US20170298920A1 - Modular bib pump - Google Patents
Modular bib pump Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170298920A1 US20170298920A1 US15/474,523 US201715474523A US2017298920A1 US 20170298920 A1 US20170298920 A1 US 20170298920A1 US 201715474523 A US201715474523 A US 201715474523A US 2017298920 A1 US2017298920 A1 US 2017298920A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- drive unit
- gas control
- pumping module
- gas
- cartridge style
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 91
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
- F04B43/02—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
- F04B43/06—Pumps having fluid drive
- F04B43/073—Pumps having fluid drive the actuating fluid being controlled by at least one valve
- F04B43/0736—Pumps having fluid drive the actuating fluid being controlled by at least one valve with two or more pumping chambers in parallel
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B43/00—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members
- F04B43/02—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
- F04B43/025—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms two or more plate-like pumping members in parallel
- F04B43/026—Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms two or more plate-like pumping members in parallel each plate-like pumping flexible member working in its own pumping chamber
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/16—Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/22—Arrangements for enabling ready assembly or disassembly
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a pump; and more particularly relates to a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump.
- BIOB bag-in-the-box
- FIG. 1 shows a disposal pumphead known in the art, and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,862 (Atty dckt no. 911-005.067-2/F-FLJ-X0002, which is assigned to, commonly owned by the assignee of the instant application, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the assignee of the instant application designs, manufactures and distributes BIB pumps for the post mix dispensing market, e.g., like the disposable pump in FIG. 1 .
- BIB pumps for the post mix dispensing market, e.g., like the disposable pump in FIG. 1 .
- This effort focuses on the reduction of waste in the usage of BIB pumps.
- the pump life is approximately 100,000 gallons which translates to many years of service. Many pumps are removed far before their useful life and discarded due to restaurant shutdowns and flavors changes within the installation.
- the present invention may consistent of a gas operated modular BIB pump with a cartridge-style replaceable pumping module mated to a separate gas control drive unit, where the separate gas control drive unit is semi-permanent and the pumping module is designed to be field replaceable by untrained technicians.
- the general solution is to re-situate the pistons involved in pumping the fluid in a way that makes it easier to modularize the pumping chamber from the gas control unit.
- the modular BIB pump according to the present invention should be easier to remove, e.g. without the need for tools.
- the present invention may include, or take the form of, a new and unique modular pump featuring a combination of a gas control and drive unit, a cartridge style pumping module and a retainer clip.
- the gas control and drive unit may include a gas control and drive unit housing configured to receive gas from a gas inlet and provide the gas to a gas passageway so as to cause a gas control and drive unit force, as well as an actuator rod and slide valve arrangement configured to respond to a cartridge style pumping module force in an axial direction and exhaust the gas from a gas exhaust outlet of the gas control and drive unit housing so as to cause a gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in an opposite axial direction, and also having a gas control and drive unit coupling member.
- the cartridge style pumping module may include a cartridge style pump module housing configured to receive a fluid to be pumped from a fluid inlet, having a piston and dual diaphragm arrangement configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit force, provide the cartridge style pumping module force in the axial direction and pump the fluid from a fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module, and also configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in the opposite axial direction and pump the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module.
- the cartridge style pumping module housing may also include a cartridge style pumping module coupling member configured to detachably couple to the gas control and drive unit coupling member.
- the retainer clip may be configured to detachably couple together a piston shaft of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and an actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement, so that the cartridge style pumping module can be attached and detached from the gas control and drive unit using a three step process so as to be field replaceable using a retainer clip attaching/detaching tool.
- the modular pump may include one or more of the following features:
- the cartridge style pumping module may be attached to the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
- the cartridge style pumping module may be detached from the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
- the gas control and drive unit housing and the cartridge style pumping module housing may be configured along a common longitudinal axis; and the cartridge style pumping module coupling member may include a pair of tabs configured on opposite sides of the cartridge style pumping module housing and extending in parallel with the common longitudinal axis.
- the gas control and drive unit coupling member may include a pair of channels configured on opposite sides of the gas control and drive unit housing and configured with openings to detachably couple to the pair of tabs.
- the pair of tabs may be configured to deflect towards or away from the common longitudinal axis in order to couple or decouple to or from the pair of channels.
- the modular pump may be a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup.
- BIOB bag-in-the-box
- the actuator rod may include a tapered end with a slot or opening formed or configured therein;
- the piston shaft may include a flanged portion having a cylindrical recessed channel portion, a rim portion and an interior cavity formed within the recessed channel portion configured to receive the tapered end;
- the retainer clip may include a multi-prong clip having multiple prongs.
- the tapered end may be configured in the slot or opening, the retainer clip may be pushed so a center prong passed into and through the slot or opening and the interior cavity of the flange portion of the piston shaft, and at least one of the multiple outer prongs may be adapted in the cylindrical recessed channel portion and engage the rim portion, so as to lock, fasten or couple the actuator rod and piston shaft together.
- the present invention overcomes the above mentioned difficulties as follows:
- the present invention provides a modular BIB pump that may be easily remanufactureable/replaceable in the field, e.g., by restaurant personnel as opposed to trained technicians.
- the new modular BIB pump allows for replacement by store operator replacement of pumps due to breakdowns.
- FIGS. 1-12 which are not necessarily drawn to scale, which are briefly described as follows:
- FIG. 1 shows the current pump that is known in the art.
- FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump showing the basic layout of key differentiating sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. (Note: for the purpose of developing and illustrating the present invention in its simplest form, fasteners, ports and other essential geometry have been omitted from this Figure.)
- FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump in FIG. 2 , showing a layout of major components and sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump in FIG. 2 , showing modular BIB pump fluid porting, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the gas control and drive unit of the modular BIB pump, showing the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including fluid pathways and gas entry to control valve space, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 includes FIGS. 7A and 7B , showing the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (inboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 7A is a phantom perspective view of the modular BIB pump, showing a semi-transparent outer housing for seeing into the pump; and
- FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump.
- FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump, showing the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (outboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 includes FIGS. 9A and 9B , showing liquid pumping chambers and pathways of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side cross-sectional views of the modular BIB pump.
- FIG. 10 includes FIGS. 10A and 10B , showing the pump operation in normal operation and sold-out activation with restricted syrup flow, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view of the inlet housing of the pumping module and the gas inlet and sold out assembly of the gas control and drive unit; and
- FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of the gas inlet and soldout assembly of the gas control and drive unit shown in FIG. 10A .
- FIG. 11 includes FIGS. 11A thru 11 E, showing the pumping module change-out procedure, including the separation of the pumping module from the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 11A is a top view of the modular BIB pump showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit coupled together;
- FIG. 11B is a top cross-section view of the modular BIB pump in FIG. 11A showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit slightly separated after the tabs in FIG. 11A are pressed inwardly together;
- FIG. 11C is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 11B showing the tool positioned against the retainer clip between the pump module and the gas control and drive unit;
- FIG. 11A is a top view of the modular BIB pump showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit coupled together
- FIG. 11B is a top cross-section view of the modular BIB pump in FIG. 11A showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit
- FIG. 11D is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 11B showing the retaining clip disengaged releasing the piston shaft from the actuator rod; and
- FIG. 11E is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 11A showing the pump module separated from the gas control and drive unit.
- FIG. 12 includes FIGS. 12A thru 12 E, showing the pumping module change-out procedure, including the installation of the pumping module to the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 12A is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump having the pump module separated and positioned with tabs for engaging channels/slots of the gas control and drive unit;
- FIG. 12B is a top view of the modular BIB pump having the pump module partially separated from the gas control and drive unit;
- FIG. 12C is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 12A from the other side;
- FIG. 12D is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 12B showing the tool insert and retainer clip positioned to couple the piston shaft and actuator rod together;
- FIG. 12E is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown in FIG. 12B showing the retainer clip coupling the piston shaft and actuator rod together after the tool is pushed;
- FIG. 12F is a top view of the modular BIB pump showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit coupled together similar to that shown in FIG. 11A .
- the present invention may take the form of, or consist of, a new and unique modular BIB pump generally indicated by 10 featuring a combination of a gas control and drive unit 20 , a cartridge style pumping module 30 and a retainer clip 40 .
- a gas control and drive unit 20 featuring a combination of a gas control and drive unit 20 , a cartridge style pumping module 30 and a retainer clip 40 .
- FIGS. 4, 11 and 12 show the basic components, as well as the decoupling and coupling of the gas control and drive unit 20 and the cartridge style pumping module 30 , according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the gas control and drive unit 20 may include a gas control and drive unit housing 20 f configured to receive gas from a gas inlet GI and provide the gas to a gas passageway so as to cause a gas control and drive unit force Agp, as well as an actuator rod and slide valve arrangement 20 c , 20 e configured to respond to a cartridge style pumping module force Ap in an axial direction and exhaust the gas from a gas exhaust outlet GE of the gas control and drive unit housing 20 so as to cause a gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′ in an opposite axial direction, and also having a gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 .
- the cartridge style pumping module 30 may include a cartridge style pump module housing 30 i configured to receive a fluid to be pumped from a fluid inlet SI, having a piston and dual diaphragm arrangement 30 c , 20 e 1 , 20 e 2 configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′, provide the cartridge style pumping module force Ap in the axial direction and pump the fluid from a fluid discharge outlet SD of the cartridge style pumping module 30 , and also configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′ in the opposite axial direction and pump the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet SD of the cartridge style pumping module 30 .
- the cartridge style pumping module housing 30 i may also include a cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 configured to detachably couple to the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 .
- the retainer clip 40 may be configured to detachably couple together a piston 30 c of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement 30 c , 20 e 1 , 20 e 2 and an actuator rod 20 e of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement 20 c , 20 e , so that the cartridge style pumping module 30 can be attached and detached from the gas control and drive unit 20 using a three step process so as to be field replaceable, e.g., using a retainer clip attaching/detaching tool 50 .
- the actuator rod 20 e may include a tapered end 20 e 1 with a slot/opening 20 e 2 formed or configured therein.
- the piston shaft 30 c may include a flanged portion 30 c 1 having a cylindrical recessed channel portion 30 c 1 ′, a rim portion 30 c 1 ′′ and an interior cavity 30 c 1 ′′ formed within the cylindrical recessed channel portion 30 c 1 ′ configured and dimensioned to receive the tapered end 20 e 1 .
- the retainer clip 40 may take the form of a multi-prong clip having multiple prongs, e.g., including prongs p 1 , p 2 and p 3 .
- the retainer clip 40 is pushed so that a center prong p 2 passed into and through the slot/opening 20 e 2 and the interior cavity 30 c 1 ′′ of the flange portion 30 c 1 of the piston shaft 30 c , and at least one of the multiple prongs such as outer prong(s) p 1 and/or p 3 are adapted in the cylindrical recessed channel portion 30 c 1 ′ and engage the rim portion 30 c 1 ′′, so as to lock, fasten or couple the actuator rod 20 e and piston shaft 30 c together.
- the flanged portion 30 c 1 may also be configured with a second rim portion 30 c 1 ′′′′ (see FIG. 7B ), so that the outer prongs p 1 and/or p 3 engage the rim portion 30 c 1 ′′ on one side and the second rim portion 30 c 1 ′′′′ on the other side to engage the flange portion 30 c on both sides.
- the scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiment are envisioned, using other types or kinds of techniques for coupling the actuator rod 20 e and piston shaft 30 c together with the spirit of the underlying invention.
- the coupling features of the actuator rod 20 e and piston shaft 30 c may be switched, so that the piston shaft 30 c is configured with a corresponding tapered end with a corresponding slot/opening formed or configured therein; and the actuator rod 20 e is configured with a corresponding flanged portion having a corresponding cylindrical recessed channel portion and a corresponding rim portion and a corresponding interior cavity formed within the corresponding recessed channel portion configured to receive the corresponding tapered end of the piston shaft 30 c .
- the scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiment are envisioned, using other types or kinds of techniques for coupling the actuator rod 20 e and piston shaft 30 c that are either now known or later developed in the future.
- the cartridge style pumping module 30 may be attached to the gas control and drive unit 20 using the three step process, as follows::
- the cartridge style pumping module 30 may be detached from the gas control and drive unit 20 using the three step process, as follows::
- the gas control and drive unit housing 20 f and the cartridge style pumping module housing 30 i may be configured along a common longitudinal axis; and the cartridge style pumping module coupling member 32 may include a pair of tabs 32 a , 32 b configured on opposite sides of the cartridge style pumping module housing 30 i and extending in parallel with the common longitudinal axis.
- the gas control and drive unit coupling member 22 may include a pair of channels 22 a , 22 b configured on opposite sides of the gas control and drive unit housing 20 f and configured with channel openings to detachably couple to the pair of tabs 32 a , 32 b.
- the pair of tabs 32 a , 32 b may be configured to deflect towards or away from the common longitudinal axis in order to couple or decouple to or from the pair of channels 22 a , 22 b.
- the modular pump 10 may be used as, or take the form of, a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup.
- a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup.
- FIG. 4 shows the basic layout of major components and sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the gas control and drive unit 20 includes the following components:
- soldout assembly 20 a
- the pump module 30 includes the following components:
- piston-diaphragms 30 e 1 , 30 e 2 are piston-diaphragms 30 e 1 , 30 e 2 ;
- modular BIB pump also includes a retainer clip 40 for coupling together the actuator rod 20 e , and a second retainer clip 42 for coupling together the piston-diaphragm 30 e 1 and the piston shaft 30 c.
- FIG. 5 shows the modular BIB pump fluid porting, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- gas enters the gas control and drive unit 20 via a gas inlet port GI of the gas inlet cover 20 b ( FIG. 4 ), and gas exhaust GE exits the gas control and drive unit 20 via a gas outlet port GO.
- Syrup enters the pump module 30 via a syrup inlet SI of the inlet housing 30 a ( FIG. 4 ), and the syrup exits the pump module 30 via a syrup discharge SD of the outlet valve housing 30 h ( FIG. 4 ).
- FIG. 6 show the basic operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including fluid pathways and gas entry to control valve space, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the gas control valve housing 20 f is normally filled with gas.
- arrows labeled and identified as al thru a 5 show the pathway of the gas passing into and from the gas inlet GI, through the soldout assembly 20 a to the slide valve 20 c.
- FIG. 7 shows the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (inboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- gas under pressure enters the slide valve 20 c from the gas filled chamber (e.g., aka as area 1 ) that forms part of the gas control valve housing 20 f (see also FIGS. 4 and 6 ) and is routed though the slide valve 20 c to a passage located at an arrow labeled 2 .
- the gas is routed to the end cover 30 d via the passage labeled by arrow 3 ( FIG. 7A ).
- the gas then enters an interior cavity of the end cover 30 d at a point number/opening labeled by arrow 4 ( FIG. 7B ).
- the gas in area labeled 5 is allowed to be vented (connected) to atmosphere to allow for piston travel in the direction of the applied force, as shown.
- the gas exhaust GE escapes through the gas outlet or exhaust port GO, as shown.
- FIG. 8 show the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (outboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the G series slide valve 30 c will change state (e.g., sliding from a rightward position in FIG. 7 to a leftward position in FIG. 8 ) and route gas from the area labeled 1 through a passage labeled 2 and into an area labeled 3 .
- the gas flow is indicated by the arrows included in FIG. 8 .
- the gas pressure indicated by arrows labeled Agp will act over the surface of the piston-diaphragm 20 g to produce an axial force on the piston shaft 30 c in the direction of the arrow Ap′ in the opposite direction from the arrow labeled Ap ( FIG.
- FIG. 9 shows the liquid pumping chambers & pathways of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the liquid chamber LC has two chambers, labeled chamber 1 and chamber 2 .
- piston-diaphragm 30 e 1 , 30 e 2 moves outboard (e.g., leftwardly as shown), liquid/fluid in chamber 2 is displaced through the discharge check valves 30 g (see also FIG. 4 ).
- the discharge check valves 30 g see also FIG. 4
- the volume in chamber 1 expands liquid/fluid is drawn in through inlet check valves 30 b (see also FIG. 4 ).
- the piston-diaphragm 30 e 1 , 30 e 2 reciprocates back and forth in order to draw liquid/fluid into a respective chamber, and displaced fluid from a respective chamber.
- FIG. 10 shows the pump operation in normal ( FIG. 10A ) and sold out activation ( FIG. 10B ), according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- the pressure in the inlet area labeled ( 1 ) is near atmosphere and gas is routed through the soldout valve assembly 20 a and into the pump.
- the liquid/fluid (e.g., syrup) source runs out, the pressure in the inlet area ( 1 ) will be reduced to less than atmosphere.
- the pressure difference acting on the sensing diaphragm 20 a ′ will cause movement indicated by the arrow. The movement will cause the gas flow through the soldout valve assembly 20 a to cease thereby stopping the modular BIB pump from continued operation.
- the liquid/fluid (e.g., syrup) source is restored, pressure across the sensing diaphragm 20 a ′ will return to normal, and the soldout valve assembly 20 a will allow gas to flow into the modular BIB pump 10 .
- the processes happens whenever a liquid/fluid/syrup bag empties and needs to be replaced with a new liquid/fluid/syrup bag.
- FIG. 11 shows the pumping module change-out procedure, including the separation of the pumping module 30 from the gas control and drive unit unit 20 , according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 11A shows the pump module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 coupled together.
- FIG. 11B shows the pump module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 slightly separated after the tabs in FIG. 11A are pressed inwardly together.
- FIG. 11C shows the tool 50 positioned against the retaining clip 40 between the pump module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 .
- FIG. 11D shows the retaining clip 40 disengaged releasing the piston shaft 30 c from the actuator rod 20 e .
- FIG. 11E shows the pump module 30 separated from the gas control and drive unit 20 .
- the pumping module change-out procedure for decoupling the pumping module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 e.g., including the following steps:
- FIG. 12 shows the pumping module change-out procedure, including the installation of the pumping module to the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 12A shows the modular BIB pump 10 having the pump module 30 separated and positioned with tabs 22 a , 22 b for engaging channels/slots 32 of the gas control and drive unit 30 .
- FIG. 12B shows the modular BIB pump 10 having the pump module 10 partially separated from the gas control and drive unit 30 .
- FIG. 12D shows the tool insert 50 and retainer clip 40 positioned to couple the piston shaft 30 c and actuator rod 20 e together.
- FIG. 12E shows the retainer clip 40 coupling the piston shaft 30 c and actuator rod 20 e together after the tool 50 pushes the retainer clip into place.
- FIG. 12F shows the pump module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 coupled together similar to that shown in FIG. 11A .
- the pumping module change-out procedure for coupling the pumping module 30 and the gas control and drive unit 20 together e.g., including the following steps:
- Possible Applications may include one or more of the following: Beverage PostMix Dispensing Systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A modular pump features a gas-control-and-drive-unit (GCDU), a cartridge-style-pumping-module (CSPU) and a retainer clip (RC). The GCDU includes a GCDU-housing to receive/provide gas to a gas-passageway causing a GCDU-force in one direction; an actuator-rod-and-slide-valve-arrangement (AR/SVA) to respond to a CSPM-force and exhaust the gas from the GCDU-housing causing a GCDU-exhaustion-force in an opposite direction; and a GCDU-coupling-member. The CSPM includes a CSPM-housing to receive a fluid to be pumped, and a piston-and-dual-diaphragm-arrangement (PDDA) to respond to the GCDU-force, provide the CSPM-force and pump the fluid from the CSPM, and to respond to the GCDU-exhaustion-force and pump the fluid from the CSPM. The CSPM-housing includes a CSPM coupling member to detachably couple to the GCDU-coupling-member. The RC detachably couples a piston of the PDDA and an actuator rod of the AR/SVA, so the CSPM attaches/detaches from the GCDU using a three-step process for field replacement using the RC.
Description
- This application claims benefit to provisional patent application serial nos. 62/315,265 (911-005.090-1//F-FLJ-X0026), filed 30 Mar. 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to a pump; and more particularly relates to a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump.
-
FIG. 1 shows a disposal pumphead known in the art, and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,862 (Atty dckt no. 911-005.067-2/F-FLJ-X0002, which is assigned to, commonly owned by the assignee of the instant application, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. - The assignee of the instant application designs, manufactures and distributes BIB pumps for the post mix dispensing market, e.g., like the disposable pump in
FIG. 1 . There is an interest in the marketplace for a major configuration change to the prior art pump (e.g., seeFIG. 1 ) in order to gain cost advantages being initiated throughout their organization. This effort focuses on the reduction of waste in the usage of BIB pumps. Currently, the pump life is approximately 100,000 gallons which translates to many years of service. Many pumps are removed far before their useful life and discarded due to restaurant shutdowns and flavors changes within the installation. - There is a need in the industry for a desired design change so the pump may be easily remanufactureable/replaceable in the field, e.g., by restaurant personnel as opposed to trained technicians. In addition to flavor changes, the need for store operator replacement of pumps due to breakdowns is a major driver.
- In summary, and by way of example, the present invention may consistent of a gas operated modular BIB pump with a cartridge-style replaceable pumping module mated to a separate gas control drive unit, where the separate gas control drive unit is semi-permanent and the pumping module is designed to be field replaceable by untrained technicians.
- The general solution is to re-situate the pistons involved in pumping the fluid in a way that makes it easier to modularize the pumping chamber from the gas control unit. Using some creative interfacing design features, the modular BIB pump according to the present invention should be easier to remove, e.g. without the need for tools.
- According to some embodiments, and by way of example, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a new and unique modular pump featuring a combination of a gas control and drive unit, a cartridge style pumping module and a retainer clip.
- The gas control and drive unit may include a gas control and drive unit housing configured to receive gas from a gas inlet and provide the gas to a gas passageway so as to cause a gas control and drive unit force, as well as an actuator rod and slide valve arrangement configured to respond to a cartridge style pumping module force in an axial direction and exhaust the gas from a gas exhaust outlet of the gas control and drive unit housing so as to cause a gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in an opposite axial direction, and also having a gas control and drive unit coupling member.
- The cartridge style pumping module may include a cartridge style pump module housing configured to receive a fluid to be pumped from a fluid inlet, having a piston and dual diaphragm arrangement configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit force, provide the cartridge style pumping module force in the axial direction and pump the fluid from a fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module, and also configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in the opposite axial direction and pump the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module. The cartridge style pumping module housing may also include a cartridge style pumping module coupling member configured to detachably couple to the gas control and drive unit coupling member.
- The retainer clip may be configured to detachably couple together a piston shaft of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and an actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement, so that the cartridge style pumping module can be attached and detached from the gas control and drive unit using a three step process so as to be field replaceable using a retainer clip attaching/detaching tool.
- By way of example, the modular pump may include one or more of the following features:
- The cartridge style pumping module may be attached to the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
-
- partially coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member so as to leave a space between the cartridge style pumping module and the gas control and drive unit for accessing the retainer clip;
- attaching together the piston of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and the actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement with the retainer clip using the retainer clip attaching/detaching tool to push the retainer clip into a locking position; and fully coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member in a locking engagement.
- The cartridge style pumping module may be detached from the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
-
- partially decoupling and unlocking the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member from a locking engagement, so as to leave a space between the cartridge style pumping module and the gas control and drive unit for accessing the retainer clip;
- detaching the piston of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and the actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement by removing the retainer clip using the retainer clip attaching/detaching tool to pushing the retainer clip from a locking position; and
- fully decoupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member.
- The gas control and drive unit housing and the cartridge style pumping module housing may be configured along a common longitudinal axis; and the cartridge style pumping module coupling member may include a pair of tabs configured on opposite sides of the cartridge style pumping module housing and extending in parallel with the common longitudinal axis.
- The gas control and drive unit coupling member may include a pair of channels configured on opposite sides of the gas control and drive unit housing and configured with openings to detachably couple to the pair of tabs.
- The pair of tabs may be configured to deflect towards or away from the common longitudinal axis in order to couple or decouple to or from the pair of channels.
- The modular pump may be a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup.
- The actuator rod may include a tapered end with a slot or opening formed or configured therein; the piston shaft may include a flanged portion having a cylindrical recessed channel portion, a rim portion and an interior cavity formed within the recessed channel portion configured to receive the tapered end; and the retainer clip may include a multi-prong clip having multiple prongs. In operation, the tapered end may be configured in the slot or opening, the retainer clip may be pushed so a center prong passed into and through the slot or opening and the interior cavity of the flange portion of the piston shaft, and at least one of the multiple outer prongs may be adapted in the cylindrical recessed channel portion and engage the rim portion, so as to lock, fasten or couple the actuator rod and piston shaft together.
- The present invention overcomes the above mentioned difficulties as follows:
- The present invention provides a modular BIB pump that may be easily remanufactureable/replaceable in the field, e.g., by restaurant personnel as opposed to trained technicians. In addition to flavor changes, the new modular BIB pump allows for replacement by store operator replacement of pumps due to breakdowns.
- The drawing includes
FIGS. 1-12 which are not necessarily drawn to scale, which are briefly described as follows: -
FIG. 1 shows the current pump that is known in the art. -
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump showing the basic layout of key differentiating sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. (Note: for the purpose of developing and illustrating the present invention in its simplest form, fasteners, ports and other essential geometry have been omitted from this Figure.) -
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump inFIG. 2 , showing a layout of major components and sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump inFIG. 2 , showing modular BIB pump fluid porting, according to some embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the gas control and drive unit of the modular BIB pump, showing the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including fluid pathways and gas entry to control valve space, according to some embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 includesFIGS. 7A and 7B , showing the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (inboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 7A is a phantom perspective view of the modular BIB pump, showing a semi-transparent outer housing for seeing into the pump; andFIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump. -
FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump, showing the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (outboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 includesFIGS. 9A and 9B , showing liquid pumping chambers and pathways of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side cross-sectional views of the modular BIB pump. -
FIG. 10 includesFIGS. 10A and 10B , showing the pump operation in normal operation and sold-out activation with restricted syrup flow, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view of the inlet housing of the pumping module and the gas inlet and sold out assembly of the gas control and drive unit; andFIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of the gas inlet and soldout assembly of the gas control and drive unit shown inFIG. 10A . -
FIG. 11 includesFIGS. 11A thru 11E, showing the pumping module change-out procedure, including the separation of the pumping module from the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 11A is a top view of the modular BIB pump showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit coupled together;FIG. 11B is a top cross-section view of the modular BIB pump inFIG. 11A showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit slightly separated after the tabs inFIG. 11A are pressed inwardly together;FIG. 11C is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 11B showing the tool positioned against the retainer clip between the pump module and the gas control and drive unit;FIG. 11D is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 11B showing the retaining clip disengaged releasing the piston shaft from the actuator rod; andFIG. 11E is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 11A showing the pump module separated from the gas control and drive unit. -
FIG. 12 includesFIGS. 12A thru 12E, showing the pumping module change-out procedure, including the installation of the pumping module to the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 12A is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump having the pump module separated and positioned with tabs for engaging channels/slots of the gas control and drive unit; -
FIG. 12B is a top view of the modular BIB pump having the pump module partially separated from the gas control and drive unit;FIG. 12C is an exploded view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 12A from the other side;FIG. 12D is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 12B showing the tool insert and retainer clip positioned to couple the piston shaft and actuator rod together;FIG. 12E is a partial top cross-sectional view of the modular BIB pump shown inFIG. 12B showing the retainer clip coupling the piston shaft and actuator rod together after the tool is pushed; andFIG. 12F is a top view of the modular BIB pump showing the pump module and the gas control and drive unit coupled together similar to that shown inFIG. 11A . - Not every element or arrow in every Figure is labeled with a lead line and reference numeral/label, so as to reduce clutter in the drawing as a whole.
- In summary, and by way of example, and consistent with that shown in
FIGS. 2-12 , the present invention may take the form of, or consist of, a new and unique modular BIB pump generally indicated by 10 featuring a combination of a gas control and driveunit 20, a cartridgestyle pumping module 30 and aretainer clip 40. In particular, the reader is referred toFIGS. 4, 11 and 12 , which show the basic components, as well as the decoupling and coupling of the gas control and driveunit 20 and the cartridgestyle pumping module 30, according to some embodiments of the present invention. - The gas control and drive
unit 20 may include a gas control and drive unit housing 20 f configured to receive gas from a gas inlet GI and provide the gas to a gas passageway so as to cause a gas control and drive unit force Agp, as well as an actuator rod andslide valve arrangement unit housing 20 so as to cause a gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′ in an opposite axial direction, and also having a gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22. - The cartridge
style pumping module 30 may include a cartridge style pump module housing 30 i configured to receive a fluid to be pumped from a fluid inlet SI, having a piston anddual diaphragm arrangement e e 2 configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′, provide the cartridge style pumping module force Ap in the axial direction and pump the fluid from a fluid discharge outlet SD of the cartridgestyle pumping module 30, and also configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force Agp′ in the opposite axial direction and pump the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet SD of the cartridgestyle pumping module 30. The cartridge style pumping module housing 30 i may also include a cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 configured to detachably couple to the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22. - The
retainer clip 40 may be configured to detachably couple together apiston 30 c of the piston anddual diaphragm arrangement e e 2 and anactuator rod 20 e of the actuator rod andslide valve arrangement style pumping module 30 can be attached and detached from the gas control and driveunit 20 using a three step process so as to be field replaceable, e.g., using a retainer clip attaching/detachingtool 50. - By way of example, and consistent with that shown in
FIG. 4 , theactuator rod 20 e may include atapered end 20e 1 with a slot/opening 20e 2 formed or configured therein. Thepiston shaft 30 c may include aflanged portion 30c 1 having a cylindrical recessedchannel portion 30c 1′, arim portion 30c 1″ and aninterior cavity 30c 1″ formed within the cylindrical recessedchannel portion 30c 1′ configured and dimensioned to receive thetapered end 20e 1. Theretainer clip 40 may take the form of a multi-prong clip having multiple prongs, e.g., including prongs p1, p2 and p3. In operation, when thetapered end 20e 1 is configured in the slot/opening 20e 2, theretainer clip 40 is pushed so that a center prong p2 passed into and through the slot/opening 20e 2 and theinterior cavity 30c 1″ of theflange portion 30c 1 of thepiston shaft 30 c, and at least one of the multiple prongs such as outer prong(s) p1 and/or p3 are adapted in the cylindrical recessedchannel portion 30c 1′ and engage therim portion 30c 1″, so as to lock, fasten or couple theactuator rod 20 e andpiston shaft 30 c together. Theflanged portion 30c 1 may also be configured with asecond rim portion 30c 1″″ (seeFIG. 7B ), so that the outer prongs p1 and/or p3 engage therim portion 30c 1″ on one side and thesecond rim portion 30c 1″″ on the other side to engage theflange portion 30 c on both sides. - The scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiment are envisioned, using other types or kinds of techniques for coupling the
actuator rod 20 e andpiston shaft 30 c together with the spirit of the underlying invention. By way of example, the coupling features of theactuator rod 20 e andpiston shaft 30 c may be switched, so that thepiston shaft 30 c is configured with a corresponding tapered end with a corresponding slot/opening formed or configured therein; and theactuator rod 20 e is configured with a corresponding flanged portion having a corresponding cylindrical recessed channel portion and a corresponding rim portion and a corresponding interior cavity formed within the corresponding recessed channel portion configured to receive the corresponding tapered end of thepiston shaft 30 c. By way of further example, the scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiment are envisioned, using other types or kinds of techniques for coupling theactuator rod 20 e andpiston shaft 30 c that are either now known or later developed in the future. - The cartridge
style pumping module 30 may be attached to the gas control and driveunit 20 using the three step process, as follows:: -
- partially coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 and the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 so as to leave a space between the cartridge
style pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 for accessing theretainer clip 40; - attaching together the
piston 30 c of the piston anddual diaphragm arrangement 30 c, 30e 1, 30e 2 and theactuator rod 20 e of the actuator rod andslide valve arrangement retainer clip 40 using the retainer clip attaching/detaching tool 50 (aka herein as the “tool”) to push theretainer clip 40 into a locking position (e.g., seeFIG. 12E , as well asFIGS. 4, 5, 7B, 8, 9, 11B, and 11C ); and - fully coupling together the cartridge style pumping
module coupling member 30 and the gas control and driveunit coupling member 20 in a locking engagement (e.g., seeFIGS. 12F and 11A , as well as 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7B, 8 and 9).
- partially coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 and the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 so as to leave a space between the cartridge
- The cartridge
style pumping module 30 may be detached from the gas control and driveunit 20 using the three step process, as follows:: -
- partially decoupling and unlocking the cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 and the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 from a locking engagement, so as to leave a space between the cartridge
style pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 for accessing theretainer clip 40; - detaching the
piston 30 c of the piston anddual diaphragm arrangement 30 c, 30e 1, 30e 2 and theactuator rod 20 e of the actuator rod andslide valve arrangement retainer clip 40 using the retainer clip attaching/detachingtool 50 to push theretainer clip 40 from the locking position; and - fully decoupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 and the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22.
- partially decoupling and unlocking the cartridge style pumping module coupling member(s) 32 and the gas control and drive unit coupling member(s) 22 from a locking engagement, so as to leave a space between the cartridge
- The gas control and drive unit housing 20 f and the cartridge style pumping module housing 30 i may be configured along a common longitudinal axis; and the cartridge style pumping
module coupling member 32 may include a pair oftabs - The gas control and drive
unit coupling member 22 may include a pair ofchannels tabs - The pair of
tabs channels - The
modular pump 10 may be used as, or take the form of, a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup. - By way of example,
FIG. 4 shows the basic layout of major components and sub-assemblies of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. - For example, the gas control and drive
unit 20 includes the following components: - a
soldout assembly 20 a; - a
gas inlet cover 20 b; - a G
series slide valve 20 c; - a gas control cover 20 d;
- an
actuator rod 20 e; and - a gas control valve housing 20 f.
- The
pump module 30 includes the following components: - an inlet housing 30 a;
- syrup
input check valves 30 b; - a
piston shaft 30 c; - an
end cover 30 d; - piston-diaphragms 30
e 1, 30e 2; - a
liquid chamber 30 f; - syrup output check valves 30 g;
- an
outlet housing 30 h. - In modular BIB pump also includes a
retainer clip 40 for coupling together theactuator rod 20 e, and asecond retainer clip 42 for coupling together the piston-diaphragm 30e 1 and thepiston shaft 30 c. - The basic structural and functional cooperation between these components is described in further detail in relation to
FIGS. 5-12 below. - By way of example,
FIG. 5 shows the modular BIB pump fluid porting, according to some embodiments of the present invention. For example, gas enters the gas control and driveunit 20 via a gas inlet port GI of thegas inlet cover 20 b (FIG. 4 ), and gas exhaust GE exits the gas control and driveunit 20 via a gas outlet port GO. Syrup enters thepump module 30 via a syrup inlet SI of the inlet housing 30 a (FIG. 4 ), and the syrup exits thepump module 30 via a syrup discharge SD of theoutlet valve housing 30 h (FIG. 4 ). - By way of example,
FIG. 6 show the basic operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including fluid pathways and gas entry to control valve space, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In operation, and as indicated inFIG. 6 , the gas control valve housing 20 f is normally filled with gas. Moreover, arrows labeled and identified as al thru a5 show the pathway of the gas passing into and from the gas inlet GI, through thesoldout assembly 20 a to theslide valve 20 c. - By way of example,
FIG. 7 shows the operation of the modular BIB pump, e.g., including the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (inboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , gas under pressure enters theslide valve 20 c from the gas filled chamber (e.g., aka as area 1) that forms part of the gas control valve housing 20 f (see alsoFIGS. 4 and 6 ) and is routed though theslide valve 20 c to a passage located at an arrow labeled 2. Frompoint 2, the gas is routed to theend cover 30 d via the passage labeled by arrow 3 (FIG. 7A ). The gas then enters an interior cavity of theend cover 30 d at a point number/opening labeled by arrow 4 (FIG. 7B ). - Once the gas is in the
end cover 30 d, gas pressure will act on the piston/diaphragm 30e 1 resulting in an applied force Ap which will cause thepiston shaft 30 c to move in the direction of the arrow labeled Ap. As thepiston shaft 30 c moves, fluid in theliquid chamber 30 f will be displaced through the outlet/discharge valves 30 g of theoutlet valve housing 30 h, e.g., as indicated by the arrow shown and labeled Af. - The gas in area labeled 5 is allowed to be vented (connected) to atmosphere to allow for piston travel in the direction of the applied force, as shown. The gas exhaust GE escapes through the gas outlet or exhaust port GO, as shown.
- By way of example,
FIG. 8 show the gas path and piston/diaphragm travel (outboard), according to some embodiments of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , when thepiston shaft 30 c andactuator rod 20 e arrive at the end of the stroke (direction indicated in previous Figure), the Gseries slide valve 30 c will change state (e.g., sliding from a rightward position inFIG. 7 to a leftward position inFIG. 8 ) and route gas from the area labeled 1 through a passage labeled 2 and into an area labeled 3. The gas flow is indicated by the arrows included inFIG. 8 . The gas pressure indicated by arrows labeled Agp will act over the surface of the piston-diaphragm 20 g to produce an axial force on thepiston shaft 30 c in the direction of the arrow Ap′ in the opposite direction from the arrow labeled Ap (FIG. 7B ). Any fluid contained in theliquid chamber 30 f will be displaced out the outlet/discharge valves 30 g of theoutlet valve housing 30 h, e.g., as indicated by the arrow Af shown. The gas in the interior cavity or area labeled 4 of theend cover 30 d is allowed to pass via the passageways labeled 3 inFIG. 7A back to thepoint 2 inFIG. 7B , to be vented (connected) to atmosphere to allow forpiston shaft 30 c travel in the direction labeled Ap, as indicated. The gas escapes through the exhaust outlet or port GO. - By way of example,
FIG. 9 shows the liquid pumping chambers & pathways of the modular BIB pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. - In
FIG. 9A , the liquid chamber LC has two chambers, labeledchamber 1 andchamber 2. As piston-diaphragm 30e 1, 30e 2 moves outboard (e.g., leftwardly as shown), liquid/fluid inchamber 2 is displaced through the discharge check valves 30 g (see alsoFIG. 4 ). Simultaneously, as the volume inchamber 1 expands liquid/fluid is drawn in throughinlet check valves 30 b (see alsoFIG. 4 ). - In
FIG. 9B , as piston-diaphragm 30e 1, 30e 2 moves inboard (e.g., rightwardly as shown), liquid/fluid inchamber 2 is displaced through the discharge check valves 30 g. Simultaneously, as the volume inchamber 1 expands, liquid/fluid is drawn in throughinlet check valves 30 b. - The piston-diaphragm 30
e 1, 30e 2 reciprocates back and forth in order to draw liquid/fluid into a respective chamber, and displaced fluid from a respective chamber. - By way of example,
FIG. 10 shows the pump operation in normal (FIG. 10A ) and sold out activation (FIG. 10B ), according to some embodiments of the present invention. - For example, during normal operation the pressure in the inlet area labeled (1) is near atmosphere and gas is routed through the
soldout valve assembly 20 a and into the pump. When the liquid/fluid (e.g., syrup) source runs out, the pressure in the inlet area (1) will be reduced to less than atmosphere. The pressure difference acting on thesensing diaphragm 20 a′ will cause movement indicated by the arrow. The movement will cause the gas flow through thesoldout valve assembly 20 a to cease thereby stopping the modular BIB pump from continued operation. When the liquid/fluid (e.g., syrup) source is restored, pressure across thesensing diaphragm 20 a′ will return to normal, and thesoldout valve assembly 20 a will allow gas to flow into themodular BIB pump 10. - By way of example, the processes happens whenever a liquid/fluid/syrup bag empties and needs to be replaced with a new liquid/fluid/syrup bag.
-
FIG. 11 shows the pumping module change-out procedure, including the separation of thepumping module 30 from the gas control and driveunit unit 20, according to some embodiments of the present invention. - In
FIG. 11 ,FIG. 11A shows thepump module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 coupled together.FIG. 11B shows thepump module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 slightly separated after the tabs inFIG. 11A are pressed inwardly together.FIG. 11C shows thetool 50 positioned against the retainingclip 40 between thepump module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20.FIG. 11D shows the retainingclip 40 disengaged releasing thepiston shaft 30 c from theactuator rod 20 e.FIG. 11E shows thepump module 30 separated from the gas control and driveunit 20. - The pumping module change-out procedure for decoupling the
pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20, e.g., including the following steps: - 1).
Press tabs pumping module 30 away from gas control and driveunit 20 to expose interior of thepump 10, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 11A and 11B . - 2) Locate
retainer clip 40 anddisposable tool 50, as shown inFIG. 11B . - 3) Insert the
disposable tool 50 between the housings of thepumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 and push theretainer clip 40 to disengage theactuator rod 20 e and thepiston shaft 30 c, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 11C and 11D . - 4) Pull the
pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 away from each other to fully disengage thepumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20, e.g., as shown inFIG. 11E . -
FIG. 12 shows the pumping module change-out procedure, including the installation of the pumping module to the gas control unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention. - In
FIG. 12 ,FIG. 12A shows themodular BIB pump 10 having thepump module 30 separated and positioned withtabs slots 32 of the gas control and driveunit 30.FIG. 12B shows themodular BIB pump 10 having thepump module 10 partially separated from the gas control and driveunit 30.FIG. 12D shows thetool insert 50 andretainer clip 40 positioned to couple thepiston shaft 30 c andactuator rod 20 e together.FIG. 12E shows theretainer clip 40 coupling thepiston shaft 30 c andactuator rod 20 e together after thetool 50 pushes the retainer clip into place.FIG. 12F shows thepump module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 coupled together similar to that shown inFIG. 11A . - The pumping module change-out procedure for coupling the
pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 together, e.g., including the following steps: - 1) Insert the
pumping module 30 withtabs channels unit 20, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B . - 2) Push the
pumping module 30 to close gap between thepiston shaft 30 c and theactuator rod 20 e, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 12D, 12E . - 3) Assure other fits are aligned before full insertion of the
pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 together, e.g., as shown inFIG. 12C . - 4) Locate the
retainer clip 40 anddisposable tool 50; and position theretainer clip 40 in relation to thepiston shaft 30 c and theactuator rod 20 e, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 12C and 12D . - 5) Insert the
disposable tool 50 between the housings of thepumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 and push theretainer clip 40 to close and couple thepiston shaft 30 c and theactuator rod 20 e, then remove thetool 50, e.g., as shown inFIG. 12E . - 6) Push the
pumping module 30 and the gas control and driveunit 20 together to fully fully seat thetabs FIG. 12F . - Possible Applications may include one or more of the following: Beverage PostMix Dispensing Systems
- While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.
- In addition, may modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.
Claims (8)
1. A modular pump comprising:
a gas control and drive unit having a gas control and drive unit housing configured to receive gas from a gas inlet and provide the gas to a gas passageway so as to cause a gas control and drive unit force, having an actuator rod and slide valve arrangement configured to respond to a cartridge style pumping module force in an axial direction and exhaust the gas from a gas exhaust outlet of the gas control and drive unit housing so as to cause a gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in an opposite axial direction, and also having a gas control and drive unit coupling member;
a cartridge style pumping module having a cartridge style pump module housing configured to receive a fluid to be pumped from a fluid inlet, having a piston and dual diaphragm arrangement configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit force, provide the cartridge style pumping module force in the axial direction and pump the fluid from a fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module, and also configured to respond to the gas control and drive unit exhaustion force in the opposite axial direction and pump the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet of the cartridge style pumping module, the cartridge style pumping module housing having a cartridge style pumping module coupling member configured to detachably couple to the gas control and drive unit coupling member; and
a retainer clip configured to detachably couple together a piston of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and an actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement, so that the cartridge style pumping module can be attached and detached from the gas control and drive unit using a three step process so as to be field replaceable using a retainer clip attaching/detaching tool.
2. A modular pump according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge style pumping module is attached to the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
partially coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member so as to leave a space between the cartridge style pumping module and the gas control and drive unit for accessing the retainer clip;
attaching together the piston of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and the actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement with the retainer clip using the retainer clip attaching/detaching tool to push the retainer clip into a locking position; and
fully coupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member in a locking engagement.
3. A modular pump according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge style pumping module is detached from the gas control and drive unit using the three step process, as follows:
partially decoupling and unlocking the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member from a locking engagement, so as to leave a space between the cartridge style pumping module and the gas control and drive unit for accessing the retainer clip;
detaching the piston of the piston and dual diaphragm arrangement and the actuator rod of the actuator rod and slide valve arrangement by removing the retainer clip using the retainer clip attaching/detaching tool to push the retainer clip from a locking position; and
fully decoupling together the cartridge style pumping module coupling member and the gas control and drive unit coupling member.
4. A modular pump according to claim 1 , wherein
the gas control and drive unit housing and the cartridge style pumping module housing are configured along a common longitudinal axis; and
the cartridge style pumping module coupling member comprises a pair of tabs configured on opposite sides of the cartridge style pumping module housing and extending in parallel with the common longitudinal axis.
5. A modular pump according to claim 4 , wherein the gas control and drive unit coupling member comprise a pair of channels configured on opposite sides of the gas control and drive unit housing and configured with openings to detachably couple to the pair of tabs.
6. A modular pump according to claim 5 , wherein the pair of tabs are configured to deflect towards or away from the common longitudinal axis in order to couple or decouple to or from the pair of channels.
7. A modular pump according to claim 1 , wherein the modular pump is a bag-in-the-box (BIB) pump for pumping syrup.
8. A modular pump according to claim 1 , wherein
the actuator rod comprises a tapered end having a slot or opening formed or configured therein;
the piston shaft comprises a flanged portion having a cylindrical recessed channel portion, a rim portion and an interior cavity formed within the recessed channel portion configured to receive the tapered end;
the retainer clip comprises a three prong clip having prongs;
so that the tapered end is configured in the slot or opening, and the retainer clip is pushed so a center prong passed into and through the slot or opening and the interior cavity, and two outer prongs are adapted in the cylindrical recessed channel portion and engage the rim portion, so as to lock, fasten or couple the actuator rod and piston shaft together.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/474,523 US20170298920A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 | 2017-03-30 | Modular bib pump |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662315265P | 2016-03-30 | 2016-03-30 | |
US15/474,523 US20170298920A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 | 2017-03-30 | Modular bib pump |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170298920A1 true US20170298920A1 (en) | 2017-10-19 |
Family
ID=59966451
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/474,523 Abandoned US20170298920A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 | 2017-03-30 | Modular bib pump |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170298920A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017173077A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113090491A (en) * | 2021-05-06 | 2021-07-09 | 蓝工(江苏)环境系统有限公司 | Novel high-efficient laser drive formula micro compressor |
US12392333B2 (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2025-08-19 | Graco Minnesota Inc. | Diaphragm pump drive for an electric pump |
Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4930405A (en) * | 1987-12-17 | 1990-06-05 | Empressa Brasileira De Compressores S/A | Reciprocating piston compressor for small refrigerating machines and assembly method therefor |
US5671655A (en) * | 1993-10-19 | 1997-09-30 | Empresa Brasileira De Compressores S/A - Embraco | Two-piece connecting rod for a reciprocating hermetic compressor |
US6325604B1 (en) * | 2000-03-29 | 2001-12-04 | Benjamin R. Du | Plastic gear pump housing |
US6382081B2 (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 2002-05-07 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Reciprocating compressor |
US6382934B2 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2002-05-07 | Almatec Maschinenbau Gmbh | Reversing valve for a compressed air membrane pump |
US20030180163A1 (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-09-25 | Markus Hartmann | Motor/pump assembly for use in a braking device |
US7318422B2 (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2008-01-15 | Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C. | Fluid pump assembly |
US7371045B2 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2008-05-13 | Shurflo, Llc | Pump apparatus and method |
US8001725B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2011-08-23 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | Shaft joint |
US8075218B2 (en) * | 2005-07-06 | 2011-12-13 | Neapco Europe Gmbh | Prestressed shaft and hub connection having a perfect cone shape |
US8171841B2 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2012-05-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Detachable connecting rod and compressor having the same |
US20140161644A1 (en) * | 2012-05-25 | 2014-06-12 | Richard Weatherley | Diaphragm Pump |
US20140271233A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Modular pump platform |
US9249792B2 (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2016-02-02 | Benjamin R. Du | Bag in box beverage pump |
US9316214B2 (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2016-04-19 | Benjamin R. Du | Bag in box beverage pump |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9416887B2 (en) * | 2000-07-18 | 2016-08-16 | George H Blume | Low turbulence valve |
US20070092385A1 (en) * | 2005-10-20 | 2007-04-26 | Petrie Pe Greg A | Pump and valve actuator system and method |
WO2015188185A2 (en) * | 2014-06-06 | 2015-12-10 | Flow Control Llc. | Single piston foundation bag-in-box (bib) pump |
-
2017
- 2017-03-30 WO PCT/US2017/025015 patent/WO2017173077A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-03-30 US US15/474,523 patent/US20170298920A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4930405A (en) * | 1987-12-17 | 1990-06-05 | Empressa Brasileira De Compressores S/A | Reciprocating piston compressor for small refrigerating machines and assembly method therefor |
US5671655A (en) * | 1993-10-19 | 1997-09-30 | Empresa Brasileira De Compressores S/A - Embraco | Two-piece connecting rod for a reciprocating hermetic compressor |
US6382081B2 (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 2002-05-07 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Reciprocating compressor |
US6382934B2 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2002-05-07 | Almatec Maschinenbau Gmbh | Reversing valve for a compressed air membrane pump |
US6325604B1 (en) * | 2000-03-29 | 2001-12-04 | Benjamin R. Du | Plastic gear pump housing |
US20030180163A1 (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-09-25 | Markus Hartmann | Motor/pump assembly for use in a braking device |
US8075218B2 (en) * | 2005-07-06 | 2011-12-13 | Neapco Europe Gmbh | Prestressed shaft and hub connection having a perfect cone shape |
US7318422B2 (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2008-01-15 | Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C. | Fluid pump assembly |
US8001725B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2011-08-23 | The Chamberlain Group, Inc. | Shaft joint |
US7371045B2 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2008-05-13 | Shurflo, Llc | Pump apparatus and method |
US8171841B2 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2012-05-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Detachable connecting rod and compressor having the same |
US9249792B2 (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2016-02-02 | Benjamin R. Du | Bag in box beverage pump |
US9316214B2 (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2016-04-19 | Benjamin R. Du | Bag in box beverage pump |
US20140161644A1 (en) * | 2012-05-25 | 2014-06-12 | Richard Weatherley | Diaphragm Pump |
US20140271233A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Modular pump platform |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US12392333B2 (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2025-08-19 | Graco Minnesota Inc. | Diaphragm pump drive for an electric pump |
CN113090491A (en) * | 2021-05-06 | 2021-07-09 | 蓝工(江苏)环境系统有限公司 | Novel high-efficient laser drive formula micro compressor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2017173077A1 (en) | 2017-10-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20170298920A1 (en) | Modular bib pump | |
US7871517B2 (en) | Filter device | |
US20200306667A1 (en) | Coalescing Filter Element | |
US2307566A (en) | Pneumatic drive fuel pump | |
KR102453444B1 (en) | Dispensing apparatus and methods utilizing quick connect member to secure fluid body and actuator body | |
US6019890A (en) | Fuel filter with hand primer | |
US20160281692A1 (en) | Reciprocating pumps and related methods | |
US6241487B1 (en) | Fluid powered diaphragm pump | |
EP1818538B1 (en) | Fluid pump | |
US20110211985A1 (en) | Pump | |
EP2889165A2 (en) | Compressor for a pneumatic tire and a pneumatic tire comprising a compressor mounted within the tire cavity | |
EP0796658A2 (en) | Apparatus for simultaneous aspiration and dispensation of fluids | |
US9121459B2 (en) | Driving force transmitting apparatus | |
US11898548B2 (en) | Diaphragm pump utilizing duckbill valves, multi-directional ports and flexible electrical connectivity | |
US20070183913A1 (en) | Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate | |
US6340034B1 (en) | Gas regulator with multiple regulated outlet ports | |
CN109153264B (en) | Ink pumping | |
US20240309892A1 (en) | Pneumatic Drive Apparatus | |
US20150118078A1 (en) | Diaphragm cartridge and pump having a diaphragm cartridge | |
SE532616C2 (en) | Housing for an energy source in a hand-powered device which has a mechanism for ejecting the source | |
US20250075808A1 (en) | Control valve | |
CN110892263B (en) | Piston Pump | |
CN106470746B (en) | Filter device, in particular liquid filter | |
RU2667607C2 (en) | Pump | |
CN110725792B (en) | Hydraulic diaphragm pump and combined cylindrical diaphragm assembly |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |