Abstract:
Bellow actuated pump devices for dispensing a product from a container may include a bellow and a base or a bellow, a base, and a valve wherein actuation of the bellow dispenses a product and the de-actuation of the bellow refills the pump for the next actuation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Embodiments of the invention relate to pump devices and more particularly, to pump devices utilizing a bellow mechanism for operating a pump device. 
         [0003]    2. State of the Art 
         [0004]    The personal and beauty care markets utilize a wide variety of different pump mechanisms and devices for delivering fluid-based products to a user. The pump devices include traditional pumps using ball valves or flap valves. Unique pump devices are also being developed to increase aesthetic value of the pump device or to provide new or improved functionality to the pump device or overall product package. 
         [0005]    Typically, pumps or pump devices are connected to a bottle or other container holding a product. The product may be a fluid or a fluid mixed with solids or gases. The pump is used to deliver the product from the container to a user. In some instances, the container is a bottle and in other instances, the container may be a bag, a pouch, or a tube. In any event, it is often desirable that the pump evacuate most of the product from the container. 
         [0006]    While many different pump devices exist, the desire for new pump devices to improve aesthetics or functionality or to reduce costs associated with producing and assembling the pumps, exists. Therefore, it may be desirable to develop new pump devices having fewer parts which are capable of meeting the desired specifications and requirements for delivering particular products. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to certain embodiments of the invention, a pump may include a base having a container attachment, an inlet passage, an interior chamber partially defined by a spacer integral with or separated from the base, and a discharge passage. A bellow having a bellow dome, bellow walls, a bellow rim, and a bellow chamber defined by the shape of the bellow dome and bellow walls may rest on the base rim in a portion of the interior space. The combination of the bellow chamber and interior chamber may define a pump chamber. The bellow walls may seal against a portion of the base to close or otherwise valve the inlet passage and a portion of the bellow rim contacting the base rim may close or otherwise valve the discharge passage. Actuation of the bellow dome may disperse product from the pump and de-actuation of the bellow dome may draw product into the pump chamber. 
         [0008]    According to other embodiments of the invention, a pump may include a base, a valve, a bellow, and a cap. The valve may be positioned within an interior chamber of the base and valve walls may contact a base spacer to seal a pump chamber defined by the bellow and an interior portion of the base. A portion of the valve may also contact a portion of the bellow. Actuation of the bellow may displace or break the contact between the valve and the bellow, allowing product in the pump chamber to flow out of a discharge passage in the base. De-actuation of the bellow may lift the valve and may break a seal between the valve walls and a portion of the base, allowing product to flow through an inlet passage in the base into the pump chamber. 
         [0009]    According to still other embodiments of the invention, a pump may include a base having an interior space, a valve positioned in the interior space of the base and secured therein by an attachment adapter, and a bellow attached to a portion of the base wherein the interior space of the base and an interior chamber of the bellow define a pump chamber. Actuation of the bellow may move a portion of the valve, allowing product in the pump chamber to escape through a discharge passage in the base. De-actuation of the bellow may seal the discharge passage with a portion of the valve and allow product to flow past a second portion of the valve from a container and into the pump chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of pump components for a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a base of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to embodiments of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to embodiments of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pump of  FIG. 4  showing detail portions; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrates enlarged cross-sectional views of the pump illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A through 6D  illustrate cross-sectional views of various components of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11A through 11D  illustrate cross-sectional views of various components of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump according to various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    According to embodiments of the invention, a pump may include a base and a bellow. The base and bellow may be fitted together or otherwise positioned to create or define a pump chamber between at least a portion of the base and the bellow whereby the bellow may be actuated to fill the pump chamber with a product and expel product from the pump chamber. The base may be attached to or otherwise in communication with a product source, such as in communication with a container containing a product. Actuation and release of the bellow may pump a product from the container, through the pump chamber, and out of the pump, thereby delivering the product to a user. 
         [0028]    According to other embodiments of the invention, a pump may include a base, a bellow, and a valve. The base may be in communication with a container containing a product and fitment of the bellow with the base and the valve may create or define a pump chamber between the base and bellow or the valve and bellow. Actuation and release of the bellow may pump a product from the container, through the valve into the pump chamber, and out of the pump, thereby delivering the product to a user. 
         [0029]    A pump  100  and components of a pump  100  according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pump  100  may include a base  110  and a bellow  150 . 
         [0030]    The base  110  of a pump  100  according to various embodiments of the invention may include any one or more of an inlet passage  112 , an interior chamber  114 , an outlet  116 , and a discharge passage  118 . The base  110  may also include a container attachment  120 . A base rim  122  may ring at least a portion of the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . Product passageways  124  may also be configured in a portion of the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . A spacer  126  formed in the base  110  may define the volume within the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . The base  110  may be constructed or made of any desirable material, and in some embodiments, the base  110  may be formed from a moldable plastic or resin material. 
         [0031]    A perspective view of a base  110  of a pump  100  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, the container attachment  120  may be circular in shape. In other embodiments, the container attachment  120  may be configured or shaped as desired to communicate with a container or product source. An inlet passage  112  connects an interior portion of the container attachment  120  with the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . Product from a container may flow through the inlet passage  112  into the interior chamber  114 . A spacer  126  formed in the base  110  may partially define the volume within the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . As desired, the spacer  126  may be configured or shaped to provide a desired volume within the interior chamber  114 . A base rim  122  may encompass at least a portion of the interior chamber  114 . One or more product passageways  124  may be formed in the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . An outlet  116  may provide communication between the interior chamber  114  of the base  110  and a discharge passage  118  of the base  110 . 
         [0032]    A bellow  150  according to various embodiments of the invention may include a bellow dome  152 , bellow walls  154 , one or more bellow rims  156  and an interior bellow chamber  158  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The bellow  150  may be shaped such that it may fit within a portion of the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . A bellow  150  according to various embodiments of the invention may be made from silicon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other material as desired. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates an assembled pump  100  according to various embodiments of the invention. As illustrated, a bellow  150  may be fitted with the base  110  to form a pump chamber  145  within the pump  100 . The pump chamber  145  may be the combined space within the interior chamber  114  of the base  110  and the bellow chamber  158 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the bellow  150  is fitted with the base  110 , the bellow walls  154  may seal against an interior wall of the base  110  thereby closing off the inlet passage  112  from the pump chamber. The bellow  150  may also sit or rest within the base  110  such that the one or more bellow rims  156  are in contact with the base rim  122 . The pump chamber  145  includes the space between the bellow chamber  158  and the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 . In some embodiments of the invention, the bellow walls  154  do not reach a floor of the interior chamber  114  of the base  110 , thereby leaving some room between the floor of the interior chamber  114  of the base  110  and the bottom of the bellow walls  154 . In such instances, the pump chamber  145  may also include the space between an exterior of the bellow walls  154  and the one or more product passageways  124  in the base  110 . The one or more product passageways  124  may provide a passage from the interior chamber  114  of the base  110  outside of the bellow walls  154  and up to a portion of the bellow rim  156  contacting the base rim  122 . The interface or contact between the bellow rim  156  and a portion the base rim  122  may close the outlet  116  and isolate the pump chamber  145 . 
         [0034]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the base  110  may include a lip overhanging portion into which the bellow rim  156  may fit such that the lip overhanging portion is above the upper portion of the bellow rim  156  and may facilitate fitment of the bellow  150  with the base  110 . In other embodiments of the invention, a cap may be secured to the base  110  with the bellow  150  between the cap and the base  110 . Other methods for securing or fitting the bellow  150  and base  110  together may also be used as desired. 
         [0035]    A force applied to the bellow  150  may deform the bellow  150  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The deformation of the bellow  150 , or application of a force to the bellow dome  152 , applies a force to a fluid or gas contained within the pump chamber  145 . The force applied to the fluid or gas in the pump chamber  145  may be sufficient to raise at least a portion of the one or more bellow rims  156 . When the portion of the bellow rim  156  overlying the outlet  116  is raised or moved, fluid or gas from within the pump chamber  145  may flow through the outlet  116  and escape through the discharge passage  118 . 
         [0036]    When the force applied to the bellow  150  subsides or is released, pressure on the fluid or gas in the pump chamber  145  may be reduced and the bellow rim  156  may return to a position wherein the outlet  116  is again blocked. In addition, when the force on the bellow dome  152  is released, the bellow dome  152  may return to its original shape. The return of the bellow dome  152  to its original shape may draw a vacuum or create a reduced pressure within the pump chamber  145 . The vacuum or reduced pressure may assist to pull the bellow rim  156  over the outlet  116  and to seal the outlet  116 . In addition, the vacuum or reduced pressure may break the seal between the bellow walls  154  and the inlet passage  112 , allowing fluid or product from a container to be pulled through the inlet passage  112  and into the pump chamber  145 . In this manner, the pump chamber  145  may be primed or filled with a product which may then be evacuated by actuation of the bellow  150 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B illustrate a fluid flow path through a pump  100  according to various embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a force has been applied to the bellow dome  152 , deforming the bellow dome  152  and applying a force to fluid or other product in the pump chamber  145 . As force is applied to the bellow dome  152 , product in the pump chamber is forced out of the pump chamber  145 , through product passageways  124 , through outlet  116 , and out the discharge passage  118  as illustrated by the product flow arrow in  FIG. 5A . When the force on the bellow dome  152  is released and the bellow dome  152  begins to return to its original shape, product flows through inlet passage  112 , around bellow walls  154 , and into the pump chamber  145  as illustrated by the product flow arrow in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0038]    Operation of a pump  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  may be accomplished by actuating bellow dome  152 . Repeated actuation of the bellow dome  152  may prime the pump  100 , draw product into the pump chamber  145 , and allow a user to dispense the product through the pump  100  for any desired use. 
         [0039]    According to other embodiments of the invention, a pump  200  may include various components as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6D . 
         [0040]    A base  210  of a pump  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 6D . The base  210  may include a container attachment  220 , an inlet passage  212 , an interior chamber  214 , a spacer  226 , a base rim  222 , and a discharge passage  218 . The container attachment  220  may include any desired attachment device for attaching the base  210  or the pump  200  to a container such as a bottle, tube, bag, or pouch. The inlet passage  212  may allow a product to flow from a container into a portion of the interior chamber  214  of the base  210 . The interior chamber  214  may include a volume which is partially defined by the spacer  226 . The shape, size, dimensions and other specifications of the spacer  226  may be altered or modified to generate a desired volume, shape, or size within the interior chamber  214  of the base  210 . One or more base rims  210  or other support structures for supporting other components of the pump  200  may also be included in the base  210 . Product flowing through at least a portion of the interior chamber  214  may exit the base  210  through the discharge passage  218 . 
         [0041]    According to various embodiments of the invention, the base  210  may be molded as a single piece or component. In other embodiments, the base  210  may include two or more pieces or components. The base  210  may be molded or formed from any desirable material, including, for example, a resin material or a plastic material which may be molded using conventional molding techniques. 
         [0042]    A valve  230  for a pump  200  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6C . A valve  230  may include valve walls  232 , a valve disc  236  in communication with the valve walls  232  and a valve rim  238  located on of the valve disc  236 . One or more valve flanges  234  may extend outwards from the valve walls  232 . 
         [0043]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve  230  as illustrated in  FIG. 6C  may include valve walls  232  defining a valve chamber  240  or passage through the valve  230 . A lower valve flange  234  may extend outwards from the valve walls  232 . A valve disc  236  may circumscribe an upper portion of the valve  230  about the valve walls  232 . An opening in the valve disc  236  may correspond with the valve walls  232  such that a passage through the valve  230  is defined by the valve walls  232  and the opening in the valve disc  236 . A valve rim  238  may project upwards or away from the valve disc  236 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the valve rim  238  may circumscribe the entire valve disc  236 . Although the valve rim  238  illustrated in  FIG. 6C  is located on an outer portion of the valve disc  236 , it is understood that the valve rim  238  may located anywhere desired on the valve disc  236 . 
         [0044]    A bellow  250  according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6B . A bellow  250  may include a bellow dome  252 , a bellow chamber  258 , and a bellow rim  256 . The bellow chamber  258  may be defined by the shape of the bellow dome  252 . Thus, different sizes and shapes of the bellow chamber  258  may be created by altering the shape or size of the bellow dome  252 . 
         [0045]    The bellow  250  may be formed of any desired material. In some embodiments of the invention, the bellow  250  may be a material that may be deformed but which will return to its original shape after a force causing such deformation is removed. For example, the bellow  250  may be made of silicon or a TPU material. The bellow dome  252  may be deformed to change the volume or shape of the bellow chamber  258 . As the bellow dome  252  is deformed, the remainder of the bellow  250  may flex or deform in a corresponding manner as desired. 
         [0046]    A cap  280  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6A . A cap  280  may include a cap flange  282 . According to various embodiments of the invention, a cap  280  may be attachable to the base  210  or to another portion of a pump  200  to keep the various components of a pump  200  assembled. For example, the cap  280  illustrated in  FIG. 6A  may be positioned over a bellow  250  and a base  210  to secure the bellow  250  in an appropriate position with respect to the base  210 . A cap  280  according to various embodiments of the invention may include any desired means for securing the cap  280  to the base  210  or other portion of the pump  200 . For instance, the cap  280  may be screwed onto the base  210 , may frictionally fit to the base  210 , may be welded or glued to the base  210  or may be snapped onto the base  210 . In various embodiments, the base  210  may include features which assist with the connection of the cap  280  to the base  210 , such as corresponding lugs, screw channels, or other features needed to secure the cap  280  to the base  210 . 
         [0047]    A pump  200  according to various embodiments of the invention may include a base  210 , a valve  230 , a bellow  250  and a cap  280  fitted together as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The valve  230  may fit within the interior chamber  214  of the base  210  such that an inner portion of the valve walls  232  rest on or come into contact with the spacer  226 . A portion of the valve flange  234  may also contact a portion of the base  210 . The contact between the valve flange  234  and the base  210  may close off the inlet passage  212  from a pump chamber  245  formed from a portion of the interior chamber  214  of the base and the bellow chamber  258 . The bellow  250  may rest on or contact the base rim  222  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In other embodiments, the bellow  250  may be supported on or within the base  210  using any desired means. A portion of the bellow rim  256  may contact the valve rim  238 . A pump chamber  245  is defined within the space formed by the base  210 , the valve chamber  240  and the bellow chamber  258 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pump chamber  245  is a closed volume when in rest. A cap  280  or other securing mechanism fitted over a portion of the bellow  250  and the base  210  may hold the pump  200  together. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the cap  280  may fit over the base  210  and the cap flange  282  may extend over the bellow  250  which rests on the base rim  222 . The cap  280  may be secured to the base  210  and the cap flange  282  may hold the bellow  250  and the valve  230  in a desired position for the pump  200 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 8 through 10  illustrate a pump  200  according to embodiments of the invention in operation. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a force may be applied to the bellow dome  252 , thereby altering the volume and shape of the pump chamber  245 . When such a force is applied to the bellow dome  252 , a product stored in the pump chamber  245  applies a force to the valve  230  and particularly to the valve disc  236 . As a result, the valve disc  236  may flex which may break the contact between the valve rim  238  and the bellow rim  256 . If sufficient force is applied to the bellow dome  252  to break the contact between the valve rim  238  and the bellow rim  256  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , product within the pump chamber  245  may escape from the pump chamber  245  and flow through the opening between the valve rim  238  and the bellow rim  256 . For example, product may flow out of the pump chamber  245  in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 8  such that product escapes or exists the pump  200  through the discharge passage  218 . 
         [0049]    According to some embodiments of the invention, when a force is applied to the bellow dome  252  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a valve flange  234  in contact with a portion of the base  210  may help to maintain the contact between the valve walls  232  and the spacer  226  which may prevent a backflow of product through the valve walls  232  into the inlet passage  212 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  illustrates a pump  200  after the force being applied in  FIG. 8  is released or after sufficient product has exited the pump chamber  245  such that a force is no longer applied to the valve disc  236 . As illustrated, once the force within the valve chamber  245  is below the force required to flex the valve disc  236 , the valve disc  236  may return to a position wherein the valve disc  236  is in contact with the bellow rim  256 . In addition, the valve walls  232  maintain contact with the spacer  226 . Thus, the pump chamber  245  is again sealed or closed. 
         [0051]    Following the release of the force on the bellow dome  252 , the bellow dome  252  may return to its original form or shape as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As the bellow dome  252  retracts or moves back into its original position or shape, a vacuum may be formed within the pump chamber  245 . The vacuum may act on the valve  230  such that the valve walls  232  are pulled away from contact with the spacer  226  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Once the valve walls  232  are separated from contact with the spacer  226 , the vacuum in the pump chamber  245  may pull product from the inlet passage  212  into the pump chamber  245 . In this manner, the pump chamber  245  may refill with product. When the bellow dome  252  has returned to its original shape or position, or when the vacuum force is insufficient to raise the valve  230 , the valve walls  232  may again contact the spacer  226 . This contact may stop the flow of product from the inlet passage  212  into the valve chamber  245  and the pump  200  may be back in the position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 10 , a product may be pumped through the pump  200  by actuating the bellow dome  252  of the pump  200 . When actuated, product in the pump chamber  245  may be forced out of the pump chamber  245  and through the discharge passage  218 . In some instances, the product may follow the path illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Upon reducing or ceasing actuation of the bellow dome  252 , the bellow dome  252  may return to its original position, drawing product from a container attached to the pump  200  through the inlet passage  212  and into the pump chamber  245 . For example, product may enter the pump chamber  245  along the path illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this manner, a pump  200  may be actuated to dispense a product from a container attached to the pump  200 . 
         [0053]    According to still other embodiments of the invention, a pump  300  may include various components as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A through 11D . 
         [0054]    A pump  300  base  310  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11D . The base  310  may include a container attachment  320 , an inlet passage  312 , an interior chamber  314 , a base rim  322  and a discharge passage  318 . The container attachment  320  may include any desired attachment device for attaching the base  310  or the pump  300  to a container such as a bottle, tube, bag, or pouch. In some embodiments of the invention, the container attachment  320  may also contain an attachment feature  321  for mating with or attaching to an attachment adapter  325 . An attachment adapter  325  may include an adapter attachment feature  327  configured to mate with or otherwise attach to the attachment feature  321 . An attachment adapter  325  may also include one or more connecter flanges  329 . A connecter flange  329  may be used to attach to a container or to hold a container onto the attachment adapter  325  for assembly or mating to a pump  300 . An adapter attachment  325  may also contact other parts of a pump  300  and may assist in assembling a pump  300 . 
         [0055]    An inlet passage  312  may allow a product to flow from a container into a portion of the interior chamber  314  of the base  310 . The interior chamber  310  may include a hollow passage into which a valve  330  may fit or be seated. The shape, size, dimensions, and other features of the interior passage  345  may be altered or modified as desired. The base  310  or a portion of the interior chamber  345  may also include a base rim  322 . The discharge passage  318  may be positioned opposite the inlet passage  312  or on the opposite side of the interior chamber  345  from the inlet passage  212 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11D , the discharge passage  318  may include an opening in the base  310 . 
         [0056]    According to various embodiments of the invention, the base  310  may be molded as a single piece or component. In other embodiments, the base  310  and the attachment adapter  325  may be molded as separate components and assembled to form a unitary piece. The base  310  and attachment adapter  325  may be molded or formed from any desirable material, including, for example, a resin material or a plastic material which may be molded using conventional molding techniques. 
         [0057]    A valve  330  for a pump  300  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11C . A valve  330  may include a valve stem  333 , an outlet valve  339  at one end of the valve stem  333 , and a valve disc  336  at an end of the valve stem  333  opposite the outlet valve  339 . A valve rim  338  may circle or circumscribe a portion of the valve disc  336  or may be located anywhere desired on the valve disc  336 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 11C  a valve rim  338  may be located on an outer rim of a valve disc  336 . 
         [0058]    A valve  330  according to various embodiments of the invention may be formed of any desired material. In some embodiments of the invention, the valve  330  may be a molded component. The valve  330  may be made of a flexible material or other moldable material. For example, the valve  330  may be made of silicon or a TPU material. 
         [0059]    A bellow  350  according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11B . A bellow  350  may include a bellow dome  352 , a bellow chamber  358 , and a bellow rim  356 . The bellow chamber  358  may be defined by the shape of the bellow dome  352 . Different sizes and shapes of the bellow chamber  358  may be created by altering the shape or size of the bellow dome  352 . 
         [0060]    A bellow  350  may be formed of any desired material. In some embodiments of the invention, a bellow  350  may be a material that may be deformed but which will return to its original shape after a force causing such deformation is removed. For example, the bellow  350  may be made of silicon or a TPU material. The bellow dome  352  may be deformed to change the volume or shape of the bellow chamber  358 . As the bellow dome  352  is deformed, the remainder of the bellow  350  may flex or deform in a corresponding manner as desired. 
         [0061]    A cap  380  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11A . A cap  380  may include a cap flange  382 . According to various embodiments of the invention, a cap  380  may be attachable to the base  310  or to another portion of a pump  300  to keep the various components of a pump  300  assembled. For example, the cap  380  illustrated in  FIG. 11A  may be positioned over a bellow  350  and a base  310  to secure the bellow  350  in an appropriate position with respect to the base  310 . A cap  380  according to various embodiments of the invention may include any desired means for securing the cap  380  to the base  310  or other portion of the pump  300 . For instance, the cap  380  may be screwed onto the base  310 , may frictionally fit to the base  310 , may be welded or glued to the base  310  or may be snapped onto the base  310 . In various embodiments, the base  310  may include features which assist with the connection of the cap  380  to the base  310 , such as corresponding lugs, screw channels, or other features needed to secure the cap  380  to the base  310 . 
         [0062]    A pump  300  according to various embodiments of the invention may include a base  310 , an attachment adapter  325 , a valve  330 , a bellow  350 , and a cap  380  fitted together as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . According to embodiments of the invention, a valve  330  may fit within the interior chamber  314  of the base  310  such that the outlet valve  339  mates with the discharge passage  318  of the base  310 . The outlet valve  339  may seal or close the discharge passage  318  when positioned in the interior chamber  314 . The valve stem  333  may extend through the interior chamber  314  terminating in the valve disc  336  in the inlet passage  312 . A portion of the attachment adapter  325 , when assembled to the base  310 , may contact a portion of the valve rim  338  of the valve disc  336  and may assist in positioning or holding the valve  330  in the base  310 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the attachment adapter  325  may be fitted to the base  310  such that the adapter attachment feature  327  fits with the attachment feature  321  of the base  310 . Such attachment may secure the attachment adapter  325  to the base  310  and hold valve  330  within the interior chamber  314  of the base  310 . 
         [0063]    A bellow  350  may rest or be positioned on a portion of a base rim  322  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . A bellow rim  356  may rest on a portion of the base  310  and on the base rim  322 . According to embodiments of the invention, the bellow chamber  358  may be in communication with the interior chamber  314  of the base  310 , thereby forming a pump chamber  345  when the bellow  350  is assembled to the base  310 . A cap  380  or other securing mechanism fitted over a portion of the bellow  350  and the base  310  may hold the pump  300  together. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the cap  380  may fit over the base  310  and the cap flange  382  may extend over a portion of the bellow rim  356 . The cap  380  may be secured to the base  310  and the cap flange  382  may hold the bellow  350  in the desired position for the pump  300 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 12 through 15  illustrate the operation of a pump  300  according to embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when the pump  300  is in a resting position, the pump chamber  345  is a closed volume defined by the bellow dome  352  and the interior chamber  314  of the base  310 . The valve  330  positioned within the interior chamber  314  may seal both the inlet passage  312  and the discharge passage  318  of the pump  300 . 
         [0065]    A force may be applied to the bellow dome  352  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . When a force is applied to the bellow dome  352 , the bellow dome  352  may be deformed as illustrated. The deformation of the bellow dome  352  alters the volume within the pump chamber  345 . A product stored in the pump chamber  345  may be moved by such deformation. The valve disc  336  may be flexible such that when a force is applied to the product or the volume of the pump chamber  345  is altered, product may push on the valve disc  336  causing it to flex. Flexion of the valve disc  356  may move the valve stem  333  in the direction of the flexion and may cause the outlet valve  339  to disengage from the discharge passage  318 , opening the discharge passage  318 . When the discharge passage  318  is opened, product from within the pump chamber  345  may exit the pump  300  in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , when a force is removed from the bellow dome  352  or sufficient product in the pump chamber  345  has escaped the pump chamber  345 , the valve disc  356  may return to its original position. Movement of the valve disc  356  to an original position may return the valve stem  333  to an original position which may close the outlet valve  339  and discharge passage  318 . 
         [0067]    Following the release of the force on the bellow dome  352 , the bellow dome  352  may begin to return to its original form or shape as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As the bellow dome  352  retracts or moves back into its original position or shape, a vacuum may be formed within the pump chamber  345 . The vacuum may act on the valve  330  such that the valve disc  356  flexes away from the inlet passage  312  and such that at least a portion of the contact between the valve rim  338  and the attachment adapter  325  is broken. Once the valve rim  338  is separated from contact with the attachment adapter  325 , product from a container may flow through the inlet passage  312 , past the valve rim  338  and valve disc  336  and into the pump chamber  345 . In this manner, the pump chamber  345  may refill with product from the container. For example, product may flow from a container through the inlet passage  312  and into the pump chamber  345  along the path illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0068]    When the bellow dome  352  returns to its original shape or position, or when the vacuum force is insufficient to flex the valve disc  336 , the valve rim  338  may again contact the attachment adapter  325  and form a seal between the valve  330  and the attachment adapter  325  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 through 15 , a product may be pumped through the pump  300  by actuating the bellow dome  352  of the pump  300 . When actuated, product in the pump chamber  345  may be forced out of the pump chamber  345  and through the discharge passage  318 . In some instances, the product may follow the path illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Upon reducing or ceasing actuation of the bellow dome  352 , the bellow dome  352  may return to its original position, drawing product from a container attached to the pump  300  through the inlet passage  312  and into the pump chamber  345 . For example, product may enter the pump chamber  345  along the path illustrated in  FIG. 15 . In this manner, a pump  300  may be actuated to dispense a product from a container attached to the pump  300 . 
         [0070]    The pumps according to various embodiments of the invention have been described as being made of certain materials. It is understood that other materials may be substituted or interchanged with various embodiments of the invention to provide pumps having different material characteristics as desired. 
         [0071]    Further, the pumps according to various embodiments of the invention may be attached to or otherwise in communication with a container. It is understood that a container may include any receptacle which may be used to hold a product, including, but not limited to, bottles, bags, airless systems, tubes and other devices. 
         [0072]    While various embodiments of the invention have been described with respect to pumps or pump devices used in the personal and beauty care markets, it is understood that the pumps of various embodiments of the invention may be used in other fields and/or markets and that such pumps may be scaled up or down as desired to meet the requirements of any desired pump specifications. 
         [0073]    Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described.