Dispensing – With discharge assistant – With material supply container and discharge assistant with...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-12
2001-12-25
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
With material supply container and discharge assistant with...
C239S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332562
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a trigger actuated pump sprayer, and more particularly to such a sprayer with an ergonomic design having integral outwardly bulging sides defining side saddles for supporting the container attached to the trigger sprayer securely and conveniently on the top hand of the operator when the sprayer is grasped during use.
Trigger actuated pump sprayers are typically mounted on the neck of a container of liquid product to be dispensed, such as a household product which may be a window cleaner, laundry starch, or the like. More recently, containers of those products are of increased size which when filled with the household liquid can become unmanageable in use due to the weight of the liquid filled container. The container is packaged with the trigger sprayer mounted on the container neck such that in use the operator grasps the container neck as well as at least the closure cap provided for mounting the trigger sprayer to the container, such that the container is supported at the top of the operator's hand by a rearwardly extending shelf defined by a lower rear wall of the pump body or the shroud cover of the pump sprayer. This shelf rests upon the top of the operator's hand at the web of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger while the forefinger or the forefinger and middle finger engage the trigger lever for stroking the pump for dispensing. However with the advent of larger and larger plastic containers filled with liquid household products to be dispensed, the trigger sprayer with only its rearwardly extending support ledge is inadequate in supporting a rather heavy liquid container on the top of the operator's hand for assuring a secure and convenient grip of the sprayer package.
There is a need for an ergonomic improvement of trigger actuated pump sprayers permitting the sprayer package to be more securely and conveniently grasped and held by the operator without slippage and in a manner which reduces fatigue during the spray operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a trigger actuated pump sprayer as more ergonomically capable of supporting the sprayer package on the top of the operator's hand while in use in a manner which is convenient and comfortable for the operator while at the same time reduces fatigue while pumping.
Another object is to provide such a trigger sprayer which is easier and more efficient to mold and mass produce yet which is highly economical and convenient to use.
In carrying out the foregoing general objectives, the shroud cover attached to a standard trigger sprayer pump body has side saddles projecting laterally outwardly of opposing side walls of the shroud to an extent beyond the circular side wall of the closure cap connected to the pump body provided for mounting the pump sprayer to a container of liquid to be sprayed. The side saddles extend longitudinally along the entirety of the shroud side walls and are defined by bent portions of the shroud having the same thickness as the remainder of the shroud bent portions and forming transverse walls for supporting the sprayer on the top of the hand of the operator when the sprayer is grasped during use. And a portion of the shroud cover between the side saddles and a lower free edge of the shroud is constricted inwardly relative to the closure side wall for ergonomically enhancing the support of the sprayer and handling by the operator while also minimizing the lateral outward extent of the side saddles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a trigger sprayer in which the constricted portion is defined by inwardly bent sections of at least the sidewalls and have the same thickness as the remainder of the shroud.
A still further object is to provide such a trigger actuated sprayer in which the constricted portion is further defined by an inwardly bent section at the rearward end of the shroud which likewise has the same thickness as the remainder of the shroud.
A still further object is to provide such a trigger sprayer in which the shroud has rearwardly extending portions defining a bottom wall which is coplanar with the transversely extending undersides of the side saddles for providing further support for the sprayer.
Another object is to provide such a trigger sprayer in which the rearwardly extending wall portions have the same thickness as the remainder of the shroud.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 409487 (1999-05-01), Wadsworth et al.
patent: D. 409917 (1999-05-01), Wadsworth et al.
patent: D. 409918 (1999-05-01), Wadsworth et al.
patent: D. 420914 (2000-02-01), Cummings
patent: D. 421388 (2000-03-01), Cummings
patent: 4355739 (1982-10-01), Vierkotter
patent: 4519527 (1985-05-01), Klaeger
patent: 5507437 (1996-04-01), Foster et al.
patent: 6095377 (2000-08-01), Sweeton et al.
patent: 6138873 (2000-10-01), Gramola
patent: 6182865 (2001-02-01), Bunschoten et al.
Undated-taken from website, www.take 5net.com.
Seven photographs—undated photographs of actual Take 5 Sprayer.
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Kaufman Joseph A.
Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.
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