Pump actuator

Abstract

The pump actuator includes an upper portion of a liquid supply channel (48) extending to a pump head (18), and a liquid dispensing channel (50) extending from the liquid supply channel to a dispensing opening (57) within the pump head. An upper portion of the liquid supply channel is connected with a lower portion extending into a main body of the pump (10). The pump head includes one or more product receiving openings in liquid communication with one or both of an upper portion of the liquid supply channel and the liquid distribution channel. A product receiving opening may be present on the base of the pump head (18), and a cap (42) attached to the base (40) may be present. The product receiving opening may open into the chamber (45) for holding a supplemental ingredient to be dispensed with the main product.

Description

Background of the Invention Many consumer products come in several forms, each potentially appealing to a limited segment of the population. Examples of such products are shower gels and lotions. These products may have a variety of scents or no scent at all, as some consumers don't want fragrance while others desire a specific scent. Similarly, products may contain a variety of beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins, special skincare ingredients, etc. This is also true for shower gels and other consumer products such as other personal hygiene products, skincare products, home care products, VMS (vitamin, mineral, and supplement products), and food.

[0002] While offering different variations of a product is beneficial to consumers, it presents a problem for consumer goods manufacturers, who must arrange to manufacture the same or similar base product with variations featuring all sorts of additional ingredients. Furthermore, the existence of product variations can sometimes mean additional packaging waste, as less desirable variations may not be purchased.

[0003] While consumers appreciate having options for variations of their products, they also value convenience. Therefore, any effort to allow for product customization without requiring the production of separate variations must still prioritize consumer convenience.

[0004] Shower gels and lotions are typically in bottles (usually plastic) with pumps to help dispense the product. It would be beneficial if products including pumps could be customized by consumers through easy addition of ingredients. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The applicant has invented a pump actuator that allows for easy modification of the pump contents to customize the dispensed product to meet the specific needs of a particular consumer by adding supplementary ingredients to a product contained in a pump or bottle. The pump actuator includes an extension of a liquid supply channel to the upper part of a pump head, and a liquid dispensing channel extending from the liquid supply channel to a dispensing opening within the pump head. The upper part of the liquid supply channel connects to a lower part extending into the body of the pump. The pump head includes a product receiving opening communicating with one or both of the upper part of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel.

[0006] The pump may include a base having a product receiving opening and a reclosable cap for covering the product receiving opening. Typically, the product receiving opening receives replenishment ingredients. The cap may be a flip-top type or another type, attached to the base of the pump head via a hinge. Preferably, the reclosable cap includes a stopper, which may be, for example, round, oval, or square, received within the product receiving opening to secure the cap to the pump head base.

[0007] The pump actuator may include a support extending across the liquid supply channel in a manner generally transverse to the axis of the liquid supply channel. This support may, for example, include a grate or mesh, particularly where foaming is required. Alternatively, or in combination with the support, the pump actuator includes one or more support protrusions or walls extending inwardly from one or more sides of the liquid distribution channel. Where present, the support or support protrusion serves to prevent further flow of the replenishing component into the fluid supply channel, thereby potentially blocking it. If necessary, an upper protrusion may also be provided to prevent the liquid flowing through the liquid supply channel from carrying most of the replenishing component into or out of the liquid distribution channel at once.

[0008] Below the pump actuator are the components known in the pumping field for their pumping requirements. These may include springs, air pistons, liquid pistons, valves, and suction pipes. Therefore, the pump actuator is typically used in conjunction with components of the pump body, defined here as the portion of the pump below the actuator, and includes the lower part of the liquid supply channel. For example, the pump actuator may be used in conjunction with a mesh in the lower part of the liquid supply channel below the support to foam the liquid before it is dispensed through the pump actuator. This is typically the case for pumps that produce a foamed final product. If a foam-free final product is required, the mesh and other foaming devices can be omitted. Similarly, the pump actuator may be used in conjunction with a spring that reversibly biases the pump head upwards, which is common in pumps.

[0009] The pump body of the pump actuator of the present invention may include a pump closure having a central opening for receiving a lower liquid supply passage and threads for securing the closure to a bottle neck. A suction tube for drawing contents from the bottle may be connected directly or indirectly to the lower portion of the liquid supply passage in liquid communication. One or more valves may be present in the pump body for restricting the inflow or outflow of liquid from the lower portion of the liquid supply passage, as is well known in the pump industry. If desired, the one or more valves may be ball valves. A liquid-and, where applicable, air-piston is another known pump component that may be used.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention may include, individually or in combination, at least one or more of the following: A pump actuator includes an extension of a liquid supply passage to the upper part of a pump head; The liquid distribution channel within the pump head extends from the liquid supply channel to the distribution opening; The pump head includes one or more product receiving openings that communicate with one or both of the liquid supply channel and the liquid distribution channel. The pump head includes a base having a product receiving opening communicating with one or both of the liquid supply channel and the liquid distribution channel; The pump actuator, wherein the pump head further includes a reclosable cap for covering the product receiving opening; • Pump actuator, wherein a reclosable cover is attached to the base of the pump head via a hinge; • Pump actuator, wherein the reclosable cap includes a plug that is received in the product receiving opening when the cap is closed to secure the cap to the base of the pump head; The pump actuator includes a support extending across the liquid supply channel in a manner generally transverse to the axis of the liquid supply channel; the support may optionally include a mesh or a grate. A pump actuator comprising one or more support protrusions extending inwardly from one or more walls of the liquid distribution channel; A pump actuator is coupled to the lower part of the liquid supply channel, and the pump actuator is in liquid communication with the upper part of the liquid supply channel; A pump actuator, which is further combined with a mesh in the lower part of the liquid supply channel below the support to foam the liquid before it is dispensed by the pump actuator; The pump actuator is coupled with a spring that reversibly biases the pump head upwards; The pump actuator is combined with a pump closure having a central opening for receiving the liquid supply channel and threads for securing the closure to a bottleneck. The pump actuator is combined with a suction pipe, which is in liquid communication with the lower part of the liquid supply channel; The extraction tube is connected to the main product liquid in the bottle; A pump actuator combined with one or more valves to restrict the flow of liquid into or out of the lower part of a liquid supply passage; Pump actuator, wherein one or more of the valves are ball valves; A pump actuator having one or more product receiving openings in liquid communication with a liquid supply passage and / or a liquid distribution passage; A pump having a pump actuator having one or more product receiving openings in liquid communication with a liquid supply passage and / or a liquid distribution passage, the pump actuator being combined with a pump body having one or more of a pump closure, a spring, an air piston, a liquid piston, one or more valves, and a suction tube; A method for adding a supplementary ingredient to a pumped main product, the method comprising inserting the supplementary ingredient into a product receiving opening in a pump head, the product receiving opening being in liquid communication with a liquid supply channel and / or a liquid dispensing channel, and optionally pumping the combined main product and supplementary ingredient by applying pressure to the pump head, whereby the combined product emerges from a dispensing opening in the liquid dispensing channel; and This includes any or all of the pumps described above, wherein the polymer forming all components is made of the same monomer material, such that the pump including the pump actuator and the remainder of the pump including all components are recyclable.

[0011] To gain a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments.

[0012] Detailed description of the invention refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Pump 10 includes a pump actuator 12 having a pump head 18 and a cylinder 14 suspended from the pump head 18, and a cylindrical rod 16 received inside the cylinder 14. At its other end, the rod 16 is received within an opening 20 of a closure 22. The inner wall of the closure 22 includes threads 24 or other structures for releasable engagement with the exterior of the neck of the bottle 26. A housing 32 and a draw tube 34 are shown below the closure.

[0013] Especially Figure 3 As shown, the pump head 18 includes a base 40 and a cover 42. The base 40 includes a wall 44, which may be cylindrical as shown, or may be another shape, such as a square, rectangle, or other polygon. The wall 44 defines a product receiving opening 46 and partially surrounds a chamber 45 in the base, but opens on one side to a liquid dispensing passage 50, which terminates at a dispensing opening 57. The product dispensing passage may extend generally laterally and perpendicularly to the wall 44 of the product receiving opening as shown, or may otherwise extend where appropriate. The wall 44 extends downward to the upper portion of a liquid supply passage 48 and is in liquid communication with it. The upper portion of the liquid supply passage 48 within the pump actuator is in liquid communication with the lower portion of the liquid supply passage 48 disposed within and below the pump body.

[0014] The cap 42 can be attached to the base 40 via a hinge 52 or otherwise, as shown. The hinge 52 can be a movable hinge if desired. The cap-fixing inner wall 54 and the cap-fixing outer wall 56 define a recess 58 for receiving the top of the wall 44 when the cap is closed, and preferably to aid in securing the cap to the base 40. The inner wall 54 may include the outer wall of a plug 78 for sealing the product receiving opening when the cap is closed. The inner aspect 78 may also be hollow, for example, forming a circular or other shaped ridge that constitutes the inner wall of the cap-fixing structure and will fit within the opening 46, while the outer wall 56 fits outside the opening such that the inner and outer walls span the opening when the cap is closed. One or more circumferential cap walls 60 surround the underside of the cap 42 and can contact one or more circumferential base walls 62 when the cap is closed. If desired, the circumferential walls of the cap and base may include protrusions 90, 92, recesses, or other structures to aid in securing the cap and base together when the cap is in the closed position. When the cover is closed, the cover and the circumferential wall of the base can overlap, such that a protrusion or other device locks the cover in the proper closed position above the base.

[0015] like Figure 3 As shown, a supplementary ingredient 71 can be provided. Ingredient 71 can be in various forms, such as tablets, powders, or even liquids as shown. The wall 44 of the base 40 forms a partial chamber 45 for receiving the supplementary ingredient 71. The chamber 45 may have a support for the supplementary ingredient to hold it at the junction of the liquid supply channel 48 and the liquid dispensing channel 50, such that it is positioned precisely in the path of a shower gel, lotion, or other liquid product pumped from the bottle.

[0016] The form of the supplementary ingredient can affect the structure of the support used. For example, when the supplementary ingredient is relatively solid, such as tablet 71, protrusions can be provided to support the supplementary ingredient within the chamber. Figure 4 As shown, these can take the form of notches or bosses 70, 72 in the wall 74 of the liquid supply channel 48. If the supplementary ingredient is in powder form, additional support structures, such as a fine mesh, may be required. If the supplementary ingredient is liquid, a permeable membrane can be used, provided it is permeable enough not to excessively obstruct the flow of the main product and the supplementary ingredient from the packaging. If the supplementary ingredient is liquid, or if it is desired that the supplementary ingredient be further mixed downwards with the main product in the pump / bottle, for example above the foaming mesh, the support structure can be omitted entirely.

[0017] Although the invention is shown as having a single product receiving opening for receiving refills, multiple openings can be used if desired. For example, one or more additional, and indeed a series, product receiving openings may be positioned above the product dispensing channel in the top of wall 80. While the invention is shown with the product receiving opening leading to the top of the pump head, it is contemplated that it may be positioned in alternative locations, such as in side wall 100, to provide access to the liquid dispensing channel from one side. If desired, the bottle or pump may include one or more compartments or corners where refills can be retained to facilitate consumer selection of the appropriate refill for the specific purpose of the product. For example, the top of the pump actuator may include a corner or compartment where tablets or other forms of refills can be placed, so that all the consumer needs to do is select one and place it in the product receiving opening before pumping. Similarly, corners or compartments may be positioned on the shoulder of the bottle or elsewhere to allow for easy consumer use.

[0018] In another embodiment, one or more compartments may also be located inside the outer side of the bottle, with the supplementary ingredient disposed within the compartment and sealed, for example, by a label with adhesive on one side. Access to the supplementary ingredient will be achieved simply by peeling the label off the bottle, with the product protected from the component by the internal compartments and the label covering the access opening before approach.

[0019] Preferably, the entire pump, including any springs, is recyclable. Such pumps are known in the art and are typically all-plastic, often including plastic springs or other elastic material for reversibly pushing the pump head upwards, as well as plastic valves. Preferred materials for the pump (including the actuator) and for the bottle include polyolefins such as polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Where it is not possible or desirable to manufacture all components from the same material, they are typically made from at least one or more polymeric plastics derived from the same monomers, allowing them to be recycled together.

[0020] This invention provides a convenient way to customize pumpable consumer products such as shower gels, lotions, antibacterial ingredients for application to the skin, formulations for treating or preventing acne, mayonnaise or other foods such as pourable desserts, condiments and beverages (including milkshakes and yogurt, especially thin yogurt, pourable frozen desserts, household cleaning products), and other household care products by adding supplementary ingredients such as one or more flavorings, spices, vitamins, minerals, hydration powders and other products, hair vitamins, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, skin-beneficial ingredients, herbal medicines, other supplements, frozen dessert "inclusions" such as chocolate chips, nuts, small fruit slices, syrups or other ingredients.

[0021] Although the main product and supplementary ingredients can be mixed to be exposed from the product dispensing port as a homogeneous material, where the supplementary ingredients cannot be distinguished by the consumer alone, their invention is also expected to be used to produce heterogeneous end products.

[0022] Although we refer to liquids, such as liquid distribution channels and liquid supply channels, it should be understood that the present invention can be used for products of different viscosities, provided that the viscosity of the product is suitable for pumping by the pumping equipment used, that is, when the pump is activated, it can flow through the liquid supply channels and liquid distribution channels.

[0023] In use, the optional cap of the pump actuator is opened, and the supplementary ingredient is placed in the product receiving opening. The supplementary ingredient may, but does not, be supported by supports such as bosses in the inwardly extending channel wall or by grates or screens. The consumer applies pressure with his hand to press down the pump head and initiate the pumping action in a manner known in the pumping industry. The main product is pumped from the bottle into the lower liquid supply channel, then into the upper supply channel and chamber 45, where it encounters the supplementary ingredient. As the main product passes through the supplementary ingredient in the upper supply channel on its way to the dispensing channel, it carries or dissolves some of the supplementary product, which mixes with the main product, exiting from the dispensing opening as the final product combining the main product and the supplementary product.

[0024] Of course, it should be understood that the specific forms of the invention shown and described herein are intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of this disclosure. Therefore, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the bottle from above and to the right, including the pump actuator of the present invention. The pump is in its most upward position before pumping.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the bottom and left side of the pump including the pump actuator of the present invention, with the bottle removed.

[0027] Figure 3 It is an enlarged perspective view of the pump actuator with the pump head cover open, and also shows a portion of the pump closure.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the pump actuator and pump closure, with the pump head in a longitudinal cross-section. The pump is shown in its lower, downward-pressed position, as would occur when a consumer applies pressure to the pump head.

Claims

1. A pump actuator, comprising: a) The liquid supply channel extends to the upper part of the pump head, the liquid supply channel being used to pump the main component. b) A liquid distribution channel extending laterally from the liquid supply channel to the distribution opening within the pump head. c) The pump head includes one or more product receiving openings defined by a wall extending downward into the upper portion of the liquid supply channel and defining a chamber for receiving supplemental components at the junction of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, and the wall opening into and communicating with both the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, the wall being cylindrical or polygonal, wherein the pump head further includes a reclosable cap for covering the product receiving openings, and wherein the reclosable cap is attached to the base of the pump head by a hinge.

2. The pump actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The reclosable cap includes a ridge or plug received within the product receiving opening to secure the cap to the base of the pump head.

3. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a support extending across the liquid supply channel in a manner generally transverse to the axis of the liquid supply channel.

4. The pump actuator according to claim 3, wherein, The support component is a mesh.

5. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims further includes one or more support protrusions extending inwardly from one or more liquid supply passage walls.

6. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, combined with the lower portion of the liquid supply channel, the lower portion of the liquid supply channel being in liquid communication with the upper portion of the liquid supply channel.

7. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims is further combined with a mesh in the lower portion of the liquid supply channel below the support to foam the liquid before it is dispensed by the pump actuator.

8. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims is further combined with a pump closure having a central opening for receiving the liquid supply passage and threads for securing the closure to a bottleneck.

9. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims is further combined with a suction pipe, the suction pipe being in liquid communication with the lower part of the liquid supply channel.

10. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims is further combined with one or more valves for restricting the flow of liquid into or out of the lower portion of the liquid supply passage.

11. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The chamber walls are cylindrical.

12. The pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The chamber walls are square or rectangular.

13. The pump actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The cover includes a cover-fixing inner wall and a cover-fixing outer wall, the cover-fixing inner wall and the cover-fixing outer wall defining a recess for receiving the top of the chamber wall when the cover is closed.

14. The pump actuator according to claim 13, wherein, The inner wall includes the outer wall of the plug for sealing the product receiving opening when the cap is closed.

15. A method for incorporating a supplementary ingredient into a main product, the method comprising adding the supplementary ingredient to the product receiving opening in a pump actuator according to any one of the preceding claims prior to or during pumping.

Images