US2772817A - Dispensing pumps - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4, 1956 R. J. JAUCH DISPENSING PUMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 1, 1952 F/GZ:

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ROBERT J. JAUGH ATTORNEY Dec. 4, 1956 R. J. JAUCH DISPENSING PUMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1952 7 INVENTOR.

ROBERT J. JAUGH V ATTORNEY United States Patent-O DISPENSING PUMPS 7 Robert J. Jauch, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Application March 1, 1952, Serial No. 274,390

Claims. (Cl. 222-207) This invention relates generally to pumps and more particularly it relates to pumps for dispensing liquids such as soaps, soft drinks, syrups and the like.

Conventional liquid dispensing devices such, for example, as those which have been utilized for dispensing liquid soaps usually consisting of a glass container mounted on a bracket adapted to be attached to the wall of a room. The bracket usually includes a pumping mechanism comprising a spring pressed plunger or the like. The outlet of the pump usually comprises a small aperture associated with the plunger.

Practical experience shows that conventional dispensers of this type become worn and fail to operate, usually because the pump mechanism will not create suflicient suction to remove liquid from the reservoir or container. Faulty operation also may be caused by an accumulation of congealed soap or syrup which collects within and around the discharge aperture. This is due to the fact that there is always a residue which clings to the walls of the aperture after a quantity of soap has been discharged. The liquid components of the soap evaporate leaving a hard crust coating which gradually builds up and blocks the aperture. If the pumping mechanism is worn, the pump cannot create sufiicient pressure to clear away such a residue. A further difliculty arises in connection with conventional dispensers due to the fact that they are operated by a pushing action, sometimes of considerable force, whereby the wall bracket becomes loose and the fixture may either fall from the Wall or be moved out of operative position so that the dispenser becomes useless. There is a further limitation with respect to conventional dispensers due to the fact that the liquid container or reservoir is usually suspended from the pump mechanism whereby the capacity of the reservoir must be limited so as not to overload the pump mechanism or the bracket supporting the dispenser on the wall.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a novel soap, or other liquid, dispensing pump.

A further object of this invention is to provide, for a fluid dispensing device, a positively acting pump which operates to prevent appreciable accumulation of congealed fluid about its discharge aperture.

A further object of this invention is to provide, for a liquid dispensing device, a self-restoring pump adapted to discharge a liquid and having no wearing parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide, for a liquid dispensing device, a unitary pump and valve for discharging liquid from the dispensing device.

Still another object of this invention is to provide, for a' liquid dispensing device having a sealed reservoir, a pump including an air vent whereby air may be admitted to the reservoir as fluid is removed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide, for a liquid dispensing device, a liquid discharge mechanism which operates by means of a normal squeezing motion rather than a pushing motion whereby lateral or horizontal forces on the dispensing device are eliminated.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a tion, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

2,772,817 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 pump comprising a finger-operated flexible or compressible barrel, said barrel having a check valve at its intake end and a discharge valve at its outlet end.

Further in accordance with this invention there is provided a pump adapted to co-operate with a sealed reservoir comprising a compressible cylinder, intake and discharge valves, and a vent connecting said reservoir with the atmosphere.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l of the drawing is a side elevational view partially in cross-section illustrating a soap or liquid dispensing unit and a pump constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 of the drawings is an enlarged end view, with certain parts omitted, looking upwardly with respect to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a modification of this invention with the same pump as that illustrated in Fig. 1 except that the cross-section of the pump is taken at an angle of degrees with respect to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is partially cross-sectional view of another modification of this invention which is especially adapted to cooperate with both a sealed reservoir and one of relatively small capacity.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing the air vent illustrated in Fig. 4.

There is provided in accordance with this invention a soap or other liquid dispensing device comprising a reservoir or tank 10 which may be supported upon a wall or other vertical structure by means of a bracket 12 adapted to be screwed, bolted or otherwise secured to a wall. Co-operating with bracket 12 is an elongated clamp 14 having bands 15 adapted to embrace the reservoir 10 for normally supporting the reservoir in a vertical posi- Clamp 14 may be pivotally connected with the bracket 12 by means of a slotted pin 16, the slotted portion of which rotatably engages clamp 14 in the manner illustrated at 17, or in any other suitable manner which will provide a rotating connection between the clamp and the bracket. For normally holding reservoir 10 in a vertical position bracket 12 may be provided with nibs 18 which are adapted to register with the indentations 19 formed in the clamp 14. To permit the tank or reservoir 10 to be rotated through an angle of degrees into a position where the neck faces upwardly, the pivot pin 16 may be provided with a biasing spring 20 which permits the pin to move outwardly of bracket 12 thereby permitting the indentations 19 to disengage from the nibs 18.

Reservoir 10 may be provided with a neck portion 21 which may be threaded as at 22 for receiving an internally threaded cap 23. Cap 23 is provided for the purpose of supporting the pump structure 25 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which consists of a resilient, cylindrical barrel portion 26, a discharge valve 27 formed integrally with the barrel, and a flange 28 which cooperates with the flange 29 of cap 23. Within the pump barrel 26, there is provided a check valve 30 which is retained in the position illustrated in the drawings by means of a washer 31. Barrel 26 and discharge valve 27 may be formed as an integral structure of a resilient material such for example as rubber or neoprene. The barrel should have sufiicient restorative power that after the walls of the barrel are squeezed together and released it will restore itself to its normal form. Valve 27 may be formed to have a bulbous portion 34'of circular configuration (Figs. 2 and 3), the bulbous portion being bisected by a substantially rectangular protuberance 32, having a normally closed vent 33. In order to provide a self-closing vent 33, a knife blade may be thrust through the protrusion 32 to pierce the material all the way through from the exterior end surface to the interior surface. Vent 33-is self-closing because no material is removed by the knife and because of the self-restoring properties of the rubber. The purpose of the bulb 34 is to provide rigidity such that slit 33 will be closed in the .absence of internal fluid pressure, and during the time that the walls are restoring to normal position. This is particularly important in order that the slit may close immediately after external pressure is relieved and fluid ceases to flow out of the barrel, as failure of the slit to close would prevent creation of a vacuum in the barrel.

The check valve 30 may be formed of rubber or neoprene as a structure separate and apart from the barrel 26 and is formed to have a washer portion 35 and a substantially rectangular protuberance 36 which is slit as at .39 to form a self-closing aperture as in the case of the discharge valve 27.

For the purpose of permitting the removal of fluid from the tank an air vent 37 may be provided at the top end of tank 19. The vent 37 may be a small ball check valve of conventional construction sealed to the tank 10.

In operation, the tank or reservoir It) may be filled with a fluid such, for example, as liquid soap, or with soft drink syrups of various kinds or with other fluids such, for ex-' ample, as lubricating oils. In order to fill the tank it is merely necessary to rotate the tank into an upright position where the neck 21 faces upwardly. By removing the cap 23 and also the pump 25, the fluid may be poured into the tank. After filling, the pump may be replaced and the tank may be rotated back to the position illustrated in the drawings whereupon the barrel 26 of pump 25 may be squeezed and released whereby the resilient barrel restores itself, creating a vacuum which opens valve permitting barrel 26 to fill with fluid. It is important to note that the effects of gravity on the fluid are not suflicient to open the check valve 30 and that a vacuum must be created to draw fluid into the barrel 26.

In order to obtain a desired quantity of soap or syrup, the barrel 26 may be squeezed between the thumb and forefinger creating pressure within the barrel 26 which pressure causes check valve 30 to become closed due to the pressure on the outer surfaces of protuberance 36. Simultaneously, the pressure on the inner surfaces of the protuberance 32 of the valve 27 causes the resilient sides thereof to separate, opening the lit 33 and permitting the discharge of fluid. It should be noted that the positive pressure created within barrel 26 forces fluid to emerge through discharge valve 27 even though there may be an accumulation of dried liquid residue on the outer surfaces of the valve 27.

When the pressure on barrel 26 is relieved, the resilient material, of which the barrel and valve 27 are formed, is sufliciently self-restorative that the walls of barrel 26 assume a normal cylindrical form and while so doing, a vacuum is created causing fluid to flow through slit 39 to fill barrel 26 for another dispensing cycle. Simultaneously, the walls of discharge valve 27 close the slit 33 pinching oil or forcing the liquid out of the slit portion whereby there is a sealing action.

Fig. 3 shows a modification of this invention which is identical to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 except that there is provided an extension 38 on the cap 23 which is cylindrical in form and supports a push button 40 biased to an outward position by means of a spring 41 bearing against the extension 38 and the head 42 of the push button. A second head 43 is formed on push button 40 for engaging the wall of the barrel 26 of pump 25. Pressure on push button 40 depresses the wall of barrel 26 forcing fluid through discharge valve 27. It is to be noted that the push button may be moved inwardly to a limited degree only whereby it depresses the wall of barrel 26 to a predetermined degree thereby providing a measured quantity of fluid. The pump 25 in Fig. 3 operates otherwise in exactly the same fashion as the valve illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 of the drawings illustrates a further modification of this invention wherein there is provided a pump which in one respect is adapted to co-operate with a sealed reservoir. In another respect it is adapted to co-operate with a reservoir of relatively small capacity but containing any type of fluid even that type which is relatively viscous and slow flowing. There is provided a reservoir 50 such for example as a small bottle of the type utilized for dispensing various cosmetic preparations such as hand creams. A cap 51 may be threaded to the neck of the bottle for supporting a pump 52 similar to that shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. There is provided a washer 53 adapted to engage the neck of the bottle and including a check valve 54 and a vent hole 55. Washer 53 may include a stiffening plate 53' fastened thereto for preventing movement of valve 54 into the neck of bottle 50 when pump 52 is operated. Cap 51 clamps a washer or flange portion 56 of pump 52 into engagement with washer 53. It is to be noted that the portion 56 of pump 52 is provided with a vent opening 57 which is aligned with hole 55. For providing automatic alignment of holes 55 and 57, washer 53 may have a key (not shown) adapted to co-operate with a slot (not shown) in flange 56. For closing holes 55 and 57 there is provided, on washer 53 a small integrally formed cap 58. As in the case of the other modifications of this invention, the pump 52 and washer 53 are made of a resilient material such as rubber or neoprene. Consequently the cap 58 is made of flexible material which may be punctured by a pin point or out to form a very small closeable vent hole or slit. Thus, cap 58 forms a valve which permits air to flow into the reservoir 50 whenever fluid is removed therefrom. This is by the reason of the fact that the vacuum created within the reservoir 50 is suflicient to separate the walls of the punctured cap 58. On the other hand when static pressure is created within reservoir 50, as is the case when no fluid is being removed from the reservoir, the walls of cap 58 are forced into close contact with one another, squeezing all fluid from between the walls and positively closing the pin hole to prevent outward flow of fluid through the vent hole 57. Thus there is provided in combination with pump 52 an automatically operated vent valve which is adapted to co-operate with a sealed container. This type of valve is satisfactorily operative where a ball-type valve would be inoperative due to the fact that static pressure is low and the ball would become fouled with congealed fluid thereby causing leakage.

Pump 52 is designed to co-operate with a relatively small reservoir such as 50, which normally contains a relatively viscous fluid, and is provided with a bulbous barrel portion 60 having sufllcient capacity to deliver the desired quantity of the fluid contents of the reservoir. By making'the barrel 60 in a relatively large bulbous form, more power of self restoration is provided whereby suflicent vacuum may be created within the barrel 60 to draw a relatively heavy and viscous fluid from the reservoir 50. Barrel 6% may be provided with a discharge valve 61. Valves S-tand 61 are similar in structure to the valves 30 and 32 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 whereby their operations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

While this invention has been disclosed as cooperating with a reservoir in the form of a bottle or tank it is also contemplated that the pump illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may operate equally well in connection with a remote tank having an outlet pipe for delivering fluid to the particular point of use. In this case, it will be apparent that the pump may be connected to the end of the pipe for extracting fluid from the remotely located tank. It is further contemplated that this invention may be used, not only with soap dispensing apparatus, but also with other fluid handling apparatus where it is desirable to provide a manually operable pump for delivering small quantities of a fluid.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a pump is provided in accordance with this invention which does not comprise moving or wearing parts. It is unbreakable, and easily cleaned, and the valves are selfclearing. Hence, the valves do not become plugged or inoperative as do ball-type valves. The barrel is a posi tive displacement device whereby sufi'icient pressure always causes the discharge of fluid. On the other hand, no impactor other force is exerted on the wall bracket whereby there is no damage resulting from the use of excessive pressure to obtain fluid from the dispenser.

While there has been described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the invention, and it is therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A pump for a fluid dispensing container having a wall defining a drain opening, said pump comprising a resilient walled barrel which is in communication with said container drain opening for receiving fluid discharged therethrough, a discharge opening in the lower end of said barrel, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through said discharge opening, said valve being normally closed and opened in response to compressive stress exerted on said barrel to cause the same to deform and force liquid through said discharge opening, a check valve in the upper end of said barrel for controlling the flow of fluid into said barrel from said container, said check valve being normally closed and forced open in response to pressure produced by the vacuum created in said barrel upon the release ofthe compressive stress deforming said barrel.

2. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said check valve comprises a plug having a protuberance extending into said barrel and which is provided with a normally closed slit which is adapted to open with the flow of liquid from the container and to close against the reverse flow.

3. The structure defined by claim 2 wherein said plug and barrel are provided with axially engaging means for limiting the entry of the plug into the barrel.

4. The structure defined by claim 2 wherein said plug includes a laterally extending member in contact with a portion of said barrel adjacent the inlet opening thereof for limiting the entry of the plug into the barrel.

5 The structure defined by claim 2 wherein the barrel is provided with a laterally extending flange surrounding said inlet, said flange defining a vent opening in the said container, said plug including a lateral extension disposed in overlying contact with said flange and serving to prevent the escape of liquid therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,243,806 Buchanan Oct. 23, 1917 1,326,880 Rose Dec. 30, 1919 1,392,601 Rose Oct. 4, 1921 2,036,621 Brunetti Apr. 7, 1940 2,216,890 Philipps Oct. 8, 1940 2,219,604 Trotter Oct. 29, 1940 2,525,409 Hammerstein Oct. 10, 1950 2,546,681 Searer Mar. 27, 1951

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