WO2004045778A1

WO2004045778A1 - Dispensing pump

Info

Publication number: WO2004045778A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Rayner
Original assignee: Jaycare Ltd
Current assignee: Jaycare Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-21
Filing date: 2003-11-21
Publication date: 2004-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-21
Also published as: GB0227173D0; AU2003294116A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of a dispensing pump (2) for use in association with a container (4) which includes a flowable material such as a cream or gel which is to be selectively dispensed through an opening in the container (4) with which the pump (2) is associated. The pump (2) includes user actuation means (22) which allows a change in the condition of a pump chamber and a valve arrangement (30) associated therewith. The valve arrangement is moved between open and closed positions at least in part, by mechanical movement means. The invention also relates to the dispensing pump (2) itself and the valve arrangement (30) all of which allow the more efficient and reliable controlled dispensation of the flowable material.

Description

Dispensing Pump

This invention relates to a dispensing pump, and particularly to a dispensing pump for use in dispensing flowable viscous fluids, such as creams, gels and/ or the like.

Conventional dispensing pumps used to dispense flowable viscous fluids typically comprise a pump chamber or feed tube located in a container containing the fluid to be dispensed. The pump chamber typically includes a user depressable dispensing nozzle with an outlet for dispensing a fluid therefrom, an inlet for allowing fluid to move from the container into the pump chamber, a piston rod connected to the dispensing nozzle and located in the pump chamber for moving fluid therethrough and outlet and inlet valve arrangements located in the pump chamber for allowing pre-defined amounts of fluid to be moved into the pump chamber and dispensed therefrom.

In use, a user depresses the dispensing nozzle causing the piston rod to move in a downwardly direction in the pump chamber, thereby increasing the air pressure therein relative to the ambient air pressure. This causes the outlet valve to be moved from a closed condition to an open condition and fluid located between the outlet and inlet valves in the pump chamber is forced through the open outlet valve and is dispensed through the outlet. When the user releases the dispensing nozzle, the nozzle and piston rod move in an upwardly direction due to a spring biasing force. This causes the outlet valve to close and the inlet valve is opened due to the reduction of air pressure in the pump chamber drawing fluid through the inlet. This fluid remains between the inlet and outlet valves in the pump chamber until the user further actuates the dispensing nozzle. An example of a known valve arrangement for use in conventional pump dispensers includes a ball bearing which is located in a valve seat covering a valve aperture when in a closed condition, and which is forced a spaced distance apart from said valve seat to allow the flow of fluid therethrough when in an open condition. Retaining means, typically in the form of an annular protruding flange provided on the interior wall of the pump chamber limits movement of the ball bearing within the pump chamber when the bearing is lifted from the valve seat. The ball bearing is moved to an open condition by the force of fluid beneath the same raising the ball off its valve seat and opening the valve aperture. As the air pressure increases in the pump chamber, the ball bearing falls back onto the valve seat under gravity to close the valve aperture.

A problem associated with conventional valve arrangements is the formation of air pockets in the fluid, typically as a result of its viscosity. Once the ball bearing is covered in viscous fluid and an air pocket is formed in the pump chamber, the ball bearing often becomes stuck in an upright position against the retaining flange (i.e., leaving the valve arrangement in an open condition), thereby preventing further use of the pump. The ball bearing is typically a relatively expensive component, thereby increasing the cost of manufacture of the dispensing pump. In addition, ball bearing valve arrangements often do not form adequate seals with the valve seat.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a dispensing pump which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement for use in a dispensing pump which overcomes the abovementioned problems. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing pump for dispensing a flowable material from a container, said dispensing pump including a pump chamber having outlet means for dispensing the flowable material therefrom, inlet means for allowing the flowable material to enter the pump chamber, a piston movable in the pump chamber to allow the flowable material to be pumped and user actuation means for causing movement of the piston in the pump chamber, said dispensing pump further including at least one valve arrangement located in the pump chamber for controlling the flow of flowable material therein and characterised in that said valve arrangement is moved between open and closed conditions, at least in part, by mechanical movement means.

Preferably the valve arrangement includes a closure member which is movable between said open and closed conditions, at least in part by said mechanical means.

Preferably the valve arrangement includes a valve seat defining an aperture therein and at least a part of the closure member is located on, over and/ or in said aperture when the valve is in a closed condition.

Preferably at least part of the closure member sealingly engages with said valve seat when said valve is in a closed condition.

In one embodiment said mechanical movement means is in the 1 form of at least one resilient arm member and further preferably the arm member(s) contacts an upper surface of said closure member. Preferably the at least one resilient arm member biases said closure member to a closed condition.

The resilient arm member is typically provided a pre- determined distance apart from the valve seat and protrudes inwardly of the pump chamber.

The at least one resilient arm member and/or valve seat can be integrally formed with the pump chamber and/ or can be attached thereto during manufacturing and/or assembly.

In one embodiment the pump chamber comprises a number of components which are joined together by engagement means, such as screw threads, friction fitting and/or the like. In this embodiment, in one example, the closure member is located between retaining means formed at the join between two adjacent components, thereby forming the valve arrangement. The retaining means can act as a valve seat and/or resilient arms for the closure member.

The advantage of engaging a number of components in end to end relationship to form the pump chamber is that the length of the pump chamber can be easily changed according to the size of the container. In addition, there are a number of benefits associated with moulding retaining means at the ends of pump chamber components. For example, the retaining means forming the valve seat and /or resilient arms can be used to more easily extract the component from a mould and the closure member can be easily retained or trapped between two engaged components compared to inserting a closure member in a valve arrangement provided in the middle of an elongate tube or pump chamber. In use, when the user actuation means of said dispensing pump is actuated by the user and the air pressure in the pump chamber is increased, said at least one resilient arm member is biased against said closure member, thereby closing said valve arrangement.

When the user actuation means of said dispensing pump is released by said user and the air pressure in the pump chamber decreases, said at least one resilient arm member flexes upwardly (or in the direction of force being applied by the fluid) due^' to the force of fluid acting on the closure member which overcomes the resilient bias, thereby allowing said closure member to be raised from said valve seat and allowing said flowable material to flow into said pump chamber through said valve aperture.

In an alternative embodiment said mechanical movement means includes at least one elongate rod member connected at one end with said piston and at the other end with said closure member. As said piston moves in said pump chamber, said elongate rod member follows said movement, thereby moving said closure member between closed and open conditions.

The elongate rod member can be integrally formed with the piston rod and/or closure member and/or be attached during manufacture/ as s embly.

In a yet further embodiment said mechanical movement means is in the form of a spring which resiliently biases said closure member to a closed condition. The spring can also be integrally formed with the closure member or attached thereto.

Preferably said flowable material is a substantially viscous fluid, such as a gel, cream and/or the like. Preferably said dispensing pump is located in a container and said flowable material is provided in said container.

In one embodiment said closure member is in the form of a stopper having a first lower portion which is locatable in said valve aperture and an upper portion in the form of a shoulder which sealingly engages said valve seat when in a closed condition. When the closure member is moved to an open condition, the lower portion and shoulder portion are lifted clear of said valve aperture and valve seat respectively.

In a further embodiment said closure member is in the form of a disc, a peripheral part of which sits on said valve seat in sealing engagement therewith when in a closed condition, thereby closing said valve aperture. When the closure member is moved to an open condition, the disc is lifted from said valve seat.

Preferably two valve arrangements are provided in the dispensing pump for the inlet and outlet respectively.

Further preferably at least the inlet valve arrangement is of a form in accordance with the present invention. The outlet valve arrangement can be of a conventional form.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve arrangement for a dispensing pump, said dispensing pump including a pump chamber having outlet means for dispensing a flowable material therefrom and inlet means for allowing the flowable material to enter the pump chamber, a piston movable in the pump chamber to allow the flowable material to be pumped from the inlet means to the outlet means and user actuation means for allowing movement of the piston in the pump chamber, said valve arrangement located in the pump chamber for controlling the flow of flowable material therein and characterised in that said valve arrangement is moved between open and closed conditions, at least in part, by mechanical movement means.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container for a flowable material which is to be selectively dispensed therefrom using a dispensing pump as defined in claims 1-27, said container having a body portion in which said flowable material is held and with which the dispensing pump is in contact, actuation of said pump which is connected to an opening in the container through which the flowable material, causing the dispensation of a controlled quantity of the flowable material.

Advantages of the present invention are that the mechanical movement means prevents the closure member from becoming stuck in a particular position, even when the movement means is covered in viscous fluid. The mechanical movement means provides an inexpensive alternative to a ball bearing valve arrangement and has improved sealing and priming properties compared to conventional valve arrangements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure la is a perspective view of a container and dispensing pump arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention with half of the container and pump arrangement cut away for illustrative purposes;

Figure lb is an enlarged view of the valve arrangement in figure la; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the dispensing pump in figure la;

Figure 3 a is a perspective view of a dispensing pump arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present invention with half of the pump arrangement cut away; and

Figure 3b is an enlarged view of the valve arrangement in figure 3a.

Referring firstly to figures la- 2, there is illustrated a dispensing pump arrangement 2 for a container 4 for containing a viscous fluid therein (not shown) and a lid 6 for locating over the open end of container 4.

An internal surface 8 of a skirt 10 of the lid 6 engages with an upper portion 12 of the container by complementary screw threads 14, thereby securing the lid on the container.

An aperture 16 is provided through an upper surface 18 of lid 6 for location of the dispensing pump 20 therethrough.

The dispensing pump 20 comprises user actuating means in the form of a pump plunger 22, outlet means in the form of a dispensing aperture 24 defined in the pump plunger 22, a piston rod 26 connected to said pump plunger 22, a first valve arrangement 28 and a second valve arrangement 30.

The pump plunger 22 communicates with a pump chamber in the form of a feed tube 32. The feed tube comprises a plurality of components 34, 36, 38 fitted together by means of complementary screw threaded portions 40, 42 and 44, and 46 respectively. A first end 48 of feed tube 32 is located adjacent the base 50 of container 4. Recess portions 50 are provided adjacent the first end 48 to allow the viscous fluid contained in the container to enter the feed tube.

The pump plunger 22 is snap fitted into engagement with piston rod 26. A spring 52 housed around the pump plunger 22 and piston rod 26 resiliently biases the same to a raised position.

A follower plate 54 is provided with a substantially central aperture 55 therein and the feed tube 32 is located through the aperture. The follower plate is in the form of a skirt extending outwardly from the feed tube, the peripheral edge 56 of the skirt contacting the interior side walls 58 of the container. In use, the follower plate is located on top of the viscous fluid in the container and follows the fluid down the container as fluid is dispensed, thereby ensuring that substantially all the contents of the container are cleared during dispensing.

The first valve arrangement 28 arranged for controlling the flow or fluid from the outlet of the feed tube comprises a collar 60 which fits around free end 62 of piston rod 26. A plurality of apertures 64 are defined in a recess portion 76 of piston rod 26 adjacent end 62 thereof for the passage of fluid through an interior channel 66 in the piston rod. The interior channel 66 of piston rod 26 communicates with interior channel 68 in pump plunger 22 and dispensing aperture 24 is provided at an end of interior channel 68 for the dispensing of fluid therefrom.

The collar 60 has a tapered waist portion 70 and flared free ends 72, 74. The flared free ends sealingly engage with the interior surface of the feed tube 32. Tapered waist portion 70 of collar 60 is located in recess portion 76. In use, valve arrangement 28 is moved between open and closed conditions by movement of the recess portion of the piston rod relative to the tapered waist portion 70 of collar 60, thereby allowing the apertures defined in the recess to be opened and closed, as will be described in more detail below.

In accordance with the present invention, a valve arrangement 30 is provided for controlling the flow of fluid from the container into the feed tube. Naive arrangement 30 comprises a closure member in the form of a stopper 78, an annular flange protruding inwardly of feed tube 32 forming a valve seat 80 and arm members 82 located a pre- determined distance above said valve seat 80. The arm members protrude inwardly of said feed tube and resiliently bias said stopper 78 against said valve seat 80.

In this embodiment, valve arrangement 30 is formed at the connection between feed tube components 36 and 38 but it will be appreciated that the valve arrangement can be provided in any suitable location and/or can be provided in an integrally formed feed tube.

The stopper 78 comprises a lower portion 84 which fits in aperture 86 defined by valve seat 80 and an upper portion 88 in the form of a disc, the peripheral edge 90 of which sealingly engages with valve seat 80 when the valve is in a closed condition.

The lower portion 84 can be in a crucifix form or be substantially cylindrical in shape. In either embodiment, the lower portion has slightly smaller dimensions than aperture 86, thereby allowing the lower portion to be movable into and out of aperture 86 during use. A detailed description of the operation of the dispensing pump arrangement and valve arrangement according to the present invention will now be described.

In use, in order to dispense a viscous fluid from container 4, a user is required to depress pump plunger 22, thereby overcoming the bias of spring 52. Piston rod 26 is moved in a downwardly direction on depression of plunger 22, thereby causing recess portion 76 of piston rod 26 to move relative to tapered waist portion 70 of collar 60. This movement moves the collar away from apertures 64 defined in recess portion 76, thereby allowing fluid contained in the feed tube 32 to move through apertures 64, into channel 66 and out of dispensing aperture 24.

During this process, arm members 82 bias stopper 78 into sealing engagement with valve seat 80.

When the user releases pump plunger 22, the spring 52 biases the plunger 22 and therefore piston rod 26 in an upwardly direction to a raised position. This movement draws fluid from container 4, through recess portions 50 of feed tube 32 and causes stopper 78 to be moved in an upwardly direction overcoming the resilient bias of arm members 82. As stopper 78 is moved in an upwardly direction, upper portion 88 releases its sealing engagement with valve seat 80, thereby allowing fluid to flow through valve aperture 86 and past valve arrangement 30. The fluid is unable to pass through the first valve arrangement 28 since the collar is covering apertures 64. Therefore, fluid remains between the first and second valve arrangements until the user depresses the pump plunger 22 for a further time.

Once the pump plunger is in the raised position, the arm members bias the stopper 78 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 80. In this manner, the arm members prevent the stopper from being left in a raised position or open condition in the event of air pockets being formed in the fluid.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a rod member 102 is connected to end 62 of piston rod 26 and stopper 78. When the pump plunger 22 is depressed by a user, this moves the piston rod 26 and thus the rod member 102 in a downwardly direction, thereby forcing stopper 78 into sealing engagement with valve seat 80. When the pump plunger 22 is released by a user, the pump plunger moves in an upwardly direction due to the bias of spring 52, thereby moving the piston rod, the rod member 102 and the stopper in an upwardly direction and causing stopper 78 to disengage with valve seat 80. In this embodiment the inlet valve arrangement is maintained in an open condition until the user depresses the pump plunger 22.

It will be appreciated that any mechanical arrangement can be used which allows a closure member to be moved by mechanical means from a closed condition, wherein the closure member engages with a valve seat, to an open condition, wherein the open member is moved a spaced distance apart from said valve seat, thereby allowing the passage of fluid through the valve.

Tamper evident means and/or locking means can be provided with the dispensing pump. For example, in figures la and 2, a collar 92 is provided around the external surface of the neck of the feed tube to prevent depression of the pump plunger until the collar has been removed. A stopper 94 is connected to collar 92 to close dispensing aperture 24 when not in use.

Thus the present invention provides means for physically moving a closure member of a valve arrangement from at least an open condition to a closed condition.

Claims

1. A dispensing pump for dispensing a flowable material from a container, said dispensing pump including a pump chamber having outlet means for dispensing the flowable material therefrom, inlet means for allowing the flowable material to enter the pump chamber, a piston movable in the pump chamber to allow the flowable material to be pumped and user actuation means for causing movement of the piston in the pump chamber, said dispensing pump further including at least one valve arrangement located in the pump chamber for controlling the flow of flowable material therein and characterised in that said valve arrangement is moved between open and closed conditions, at least in part, by mechanical movement means.

2 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein the valve arrangement includes a closure member which is movable between said open and closed conditions with respect to a valve aperture, at least in part under the influence of said mechanical means.

3 A dispensing pump according to claim 2 wherein the closure member is in the form of a stopper having a first lower portion which is locatable in said valve aperture and an upper portion in the form of a shoulder which sealingly engages a valve seat of the valve arrangement when in a closed condition.

4 A dispensing pump according to claim 3 wherein when the closure member is moved to an open condition, the lower portion and upper portion are lifted clear of said valve aperture and valve seat respectively.

5 A dispensing pump according to claim 2 wherein the closure member is in the form of a disc, a peripheral part of which sits on said valve seat in sealing engagement therewith when in a closed condition, thereby closing said valve aperture.

6 A dispensing pump according to claim 5 wherein when the closure member is moved to an open condition, the disc is lifted from said valve seat.

7 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein two valve arrangements are provided in the dispensing pump, for the inlet and outlet respectively.

8 A dispensing pump according to claim 7 wherein at least the inlet valve arrangement as set out in claims 1-7.

9 A dispensing pump according to claim 2 wherein the valve arrangement includes a valve seat defining an aperture therein and at least a part of the closure member is located on, over and/or in said aperture when the valve is in a closed condition.

10 A dispensing pump according to claim 9 wherein at least part of the closure member sealingly engages with said valve seat when said valve is in a closed condition.

11 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical movement means is in the form of at least one resilient arm member.

12 A dispensing pump according to claim 11 wherein the at least one arm member contacts an upper surface of a closure member of the valve arrangement.

13 A dispensing pump according to claim 12 wherein the at least one arm member biases said closure member to a closed condition. 14 A dispensing pump according to claim 11 wherein the resilient arm member is provided a pre- determined distance apart from the valve seat and protrudes inwardly of the pump chamber.

15 A dispensing pump according to claim 11 wherein the at least one resilient arm member and/or valve seat are integrally formed with the pump chamber.

16 A dispensing pump according to claim 11 wherein the at least one resilient arm and/or valve seat are attached to the pump chamber during manufacturing and/or assembly of the dispensing pump.

17 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein the pump chamber comprises a number of components which are joined together by engagement means.

18 A dispensing pump according to claim 17 wherein the closure member of the valve arrangement is located between retaining means formed at the join between two adjacent components, thereby forming the valve arrangement.

19 A dispensing pump according to claim 18 wherein the retaining means act as a valve seat and/ or resilient arms for the closure member.

20 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein the length of the pump chamber can be adjusted by choosing suitable components with respect to the size of the container in which the same is located. 21 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein when the user actuation means is actuated by a user the air pressure in the pump chamber is increased, and in the valve arrangement at least one resilient arm member is biased against a closure member, thereby closing said valve arrangement.

22 A dispensing pump according to claim 21 wherein the release of the user actuation means of said dispensing pump allows the air pressure in the pump chamber to decrease and said at least one resilient arm member flexes due to the force of fluid acting on the closure member which overcomes the resilient bias, thereby allowing said closure member to be raised from said valve seat and allowing said flowable material to flow into said pump chamber.

23 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical movement means includes at least one elongate rod member connected at one end with said piston and at the other end with a closure member of said valve arrangement.

24 A dispensing pump according to claim 23 wherein as said piston moves in said pump chamber, said elongate rod member follows said movement, thereby moving said closure member between closed and open conditions.

25 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical movement means is in the form of a spring which resiliently biases a closure member of the valve arrangement to a closed condition.

26 A dispensing pump according to claim 1 wherein the flowable material is a substantially viscous fluid, such as a gel, cream and/ or the like. 27 A dispensing pump according to any of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing pump is located in a container in which the flowable material is provided.

28 A valve arrangement for a dispensing pump, said dispensing pump including a pump chamber having outlet means for dispensing a flowable material therefrom and inlet means for allowing the flowable material to enter the pump chamber, a piston movable in the pump chamber to allow the flowable material to be pumped from the inlet means to the outlet means and user actuation means for allowing movement of the piston in the pump chamber, said valve arrangement located in the pump chamber for controlling the flow of flowable material therein and characterised in that said valve arrangement is moved between open and closed conditions, at least in part, by mechanical movement means.

29 A container for a flowable material which is to be selectively dispensed therefrom using a dispensing pump as defined in claims 1-27, said container having a body portion in which said flowable material is held and with which the dispensing pump is in contact, actuation of said pump which is connected to an opening in the container through which the flowable material, causing the dispensation of a controlled quantity of the flowable material.