One-way valve with limiting device, and press pump comprising one-way valve

Abstract

A one-way valve, comprising a plastic valve ball, a valve seat and a limiting device. The limiting device comprises an elastic portion, wherein a contact portion is provided at one end of the elastic portion. The limiting device is configured such that in a first position, the limiting device is not in contact with the plastic valve ball, or is in contact with the plastic valve ball but does not apply an acting force to the plastic valve ball. When the plastic valve ball moves, under the acting force of a product, from a closed position, i.e., the first position, towards an open position, i.e., a second position, the plastic valve ball cooperates with the contact portion, such that the elastic portion is deformed under pressure. When the acting force is removed, the plastic valve ball is pressed down to a third position under the elastic force of the elastic portion. The third position is between the first position and the second position, and closer to the first position. The one-way valve is applied to a press pump, and can be closed immediately after the product stops flowing, thereby solving the problems in the press pump of excessive idle strokes and reduced pump output volume. The present invention also relates to a press pump comprising the limiting device.

Description

A check valve with a limit device and a push pump including the check valve Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of product dispensing devices, and specifically relates to a press pump for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid products from a container, particularly to the design of a check valve in the press pump. Background Technology

[0002] Pumps are typically installed on the packaging containers of daily chemical products such as shampoo and shower gel. Pressing the pump dispenses the liquid or semi-liquid product from the container for consumer use. The pump includes a resilient reset mechanism to return it to its original position after each pumping operation, ready for the next pumping cycle. During this return process, the internal volume of the pump's cylinder increases, causing a pressure drop. This pressure difference creates a pressure differential between the cylinder and the product pressure in the container. Under this pressure difference, a one-way valve located in the passage between the container and the cylinder opens, allowing product from the container to flow into the cylinder for the next pumping cycle.

[0003] During the application of push pumps, it was found that existing push pump structures exhibited some problems for certain products with high viscosity due to their special formulations. One issue was that when pumping high-viscosity products, the pumping volume often decreased, the number of pneumatic compression cycles was also higher, and sometimes there were even instances of no pumping at all. These problems were particularly pronounced for all-plastic pumps employing a plastic elastic reset mechanism.

[0004] The applicant's research revealed that one of the reasons for the above problems is that the valve components of one-way valves typically have a low density. Specifically, for environmental protection and cost-saving considerations, the valve components of one-way valves are usually in the form of plastic valve beads. The density of plastic valve beads is relatively low compared to products with high viscosity. Therefore, after the one-way valve opens to allow viscous products to enter the cylinder, the plastic valve beads return to the valve seat slowly due to the buoyancy of the product, and may even float in the viscous product or adhere to the side wall of the product channel. This results in a delayed or even non-existent return of the valve components, causing the pump to malfunction subsequently.

[0005] Therefore, in the field of push pumps, there is a need for further improvements to the structure of push pumps in order to overcome at least one of the technical problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application is made to address the problems existing in the prior art described above. The purpose of this application is to provide a structurally improved check valve for a press pump, which can ensure timely closure of the check valve, especially when pumping products with high viscosity, thereby solving the problems of excessive air compression and reduced pump output.

[0007] A one-way valve includes a valve element and a valve seat. The valve element is a plastic valve ball, which can move between a first position engaging with the valve seat and a second position disengaging from the valve seat. In the first position, the plastic valve ball engages with the valve seat, thereby closing the one-way valve. In the second position, the plastic valve ball disengages from the valve seat, thereby opening the one-way valve. The one-way valve also includes a limiting device with an elastic portion. One end of the elastic portion has a contact portion. The limiting device is configured such that, in the first position, it either does not contact the plastic valve ball or contacts the plastic valve ball but does not apply force to it. When the plastic valve ball moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the product's force, it engages with the contact portion, causing the elastic portion to deform under pressure. When the force is removed, the plastic valve ball is pressed down to a third position under the elastic force of the elastic portion. The third position is between the first and second positions and close to the first position.

[0008] With this type of check valve structure, upon initial use, the check valve opens under product pressure, causing the valve element to move upwards and contact the limiting device. This causes the elastic part of the limiting device to deform under pressure, thus restricting the distance the plastic valve ball can float upwards under the influence of highly viscous products. When the product stops flowing, the elastic force of the elastic part pushes the plastic valve ball downwards, returning it to a position near the valve seat. On subsequent uses, the limiting device allows the plastic valve ball to quickly return to its mating position with the valve seat. This facilitates timely closure of the check valve, thus resolving issues such as increased air compression cycles and reduced pump output caused by delayed check valve closure. This effect of the check valve is particularly useful for push-button pumps that use plastic springs as the elastic reset mechanism.

[0009] Optionally, the limiting device also includes a base, and the other end of the elastic part is connected to the base. The limiting device can be fixed in the pump via the base, for example, fixed to the cylinder of the pump.

[0010] In one specific structure, the elastic part includes at least one elastic strip. Preferably, it may include at least three elastic strips. Alternatively, the elastic part may also take other elastically deformable structures, such as a spiral shape.

[0011] Preferably, the contact portion is formed as a claw, and at least three claw heads are provided on the side of the claw facing the plastic valve ball. When the plastic valve ball abuts against the claw-shaped contact portion, a hollow product channel is formed between the plastic valve ball and the claw. This structure can reduce the resistance when the product flows through.

[0012] This application also relates to a push-button pump, which includes a push-button head, a toothed sleeve, and a cylinder. The toothed sleeve and the cylinder are fixedly connected. A piston rod is connected to the lower part of the push-button head, and a piston is provided at one end of the piston rod and extends into the cylinder. The piston is in a sealing fit with the inner wall of the cylinder. The push-button pump also includes the one-way valve described above. The one-way valve can be at least one of an upper one-way valve and a lower one-way valve of the push-button pump.

[0013] In one exemplary configuration, the valve seat of the one-way valve is formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0014] Alternatively, the pump may also include a resilient reset mechanism, one end of which is directly or indirectly supported on the pressure head, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the lower part of the cylinder, while the valve seat of the one-way valve is formed on the inner surface of the other end of the resilient reset mechanism.

[0015] In the exemplary configuration, the limiting device is mounted on or integrally formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0016] Preferably, the one-way valve further includes a radial limiting structure formed on the inner surface of one of the resilient reset mechanism, piston rod, and cylinder, and located above the valve seat. The radial limiting structure is configured to restrict the radial position of the plastic valve ball. This radial limiting structure helps guide the up-and-down movement of the plastic valve ball without causing it to deviate excessively from the central axis of the pump.

[0017] In one specific structure, the radial limiting structure includes at least three radial limiting ribs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings illustrate a non-limiting preferred embodiment of the invention, and the features and advantages of the invention become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the drawings. Wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the press pump of this application, wherein the press pump is in its lower lock position.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a partially enlarged view of part A in Figure 1, which is the part of the press pump including the check valve.

[0021] Figures 3a to 3c show the front view, sectional view, and perspective view of the limiting device of the one-way valve, respectively.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the engagement state between the limit device and the valve components of the check valve.

[0023] Figure 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the press pump of this application, including a one-way valve portion, in which radial limiting ribs are shown.

[0024] (Symbol Explanation) 1. Press Pump; 10. Press Head; 20. Tooth Cuff; 30. Cylinder; 40. Piston Rod; 41. Piston; 42. Flange; 50. One-Way Valve; 51. Valve Component; 52. Valve Seat; 53. Radial Limiting Rib; 60. Elastic Reset Mechanism; 70. Limiting Device; 71. Base; 72. Elastic Part; 73. Claw; 74. Claw Head Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious modifications, variations, and equivalent substitutions to the present invention based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Furthermore, without contradiction, the technical features in the different embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined with each other, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the press pump 1. The press pump 1 includes a press head 10, a toothed sleeve 20, and a cylinder 30. The toothed sleeve 20 is fixedly connected to the cylinder 30. A piston rod 40 is connected to the lower part of the press head 10, and a piston 41 is provided on one end of the piston rod 40, extending into the cylinder 30. The piston 41 is sealed to the inner wall of the cylinder 30 and can reciprocate up and down within the cylinder 30 as the press head 10 and the piston rod 40 move in the vertical direction.

[0027] The press pump 1 also includes a one-way valve 50, for example, in Figure 1, which is a lower one-way valve located below the piston 41 and in the product passage from the container into the cylinder 30. As shown in Figure 2, the one-way valve 50 includes a valve element 51 and a valve seat 52, wherein the valve element 51 is specifically in the form of a plastic valve ball. When the valve element 51 is engaged in the valve seat 52, i.e., in the state shown in Figure 2, the one-way valve 50 is closed. When the valve element 51 moves and disengages from the valve seat 52, the one-way valve 50 opens.

[0028] Returning to Figure 1, the press pump 1 may optionally include a resilient reset mechanism 60, one end of which (e.g., the upper end in the figure) is directly or indirectly supported on the press head 10, and the other end of which (e.g., the lower end in the figure) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the cylinder 30. For example, in the exemplary structure shown in the figure, a flange 42 is provided on the piston rod 40 connected to the lower part of the press head 10, and the upper end of the resilient reset mechanism 60 is supported on the flange 42, thereby indirectly supporting the press head 10 via the flange 42 and the piston rod 40. Of course, the resilient reset mechanism 60 may also be directly supported on the press head 10.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the valve seat 52 of the one-way valve 50 is formed on the inner surface of the elastic reset mechanism 60, which is fixedly connected to one end of the cylinder 30. Of course, the valve seat 52 can also be provided on other fixed parts of the press pump 1, for example, it can be formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the cylinder 30.

[0030] When the pressure head 10 is pressed down, the piston rod 40 and its piston 41 move downward together. During this process, the space for the product in the cylinder 30 decreases, increasing the pressure of the product in the cylinder 30. Under this pressure, the product in the cylinder 30 is pumped to the pressure head 10 and then distributed to the outside from the pressure head 10. Furthermore, under the pressure of the product in the cylinder 30, the valve element 51 of the one-way valve 50 remains engaged with the valve seat 52, thus closing the one-way valve 50 and preventing the product in the container from entering the cylinder 30 through the one-way valve 50. When the pressure head 10, along with the piston rod 40 and its piston 41, moves upward, the space for the product in the cylinder 30 increases, decreasing the pressure in that space. When the pressure in the space for the product in the cylinder 30 decreases to less than the pressure in the container, the valve element 51 disengages from the valve seat 52 under the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the inside of the cylinder 30, thus opening the one-way valve 50. At this point, the product in the container is allowed to flow into cylinder 30 through the product channel for use in the next product dispensing.

[0031] Furthermore, in the case where an elastic reset mechanism 60 is provided, when the pressure head 10 is pressed, the elastic reset mechanism 60 deforms and accumulates elastic force. When the pressing force applied to the pressure head 10 is removed, the elastic force of the elastic reset mechanism 60 will cause the pressure head 10, along with the piston rod 40 and the piston 41 thereon, to move upward together and return to its upper ready position.

[0032] In this application, the one-way valve 50 in the press pump 1 also includes a limiting device 70, which is located above the valve member 51 of the one-way valve 50. When the one-way valve 50 is opened, the valve member 51 will move upward with the flow of the product and can contact the limiting device 70. When the valve member 51 contacts the limiting device 70, the limiting device 70 can limit the upward movement of the valve member 51.

[0033] Figures 3a-3c illustrate the structure of the limiting device 70 in this application. The limiting device 70 has an optional base 71, an elastic portion 72 extending from the base 71, and a contact portion such as a pawl 73 at its end away from the base 71. In the preferred configuration shown in the figures, the limiting device 70 is disposed at the lower part of the cylinder 30, for example, integrally formed at the lower part of the cylinder 30. Alternatively, the limiting device 70 may be disposed at other locations, for example, at the lower end of the elastic reset mechanism 60 that is fixedly connected to the cylinder 30.

[0034] Alternatively, the elastic portion 72 includes three elastic strips, and the claw 73 includes at least three claw heads 74. Of course, other numbers of elastic strips and claw heads 74 can be provided as needed, which is also within the scope of this application.

[0035] Furthermore, the installation position of the limiting device 70 in the press pump 1 is set such that before the press head 10 is pressed for the first time to pump the product, the valve 51 is engaged in the valve seat 52, that is, the valve 51 is in its closed position (or first position). At this time, the limiting device 70, specifically the contact part (claw 73) of the limiting device, does not contact the valve 51, or although it contacts the valve 51, it does not apply any force to the valve 51.

[0036] After the initial pumping of product, valve 51 moves upward from valve seat 52 under the flow of product or pressure. Valve 51 then comes into contact with claw head 74, compressing the elastic part 72 upwards and causing it to deform. During this process, valve 51 is subjected to the upward buoyancy of the product and the downward elastic force of the deformed elastic part 72. These two forces are equal in magnitude and in equilibrium. At this point, specifically, the plastic valve ball valve 51 reaches its equilibrium position under the action of buoyancy and elastic force, remaining stationary. Therefore, the limiting device 70 restricts the upward movement of valve 51, preventing it from moving too far from valve seat 52. In other words, after the first pumping of the product, although the valve 51 will move upward away from the valve seat 52 due to the buoyancy of the product, the limiting device 70 can restrict the floating valve 51 to a position (or third position) between the closed position (or first position) and the fully open position (or second position) of the check valve 50, and this third position is located near the valve seat 52, or closer to the first position than the second position.

[0037] When the consumer presses the pump head 10 again to pump the product, the limiting device 70 holds the valve 51 in a position (third position) near the position where it mates with the valve seat 52 (i.e., the first position). Therefore, the valve 51 can quickly return to its mating position with the valve seat 52 under the action of the limiting device 70. In other words, during the closing process of the check valve 50, the limiting device 70 helps the valve 51 return to its closed position with the valve seat 52 more quickly, thus reducing the number of pneumatic presses in subsequent operations and preventing a decrease in pump output.

[0038] In summary, by providing the limiting device 70 with the elastic portion 72 as described in this application, when the pressure head 10 is pressed down to pump the product, the valve 51 can quickly return to the position where it engages with the valve seat 52 to close the valve. During the upward movement of the pressure head 10 after pumping, the product pushes the valve 51 upward. Under the combined action of the product's thrust and buoyancy, the valve 51 compresses the elastic portion 72 of the limiting device 70, causing the limiting device 70 to move away from the valve seat 52, thus reducing resistance to product flow. When the product stops flowing, the elastic force of the elastic portion 72 of the limiting device 70 presses the valve 51 downward until its elastic force balances with the product's buoyancy, thereby keeping the valve 51 in a position close to the valve seat 52, ready for the next pumping operation.

[0039] In the above structure, the claw head 74 of the limiting device 70 is the preferred structure. When the valve element 51 in the form of a valve ball moves upward and contacts the claw head 74, a hollow channel is formed between the valve element 51 and the claw head 74 to facilitate the passage of the product and reduce the resistance during the product flow process.

[0040] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the one-way valve 50 portion of another embodiment of the press pump 1. The one-way valve 50 further includes several radial limiting ribs 53, for example, three radial limiting ribs 53. These radial limiting ribs 53 are disposed on the inner surface of the lower end of the elastic reset mechanism 60, which is fixedly connected to the cylinder 30, and are located above the valve seat 52. They limit the radial position of the valve member 51, preventing the valve member 51 from deviating excessively from the central axis of the cylinder 30 when moving vertically. This helps ensure that the limiting device 70 can act on the valve member 51 and effectively press the valve member 51 against the valve seat 52.

[0041] The preferred structure of the press pump 1 and the one-way valve 50 therein has been described in detail above. Those skilled in the art can make further modifications and variations based on the disclosed structure, and these modifications and variations are also within the scope of this application.

[0042] For example, the base 71 of the limiting device 70 is an optional structure, and the upper end of the elastic part 72 can be directly fixedly connected or integrally formed on one of the cylinder 30 and the elastic reset mechanism 60.

[0043] In addition to the form of three or more elastic bars shown in the figure, the elastic part 72 of the limiting device 70 can also be other structures, such as a coil spring.

[0044] In addition to the lower check valve shown in the figure, the press pump 1 may also include an upper check valve, which may also adopt the structure of the check valve 50 described above, and in particular may also include a limiting device 70.

[0045] For example, in the structure shown in Figure 5, the radial limiting rib 53 is formed on the inner surface of the elastic reset mechanism 60. In other embodiments, the radial limiting rib 53 may also be formed on the inner surface of the cylinder 30 and the piston rod 40.

Claims

1. A one-way valve, comprising a valve element and a valve seat, the valve element being a plastic valve ball movable between a first position engaging with the valve seat and a second position disengaging from the valve seat, wherein in the first position the plastic valve ball engages with the valve seat, thereby closing the one-way valve, and in the second position the plastic valve ball disengages from the valve seat, thereby opening the one-way valve. Its features are, The one-way valve further includes a limiting device, which includes an elastic part. One end of the elastic part is provided with a contact part. The limiting device is configured such that, in the first position, the limiting device does not contact the plastic valve ball, or contacts the plastic valve ball but does not apply force to it. When the plastic valve ball moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the product's force, the plastic valve ball cooperates with the contact part, thereby causing the elastic part to be compressed and deformed. When the force is removed, the plastic valve ball is pressed down to the third position under the elastic force of the elastic part. The third position is located between the first position and the second position and is close to the first position.

2. The one-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting device also includes a base, and the other end of the elastic part is connected to the base.

3. The one-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic part includes at least one elastic strip.

4. The one-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The contact portion is formed as a claw, and at least three claw heads are provided on the side of the claw facing the plastic valve ball.

5. A press pump, comprising a press head, a toothed sleeve, and a cylinder, wherein the toothed sleeve and the cylinder are fixedly connected, a piston rod is connected to the lower part of the press head, a piston is provided at one end of the piston rod and extends into the cylinder, and the piston is in a sealing fit with the inner wall of the cylinder. Its features are, The press pump further includes a one-way valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The push pump as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The valve seat of the one-way valve is formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

7. The push pump as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The press pump also includes an elastic reset mechanism, one end of which is directly or indirectly supported on the press head, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the lower part of the cylinder. The valve seat of the one-way valve is formed on the inner surface of the other end of the elastic reset mechanism.

8. The push pump as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting device is mounted on or integrally formed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

9. The push pump as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The one-way valve further includes a radial limiting structure formed on the inner surface of one of the elastic reset mechanism, the piston rod, and the cylinder, and located above the valve seat. The radial limiting structure is configured to limit the radial position of the plastic valve ball.

10. The push pump as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The radial limiting structure includes at least three radial limiting ribs.

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