U.S. patent application number 12/635357 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for diaphragm-style bottle pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to KAO BRANDS COMPANY. Invention is credited to Weston Richard Houghton.
Application Number | 20110139825 12/635357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44141790 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110139825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Houghton; Weston Richard |
June 16, 2011 |
DIAPHRAGM-STYLE BOTTLE PUMP
Abstract
A diaphragm bottle pump system for dispensing a personal care
product includes a bottle, a pump body, and a plurality of valves.
The bottle holds the product. Further, the pump body includes a
lower pump body and an upper pump body that define a diaphragm
chamber therebetween that is acted on by a diaphragm. A first valve
allows the product to pass from the bottle to the diaphragm chamber
and prevents the product from passing to the bottle from the
diaphragm chamber. A second valve allows the product to pass from
the diaphragm chamber to an outside of the system and prevents the
product from passing to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of
the system. Additionally, a third valve allows air to pass from the
outside of the system to the bottle and prevents the air from
passing to the outside of the system from the bottle.
Inventors: |
Houghton; Weston Richard;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Assignee: |
KAO BRANDS COMPANY
Cincinnati
OH
|
Family ID: |
44141790 |
Appl. No.: |
12/635357 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/3045 20130101;
B05B 11/0039 20180801; B05B 11/3032 20130101; B05B 11/3077
20130101; B05B 15/30 20180201; B05B 11/00442 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/207 |
International
Class: |
B65D 37/00 20060101
B65D037/00 |
Claims
1. A diaphragm bottle pump system to dispense a personal care
product, comprising: a bottle that holds the product; a lower pump
body attached to the bottle and having an air inlet extending
through the lower pump body; an upper pump body attached to the
lower pump body and having a diaphragm positioned on a top part of
the upper pump body, the lower pump body and the upper pump body
defining a diaphragm chamber therebetween; a first valve that
passes the product from the bottle to the diaphragm chamber when
the diaphragm returns to an original position from a depressed
position and that prevents the product from passing to the bottle
from the diaphragm chamber; a second valve that passes the product
from the diaphragm chamber to an outside of the system when the
diaphragm is moved from the original position to the depressed
position and that prevents the product from passing to the
diaphragm chamber from the outside of the system; and a third valve
that passes the product from the outside of the system to the
bottle when the diaphragm returns to the original position from the
depressed position and that prevents the air from passing to the
outside of the system from the bottle.
2. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, wherein the
second valve is a duckbill valve.
3. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, wherein the
second valve is a flapper valve.
4. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, wherein the
third valve is a duckbill valve.
5. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, wherein the
third valve is a flapper valve.
6. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, wherein the
first valve is an umbrella valve.
7. The diaphragm pump system according to claim 1, further
comprising: the personal care product held in the bottle.
8. A diaphragm pump for dispensing a personal care product,
comprising: a lower pump body having an air inlet extending through
a side wall of the lower pump body; an upper pump body attached to
the lower pump body and having a diaphragm positioned on a top part
of the upper pump body, the lower pump body and the upper pump body
defining a diaphragm chamber therebetween; a first valve that
passes the product from a bottle attached to the lower pump body to
the diaphragm chamber when the diaphragm returns to an original
position from a depressed position and that prevents the product
from passing to the bottle from the diaphragm chamber; a second
valve that passes the product from the diaphragm chamber to an
outside of the system when the diaphragm is moved from the original
position to the depressed position and that prevents the product
from passing to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of the
system; and a third valve that passes the product from the outside
of the system to the bottle when the diaphragm returns to the
original position from the depressed position and that prevents the
air from passing to the outside of the system from the bottle.
9. The diaphragm pump according to claim 8, wherein the second
valve is a duckbill valve.
10. The diaphragm pump according to claim 8, wherein the second
valve is a flapper valve.
11. The diaphragm pump according to claim 8, wherein the third
valve is a duckbill valve.
12. The diaphragm pump according to claim 8, wherein the third
valve is a flapper valve.
13. The diaphragm pump according to claim 8, wherein the first
valve is an umbrella valve.
14. A method of dispensing a personal care product, comprising:
holding the product in a bottle attached to a diaphragm pump
including a diaphragm in an original position on a top of the
diaphragm pump; pressing the diaphragm a first time such that the
diaphragm is changed from the original position to a depressed
position to expel air held in a diaphragm chamber to an outside of
the diaphragm pump through a first valve; preventing the expelled
air from returning to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of the
diaphragm pump through the first valve; releasing the diaphragm a
first time such that the diaphragm returns to the original position
from the depressed position to create a reduced pressure in the
diaphragm chamber; drawing product from the bottle to the diaphragm
chamber through a second valve; preventing the drawn product from
returning to the bottle from the diaphragm chamber through the
second valve; during the drawing the product, drawing new air from
an outside of the bottle into the bottle through a third valve;
preventing the drawn air and the product in the bottle from passing
through the third valve to the outside of the bottle through the
third valve; and pressing the diaphragm a second time such that the
diaphragm is changed from the original position to the depressed
position to expel the drawn product held in the diaphragm chamber
to the outside of the diaphragm pump through the first valve.
15. The dispensing method according to claim 14, wherein the
releasing the diaphragm the first time includes biasing the
diaphragm with a spring positioned below the diaphragm such that
the diaphragm returns to the original position from the depressed
position.
16. The dispensing method according to claim 14, wherein the first
valve is a duckbill valve.
17. The dispensing method according to claim 14, wherein the first
valve is a flapper valve.
18. The dispensing method according to claim 14, wherein the second
valve is a duckbill valve.
19. The dispensing method according to claim 14, wherein the second
valve is a flapper valve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a diaphragm-style bottle
pump.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Commercialized personal care products can be sold in a
bottle having a pump attached thereto. Conventionally, such bottle
pumps are vertically-oriented positive displacement pumps. These
pumps must be actuated in a linear fashion along the vertical axis.
Conventional vertical displacement pumps generally extend well
above the top of a bottle to which they are attached. Additionally,
such conventional pumps have many components, generally including a
piston and a return spring. The conventional pumps can also include
a closure, piston, piston seal, actuator, sometimes ball valves,
and thus can be difficult and expensive to produce and assemble.
Further, conventional pumps generally include metal components,
which can become corroded and contaminate the product dispensed
from the bottle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a diaphragm bottle pump
system for dispensing a fluid personal care product. The system
includes a bottle, a pump body, and a plurality of valves. The
bottle holds the product. A lower pump body is attached to the
bottle and has an air inlet. An upper pump body is attached to the
lower pump body and has a flexible diaphragm positioned on a top
part thereof. Further, the lower pump body and the upper pump body
define a diaphragm chamber therebetween. A first valve allows the
product to pass from the bottle to the diaphragm chamber and
prevents the product from passing to the bottle from the diaphragm
chamber. A second valve allows the product to pass from the
diaphragm chamber to an outside of the system and prevents the
product from passing to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of
the system. Additionally, a third valve allows air to pass from the
outside of the system to the bottle and prevents liquid from
escaping the bottle.
[0006] A method of dispensing a personal care product according to
the present invention comprises holding the product in a bottle
attached to a diaphragm pump including a diaphragm in an original
position on a top of the diaphragm pump. The diaphragm is pressed a
first time such that the diaphragm is changed from the original
position to a depressed position to expel air from a diaphragm
chamber through a first valve. The expelled air is prevented from
returning to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of the
diaphragm pump through the first valve. Then, the diaphragm is
released a first time such that the diaphragm returns to the
original position from the depressed position to create a negative
pressure in the diaphragm chamber. By releasing the diaphragm, the
product is drawn from the bottle to the diaphragm chamber through a
second valve. The drawn product is prevented from returning to the
bottle from the diaphragm chamber through the second valve. During
the uptake phase ambient air enters the bottle through a third
valve to equalize pressure. Additionally, the drawn air and the
product in the bottle are prevented from passing through the third
valve to the outside of the bottle. Further, the diaphragm is
pressed a second time such that the diaphragm is changed from the
original position to the depressed position to expel the drawn
product held in the diaphragm chamber to the outside of the
diaphragm pump through the first valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the bottle pump;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary pump;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an exemplary pump;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of an exemplary pump;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary pump;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary pump;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an assembled view of the exemplary pump shown in
FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an perspective view of an exemplary pump;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of an exemplary pump;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of an exemplary pump;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of an exemplary pump;
and
[0019] FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of an exemplary pump.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Certain terminology may be used in the following description
for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "top,"
"bottom," "above," "below," "lower," and "upper" designate
directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The
terminology includes the words noted above as well as derivatives
thereof and words of similar import. Referring now to the drawings,
wherein like reference numerals designate identical or
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the diaphragm-style
bottle pump 10 (hereinafter "pump 10"), which is a positive
displacement pump. The pump 10 can be attached to a bottle 20 to
form a system to dispense personal care products. The bottle 20 can
contain a product to be dispensed, such as shampoo, conditioner,
lotion, or other skin or facial care products. The bottle 20 could
also be used to dispense soap, such as hand soap. The pump 10 can
be engaged with the bottle 20 via male and female threads or the
pump 10 can be snap fit on the bottle 20. Such a snap fit may be
preferable as the orientation of the pump 10 with respect to the
bottle 20 can be adjusted without compromising the seal formed
between the pump 10 and the bottle 20. Thus, the connection of the
pump 10 to the bottle 20 can create an atmospherically closed
system such that the product does not escape the system other than
in the intended manner through the outlet valve 62 described below.
The pump 10 and the bottle 20 can be disposable. Alternatively, the
pump 10 can be reusable either with the same bottle 20 or with a
new bottle 20 attached thereto.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the pump 10. The
pump 10 includes a diaphragm 30 on a top portion thereof. The
diaphragm can be made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or
a thermoset elastomer. An exemplary thermoplastic elastomer from
which the diaphragm 30 can be made is DYNAFLEX.RTM. G2701-1000-02
produced by GLS Corporation. The diaphragm 30 can be
non-transparent or at least a portion of the diaphragm 30 can be
translucent such that the user can see the product through the
translucent portion of the diaphragm 30. The diaphragm 30 can have
an oval shape. Further, the minor axis of the oval can be
approximately the width of a user's thumb. Thus, due to the size,
shape, and material composition of the diaphragm 30, the diaphragm
30 can be easily pressed by the user.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pump 10. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the pump
10 includes an air valve 34 that allows air to enter the bottle 20.
The air valve 34 is a one-way valve that can be, for example, an
umbrella valve or a mushroom valve preferably made of silicone. The
air valve 34 could also be a ball and spring valve. Because the air
valve 34 is a one-way valve, air can be drawn into the bottle 20
but air cannot escape and the product cannot spill out of the
bottle 20 through the air valve 34. The pump 10 also includes a dip
tube 38 that serves as a passageway for the product to be dispensed
to enter the diaphragm chamber 42 (see FIG. 4) from the bottle 20.
Thus, the dip tube 38 can extend downward from the pump 10 into the
bottle 20. The dip tube 38 can be made of a linear low-density
polyethylene, for example. In another exemplary embodiment, the dip
tube could also be injected with the body to reduce assembly. FIG.
3 also shows a product outlet 46 from which the product is
ultimately dispensed from the pump 10 to the user.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pump 10. The grooves 50 in the pump 10 can be used to attach
the pump 10 to the bottle 20. As discussed above, the grooves 50
could contain the male or female thread, or could have a lip or a
groove that is used to snap fit the pump 10 and the bottle 20
together.
[0025] The pump 10 includes an air inlet 54 that is upstream of the
air valve 34. The air inlet 54 communicates with an outside of the
pump 10 such that air can be drawn in through the air inlet 54,
pass through the air valve 34 positioned downstream of the air
inlet 54, and then enter the bottle 20.
[0026] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a product valve 58 is positioned
downstream of the dip tube 38. The product valve 58 is a one-way
valve that allows the product to be dispensed to pass therethrough
into the diaphragm chamber 42. Thus, the product valve 58 does not
allow any air or product to pass from the diaphragm chamber 42 back
into the dip tube 38 or the bottle 20. The product valve 58 can be
a flapper valve as shown in FIG. 9 or a duck bill valve The product
valve 58 can be made of, for example, an elastomer, such as the
thermoplastic elastomer that comprises the diaphragm 30.
[0027] The diaphragm chamber 42 is a pump chamber that is formed
downstream of the product valve 58. The diaphragm chamber 42
comprises the area under the diaphragm 30 and is bounded by the
body of the pump 10. The diaphragm chamber 42 includes an entrance
from the product valve 58 and an exit to the product outlet 46.
[0028] Downstream from the diaphragm chamber 42 is the product
outlet 46. FIG. 9 shows the path the product takes from the
diaphragm chamber 42 to the product outlet 46. An outlet valve 62
is housed in the product outlet 46. The outlet valve 62 is another
one-way valve that allows the product to be dispensed from the
product outlet 46 without drawing air or dispensed product from
outside the pump 10 back into the pump 10. The outlet valve 62 can
also be a flapper valve or a duck bill valve that is made of, for
example, an elastomer. Further, the outlet valve 62 can be held in
the product outlet 46 by an outlet cap such as a hinged fixture 66.
The hinged fixture 66 can be positioned on an end of the product
outlet 46 such that that outlet valve 62 is fixed by the outlet cap
66 with respect to the product outlet 46.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the
pump 10. As discussed above, air can enter the pump 10 through the
air inlet 54 and the product can be dispensed from the product
outlet 46 by passing through the outlet valve 62 and the outlet cap
66.
[0030] Operation of the pump 10 will now be described with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0031] As discussed above, the diaphragm 30 can be approximately
the width of a user's thumb. Thus, a user can hold the bottle 20 in
his or her hand and operate the pump 10 by pressing the diaphragm
30 with his or her thumb. Accordingly, the pump 10 is convenient to
use with a single hand. Alternatively, the user can set the bottle
20 on a support, such as a table top, and press the diaphragm 30
with one or more of their fingers.
[0032] When the user presses the diaphragm 30, as shown in FIG. 1,
in the downward direction, the diaphragm 30 is moved from the
original position to a depressed position in which the diaphragm 30
decreases the size of the diaphragm chamber 42 such that the
contents of the diaphragm chamber 42 are expelled through the
product outlet 46 to an outside of the pump 10. Thus, pressing the
diaphragm 30 exerts a force on the contents of the diaphragm
chamber 42 that is sufficient to expel the contents through the
outlet valve 62. The exerted force can be, for example, about four
to eight pounds. As discussed above, the product valve 58 is a
one-way valve that does not allow the contents of the diaphragm
chamber 42 to pass through the product valve 58 back into the dip
tube 38 and the bottle 20. Thus, the first time the diaphragm 30 is
pressed, air in the diaphragm chamber 42 will pass through the
outlet valve 62.
[0033] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the diaphragm
chamber 42 is angled such that it is raised on the outlet side.
This helps evacuate air during the initial priming.
[0034] Once the user releases the diaphragm 30 from its depressed
position, the elastic diaphragm 30 will attempt to return to its
original shape. Additionally, the pump 10 may contain a semi-rigid
support structure, such as the fingers 70 positioned under the
diaphragm 30, that contacts the diaphragm 30 and are deflected when
the diaphragm 30 is pressed. In one exemplary embodiment, the
fingers 70 only come in contact with the diaphragm 30 after the
diaphragm 30 is pressed. Then, when the diaphragm 30 is released,
the elasticity of the fingers 70 produces an upward force on the
diaphragm to help return the diaphragm 30 to its original position.
Thus, a conventional metal spring is not required to return the
diaphragm 30 to its original position. Accordingly, corrosion can
be avoided in the pump 10.
[0035] Alternatively, the diaphragm 30 may be provided with a means
for assisting return of the deformed diaphragm 30 to its original
position such as by a spring. Exemplary embodiments of the spring
include a helical spring 86 as shown in FIG. 10 or an eye-shaped
spring 90 as shown in FIG. 11. In an exemplary embodiment, a
cantilevered structure could be molded to the bottom half of the
diaphragm cavity 42 and help return the deformed diaphragm 30 to
its original position. Additionally, the thickness of the diaphragm
30 can be biased in certain regions to help return the deformed
diaphragm 30 to its original position. For example, the diaphragm
30 could be thicker around the perimeter and thinner in the
center.
[0036] As the diaphragm 30 returns to its original position, a
reduced pressure is created in the diaphragm cavity 42. Because the
outlet valve 62 is a one-way valve that prevents anything from
entering the diaphragm cavity 42 through the outlet valve 62, the
partial vacuum due to the negative pressure is filled by drawing in
the contents of the dip tube 38 through the product valve 58 into
the diaphragm cavity 42.
[0037] If the pump 10 has not been previously used, then one or
more strokes will likely be required to prime the pump 10. These
initial priming strokes of the diaphragm 30 draw the air out of the
dip tube 38, such that a strong enough vacuum is created to draw
the product to be created up through the dip tube 38 into the
diaphragm cavity 42. For example, a vacuum of four pounds per
square inch could draw the product into the diaphragm cavity
42.
[0038] Because the product is drawn up into the dip tube 38 and
then passed through the product valve 58, a reduced pressure is
created in the bottle 20. Thus, as the diaphragm 30 is released and
returning to its original position, the vacuum due to the reduced
pressure created in the bottle 20 causes air to be drawn into the
bottle 20 through the air inlet 54 and the air valve 34 to equalize
the internal pressure of the bottle 20 with the outside
atmosphere.
[0039] Thus, repeated pressing and releasing of the diaphragm 30
will cause the product in the bottle 20 to pass into the diaphragm
chamber 42 via the dip tube 38 and then be dispensed from the
product outlet 46. Additionally, air will be drawn into the bottle
20 via the air inlet 54 to replace the dispensed product.
Accordingly, because it can be automatically ventilated during use,
the bottle 20 can be a solid bottle that can stand on its own and
is not required to contract when the product is removed from the
bottle 20. Thus, a pump 10 and bottle 20 that is convenient to use
can be provided.
[0040] The diaphragm 30 can be pressed from many different angles
in many different directions. Thus, the pump 10 can be actuated in
a non-linear and off-axis fashion that deviates from the vertical
actuation of conventional pumps and resulting in improved
ergonomics.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the pump 10 can include a lever
94 to shut off passage of the product from the dip tube 38 to the
diaphragm chamber 42. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the lever 94 can
fit between the upper half of the pump body 74 and the lower half
of the pump body 78. Further, the lever 94 includes a portion that
projects outside of the pump body 74, 78 to allow the lever 74 to
be rotated between an open position and a closed position. In the
open position, product can be dispensed as discussed above. In the
closed position, the lever 94 blocks the dip tube 38 to prevent the
product from passing from the dip tube 38 to the diaphragm chamber
42 when the diaphragm 30 is pressed. Thus, accidental discharge of
the product can be prevented.
[0042] As discussed above, the pump 10 can be used with a personal
care product. Accordingly, regulating the amount of each dose may
be important. When the diaphragm 30 is the size of a thumb, the
product dosage amount for every non-priming pump is approximately
less than 3.6 milliliters and more than 1 milliliter. Preferably,
the dosage amount is two milliliters. Other dosage amounts can be
achieved depending on the size and shape of the diaphragm 30 and
the diaphragm chamber 42. The size and shape of the pump 10 can be
adjusted to achieve a target dosage that depends on the product to
be dispensed.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pump 10 and FIG. 7 shows the pump 10 for FIG. 6 in an assembled
view. To assemble the pump 10, the diaphragm 30 is inserted into
the underside of the upper half of the pump body 74. Alternatively,
the diaphragm 30 can be co-molded with the upper half of the pump
body 74. The outlet valve 62 is held against the pump body 74 by
the outlet cap 66 attached thereto. Additionally, as can be seen in
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a backplate 82 can be
positioned upstream of the outlet valve 62 (not shown in FIG. 8) to
help prevent air from entering the diaphragm chamber 42 through the
outlet valve 62 on the upstroke. The product valve 58 is held to
the lower half of the pump body 78 by the dip tube 38. Further, the
air valve 34 is also attached to the lower half of the pump body
78. Then, the upper half of the pump body 74 is attached to the
lower half of the pump body 78 via snap fit, heat stake or
threading. The upper half of the pump body 74 and the lower half of
the pump body 78 can be molded of, for example, polypropylene and
thermoplastic elastomer. Alternatively, the upper half of the pump
body 74 and/or the lower half of the pump body 78 can be made by
another suitable material or by another suitable process. The upper
half of the pump body 74 and the lower half of the pump body 78 can
be molded in a single piece, and can be connected by a hinge. When
the upper half of the pump body 74 and the lower half of the pump
body 78 are molded in a single piece, they can be snap fit
together. The lower half of the pump body 78 can include two
stacked annular rings, and one of the rings may be molded with the
elastomer to form a critical seal between the two halves of the
pump body. The above-described order of assembly in a non-limiting
order of assembly and the pump 10 can be assembled in a different
order without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0044] Accordingly, it can be seen that the pump 10 does not
require many parts. Thus, assembly of the pump 10 is easier and
less costly than conventional vertical displacement pumps.
[0045] Additionally, because a diaphragm 30 is used instead of the
conventional vertical displacement pump, the pump 10 requires
minimal height to function, and thus is a discrete addition to the
top of the bottle 20. As discussed above, such a pump 10 can also
allow the product in the bottle 20 to be dispensed with one hand.
Such a product can have a viscosity of up to 28,000 centipoise or
higher. Additionally, a minimum viscosity can be, in an exemplary
embodiment, around 20,000 centipoise.
[0046] Further, because the pump 10 uses the diaphragm 30, which is
not pressed against any sliding parts, there can be less frictional
losses than in conventional pumps. Accordingly, the pump 10 can
require less force to actuate.
[0047] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *