Pump

• US 20060083632A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Pty Limited (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Hammond, Geoffrey Robert, McKechnie, Malcolm Tom
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/375
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/24 Pumping by heat expansion of pumped fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/06 Pumps having fluid drive

Abstract

The present invention provides a pump comprising a container containing a dispense material, an outlet therefrom and an actuator arranged to alternate between first and second configurations in response to a change in the pump'"'"'s environment, to cause an aliquot of dispense material to be expelled through the outlet.

Claims

1. A pump comprising a container containing a dispense material, an outlet therefrom and an actuator arranged to alternate between first and second configurations in response to a change in the pump'"'"'s environment so as to cause a portion of dispense material to be expelled through the outlet.

2. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to periodically advance within the container towards the outlet and thereby expel a portion of dispense material.

3. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an actuating member arranged to change between first and second configurations in response to a change in the actuator'"'"'s environment such that it causes a portion of dispense material to be expelled from the container.

4. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises first and second advancing means.

5. A pump according to claim 2, wherein the pump comprises a tubular container and the actuator comprises first advancing means arranged to cause the fluid to be impelled, and second advancing means, each being engaged within the tubular container such that they can move towards the outlet but not away from it in normal use.

6. A pump according to claim 4, wherein the advancing means are connected together by means comprising an actuating member which expands and/or contracts in response to a change in the pump'"'"'s environment.

7. A pump according to claim 4, wherein the first and second advancing means each comprise substantially plate-like advancing members and the container comprises protrusions projecting from an inner wall thereof at stepped locations arranged to engage an edge portion of the advancing members.

8. A pump according to claim 4, wherein the first and second advancing means each comprise advancing members having a central support having tangs projecting therefrom and the container comprises a substantially smooth inner wall which the tangs are engaged.

9. A pump according to claim 3, wherein the actuating member is arranged to change between first and second configurations in response to a change in the thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, moisture or light conditions of its surrounding environment.

10. A pump according to claim 3, wherein the actuating member comprises a sac containing an expandable material.

11. A pump according to claim 10, wherein the sac comprises an elastomeric material and is filled with a material having a boiling point around the temperature of the ambient operating conditions.

12. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a sealing body.

13. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the dispense material arranged to be expelled by the pump comprises a fragrance, odour-neutralising agent, insecticide, insect repellent, miticide, anti-allergenic agent, toilet cleaner, water softener, descaler, laundry detergent, fabric softener, rinse aid, automatic dishwasher product, or lubricant oil or grease.

14. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump has no source of or connection to electrical power.

15. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the portion of dispense material is an aliquot of fluid.

16. A method of emitting a fluid into the air comprising positioning a pump according to claim 1 in an environment wherein an environmental condition will change periodically to cause an actuator of the pump to expel a dispense material from the container of the pump.

17. A method of effecting water softening within a ware washing machine, employing a pump according to claim 1, containing a water softener material and dispensing same in response to a change in the environmental conditions within the ware washing machine.

18. (canceled)