CA1147303A - Universal sequential pump dispensing system - Google Patents
Universal sequential pump dispensing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1147303A CA1147303A CA000397647A CA397647A CA1147303A CA 1147303 A CA1147303 A CA 1147303A CA 000397647 A CA000397647 A CA 000397647A CA 397647 A CA397647 A CA 397647A CA 1147303 A CA1147303 A CA 1147303A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- piston
- pump
- pump chamber
- product
- cylinder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A valveless pump system having two moving parts con-siting 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 contain-er 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 actuated 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 compression stroke provides for the dis-pensing 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 venting of the container. The suction stroke provides for air to be drawn through the outlet part from the ambient into the pump chamber, 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 a verti-cally reciprocal finger actuated button or having either a vertical or horizontal axis with a trigger actuator. Different cylinder and piston configurations are disclosed facilitating commercial applications of the system.
A valveless pump system having two moving parts con-siting 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 contain-er 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 actuated 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 compression stroke provides for the dis-pensing 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 venting of the container. The suction stroke provides for air to be drawn through the outlet part from the ambient into the pump chamber, 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 a verti-cally reciprocal finger actuated button or having either a vertical or horizontal axis with a trigger actuator. Different cylinder and piston configurations are disclosed facilitating commercial applications of the system.
Description
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I - Field of the Invention This invention relates to a manually operated pump for dispensing the contents of a container.
II - Description of the Prior Art A wide variety of dispensing pumps have found commer-cial acceptance for dispensing a product from a container. The typical 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.
~7303 ~ he need for relia~le and less costly pumps for dispensing essentially all products without limi~ation as to pump materials has increased; and it is ~ecoming acute witil the severe criticism of the aerosol industry and particularly aerosol dispensing pac]~-ages utilizing fluorocarbon propellants with their attendant affect on the environmel~t. In addition, such criticism has served to make ~che consumer aware of the inherent economy and convenience of pump type dispensers.
SU~ARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal o~ject of this invention is to provide an improved svstem for manually actuating a dispensing pump which i5 comprised of a minimum number of parts, eacll individually simple to manufacture and assem~le at relatively lo~ cost;
and tnis 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.
Anotller objeci 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 anv ,0 additional parts, to further reduce costs; and, advantageously it is self-clea-ning to prevent clogging of the selected nozzle or discharge orifice and thereby extremely sanitary.
A furth~r object is to provide a system WhiCIl is ex~remely versatile in that it may function as a vertically reciprocal pump having a laterally directed discharge orifice or a trigger pump ~ ~73~
with the pump axis being either vertically or horizontally dis-posed or at any other orientation depending upon the packaging requirements.
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 hav-ing the capa~ility, 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 pump 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 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 therefore.
Another important object is to provide a pump system of the foregoing type in which an integral built-in venting system is lncluded as part of the pump structure and operation thereby avoiding the necessity oE a separate and independent venting sys-tem for neutralizing negative pressure in the container head space as the product is dispensed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispens-ing pump system for dispensing product from a container compris-ing: a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder defining a pump cham-ber therewith, and the piston and cylinder being relatively re-ciprocal through a compression stroke from an extended position to an inserted position and through a suction stro}~e rom the 3~3 inserted position to the extended position; inlet port means for cooperating with the piston in communicating the container in-terior with the pump chamber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into the pump chamber from the container inter-ior; outlet port means for product to be dispensed from the pump chamber during the compression stroke, said outlet means coopera-ting with the piston communicating the pump chamber with ambient air during the suction stroke to permit a predetermined quantity of air to enter the pump chamber, said product and air entering the pump chamber sequentially during different parts of the suc-tion stroke, and wherein the predetermined of air in the pump chamber assists in the dispensing of the product from the pump chamber through the outlet port means.
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- ~a -~73~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI~E DRAI~I~GS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic dispenser incorporating the pump shown in Figure 2;
Figure .2 is a longitudinal sectional vie~7 of an embodiment : of a pump incorporating the teachings of this invention and which has an upwardly directed fixed discharge orifice normal to the pump axis;
Figures 3A - 3E are schematic representations of the pump at various stages of piston re~raction during the pump chamber 1~ 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 t~achings of the invention in a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump;
Figure 5B is a fractional view of the piston of ti~e pump ~` shown in 5A incorporating a ring sleeve;
: Figure 5BB is a similar view of piston with a modified sleeve having commercial application.
2U Figure ~C is a fractional view of the piston of the pump s;lown in Figure 5A incorporating a resilient sleeve;
Figure 5D is a fractional view of the piston of the pump shown in Figure 5A incorporatiny a grooved plug;
Figures 6A - 6D are schematic representations o the pump at various stages of piston insertion during the pumi~ discharge cycle;
Figures 6E -- 6H are schematic representations of the pump during various stages of piston retraction during the pump chamber filliny cycle;
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~73~3 Figure 7 is a yerspective view of a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump incorporating the teaching of this invention and employing an external return spring shown on a container that is ~roken away and removed;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the yump 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 1~ of a trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container for li~uid to be dispensed em~loying 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 utilizin~ a standard moving orLfice;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown ~: in Figure 11 fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to e dispensed;
Figure 13a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another em~odiment of the pump incorporatlng the teachings of this invention but utilizing a fixed orifice;
Figures 13~-13c are schematic representations of the pump at various stag~s of piston insertion and retraction.
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1 ~73~33 Figurc 1~ is a longitudinal cross-sectional vicw of : another 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 wi.th the piston extended; and : \Figure 17 is a similar view of the pump as sllowll in .. ,~igure 16 b t with the pi,,on depresscd.
73~3 DEl'AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EM~ODIME~TS
In reference to Flgure 1 a cosmetic dispenser package 10 is shown including a product or liquid containing bottle or container 12 and upper component retaining body or cap 14 con-tains the pump 16 of this invention.
Referring no~7 to Figure 2, the pump 16 includes a piston cylinder 18 and a piston 20. The cylinder 18 includes an inlet ~ort 22 which communicates with a downwardly depending dip tube 24. In addition the cylinder 18 includes an outlet ~ort 26 ~0 which may have coupled therewith a discharge nozzle 28 extending in an upwardly direction for convenience in cosmetic application.
A series of annular sealing or contact rings may be utilized between the piston 20 and the interior of cylinder 18.
T;~ese 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.
~73~3 As depicted, rings 30 and 32 isolate the lower inlet port 22. Rings 34 and 36 isolate tne upper outlet port 26. Rings 36, 38 or as many as needed prevent leakage by way of tne 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 tne 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 whicll extends from the forward end of the piston and consequently the pump cnamber 46 to a secondary trap 50 whicl can be varied in volume to contain and balance the mixture of air and product according to purpose. In addition, a metering channel 52 may be provided which assures the balance of mixture of air and product on the discharge stro~.e. The piston 20 also includes a lateral extending passage 54 from the passageway 48, whicli is capable of communicating with the inlet port 22. In addition, a lateraily extending passage 56 extends from passage-way 48 and the secondary trap 50 and is adapted to communicate _ g _ .
7~3 with the outlet port 26. As will be appreciated fron; ~igure 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.
Tnere 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 outlet 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 3C). The lateral passage 54 will now communicate with the inlet port 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.
73~3 ~Jith the pump at rest as shown in Figures 3 and 4A
witn 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 slnifts 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 c~linder 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 place 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 ln the pump chamber and secondary trap to be discnarged from the nozzle 28 ~nder 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 1 ~73~
. . , 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 depending dip tube 124. The cylinder 118 also includes a channel 126 which is defined by a channel plug 128 and neighbor-ing surfaces of the cylinder 118.
In order to facilitate mounting of the pump 116 on a receptacle an integral couplins 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, preferable internally threaded, having a central opening may also be used to affix the pump to the bottle or other receptacles.
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 5B~ having a molded sleeve 135 which is inex~ensive to make and may be polyethylene or any suitable resinous material ha,ving compatibility with the product to he ~73~
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 entend 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 successful embodiment of the piston of Figure 5BB the ring 137 was approx-imatelv 1 mrn long and its forward face was inclined approximately ; 10 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 constructing the piston 120"' would be where the rings and piston are a single piece and are covered by a resilient sleeve 136 as depicted in Figure 5C. Alternately, as will be evident to those skilled in the art and as contemplated by the invention, the contact rings may be located on the in.er-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, slmilarly 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 156.
The piston 120 is provided with a longitudinally ex-tending coaxial bore or channel 156 which extends from the piston forward end and consequently the pump chamber 158 to the piston wall 160. The piston port 148 provides communication " ~473~3 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 lon~gitudinally 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 7~13 from pump chamber 158 and out thrcugh 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 tne 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 chamber 158 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 chamber 158 and channel 156, 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 channel 156, the pump 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 tnat this is minimized or does not occur. Once ring 138 73~
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 6B). Contempor-aneously, ring 142 has been preventing product and air, if present, from entering the pis-ton 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 cvlinder 118 compression or pressurization of the pump chamber occurs. 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 tne piston port 148 allowing any remain-ing pressure in the piston channel 156 to dissipate back into ~ 16 -~73~3 the container through the dip tube 124. The piston port 150 is then sealed from piston port 148 by ring 142 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 stro~e. When ring 142 enters the cylinder channel 126 and before ring 140 reaches the cylinder inlet port 122 (see Figure 6E) 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 148 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 clears them of product thereby preventing clogging by any residual dried out product and assuring continued optimum pump performance.
~73~3 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 1~2 cooperate in the formation of a negative pressure in the pump chamber 158 and piston channel 156 at which time li~uid will be drawn or sucked into cylinder 118 from the container through the dip tube 124. When rings 140 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 ~lesired following the ; foregoing sequence of steps and cycles of operation. ~ump 116 ~ill remain primed after initial priming.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a proposed commercial version of the pump 116 of Figure 5A is illustrated which may comprise an external trigger restoring spring lG6, a closure cap 168, a tab 170 and a nozzle 172. Inasmuch as ' 73~33 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 lG8 has a central opening 174 and is preferably threaded internally 176 for contact with the neck of the container 178.
~he tab 170 conveniently serves as a retainer for the piston 120, an abutment for the external spring 170 and as a means for preventing the piston 120 and the piston extension 146 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 in 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 flgures are the same as the previous embodiment and like parts will be similarly numbered.
Reference is now made to Figure 11 which depicts an embodiment of pump of this invention with the pump axis dis-posed vertically to form a vertlcal reciprocal pump having -- 19 ~
3~3 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 li~uid 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. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, pump 116a extends into the product container 114a to reduce the height of the overall pac~aging altilough this may not be essential in certain applications. Il 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 l90 to the dip tube 124a as well as the dip tube itself. Cor-responding modifications may be made on all embodiments of tl~e pump.
Referring now to the embodiment of the inventlon 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 ..
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-- ~0 --~73(33 channel 126b and terminates at the outlet orifice 152b and an additional passage 190b which e~tends from the cylinder inlet port 122b and communicates witn the dip tube 124b. The pump 116b is actuated 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 for communication between the piston channel 156b and the piston 120b surface. Parts corresponding to previous embodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompany-ing subscript b. When the piston ring 138b isolates cylinder inlet port 122b from the pump chamber 153b and piston channel 156b compression of the trapped air and pxoduct 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 this occurs, the air and p~oduct is dispensed through the outlet orifice 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 ~73~3 drawn into the pump chamber ls8b and c~linder channel 156b from the outlet orifice 152b due to a negative pressure formed by the coo~eration of rings 138b, 140b and 144b (Figure 13C). When ring 142b isolates piston port 150 from the cylinder channel 126b the drawing of air into the pump chamber 158b stops and the continued retraction of piston 120b from the cylinder 118b creates a vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b (Figure 13b). While air and product may be drawn about the piston surface between rings 138b and 142b, the primary operation is the creation of the vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b by ring 138b. 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 positio~ (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 ~y 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 assembly 210 in a fully contracted position with the pump dispense cycle completed. The trigger assembly 210 comprises a trigger~houslng 208, an actuating lever or trigger 204 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 206 carried by tne trigger housing 208, and a Y-shaped actuator 212. The Y-shaped actuator 212 comprises member 216, member 210 and member 214 jointly connected by a hinge 220.
~73~3 ~ember 21~ engages trigger 20~ 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.
When reference now to Figures 16 and 17, another embodi-ment of the pump is shown. Figure 16 depicts the pump at rest whereas Figure 17 shows the pump in a fully depressed position.
Parts corresponding to the other embodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscript c. The essential dlfference 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 formed 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 23~ and the cylinder wall 232. In all other respects, construction and operation of the pump is identical to that of the previous described vertical reciprocal pump as shown in~Figure 11.
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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 discharae 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 strength 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 size will vary depending on many factors, including avoidance of liquid lock and vapor lock, duration and amount of product dispensed with each stroke, venting and of course the desired sealing against leakage.
3~
In the movable orifice pump, when the product exits out the orifice in the piston as in Fig-~res 5-12, and 16-17, only four rings are necessary. In the fully inserted position, rings 144, 144a must ~e on the right or upper side of the channel 1~6, 126a to seal tlle 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, Ling 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 eacn 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, to increase the volume of spray you must lengthen the channel 126 or the s~acing between rings 142 and 140 to any given channel. If the space ~73~3 between rings 142 and 140 is small the time of spray will be longer, if tne distance between rings 142 and 14Q is lengthened the duration of spray is shortened for a fixed cylinder channel length.
~ 7ith 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 144b 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 ring 142b entering the outlet opening 126b. A delay in the ring 142b entering the out-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.
i 3~ 73~3 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 simply 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 essential 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 which is equal to the dlstance between rings 13~ and 142 minus the space between the cylinder ports including the width of the por~s themselves.
As used throughout, the term "ring" is intended to cover all sealing elements the shape of which will be dependent upon the trans~erse cross-section of the tubular pu~p, whether it be circular, elliptical, straight-slded or other geometrical form. Likewise, the term cylinder is intended to embrace these cross-sectional configurations of tubes within which the piston is reciprocal.
7;3~33 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 itself may be provided with a resilient cylinder wall or portion thereof or even a controlled leakage past the rings would pro-vide 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 ultimate utilization.
Thus the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several somewhat pre-ferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.
This application is a divisional application of our copending patent application serial No. 302,343 filed May l, 1978.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I - Field of the Invention This invention relates to a manually operated pump for dispensing the contents of a container.
II - Description of the Prior Art A wide variety of dispensing pumps have found commer-cial acceptance for dispensing a product from a container. The typical 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.
~7303 ~ he need for relia~le and less costly pumps for dispensing essentially all products without limi~ation as to pump materials has increased; and it is ~ecoming acute witil the severe criticism of the aerosol industry and particularly aerosol dispensing pac]~-ages utilizing fluorocarbon propellants with their attendant affect on the environmel~t. In addition, such criticism has served to make ~che consumer aware of the inherent economy and convenience of pump type dispensers.
SU~ARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal o~ject of this invention is to provide an improved svstem for manually actuating a dispensing pump which i5 comprised of a minimum number of parts, eacll individually simple to manufacture and assem~le at relatively lo~ cost;
and tnis 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.
Anotller objeci 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 anv ,0 additional parts, to further reduce costs; and, advantageously it is self-clea-ning to prevent clogging of the selected nozzle or discharge orifice and thereby extremely sanitary.
A furth~r object is to provide a system WhiCIl is ex~remely versatile in that it may function as a vertically reciprocal pump having a laterally directed discharge orifice or a trigger pump ~ ~73~
with the pump axis being either vertically or horizontally dis-posed or at any other orientation depending upon the packaging requirements.
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 hav-ing the capa~ility, 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 pump 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 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 therefore.
Another important object is to provide a pump system of the foregoing type in which an integral built-in venting system is lncluded as part of the pump structure and operation thereby avoiding the necessity oE a separate and independent venting sys-tem for neutralizing negative pressure in the container head space as the product is dispensed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispens-ing pump system for dispensing product from a container compris-ing: a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder defining a pump cham-ber therewith, and the piston and cylinder being relatively re-ciprocal through a compression stroke from an extended position to an inserted position and through a suction stro}~e rom the 3~3 inserted position to the extended position; inlet port means for cooperating with the piston in communicating the container in-terior with the pump chamber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into the pump chamber from the container inter-ior; outlet port means for product to be dispensed from the pump chamber during the compression stroke, said outlet means coopera-ting with the piston communicating the pump chamber with ambient air during the suction stroke to permit a predetermined quantity of air to enter the pump chamber, said product and air entering the pump chamber sequentially during different parts of the suc-tion stroke, and wherein the predetermined of air in the pump chamber assists in the dispensing of the product from the pump chamber through the outlet port means.
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:
- ~a -~73~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI~E DRAI~I~GS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic dispenser incorporating the pump shown in Figure 2;
Figure .2 is a longitudinal sectional vie~7 of an embodiment : of a pump incorporating the teachings of this invention and which has an upwardly directed fixed discharge orifice normal to the pump axis;
Figures 3A - 3E are schematic representations of the pump at various stages of piston re~raction during the pump chamber 1~ 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 t~achings of the invention in a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump;
Figure 5B is a fractional view of the piston of ti~e pump ~` shown in 5A incorporating a ring sleeve;
: Figure 5BB is a similar view of piston with a modified sleeve having commercial application.
2U Figure ~C is a fractional view of the piston of the pump s;lown in Figure 5A incorporating a resilient sleeve;
Figure 5D is a fractional view of the piston of the pump shown in Figure 5A incorporatiny a grooved plug;
Figures 6A - 6D are schematic representations o the pump at various stages of piston insertion during the pumi~ discharge cycle;
Figures 6E -- 6H are schematic representations of the pump during various stages of piston retraction during the pump chamber filliny cycle;
3~
~73~3 Figure 7 is a yerspective view of a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump incorporating the teaching of this invention and employing an external return spring shown on a container that is ~roken away and removed;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the yump 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 1~ of a trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container for li~uid to be dispensed em~loying 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 utilizin~ a standard moving orLfice;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown ~: in Figure 11 fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to e dispensed;
Figure 13a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another em~odiment of the pump incorporatlng the teachings of this invention but utilizing a fixed orifice;
Figures 13~-13c are schematic representations of the pump at various stag~s of piston insertion and retraction.
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1 ~73~33 Figurc 1~ is a longitudinal cross-sectional vicw of : another 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 wi.th the piston extended; and : \Figure 17 is a similar view of the pump as sllowll in .. ,~igure 16 b t with the pi,,on depresscd.
73~3 DEl'AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EM~ODIME~TS
In reference to Flgure 1 a cosmetic dispenser package 10 is shown including a product or liquid containing bottle or container 12 and upper component retaining body or cap 14 con-tains the pump 16 of this invention.
Referring no~7 to Figure 2, the pump 16 includes a piston cylinder 18 and a piston 20. The cylinder 18 includes an inlet ~ort 22 which communicates with a downwardly depending dip tube 24. In addition the cylinder 18 includes an outlet ~ort 26 ~0 which may have coupled therewith a discharge nozzle 28 extending in an upwardly direction for convenience in cosmetic application.
A series of annular sealing or contact rings may be utilized between the piston 20 and the interior of cylinder 18.
T;~ese 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.
~73~3 As depicted, rings 30 and 32 isolate the lower inlet port 22. Rings 34 and 36 isolate tne upper outlet port 26. Rings 36, 38 or as many as needed prevent leakage by way of tne 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 tne 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 whicll extends from the forward end of the piston and consequently the pump cnamber 46 to a secondary trap 50 whicl can be varied in volume to contain and balance the mixture of air and product according to purpose. In addition, a metering channel 52 may be provided which assures the balance of mixture of air and product on the discharge stro~.e. The piston 20 also includes a lateral extending passage 54 from the passageway 48, whicli is capable of communicating with the inlet port 22. In addition, a lateraily extending passage 56 extends from passage-way 48 and the secondary trap 50 and is adapted to communicate _ g _ .
7~3 with the outlet port 26. As will be appreciated fron; ~igure 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.
Tnere 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 outlet 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 3C). The lateral passage 54 will now communicate with the inlet port 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.
73~3 ~Jith the pump at rest as shown in Figures 3 and 4A
witn 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 slnifts 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 c~linder 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 place 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 ln the pump chamber and secondary trap to be discnarged from the nozzle 28 ~nder 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 1 ~73~
. . , 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 depending dip tube 124. The cylinder 118 also includes a channel 126 which is defined by a channel plug 128 and neighbor-ing surfaces of the cylinder 118.
In order to facilitate mounting of the pump 116 on a receptacle an integral couplins 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, preferable internally threaded, having a central opening may also be used to affix the pump to the bottle or other receptacles.
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 5B~ having a molded sleeve 135 which is inex~ensive to make and may be polyethylene or any suitable resinous material ha,ving compatibility with the product to he ~73~
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 entend 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 successful embodiment of the piston of Figure 5BB the ring 137 was approx-imatelv 1 mrn long and its forward face was inclined approximately ; 10 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 constructing the piston 120"' would be where the rings and piston are a single piece and are covered by a resilient sleeve 136 as depicted in Figure 5C. Alternately, as will be evident to those skilled in the art and as contemplated by the invention, the contact rings may be located on the in.er-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, slmilarly 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 156.
The piston 120 is provided with a longitudinally ex-tending coaxial bore or channel 156 which extends from the piston forward end and consequently the pump chamber 158 to the piston wall 160. The piston port 148 provides communication " ~473~3 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 lon~gitudinally 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 7~13 from pump chamber 158 and out thrcugh 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 tne 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 chamber 158 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 chamber 158 and channel 156, 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 channel 156, the pump 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 tnat this is minimized or does not occur. Once ring 138 73~
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 6B). Contempor-aneously, ring 142 has been preventing product and air, if present, from entering the pis-ton 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 cvlinder 118 compression or pressurization of the pump chamber occurs. 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 tne piston port 148 allowing any remain-ing pressure in the piston channel 156 to dissipate back into ~ 16 -~73~3 the container through the dip tube 124. The piston port 150 is then sealed from piston port 148 by ring 142 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 stro~e. When ring 142 enters the cylinder channel 126 and before ring 140 reaches the cylinder inlet port 122 (see Figure 6E) 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 148 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 clears them of product thereby preventing clogging by any residual dried out product and assuring continued optimum pump performance.
~73~3 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 1~2 cooperate in the formation of a negative pressure in the pump chamber 158 and piston channel 156 at which time li~uid will be drawn or sucked into cylinder 118 from the container through the dip tube 124. When rings 140 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 ~lesired following the ; foregoing sequence of steps and cycles of operation. ~ump 116 ~ill remain primed after initial priming.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a proposed commercial version of the pump 116 of Figure 5A is illustrated which may comprise an external trigger restoring spring lG6, a closure cap 168, a tab 170 and a nozzle 172. Inasmuch as ' 73~33 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 lG8 has a central opening 174 and is preferably threaded internally 176 for contact with the neck of the container 178.
~he tab 170 conveniently serves as a retainer for the piston 120, an abutment for the external spring 170 and as a means for preventing the piston 120 and the piston extension 146 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 in 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 flgures are the same as the previous embodiment and like parts will be similarly numbered.
Reference is now made to Figure 11 which depicts an embodiment of pump of this invention with the pump axis dis-posed vertically to form a vertlcal reciprocal pump having -- 19 ~
3~3 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 li~uid 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. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, pump 116a extends into the product container 114a to reduce the height of the overall pac~aging altilough this may not be essential in certain applications. Il 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 l90 to the dip tube 124a as well as the dip tube itself. Cor-responding modifications may be made on all embodiments of tl~e pump.
Referring now to the embodiment of the inventlon 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 ..
3~
-- ~0 --~73(33 channel 126b and terminates at the outlet orifice 152b and an additional passage 190b which e~tends from the cylinder inlet port 122b and communicates witn the dip tube 124b. The pump 116b is actuated 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 for communication between the piston channel 156b and the piston 120b surface. Parts corresponding to previous embodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompany-ing subscript b. When the piston ring 138b isolates cylinder inlet port 122b from the pump chamber 153b and piston channel 156b compression of the trapped air and pxoduct 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 this occurs, the air and p~oduct is dispensed through the outlet orifice 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 ~73~3 drawn into the pump chamber ls8b and c~linder channel 156b from the outlet orifice 152b due to a negative pressure formed by the coo~eration of rings 138b, 140b and 144b (Figure 13C). When ring 142b isolates piston port 150 from the cylinder channel 126b the drawing of air into the pump chamber 158b stops and the continued retraction of piston 120b from the cylinder 118b creates a vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b (Figure 13b). While air and product may be drawn about the piston surface between rings 138b and 142b, the primary operation is the creation of the vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b by ring 138b. 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 positio~ (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 ~y 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 assembly 210 in a fully contracted position with the pump dispense cycle completed. The trigger assembly 210 comprises a trigger~houslng 208, an actuating lever or trigger 204 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 206 carried by tne trigger housing 208, and a Y-shaped actuator 212. The Y-shaped actuator 212 comprises member 216, member 210 and member 214 jointly connected by a hinge 220.
~73~3 ~ember 21~ engages trigger 20~ 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.
When reference now to Figures 16 and 17, another embodi-ment of the pump is shown. Figure 16 depicts the pump at rest whereas Figure 17 shows the pump in a fully depressed position.
Parts corresponding to the other embodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscript c. The essential dlfference 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 formed 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 23~ and the cylinder wall 232. In all other respects, construction and operation of the pump is identical to that of the previous described vertical reciprocal pump as shown in~Figure 11.
~ 23 -~73~
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 discharae 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 strength 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 size will vary depending on many factors, including avoidance of liquid lock and vapor lock, duration and amount of product dispensed with each stroke, venting and of course the desired sealing against leakage.
3~
In the movable orifice pump, when the product exits out the orifice in the piston as in Fig-~res 5-12, and 16-17, only four rings are necessary. In the fully inserted position, rings 144, 144a must ~e on the right or upper side of the channel 1~6, 126a to seal tlle 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, Ling 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 eacn 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, to increase the volume of spray you must lengthen the channel 126 or the s~acing between rings 142 and 140 to any given channel. If the space ~73~3 between rings 142 and 140 is small the time of spray will be longer, if tne distance between rings 142 and 14Q is lengthened the duration of spray is shortened for a fixed cylinder channel length.
~ 7ith 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 144b 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 ring 142b entering the outlet opening 126b. A delay in the ring 142b entering the out-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.
i 3~ 73~3 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 simply 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 essential 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 which is equal to the dlstance between rings 13~ and 142 minus the space between the cylinder ports including the width of the por~s themselves.
As used throughout, the term "ring" is intended to cover all sealing elements the shape of which will be dependent upon the trans~erse cross-section of the tubular pu~p, whether it be circular, elliptical, straight-slded or other geometrical form. Likewise, the term cylinder is intended to embrace these cross-sectional configurations of tubes within which the piston is reciprocal.
7;3~33 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 itself may be provided with a resilient cylinder wall or portion thereof or even a controlled leakage past the rings would pro-vide 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 ultimate utilization.
Thus the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several somewhat pre-ferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.
This application is a divisional application of our copending patent application serial No. 302,343 filed May l, 1978.
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A dispensing pump system for dispensing product from a container comprising: a cylinder; a piston in the cylin-der defining a pump chamber therewith, and the piston and cylin-der 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 posi-tion; inlet port means for cooperating with the piston in commu-nicating the container interior with the pump chamber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into the pump chamber from the container interior; outlet port means for product to be dispensed from the pump chamber during the compression stroke, said outlet means cooperating with the piston communicating the pump chamber with ambient air during the suction stroke to permit a predetermined quantity of air to enter the pump chamber, said product and air entering the pump chamber sequentially during different parts of the suction stroke, and wherein the predeter-mined quantity of air in the pump chamber assists in the dispen-sing of the product from the pump chamber through the outlet port means.
2, A dispensing pump system in accordance with claim 1, 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 is adapted to communicate with the cylin-der port in passing the product into the pump chamber and there-after the product is adapted to pass directly into the pump cham-ber from the cylinder port.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000397647A CA1147303A (en) | 1977-05-02 | 1982-03-04 | Universal sequential pump dispensing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1836777 | 1977-05-02 | ||
| GB18367/77 | 1977-05-02 | ||
| US05/899,268 US4315582A (en) | 1977-05-02 | 1978-04-24 | Universal sequential dispensing pump system free of external check valves and having venting capability |
| US899,268 | 1978-04-24 | ||
| CA302,343A CA1085793A (en) | 1977-05-02 | 1978-05-01 | Universal, sequential pump dispensing system |
| CA000397647A CA1147303A (en) | 1977-05-02 | 1982-03-04 | Universal sequential pump dispensing system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1147303A true CA1147303A (en) | 1983-05-31 |
Family
ID=27426080
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000397647A Expired CA1147303A (en) | 1977-05-02 | 1982-03-04 | Universal sequential pump dispensing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1147303A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-03-04 CA CA000397647A patent/CA1147303A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |