Abstract:
Improved bellows and bellows and base attachments for pumps facilitate smaller actuation forces for pumps having a base and unitary valve member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims the benefit of and priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/871,513, entitled “VALVES AND PUMPS USING SAID VALVES,” filed 26 Apr., 2013, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/689,136, entitled “VALVES AND PUMPS USING SAID VALVES,” filed 29 Nov. 2012, and incorporates the same herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the invention relate to bellows for pump devices and more particularly to improved bellows which may facilitate easier pumping or actuation of a pump device and may improve the performance of a pump device. 
         [0004]    2. State of the Art 
         [0005]    The personal and beauty care markets utilize a wide variety of different pump mechanisms and devices for delivering fluid-based product to a user. Such pump devices include traditional pumps using ball valves or flap valves. Unique pump devices may also increase the aesthetic value or appeal of the pump device or provide unique functionality to a pump device. For example, as illustrated and described in WO2010/117754, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, a pump may include a base having an inlet passage, an interior chamber, and a discharge passage. A valve having a valve stem, an outlet valve at one end of the valve stem and an inlet valve or valve disc at an opposite end of the valve stem, may be seated in the base such that the outlet valve may open and close a passage through the discharge passage and the inlet valve or valve disc may open and close a passage from a container into the interior chamber of the base. A bellow or bellows dome may be secured to the base by a cap. Actuation of the bellow dome may open or close the outlet valve of the pump. 
         [0006]    A pump  300  as described in WO20110/1117754 is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the components thereof are illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2D . In particular, a pump  300  may include a base  310  having an inlet passage  312 , an interior chamber  314 , and a discharge passage  318 . A valve  330  may be positioned in the base and may include a valve stem  333 , an outlet valve  339  at one end of the valve stem  333  and engaged with the discharge passage  318  in a closed position, and a valve disc  336  at a valve stem  333  end opposite the outlet valve  339 , engaged with or acting as an inlet valve in the inlet passage  312 . A bellows  350  or bellows may be secured to the base  310  with a cap  380 . The base  310  may be secured to an attachment adapter  325  or container. 
         [0007]    White the pumps and assemblies illustrated and described in WO2010/117754 may provide sufficient operation, improvements to the bellow or bellows may be desirable to improve the functionality of the pump. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve for a pump assembly may include an improved valve stem. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve stem may be improved by providing a thicker cross-sectional area than used with prior valve devices. According to other embodiments of the invention, a valve stem may be improved by providing a geometric shaped cross-sectional area such that the geometric shape may provide increased stiffness to the valve and the valve stem. 
         [0009]    According to still other embodiments of the invention, an improved valve may include an outlet valve portion having a conical shape. In some embodiments of the invention, a conically shaped outlet valve may be configured to seat in a conically shaped discharge passage of a pump base. 
         [0010]    According to other embodiments of the invention, an improved valve may include both an improved valve stem configuration and an improved outlet valve. For example, an improved valve according to various embodiments of the invention may include a conical outlet valve and a valve stem having a width substantially similar to the largest diameter of the conical outlet valve. In other embodiments, an improved valve may include a conical outlet valve and a valve stem having a cross-shaped cross-sectional area. In still other embodiments, an improved valve may include a conical outlet valve and a valve stem having one or more support ribs running at least a partial length of the valve stem. 
         [0011]    According to still other embodiments of the invention, an improved outlet valve may include one or more steps in the outlet valve portion. An outlet valve having one or more steps may allow the collection of particulate matter in the regions of the one or more steps so that such particulates do not hinder operation of the outlet valve. 
         [0012]    According to still other embodiments of the invention, an improved outlet valve may include a valve seal portion seated against an interior wall of a pump, one or more surfaces extending from the valve seal portion towards a valve stem, and a pocket formed between the outlet valve and an interior wall of a pump in which the outlet valve is seated. 
         [0013]    According to other embodiments of the invention, an improved pump may include a bellow or bellows having a bellows rim with an outer rim ring and an inner rim ring. The inner rim ring may include a continuous inner rim ring or a segmented inner rim ring having two or more inner rim ring segments. In some embodiments of the invention, the outer rim ring may rest on a portion of the base. In other embodiments, both the outer rim ring and the inner rim ring may rest on a portion of the base, for example on a bellows support shelf. In still further embodiments, a pump base may include one or more bellows supports which may be positioned between an outer rim ring and an inner rim ring of a bellows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    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: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pump and valve according to the prior art; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A through 2D  illustrate components of a pump according to various prior art embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve along its length according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve along its length according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve along its width according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump including a bellows according to various embodiments of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective, component view of a pump including a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective, component view of a pump including a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a valve along its length according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged front view of the valve illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  illustrates an enlarged side view of an outlet valve portion of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of an outlet valve portion of a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  illustrates a cross-sectional view of pump including a bellows according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  illustrates an enlarged view of the outlet valve portion of the valve in the pump illustrated in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective, component view of a pump including a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  illustrates a valve and multiple outlet valve configurations for a valve according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump including a bellows and cap according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bellows according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 26  illustrates a side view of a bellows according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cap according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 28  illustrates a top view of a cap according to various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 29  illustrates a bottom view of a cap according to various embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0044]      FIGS. 30A through 30G  illustrate various views of bellows according to various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    According to certain embodiments of the invention, a valve  130  for a pump may include a valve stem  133 , an outlet valve  139  and a valve disc  136 . The outlet valve  139  and valve disc  136  may be on opposite ends of the valve stem  133 . 
         [0046]    A valve  130  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . As illustrated, a valve  130  may include a valve stem  133  having an outlet valve  139  adjacent one end thereof and a valve disc  136 , or inlet valve, located on an end of the valve stem  133  opposite the outlet valve  139 . The outlet valve  139  may be rounded or have a circular or oval shape. According to various embodiments of the invention, a diameter of the outlet valve  139  may be configured or selected such that the outlet valve may seat against a discharge passage  318  of a pump to prevent discharge of a product from the pump until the valve stem  133  is moved, resulting in an unseating of the outlet valve  139  from a discharge passage  318 . 
         [0047]    According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  133  may extend from the outlet valve  139  to a valve disc  136  at an opposite end thereof. A valve stem  133  may include a cross-sectional portion having a width as large as a diameter of the outlet valve  139  over at least a portion of the valve stem  133 . At a portion of the valve stem  133  nearing the valve disc  136 , the valve stem  133  may narrow or converge towards a central portion of the valve disc  136 . For example, the valve  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6  includes a valve stem  133  having a cross-sectional width equal to the largest diameter of the outlet valve  139  over a portion of the valve stem  133 . At a point near the valve disc  136 , the valve stem  133  narrows or converges towards a central portion of the valve disc  136 , creating a narrowed region in the valve stem  133  adjacent the valve disc  136 . 
         [0048]    As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4 , the cross-sectional area of the valve stem  133  remains as thick as the cross-sectional diameter of the outlet valve  139  across a large portion of the valve stem  133 . Only nearer the valve disc  136  does the cross-sectional area of the valve stem  133  begin to decrease or narrow. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the valve  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and  FIG. 6  illustrates a rear view thereof. As illustrated, the diameter of the valve stem  133  at a forward portion of the valve stem  133  nearest the outlet valve  139  is greater than at the point where the valve stem  133  joins with the valve disc  136 . 
         [0050]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve  130  having a thicker valve stem  133 —or a valve stem  133  with an initial width or shape equivalent to a cross-sectional area of the outlet valve  139 —with a narrowing of the valve stem  133  adjacent to the valve disc  136  provides a stiffer or more rigid valve  130  than those of the prior art. 
         [0051]    According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  133  may be configured or shaped such that the cross-sectional area or width of the majority of the length of the valve stem  133  relative to the cross-sectional area or width of the valve stem  133  at the point of convergence with the valve disc  136  provides a desired force to resist movement of the valve stem  133  relative to the valve disc  136 . In this manner, the force required to open an outlet valve  139  may be adjusted by changing the configuration of the valve stem  133  thickness along the valve stem  133  and at the point of convergence with the valve disc  136 . 
         [0052]    A valve  130  according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . As illustrated, a valve  130  may have one or more ribs  190  or other stifling features running along a length—or part of a length—of the valve stem  133 . In other embodiments, ribs  190  or stiffening features may run along portions of the width or circumference of a valve stem  133 . 
         [0053]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  133  may include four ribs  190  running along a portion of a length thereof as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The ribs  190  may extend from the outlet valve  139  end of the valve  130  towards the valve disc  136 . Adjacent to the valve disc  136 , the ribs  190  may narrow or converge towards the valve disc  136  as illustrated. 
         [0054]    A cross-sectional view of the valve stem  133  and ribs  190  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As illustrated, the valve stem  133  and ribs  190  may form a cross shape or “X” shape. In other embodiments of the invention, two or three ribs  190  could be used instead of four. In addition, more than four ribs  190  could be used with various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0055]    In still other embodiments of the invention, portions of the exterior surface of the ribs  190  may be configured such that they contact the walls of a base  310  when assembled with a base  310  of a pump. Such contact may provide further stability or may be used for assembly purposes to guide a valve  130  into a desired assembled position. In still other embodiments of the invention, one or more support ribs may be configured as part of a valve stem  133 , or on a valve stem  133 , in such a manner that when assembled with a base  310  of a pump, at least some of the one or more support ribs  190  contact a portion of an interior chamber of the base. During actuation of the pump and movement of the valve  130 , contact between those portions of the valve stem  133  and the walls of the interior chamber of the base  310  may prevent flexion or movement in a direction other than parallel to the axis through the pump base  310  from the inlet orifice to the discharge passage  318 . 
         [0056]    According to some embodiments of the invention, a valve  130  having ribs  190  may provide a more rigid valve  130  than those of the prior art. 
         [0057]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  133  of a valve  130  may be shaped or configured to provide increased rigidity to the valve  130 . For instance, a valve stem  133  may be a solid valve stem  133  having a narrowing portion adjacent a valve disc  136 . In other embodiments, a valve stem  133  may include shaped features or ribs  190  running along a length or width of the valve stem  133  to provide support, rigidity, and stiffness to the valve stem  133  and the valve  130 . In still other embodiments of the invention, the rigidity or stiffness of a valve  130  may be increased by utilizing a valve stem  133  shape which narrows as the valve stem  133  approaches a valve disc  136 . Ribs  190  or other features may be added to the valve stem  133  to increase the rigidity or stiffness of the valve  130 . 
         [0058]    A valve  130  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a valve  130  may include a conical outlet valve  139 . Although rounded outlet valves may be used with various embodiments of the invention, it has been found that the use of a conical outlet valve  139  with a pump base  310  having a corresponding conical shaped discharge passage  318  provides a better seal or valve seat. Thus, in certain embodiments of the invention, a valve  130  may have a conically shaped outlet valve  139 . 
         [0059]    A pump assembled with a valve according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As illustrated, the pump may include a base  310  having a discharge passage  318 . A valve  130  may be seated in the base  310  such that the outlet valve  139  seats against the discharge passage  318 . An attachment adapter  325  may fit in an opposite end of the base  310  and secure the valve  130  within the base  310 . In addition, the attachment adapter  325  may provide an inlet valve seat which mates with or contacts at least a portion of the valve disc  136  to provide an inlet valve for the pump from a container or pouch attached to the base  310  of the pump. A bellows  350  may be secured to the base  310  with a cap  380 . Actuation of the bellows  350  with product in the base  310  may apply a force against the valve disc  136 , which in turn may apply a force to the valve stem  133  and unseat the outlet valve  139  from the discharge passage  318 , allowing product to flow from the pump as known. 
         [0060]    According to some embodiments of the invention, a bellows  350  may sit, rest, or be positioned on a base rim  322 . An opening defined by the base rim  322  may separate a bellows chamber  358  from the interior chamber  314  of the base  310 . A bellows  350  may include a bellows rim  356  having an outer rim ring  357  and an inner rim ring  359 . In some embodiments, an outer rim ring  357  and an inner rim ring  359  may straddle or be positioned on opposite sides of a base bellows ring  311  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . A bellows  350  may also be positioned on the interior of a base cap ring  313  extending from the base  310  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . A base cap ring  313  may also include one or more projections  315  capable of being snap-fitted or otherwise coupled with an indentation or projection in a cap  380 . The fitment of a cap indentation or cap projection  381  to one or more projections  315  of a base cap ring  313  may secure the cap  380  to the base  310  and assist in holding a bellows  350  as part of the pump  300 . 
         [0061]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a valve  130  having a conically shaped outlet valve  139  is seated in a conically shaped discharge passage  318  of a pump base  310 . The seat of the conical shaped outlet valve  139  may be matched to the discharge passage  318  to provide a superior seal. In addition, it has been found that the use of a conical shaped outlet valve  139  as illustrated may provide an improved discharge of product. This is especially true where the valve  130  is a stiffened valve according to embodiments of the invention. For example, when using a valve  130  according to embodiments of the invention having a conical shaped outlet valve  139 , discharge of a product from the pump is more controlled. The conical shape of the outlet valve  139  and corresponding shape of the discharge passage  318  provides an improved valve seat which stabilizes the flow of product out the discharge valve and provides a cleaner shut-off when the outlet valve  139  re-seats with the discharge passageway  318 . 
         [0062]    A pump assembly according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated, a pump may include a base  310 , a valve  130  fitted in the base  310 , an attachment adapter  325  fitted into the base  310  to secure the valve  130  therein, and a bellows  350  secured with a cap  380 . A bellows  350  may sit over a base bellows ring  311  and may rest on a base rim  322  while a cap  380  may snap-fit or otherwise connect to a base cap ring  313 . In some embodiments of the invention, a base  310  may include a canoe shaped attachment for securing the pump to a pouch or other container. A valve  130  incorporated with—or assembled in—the pump may include a stiffened or rigid valve  130  according to embodiments of the invention. In addition, a valve  130  may include a conically shaped outlet valve  139  portion as illustrated. 
         [0063]    A pump assembly according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . As illustrated, a pump may include a base  310 , a valve  130  fitted in the base  310 , an attachment adapter  325  fitted into the base  310  to secure the valve  130  therein, and a bellows  350  secured with a cap  380 . A bellows  350  may sit over a base bellows ring  311  on the edge of a base rim  322  and a cap  380  may snap-fit or otherwise connect to a base cap ring  313 . In such embodiment, a portion of the bellows  350  may not be supported by the base  310  or base rim  322 . In some embodiments of the invention, a base  310  may include a canoe attachment having a curved shape for securing the pump to a pouch or other container. A valve  130  incorporated with—or assembled in—the pump may include a stiffened or rigid valve  130  according to embodiments of the invention. In addition, a valve  130  may include a conically shaped outlet valve  139  portion as illustrated. 
         [0064]    A valve  230  according to still other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 17 . A valve  230  may be used in a pump and may include a valve stem  233 , an outlet valve  239  and a valve disc  236 . The outlet valve  239  and valve disc  236  may be on opposite ends of the valve stem  233 . 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a valve  230  may include one or more ribs  190  or other stiffing features running along a length—or part of a length—of the valve stem  233 . In other embodiments, ribs  190  or stiffening features may run along portions of the width or circumference of a valve stem  233 . 
         [0066]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve stem  233  may include four ribs  190  running along a portion of a length thereof. In other embodiments three or more ribs  190  may be used. For example, a valve  230  may include three ribs  190 , four ribs  190 , five ribs  190  or more running along a length of a valve stem  233 . The ribs  190  may extend from the outlet valve  239  end of the valve  230  towards the valve disc  236 . Adjacent to the valve disc  236 , the ribs  190  may narrow or converge towards the valve disc  236  as illustrated. Convergence of the ribs  190  may be in a conical shape narrowing to a cylindrical portion between the ribs  190  and the valve disc  236  or in any other desired configuration. In some embodiments, ribs  190  may provide rigidity or support to the valve  230 . 
         [0067]    According to various embodiments of the invention, an outlet valve  239  portion of the valve  230  may include one or more steps or surfaces having different angles compared to other surfaces making up the outlet valve  239  portion of the valve  230 . For example, as illustrated  FIGS. 18 and 19 , an outlet valve  239  may include a valve seal portion  240  at a forward end of the outlet valve  239 . One or more surfaces  242  may extend from the valve seal portion  240  towards the valve stem  233  and join therewith. While the illustrated surfaces  242  in  FIGS. 18 and 19  include two sloping surfaces, an outlet valve  239  may include one or more such surfaces extending or sloping away from the valve seal portion  240 . 
         [0068]    According to various embodiments of the invention, when a valve  230  having an outlet valve  239  according to certain embodiments of the invention is inserted into a base  310  of a pump, the valve seal portion  240  may contact an interior wall of the base  310  of the pump at or near a discharge passage  318  of the base  310  as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . The valve seal portion  240  may contact the base  310  in such a way that the discharge passage  318  is closed or sealed by the outlet valve  239  such that product from within the pump cannot escape through the discharge passage  318 . In addition, one or more pockets, gaps or openings may be formed between the outlet valve  239  and the inner wall of the base  310  adjacent to the valve seal portion  240 . For example,  FIG. 21  illustrates a blown-up view of the discharge passage  318  and outlet valve  239  illustrated in  FIG. 20 . As shown, the valve seal portion  240  of the outlet valve  239  seals against an interior wall of the base  310  near the discharge passage  318  to prevent product from escaping the pump. The valve seal portion  240  extends from its seal with the interior wall of the base  310  towards the valve stem  233  and meets the first of two surfaces  242 . The surfaces  242  may be configured to provide or form one or more pockets  241 , spaces or openings between the outlet valve  239  and the interior wall of the base  310 . 
         [0069]    The use of a valve  230  having an outlet valve  239  configured to provide a seal between a valve seal portion  240  and an interior wall of a base  310  of a pump, along with the inclusion of one or more pockets  241  may be advantageous when used with product formulations having particulate matter therein. For example, it has been found that use of a valve  130  having a cone shaped outlet valve  139  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 10  with products containing particulates may lead to some of the particulates being trapped between the sealing surface of the cone shaped outlet valve  139  and the interior wall of the base  310  of the pump. When such particulates become trapped, there is an increased risk of a seal between the outlet valve  139  and the base  310  not being made and air entering the pump or a loss of prime resulting from air entering the pump chamber past the outlet valve  139 . However, the use of an outlet valve  239  as illustrated  FIGS. 18 through 21  avoids these issues and forms a better seal. In part, the one or more pockets  241  may allow the valve seal portion  240  to squeeze particulates back into the one or more pockets  241  such that the valve seal portion  240  is able to form a complete seal with the interior wall of the base  310  of the pump. The one or more pockets  241  may provide additional space into which particulates may congregate as the valve seal portion  240  seals against the interior wall of the base  310  instead of being pinched between the valve seal portion  240  and the interior wall of the base  310 . 
         [0070]    According to various embodiments of the invention, an outlet valve  239  may include a valve seal portion  240  and one or more surfaces  242  extending away from the valve seal portion  240  towards the valve stem  233  such that when the outlet valve  239  is seated in or near a discharge passage  318  of a pump, the outlet valve  239  creates a seal between the interior wall of a pump and the valve seal portion  240 , one or more pockets  241 , and a restricted space smaller than the one or more pockets  241  interior to the one or more pockets  241 . 
         [0071]    As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a bellows  350  may be seated against a base  310  of the pump  300 . A bellows  350  my include an inner rim ring  359  and an outer rim ring  357  straddling one or more base bellows rings  311 . In the embodiment illustrated  FIG. 20 , the inner rim ring  359  is not supported by a base rim  22  as with the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 11 . A cap  380  may snap-fit or otherwise connect to the base  310 . For example, a cap  380  may include one or more cap projections  381  which may interact with, connect to, or otherwise snap-fit with one or more projections  315  on a base cap ring  313  as illustrated. 
         [0072]    A pump assembly according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . As illustrated, a pump may include a base  310 , a valve  230  which may be inserted into the base  310 , an attachment adapter  325  fitted into the base  310  to secure the valve  230  therein, and a bellows  350  secured to the base  310  by a cap  380 . In some embodiments, a base  310  may include a canoe having a straight or winged shape for securing the pump assembly to a pouch or container. 
         [0073]    An outlet valve  239  according to still other embodiments of the invention may include one or more ridges  243  encircling all or part of the outlet valve  239  as illustrated in  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 22  shows a valve  230  without an outlet valve  239  on the end and thirteen alternative configurations for an outlet valve  239  which may be used with various embodiments of the invention. As illustrated, one or more ridges  243  formed on a part of the outlet valve  239  may create pockets, spaces, or openings that may trap or contain particulates when an outlet valve  239  seats against a pump. The one or more ridges may be formed to create pockets  241 . In addition, an outlet valve  239  may include one or more raised bands  247  capable of creating similar pockets, spaces, or openings relative to an interior of a pump such that particulates may be trapped in the pockets formed between the one or more bands  247  and an interior watt of a pump. In still other embodiments, one or more holes or divots  245  may be formed in the outlet valve  239  to provide pockets  241  between the outlet valve  239  and an interior wall of a pump. 
         [0074]    A valve  230  having a particular outlet valve  239  configuration according to various embodiments of the invention may be molded as a unitary component using known molding methods. 
         [0075]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a valve disc  236  may be conical in shape as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 7  or it may be rounded or cup shaped as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 14 . According to some embodiments of the invention, the cup shape of a valve disc  236  may help facilitate movement of a valve  130 ,  230  in a parallel plane when in use. In some embodiments, the configuration of the cup shape may also be altered to adjust the force required to unseat an outlet valve  139 ,  239  from its seat against the base  310  of the pump. 
         [0076]    Valves  130 ,  230  according to various embodiments of the invention may be made of a flexible material such as TPE, TPU, or other material as desired. In addition, valves  130 ,  230  according to other embodiments of the invention may be made of a different plastic or resin material. 
         [0077]    Improved bellows  350  and cap  380  configurations according to other embodiments of the invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a pump  300  may include a base  310 . The base  310  may include a base rim  322  defining an opening into an interior chamber  314  of the base  310 . One or more base bellows rings  311  may extend upward or outward from the base rim  322 . A bellows  350  may rest or sit on the base rim  322  with an outer rim ring  357  of the bellows  350  outside the base bellows ring  311  and an inner rim ring  359  inward of the base bellows ring  311 . As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the outer rim ring  357  may sit on the base rim  322 . In some embodiments, the base rim  322  may end at the intersection of the base rim  322  and the base bellows ring  311  as illustrated in  FIG. 24 . In other embodiments—such as one embodiment illustrated in FIG.  11 —the inner rim ring  359  may also sit-on or be supported by a base rim  322  which extends inward of the base bellows ring  311 . 
         [0078]    According to some embodiments of the invention, a space between an outer rim ring  357  and inner rim ring  359  may be configured or shaped to match the shape and size of the base bellows ring  311  such that the base bellows ring  311  fits snuggly in the space between the outer rim ring  357  and inner rim ring  359  as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0079]    According to other embodiments, the space between the outer rim ring  357  and inner rim ring  359  may be larger than the shape and size of a base bellows ring  311  such that each of the outer rim ring  357  and inner rim ring  359  need not touch or contact the base bellows ring  311 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the outer rim ring  357  is abutted against the base bellows ring  311  but the inner rim ring  359  does not touch or contact the base bellows ring  311 , allowing for a space between the inner rim ring  359  and the base bellows ring  311 . A top portion of the base bellows ring  311  may contact a junction between the outer rim ring  357  and the inner rim ring  359  as illustrated. In some embodiments of the invention, the space between the inner rim ring  359  and base bellows ring  311  may be designed to provide particular elastomeric or functional characteristics to the bellows  350  and actuation thereof. For example, the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24  provides a lower force to actuate over the bellows  350  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and allows the inner rim ring  359  to move relative to the base bellows ring  311  upon actuation. 
         [0080]    In other embodiments, a space may exist between a base bellows ring  311  and an outer rim ring  357  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , where the inner rim ring  359  abuts up against the base bellows ring  311 . 
         [0081]    A bellows  350  may be secured to a base  310  or held in place relative to a base  310  by a cap  380 . According to various embodiments of the invention, a cap  380  may include features to secure the cap  380  to the base  310 . Similarly, a base  310  may include features configured to mate with a cap  380  and secure the cap  380  with the base  310 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a cap  380  may include one or more cap projections  381  extending from an interior surface of a skirt of the cap  380  inwardly or towards a centerline through the cap  380 . A base  310  may include one or more projections  315  extending off the base  310  and configured to interact with the one or more cap projections  381  to secure the cap  380  to the base  310 . In some embodiments of the invention, the one or more projections  315  may extend off of part of a base  310 . In other embodiments, a base  310  may include a base cap ring  313  projecting upwardly from the base  310  and the one or more projections  315  may extend outwardly from the base cap ring  313  such that they may interact with a cap projection  381  of a cap  380 . For instance, the pump  300  illustrated in  FIG. 24  includes a base  310  having a base cap ring  313  with a ringed projection  315  about an outer surface of the base cap ring  313  and projecting outwardly therefrom. A cap  380  is snapped over the base cap ring  313  such that a cap projection  381  extending inwardly from an inner surface of the cap  380  mates with or snaps over the projection  315  of the base cap ring  313 . The interaction of the projection  315  and the cap projection  381  secures the cap  380  to the base  310 . Other snap-fitments, threads, bayonet connections, or the like may also be used with embodiments of the invention to secure a cap  380  to a base  310  as desired. 
         [0082]    As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a cap  380  may include a cap flange  382  having a underside surface which contacts or nearly contacts the bellows  350  in an assembled state. In the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a space may exist between the bellows  350  and the cap  380  which may allow the bellows  350  to flex or deform during actuation and return from actuation of the bellows  350 . 
         [0083]    A cross-sectional view of a bellows  350  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . As illustrated, a bellows  350  may include a bellows rim  356  which may include an outer rim ring  357  and an inner rim ring  359 . A dome  352  extends from the bellows rim  356  to form an actuation pad or button. The configuration of the bellows  350  and the dome  352  allows the bellows  350  to flex during actuation and retract following actuation. 
         [0084]    A side view of a bellows  350  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0085]    A cross-sectional view of a cap  380  according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 27 . As illustrated, a cap  380  may include an upper deck or cap flange  382  having a sidewall extending downward therefrom. The sidewall may include one or more cap projections  381  extending inwardly from an interior surface of the cap  380  sidewalls. The one or more cap projections  381  may be configured to mate with or secure a cap  380  to a base  310  of a pump  300 . A cap  380  may be configured to retain a bellows  350  on a base  310  of a pump  300 . 
         [0086]    Top and bottom views of a cap  380  according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . 
         [0087]    Alternate bellows  350  designs and configurations which may be used with particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 30A through 30G . As illustrated, different bellows  350  dome  352  shapes may be used with various embodiments of the invention. In addition, a bellows  350  may include a single bellows rim  356  or a bellows rim  356  having both an outer rim ring  357  and an inner rim ring  359 . According to some embodiments of the invention, a bellows  350  may include segments of an inner rim ring  359  as illustrated in  FIGS. 30F and 30G . The segments of an inner rim ring  359  may help support the bellows  350  resting on a base rim  322  of a base  310  or may be configured to assist with the assembly of a pump  300 . 
         [0088]    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.