Title:
TRIGGER ACTUATED PUMP
United States Patent 3749290
Abstract:
A manually actuated trigger pump is adapted to be fitted on the neck of a container for dispensing a liquid therefrom. The pump includes an outer tubular shell having lower internal threads for fittedly engaging the outer threads on the neck of the container. A laterally extending nozzle projects from the shell either as an integral part thereof or as a separate component having means for securely fastening the nozzle to the shell. A bulbous tubular member defining a pump chamber is disposed interiorly of the shell. The upper part of the tubular member is adapted to be secured to the outer shell and also includes a concentric rim engageable with surfaces of the shell in defining an upper outlet valve. The lower end of the flexible tubular member is of lesser diameter and provides an inlet valve seat for receiving a ball check valve. A dip tube is adapted to extend downwardly from the lower end of the tubular member for providing a passage therethrough into the pump chamber of the liquid contents of the container. A trigger mechanism adapted to be finger actuated extends through the shell and is adapted to engage the tubular member and collapse it for expelling the contents of the pump chamber. In this connection, the lower check valve will close the lower end of the pump chamber and the collapsing of the tubular bulb will cause its liquid contents to be expelled out through the upper valve and out of the outlet opening into the nozzle into the selected discharge spray pattern. Upon release of the trigger, the tubular bulb will return to its original fully distended position. During this transition the upper outlet valve will reseal and the lower ball check valve will be unseated to permit liquid from the interior of the container to be pulled upwardly through the dip tube into the pump chamber. This amount of liquid will be replaced by a corresponding amount of air which will be permitted egress into the container interior through the opening of an air inlet valve defined by the outer surfaces of the bulb and radially inwardly extending surfaces of the outer shell. When the bulb is fully distended, this air check valve will be closed and the lower check valve at the base of the tubular member will be reseated to close the valve chamber until the next pumping cycle.
US Patent References:
Dispensing pumps
Jauch - December 1956 - 2772817
SELF-METERING LUBRICATING OIL PUMP ATTACHMENT DEVICE
Haynes - February 1970 - 3494512
Dispenser for measured quantity of paste
Scott - May 1955 - 2709025
Water pistol
Arpin - October 1950 - 2527614
Beverage dispensing apparatus
Engstrom - December 1950 - 2534504
Dispensing pumps
Jauch - December 1956 - 2772817
SELF-METERING LUBRICATING OIL PUMP ATTACHMENT DEVICE
Haynes - February 1970 - 3494512
Dispenser for measured quantity of paste
Scott - May 1955 - 2709025
Water pistol
Arpin - October 1950 - 2527614
Beverage dispensing apparatus
Engstrom - December 1950 - 2534504
Application Number:
05/150417
Publication Date:
07/31/1973
Filing Date:
06/07/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Leeds, And Micallef (New York, NY)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
222/383.300, 222/209, 222/214
International Classes:
B05B11/00; F04B43/00; F04B43/08; G01F11/08; G01F11/02; B67D5/42
Field of Search:
222/213,383,385,484,528,529,450,540 417/479
US Patent References:
| 3248021 | Liquid dispenser | April 1966 | Corsette et al. |
Primary Examiner:
Coleman, Samuel F.
Assistant Examiner:
Stack Jr., Norman L.
Claims:
I claim
1. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein air network means are provided for permitting the passage of air from the ambient into the container to replenish the volume of the liquid to be dispensed which is drawn from the container interior into the pump chamber through the inlet port.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the container comprises a neck defining an opening and said pump extending across the opening defined by the neck, the component retaining body being in the form of a cap connected with the container neck.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means cooperating in directing the liquid being dispensed includes a radially extending flange at the top of the tubular member which cooperates with the component retaining body in providing a seal which isolates the pump chamber from the outlet port and the path of travel of the liquid dispensed out of the outlet port.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the component retaining body includes means for connecting the pump across the opening of a container and a discharge nozzle extending in a lateral direction, the discharge nozzle defining said outlet port.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the operating means comprises a trigger and means hingedly connecting the trigger to the nozzle.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the component retaining body is comprised of an inner and outer shell connected with one another and threaded means on one of said shells for threadedly coupling the pump to the threaded neck of a container.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein one of the shells includes sealing means for sealing the pump across the neck of the container.
9. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the component retaining body includes a laterally projecting discharge nozzle having incorporated therein the outlet port and the trigger being hingedly coupled with the discharge nozzle.
11. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the component retaining body comprises a discharge nozzle having incorporated therein said outlet port and the trigger being hingedly connected with surfaces of the component retaining body distal the discharge nozzle whereby the trigger is adapted to be actuated manually by the movement of the thumb of the operator of the pump.
12. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
13. The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the lower end of the tubular member defines a valve seat for the inlet valve, the inlet valve including a ball adapted to rest on the valve seat, means for preventing the ball from being forced out of the tubular member into the container, and means for limiting the movement of the ball away from the valve seat when the inlet port is opened.
14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lower end of the tubular member includes means for coupling with a dip tube.
15. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
16. The invention in accordance with claim 15 wherein the inlet valve is disposed below the air check valve such that distortion of the tubular member flexible wall upon collapsing of the wall by the operating means does not affect the closure afforded by the inlet valve.
17. The invention in accordance with claim 15 wherein the interengaging surfaces defining the normally closed air check valve include:
18. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
19. The invention in accordance with claim 18 wherein the concentric interengaging surfaces include:
20. A dispensing pump for a substance to be dispensed comprising in combination:
1. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein air network means are provided for permitting the passage of air from the ambient into the container to replenish the volume of the liquid to be dispensed which is drawn from the container interior into the pump chamber through the inlet port.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the container comprises a neck defining an opening and said pump extending across the opening defined by the neck, the component retaining body being in the form of a cap connected with the container neck.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means cooperating in directing the liquid being dispensed includes a radially extending flange at the top of the tubular member which cooperates with the component retaining body in providing a seal which isolates the pump chamber from the outlet port and the path of travel of the liquid dispensed out of the outlet port.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the component retaining body includes means for connecting the pump across the opening of a container and a discharge nozzle extending in a lateral direction, the discharge nozzle defining said outlet port.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the operating means comprises a trigger and means hingedly connecting the trigger to the nozzle.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the component retaining body is comprised of an inner and outer shell connected with one another and threaded means on one of said shells for threadedly coupling the pump to the threaded neck of a container.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein one of the shells includes sealing means for sealing the pump across the neck of the container.
9. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the component retaining body includes a laterally projecting discharge nozzle having incorporated therein the outlet port and the trigger being hingedly coupled with the discharge nozzle.
11. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the component retaining body comprises a discharge nozzle having incorporated therein said outlet port and the trigger being hingedly connected with surfaces of the component retaining body distal the discharge nozzle whereby the trigger is adapted to be actuated manually by the movement of the thumb of the operator of the pump.
12. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
13. The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the lower end of the tubular member defines a valve seat for the inlet valve, the inlet valve including a ball adapted to rest on the valve seat, means for preventing the ball from being forced out of the tubular member into the container, and means for limiting the movement of the ball away from the valve seat when the inlet port is opened.
14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lower end of the tubular member includes means for coupling with a dip tube.
15. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
16. The invention in accordance with claim 15 wherein the inlet valve is disposed below the air check valve such that distortion of the tubular member flexible wall upon collapsing of the wall by the operating means does not affect the closure afforded by the inlet valve.
17. The invention in accordance with claim 15 wherein the interengaging surfaces defining the normally closed air check valve include:
18. A manually operable liquid dispensing pump for use and incorporation on a container for liquid to be dispensed comprising in combination:
19. The invention in accordance with claim 18 wherein the concentric interengaging surfaces include:
20. A dispensing pump for a substance to be dispensed comprising in combination:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Manually operated trigger actuated dispensing pumps for liquid containers have been proposed in the past and one having wide commercial application is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,202 granted Oct. 30, 1962. However, pumps of this type have proven to be costly requiring a large number of parts, each individually complex and relatively costly to manufacture and assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has as a principal object the construction and assembly of an extremely inexpensive manually operated trigger actuated pump constructed of a minimum number of parts, each individually simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
Another object is to provide a pump of the foregoing type which may be actuated by the forefinger of the hand holding the container and in accordance with a related embodiment the thumb of this hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the manually operated trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to be dispensed;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the pump drawn to an enlarged scale;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump shown associated with the neck of the container with the bulbous tubular member defining the pump chamber shown in a fully distended position;
FIG. 4 is a similar view with the trigger actuated to collapse the bulbous tubular member to thereby expel the liquid contents of the pump chamber out through the dispensing nozzle;
FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the trigger retreating to its initial position to cause the bulbous tubular member to expand towards its fully distended position thereby causing liquid to flow into the pump chamber and air to enter the neck of the container to replace the liquid pulled into the pump chamber;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a different construction of outer shell;
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a somewhat preferred embodiment of pump; and
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a pump incorporating the teachings of this invention which is thumb actuated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings the manually operated finger actuated pump 10 is shown on the neck 12 of a container 14 having the selected liquid to be dispensed. In the embodiment of the pump shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the pump includes an outer shell 16 and associated shell 18 both of which define a component retaining body, an interior flexible tubular member 20 defining pump chamber 22, a dispensing nozzle 24 which may form an integral part of the outer shell 16 and a trigger assembly 26 for actuating the walls of the tubular member 20 and, consequently, the pump chamber 22.
The outer shell 16 serves to couple the pump to the neck 12 of the container and, consequently, is formed with internal threads 28 which mate with the external threads 30 on the neck 12 of the container 14. The internal cylindrical wall 32 of shell 16 is furnished with a rather close fit with the outer wall of shell 18 for securely fastening therebetween the upper end of the tubular member 20. In this connection, the annular shoulder 34 of the outer shell engages with the associated upper surfaces of the tubular member 20. In addition, a top 36 of the outer shell is provided with an annular downwardly depending lip 38 which cooperates with associated surfaces on the upper end of the tubular member 20 in defining the upper outlet valve 40. The top 36 of the outer shell 16 extends into the integral outwardly depending nozzle 24 and is furnished with a passageway 44 which communicates with the discharge orifice 46 of the nozzle 24. It should be understood that nozzle 24 may be furnished with any one of a series of known dispensing nozzle configurations for purposes of providing the desired discharge pattern of the contained liquid to be dispensed.
The inner shell 18 is tubular in configuration and cooperates with the outer shell 16 in securing the upper end of the inner tubular member 20 and at the same time is provided with a radially inwardly extending flange 48 which cooperates with associated surfaces of the tubular member 20 in defining the air inlet valve 50 which permits air to be introduced into the interior or headspace of the container 14 to replenish liquid drawn into the pump chamber 22. The upper end 52 of the inner shell 18 includes an outer annular and beveled face 54 which receives a correspondingly shaped surface of the upper end of the tubular member 20 to facilitate anchoring the tubular member 20 between the outer shell 16 and inner shell 18. The base of the inner shell 18 is provided with an annular sealing lip 56 which engages with the upper lip 58 of the neck 12 of the container 14. As will be appreciated this seal is effectuated upon screwing the outer shell 16 completely upon the neck 12. The inner shell 18 together with the outer shell 16 define an opening 60 through which the operating means of trigger 26 is adapted to travel in changing the volume of the pump chamber 22 during the pumping cycle.
The tubular member 20 is constructed of any one of many available moldable flexible materials of either synthetic or natural resin or plastic and is essentially elastomeric in nature. The upper end 62 of the tubular member 20 is larger in diameter than the lower end 64 and is provided with an outwardly extending radial flange 65 which terminates in a downwardly depending annular apron 66 having an inner beveled face 68 which meets with the beveled face 54 at the upper end of the inner shell 18. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the periphery of the flange 65 and the apron 66 are disposed between the adjacent surfaces of the inner shell 18 and outer shell 16 to lock the tubular member 20 in place. The upper end 62 of the tubular member 20 is also provided with an upwardly extending annular sealing lip 70 which cooperates with the lip 38 at the upper end 36 of the outer shell 16 in defining the outlet valve 40, the opening and closing of which will be described in detail shortly. The intermediate part of the tubular member 20 is defined by a tubular bulbous side wall 72 which defines the pump chamber 22. The lower end 64 of the tubular member 20 defines an annular valve seat 74 which cooperates with ball 76 in defining an inlet check valve 78 for sealing liquid in the pump chamber 22 and at the same time permits passage therethrough of liquid from the container interior into the pump chamber 22. Any one of a number of projections 80 may be adapted below the valve seat 74 to assure against the ball 76 being forced or driven down into the lower end 64 of the tubular member 20 or perhaps into the dip tube 82. The dip tube 82 is suitably connected to the bottom end 64 of tubular member 20 and serves to direct the liquid from the interior of the container 14 into the pump chamber 22. Projections 84 may also be provided on the interior of the tubular member 20 above the ball 76 to limit the extent of upward travel of the ball when unseated. The exterior surface of the bulbous side wall 72 cooperates with adjacent surfaces of the radial flange 48 in defining the air inlet valve 50 as explained above.
In the embodiment of pump 10 under consideration, the trigger assembly 26 is coupled with the nozzle 24 by means of a hinged connection which may include recesses 86 in the exterior sides of the nozzle which conveniently receive the pins 88 which extend inwardly from the pair of spaced arms 90 at the upper end of the finger engaging trigger 92. An operating arm 94 is hingedly coupled with the trigger 92 and extends laterally therefrom. The hinge connection may be provided by means of the reduced thickness 96 at the juncture between the operating arm 94 and trigger 92. The other end of the arm 94 is provided with a depending flange 97 which extends through the opening 60 into engagement with the exterior of the bulbous side walls 72 of the tubular member 20.
Assuming the disposition of parts shown in FIG. 3 and the pump chamber 22 filled with liquid to be dispensed, the valves 40, 78 and 50 will be closed. When it is desired to dispense the liquid contents of the pump chamber 22, the trigger assembly 26 is actuated by applying finger pressure to the trigger 22 to move the operating arm 94 inwardly to cause the flange 97 to depress or collapse the bulbous side wall 72 to the position shown in FIG. 4. At the outset and during this movement, the ball 76 will be forced into tighter engagement with its seat 74 and the pressure of the contained liquid in chamber 22 will force the lip 70 at the upper end of the tubular member 20 away from its associated lip 38 out of the outer shell 16 to open the valve 40. The pressurized liquid in pump chamber 22 will be forced out through the outlet opening thus provided by the open valve 40 into the opening 44 and out through the discharge orifice 46 of the nozzle 24. Upon release of the trigger 26, the elastic properties of the bulbous side walls 72 will urge tubular member 20 and particularly its side walls to return to its initial and normal molded condition. At the initiation of this return movement and throughout this return movement, the valve 40 will close automatically and the negative pressure within the pump chamber 22 will cause the ball 76 to unseat from its accommodating seat 74. This negative pressure will draw liquid from the interior of the container 14 up through the dip tube 82 into the pump chamber 22 until the bulbous side wall 72 assumes its fully distended position as shown in FIG. 3. Throughout this excursion, the liquid that is drawn up into the pump chamber 22 is replaced by air which is permitted to enter the container interior or head-space through the opened valve 50. When the pump chamber 22 is filled, the valve 78 will close as well as the air inlet valve 50. The disposition of parts during the excursion from the collapsed position to the fully distended position of the tubular member 20 is shown in FIG. 5. When it is desired to dispense more of the liquid contents, the trigger assembly is actuated as often as desired and the pumping cycle will be repeated.
Reference is now made to FIG. 9 wherein another embodiment of pump 10a is disclosed. Corresponding parts will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscript a. The essential difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and that shown in the preceding figures is the formation of the nozzle 24a and outer shell member 16a as separate parts while at the same time integrally forming the outer shell 16a and the inner shell 18a. Under these circumstances the tubular downwardly depending apron 100 of the nozzle 24a will be suitably secured by either heat or adhesive to the adjacent surfaces of the shells 16a and 18a. In all other respects, the construction and operation of the pump 10a is identical to that of the previously described pump 10 of the preceding figures.
A somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10 where parts corresponding to the other embodiments herein will be similarly numbered. Thus the pump 10b is of such a nature that the parts may be constructed at a relatively low cost and at the same time assembled at a lower cost. It will be noted that the grid 80 has been eliminated which may prove to be desirable in the event flashing may occur at this juncture incident to the molding of the tubular member 20 from certain moldable elastomeric materials. The ribs or lands 80b in the discussed embodiment serve the purpose of preventing the ball 76b from chattering and also prevent the ball from rolling out of position and thus possibly cause inadvertent unseating thereof from its valve seat when the pump 10b is tilted. Obviously the number and height of the lands 80b permit flow of product past the ball into the pump chamber when the ball 76 is unseated when it is desired to withdraw the product from the container into the pump chamber.
Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11, it should be understood that the pump 10c is again essentially the same as the pump 10 of FIGS. 1 to 8 but in the present instance the pump is actuated by means of thumb pressure rather than the pressure of the operator's forefinger and perhaps middle finger. As will be noted, the essential difference in these pumps is in the location of the trigger assembly 26b. In the embodiment of FIG. 11 the trigger assembly 26b is hingedly connected to the top 36c of the outer shell 16c at a position distal that of the dispensing nozzle 24c which is shown as a lotion type nozzle but others can be used as well. Except for the finger of the operator that is used to actuate the pump and the relocation of the accommodating opening 60c in the shells 16c and 18c, the construction and operation of the pump of FIG. 11 is essentially the same as that of the preceding pumps 10, 10a, and 10b.
Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several preferred embodiments of the invention 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.
Manually operated trigger actuated dispensing pumps for liquid containers have been proposed in the past and one having wide commercial application is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,202 granted Oct. 30, 1962. However, pumps of this type have proven to be costly requiring a large number of parts, each individually complex and relatively costly to manufacture and assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has as a principal object the construction and assembly of an extremely inexpensive manually operated trigger actuated pump constructed of a minimum number of parts, each individually simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
Another object is to provide a pump of the foregoing type which may be actuated by the forefinger of the hand holding the container and in accordance with a related embodiment the thumb of this hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the manually operated trigger actuated pump fitted on the neck of a container for liquid to be dispensed;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the pump drawn to an enlarged scale;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump shown associated with the neck of the container with the bulbous tubular member defining the pump chamber shown in a fully distended position;
FIG. 4 is a similar view with the trigger actuated to collapse the bulbous tubular member to thereby expel the liquid contents of the pump chamber out through the dispensing nozzle;
FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the trigger retreating to its initial position to cause the bulbous tubular member to expand towards its fully distended position thereby causing liquid to flow into the pump chamber and air to enter the neck of the container to replace the liquid pulled into the pump chamber;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a different construction of outer shell;
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a somewhat preferred embodiment of pump; and
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a pump incorporating the teachings of this invention which is thumb actuated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings the manually operated finger actuated pump 10 is shown on the neck 12 of a container 14 having the selected liquid to be dispensed. In the embodiment of the pump shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the pump includes an outer shell 16 and associated shell 18 both of which define a component retaining body, an interior flexible tubular member 20 defining pump chamber 22, a dispensing nozzle 24 which may form an integral part of the outer shell 16 and a trigger assembly 26 for actuating the walls of the tubular member 20 and, consequently, the pump chamber 22.
The outer shell 16 serves to couple the pump to the neck 12 of the container and, consequently, is formed with internal threads 28 which mate with the external threads 30 on the neck 12 of the container 14. The internal cylindrical wall 32 of shell 16 is furnished with a rather close fit with the outer wall of shell 18 for securely fastening therebetween the upper end of the tubular member 20. In this connection, the annular shoulder 34 of the outer shell engages with the associated upper surfaces of the tubular member 20. In addition, a top 36 of the outer shell is provided with an annular downwardly depending lip 38 which cooperates with associated surfaces on the upper end of the tubular member 20 in defining the upper outlet valve 40. The top 36 of the outer shell 16 extends into the integral outwardly depending nozzle 24 and is furnished with a passageway 44 which communicates with the discharge orifice 46 of the nozzle 24. It should be understood that nozzle 24 may be furnished with any one of a series of known dispensing nozzle configurations for purposes of providing the desired discharge pattern of the contained liquid to be dispensed.
The inner shell 18 is tubular in configuration and cooperates with the outer shell 16 in securing the upper end of the inner tubular member 20 and at the same time is provided with a radially inwardly extending flange 48 which cooperates with associated surfaces of the tubular member 20 in defining the air inlet valve 50 which permits air to be introduced into the interior or headspace of the container 14 to replenish liquid drawn into the pump chamber 22. The upper end 52 of the inner shell 18 includes an outer annular and beveled face 54 which receives a correspondingly shaped surface of the upper end of the tubular member 20 to facilitate anchoring the tubular member 20 between the outer shell 16 and inner shell 18. The base of the inner shell 18 is provided with an annular sealing lip 56 which engages with the upper lip 58 of the neck 12 of the container 14. As will be appreciated this seal is effectuated upon screwing the outer shell 16 completely upon the neck 12. The inner shell 18 together with the outer shell 16 define an opening 60 through which the operating means of trigger 26 is adapted to travel in changing the volume of the pump chamber 22 during the pumping cycle.
The tubular member 20 is constructed of any one of many available moldable flexible materials of either synthetic or natural resin or plastic and is essentially elastomeric in nature. The upper end 62 of the tubular member 20 is larger in diameter than the lower end 64 and is provided with an outwardly extending radial flange 65 which terminates in a downwardly depending annular apron 66 having an inner beveled face 68 which meets with the beveled face 54 at the upper end of the inner shell 18. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the periphery of the flange 65 and the apron 66 are disposed between the adjacent surfaces of the inner shell 18 and outer shell 16 to lock the tubular member 20 in place. The upper end 62 of the tubular member 20 is also provided with an upwardly extending annular sealing lip 70 which cooperates with the lip 38 at the upper end 36 of the outer shell 16 in defining the outlet valve 40, the opening and closing of which will be described in detail shortly. The intermediate part of the tubular member 20 is defined by a tubular bulbous side wall 72 which defines the pump chamber 22. The lower end 64 of the tubular member 20 defines an annular valve seat 74 which cooperates with ball 76 in defining an inlet check valve 78 for sealing liquid in the pump chamber 22 and at the same time permits passage therethrough of liquid from the container interior into the pump chamber 22. Any one of a number of projections 80 may be adapted below the valve seat 74 to assure against the ball 76 being forced or driven down into the lower end 64 of the tubular member 20 or perhaps into the dip tube 82. The dip tube 82 is suitably connected to the bottom end 64 of tubular member 20 and serves to direct the liquid from the interior of the container 14 into the pump chamber 22. Projections 84 may also be provided on the interior of the tubular member 20 above the ball 76 to limit the extent of upward travel of the ball when unseated. The exterior surface of the bulbous side wall 72 cooperates with adjacent surfaces of the radial flange 48 in defining the air inlet valve 50 as explained above.
In the embodiment of pump 10 under consideration, the trigger assembly 26 is coupled with the nozzle 24 by means of a hinged connection which may include recesses 86 in the exterior sides of the nozzle which conveniently receive the pins 88 which extend inwardly from the pair of spaced arms 90 at the upper end of the finger engaging trigger 92. An operating arm 94 is hingedly coupled with the trigger 92 and extends laterally therefrom. The hinge connection may be provided by means of the reduced thickness 96 at the juncture between the operating arm 94 and trigger 92. The other end of the arm 94 is provided with a depending flange 97 which extends through the opening 60 into engagement with the exterior of the bulbous side walls 72 of the tubular member 20.
Assuming the disposition of parts shown in FIG. 3 and the pump chamber 22 filled with liquid to be dispensed, the valves 40, 78 and 50 will be closed. When it is desired to dispense the liquid contents of the pump chamber 22, the trigger assembly 26 is actuated by applying finger pressure to the trigger 22 to move the operating arm 94 inwardly to cause the flange 97 to depress or collapse the bulbous side wall 72 to the position shown in FIG. 4. At the outset and during this movement, the ball 76 will be forced into tighter engagement with its seat 74 and the pressure of the contained liquid in chamber 22 will force the lip 70 at the upper end of the tubular member 20 away from its associated lip 38 out of the outer shell 16 to open the valve 40. The pressurized liquid in pump chamber 22 will be forced out through the outlet opening thus provided by the open valve 40 into the opening 44 and out through the discharge orifice 46 of the nozzle 24. Upon release of the trigger 26, the elastic properties of the bulbous side walls 72 will urge tubular member 20 and particularly its side walls to return to its initial and normal molded condition. At the initiation of this return movement and throughout this return movement, the valve 40 will close automatically and the negative pressure within the pump chamber 22 will cause the ball 76 to unseat from its accommodating seat 74. This negative pressure will draw liquid from the interior of the container 14 up through the dip tube 82 into the pump chamber 22 until the bulbous side wall 72 assumes its fully distended position as shown in FIG. 3. Throughout this excursion, the liquid that is drawn up into the pump chamber 22 is replaced by air which is permitted to enter the container interior or head-space through the opened valve 50. When the pump chamber 22 is filled, the valve 78 will close as well as the air inlet valve 50. The disposition of parts during the excursion from the collapsed position to the fully distended position of the tubular member 20 is shown in FIG. 5. When it is desired to dispense more of the liquid contents, the trigger assembly is actuated as often as desired and the pumping cycle will be repeated.
Reference is now made to FIG. 9 wherein another embodiment of pump 10a is disclosed. Corresponding parts will be similarly numbered with an accompanying subscript a. The essential difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and that shown in the preceding figures is the formation of the nozzle 24a and outer shell member 16a as separate parts while at the same time integrally forming the outer shell 16a and the inner shell 18a. Under these circumstances the tubular downwardly depending apron 100 of the nozzle 24a will be suitably secured by either heat or adhesive to the adjacent surfaces of the shells 16a and 18a. In all other respects, the construction and operation of the pump 10a is identical to that of the previously described pump 10 of the preceding figures.
A somewhat preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10 where parts corresponding to the other embodiments herein will be similarly numbered. Thus the pump 10b is of such a nature that the parts may be constructed at a relatively low cost and at the same time assembled at a lower cost. It will be noted that the grid 80 has been eliminated which may prove to be desirable in the event flashing may occur at this juncture incident to the molding of the tubular member 20 from certain moldable elastomeric materials. The ribs or lands 80b in the discussed embodiment serve the purpose of preventing the ball 76b from chattering and also prevent the ball from rolling out of position and thus possibly cause inadvertent unseating thereof from its valve seat when the pump 10b is tilted. Obviously the number and height of the lands 80b permit flow of product past the ball into the pump chamber when the ball 76 is unseated when it is desired to withdraw the product from the container into the pump chamber.
Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11, it should be understood that the pump 10c is again essentially the same as the pump 10 of FIGS. 1 to 8 but in the present instance the pump is actuated by means of thumb pressure rather than the pressure of the operator's forefinger and perhaps middle finger. As will be noted, the essential difference in these pumps is in the location of the trigger assembly 26b. In the embodiment of FIG. 11 the trigger assembly 26b is hingedly connected to the top 36c of the outer shell 16c at a position distal that of the dispensing nozzle 24c which is shown as a lotion type nozzle but others can be used as well. Except for the finger of the operator that is used to actuate the pump and the relocation of the accommodating opening 60c in the shells 16c and 18c, the construction and operation of the pump of FIG. 11 is essentially the same as that of the preceding pumps 10, 10a, and 10b.
Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although several preferred embodiments of the invention 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.