Fluent Product Dispensing Package and Diaphragm Pump For Use Therein

Abstract

A diaphragm pump (12) is provided for a fluent product dispensing package (10), and includes a rigid pump base (22), a pumping dome (20), and an outlet valve (122). The dome (20) can include a mount ring (30) and a flexible dome member (32) that are permanently bonded to each other, with the ring (30) and the base (22) configured to provide a releasable connection for retaining the dome (20) to the base (22). The valve (122) can be part of an outlet valve cartridge (28) that includes the valve (122), a valve base (120) configured to releasably mount the outlet valve cartridge (26) to the base (22), and a retaining ring (124) for retaining the valve (122) to the base (120).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 61/733,029, filed Dec. 4, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to components for dispensing fluid, such as liquid. The components are particularly well suited for use in a diaphragm pump for dispensing liquid, such as hand soap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART

There are a variety of components in use in various fluid dispensing systems. Fluid dispensing systems typically include a reservoir for fluid and a discharge structure which may be connected to the fluid reservoir directly or through a conduit.

Some dispensing systems utilize a fluid dispensing pump which has a resiliently deformable diaphragm that defines a convex wall of the cavity into which fluid enters through a one-way inlet structure and from which fluid is discharged through an outlet discharge structure. Such a diaphragm is typically pushed inwardly to pressurize a fluid in the cavity and squeeze the fluid out of the cavity through the discharge structure of the pump. Examples of such pumps are shown in US 2005/0087555 A1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,916 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,301 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,710 B2; WO 2004/073878 A2; and WO 2004/073870 A2, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

While there are many known forms of such deformable diaphragm pumps for use in fluid dispensing systems, there is always room for improvements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view from above of a fluent product package incorporating a pump according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the fluent product dispensing package with an over cap removed;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a housing of the fluent product dispensing package removed;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a diaphragm or dome member of the pump in a semi-compressed condition;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1, but showing the package without a fluent product container inside of the housing;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the fluent product dispensing package;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view from above of the pump of the dispensing package of FIGS. 1-6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged, cross sectional views taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1, but showing only the pump of FIG. 7, with FIG. 8 showing the pump in a condition where the diaphragm or dome is being compressed and fluent product is being dispensed, and FIG. 9 showing the pump in a condition wherein the diaphragm or dome is returning to its unconstrained condition and fluent product is being pulled into the pump from a fluent product container;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged views of the portion encircled by lines 10-10 and 11-11 in FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view from above of another embodiment of a fluent product package incorporating a pump according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the fluent product dispensing package with an over cap removed;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing a diaphragm or dome member of the pump in a semi-compressed condition;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views similar to FIG. 15, but showing an over cap removed, with FIG. 16 showing the pump in a condition where the diaphragm or dome is being compressed and fluent product is being dispensed, and FIG. 17 showing the pump in a condition wherein the diaphragm or dome is returning to its unconstrained condition and fluent product is being pulled into the pump from a fluent product container;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing a container of the fluent product dispensing package removed;

FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view from above of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, exploded isometric view from above and the front of a pump of the dispensing package of FIGS. 12-19; and

FIG. 21 is view similar to FIG. 20 but from above and the back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only specific forms of various aspects of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

For ease of description, the components and assemblies of this invention may be described in an upright position as shown in the Figures, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, top, bottom, upward, downward, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the components and assemblies of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the upright position described herein.

The components of this invention may be employed in various fluid dispensing systems, particularly liquid dispensing systems. Various components of the present invention are particularly well-suited for use in a discharge structure which may be connected to a fluid supply directly or through a conduit. The components of the present invention are especially useful in a fluid dispensing pump which contains a fluid reservoir in the form of a pressurizable cavity having an inlet and an outlet. Aspects of the invention are especially suitable for use with a diaphragm type dispensing pump which has a resiliently deformable diaphragm that defines a convex wall of the cavity into which fluid enters though a one-way valve inlet structure and from which fluid is discharged through an outlet discharge structure. Such a diaphragm is typically pushed inwardly to pressurize the fluid in the cavity and to squeeze the fluid out of the cavity through the discharge structure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a fluent product dispensing package 10 is shown and includes a main housing 11, a multi-component pump 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) mounted to an upper end of the housing 11, a fluent product container in the form of a collapsible pouch 14 (best seen in FIG. 3) mounted to the pump 12 and carried within the housing 11, and a protective/decorative over cap 16 (FIG. 1) mounted to and overlaying an upper portion and outlet spout 18 of the pump 12. The pump 12 can be characterized as a bellows or diaphragm pump 12 and includes a resiliently deformable, pressurizing diaphragm or dome 20 that can be compressed, as illustrated by arrow A in FIG. 4, to dispense fluent product from the outlet spout 18 of the pump 12 and package 10, as illustrated by arrow B in FIG. 4. After compression, the dome 20 returns to its uncompressed condition, as molded condition, as illustrated by arrow C in FIG. 2, thereby placing the package 10 in a ready state wherein more of the fluent product can be dispensed by compressing the dome 20.

The housing 11 and over cap 16 can be made from any suitable material, including any suitable plastic material or suitable metallic material that can provide adequate structural support to perform the functions of the housing 11 and over cap 16. The collapsible pouch 14 is of any suitable construction, with such pouches typically having two, opposed, flexible web portions 19 peripherally sealed to one another so as to define an interior region that is adapted to contain the fluent product and also to define an opening for establishing communication between the pouch interior region and the exterior of the pouch via a dispensing fitment assembly, which may incorporate a dispensing valve, and a removable cover, or other similar or dissimilar features, and which typically further includes a fitment body molded from a polymeric material that can be heat-sealed to the web portions of the collapsible pouch. Such constructions are commonly referred to as Bag-On-Valve (“BOV”) packages. Some examples of BOV packages can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. RE 39,520 E, issued Mar. 20, 2007; U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,429, issued Aug. 27, 2002; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,307 issued Aug. 14, 2001, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further design details of the housing 11, pouch 14, and the over cap 16 are not critical to the invention described herein and such details may be configured to meet the particular requirements of any specific application, such as, for example, upon the particular type of fluent product being dispensed and the particular environment in which the fluent product dispensing package 10 will be utilized. Accordingly, the details of the components 11, 14 and 16 will not be further described herein except as required to provide an adequate explanation of the features and advantages of the pump 12.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the pump 12 includes the dome 20; a generally rigid pump body or base 22; a resilient, flexible inlet valve 24; an outlet valve assembly or cartridge 26; and a boat fitment 28 for connection to the pouch 14. The modular nature of the pump 12 allows for customization for performance. For example, different inlet valves 24 and/or outlet valve cartridges 26 can be used to provide different performance characteristics for the pump 12. Similarly, different domes 20 can be utilized to provide different flow characteristics for the pump 12. By way of another example, different boat fitments 28 can be utilized to accommodate different types of collapsible pouches 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the illustrated and preferred dome 20 is a bi-injected construction having a generally rigid mount ring 30 and a resilient, flexible dame member 32 overmolded onto the ring 30 such that the ring 30 and the dome member 32 are permanently bonded to each other to form an integrated unit. While bi-injection is preferred, other suitable and known molding processes may be used to form the dome 20 so that the mount ring 30 and dome member 32 are permanently bonded to each other to from an integrated unit. It is highly preferred that the dome member 32 be made from thermoplastic elastomer material, with the ring 30 being made of any suitable and compatible thermoplastic material. In the illustrated embodiment and as best seen in FIG. 5, in its unconstrained, as-molded condition, the dome member 32 has a convex outer surface 34 and a concave inner surface 36 separated by a substantially constant wall thickness, with the surfaces 34 and 36 being semispherical in shape. As best seen in FIGS. 7-9, the mount ring 30 includes an annular flange 38 with a generally cylindrical stub wall 40 extending downwardly therefrom and having a radially outwardly extending annular rib 41 provides a snap-fit connection for retaining the dome 20 to the base 22, as will be discussed in more detail below.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the pump body or base 22 includes a pump chamber 42 defined by a concave surface 44 that is preferably semispherical in shape, an inlet structure or port 46, a dome mount receiving flange 48, a mount lip 50 and the spout 18. The concave surface 44 is surrounded by the dome mount flange 48 which has an upwardly opening annular channel 52 that includes a radially inwardly extending annular rib 54 that engages the rib 41 to provide the snap-fit connection for retaining the dome 20 to the base 22. Together, the dome member 32 and the interior volume of the base 22 define the internal pump volume. In this regard, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is highly preferred for the concave surface 44 to mirror the geometry of the dome member 32 when the dome member 32 is inverted in its fully compressed condition so that the inner surface 36 of the dome member 32 conforms to the concave surface 44 when the dome member 32 is inverted in its fully compressed condition. Such structure minimizes the dead space within the pump chamber 42 and provides a reliable “dosing” of fluent product from the pump 12, when the dome member 32 is fully compressed so that it is inverted against the concave surface 44. The inlet port 46 includes a cylindrical bore 56 that is recessed into the surface 44 and terminates at a valve seat 58 having four equally circumferentially spaced inlet openings 60 and a valve mount bore 62 that is connected to the remainder of the seat 58 by four ribs 64 extending between the inlet openings 60. As best seen in FIG. 8, the inlet port 46 also includes a downwardly extending mount flange 66 for mounting the boat fitment 28 to the pump base 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount flange 66 includes a downwardly opening annular groove 68 having a radially inwardly extending annular rib 70 adjacent the opening of the groove 68 to provide a snap-fit connection with the boat fitment 28, as will be described in more detail below. The pump base 22 further includes an outlet flow passage, illustrated by arrow 72 that is defined by a downwardly extending bore 74 that intersects with a horizontal bore 76 in the spout 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal bore 76 includes a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending annular ribs 78 that define a recess 80 therebetween to provide a snap-fit connection with the outlet valve cartridge 26, as will be discussed in more detail below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the interior surfaces of the pump housing minimize dead space, which increases pump efficiency and reduces spitting. Finally, as best seen in FIG. 2, the base 22 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending bumps 82 that can engage mating features in the cap 16 to provide a snap-fit connection to retain the cap 16 on the pump 12.

The inlet valve 24 includes a generally cylindrical mount post 90 having a frusto-conical shaped terminal end 92 that diverges upward to an annular rib 93 that provides a snap-fit connection that retains the inlet valve to the base 22 when the post 90 is inserted through the valve mount bore 62 of the inlet port 46, as best seen in FIG. 8. The inlet valve 24 further includes an annular seal portion 94 that is connected to the post 90 by a resilient, flexible intermediate portion 96 that extends from the post 90 to the seal portion 94 and that allows the seal portion 94 to move between a closed state shown in FIG. 8 wherein fluent product in the pump 12 is prevented from flowing through the inlet openings 60 and an open state shown in FIG. 9 wherein fluent product from the collapsible pouch 14 can flow into the pump 12 via the inlet openings 60. Preferably, the inlet valve 24 has an as-molded, unconstrained state that forces the inlet valve 24 to the closed position shown in FIG. 8 with the seal portion 94 being urged into engagement with the valve seat 58 by the resiliency of the valve material attempting to return the inlet valve 24 to its as-molded, unconstrained position.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the boat fitment 28 includes a generally cylindrical outlet bore 100 extending through the boat fitment 28 to allow flow of the fluent product from the pouch 14 to the pump 12, a tailpiece 102 having a generally diamond-shaped or “boat”-shaped transverse cross section with a pair of oppositely directed, radially extended, tapered, mount flanges 104 extending therefrom for mounting the fitment 28 to the pouch 14, such as by welding the flexible webs of the pouch 14 to the tailpiece 102 as is well known, a pair of rectangular-shaped lips 106 and 108 extending radially outwardly from the wall 102 to define an annular groove 110 therebetween for receiving an optional cover (not shown) for protecting/closing the fitment 28 when it is not engaged with the pump 12, and a radially outwardly extending annular bead 112 having a frusto-conical lead-in surface 114 for engagement past the annular rib 70 of the inlet port 46 to form the snap-fit connection that retains the pump base 22 and the fitment 28 in assembled relation. Preferably, the boat fitment 28 and the inlet port 46 will be configured to accommodate an airless interface or connection similar to that disclosed in U.S. published Application No. US 2007/0007307 A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The fitment body 28 is preferably molded from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, styrene, or the like. While a preferred embodiment of the fitment 28 is shown, it should be understood that any suitable boat fitment could be used, many of which are know, with some examples being shown in the prior art patents discussed in connection with the pouch 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 10, the outlet valve cartridge 26 includes a valve base 120, a resilient, flexible valve 122 and a retaining ring 124. The valve base 120 includes a generally cylindrical stub wall 126 having a radially outwardly facing annular rib 128 that engages with the ribs 78 and recess 80 of the outlet bore 76 to form the snap-fit connection that retains the outlet valve cartridge 26 to the pump base 22. The valve base 120 further includes a radially outwardly extending annular lip 130 that engages against the terminal end of the spout 18 so as to axially locate the cartridge 26 relative to the pump base 22. The valve base 120 further includes another generally cylindrical stub wall 132 extending from the lip 130 opposite from the stub wall 126 and including a radially inwardly extending, annular groove 134 that provides a snap-fit connection for retaining the retaining ring 124 to the spout 18. The valve base 120 further includes a disk-shaped stop portion 136 that is connected to the lip 130 and stub walls 126 and 132 by a frusto-conical shaped wall 138 having four circumferentially spaced outlet openings or windows 140 provided therein. The stop portion 136 includes a concave-shaped stop surface 142 that engages with the flexible valve 122 to prevent the valve 122 from opening in response to a negative pressure differential across the valve 122 such as will occur when the pressure within the pump 12 is lower than the atmospheric pressure outside of the pump 12. The retaining ring 124 includes an annular flange 144 with a generally cylindrical stub wall 145 extending axially therefrom and having a radially inwardly extending rib 146 that engages the groove 134 to form the snap-fit connection for retaining the cartridge 26 in assembled relation. The retaining ring 124 further includes a frusto-conical sealing surface 148 extending from the flange 144 to engage the valve 122 and form a seal therewith in a known fashion as will be discussed further below. The valve 122 is a slit valve of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,614, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and in more preferred embodiments, is of the type shown and described in connection with FIGS. 17-32 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,614. While the details of the valve 122 can be varied as desired to provide the performance required by any specific application, in general the valve 122 includes a peripheral mount portion 150, a flexible, resilient head portion or head 152 having an orifice defined by intersecting slits 154, and a flexible, resilient sleeve 156 that connects the peripheral margin portion 150 to the head 152. As is typical for such valves, the head 152 is movable between a closed position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 wherein fluent product cannot flow through the valve 122 and an open position shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 10 wherein fluent product can flow through the valve 122 after passing through the outlet openings 140. As best as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the slits 154 define a plurality of resilient, flexible petals 157 that seal against each other in the closed position to prevent the flow of fluent product and that move away from each other in the open position to allow fluent product to flow through the valve 122. The mount portion 150 has a pair of oppositely facing frusto-conical surfaces 158 and 159 that engage the wall 138 and the surface 148 to secure the valve 122 in the cartridge 26, with the surfaces 159 and 148 forming a seal that prevents leakage of fluent product. Further details of the valves are not required for an understanding of the invention, but can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,614.

FIGS. 12-21 illustrate another embodiment of a fluent product dispensing package 10A having a diaphragm pump 12A and utilizing an inlet valve 24A and an outlet valve cartridge 26A of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1, but differing in a number of other features. It should be understood that like numbers in FIGS. 12-21 represent like features to those shown and described in FIGS. 1-11, and that for the sake of brevity, the description of the embodiment of the FIGS. 10-11 will focus more on the differences with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, rather than reiterating details of the same or similar features.

Turning to said differences, as best seen in FIGS. 12-15, the fluid dispensing package 10A utilizes a main housing that serves as the fluent product container 11A, rather than utilizing a collapsible pouch 14 and boat fitment 28 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. Furthermore, the pump 12A of the embodiment of FIGS. 12-21 is configured advantageously so that the dome 20A is placed at an angle relative to the container and horizontal to allow users with longer nails to actuate the dome 20A without placing undue stress on their fingers and/or nails. Further, the pump 12A doesn't have an outlet spout 18, which further minimizes any dead space and reduces sputtering. Additionally, the package 10A includes a decorative shroud 160 that overlays the pump 12A and serves to mount the pump 12A to the container 11A. Furthermore, for compatibility with the pump 12A and the decorative shroud 160, the over cap 16A of the embodiment 12-21 is of a completely different configuration than the over cap 16 of the embodiment of 1-11. Additionally, as will be discussed further below, the pump 12A includes a suitable vent valve 161 to provide pressure equalization between the interior of the container 11A and the exterior of the container 11A. Finally, a dip tube 162 is provided to ensure a reliable flow of fluent product to the pump 12A from the container 11A regardless of the level of fluent product in the container 10A.

As best seen in FIGS. 16-21, the pump 12A includes a pump base 22A having a pump chamber 42A defined by a concave surface 44A and planar surfaces 164 and 165. Preferably the concave surface 44A is semispherical. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the concave surface 44A mirrors the geometry of the dome member 32A when the dome member 32A is inverted in its fully compressed condition so that the inner surface 36 of the dome member 32 conforms to the concave surface 44 when the dome member 32 is inverted in its fully compressed condition. Such structure minimizes the dead space within the pump chamber 42A. Such structure provides a reliable “dosing” of fluent product from the pump 12A when the dome member 32 is fully compressed so that it is inverted against the concave surface 44A. The base 22A further includes an inlet port 46A, a dome mount receiving flange 48A, and a mount lip 50A. A generally cylindrical wall 166 extends from the lip 50A to the surfaces 164 and 165. The inlet port 46A includes a cylindrical wall or tailpiece 102A for receiving the dip tube 162. Additionally, the pump base 22A includes a vent port 167 located outside of the interior of the pump 12A, with a suitable vent valve 161 being located in the vent port 167 to provide pressure equalization between the interior of the container 11A and the exterior of the container 11A, which will typically be atmosphere. Like the dome 20 of FIGS. 1-11, the dome 20A of FIGS. 12-21 is a bi-injected constructions having a generally rigid mount ring 30A and a resilient, flexible dome member 32A overmolded onto the ring 30A such that the ring 30A and dome member 32A are permanently bonded together. The dome 20A has the same material and molding preferences and options as the dome 20 of FIGS. 1-11. Another significant difference between the pump 12A and the pump 12 of FIGS. 1-11, is that the pump 12A has an outlet flow passage 72A defined in the mount ring 30A rather than in the base 22A, and the flow passage 72A has only a horizontal bore 76A. Additionally, the mount ring 30A includes a mount flange 170 having a laterally opening annular groove 172 with a radially inwardly extending annular rib 174 for receiving the stub wall 126A and rib 128A to form a snap-fit connection to retain the cartridge 26A to the mount ring 30A.

The decorative shroud 160 includes a downwardly extending, cylindrical mount wall 180 having a container engaging feature in the form of internal threads 182 for engaging mating external threads 184 provided on the container 11A. While a threaded connection is illustrated, it should be understood that any suitable connection to the container may be used. A radially inwardly opening, annular groove 186 is provided in the shroud 160 to receive a peripheral edge 187 of the mount lip 50A of the pump base 22A to form a snap-fit connection therewith to retain the pump 12A and shroud 160 in assembled relation. The shroud 160 also includes a downwardly facing, planar seal surface 188 for sandwiching a gasket seal 190 against an upper seal surface 192 of the container 10A to prevent leakage of the fluent product from the container 10A. The shroud 160 further includes an angled, planar upper surface 194 with an opening 196 therein through which the dome member 32A extends so that it can be actuated by a user to operate the pump 12A to dispense the fluent product from the outlet cartridge 26A. The shroud 160 also includes a generally vertical wall 198 extending between and connecting the mount wall 180 with the upper surface 194, and having an opening 199 therein through which the outlet cartridge 26A extends. The shroud 160 also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending bumps 200 that can engage mating features in the cap 16A to provide a snap-fit connection to retain the cap 16A on the shroud 160.

In operation of the pump 12, 12A, a user depresses the dome member 32, 32A (illustrated by arrows A) which increases the pressure inside the pump 12, 12A which, in turn, forces the inlet valve 24, 24A to the closed position to prevent fluent product from being forced back into the container 14, 11A. When the pressure inside the pump 12, 12A reaches the cracking pressure is of the outlet valve 122, 122A, the outlet valve 122, 122A moves to the open position and fluent product is dispensed from the pump 12, 12A through the valve 122, 122A (illustrated by arrows B). The amount of fluent product dispensed depends on how far a user depresses the dome member 32, 32A. The dispensing of the fluent product from the pump 12, 12A reduces the pressure inside of the pump and, when the user's releases the dome member 32, 32A by removing their finger, the resiliency of the dome member 32, 32A returns it to its as-molded condition/position (illustrated by arrows C), which creates even lower pressure inside of the pump 12, 12A. When the pressure inside the pump 12, 12A reaches the cracking pressure of the inlet valve 24, 24A, the inlet valve 24, 24A moves to the open position and fluent product is drawn from the container 14, 11A into the pump 12, 12A through the inlet port 46, 46A, thereby placing the dispensing package 10, 10A in a ready condition wherein fluent product can again be dispensed from the pump 12, 12A.

It should be appreciated that the disclosed pumps 12 and 12A and shroud 160 can be designed to fit onto standard bottles/fluent containers or custom bottles/fluent containers. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the bi-injected domes 20 and 20A eliminate the need for an additional retaining ring to hold the elastomeric dome member onto the pump base. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the use of thermoplastic elastomer for the dome members 32 and 32A improves oxygen migration performance in comparison to conventional dome members made of silicone. It should also be appreciated that the provision of the inlet valves 24 and 24A that are separate from other operating components of the pumps 12 and 12A allows for better performance and for the ability to change materials and designs to specifically enhance the performance of the valves 12 and 12A without affecting other operating components of the pumps 12 and 12A. It should also be appreciated that the use of the shroud 160 can allow for different decorative appearances while retaining common pump features from one product to the next. It should also be appreciated that the disclosed pumps 12 and 12A allow for a complete snap-fit assembly of all the components of the pumps 12 and 12A.

It should be appreciated that the invention may include any or all of the above described features, include only one of the above features, more than one of the above features, and any combination of the above features. Furthermore, other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.

Claims

1. A diaphragm pump (12) for a fluent product dispensing package (10), the diaphragm pump (12) comprising:

a rigid pump base (22); and

a pumping dome (20), the pumping dome (20) comprising a mount ring (30) and a resilient, flexible dome member (32), the mount ring (30) and the dome member (32) being permanently bonded to each other, and wherein the mount ring (30) and the pump base (22) are configured to provide a releasable connection for retaining the pumping dome (20) to the base (22).

2. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 wherein the dome member (32) is made from thermoplastic elastomer material.

3. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 wherein the pumping dome (20) is a bi-injected construction with the dome member (32) overmolded onto the mount ring (30).

4. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 wherein the dome member has a convex outer surface (34) and a concave inner surface (36) with the dome member (32) in an un-compressed condition.

5. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 4 wherein the inner and outer surfaces (34,36) are semispherical in shape.

6. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 5 wherein the pump base (22) comprises a pump chamber (42) defined by a concave surface (44).

7. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 6 wherein the concave surface (44) of the pump base (22) is semispherical in shape.

8. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 7 wherein the concave surface (44) of the pump base (22) mirrors the geometry of the dome member (32) when the dome member (32) is inverted into a fully compressed condition so that the inner surface (36) of the dome member (32) conforms to the concave surface (44) of the pump base (22).

9. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 further comprising an inlet valve (24) in the form of a one-piece component that is snap-fit into the pump base (22).

10. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 further comprising an outlet valve cartridge (26) comprising a valve base (120) configured to releasably mount the outlet valve cartridge (26) to the pump base (22), a resilient, flexible outlet valve (122), and a retaining ring (124) for retaining the valve (122) to the base (120).

11. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 10 wherein the valve base (120) further includes a disk-shaped stop portion (136) that engages the outlet valve (122) to prevent the outlet valve (122) from opening in response to a negative pressure differential across the outlet valve (122) such as will occur when the pressure inside the pump (12) is lower than the atmospheric pressure outside of the pump (12).

12. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 11 wherein the outlet valve (122) includes a peripheral mount portion (150), a flexible, resilient head portion (152) having an orifice defined by at least one slit (154), and a flexible, resilient intermediate portion (156) that connects the peripheral mount portion (150) to the head (152), the head (152) being movable between a closed position wherein fluent product cannot flow through the outlet valve (122) and an open position wherein fluent product can flow through the outlet valve (122).

13. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 further comprising an inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (122), and wherein the inlet valve (24), the outlet valve (122), and the pumping dome (20) are all snap-fit connected to the pump base (22).

14. The diaphragm pump (12) of claim 1 wherein the mount ring (30) and the pump base (22) are configured to provide a snap-fit connection for retaining the pumping dome (20) to the base.

15. A diaphragm pump (12) for a fluent product dispensing package (10), the diaphragm pump (12) comprising:

a rigid pump base (22);

a pumping dome (20); and

an outlet valve cartridge (26) comprising a valve base (120) configured to releasably mount the outlet valve cartridge (26) to the pump base (22), a resilient, flexible outlet valve (122), and a retaining ring (124) for retaining the outlet valve (122) to the valve base (120).

16-30. (canceled)