Patent Publication Number: US-9833800-B2

Title: Vented pump

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/106,375 filed Jan. 22, 2015, and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is generally related to pumps used with fluid dispensers. Specifically, the present invention is related to fluid dispensers with a pump dome valve which is of at least a two-piece construction that provides a vent. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Dispensers that utilize a pump dome valve are primarily configured to be used with collapsible containers. As is well understood in the art, a pump dome valve provides an elastomeric or flexible plastic material that is shaped as a pump dome that forms a pump dome cavity within the pump dome. When the pump dome is depressed a quantity of fluid material is dispensed. In other words, as the flexible material is depressed or actuated, the fluid material that is contained within the pump dome cavity is dispensed and as the pump dome is released and returns to its original shape, the suction forces generated by the pump dome draw the material from within the container into the pump dome cavity for the next actuation of the pump dome. Such pump dome valves are used with containers that have a collapsible structure such as a plastic bag. As the pump dome is repeatedly actuated and fluid material is drawn from the container into the pump dome cavity, the build-up of vacuum forces causes the container to collapse. Since the container is collapsible, the vacuum forces generated do not hinder the dispensing of material. However, such pump dome valves are problematic in that they require many component pieces to construct the valve. These component pieces may include spring-loaded check valves, specially oriented fittings, and a retaining ring to hold the pump dome. These pieces are costly and allow for more mechanical interconnections to fail, thus rendering the pump dome valve inoperative. Moreover, such valves cannot be used on non-collapsible/rigid refill containers, as the vacuum forces within the container cannot be overcome to allow for the material to be dispensed. 
     One solution for overcoming the inability to use a pump dome valve with non-collapsible refill containers is to allow for a separate venting feature to be associated with the refill container. As such, when a vacuum develops within the rigid refill container, the vacuum force pulls in ambient air through a vent in the refill container, not the pump dome valve, thus allowing air to enter the refill container and relieve the vacuum forces. As a result, the fluid material may continue to be dispensed upon actuation of the pump dome valve. However, such a configuration still requires a vented container or valve and the problematic features of the aforementioned pump dome valves. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simplified pump dome valve structure which allows for venting of the pump dome valve so as to eliminate the multiple pieces/parts of the prior art valve constructions, eliminate the separate venting of the rigid refill container, and to reduce the number of mechanical interconnections required for the valve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a vented pump. 
     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vented pump comprising a pump housing having a fluid retention cavity, the pump housing having a fluid inlet therethrough and at least one vent opening therethrough, and a pump dome secured to the pump housing and together forming a dome cavity, wherein movement of the pump dome allows material from the fluid retention cavity to enter the dome cavity through the fluid inlet, and selectively allows ambient air to enter the fluid retention cavity through the at least one vent opening. 
     It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a vented pump used with a container, comprising a fluid container and a vented pump coupled to the fluid container, the vented pump comprising a pump housing having a fluid retention cavity contiguous with the fluid container through a fluid inlet, the pump housing having at least one vent opening therethrough, a pump dome secured to the pump housing so as to form a pump cavity, wherein movement of the pump domes draws fluid in from the fluid container through the fluid retention cavity via the fluid inlet and selectively allows ambient air into the fluid retention cavity through the at last one vent opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a vented pump and fluid container according to the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the vented pump according to the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vented pump according to the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed cross-sectional perspective view of the vented pump showing a dome vent and a fluid inlet which are part of the vented pump according to the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the vented pump according to the concepts of the present invention which allows for use of a truncated mounting ring according to the concepts of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an alternative vented pump in cross-section according to the concepts of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , it can be seen that a vented pump and fluid container are designated generally by the numeral  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a container  12 , which holds a fluid material  14  such as a sanitizer, soap or lotion, is shown wherein the container  12  is of a rigid, non-collapsible structure. Although the present embodiment is utilized with a non-collapsible container, skilled artisans will appreciate that the vented pump to be disclosed could also be used with a collapsible structure if desired. In any event, coupled to the container  12  is a vented pump  16  which dispenses the fluid material upon actuation. 
     The vented pump  16  includes a pump housing  18  which may be coupled to and associated with a pump dome  20 . The pump housing  18  may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, whereas the pump dome  20  may be constructed of a flexible, elastomeric material such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). As shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one vent  22  is shown. In most embodiments, each vent  22  is maintained in a normally closed position. In one embodiment, a single vent  22  may be provided which is diametrically opposite to a pump outlet  23 . Other embodiments may provide multiple vents, and it is believed that any vent  22  provided should be positioned at least 30 degrees away from the outlet. Generally, the vented pump  16  expels fluid material when the pump dome  20  is pressed, and draws in fluid material from the container when the pump dome is released so that material can be expelled upon the next pressing of the pump dome. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2-4 , the pump housing  18  includes a pump base  24 . A mounting ring  26  extends from the pump base  24  in a direction away from the pump dome  20 . The mounting ring  26  may be deflectably secured to a corresponding mating fixture provided by the container  12 . A sealing ring  28 , which is smaller in diameter than the mounting ring  26 , may extend from the pump base  24  in the same general direction as the mounting ring. A sealing rib  30  may extend substantially perpendicularly from the mounting ring  26  in a radially inward direction. The sealing ring  28  and the sealing rib  30  assist in mating the pump housing  18  to the container  12  so as to provide a fluid tight connection therebetween. In some embodiments, the sealing rib  30  and/or rib  30  or related component may provide an O-ring to ensure the fluid tight seal. 
     The pump base  24  provides a container surface  34  that faces inwardly toward the fluid container  12 . As such, any material  14  in the fluid container may accumulate on or adjacent to the container surface  34 . Skilled artisans will appreciate that the container surface  34  along with the fluid container  12  form a fluid retention cavity  35  that is contiguous with the contents of the container  14 . On a side of the pump base  24  opposite the container surface  34  is a dome surface  36 . The pump base  24  provides an outer periphery  40  from which radially extends a housing stem  42 . Generally, the housing stem  42  may extend in a direction furthest away from the container  12 . To a certain extent, it will be appreciated that gravity forces place the material adjacent the vented pump  16  and assists in transferring the material from the container to the user. 
     Extending through the pump base  24  is a vent hole  44  which is part of the vent  22 . The vent hole  44  is radially positioned inwardly from the outer periphery  40  and, as seen in the drawings, in one embodiment is diametrically opposite the housing stem  42 . The vent  22  is maintained in the vent hole  44  and the vent  22 , in most embodiments, is in the form of a normally closed slit. 
     The pump base  24  also provides at least one fluid inlet  50 . The fluid inlet  50  extends from the dome surface  36 . In one embodiment, the inlet  50  may provide for a port wall  52  that extends from the surface  36  and which may be of a rectangular, round or other shape. The height of the port wall  52  may vary depending upon the configuration of the pump done  20 . In some embodiments the port wall  52  may be raised only a minimal distance from the surface  36 . In other embodiments, the port wall  52  may extend to be substantially adjacent an underside of the pump dome  20 . The port wall  52  provides for a port surface  54  substantially perpendicular thereto. Extending through the pump base  24  and surrounded by the port wall  52  is a port  56  which provides an opening that effectively extends between the container surface  34  and the dome surface  36 . 
     In some embodiments, the vent or vents  22  may be located away from the inlet port  56  to reduce the likelihood of accidentally dispensing vent air. As skilled artisans will appreciate, accumulation of vent air in the pump dome may reduce the amount of fluid material that can be dispensed. Accumulated vent air may also interfere with dispensing of material from the pump dome. Such an undesired event could happen if the pump dome is actuated as a bubble of vent air enters the container  12  via the fluid retention cavity  35 . This undesired event can be avoided by radially positioning the inlet port  56  away from the vent(s) or by increasing the vertical distance between the vent opening and the port surface  54 . In the embodiment shown, the fluid will likely accumulate toward the lower end of the fluid retention cavity near the stem  42  and away from the vent  22 . In other embodiments, the pump  16  is oriented horizontally with the dome  20  facing down toward the ground. The distance between the vent  22  and its associated slit and the inlet  56 , as well as the tendency for air bubbles to travel upwards at an accelerated speed due to vacuum pressure and buoyancy, are believed to be sufficient for keeping air out of the dome. If air gets into the dome, the air will rest on the plane  36  until it gets dispensed with the fluid. 
     The pump dome  20  is secured to the pump housing  18 . As previously noted, the pump dome  20  may be configured from an elastomeric/flexible material. The pump dome  20  includes a seal periphery  60  which substantially dimensionally matches the outer periphery  40  of the pump base  24 . The pump dome  20  and the pump base  24  are connected at a seal connection  62  which extends substantially around both peripheries  40  and  60 . The seal connection may be a weld or may be secured by adhesives, or a combination of both. The pump dome  20  and the pump base  24  form a dome cavity  64  therebetween. 
     Extending from a peripheral portion of the pump dome  20  is reed valve  66  which is supported by the housing stem  42 . The reed valve  66  provides a valve opening  68 , which interrupts the seal connection  62 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that the seal connection  62  extends along the opposed edges of the stem  42  to define the valve opening  68 . The valve  66  is supported by the housing stem  42  and is normally in a closed position. However, the valve opening  68  is contiguous with the dome cavity  64  valve  66  and opens when the dome  20  is depressed and the fluid contained in the cavity is dispensed through the outlet  23 . 
     The pump dome  20  provides for a dome portion  70  which hemispherically extends from the seal periphery  60 . The seal periphery  60  is an integral extension from the dome portion  70  except for the valve opening  68 . In other words, the seal periphery  60  extends from an outer diameter of the dome portion  70  to the outer periphery  40 . The dome portion  70  provides for an exterior surface  76  which is opposite an interior surface  78  that faces the pump base  24  and which forms the corresponding surface of the dome cavity  64 . 
     Extending inwardly from the interior surface  78  of the dome portion  70  is a dome tab  80 , which in a normal, resting condition covers the port  56 . In particular, the dome tab  80  provides for a tab surface  82  which is larger than and substantially covers the port  56  and which bears against at least the port surface  54 . The distance the tab  80  extends correlates to the distance the port  56  extends from the surface  36 . The lengths of the tab  80  and port  56  are such that a fluid-tight seal is normally maintained between the port surface  54  and the tab surface  82 . 
     A dome vent  84  is provided by the pump dome  20  and is associated with the vent hole  44 . In the present embodiment, the dome vent  84  is radially positioned between the outer peripheries  40 / 60  and the dome portion  70 . In one embodiment, the dome vent  84  is formed with a sleeve  86  which is sized to frictionally fit within the vent hole  44  and provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be used to secure and seal a radial area around the sleeve  86  within the vent hole  44 . In still another embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 1 , a radial area  88  around the sleeve  86  may be welded to from an air tight seal to prevent leaking or fluid collection between the elastomer material of the pump dome  16  and the polymeric material of the pump housing  18 . This weld may be formed at the same time as the outer welds used to form the seal connection  62 . The sleeve  86  provides for a sleeve opening  90  which terminates at a tapered end  92 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the tapered end  92  extends from the dome portion into the fluid retention cavity  35 . The tapered end  92  provides a vent opening  94 , which may be in the form of a slit and which is normally closed but which may be opened upon generation of a suitable vacuum force within the container  12 . 
     In operation, a user depresses the dome portion  70 , which initially pushes any air within the dome cavity  64  out through the opening  68  and the outlet  23 . In other words, the reed valve  66  flexes with respect to the stem  42  such that any air retained may be passed through the valve opening  68  and the outlet  23 . Additionally, as the dome portion  70  is depressed, the dome tab  80  is deflected and upon relaxing of the dome portion to its normal position, the valve opening  68  closes and a vacuum force is generated so that fluid material  14  is drawn from within the retention cavity  35  through the port  56  and into the dome cavity  64 . This movement of the fluid into the pump dome cavity begins to generate a vacuum pressure within the container  12  and also within the retention cavity  35 . Upon the next actuation of the pump dome, the fluid material  14  within the dome cavity is expelled out the valve opening  68  and outlet  23 , and more material is drawn in from the cavity  35 . Eventually, after a number of actuations of the pump dome, a sufficient vacuum force is generated within the container and overcomes the forces holding the vent opening  94  in a normally closed condition which then temporarily opens. As a result, the pump dome actuation allows for ambient air to enter in through the vent opening  94 . This allows the ambient air to “bubble-up” through the retention cavity  35  and into the container  12  so as to allow air to accumulate within the container and assist in forcing material from the container into the retention cavity and subsequently into the pump dome cavity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a low profile vented pump is designated generally by the numeral  100 . The pump  100  is substantially the same as the vented pump  16  except that the pump base  24  provides for a truncated mounting ring  104 . The vented pump  100  is also differentiated in that a vent stem  106  extends from the pump base  24  and surrounds the portions of the vent hole  44  and the vent  22  that feed the retention cavity  35 . This configuration provides for the material to enter the inlet through the stem  106  and also allows for the vacuum within the container to be released through the stem. This low profile configuration of the vented pump allows for attachment to smaller refill containers which are more suitable for low-profile environments. In particular, the low profile configuration may be used when a dispense point of the refill container is positioned away or offset from the pump. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , it can be seen that an alternative vented pump is designated generally by the numeral  150 . This embodiment is substantially similar to the vented pump  20  except that the vent is radially positioned away from the dome portion  70 . This embodiment employs the same identifying numerals where the structure is the same, but different numbering is used for the distinguishable components. 
     The vented pump  150  provides for at least one vent opening  152 . Skilled artisans will appreciate that the vent opening  152  is positioned radially outside the seal periphery  60  of the dome portion  70  but within the mounting ring  26 . Surrounding the vent opening  152  is a circular inlet wall  154  which extends from the container surface  34  into the cavity  35 . The inlet wall  154  provides an inner wall surface  156  which forms an inlet cavity  158 . Received within the inlet cavity  158  is a conical check valve  160 . The vent opening or openings  152  are aligned with the inlet cavity  158 . 
     The conical check valve  160  includes a shaft  164  that extends from an underside of the pump dome  20 ′ in an area between the seal connection  62  and the dome portion  70 . The check valve  160  provides an air-tight seal within the inlet cavity  158 . Extending from an end of the shaft  164  is a conical wing  166 . The conical wing provides for a tip  170  that engages or is positioned adjacent an entirety of the inner wall surface  156 . In this embodiment, the seal connection  62  may also surround the at least one vent opening  152  to preclude inadvertent entry of air into the inlet cavity  158 . 
     In operation, the vented pump  150  operates in much the same way as the pump of the previously described embodiment. As the pump dome  20 ′ is depressed, it pushes the material that is contained within the dome cavity  64  out the pump outlet  23  and the tab  80  is deflected so as to allow for material from the container to enter through the inlet  56  as the dome returns to its normal position. At such time as a sufficient vacuum force is generated within the pump and refill container, air is drawn in past the conical check valve  160 . This occurs by allowing the ambient air to enter through the vent opening  152  while also slightly collapsing the wing  156  such that the tip  170  temporarily disengages from at least a portion of the inner wall surface  156 . At such time as when the vacuum force is adequately relieved, the conical check valve relaxes so as to re-form the appropriate seal and the pump continues to operate as in the previous embodiment. 
     Both embodiments are advantageous in that the vacuum force is sufficient to allow for ambient air to enter into the retention cavity, which is part of the vented pump, and into the container, thus releasing the vacuum and allowing fluid to enter the pump  20 . The configuration disclosed is advantageous in that the embodiments only require two different pieces—the pump housing and the pump dome—to be secured to one another. Both constructions are much simpler to manufacture than the prior art constructions, as the number of parts are significantly reduced along with the assembly time. Indeed, in both embodiments, the vent and the dome of the pump dome are constructed as a single piece and from the same material. The disclosed configurations are also advantageous in that the pump assembly may be utilized with a rigid container which may allow for further cost reduction of the overall assembly. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above. While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.