Abstract:
Disclosed in this specification is a hand-operated dispensing pump for dispensing viscous fluids. The container includes a flexible cap attached to the bottom portion of the container that defines a fluid pumping zone. An elongated tube extends from this zone to a spout that is disposed atop the container. The cap is equipped with at least two one-way valves that selectively permit fluid to pass into the pumping zone when the cap flexes in a first direction and permits fluid to pass out of the pumping zone and out the spout when the cap flexes in a second direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/376,896, filed Aug. 25, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates, in one embodiment, to a hand-operated pump for dispensing viscous fluids such as hand creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, conditions, polishes, cleaners and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional hand-operated pumps are widely used in household products such as hand-lotion containers, soap dispensers and the like. These pumps generally place the pumping mechanism within the cap. An elongated tube extends from the cap and terminates in an open end. The open end is placed within the liquid to be dispensed. As the pump is manually operated, the fluid passes through the open end of the tube, through the pump and is dispensed to the user. Unfortunately, these conventional hand-pumps suffer from a number of shortcomings. 
         [0004]    To properly function, a multitude of components must be used to construct the pump. Current hand-pumps often need many individual components. These components must be made of various types of materials, not all of which are recyclable. Additionally, the tube must remain a certain distance away from the bottom of the container or the end of the tube will clog. This often results in a residual amount of liquid being left in the container which cannot be removed by the pump. 
         [0005]    It is therefore desirable to provide a new hand-operated pump that addresses at least some of these shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a hand-operated dispensing pump for dispensing viscous fluids. The container includes a flexible cap attached to the bottom portion of the container that defines a fluid pumping zone. An elongated tube extends from this zone to a spout that is disposed atop the container. The cap is equipped with at least two one-way valves that selectively permit fluid to pass into the pumping zone when the cap flexes in a first direction and permits fluid to pass out of the pumping zone and out the spout when the cap flexes in a second direction. 
         [0007]    An advantage of the present invention is the pump requires fewer parts and is thus less costly to manufacture. The components are mechanically simple which permits all components to be made of plastic, thus making the entire container fully recyclable and easy to form using only injection molding or extrusion techniques. The container also uses a larger amount of residual liquid and is therefore more efficient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a profile view of a bisected container of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are close-up views of the bottom of the container of  FIG. 1  from two different views; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the container of  FIG. 1  while  FIG. 3B  is a top view of the same bottom portion; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3D  are top and bottom views of one cap of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a close-up view of the bottom of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  are depictions of the flexing motion of the cap during use; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the bottom of the container of  FIG. 1  showing the path of fluid flowing out of the container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of the bottom of the container of  FIG. 1  showing the replenishment path of fluid flowing into the pumping zone; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the top of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are perspective views of the top of the container with the spout removed and with the spout attached, respectively; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a close-up bottom view of another bisected container of the invention; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are schematic side-views of another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of container  100 . Container  100  is show as a bisected view to better depict the internal components of the container. Container  100  includes an upper portion  102  and a lower portion  104 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , these two portions are discrete units. In one embodiment, both portions are formed from rigid (e.g. minimally flexible during ordinary use) plastic. Upper portion  102  includes a bore  106  at the top end of the container  100 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  is elongated tube  108  whose first end extends through bore  106  and terminates in spout  110 . The second end of tube  108  terminates at flexible cap  112 . In one embodiment, upper portion  102  and lower portion  104  are discrete components that are connected to one another by an induction seal ( FIG. 2A ). The pump is designed to store a viscous liquid in space  114  and extrude a portion of this liquid through spout  110  upon depression of the spout and the flexing of cap  112 . The configuration of cap  112  is described below. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of lower portion  104 . Lower portion  104  includes a cap-receiving member  200 . Cap-receiving member  200  includes wall  202  that extends perpendicular to the surface  204  of the lower portion  104 . Wall  202  has at least one opening  206 . Cap-receiving member  200  and cap  112  are configured to securely mate with one another as shown in  FIG. 3A . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2B , walls  202  define a circular cap-receiving member. Other suitable shapes are also possible. In one embodiment, lower portion  104  is contoured to cause the vicious liquid in space  114  to be directed toward opening  206 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , lower portion  104  includes contour  300  that has downwardly sloping sections that exists between high points  302   a ,  302   b  and trench  304   a ,  304   b . These sloping sections drive the fluid in space  114  in the direction of arrows  300   a ,  300   a ′,  300   b ,  300   b ′ toward trenches  304   a ,  304   b  when the container is in an upright position. In this fashion, lower portion  104  provides a means to guide fluid toward the opening  206 . Trenches  304   a  and  304   b , in turn, slopes downward in the direction of arrows  308   a  and  308   b , respectively, and terminate at the respective opening  206  of the cap-receiving member  200 . As the fluid is consumed, this trench guides residual fluid down this slope and toward opening  206 , thus minimizing the amount of wasted fluid due to unintentional entrapment at the bottom of the container  100 . Although two trenches are shown in the figures, other embodiments have only one trench and the slopes of contour  300  is adjusted to cause the fluid to flow toward this single trench. In other embodiment, more than two trenches are used and contour  300  is similarly adjusted. The trenches illustrated in the figures have walled edges. In other embodiments, not shown, the edges of the trench are gradually sloped and do not have an abrupt edge. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3D  are top and bottom views, respectively, of flexible cap  112 . A more detailed, bisected view of cap  112  is shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , cap  112 , when mated with cap-receiving member  200 , defines a pumping zone  400 . During operation, fluid from space  114  is drawn into pumping zone  400 . This fluid is eventually dispensed from stem  110 . Cap  112  is configured to flex at point  402 . In other embodiments, different dome and hinge configurations are used. A first one-way valve  404  disposed over the opening  206  in the cap-receiving member for permitting fluid to be drawn into the pumping zone. A second one-way valve  406  is also provided for permitting fluid to be drawn out of the pumping zone and delivered through the tube  108 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , one-way valve  406  is a “duck bill” valve. Other suitable one-way values would be apparent to those skilled in the art after benefitting from reading this specification. Cap  112  includes a connector  408  for securely connecting to tube  108 . In some embodiments, a separate adaptor  410  assists in making this connection. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  are close-up views of flexible cap  112  in use. In other embodiments some different dome and hinge configurations are used. Flexible cap  112  includes an outer vertical wall  410  that extends upwardly, a curved portion  412  that transitions to downwardly extending wall  414 . In  FIG. 4B , the flexible cap is in a pre-depressed state. No force is being applied. The volume of the pumping zone  400  is related to the distance  416  between the surface of cap-receiving member  200  and the top of the cap  112 . In  FIG. 4C , the flexible cap is in a depressed state. A force is being applied in the direction of arrow  418 . This causes the cap to bend at several points, including point  402  and thereby reduce the volume of pumping zone  400 . The volume of the pumping zone  400  is related to the reduced distance  420 . This reduction in volume causes fluid that resides within the pumping zone to be extruded through spout  110 . The details of this extrusion are shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . One skilled in the art would recognize the total volume of the pumping zone is proportional to the distance between the top of the dome and the base, but points  416  and  420  are depicted for clarity. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 5  when the spout (not shown) is depressed downward by applying a force, the tube  108  moves in the direction of arrow  500  which causes the cap  112  to move likewise, flexing at point  402  and reducing the volume of zone  400 . One-way valve  404  prevents any fluids that are disposed within zone  400  from moving in the direction of arrow  504 . The fluid within zone  400  escapes through one-way valve  406  in the direction of arrow  502 . This escaped fluid travels through the elongated tube  108  and is eventually is dispensed through the spout  100 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the downward force that was applied to the spout is released, the cap returns to its natural position which moves the top of the cap direction of arrow  600 . This increases the volume of zone  400  and causes fluid to flow from space  114 , through one-way valve  404  in the direction of arrow  602 . Fluid is prevented from flowing out of the tube  108  in the direction of arrow  604  by one-way valve  406 . In this fashion, zone  400  is replenished with additional fluid. By adjusting the configuration of the cap, and particularly the rigidity point  402 , the amount of force required to flex the cap can be controlled. In one embodiment, the cap requires a force of approximately 22 N to fully depress. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , spout  110  passes through bore  106  and connects to tube  108 . Spout  110  includes an elongated stem  700  that has a wide barb end  702 , a narrower central portion  704 , and a wide cap end  706 . Barb end  702  is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore  106  and prevents accidental disassembly of the container. Cap end  706  is configured to be disposed over vents  708  of bore  106 . Cap end  706  includes a series of alternating curved and flat surfaces (not shown) about its perimeter. When the spout  110  is in a locked position, a curved surface fits over vents  708 , thereby locking the vents closed. Such a configuration prevents contamination while the container  100  is being stored. When spout  110  is in an unlocked position, a fiat surface fits over vents  708 , thereby providing a pathway for air to flow through the vents. Spout  110  also has an internal notch  710  that engages a corresponding dimple  712  on the top surface of upper portion  102 . The alignment of the curved and flat surfaces is controlled by alignment of the notch and dimples.  FIG. 8A  illustrates an embodiment which includes a plurality of dimples, some of which are elongate. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8A  depicts shallow dimple  712  as well as elongated dimples  800  and  802 . Notch  710  is configured to rest on dimple  712  (which prevents spout  110  from being depressed) or slide within elongated dimples  800  or  802  until the notch rests at the bottom portion of the dimple. The longer the depth of the elongated dimple, the further the spout  110  can be depressed and the more fluid is dispensed. Embodiment such as those depicted in  FIG. 8A  provide dimples with various depths and thereby permit various volumes of fluid to be dispensed or, alternatively, provide a lock for the container to prevent the spout from being depressed. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8B  depicts another embodiment where the spout  110  includes a window  804  that permits the user to view an indicator  806 . In such an embodiment a plurality of indicators are disposed in a circle on the surface of the upper portion  102  such that only one such indicator is visible through the window  804  at a time. As the spout is rotated, notch  710  engages different dimples ( 712 ,  800 ,  802 , etc.) and a different indicator becomes visible that corresponds to the different dimple. Indicator  806  appears as a lock to indicate dimple  712  that locks the spout.  FIG. 8A  shows indicators “2” and “3” that correspond to larger volumes of dispensing fluid being released. Three dimples are visible in  FIG. 8A  but any suitable number of indicators may be used. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a depiction of another embodiment. The embodiment of  FIG. 9  differs from that of  FIG. 5  in that the one-way valve  406  is a ball valve with a stop. The embodiment also differs in that a spring  900  is provided to aid in returning cap  112  to its natural position. This permits the curve of flex point  402  to include fewer bends. Spring  900  attaches to lower portion  104  at mount  902  which, in the embodiment illustrated, is a recess in the bottom of power portion  104  sized to receive spring  900 . Since the view of  FIG. 9  is a bisected view, only half of the spring is shown. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are two views of another embodiment of the invention. The container displayed includes upper portion  1000  and lower portion  1002 . Lower portion  1002  includes contoured surface  1004  that cause the vicious liquid to be directed toward the opening in the cap-receiving member. Upper portion  1000  is connected to collar  1006  but may be separated therefrom by, for example, a screw connection or other conventional means. Collar  1006  includes lead-in guides  1008 . When the container is depleted, the collar  1006  and its spout are seprated from upper portion  1006  while leaving the stem connected to lower portion  1004 . The container may then be refilled with additional liquid. When the collar  1006  and upper portion  1000  are reassembled, lead-in guides  1008  act to guide the elongated stem into position such that it properly connects to the spout. The lead-in guides  1008  provide a generally conical surface that guides the stem toward the vertex of the cone which coincides with the desired location of the stem. 
         [0035]    The aforementioned containers and components are preferably constructed from durable plastics. Examples include polypropylene and polyethylene. Advantageously, this permits the components to be formed by injection molding or extrusion methods. For the purposes of explaining the invention,  FIGS. 1-9  generally referred to only a single container shape but it should be recognized that many other container shapes can also be used. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.