Pump with bellows spring

Abstract

An airless dispenser pump is provided that is connectable to a flowable product container. The pump comprises an actuator, a piston that is reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position by the actuator to cause product to be dispensed, and a spring that is energized by the actuator as the piston is moved to the second position and is biased to cause the piston to return to the first position. The spring comprises a top wall and a side wall. The top wall is resiliently flexible and movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, stressed position as the piston moves from the first position to the second position so as to provide a restoring force for causing the piston to return to the first position.

Description

[0001] PUMP WITH BELLOWS SPRING

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a pump and particularly, although not exclusively, to an airless dispenser pump.

[0003] This application claims priority from UK patent application number GB2315293.7, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0004] All current existing products available in market have multiple metal parts.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to airless dispensers.

[0006] Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to a recycled airless pump solution.

[0007] Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to a refillable airless pump solution.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention provides an airless dispenser pump that is connectable to a flowable product container, the pump comprising: an actuator; a piston that is reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position by the actuator to cause product to be dispensed; a spring that is energized by the actuator as it is moved to the second position and biased to cause the piston and / or the actuator to return to the first position; in which the spring comprises a top wall and a sidewall, the top wall is resiliency flexible and movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, stressed position as the piston and / or the actuator moves from the first position to the second position so as to provide a restoring force for causing the piston and / or the actuator to return to the first position.

[0009] The pump may further comprise a housing for receiving the piston and the spring.

[0010] The pump may further comprise a fitting part. The fitting part may carry the piston and may be movable relative to the piston. The actuator may be connected or connectable to the fitting part.

[0011] The pump may further comprise an upper valve. The upper valve may, for example, be provided on or by a fitting part. The pump may further comprise a lower valve. The lower valve may, for example, be provided on or (at least partly) by a housing. The lower valve may comprise a fixed part (e.g. provided by the housing) and a movable part (movable to open / close the valve).

[0012] The pump may further comprise an adapter for connecting the pump to a container.

[0013] In some embodiments, in the first position the top wall is “upwardly” (e.g. generally convex or away from the sidewall) directed and in the second position the top wall is “downwardly” (e.g. generally concave or towards the sidewall) directed.

[0014] The spring may, for example, be formed as a bellows.

[0015] The side wall may comprise one or more pleats which help to provide a restoring force and may work in combination with the top wall to provide a smooth restoring force for moving the actuator back to a raised position ready to dispense.

[0016] The sidewall may comprise a plurality of parallel pleats.

[0017] The sidewall may comprise a helical pleat.

[0018] In some embodiments the sidewall comprises a plurality of inclined pleats (e.g. inclined from an axis generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the spring body).

[0019] The top wall may comprise an opening through which the piston passes. For example a generally central hole may be provided in a generally circular (in plan) top wall / plate.

[0020] The pump may comprise a dosing chamber. The dosing chamber may be charged / filled as the piston moves from the second position to the first position.

[0021] The top wall may comprise an opening through which the piston is fitted.

[0022] The spring may be generally (circular) cylindrical.

[0023] The piston may comprise a generally cylindrical piston sidewall. The piston sidewall may be curved to provide a seal against a housing.

[0024] In some embodiments the pump has a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0025] In the locked position the piston may be in the first position and the actuator may be raised. The actuator may be rotatable to convert the pump from the locked position to the unlocked position so that the actuator can be depressed.

[0026] The locked / unlocked position may be achieved with cooperating ribs and / or slots, for example.

[0027] The actuator may move approximately 90 degrees between locked and unlocked positions.

[0028] The present invention also provides an engine for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a housing, a piston and a spring formed separately from each other, the piston is connectable to the housing, the spring is receivable in the housing, the housing defines the stroke of the piston, the engine is configured such that the same piston and the same spring can be received in different housings whereby a required stroke of the piston and consequential output of the pump can be selected.

[0029] The present invention also provides a refill system for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a refillable container connectable to a pump, the container is closed at one end by a plug, and a removable cap is provided to cover the plug, the cap is removable from the container to leave the plug in position, the plug remains in position until a pump is connected to the container, the pump pushes the plug inside the container to open a flow path from the container to the pump.

[0030] An airtight connection may be formed when the pump is connected to the container.

[0031] The container may be top-filled (and re-filled).

[0032] The cap may, for example, be attachable to the container by a bayonet connection.

[0033] A further aspect provides a spring for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a generally cylindrical body with a top wall and a sidewall depending from the periphery thereof, the sidewall comprises a helical pleated structure and the top wall is resiliency flexible, the top wall and the sidewall both provide a spring force.

[0034] In some embodiments the spring is configured so that the sidewall flexes before the top wall. In some embodiments the sidewall and the top wall flex at the same time.

[0035] In some embodiments the present invention provides or relates to an airless dispenser aimed at the best possible recyclability and flexibility with absolute functionality and customer requirements.

[0036] Recyclability:

[0037] 1 . material combination

[0038] 2. Light weight 3. refill system (100% mono)

[0039] 4. residual emptying

[0040] Flexibility:

[0041] 1. modular system (engine with a dosage of 0.3ml to 1.0ml, possible with the least possible effort).

[0042] 2. design components design changeable for customer needs

[0043] 3. Possibility to convert to different container solutions (e.g. tubes, bag in bottle)

[0044] 4. refill system

[0045] Functionality:

[0046] 1 . lock system

[0047] 2. good operating forces (it should be mentioned that the chosen design can achieve a good force curve, because it does not increase linearly) also for the different stroke (0.3ml to 1 .0ml) the spring can use different spring geometries, ranges and achieve a good actuation force and restoring force.

[0048] 3. vacuum tightness

[0049] 4. good handling for consumer (bayonet lock)

[0050] 5. refill system (without air exchange)

[0051] In some embodiments the pump is able to be configured to dispense between 0.3 to 1 ml, for example by using different housings.

[0052] The pump dispenser may, for example, be 95% PP and (due to bellow) 5% PE. That means with very little exchange of one or two parts, different pumps (0.3-1 ml) could be manufactured on the same line to fit customer needs.

[0053] Features of some embodiments of the present invention may include: a) the bellow e.g., the action force being reduced by providing the new bellow design which is smaller compared to others; and b) the canister containing the cream comes with a new refill collar with a plug. The container will be produced and can be refilled with the cream. The refill collar (yellow element in the drawings) and the plug (purple element the drawings) will be added on top of the canister (here via bayonet and click feature, could be screwed on, snap on as well but bayonet is our preferred embodiment). The inner plug (purple element) comes with two different engagement features: there is an inner (upper) one, with less engagement forces allowing to be attached to the (yellow) bigger refill collar, and an outer (lower) rim securing the inner plug (purple element) against the container, once being put on. Once the yellow refill collar is removed, the purple plug remains in position closing off the top of the canister. Once the pump is attached to the top of the canister, the pump will press the purple plug into the container.

[0054] Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

[0055] The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings.

[0056] All orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention or its connection to a closure.

[0057] Example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0058] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed and as well as individual embodiments the invention is intended to cover combinations of those embodiments as well. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0059] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown an engine 10 for a pump dispenser.

[0061] The engine 10 comprises: a housing 15; a spring 20; a fitting part 25; a moving piston 30; and a lower valve member 35.

[0062] The fitting part 25 is received in the housing 15. The spring 20 receives the fitting part 25 and is received by the housing 15. The lower valve member 35 fits into the housing 15 to close a lower product inlet opening 16.

[0063] The fitting part 25 comprises a product dispensing stem 27 closed at one end 28 and open at the other end 29. At the end 28 an upper valve opening 31 is provided.

[0064] The piston 30 comprises a central valve closer 32 with an interior stop portion 33. A radial wall 34 extends from the closer 32 and a generally cylindrical sealing wall 36 extends axially from the end of the wall 34. A dosing chamber 37 is formed between the piston and the lower valve.

[0065] Figure 2 shows an engine 110 formed according to a further embodiment. The difference between the engine 110 and the engine is the housing. The different housings 15, 115 provide a different stroke for different pump outputs; in this case 0.3ml for the engine 10 and 1 ml for the engine 110 by way of example.

[0066] A spring 220 formed according to the present invention is shown in Figure 3.

[0067] The spring 220 is generally cylindrical, with a circular top wall 221 and a cylindrical sidewall 222. The top wall 221 includes a central opening 223. The sidewall 222 comprises a helical pleat 224.

[0068] Figure 4 shows the spring 220 as-moulded. Figure 5 shows the spring in as as-fitted configuration i.e. when fitted into a housing. In this embodiment the spring is pre-compressed to provide some starting force. The top wall 221 is formed so as to be convex.

[0069] Figure 6 shows the spring with the top wall 221 flexed down to a concave position.

[0070] Figure 7 shows a spring 320 and Figure 8 shows a spring 420.

[0071] The spring 320 is generally similar to the spring 220. In contrast the spring 420 has a sidewall 422 comprising a plurality of parallel pleats 426.

[0072] Figure 9 shows a comparison of the force curves of the springs 320, 420. The spring 420 has a long stroke with high force. It will be seen that the spring 320 produces a force curve with two distinct phases: the first phase is due to compression of the sidewall 222 and the second phase is due to flexing of the top wall 321 . The stroke is the same, but the total force is different (lower for the spring 320). Two kinds of spring are provided: the body and the top plate. A double spring is thereby provided.

[0073] Figures 10, 12, 14 and 16 show perspective, side elevation, alternative side elevation and section views of a larger output pump engine 510. Figures 11 , 13, 15, and 17 show corresponding views of a smaller output pump engine 610.

[0074] Figures 18A to 18D is a sequence of images illustrating the working mechanism of the engine 510.

[0075] Figure 18A shows the resting position of the engine.

[0076] In the resting position the upper valve 531 is blocked by the valve closer portion 532 of the piston. Accordingly product cannot flow from the dosing chamber 537 into the dispensing stem 527. In addition the lower valve 535 is in a resting position in which it covers the inlet opening 516.

[0077] When product is to be dispensed, the actuator (not shown) is pushed down. The initial movement opens the upper valve. The piston 530 does not move, but the dispensing stem moves down relative to the piston so that the valve closer no longer covers the inlet valve of the dispensing passage / stem, as shown in Figure 18B. The fitting part 525 is shown to move down relative to the housing 515.

[0078] The stem 527 now abuts against the piston stop portion 533, so further pushing of the actuator now causes the piston 530 to move down in the housing, as shown in Figure 18C. This causes product in the dosing chamber 537 to be forced through the inlet valve 531 and into the dispensing stem, then onwards into the actuator for dispensing. During this phase the lower valve 535 remains closed (see Figure 19).

[0079] When the actuator is released the spring 520 exerts a force on the fitting part 525. In this embodiment there is less friction between the stem and the piston than between the piston and the housing, so the stem first moves upwards relative to the piston which closes the upper valve 531 , as shown in Figure 18D.

[0080] The spring 520 continues to exert a force on the fitting part 525 which moves up and pulls the piston 530 up with it. This creates a vacuum beneath the piston, causing the lower valve 535 to be lifted off the inlet 516 and causing product to be drawn into the dosing chamber 537 until the resting position is again reached. Figures 20 to 27 illustrate a “lock up” mechanism.

[0081] Figure 20 illustrates an actuator 650, shown from the underside.

[0082] The actuator 650 comprises a top plate 651 and a side skirt 652 that depends from the periphery thereof. A dispensing conduit 653 leads from the interior of the actuator to a spout 654.

[0083] The interior of the skirt 652 is provided with a plurality of axial ribs 655. The ribs 655 are not equally spaced.

[0084] A first rib 656 is different from the others, being shorter and tapering at its end.

[0085] In this embodiment the same arrangement of ribs is provides on the opposite side of the skirt.

[0086] Referring now also to Figures 21 to 27, the exterior of the housing 615 has an end stop 657 from which extends an arcuate stop bar 658. Further, spaced stop beads 659 are also provided. The same arrangement is provided on the other side of the housing.

[0087] To lock the actuator in the up position it is rotated (clockwise in this embodiment). The first rib 656 does not fully engage the end stop, but instead passes over it and creates an audible “click” sounds, indicating the fully locked position has almost been reached. Further turning causes the next, full rib 655 to abut against the end stop 657. The end stop 657 fits between the first rib 656 and the next full rib (see Figures 21 and 22). The other full ribs are positioned above the stop bar 658, meaning that the actuator cannot be pushed down.

[0088] To unlock the actuator it is turned the other way. During this turning there are always some ribs engaged on the housing (see Figure 23). Eventually a full length rib engages on another end stop 657a and now all ribs have no support from the bottom (see Figure 24 and 25) so that the actuator can be pressed down to dispense product.

[0089] Figures 26 and 27 show an adapter 675 and a housing 615 separately. Co-operating antirotation features 676, 677 are provided.

[0090] Figures 28 and 29 show a pump 770 formed according to the present invention. The pump 770 comprises an engine 710 with an actuator 750 fitted and an adapter 775 connected to the housing 715. The adapter 775 connects to a container 780, for example using a bayonet fixing and / or screw thread and / or snap bead formations. Anti-rotation features (e.g. ribs / lugs) are provided on the housing and the adapter. The engine snaps into the adapter. The adapter includes a seal for sealing against the container (e.g. a bottle). Figures 30 to 33 illustrate a refill system formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0091] A container 885 is provided and can be refilled if required. One end of the container is closed by a bottom plate 886 and an internal container piston 887 is provided. The other end of the container is open, but closed by a plug 887. A cap 888 is provided to cover the plug and attaches to the container.

[0092] When the container is required for use the cap is removed to reveal the plug. A pump 870 (which may be an airless dispensing pump as described herein) is then fitted onto the container, which pushes the plug into the interior of the container, unblocking the container so that product can be dispensed. In this embodiment a bayonet connection 889 is provided between the pump and the container.

[0093] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An airless dispenser pump that is connectable to a flowable product container, the pump comprising: an actuator; a piston that is reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position by the actuator to cause product to be dispensed; a spring that is energized by the actuator as it is moved to the second position and biased to cause the piston to return to the first position; in which the spring comprises a top wall and a sidewall, the top wall is resiliency flexible and movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, stressed position as the piston moves from the first position to the second position so as to provide a restoring force for causing the piston to return to the first position.

2. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a housing for receiving the piston and the spring.

3. A pump as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a fitting part for carrying the piston and movable relative to the piston.

4. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an upper valve.

5. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a lower valve.

6. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an adapter for connecting the pump to a container.

7. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first position the top wall is generally convex and in the second position the top wall is generally concave.

8. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spring is formed as a bellows.

9. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sidewall comprises one or more pleats.

10. A pump as claimed in claim 9, in which the sidewall comprises a plurality of parallel pleats.

11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, in which the sidewall comprises a helical pleat.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, in which the sidewall comprises a plurality of inclined pleats.

13. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a dosing chamber which is charged as the piston moves from the second position to the first position.

14. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the top wall comprises an opening through which the piston is fitted.

15. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the piston comprises a generally cylindrical piston sidewall which is curved and provides a seal.

16. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spring is generally cylindrical.

17. A pump as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pump has a locked position and an unlocked position, in which in the locked position the piston is in the first position and the actuator is raised, and in which the actuator is rotatable to convert the pump from the locked position to the unlocked position so that the actuator can be depressed.

18. An engine for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a housing, a piston and a spring formed separately from each other, the piston is connectable to the housing, the spring is receivable in the housing, the housing defines the stroke of the piston, the engine is configured such that the same piston and the same spring can be received in different housings whereby a required stroke of the piston and consequential output of the pump can be selected.

19. A refill system for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a refillable container connectable to a pump, the container is closed at one end by a plug, and a removable cap is provided to cover the plug, the cap is removable from the container to leave the plug in position, the plug remains in position until a pump is connected to the container, the pump pushes the plug inside the container to open a flow path from the container to the pump.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, in which the cap is attachable to the container by a bayonet connection.

21. A spring for an airless dispenser pump, comprising a generally cylindrical body with a top wall and a sidewall depending from the periphery thereof, the sidewall comprises a helicalpleated structure and the top wall is resiliently flexible, the top wall and the sidewall both provide a spring force.

22. A spring as claimed in claim 21 , in which the sidewall flexes before the top wall.

23. An engine for airless dispenser pump that is connectable to a flowable product container, the engine comprising: a piston that is reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position by an actuator to cause product to be dispensed; a spring that is energized by an actuator as it is moved to the second position and biased to cause the piston to return to the first position; in which the spring comprises a top wall and a sidewall, the top wall is resiliently flexible and movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, stressed position as the piston moves from the first position to the second position so as to provide a restoring force for causing the piston to return to the first position.

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