constxuction have been proposed aimedat preventing such leakage.
Still further, it has long been known that air should
be admitted to the liquid supply container to replace the
volume of liquid that i5 discharged progressively, to avoid
developing vacuum in the container, such as would impair
or disable the spray cap; and it has been proposed that the
vent passage that avoids the vacuum should be shut when the
spray cap i9 not in use (as during shipment) to avoid leak-
age by way of said vent passage.
Spray caps meeting these requirements have been
available but they tend to be complicated, and their cost
in parts and the expense of assembly tend to be high.
The present invention provides spray caps that are
distinctively novel in several respects. Their construc~
3a tion is vastly simpler, uses fewer parts and is easier to
assem~le than available ~pray caps capable of meeting a~l
of the foregoing requirements~
In one respect, a novel nozzle-and-check valve struc-
ture is provided as one plastic molded part that cooperates
with the outlet end of a discharge tube, providing shut-
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o~f, spray and jet modes of operation. In another respect,
a leak-preventing mount for the adjustable nozzle of a
spray cap is provided, without resort to the complications
of O-rings that are usually found in such spray caps.
Still further, one novel spray cap is provided in
which the entire liquid-containing portion that ~upplies
liquid to the discharge nozzle is a single part. A dip
tube and a bellows which constitutes a pump chamber, and
a discharge tube are all combined into a continuous-wall
unitary component that replaces many parts hereto~ore
found in any single spray cap meeting the same combined
requirements, In another novel spray cap, the liquid-
containing tube and the bellows constitute a continuous-
wall one-piece component, and the dip tube is made as a
separate part that iq joined to the one-piece component.
In that way, a standardized bellows-and-discharge-tube
- component can be used with dip tubes of various lengths
for use with various 5izes of supply containers.
The nature of the invention and its novel aspects
will be best understood and appreciated by reviewing the
following detailed description of two novel spray caps that
are shown in the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a novel spray cap as an
-25 illustrative embodiment of the invention in its various
aspects;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective showing the com-
ponents of the spray cap in Fig. 1, in their as-made
conditions;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the spray cap
of Fig. 1, the nozzle being tightened to provide a
po~itive ~hut-off in that region and with the trigger in
its extended at-rest or released position;
FIGURE 4~is a cross-section like Fig. 3 with the
nozzle set for dischargi~ig liquid and the trigger stroke
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noæzle set for discharging liquid and the trigger stroke
being complete;
FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of
the nozzle of the spray cap in Fig. 1, and FIGURE 6 is
a perspectiv~ view, partly in cro~s-section, of the nozzle
in its as-molded condition; and
FIGURE 7 is a right-hand end view of the nozzle of
Figs. 5 and 6 with its hinged cover removed.
FIGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of
~he second spray cap embodying aspects o~ the invention
in common with the spray cap of Figs. 1-7, Fig. 8 embody-
ing ~urther aspect~ of the invention;
FIGURE 8A is a fragmentary detail of a portion of
Fig. 8 in another relationship of two of the parts;
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective
view, partly in cross-section, of a ~omponent of the
spray cap of Fig. 8;
FIGURE 10 is an enlarged perspectiue view, partly in
cross-section,of the nozzle of the spray cap of Figs. 1-7;
FIGURE 11 is an exploded perspective view showing
all of the parts of the spray cap of Fig. 8, the scale of
the parts in Fig. 11 being reduced compared to Fig. 8,
FIGURE 12 is an enlarged ~ragmentary cross-section
of a portion of the ~pray cap of Fig. 8, the plane o~
Fig. 12 being perpendicular to the plane o~ Fig. 8;
FIGU~E 13 is a perspective view, partly in cross-
section, of the structure ~hown in Fig. 12; and
E`IGU~E 14 is a fragmentary cross-section of a
component in Fig. 8.
The illustrative spray cap in Fig. 1 includeæ a
threaded closure 19 for a bottle or other container o~
liquid to ~e dispensed and a dip tube 12 ~xtending down
ward from closure 10. A main body 14 is mounted rotatably
on closure lO, for example by means of a circular rib 16
~Fig. 4) extending radially inward at the lower edge of
main body 10. This rib is received in circular groove 18
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around closure 10. ~he spray cap further includes a
inger-operated trigger or lever 20 hinged to body 14, and
a nozzle 22 on body 14. Trlgger 20 and main body 14 in
this spray cap are molded of a suitable plastic as a
5 single unit connected by a thinned portion or "iiving
hinge'l 2~ of the molded unit. A leaf spring 26 (Figs. 1-4)
is an integral portion of the molded plastic trigger, thus
being a portion of the molded unit.
Further details of the spray cap are shown in Figs. 3
and 4O Dip tube 12 has a sliding and rotary fit in a
tubular portion 28 of clo~ure 10; a venting passage 28a is
formed by a groove ~xtending from end-to-end of portion 28
along it~ inner surface.
Component 30 is a single part that may be produced
in an injection blow~molding machine. Unit 30 compri~ès
dip tube 12, bellows 32 and discharge tube 34 extending in
a straight line as shown in Fig. 2. As seen in Figs. 2-4,
the cross~ection of the bellows is large compared with
that of the dip tube 12 and the discharge tube 3~; there
are passage~constricting transitions at the opposite ends
of bellows 32, between the opposite ends of the bellows and
the intake and discharge tubes 12 and 34, respectively.
Component 30 may be moldad of various materials, provided
that bellows 32 is resilient ~not merely yielding). For
example, component 30 may be made of selected grades of
polyethylene, polypropylene, or pol~vinyl chlorideO Dip
tube 12, bellows 32 and discharge tube 34 ~with its head
or discharge end portion, detailed below) constitute the
entire liquid container of this spray cap except for
nozzle 22; it constitutes a continuous-wall passage for
the liquid.
The lower end of the bellows 32 is a projecting
conical wall 36 that ha~ a complementary fit in concave
conical seat 38 at the upper end of tubular portion 28 o~
the closure 10. The juncture of dip tube 12 and conical
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wall 38 has formations for 1008ely retaining ball 40a.
The upper end of dip tube 12 internally provides a
circular valve seat for ball 40a. That valve seat and
ball 40a constitute the inlet or intake check valve 40.
In Figs. 2-4, the discharge ena of discharge tube 34
includes an integral resilient thinned sealing flange ~2
and a male thread 44. The outer diameter of flanye 42 in
the form shown is at least as large as the outer diameter
of male threads 44. Main body 14 has a transverse wall 46
in which there is a slot that opens downward; and dis-
charge tube 34 is received transversely in that slot, so
that the formation that provides flange 42 is disposed
against the surface of wall 46. Nozzle 22 i screwed onto
the male thread 44 of component 30. Nozzle 22 has an
internal cylindrical surface 22a (Fig. 6) against which
flange 42 forms a seal. Main body 1~ also includes two
wall portions 14a and 14b which ~Figs. 3 and 4~ coact with
discharge tube 34 for securely locating that tube, hold-
ing the formation of flange 42 securely against wall 46.
These walls also establish the position of the upper end
of bellows 32. In its extended condition represented in
Fiy. 3, bellow~ 32 is ~lightly compressed so that its
conical end portion 36 i~ biased against valve seat 38. ~ i
Noz~le 22 is best shown in Figs. 5-7. Internal or
female threads 48 of the nozzle cooperate with male
threads 44 of component 30. Valve body 50 is an integral
portion of nozzle 22. Valve body 50 is supported by
three arms 52 that extend homogeneously from both body 50
and the side wall of nozzle 22. The opposite ends of
3~ each arm 52 are displaced arcuately ~r~m each other. The
arms accommodate bodily movement of member 50 along the
nozzle's axis. Nozzle 22 includes a front wall 56 that
is connected to the body of the nozzle by an inteyral
hinge 58. Front wall 56 has an annular edge formation
that interlocks in a leak-proof manner with a complementary
annular formation in the body of the nozzl~ when its front
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or end wall i5 snapped into place, the completed state of
the nozzle being represented in Fig. 5. The nozzle is
of molded plastic. The advantage of hinging wall 56 to
the rest of the nozzle is that the hinge provides automatic
alighment of the front wall with the space that is to
receiver it. The ~ront wall can be molded as a separate
part if preferred. Nozzle 22 including it~ integral
portions 50, 52 and 56 may be made o~ suitably resilient
grades of polyethy~ene, polyvinyl-chloride or polypropylene,
for example.
When nozzle 22 is threaded onto the head or discharge
end of discharge tube 34 to the extent represented in
Fig. 4 (there being a small ciearance between nozzle 22
and wall 46) valve member 50 bears against the very end
o~ ~ube 34. That end of tube 34 i9 shaped as a valve seat
for valve member 50. Member 50 and its cooperating valve
seat constitute a discharge check valve.
Arms 52 normally hold the discharge check valve
closed in the adjustment of nozzle 22 as represented in
Fig. 4. When liquid is forced into delivery tube 34 (see
below) the liquid pressure lifts valve member 50 away
~ from its valve seat and shi~ts member 50 towara the inner
~urface of end wall 5~.
It may be considered that nozzle 22 is adjusted so
25 that there is only a small clearance between end wall 56
of the nozzle and the ~urface of valve body 50 facing that
end wall. Arm~ 52 press body 50 against its val~e seat.
vperation of trigger 20 develops pressure that lifts body
50 against wall 56. Liquid passes the circumferal edge of
30 check valve bod~ 50 and travels radially inward along
s}ots 59 in body 50, and leaves the nozzle by way of a
small orifice 60 through ~ront wall 56. In this condition
of the nozzle, a fine atomized spray results. This effect
can b~ varied, a~ by ~haping the grooves to swirl the
35 liquid that enters the nozzle's orifice.
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Nozzle 22 can be adjusted so that outlet or discharge
check-valve body 50 bears against its valve seat at rest --
as shown in Fig. 4 -- but with end wall 56 spaced away from
body 50 far enough so that, when trigger 20 is operated
5 and liquid.pressure lifts body 50 away from its valve seat,
a clearance space still remain~ between body 50 and end
wall 56. In that adjustment the liquid that cros~es the
circumferential edge of body 50 flows across the entire
common area of body 50 and wall 56; and as a result, a jet
10 or stream of liquid leaves the orifice~
Nozzle 22 can be screwed onto threads 44 far enough
so that end wall 56 of the nozzle drives valve member 50
firmly against its seat (Fig. 3~, providing a positive
shut-off. This guards against leakage via the noæzle
15 without depending on resilient bias to hold the ~utlet
check valve closed, as when the spray cap is mounted on a
container filled with liquid, and the container with the
spray cap in place is to be shipped.
It was mentioned above that trigger 20 is connected
to the main body 14 of the spray cap by a living hinge 24.
Fig. 2 shows the condition of main body 14 and trigger 20
as that composite unit leaves a molding press. Trigger 20
projects to one side of main body 14. Integral leaf-
spring portion 26 in Fig. 2 i8 flanked by two trigger arms
62 which have in-turned ~paced-apart buttons 62a. The
longitudinal edges of the leaf sprLng are separated slightly
from arms 62, allowing the leaf spring to become deflected
in operation. Main body 14 contains a ~top 64 that is
directed downward, extending from an upper mounting portion
which is integral with opposite walls of main body 14. Stop
member 64 is widest where it extends integrally from the
oppoqite walls of main ~ody 14. Much of the downward~
extending part of stop member 64 i~ narrower, providing clear-
ance ~paces between the walls of main body 14 and the opposite
35 -long edge~ o~ that part o~ the stop. Arms 62 of the trigger
aFe received in those clearance ~paces.
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The at-rest operative condition of main bod~ 14 and
trigger 20 is represented in Fig. 3. Trigger 20 extends
downward, below passage portion 34 and nozzle 22 and opposite
to but spaced from the common axis of dip tube 12 and bellows
S 32. Trigger 20 extends at a slight slant away from the lower
portion of the spray cap. Integral leaf spring 26 o~ the
trigger engages fixed stop 64 in the main body. The ends of
spring 26 and stop 64, as shown in ~ig~ 2, have advantageously
interlocking tongue-and-notch formations as assurance that
10 their alignment and cooperation will be maintained. Arms 62 of
the trigger (Fig. 3~ are disposed at opposite sides of
depending stop 64. Buttons 62a of the trigger are received
under lifting shoulders 66 (Fig. 2) formed near the bottom of
bellows 32 at the opposite sides of the bellow~ Arms 62 of
15 the trigger 20 sweep along opposite side edges of leaf pring
26 and along opposite side edges of stop 64 when the trigger
is squeezed~ ending in the posi~ion represented in Fig. 4.
The parts shown in Fig. 2 are quickly and easily
assembled to form the spray cap of Fig. 1. First ball~4Oa is
20 pressed into its detented position at the juncture of bellows
32 and dip tube 12. Then unit 30 is inserted into main body
14 in it~ position represented in Fig. 3. Component 30
is bent from its as~made condi*ion (Fig. 2) to its final
condition (Figs. 1 and 4). Trigger 20 is swung i~to place
25 ~o that buttons 62a axe received in ~roove formations 66 at
the bottom o~ the bellowsO Finally, the closure 10 is
forced into assembly with main body 14, tubular portion
28 of the closure sliding along the dip tube in this step
of assembl~.
The operation of the spray cap is now restated. With
nozzle 22 in its adjustment represented in Fig~ 3, the
nozzle is sealed against leakage~ Its end wall 56 forces
body SO against the seat of the outlet or discharge check
valve at the end of discharge tube 34. Vent passage 28a
-~5 is ~ealed by the cooperation of complementar~t conical
parts 36 and 38 of the bellows 32 and the closure 10.
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When nozzle 22 is unscrewed somewha~ to provide a
small clearance between end wall 56 of the nozzle and the
movable body 50 of the outlet check valve, body 50 at
~irst remains biased against the outlet valve ~eat formed
by the very end of the outl~t tube 34. Squeezing trigger
20 from the position in Fig. 3 to tha~ in Fig. 4 develops
pressure that closes intake valve 40 and shifts member 50
against end wall S6 o~ the nozzle. Liquid is forced
across the circumferal edge of body 50 and along channels
59, becoming a fine spray as the discharge leaves
orifice 60.
Yet a further adjustment of nozzle 22 holds body 50
of the outlet or discharge check valve against its valve
seat while trigger 20 remains extended, but a larger
clearance space is established between body 50 and end
wall 56 such that, with ordinary squeeze effort applied to
the trigger, body 50 does not reach end wall 56. The
li~uid fills the clearance space between body 50 and wall
56 and leaves orifice 60 as a stream.
Each operation of the trigger produces a discharge
burst, whether as a spray or as a stream. The extent that
body 50 is lifted toward end wall 56 is adjusted by screw-
ing the nozzle in or ou~; but the described modes of
operation are realized by ~uitable design of arms 52 and
choice of the material u~ed in molding the nozzle.
After each discharge operation, trigger 20 is
released and, due to the bias of its integral leaf
spring 26, it returns to its starting position. Bellows
32 is operated~by its resiliance to return to its
extended position (Fig. 3). The outlet check valve
~becomes closed when the internal pressure drops. There-
~ore the negative pressure that develops in bellows 32,
as it starts to become extended, opens the inlet check
valve ~0 and draws liquid up the dip tube to replace the
discharged li~uid.
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The composite dip tube 12, pump-chamber ~ellows 32
and discharge tube 34 cons~itute a joint-free unit of
plastic. That unit, with nozzle 22 and it~ check-valve
body 50, rPpresent virtually all of the spray-cap material
that is exposed to the liquid to be dispensed. Icleally,
ball 4Oa is of an inert matexial such as stainless steel.
Accordingly, all of the material that is exposed to the
contained liquid is -- or can be -- made immune to attack
by or ink~raction with common liquids to be dispensed.
Figs. 8-14 represent a s~cond form of spray cap
embodying aspects of the invention in common with the
spray cap of Figs. 1-7. The ~pray cap of Figs. 8-14
embodies further aspects of the invention. Components
in Figs, 8-14 that are the same as, or a modification of,
the components of Figs. 1~7 bear numerals in the ~lOOn
series correspondin~ to the numerals in Fig~ 7. As is
evident, much o the description and discussion of Figs.
1~7 applies to Figs. 8-14.
Threaded closure 110 is rotatably interlocked with
body or housing 114 for securing the spray cap to a bottle
or other container of a supply of liquid or equivalent
material. A nozzle 122 abuts housing 114. Liquid passage
means 130 could be of one piece, as in Figs. 1-7. However,
aip tube 112 is a separate piece in Figs. 8 and 11, so
that spray caps can be made uniformly without a dip tube,
and dip tubes of assoxted lengths may be added, for
accommodating various sizes of liquid supply containers.
All of liquid pasYage means 130, other than dip tube
112, is in the form of a single component 130a of plastic
which may be produced in the form shown in Fig. 11 by
injection blow~molding. One portion of component 130a is
a resilienk self~extending bellows 132 and another portion
is a basically tubular discharge-passage portion 134.
The~e portions in their as-molded condition are coaxial
as shown in Fig. 11. In common with the spray cap of
Figs~ 1-7, component 130a of Figs. 8 and 11 i~ a one-
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piece plastic molded component that is in one conig-
uration as it is molded and it is bent into its ~inal
configuration. It includes a transition 133 between
bellows 132 and discharge passage portion 134. ~he
transition between these parts accommodates bending,
so that (see Fig. 8) discharge passage portion 13
extends roughly perpendicular to bellows 132.
At its upper end, dip tube 112 has a projecting
bead 112a (Fig. 12) that is tightly received in a comple-
mentary circular groove in the molded unit 130a. Thedip tube is forcibly inserted and becomes a unified part
of the passage means 130. Making the dip tube as a
separate component allows production of a single spray-
cap to which dip tubes of various lengths may be added
for use with various sizes of supply container.
At its lower end, unit 130a includes full-circle
sealing ridge 136a which, in Fig. 8, forms a seal to
conical valve seat 138. The lower end of unit 130a also
has a continuous circular rib 136 that cooperates with a
continuous circular shoulder13~a (Fig. 8) of valve seàt
138 when the parts are in the condition represented in
Fig. 8. In that condition, parts 136 and 136a cooperate
with valve seat 138 to form a so-called shipping seal,
preventing escape of liquid from the liquid supply con-
~5 tainer ~not shown) to the exterior. Parts 136 and 138 inthis condition serve additionally as a detent to lock the
ridge 136 in sealing engagement wit~ valve seat 138. The
material of which rib 136 and sealing ridge 136a are
formed is ideally a resilient and deformable pla~tic, con-
si3tent with the qualities of the entire unit 130a.
Fig. 8A shows rib 136 serving as a valve body thatseals against valve seat 138, to form a venting valve.
.
The lower end structure of unit 130a is forcibly lifted to
change from the shipping condition of Fig. 8 to the con-
dition of Fig. 8A, with the pray cap read~ ~or use. Vent-
ing valve 136, 138 is c1os-d in ~ig. 8A, preventing liquid
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from leaking past the valve seat. When the spray cap i~
being operated to dispense liquid, rlb 136 is li~ted away
~rom valve seat 138; th2 venting valve allows air to enter
the container to replace the volume of the discharged
liquid, thereby to prevent a vacuum from forming in the
container~
Unit 130a has an integral intake check valve 140
(~igs. 8, 8A, 12 and 13). Thin and flexible roughly flat
wall portions 140a converge upward and form a seal at the
apex where they abut each other. There is no passage a~
this apex in the as-molded condition of component 130a.
A blade is used to cut through the molded material at the
apex, thus forming a self-closing slit 140b. When
pressure develops within the bellows, that pressure bears
against the outer surfaces of walls 141a, insuring the
closing of slit 140b. When bellows 132 is becoming
extended ~after having been compressed), the reduced-
pressure condition outside walls 140a draws the walls
apart, opening slit 14Ob and opening the intake check
valve.
Manual trigger 120 in Fig. 8 is molded as one piece
with housing 114. The housing and trigger 120 are
connected by the thin "living hinge`' 124 which is part
of the mold~d piece. Trigger 120 has a forked arm 162
that bears buttons 162aO These buttons are received in
diametrically opposite cavities 166 at the lower end o~
unit 130a (only one of these cavities being shown). When
trigger 120 is squeezed, the lower end of the bellows is
lifted, int~ke check valve 140 closes, and the liquid in
bellows 132 is driven into discharge passage portion 134.
When trigger 120 is released, it is restored
virtually to the p~sition shown in ~ig~ 8 by the self-
extending resilient bellows 132. Tri~ger 120 allows the
bellows to restore rib 136 into contaat with venting
; 35 valve seat 138.
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Discharge passa~e portion 13~ includes smaller
and larger diameter poxtions 134a and 134b, with a
conical transition 134c between them. This transition
constitutes th~ seat of a discharge check valve. Dis-
charge passage portion 134 has opposit'e external
projections 134d (one shown in Fig. 9) that are captive
between pairs of ribs 114c in opposite ~ides of the
housing. During assembly of the spray cap, discharge
passage portion 134 is moved into khe position of Fig. 8
10 by first being directed through opening 114d (Fig. 14),
placing projections 134d between paired ribs 114a in the
housing, and shifting the bellows 132 upward until unit
130a reaches the assembled condition of Fig. &. In tha~
condition~ tube poxtion 134a is received,in a matching
15 openin~ in barrier 114b (Figs. 8 and 14) extending across
the housing 114. Nozzle 122, whan assembled to the dis-
charge passage portion 134b, cooperates with housing 114
so that discharge passage portion 134b in formation 114b
cannot shift downward.
Nozzle 122 comprises a cup or cap having a roughly
cylindxical side wall 122a, beiny4externally tapered in
the form shown. An inside circular beaa 122c abuts and
forms, a seal with anl~integral circular rib 134e on the,
exterior of discharge passage portion 134b. ~he end 122d
25 of nozzle 122 bears~against abutments 134~ and 134g !
(Fig. 9) o~ passage portion 134, the nozzle being held
against those abutments by the mu~ual cooperation of
circular ribs or beads 122c and 134e. By rotating noz~le '
122, an orifice 122e in the end of the nozzle (Figs. 8
30 and 10) can be positioned at abutment 134g to shut off
any discharge of liquid. Ledge 134h between abutments
134f and 134g tFig. 9~ has only a small clearance from
that end 122d o~ the noæzle. Accordingly, when aperture
122e of the nozzle is in position oppo~ite to lédge 134h,
the di~charge is a spray; relatively high pressure is
needed to discharge only a small amount of liquid.
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Finally, ledge 1341 o~ discharge portio~ 134 has a larger
clearance from the end 122d of the nozzle. When aperture
1~2e is tur~ed to be opposite to ledge 134i, and trigger
120 is squeezed, the discharge is a jet stream.
A ceptral post 122f of nozzle 122 extend3 inward.
This post i~ conveniently made hollow; at its inner ~nd,
three lea~ springs 152 that are integral portions of the
nozzle, carry. an outlet check valve body 150. Three
leaf springs are used here, being bowed outward at 90
intervals, as a con~iguration that can be molded readily.
Springs 152 bias outlet check-valve body 150 against
valve seat 134c. When trigger 120 is squeezed and the
liquid in the bellows develops substantial pre~sure,
outlet check-valve body 150 is li~ted away from its seat
and li~uid under pressure can flow into the nozzle. As
shown in Fig. 8, there is ample separation between tube
134b (the end portion o~ unit 130a) and post 122~ of the
nozzle to form a suitable passage to orifice 122e.
Longitudinal ribs (not shown) may be included to center
post 122f in tube 134bo
In common with the spray cap o~ Figs, 1-7, the~-
spray cap of Figs. 8-1~ has a s~aight as..molded part 130a.
After be1ng assembled to housing 114, component 130a has
a roughly right-angle bend at the transition ~rom bellows
132 to discharge passage portion 134. The bent transition
is positioned by housing formations 114a and 114b so that
the bellows is somewhat compressed when trigger 20 is
extended and the vent valve. 136,-138 is closed. Trigger
120 i~ in a position below nozzle 122 and passage portion
134, and the trigger is spaced to the right of the axis of
dip tube 112 and bellows 13~. There are transitions
between the relatively large cross-section o~ the be.llows
and the much smaller cross-sections o~ dip tube 112 and
discharge passage portion 134 of the one-piece component
130a which ther~fore has tran~ition~ at the ends o the
bellows in the injection blow-molded component 130a. In
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the spray caps of Figs. 1-7 and Figs. 8-14, the same
closure, housing and nozzle can be used to provide a range
of different amounts of liquid dispensed or each stroke
of the trigger ~y making a variety of components 130a
with various diameters of the bellows.
The lower end of injection blow~molded component
130a is shown in Fig. 11. (This Figure is somewhat
simplified; it omits ~ome o~ the small shapes such as
ridge 136 that are actually part of as-molded component
130a.) Conical wall 164 projects outward in its
as-molded condition. When dip tube 112 i5 forced into
place, conical wall 16~ becomes reversed and assumes its
in-use condition, projecting upward into the pump
chamber (Figs. 8 and 8A).
The as-molded condition of the housing component
(Fig. 11~ has trigger 120 projecting outward and arm 162
projecting downward/ whereas triggex 120 and arm 162 have
a very different relationship to housing 114 in their
in-use condition (Fig. 8).
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