Through-Pump Liquid Drain-Back System for a Dispensing Package
AssigneeThe Clorox Company
InventorsTimothy Kennedy, Tami O'Connell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a liquid dispensing package for a container adapted to contain a liquid that includes a hand operated pump assembly coupled to an actuator, a liquid distribution subsystem in fluid communication with a discharge tube from the pump assembly, wherein downward motion of the actuator, provided by a user, causes liquid to travel through the discharge tube to the actuator top surface, and a through-pump liquid drain-back subsystem that permits drain-back of liquid from the top surface of the actuator when the actuator is in a rest position.
Claims14
A liquid dispensing package comprising:
- a container adapted to contain a liquid;
- an actuator having an actuator top having an actuator top surface with at least one discharge orifice in fluid communication with the container to permit flow of liquid from the container to the actuator top surface upon downward motion of the actuator;
- a pump assembly coupled to and in fluid communication with the container and in fluid communication with the at least one discharge orifice and
- wherein the at least one discharge orifice permits through-pump drain-back of liquid from the top surface of the actuator through the at least one discharge orifice when the actuator is in a rest position.
A liquid dispensing package comprising:
- a container adapted to contain a liquid;
- an actuator having an actuator top surface;
- a liquid distribution subsystem comprising:
- a pump assembly coupled to the actuator and in fluid communication with the container and the actuator top surface;
- wherein the liquid distribution subsystem further comprises at least one distribution orifice on the actuator top surface and in fluid communication with the container;
- and
- wherein reciprocation of the actuator permits liquid to flow from the container to the actuator top surface;
- and
- a through-pump liquid drain-back subsystem that removes liquid from the actuator top surface when the actuator is in a rest position;
- and
- wherein the through-pump liquid drain-back subsystem comprises the at least one distribution orifice on the actuator top surface and in fluid communication with a pump assembly.
A liquid dispensing package comprising:
- a container adapted to contain a liquid;
- an actuator having an actuator top surface;
- a pump assembly comprising a pump chamber with a pump chamber sidewall having a pump chamber sidewall opening therethrough, an outlet valve controlling fluid flow through the pump chamber, and a pump piston for pressurizing fluid within the pump chamber and having a piston head and a piston opening in the piston head;
- wherein the pump assembly is disposed within the container and has a discharge tube coupled to the actuator, the discharge tube being in fluid communication with the actuator top surface through at least one discharge orifice to permit liquid to flow onto the actuator top surface upon downward motion of the actuator from a rest position;
- wherein the discharge tube is fluidly connected to the pump chamber sidewall opening which is fluidly connected to the container when the actuator is in the rest position;
- wherein the at least one discharge orifice permits liquid to flow by gravity from the actuator top surface to the container through the discharge tube and through the pump chamber sidewall opening when the actuator is in the rest position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.