(12) United States Patent
`Barriac et al.
`
`US006367665B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,367,665 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 9, 2002
`
`(54) TRIGGER SPRAYER DISPENSING SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Jacques J. Barriac, Lee’s Summit, MO
`(US); Joseph Krestine, LeaWood, KS
`(SUS)’ .stteg/leg l?ssweeton’ Lee S
`‘1mm’
`(
`)
`(73) Assigneez Saint_G0bain Calmar Inc‘, City of
`Industry> CA (Us)
`
`1
`
`.
`
`5,154,324 A 10/1992 Stratford
`5,400,928 A * 3/1995 Resnick .................... .. 206/446
`5,469,993 A 11/1995 Hauf 6t a1~
`$223,345‘: g
`2133? gostfert l
`5,651,908 A
`7/1997 Mans?eld
`6,050,459 A
`4/2000 Johnson etal.
`6,170,706 B1
`1/2001 Havlovitz ................. .. 222/109
`* cited by examiner
`
`*
`
`.
`
`,
`
`au e a.
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`Sub'ect to an disclaimer, the term of this
`J
`y
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/709,445
`
`Nov. 13, 2000
`(22) Filed:
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................ .. B67D 5/40
`_
`_
`(52) US. Cl. .............................. .. 222/383.3, 222/383.1,
`_
`222/530’ 222/538
`(58) Fleld of Search ............................ .. ZZZ/383.3, 530,
`222/382> 383~1> 529> 538; D9/337> 347
`
`(56)
`
`References Clted
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1931 Smith
`1,798,708 A
`8/1932 Smith
`1,869,869 A
`9/1932 Clifford
`1,875,992 A
`2/1965 Winslow
`3,168,248 A
`8/1975 Bochmann
`3,901,449 A
`4,621,770 A 11/1986 Sayen
`
`20
`
`Primary Examiner—Joseph A. Kaufman
`Assistant Examiner—Stephanie Willatt
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dykema Gossett PLLC
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`The dispensing system for a remote operation includes a
`mg-ger-Sprayer assembly removably mOl-mted to a contamér
`of liquid to be sprayed, the assembly being mounted Within
`a Cutout Section provided at the upper end of the Container
`as part of a through opening forming the carrying handle of
`the Containen The trigger Sprayer assembly has a ?exible
`delivery tube Which may be coiled and stored Within a
`holloW gripper handle provided on the trigger sprayer, and
`may extend outWardly from the gripper handle to function as
`a resilient element for mounting the trigger sprayer in place.
`A one-piece adaptor is non-removably connected to a distal
`end of the delivery tube and connects to the container by
`mounting directly to an external dip tube of the container or
`by mounting in a closure cap of the container.
`
`12 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`PETITIONER - THE CLOROX COMPANY - EXHIBIT 1008 - Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 9, 2002
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`Sheet 1 of4
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`US 6,367,665 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 9, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of4
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`US 6,367,665 B1
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`PETITIONER - THE CLOROX COMPANY - EXHIBIT 1008 - Page 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 9, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of4
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`US 6,367,665 B1
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`//6.4
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`PETITIONER - THE CLOROX COMPANY - EXHIBIT 1008 - Page 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 9, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of4
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`US 6,367,665 B1
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`PETITIONER - THE CLOROX COMPANY - EXHIBIT 1008 - Page 5
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`US 6,367,665 B1
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`1
`TRIGGER SPRAYER DISPENSING SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to a trigger actuated
`dispensing system and, more particularly, to a remote trigger
`sprayer tethered to a container of liquid to be dispensed for
`remote operation.
`Remote dispensing systems for spraying of especially
`pesticides, insecticides, plant and grass nutrients, and the
`like, for laWn and garden applications, have been available
`in many forms for a number of years. One such system
`disclosed in US. Pat. No. 5,553,750 includes a trigger
`sprayer having a cylindrical handle connected to a container
`closure and having ?exible tubing stored in accordance With
`one embodiment Within the container during periods of
`non-use and capable of being draWn from the container
`during a spraying operation. In another embodiment the
`tubing is coiled and stored Within a receptacle located Within
`the container during periods of the non-use. During the
`spraying operation, the trigger sprayer is removed from the
`closure and the tubing is uncoiled from its receptacle.
`Storage of the coiled or uncoiled tubing Within the con
`tainer is, hoWever, cumbersome and aWkWard, as the coil
`may stick or snag as it being pulled out of the liquid
`container. Besides, the trigger sprayer With its handle
`remains connected to the container closure for periods of
`non-use such as shipping and storage. This is cumbersome
`as additional shelf space and storage space is required
`rendering the dispensing package as inef?cient and less
`desirable.
`Another knoWn remote sprayer is disclosed in US. Pat.
`No. 5,469,993 in Which a trigger sprayer With its handle is
`stored Within a recess provided in a side Wall of the liquid
`container Which recess is siZed and shaped for receiving the
`sprayer handle. For retaining the handle in place, protrusions
`are formed as integral parts of the container and tabs are
`formed as integral parts of the sprayer to facilitate a resilient
`snap ?t betWeen the protrusions and the slots. The holloW
`tubing connectable to the container through the closure cap
`is coiled and stored Within the holloW trigger sprayer handle,
`together With its container connector. When in use the
`handle is removed from the container recess and its con
`nector is plugged into a spout mounted on the container
`closure for movement betWeen open and closed positions.
`The aforedescribed system is hoWever not Without its
`disadvantages. For example, the container and trigger handle
`must be specially molded to facilitate the removable mount
`ing of the handle to the container. This is costly and
`uneconomical requiring special tools or bloW molding
`equipment, adding to the cost of the dispensing package.
`And the plug-in connection betWeen the tube connector and
`the spout could render the system inoperable, should the
`spout be accidentally pivoted to its closed position.
`There is a need for improvement in the design and
`operation of the knoWn remote trigger sprayers Which Would
`render the container easier to produce and of less complex
`construction While offering a more convenient and easier to
`use dispensing package to the consumer.
`US. Pat. No. 6,050,459 discloses a rigid dip tube con
`nector for a liquid spray dispenser Which includes a cap body
`having a shipper cap hinged over its upper end and a
`connector attached to the ?exible tubing to effect connection
`of a trigger sprayer to the container. The connector is of
`tWo-part construction and is coupled to the closure With the
`shipper cap open. The coupler betWeen the connector and
`the closure is hoWever so structured that it presents a
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`relatively insecure coupling. And the tWo-part construction
`required for the connector renders it more difficult and more
`costly to produce.
`There is a further need to improve upon such a connector
`Which Would be of simpler and less costly design yet highly
`effective in coupling a ?exible tube to a rigid dip tube.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an improved trigger sprayer dispensing system for connec
`tion to a liquid container to Which the trigger sprayer and its
`holloW handle is removably mounted in a manner rendering
`it easier to mass produce and convenient to carry and use.
`The trigger is removably mounted in place in a convenient
`location for quick removal by the operator While requiring
`no complex molding of either the handle or the container for
`facilitating a simple mount and easy removal of the sprayer.
`It is a further object to provide such a dispensing system
`Wherein an adaptor of one-piece molded construction is
`provided Which, together With a simpli?ed container closure,
`is economical and easy to use yet highly effective for
`facilitating connection of the holloW coil to the closure
`Which supports a rigid dip tube.
`In carrying out the aforedescribed general objectives, the
`dispensing system according to the invention includes a
`container of liquid product to be dispensed, the upper
`portion of Which having an opening de?ning the carrying
`handle. The handle forming opening is enlarged for the
`reception of a remote trigger sprayer assembly of the type
`having a gripping handle. The assembly, Which is removably
`attached to the container When not in use, has a ?exible
`holloW delivery tube connectable to the interior of the
`container. Opposing side Walls of the trigger sprayer have
`laterally outWardly extending protrusions, and the enlarged
`opening at the upper end of the container have recesses of
`complementary siZe and shape to that of the trigger sprayer
`protrusions for the snug reception of the sprayer assembly.
`In accordance With one embodiment of the present
`invention, the delivery tube may be coiled about the exterior
`of the gripper handle of the trigger sprayer in its stored
`position.
`Another embodiment of this invention provides that the
`delivery tube may be coiled and stored Within the gripper
`handle of the trigger sprayer Which is holloW, the holloW
`interior having a predetermined depth such that a portion of
`the stored coil extends outWardly of the interior of the
`gripper handle and resiliently bears against a confronting
`portion of the container at the container opening for resil
`iently mounting the trigger sprayer in place.
`In accordance With another feature of the present
`invention, an adaptor is non-removably connected to one
`end of the delivery tube, the adaptor being of one-piece
`molded plastic construction Which is removably connected
`to the container directly or indirectly. The adaptor is non
`removably connected to the holloW delivery tube by the
`provision of a ratchet disc, Which may be conical and hinged
`to a body portion of the adaptor. The disc has an opening
`Which in a use position is coaxial With a through opening
`extending through the body. The disc opening is de?ned by
`a plurality of resilient tines de?ning one-Way ratchet teeth
`engaging the delivery tube When it is inserted through the
`coaxial openings.
`Further in accordance With the invention, the adaptor may
`have an internally threaded sleeve for threaded engagement
`With an external dip tube connected to the container. Oth
`erWise the adaptor may have a holloW nipple coaxial With
`
`PETITIONER - THE CLOROX COMPANY - EXHIBIT 1008 - Page 6
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`

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`US 6,367,665 B1
`
`3
`the body opening for engagement With a closure cap
`mounted on the container.
`Another feature of this invention comprises an assembly
`for connecting a ?exible holloW ?uid delivery tube to a rigid
`dip tube for a liquid spray dispenser, the assembly compris
`ing a container closure having a cylindrical side Wall for
`engagement With the neck of a container, and an end Wall
`having a central Well for the reception of a ?exible tube
`adaptor.
`Further in accordance With the invention, the end Wall
`de?ning the Well includes a vent port, the adaptor When
`seated Within the Well de?ning together thereWith a vent
`path to the atmosphere.
`Other objects, advantages and novel features of the inven
`tion Will become more apparently from the folloWing
`detailed description of the invention When taken in conjunc
`tion With the accompanying draWings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side elevational vieW of the dispensing system
`of the invention Which includes a container, a removably
`mounted trigger sprayer assembly and in accordance With
`one embodiment, a coiled delivery tube extending out of the
`assembly;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan vieW of the system according to FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 3 is a vieW similar to FIG. 1 in Which the trigger
`sprayer assembly is removed;
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational vieW, in part section, of the
`trigger sprayer assembly of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective vieW of a one-piece adaptor
`according to the invention for connecting the delivery tube
`to the container, the adaptor being shoWn in a non-use
`position;
`FIG. 6 is a vieW similar to FIG. 4 shoWing the adaptor
`connected to the delivery tube in a use position;
`FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional vieW taken through an
`assembly according to the invention for connecting the ?uid
`delivery tube to a rigid dip tube for a liquid spray dispenser,
`Which includes the adaptor of FIGS. 5, 6;
`FIG. 8 is a partial, slightly enlarged vieW of a portion of
`the gripper handle of the assembly of FIG. 4 shoWing a
`bracket for mounting an end of the delivery tube in place;
`FIG. 9 is a side elevational vieW of a dispensing assembly
`according to another embodiment of the invention Which
`includes a container, a trigger sprayer assembly removably
`mounted thereto and a delivery tube;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective vieW of an adaptor according to
`another embodiment of the invention for mounting the
`delivery tube to the container, the adaptor being shoWn in a
`non-use position; and
`FIG. 11 is a vieW similar to FIG. 10 of the adaptor shoWn
`in a use position non-removably connected to the delivery
`tube.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Turning noW to the draWings Wherein like reference
`characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout
`the several vieWs, a dispensing system is generally desig
`nated 20 as shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance With one
`embodiment of the invention. The dispensing system com
`prises a container 21 for containing a liquid to be dispensed
`such as for laWn or garden treatment, the container having
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`a closure cap 22, and a trigger sprayer assembly 23 remov
`ably mounted to the container. The container may be of a
`high density polypropylene. And, assembly 23 has a holloW
`elongated ?exible delivery tube 24 shoWn in its non-use
`position of storage and shipping in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`An upper portion of the container has a through transverse
`opening 25 Which in part de?nes a conventional, integral,
`carrying handle 26 of the container. As shoWn in FIG. 3,
`opening 25 is enlarged to provide for the convenient mount
`ing at the upper portion of the container of trigger sprayer
`assembly 23 shoWn mounted in place in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
`enlargement includes a cutout portion 27 de?ned by trans
`verse Walls 28, 29, 31. Cutout 27 opens laterally toWard an
`upstanding Wall 32 of the container Which forms part of
`opening 25. Also, a loWer sloping Wall 33 Which connects
`With Wall 31 forms another part of opening 25.
`Trigger sprayer assembly 23 has a sprayer shroud 34
`(FIG. 4) formed With side protuberances 35, 36 (FIG. 1) as
`shoWn and described in more detail in application Ser. No.
`09/660,476, ?led Sep. 12, 2000, entitled Ergonomic Trigger
`Sprayer Having Side Saddle Supports, and commonly
`oWned hereWith. The entirety of the disclosure of that
`application is speci?cally incorporated herein by reference.
`The trigger sprayer has a pump piston operating in a pump
`cylinder and reciprocable upon actuation of a trigger lever 7
`in a manner knoWn in this art. The sprayer includes a
`rotatable noZZle cap 38 having a discharge ori?ce (not
`shoWn), and assembly 23 includes an integral gripper handle
`39 Which, as shoWn in FIG. 4, may be holloW.
`Assembly 23 includes an elongated holloW ?exible deliv
`ery tube 41 Which, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1,
`2 and 4, is coiled during storage and shipping Within holloW
`gripper handle 39, although a portion of the coiled tubing
`extends outWardly of the end of the handle, as shoWn. One
`end 42 of tube 41 is connected to an inlet element 43 of the
`trigger sprayer Which includes an inlet passage to the pump
`chamber (not shoWn) of knoWn type. The length of handle
`39, i.e., the distance betWeen opposing Walls 44 and 45
`thereof is of such dimension that delivery tube 41 extends
`slightly outWardly of Wall 45 as clearly shoWn in FIG. 4.
`TWo or three or more turns of the coiled tube extend
`outWardly of the holloW handle to function as hereinafter
`described.
`The opposite distal end 62 of tube 41 is non-removably
`connected to an adaptor generally designated 46 in FIGS. 4
`to 7. The adaptor has a nipple 47 Which snaps into the claWs
`of a bracket 48 ?xed to Wall 45 of the gripper handle, and
`extending outWardly of the forWard end thereof as shoWn in
`FIGS. 4 and 8. The distal end of the tube With the adaptor
`46 mounted thereon is therefore removably supported by
`bracket 48 in a convenient and easily accessible manner in
`the non-use position of FIG. 4.
`Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the trigger sprayer assembly 23
`is shaped and siZed to be complementary in shape to that of
`Walls 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33 of the enlarged opening at the
`upper section of the container. It is to be noted that opposing
`Walls 29 and 31 include recesses 49, 51 of complementary
`shape to that of protrusions 35, 36 of the trigger sprayer. The
`trigger sprayer may thus be securely mounted to the con
`tainer lying on one or the other of its sides and extending
`transversely of the container as shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`Protrusions 35 and 36 of the sprayer are cradled Within
`recesses 49 and 51 as the sprayer is simply snapped into
`place When inserted into cutout portion 27. As shoWn Wall
`33 slopes so as to complement the shape of the sloping side
`Walls of gripper handle 39.
`
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`5
`Alternatively, protrusions such as 35 and 36 could be
`provided on Walls 29 and 31 at cutout 27. The side Walls of
`the sprayer Would then be provided With recesses such as 49
`and 51 Which cradle the protrusions. Such an alternative,
`although not shoWn, can be provided Without departing from
`the scope of the invention.
`The spacing betWeen Walls 28 and 32 of the opening at
`the upper section of the container is such that When the
`trigger sprayer assembly is mounted to the container on its
`side and With its noZZle end extending transversely as
`shoWn, the outermost turn of the coiled tube bears snugly
`against Wall 32 at the upper end of the container. The coils
`of the tube are slightly compressed such that the compressed
`coils together function to resiliently maintain the trigger
`sprayer assembly in place Within the enlarged opening at the
`upper section of the container. Such a location for the
`mounted trigger sprayer assembly renders it convenient for
`the operator to easily access the trigger sprayer Without
`reaching around a side of the container or Without having to
`unsnap mounting means or the like.
`To positively prevent the trigger sprayer from shifting
`during storage and shipment in a direction transverse to the
`container (direction of double arroW of FIG. 2), transverse
`Wall 28 of cutout 27 may have a pair of protrusions 30 (FIG.
`3) Which project into recesses 40 provided on the top Wall of
`sprayer assembly 23 (FIG. 2) When the sprayer assembly is
`mounted in place as shoWn in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also for this
`purpose projections 50 may be provided on Wall 32 (FIG. 3)
`for the reception in recesses 60 (FIG. 4) located in the
`confronting loWer Wall 45 of the sprayer handle.
`Adaptor 46 according to the invention is of one-piece
`plastic construction having a cylindrical body 52 With a
`holloW nipple 47 depending therefrom. The body has an
`outer cylindrical Wall 53 and a bottom Wall 54 containing a
`central opening 55 coaxial With the passage extending
`through holloW nipple 47. The adaptor further includes a
`conical disc 56 integrally hinged as at 57 to cylindrical Wall
`53. The disc has a central opening 58 de?ned by a plurality
`of tines 59 Which as Will be seen together function as
`one-Way ratchet teeth.
`The adaptor is molded in its condition of non-use of FIG.
`5 as a single piece. The inner diameter 61 of cylindrical Wall
`53 is slightly less than the outer diameter of the conical disc
`such that during sub-assembly of the trigger sprayer dis
`pensing system of the invention, the conical disc is inserted
`into cylindrical Wall 53 of body 52 such that its central
`opening 58 lies coaxial With central opening 55, as shoWn in
`FIG. 6. Aslightly smaller inner diameter 61 assures the snug
`?t of the conical disc in the FIG. 6 position, maintaining the
`disc in place. OtherWise retention lugs (not shoWn) molded
`to the upper surface of Wall 53 and overlying disc 56 can be
`provided for maintaining the conical disc in place.
`After the conical disc is snapped into place Within the
`recess of the cylindrical body 52, distal end 62 of delivery
`tube 41 is plugged into the adaptor through central openings
`58 and 55 until it reaches a stop shoulder 63, as shoWn in
`FIG. 7. Any attempt to separate the adaptor from the distal
`end of the delivery tube is resisted as tines 59 ratchet into the
`distal end of the tube preventing separation.
`In the non-use position of shipping and storage shoWn in
`FIG. 4, nipple 47 is simply snapped into the opening
`presented by jaWs 64 of bracket 48 (see FIG. 8) While the
`underside of cylindrical body 52 underlies the bracket for
`removably retaining the distal end and its adaptor in place on
`gripper handle 39 of the trigger sprayer assembly.
`FIG. 7 discloses an assembly 65 for connecting delivery
`tube 41 to a rigid dip tube 66 Which extends as in any normal
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`manner into container 21 toWard the container bottom Wall
`to form an inlet passage for the liquid from the container to
`the pump chamber of the trigger sprayer during each suction
`stroke of the trigger sprayer pump.
`Assembly 65 includes closure cap 22 having a circular
`side Wall 67 Which may be internally threaded as shoWn for
`threaded engagement With the neck ?nish of the container.
`OtherWise the closure may be secured to the container neck
`in any other manner knoWn in this art.
`The closure further comprises an upper end Wall 68
`generally of a three-stepped con?guration. Thus the end Wall
`has an annular loWer Wall section 69 With a ?rst inner
`circular Wall 71 depending therefrom, and an annular base
`Wall 72. The base Wall has a second inner circular Wall 73
`having a loWer Wall 74 from Which a sleeve 75 depends. The
`sleeve supports rigid dip tube 66 in the knoWn manner, and
`Walls 71, 72, 73 together de?ne a central Well for the
`reception of adaptor 46. When assembled as shoWn in FIG.
`7, nipple 47 is plugged into circular Wall 73. Its central
`opening 55 is coaxial With an opening 76 located in loWer
`Wall 74. An external retention bead 77 may be provided on
`nipple 47 for mating engagement With a corresponding
`annular groove in end Wall 73 for securely retaining the
`adaptor in place.
`Circular body 52 of adaptor 46 is received in the space
`de?ned by Walls 71 and 72, although the Walls of the Well
`are so dimensioned relative to the siZe of the adaptor that
`bottom Wall 54 of the cylindrical body is spaced slightly
`from annular Wall 72, and cylindrical Wall 53 is spaced
`slightly from circular Wall 71. A vent port 78 is located in
`base Wall 72 for establishing a vent passage betWeen the
`interior of the container and outside the closure via the
`spacing betWeen Walls 54, 72 and betWeen 53, 71. During
`operation, therefore, as the contents of the circular liquid are
`discharged during pumping, the container interior is replen
`ished With air via the open vent passage to avoid hydraulic
`lock and container collapse.
`The annular loWer Wall section 69 of the closure cap
`de?nes a circular recess 79 for the reception of a circular
`shipping seal 81 Which in a non-use position covers the Well
`in Which the adaptor is received. In other Words, during
`conditions of shipping and storage of the dispensing system
`shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contents of the container are
`sealed closed against leakage by the provision of seal 81. In
`preparation for connection of the trigger sprayer assembly to
`the container the shipping seal 81 is simply removed in any
`normal manner thereby exposing the Well in the closure cap
`for the reception of the adaptor With its connected delivery
`tube as in the manner aforedescribed.
`Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in
`FIGS. 9 to 11. Container 82, Which may likeWise be of a high
`density polyethylene, is similar to container 21 of FIGS. 1
`and 2. Container 21 likeWise has an opening 25 de?ning a
`carrying handle 26, the opening being enlarged for the
`reception of a trigger sprayer assembly 83 Which is the same
`in all respects as trigger sprayer assembly 23 With the
`exception of delivery tube 84 Which is instead coiled about
`the exterior of gripper handle 39 of the trigger sprayer.
`OtherWise, assembly 83 is removably mounted to the con
`tainer as its upper portion is received Within complementary
`cutout portion 27 With the trigger sprayer assembly disposed
`on one of its sides and facing laterally. One end (not shoWn)
`of delivery tube 24 is connected to outlet element 43 of the
`assembly through a suitable opening in gripper handle 34.
`And distal end 85 of the delivery tube is connected to an
`adaptor generally designated 86 in FIGS. 10 and 11.
`
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`Container 82 differs from container 21 of FIGS. 1 to 3 in
`that the container in accordance With the FIG. 9 embodiment
`has a separate, external integral tube 87 connected at its
`loWer end to the container in communication thereWith via
`a bottom opening 58. Tube 87 terminates at its free open end
`essentially at the same elevation as the threaded neck of the
`container on Which a standard closure cap 95 is threadedly
`mounted.
`Adaptor 86 has a cylindrical body 91 With a central
`through opening 92, the body including a cylindrical Wall 93
`internally threaded for threaded engagement With upper end
`93 of tube 87. Such structure contrasts With adaptor 46
`Which has a nipple 47 Which plugs into a central recess or
`Well provided in the upper end of the closure. OtherWise
`adaptor 86 is essentially the same as adaptor 46 in that
`conical disc 57 is connected cylindrical body 91 by an
`integral hinge 57. Adaptor 86 is of molded one-piece con
`struction as shoWn in FIG. 10 in a position in Which it is
`molded. During the sub-assembly operation of the dispens
`ing system according to the invention, conical disc 56 is
`pivoted about its hinge to overly bottom Wall 54 of the
`adaptor and is pressed in place beneath a plurality of tabs 94
`or the like Which overly the conical disc, as shoWn in FIG.
`11. In such position, openings 58 and 92 are coaxial. And as
`in the FIGS. 5, 6 embodiment, distal end 85 of the delivery
`tube is secured to the adaptor by extending it into aligned
`openings 58 and 92 so as to be seated securely Within the
`adaptor. The tines Which interengage With the delivery tube
`function as one-Way ratchets preventing tube removal.
`In the FIG. 9 position of storage and shipping, the adaptor
`may simply extend into the loWer end of the gripper handle
`of the trigger sprayer. HoWever, unlike that of the FIGS. 1,
`2 embodiment, the delivery tube does not function to resil
`ient assist in mounting the trigger sprayer assembly in place
`on the container. And, it is to be noted that no dip tube is
`required for the FIG. 9 embodiment, but instead tube 87
`comprises a dip tube to Which the delivery tube is connected
`via adaptor 86. During conditions of non-use, the top of tube
`87 is closed by a suitable closure cap 95.
`From the foregoing it can be seen that a simple and
`economical, yet highly effective dispensing system has been
`devised for a remote pump sprayer comprising a trigger
`sprayer adapted With a gripper handle and being removably
`mounted to the container at a convenient and unique loca
`tion. The trigger sprayer assembly is literally at the ?ngertips
`of the operator While carrying the container and is therefore
`easily and readily accessible for quick removal from its
`mounted position on the container. Trigger sprayer protru
`sions (or recesses) are cradled in complementary recesses at
`the through opening at the top open portion of the container.
`In one embodiment, the ?exible delivery tube itself func
`tions to resiliently assist in mounting the trigger sprayer
`assembly in place. The opening at the upper section of the
`container is simply enlarged to make provision for the
`mounting of the trigger sprayer assembly, thereby avoiding
`the need for any special type of mounting means or recesses
`in the side Walls or other portions of the container as in the
`prior art.
`The adaptor Which is non-removably connected to the
`distal end of the delivery tube, is of molded one-piece
`construction Which simpli?es both the production of the part
`and renders the single part easier to sub-assemble thereby
`reducing cost of materials and labor. The adaptor according
`to one embodiment is plugged into the central recess of a
`container closure Which provides for an assembly for con
`necting the rigid dip tube With the ?exible delivery tube. The
`structure and arrangement of the connecting assembly is
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`65
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`8
`simpli?ed for reducing the time and effort required for
`sub-assembly thereby minimiZing costs. Moreover, the con
`necting assembly is provided With a unique and convenient
`container vent Which during use prevents hydraulic lock of
`the pump and collapse of the container.
`The adaptor may otherWise be internally threaded for
`connecting the distal end of the delivery tube to an integral,
`external dip tube providing on the container, thereby avoid
`ing the need for a dip tube normally suspended from the
`closure and projecting into the container.
`Other modi?cations and variations of the present inven
`tion are made possible in the light of the above teachings. It
`is therefore to be understood that Within the scope of the
`appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherWise
`than as speci?cally described.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A dispensing system comprising, a container of liquid
`product to be dispensed, an upper portion of the container
`having a through opening, a remote trigger sprayer assembly
`having a gripping handle, the assembly being removably
`attached to the container in a stored position, a ?exible
`holloW tube connectable at one end to the interior of the
`container and at an opposite end to the sprayer assembly for
`conducting liquid from the container to the sprayer
`assembly, the through opening at the upper portion of the
`container having an enlargement for the reception of the
`sprayer assembly, the enlargement having opposing Walls
`transverse of the container, said sprayer assembly having
`opposed side Walls With one of protrusions or recesses, and
`said transverse Walls having one of protrusions or recesses
`complementary to the protrusions or recesses of the opposed
`side Walls of the sprayer assembly for removable attachment
`of the sprayer assembly to the container.
`2. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the enlargement is de?ned by an upstanding Wall at the
`upper portion of the container spaced from said opposing
`Walls a predetermined distance as to be contacted by the
`sprayer assembly When removably attached to the container.
`3. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the gripping handle of the sprayer assembly has a holloW
`interior for containing the ?exible tube in the stored position.
`4. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`said opposed side Walls of said sprayer assembly have said
`protrusions Which extend laterally outWardly thereof, and
`said transverse Walls having said recesses for the removable
`attachment of the sprayer assembly to the container.
`5. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the upper portion of the container has an integrally formed
`carrying handle de?ned by the through opening.
`6. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the ?exible tube is Wrapped about the exterior of the
`gripping handle in the stored position.
`7. The dispensing system according to claim 2, Wherein
`the gripping handle of the sprayer assembly has a holloW
`interior for containing the coil in the stored position, the
`holloW interior having a predetermined depth such that a
`portion of the stored ?exible tube extends outWardly of the
`interior and bears resiliently against the upstanding Wall to
`assist via the reception of the sprayer assembly Within the
`enlargement.
`8. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the enlargement has a cutout portion disposed at a side of the
`opening such that in the stored position the sprayer assembly
`lies on its side.
`9. The dispensing system according to claim 1, Wherein
`the enlargement has a cutout porti