WO2006036075A1

WO2006036075A1 - Pump

Info

Publication number: WO2006036075A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norma Doris Mcculloch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-29
Filing date: 2005-09-29
Publication date: 2006-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-29
Also published as: NZ535689A

Abstract

A manually operable pump (1) comprising a rigid inner cylindrical member (31), a rigid outer cylindrical member (32) telescopically and slidably mounted over the inner cylindrical member. The inner cylindrical member includes a valved air opening (17) at a first end thereof and an air opening at a second end. The outer cylindrical member including a valved air opening (19). The valved air openings allow (a) air to be drawn through the valved air opening of the distal end of the outer member, into the pump during a suction stroke and (b) air to be discharged through the air opening of the inner cylindrical member during a return stroke. At least one of the inner and outer members are of an assembly comprising of a main body (31, 32) and a distal end cap (33, 34) removable engaged to the main body.

Description

PUMP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a manually operated pump. In particular although not solely the present invention relates to a pump for providing suction to food storage bags such as freezer bags for removing a substantial quantity of air from such bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that freezer burn of bagged food product can occur. Such freezer burn may be as a result of air remaining within the bag. Often such air includes some degree of humidity within the bag. This captured moisture captured within the air in the bag can lead to freezer burn. As a result it is desirable for freezer bags to be subjected to an air removal step prior to the bag being sealed and placed into a freezer. Suction pumps (also herein referred to as vacuum pumps but it will be appreciated that it is not achieving a vacuum but rather a removal of air and perhaps some reduction in pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere) are known. My own New Zealand patent application NZ 152864 describes such a pump and a product according to the invention of NZ 152864 has been on the market for several years. However hygiene is an issue with such pumps in that the suction end of the pump is placed into the mouth of a bag containing food. Some foods may have its product juices or fluids also in the bag. For example meat products may have exudates in the bag and this may cause a problem with contamination of the pump. When substantially all of the air has been removed, the pump can have a tendency to then commence the sucking of fluid. My earlier product required for the entire assembly of components making up the pump to be cleaned in order to remove any such juices. With reference to Figure 1 (which is a rough representation of my product of NZ 152864) it can be seen that the elongate cylinders have a bottom end which is far removed from the open end of the cylinder. It becomes difficult to clean the bottom of each of the cylinders for the purposes of cleaning away any such juices or the like. Indeed as can be seen, the inner cylinder is preferably substantially enclosed save for some small opening at each of its distal ends. Any juices getting into the inner cylinder are even more difficult to remove and as such my previous product was more difficult to clean and if not cleaned properly it could become unhygienic. It has been with this in mind that I have set about inventing a new product which is an improvement on my earlier pump.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a pump which addresses the abovementioned disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over (at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, said cylindrical inner member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and an air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said cylindrical outer member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said outer member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said air opening at the proximal end of said inner member and (b) air to be discharged through said air opening of said inner cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a distal end cap removable engaged to said main body.

Preferably said valve means of said inner member, seals said valved air opening of its distal end during said suction stroke.

Preferably said valve means of said out member, seals said valved air opening of its distal end during said return stroke. Preferably said distal end cap is threadingly engaged to said main body.

Preferably said distal end cap is push fit sealed to said main body.

Preferably said distal end cap is engaged with its main body in and airtight manner.

Preferably both said inner and outer members are said assembly. Preferably the end caps of each of said inner and outer members are of the same size and configuration.

Preferably said outer cylindrical member has a substantially closed (save for said valved air opening) distal end and a substantially open proximal end; said inner cylindrical member has a substantially closed (save for said valved air opening) distal end and a proximal end which is substantially closed (save for said air opening).

Preferably said end cap incorporates said valved air opening.

Preferably said valve means is a flap valve.

Preferably said distal end of said outer member is adapted to receive in sealing engagement thereabout, a mouth of a plastic bag.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over (at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, - A -

said cylindrical inner member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and an air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said cylindrical outer member including an air opening at a first end (herein after "proximal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said inner member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said valved air opening at the distal end of said inner member and (b) air to be discharged through said valved air opening of said outer cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said valved air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a valved opening end end cap provided removable engaged to said main body.

Preferably the distal end of said inner member is adapted to receive thereabout a mouth of a plastic bag. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a pump which addresses the abovementioned disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over (at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, said inner cylindrical member including a air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and a valved air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said outer cylindrical member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said outer member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said valved air opening at the proximal end of said inner member and (b) for causing air to be discharged through said air opening of said inner cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said valved air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a valved opening end end end cap removable engaged to said main body. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the pump apparatus will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a prior art drawing of a pump of a kind as for example described in New Zealand Patent No. 152864,

Figure 2 is a side/sectional view of a cylinder assembly of a telescopic pneumatic pump of my invention, Figure 3 is a side/sectional view of a piston assembly of the telescopic pneumatic pump of my invention,

Figure 4 is an assembled sectional view of the telescopic pneumatic pump of my invention,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a valve cap of either of the cylinder or piston,

Figure 6 is another perspective view of the valve cap,

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the valve cap, and

Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement where the piston has its valve provided at an opposite end to the valve of the cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A pump is provided which comprises a manually operable telescopic pneumatic pump 1 to be in communication with a bag 2. In the preferred form the telescopic pump 1 comprises two substantially cylindrical members; an outer member 3 and inner member 4. The inner member 4 can be positioned into the open proximal end 5 of the outer member 3. The outer member 3 is able to slide over the inner member 4 but the fit between the inner member 4 and outer member 3 is substantially tight. A ring seal like feature 38 can aid in such sealing. The inner member 4 preferably telescopes in the outer member 3 such that the distal end 9 of the inner member 4 is substantially adjacent to the distal end 6 of the outer member 3 when the pump 1 is in a closed configuration (as shown in Figure 4). The outer member 3 preferably comprises a hollow cylinder, open at the proximal end 5 and substantially enclosed at the distal end 6. One or more apertures 7 are provided in the distal end 6.

The inner member 4 comprises a hollow cylinder which is substantially enclosed at both proximal end 8 and distal end 9. An aperture 10 may be provided in the distal end 9 of the inner member 4. An outlet 20 may be provided at the proximal end 8. The outlet 20 may open into the inside of the inner member 4.

The inner member 4 may be substantially longer longitudinally than the outer member 3 as desired. In this embodiment, the proximal end 8 of the inner cylinder 4 extends substantially beyond that of the proximal end 5 of the outer cylinder 3. This exposes the proximal end 8 of the inner member 4 which may enhance ease of operation.

Preferably, the pump 1 is of large enough dimensions to suck a suitable amount of air from a bag. However, the pump should be small enough to be hand operable.

Instructions may be marked on the outer member 3.

Preferably, a valve or valves 7a are positioned on the inside surface of the distal end 6 so as to be able to cover and seal the aperture or apertures 7 as shown in Figure 2. The valve 7a is desirably a flap valve but any suitable valve may be used within the scope of the invention. The flap valve 7a may for example be formed from suitably flexible material such as flexible plastic. In one embodiment the flap valve 7a may comprise circular material affixed to the inner surface of the distal end 6 as shown in Figure 7. The flap valve 7a should be affixed over part of the surface thereof so that they are able to partly uncover the apertures 7 in use as required.

The valve 7a may be of a type such that when the inner member 4 is being forced into the outer member 3 the valve 7a covering the apertures 7 are closed. However, when the inner member 4 is drawn out of the outer member 3 a suction or vacuum is created such that the valves covering the apertures 7 open thus allowing air to enter into the pump 1.

The apparatus is preferably composed of light-weight yet durable materials such as plastic. A further valve 17 is provided to cover the aperture 10. The valve 17 may for example consist of a flap valve but other suitable valves may also be employed. The flap valve 17 may for example comprise a circular member formed from substantially flexible material, such as plastic. The flap valve 17 may be attached in a like manner as valve 7a. Thus, when the pump 1 is sucking air, the flap valve 17 moves to close the opening 10 and the valve 7a exposes the opening 7 so that air can be sucked from the bag by the pump 1. The bag is held by hand for example about the distal end 6 of the outer member 3.

During such sucking motion there is a telescopic extension occurring between the cylinder and piston member 3, 4. The valve 7a moves to an open condition exposing the opening 7 of the cylinder 3 thereby allowing air to be admitted into the chamber formed between the piston and cylinder members. With a bag is securely sealed around the end of the cylinder 3, air is sucked directly from the interior of the bag 2. In use, the pump 2 is positioned into an opening of a bag. The inner member 4 is drawn back from the position shown in Figure 4 sucking air from a bag. The inner member 4 is then forced towards the distal end 6 so that air is forced out the interior of the pump via outlet 20, as a result of the valve 7a closing the opening 7. An alternative to the valving arrangement is shown in Figure 8 wherein the piston or inner member 4 includes its free opening 20 at the distal end 9 thereof. The valved opening 10 with its associated valve 17, is provided at the proximal end 8. This is a less desirable configuration in that the valve 17 is exposed for engagement with a persons hand, the hand being that part of the body which is to grasp the proximal end 8 of the inner member 4 and can interfere with the operation of the valve 17. However some form of cover can be provided to the valve 17.

In order to provide the advantages of convenient cleaning and hygiene for the pump 1 of the present invention, preferably both the piston and cylinder member (also referred to as inner and outer members) 4, 3 are of an assembly consisting of a body portion 31, 32 and a distal end portion 33, 34. The distal end portions 33, 34 of each of the body portions 31, 32, are separable. With reference for example to the piston assembly the body portion 31 is removable from the end portion 33 by for example a sealed threaded engagement between the end portion 33 with the body portion 31. The end portion 33 as for example shown in Figure 6 includes an internal thread 35 which is able to engage with an externally presented thread of the body portion 31 of the piston. Therefore a screw thread arrangement allows for the screwing and unscrewing of the end portion 33 from the body portion 31. This allows for much more convenient access to be gained to the interior region 36 of the end portion 33 for the purposes of its cleaning. Such a like arrangement is preferably also provided for the cylinder 3 wherein its body portion 32 is threadingly engaged with its end portion 34. Similarly removal of the end portion 34 from the body portion 33 allows for convenient cleaning of the interior region of the end portion 34 to occur. In the most preferred form both the end portions 33 and 34 are of the same configuration and of the same size and shape. It is however preferably the distal ends of each of the cylinder pistons that have the removable ends thereof as it is this region that is most likely to be affected by contamination of any juices that may flow from the contents of the bag 2. The product is preferably made from materials which are dishwasher safe and as such a disassembled pump wherein the end portions 33 and 34 are removed, can be placed in a dishwasher for the thorough cleaning of all of the surfaces of the device.

Claims

1. A manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over (at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, said inner cylindrical member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and an air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said outer cylindrical member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said outer member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said air opening at the proximal end of said inner member and (b) air to be discharged through said air opening of said inner cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a distal end cap removable engaged to said main body.

2. A manually operable pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means of said inner member, seals said valved air opening of its distal end during said suction stroke.

3. A manually operable pump as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said valve means of said out member, seals said valved air opening of its distal end during said return stroke.

4. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said distal end cap is threadingly engaged to said main body.

5. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said distal end cap is push fit sealed to said main body.

6. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said distal end cap is engaged with its main body in and airtight manner.

7. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein both said inner and outer members are said assembly.

8. A manually operable pump as claimed in claim 7 wherein the end caps of each of said inner and outer members are of the same size and configuration.

9. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said end cap incorporates said valved air opening.

10. A manually operable pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said valve means is a flap valve.

11. A manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over

(at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, said inner cylindrical member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and an air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said outer cylindrical member including an air opening at a first end

(herein after "proximal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said inner member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said valved air opening at the distal end of said inner member and (b) air to be discharged through said valved air opening of said outer cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said valved air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a valved opening end end cap provided removable engaged to said main body.

12. A manually operable pump as claimed in claim 11 wherein the distal end of said inner member is adapted to receive thereabout a mouth of a plastic bag.

13. A manually operable pump comprising: a rigid inner cylindrical member, a rigid outer cylindrical member telescopically and slidably mounted over (at least in part) said inner cylindrical member, said cylindrical inner member including a air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof and a valved air opening at a second end (herein after "proximal end") thereof, said cylindrical outer member including a valved air opening at a first end (herein after "distal end") thereof valve means for each of said valved air openings, allowing (a) air to be drawn through said valved air opening of said distal end of said outer member, into said pump during a suction stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is partially and telescopically slid outwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction away from said valved air opening at the proximal end of said inner member and (b) for causing air to be discharged through said air opening of said inner cylindrical member during a return stroke in which said outer cylindrical member is telescopically slid inwardly over said inner cylindrical member in a direction towards said valved air opening of said inner member, at least one of the inner and outer members being of an assembly comprising of a main body and a valved opening end end end cap removable engaged to said main body.