WO2018197188A1 - Trigger sprayer device and sprayer system - Google Patents

Abstract

A trigger sprayer (40) for generating a spray of aqueous liquid. The trigger sprayer comprises a nozzle for discharging the spray, a pump mechanism (41) for conveying the liquid (70) from a storage chamber (62) towards the nozzle, a handle for actuating the pump mechanism, and a base (44) accommodating the pump mechanism. The base comprises an inlet orifice (46), which opens into an outer wall portion (45) of the base and faces upwards during use, a discharge orifice (54) that is substantially opposite to the outer wall portion, and is adapted for coupling to a further orifice (64) of a bottle (60) with the storage chamber, and an inner conduit (52a, 52b), which extends through the base between the inlet and discharge orifices, to provide an unobstructed liquid-tight passageway between the inlet orifice and the storage chamber when the trigger sprayer is connected to the bottle.

Description

TRIGGER SPRAYER DEVICE AND SPRAYER SYSTEM Field of the invention

The invention relates to a trigger sprayer for generating a spray of aqueous liquid, and to a sprayer system.

Background of the invention

Detergent containers and trigger sprayers for use in a closed sprayer system are known. Such closed sprayer systems are adapted to avoid direct contact with detergent by the person using the sprayer system.

Commonly known sprayer systems include a trigger sprayer with a spray nozzle, a trigger actuator, and an internal pump mechanism with a dip tube. Such known trigger sprayers are adapted to be connected to a separate bottle, which defines a storage chamber for an aqueous liquid with detergent. The dip tube is to be inserted with a distal end into the storage chamber of the bottle, to allow the pump mechanism to extract aqueous liquid from the storage chamber and transport it towards the nozzle to form a spray. Replenishing the storage chamber in such known sprayer systems is cumbersome.

International patent document WO 2015/188129A2 describes a sprayer system with a trigger sprayer, a spray nozzle, a trigger actuator, a reservoir for accommodating a solvent substance on an upper side of the trigger sprayer, and a further reservoir for accommodating a concentrate substance on a lower side of the trigger sprayer. The known sprayer system has a pumping mechanism, which is adapted to supply portions of solvent substance from the reservoir and concentrate substance from the further reservoir to a mixing chamber, by actuation of the trigger. The topside location of the solvent reservoir limits the maximum reservoir size. Larger reservoirs will project further upwards and/or sideways with respect to the trigger sprayer, and thus reduce the mechanical balance and manageability of the resulting sprayer system.

It would be desirable to provide a sprayer system that is easier to refill and handle.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, according to a first aspect, there is provided a trigger sprayer for generating a spray of aqueous liquid. The trigger sprayer comprises a nozzle, a pump mechanism, a handle, and a base. The nozzle is adapted to discharge the spray of aqueous liquid, the pump mechanism is adapted to convey the aqueous liquid from a storage chamber towards the nozzle, and the handle is adapted to actuate the pump mechanism. The base accommodates the pump mechanism, and comprises an inlet orifice, a discharge orifice, and at least one inner conduit. The inlet orifice is located on a first side of the base, and opens into an outer wall portion of the base. This inlet orifice faces substantially upwards during use of the trigger sprayer. The discharge orifice is located on a second side of the base that is substantially opposite to the outer wall portion, and is adapted for coupling to a further orifice of a bottle that defines the storage chamber inside. The at least one inner conduit extends through the base between the inlet orifice and the discharge orifice, and provides an unobstructed liquid-tight passageway from the inlet orifice to the storage chamber, when the trigger sprayer is connected to the bottle.

The trigger sprayer according to this first aspect is adapted to be used in cooperation with in a system according to a second aspect of the invention. The inlet orifice in the trigger sprayer forms a fill opening that is integrated into the base, and allows refilling of the storage chamber with solvent liquid and/or liquid detergent directly through the trigger sprayer. The high position and upwards orientation of the inlet orifice allow a user to refill the storage chamber, by supplying solvent liquid (e.g. water) and/or liquid detergent from a source located above the trigger sprayer (e.g. a tap or a liquid detergent container). The liquid-tight passageway is unobstructed, meaning that the inlet orifice, inner conduit(s), and discharge orifice are in direct fluid connection, and that no intermediate structures for actively controlling flow (e.g. pumps, valves, etc.) are present in this passageway. Solvent liquid and/or liquid detergent supplied via the inlet orifice may therefore flow directly through the base, via the inner conduit(s), into the storage chamber. The inlet orifice and liquid-tight passageway remove the need to disconnect the trigger sprayer from the bottle during refilling. Refilling is thus rendered hassle-free, and the likelihood of spilling liquid from the storage chamber during refilling is reduced. Any dip tube that may be present and coupled to the pump mechanism of the trigger sprayer, can remain inside the storage chamber during refilling. This reduces the likelihood of dripping from this dip tube during refilling.

According to an embodiment, the base comprises a guide surface, which is arranged inside the inlet orifice and curves along the pump mechanism. This guide surface is adapted to guide a stream of liquid that is supplied via the inlet orifice into the inner conduit(s) and towards the discharge orifice.

The guide surface helps to convey solvent liquid (e.g. water), which is supplied via the inlet orifice, downstream into the internal conduit(s) and along the internal components (e.g. the pump mechanism) of the base, while reducing the likelihood of splashing or spilling.

The inlet orifice is provided in the base at a centre location above the pump mechanism during use of the trigger sprayer. The at least one inner conduit extends through the base along the pump mechanism and towards the discharge orifice. This centre location may be associated with a nominal axis, on which both the orifice and the pump mechanism are centred so as to be mutually aligned in a vertical direction during use. According to further embodiments, the inlet orifice has a transverse cross-sectional dimension that is at least equal to a sum of a transverse cross-sectional dimension of the pump mechanism and a transverse cross-sectional dimension of the at least one inner conduit.

The base has transverse dimensions that may be sufficiently large to fit in (at least) the pump mechanism, the inlet orifice, and the inner conduits. The inlet orifice, the pump mechanism, and the inner conduits each have characteristic cross-sectional dimensions in the transverse directions. The transverse cross-sectional dimension of the inlet orifice is preferably equal to or larger than the transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the pump mechanism and the inner conduit(s) combined. For example, the transverse cross-sectional area of the inlet orifice may be at least as large as the sum of the transverse cross-sectional areas of the pump mechanism and the inner conduits. The inlet orifice may thus receive a stream of liquid with a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as those of the pump mechanism and conduits combined. The cross-sectional dimensions/areas of the inlet orifice, conduits, and pump mechanism, may be optimized to allow a user to supply water as solvent liquid from an ordinary tap at a considerable flow rate, with only a small likelihood of

splashing/spilling.

The at least one inner conduit includes two conduits that extend through the base on opposite lateral sides along the pump mechanism towards the discharge orifice.

The inlet orifice above the pump mechanism may bifurcate into two inner conduits that extend along opposite lateral sides of the pump mechanism through the base. This arrangement of inlet orifice, pump mechanism, and internal conduits, yields a robust and mechanically balanced trigger sprayer.

According to a further embodiment, the guide surface defines a smooth inverted U- shape, which curves from the inlet orifice at the centre location above the pump mechanism, in opposite lateral directions downwards into the two conduits.

The guide surface with smoothly curving inverted U-shape has an apex that faces outwards, and legs that curve downwards into respective ones of the two inner conduits. This arrangement of the guide surface further lowers the probability of splashing during refilling of solvent liquid via the inlet orifice.

The at least one inner conduit includes a further conduit that extends through the base on a rear side along the pump mechanism, and which is fluidly separated from the conduits.

The further conduit provides a distinct channel between the inlet orifice and the discharge orifice, which is separate from the other two conduits. This further conduit facilitates venting of excess air from the storage chamber via the inlet orifice. In embodiments with an inverted U-shaped guide surface, an inlet of the further conduit may be adjacent to the apex of the inverted U-shape.

According to yet further embodiments, the base comprises at least one protrusion at or in the inlet orifice. This protrusion projects upwards during use, and forms a flow barrier for reducing or eliminating flow of solvent liquid into the further conduit, when the liquid is supplied via the inlet orifice.

This protrusion thus forms a flow barrier for reducing or eliminating flow of solvent liquid into the further conduit during refilling. By preventing solvent liquid from entering the further conduit, the further conduit remains unobstructed, and the venting air from the storage chamber is facilitated. The protrusion may be located between the apex of the inverted U-shape and the inlet of the further conduit.

According to embodiments, the inlet orifice defines a void in the base that has a predominantly cylindrical shape, which centred on the nominal axis. Such macroscopic circular symmetry of the inlet orifice allows provision of connector means of the rotatable type.

According to a further embodiment, the inlet orifice includes an inner wall that is predominantly cylindrical and is centred on the nominal axis. The protrusion may then include an annular segment, which has a finite angular extent and the nominal axis at a centre of curvature, and which extends from the guide surface parallel with the nominal axis outwards to project upwards during use.

Such an protrusion may simultaneously serve as an inlet flow barrier for the further inner conduit and as a locking member for a corresponding recess provided in a rotatable valve member of a detergent container, which may be attached to the trigger sprayer at the inlet orifice.

According to embodiments, the base includes a connector at the inlet orifice. This connector is adapted to cooperate with a further connector at an outlet orifice in or on a liquid detergent container, in order to couple the inlet and outlet orifices in a liquid-tight manner and restrict translation of the container relative to the trigger sprayer transverse to the nominal axis.

By providing means for connecting a liquid detergent container to the inlet orifice, this inlet orifice can advantageously be used for two purposes: refilling of solvent liquid (e.g. by an external source, if no container is connected), and safe refilling of liquid detergent (e.g. by connecting a container filled with liquid detergent).

According to a further embodiment, the connector comprises a female screw connector along the inner surface along the inlet orifice. The female screw connector is adapted to engage a male screw connector at an outlet orifice on or in the container, and for connecting the container to the trigger sprayer via rotation of the container relative to the trigger sprayer about the nominal axis over a non-zero angle ΔΦί. This non-zero angle ΔΦί is preferably in a range of 90° to 270°. The female screw connector may be formed by one or more helical threads, recesses, or flanges, which may extend over the angle ΔΦί along the inner surface of the inlet orifice.

According to embodiments, the base comprises a coupling, which is located at or near the discharge orifice on the second side of the base, and which is adapted to mechanically connect the base to the bottle. The inlet orifice becomes fluidly coupled to the storage chamber when the trigger sprayer and the bottle are mechanically connected.

According to a second aspect, and in accordance with the advantages and effects described herein above with reference to the first aspect, there is provided a sprayer system. The sprayer system comprises a trigger sprayer, a bottle, and a container. The trigger sprayer comprises a base with an inlet orifice on a first side of the base, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The bottle is connected to the trigger sprayer on a second side of the base, and encloses a storage chamber for

accommodating and aqueous liquid mixture. The container comprises a container body with a reservoir for liquid detergent, and an outlet orifice, which is attachable to the base at the inlet orifice. The container and the trigger sprayer are adapted to be mutually attached, to establish a Iiquid-tight passageway from the reservoir, via the inlet and outlet orifices and the at least one inner conduit, to the storage chamber. The trigger sprayer and the container are adapted to be used together. The container may temporarily store liquid detergent in a closed and Iiquid-tight sealed manner. This liquid detergent will only be released through the outlet and inlet orifices, if the container is appropriately attached to the trigger sprayer. Spilling of and physical contact with the liquid detergent can thus be avoided. The inlet orifice on the trigger sprayer can advantageously be used to refill the storage chamber with liquid detergent as well as with solvent liquid.

According to an embodiment, the base of the trigger sprayer is fixed to the bottle in a Iiquid-tight manner. The reservoir in the container and the storage chamber in the bottle become fluidly coupled, when the container, the trigger sprayer, and the bottle are attached.

According to an embodiment, the reservoir of the container is at least partially filled with the liquid detergent.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts. In the drawings, like numerals designate like elements.

Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded side view of a sprayer system according to an embodiment;

Figures 2a-2b schematically show cross-sectional front views of a sprayer system according to an embodiment, and

Figures 3a-3b schematically present perspective cross-sectional views of a container and trigger sprayer according to embodiments.

The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims. Description of Embodiments

The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the figures. In the next figures, cylindrical coordinates will be used to describe spatial characteristics and relations for exemplary embodiments of the sprayer system.

The "(nominal) axis A1 " refers herein to a line through the body of the sprayer system, which is centred on the valve and orifices that are associated with the coupling between the container and the trigger sprayer. In an operational position of the sprayer system, this axis A1 extends substantially vertical. The "axial direction" Z is used herein to refer to the direction parallel with this axis A1. The term "upstream" is used herein to designate the direction parallel with the positive axial direction +Z. Conversely, the term "downstream" is used herein to designate the negative axial direction -Z.

The term "radial direction" R refers herein to the directions that point radially away from the axis A1 (i.e. perpendicular to the axial direction Z) and which lie in a transversal plane for which a surface normal vector points along the axial direction Z.

The "angular direction" Φ (also called "azimuthal direction") corresponds to a unit- vector that initiates at a local radial position, and which points anti-clockwise along an (infinitesimal) angle of rotation about the axis A1 , and perpendicular to both the (local) radial and axial directions R, Z.

It should be understood that the directional definitions and preferred orientations presented herein merely serve to elucidate geometrical relations for specific embodiments. The concepts of the invention discussed herein are not limited to these directional definitions and preferred orientations. Similarly, directional terms in the specification and claims, such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "up," "down," "upper," "lower," "proximal," "distal" and the like, are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the invention or claims. The term "surface" is used herein to generally refer to a two-dimensional parametric surface region, which may have either an entirely or piece-wise flat shape (e.g. a plane or polygonal surface), a curved shape (e.g. cylindrical, spherical, parabolic surface, etc.), a recessed shape (e.g. stepped or undulated surface), or a more complex shape. The term "plane" is used herein to refer to a flat surface defined by three non-coinciding points. Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded side view of an embodiment of a sprayer system 1 . The sprayer system 1 comprises a detergent container 10, a trigger sprayer

40, and a bottle 60. In the exploded configuration depicted in figure 1 , the container 10, trigger sprayer 40, and bottle 60 are disconnected. The container 10 is attachable to the trigger sprayer 40 on one side thereof. This side is associated with a container attachment region 2. The bottle 60 attachable to the trigger sprayer 40 on another side thereof. This side is associated with a bottle attachment region 6 that is essentially opposite to the container attachment region 2.

Figures 2a and 2b schematically show cross-sectional front views of the sprayer system 1 from figure 1. Figure 2a shows an open configuration, wherein the sprayer system 1 is refillable with solvent liquid. Figure 2b shows an operational configuration, in which the container 10, trigger sprayer 40, and bottle 60 are interconnected.

The trigger sprayer 40 includes a base 44, a pump mechanism 41 , a spray nozzle 42, and a handle 43. The base 44 forms a relatively rigid structure for protecting and supporting internal components, among which the pump mechanism 41 . In this example, a casing surrounds the base 44 in the radial/axial directions, and vertically extends along a gripping region 4 that is bounded on opposite sides by the container attachment region 2 and the bottle attachment region 6 respectively. The casing forms an aesthetic shroud around the base 44, and provides a grip interface for the user. In alternative embodiments, the casing may form an integral part of the base.

The base 44 defines an upper wall portion 45 in the container attachment region 2. This upper wall portion 45 faces substantially upwards along the positive vertical direction +Z, when the sprayer system 1 is in an operational position. The base 44 defines an inlet orifice 46 and a further orifice 54. The inlet orifice 46 opens into the upper wall portion 45, and defines a recessed void in the base that has a

predominantly cylindrical shape centred on the axis A1. The further orifice 54 is located on a lower side of the base 44, in the bottle attachment region 6.

A connector 48 is provided at the inlet orifice 46 of the base 44. This connector 48 is adapted to receive and cooperate with a connector 18 on the container 10.

The base 44 defines a liquid guiding surface 51 inside the inlet orifice 46. This guide surface 51 includes an inverted U-shape, which curves around the pump mechanism

41 . This guide surface 51 is adapted to guide fluid, which is supplied via the inlet orifice 46, inwards into the base 44 (see figure 2a). The base 44 defines internal conduits 52a, 52b, which extend from the guide surface 51 downstream through the base 44 and along lateral sides of the pump mechanism 41 . A further internal conduit 53 also extends from the guide surface 51 downstream through the base 44, but at a rear side of the pump mechanism 41 (see figure 1 ). The internal conduits 52, 53 form direct fluid passages between the inlet orifice 46 and the further orifice 54. The further internal conduit 53 is separated from the internal conduits 52 by two vertical bounding walls (not shown).

The conduits 52, 53 define liquid-tight passageways through the base 44 and between the inlet orifice 46 and the further orifice 54. These passageways are unobstructed, meaning that no intermediate structures for actively controlling flow (e.g. pumps, valves, etc.) are present in these passageways. Any solvent liquid and/or liquid detergent that is supplied via the inlet orifice 46 may therefore flow directly through the base 44, via the inner conduits 52, 53 towards the further orifice 54.

The pump mechanism 41 is accommodated in the base 44, and is fluidly and mechanically coupled to one distal end of a dip tube 55. The dip tube 55 is adapted to be inserted with an opposite distal end into the storage chamber 62 of the bottle 60. In an operational position, the dip tube 55 protrudes predominantly downwards, and extends along a substantial vertical portion of the storage chamber 62, to allow drawing of aqueous liquid 70 (preferably including liquid water and liquid detergent) from the storage chamber 62. The pump mechanism 41 is adapted to convey portions of the aqueous liquid 70 from the storage chamber 62, via the dip tube 55, towards and through a further conduit 56 that extends inside and through the nozzle 42.

The handle 43 is connected to an outer side of the base 44, in the gripping region 4. The handle is movably coupled, to allow the user to exert manual force on and displace (e.g. rotate, deflect, translate) the handle 43 relative to the base 44. The handle 43 is also operatively connected to the pump mechanism 41 , to allow the pump mechanism 41 to be actuated by displacement of the handle 43. The noun "handle" is used herein to broadly refer to actuation mechanisms that are displaceable by manual force, to actuate the pump mechanism. In the example shown in the figures, the handle 43 is formed by a lever structure that is economically shaped and pivotably connected to the base 44 on one end. In other embodiments, the handle may be implemented differently e.g. in the form of a button, crank, or wheel. The spray nozzle 42 projects from the base 44, and forms an outlet for discharging a directed spray of aqueous liquid (e.g. including a portion of the liquid detergent 16) into the environment. The spray nozzle 42 may be connected to the trigger sprayer 40 in a manner that allows the nozzle's position and/or orientation to be adjustable by user manipulation, in order to change the characteristics of the generated spray jet. The nozzle 42 may for example be adjustable between two or more of a "stream position" wherein the nozzle can generate a concentrated stream spray pattern, a "fog position" wherein the nozzle can generate a dispersive fan spray pattern, and a "locked position" wherein the nozzle is blocked to prevent any spaying, so that leaking during

transport/storage or accidental operation e.g. by a child are avoided.

The bottle 60 encloses a storage chamber 62 for accommodating an aqueous liquid mixture 70, and defines a bottle orifice 64 at an upper side. Preferably, the aqueous liquid 70 is composed of liquid detergent that is dissolved in or mixed with solvent liquid, for example water. The water may include at least one of tap water, mineral water, distilled water, de-ionized water, or other type of water appropriate for use as solvent liquid. The bottle 60 is non-permeable at least for the aqueous liquid 70 (which may include the liquid detergent 16), and is made of suitable material(s) that is (are) not chemically reactive with the aqueous liquid 70. In this example, the bottle 60 is formed by a single body of plastic material that surrounds the storage chamber 62. In general, the bottle may be made with any shape, size, and/or material, provided that the bottle 60 is suitable for accommodating the aqueous liquid 70 in a liquid-tight manner (provided the bottle orifice 64 is properly connected or sealed).

The base 44 includes coupling apertures 58 along the further orifice 54. The bottle 60 includes tabs 66 at an upper side, which are arranged around and along the bottle orifice 64. The tabs 66 and coupling apertures 58 are adapted to cooperate and interlock, to fix the bottle 60 to the trigger sprayer 40 in the bottle attachment region 6. Alignment members 65 (e.g. tapered embossments) are provided on the bottle 60 near the bottle orifice 64, for rotationally aligning the bottle 60 and the trigger sprayer 40. When the bottle 60 and trigger sprayer 40 are interconnected, the inlet orifice 46 and the storage chamber 62 are fluidly coupled via the further orifice 54 and the internal conduits 52, 53 in a liquid-tight manner. The container 10 forms a storage unit that is separable from the trigger sprayer 40. The container 10 comprises a container body 12 with an outlet orifice 26, a valve member 30, and a connector 18.

The container body 12 encloses an internal reservoir 15 for accommodating liquid detergent 16, and for sealing the liquid detergent 16 from the surroundings of the container 10. The container body 12 forms a material barrier that prevents liquid detergent 16 inside the reservoir 15 from flowing out. The container body 12 is non- permeable at least for the liquid detergent 16, and is made of suitable material(s) that is (are) not chemically reactive with the liquid detergent 16. The container body 12 may also be non-permeable and/or chemically non-reactive with respect to other substances, like water. Exemplary suitable construction materials for the container body 12 are polymers, for example polypropylene (PP). At least a section of the lateral wall portion may be formed of a translucent or transparent material, to allow a user to determine a remaining quantity of liquid solvent 16 inside the reservoir 15 through visual inspection.

The outlet orifice 26 is located at the lower wall portion 13 of the container body 12, and defines a passageway between the reservoir 15 and the region outside the container 10. The connector 18 is provided on the container body 12 around the outlet orifice 26. The connector 18 is adapted to cooperate with the connector 48 on the trigger sprayer 40, to establish a coupled state between the trigger sprayer 40 and the container 10, wherein a liquid-tight connection is established between the outlet and inlet orifices 26, 46

The reservoir 15 is sealable from the region outside the container 10 via actuation of the valve member 30. The valve member 30 is movable relative to the container body 12, and can be transitioned between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve member 30 closes off the outlet orifice 26 in a liquid-tight manner to prevent liquid detergent 16 inside the reservoir 15 from passing through the outlet orifice 26. In the open position, the valve member 30 is (at least partially) removed from the outlet orifice 26 to allow liquid detergent 16 inside the reservoir 15 to pass through the outlet orifice 26.

In the open configuration of figure 2a, the container 10 is removed from the trigger sprayer 40 and the bottle 60, leaving the inlet orifice 46 exposed. In the operational position, the bottle 60 and storage chamber 62 are located below the trigger sprayer 40 and downstream of the pump mechanism 41. The filling orifice 46 is then located above the storage chamber 62 and the pump mechanism 41 . In this position, the storage chamber 62 can be filled with solvent liquid (e.g. water), by supply from an external source (e.g. a tap) that is situated above the inlet orifice 46.

As illustrated by the thick arrows in figure 2a, solvent liquid (e.g. water) supplied in this manner via the inlet orifice 46, will be conveyed through the internal conduits 52 and the further orifice 54 downstream into the storage chamber 62. The further internal conduit 53 is adapted to facilitate venting of air from inside the storage chamber 62, during filling.

With the proposed sprayer system 1 , it is not necessary to decouple the trigger sprayer 40 from the bottle 60 in order to (re-)fill the storage chamber 62. The dip tube 55 can thus remain inside the bottle 60 during refilling. The proposed sprayer system 1 allows easy hassle-free (re-)filling of solvent liquid, and significantly reduces the probability of spilling liquid from the storage chamber 62 and/or of dripping residual liquid from the trigger sprayer 40 during refill.

The base 44 has transverse dimensions that are sufficiently large to fit in (at least) the pump mechanism 41 , the inlet orifice 46, and the inner conduits 52, 53. The inlet orifice 46, the pump mechanism 41 , and the inner conduits 52, 53 each have characteristic dimensions 0i, Dp, Dc in transverse cross-sectional planes, which in this example are associated with planes along the radial and axial directions R, Φ. As illustrated in figure 2a, the transverse cross-sectional dimension 0i of the inlet orifice 46 is larger than the sum of the transverse cross-sectional dimension Dp of the pump mechanism 41 and the transverse cross-sectional dimensions Dc of the inner conduits 52a, 52b. In particular, the transverse cross-sectional area of the inlet orifice 46 may be at least as large as the sum of the transverse cross-sectional areas of the pump mechanism 41 and the inner conduits 52. The inlet orifice 46 may thus receive a stream of liquid from an ordinary tap at a considerable flow rate, with only a small likelihood of splashing or spilling.

In the operational configuration of figure 2b, the container 10, the trigger sprayer 40, and the bottle 60 are interconnected in a liquid-tight manner. The container 10 may initially be (at least partially) filled with liquid detergent 16. The container 10 may for example be commercially available in a pre-filled state, with liquid detergent 16 in the reservoir 15 and the valve member 30 in the closed position. The container 10 with liquid detergent 16 can then be coupled to the base 44 on the upper side of the sprayer system 1.

In the coupled state, the container 10 is fixed to the base 44, and a liquid-tight coupling between the outlet and inlet orifices 26, 46 is established. The closed valve member 30 still prevents liquid detergent 16 in the reservoir 15 from entering the inlet orifice 46. By transitioning the valve member 30 from the closed to the open position, the reservoir 15 and the storage chamber 62 become fluidly connected via the outlet and inlet orifices 26, 46, the internal conduits 52, the further orifice 54, and the bottle orifice 64. As illustrated by the arrows in figure 2b, liquid detergent 16 in the reservoir 15 may then freely flow downwards by gravitational pull into the storage chamber 62, and mix with the solvent liquid to obtain the aqueous liquid mixture 70. The sprayer system 1 does not need to be shaken or turned upside down, in order to let the liquid detergent 16 reach the storage chamber 62. Once the storage chamber 62 is filled with the aqueous liquid mixture 70, the user may manipulate the handle 43, to actuate the pump mechanism 41 and discharge a portion of the aqueous liquid mixture 70 via the spray nozzle 42.

Figures 3a-b illustrate in more detail the connection properties of the sprayer system 1 from figures 1-2b. In the example of figures 3a-b, the container wall portion 13 has an elliptical outer periphery with a long axis A2, defined in a radial-angular plane that is substantially perpendicular to the nominal axis A1 . Similarly, the base wall portion 45 has an elliptical outer periphery with a further long axis A4, also defined in a radial- angular plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis A1.

Figure 3a shows the container 10 and trigger sprayer 40 in a disengaged state. In this state, the valve member 30 is in the closed position, the container 10 and the trigger sprayer 44 are disconnected, and the long axis A2 of the container body 12 may have any orientation relative to the further long axis A4 of the base 44. In the disengage state, the inlet orifice 46 is exposed, which allows the user to fill the storage chamber 62 with solvent liquid (e.g. water) as described above with reference to figure 2a.

The connector 18 includes a toroidal portion 20, which forms a predominantly cylindrical structure that surrounds the outlet orifice 26 and the valve member 30, and which protrudes outwards from the container body 12 along the axis A1. The user may move the container 10 with the toroidal portion 20 along the nominal axis A1 towards the inlet orifice 46, to establish an engaged state. The connector 18 includes a male screw thread 22 around the toroidal portion 20. The connector 48 on the trigger sprayer 40 includes a female screw thread, which extends along an inwards surface inside the inlet orifice 46. The screw threads 22, 48 cooperate to allow rotation of the container body 12 relative to the trigger sprayer 40 over a combined angle ΔΦί about the axis A1 . In this example, the combined angle is at least 270°.

By connecting the container 10 to the trigger sprayer 40 via connectors 18, 48, the reservoir 15 becomes fluidly coupled with the internal conduits 52, 53 of the trigger sprayer 40. The connector 18 includes an annular sealing flange 24, and the connector 48 at the inlet orifice 46 includes an inner surface that is adapted to abut the sealing flange 24, to ensure that the connection is fluid-tight.

Figure 3b shows the container 10 and the trigger sprayer 40 in a connected state, with the valve member 30 in the fully opened position (also in figure 2b). The toroidal portion 20 of connector 18 is now inside the inlet orifice 46.

To obtain the configuration shown in figure 3b, the container 10 has first been inserted with its toroidal portion 20 in to the inlet orifice 46, and the container body 12 has subsequently been rotated relative to the base 44 over a coupling angle ΔΦ1 about the axis A1 , to bring the system into a coupled state with the valve member 30 still in the closed position (not shown). In this example, the coupling angle ΔΦ1 is about 90° along the negative angular direction -Φ.

Further screw connectors 28, 32 are provided on the valve member 30 and the container body 12, to cause the valve member 30 to translate relative to the container body 12 along the axis A1 , when the container body 12 is further rotated relative to the trigger sprayer 40 over an actuation angle ΔΦ2 about the axis A1. This relative translation causes the valve member 30 to displace from the closed to the open position. In this example, rotation over the actuation angle ΔΦ2 also proceeds along the negative angular direction -Φ (i.e. clockwise) and around the nominal axis A1. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuation angle ΔΦ2 is about 180° along the negative angular direction -Φ.

The base 44 includes two rigid protrusions 50a, 50b, which are provided inside the inlet orifice 46, and which project outwards from the guide surface 51 . Each protrusion 50 is shaped as an annular segment, which is curved along a finite angular range and centred on the nominal axis A1 . Each protrusion 50 fits inside a corresponding recess 38 on a lower side of the valve member 30. When the rigid protrusions 50 and recesses 38 are aligned and interlocked, further rotation of the valve member 30 relative to the trigger sprayer 40 will be blocked. The screw threads 22, 48 still allow further rotation of the container body 12 relative to the trigger sprayer 40 over the actuation angle ΔΦ2 along the negative angular direction -Φ. During such rotation, the annular flange 24 remains engaged with the inner surface of the inlet orifice 46, to maintain the liquid-tight coupling.

In the coupled-opened state of figures 2b and 3b, the liquid detergent 16 inside the reservoir 15 is allowed to flow along the opened valve member 30 through the outlet orifice 26, downstream via the inlet orifice 46, the internal conduits 52, and the further orifice 52 in the trigger sprayer 40, into the storage chamber 62 of the bottle 60, through gravitational pull alone.

The cooperating screw threads 22 and 48 and the screw connection 28, 32 jointly provide a reliable mechanism, which allows the above-mentioned operations to be reversed, so that the container 10 will be automatically re-sealed before it is removed from the trigger sprayer 40.

A method for preparing the system 1 for spraying operation comprises:

- holding the sprayer system 1 in an operational position wherein the bottle 60 is located substantially below the trigger sprayer 40, and the inlet orifice 46 is exposed; - at least partially filling the storage chamber 62 of the bottle 60 with a solvent liquid (e.g. water), by supplying the solvent liquid from an outside source though the inlet orifice 46, via the conduit(s) 52, into the storage chamber 62;

- providing the container 10 with liquid detergent 16 in the reservoir 15, and the valve member 30 in the closed position 12;

- connecting the container body 12 to the base 44 of the trigger sprayer 40, and opening the valve member 30;

- letting the liquid detergent 16 discharge from the reservoir 15 via the outlet orifice 26, and flow via the inlet orifice 46 and the internal conduits 52, into the storage chamber 62, to mix with the solvent liquid to form an aqueous liquid mixture 70.

Connecting the container body 12 to the trigger sprayer 40 may comprise:

- letting the outlet orifice 26 approach the inlet orifice 46 along the nominal axis A1 , and

- rotating the container body 12 relative to the base 44 over a coupling angle ΔΦ1 about the axis A1 , to establish a coupled state. Opening the valve member 30 may comprise further rotating the container body 12 relative to the base 44 over an actuation angle ΔΦ2 about the axis A1 , to transition the valve member 30 from the closed position to the open position.

Once prepared for spraying operation, the system 1 may be operated by actuating the pump mechanism 41 , and generating a spray jet of a portion of aqueous liquid mixture 70 from the nozzle 42.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

List of Reference Symbols

1 sprayer system

2 container attachment region

4 gripping region

6 bottle attachment region

10 liquid detergent container

12 container body

13 container wall portion (e.g. lower container wall)

14 further container wall portion (e.g. upper container wall)

15 reservoir

16 liquid detergent

18 connector (e.g. male screw connector)

20 toroidal portion

22 first screw thread or flange

24 first sealing member (e.g. conical sealing flange)

26 outlet orifice (container opening)

27 second sealing member (e.g. radially inward sealing flange)

28 screw recess 30 valve member

32 second screw thread or flange

34 further second sealing member (e.g. radially outwards sealing flange)

36 engagement member

38 engagement recess

40 trigger sprayer

41 pump mechanism

42 spray nozzle

43 trigger handle

44 base

45 base wall portion (e.g. upper trigger sprayer surface)

46 inlet orifice (e.g. upper fill opening)

48 further connector (e.g. female screw connector)

50 further engagement member (e.g. protrusion)

51 guide surface (e.g. inverted U-shape)

52 internal conduit (base conduit)

53 further internal conduit (air vent)

54 further orifice (e.g. lower discharge opening)

55 dip tube

56 further conduit (nozzle conduit)

58 bottle coupling (e.g. coupling aperture)

60 bottle

62 storage chamber

64 bottle orifice

65 alignment member

66 further bottle coupling (e.g. coupling tab)

70 liquid mixture (e.g. spray liquid)

A1 rotation axis

A2 long axis (e.g. long axis of container surface)

A4 further long axis (e.g. long axis of sprayer surface)

Z axial direction

R radial direction

Φ angular direction (azimuthal direction) AZc container-trigger sprayer translation

ΔΖν valve-container translation

ΔΦ1 first rotation angle (coupling angle)

ΔΦ2 second rotation angle (actuation angle)

Δ<Μ combined angle (ΔΦί = ΔΦ1 + ΔΦ2)

0i inlet orifice diameter

Dc transverse conduit dimension

Dp transverse pump dimension

Claims

Claims

1. A trigger sprayer (40) for generating a spray of aqueous liquid (70), and comprising:

a nozzle (42) for discharging the spray of aqueous liquid;

a pump mechanism (41 ) for conveying the aqueous liquid from a storage chamber (62) towards the nozzle;

a handle (43) for actuating the pump mechanism;

a base (44), which accommodates the pump mechanism, and comprises:

an inlet orifice (46) on a first side (2) of the base, which opens into an outer wall portion (45) of the base and faces substantially upwards during use;

a discharge orifice (54) on a second side (6) of the base that is substantially opposite to the outer wall portion (45), and is adapted for coupling to a further orifice (64) of a bottle (60) with the storage chamber, and

at least one inner conduit (52, 53), which extends through the base between the inlet orifice and the discharge orifice, and which provides an unobstructed Iiquid-tight passageway from the inlet orifice to the storage chamber, when the trigger sprayer is connected to the bottle;

wherein the inlet orifice (46) is provided in the base (44) at a centre location that is above the pump mechanism (41 ) during use, and wherein the at least one inner conduit (52, 53) extends through the base (44) along the pump mechanism (41 ) towards the discharge orifice (54);

wherein the at least one inner conduit (52, 53) includes two conduits (52a, 52b) that extend through the base (44) on opposite lateral sides along the pump mechanism (41 ), towards the discharge orifice (54); and

wherein the at least one inner conduit (52, 53) includes a further conduit (53) that extends through the base (44) on a rear side along the pump mechanism (41 ), and which is fluidly separated from the conduits (52).

2. The trigger sprayer (40) according to claim 1 , wherein the base (44) comprises a guide surface (51 ), which is arranged inside the inlet orifice (46) and curves along the pump mechanism (41 ), wherein the guide surface is adapted to guide a stream of liquid that is supplied via the inlet orifice into the at least one inner conduit (52) and towards the discharge orifice (54).

3. The trigger sprayer (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet orifice (46) has a transverse cross-sectional dimension (0i) that is at least equal to a sum of a transverse cross-sectional dimension (Dp) of the pump mechanism (41 ) and a transverse cross-sectional dimension (Dc) of the at least one inner conduit (52, 53).

4. The trigger sprayer (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide surface (51 ) defines a smooth inverted U-shape, which curves from the inlet orifice (46) at the centre location above the pump mechanism (41 ), in opposite lateral directions downwards into the conduits (52).

5. The trigger sprayer (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base (44) comprises at least one protrusion (50) provided at or in the inlet orifice (46), which projects upwards during use, and which forms a flow barrier for reducing or eliminating flow of solvent liquid into the further conduit (53) when the liquid is supplied via the inlet orifice.

6. The trigger sprayer (40) according to claim 5, wherein the inlet orifice (46) includes an inner wall that is predominantly cylindrical and centred on a nominal axis (A1 ), wherein the protrusion (50) includes an annular segment, which has a finite radial and angular extent and has the nominal axis (A1 ) at a centre of curvature, and which extends from the guide surface (51 ) parallel with the nominal axis (A1 ) outwards to project upwards during use.

7. The trigger sprayer (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base (44) includes a connector (48) at the inlet orifice (46), wherein the connector is adapted to cooperate with a further connector (18) at an outlet orifice (26) in or on a liquid detergent container (10), in order to couple the inlet and outlet orifices in a liquid-tight manner and restrict translation of the container relative to the trigger sprayer transverse to a nominal axis (A1 ).

8. The trigger sprayer (40) according to claim 7, wherein the connector (48) comprises a female screw connector along an inner surface along the inlet orifice (46), which is adapted for engaging a male screw connector (22) at the outlet orifice (26) of the container (10), via rotation of the container body (12) relative to the trigger sprayer about the nominal axis (A1 ) over a non-zero angle (ΔΦί).

9. The trigger sprayer (40) according to any one of claims 1 8, wherein the base (44) comprises a coupling (58), which is located at or near the discharge orifice (54) on the second side (6) of the base, and which is adapted to mechanically connect the base to the bottle (60), wherein the inlet orifice (46) is fluidly coupled to the storage chamber (62) when the trigger sprayer (40) and the bottle are mechanically connected.

10. A sprayer system (1 ), comprising:

a trigger sprayer (40) including a base (44) with an inlet orifice (46) on a first side (2) of the base, in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9;

a bottle (60) that is connected to the trigger sprayer on a second side (6) of the base, and which encloses a storage chamber (62) for accommodating and aqueous liquid mixture (70);

a container (10) comprising a container body (12) with a reservoir (15) for liquid detergent (16), and an outlet orifice (26), which is attachable to the base at the inlet orifice;

wherein the container and the trigger sprayer are adapted to be mutually attached to establish a liquid-tight passageway from the reservoir, via the inlet and outlet orifices and the at least one inner conduit (52, 53), to the storage chamber.

1 1 . The sprayer system (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the base (44) of the trigger sprayer (40) is fixed to the bottle (60) in a liquid-tight manner, wherein the reservoir (15) in the container (10) and the storage chamber (62) in the bottle are in fluid communication when the container, the trigger sprayer, and the bottle are coupled.

12. The sprayer system (1 ) according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the reservoir (15) of the container (10) is at least partially filled with the liquid detergent (16).