WO2015017910A1

WO2015017910A1 - Fluid dispensing device with removable nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2015017910A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/050606
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert W. Bentz; Alexander J. Feldman; Alexander Knoll
Original assignee: Waste-Not-Basket, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-08-07
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2015-02-12

Abstract

A fluid dispensing device (12) has a pump cap (30) that is permanently installed on a pump (40) and a nozzle (20) that is removably attached to the pump cap. The device is attachable to a fluid reservoir (14). The nozzle may be repeatedly removed from and reinstalled on the pump cap for cleaning without damaging the functioning of the pump.

Description

FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE NOZZLE Technical Field

The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices of the type for connection to a reservoir of fluid. Background of the Invention

Fluid dispensing devices are commonly used for dispensing fluids such as liquid soaps, lotions, cleaning fluids and other liquids. Such devices are connected to a fluid reservoir and typically comprise a pump attached to a nozzle that a user actuates to dispense a volume of fluid from the reservoir, through the pump, and out a dispensing outlet in the nozzle. The fluid reservoir may be refilled with fluid when it becomes empty, or it may be replaced by a new reservoir full of fluid by removing the fluid dispensing device from the empty reservoir and attaching it to the new reservoir.

A problem with these reusable devices is that the nozzle requires periodic cleaning due to the build-up and drying of materials within it, and the nozzle must be removed from the pump to do the cleaning. However, removing the nozzle from the pump, typically by pulling it off the pump's piston shaft, applies a force to the piston shaft and can result in the piston shaft becoming separated from the piston, thereby damaging the pump and rendering the fluid dispensing device inoperable. Also, fluid dispensing devices typically have a spring between the nozzle and pump to return the nozzle to a non -actuated or rest position. A further disadvantage of such prior art devices is that when removing the nozzle for cleaning, the spring is released and can easily be lost. There is accordingly a need in the art for a fluid dispensing device wherein the nozzle can be repeatedly removed from and reinstalled on the pump without affecting the functioning of the pump.

Summary of the Invention One aspect of the invention provides a fluid dispensing device connectible to a fluid reservoir. The device comprises a pump, a pump cap and a nozzle. The pump comprises an input end for receiving fluid from the reservoir, a piston chamber and a piston having a piston shaft with a channel for the flow of fluid to an output end of the piston shaft. The pump cap is affixed to the piston shaft output end and has an opening therein for passage of fluid from the pump. The nozzle is removably attached to the pump cap and in fluid communication with the pump. The nozzle is removable from the pump cap without removing the pump cap from the piston shaft. Fluid is deliverable from the fluid reservoir to a discharge end of the nozzle upon actuation of the pump by movement of the nozzle, pump cap and piston relative to the pump piston chamber in a direction of actuation.

Further aspects of the invention and features of specific embodiments are described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures are to be considered illustrative of the invention rather than restrictive. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid dispensing device connected to the fluid reservoir.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the fluid dispensing device.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pump. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the nozzle.

Figures 5 A and B are perspective views of the pump cap.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the nozzle connected to the pump cap.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing device connected to the fluid reservoir. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing device in a non-actuated position.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing device in an actuated position.

Detailed Description In this specification, the term "input end" in relation to the fluid dispensing device and components thereof means the end that is proximate to the fluid reservoir. The term "output end" in relation to the fluid dispensing device and components thereof means the end opposite to the input end, i.e. proximate to the nozzle. The term "direction of actuation" means the direction in which a user depresses the nozzle of the fluid dispensing device in order to actuate the pump and dispense the fluid contained in the fluid reservoir to which the fluid dispensing device is connected, i.e. the direction from left to right in the view of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 1, the fluid dispenser 10 comprises a fluid dispensing device 12 and a fluid reservoir 14 containing a fluid that is to be dispensed. The fluid may be any one of a wide variety of materials, such as liquid soap, body lotion, hand lotion, cleaning fluids, disinfectants, mouthwash, condiments, etc. The fluid reservoir 14 comprises a base, two sides, a front wall 19, a back wall, and a removable lid.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 7, the fluid reservoir 14 is affixed to a fluid reservoir enclosure 16, which comprises a top, a base, two sides, and a back wall. The fluid reservoir 14 is inserted into the enclosure 16, leaving the front wall 19 of the fluid reservoir 14 exposed. A locking groove 15 between a bottom face of the base of the fluid reservoir 14 and a top face of the base of the enclosure 16 is formed by engaging the fluid reservoir 14 with the enclosure 16. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the components of the fluid dispensing device 12 in exploded view. The fluid dispensing device 12 includes a nozzle 20 that is removably attached to a pump cap 30. The pump cap 30 is affixed to the output end 47 of the pump 40. A coil spring 50 is positioned between the pump cap 30 and the pump 40. The pump 40 includes a piston 42 having a piston shaft 41 with a channel 43 for the flow of fluid, a pump piston chamber 44, and a connector 46. The piston includes two piston valves 51, 53 which operate to allow the one-way flow of fluid from the piston chamber 44 to the piston shaft channel 43. One valve 53 is fitted at the input end of the piston 42 and allows fluid to flow into the piston chamber 44, but does not allow fluid to flow out. The other valve 51 is fitted to the output end of the piston 42 and allows fluid to flow out of the piston chamber 44 into the pump channel 43, but does not allow fluid to flow back into the pump chamber 44. Such piston valves and their mode of operation are well-known in the art. The connector 46 together with the adapter 80 threadably connect the pump 40 to the fluid reservoir 14. A sleeve 55 fits inside the adapter 80 and forms a fluid seal between the adapter 80 and the pump piston chamber 44, as shown in Figure 7. The input end 49 of the pump 40 fits through a central opening 57 of the sleeve 55 and then through a central opening 82 of the adapter 80 and connects to an inlet member 90. The inlet member 90 puts the pump 40 in direct fluid communication with the fluid in the fluid reservoir 14. The adapter 80 fits through an opening in the front wall 19 of the fluid reservoir 14. The adapter has a rim 84 that engages with the front wall 19 of the fluid reservoir. A gasket 70 forms a fluid seal between the rim 84 and the front wall 19 of the fluid reservoir 14 to prevent fluids from escaping from the fluid reservoir 14.

The pump cap 30 is permanently affixed to the pump 40. The pump cap 30 has an opening 32 at its output end to provide a fluid path from the piston channel 43 to the nozzle. As shown in Figure 5B, the pump cap 30 has an inner flange 39 which is a hollow cylinder with two channels 33 extending radially around the inside thereof and longitudinally-extending grooves 37. In affixing the pump cap to the piston, the two channels 33 securely engage two rings 48 extending radially around the piston shaft 41 at its output end 47, as shown in Figure 3. Longitudinally-extending ribs 45 on the piston shaft 41 engage the grooves 37, to prevent the pump 40 from rotating in the pump cap 30. As best seen in Figure 7, a collar 60 fits over the pump cap 30 and is snapped into place by inserting a collar arm 64 of the collar into the locking groove 15. The collar arm and locking groove 15 have mating shoulders 67, 69,

respectively, which engage each other to hold the collar in place against the front wall 19 of the fluid reservoir 14. To disengage the mating shoulders 67, 69, a mechanism (not shown), such as a key, can be inserted through at least one aperture 18 in the base of the enclosure 16 to release the collar arm 64 from the locking groove 15.

The collar 60 has a radially inwardly-extending lip 62 at the output end of the collar and apertures 65 in its lip 62. The collar 60, which is a hollow cylinder, has a groove (not shown) longitudinally-extending inside the collar. Tn affixing the collar to the pump cap, the groove engages a notch 35 in a radially- outwardly extending rim 38 at the input end of the pump cap 30 to align the pump cap for engagement with the nozzle 20. Once the collar 60 has been fit over the pump cap 30, a cylindrical wall 21 of the nozzle 20 is fit through the collar 60. As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the nozzle 20 has tabs 24 which extend from the input end of the cylindrical wall 21. The tabs 24 engage with the apertures 65 of the collar 60 to guide the nozzle 20 into position for engagement with the pump cap 30. In the illustrated embodiment, two tabs 24 are inserted through the two collar apertures 65.

Further, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the nozzle 20 has a middle tab 25 which extends from the input end of the cylindrical wall 21. When the nozzle 20 is inserted through the collar 60 as described above, the tabs 24 and middle tab 25 engage with the apertures 34 in the rim 38 of the pump cap 30. In the illustrated embodiment, two tabs 24 and the middle tab 25 engage three apertures 34 such that when the nozzle 20 is rotated 90° in the clockwise direction relative to the pump cap 30 and collar 60, the nozzle 20 becomes locked in fluid communication with the pump cap 30 and cannot be pulled off the pump cap without first rotating the nozzle back 90° in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the pump cap 30 and collar 60. The nozzle 20 can then be easily slid off the pump cap 30 without applying any retracting force to the pump cap 30 and pump 40. The nozzle 20 is removably attachable to the pump cap 30, with or without the collar 60 fit over the pump cap 30. The nozzle 20 and collar 60 can be repeatedly removed from and reinstalled onto the pump cap 30, e.g. for cleaning, without harming the proper functioning of the pump 40.

As seen in Figures 5A and 7, the pump cap has a seal 31 around the pump cap opening 32 at its output end. The seal 31 is preferably made from rubber.

When the nozzle 20 is engaged with the pump cap 30, the seal 31 presses against with the inside of the output end of the nozzle 20 to create a fluid seal that prevents soap from leaking from the interface between the pump cap 30 and the nozzle 20.

Figure 8 shows the fluid dispensing device 12 in a non-actuated or rest position, ready for use. The fluid dispensing device 12 is actuated by depressing the nozzle 20 to the position shown in Figure 9. The nozzle 20, pump cap 30, and piston 42 are moveable relative to the collar 60 and depressing the nozzle 20 compresses the spring 50 and drives the piston 42 from the non-actuated position to the actuated position of Figure 9. When the nozzle 20 is released, the piston 42 is urged back to its non-actuated position by the spring 50. Movement of the piston 42 in the direction of actuation reduces the volume of the piston chamber 44, forcing fluid out of the piston chamber 44 into the piston channel 43, through the piston output end 47 and the pump cap opening 32, and out a dispensing end 22 of the nozzle. Movement of the piston 42 back to its non-actuated position draws fluid into the piston chamber 44 from the fluid reservoir 14.

The fluid dispensing device may employ any suitable container for the fluid, and may be connected to the fluid reservoir using any suitable means. In other embodiments, the fluid dispensing device 12 may be either removably attachable or permanently connected to the fluid reservoir 14.

The fluid dispensing device 12, fluid reservoir 14, and enclosure 16 may be constructed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material. Examples of such materials include polymeric material, such as polyesters, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and the like.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

A fluid dispensing device connectable to a fluid reservoir comprising:

(a) a pump comprising an input end for receiving fluid from the reservoir, a piston chamber, a piston having a piston shaft with a channel for the flow of fluid to an output end of the piston shaft,

(b) a pump cap affixed to the piston shaft output end and having an opening therein for passage of fluid from the pump; and

(c) a nozzle removably attached to the pump cap and in fluid communication with the pump, the nozzle being removable from the pump cap without removing the pump cap from the piston shaft, wherein fluid is deliverable from the fluid reservoir to a discharge end of the nozzle upon actuation of the pump by movement of the nozzle, pump cap, and piston relative to the pump piston chamber in a direction of actuation.

A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the pump cap further comprises a radially outwardly-extending rim at an input end of the pump cap and the rim has at least one aperture. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle comprises at least one tab extending from an input end of the nozzle.

A fluid dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one nozzle tab engages the at least one pump cap aperture to lock the nozzle to the pump cap when the nozzle is rotated relative to the pump cap.

A fluid dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle is removable from the pump cap by rotating the nozzle relative to the pump cap in a direction that is opposite to the direction the nozzle is rotated to lock the nozzle to the pump cap.

A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a spring between the pump and pump cap to bias the nozzle to a non-actuated position.

A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the pump is threadably connectable to the reservoir by an adapter that fits through an opening in the wall of the fluid reservoir and the adapter has a rim for engaging a wall of the fluid reservoir.

A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the pump cap has a hollow cylindrical inner flange that engages the piston shaft.

9. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the flange has at least one channel extending radially around the inside of the flange and at least one groove extending longitudinally along the inside of the flange.

A fluid dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the piston shaft has at least one ring extending radially around the outside of an output end of the piston shaft and at least one rib extending longitudinally on the outside of the piston shaft. 1 1. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one pump cap channel engages the at least one piston ring and the at least one pump cap groove engages the at least one piston rib, and wherein the at least one groove and the at least one rib prevent the piston from rotating within the pump cap.

12. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-1 1 in

combination with and connected to the fluid reservoir.

13. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 12, in combination with and connected to a fluid reservoir enclosure.

14. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 13, wherein the enclosure is engaged with the fluid reservoir to form a locking groove therebetween.

15. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a collar for housing the pump cap.

16. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 15, wherein the collar

comprises a hollow cylinder and a collar arm for engagement with the locking groove to hold the collar over the pump cap.

17. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 16, wherein the collar

comprises at least one longitudinally extending groove inside of the hollow cylinder.

18. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the pump cap rim comprises at least one notch. 19. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 18, wherein the at least one collar groove engages the at least one pump cap rim notch to align the pump cap within the collar for engagement with the nozzle.

20. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 15 to 19,

wherein the collar comprises a radially inwardly-extending rim at an output end of the collar and the rim has at least one aperture.

21. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 20, wherein the at least one nozzle tab engages with the at least one collar rim aperture to align the at least one nozzle tab with the at least one pump cap rim aperture.

22. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-21, further comprising means for sealing the connection between the nozzle and the pump cap. 23. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 22, wherein the means for sealing the connection comprises a rubber seal around the pump cap opening at its output end.

24. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 16, further comprising means for disengaging the collar arm from the locking groove.

25. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 24, wherein the means for disengaging the collar arm comprises a key that is inserted through at least one aperture in the base of the enclosure.