Polymer Spring Dispensing Pump With Base Venting and Flow Baffle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing pumps for liquids and viscous materials face challenges due to the presence of metal springs, which hinder recyclability and complicate the recycling process.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing pump system with a polymer compression spring assembly, featuring a slotted tubular spring element and loading cones, where all components are made from recyclable plastic materials, including polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene, and incorporates a baffle to prevent product from entering the accumulator before air evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal spring is used in the dispensing pump assembly, then the spring provides reliable biasing force for the nozzle portion, but the presence of metal spring impedes recyclability and complicates the recycling process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the spring from metal to polymer, transforming it into a plastic compression spring assembly that is recyclable with other plastic pump components while maintaining the necessary mechanical biasing function through polymer elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite polymer materials, specifically a plastic spring element with durometer of 35-75 Shore A and plastic loading cones, to create an all-plastic spring assembly that combines the elastic properties needed for spring function with the recyclability of plastic materials
2Reliability
If the pump base is sealed tightly to prevent product leakage, then product containment is improved, but air cannot escape during capping causing product to be pulled into the accumulator before headspace air evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates vents in the pump base that allow air to escape during the capping operation before the product level reaches the vents, preliminarily evacuating headspace air to prevent product contamination in the accumulator
Solution Approach 2:
The vents act as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed pump base and the external environment, providing a controlled pathway for air evacuation that maintains product containment while allowing necessary air escape
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for easy recyclability and efficient operation by using polymer springs, ensuring consistent dispensing and reducing the need for separate metal recycling, while maintaining the functionality of the pump.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring assembly captured between the piston stem and the pump base
Implementation Method 2
a slotted tubular spring element formed from a tensile polymer material
Implementation Method 3
the pump base being provided with a plurality of peripheral vents on the outer surface of the pump base for allowing air to escape during capping of the pump base onto a container neck
Implementation Method 4
the baffle being configured and arranged to divert product flow around an outer peripheral edge of the flange portion to a flow channel between the baffle and a bottom external surface of the pump base
Implementation Method 5
a piston seal at said lower end of said piston stem, said piston seal engaging said accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A dispensing pump (1000) includes a polymer compression spring (1048), base vents (1060) and a flow baffle (1092). The dispensing pump includes a pump base (1002), and a dispensing head (1004) having a piston stem (1034). The polymer compression spring assembly includes a slotted tubular spring element (1048) and first and second loading cones received at opposing ends of the slotted tubular spring element. The venting ports allow air to escape when capping the container after filling and the flow baffle reduces or prevents the product from being pulled into the pump accumulator before residual air (headspace) has been evacuated from the container during the initial priming strokes.