Inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm for application in a sanitary type pump

An inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm for use in a sanitary type pump application, said inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm comprising:

• (a) a first body portion disposed substantially in a center portion of said inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm, said first body portion being relatively thick and exhibiting a first degree of flexibility, said first body portion having a first predetermined shape;
• (b) a second body portion formed contiguously with said first body portion and extending around a periphery thereof, said second body portion being relatively thin compared to said first body portion and exhibiting a second degree of flexibility which is greater than said first degree of flexibility, said second body portion having a second predetermined shape;
• (c) a sealing means formed contiguously with said second body portion and extending around a periphery thereof for sealing said inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm in an operating position within a housing portion of such pump, said sealing means having a third predetermined shape;
• (d) a preselected flexible type plastic layer adhered to each surface of said first body portion and said second body portion and said sealing means which will come into intimate contact with a preselected type material to be pumped, said preselected flexible type plastic layer having a substantially uniform predetermined thickness;
• and
• (e) an insert type member embedded within said first body portion to enable said inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm to be connected to a rod-like piston member disposed for reciprocal movement within such pump, said insert member including;
• (i) a first disc-like portion, said first disc-like portion having both a first predetermined size and a first predetermined configuration,
• (ii) a second disc-like portion, said second disc-like portion having both a second predetermined size and a second predetermined configuration, said second disc-like portion being secured adjacent one surface thereof to a first surface of said first disc-like portion, said second disc-like portion extending from said first surface of said first disc-like portion for a predetermined distance and said second disc-like portion being disposed substantially in a center portion of said first surface of said first disc-like portion of said insert type member,
• (iii) a plurality of apertures formed through said first disc-like portion, said plurality of apertures having both a third predetermined size and a third predetermined configuration, said plurality of apertures providing an overall predetermined open area through said first disc-like portion for receiving a preselected rubber compound therein and thereby significantly improve bonding of said insert type member to said first body portion of said inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm, and
• (iv) a securing means engageable at least with said second disc-like portion for securing said insert type member to such rod-like piston member.