Abstract:
Pump engines and pump assemblies include a metal free fluid or product flow path and a precompression feature integrated into a piston incorporated in the pump engine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/405,011, entitled “PUMP MECHANISMS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME,” filed 20 Oct. 2010, and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to pumps, pump devices, and methods of making the same. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Pump systems and pump devices are well known and are used for the delivery of a variety of fluids or pasty products. In the personal and beauty care markets, pumps and pump devices are often used to deliver a fluid—such as lotions, soaps, make-up, skin treatment formulas, and other products—to a user. Many of the pumps used include metal and plastic parts. For example, a pump may include a metal valve part and a metal spring and the remaining components of the pump may be made of molded plastic or resin materials. However, many fluids or products which are dispensed by pumps are reactive with metal. Therefore, it is desirable to have a fluid path that is free of metal. Also, as sustainability of products becomes more important to certain markets, there is the desire to have pumps that may be recycled. In many instances, pumps having both metal and plastic components cannot be recycled using conventional recycling processes due to the mixed material components. Therefore, it is desirable to construct a pump out of common materials that may be easily recycled without requiring the disassembly of the pump. In addition, all plastic pumps are desirable. However, it is also desirable that the functionality of an all plastic pump be similar to or better than that of mixed component pumps. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention include pump engines made entirely from plastic components. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, a pump engine may include an accumulator, a valve element within an interior portion of the accumulator, a piston sub-assembly partially seated in a portion of the accumulator and a spring element for facilitating actuation of the piston sub-assembly and return of the piston following actuation thereof. A piston sub-assembly may include a stem having an interior space, a piston seated in at least a portion of the interior space of the stem, and a plug seated in a portion of an interior space of the piston and in a portion of the interior space of the stem. In various embodiments of the invention, the accumulator, piston sub-assembly, and spring element may all be made of a plastic or resin material. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a piston may include walls configured to provide a precompression feature to the pump engine. For example, in some embodiments, a piston wall may include both a sloped portion and a vertical portion configured to flex when a certain force is applied to the wall. Flexion of the piston wall may unseat the plug from an interior wall of the piston and allow product to flow past the plug and through the stem. In other embodiments, a piston wall may be configured as a straight wall which will flex as force is applied thereto. The flexion may provide a precompressive force on the product prior to an unseating of the plug and piston. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, an accumulator may include one or more steps in a wall of the accumulator. The one or more steps may serve to narrow the circumference of the accumulator over the length of piston travel during actuation of a piston. The decrease in circumference may increase the contact forces or compression forces between the piston and the accumulator during actuation, thus ensuring a tight seal. In addition, the release of such forces as the piston travels over a step back to a rest position may help to improve the life span or life cycle of the piston. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, a spring element may be made of plastic and may include one or more spring slots and one or more spring arms which may bend or flex to allow the spring element to collapse on itself during actuation of a pump engine and to expand back to its original shape upon de-actuation. 
     Other embodiments of the invention may include components designed and configured to provide precompression features to a pump. In still other embodiments, the materials used to make the components may be recyclable materials, allowing the pump engine to be recycled. In still other embodiments of the invention, a pump engine made of plastic components may be assembled with a container and a pump head to produce a pump assembly which may be used to pump a product from the container for use by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cut-away view of a pump engine and container attachment system according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cut-away view of a valve for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator and valve sub-assembly according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cut-away view of a spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cut-away view of a pin for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston sub-assembly for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cut-away view of a retainer for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cut-away view of a plug for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a view of a spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cut-away view of a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cut-away view of a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a ball for a valve in a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a stem for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention wherein the spring has been stressed or actuated; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a cut-away view of spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention wherein the spring has been stressed or actuated; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a spring for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention wherein the spring has been stressed or actuated; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston sub-assembly for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a close-up cut-away view of the plug and piston intersection illustrated in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump engine and actuator according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pump engine and actuator illustrated in  FIG. 28  wherein the pump is in an actuated state; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a cut-away view of an accumulator for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a cut-away view of a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates a cut-away view of a piston sub-assembly for a pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an actuated pump engine according to various embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A pump engine and container attachment system according to certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, a pump engine  100  according to embodiments of the invention may include an accumulator  110 , a valve element  120 , a piston  130 , a stem  140 , a pin  150 , a retainer  160 , a spring  170 , and a plug  180 . A container attachment  192  with or without a sealing ring  190  may be used to connect the pump engine  100  to a container in a conventional manner. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, the accumulator  110 , valve element  120 , piston  130 , stem  140 , pin  150 , retainer  160  and plug  180  may be made of a plastic or resin material. Each of these parts may be molded from a resin or plastic material using conventional methods. In addition, other non-metal materials may be substituted to make such parts. 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, the spring  170  may be metal. In other embodiments, the spring  170  may be made of a plastic, resin, or other non-metal material. 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, an accumulator  110  and valve element  120  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  may be combined or assembled into an accumulator and valve sub-assembly  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . An accumulator  110  may include any combination of one or more vent holes  112 , one or more product intake openings  116 , and one or more valve snaps  114 . The one or more vent holes  112  may provide venting to a container. The one or more product intake openings  116  may work in conjunction with the valve element  120  to allow fluid or product to enter an interior space within the accumulator  110 . The one or more valve snaps  114  may be configured to retain a valve element  120  once assembled with the accumulator  110 . 
     A valve element  120  according to various embodiments of the invention may include one or more valve lips  124  and one or more valve element openings  126 . The one or more valve lips  124  may be configured to retain the valve element  120  in an assembled position with an accumulator  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . During assembly, the valve element  120  may be forced or snapped into position with an accumulator  110  such that the one or more valve lips  124  snap over the one or more valve snaps  114 , locking the valve element  120  in an assembled position with the accumulator  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The one or more valve element openings  126  may allow product flowing through the one or more product intake openings  116  of the accumulator  110  to enter an interior space of the accumulator  110 . In some embodiments of the invention, the valve element  120  may rest over the one or more product intake openings  116 , preventing product from passing therethrough. Upon an upstroke of the pump engine  100  following actuation, a vacuum force may lift the valve element  120  off of the one or more product intake openings  116  and draw product through a dip tube or from an interior of a container attached to the pump engine  100  as conventionally known. The one or more valve snaps  114  may retain the valve element  120  in the accumulator  110  such that in combination, a valve is formed. 
     According to other embodiments of the invention, a conventional glass or plastic ball may be used in place of the valve element  120  and the accumulator  110  may be configured to retain the glass or plastic ball in a conventional manner. In other embodiments of the invention, if a metal free fluid or product path is not desired, a metal ball could also be used as a valve element in a conventional manner. 
     A stem  140  for a pump engine  100  according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The stem may include a precompression spring  145 . The stem  140  and precompression spring  145  may be molded as a single plastic or resin part. According to various embodiments of the invention, the precompression spring  145  may allow the stem  140  to compress by a desired distance to provide a pump engine  100  with a precompression load during actuation of the pump engine  100 . 
     A piston  130  for a pump engine  100  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As illustrated, a piston  130  may include one or more fluid slots  132  configured to allow fluid to pass through the one or more fluid slots  132  and out of the pump engine  100 . 
     A pin  150  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A pin  150  may include one or more pin lips  152 . The one or more pin lips  152  may seal with or mate with an interior portion of the piston  130  when assembled as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a piston sub-assembly  104  according to various embodiments of the invention. A piston sub-assembly  104  may include an assembly of a stem  140 , a piston  130  and a pin  150 . The portion of the piston  130  may fit within an interior space of the stem  140  as illustrated. The pin  150  may fit within an interior portion of the piston  130  as illustrated. The one or more pin lips  152  may seal against an interior wall of the piston  130  such that a product within the interior of the piston  130  cannot move past the seal between the piston  130  wall and the one or more pin lips  152 . However, as a force, such as an actuation force, is applied to the stem  140 , the stem  140  moves the pin  150  within the piston  130  such that the one or more pin lips  152  move past the tops of the one or more fluid slots  132  in the piston  130 . This movement opens a fluid or product path from an interior of the piston  130  to an interior of the stem  140 . Fluid or product may then flow through a stem product opening  146  in the stem  140 . For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the precomprssion spring  145  may be configured to move the pin  150  a set distance before the pin lip  152  passes the top of the one or more fluid slots  132 , thereby allowing fluid contained on an interior of the accumulator  110  to pass through the one or more fluid slots  132  and thereby exit the pump engine  100 . The precompression spring  145  allows a force to build up on the fluid or product in the interior of the piston  130  which provides a precompression force to the delivery of the product or fluid from the pump engine  100 . 
     A retainer  160  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A retainer  160  may be fitted together with a stem  140  as illustrated in the pump engine  100  of  FIG. 12 . The retainer  160  and stem  140  may be snap-fitted together or attached or fitted together by any other means. The retainer  160  and stem  140  may also be molded as a single component according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, a retainer  160  may hold a spring  170 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in place in a pump engine  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The spring  170  may be made of plastic, metal, resin, or other material as desired. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, a plug  180 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 10 , may be fitted to a pump engine  100 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a piston sub-assembly  104  may be inserted into an accumulator and valve sub-assembly  102  and retained therein by the insertion of a plug  180  over an open end of the accumulator  110  with a portion of the stem  140  extending through the plug  180  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . A spring  170  may be positioned over the plug  180  and around the stem  140 . A retainer  160  may be snap-fitted or otherwise connected to the stem  140  to retain the spring  170  between the retainer  160  and the plug  180  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The pump engine  100  may then be assembled to a container as desired. In addition, a pump head may be attached to the pump engine  100  such that fluid or product delivered through the pump engine  100  may exit the pump head upon actuation of the pump engine  100 . 
     A pump engine  100  according to embodiments of the invention may include a precompression force which may improve the strength or quality of spray delivered from the pump engine  100 . The stem  140  may be molded with an integral precompression spring  145  such that when actuated, the precompression spring  145  of the stem  140  is compressed to provide the precompression force on the fluid or product being pumped through the pump engine  100 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a pump engine  200  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The pump engine  200  may include an accumulator  210 , a valve element  220 , a piston  230 , a stem  240 , a plug  250 , and a spring element  270 . According to various embodiments of the invention, the components of a pump engine  200  may be made of a plastic material, of a resin material, or any other desired material. In certain embodiments, the components of a pump engine  200  are made of plastic such that the entire pump engine  200  may be recycled. 
     An accumulator  210  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Cut-away and cross-sectional views of an accumulator  210  according to embodiments of the invention are further illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . According to embodiments of the invention, an accumulator  210  may include one or more vent holes  212  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . An accumulator  210  may also include a valve element  220 . According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve element  220  may include a ball valve system as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . A ball  222 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , may be swedged or otherwise contained over a fluid or product intake hole in an accumulator  210 . The ball  222  may be any of a plastic ball, glass ball, or metal ball as desired. The ball  222  may also be made of any other desired material. According to other embodiments of the invention, alternative valve elements  220  may be used or configured with a pump engine  200 . For example, a valve element  120  similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1  could be used with embodiments of the invention. 
     An alternative embodiment of an accumulator  210 A according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . As illustrated, the alternate accumulator  210 A may include all of the features of the accumulator  210  illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In addition, accumulator  210 A may include one or more steps  211  located on an interior wall within the accumulator  210 A such that the circumference of the opening within the accumulator  210 A narrows from the top opening of the accumulator  210 A to the bottom near a valve element  220 . The interior circumference may be customized through the use of one or more steps  211  such that a piston  230  may rest in a portion of the accumulator  210 A having a first circumference and be pushed into a portion of the accumulator  210 A having a second, narrower circumference during actuation. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 32 , a piston  230  rests above a step  211  in an accumulator  210 A in a pump engine  200  when at rest. Upon actuation, the piston  230  moves over the step  211 , which may further stress the piston  230  and improve the interference between the piston  230  and the wall of the accumulator  210 A. The improved or increased interference may improve the seal between the piston  230  and the accumulator  210 A wall. Upon release, the piston  230  may return to a position above the step  211  as illustrated. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, a step  211  may be included in an accumulator  210 A in order to improve the life of the pump  200  and the seal between the piston  230  and accumulator  210 A wall. The reduced force applied to the piston  230  at rest by the larger circumference wall of the accumulator  210 A may improve the life of the piston  230  because the piston  230  is only stressed as the piston  230  passes over a step  211  and the forces acting on the piston  230  and accumulator  210 A wall are increased in the narrower circumference area of the accumulator  210 A. Upon returning to a rest position, those forces are reduced and less stress is placed on the piston  230  which may result in a longer piston  230  life. 
     A piston  230  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 18 through 20 . According to embodiments of the invention, a piston  230  may be configured as desired. For example, a piston  230  may include a stepped wall having an inwardly sloping wall portion  231 A and a vertical wall portion  231 B as illustrated. Other wall configurations may also be used as desired and such configurations may be altered to adjust the force required to actuate the piston  230  or the feel of the actuation during actuation of a pump engine. In some embodiments of the invention, the piston  230  may be made of a flexible material such that the walls of the piston  230  may flex when sufficient force is applied to the walls of the piston  230 . According to some embodiments of the invention, a piston  230  may also contain ridges or other features that may mate with, seal with, or otherwise contact a plug  250 , a stem  240 , or both. 
     A piston  230 A according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 35 . As with the piston  230  illustrated in  FIGS. 18 through 20 , a piston  230 A may be configured as desired. However, unlike piston  230 , a piston  230 A may include a straight wall portion  231 C. The use of a straight wall portion  231 C as illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 35  for a piston  230 A may reduce the force needed to actuate the piston  230 A because the straight wall portion  231 C facilitates the bending of the piston  230 A wall more than the configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 18 through 20 . The ability to bend more easily may reduce the force required to actuate the piston  230 A. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention, as a pump engine  200  is actuated, product contained within an interior space of the accumulator is compressed by the piston  230  and that compression applies a force against the piston  230  walls causing the piston  230  walls to bulge. A space between the piston  230  walls and the stem  240  may allow the piston  230  walls to move or bulge. As the walls bulge, an opening between the piston  230  walls and a plug  250  is created, allowing product to flow by the plug  250  and exit the pump engine  200 . Configuration of the shape, thickness, size, and material of the piston  230  walls can vary the forces necessary to cause the unseating of the piston  230  and the plug  250  and thus dictate a force at which product will begin to flow or a precompression force at which product can escape and interior of the accumulator. 
     A stem  240  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 21 . The stem  240  may be configured as desired and made from any desired material. 
     A spring element  270  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 22 through 25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , a spring element  270  may include one or more spring slots  272 . The spring slots  272  may be openings in the wall of the spring element  270  and the portions of the spring element  270  walls between the spring slots  272  may define spring arms  274 . As force is applied to the top of the spring element  270 , the spring arms  274  may flex outward as illustrated in  FIGS. 23 through 25 , allowing the spring element  270  to compress. The spring element  270  may also include one or more fitments  278  for connecting the spring element  270  to an accumulator  210  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 23 through 25 , a spring element  270  may be compressed. During compression, the spring arms  274  may flex outwards due to the presence of the one or more spring slots  272  in the wall of the spring element  270 . When a compressive force is released, the spring arms  274  may return to the normal position, thereby extending and applying a spring force to the pump following actuation of a pump engine  200 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a spring element  270  may be made of any desired material and the wall thickness or spring arm  274  thickness may be varied to supply a desired force for actuation and return of the pump engine  200  to a non-actuated state following removal of force on the spring element  270 . In some embodiments of the invention, the spring element  270  may be made of a material which can be recycled. For example, a spring element  270  may be made of plastic or other recyclable resin material. 
     A piston sub-assembly of the pump engine  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 26 . As illustrated, a piston  230  may fit into an interior space of the stem  240 . A plug  250  may be positioned in a portion of the interior space of the piston  230  and the stem  240 . The plug  250  may mate with or contact the piston  230 . As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the plug  250  and piston  230  may contact or mate with each other at a plug point  252  and piston point  232 . The plug point  252  and piston point  232  may be configured to prevent fluid or product flow past the plug  250  when no forces are acting on the piston  230 . As a pump engine  200  is actuated, product or fluid contained in an interior portion of the piston  230  may build up pressure and apply a force to the interior piston  230  wall. At a particular point, the force applied to the piston  230  wall may overcome the connection between the piston point  232  and the plug point  252  such that fluid or product may pass by the plug  250  and out of the pump engine  200 . In this manner, a precompression force may be built up upon actuation of the pump engine  200 . 
     A piston sub-assembly of a pump engine  200  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 36 . As illustrated, the piston sub-assembly may include the same features as that illustrated in  FIG. 26  and may act in a similar manner. However, the piston sub-assembly illustrated in  FIG. 36  may include a piston  230 A having a straight side wall portion as illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 35 . 
     In addition, a plug  250  may include an alternate configuration as desired and as illustrated in  FIG. 36 . According to certain embodiments of the invention, a plug  250  may include a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion is seated facing a valve  220  when assembled in a pump engine  200 . The bottom portion of the plug  250  may include an annular projection  251  and one or more exterior seal walls  253 . A plug point  252  may be configured on an exterior portion of the one or more exterior seal walls  253  to mate with a piston point  232 . A space between the annular projection  251  and the one or more exterior seal walls  253  may allow the one or more exterior seal walls  253  to flex towards the annular projection  251  if sufficient force is applied to the one or more exterior seal walls  253 . For example, an actuated pump engine  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 37 . Upon full actuation, the one or more exterior seal walls  253  of the plug  250  contact a portion of the valve  220  and are forced inward towards the annular projection  251 . This movement forces the opening of a path between the plug  250  and piston  230 A and may assist with the evacuation of air from the pump during priming. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, a precompression force for a pump engine  200  may be controlled or altered by varying the thickness of the piston  230  wall. In other embodiments, the precompression force may be altered by selecting the material for the piston  230 . In still other embodiments, the piston  230  may be configured, shaped, or made of particular materials to alter the forces required to break the seal between a plug  250  and piston  230  in a pump engine  200 . For example, a piston  230  having a stepped wall configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 through 20  may be used or a piston  230 A having a straight wall configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 35  may be used. 
     A pump engine  200  assembled with a pump head and container or bottle attachment is illustrated in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . As illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the pump engine  200  is in a non-actuated state and the spring element  270  is not stressed. In  FIG. 29 , the pump engine  200  is illustrated in an actuated state and the spring element  270  is stressed such that the spring arms  274  are compressed and flexed outwards. Upon release of the actuation force illustrated in  FIG. 29 , the spring element  270  will relax and return the pump engine  200  to the state illustrated in  FIG. 28 . 
     According to various embodiments of the invention, a pump engine  100  or a pump engine  200  may be assembled with a pump head and attached to a container or bottle containing a product, such as a perfume, lotion, fluid, or other product. The pump engine may be used to pump or deliver the product from the container or bottle to a user upon actuation of the pump engine. 
     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.