Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
32
BACKGROUND ~F THE INVENTION
I - Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a manually operated pump
for dispensing the contents of a container.
II - Description of the Prior Art
A wide variety of dispensing pumps have found commer-
cial acceptance for dispensing a product from a container. The
typical pump includes a vertically reciprocal finger actuated
plunger, that causes product to pass through a dip tube, enter
; 10 a pump chamber and exit through a nozzle or outlet, according
to the prescribed pumping cycle and predetermined opening and
closing of both inlet and outlet valves.
Similarly, trigger actuated pumps have gained in pop-
ularity with pumping being achieved by pressing and releasing
a laterally disposed trigger mechanism.
However, pumps of the foregoing type require a rela-
tively larger number of complex parts with consequent expense
both in manufacture and assembly. Thus, there exists a need
for dispensing pumps that are relatively simple and reliable
with an absolute minimum number of parts each individually
simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
3~
Ihe need for reliable and less costly pumps for dispensing
~ssentially all products witllout limila~ion as to pum~ materials
ilas increased; and it is ~ecoming acute witil the severe criticism
of the aerosol industry and particularly aerosol dispensing pac]i-
ages utilizing fluorocarbon propellants with their attendant
affect on the environment. In addition, such criticisrl has
served to make the consumer aware of tne inherent economy and
convenience of pump type dispensers.
SU~ARY OF THE IN~ENTION
A principal objec-L of this invention is to provide an
improved system for manually actuating a dispensing pump WhiC-I
is comprised of a minimum number of parts, each individually
simple to manufac~ure and assemble at relatively lo~ cost;
and tnis pump sys~em may be constructed of essentially only two
basic parts, only one of which moves, with other, mostly con-
ventional parts, being necessary to satisfy certain appiications.
; Anotller objeci is to provide a piston pump based on a
pump system of the foregoing type which is valveless and sealed
wilen ln the rest position for shipment, without requiring any
~0 addit~,onal parts, to further reduce costs; and, advan.ageously
it is self-cleaning to prevent clogging of the selected nozzle
or discharge orifice and thereby extremely sanitary.
A furtiler object is to provide a system whicll is extremely
versatile in that it may function as a vertically reciprocal pump
having a laterally directed discharge orifice or a trigger pump
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with the pump axis being either vertically or horizontally dis-
posed or at any other orientation depending upon the packaging
requirements.
Still another object is to provide a pump system which
may be utilized without a dip tube and inverted for purposes of
more convenient dispensing residual insecticides, plant sprays,
foot sprays, and the like materials.
A still further object is to provide a pump system hav-
ing the capability, during the dispensing cycle to compress air
10 and entrain i~ with the product in order to produce a broad
range of sprays from a stream to a fine suspended mist; a pump
having a system o~ the foregoing type has the capability of large
volume product de1ivery for relatively short piston strokes,
thereby permitting shorter and less fatiguing trigger strokes
by the mechanical advantage afforded by the design of the trigger
mechanism.
An important object is to provide a pump system in which
the air-to-product ratio during dispensing may be preset depend-
ing upon the product being dispensed and the dispensing pattern
desired therefore.
Another important object is to provide a pump system of
the foregbing type in which an integral built-in venting system
is included as part of the pump structure and operation thereby
avoiding the necessity of a separate and independent venting
system for neutralizing negative pressure in the container head
space as the product is dispensed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispensing
pump system for dispensin~ product from a container comprising:
a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder defining a pump chamber
therewith, and the piston and cylinder being relatively recipro-
cal through a compression stroke from an extended position to ~n
inserted position and through a suction stroke ~rom the inserted
3V2
position to the extended position; inlet port means for coopera-
ting in communicating the container interior with the pump cham-
ber during the suction stroke to permit product to enter into
the pump ch~mber from the containèr interior solely by creating
a negative pressure differential between the pump chamber rela-
tive to the container interior to cause product to be sucked into
the pump chamber; outlet port means for product to be dispensed
under pressure from the pump chamber during the compression
stroke; and the dispensing pump system being so constructed and
arranged that durin~ the suction stroke air is sucked through the
outlet port means from the ambient into the pump chamber to purge
product from the outlet port means thereby render~ng the pump
system self-cleaning during each pump cycle to prevent clogging
of product in the outlet port means.
- ~a -
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~I~GS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic dispenser
incorporating the pump snown in Figure 2;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment
of a pump incorporating the teachings of this invention and which
has an upwardly directed fixed discharge orifice normal to the
pump axis;
Figures 3A - 3E are schematic representations of the pump
at various stages of piston retraction during the pump chamber
1~ filling cycle;
Figures 4A - 4E are schematic representations of the
pump insertion during the pump discharge cycle;
Figure 5A is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of
another em~odiment of the pump incorporating the teachings of the
invention in a manually operated trigger actuated piston pump;
Figure 5B is a fractional view of the piston of tne pump
s~own in 5A incorporating a ring sleeve;
Fiyure SBB is a similar view of piston with a modified
sleeve ilaving commercial application.
Figure 5C is a fractional view of the piston of the pump
silown in Figure 5A incorporating a resilient sleeve;
; Figure ~D is a fractional view of tlle piston of the pump
; shown in Figure 5A incorporatiny a grooved plug;
~ Figures 6A - 6D are scl~ematic representations of the pump
:~ at various stages of piston insertion during the pump discharge
~: cycle;
Figures 6E -- 6H are schematic representations of the pump
during various stages of piston retraction during the pump
~, chamber filling cycle;
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`:
Figure 7 is a ~erspective view of a manually operated
trigger actuated piston pump incorporating the teaching of this
invention and employing an external return spring sllown on a
container tllat is broken away and removed;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the pump of
Figure 7 with certain parts broken away, removed and sectioned
showing the external spring positioned between the tab and the
trigger;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment
of a trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container
for li~uid to be dispensed employing an internal s~ring;
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump
of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of another em-
bodiment of the pump incorporating the .teachings of this inven-
tion and utilizins a standard moving orifice;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown
n Figure 11 fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to
~ be dispensed;
; 20 Figure 13a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of
another embodiment of the pump incorporatlng the teachings of
; this invention but utilizing a fi.xed orifice~
: Figures 13b-13c are schematic representations of the
. pum~ at various stages of piston insertion and retraction.
:
.
~ 73~Z
FicJurc 1~ is a lonc~itudinal cross-scctional vicw o~
another embodiment of a trigger actuatcd pump incorporating
: the teachings of the invention in which the mechanical ad-
vantage is such that short piston strokes are possiblc for
large volume product delivery;
Figure 15 is a si.milar view of the pump but with the
trigger depressed;
Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of another
cmbodiment of the pump in a standard moving orifice pump cm-
ploying a cylinder comprised of multiple parts and with the
piston extended; and
Figure 17 is a similar view of the pump as shown in
.. IFigure 16 but with the piston depressed.
~ '
.,:
:
'
~73~3~
D~TAILED D~SCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOS~D EM~ODIMENTS
In reference to Figure .1. a cosmetic dispenser package 10
is shown including a product or liquid containing bottle or
container 12 and upper component retaining body or cap 14 con-
tains the pump 16 of this invention.
Referring now to Figure 2, the ~ump 16 includes a piston
cylinder 18 and a piston 20. The cylinder 18 includes an inlet
port 22 which communicates with a downwardly depending dip tube
2~. In addition the cylinder 18 includes an outlet port 26
]0 whicil may have coupled therewith a discharge nozzle 28 extending
in an upwardly direction for convenience in cosmetic application.
~ series of annular sealing or contact rings may be
utilized between the piston 20 and the interior of cylinder 18.
T,~ese rings may be positioned on the piston 20 or on the interior
walls of the cylinder 18. In either situation, the clearance between
the piston 20 and the interior walls of the cylinder 18 should be
minimized to attain the maximum efficiency of the pump 16.
, ,
~- : .-.
3~
As depicted, rings 30 and 32 isolate the lower inlet port
22. Rings 34 and 36 isolate tne upper outlet port 26. Rings
36, 38 or as many as needed prevent leakaae by way of tne
open end 40 of the cylinder 18. The inlet and outlet ports ~2
and 26, respectively, are offset which permit rings 32 and 34
to seal off tlle outlet port 26 in the at rest position shown in
Figure 2. During the operation of the pump 16 wllen ring 32
isolates the inlet port 22 from tlle pump chamber 46, inlet port
22 communicates with outlet port 26 to allow for venting of the
container. The forward end of the piston 20 is flared outward-
ly in a conventional manner to press against the interior cy-
; linder wall and also defines a piston head 42. The forward
end of the piston including the piston head 42 defines with
the closed end 44 of tl~e cylinder 18 and pump chamber 46.
The piston 20 is provided with a longitudinally extendingpassage 48 which extends from the forward end of the piston and
conse~uently the pump chamber 46 to a secondary trap 50 which
can be varied in volume to contain and balance the mixture of
air and product according.to purpose. In addition, a metering
channel 52 may be provided which assures the balance of mixture
of air and product on the discharge stroke. The piston 20 also
includes a lateral extending passa~e 54 from the passageway 48,
;~ whicll is capable of communicating with the inlet port 22. In
~ addition, a lateraily extending passage 56 extends from passage-
- way 48 and the secondary trap 50 and is adapted to communicate
73~2
with the outlet port 26. As will be appreciated from Figure 2
lateral passageway 54 is interposed between rings 30 and 32
whereas passage 56 is interposed between rings 34 and 36.
In order to initiate the filling of the pump chamber 46
assuming initial disposition of parts as shown in Figure 3A.
The lateral passages 54 and 56 of the piston will be both sealed
off from the inlet and outlet ports 22 and 26, respectively.
Ti~ere may or may not be an air liquid mixture in the trap 50
depending on whether or not the pump has been initially primed.
The piston 20 is either manually retracted or permitted to shift
to the right under the influence of an external spring 58.
Eventually the lateral passageway 56 will communicate with the
outlet port 26 at which time air will be drawn into the pump
chamber (Figure 3B~. The lateral passageway 56 will clear the
outlet port 26 and with the further movement of the piston 20
out of the cylinder 18 a vacuum or negative pressure will be
generated in the pump chamber 46 (Figure 3C). The lateral
passage 54 will now communicate with the inlet port 22 at which
time liquid will be drawn or sucked into the pump chamber 46
(Figure 3D). The lateral passage 54 will then clear the inlet
port 22 at which time the pump is ready to initiate its dispens-
ing cycle.
-- 10 --
~7~)2
~Jith the pump at rest as sllown in Figures 3 and 4A
with the piston drawn to its outer limit by means of the spring
58, botil tlle inlet and outlet ports 22 and 26 are sealed by the
piston and with product and air contained in the pump chamber 46
and secondary trap 50. As the piston 18 shifts inward some pro--
duct and air will be forced back down the dip tube 22. This
reverse flow may be reduced or eliminated by minimizing the
piston 20 clearance in the cylinder 18 or by a change in the
position of the contact rings.
Then the lateral passage 54 will pass over the inlet
port 22 at which time any additional equalization of pressure
takes place (Figure 4B). The inlet passage 54 will then clear
the inlet port 22 at which time compression of air wi]l take place
in the pump chamber 46 and trap 50 upon further insertion of
the piston 20 in the cylinder 18 (Figure 4C). The lateral
passage 56 then communicates with the outlet port 26 causing
the product and air contained in the pump chamber and secondary
trap to be discharged from the nozzle 28 under pressure (Figure
4D). The lateral passage 56 is then sealed from the outlet
port 26 to clip off the spray thereby ending the discharge
stroke (Figure 4E).
The pump 16 filling cycle and product dispensing cycle
may then be repeated as often as desired ~ollowing the foregoing
se~uence of steps and cycles of operation. In addition, pump 16
~73~12
will remain primed after its initial priming so that repriming
is unnecessary.
Referring now to a somewhat preferred embodiment of the
invention as shown in Figures 5A and 6, the pump 116 includes a
piston cylinder 118 and a piston 120. The cylinder 118 in-
cludes an inlet port 122 which communicates with a downwardly
depending dip tube 124. The cylinder 11~ also includes a
channel 126 which is defined by a channel plug 128 and neighbor-
ing surfaces of the cylinder 118.
- 10 In order to facilitate mounting of the pump 116 on a
receptacle an integral coupling means may extend from the
cylinder. Towards this end, the cylinder 118 may be inter-
nally threaded as at 130 for engagement with the threaded
neck 132 o~ a bottle or other receptacle containing the de-
sired material to be dispensed. A separate closure cap,
`~' preferable internally threaded, having a central opening may
also be used to affix the pump to the bottle or other receptacles.
~'~ Obviously, other forms of connection may ~e employed to couple
the pump to the container.
Turning now to the piston 120, contact between the
piston 120 and the cylinder 118 is provided by a series of slid-
ing dividers or annular seal,ing rlngs. These sliding dividers
or sealing rings may be positioned inde~endently on the piston
120 or may be incorporated in a ring sleeve 134 which, made of
a soft material, would cover and be suitably secured to the
piston 1201, made of a hard material, as shown in Figure 5B.
Of commercial importance is the embodiment of piston
120" shown in Figure 5BB having a molded sleeve 135 which is
inexpensive to make and may be polyethylene or any suitable
resinous material ha,ving compatibility with the product to be
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dispensed. Rings 137 are molded to extend forwardly and in the
direction of compression so as to resist any tendency to collapse
during the pressure stroke. Certain applications may permit the
rings to entend in the rearward direction. The indicator ring
configuration permits the clearance between the exterior of the
sleeve between rings and the interior of the cylinder to be
reduced significantly where desired or necessary. In a successful
embodiment of the piston of Figure 5BB the ring 137 was approx
imately 1 mm long and its forward face was inclined approximately
45 with the piston axis; and the exterior face of the rings
was rounded. The base of each ring was approximately .6 mm wide
and each ring tapers to a feather edge.
Another method of constructing the piston 120"' would be
~-; where the rings and piston are a single piece and are covered by
a resilient sleeve 136 as depicted in Figure 5C. Alternately,
as will be evident to those skilled in the art and as contemplated
~y the invention, the contact rings may be located on the inter-
ior wall of cylinder 118 in lieu of the piston 120 with certain
other modifications.
In the position of piston 120 shown, ring 138 isolates
the inlet port 122. Ring 144 prevents leakage from the cylinder
118 to the exterior of the pump. Ring 140 and ring 142 isolate
the piston port 148; and, similarly ring 142 and ring 144
isolate piston port 150, which is adapted to communicate with the
discharge orifice or nozzle 152 through coaxial bore or channel 156.
The piston 120 ls provided with a longitudinally ex-
tending coaxial bore or channel 156 which extends from the
piston forward end and consequently the pump chamber 158 to
; the piston wall 160. The piston port 148 provides communication
3D
- 13 -
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between the piston channel 156 and the exterior of the piston
120 between r.ings 140 and 142. The piston 120 also includes
a second piston channel 154 which longitudinally extends from
the piston wall 160 and is adapted to communicate with the
outlet orifice 152. The piston port 150 provides communication
between the piston channel 154 and the exterior of the piston
120 between rings 142 and 144.
In order to facilitate the mixing of air and product a
means of subjecting one or both to a tortured path may be utilized
For example, one such means would be where the piston 120 is
provided with a grooved plug 121, which fitted in the piston
channel 156, as depicted in Figure 5D. The plug 121 would com-
prise a solid core with a spiral groove 123 on its longitudinal sur-
face, terminating at tne top portion of each end of the plug
and a straight groove 125 longitudinally placed across the
length of the bottom portion of the plug 121. In addition, both
grooves 123 and 125 would provide communication between the pump
chamber 158 and the piston port 148 for the passing of product
and air to be dispensed.
When the piston 120 is in its fully retracted or
extended position in the cyIinder 118 as shown in Figure 5A,
~` piston port 150 is isolated from piston port 148, thereby
; sealing passage or any product from the pump as specifically
.
- 14 -
7~
from pump chamber 158 and out through the orifice 152.
At this disposition the unintentional dispensing of product
is prevented and may be used as a shipping position if so
desired, with or without a release element for maintaining
this position during shipment and storage.
Assuming the disposition of parts as shown in Figure
5A and as shown in Figure 6A. Assume also that the piston
120 has completed a suction stroke and that there is product
in the pump chamber 158 and piston channel 156. In certain
applications depending upon the product to be dispensed
and the desired spray pattern, a certain amount of air may
also be present in the pump chamber 158 and channel 156,
drawn in by way of the outl.et orifice 152. When it is desired
. to dispense product and particularly the contents of the pump
chamber 158 and piston channel 156, the pump 116 is activated
by applying finger pressure to the trigger 162 which depends
from the piston extension 164. As the piston 120 moves
` inwardly into the cylinder 118 to the position of Figure 6B,
some product along with some air is forced back down the
dip tube 124. When desired the rings may be positioned so
tnat tiliS is minimized or-does not occur. Once ring 138
- 15 -
1~73~32
isolates the cylinder inlet port 122 from the pump chamber 158
and ring 140 passes the cylinder channel 126 isolating piston
port 148 from the cylinder inlet port 122, the passing of
product down the dip tube 124 stops (Figure 6B). Contempor-
aneously, ring 142 has been preventing product and air, if
present, from entering the piston channel 154 from channel
156 and the pump chamber 158 by way of the piston port 150.
Once, the cylinder inlet port 122 is totally isolated then
upon further insertion of the piston 120 in the cylinder 118
compression or pressurization of the pump chamber occurs. The
distance that ring 142 travels before it reaches the cylinder
channel 126 after ring 140 clears this channel determines how
much compression takes place. When ring 142 enters the cy-
linder channel 126 the contact seal with the cylinder 118
will be interrupted causing communication between piston
channel 156 and piston channel 154 by way of piston port 148
and piston port 150 (Flgure 6C). At this juncture product
passes into the piston channel 154 and exits through the out-
i let orifice 152 and GontinueS until ring 142 clears the
channel 126. When this occurs or slightly before, the inletport 122 is exposed to.the piston port 148 allowing any remain-
ing pressure in the piston channel 156 to dissipate back into
- 16 ~
7~
the container through the dip tube 124. The piston port 150
is then sealed from piston port 148 by ring 142 thereby
ending the discharge stroke (Figure 6D).
Reference is now made to the filling of pump chamber
158 and venting of the container head space as depicted in
Figures 6E to 6H. The shifting of the piston 120 to the
right, outwardly of cylinder 118 initiates the suction
stroke. When ring 142 enters the cylinder channel 126
and before ring 140 reaches the cylinder inlet port 122
(see Figure 6E) a path for air exists between the cylinder
inlet port 122 and the outlet orifice 152, thereby relieving
any negative pressure formed in the container, as a resuit
of the filling of pump chamber 158 with product from the pre-
vious suction stroke, thereby venting the headspace. When
ring 142 clears channel 126, piston port 148 is isolated from
piston port 150 and the drawing of air stops (Figure 6F).
The air returning through the outlet orifice 152 and.the
piston chamber 154 and the proper selection of the size of
chamber 154 clears them of product thereby preventing clogging
by any residual dried out product and assuring continued
optimum pump performance.
73~2
~pon further shifting outward of the piston 120 in
the cylinder 118, ring 140 will pass over the cylinder chan-
nel 126 allowing communication between the cylinder inlet port
122 and piston port 148 (Figure 6G). Now ring 138 and ring
142 cooperate in the formation of a negative pressure in
the pump chamber 158 and piston channel 156 at which time
li~uid will be drawn or sucked into cylinder 118 from the
container through the dip tube 124. When rings 140 clears
~; channel 126, piston port 148 is sealed and isolated from
pum~ chamber 158. Ring 138 continues to exert a negative
pressure drawing product into the pump chamber 158 until
the piston 120 reaches its rest position (Figure 6H).
~; The pump 116 filling cycle and product dispensing
cycle may then be repeated as often as desired following the
foregoing sequence of steps and cycles of operation. ~ump 116
will remain primed after initial priming.
. Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a proposed commercial
version of the pump 116 of Figure 5A is illustrated
:~ which may comprise an external trlgger restoring sprlng lG6,
a clos~re -ap 168, a tab 170 ~n~ a n~zz]e I72. In.smuFh as
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the spring 166 is external and does not come in contact
with the product being dispensed, it need not be made of
an expensive corrosion-resistant metal. The closure cap
1~8 has a central opening 174 and is preferably threaded
internally 176 for contact with the nec]c of the container 178.
The tab 170 conveniently serves as a retainer for the piston
120, an abutment for the external spring 170 and as a means
for preventing the piston 120 and the piston extension 146
from rotating on its longitudinal axis. The nozzle 172 may
ass~lme one of many different forms. For example, it may
be capable of being rotated between a closed, an open
a spray and a stream position or any combination thereof.
With reference to Figure 9, a dispenser package is
shown including a container 114 and the pump 116,
incorporating an internal spring 180 as shown in Figure 10,
is affixed to the container 114 in a sealed manner by
way of a closure cap 168. In all other respects the structure
and operation of the pump of these figures are the same as
the previous embodiment and like parts will be similarly
numbered.
Reference is now made to Figure 11 which depicts an
embodiment of pump of this inventlon with the pump axis dis-
posed vertically to form a vertical reciprocal pump having
-- 19 --
73~2
a laterally directed discharge orifice or nozzle. In all
other respects this embodiment is similar in structure,
operation and construction to the embodiment of Figure SA
ana, accordingly, corresponding parts will be similarly
numbered with an accompanying subscript a. Thus, the
pumy 116a is provided with a finger actuated button
182 containing a lateral outlet orifice lS2a. This pump is
; affixed to a liquid container by means of a closure cap 168a.
Pressure can be applied directly upon the button 182
to dispense the product incident to vertical reciprocation
of this piston. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, pump 116a
extends into the product container 114a to reduce the height
of the overall pac~aging although this may not be essential in
certain applications. If dispensing in an in~erted manner is
recommended as with foot powders and the like this may be
accomplished by the elimination of the plug 188 and the channel
l90 to the dip tube 124a as well as the dip tube itself. Cor-
responding modifications may be made on all embodiments of the
pump.
Referring now to the embodiment of the invention of Figures
13a - 13c, it will be observed that an outlet orifice 152b is
advantageously maintained in a fixed position and does not move
when the pump is reciprocated. The cylinder 118b is provided
with a vertical passage 192 which originates at the cylinder
3~
~ 20 ~
73~2
channel 126b and terminates at the outlet orifice 152b and
an additional passage 190b which extends from the cylinder inlet
port 122b and communicates witn the dip tube 124b. The pump 116b
is actuated by finger pressure upon the plunger 194b. The piston
120b is provided with a piston port 150b located between rings
142b and 144b which allows for communication between the piston
channel 156b and the piston 120b surface. Parts corresponding to
; previous embodiments will be similarly numbered with an accompany-
ing subscript b. When the piston ring 138b isolates cylinder
inlet port 122b from the pump chamber 158b and piston channel
156b compression of the trapped air and product begins. Eventually
ring 140b will be in cylinder channel 126b so that a path exists
between the outlet orifice 152b and the inlet port 122b so that
any negative pressure in the liquid container is relieved by vent-
ing (Figure 13B). The compression continues until ring 142b
enters the cylinder channel -126b at which time ring 140b
isolates cylinder inlet port 122b. Then the seal of ring
142b is interrupted and a path is established between the
pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b and the outlet
orifice 152b by way of the piston port 150b, the cylinder
channel 126b and the cylinder passage 192 (Figure 13C). When this
occurs, the air and p~oduct is dispensed through the outlet orifice
152b. On the return stroke of piston 120b the cylinder inlet port
122b is isolated from the piston port 150b by ring 140b. Then air
.
- 21 -
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drawn into the pump chamber 158b and cvlinder channel 156b from
the outlet orifice 152b due to a negative pressure formed by the
cooperation of rings 138b, 140b and 144~ (Figure 13C). When ring
142b lsolates piston port 150 from the c;~linder channel 126b the
drawing of air into the pump cham~er 158b stops and the continued
retraction of piston 120b from the cylinder 118b creates a
vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston cnannel 156b (Figure
13b). While air and product may be drawn about the piston surface
bet~een rings 138b and 142b, the primary operation is the creation
of the vacuum in the pump chamber 158b and piston channel 156b by
ring 138b. Once ring 138b passes the inlet port 122b product
is sucked into the pump chamber 158b through inlet port 122b.
The drawing of product continues until the piston 120b reaches
its rest position (~igure 13A)~
Referring now to the embodiment of the pump 116b as shown
in Figures 14 and 15. This is essentially the same pump as
shown in Figure 13 but in the present instance, it is actuated
~y means of a trigger assembly 210. Figure 14 depicts the pump
and the trigger assembly 210 in a rest or starting position.
Figure lS shows the trigger assembly 210 in a fully contracted
position with the pump dispense cycle completed. The trigger
assembly 210 comprises a trigger housing 208, an actuating
lever or trigger 204 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin
206 carried by tne trigger housing 208, and a Y-shaped actuator
212. The Y-shaped actuator 212 comprises member 216, member 210
and member 214 jointly connected by a hinge 22~.
- 22 -
7~3~2
Member 214 engages trigger 204 while member 216 extends from the
hinge 220 and pivots against the housing 208, and member 210
extends from the hinge 220 and engages the piston. A passage
222 is provided in the housing 208 to allow the passing of air
and product to the outlet orifice.
When reference now to Figures 16 and 17, another embodi-
ment of the pump is shown. Figure 16 depicts the pump at rest
whereas Figure 17 shows the pump in a fully de~ressed position.
Parts corresponding to the other embodiments will be similarly
numbered with an accompanying subscript c. The essential difference
between pump 116c and the preceeding embodiment of the pump 116
is the construction of the cylinder 230. The cylinder 230
may comprise a cylinder wall 232 which is surrounded by a cy-
linder housing 234. The cylinder cnannel 236 is formed by
an opening in the cylinder wall 232. The cylinder inlet port
122c communicates with the dip tube 124c by way of passage 238
located between the cylinder housing 234 and the cylinder
wall 232. In all other respects, construction and operation
of the pump is identical to that of the previous described
vertical reciprocal pump as shown in Figure 11.
- 23 -
73~2
.
It should be evident by all of the embodiments of the
invention that the pumps construction and manufacture would re-
main of a simple nature in its applications. The pump is extreme-
ly versatile and can function in various positions such as
horizontal, vertical or even inverted if so desired. It can
be vertically reciprocal, actuated by a trigger mechanism or
directly, with the discharge nozzle movable or stationary.
The diameter of the pump chamber and piston respectively
may be increased in relation to the outlet port so as to be
1~ able to disperse a given large volume by a short stroke when
coupled with a trigger mechanism providing an acceptable mechani-
cal advantage.
The position of the contact rings can be adjusted to vary
the ratio of air to product depending on the purpose sought to
be achieved. Ring position will also govern the strength of
the vacuum or negative pressure formed in the pump chamber dur-
ing the filling cycle as well as the compression available for dis-
pensing the product. As wi]l be appreciated by those skilled in
the art, piston sealing ring placement and spacing, piston and
cylinder port spacing and size and cylinder channel location and
size will vary depending on many factors, including avoidance
of liquid lock and vapor lock, duration and amount of product
dispensed with each stroke, venting and of course the desired
sealing against leakage.
~ 24 -
73~);2
In the movable orifice pump, when the product exits out
the orifice in the piston as in Fig-~res 5~12, and 16-17, only
four rings are necessary. In the fully inserted position,
rinys 144, 144a must be on the right or upper side of the channel
i26, 126a to seal tlle piston. In the fully retracted position,
ring 138, 138a must be on the right or upper side of the
inlet opening 122, 122a to permit filling the pump chamber.
The d~stance between ring 144 and ring 138 determines the minimum
length of the cylinder. During the compression s~roke when ring
138 clears the inlet opening, ring 142 should theoretically now
be in the cylinder channel 126 in order to assure against liquid
lock and assure proper operation of the pump. If there is suf-
ficient resilient means in the pump chamber as disclosed herein,
such as a pocket of air some compression will be permitted before
this ring 142 enters the channel 126 to avoid liquid lock. Of
course with proper location of ring 140, some product will be
forced back into inlet opening 122, from piston port 148, channel
126 around ring 140 (See Figure 6B). The cylinder channel
126 must be long enough to connect the piston ports I48, 150
on each side of ring 142 for a sufficient period of time to
get enough product out through the outlet orifice 152. The
length of channel 126 in the cylinder and the duration over which
both piston ports 148, 150 are exposed to this channel deter-
mines the amount of volume of spray. Instead of lengthen-
ing the channel you may wish to locate ring 142 closer to
- the forward end of the piston. Therefore, to increase the
volume of spray you must lengthen the channel 126 or the
spacing between rings 142 and 140 to any given channel. If the
space
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-
~4~3~2
between rings 142 and 140 is small the time of spray will be
longer, if tne distance between rings 142 and 140 is lengthened
the duration of spray is shortened for a fixed cylinder channel
length.
~ 1ith respect to the sequential pump in which the outlet
orifice is fixed as in Figures 13-15, only three rings are
necessary because ring 142b may be eliminated. In the fully
inserted position the outermost ring 144b must be on the upper
side of the outlet opening 126b. In the fully retracted position
the innermost ring 138b must be on the upper right side of the
inlet opening 122b. The distance between rings 138b and 144b
determines the minimum length of the cylinder. During compression
when ring 138b clears the inlet opening 122b proper operation is
assured and liquid lock is avoided by ring 142b entering the
outlet opening 126b. A delay in the ring 142b entering the out-
let opening 126b is permissible if there is sufficient air or
other resilient means in the pump chamber. The placement of
ring 142b in the flxed orifice pump cooperates in determining
the amount of spray.
, :
- 26
i ~ 73~2
With the foregoing in mind, rings 36, 30 and 42 of
Figure 2 may be eliminated. The reason for rings 30 and 42
(the latter need not be present at all) is simply to retain
product in the pump chamber 46 when the pump is fully retracted
S otherwise there may exist the possibility of the product leak-
ing down the dip tube 24.
It will be noted that when the ring spacing meets the
requirements for effective pumping, conditions are also such
that communication between the container and the atmosphere
is also provided. Thus, venting of the container is an
essential consequence of the pumping action. The magnitude of
the pressure drop created inside the cylinder chamber beore
the inlet port opens is proportional to the piston travel
which is equal to the distance between rings 138 and 142 minus
the space between the cylinder ports including the width of
the ports themselves.
As used throughout, the term "ring" is intended to cover
all sealing elements the shape of which will be dependent upon
the transverse cross-section of the tubular pump, whether it
be circular, elliptical, straight-sided or other geometxical
form. Likewise, the term cylinder is intended to embrace
these cross~sectional configurations of tubes ~ithin which the
piston is reciprocal.
~7~2
The invention contemplates the providing of a pocket
of air in the pump chamber so that the likelihood of a piston
"hang-up" or a "liquid lock" is eliminated. As will be appre-
ciated by those skilled in the field, the pump chamber can
easily accommodate a flexible sponge which would similarly
remedy a "hang-up" if necessary. Also, the cylinder itself
may be provided with a resilient cylinder wall or portion
thereof or even a controlled leakage past the rings would pro-
vide alternate solutions to the problem. The holes in the
piston as well as the holes in the cylinder need not be holes
as such, but could be slots or a combination of both.
Overall, the invention is easily adaptable to the
varied necessities and applications of the commercial and
private users and to which the embodiments shown reflect a
mere portion of its ultlmate ut,ilization.
Thus the several aforenoted objects and advantages
are most effectively attained. Although several somewhat pre-
ferred embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail
herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no
sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by
that of the appended claims.
This application is a divisional application of our
copending patent application serial No. 302,343 filed May 1,
1978.
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