Lantern ring for rotary pump

Abstract

A collar for holding a pump is provided. The collar includes a generally cylindrical side wall open at both ends into which the pump can be placed. The interior of the sidewall is provided with one or more circumferential friction ribs for generating friction to the pump in use.

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to pumps and, in particular but not exclusively, to collars for pumps.

[0002] Today, similar collars are already on the market for peristaltic pumps - see, for example, Figure 1.

[0003] The collar 10 shown in Figure 1 includes an inner cylindrical sidewall 15 that includes a plurality of axially extending ribs 20.

[0004] It is desirable to modify the pump to have the possibility of being used with a refillable bottle.

[0005] The present inventors have found that such a known collar 10 assembles poorly on a rotary pump (a refillable pump). A large interaction is required between the collar and the pump so that there is no movement between them, because if the collar rotates on the pump, it is not possible to unscrew the pump to refill the bottle. This large interaction affects the assembly force; a push of 30 kg is required, while 15 kg is normally used. In addition, due to the shape of the cap, this high assembly force may cause the cap to tilt or "skew". Therefore, it is desirable to improve the existing collar to restore good assembly.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the assembly problem between the collar and the pump. The pump does not remain correct during assembly. This problem affects the assembly and disassembly forces.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide an improvement to a pump collar or an improvement related to a pump collar.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a collar for holding a pump, the collar including a generally cylindrical sidewall that is open at both ends and in which the pump can be received, wherein one or more upright circumferential friction ribs are provided inside the sidewall, and the circumferential friction ribs provide friction against the pump in use.

[0009] The general idea of the present invention relates to a pump for a refillable container that can be fixed (e.g., screwed) to the container. A collar is attached to the pump such that the collar and the pump function as a single element (and thus the user can use the collar to unscrew the pump).

[0010] Circumferential ("horizontal") ribs / strips can be used to prevent relative (axial) sliding between the collar and the pump.

[0011] The number and spacing of the ribs / strips can be varied and selected to provide the desired function (e.g., friction level).

[0012] In some embodiments, the rib or each rib extends continuously. In other embodiments, the rib or each rib is segmented.

[0013] In some embodiments, only two ribs are provided. In other embodiments, only four ribs are provided.

[0014] The "height" of the ribs can be selected to balance providing sufficient friction and enabling relatively easy demolding of the collar.

[0015] In one embodiment, for example, the friction ribs can protrude from the surface of the sidewall by about 0.03 mm. For example, the friction ribs can protrude from the surface of the sidewall by 0.03 mm.

[0016] The collar can also include a plurality of axially extending anti-rotation ribs.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, in addition to the horizontal strips, some vertical strips are placed inside the collar. These new strips will help prevent the collar from rotating on the pump and can reduce the interaction between the two components and the assembly force.

[0018] In some embodiments, the inner part of the collar includes vertical strips (e.g., having a specific arrangement therebetween), which are configured to improve the attachment between the collar and the pump.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sidewall has a pump actuator end and a pump closure end, and the anti-rotation ribs are positioned towards the pump actuator end.

[0020] The sidewall can include a radially inwardly inclined portion, and the anti-rotation ribs can be located on this portion.

[0021] The pump actuator end of the sidewall can be provided with engagement means (e.g., snap bead rim or thread formation) for receiving a cover (e.g., cap or hood).

[0022] The collar can also include an outer skirt.

[0023] The outer skirt can extend, for example, axially below the inclined portion on the outside of the sidewall.

[0024] The collar is formed of a plastic material (e.g., polypropylene (PP)).

[0025] In some embodiments, the collar is provided as a single-piece article.

[0026] In some embodiments, the collar is constructed or adapted to be used with a screw-on spray pump.

[0027] On the other hand, a dispensing assembly is provided, which includes a pump and a retaining collar. The pump includes an actuator portion and a closure portion. The closure portion of the pump includes a closure sidewall, and the closure sidewall is provided with engagement means for engaging a container. The collar includes a collar sidewall, and one or more circumferential ribs are provided inside the collar sidewall, and these circumferential ribs provide friction against the outside of the pump closure sidewall.

[0028] The pump can be a rotary pump. The closing part of the pump can include a thread-forming part for engaging the container.

[0029] On the other hand, a refillable dispensing system is provided, which includes a rotary pump, a collar, and a refillable bottle. The pump and the bottle include cooperating thread configurations. The collar includes a collar sidewall, and one or more annular ribs are provided inside the collar sidewall for resisting relative axial movement with the pump when engaged with the collar.

[0030] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] The different aspects and embodiments of the present invention can be used alone or together.

[0032] By way of example, the present invention is shown and described more specifically in the drawings.

[0033] All directional terms, such as up, down, radial, and axial, are used with reference to the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the present invention or its connection to the closure.

[0034] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes described herein. It is important to understand that the embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0035] Accordingly, while the embodiments can be modified in various ways and take various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. It is not intended to limit the particular forms disclosed and the individual embodiments, and the present invention also aims to cover combinations of these embodiments. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Where appropriate, the elements of the exemplary embodiments are always denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and the detailed description.

[0036] The terms used in this document to describe embodiments are not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a", "an", and "the" are singular because they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form herein should not exclude the existence of more than one referent. In other words, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the number of elements referred to in the singular can be one or more. It will also be understood that the terms "comprising", "including", "containing", and / or "covering" as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the relevant art. It should also be understood that common terms, unless clearly defined herein, shall be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the relevant art rather than in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0038] Referring Figure 2 to FIG. 4, a collar generally designated 110 is shown. The collar 110 includes a generally cylindrical inner wall 115 having a generally circular cross-section.

[0039] The side wall 115 is open at both ends: a first end 125 (also referred to as the pump actuator end) and a second end 130 (also referred to as the pump closure end).

[0040] The first end 125 includes an edge 127 and an annular recess 129. This allows a cover (not shown) to be assembled to the collar.

[0041] Towards the second end 130, the interior of the side wall 115 tapers using a first tapered portion 145.

[0042] Towards the first end 125, the interior of the side wall 115 tapers using a second tapered portion 135. A plurality of spaced-apart axial ("vertical") anti-rotation ribs 137 are provided on the tapered portion 135.

[0043] Axially between the tapered portions 135, 145, the side wall 115 is provided with two (in this embodiment) circumferentially spaced "bumps" or friction ribs 140a, 140b. Depending on the result, the number and spacing of the ribs can be varied.

[0044] The collar further includes an outer wall or skirt 150 which is connected to the inner wall just below the tapered portion 135.

[0045] In use, the collar is assembled with the pump. Figure 3Shows the closure member 170 of the pump, which closure member 170 includes a side skirt 175 having a shoulder 177 at one end thereof. The skirt 175 has a thread formation 180 such that the pump can be screwed onto a container.

[0046] The pump is assembled into the collar (or the collar can be pushed down onto the pump), and the pump passes through the end 130 into the interior of the side wall 115 until the shoulder 177 engages the first inclined portion 135. The skirt 175 slides along the side wall 115 and thus slides over the bumps 140a, 140b.

[0047] The anti-rotation rib 137 engages against the closure to help prevent relative rotation between the collar and the pump. The interaction between the closure skirt 175 and the bumps 140a, 140b provides increased friction to help resist relative axial sliding movement.

[0048] Figure 5 And FIG. 6 shows a collar 210 formed according to another embodiment. The collar 210 is similar to the collar 110. In this embodiment, there are four circumferentially extending ribs 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d spaced apart from each other.

[0049] Figure 7 Shows the collar 210 assembled with the screw-on pump 260.

[0050] The pump 260 includes an actuator member 265 and a closure member 270.

[0051] The closure member 270 includes a skirt 275 having an internal thread structure 280 for engaging a mating structure 285 on the bottle 290.

[0052] The pump 260 is assembled into the collar 210, passes through the end 230 into the interior of the side wall 215 until the shoulder 277 engages against the first inclined portion 235. The skirt 275 slides along the side wall 215 and thus slides over the bumps 240a - d.

[0053] The anti-rotation rib 237 engages against the closure member 270 to help prevent rotation of the collar on the pump. The interaction between the closure skirt 275 and the bumps 240a - d provides increased friction to help resist axial sliding movement.

[0054] This means that the collar 210 can be used to unscrew the pump 260 from the bottle 290, allowing the bottle to be refilled and the pump to be subsequently replaced.

[0055] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown, and various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collar for holding a pump, the collar comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall that is open at both ends, into which the pump can be received, wherein one or more circumferential friction ribs are provided on the inside of the sidewall, the circumferential friction ribs providing friction against the pump in use.

2. The ferrule according to claim 1, wherein The rib or each rib extends continuously.

3. The ferrule according to claim 1, wherein, The rib or each rib is segmented.

4. The ferrule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Two ribs are provided.

5. The ferrule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Four ribs are provided.

6. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction rib projects from the surface of the sidewall by approximately 0.03 mm.

7. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of axially extending anti-rotation ribs.

8. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewall has a pump actuator end and a pump closure end, and the anti-rotation ribs are located towards the pump actuator end.

9. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewall includes a radially inwardly inclined portion, and the anti-rotation ribs are located on the portion.

10. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump actuator end of the sidewall is provided with engagement means for receiving a cap.

11. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer skirt.

12. The collar according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 9, wherein the outer skirt extends axially from a position on the outside of the sidewall that is below the inclined portion.

13. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar is formed of a plastic material.

14. The collar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar is provided as a one-piece article.

15. A dispensing assembly comprising a pump and a holding collar, the pump comprising an actuator portion and a closure portion, the closure portion of the pump comprising a closure sidewall provided with engagement means for engaging a container, the collar comprising a collar sidewall, and one or more circumferential ribs being provided on the inside of the collar sidewall, the circumferential ribs providing friction against the outside of the pump closure sidewall.

16. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pump is a rotary pump, and the closure portion of the pump comprises a threaded configuration for engaging with the container.

17. A refillable dispensing system comprising a rotary pump, a collar, and a refillable bottle, the pump and the bottle comprising cooperating threaded configurations, the collar comprising a collar sidewall, and one or more annular ribs being provided on the inside of the collar sidewall for resisting relative axial movement with the pump when engaged with the collar.

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