Patent ID: 8186978

Claim:
A pump comprising: first and second check valves aligned and spaced coaxially along a longitudinal axis and defining therebetween a pumping chamber; an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said pumping chamber through said check valves; a linear actuator having a stem and a pumping element coupled to said stem and located in said pumping chamber wherein actuation of said linear actuator induces said pumping element to move in said pumping chamber along said longitudinal axis between said first and second check valves and between (a) a first position wherein the pumping element moves toward said first check valve and generates a positive pressure in the pumping chamber with said positive pressure maintaining said first check valve closed and opening said second check valve to allow the fluid in said pumping chamber to flow to said outlet and (b) a second position wherein said pumping element and said stem move away from said first check valve and reduces the pressure in said pumping chamber to allow said first check valve to open and draw in fluid from said inlet into said pumping chamber to thereby pump fluid with said pump; and a unitary elastomeric body, said unitary elastomeric body forming both said first and second check valves such that said first and second check valves are formed on a single member.