Pump dispensers

A reciprocating pump dispenser having a rotational down-lock and a releasable catch mechanism preventing unwanted rotation tending to disengage the rotational down-lock, the dispenser comprising:

• a plunger head including:
• (i) an outlet, (ii) a stem communicating with the outlet and extending along a plunger axis, said stem having an end plug and a pair of axially spaced abutments positioned at a terminal end opposite the outlet, (iii) a sliding piston coaxially captured on the stem so as to slide between the axially spaced abutments, and (iv) a cylindrical shroud, at least partially enclosing the stem, having at least one resilient rib extending inwardly toward the stem;
• a pump body coaxially receiving a portion of the stem, the pump body including:
• a cap configured to secure the pump body to a container;
• a pump cylinder attached to the cap and defining a pump chamber;
• an insert coaxially received within the pump body;
• a spring member urging the plunger head into an extended position, relative to the pump body, along the plunger axis;
• a rotational lock integrally formed on interfacing surfaces of the plunger head and the pump body so that, when engaged, the plunger head is prevented from moving axially to the extended position, said rotational lock releasing after the plunger head rotates about the plunger axis for a nominal distance;
• and
• a catch mechanism integrally formed on interfacing surfaces of the plunger head and the pump body so that, when engaged, rotation of the plunger head is inhibited but the catch mechanism is configured to release before the plunger head rotates less than the nominal distance, said catch mechanism including:
• an upwardly extending lip or flange, formed on the pump body, with at least one radial projection extending away from the upwardly extending lip or flange and positioned at an axial elevation that engages the resilient rib(s) when the rotational lock is engaged;
• and
• wherein the sliding piston only allows fluid to enter the stem when the plunger head is depressed and wherein the end plug blocks fluid from entering the stem when the rotational lock is engaged.