Stepped pump foam dispenser

• US 20060273114A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OP hygiene IP Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Gotohti.Com Inc.
• Inventors: Ophardt, Heiner
• Granted Patent: US 7,303,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/321.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0059 allowing operation in any orientation, e.g. for discharge in inverted position
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/026 Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/107 Gate valves; Sliding valves
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1087 Combination of liquid and air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0037 including sieves, porous members or the like

Abstract

A pump assembly with a first pump to displace a first volume and a second pump to displace a second volume greater than the first volume. The first pump draws liquid from a reservoir and dispenses it to the second pump. The second pump draws in the discharge from the first pump and an additional volume of air such that the second pump discharges both liquid and air. The first pump preferably has a piston movable in a first inner chamber and the second pump has the same piston movable in a second outer chamber. The first and second chambers communicate together. In one version, a one-way valve provides flow outwardly only from the first chamber to the second chamber and the first pump discharges while the second pump draws in, and vice versa.

Claims

1. A pump for dispensing liquid from a reservoir comprising:

piston-chamber forming member having an inner cylindrical chamber, an intermediate cylindrical chamber and an outer cylindrical chamber, the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber each having a diameter, a chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end,

the diameter of the inner chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the diameter of the outer chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber being coaxial with the outer end of the inner chamber opening into the inner end of the intermediate chamber, and the outer end of the intermediate chamber opening into the inner end of the outer chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir,

a piston forming element received in the piston-chamber forming means axially slidable inwardly and outwardly therein between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position,

said piston forming element having a central axially extending hollow stem having a central passageway closed at an inner end and having an outlet proximate an outer end,

an inner disc extending radially outwardly from the stem, the inner disc adapted to engage the chamber wall of the inner chamber,

an intermediate disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the inner disc, the intermediate disc adapted to engage the chamber wall of the outer chamber,

an outer disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the intermediate disc, the outer disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber,

an inlet located on the stem between the intermediate disc and the outer disc in communication with the passageway,

the piston forming element slidably received in the piston-chamber forming means for reciprocal axial inward and outward movement therein with the inner disc in the inner chamber, the intermediate disc in the intermediate chamber and the outer disc in the outer chamber,

the inner disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction,

the intermediate disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction,

the outer disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the outer chamber past the outer sealing disc in an outward direction,

the inner disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the inner chamber to permit fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an outward direction,

the intermediate disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber to permit fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an outward direction, wherein;

(a) in the piston forming element moving from the extended position to the retracted position, a volume of liquid from the reservoir equal in volume to a first volume is displaced in an outward direction past the inner disc to between the inner disc and the intermediate disc, and a volume equal in volume to a second volume which is greater than the first volume and comprises both liquid and air is displaced from between the intermediate disc and the outer disc through the inlet and passageway and out the outlet;

(b) in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position, a volume equal to the first volume comprising liquid is displaced in an outward direction past the intermediate disc to between the intermediate disc and the outer disc, and a volume equal to the second volume and comprising both liquid and air is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc,

in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the volume equal to the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc comprises the volume equal to the first volume comprising liquid displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc and a third volume comprising air from the atmosphere.

2. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position the volume equal to the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc further comprises a fourth volume comprising liquid drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

3. A pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein the third volume comprises atmospheric air drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

4. A pump as claimed in claim 3 wherein the third volume further comprises atmospheric air drawn inwardly in the outer chamber past the outer disc.

5. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc comprises the volume displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc, the third volume which consists of atmospheric air drawn back via the outlet from the passageway, and a fourth volume which consists of liquid drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

6. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc consists of the volume displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc, the third volume which consists of atmospheric air drawn back via the outlet from the passageway, and a fourth volume which consists of liquid drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

7. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc consists of the volume displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc, the third volume which consists of atmospheric air drawn back via the outlet from the passageway and atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc inwardly in the outer chamber past the outer disc, and a fourth volume which consists of liquid drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

8. A pump as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc consists of the volume displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc, the third volume which consists of atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc inwardly in the outer chamber past the outer disc, and a fourth volume which consists of liquid drawn back via the outlet from the passageway.

9. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer sealing disc is drawn thereinto, at least in part, via the outlet, passageway and inlet.

10. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber circumferentially thereabout to form a substantially fluid impermeable seal therewith on sliding of said piston forming element inwardly and outwardly between the retracted and the extended positions, and

all the atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer sealing disc is drawn thereinto via the outlet, passageway and inlet.

11. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer disc having an elastically deformable edge portion proximate the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout,

the outer disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the outer chamber to permit air flow in the outer chamber past the outer disc in an inward direction,

the atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc is drawn thereinto at least in part inwardly in the outer chamber past the outer disc.

12. A pump as claimed in claim 11 wherein the atmospheric air drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer sealing disc is drawn thereinto at least in part via the outlet, passageway and inlet.

13. A pump as claimed in claim 1 including an orifice member in the passageway between the inlet and the outlet selected from a porous member for generating turbulence in fluid passing therethrough to generate foam when liquid and air pass therethrough simultaneously and a nozzle member to at least partially atomise liquid when liquid and air pass therethrough simultaneously.

14. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and the extended position the outer disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the outer chamber past the outer disc in an outward direction.

15. A pump as claimed in claim 14 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and the extended position the intermediate disc engaging the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction.

16. A pump as claimed in claim 15 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and the extended position the inner disc engaging the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction.

17. A pump as claimed in claim 14 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and a first intermediate position between retracted position and the extended position the inner disc engaging the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction, and

wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the first intermediate position and the extended position the inner flexing disc not preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction.

18. A pump as claimed in claim 17 wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and a second intermediate position between retracted position and the extended position the intermediate disc engaging the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction, and

wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the second intermediate position and the extended position the intermediate disc not preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction.

19. A pump as claimed in claim 18 wherein the first intermediate position is the same as the second intermediate position.

20. A pump as claimed in claim 15 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and a first intermediate position between retracted position and the extended position the inner disc engaging the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction, and

wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the first intermediate position and the extended position the inner flexing disc not preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction.

21. A pump as claimed in claim 14 wherein throughout the entirety of each stroke of movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and the extended position the inner disc engaging the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction.

22. A pump as claimed in claim 21 wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the retracted position and an intermediate position between retracted position and the extended position the intermediate disc engaging the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber circumferentially thereabout to substantially prevent fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction, and

wherein throughout movement of the piston forming element between the second intermediate position and the extended position the intermediate disc not preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction.

23. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

an indexing position of the piston forming element for any configuration of the pump is defined as a relative position of the piston forming element axially relative to the piston-chamber forming member when the piston forming element is in the retracted position and from which indexing position the piston forming element is moved in each stroke relative to the piston-chamber forming member to the extended position and then returned back to the indexing position,

wherein the pump assuming a first indexing configuration with the piston forming element having a first indexing position which for a fixed length of stroke of the piston chamber forming element between the retracted position and the extended position, the first volume is equal to a first amount in each stroke, and

the pump assuming other indexing configurations with the piston forming element in respective different indexing positions wherein for the same fixed length of stroke of the piston chamber forming element, the respective first volume for each respective different configuration is equal to a different amount having regard to the relative proportion of the stroke that inner disc engages the inner chamber to prevent fluid flow inwardly therepast.

24. A pump as claimed in claim 23 including an indexing adjustment mechanism to change the indexing position of the piston forming element so as to change the first volume.

25. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the outer end of the inner chamber comprises an annular shoulder opening into the outer end of the intermediate chamber, and

the inner end of the outer chamber comprises an annular shoulder opening into the outer end of the intermediate chamber.

26. A pump as claimed in claim 1 in which each of the piston chamber-forming member and piston-forming element is of generally circular cross-section disposed coaxially about a central axis along which the piston-forming element and piston chamber-forming member are slidable relative each other.

27. A pump as claimed in claim 1 in which:

the inner chamber is above the intermediate chamber,

the intermediate chamber is above the outer chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber is above the outer end of the inner chamber,

the inner end of the intermediate chamber is above the outer end of the intermediate chamber, and

the inner end of the outer chamber above the outer end of the outer chamber.

28. A pump as claimed in claim 27 in which the reservoir is above the inner chamber.

29. A pump as claimed in claim 1 including an air pump mechanism comprising an air pump chamber and air pump disc slidable therein, one of the air pump chamber and air pump disc carried on the piston-chamber forming member and the other carried on the piston-forming element, the air pump chamber and air pump disc interacting to form a variable volume compartment open to the central passageway to draw air into the closed compartment on movement of the piston-forming element outwardly toward the extended position and to force air out of the outlet on movement of the piston-forming element inwardly toward the retracted position.

30. A pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the piston chamber-forming member having a cylindrical air pump chamber disposed inwardly of the inner chamber coaxial therewith,

the air pump chamber having a diameter, a chamber wall, a closed inner end and an open outer end,

the stem of the piston-forming element extending axially into the air pump chamber via the outer end of the air pump chamber,

an air pump disc on the stem extending radially outwardly from the stem,

the air pump disc received in the air pump chamber in all positions the piston-forming element assumes in sliding between the extended position and the retracted position with the air pump disc engaging the chamber wall of the air pump chamber to prevent fluid flow therepast inwardly and outwardly;

an inner end of the central passageway opening into the air pump chamber inwardly of the air pump disc;

the air pump chamber and air pump disc form a variable volume closed compartment open only via the inner end of the central passageway,

with sliding of the piston-forming element the relative movement of the air pump disc changing the volume of the closed compartment to draw fluid into the closed compartment from the central passageway on sliding of the piston-forming outwardly toward the extended position and to force fluid out of the closed compartment via the central passageway on sliding of the piston-forming element inwardly toward the retracted position.

31. A pump as claimed in claim 30 in which:

the inner chamber is above the intermediate chamber,

the intermediate chamber is above the outer chamber,

the air pump chamber disposed above the inner chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber is above the outer end of the inner chamber,

the inner end of the intermediate chamber is above the outer end of the intermediate chamber, and

the inner end of the outer chamber above the outer end of the outer chamber.

32. A pump as claimed in claim 31 in which the reservoir is above the inner chamber.

33. A pump for dispensing liquid from a reservoir comprising:

a piston-chamber forming member having an inner cylindrical chamber, an intermediate cylindrical chamber and an outer cylindrical chamber, the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber each having a diameter, a chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end,

the diameter of the inner chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the diameter of the outer chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber being coaxial with the outer end of the inner chamber opening into the inner end of the intermediate chamber, and the outer end of the intermediate chamber opening into the inner end of the outer chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir,

a piston forming element received in the piston-chamber forming means axially slidable inwardly and outwardly therein between a retracted position and an extended position,

said piston forming element being generally cylindrical in cross-section with a central axially extending hollow stem having a central passageway closed at an inner end and having an outlet proximate an outer end,

an inner circular flexing disc extending radially outwardly from the stem proximate the inner end, the inner flexing disc having an elastically deformable edge portion proximate the chamber wall of the inner chamber circumferentially thereabout,

an intermediate circular flexing disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the inner flexing disc, the intermediate flexing disc having an elastically deformable edge portion proximate the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber circumferentially thereabout,

a circular outer sealing disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the intermediate flexing disc, the outer sealing disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber circumferentially thereabout,

an inlet located on the stem between the intermediate flexing disc and the outer sealing disc in communication with the passageway,

the piston forming element slidably received in the piston-chamber forming means for reciprocal axial inward and outward movement therein with the inner flexing disc in the inner chamber, the intermediate flexing disc in the intermediate chamber and the outer sealing disc in the outer chamber,

the inner flexing disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner flexing disc in an inward direction,

the intermediate flexing disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate flexing disc in an inward direction,

the outer sealing disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the outer chamber past the outer sealing disc in an outward direction,

the inner flexing disc elastically deforming away from the chamber wall of the inner chamber to permit fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner flexing disc in an outward direction,

the intermediate flexing disc elastically deforming away from the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber to permit fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate flexing disc in an outward direction,

wherein;

(a) in the piston forming element moving from the extended position to the retracted position a volume of liquid from the reservoir equal in volume to a first volume is displaced in an outward direction past the inner flexing disc to between the inner flexing disc and the intermediate flexing disc, and a volume equal in volume to a second volume which is greater than the first volume and comprises both liquid and air is displaced from between the intermediate flexing disc and the outer sealing disc out the outlet, and

(b) in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position a volume equal to the first volume and comprising the liquid is displaced in an outward direction past the intermediate flexing disc to between the intermediate flexing disc and the outer sealing disc, and a volume equal to the second volume comprising the volume equal to the first volume displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc and a third volume comprising air the from the atmosphere is drawn into between the intermediate flexing disc and the outer sealing disc.

34. A pump as claimed in claim 33 wherein the diameter of the outer disc is greater than the diameter of the inner disc.

35. A pump for dispensing liquid from a reservoir comprising:

piston-chamber forming member having an inner cylindrical chamber, an intermediate cylindrical chamber and an outer cylindrical chamber, the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber each having a diameter, a chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end,

the diameter of the inner chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the diameter of the outer chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber being coaxial with the outer end of the inner chamber opening into the inner end of the intermediate chamber, and the outer end of the intermediate chamber opening into the inner end of the outer chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir,

a piston forming element received in the piston-chamber forming means axially slidable inwardly and outwardly therein between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position,

said piston forming element having a central axially extending hollow stem having a central passageway closed at an inner end and having an outlet proximate an outer end,

an inner disc extending radially outwardly from the stem, the inner disc adapted to engage the chamber wall of the inner chamber,

an intermediate disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the inner disc, the intermediate disc adapted to engage the chamber wall of the outer chamber,

an outer disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the intermediate disc, the outer disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber,

an inlet located on the stem between the intermediate disc and the outer disc in communication with the passageway,

the piston forming element slidably received in the piston-chamber forming means for reciprocal axial inward and outward movement therein with the inner disc in the inner chamber, the intermediate disc in the intermediate chamber and the outer disc in the outer chamber,

the inner disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction,

the intermediate disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction,

the outer sealing disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the outer chamber past the outer sealing disc in an outward direction,

the inner disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the inner chamber to permit fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an outward direction,

the intermediate disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber to permit fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an outward direction

36. A pump for dispensing liquid from a reservoir comprising:

piston-chamber forming member having an inner cylindrical chamber, an intermediate cylindrical chamber and an outer cylindrical chamber, the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber each having a diameter, a chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end,

the diameter of the inner chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the diameter of the outer chamber being greater than the diameter of the intermediate chamber,

the inner chamber, intermediate chamber and outer chamber being coaxial with the outer end of the inner chamber opening into the inner end of the intermediate chamber, and the outer end of the intermediate chamber opening into the inner end of the outer chamber,

the inner end of the inner chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir,

a piston forming element received in the piston-chamber forming means axially slidable inwardly and outwardly therein between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position,

said piston forming element having a central axially extending hollow stem having a central passageway closed at an inner end and having an outlet proximate an outer end,

an inner disc extending radially outwardly from the stem, the inner disc adapted to engage the chamber wall of the inner chamber,

an outer disc extending radially outwardly from the stem spaced axially outwardly from the inner disc, the outer disc engaging the chamber wall of the outer chamber,

an intermediate disc carried on the piston-chamber forming member and extending radially inwardly from the chamber wall of the intermediate chamber, the intermediate disc adapted to engage the stem intermediate the inner disc and the outer disc,

an inlet located on the stem between the intermediate disc and the outer disc in communication with the passageway,

the piston forming element slidably received in the piston-chamber forming means for reciprocal axial inward and outward movement therein with the inner disc in the inner chamber and the outer disc in the outer chamber,

the inner disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an inward direction,

the intermediate disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an inward direction,

the outer disc substantially preventing fluid flow in the outer chamber past the outer sealing disc in an outward direction,

the inner disc elastically deformable away from the chamber wall of the inner chamber to permit fluid flow in the inner chamber past the inner disc in an outward direction,

the intermediate disc elastically deformable away from the stem to permit fluid flow in the intermediate chamber past the intermediate disc in an outward direction, wherein;

(a) in the piston forming element moving from the extended position to the retracted position, a volume of liquid from the reservoir equal in volume to a first volume is displaced in an outward direction past the inner disc to between the inner disc and the intermediate disc, and a volume equal in volume to a second volume which is greater than the first volume and comprises both liquid and air is displaced from between the intermediate disc and the outer disc through the inlet and passageway and out the outlet;

(b) in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position, a volume equal to the first volume comprising liquid is displaced in an outward direction past the intermediate disc to between the intermediate disc and the outer disc, and a volume equal to the second volume and comprising both liquid and air is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc,

in the piston forming element moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the volume equal to the second volume which is drawn into between the intermediate disc and the outer disc comprises the volume equal to the first volume comprising liquid displaced in the outward direction past the intermediate disc and a third volume comprising air from the atmosphere.