Patent Publication Number: US-11638925-B2

Title: Lotion pump

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a submission under 35 U.S.C. § 371 for U.S. National Stage Patent Application of, and claims priority to, International Application Number PCT/CN2019/108973 entitled LOTION PUMP filed Sep. 29, 2019, which is related to and claims priority to Chinese Application Serial No. 201910004781.4 filed Jan. 3, 2019, the entirety of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to a lotion pump, and especially relates to an all-plastic lotion pump. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lotion pump is broadly used in daily chemicals such as hand sanitizer, shower gel and the like, for pumping the product out from a container such as a bottle, for use. The lotion pumps sold in the market are mostly provided with metal springs, which can restore the lotion pump after a user have pressed the lotion pump to pump an amount of product out for use, thus ready for the next use. 
     Recently, as requirement for environment protection becoming higher, it is required to recover lotion pump, for realizing recycling of natural source. In order to facilitate in recovering and reusing the lotion pump, it is proposed in the field of lotion pump manufacture to use plastic spring for replacing metal spring, i.e. an all-plastic pump is proposed. Plastic spring is often in the form of plastic helical spring, plastic arc spring, bellow spring, and the like. However, the present plastic spring has some drawbacks, for example when the plastic spring is compressed for a long time, it will yield, thus the spring force of the plastic spring will deteriorate, or even fail to function as a spring. In order to avoid failure of plastic spring due to being compressed for a long time, one solution is to set an all-plastic pump in the form of locking at upper position, and when the lotion pump is in a non-use state, the plastic spring is in a state free of pressing and is relaxed. 
       FIG.  29    shows an exemplary lotion pump with a plastic spring. Wherein, the lotion pump  1  has a press head  10 , a toothed sleeve  20 , a cylinder  30  and a piston rod  40 , one end of a spring  50  is connected to the piston rod  40 , and the other end thereof is connected to the cylinder  30 . When the press head  10  is pressed, the piston rod  40  moves down accordingly, so that the spring  50  is compressed, and when the pressure on the press head  10  is removed, the press head  10  restores by means of the elastic force of the spring  50 . The lotion pump  1  shown in  FIG.  29    is a lotion pump in the form of locking at upper position, and in the non-use state, for example when the product is transported and is displayed for sale, the press head  10  is in its highest position of the stroke, so that the spring  50  is in the state that has the least compress force, therefore, the spring  50  will not yield, which result in failure of the spring, due to being compressed in the non-use state. 
     It can be seen that the above mentioned lotion pump is a lotion pump of the type of locking at upper position. For a lotion pump of the type of locking at upper position, sometimes it is hard to meet the requirement of package for E-business. And, the lotion pump of the type of locking at upper position has a larger height in its original and non-used state, thus result in a higher requirement for the height of the product box, good shelf and the like. 
     So, in the field of lotion pump, there is need in further improving structure of a lotion pump with plastic spring, which can solve the problem of plastic spring deteriorating in term of its spring force, and meanwhile meet the requirement of transporting for E-business. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical problem of the existing lotion pump. The object of the present invention is to provide a lotion pump with improved structure, which can protect a plastic spring of the lotion pump from yielding due to being pressed in non-used state, thus provide the same with longer life time, meanwhile it can realize locking at lower position, thus satisfy requirement of E-business transportation. 
     The lotion pump of the present invention is mounted on a container for dispensing product in the container, the lotion pump includes a movable portion and a stationary portion, when used, the movable portion can move relative to the container, and the stationary portion remain station relative to the container, wherein the lotion pump further includes: 
     an elastic restoring mechanism, one end of which contacts or connects to the movable portion and the other end of which is fixed to the stationary portion; and 
     a shifting mechanism provided on the movable portion or the stationary portion, and the shifting mechanism is provided to mate with the elastic restoring mechanism, so that when the movable portion rotates in a first direction and/or moves upwardly, one end of the elastic restoring mechanism moves relative to the movable portion to a first position, so that the elastic restoring mechanism is loaded to be brought into a standby state, and when the movable portion rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction and/or moves downwardly, one end of the elastic restoring mechanism moves relative to the movable portion to a second position, so that the elastic restoring mechanism is brought into a non-standby state. 
     In the lotion pump with the above mentioned structure, by means of the provision of the shifting mechanism, movement of the movable parts, such as the press head, can shift a supporting seat between the first position and the second position, so as to select to apply a compress force on the elastic restoring mechanism, or reduce the compress force act on the elastic restoring mechanism, or even disengage from the elastic restoring mechanism. Thus, in the non-used state, the elastic restoring mechanism can be applied with a tiny pressure, or is not pressed. Such a structure is especially advantageous for the elastic spring, and can help in extending its lifetime. And, it can be seen that such a structure of the lotion pump can realize the form of locking at lower position, thus it can meet the requirement of package in E-business transportation. 
     In a specific form, the shifting mechanism is provided on the movable portion. Wherein, the shifting mechanism further includes a first mating part, and a second mating part is formed on the elastic restoring mechanism, when the movable portion moves relative to the container, the first mating part cooperates with the second mating part, so that one end of the elastic restoring mechanism is moved between the first position and the second position. 
     Preferably, the elastic restoring mechanism includes a spring and a spring supporting seat, the spring supporting seat is positioned at one end of the spring, and the second mating part is formed on the spring supporting seat. 
     Further preferably, one of the first mating part and the second mating part is a helical rib, the other one of the first mating part and the second mating part is a helical slot, the helical rib can mate into the helical slot, so that when the movable portion rotates, the helical slot and the helical rib act with each other, so that one end of the elastic restoring mechanism moves between the first position and the second position. 
     For such a detailed structure, during the process that the press head is rotated and thus turns it from a locked state to a standby state, the interaction between the helical slot and the helical rib can move the supporting seat into the second position at the same time, so that the spring is loaded. 
     Further, as the movable portion rotates, the helical rib can disengage from the helical slot, and the size and the relative position of the helical rib and the helical slot are set such that as the movable portion rotates, the helical rib disengages from the helical slot prior to alignment of a locking block to a cutout. Thereby, in the second position, a lower end of the rib can abut against the supporting seat, so that it is held in the second position, and it can also prevent the helical slot from undesirably entering again into the helical rib when the press head of the lotion pump is pressed. 
     In detail, the movable portion can includes a press head, a piston rod and a piston, wherein the piston rod is connected at a lower part of the press head, and the piston is provided on the piston rod, the stationary portion includes a toothed sleeve and a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is connected to the toothed sleeve, and at least the portion of the piston rod provided with the piston extends into inside of the cylinder. 
     Of course, the movable portion and the stationary portion can also be provided differently from the above mentioned, for example the cylinder is of the movable portion, and the piston rod and the piston are of the stationary portion. 
     Preferably, a locking block is formed at one of a peripheral surface of the piston rod and a top of the toothed sleeve, and a cutout is formed at the other of the peripheral surface of the piston rod and the top of the toothed sleeve, thus by rotating the piston rod, the locking block aligns with the cutout, thus allowing the press head and the piston rod to move upwardly. 
     By the provision of the upper/lower locking block and a stop of the supporting seat, rotation direction of the press head and the piston rod can be limited, thus preventing operation by mistake. 
     Preferably, as the piston rod rotates, the helical rib can disengage from the helical slot, and the size and the relative position of the helical rib and the helical slot are set such that as the piston rod rotates, the helical rib disengages from the helical slot prior to alignment of the locking block to the cutout. 
     Further preferably, the first mating part includes a guide strip, the second mating part includes a cutout, by means of rotation of the piston rod, the guide strip aligns to the cutout, thus allowing one end of the elastic restoring mechanism to move between the first position and the second position. 
     Besides, an upper locking block is provided above the guide strip, and/or a lower locking block is provided below the guide strip; and 
     a stop is formed above and/or below the second mating part, and the stop mates with the upper locking block and/or the lower locking, so that the movable portion can only rotate in a preset direction. 
     In another specific structure, the shifting mechanism includes a first mating part, and a second mating part is formed on the elastic restoring mechanism, wherein the first mating portion is a reversed snap ring, by pulling the movable portion upwardly, the second mating part can move through the reversed snap ring so as to move from a first position to a second position, and is held in the second position by the reversed snap ring. 
     In a preferred structure, the stationary portion includes a toothed sleeve and a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is connected to the toothed sleeve, and at least a portion provided with the piston of the piston rod extends into inside of the cylinder, wherein one of the one end of the elastic restoring mechanism and the outer wall of the cylinder includes a guide block, and the other of the one end of the elastic restoring mechanism and the outer wall of the cylinder is formed with a trough, the guide block is at least partially received in the trough. 
     Engagement between the trough and the guide block can guarantee that the supporting seat moves in a longitudinal line. 
     In another preferred structure, the movable portion includes a press head, a piston rod and a piston, wherein the piston rod is connected at a lower part of the press head, and the piston is provided on the piston rod, wherein a first mating part is formed on a peripheral surface of the piston rod and/or of the piston. 
     In another preferred structure, the movable portion includes a press head, a piston rod, a piston and a casing, wherein the piston rod is connected at a lower part of the press head, and the piston is provided on the piston rod, wherein the casing is sleeved outside the piston rod and/or the piston, and the first mating part is formed on an outer surface of the casing. 
     Preferably, the elastic restoring mechanism includes at least one elastic strip. 
     More preferably, the elastic restoring mechanism further includes: an annular upper spring seat, on which an upper end of the elastic strip is connected; and/or an annular lower spring seat, on which a lower end of the elastic strip is connected. 
     Wherein, the elastic strip is connected to the upper spring seat and/or the lower spring seat by a pivot, wherein when the elastic restoring mechanism is compressed, the pivot pivots and folds. 
     Preferably, a first guide slot is formed on one of the inner side of the upper spring seat and the stationary portion, a first guide strip is formed on the other of the inner side of the upper spring seat and the stationary portion, and the first guide slot mates with the first guide strip; and/or a second guide slot is formed on one of the inner side of the lower spring seat and the stationary portion, a second guide strip is formed on the other of the inner side of the lower spring seat and the stationary portion, the second guide slot mates with the second guide strip. 
     By means of engagement between the guide slot and guide strip, the movement of the elastic restoring mechanism can be guided, thus preventing the spring from deflection when the lotion pump is pressed down. 
     In a preferred structure, a reversed snap part is provided at a lower portion of the stationary portion, the reversed snap part secures the lower spring seat of the spring. 
     Further, as seen in an axial direction of the lotion pump, the elastic strip extends around at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the cylinder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a first embodiment of the lotion pump of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a partial cutaway view of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , showing the inside structure of the lotion pump. 
         FIG.  3    is a partial perspective view of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , which includes a piston rod, a spring and a supporting seat of the lotion pump. 
         FIG.  4    shows a sectional view of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , wherein the lotion pump is in a locked state. 
         FIG.  5    shows another sectional view of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , wherein the lotion pump is in a standby state. 
         FIGS.  6   a - 6   d    show a supporting seat of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , wherein  FIG.  6   a    is a sectional view of the supporting seat,  FIG.  6   b    is another sectional view of the supporting seat,  FIG.  6   c    is a top view of the supporting seat, and  FIG.  6   d    is a perspective view of the supporting seat. 
         FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    shows a piston rod of the lotion pump of  FIG.  1   , wherein  FIG.  7   a    is a side view of the piston rod  150 , and  FIG.  7   b    is a front view of the piston rod. 
         FIGS.  8   a - 8   c    are perspective views showing interaction between the supporting seat and the piston rod, wherein in  FIG.  8     a,  the supporting seat is in a first position relative to the piston rod, in  FIG.  8     b,  the supporting seat moves relative to the piston rod towards a second position, and in  FIG.  8     c,  the supporting seat reaches the second position. 
         FIGS.  9   a - 9   f    show the spring of the lotion pump shown in  FIG.  1   , wherein  FIG.  9   a    is a front view of the spring,  FIG.  9   b    is a perspective view of the spring,  FIG.  9   c    is a top view of the spring,  FIG.  9   d    is a bottom view of the spring,  FIG.  9   e    shows a schematic diagram in a state that the spring surrounds the cylinder, and  FIG.  9   f    shows a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG.  9     e.    
         FIG.  10    is a front view of the cylinder of the lotion pump shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  11   a  and  11   b    show a toothed sleeve of the lotion pump shown in  FIG.  1   , wherein  FIG.  11   a    is a front view of the toothed sleeve, and  FIG.  11   b    is a top view of the toothed sleeve. 
         FIGS.  12   a  and  12   b    show sectional views of a lotion pump of a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG.  12   a    shows the lotion pump in a locked state,  FIG.  12   b    shows the lotion pump in a standby state. 
         FIGS.  13   a - 13   d    show a supporting seat of the lotion pump of  FIGS.  12   a  and  12   b   , wherein  FIG.  13   a    is a top view of the supporting seat,  FIG.  13   b    is a sectional view of the supporting seat,  FIG.  13   c    is another sectional view of the supporting seat, and  FIG.  13   d    is a perspective view of the supporting seat. 
         FIGS.  14   a  and  14   b    show a piston rod of the lotion pump of  FIGS.  12   a  and  12   b   , wherein  FIG.  14   a    is a front view of the piston rod, and  FIG.  14   b    is a perspective view of the piston rod. 
         FIGS.  15   a  and  15   b    show perspective views showing interaction between the supporting seat and the piston rod, wherein in  FIG.  15     a,  the supporting seat is in a first position relative to the piston rod, and in  FIG.  15     b,  the supporting seat is in a second position. 
         FIGS.  16   a  and  16   b    show sectional views of a lotion pump of a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG.  16   a    shows the lotion pump in a locked state,  FIG.  16   b    shows the lotion pump in a standby state. 
         FIG.  17    is a partially enlarged view of part A in  FIG.  16     b.    
         FIG.  18   a    is a sectional view of a lotion pump of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18   b    shows a perspective view of the lotion pump shown in  FIG.  18     a.    
         FIGS.  19   a  and  19   b    show sectional views of a lotion pump of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG.  19   a    shows the lotion pump in a locked state, and  FIG.  19   b    shows the lotion pump in a standby state. 
         FIG.  20    shows a side view of a press head of the lotion pump of  FIGS.  19   a    and  19   b.    
         FIG.  21    shows a sectional view of a piston rod of the lotion pump of  FIGS.  19   a    and  19   b.    
         FIG.  22    shows a sectional view of a piston of the lotion pump of  FIGS.  19   a    and  19   b.    
         FIG.  23    shows a sectional view in which the piston rod of  FIG.  21    and the piston of  FIG.  22    are assembled together. 
         FIG.  24    shows a sectional view of a piston rod of the lotion pump in a varied structure. 
         FIG.  25   a    shows a top view of a casing in the lotion pump in the varied structure. 
         FIG.  25   b    shows a sectional view of the casing of  FIG.  25     a.    
         FIG.  26    shows a sectional view of a piston of the lotion pump in the varied structure. 
         FIG.  27    shows a sectional view in which the piston rod, the casing and the piston of  FIGS.  24 - 26    are assembled together. 
         FIGS.  28   a  and  28   b    show sectional views of a lotion pump of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG.  28   a    shows the lotion pump in a locked state, and  FIG.  28   b    shows the lotion pump in a standby state. 
         FIG.  29    shows a sectional view of a lotion pump in the prior art. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A detailed illustration of the embodiments of the present invention will be provided hereinafter with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings only show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and it shall not be understood as a limitation of the scope of the present invention. One skilled in the art can make various modification, variation, and replacement with equivalent to the present invention based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, and features in different embodiments stated below can arbitrarily combine with each other as will, unless we expressly state or there is obvious conflicts. All these fall in the protective scope of the present invention. 
     Embodiment I 
       FIGS.  1 - 11     b  shows a lotion pump  100  of a first embodiment of the present invention, with a relaxing mechanism provided in the lotion pump  100 . Wherein,  FIG.  1    shows a side view of the lotion pump  100 , and  FIG.  2    shows a partial sectional perspective view of the lotion pump  100 , from which an inside structure of the lotion pump can be seen. 
     The lotion pump  100  includes a press head  110 , a toothed sleeve  120  and a cylinder  130 . The cylinder  130  connects to the toothed sleeve  120 , an elastic restoring mechanism, such as a spring  140 , is provided around periphery of the cylinder  130  outside the cylinder  130 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the lotion pump  100  also includes a piston rod  150  with one end thereof connected to the press head  110  and the other end thereof provided with a piston and extending into inside of the cylinder  130 . And, the lotion pump  100  of the present invention further includes a supporting seat  160 , the supporting seat  160  is provided inside the cylinder  130  and around the piston rod  150 , so that an upper end of the spring  140  is supported on the supporting seat  160 , and a lower end of the spring is supported on the cylinder  130 , specifically on a lower portion of the cylinder  130 . 
     It can be seen that in the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment, the press head  110  can move together with the piston rod  150  and the piston on the piston rod  150  relative to the cylinder  130 , the toothed sleeve  120  and etc., and the cylinder  130 , the toothed sleeve  120  and etc., always remain a fixed or stationary state relative to a container when they are mounted on the container. So, in the lotion pump  100 , the press head  110 , the piston rod  150  and the piston on the piston rod  150  can be deemed as configuring at least a part of a movable portion of the lotion pump  100 , and correspondingly, the cylinder  130  and the toothed sleeve  120  configures at least a part of a stationary portion. 
       FIG.  3    shows connection between parts functioning for relaxing of the lotion pump  100  of the present invention.  FIGS.  4  and  5    respectively show sectional views of the lotion pump  100  in a non-used state and an open state. 
     Hereinafter, the detailed structures of the parts of the lotion  100  of the first embodiments will be illustrated, and on such a basis, the interconnection and interaction between the parts will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS.  3 - 5   , so as to clearly describe the structure and function principle of the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment. 
     Supporting Seat and Piston Rod 
     In the invention, the piston rod  150  and the supporting seat  160  interact with each other, so that a function of a relaxing mechanism is realized. Specifically as disclosed in the followings. 
       FIGS.  6   a - 6   d    show views of the supporting seat  160  of the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment, wherein  FIGS.  6   a  and  6   b    are sectional views of the supporting seat  160  taken in different directions,  FIG.  6   c    is a top view of the supporting seat  160 , and  FIG.  6   d    is a perspective view of the supporting seat  160 . 
     It can be seen from the drawings that the supporting seat  160  is generally shaped in a ring surrounding and provided outside the piston rod  150 , or in other words sleeved outside the piston rod  150  (see  FIG.  2   ). At an outer side of the supporting seat  160 , at least one guide block  161 , preferably a pair of opposed guide blocks  161 , is provided, which cooperates with a trough  131  in the cylinder  130 , for limiting movement of the supporting seat  160 , which will be described in the detail in the followings. 
     In an inner side of the ring-shaped body of the supporting seat  160 , at least one helical slot  162  is provided. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS.  6   a - 6   d   , the supporting seat  160  includes two helical slots  162  provided to oppose to each other. Correspondingly, as shown in  FIGS.  7   a    and  7   b,  at least one helical rib  151 , for example a pair of helical ribs  151  shown in  FIGS.  7   a    and  7   b,  which can mate the helical slot  162 , is provided on a periphery surface of the piston rod  150 . Preferably, a ring-shaped flange  153  is provided above the helical rib  151 , when the supporting seat  160  is at its highest position of the stroke, the ring-shaped flange  153  stops the supporting seat  160 , preventing the supporting seat  160  from continuing moving upward so that the helical slot  162  disengages from the helical rib  151 . 
     A locking block  152  is further provided on the piston rod  150 , mating with a cutout  121  formed on the toothed sleeve  120 , particularly on the top of the toothed sleeve  120 , allowing the press head  110  to shift between a locked state and a standby state, as described more detailed below. 
       FIGS.  8   a - 8   c    a perspective view shows schematically mating between the piston rod  150  and the supporting seat  160 . Specifically, when the press head  110  is rotated and then in turn rotates the piston rod  150  connected thereto, by means of interaction between the helical slot  162  and the helical rib  151 , the supporting seat  160  can move downwardly relative to the piston rod  150 , as shown in  FIG.  8     b.  And, further rotation of the piston rod  150  can disengage the helical rib  151  of the piston rod  150  from the helical slot  162  of the supporting seat  160 , and bring a lower end surface of the helical rib  151  into abutment against an upper surface of the supporting seat  160 , as the state shown in  FIG.  8     c.  Thus, the spring  140  can be brought from a non-standby state into a compressed standby state. 
     Spring 
       FIGS.  9   a - 9   d    show various views of the spring  140 , wherein  FIG.  9   a    shows a front view of the spring  140 ,  FIG.  9   b    shows a perspective view of the spring  140 ,  FIG.  9   c    shows a top view of the spring  140 , and  FIG.  9   d    shows a bottom view of the spring  140 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  9   a   - 9   c,  the spring  140  has an annular upper spring seat  141  and an annular lower spring seat  142 , ends of at least one elastic strip  143  is respectively connected to the upper spring seat  141  and the lower spring seat  142 . The spring  140  shown in the drawings includes two elastic spring strips  143 , while one skilled in the art can know that any proper number of elastic strips  143  can be provided as desired, for example one elastic strip  143 , or three or more elastic strips  143 . 
     Preferably, a pivot  146  can be provided at the ends of the elastic strip  143  connecting to the upper spring seat  141  and/or lower spring seat  142 . The pivot  146  is sheet shaped, and when the spring  140  is pressed, the sheet shaped pivot  146  can pivot and be fold onto the upper spring seat  141 /lower spring seat  142 . 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG.  9     c,  at least one guide slot  144  is formed at inner side of the upper spring seat  141  of the spring  140 , which mates with a spring guide strip  132  (see  FIG.  10   ) formed on peripheral surface of the cylinder  130 , for guiding movement of the spring  140 , as described in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9     d,  an inner side of the lower spring seat  142  of the spring  140  can also be formed with a guide slot  145 , which can be mate with a corresponding spring guide strip  132  on the cylinder  130 . 
     Further preferably, the elastic strip  143  is shaped so that a projection of the elastic strip in an axial direction of the lotion pump  100  is generally arc shaped. In other words, when viewed in the axial direction of the lotion pump  100 , the elastic strip  143  extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the cylinder, as shown in  FIGS.  9   e    and  9   f.  Thus, the structure of the lotion pump  100 , especially the portion below the toothed sleeve  120  including the spring  140 , can be more compact. 
     Of course,  FIGS.  9   a - 9   f    show a preferred structure of the spring  140 . Such a structure can be modified, or some part of the structure can be omitted. For example, the guide slot  144  and guide slot  145  respectively provided on the upper spring seat  141  and the lower spring seat  142  can be omitted. Further, the spring  140  can do not include the upper spring seat  141  and the lower spring seat  142 , and the individual elastic strips  143  can be respectively secured on the support seating  160  and a lower portion of the cylinder  130 . 
     Cylinder 
       FIG.  10    shows a front view of the cylinder  130 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , an outer wall of the cylinder is formed with a trough  131 , in which a guide block  161  of the supporting seat  160  is slidably received, so that the supporting seat  160  can only longitudinally move relative to the cylinder  130 , and cannot rotate. 
     Preferably, the periphery of the cylinder  130  is also provided with a spring guide strip  132 , which mates with the guide slot  144  in the upper spring seat  141  and/or the guide slot  145  in the lower spring seat  142  of the spring  140 , thus functioning to guide the spring  140 . 
     The provision of the guide slot and the guide strip can be interchanged, i.e. the upper spring seat  141 /lower spring seat  142  are provided with guide strips, and the guide slot is formed on the cylinder. 
     Further preferably, a reversed snap part  133 , which mates with the lower spring seat  142  of the spring  140 , is formed at a bottom of an outer wall of the cylinder  130 , for securing the lower spring seat  142 , preventing upward movement of the lower spring seat  142  relative to the cylinder  130 . 
     Toothed Sleeve 
       FIGS.  11   a  and  11   b    respectively show front and top views of the toothed sleeve  120 . As shown in the drawings, a cutout  121  is formed on the toothed sleeve  120 , especially on the top of the toothed sleeve  120 . When the piston rod  150  is rotated to align the locking block  152  to the cutout  121 , the locking block  152  can extend through the cutout  121 , so that the piston rod  150  and the press head  110 , to which the piston rod  150  connects, spring upwardly, thus bring the lotion pump  100  into the standby state. 
     Operation of the Lotion Pump 
     The operation of the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the lotion pump  100  is in a locked state, which is useful in the situation that the lotion pump  100  is transported, sold and the like. At this time, the supporting seat  160  in the lotion pump  100  is in its highest position of its stroke, and the helical slot  162  of the supporting seat  160  mates with the helical rib  151  of the piston rod  150 . When the product is sold and the lotion pump  100  is to be operated for using the product, the user rotates the press head  110  in an opening direction, thus rotate the piston rod  150  connected to the press head  110  together. 
     In rotating the piston rod  150 , the helical rib  151  on the outer surface of the piston rod  150  interacts with the helical slot  162  on the supporting seat  160 , so that the supporting seat  160  moves downwardly relative to the piston rod  150 , i.e. moves in a direction towards the spring  140 , until the helical rib  151  disengages from the helical slot  162 . During such a process, the supporting seat  160  applies a compress force on the spring, and the compress force gradually increases. After the helical rib  151  disengages from the helical slot  162 , the piston rod  150  is kept on rotating, so as to offset the helical slot  162  from the helical rib  151 , so that a lower end of the helical rib  151  abuts against an upper surface of the helical slot  162 . At this time, the spring  140  is brought from a free and non-standby state into a standby state. 
     As the piston rod  150  rotates, the locking block  152  can move into a position in which it aligns to the cutout  121  on the top of the toothed sleeve  120 . At this time, the locking block  152  can extend through the cutout  121 , so that the press head  110  springs upwardly into the standby state. 
     After the use, if it is needed to return the lotion pump  100  back to its locked state, the press head  110  is pressed downwardly to its lowest pint of stroke, then the press head  110  is rotated in a closing direction opposite to its opening direction. In such a process, the helical rib  151  of the piston rod  150  will once again mate in the helical slot  162  of the supporting seat  160 , and as the piston rod  150  rotates, the helical rib  151  interacts with the helical slot  162 , moving the supporting seat  160  upwardly, i.e. moving in a direction away from the spring  140 , so that the compress force applied on the spring  140  reduces or goes to zero, thus the spring  140  turns back to its non-standby state. Even, the supporting seat  160  can disengage from contacting with the spring  140 . Here, it can be seen that the helical rib  151  can shift the spring  140  between a non-standby state and a standby state, i.e. functioning as a shifting mechanism. In addition, the helical rib  151  can also be deemed to have separation and reunion function between the spring  140  and movable portion of the lotion pump  100  by the supporting seat  160 . 
     Preferably, the relative position and size of the helical rib  151  and the locking block  152  of the piston rod  150  are set such that the helical rib  151  disengages from the helical slot  162  prior to alignment between the locking block  152  and the cutout  121  in the toothed sleeve  120 . Thus, the helical rib  151  can be prevented from entering again into the helical slot  162  during pressing the press head  110  to pump the product. 
     Besides, a longitudinal length of the locking block  152  is preferably set such that during the process that the press head  110  is pressed to pump the product and the press head  110  springs back, the locking block  152  always moves within the cutout  121 , thus during use, the helical rib  151  can be prevented from entering again into the helical slot  162  due to rotation of the press head  110 . 
     It shall be specifically stated here that although in the structure illustrated above the helical rib  151  functioning as shifting mechanism is formed on the piston rod, the shifting mechanism can also be formed on any other part and other position of the movable portion of the lotion pump  100 , which is also within the scope of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, the shifting mechanism can also be formed on the stationary portion of the lotion pump  100 , for example a helical rib can be formed on an inner wall of the cylinder  130 , and correspondingly, a helical slot can be formed on a periphery of the supporting seat  160 . Or, in lotion pump of some structure, the piston rod formed with helical rib is a stationary portion of the lotion pump, while the cylinder is a movable portion (such a case will be explained in detail in the following embodiments). These also do not fall beyond the scope of the present invention. 
     Embodiment II 
       FIGS.  12   a - 15   b    show a lotion pump  200  of a second embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, features identical or similar to those of the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment will not be described in detail, and only the features of the lotion pump  200  of the second embodiment not included in the first embodiment will be described. Unless contrarily expressed or structural conflicting, the features disclosed in the first embodiment may also be applied to the second embodiment. 
       FIGS.  12   a  and  12   b    respectively show the lotion pump  200  in the locked state and the lotion pump  200  in the standby state. The lotion pump  200  includes a press head  210 , a toothed sleeve  220 , a cylinder  230 , a spring  240  and a piston rod  250 . A supporting seat  260  is provided in the cylinder  230 . Identical to the first embodiment, a trough  231  is formed in the outer wall of the cylinder  230 , a guide block  261  of the supporting seat  260  is slidably received in the trough  231 , so that the supporting seat  260  can only longitudinally move relative to the piston rod  250 . 
       FIGS.  13   a - 13   d    show various views of the supporting seat  260  in the lotion pump  200  of the second embodiment, wherein  FIG.  13   a    is a top view of the supporting seat  260 ,  FIG.  13   b    is a sectional view of the supporting seat  260 ,  FIG.  13   c    is another sectional view of the supporting seat  260 , and  FIG.  13   d    is a perspective view of the supporting seat  260 . 
     The support ring  260  in the lotion pump  200  of the second embodiment is also generally ring shaped, having at least one guide block  261  (two guide blocks  261  provided in opposite is shown in the drawings). At least one supporting seat cutout, preferably a pair of supporting seat cutouts  262  provided in opposite shown in the figure, is formed in an inner side of the supporting seat  260 . Preferably, at least one supporting seat stop  263  is further formed at inner side of the supporting seat  260 , preferably the upper and lower portions of inner side of the supporting seat  260  are respectively formed with the supporting seat stop  263 . 
       FIGS.  14   a  and  14   b    respectively show front and perspective views of the piston rod  250 . Corresponding to the supporting seat cutout  262  in the supporting seat  260 , a guide strip  251  is formed on periphery of the piston rod  250 . In addition, the piston rod  250  is preferably further formed with an upper locking block  252  and a lower locking block  253  respectively positioned on upper and lower sides of the guide strip  251 . The upper locking block  252  and the lower locking block  253  mate with the supporting seat stop  263 , so that the piston  250  can only rotate in a preset direction. 
     The piston rod  250  and the supporting seat  260  mate with each other as shown in  FIGS.  15   a    and  15   b.    
     The operation of the lotion pump  200  of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to  FIGS.  12     a,    12   b,    15   a  and  15   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS.  12   a    and  15   a,  when the lotion pump  200  is in the locked state, the supporting seat  260  is positioned above the guide strip  251  of the piston rod  250 , and the supporting seat cutout  262  offsets from the guide strip  251 , so that the position of the supporting seat  260  fixes with respect to the piston rod  250 . 
     When the lotion pump  200  is to be used, the press head  210  is rotated in an opening direction, so that the supporting seat cutout  262  aligns to the guide strip  251 , at this time, the press head  210  can be manually pulled upward to its highest point of stroke, the supporting seat  260  moves relative to the piston rod  250  below the guide strip  251 . Then, rotation of the press head  210  continues, so that the supporting seat cutout  262  once again offsets from the guide strip  251 , so that the guide strip  251  limits the supporting seat  260  at a position below it. At this time, the spring  240  is loaded, so that pumping is possible by pressing the press head  210 . 
     After use, if it is needed to return the lotion pump  200  to the locked state, the press head  210  can be rotated in an oppose direction, so that the supporting seat cutout  262  once again aligns to the guide strip  251 , then the press head can be manually pressed to its lowest point of stroke, the rotation of the press head  210  continuous, so that the supporting seat cutout  262  offsets from the guide strip  251 , and the guide strip  251  holds the supporting seat  260  at a position thereabove. 
     Preferably, in the case that the piston rod  250  is provided with the upper locking block  252  and the lower locking block  253 , and the supporting seat  260  is provided with the supporting seat stop  263 , the upper and lower locking blocks  252 ,  253  interact with the supporting seat stop  263 , so that the user can rotate the press head  210  only in a preset direction. 
     Embodiment III 
       FIGS.  16   a   - 17  show a lotion pump  300  of a third embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, features identical or similar to those of the lotion pumps of the first and second embodiments will not be described in detail, and only the features of the lotion pump  300  of the third embodiment not included in the first and second embodiments will be described. Unless contrarily expressed or structural conflicting, the features disclosed in the first and second embodiments also may be applied to the third embodiment. 
     The lotion pump  300  includes a press head  310 , a toothed sleeve  320 , a cylinder  330 , a spring  340  and a piston rod  350 , and the lotion pump  300  also includes a supporting seat  360 . In the lotion pump  300  of the third embodiment, a reversed snap ring  351  is formed on the piston rod  350 , a first chamfer  352  facing upwardly is formed on the reversed snap ring  351 , and a second chamfer  361  facing downwardly is formed correspondingly on the supporting seat  360 . 
     In the locked position shown in  FIG.  16     a,  the press head  310  is at the lowest point of its stroke, the supporting seat  360  is positioned above the reversed snap ring  351 . After the press head  310  is rotated to an opening position, the press head  310  is pulled to the highest point of its stroke, during which the reversed snap ring  351  moves upwardly through the supporting seat  360  and above the supporting seat  360 . At this time, the structure of the reversed snap ring  351  prevents the supporting seat  360  returning back again to the position above the reversed snap ring  351 . Thus, the lotion pump  300  is held in the standby state shown in  FIG.  16     b.    
     Embodiment IV 
       FIGS.  18   a  and  18   b    show a lotion pump  400  of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, features identical or similar to those of the lotion pumps of the first to third embodiments will not be described in detail, and only the features of the lotion pump  400  of the fourth embodiment not included in the first to third embodiments will be described. Unless contrarily expressed or structural conflicting, the features disclosed in the first to third embodiments may also be applied to the fourth embodiment. 
     The lotion pump  400  of the fourth embodiment is substantially identical to the lotion pump  100  of the first embodiment, and it is distinguished only in that the upper spring seat  141  and the lower spring seat  142  of the spring  140  is omitted. In other words, in the lotion pump  400 , the upper end of the elastic strip of the spring  440  is directly connected to the supporting seat  460 , and the lower end of the elastic strip is directly connected to the lower part of the cylinder  430 . 
     Embodiment V 
       FIGS.  19   a   - 22  show a lotion pump  500  of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, features identical or similar to those of the lotion pumps of the first to fourth embodiments will not be described in detail, and only the features of the lotion pump  500  of the fifth embodiment not included in the first to fourth embodiments will be described. Unless contrarily expressed or structural conflicting, the features disclosed in the first to fourth embodiments may also be applied to the fifth embodiment. 
       FIG.  19    shows a sectional view of a lotion pump  500  in a lower locked state, and  FIG.  19   b    shows a sectional view of the lotion pump  500  in a standby state. It can be seen from  FIGS.  19   a  and  19   b    that, in the fifth embodiment, the press head  510  of the lotion pump  500  is provided at its lower part with an outer thread, and is secured in a locked position via a thread connection between the press head  510  and the toothed sleeve  520 .  FIG.  20    shows the outer thread  511  on the press head  510  more clearly. Correspondingly, an inner thread mating with the outer thread  511  is formed in an opening of the toothed sleeve. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS.  21 - 23   , the piston rod  550  of the lotion pump  500  is formed separately from the piston  580 , and they are connected together. A helical rib functioning as a shifting part can be formed on the outer surface of any one of the piston rod  550  and the piston  580 , or is partially formed on the outer surface of the piston rod  550  and partially formed on the outer surface of the piston  580 . In the structure shown in the drawings, a helical rib  581  is formed on the outer surface of the piston  580 . 
     Of course, the structures of reversed snap ring and chamfer of the third embodiment may also be applied to the case that piston rod and piston are separately formed as shown in  FIGS.  21 - 23   . 
       FIGS.  24 - 27    show variations of a part of the structure of the fifth embodiment. Wherein, the piston rod  650  and the piston  680  are also separately formed, and then connected together. Different from the structure shown in  FIGS.  21 - 23   , in the structure shown in  FIGS.  24 - 27   , a casing  670  is additionally provided, the outer surface of the casing  670  is formed with a helical rib  671  or other types of shifting parts. And, the casing  670  is sleeved on the outer surfaces of the piston rod  650  and the piston  680  connected together, as shown in  FIG.  27   . Preferably, such structure as rib  672  is also formed on an inner surface of the casing  670 , which facilitates in close engagement to the outer surface of the piston rod  650  and/or the piston  680 . 
     Embodiment VI 
       FIGS.  28   a  and  28   b    show a lotion pump  700  of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, features identical or similar to those of the lotion pumps of the first to fifth embodiments and variations thereof will not be described in detail, and only the features unique in the lotion pump  700  of the sixth embodiment will be described. And, unless contrarily expressed or structural conflicting, the features disclosed in the first to fifth embodiments may also be applied to the fifth embodiment. 
       FIG.  28   a    shows a sectional view of a lotion pump  700  in a lower locked state, and  FIG.  28   b    shows a sectional view of the lotion pump  700  in a standby state. It can be seen in the drawings that the lotion pump  700  includes a press head  710 , and a cylinder  730  is connected to a lower part of the press head  710 . So, in the sixth embodiment, movement of the press head  710  (such as rotation or moving up and down) brings the cylinder  730  to move together, so that the press head  710  and the cylinder  730  configures at least a part of the movable portion of the lotion pump. 
     In addition, in the lotion pump  700  of the sixth embodiment, a spring bracket  770  is connected on the toothed sleeve  720 , one end of the spring  750  (specifically the lower end shown in  FIGS.  28   a  and  28   b   ) is supported on the spring bracket  770 , and the other end of the spring  750  (upper end in the drawings) is supported on the spring supporting seat  760 . 
     The spring bracket  770  is further fixed with the piston rod  740 , and the piston on one end of the piston rod  740  extends into the cylinder  730 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  28   a    and  28   b,  a first protrusion  731  and a second protrusion  732  are formed on an outer wall of the cylinder  730 , and a slot  761  is formed on an inner surface of the spring supporting seat  760 . As the press head  710  and the cylinder  730  move up and down, the slot  761  can mate respectively with one of the first protrusion  731  and the second protrusion  732 . For example, when the slot  761  mates with the protrusion  731  positioned above (the state shown in  FIG.  28   a   ), the spring  750  is in non-loaded state, and when the slot  761  mates with the second protrusion  732  positioned below, or even is below the second protrusion  732 , the spring  750  is in its loaded state. 
     So, in the sixth embodiment, it is the first protrusion  731  and second protrusion  732  formed on outer surface of the cylinder  730  that function as the shifting mechanism. Of course, the embodied structures of helical rib, guide strip and the like mentioned in the preceding embodiments may also be applied to the sixth embodiment.