Patent ID: 7699552
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: A46B,A61C

Abstract:
1. A pump system for a personal care appliance, comprising: a fluid cartridge member having a flexible fluid-filled portion and an exit opening for the fluid in the cartridge, for delivery to a line which connects to a workpiece portion of the appliance; a base member having a cutout portion into which the fluid-filled portion of the cartridge member can nest; and a pressing member, at least a nesting portion of which has a length and diameter which substantially match the cross-section of the cutout portion of the base member for at least a substantial portion of the length of the cutout portion, wherein the nesting portion of the pressing member directly contacts the fluid-filled portion substantially entirely across the cutout portion, wherein the pressing member includes two mounting elements which extend outwardly away from the cutout portion and outwardly from the opposing ends of the nesting portion sufficiently that the pressing member is movable by user action on the mounting elements, so that as the pressing member is moved in operation forwardly over the cartridge, fluid is moved from the fluid-filled portion through the exit opening, with the flexible cartridge portion being flattened during such action substantially without creasing of the cartridge, wherein an end part of cutout portion tapers inwardly such that as the pressing member moves along its path, it is lifted upwardly from the base member out of nesting contact with the cutout portion.