Elastomeric dispensing pump that can be made with as few as two components

Abstract

A fluid dispensing pump that can be manufactured from as few as two parts: a stationary pump base (200) provided with an inlet passageway (201), and an integral pump top (300) provided with a fluid-tight attachment to the pump base and including a generally rigid core (310) and a self-restoring elastomeric layer (320). The generally rigid core (310) has a base attachment portion (311) and a dispensing valve core (315). The elastomeric layer (320) includes a resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) and a dispensing valve membrane (325). Upon assembly of the pump base and the pump top, a fully functional dispensing pump (100) is created with an inlet passageway (101), a one-way inlet valve (102), a self-restoring resilient pump cavity of variable volume (103) and a one-way dispensing valve (105). The one-way dispensing valve is preferably self-closing. The integral pump top (300) may have a rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) bound to or imbedded into the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323). The dispensing pump of the present invention may have a valved venting passage for those applications that require it and may have a secure lock-in mechanism for leakage prevention during storage or transportation.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid dispensing pumps and more particularly to an elastomeric dispensing pump with optional self-closing, positive shut-off and valved venting passage mechanisms and that can be made with as few as two easily assembled components.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Dispensing pumps are well known in the art and are commonly used for dispensing liquids having widely varying flow characteristics and viscosities. The form of discharge from these pumps varies from a fine spray to a slow moving flow. Common examples are numerous dispensers found on the market such as container-mounted, finger-operated dispensing pumps for such products as hand creams, lotions, shampoos, liquid soap or window cleaner as well as wall-mounted dispensers such as soap dispensers found in public bathrooms.

Reciprocating piston pumps are the most widely used type of dispensing pumps. Such pumps are rather complex, having nine parts or more and involve the use of one-way ball valves, various springs, sliding pistons, sealing elements and related engineering elements that require complex tooling and assembly. They also have a size limitation as it becomes difficult to maintain proper dimensional tolerance when size increases; likewise, miniaturization is limited due to the large number of components. They also have design restrictions that limit their esthetics and reduce design creativity by being limited to cylindrical shapes for their main body and being rather bulky.

The inconveniences of reciprocating dispensing pumps are well known in the art and have been tentatively addressed in the patent literature, generally with pumps having flexible or deformable walls such as bellows, elastomeric walls and the like that require far fewer parts, some of them having as few as two integral parts. However, such pumps present assembly challenges for mass-production as the flexible parts tend to deform during assembly which raises positioning issues and may result in unacceptable levels of defective parts, especially when assembly involves groves, annular rings or sliding seals, and tight fitting is required for proper sealing. They also present reliability issues as it can be difficult to get a sealing connection between the flexible components and the rigid components. Furthermore, most pumps with flexible walls tend to dispense fluid when sufficient positive pressure is applied to the inlet port of the pump which may occur upon sufficient temperature change causing a substantial increase of the air pressure inside a container, especially when the fluid inside the container is volatile. Such spontaneous fluid dispensing without user intervention is highly undesirable.

The present invention concerns pumps with deformable walls, and more precisely, pumps with elastomeric walls, addressing the challenges particular to such pumps.

Considering the prior art, a few patents disclose dispensing pumps that can be made with as few as two components: a rigid pump base and an elastomeric component forming a pump body, and most have spontaneous dispensing issues and present mass-production challenges as the requirement for tight fitting and rather complex geometry of a flexible part and a rigid part greatly complicates automated assembly. It would be advantageous to resolve this issue by using a rigid core joined to the flexible part allowing easy and reliable fitting to a rigid pump base.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,663 discloses an elastomeric pump consisting of an elastomeric member having a recessed portion adapted for sealing engagement with a supporting surface of a base member through which two ports open to define a closed chamber. The dispensing pump embodiment taught here has a partition in the recessed portion having an hedge resting resiliently across and against the surface of the base member. Such setting requires a dual compartment and raises reliability and assembly issues.

• • U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,366 discloses a two-piece suction pump with a deformable member, having an annular groove and an annular ring in sealing engagement to a cap member.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,689 discloses an elastomeric pump with a rigid base member and an elastomeric upper member having a dome-shaped part and an extending elongated lip or flat member. There are some problems with this type of design: for example, pressure applied to the pump will tend to peel off the “integral resilient upper member” from the “base member”, whether it is mechanically bound (with a grove for instance) or glued (the method favored by the patent). Also, automated assembly of such a pump in a production line may be very difficult to accomplish in practice.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,327 teaches a complex pump using a sliding seal. This can be problematic. Also, a “stationary end sealed to the pump base about the inlet passageway” may raise leakage issues.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,603 also teaches a fairly complicated pump. The “annular barrier seal (23) in rubbing contact between the upper (10) and lower (11) components” may not be reliable and may be prone to leakage because of the length of the seal is the entire perimeter. This is also true for the “annular discharge compartment (31).

It would be advantageous to have a pump that remedies the various inconveniences of existing dispensing pumps. Using the pump of the present invention:

1) The rigid core gives strength and structure to the integral pump top, and assembly of the integral pump top and the pump base can be as easy as a simple and secure snap-in or pressed-on assembly that doesn't require sophisticated tooling. When the pump top and pump base are attached upon fabrication, assembly is even easier as the parts are pre-registered, and assembly may be done on the mold itself upon demolding, eliminating one assembly step.

2) Startup costs such as molding and tooling costs as well as production and assembly costs are therefore greatly reduced as the pump may comprise only two simple components, while performance and reliability is increased as the pump chamber is self-sealing in its preferred embodiment, and the pump offers highly desirable optional features such as self-closing and secure lock-in.

3) Tooling can be very simple for simple shapes, while the pump design permits great flexibility of shapes.

4) The combination of two materials allows creative design and color combinations for esthetically pleasing packaging.

5) There is greater size flexibility as dimensional tolerance is not an issue, especially in embodiments with a lower elastomeric membrane because such a membrane is self-sealing against the pump base. Likewise, miniaturization is not an issue and the pump can be rather small.

6) The leakage issue inherent to most flexible membrane pumps is essentially eliminated because an increase of pressure inside the pump chamber pushes the elastomeric layer against the pump base and the rigid core therefore improving the seal of the pump chamber. The effect is enhanced in embodiments with a lower membrane as the lower membrane further seals against the pump base.

7) The dispensing end of most prior art dispensing pumps is movable which is inconvenient to the user, while the dispensing end of the pump under the present invention is stationary for a more convenient use. The optional actuator further increases user-friendliness and ergonomics. Most dispensing pumps require vertical finger pressure, while the pump of the present invention can be operated in any finger position.

8) The spontaneous dispensing issue common to most prior art dispensing pumps with flexible walls can be partly solved by using a concave upper surface for the pump base of the preferred embodiment of the current invention. This issue can be eliminated in an alternate embodiment wherein the pump's inlet valve is shut-off when the pump is in its quiet position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned and/or other problems, and relates to a fluid dispensing pump that can be manufactured from as few as two easily assembled parts that is reliable and user-friendly, and among various advantages, offers improved ergonomics and greater flexibility of design and esthetics than existing art.

The preferred embodiment of the pump has a stationary pump base (200) and an integral pump top (300) with a fluid-tight attachment to the pump base. The stationary pump base (200) has an inlet passageway (201), an upper surface (202), an upper inlet orifice (201a) and a top attachment portion (211). The pump top includes a generally rigid core (310) and a self-restoring elastomeric layer (320).

The generally rigid core (310) has a base attachment portion (311) circumferentially corresponding to the top attachment portion (211) of the stationary pump base (200), either alone, or in conjunction with the elastomeric layer (320), for fluid-tight attachment to the pump base (200), and a dispensing valve core (315) optionally extending outwardly from the base attachment portion (311).

The elastomeric layer (320) is joined to the generally rigid core (310) to form a continuous closed surface, thereby forming a pump chamber (103), the upper surface (202) of the pump base (200) being the base of the pump chamber (103), and the rigid core (310) giving strength and structure to the pump chamber (103). The elastomeric layer (320) includes a resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) defining a top portion of the pump chamber (103).

The elastomeric layer (320) further includes a dispensing valve membrane (325) cooperating with the dispensing valve core (315) to form a one-way dispensing valve (105) and a dispensing slit or orifice (326). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing valve core (315) may be solid; in an alternate embodiment, it may be hollow and include a core outlet passageway (106), the dispensing valve membrane including an elastically deformable portion that forms a one-way outlet valve (107).

The elastomeric layer (320) may further include a lower elastomeric membrane (322) having a chamber inlet aperture (322a) and an inlet membrane valve portion (322b). Upon assembly of the pump, the membrane valve portion (322b) cooperates with the upper inlet orifice (201a) of the stationary pump base (200) to form a one-way inlet valve (102).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric layer (320) is joined to the entire periphery—preferably the inner periphery—of the base attachment portion (311) of the generally rigid core (310),

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric layer (320) comprises a plurality of discrete portions, each attached at their edge or at their periphery to corresponding edges or peripheries of the rigid core (310), preferably through interface solidification of melted portions of the rigid material of the generally rigid core (310) and the elastomeric material of the elastomeric layer (320) in such a manner that a continuous inner surface is formed by the rigid core and the elastomeric membrane. The lower edge of the elastomeric layer (320) is joined to the upper edge of the generally rigid core (310). The dispensing valve membrane (325) may be fitted over or within the dispensing valve core (315) continuously with the remaining portion of the elastomeric layer (320), or it may be attached to the outer edge of the dispensing valve core (315) and other corresponding edges of the rigid core (310). The lower elastomeric membrane (322) may be a continuous portion of the elastomeric layer (320), or it may be attached to the edge of the base attachment portion (311).

Upon assembly of the pump base (200) and the pump top (300), a fully functional dispensing pump (100) is created with an inlet passageway (101), a one-way inlet valve (102), a self-restoring resilient pump cavity of variable volume (103) and a one-way dispensing valve (105) which is self-closing in most embodiments of the present invention. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the one-way inlet valve may be shut-off when the dispensing pump is in its quiet position. An air-vent may be added to the dispensing pump if necessary.

An alternate embodiment, the integral pump top (300) has a rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) bound to, or imbedded into, the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323), and preferably connected to the base attachment portion of the rigid core (311). The actuator portion (314) may also be connected to the base attachment portion of the rigid core (311) in a spring-like manner for increased pump efficiency. Also, the integral pump top (300) is optionally movable relative to the pump base or rotatable around a central axis between an open position and a closed position so that in an open position the pump operates to dispense fluid, and in a closed position the pump is shut-off and inoperable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing pump which employs as few as just two easily assembled parts, which operates reliably, which is inexpensive to manufacture, which requires lower tooling cost and equipment cost and offers increased ergonomics and flexibility of design compared to dispensing pumps currently on the market.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing pump employing an optional self-closing and positive shut-off mechanism which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, which is user-friendly, and which provides increased leak-proofing without spillage in closed position. Self-closing is desirable to avoid deterioration of the substance remaining in the dispensing passageway and to ensure that the dispensing slit or orifice remains clean. Also fluid leakage is always a concern throughout the life of the pump. When shipping the pump, internal container pressure may fluctuate as a result of temperature changes and/or handling shocks and may create leakage, even when the pump is not actuated; therefore, an efficient positive shut-off mechanism is a highly desirable feature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is directed to the following illustrations of aspects of embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a means for attachment to a container provided within the pump base.

FIG. 1B shows a frontal view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of the rigid core pump top part of FIG. 1A with a dispensing valve core and a rigid core valve aperture.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the rigid core pump top part of FIG. 1A with an elastomeric layer molded over it.

FIG. 2C shows a bottom view of the rigid core pump top of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows the stationary pump base of FIG. 1A-1B with a base valve recess.

FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment with a concave base upper surface.

FIG. 5A shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a relaxed or quiet state ready to pump.

FIG. 5B shows the embodiment of FIG. 5A while the elastomeric pump layer is being depressed and fluid is being dispensed.

FIG. 5C shows the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B after the elastomeric pump layer is released and the inlet valve opens.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with the pump top rotated to a secure shipping position wherein the pump is disabled.

FIG. 7A shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with a rigid actuator portion embedded in the elastomeric layer; the elastomeric layers consists of three separate portions attached to corresponding edges of the rigid core.

FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the rigid core of the embodiment of FIG. 7A with the attached actuator portion before over-molding of the elastomeric layer.

FIG. 7C shows a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A showing both the rigid actuator and the elastomeric layer.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of another embodiment with a conventional duck bill dispensing valve.

FIG. 9A shows a cross-section of an alternate embodiment with a vertical duck-bill dispensing valve and a lock-in insert.

FIG. 9B shows a cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 9A with the lock-in insert in secure locked position.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment with the pump base and pump top attached by a dual attachment that also serves as temper-proof.

FIG. 11A shows an air inlet in the closed position.

FIG. 11B shows the air inlet of FIG. 11A in the open position.

FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in a secured locked-in position.

FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12A in dispensing position.

FIG. 12C shows a sectional view of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12D shows a sectional view of FIG. 12B.

FIG. 13A Shows a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13B shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 13C.

FIG. 14A shows a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 7A with the pump assembled and an inlet passageway plug attached to the actuator portion.

FIG. 14B shows another sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of an alternate embodiment with the pump base having a duckbill valve inserted inside the inlet passageway.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing pump that can be fabricated with as little as two easily assembled separate parts: a pump base part and an integral pump top part that is securely attached to the pump base in a fluid-tight manner, the pump top part having a rigid core and a self-restoring resilient layer. The two parts of the pump top can be made by multi-material molding in the same mold or over-molding whereas the core is made first and then placed in a mold again to over-mold the elastomeric layer.

The rigid core and the elastomeric layer may be joined through: 1) a mechanical binding such as groves, asperities, holes or other surface means 2) a chemical bind such as interface solidification of melted portions of the two materials. 3) or they may just overlay in a weak binding. Some embodiments of the present invention do not require a particularly strong binding because the elastomeric layer is self-sealing; however, embodiments that have rotating components require stronger binding so that the elastomeric layer rotates properly with the rigid core.

It is within the scope of the present invention to use the same material for the rigid part of the pump top and the elastomeric layer part in a one-step molding using varying thickness and resiliency to define flexible portions and semi-rigid portions; however, the preferred method is to use two different materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric layer extends continuously to form a lower elastomeric membrane in sealing contact with the upper surface of the pump's bottom part, with a portion of the lower elastomeric membrane covering entirely the inlet passageway to form a one-way inlet valve.

After the pump top part is attached to the pump base, and the pump is in an operational state, when the top portion of the elastomeric layer is depressed, internal pressure closes the inlet valve and forces fluid out of the dispensing valve. When this top portion is then released, it returns to its original shape causing a negative pressure that closes the dispensing valve and opens the inlet valve pulling fluid into the pump chamber. The dispensing valve is self-closing in most embodiments of the present invention. An air-vent may be added for those applications that require it. An optional shut-off mechanism may be employed which secures and shuts-off the dispensing valve for shipping and storage. The dispensing pump under the present invention may be used as a dispensing closure when it is attached to a squeezable container. In an alternate embodiment, the pump's inlet valve can be shut-off when the pump is in its quiet position to prevent spontaneous dispensing due to pressure increase within an attached container.

Turning to FIGS. 1A-1B, a perspective view and a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is seen. A stationary pump base (200) provided with means for attachment to a container (not shown) has an integral pump top (300) mounted on it. A one-way self-closing dispensing valve (105) protrudes and provides an exit for the fluid material in the container. The one-way self-closing dispensing valve (105) with the dispensing slit (326) is for ease of operation by a user, although it is not necessary that it be as long as shown, or that it protrude at all. The pump in FIGS. 1A-1B is shown in the operating mode with the dispensing valve (105) aligned with the base valve recess (215). The frontal view FIG. 1B shows the rigid core valve aperture (315a) located underneath the dispensing valve (105) aligned with the base valve recess (215). An elastomeric layer (320) fits over, and is sealed to the rigid core (310) of the integral pump top (300). When depressed, this elastomeric layer (320) causes fluid to exit the pump chamber formed under it, and when it is released, it draws fluid from the container into that pump chamber. The rigid portions of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B may be made from any adequate thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. The self-restoring resilient elastomeric layer (320) can be any flexible material layer and may be a thermoplastic elastomer, or in some embodiments simply be a much thinner layer of the same material as the rigid portion of the pump top.

FIG. 2A shows the rigid core (310) with the base attachment portion (311), the dispensing valve core (315) and the rigid core valve aperture (315a) of the pump of FIGS. 1A-1B. FIG. 2B shows the integral pump top (300) fully fabricated with the elastomeric layer (320) having a deformable part forming a resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) molded over the rigid core (310) and the dispensing valve membrane (325) and further having a dispensing slit (326). FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the same integral pump top as shown in FIG. 2B and shows the lower elastomeric membrane (322) with the chamber inlet aperture (322a) and the inlet membrane valve portion (322-b) as well as the liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane (325).

FIG. 3 shows the stationary pump base (200) of FIG. 1A-1B with the upper inlet orifice (201a), the upper surface (202), the top attachment portion (211) and the base valve recess (215). In this particular embodiment, the integral pump top (300) (shown in FIGS. 2B) is attached to the top and inside the pump base (200). The pump base (200) may be attached to a container.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the internal structure of an alternate embodiment of the pump of the present invention with a concave base upper surface (202) so that upon assembly of the integral pump top (300) and the stationary pump base (200), the inlet membrane valve portion (322b) fits positively over the upper inlet orifice (201a) when the dispensing pump is positioned in operating position, and positive pressure is required to open the one-way inlet valve (102). This prevents spontaneous fluid dispensing caused by an air pressure increase within the container to which the dispensing pump may be attached. The amount of positive pressure necessary to open the one-way inlet valve (102) depends on the curvature of the upper surface (202) and the resiliency of the inlet membrane valve portion (322b).

FIG. 5A shows a cross-section of the internal structure of the pump of FIGS. 1A-1B. FIGS. 5B and 5C show the operation and internal structure of the embodiment of FIG. 5A in sectional form. The stationary pump base (200) has an inlet passageway (201), an upper inlet orifice (201a), an upper surface (202), a top attachment portion (211) and a base valve recess (215). The integral pump top has a generally rigid core (310) including a base attachment portion (311), a dispensing valve core (315) and a rigid core valve aperture (315a). An elastomeric layer (320) is molded over the inner periphery of the base attachment portion (311) and over the dispensing valve core (315) to form a continuous surface that forms a self-restoring, resilient pump chamber (103). The elastomeric layer (320) extends into a lower elastomeric membrane (322) with a chamber inlet aperture (322a) and an inlet membrane valve portion (322b) that covers the upper inlet aperture (201a), forming an one-way inlet valve (102). The elastomeric layer (320) has a self-restoring pump wall portion (323) and a dispensing valve membrane (325) fitted over the dispensing valve core (315) and a dispensing slit (326) located at its distal end. The dispensing valve membrane (325) has a bound portion (325b) and liftable portion (325a) forming, together with the dispensing valve core (315), a one-way dispensing valve (105).

After the pump has operated once, the pump chamber (103) will be filled with the flowable substance to be pumped and will be in the ready or quiet state. Pressure applied to the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) by such means as finger pressure creates a positive pressure in the pump chamber (103) and closes the one-way inlet valve (102). FIG. 5B shows the resilient elastomeric self-restoring pump wall (323) being depressed. When the pump is positioned in its operating position, and the rigid core inlet aperture (315a) is aligned with the base valve recess (215), the liftable portion (325a) is free to move away from the dispensing valve core (315). Positive pressure in the pump chamber (103) causes this liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane (325) to lift off from the dispensing valve core (315) forming an outlet passageway (106) through which fluid is expelled. After the exit stroke, the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) is released. FIG. 5C shows this condition. As the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) returns to its original shape, a negative pressure is developed in the pump chamber (103) which pulls the liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane (325) against the dispensing valve core (315) closing the one-way dispensing valve (105), and causes the inlet membrane valve portion (322b) to lift up from the upper surface (202) freeing the upper inlet orifice (201a) and opening the one-way inlet valve (102). The negative pressure draws fluid into the pump chamber (103) from the container through the inlet passageway (201) again filling the pump chamber (103) with fluid. Unless the attached container is an airless container, a valved venting passage is normally required to replenish the air into the container. Such and air inlet will be described subsequently.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the pump of FIGS. 5A-5C with the pump top rotated into a safe shipping position. In this position, the inlet membrane valve portion (322b) does not cover the upper inlet aperture (201a), and the one-way inlet valve (102) is disabled. Furthermore, the rigid core valve aperture (315a) is not aligned with the base valve recess (215), and the liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane (325) is prevented from moving away from the dispensing valve core (315). This shuts off the one-way dispensing valve (105).

FIG. 7A-7C show an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) attached to the rigid core (310) and embedded within the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323). The attachment between the actuator portion and the rigid core may optionally act as a spring to improve the pump performance. This actuator portion (314) improves the pump's ergonomics and performance. FIG. 7B shows the rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) attached to the rigid core (310) before overmolding of the elastomeric layer (320).

FIG. 7C shows a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A showing the rigid actuator (314) embedded in the elastomeric layer (320) and also the lower edge (320a) of the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) portion of the elastomeric layer (320) being joined through interface solidification to the upper edge (310a) of the rigid core (310). The dispensing valve membrane (325) is joined at the edge of the dispensing valve core (315) and at the edge of the rigid core valve aperture (315a). The lower elastomeric membrane (322) is joined at its periphery to the lower edge of the base attachment portion (311).

FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B show alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein the integral pump top (300) is the means for attachment to a container, and the pump base (200) is inserted inside the container attachment portion of the pump top, and where the dispensing valve core is hollow and forms an outlet passageway (106). The dispensing valve membrane has a one-way outlet valve portion (107) forming a duckbill valve inside the outlet passageway (106). In cross section FIG. 9A, the one-way outlet valve portion (107) is a vertical duckbill valve, and an optional lock-in insert (338) is located at the distal protruding end of the outlet passageway (106) of the dispensing valve core (315), and is rotatable from an open position to a secure locked position where the lock-in insert shuts off the dispensing valve as shown in FIG. 9B

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with the pump base (200) and pump top (300) attached by a dual attachment (109) that serves as a tamper-proof device. In this embodiment, when the pump is assembled, the inlet membrane valve portion (322-b) of the lower elastomeric membrane (322) does not cover the inlet passageway (201a), and the liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane is prevented from moving away from the dispensing valve core. In this position, the one-way inlet valve is disabled and the one-way dispensing valve is shut-off, placing the pump in a safe, secure and sealed state for shipping and storage. Any positive pressure in the pump chamber acts to press the fluid downward in the inlet passageway. The pump cannot operate because fluid cannot exit the pump chamber. In order for the pump to operate, the pump top must be rotated approximately 180 degrees around a central axis, breaking the attachments (109). In this new position, the inlet membrane valve portion (322b) of the lower elastomeric membrane (322) covers the upper inlet aperture (201a) and the base valve recess (215) is aligned with the rigid core valve aperture (315a) so that the one-way inlet valve and the one-way dispensing valve are both operational. This provides a tamper-proof feature.

FIGS. 11A-11B show one of the many ways a valved venting passage can be realized. Here, the pump base (200) has a radial passageway, and the base attachment portion (311) of the rigid pump top core (310) has a corresponding groove making an air inlet (401). The lower elastomeric membrane (322) has a vertical passageway that is offset from the rigid core groove. The pump base forms a vertical passageway into the container. When negative pressure is applied from the pump chamber by releasing the self-restoring layer, the lower elastomeric membrane (322) is pulled downward allowing air to enter the container as shown in FIG. 11B. It should be noted that there are numerous different ways to include a valved venting passage or any other type of air passage into the pump of the present invention. Each of these ways is within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-12D and 13A-13B show alternate embodiments of the present invention with an actuator portion (314) embedded in the elastomeric layer (320) wherein the pump top (300) is movable slidingly relative to the pump base (200) from a secured locked-in position to an operating position. FIGS. 12A and 12C show respectively a perspective view and a sectional view of the pump in a secured locked-in position with the rigid core (310) retracted in the pump base (200) so that the distal end of the dispensing valve core (315) is confined within the pump base (200), and the liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane is prevented from moving away from the dispensing valve core (315), therefore shutting off the dispensing valve (105). The inlet membrane valve portion (322b) does not cover the upper inlet aperture (201a), and the one-way inlet valve (102) is disabled. FIGS. 12B and 12D show respectively a perspective view and a sectional view of the pump in an operable position with downward pressure applied to the actuator portion (314). The liftable portion (325a) of the dispensing valve membrane (325) is extended away from the dispensing valve core (315) opening up an outlet passageway (106). The pump of this embodiment can be very small and may be used as a dispensing pump for samplers, amenities or magazine inserts and may be glued to a container, or even be an integral part of a container. FIGS. 13A and 13B show a variant of the present embodiment with a means for attachment to a bottle and may be designed for large volume dispensing.

FIG. 14A shows a sectional view and a detail of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with an inlet valve insert (312) attached to the rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) and fitted inside the inlet passageway (101). The inlet passageway has an upper portion forming an inlet valve rest (202b) having a base valve opening (202c). The inlet valve insert (312) has a cut-off making a core inlet valve aperture (312a). An inlet valve membrane (322c) is fitted over the inlet valve insert (312) and has an inlet valve membrane aperture (322d) forming a one-way inlet valve (102). When the dispensing pump is in its quiet position, the inlet valve membrane aperture is sealed by the inlet valve rest (202b), and the one-way inlet valve (102) is shut-off. Positive pressure applied from within the inlet passageway presses the inlet valve insert (312) and the inlet valve membrane (322c) against the inlet valve rest (202b), therefore preventing flow of the fluid inside the pump chamber (103). When the dispensing pump is in a depressed position, the inlet valve membrane (322c) moves away from the inlet valve rest (202b), and negative pressure differential from within the pump chamber (103) lifts the inlet valve membrane (322c) from the inlet valve insert (312) allowing fluid flow from the core inlet valve aperture (312a) thru the inlet membrane valve aperture (322d) and the base valve opening (202c) into the pump chamber (103). FIG. 14B shows another sectional view indicating the position of the base valve opening (202b) and the core inlet valve aperture (312a).

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with the stationary pump base (200) having a duckbill inlet valve (102) inserted inside the inlet passageway (101). The duckbill inlet valve (101) may be made of an elastomeric material and molded within the inlet passageway (101) in a multi-shot molding process or it may be inserted inside the inlet passageway (101) on assembly.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been provided to aid in understanding the present invention. One of skill in the art will realize that there are numerous changes and variations that can be applied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing pump comprising:

a stationary pump base (200) provided with an inlet passageway (201), an upper inlet orifice (201a), an upper surface (202) that may be planar or generally concave and a top attachment portion (211);

an integral pump top (300) provided with means for fluid-tight attachment to the pump base including a generally rigid core (310) and an elastomeric layer (320), said integral pump top (300) being a multi-material integrally molded part that is one continuous piece, wherein the generally rigid core (310) is made of a rigid material and the elastomeric layer (320) is made of an elastomeric material;

said generally rigid core (310) having a base attachment portion (311) with a periphery circumferentially corresponding to said top attachment portion (211) of said stationary pump base (200), either alone, or in conjunction with said elastomeric layer (320) forming a fluid-tight attachment to said pump base (200), and a dispensing valve core (315) optionally extending outwardly from said base attachment portion (311);

said elastomeric layer (320) including:

a resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) defining a top portion of the pump chamber (103);

a dispensing valve membrane (325) cooperating with said dispensing valve core (315) permitting a one-way controlled exit of a flowable substance through a one-way dispensing valve (105) formed by said dispensing valve core (315) and said dispensing valve membrane (325);

Said elastomeric layer (320) being joined to said rigid core (310) thereby forming a pump chamber (103) wherein said upper surface (202) is the base of said pump chamber (103),

whereby upon assembly of the pump base and the pump top, a fully functional dispensing pump (100) is created with an inlet passageway (101), a one-way inlet valve (102), a self-restoring resilient pump cavity of variable volume (103), and a one-way dispensing valve (105).

2. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric layer (320) comprises a plurality of portions attached to corresponding edges of said generally rigid core (310), preferably through interface solidification of melted portions of said rigid material and said elastomeric material, said elastomeric layer (320) and said generally rigid core (310) forming a continuous surface.

3. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said one-way inlet valve is shut-off when the pump is in a quiet position.

4. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said integral pump top (300) further comprises a rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) bonded to or imbedded into the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) and preferably connected to said base attachment portion of the rigid core (311).

5. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said stationary pump base (200) and said integral pump top (300) are molded together and attached by at least one flexible attachment (109).

6. The dispensing pump of claim 5, wherein said flexible attachment (109) is used as a tamper-proof feature, wherein the pump is inoperable and securedly locked-in on assembly, and wherein said flexible attachments need to be broken on first use for said dispensing pump to be operable.

7. The dispensing pump of claim 1 further comprising means for secure lock-in and leakage prevention during storage and transportation.

8. The dispensing pump of claim 1 further comprising a valved venting passage.

9. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said inlet passageway of said stationary pump base further comprises a one-way inlet valve

10. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric layer (320) comprises a lower elastomeric membrane (322) with a chamber inlet aperture (322a), and an inlet membrane valve portion (322b) that covers entirely the upper inlet orifice (201a), forming a one-way inlet valve (102) over said upper inlet orifice (201a), and wherein said inlet membrane valve portion (322b) is liftable from said upper surface (202) of said stationary pump base (200) when a negative pressure differential is applied from within said pump chamber (103) causing inflow of fluid through said inlet passageway (201) into said pump chamber (103), and said inlet membrane valve portion (322b) seals off said upper inlet orifice (201a) when a positive pressure differential is applied from within said pump chamber (103).

11. The dispensing pump of claim 10, wherein said integral pump top (300) is movable relative to said stationary pump base (200) and said upper inlet orifice (201a) and said inlet membrane valve portion (322b) define an open and a closed position wherein, 1) when said integral pump top (300) is positioned in the open position, said inlet membrane valve portion (322b) covers entirely said upper inlet orifice (201a), forming a one-way inlet valve (102) over said upper inlet orifice (201a) and 2) when said integral pump top (300) is positioned in the closed position, said inlet membrane valve portion (322b) releases the upper inlet orifice (201a) and the one-way inlet valve (102) is disabled so that a positive pressure differential applied from within said pump chamber (103) causes outflow of fluid back through said inlet passageway (201).

12. The dispensing pump of claim 1, wherein said dispensing valve membrane (325) has a dispensing slit or orifice (326) and a liftable portion (325a) liftable away from said dispensing valve core (315) wherein a positive pressure differential in said pump chamber (103) lifts said liftable portion (325a) of said dispensing valve membrane (325) and opens an outlet passageway (106) permitting the exit of a flowable substance from said pump chamber (103) through said dispensing slit or orifice (326); said liftable portion (325a) retracts against said dispensing valve core (315) upon pressure release or when a negative pressure differential is applied from said pump chamber (103), closing-off said outlet passageway (106).

13. The dispensing pump of claim 12, wherein said integral pump top is movable from a secured locked-in position where said liftable portion (325a) is prevented from lifting away from said dispensing valve core (315), sealing off said outlet passageway (106), to an operable position where said liftable portion (325-a) may be lifted away from said dispensing valve core (315).

14. The dispensing pump of claim 12, wherein said pump base (200) has a base valve recess (215) and said generally rigid core (310) has a rigid core valve aperture (315a) located underneath said dispensing valve core (315), the dispensing pump having an operative position and a locked-in position whereas 1) in the operative position said rigid core valve aperture (315a) is aligned with said base valve recess (215) and said liftable portion (325a) of said dispensing valve membrane (325) can move away from said dispensing valve core (315) when a positive pressure differential is applied within said pump chamber (103) and 2) in the locked-in position said liftable portion (325a) of said dispensing valve membrane (325) is prevented from moving away from said dispensing valve core (315) shutting off the one-way dispensing valve (105).

15. A dispensing pump comprising:

a stationary pump base including an inlet passageway, an upper inlet aperture, an upper surface and a top attachment portion;

an integral pump top attached to said pump base, said integral pump top including a generally rigid core and an elastomeric layer

said generally rigid core having an attachment portion circumferentially corresponding to said top attachment portion of said pump base and forming a fluid-tight seal with said pump base, said generally rigid core also having an dispensing valve core extending outwardly from said attachment portion of said core;

said elastomeric layer being joined to said rigid core, said rigid core and said elastomeric layer forming:

a pump chamber with a self-restoring top portion;

a one-way dispensing valve membrane cooperating with said dispensing valve core to form an dispensing valve and allow outflow of a fluid through said dispensing valve when said self-restoring top portion is depressed;

a one-way inlet valve cooperating with said upper inlet orifice to allow inflow of said fluid through said inlet passageway when said self-restoring top portion is released.

16. The dispensing pump of claim 15, wherein said integral pump top is a multi-material integrally molded part that is one continuous piece, said rigid core being made of a rigid material and said elastomeric layer being made of an elastomeric material and molded together in a multi-shots molding process.

17. The dispensing pump of claim 15, wherein said integral pump top contains a rigid or semi-rigid actuator.

18. The dispensing pump of claim 15, wherein said stationary pump base and said integral pump top are attached by a flexible attachment member.

19. The dispensing pump of claim 15, wherein said integral pump top is movable from an open position to a locked-in position, whereby in said open position said pump can operate to dispense said fluid and in said locked-in position said pump is sealed.

20. A fluid dispensing pump comprising:

a stationary pump base (200) provided with an inlet passageway (201), an upper inlet orifice (201a), an upper surface (202) that may be planar or generally concave and a top attachment portion (211);

an integral pump top (300) provided with means for fluid-tight attachment to the pump base including a generally rigid core (310) and an elastomeric layer (320)

said generally rigid core (310) having a base attachment portion (311) with a periphery circumferentially corresponding to said top attachment portion (211) of said stationary pump base (200), either alone, or in conjunction with said elastomeric layer (320) forming a fluid-tight attachment to said pump base (200), and a dispensing valve core (315) optionally extending outwardly from said base attachment portion (311);

said elastomeric layer (320) including:

a resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) defining a top portion of the pump chamber (103);

a dispensing valve membrane (325) cooperating with said dispensing valve core (315) permitting a one-way controlled exit of a flowable substance through a one-way dispensing valve (105) formed by said dispensing valve core (315) and said dispensing valve membrane (325);

Said elastomeric layer (320) being joined to said rigid core (310) thereby forming a pump chamber (103) wherein said upper surface (202) is the base of said pump chamber (103),

whereby upon assembly of the pump base and the pump top, a fully functional dispensing pump (100) is created with an inlet passageway (101), a one-way inlet valve (102), a self-restoring resilient pump cavity of variable volume (103), and a one-way dispensing valve (105).

21. The dispensing pump of claim 20, wherein the integral pump top (300) is made of an elastomeric material of varying thickness with a greater thickness semi-rigid portion forming said generally rigid core (310) and a lesser thickness flexible portion forming said elastomeric layer (320).

22. The dispensing pump of claim 20, wherein the integral pump top (300) is a multi-material integrally molded part that is one continuous piece, and wherein the generally rigid core (310) is made of a rigid material and the elastomeric layer (320) is made of an elastomeric material.

23. The dispensing pump of claim 20, wherein said integral pump top (300) further comprises a rigid or semi-rigid actuator portion (314) bonded to or imbedded into the resilient self-restoring pump wall (323) and preferably connected to said base attachment portion of the rigid core (311).

24. The dispensing pump of claim 20, wherein said stationary pump base (200) and said integral pump top (300) are molded together and attached by at least one flexible attachment (109).

25. The dispensing pump of claim 20 further comprising means for secure lock-in and leakage prevention during storage and transportation.

26. The dispensing pump of claim 20, wherein said one-way inlet valve is shut-off when the pump is in a quiet position.