Pre-compression valve systems for trigger sprayers

1. A pre-compression valve system, comprising:

a unitary check valve and pre-compression valve, comprising a tubular body with an open lower end and a closed upper end; a post inserted inside the tubular body through the open lower end;

wherein the check valve controls fluid flow into a pumping cylinder and the pre-compression valve is positioned in a vertical cylinder in communication with the pumping cylinder, the pre-compression valve opening only when a predetermined pressure exists within the pumping cylinder,

the vertical cylinder having an axis extending from a view point beyond the pre-compression valve, past the pre-compression valve, and toward the check valve, and

wherein the pre-compression valve has a convex sealing surface as viewed from the view point in the vertical cylinder.

2. A unitary pre-compression valve for a trigger sprayer, comprising:

a check valve; and

a pre-compression valve connected to the check valve; comprising a tubular body with an open lower end and a closed upper end; a post inserted inside the tubular body through the open lower end;

wherein the pre-compression valve is positioned in a vertical cylinder in communication with a pumping cylinder, the vertical cylinder having an axis extending from a view point beyond the pre-compression valve, past the pre-compression valve, and toward the check valve,

wherein the pre-compression valve has a sealing surface facing toward the view point in the vertical cylinder, and

wherein the pre-compression valve opens only when a predetermined pressure exists within the pumping cylinder.

3. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 2 , wherein the unitary pre-compression valve is formed of a flexible plastic material.

4. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 2 , wherein the pre-compression valve has a flat surface as viewed from the view point in the vertical cylinder.

5. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 2 , wherein the pre-compression valve has a concave surface as viewed from the view point in the vertical cylinder.

6. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 2 , wherein the pre-compression valve has a convex surface as viewed from the view point in the vertical cylinder.

7. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 6 , further comprising a valve seat against which the pre-compression valve is seated.

8. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 7 , wherein the valve seat is provided by a valve seat component positioned in the vertical cylinder and above the pre-compression valve.

9. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 7 , wherein the valve seat is formed in the wall of the vertical cylinder.

10. The unitary pre-compression valve of claim 2 , wherein the check valve is a frusto-conical shaped check valve.

11. A pre-compression valve system, comprising:

a unitary check valve and pre-compression valve, comprising a tubular body with an open lower end and a closed upper end; a post inserted inside the tubular body through the open lower end;

wherein the check valve is positioned at the lower end and controls fluid flow into a pumping cylinder; and

wherein the pre-compression valve is located at the upper end and is positioned in a vertical cylinder in communication with the pumping cylinder, the vertical cylinder having an axis extending from a view point beyond the pre-compression valve, past the pre-compression valve, and toward the check valve,

wherein the pre-compression valve has a convex sealing surface facing toward the view point in the vertical cylinder,

wherein the pre-compression valve opens only when a predetermined pressure exists in the pumping cylinder, and

wherein the pre-compression valve has a convex surface as viewed from the view point in the vertical cylinder.

12. The pre-compression valve system of claim 11 , wherein the unitary pre-compression valve is formed of a flexible plastic material.

13. The pre-compression valve system of claim 11 , further comprising a channel inside the post.

14. The unitary pre-compression valve system of claim 11 , further comprising a valve seat against which the pre-compression valve is seated.

15. The unitary pre-compression valve system of claim 14 , wherein the valve seat is provided by a valve seat component positioned in the vertical cylinder and above the pre-compression valve.

16. The unitary pre-compression valve system of claim 14 , wherein the valve seat is formed in the wall of the vertical cylinder.

17. The pre-compression valve system of claim 11 , wherein the check valve is a frusto-conical shaped check valve.

18. A pre-compression valve system, comprising:

a unitary check valve and pre-compression valve, comprising a tubular body with an open lower end and a closed upper end;

a post inserted inside the tubular body through the open lower end;

a channel inside the post, wherein the channel serves as a conduit to allow normal atmosphere outside air pressure to enter the tubular body;

wherein the check valve is a frusto-conical shaped check valve positioned at the lower end and controls fluid flow into a pumping cylinder; and

wherein the pre-compression valve is located at the upper end and is positioned in a vertical cylinder in communication with the pumping cylinder.