Disposable pump head

A disposable pump head and canister assembly is provided having a disposable pump head having an upper housing with an input port and an output port, and being configured to be engaged to a motor so as to pump fluid into the input port, through the disposable pump head, and out the output port, the upper housing configured to couple to a support plate via a plurality of upper housing flexible tabs that snap fit to corresponding structure of the support plate and configured to be frictionally engaged to a motor so as to pump fluid into the input port, through the disposable pump head, and out the output port; and a canister having an exterior wall portion, a cover and a latching arrangement, where the exterior wall portion is configured so as to form an interior cavity dimensioned to receive the disposable pump head, and where the cover is configured to close and be latched to the exterior wall by the latching arrangement so as to frictionally engage the disposable pump head and the motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pump head; and more particularly to a pump head that is disposable.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

It is known in the art that after some applications, operations, or procedures, a pump must be cleaned and sanitized before a next application, operation or procedure. This cleaning and sanitizing process can result in unwanted delay and adverse exposure to certain media, including the potential for cross contamination of materials. Currently, in the marketplace known techniques include using peristaltic pumps for such applications, along with diaphragm pumps that require cleansing and/or sanitizing between product batches. Other shortcomings of these known techniques also include the maintenance time and the potential for contact with the fluids being pumped.

In view of this, there is a need in the industry for a new technique for use in such applications, operations or procedures, where the maintenance is simple, which allows for easy change of materials being pumped so there is no need for cleaning and/or sanitizing, so the next application, operation and procedure may be started with less delay or exposure to the media being pumped, and which may even allow for a simple disposal that will eliminate the potential for cross contamination of materials.

The present invention provides such a new technique, consistent with that described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pump featuring a disposable pump head assembly and a canister.

The disposable pump head assembly has an input port and an output port, and is configured to be frictionally engaged to a motor so as to pump fluid into the input port, through the disposable pump head, and out of the output port.

The canister has an exterior wall portion, a cover and a latching arrangement, where the exterior wall portion is configured so as to form an interior cavity dimensioned to receive the disposable pump head, and where the cover is configured to close and be latched to the exterior wall portion by the latching arrangement so as to frictionally engage the disposable pump head and the motor.

The cover has a compressible pad dimensioned so as to push a top surface of the disposable pump head so as to frictionally engage the disposable pump head and the motor.

The cover may be arranged on a hinge. The latching arrangement may comprise a part for grabbing or latching to a lip formed in the cover. The disposable pump head may be a diaphragm pump comprising an upper housing, a valve housing, reciprocating pistons, a diaphragm, an outer piston plate, a bearing housing and a cam for coupling to a shaft of the motor.

In one particular embodiment, the disposable pump head assembly may include a bearing housing configured with outer walls having a predetermined shape and defining openings for receiving reciprocating pistons. The disposable pump head assembly is also configured with the cam configured to be coupled to the motor for moving the reciprocating pistons so the disposable pump head assembly can pump fluid.

In the canister, the exterior wall portion may be configured to define a cavity to receive the disposable pump head assembly. A bottom wall portion may include interior walls formed therein with a corresponding predetermined shape that is substantially similar to the predetermined shape of the walls of the bearing housing to receive the disposable pump head assembly, and a lower portion of a diaphragm support plate may be configured to engage or press up against an upper portion of the bottom wall portion to prevent rotational movement of the disposable pump head assembly in relation to the canister when the cam moves the reciprocating pistons. The bottom wall portion may also be configured with an opening so that the cam can be coupled to the motor. The cover may be configured to detachably couple to the exterior wall portion for opening the canister to change the disposable pump head assembly and for closing the canister after the disposable pump head assembly has been changed.

The present invention may also take the form of the canister itself for receiving a disposable pump head assembly having the features set forth herein.

With the design of the disposable pump head and canister, the maintenance is a simple pull throw away and replace concept. This feature allows for the following:

The design according to the present invention allows for easy change of materials being pumped as there is no need for cleaning and/or sanitizing. The technician removes the disposable pump head, properly disposes it, then slips in a new pump head and clamps it in place and operations are started with little delay or exposure to the media being pumped.

This design allows for simple disposal that will eliminate the potential for cross contamination of materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a disposable pump head and canister assembly generally indicated as100, which includes a cover1, a pad2, an upper housing3, upper housing flexible tabs3a, a valve housing4, pistons5, a diaphragm6, a diaphragm support plate7, an outer piston plate8, a bearing housing9, a cam10, a clamp11, a canister12, a gasket13, a mounting ring14, a bearing15and a motor adapter16. The upper housing3, valve housing4, pistons5, diaphragm6, the diaphragm support plate7, outer piston plate8, bearing housing9, and cam10combine to make up the disposable pump head, also known as the disposable pump head assembly, generally indicated as100a(see alsoFIGS. 1aand1b) of the overall assembly100; while the remaining elements combine to form the canister12and may include the cover1, pad2, clamp11, canister12, gasket13, mounting ring14, bearing15and motor adapter16. By way of example, the present invention is shown and described in relation to the disposable pump head assembly100ataking the form of a diaphragm pump, which is understood to be a positive displacement pump that uses a combination of the reciprocating action of a rubber, thermoplastic or Teflon diaphragm and suitable non-return check valves to pump a fluid, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of pump either now known or later developed in the future.

FIGS. 1aand1bshow the disposable pump head assembly100aas an assembled modular unit that is arranged inside the canister12inFIG. 1aand that is arranged outside the canister12inFIG. 1b. InFIGS. 1aand1b, the disposable pump head assembly100aand the canister12are arranged in relation to a motor20. InFIGS. 1,1aand1bsimilar elements are labeled with similar reference numerals.

InFIGS. 1aand1b, the upper housing3is configured to couple to the diaphragm support plate7via a plurality of upper housing flexible tabs3athat snap fit to corresponding structure of the diaphragm support plate7. By way of example, the present invention is described with the upper housing3being coupled to the diaphragm support plate7using a snap fit, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any type or kind of coupling technique either now known or later developed in the future. For example, the assembly of the various elements of pump head assembly100a, including the upper housing3, valve housing4, pistons5, diaphragm6, the diaphragm support plate7, outer piston plate8, bearing housing9, and cam10, may take the form of a snap, screw, sonic weld, rivet, or any method of retention either now known or later developed in the future. Further, by way of example, the present invention is described with the plurality of upper housing flexible tabs3ataking the form of four upper housing flexible tabs3a, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular number of flexible tabs.

InFIGS. 1aand1b, the valve housing4, the pistons5and the diaphragm6are configured to be arranged between the upper housing3and the diaphragm support plate7. The bearing housing9is configured to couple the bearing9aand the outer piston plate8to the pistons5using four corresponding fasteners, one of which is labeled9b(e.g. screws). The cam10is arranged in the bearing9aas shown.

InFIGS. 1aand1b, the outer piston plate8is configured with outer walls8ahaving a predetermined shape and has openings for receiving the reciprocating pistons5. The cam10is configured to be coupled to the shaft20aof the motor20moving the reciprocating pistons5so the disposable pump head assembly100acan pump fluid from the inlet port3b, through the pump head, and to the outlet port3c.

The canister12is configured with an exterior wall portion12a, the cover1and a bottom wall portion12b. The exterior wall portion12ais configured to define a cavity portion12dto receive at least part of the disposable pump head assembly100a. The bottom wall portion12bis configured with interior walls12eformed therein with a corresponding predetermined shape that is substantially similar to the predetermined shape of the walls8aof the outer piston8to receive the outer piston8. The cover1is latched so as to push the lower portion7aof the diaphragm support plate7against an upper portion12b′ (FIGS. 1band4) so as to prevent rotational movement of the disposable pump head assembly100ain relation to the canister12when the cam10moves the reciprocating pistons5. In particular, the pad2may be a compressible member that is dimensioned so as to contact a top portion3eof the upper housing3when the cover1is closed in order to push or urge the disposable pump head into the cavity12dand frictionally engage the motor20. As shown, the top portion3emay be configured with members radiating from a central part and extending out to a rim, although other types or kinds of configurations on the top portion3emay be used within the spirit of the present invention. As best shown inFIG. 4, a portion of the pad may be compressed by and into the top portion3eof the upper housing3as indicated by the arrow labeled C. The pad2may be made of an elastomeric material, or a foam-like material or other type or kind of compressible material either now known or later developed in the future. Embodiments are also envisioned in which the compressible member may take the form of a spring-like element. Depending on the design choice of the compressible member for a particular embodiment according to the present invention, a person skilled in the art would be able to determine suitable dimensions without undue experimentation so as to contact the top portion3eof the upper housing3when the cover1is closed in order to push or urge the disposable pump head into the cavity12dand frictionally engage the motor20.

The bottom wall portion12bis also configured with an opening (unlabeled) so that the cam10can be coupled to the shaft20aof the motor20. The cover1is configured to detachably couple to the exterior wall portion12afor opening the canister12to change the disposable pump head assembly100aand for closing the canister12after the disposable pump head assembly100ahas been changed. The canister12is also configured with openings12f,12gthat are shaped so as to receive the ports3b,3crespectively of the pump head assembly100a.

InFIGS. 1aand1b, the motor adapter16is configured to couple to the motor20using four corresponding fasteners, one of which is labeled16a. The motor adapter16is also configured to receive the bearing15and to rest against and couple to the bottom wall portion12bof the canister12using four corresponding fasteners, one of which is labeled16b, so that the bearing15is arranged in relation to the cam10. The motor20has a shaft20aconfigured to pass through the bearing15and coupled to the cam10of the disposable pump head100a. The canister12may take the form of a stand-alone unit, or may be assembled to a wall30(seeFIGS. 1aand1b) of a cabinet or other suitable structure, by, e.g., sandwiching the cabinet between the canister12and the mounting ring14along with the gasket13. When mounted to the wall30, as shown, the mounting ring14is configured to be arranged in relation to the motor adapter16and to couple to the bottom wall portion12bof the canister12to the wall30or other suitable structure using four corresponding fasteners, one of which is labeled14a. The gasket13is optional and may be arranged between the mounting ring14and the bottom wall portion12bof the canister12, as shown.

The pump head assembly100amay be made from materials that are compatible with the particular application, operation or procedure for which the pump head100awill be used. For example, for the bio tech market the pump head100acan be made from materials that may be irradiated. For other types or kinds of applications, operations or procedures, the pump head assembly100acan be made of materials that depend or specifically relate to some characteristic or requirement of the type or kind of application, operation or procedure. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the type or kind of material either now known or later developed in the future.

The pump head100amay be configured with many different types or kinds of ports3b, including by way of example, sanitary tri clamp ports, threaded ports, quick-connect ports, or any other port configuration either now known or later developed in the future.

The Canister12

FIGS. 2-3shows other views of the canister12having the disposable pump head100aarranged therein and held in place by latching the cover1with the clamp11. The clamp11comprises an arrangement of parts, which includes a clamp handle11a, an intermediate part11bthat is pivotally hinged on a pivot rod11c, and a latching part11dconfigured to be detachably coupled to corresponding structure1aof the cover1. The latching part11dis also hingeably coupled to the intermediate part11bon a pivot rod11e. Embodiments are also envisioned in which the clamp11comprises a spring-like arrangement for latching to the cover under tension.

FIG. 4shows a cross-sectional view of the disposable pump head100aplaced into the canister12. As shown, the cover1is raised into position, closed and clamped in place using the clamp11. This configuration compresses or pushes the disposable pump head100aand allows for the disposable pump head or unit100ato achieve pressures to operate in the particular application.

Once the pump head100ais no longer required, e.g., the application, operation or procedure has come to an end, the cover1may be opened and the pump head100amay be removed from the canister12for disposal.

FIG. 5shows the steps for changing the disposal pump head100awith a new disposable pump head like a new element100a.

InFIGS. 5a(i) and5b(i), the clamp11is in place and the canister unit12in locked shut. See also the description associated withFIG. 1a, which is an exploded view ofFIG. 5b(i), for further details of that shown inFIG. 5b(i), including further details of the elements that comprise the disposable pump head100a.

InFIGS. 5a(iv) and5b(iv), the disposable pump head100ais slid out of the canister11. See also the description associated withFIG. 1b, which is an exploded view ofFIG. 5b(iv), for further details of that shown inFIG. 5b(iv), including further details of the elements that comprise the disposable pump head100a.

InFIGS. 5a(v) and5b(v), a new disposable pump head like a new element100aslides into the canister11.

InFIGS. 5a(vii) and5b(vii), the clamp11is locked in place and the canister unit12locked.

Since the features ofFIGS. 5a(i) to (vii) andFIGS. 5b(i) to (vii) are similar, only relevant features ofFIGS. 5a(i),5b(i),5a(iv) and5b(iv) with respect to the opening, replacement and closing of the canister12are labeled so as not to clutterFIG. 5as a whole.

The advantage of the present invention is in the ease of assembly/disassembly and the maintenance saved by not having to sanitize the entire system; instead simply removing the pump head assembly100afrom the canister12and replacing it with a new pump head assembly or unit.

FIG. 6shows an enlarged view of the engagement of the cam100of disposable pump head100a(seeFIGS. 1,1a,1b) to the motor20. As shown by way of example, this engagement is performed by using a “D” Drive to eliminate the need for fasteners. “D” Drives like that shown are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future. Moreover, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the use of a “D” Drive engagement, as other types or kinds of motor engagement method can be used that are either now known or later developed in the future.

FIG. 7shows other views of the disposable pump head unit100aaccording to the present invention, which are labeled to the extent needed to be understood relative to the other Figures, includingFIGS. 1,1a,1band consistent with that shown and described herein.

FIG. 8shows other views of the canister12according to the present invention, which are labeled to the extent needed to be understood relative to the other Figures, includingFIGS. 1,1a,1band consistent with that shown and described herein.

POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS

Possible applications of the present invention may include at least the following: Bio Tech, Food Handling, Beverage, Industrial, and any fluids exchange applications.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION