Dispensing pump
First Claim
1. A pump for use in dispensing liquid from a container defining a reservoir which is accessible via a container mouth closed by a seal, the pump comprising a body defining a chamber, a tubular inlet portion defining an inlet channel communicating with the chamber, an actuating stem defining a dispensing channel through which liquid is dispensed from the chamber in use, and a housing being connected to the body and comprising holding means operable to hold the container in use such that in a first position of the container relative to the body the inlet portion is external to the seal and in a second position of the container relative to the body the inlet portion extends through the seal into the reservoir whereby the inlet channel communicates with the reservoir, wherein the inlet portion projects into the reservoir in the second position of the container relative to the body to an extent sufficient to displace a volume of liquid sufficient to fill the inlet chamber and to occupy the pump channel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pump (1) has a tubular inlet portion (4) which is arranged to penetrate the mouth (27) of a container having a seal (29) in order to dispense liquid from the container. The pump has a body (2) connected to a housing (23) comprising holding means (25) which holds the container such that in a first position the inlet portion of the pump is external to the seal and in a second position the inlet portion extends through the seal into a reservoir (30) to allow liquid to be dispensed. In the second position, the inlet portion projects into the reservoir to an extent sufficient to displace a volume of liquid filling the inlet channel (6) of the pump and occupying the pump chamber (3). The pump is thereby rendered self priming by the initial movement between the first and second positions which at the same time disrupts the seal. The pump is particularly useful for the nasal administration of liquid sprays from an ampule having an elastomeric seal closure or a duck bill valve.
72 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A pump for use in dispensing liquid from a container defining a reservoir which is accessible via a container mouth closed by a seal, the pump comprising a body defining a chamber, a tubular inlet portion defining an inlet channel communicating with the chamber, an actuating stem defining a dispensing channel through which liquid is dispensed from the chamber in use, and a housing being connected to the body and comprising holding means operable to hold the container in use such that in a first position of the container relative to the body the inlet portion is external to the seal and in a second position of the container relative to the body the inlet portion extends through the seal into the reservoir whereby the inlet channel communicates with the reservoir, wherein the inlet portion projects into the reservoir in the second position of the container relative to the body to an extent sufficient to displace a volume of liquid sufficient to fill the inlet chamber and to occupy the pump channel.
Specification