Patent Description:
The object of the present invention is progressive cavity pump having the features of claim <NUM>. Further advantageous embodiments are indicated by the dependent claims.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a progressive cavity pump <NUM> is attached to a small bottle <NUM> in and to a larger bottle <NUM>, respectively, for dispensing a liquid product <NUM> from each of the bottles. The pump <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction <NUM> and a transverse direction <NUM>, and is attached to the small bottle <NUM> in the longitudinal orientation position and to the large bottle <NUM> in a transverse orientation position, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, each bottle <NUM>, <NUM> includes a bottle body <NUM> having bottle width <NUM>, bottle depth <NUM> and bottle height <NUM>. The bottle body <NUM> includes a bottle shoulder surface <NUM> with a bottle neck <NUM> extending therefrom. The bottle neck portion <NUM> terminates in a bottle opening <NUM> with outer threading disposed on an outer surface of the neck <NUM> and having a bead disposed adjacent to the threading. The bottle <NUM> forms a bottle interior <NUM> to accommodate the liquid product <NUM> therein.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pump <NUM> includes a pump housing <NUM> with a pump nozzle <NUM> extending therefrom. The pump housing <NUM> includes a housing inner surface <NUM> and a housing outer surface <NUM> and forms a shoulder portion <NUM> and an upper portion <NUM> with the housing mid portion <NUM> extending therebetween. The inner surface <NUM> includes a plurality of pump housing features <NUM> for affixing various assemblies within the pump housing <NUM>. The pump housing features <NUM> include ribs, grooves, channels and similar features to secure various assemblies, subassemblies and tubes therein. The pump housing <NUM> supports a progressive cavity pump assembly <NUM> driven by a drive mechanism <NUM>. A trigger assembly <NUM>, to be engaged externally by the operator of the pump <NUM>, activates the drive mechanism <NUM> for advancing the liquid product <NUM> through the pump <NUM>. A flow path for delivering the liquid product <NUM> is formed by a lower tube <NUM> extending from the bottle interior <NUM> into the pump <NUM>, through the pump assembly <NUM> and through an upper tube <NUM> into the nozzle <NUM>. The lower tube <NUM> includes a lower tube inlet <NUM> open to intake the liquid product <NUM> and a lower tube outlet <NUM> for delivering the liquid product to the pump assembly <NUM>. The upper tube <NUM> includes an upper tube intake <NUM> connected to the pump assembly <NUM> and an upper tube outlet <NUM> disposed in the nozzle <NUM> for dispersing the liquid product <NUM> from the pump <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the nozzle assembly <NUM> is pivotably attached to the pump housing <NUM> and includes a nozzle body <NUM> extending from a nozzle attachment end <NUM> which attaches to the pump housing <NUM> to a nozzle dispensing end <NUM> which dispenses the liquid product <NUM> therefrom. The nozzle body <NUM> forms a nozzle cavity <NUM> therein to allow the upper tube <NUM> to extend therethrough. The nozzle body <NUM> also includes at least one finger fin <NUM> extending outwardly from the nozzle body <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, two fins <NUM> are shown to extend outwardly. The nozzle attachment end <NUM> includes a nozzle attachment mechanism <NUM> for pivotably attaching the nozzle <NUM> to the pump housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The attachment mechanism <NUM> includes a nozzle pivot feature <NUM> and a corresponding pump pivot feature <NUM> disposed on the pump housing <NUM> to allow the nozzle <NUM> to pivot about a nozzle pivot point <NUM>. The attachment mechanism <NUM> also includes a plurality of grooves <NUM> to mate with a protrusion <NUM> formed on the pump housing <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> are positioned and spaced to allow the nozzle <NUM> to pivot between several positions. For example, in one embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> has four (<NUM>) nozzle positions with each groove <NUM> corresponding to each position. The nozzle <NUM> has three (<NUM>) full flow positions with the nozzle <NUM> being disposed at substantially at <NUM>°, <NUM>°, and <NUM>°, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The nozzle <NUM> also has a closed position with the nozzle pointing downwardly at substantially <NUM>°, as shown in <FIG>.

In operation, the nozzle <NUM> is moved between the nozzle positions by moving the nozzle about the nozzle pivot point <NUM> into one of the nozzle positions. Once the nozzle is moved to the desired position, the groove <NUM> fits over the protrusion <NUM> and the nozzle is fixed in the desired nozzle position. The finger fins <NUM> can be used for ease of moving the nozzle <NUM> with one hand. In the full flow positions, the pump <NUM> is fully operational and the liquid product flow is not impinged as the upper tube <NUM> flexes to accommodate the nozzle position. The <NUM>° and <NUM>° positions are advantageous for harder to reach places.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pump housing <NUM> also supports a locking assembly <NUM> for attaching the pump <NUM> to the bottle <NUM>, <NUM> such that the pump housing <NUM> includes a locking opening <NUM>, best seen in <FIG>, formed therein to allow activation and deactivation of the locking assembly <NUM> by the pump operator for attaching and detaching the pump <NUM> from the bottle <NUM>, <NUM>. The pump housing <NUM> also supports a bottle seal <NUM> for sealing the liquid product <NUM> within the bottle while allowing air to pass therethrough.

Referring to <FIG>, the pump housing <NUM> also includes a top portion <NUM> disposed on the top portion of the pump <NUM> and fabricated from clear material to allow the operator to observe the upper tube <NUM> therethrough. The clear sight window formed by the top portion <NUM> allows the operator to monitor advance of the liquid product <NUM> during the pump-priming process.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the trigger assembly <NUM> includes a trigger <NUM> accessible externally to be activated by the operator and a trigger pivot post <NUM> with a spring mechanism <NUM>. The spring mechanism <NUM> allows the trigger assembly <NUM> to move in the longitudinal direction <NUM> with respect to the pump housing <NUM> to activate the pump <NUM>. The spring mechanism <NUM> and the trigger pivot post <NUM> are supported by features <NUM> within the trigger assembly <NUM> to ensure proper operation thereof, as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the shoulder portion <NUM> of the pump housing <NUM> forms a shaped flange <NUM> extending downward from the pump housing <NUM> to cooperate with the bottle shoulder surface <NUM>. The shaped flange <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction <NUM> and includes flange extensions <NUM> to fit over and mate with the bottle shoulder surface <NUM>. Referring back to <FIG>, in the regular orientation position, the pump <NUM> fits over the bottle <NUM> such that the length of the pump <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> substantially corresponds to width <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> and the flange extensions <NUM> rest on the sides of the bottle shoulder surface <NUM>. Referring back to <FIG>, in the transverse orientation position, the pump <NUM> fits over the bottle <NUM> such that the length of the pump <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> corresponds to depth <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> and the flange extensions <NUM> rest on front and back of the bottle shoulder surface <NUM>. Thus, the pump <NUM> of the same size can fit and be used with bottles of at least two sizes.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the locking assembly <NUM> allows attachment and detachment of the pump <NUM> onto the bottle <NUM>, <NUM> and includes a lock ring <NUM> and at least one lock bolt <NUM> cooperating with the lock ring <NUM>. Each lock bolt <NUM> includes a lock bolt body <NUM> having a shaped cam opening <NUM> formed therein and a lock tab <NUM> extending therefrom. Each shaped cam opening <NUM> has a far end <NUM> and a close end <NUM>. Each lock bolt <NUM> is movably supported by the pump housing <NUM> such that each lock bolt <NUM> is movable in the longitudinal direction <NUM> within the pump <NUM>. The lock ring <NUM> includes a ring body <NUM> rotatably movable within the pump housing <NUM>. The lock ring body <NUM> includes a switch portion <NUM> for protruding through the locking opening <NUM> formed within the pump housing <NUM> to allow the operator to attach and remove the pump <NUM> from the bottle <NUM>, <NUM> by moving the switch portion <NUM> to one side or the other. The lock ring <NUM> also includes at least one lock pin <NUM> that fits into and cooperates with the shaped cam opening <NUM> of the lock bolt <NUM>. The lock pin <NUM> is movable within the shaped cam opening <NUM> from the far end <NUM> to the close end <NUM> thereof. The locking assembly <NUM> has a locked position and an unlocked position, as best seen in <FIG>. In the unlocked position, the lock pin <NUM> of the lock ring <NUM> is disposed in the far end <NUM> of the shaped cam opening <NUM> of the lock bolt <NUM>. In the unlocked position, the lock bolts <NUM> are farther apart and allow the pump <NUM> to fit over the neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>, <NUM>. In the locked position, the lock pin <NUM> of the lock ring <NUM> is disposed in the close end <NUM> of the shaped cam opening <NUM> of the lock bolt <NUM> and the lock bolts <NUM> are pushed closer together to engage the neck <NUM> of the bottle to secure the pump <NUM> onto the bottle <NUM>, <NUM>.

In operation, the pump <NUM> with the locking assembly <NUM> in the unlocked position is placed over the neck <NUM> portion of the bottle <NUM>, <NUM>. Once the pump <NUM> is placed over the neck of the bottle, in either longitudinal position or in transverse position, the operator can move the switch portion <NUM> of the locking assembly <NUM>, accessible from the outside of the pump housing <NUM>, from the unlocked position to the locked position. As the switch portion <NUM> is moved, the lock ring <NUM> rotates and the lock pins <NUM> slide within the shaped cam openings <NUM> of the lock bolts <NUM> from the far end <NUM> to the close end <NUM>, thereby moving the lock bolts <NUM> from the unlocked position into the locked position so that the lock tab <NUM> of at least one lock bolt <NUM> fits under and engages the bead of the bottle neck <NUM> and thus secures the pump <NUM> onto the bottle <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>,<FIG> and <FIG>, the progressive cavity pump assembly <NUM> is supported by the pump housing <NUM> and includes a stator <NUM> having a stator housing <NUM> which may have a first stator housing side <NUM> and a second stator housing side <NUM>. The stator housing <NUM> forms a lower stator housing portion <NUM> for housing a stator insert <NUM> therein and an upper stator housing <NUM> forming a stator chamber <NUM> and for housing a flexible cone seal <NUM> therein. The lower stator housing <NUM> has internal lobed shape that corresponds to and supports the stator insert <NUM>, which forms a shaped stator cavity <NUM> therein with a stator centerline <NUM>. The upper stator housing <NUM> also has a stator opening <NUM> with a stator outlet pipe <NUM> extending therefrom. The progressive cavity pump assembly <NUM> also includes a stator housing inlet <NUM> to seal the lower stator housing <NUM> and a stator housing cap <NUM> to seal the upper stator housing <NUM>. The stator housing <NUM> and the stator insert <NUM> include insert features <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, that mate and fix the stator insert <NUM> within the stator housing <NUM>. The stator housing <NUM> also includes external features <NUM> which correspond to the pump housing <NUM> internal features <NUM> for positioning the stator housing within the pump housing. The upper stator housing <NUM> further includes a cap protrusion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the internal cavity <NUM> also defines an internal shape <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the progressive cavity pump assembly <NUM> further includes a rotor <NUM> which cooperates with the stator insert <NUM> to dispense the fluid product <NUM> from the bottle <NUM>, <NUM> through the pump <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> includes a gear portion <NUM> and a shaft <NUM> extending from the gear portion <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> comprises a straight shaft portion <NUM> extending from the gear portion <NUM> and a lobed shaft portion <NUM> extending from the straight shaft portion <NUM>. The gear portion and the straight shaft portion are substantially concentric and are centered about a gear center axis <NUM>, whereas the lobed shaft portion <NUM> is centered about a lobed center axis <NUM>, which is the axis of rotation of the rotor and which is offset from the gear center axis <NUM> by distance e. The gear portion <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth <NUM> extending radially outwardly therefrom with each tooth <NUM> having a tooth geometry and having an inner tooth surface <NUM> and an outer tooth surface <NUM>. The straight shaft portion <NUM> includes a shaft diameter and the lobed shaft portion comprises a plurality of lobes shaped to cooperate with the stator insert <NUM> and has a cross-sectional diameter d.

Referring to <FIG>, the internal shape <NUM> of the shaped stator cavity <NUM> is dimensioned to have width substantially equal to the diameter d, which is the cross-section of the lobed shaft portion <NUM>. The length of the internal shape <NUM> of the shaped stator cavity <NUM> is equal to 4e between center points <NUM>, wherein e is defined as the offset between the rotor center <NUM> and rotor axis <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the stator housing inlet <NUM> comprises a housing inlet body <NUM> having a disc shape with inlet body flange <NUM> extending upward and an inlet connector <NUM> extending downward. The inlet body flange <NUM> mates with the lower stator housing <NUM> to provide sealing and the inlet connector <NUM> is connected to the lower tube <NUM> to form the flow path and to allow the fluid product <NUM> to flow from the bottle into the pump.

The stator housing cap <NUM> includes a disc body <NUM> with a cap flange <NUM> extending downwardly therefrom and a cap slot <NUM> formed within the disc body <NUM>. The cap slot <NUM> has a width and length with the width being substantially equal to the rotor shaft diameter d and the length of the cap slot being greater than the rotor shaft diameter. For example, for a double-pitched rotor, as shown in one embodiment, the length of the cap slot is equal to <NUM> times the distance e between the rotor center and the rotor axis, or 4e plus d. The width of the slot is sized to the rotor diameter d in such a way as to create a running fit or a slip fit. Thus, the cap <NUM> allows movement of the rotor <NUM> within the cap slot <NUM> in one direction and constraints the movement of the rotor shaft in the other direction. In the shown embodiment, the cap slot <NUM> allows the rotor shaft movement in the transverse direction <NUM>. The disc flange <NUM> includes a notch <NUM> that cooperates with the cap protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper stator housing <NUM> for properly orienting the cap <NUM> with respect to the stator <NUM>.

The flexible cone seal <NUM>, disposed within the stator chamber <NUM> of the upper stator housing <NUM>, has an approximately cone shape to provide a sealing mechanism to allow transverse movement of the rotor shaft <NUM> therein.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the drive mechanism <NUM> includes a forward drive yoke <NUM> having a pivot end <NUM> movably attaching to the trigger assembly <NUM> and forward drive arms <NUM> engaging the gear portion <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>. Each forward drive arm <NUM> includes drive pawls <NUM> to engage the teeth <NUM> of the gear portion <NUM>. The drive pawls <NUM> include drive pawls geometry to engage and mesh with the teeth <NUM> of the gear portion to drive the rotor <NUM> in a drive direction <NUM> about a drive axis <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>. The pivot end <NUM> is coupled to the trigger pivot post <NUM> of the trigger assembly <NUM> which is activated when the trigger <NUM> is pulled.

The drive mechanism <NUM> also includes a rear yoke <NUM> disposed on the other side of the gear portion <NUM> and in a staggering relationship with the forward drive yoke <NUM>. The rear yoke <NUM> includes a rear yoke pivot end <NUM> attaching to the pump housing <NUM> and rear yoke arms <NUM> extending outwardly and engaging the gear portion <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>. Each rear yoke arm <NUM> includes rear pawls <NUM> having geometry to engage and mesh with the teeth <NUM> of the gear portion <NUM> to prevent reverse rotation of the gear portion <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>.

The forward drive yoke <NUM> and the rear yoke <NUM> are arranged in a staggered configuration and dimensioned such that the forward drive yoke arms <NUM> and the rear yoke arms <NUM> engage the gear portion <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>.

In operation, as the trigger <NUM> is pulled externally by the operator of the pump, the trigger moves in the longitudinal direction <NUM> via the spring mechanism <NUM> and activates the forward drive yoke <NUM> as the pivot end <NUM> of the forward drive yoke <NUM> is coupled to the trigger pivot post <NUM> of the trigger assembly <NUM>. Once the forward drive yoke <NUM> is activated, it rotates the gear portion <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> in the drive direction <NUM>. In one embodiment, the gear portion <NUM> is rotated approximately <NUM>° in the drive direction <NUM> about the axis of rotation. The rear yoke <NUM> engages the gear portion <NUM> to preclude reverse rotation of the rotor by engaging the gear portion of the rotor. As the gear portion <NUM> is rotated about the axis of rotation, the rotor shaft is also rotated about axis of rotation. As the lobed shaft portion is rotated, the air (during priming) and then the liquid product are sucked into the stator chamber. As the gear portion is rotated and the lobed shaft potion rotatably moves within the stator chamber, the gear portion and the straight shaft also translate in the transverse direction. The straight shaft portion moves in the transverse direction <NUM> within the cap slot of the stator housing cap. Initially, the air and liquid product are moved into the lower tube, then enter the progressive cavity pump assembly through the stator housing inlet into the stator cavity wherein the air and/or liquid product are moved through the lobes as the gear portion of the rotor is driven by the drive mechanism.

With each pull of the trigger, the forward drive yoke drives the gear portion by turning the gear portion a predetermined rotation amount. As discussed above, in one embodiment, each trigger pull rotates the gear portion <NUM>°. As the forward drive yoke <NUM> drives the rotor, the rear yoke <NUM> precludes the reverse motion. As such, the predetermined rotation amount and the geometry of the stator/rotor lobed portions determine the dozing amount and drop size per each trigger pull. As the gear portion <NUM> is rotated by the drive mechanism <NUM>, the gear portion and straight shaft portion also translate in the transverse direction <NUM> as the lobed shaft portion moves along within the stator chamber. The air/liquid product then enter the stator chamber and exit the stator chamber through the stator opening into the stator outlet pipe and into the upper tube. The stator housing inlet, the flexible cone seal and the stator housing cap provide sealing and preclude the liquid product from escaping from the flow path. As the liquid product enters the upper tube, the liquid product follows its flow path and exits through the nozzle.

The progressive cavity pump <NUM> is able to operate with various types of liquid products, including, for example, products such as adhesives and glues and such. For example, the progressive cavity pump <NUM> is able to operate with products having viscosity of <NUM>-<NUM> kg/(m·s) - <NUM>/(m·s) (<NUM>-<NUM> cP).

The internal parts of the progressive cavity pump <NUM> are fabricated from materials compatible and capable of handling various products <NUM>, including adhesives and glues. Furthermore, the lower tube will be a rigid tube whereas the upper tube is flexible to allow for the nozzle <NUM> to be moved between the nozzle positions. Also, the flexible cone seal can be fabricated from a flexible elastomer such as silicone, whereas the cap with elongated slot is fabricated from a rigid plastic material.

Main advantages of the pump <NUM> are simplified design and compact size. Since the pump includes a rigid shaft, the pump does not require either universal joint or flexible shaft, which are prone to failure, therefore, eliminating potential for malfunction. The pump configuration also allows the pump stator to partially reside within the bottle, further allowing for the pump to be of a smaller dimension.

Another advantage of the pump <NUM> is that it may be used with at least two different sizes of the bottle. The pump can be secured in a longitudinal orientation position on a smaller sized bottle, as seen in <FIG>, and in a transverse orientation position on a larger sized bottle, as seen in <FIG>.

Further, the nozzle positions allow application of the liquid product to harder to reach places. Further, the nozzle can be moved with one hand and does not require both hands to operate. The upper tube <NUM> is fabricated from a material that allows flexing when the nozzle <NUM> is moved into different nozzle positions to allow full flow of the liquid product therethrough.

Additionally, the clear top allows the operator of the pump is able to monitor advance of the liquid product <NUM> during the pump-priming process.

Still further, the pump can be mounted onto a bottle without having to be screwed onto the bottle via threads.

Claim 1:
A progressive cavity pump (<NUM>) comprising:
a pump housing (<NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction (<NUM>) and a transverse direction (<NUM>), the pump housing forming a shoulder portion (<NUM>);
a pump nozzle (<NUM>) extending from the pump housing (<NUM>);
a progressive cavity pump assembly (<NUM>);
a drive mechanism (<NUM>) driving the progressive cavity pump assembly (<NUM>);
a trigger assembly (<NUM>) to be engaged externally by an operator of the pump (<NUM>) to activate the drive mechanism (<NUM>) for advancing a liquid product (<NUM>) through the pump (<NUM>) via a flow path for delivering the liquid product (<NUM>), the flow path being formed by a lower tube (<NUM>) extending from a bottle interior (<NUM>) into the pump (<NUM>), through the pump assembly (<NUM>) and through an upper tube (<NUM>) into the nozzle (<NUM>), the lower tube (<NUM>) including a lower tube inlet (<NUM>) open to intake the liquid product (<NUM>) and a lower tube outlet (<NUM>) for delivering the liquid product to the pump assembly (<NUM>), the upper tube (<NUM>) including an upper tube intake (<NUM>) connected to the pump assembly (<NUM>) and an upper tube outlet (<NUM>) disposed in the nozzle (<NUM>) for dispersing the liquid product (<NUM>) from the pump (<NUM>);
wherein the progressive cavity pump assembly (<NUM>) further includes a stator (<NUM>) and a rotor (<NUM>) which cooperates with the stator (<NUM>) to dispense the fluid product (<NUM>) from a bottle (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the pump (<NUM>) such that the pump allows dosing of specific amount of the liquid product per trigger pull, wherein the drive mechanism (<NUM>) includes a forward drive yoke (<NUM>) and a rear yoke (<NUM>) and
characterized in that the forward drive yoke (<NUM>) includes a pivot end (<NUM>) movably attaching to the trigger assembly (<NUM>) and forward drive arms (<NUM>) engaging a gear portion (<NUM>) being part of the rotor (<NUM>), each forward drive arm (<NUM>) includes drive pawls (<NUM>) to engage teeth (<NUM>) of the gear portion (<NUM>), the drive pawls (<NUM>) include drive pawls geometry to engage and mesh with the teeth (<NUM>) of the gear portion to drive the rotor (<NUM>) in a drive direction (<NUM>) about a drive axis (<NUM>), with the pivot end (<NUM>) being coupled to the trigger assembly (<NUM>) which is activated when a trigger (<NUM>) is pulled.