CA1085793A

CA1085793A - Universal, sequential pump dispensing system

Info

Publication number: CA1085793A
Application number: CA302,343A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lewis A. Micallef
Original assignee: Leeds and Micallef
Current assignee: Leeds and Micallef
Priority date: 1977-05-02
Filing date: 1978-05-01
Publication date: 1980-09-16
Also published as: GB2002847B; FR2389782A1; SE441380B; FR2389782B1; SE7804938L; NL7804663A; CH641248A5; BE867593A; AU3562578A; GB2002847A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A valveless pump system having two moving parts consist-ing of a cylinder with a piston therein defining a pump chamber.
An inlet part communicates with a dip tube which extends into a container and permits the product in the container to pass into the pump chamber. An outlet port allows for the product thus drawn to be dispensed from the pump chamber. The pump is actu-ated by pressure directed axially on the piston, forcing it into the cylinder. Fitted with a return device the piston is allowed to reciprocate in the cylinder alternating between a suction and compression stroke. During the suction stroke product is drawn into the pump chamber by way of the inlet port while the com-pression stroke provides for the dispensing of the product thus drawn via the outlet port. The system is equipped with passages and channels sufficient to accomplish the operation of drawing and dispensing the product in addition to providing for the vent-ing of the container. The suction stroke provides for air to be drawn through the outlet part from the ambient into the pump cham-ber, advantageously removing any residual product from the outlet part where this is desirable. In certain applications the air is drawn into the pump chamber to assist in the dispensing of the product during the compression stroke. The introduction of air into the pump chamber also assures the presence of an air pocket therein, thereby maintaining a resiliency in the system thereby preventing piston "hang up". Embodiments of the pump system are disclosed having a vertical pump axis equipped with adverti-cally reciprocal finger actuated button or having either a ver-tical or horizontal axis with a trigger actuator. Different cylinder and piston configurations are disclosed facilitating commercial applications of the system.

Description

10~5793 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I - Field of the Invention This invention relates to a manually operated pump for dispensing the contents of a container.
5 - II - Description of the Prior Art A wide variety of dispensing pumps have found commercial acceptance for dispensing a product from a container. The typi-cal pump includes a vertically reciprocal finger actuated plunger, that causes product to pass through a dip tube, enter a pump chamber and exit through a nozzle or outlet, according to the prescribed pumping cycle and predetermined opening and closing of both inlet and outlet valves. ~ __-Similarly, trigger actuated pumps have gained in pop- -ularity with pumping being achieved by pressing and releasing a laterally disposed trigger mechanism.
However, pumps of the foregoing type require a rela-tively larger number of complex parts with consequent expense both in manufacture and assembly. Thus, there exists a need for dispensing pumps that are relatively simple and reliable with an absolute minimum number of parts each individually simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

10~5793 The need for reliable and less costly pumps for dispensing essentially all products without limitation as to pump materials has increased; and it is becoming acute with the severe criticism of the aerosol industry and particularly aerosol dispensing pack-ages utilizing fluorocarbon propellants with their attendant affect on the environment. In addition, such criticism has served to make the consumer aware of the inherent economy and convenience of pump type dispensers.
SU~MARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved system for manually actuating a dispensing pump which is comprised of a minimum number of parts, each individually simple to manufacture and assemble at relatively low cost;
and this pump system may be constructed of essentially only two basic parts, only one of which moves, with other, mostly con-ventional parts, being necessary to satisfy certain applications.
Another object is to provide a piston pump based on a pump system of the foregoing type which is valveless and sealed when in the rest position for shipment, without requiring any additional parts, to further reduce costs; and, advantageously it is self-cleaning to prevent clogging of the selected nozzle or discharge orifice and thereby extremely sanitary.
A further object is to provide a system which is extremely versatile in that it may function as a vertically reciprocal pump having a laterally directed discharge orifice or a trigger pump 1085~93 with the pump axis being either vertica~yor horizontally disposed or at any other orientation depending upon the packaging require-ments.
Still another object is to provide a pump system which may be utilized without a dip tube and inverted for purposes of more convenient dispensing residual insecticides, plant sprays~ foot sprays, and the like materials.
A still further object is to provide a pump system having the capability, during the dispensing cycle to compress air and entrain it with the product in order to produce a broad range of sprays from a stream to a fine suspended mist; a pu~p having a system of the foregoing type has the capability of large ' volume product delivery for relatively short piston strokes, . thereby permitting shorter and less fatiguing trigger strokes ~:~
l by the mechanical advantage afforded by the design of the trigger mechanism.
An important object is to provide a pump system in which the air-to-product ratio during dispensing may be preset depend-ing upon the product being dispensed and the dispensing pattern desired therefor.
Another important object is to provide a pu~p system of the foregoing type in which an integral built-in venting system is included as part of the pump structure and operation thereby avoiding the necessity of a separate and independent .
venting system for neutralizing negative pressure in . the contaner head space as the product is dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cos~etic dispenser incorporating the pump shown in Figure 2;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional ~iew of an embodiment . 5 of a pump incorporating the teachings of this in~ention and whichhas an up~ardly directed ~ixed discharge orifice normal to the pump axis;
. Figures 3A - 3E are schematic representations of the pump at various stages-of piston retraction during the pump chamber filling cycle;
Figures 4A - 4E are schematic rePresentatiOns of the pump insertion during the pump discharge cycle;
Figure 5A is an enlarged longitudinal.sectional view of another embodiment of the pump incorporating the teachings of this .15 invention in a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump;
Figure 5B is a fractional view of the piston of the ~ump ~
shown in 5A incorporating a ring sleeve;
Figure 5BB is a similar view of piston with a modified sleeve having commercial application.
Figure 5C is a fractional view of the piston of the pump . shown in Figure 5A incorporating a resilient sleeve;
Pigure 5D is a fractional Yiew:of the piston of the pump shown in Figure 5A incorPorating a grooved plug;
` Figures 6A - 6D are schematic representations of the pump at Various: stages of piston insertion during the pump discharge cycle; .
Figures 6E - 6~ are schematic representations of the pump duri.ng various stages of piston retrac~ion during the pump chamber filling cycle;

~ 1085793 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump incorporating ~he teaching of this invention and employ.ing an external return spring shown on a container that is broken away and removed;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the pump of Figure 7 with certain parts broken away, removed and sectioned showing the external spring positioned between the tab and the trigger;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to be dispensed employing an internal spring;
. ' . Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump . of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of another em- :~
bodiment of the pump incorporating the teachings of this inven-tion and utilizing a standard moving orifice;
. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure ll fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to be dispensed;
. Figure 13a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the pump incorporating the teachings of this invention but utilizing a fixed orifice; -Figures 13b-~3c are schematic representations of the pump at various stages of piston insertion and retraction.

iO857Y3 Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of anothex embodiment of a trigger actuated pump incorporating the teachings of the invention in which the mechanical ad-vantage is such that short piston strokes are possible for large volume product delivery;
Figure 15 is a similar view of the pump but with the trigger depressed;
Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the pump in a standard moving orifice pump em-- 10 ploying a cylinder comprised of multiple parts and with the piston extended; and -~ Figure 17 is a similar view of the pump as shown in .~ Figure 16 but with the piston depressed.

lOb5793 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TE~E DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In reference to Figure 1 a cosmetic dispenser package 10 is shown including a product or li~uid containing bottle or container 12 and upper component retaining body or cap 14 con-tains the pump 16 of this invention.
Referring now to Figure 2~ the pump 16 includes a piston cylinder 18 and a piston 20. The cylinder 18 includes an inlet port 22 which communicates with a downwardly depending dip tube 24. In addition the cylinder 18 includes an outlet port 26 which.may have coupled therewl.th a dischar~e nozzle 28 extending in an upwardly direction for convenience in cosmetic application.
A series of annular sealing or contact rings may be utilized between th.e piston 20 and the interior of cylinder 18. .:-These rings may be positioned on the piston 20 or on the interior walls of the cylinder 18. In either situation, the clearance between the piston 20 and the interior walls of the cylinder 18 should be minimized to attain the maximum efficiency of the pump 16.

10t~5793 ~s depicted, rings 30 and 32 isolate the lower inlet port 22. Rings 34 and 36 isolate the upper outlet port 26. Rings 36, 38 or as many as needed prevent leakage by way of the open end 40 of the cylinder 18. The inlet and outlet ports 22 and 26, respectively, are offset which permit rings 32 and 34 to seal off the outlet port 26 in the at rest position shown in Figure 2. During the operation of the pump 16 when ring 32 isolates the inlet port 22 from the pump chamber 46, inlet port 22 communicates with outlet port 26 to allow for venting of the container. The forward end of the piston 20 is flared outward- .
.. ly in a conventional manner to press against the interior cy-linder wall and also defines a piston head 42. The forward .: end of the piston including the piston head 42 defines with the closed end 44 of the cylinder 18 and pump chamber 46. :
The piston 20 is provided with a longitudinally extending passage 48 which extends frc)ni the forward end of the piston and consequently the pump cha~ber 46 to a secondary trap 50 which can be varied in volume to con_ain and balance the mixture of air and product according to purpose. In addition, a metering channel 52 may be provided which assures t.he balance of mixture O r air and product on the discharge stro~e. The piston 20 also . includes a lateral extending passage 54 from the passageway 48, which is capable of communicating with the inlet port 22. In addition, a laterally extending passage 56 extends from passage- .
way 48 and the secondary trap 50 and is adapted to communicate ,~

10t~57Y3 with the outlet port 26. ~s will be appreclated from Pigure 2, lateral passageway 54 is interposed between rings 30 and 32 whereas passage 56 is interposed between rings 34 and 36.
In order to initiate the filling of the pump chamber 46, assuming initial disposition of parts as shown in Figure 3A.
¦the lateral passages 54 and 56 of the piston will be both sealed off from the inlet and outlet ports 22 and 26, respectively.
There may or may not be an air liquid mixture in the trap 50, depending on whether or not the pump has been initially primed.
The piston 20 is either manually retracted or permitted to shift to the right under the influence of an external spring 58.
Eventually the lateral passageway 56 will communicate with the outIet port 26 at which time air will be drawn into the pump chamber (Figure 3B ). The lateral passageway 56 will clear the :;-outlet port 26 and with the further movement of the piston 20 out of the cylinder 18, a vacuum or negative pressure will be generated in the pump chamber 46 ~Figure 3 C). The lateral passage 54 will now communicate with the inlet p~rt 22 at which time liquid will be drawn or sucked into the pump chamber 46 (Figure 3D ). The lateral passage 54 will then clear the inlet port 22 at which time the pump is ready to initiate its dispens-ing cycle.
.~

With the pump at rest as shown in Figures 3 and 4A
with the piston drawn to its outer limit by means of the spring 58, both the inlet and outlet ports 22 and 26 are sealed by the piston and with product and air contained in the pump chamber 46 and secondary trap 50. As the piston 18 shifts inward some pro-duct and air will be forced back down the dip tube 22. This reverse flow may be reduced or eliminated by minimizing the piston 20 clearance in the cylinder 18 or by a change in the position of the contact rings.
Then the lateral passage 54 will pass over the inlet port 22 at which time any additional equalization of pressure . takes place (Figure 4B). The inlet passage 54 will then clear .~ the inlet port 22 at which time compression of air will take plac in the pump chamber 46 and trap 50 upon further insertion of ~.
the piston 20 in the cylinder 18 (Figure 4C). The lateral ...
passage 56 then communicates with the outlet port 26 causing the product and air contained in the pump chamber and secondary trap to be discharged from the nozzle 28 under pressure (Figure 4D~. The lateral passage 56 is then sealed from the outlet port 26 to clip off the spray thereby ending the discharge stroke (Figure 4E).
The pump 16 filling cycle and product dispensing cycle may then be repeated as often as desired following the foregoing sequence of steps and cycles of operation. In addition, pump 16 . .~ ~

iO~5793 ¦ will remain primed after its initial priming so that repriming is unnecessary.
Referring now to a somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 5A and 6, the pump 116 includes a piston cylinder 118 and a piston 120. The cylinder 118 in-cludes an inlet port 122 which communicates with a downwardly j depending dip tube 124. The cylinder 118 also includes a ¦ channel 126 which is defined by a channel plug 128 and neighbor-I ing surfaces of the cylinder 118.
In order to facilitate mounting of the pump 116 on a receptacle an integral coupling means may extend from the cylinder. Towards this end, the cylinder 118 may be inter-nally threaded as at 130 for engagement with the threaded neck 132 of a bottle or other receptacle containing the de-¦ sired material to be dispensed. A separate closure cap, , preferably internally threaded, having a central opening may also be used to affix the pump to the bottle or other receptacle. ~7 Obviously, other forms of connection may be employed to couple the pump to the container.
Turning now to the piston 120, contact between the piston 120 and the cylinder 118 is provided by a series of slid-ing dividers or annular sealing rings. These sliding dividers or sealing rings may be positioned independently on the piston 120 or may be incorporated in a ring sleeve 134 which, made of a soft material, would cover and be suitably secured to the piston 120', made of a hard material, as shown in Figure 5B.
Of commercial importance is the embodiment of piston 120" shown in Figure 5BB having a molded sleeve 135 which is ,i~
inexpensive to make and may be polyethylene or any suitable resinous material h~ving compatibility with the product to be ~ ~08~i793 dispensed. Rings 137 are molded to extend forwardly and in the direction of compression so as to resist any tendency to collapse during the pressure stroke. Certain applications may permit the rings to extend in the rearward direction. The indicator ring configuration permits the clearance between the exterior of the sleeve between rings and the interior of the cylinder to be reduced significantly where desired or necessary. In a successfu]
embodiment of the piston of Figure 5BB the ring 137 was approx-imately 1 mm long and its forward face was inclined approximately 45 with the piston axis; and the exterior face of the rings was rounded. The base of each ring was approximately .6 mm wide and each ring tapers to a feather edge.
Another method of contructing the piston 120"' would be where the rings and piston are a single piece and are covered by ~15 a resilient sleeve 136 as depicted in Figure 5C. Alternately, as will be evident to those skilled in the art and as contemplatec by the invention, the contact rings may be located on the inter-ior wall of cylinder 118 in lieu of the piston 120 with certain other modifications.
In the position of piston 120 shown, ring 138 isolates the inlet port 122. Ring 144 prevents leakage from the cylinder 118 to the exterior of the pump. Ring 140 and ring 142 isolate the piston port 148; and, similarly ring 142 and ring 144 isolate piston port 150, which is adapted to communicate with the discharge orifice or nozzle 152 through coaxial bore or channel 154.
The piston 120 is provided with a longitudinally ex-tending coaxial bore or channel 156 which extends from the ~iJ
piston forward end and consequently the pumP chamber 158 to the piston wall 160. The piston port 148 provides communication ~ lO~S793 between the piston channel 156 and the exterior of the piston 120 between rings 140 and 142. The piston 120 also includes a second piston channel 154 which longitudinally extends from the piston wall 160 and is adapted to communicate with the outlet orifice 152. The piston port 150 provides communication .
between the piston channel 154 and the exterior of the piston 120 between rings 142 and 144.
In order to facilitate the mixing of air and product a means of subjecting one or both to a tortured path may be utilized.
For example, one such means would be where the piston 120 is : : provided with a grooved plug 121, which fitted in the piston channel 156, as depicted in Figure 5D. The plug 121 would com-prise a solid core with a spiral groove 123 on its longitudinal sur . face, terminating at the top portion of each end of the plug ~:;
and a straight. groove 125 longitudinally placed across the length of the bottom portion of the plug 121. In addition, both grooves 123 and 125 would provide communication between the pump chamber 158 and the piston port 148 for the passing of product and air to be dispensed.
When the piston 120 is in its fully retracted or extended position in the cylinder 118 as shown in Figure 5A, piston port 150 is isolated from piston port 148, thereby sealing passage or any product from the pump as specifically ~{~8S793 from pump chamber158 and out through the orifice 152, At this disposition the unintentional dispensing of product is prevented and may be used as a shipping position if so desired, with or without a release element for maintaining this position during shipment and storage.
Assuming the disposition of parts as shown in Figure 5A and as shown in Figure 6A. Assume also that the piston 120 has completed a suction stroke and that there is product in the pump chamber158 and piston channel 156 In certain .
applications depending upon the product to be dispensed and the desired spray pattern, a certain amount of air may ". also be present in the pump chamber158 and channel156~-,.- drawn in by way of the outlet orifice 152~ When it is desired .
to dispense product and particularly the contents of the pump , chamber 158 and piston channells6,, the pu~p 116 is activated by applying finger pressure to the trigger 162 which depends from the piston extension 164 As the piston 120 moves inwardly into the cylinder 118 to the position of Figure 6B, some product along with some air is forced back down the dip tube 124. When desired the rings may be positioned so . that this is minimized or does not occur. Once ring 138 ~ 108579;3~

isolates the cylinder inlet port 122 from the pump chamber 158 and ring 140 passes the cylinder channel 126 isolating piston port 148 from the cylinder inlet port 122, the passing of product down the dip tube 124 stops (Figure 6;3). Contempor-aneously, ring 14Z has been preventing product and air, if . present, from entering the piston channel 154 from channel 156 and the pump chamber 158 by way of the piston port 150.
Once, the cylinder inlet port 122 is totally isolated then upon further insertion of the piston 120 in the cylinder 118 compression or presurization of the pump chamber occ- rs. The distance that ring 142 travels before it reaches the cylinder channel 126 after ring 140 clears this channel determines how much compression takes place. When ring 142 enters the cy- .
linder channel 126 the contact seal with the cylinder 118 - :.
will be interrupted causing communication between piston channel 156 and piston channel 154 by way of piston port 148 and piston port 150 (Figure 6C). At this juncture product passes into the piston channel 154 and exits through the out-let orifice 152 and continues until ring 142. clears the channel 126. When this occurs or slightly before, the inlet .
port 122 is exposed to the piston port 148 allowing any remain-ing pressure in the piston channel 156 to dissipate back into Ii .

iO~i57~3 the container through the dip tube 124. The piston port 150 is then sealed from piston port 14~ by ring 1~2 thereby ending the discharge stroke (Figure 6D).
Reference is now made to the filling of pump chamber 158 and venting of the container head space as depicted in Figures 6E to 6H. The shifting of the piston 120 to the right, outwardly of cylinder 118 initiates the suction stroke. When ring 142 enters the cylinder channel 126 and before ring 140 reaches the cylinder inlet port 122 (see Figure 63) a path for air exists between the cylinder inlet port 122 and the outlet orifice 152, thereby relieving any negative pressure formed in the container, as a result .~ of the filling of pump chamber 158 with product from the pre-vious suction stroke, thereby venting the headspace. When :;
ring 142 clears channel 126, piston port 14~ is isolated from piston port 150 and the drawing of air stops (Figure 6F).
The air returning through the outlet orifice 152 and the .
piston chamber 154 and the proper selection of the size of chamber 154 ^lears them of product thereby preventing clogging by any residual dried out product and assuring continued optimum pump performance.

Upon further shifting outward of the piston 120 in the cylinder 118, ring 140 will pass over the cylinder chan-nel 126 allowing communication between the cylinder inlet port 122 and piston port 148 ~Figure 6G). Now ring 138 and ring 142 cooperate in the formation of a negative pressure in the pump chamber 158 and piston channel 15~6 at which time liquid will be drawn or sucked into cylinder 118 from the .
container through the dip tube 124. When rings 14~. clears . channel 126, piston port 148 is sealed and isolated from pump chamber 158 Ring 138 continues to exert a negative pressure drawing product into the pump chamber 158 until the piston 120 reaches its rest position (Figure 6H).
The pump 116 filling cycle and product dispensing . cycle may then be repeated as often as desired following the ~.
foregoing sequence of steps and cycles of operation. Pump lI6 will remain primed after initial priming. -.' ' ...
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a proposed commercial version of the pump 116 of Figure,SA is illustra~ted . which may comprise an external trigger restoring spring 166, a closure cap 168, a.tab 17~ and a nozzle 172~ Inasmucb as . , , .
. :
, ~' lOB5793 the spring 166 is external and does not come in contact with the product being dispensed, it need not be made of an expensive corrosion-resistant metal. The closure cap 168 has a central opening 174 and is preferably threaded internally 176 for contact with the neck of the container 17~.
The tab 170 conveniently serves as a retainer for the piston 120, an abutment for the external spring 17~ and as a means for preventing the piston 120 and the piston extension 14~
from rotating on its longitudinal axis. The nozzle 172 may assume one of many different forms. For example, it may be capable of being rotated between a closed, an open a spray and a stream position or any combination thereof.
.~ With reference to Figure 9, a dispenser package is shown including a container 114 and the pump 116, :.
incorporating an internal spring 180 as shown ln Figure 10, is affixed to the container 114 in a sealed manner by -way of a closure cap 168. In all other respects the structure and operation of the pump of these figures are the same as the previous embodiment and like parts will be similarly numbered.
Reference is now made to Figure llwhich depicts an embodiment of pump of this invention with the pump axis dis-posed vertically to form a vertical reciprocal pump having . . .
. .

a laterally directed discharge orifice or nozzle. In all other respects this embodiment is similar in structure, operation and construction to the embodiment of Figure 5A
and, accordingly, corresponding parts will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscript a. Thus, the pump 116a is provided with a finger actuated button 182 containing a lateral outlet orifice 152a. This pump is affixed to a liquid container by means of a closure cap 168a.
Pressure can be applied directly upon the button 182 to dispense the product incident to vertical reciprocation of this piston. ~s shown in Figures lland 12, pump 116a extends into the product container il4a to reduce the height of the overall packaging although this may not be essential in certain applications. If dispensing in an inverted manner is recommended as with foot powders and the like this may be accomplished by the elimination of the plug 188 and the channel 190 to the dip tube 124a as well as the dip tube itself. Cor-responding modifications may be made on all embodiments of the pump Referring now to the embodiment of the invention of Figures 13a - 13c,it will be observed that an outlet orifice 152b is advantageously maintained in a fixed position and does not move when the pump is reciprocated. The cylinder 118b is provided with a vertical passage 192 which originates at the cylinder .r~3 iO85793 channel 126b and terminates at the outlet orifice 152b and an additional passage 190b which extends from the cylinder inlet port 122b and communicates with the dip tube 124b. The pump 116b isactuated by finger pressure upon the plunger 194b. The piston 120b is provided with a piston port 150b located between rings 142b and 144b which allows fox communication between the piston channel 156b and the piston 120b surface. Parts corresponding to previous ~mbodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompany-ing subscript b. When the piston ring 138b isolates cylindex inlet port 122b from the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b compression of the trapped air and product begins.Eventually, ring 140b will be in cylinder channel 126b so that a path exists between the outlet orifice 152b and the inlet port 122b so that any negative pressure in the liquid container is relieved by vent-ing. (Figure 13B) The compression continues until ring 142b enters the cylinder channel 126b at which time ring 140b isolates cylinder inlet port 122b. Then the seal of ring 142b is interrupted and a path is established between the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b and the outlet orifice 152b by way of the piston port 150b, the cylinder channel 126b and the cylinder passage 192 ~Figure 13C). When thi~
occurs, the air and product is dispensed through the outlet orific~
152b. On the return stroke of piston 120b the cylinder inlet port 122b is isolated from the piston port 150b by ring 140b. Then air i s ."-lOb5793 drawn into the pump chamber 158b and cylinder channel 15~b from the outlet orifice 152b due to a negative pressure formed by the cooperation of rings 138b, 140b and 144b.(Figure 13C) ~hen ring 1~2b isolates piston port 150 from the cylinder channel 126b the drawing of air into the pump chamber 158b stops and the continued re-traction of piston 120b from the cylinder 118b creates a vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b.~i~ure 13~ While sc ~e air and product may be drawn about the piston surface between rings 13~b and 142b, the primary operation is the creation of the vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156~ by ring 13~b. Once ring 138b passes the inlet port 122b product is sucked into the pump chamber 158b through inlet port 122b.
The drawing of product continues until the piston 120b reaches its rest position. (Figure 13A) ~:
Referring now to the embodiment of the pump 116b as shown in Figures 14 and 15. This is essentially the same pump as shown in Figure 13 but in the present instance, it is actuated by means of a trigger assembly 210. Figure 14 depicts the pump and the trigger assembly 210 in a rest or starting position.
Figure 15 shows the trigger a~sembly 210 in a fully contracted position with the pump dispense cycle completed. ~he trigger assembly 210 comprises a trigger housing 208, an actuating lever or trigger 204 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 206 carried by the trigger housing 208, and a Y-shaped actuator 212. The Y-shaped actuator 212 comprises member 21~, member 210 3 and member 214 jointly connected by a hinge 220.

~ ' 10ti5793 Member 214 engages trigger 204 while member 216 extends from the hinge 220 and pivots against the housing 208, and member 210 ¦extends from the hinge 220 and engages the piston. A passage ¦222 is provided in the housing 208 to allow the passing of air and product to the outlet orifice.
With reerence now to Figures 16 and 17, another embodi-ment of the pump is shown. Figure 16 depicts the purnp at rest whereas Figure 17 shows the pump in a fully depressed position.
Parts corresponding to the other em~odiments will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscriptc. Thee,sential difference between pump 116c and the preceeding embodiment of the pump 116 is the construction of the cylinder 230 . The cylinder 230 , may comprise a cylinder wall 232 which is surrounded by a cy-linder housing 234 . The cylinder channel 236 is forrned by .:
an opening in the cylinder wall 232 . The cylinder inlet port 122c communicates with the dip tube 124c by way of passage 238 located between the cylinder housing 234 and the cylinder wall 232 . In all other respects, construction and operation of the pump is identical to that of of the previously described vertical reciprocal pump as shown in Figure 11.

~ 10~5793 It should be evident by all of the embodiments of the invention that the pumps construction and manufacture would re-main of a simple nature in its applications. The pump is extreme-ly versatile and can function in various positions such as horizontal, vertical or even inverted if so desired. It can be vertically reciprocal, actuated by a trigger mechanism or directly, with the discharge nozzle movable or stationary.
The diameter of the pump chamber and piston respectively may be increased in relation to the outlet port so as to be able to disperse a given large volume by a short stroke when coupled with a trigger mechanism providing an acceptable mechani-cal advantage.
The position of the contact rings can be adjusted to vary the ratio of air to product depending on the purpose sought to ~-be achieved. Ring position will also govern the strenqth of the vacUum or negative pressure formed in the pump chamber dur-ing the filling cycle as well as the compression available for dis-pensing the product. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, piston sealing ring placement and spacing, piston and cylinder port spacing and size and cylinder channel location and sizerwill vary depending on many factors, including avoidance ~f liquid lock and vapor loc]c, duration and amount of product dispensed with each stroke, venting and of course the desired sealing against leakage.
..

Il 10~5793 In the mova~le orifice pump, when the product exits out the orifice in the piston as in Figures 5-12, and 16-17, only four rings are necessary. In the fully inserted position, rings 144, 144a must be on the right or upper side of the channel 126, 126a to seal the piston. In the fully retracted position, ring 138, 138a must be on the right or upper side of the inlet opening 122, 122a to permit filling the pump chamber.
The distance between ring 144 and ring 138 determines the minimum length of the cylinder. During the compression stroke when ring 138 clears the inlet opening, ring 142 should theoretically now be in the cylinder channel 126 in order to assure against liquid lock and assure proper operation of the pump. If there is suf-ficient resilient means in the pump chamber as disclosed herein, such as a pocket of air some compression will be permitted before this ring 142 enters the channel 126 to avoid liquid lock. Of course with proper location of ring 140, some product will be forced back into inlet opening 122, from piston port 148, channel 126 around ring 140. (See Figure 6B) The cylinder channel 126 must be long enough to connect the piston ports 148, 150 on each side of ring 142 for a sufficient period of time to get enough product out through the outlet orifice 152. The length of channel 126 in the cylinder and the duration over which both piston ports 148, 150 are exposed to this channel deter-mines the amount of volume of spray. Instead of lengthen-ing the channel you may wish to locate ring 142 closer to the forward end of the piston. Therefore, ta increase the volume of spray you must lengthen the channel 126 or the spacin ~etween rings 142 and 140 to any given channel. If the spac between rings 142 and 140 is small the time of sp~a~ will be longer, if the distance between rings 142 and 140 is lengthened the duration of spray is shortened for a fixed cylinder channel length.
With respect to the sequential pump in which the outlet orifice is fixed as in Figures 13-15, only three rings are necessary because ring 142b may be eliminated. In the fully inserted position the outermost ring 144b must be on the upper side of the outlet opening 126b. In the fully retracted position the innermost ring 138b must be on the upper right side of the inlet opening 122b. The distance between rings 138b and 14~b determines the minimum length of the cylinder. During compression when ring 138b clears the inlet opening 122b proper operation is assured and liquid lock is avoided by rïng 142b entering the outlet opening 126b. A delay in the ring 142b entering the out- r~
let opening 126b is permissible if there is sufficient air or other resilient means in the pump chamber. The placement of ring 142b in the fixed orifice pump cooperates in determining the amount of spray.

- ~ ,....... ,, .. , With the foregoing in mind, rings 36, 30 and 42 of Figure 2 may be eliminated. The reason for rings 30 and 42 (the latter need not be present at all) is simpl~ to retain product in the pump chamber 46 when the pump is fully retracted, otherwise there may exist the possibility of the product leak-ing down the dip tube 24.
It will be noted that when the ring spacing meets the requirements for effective pumping, conditions are also such that communication between the container and the atmosphere is also provided. Thus, venting of the container is an e5sential consequence of the pumping action. The magnitude of the pressure drop created inside the cylinder chamber before the inlet port opens is proportional to the piston travel wkich is equal to the distance between rings 138 and 142 minus ~-~
the space between the cylinder ports including the width of the ports themselves.
As used throughout, the term "ring" is intended to cover all sealing elements the shape of which will be dependent upon the transverse cross-section of the tubular pump, whether it be circular, elliptical, straight-sided or other geometrical form. Likewise, the term cylinder is intended to embrace these cross-sectional configurations of tubes within which the piston is reciprocal.

10tl5793 The invention contemplates the providing of a pocket of air in the pump chamber so that the likelihood of a piston "hang-up" or a "liquid lock" is eliminated. As will be appre-ciated by those skilled in the field, the pump chamber can easily accommodate a flexible sponge which would similarly remedy a "hang-up" if necessary. Also, the cylinder iteself may be pro-vided with a resilient cylinder wall or portion thereof or even a controlled leakage past the rings would provide alternate solutions to the problem. The holes in the piston as well as the holes in the cylinder need not be holes as such, but could be slots or a combination of both.
Overall, the invention is easily adaptable to the varied necessities and applications of the commercial and private users and to which the embodiments shown reflect a mere portion of its ulitmate utilization.
Thus the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense lirnited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.
~,,~ ' .

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A dispensing pump system for dispensing product from a container , the pump serving as a container closure comprising:
an outer part; an inner part in the outer part defining a pump chamber therewith, and the parts being relatively reciprocal through a compression stroke from an extended position to an inserted position and through a suction stroke from the inserted position to the extended position; inlet port means for cooperating in communicating the con-taining interior with the pump chamber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into the pump chamber from the container interior solely by creating a negative pressure differential between the pump chamber relative to the container interior to cause product to be sucked into the pump chamber; outlet port means for product to be dispensed under pressure from the pump chamber during the compression stroke; venting means operable during part of the pumping cycle to replace product removed from the container interior into the pump chamber with air; and the inner and outer part defining cooperating surfaces for sequentially opening and closing the inlet and outlet port means during the relative reciprocation of the parts during the pumping cycle to permit product to enter the pump chamber and dispense it from the pump chamber without the necessity of external inlet and outlet check valves; and said cooperating surfaces further allowing said container interior to communicate with the ambience during said part of the pumping cycle thereby to provide said venting means.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer part is a cylinder and the inner part is a piston.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder and piston therein each have a vertically disposed axis.

4. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder and piston therein each have a horizontally disposed axis.

5. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the outlet port means is a discharge orifice mounted on the cylinder.

6. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the outlet port means is a discharge orifice mounted on the piston.

7. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder and piston therein each have a vertically disposed axis, a finger engaging button on the exterior of the piston for facilitating vertical reciprocation of the piston in the cylinder and consequently discharge of the product from the pump chamber out through the outlet port means.

8. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the dispensing pump includes a trigger means coupled with the piston for actuating the piston and causing its reciprocation in the cylinder during the compression stroke and suction stroke.

9. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the cylinder and piston therein have vertically disposed axes.

10. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the cylinder and piston disposed therein have horizontally disposed axes.

11. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein cooperating passages are between the cylinder and piston to permit the product in the pump chamber to be directed out through the outlet port means during the compression stroke.

12. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the venting means includes cooperating passages between the cylinder and piston to permit air to be directed from the outlet port means into the container interior during said part of the pumping cycle to vent the container interior and further to purge product for the outlet port means thereby rendering the pump system self-cleaning during each pump cycle to prevent clogging of the product in the outlet port means.

13. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder is composed of two parts with one cylinder part telescoped within the other.

14. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein sealing rings are on the piston and spaced from one another in a predetermined manner and in relation to the inlet port means and the outlet port means.

15. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inlet port means includes a dip tube for directing product from the container interior into the pump chamber.

16. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein a return spring means biases the piston and the cylinder to their extended position.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the return spring means is within the cylinder and interposed between the piston and cylinder.

18. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the return spring is externally of the cylinder and interposed between parts projecting from the piston and cylinder.

19. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein during the suction stroke air is sucked through the outlet port means from the ambient into the pump chamber to purge product from the outlet port means thereby rendering the pump system self-cleaning during each pump cycle to prevent clogging of product in the outlet port means.

20. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vent means includes cooperating passages that permit air to be directed from the outlet port means into the container interior during the suction stroke and compression stroke.

21. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder has a port forming part of the inlet port means communicating with the container interior and wherein the piston is hollow and includes at least one port forming part of the inlet port means in the lateral walls thereof extending the exterior to the interior of the piston, and during the suction stroke the piston port being adapted to communicate with the cylinder port in passing the product into the pump chamber and thereafter the product is adapted to pass directly into the pump chamber from the cylinder port.

22. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the dispensing pump system includes a trigger means coupled with a piston for actuating the piston and causing its re-ciprocation in the cylinder during the compression stroke and suction stroke, the trigger means including a force multiplying means which provides a mechanical advantage thereby permitting the piston to adapt a short stroke for a relatively large given product delivery.

23. The system in accordance with claim 22, wherein the force multiplying means includes a lever actuated linkage assembly for transforming movement of the trigger means into lateral movement of the piston.

24. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cylinder and piston therein each have a vertically disposed axis, a finger engaging button on the exterior of the piston for facilitating vertical reciprocation of the piston in the cylinder and consequently discharge of the product from the pump chamber out through the outlet port means, the outlet port means including a discharge orifice fixedly mounted in relation to the vertical reciprocation of the piston in the cylinder, and the outlet port means including a passage network from the pump chamber to the discharge orifice for passing product from the pump chamber to the discharge orifice during the compression stroke.

25. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pump chamber includes a resilient means for acting to prevent piston hang-up in the cylinder during the pumping cycle.

26. The system in accordance with claim 25, wherein the resilient means includes means for providing an air pocket in the pump chamber which is adapted to be compressed for purposes of eliminating piston hang-up in the cylinder.

27. A dispensing pump system for dispensing product from a container, the pump serving as a container closure, comprising: an outer part forming a cylinder having an open end and a closed end; an inner part forming a piston in said outer part and having a forward end and a rear end and the piston forward end defining with the cylinder closed end a pump chamber, the piston and cylinder being relatively reciprocal through a compression stroke from an extended position to an inserted position and through a suction stroke from the inserted position to the extended position; inlet port means for cooperating in communicating the container interior with the pump chamber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into the pump chamber from the container interior by creating a negative pressure differential between the pump chamber relative to the container interior to cause product to be sucked into the pump chamber; outlet port means for product to be dispensed under pressure from the pump chamber during the compression stroke, the outlet port means being spaced from the inlet port means in an axial direction and being further away from the cylinder closed end than the inlet port means; venting means operable during part of the pumping cylce to replace product removed from the container interior into the pump chamber with air;
said piston and cylinder defining cooperating surfaces for sequentially opening and closing the inlet and outlet port means during relative reciprocation of the parts during the pumping cycle to permit product to enter the pump chamber and dispense it from the pump chamber without the necessity of external inlet and outlet check valves, and said cooperating surfaces further allowing the container interior to communicate with the ambience during said part of the pumping cycle thereby to provide said venting means; the piston having at least three spaced sealing rings forming part of said cooperating surfaces, a first ring closer to the rear end for sealing the juncture between the piston and cylinder when the piston and cylinder are in the extended position and the product to be dispensed is in the pump chamber and being interposed between the outlet port means and the open end of the cylinder when the piston and cylinder are in the inserted position, a third ring closer to the forward end of the cylinder for opening and closing the inlet port means from the pump chamber and when the piston and cylinder are in the extended position the third ring is inter-posed between the inlet port means and the outlet port means, and a second ring intermediate the first and third ring, the piston having a longitudinal passage and a transverse passage, the transverse passage and the third ring being so positioned relative to one another that when the inlet port means is sealed by the third ring the relative reciprocation of the piston and cylinder is assured so that eventually the outlet port means will communicate with the pump chamber to prevent liquid lock of the piston in the cylinder and to permit operation of the pump.

28. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein the transverse passage is between the first and second ring and communicates directly with the longitudinal passage and a stationary outlet orifice forms part of the outlet port means.

29. The invention in accordance with claim 28, wherein the first and third rings are spaced apart a distance exceeding the distance between the inlet and outlet port means and inlet port means communicating with the outlet port means to vent the container when the third ring is interposed between the inlet port means and the closed end of the cylinder and the first ring is on the side of the outlet port means closest the open cylinder end.

30. The invention in accordance with claim 29, wherein the second ring is spaced from the third ring by less than the maximum distance between the forward end of the inlet port means and the rear end of the outlet port means.

31. The invention in accordance with claim 30, wherein the transverse passage is interposed between the first and second ring.

32. The invention in accordance with claim 31, wherein, a fourth ring is interposed between the first and second ring for cooperating in defining the duration that the product passes out of the pump chamber into the outlet port means, and the transverse passage is interposed between the first and fourth rings.

33. The invention in accordance with claim 27, wherein the cylinder includes a channel forming part of the outlet port means between the inlet port means and the open end of the cylinder and the transverse passage being between the first and second rings, a second transverse passage communicating directly with the longitudinal passage, a partition across the piston between the transverse passages, a movable outlet orifice forming part of the outlet port means and movable with the piston, the partition serving as a barrier preventing direct communication between the longitudinal passage and the outlet orifice, and when the second ring traverses the channel during reciprocation of the piston, the longitudinal passage is adapted to communi-cate with the outlet orifice through the transverse passages and the channel.

34. The invention in accordance with claim 33, wherein the first and third rings are spaced apart to a distance ex-ceeding the distance between the inlet and outlet port means and the inlet port means communicates with the outlet port means to vent the container when the third ring is interposed between the inlet port means and the closed end of the cylinder and the first ring is at the side of the channel closest the open cylinder end and the second ring traverses the channel to permit communication between the outlet orifice, second traverse passage, the channel, the clearance between the piston and cylinder between the second and third rings and the inlet port means.

35. The invention in accordance with claim 34, wherein the second ring is spaced from the third ring by at least the distance between the forward end of the inlet port means and the rear end of the outlet channel.

36. The invention in accordance with claim 35, wherein a fourth ring is interposed between the second and third ring for isolating the channel and the inlet port means during the compression stroke and cooperating in assuring that the passage of product out of the pump chamber through the longitudinal passage, the transverse passages and interconnect-ing channel out through the outlet orifice.

37. The invention in accordance with claim 27, where-in the piston and rings are integrally constructed, and a tubular resilient sleeve covering the rings.

38. The invention in accordance with claim 27, where-in the piston comprises two piston parts with one piston part being a ring sleeve which is fitted over the other piston part, the sleeve having the rings thereon as integral outwardly and circumferentially extending projections.

39. The invention in accordance with claim 37, where-in the sleeve is molded and is of tubular configuration fitted over the forward end of the piston with the transverse passage extending through the sleeve, each ring having a base and tapering to an outer feather edge, each ring having a forward and a rear face, the forward face being inclined forwardly defining an acute angle with the axis of the piston so that the rings resist any tendency to collapse during the compression stroke.

40. The invention in accordance with claim 39, where-in the rear face of each ring is arcuate.