Finger pump

Abstract

A finger pump for mechanically dispensing fluid product from a supply container comprising a pump housing and flexible pump mechanism attached thereto wherein the flexible pump mechanism comprising a central flexible pump reservoir and a plurality of fluid chambers in communication therewith, the plurality of fluid chambers including a pressure equalization vent chamber, a fluid supply chamber and a fluid discharge chamber, each chamber comprising an inclined flexible vane disposed therein to form a first and second compartment, the plurality of fluid chambers being interconnected between the interior of the supply container and the discharge orifice through the central pump reservoir to dispense product from the container through the pumping action of the central pump reservoir.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A finger pump for mechanically dispensing fluid product comprising a pump housing and pump mechanism, the pump housing and pump mechanism configured to cooperatively form a central flexible pump reservoir and plurality of fluid chambers to dispense product from a supply container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of liquids, such as window sprays, starches, hand lotions and the like are available in mechanical dispensing containers including a pumping device adapted to dispense the liquid in controlled quantities in the form of a spray or jet. Commonly, these pumping mechanisms comprise a one-way ball valve, spring, sliding piston, and one or more sealing elements.

Unfortunately, the large number of parts required by these pumping mechanisms renders them relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble. In addition, many of these pumping mechanisms include a reciprocally operating piston which requires the user to depress the plunger along a given direction. As a result, any lateral pressure generally causes binding. Moreover, the more common pumping mechanisms include valve openings defined by rigid material, such that the cross-sectional area of the open valve is unchangeable causing clogging by solid particles in the pumping mechanism itself.

Many of the more common pumping mechanisms require a particular orientation with respect to the force of gravity in order to properly function.

A relatively recent pump mechanism generally as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,663 comprises a check-valve including a base member having a surface through which two ports open, and an integral elastomeric member which includes a recessed portion having a peripheral rim seated against the base surface to define a chamber therebetween. A partition formed on the elastomeric member rests resiliently against the surface of base member between the ports to define two compartments wherein each communicate with one of the ports. Fluid is pumped through differential pressure caused by the pumping action of the elastomeric member. Unfortunately, this type of device has limited pumping capacities due to the mechanical structure of elements and internal pressure reduction within the product container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a finger pump for mechanically dispensing fluid product from a supply container. More specifically, the finger pump comprises a flexible pump mechanism in combination with a pump housing.

The pump housing includes a substantially cylindrical upper portion having an annular feed groove and an annular vent groove formed about the periphery thereof. The annular feed groove communicates through a feed channel with the interior of the product container, while the annular vent groove communicates through a vent channel with the container headspace. The flexible pump mechanism includes a pump reservoir, a vent chamber, a fluid supply chamber and a fluid discharge chamber. Each of these chambers includes a flexible vane separating each chamber into an inlet and outlet compartment by cooperatively engaging the vertical side wall of the housing. The inlet compartment of the vent chamber communicates directly with the atmosphere through an inlet vent passage and the outlet compartment communicates with the head space of the dispenser through an outlet vent passage. The inlet compartment of the fluid supply chamber communicates with the interior of the dispenser through the annular feed groove and elongated feed passage formed in the dip tube while the outlet compartment of the supply chamber communicates directly with the pump reservoir. The discharge chamber communicates with the pump reservoir through an inlet discharge passage while the outlet compartment communicates with a discharge orifice formed in the side wall of the pump mechanism through an outlet discharge passage.

To operate, the top of the pump reservoir is depressed causing air to flow from the pump reservoir through the discharge orifice and out of the pumping mechanism. As the top is released, fluid is drawn through the dip tube and annular feed groove into and through the fluid supply chamber into the pump reservoir due to the reduced pressure in the pump reservoir. Upon pressing the top of the reservoir a second time, the product is caused to flow into and through the discharge pump chamber and out the discharge orifice. Thus, continued pumping of the pump reservoir results in a flow of product from the container. Since the container head space is vented to the atmosphere, the internal container pressure is maintained as product is evacuated therefrom.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the finger pump of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the finger pump taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump reservoir means of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the pump reservoir means.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the finger pump in the "spray" position taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the finger pump taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the finger pump in the "lock" position taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the finger pump taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the finger pump of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a panoramic view of the apron of the pump reservoir means.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are detailed cross-sectional side views of alternate embodiments of retainer means.

FIGS. 13 through 17 are cross-sectional side views of alternate embodiments of the pump housing.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention comprises a finger pump generally indicated as 10. The finger pump 10 includes a pump housing 12 and a pump mechanism 14.

The pump housing 12 comprises an enlarged substantially cylindrical lower body portion 16 configured to mount on a product supply container (not shown) and a substantially cylindrical upper head portion 18 configured to operatively retain the pump mechanism 14 thereon. As shown in FIG. 1 an annular locking means or ring 20 may be formed on the outer periphery of the upper head portion 18 which cooperates with an annular locking means or groove 22 formed on the pump mechanism 14 to secure the mechanism 14 to the housing 12.

As discussed more fully hereinafter, alternate embodiments operate similarly.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lower body portion 16 includes a hollow void or head space 24. Extending downward from the upper head portion 18 is a dip tube 26 including a feed channel 28 which extends into the head space 24. The dip tube 26 is configured to receive a dip tube tail (not shown) disposed to extend downward into the product itself. A vent channel 30 (see FIGS. 1, 14 and 15) is cooperatively formed between the outer surface 32 of the dip tube 26 and the inner surface 34 of the upper head portion 18. Formed about the outer surface 36 of the upper head portion 18 are annular vent and feed grooves 40 and 38 respectively which communicate with vent channel 30 and feed channel 28 respectively.

FIGS. 13 through 15 show pump housing 12 in component form. Specifically, the upper head portion 18 includes mounting ledge 19 which operatively engages the lower body portion 16 when assembled. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the effective height of the pump housing 12 may be changed simply by exchanging the upper portion 18 without effecting the remaining structural elements.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the pump mechanism 14 comprises an attachment means 42, a pump reservoir means 44 and a retainer means 46. The attachment means 42 comprises an inner body portion 48 mounted on the upper head portion 18 and an outer skirt portion 50 which cooperatively form an attachment groove 52 therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the vertical dimension of the attachment means 42 may be varied to change the effective height of the pump mechanism 14 without changing any of the other structural elements. The pump reservoir means 44 comprises a pump member 53, a pump reservoir 54 and an apron 56. The apron 56 extends downwardly to seat in the attachment groove 52. A plurality of fluid chambers as best shown in FIG. 4 are formed about the inner periphery 50 of the apron 56. The retainer means 46 comprises an annular ring 62 to secure the pump reservoir means 44 to the attachment means 42. As shown, the retainer means 46 may include a terminal orifice insert 64 which communicates with a discharge orifice 60 through a discharge passage 66.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7, a poppet generally indicated as 55 including resilient web 57 and sealing ring 59 is formed on the forward portion of the pump reservoir means 44. Sealing ring 59 normally engages attachment means 42 to cooperatively form feed cavity 61 therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, the finger pump 10 may include a lock means to selectively control actuation of the finger pump 10. The lock means comprises locking lug 63 and first and second lock stops 65 and 67 respectively. Retainer means 46 is rotatable between a "lock" and "spray" position. Specifically, retainer means 46 may be rotated counterclockwise relative to pump reservoir means 44 to engage stop 65. In this position, the locking lug 63 engages poppet 55 to prevent actuation thereof (FIG. 7). When the retainer means 46 is rotated clockwise, the locking lug 63 engages the second lock stop 67. In this position, (FIG. 5) the poppet 55 will operate as more fully described hereinafter. The lock means may also include index means to provide a visual indication of the "spray" or "lock" position. The index means comprises an aperture or window 69 formed in the retainer means 46 (FIGS. 5 and 7) and a "spray" and "lock" indicia respectively 71 and 73 on the pump reservoir means 44 (FIGS. 6 and 8).

In addition, since the attachment means 42 is rotatable relative to the upper head portion 18 of the pump housing 12, the direction of spray may be changed.

FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of the retainer means 46. As shown therein, the retainer means 46 may comprise an annular ring 62 as previously described and an elongated nozzle 47 including dispensing channel 49 to operate as a lotion pump rather than a spray pump.

FIG. 12 shows another alternate embodiment of the retainer means 46. As disclosed therein, the annular ring 62 includes a flexible lever 51 extending rearwardly from the forward upper portion thereof. When operatively assembled, the lever 51 is disposed to engage the pump member 53 moving the pump member 53 from the first to second position as more fully described hereinafter. Upon release, the lever 51 will return to the normal position permitting the pump member 53 to return to its first position.

FIG. 9 discloses an alternate embodiment wherein the discharge orifice 60 is misaligned with the terminal orifice insert 64. The insert is of the mechanical breakup type whereby a spray can be effected. Lever 51 is included to actuate the pump member 53 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the pump reservoir means 44 may comprise a single element or body including the pump member 53, the pump reservoir 54 and the apron 56 having the discharge orifice 60 formed therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apron 56 has a plurality of fluid chambers which comprise a pressure equalization vent chamber 68, a fluid supply chamber 70 and a fluid discharge chamber 72. The vent chamber 68 comprises inlet and outlet vent compartments 74 and 76 respectively separated by a flexible vent vane 78 inclined relative to the radius of the chamber 68. The inlet and outlet vent compartments 74 and 76 communicate with the surrounding atmosphere and the vent passage 30 respectively through inlet and outlet vent passages 80 and 82 respectively. The fluid supply chamber 70 comprises inlet and outlet supply compartments 84 and 86 respectively separated by a flexible supply vane 88 inclined relative to the radius of the chamber 70. Inlet and outlet supply compartments 84 and 86 communicate with the interior of the container (not shown) and the pump reservoir 54 respectively through inlet and outlet supply passages 90 and 92 respectively. The fluid discharge chamber 72 comprises inlet and outlet discharge compartments 94 and 96 respectively separated by a flexible discharge vane 98 inclined relative to the radius of the chamber 72. Inlet and outlet compartments 94 and 96 communicate with the pump reservoir 54 and discharge orifice 70 respectively through inlet and outlet discharge passage 100 and 102 respectively (best shown in FIG. 3).

To operate the finger pump 10, the pump member 53 is moved from the first to second position by depressing it downward and then releasing it, permitting the pump member 53 to return to the first or original position. The resulting reduced pressure within the pump reservoir 54 relative to the interior of the container (not shown) causes fluid to flow upward through the feed passage 28, and inlet supply passage 90 into inlet supply compartment 84. As the pumping action is continued, product flows under pressure through flexible supply vane 88 and outlet supply passage 92 to pump reservoir 54 (FIG. 1). From thence, the product is pumped under force through the inlet discharge passage 100, inlet and outlet compartments 94 and 96 via flexible discharge vane 98 and outlet discharge passage 102 to feed cavity 61 of poppet 55. At this point the pressure builds within feed cavity 61 until the pressure overcomes the force holding sealing ring 59 against the pump reservoir means 44. When this pressure is reached, the seal is broken allowing product to flow through.

As previously described, the poppet 55 may be locked to prevent actuation of the finger pump 10 by rotation of the retainer means 46 relative to the pump reservoir means 44.

The lotion pump disclosed in FIG. 11 operates similarly to that of the spray pump previously described.

The alternate embodiment of FIG. 12 operates similarly to that of FIG. 1 except the lever 51 engages the pump member 53 rather than being depressed by the operator's finger.

The alternate embodiment of FIG. 9 operates similarly to that of FIG. 1 except that the product must flow circumferentially about annular discharge passage 66 from the discharge orifice 60 to the terminal orifice insert 64.

The vent chamber 68 operates substantially independent of the pump reservoir 54. AS the internal pressure within the container (not shown) decreases as product is dispensed, the vent vane 78 permits the flow of air from the surrounding atmosphere through the inlet vent passage 80, vent chamber 68, outlet vent passage 82, vent groove 38 and vent channel 30 to the interior of the container (not shown) (FIGS. 1 and 4). It should be noted that since the vanes 78, 88 and 98 are inclined relative to the radius of their respective chambers 68, 70 and 72, each is free to flex in only one direction due to differential pressure as previously described. In this manner, an effective, efficient mechanical finger pump 10 is provided.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:

1. A finger pump for mechanically dispensing fluid product from a supply container, said pump comprising: a pump housing, a pump mechanism attached to said pump housing, said pump mechanism comprising a fluid supply chamber, a fluid discharge chamber, a pump reservoir and a pump member, said fluid supply chamber and said fluid discharge chamber both formed in said pump mechanism in spaced substantially segregated relation to one another and both disposed laterally about the outer periphery of said pump mechanism, said fluid supply chamber communicating with the interior of the supply container and said pump reservoir, a discharge orifice formed in said pump mechanism, said fluid discharge chamber disposed in fluid communication with said pump reservoir and said discharge orifice and out of direct fluid communication with said fluid supply chamber; said pump member movable between a first and second position to draw product from the interior of the supply container through said fluid supply chamber into and through said pump reservoir, said fluid discharge chamber and out said discharge passage.

2. The finger pump as in claim 1 wherein said fluid supply chamber and fluid discharge chamber each includes an inlet and outlet compartment, corresponding inlet and outlet compartments being normally isolated from each other by a flexible vane disposed therebetween, each said vane movable between a first sealing position and a second open position to permit communication between corresponding inlet and outlet compartments upon predetermined differential pressure between said corresponding inlet and outlet compartments.

3. The finger pump of claim 2 wherein each said vane is inclined relative to the radius of said corresponding chambers to permit the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet compartment.

4. The finger pump of claim 3 wherein said fluid supply chamber includes an inlet and outlet supply passage, said inlet supply passage communicating with the interior of the supply container and said inlet fluid supply compartment, said outlet passage communicating between said outlet compartment and said pump reservoir, said fluid discharge chamber including an inlet and outlet discharge passage, said fluid discharge inlet passage communicating between said pump reservoir and said inlet fluid discharge compartment and said outlet fluid discharge passage communicating between said outlet fluid discharge compartment and said discharge orifice.

5. The finger pump of claim 4 wherein the upper portion of said pump housing includes a feed groove formed in the periphery thereof, said feed groove communicating with the interior of the supply container and said inlet supply passage.

6. The finger pump of claim 5 wherein said pump housing includes a dip tube extending downward from the upper portion thereof, said dip tube including a feed channel communicating between the interior of the supply container and said feed groove.

7. A finger pump of claim 1 further including a fluid vent chamber including an inlet and outlet compartment, said inlet and outlet compartments normally isolated from each other by a flexible vane disposed therebetween, said vane movable between a first sealing position and a second open position to permit communication between said inlet and outlet compartments upon predetermined differential pressure between said inlet and outlet compartments.

8. The finger pump of claim 7 wherein said vane is inclined relative to the radius of said vent chamber to permit the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet compartment.

9. The finger pump of claim 8 wherein said fluid vent chamber includes an inlet and outlet vent passage, said inlet vent passage communicating with the exterior of the supply container and said outlet fluid vent compartment, said outlet passage communicating between said outlet compartment and said pump reservoir, said fluid discharge chamber including an inlet and outlet discharge passage, said fluid discharge inlet passage communicating between said pump reservoir and said inlet fluid discharge compartment and said outlet fluid discharge passage communicating between said outlet fluid discharge compartment and said discharge orifice.

10. The finger pump of claim 9 wherein the upper portion of said pump housing includes a vent groove formed in periphery thereof, said vent groove communicating with the interior of the supply container and said outlet vent passage.

11. The finger pump of claim 10 wherein said pump housing includes a dip tube extending downward from the upper portion thereof, said dip tube and said upper portion cooperatively forming a vent channel therebetween said vent channel communicating between the interior of the supply container and said vent groove.

12. The finger pump of claim 1 wherein said pump housing comprises an attachment means mounted on said pump housing, said attachment means including an inner body portion secured in engagement with said pump housing on an outer skirt portion disposed relative to said inner body portion to cooperatively form an attachment groove therebetween, said pump reservoir means including an apron formed on the lower portion thereof to securely engage said attachment groove, said pump mechanism further including retainer means engaging said apron to secure said pump reservoir means to said attachment means.

13. The finger pump of claim 1 wherein said pump housing comprises a lower portion attached to the supply container and an upper portion to secure said pump mechanism thereto.

14. The finger pump of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply chamber and fluid discharge chamber are spaced about the periphery of said pump housing.

15. The finger pump of claim 13 wherein said lower portion and said upper portion are integrally formed.

16. The finger pump of claim 13 wherein said lower portion and said upper portion are separate.

17. The finger pump of claim 1 wherein said pump reservoir means includes an apron extending downward from said pump reservoir.

18. The finger pump of claim 17 wherein said apron includes a poppet formed therein, said poppet including a resilient web and a sealing ring normally engaging said attachment means to cooperatively form a feed cavity therebetween, said feed cavity in communication with said fluid discharge chamber.

19. The finger pump of claim 18 wherein said discharge orifice is formed in said resilient web, said resilient web movable from a first to a second position a predetermined pressure, said sealing web normally isolating said feed cavity from said discharge orifice when said resilient web is in said first position and said feed cavity is in communication with said discharge orifice when said resilient web is in said second position.

20. The finger pump of claim 19 further including locking means to selectively control actuation of said finger pump.

21. The finger pump of claim 20 wherein said locking means comprises a locking lug movable between a spray and lock position, said locking lug disposed to engage said poppet when in said lock position to prevent actuation thereof and said locking lug disposed to disengage said poppet when in said spray position to permit actuation thereof.

22. The finger pump of claim 21 further including index means to provide a visual indication of said spray and lock position.

23. The finger pump of claim 22 wherein said index means comprises an aperture formed in said retainer means and a spray and lock indicia formed on said pump reservoir means.

24. The finger pump of claim 1 wherein said pump mechanism is rotatable relative to said pump housing to vary the direction of spray.

25. The finger pump of claim 12 wherein said retainer means includes an elongated nozzle having a dispensing channel formed therein, said dispensing channel in communication with said discharge orifice to receive product therefrom.

26. The finger pump of claim 12 wherein said retainer means includes a flexible lever, said flexible lever disposed to engage said pump member to move said pump member from said first to said second position.

27. A finger pump for mechanically dispensing fluid product from a supply container, said pump comprising: a pump housing and a pump mechanism connected to one another, said pump mechanism comprising a fluid supply chamber, a fluid discharge chamber, a pump reservoir and pump member, at least one of said fluid supply chambers and said fluid discharge chambers comprising an inlet and outlet compartment, a flexible vane disposed between said inlet and outlet compartments and movable between a first sealing position and a second open position to permit fluid communication between said inlet and outlet compartments upon predetermined differential pressure therebetween; said fluid supply chamber communicating with the interior of the supply container and said pump reservoir, a discharge orifice formed in said pump mechanism, said fluid discharge chamber communicating with said pump reservoir and said discharge orifice, said pump member movable between a first and second position to draw fluid product from the interior of the supply container through said fluid supply chamber into and through said pump reservoir, said fluid discharge chamber and out said discharge passage.