Patent Grant
9731890
This invention relates to dispensers for dispensing fluid from a closed container and, more particularly, to dispensers of hand cleaning fluids.
Dispensers are known for dispensing fluids from bottles which are enclosed other than for an opening through which the fluid is to be dispensed. Various arrangements arise for relieving vacuum which may develop within the bottle. A disadvantage arises in prior art devices that to maintain the bottle in the shape and appearance that occurs when full, the bottle needs to be provided with sufficient strength to resist collapse when a vacuum condition may be developed within the interior of the bottle.
One-way vacuum release valves are known which provide in the condition that a substantial vacuum is developed within a bottle, that the one-way relief valve may permit air to enter the bottle towards relieving the vacuum within the bottle. Such one-way relief valves suffer the disadvantage that generally a relatively substantial vacuum needs to be developed in the bottle for the air valve to be effective and that the vacuum which is created in the bottle typically requires the bottle to at least be somewhat resistant to collapse under vacuum conditions.
Fluid dispensers are known in which the fluid is contained within a collapsible bottle or a flexible plastic bag. The use of such collapsible bottles and collapsible bags suffer the disadvantage that during the collapse, the bottle or bag may collapse in a manner that it traps fluid in portions of the bottle which cannot then be dispensed and is wasted. Additionally, the collapse of the bottle or bag can provide the bottle or bag with an unsightly appearance.
To at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a piston pump for dispensing fluid from a closed container in which during the cycle of operation to dispense fluid, atmospheric air is discharged into the reservoir towards reducing a vacuum that might otherwise be created within the container.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing fluid from a container comprising:
a container having a container outlet opening, the container closed other than the container outlet opening,
a fluid in the container,
a pump mechanism including a fluid pump and a replenishing air pump,
the fluid pump in communication with fluid in the container through the container outlet opening, the fluid pump receiving the fluid from the container and discharging the fluid from the container out a discharge outlet,
the fluid pump comprising a piston pump with a fluid piston and a fluid chamber casing forming a fluid chamber within which the fluid piston is reciprocally slidable relative the fluid chamber casing along a fluid axis in a cycle of operation to draw the fluid from the container and discharge the fluid out the discharge outlet,
the fluid pump in communication with fluid in the container through the container outlet opening, the fluid pump receiving the fluid from the container and discharging the fluid from the container out the discharge outlet,
the replenishing air pump comprising a piston pump with a replenishing air piston and a replenishing air chamber casing forming a replenishing air chamber within which the replenishing air piston is reciprocally slidable along a replenishing air axis in the cycle of operation to draw air from the atmosphere and discharge the air into the container via the outlet opening,
the fluid axis and the replenishing air axis are parallel,
the replenishing air piston is fixed to the fluid piston for movement in unison together,
the replenishing air chamber casing is fixed to the fluid chamber casing for movement in unison together.
Reference is made first to
The pump assembly 10 provides three pumps, namely, a fluid pump 20, a replenishing air pump 120 and a discharge air pump 220.
The fluid pump 20 draws fluid from the reservoir 11 and discharges fluid to the discharge outlet 13. The replenishing air pump 120 draws in atmospheric air and discharges such air into the reservoir 11. The discharge air pump 220 draws in atmospheric air and discharges such air out the discharge outlet 13. The piston 14 is coaxially reciprocally slidable relative to the body 12 in a cycle of operation including a retraction stroke and an extension stroke. In the retraction stroke, the piston 14 moves from the extended position of
In the first preferred embodiment of
During one cycle of operation, and during many successive cycles of operation of the pump assembly 10, with the amount of fluid being drawn from the reservoir 11 by the fluid pump 20 is preferably substantially the same in each cycle of operation as the volume of air being discharged into the reservoir 11, and thus the reservoir volume is preferably maintained substantially constant with the reservoir 11 in a full condition avoiding a vacuum being created within the reservoir 11 sufficient that the reservoir 11 will collapse to a collapsed or partially collapsed condition. Preferably in operation of the dispenser the shape and appearance of the reservoir 11 is maintained constant in the full condition.
The reservoir 11 may be a container preferably of plastic material which will collapse when vacuum conditions exist its interior as compared to ambient atmospheric pressure. However, the reservoir 11 may be a container which does not collapse when vacuum conditions exist its interior. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, the reservoir 11 is a container which will collapse when vacuum conditions exist in its interior, however, the pump assembly 10 is operative to prevent vacuum conditions from existing in the interior of the reservoir which would collapse the reservoir 11.
Maintaining the relative shape and appearance of the reservoir 11 proximate the full condition has a number of advantages. Firstly, with the reservoir 11 maintained in the full condition, the reservoir 11 does not collapse so as, for example, to restrict the flow of fluid within the reservoir 11 to the fluid pump 20. With the reservoir 11 in a full condition, the level of fluid within the reservoir 11 is indicative of the extent to which the reservoir 11 may be full or empty of the fluid. With the reservoir 11 maintained in the full condition, the appearance of the reservoir 11 frequently is enhanced over an appearance of the reservoir when the reservoir 11 when in a collapsed or partially collapsed condition. Providing the reservoir 11 to be maintained in a substantially full condition has the advantage of permitting the reservoir 11 to have a lesser inherent ability to maintain the full condition when a vacuum exists in its interior and permits, for example, reservoirs to be used of constructions, for example, requiring less plastic material or having thinner walls than a reservoir which needs to have and maintain an inherent shape that prevents or resists collapse when a vacuum exists in its interior.
Referring again to
The piston 14 carries as part of the liquid pump 20, a fluid piston 31 adapted to be coaxially slidable along the axis 23 within the chamber 25. The piston 14 carries at an inner end 32 a pair of sealing discs 33 each of which is generally circular in cross-section normal the axis 23 and extends radially outwardly to a flexible distal end 34 which engages the surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 of the fluid chamber casing 21 such that the sealing discs 33 together form seals preventing fluid flow inwardly or outwardly therepast between the sealing disc 33 and the cylindrical wall 22. The fluid piston 31 has a hollow stem 35 with a central passageway 36 axially therethrough from the inner end 32 to a fluid outlet 37 opening into the mixing chamber 15. Within an enlarged lower portion 38 of the central passageway 36, a one-way fluid outlet valve 39 is provided.
The one-way fluid inlet valve 30 provides for fluid flow outwardly from the reservoir 11 into the fluid chamber 25 and prevents fluid flow from the fluid chamber 25 back to the reservoir 11. The one-way fluid outlet valve 39 provides for fluid flow from the central passageway 36 outwardly to the mixing chamber 15 and prevents fluid flow from the mixing chamber 15 to the fluid chamber 25.
A fluid compartment 61 is defined within the fluid chamber 25 between the fluid casing 21 and the fluid piston 31 in between the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 with a volume of the fluid compartment 61 changing with relative axial movement of the piston 14 relative to the body 12. As is to be appreciated, in a retraction stroke, the volume of the fluid compartment 61 decreases and the pressure within the fluid compartment 61 increases which closes the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and opens the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 such that the fluid pump 20 discharges fluid to the mixing chamber 15 and hence to the discharge outlet 13. In a withdrawal stroke, a volume of the fluid compartment 61 increases creating a vacuum within the fluid compartment 61 which closes the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 and opens the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 drawing fluid from the reservoir 11 through the fluid inlet 28 into the fluid chamber 25.
The fluid inlet 28 is formed by a cylindrical tube 62 open both at an inner end and at an outer end. A valve member 65 is located within the tube 62 with a radially inwardly extending flange 66 of the tube 62 being engaged in a radially outwardly extending annular groove about the valve member 65 formed between a first shoulder 63 and a radially extending locating flange 69. The valve member 65 carries an annular seal disc 68 which extends radially outwardly to engage a radially inwardly directed surface of the tube 62. A distal end 70 of the sealing disc 68 engages the surface of the tube 62 in a manner to prevent fluid flow inwardly therepast when the pressure within the fluid chamber 25 is greater than the pressure within the reservoir 11. However, when the pressure within the reservoir 11 is greater than the pressure within the fluid chamber 25, the seal disc 68 deflects radially inwardly to permit fluid flow from the reservoir 11 into the fluid chamber 25 to permit fluid flow therepast. Inwardly from the seal disc 68, openings are provided axially through both the locating flange 69 of the valve member 65 and the flange 66 of the tube 62 preventing unrestricted fluid flow axially between the reservoir 11 and the radially outer and axially inner side of the seal disc 68.
Preferably, the valve member 65 is formed of a resilient material and the seal disc 68 may, to some extent, be inherently biased as to engagement with the surface of the tube 62.
The one-way fluid outlet valve 39 comprises a valve member 65 identical to the valve member 65 of the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements. The valve member 65 of the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 is constrained axially within the enlarged portion 38 of the central passageway 36 between an axial inner end of the enlarged portion 38 and an outer end wall 64 with the locating flange 69 assisting in coaxially locating the valve member 65 coaxially in the enlarged portion 38. On the side of the locating flange 69 opposite from the seal disc 68, the valve member 65 has a tubular extension 71 with a central passage 72 closed at a blind end by the locating flange 69 and open at an inner distal end 73. A radially extending port 74 extends radially through the wall of the tubular extension 71. Fluid is free to flow from the central passageway 36 into the passage 72 and radially through the port 74 to the radially outer and axially inner side of the seal disc 68. The enlarged portion 38 of the central passageway 36 provides a radially inwardly directed surface 75. The valve member 65 carries the annular seal disc 68 which extends radially outwardly to engage the radially inwardly directed surface 75. The distal end 70 of the seal disc 68 engages the surface 75 in a manner to prevent fluid flow inwardly therepast when the pressure within the mixing chamber 16 is greater than the pressure within the fluid chamber 25. However, when the pressure within the fluid chamber 25 is greater than the pressure within the mixing chamber 16, the seal disc 68 deflects radially inwardly to permit fluid flow therepast from the fluid chamber 25 into the mixing chamber 16.
Referring again to
The one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 provides for air flow inwardly from the replenishing air chamber 125 into the reservoir 11 and prevents flow from the reservoir 11 to the replenishing air chamber 125. The one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 provides for replenishing air flow from the atmosphere inwardly to the replenishing air chamber 125 and prevents flow from the replenishing air chamber 125 to the atmosphere.
A replenishing air compartment 161 is defined within the replenishing air chamber 125 between the replenishing air casing 121 and the replenishing air piston 131 in between the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 and the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 with a volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 changing with relative axial movement of the piston 14 relative to the body 12. As is to be appreciated, in a retraction stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 decreases and pressure increases within the replenishing air compartment 161 which closes the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 and opens the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 such that the replenishing air pump 120 discharges air to the reservoir 11. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 increases creating a vacuum within the replenishing air compartment 161 which closes the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 and opens the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 drawing air from the atmosphere through the replenishing air inlet 137 into the replenishing air chamber 125.
The replenishing air outlet 128 is formed by a cylindrical tube 162 open both at an inner end and at an outer end. A valve member 65 is located within the tube 162. The valve member 65 of the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 128 is identical to the valve members 65 of the fluid pump 20, however, is held in a position inverted compared to the valve member 65 in the fluid pump 20. A radially inwardly extending flange 166 of the tube 162 is engaged in a radially outwardly extending annular groove about the valve member 65 formed between the first shoulder and the radially extending locating flange 69. The valve member 65 carries the annular seal disc 68 which extends radially outwardly to engage a radially inwardly directed surface 169 of the tube 162. The distal end 70 of the seal disc 68 engages the surface 169 of the tube 162 in a manner to prevent fluid flow outwardly therepast when the pressure within the reservoir 11 is greater than the pressure within the replenishing air chamber 125. However, when the pressure within replenishing air chamber 125 is greater than the pressure within the reservoir 11, the seal disc 68 deflects radially inwardly to permit air flow from the replenishing air chamber 125 into the reservoir 11. Inwardly from the seal disc 68, openings are provided axially through the both the locating flange 69 of the valve member 65 and the flange 166 of the tube 162 providing unrestricted fluid flow axially between the replenishing air chamber 125 and the radially outer and axially inner side of the valve member 65.
Preferably, the valve member 65 is formed of a resilient material and the seal disc 68 may, to some extent, be inherently biased as to engagement with the surface 169.
The one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 comprises a valve member 65 identical to the valve member 65 of the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements. The valve member 65 of the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 is constrained axially within the enlarged portion 138 of the central passageway 136 between an axial inner end of the enlarged portion 138 and an outer end wall with the locating flange 69 assisting in coaxially locating the valve member 65 in the central passageway 136. On the side of the locating flange 69 opposite from the seal disc 68, the tubular extension 71 is provided on the valve member 65 with the central passage closed at a blind end by the locating flange 69 and open at the distal end. The enlarged portion 138 of the central passageway 136 provides a radially inwardly directed surface. The valve member 65 carries the annular seal disc 68 which extends radially outwardly to engage the radially inwardly directed surface with the distal end 70 of the seal disc 68 engaging such surface in a manner to prevent fluid flow outwardly therepast when the pressure within the replenishing air chamber 125 is greater than atmospheric pressure. However, when atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure within the replenishing air chamber 125, the seal disc 68 deflects radially inwardly to permit fluid flow therepast from the atmosphere into the replenishing air chamber 125.
Referring again to
A discharge air compartment 261 is defined within the discharge air chamber 225 between the discharge air casing 221 and the discharge air piston 231 with a volume of the discharge air compartment 261 changing with relative axial movement of the piston 14 relative to the body 12. As is to be appreciated, in a retraction stroke, the volume of the discharge air compartment 261 decreases and pressure increases within the discharge air compartment 261 such that the discharge air pump 220 discharges air to the mixing chamber 15. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the discharge air compartment 261 increases creating a vacuum within the discharge air compartment 261 drawing air from the atmosphere in the discharge outlet 13 and drawing air and/or fluid in the mixing chamber 25 back towards or into discharge air chamber 225.
In the first embodiment of
As best can be seen in
Reference is now made to
Referring again to
The cover member 377 has a window 379 therethrough via which the reservoir 11 is visible as, for example, for a person to see the level of fluid within the reservoir 11.
The support plate 375 carries at a forward portion thereof an actuating lever 380 journalled for pivoting about a horizontal axis 381. An upper end of lever 380 carries a hook 382 to engage an engagement flange 383 on the piston 14 and couple lever 380 to piston 14 such that movement of a lower handle end 384 of lever 380 from the dashed to the solid line position in the direction indicated by the arrow 385 slides piston 14 inwardly in a retraction, pumping stroke as indicated by arrow 386. On release of lower handle end 384, a spring 387 biases the upper portion of lever 380 downwardly so that the lever 380 draws piston 14 outwardly to a fully withdrawn position as seen in the dashed lines in
In use of the dispenser 370, once exhausted, the cartridge 369 with the empty reservoir 11 together with its attached pump 10 are removed and a new cartridge 369 having a new reservoir 11 and attached pump 10 are inserted into the housing 372.
The provision of the window 379 is not necessary in accordance with the present invention. The reservoir 11 may be provided and enclosed within a cover against view.
In other dispensers useful with the present invention, the reservoir 11 may be visible to view as, for example, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,243 to Ophardt, issued Jan. 7, 2014, showing an automatically operated touchless dispenser and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,574 to Ophardt, issued Jul. 6, 2010, showing a reservoir which is visible in use on a manually operated dispenser. Such a visible reservoir in a manually operated dispenser may also be seen in U.S. Pat. No. D530,123 to Ophardt, issued Oct. 17, 2006.
The pump assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention may be used with other dispensers and those described or referred herein. The dispensers may be adapted for dispensing material in any direction whether upwardly or downwardly or horizontally and from reservoirs which may be disposed at any orientation.
Reference is made to
The body 12 provides a discharge air casing 221 with a cylindrical wall 222 about an axis 223. The cylindrical wall provides an inwardly directed surface 224 and defines a discharge air chamber 225 therein. The discharge air chamber 225 has a large opening 226 at an outer end 227. The wall 222 of the discharge air casing 221 merges into an annular end shoulder 401. Extending axially outwardly from the annular end shoulder 401 is the fluid chamber casing 21 as a hollow tube having a cylindrical wall 22 about the axis 223. The cylindrical wall 222 provides a radially inwardly directed surface 224 and defines a fluid chamber 25 therein. The fluid chamber has a large opening 26 at an outer end 27, a fluid inlet 28 at an inner end, a one-way inlet valve 30 is disposed across the fluid inlet between fluid chamber 25 and the reservoir 11.
Extending axially inwardly from the end shoulder 401 is a passage tube 402 which ends at an inner annular shoulder 440 carrying at its center an axially inwardly extending replenishing air chamber casing 121 with a cylindrical wall 122 about the center axis 223. The replenishing air chamber casing 121 is closed at its inner end 129. The passage tube 402 has a plurality of passage ports 405 extending radially therethrough at circumferentially spaced locations although only one passage port 405 is shown. A replenishing air chamber 125 is defined within the replenishing air chamber casing 121 with a large opening 126 at the outer end opening into the passage tube 402. The piston 14 carries as part of the replenishing air pump 120 a replenishing air piston 131 adapted to be coaxially slidable within the replenishing air chamber 125. The replenishing air piston 131 carries at its inner end 132 a sealing disc 133 which is generally circular in cross-section normal to the axis and extends radially outwardly to a flexible distal end 134 which engages a radially inner surface 124 of the cylindrical wall 122 of the replenishing air chamber casing 121 to form a seal preventing flow inwardly therepast. The sealing disc 133 interacts with the replenishing air chamber casing 121 to form as a one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130. When the pressure on the axial inward side of the sealing disc 133 is greater than the pressure on the axial outward side, then the sealing disc 133 has its flexible distal end 134 deflect inwardly away from the surface 134 of the cylindrical wall 122 of the replenishing air casing 121 such that air may be discharged into the passage tube 402 and hence via the passage ports 405 into the reservoir 11.
The replenishing air pump 120 includes a one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 carried on the piston 14 across a replenishing air inlet 137 on the piston 14. The replenishing air inlet 137 is in communication with the replenishing air chamber 125 internally through a hollow stem 410 of the piston 12 via a cylindrical compartment 411 containing a one-way valve member 65, a radial passageway 412 and axially extending passageways 413, 414 and 415 within the stem 410. The passageway 415 extends axially coaxially through the sealing disc 133 and opens at the inner end 132 into the replenishing air chamber 125. A replenishing air compartment 161 is defined in between the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 130 and the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 139 within the replenishing air chamber 125 between the replenishing air casing 121 and the replenishing air piston 131 and including the compartment 411 and passageways 412, 413, 414 and 415. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 decreases and pressure increases to close the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 and open the one-way replenishing outlet valve 130 such that air is discharged into the reservoir 11. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 160 increases creating a vacuum within replenishing air compartment 161 which closes the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 formed by the sealing disc 133 and opens the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 drawing air from the atmosphere through the replenishing air inlet 137 into the replenishing air chamber 125.
At the inner end of the fluid chamber, the end shoulder 401 extends radially inwardly as a locating shoulder 419. A seal member 420 is engaged on the shoulder 419 by the shoulder being received within an annular slot of the seal member 420. The seal member 420 has an annular sealing disc 421 which extends radially outwardly to a distal end which engages the cylindrical wall 22 of the fluid chamber casing 21 in a manner to prevent fluid flow inwardly therepast. The sealing disc 421 forms with the fluid chamber casing 21 the one-way fluid inlet valve 30.
The stem 410 of the piston 14 includes a cylindrical portion 224 with a cylindrical outer surface which in operation is disposed radially inwardly of the seal member 420. The seal member 420 has an annular opening centrally therethrough. A sealing disc 426 extends radially inwardly from the seal member 420 to engage the cylindrical portion 220 and provide a fluid seal preventing fluid flow axially inwardly therebetween yet permit axial sliding of the cylindrical portion 224 relative to the seal member 420.
The stem 410 carries a sealing disc 246 at an outer end of the cylindrical portion 224 which sealing disc 246 extends radially outwardly to a distal end which engages the cylindrical wall 22 of the fluid chamber casing 21. This distal end engages the surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 to form a seal preventing fluid flow inwardly therepast yet, under certain conditions, permits fluid flow outwardly therepast. The seal disc 426 thus with the fluid chamber casing 21 forms a one-way fluid outlet valve 39.
On the stem 410 outwardly from the seal disc 246, a seal disc 248 is provided which extends radially outwardly and axially inwardly to a flexible distal end which engages the surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 of the fluid chamber casing 21 to form a seal preventing flow outwardly and inwardly therepast. An annular transfer chamber 249 is defined about the stem 421 axially between the seal disc 246 and the seal disc 248. A transfer tube 242 extends axially from a closed inner end through the annular transfer chamber 249. A transfer port 237 extends radially through a wall of the transfer tube 242 within the annular transfer chamber 249. The transfer port 237 provides for fluid flow from the annular transfer chamber 249 into the transfer tube 242. The transfer tube 242 provides passages 243 opening outward to the mixing chamber 15. The annular transfer chamber 249 is always open to the atmosphere via the transfer port 237, the passages 243, the mixing chamber 15, the screen 16 and a discharge outlet 13.
A fluid compartment 61 is defined within the fluid chamber 25 between the fluid casing 21 and the fluid piston 31 between the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way fluid outlet valve 39. In a refraction stroke, the volume of the fluid compartment 61 decreases and pressure within the fluid compartment 61 increases which closes the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and opens the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 such that the fluid pump 20 discharges fluid into the annular transfer chamber 249 and via the transfer port 237 and passages 243 and 244 to the mixing chamber 15 and hence to the discharge outlet 13. In a withdrawal stroke, a volume of the fluid compartment 61 increases creating a vacuum within the fluid compartment 61 which closes the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 and opens the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 drawing fluid from the reservoir 11 through the fluid inlet 28 into the fluid chamber 25. During operation of the fluid pump 20, fluid from the reservoir 11 is drawn inwardly through the passage ports 405 into the passage tube 402 and hence to the seal member 420 carrying the one-way fluid inlet valve 30. The piston 14 carries as part of the discharge air pump 220, a discharge air piston 231 adapted to be coaxially slidable along the axis 223 within the discharge air chamber 225. The discharge air piston 231 carries at an inner end 232 a sealing disc 233 which is generally circular in cross-section normal the axis 223 and extends radially outwardly to a flexible distal end 234 which engages the surface 224 of the cylindrical wall 222 of the discharge air chamber casing 221 to form a seal preventing air flow inwardly or outwardly therepast. A discharge port 435 is provided through the transfer tube 242.
A discharge air chamber 261 is defined within the discharge air chamber 225 between the discharge air casing 221 and the discharge air piston 231. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the discharge air compartment 261 decreases and pressure increases within the discharge air compartment 261 discharging air via the discharge port 435 to passages 243 and 244 to the mixing chamber 15. In a withdrawal stroke, the discharge air chamber 261 increases creating a vacuum within a discharge air compartment 261 drawing air from the atmosphere in via the discharge outlet 13 and drawing air and/or fluid in the mixing chamber 15 back towards or into the discharge air chamber 225 via the passages 242 and 243 and discharge port 435.
The second embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment. Within the stem 410 between the seal disc 246 and the mixing chamber 15, the stem 410 accommodates separate axial passages for, on one hand, the transfer of air via the passage 414 by the replenishing air pump 120 and, on the other hand, for transfer of fluid via the passage 243 by the fluid pump 20. The passage 414 is inside a tube 445 passing through the annular transfer chamber 249 beside the parallel passage 243 through the tube 242 as seen in
Reference is made to
The body 12 carries a discharge air chamber casing 221 having a cylindrical wall 222 about the axis 223. The cylindrical wall 222 provides a radially inwardly directed surface 224 and defines a discharge air chamber 225 therein. The discharge air chamber 225 has a large opening 226 at an outer end 227. The body 12 has an end wall 501 closing the inner end 229 of the cylindrical wall 220. A fluid chamber casing 21 is carried by the end wall 501 and extends outwardly thereof as a tube with a cylindrical wall 22 about the axis 223. The cylindrical wall provides a radially inwardly directed surface 24 and defines a fluid chamber 25 therein. The fluid chamber has an opening 26 at an outer end 27 and a fluid inlet 28 at an inner end through the end wall 501. A one-way fluid inlet valve 30 is disposed across the fluid inlet between the fluid chamber 25 and the reservoir 11.
Piston 14 carries a fluid piston 31 coaxially slidable along the axis 223 within the fluid chamber 25. The piston 14 carries at an inner end a sealing disc 502 which is generally circular in cross-section normal the axis 223 and extends radially outwardly and axially outwardly to a flexible distal end which engages the surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 to form a seal preventing fluid flow inwardly therepast but under certain conditions permitting fluid flow inwardly. The sealing disc 502 effectively forms with the wall 22 a one-way fluid outlet valve 39. The fluid piston 31 has a hollow stem 35 with a central passageway 36 axially therethrough from a blind end 504 proximate the inner end 32 through the fluid piston 31 to a fluid outlet 37 opening into the mixing chamber 15. On the stem 35 outwardly from the seal disc 502, an annular sealing disc 504 extends radially outwardly and axially inwardly to a flexible distal end which engages the surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 of the fluid chamber casing 21 to form a seal preventing fluid flow outwardly therepast. An annular transfer chamber 530 is provided annularly about the stem 35 inside the cylindrical wall 22 between the seal disc 502 and the seal disc 504. A transfer port 510 is provided through the wall of the stem 35 to provide flow between the annular transfer chamber 530 and the central passageway 36. A fluid compartment 61 is defined within the fluid chamber 25 between the fluid casing 21 in between the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way outlet valve 39. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the fluid compartment 61 decreases and the pressure within the fluid compartment increases which closes the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and opens the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 such that the fluid pump discharges fluid to the mixing chamber via the transfer chamber 530, transfer port 510 and central passageway 36. In a withdrawal stroke, volume of the fluid compartment 61 increases creating a vacuum in the fluid compartment 61 which closes the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 and opens the one-way fluid valve 30 drawing fluid from the reservoir 11 through the fluid inlet 28 into the fluid chamber 25.
The stem 35 also includes outwardly from the seal disc 504, air passage ports 520 providing communication into the central passageway 36. Piston 14 carries a part of the discharge air pump 220 a discharge air piston 231 adapted to be coaxially slidable along the axis 223 within the discharge air chamber 225. The discharge air piston 231 carries at an inner end 232 a sealing disc 233 which extends radially outwardly to a flexible distal end 234 which engages the surface 224 of the cylindrical wall 222 of the discharge air chamber casing 221 to form a seal preventing air flow inwardly or outwardly therepast. A discharge air compartment 261 is defined within the discharge air chamber 225 between the discharge air casing 221 and the discharge air piston 231. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the discharge air compartment 261 decreases and pressure increases within discharge air compartment 261 such that air is discharged via the port 520 into the central passageway 36 and out to the mixing chamber 15. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the discharge air compartment 261 increases creating a vacuum within the discharge air compartment 261 which via the air passage ports 520 and central passageway 36 draws air from the atmosphere via the discharge outlet 13 and draws air and/or fluid in the mixing chamber 25 back towards or into the discharge air chamber 225.
The discharge air piston 231 has the sealing disc 223 at an inner end 232 and extends axially outwardly as a generally axially extending cup side wall 532 ending in an annular cup end wall 533 which joins to the stem 35 of the piston 14 below the air passage ports 520. The discharge air casing 221 has its cylindrical wall 222 end at an outer end 227 which merges axially outwardly into cylindrical wall 122 also about the axis 223 which forms the replenishing air casing 121 providing a replenishing air chamber 125 therewithin. The cylindrical wall 122 extends outwardly to an opening 126 at an outer end 127. The cylindrical wall provides a radially inwardly directed surface 124. The piston 14 carries as part of the replenishing air pump 120, a replenishing air piston 131 comprising an annular sealing disc 540 extending radially outwardly on the stem 35 outwardly of the cup end wall 533, the sealing disc 540 is generally circular in cross-section normal the axis 223 and extends radially outwardly to a flexible distal end 542 which engages the surface 124 of the cylindrical wall 122 to form a seal preventing air flow at least outwardly therepast.
An annular replenishing air compartment 161 is defined radially inwardly of the cylindrical walls 122 and 222 and radially outwardly of the piston member 14 between the replenishing air sealing disc 540 and the discharge air sealing disc 233. As seen in
From the cylindrical wall 122, a first annular flange 571 extends radially outwardly to a first cylindrical tube 572 which extends axially inwardly to merge into a second annular flange 573 which extends radially outwardly and merges with an axially inwardly extending collar 103 carrying threads on its interior. A first port 561 is provided through the first cylindrical portion 572 open to the atmosphere. A second port 562 is provided through the wall 122 inwardly of the first port 561.
A resilient valving member 570 is disposed within the annular space formed between the cylindrical walls 122 and 222 and the collar 103, the second cylindrical flange 573, the first cylindrical portion 572 and the first annular flange 571. The valving member 570 carries an annular radially extending support ring 575 which sits on the second annular flange 573 and is secured therein against axial movement as when a threaded neck 102 of a reservoir 11 is threaded into the collar 103 to engage and hold the support ring 575 sandwiched between an axial end of the neck 102 of the reservoir 11 and the second annular flange 573 forming an annular seal with the second annular flange 573 which prevents fluid flow axially or radially therepast. In
The valving member 570 includes an outer seal disc 580 which extends radially outwardly and axially outwardly to a distal end which engages a radially inwardly directed wall of the first cylindrical portion 571 to form a seal therewith which prevents air flow radially outwardly through the first port 561 yet permits air flow inwardly through the first port 561 under certain conditions. The valving member 570 has an inner seal disc 582 which extends radially inwardly and axially inwardly to engage a radially outwardly directed surface of the cylindrical wall 122 axially inwardly of the second port 562. The inner seal disc 582 has a distal end which engages the wall 22 to prevent air flow from the second port 562 to the reservoir 11 radially outwardly and axially inwardly past the seal disc 582 and, under certain conditions, deflects to permit flow inwardly into the reservoir 11. The inner seal disc 582 effectively forms a one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 and the outer sealing disc 580 effectively forms a one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 decreases and pressure increases within the replenishing air compartment 161 which closes the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 and opens the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 such that air discharges into the reservoir 11. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the replenishing air compartment 161 increases creating a vacuum within the replenishing air compartment 161 which closes the one-way replenishing air outlet valve 130 and opens the one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 drawing air from the atmosphere through the replenishing air inlet port 560 into the replenishing air chamber 125.
Reference is made to
(a) on the body 12, the first annular flange 571 and the first cylinder 572 of the third embodiment have been eliminated such that in the fourth embodiment, the second annular flange 573 is directly coupled to the cylindrical wall 122 with the first port 561 eliminated;
(b) the valving member 570 has been amended to eliminate the outer seal disc 580;
(c) the piston 14 has been amended to provide a one-way replenishing air inlet valve 139 with a valve member 65 in a tubular axially extending port 710 through the air replenishing disc 131.
Reference is made to
Each of the embodiments illustrated in
Reference is made to
In each of the embodiments other than the embodiment of
In each of the embodiments, insofar as circumstances may arise that a raised pressure condition exists within the reservoir 11, then insofar as the increase in pressure in the reservoir 11 above atmospheric pressure outside the reservoir 11 is sufficiently large, the raised pressure may overcome the resistance of each of the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way outlet valve 39 such that fluid will flow past each of the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 through the fluid compartment 61 to the mixing chamber 15 and possibly out the discharge outlet 13, assuming the piston is held against movement. For example, in the first embodiment of
In accordance with the present invention, in each cycle of operation of the piston pump, a volume of the fluid, typically an incompressible liquid, is drawn from the reservoir 11 and a volume of air is injected into the reservoir 11. In accordance with the present invention, the relative volume of the liquid drawn in each stroke and the relative volume of air in each stroke can suitably be selected by the relative sizing and configuration of each of the fluid pump 20 and the replenishing air pump 120. In a first preferred manner of operation of the present invention, the volume of fluid which is drawn from the reservoir 11 in each cycle of operation is equal to the volume of air injected and thus the internal volume in the reservoir 11 and the pressure within the reservoir 11 is maintained constant.
In a second preferred manner of operation of the present invention, the volume of the liquid drawn in a cycle of operation may be selected to be greater than the volume of air injected in each cycle of operation with the effect that after each cycle, the volume within the reservoir 11 will decrease leading to a vacuum condition within the reservoir 11 compared to atmospheric pressure. Such vacuum condition may suitably be controlled as, for example, by having a vacuum relief arrangement which permits air to be drawn into the reservoir when the vacuum exceeds a maximum threshold vacuum.
In a third preferred manner of operation of the present invention, the volume of the liquid drawn in a cycle of operation may be selected to be less than the volume of air injected in each cycle of operation with the effect that after each cycle, the volume within the reservoir 11 will increase leading to a raised pressure condition within the reservoir 11 compared to atmospheric pressure. Providing a raised pressure condition within the reservoir 11 can be advantageous as, for example, to utilize as a reservoir 11 a plastic bag which unless filled or under a positive pressure would collapse. By maintaining a pressure at least equal to atmospheric pressure within such a bag, the bag could maintain a desired preferred appearance yet be made at low cost as, for example, from relatively flexible and/or transparent material. The bag could also be made from material which is resilient and elastic and permits expansion of its volume by stretching of the material from which it is made, preferably with an inherent tendency to return to an inherent condition.
Arrangements can be provided towards preventing the pressure within the reservoir from becoming so large as to be disadvantageous as, for example, to excessively discharge fluid through the fluid inlet and outlet valves or excessively expand or rupture the reservoir. For example, the relative configuration of the one-way fluid inlet valve 30 and the one-way fluid outlet valve 39 may be selected as, for example, to permit controlled fluid flow outwardly therepast to relieve the pressure in the reservoir when the pressure reaches a selected minimum threshold discharge pressure. As a first example, providing a minimum threshold discharge pressure in the range of 10 millibar to 25 millibar can provide an arrangement which would accommodate the pump assembly operating to discharge larger volumes of air into the reservoir than the volumes of liquid which are withdrawn yet maintain an acceptable pressure within the reservoir. As a second example, the replenishing air pump 120 may be configured such that the volume of air that it injects into the reservoir 11 reduces as the pressure within the reservoir 11 increases. For example, in the context of the pump assembly with the first embodiment of
Generally, it is considered that the discharge of fluid from the reservoir due to a raised pressure condition within the reservoir is not advantageous. Avoiding fluid discharge due to a raised pressure condition may be accommodated as, for example, by limiting the raised pressure which the replenishing air pump 120 can develop within the reservoir 11 to a value which is less than the minimum threshold discharge pressure under which fluid will pass outwardly. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the capability of the replenishing air pump 120 to pressurize the reservoir might be limited to 10 to 15 millibar and the fluid inlet valve 30 and fluid discharge valve 39 may be selected to have a minimum threshold pressure discharge greater, for example, by at least 5 millibar more than the minimum threshold vacuum and, for example, absolutely in the range of, say, 15 millibar to 25 millibar.
In a typical fluid dispenser, in each stroke of operation, a volume of possibly 1 milliliter of liquid may be drawn from a reservoir which reservoir typically has a volume in the range of 500 milliliters to 1000 milliliters. If, in a cycle of operation, 1.0 ml liquid is discharged from the reservoir and no, for example, 1.1 ml of air is injected, then a vacuum of 0.1 millibar would arise per cycle. Once the pressure in the reservoir might reach a desired maximum pressure threshold of, for example, 10 millibar, the pressure arrangements to prevent the pressure from increasing could operate to keep the pressure below about 10 millibar. If, in a cycle of operation, 1.0 ml liquid is discharged from the reservoir and no, for example, 0.9 ml of air is injected, then a vacuum of 0.1 millibar would arise per cycle. Once the pressure vacuum in the reservoir might reach a desired maximum vacuum threshold of, for example, 10 millibar, the vacuum relief arrangements would prevent the vacuum from increasing could operate to keep the vacuum below about 10 millibar. Whether the operation of the pump assembly is intended to maintain atmospheric pressure, or create and maintain a threshold raised pressure or create and maintain a threshold vacuum in the reservoir, one or both of safety pressure relief arrangements to release pressure if the pressure is raised to a safety pressure greater than any threshold pressure and safety pressure vacuum relief arrangements to release pressure if the vacuum is raised to a safety vacuum greater than any threshold pressure. Preferably, in accordance with the present invention, the volume of fluid drawn from the reservoir in a cycle of operation, the reservoir is in the range of about 5/10to 10/5the volume of the air injected, more preferably, in the range of about 9/10to 10/9.
Pumps in accordance with the present invention preferably have a mechanism for preventing the piston 14 from moving outwardly as, for example, past a fully extended position. In this regard, stop members are illustrated, for example, in
In accordance with the present invention, in one preferred arrangement, it is desired that fluid not be able to be discharged from the reservoir 11 when the piston is in a fully extended position, then configurations can be provided such that on the piston reaching a fully extended position, elements of the liquid pump interact to prevent fluid flow outwardly through the fluid pump.
Reference is made to
Operation of the dispenser assemblies of this invention under relatively steady state pressure conditions in the reservoir whether at atmospheric pressure, or a desired vacuum condition or a desired pressure condition is advantageous such that the piston pump can, in each cycle of operation in which the piston is moved between a set extended position to a set retracted position, dispense an accurate constant dose of fluid.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will occur to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is made to the following claims.
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