EP1501576A2 — A fluid dispensing device

USPTO Abstract

A fluid dispensing device (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505) is disclosed having a housing (9, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509) and a fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508). The fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508) is arranged to be actuated by one or more levers (20, 21; 120, 121; 170; 220, 221; 320, 321; 420, 421; 520) so as to apply a force transversely to the fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508) which is used to move a container (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530) forming part of the fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508) along a longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508) to cause actuation of a pump forming part of the fluid discharge device (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508).A pre-load means (28; 27, 28; 39,40; 41, 42, 44; 144, 47a, 47b; 150, 152, 153; 224, 227; 342; 424x, 446; 425a; 427, 428; 560, 561) is used to prevent actuation of the pump until a pre-determined force is applied to each lever (20, 21; 120, 121; 170; 220, 221; 320, 321; 420, 421; 520) of sufficient magnitude to guarantee the production of a well developed efficient spray from the fluid dispensing device (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505).