US20230279849A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20230279849A1
Application number: US18/179,701
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Hordis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-07
Filing date: 2023-03-07
Publication date: 2023-09-07

Abstract

A peristaltic pump for pumping, controlling flow, and siphoning fluid. The pump draws fluid through a tube by using rollers and releases pressure from the tube to form a siphon by opening a bypass door. A rotatable cap provides strength, the ability to rapidly change tubing, as well as locking the bypass door in place for various modes of operation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/317,311 filed on Mar. 7, 2022. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Pumps and siphons are commonly utilized for transferring fluids from one location to another location. Typically, these devices comprise a tubular structure, where a first end of the tubular structure is placed into a body of fluid, while the second end of the tubular structure is placed in a targeted area to receive the fluid. For siphons, when the vertical height of the intake body is greater than that of the outlet body, the force of gravity will pull the fluid through the first end of the tubular structure outward into the second end of the tubular structure. Alternatively, a pump may be utilized to force fluid through the tubular structure.

Siphons, or similar apparatuses, are utilized across a wide range of technological fields. For example, these structures are commonly utilized on large scales in the chemical industry, the food and beverage industry and in waterworks systems, as well as in small scale settings such as assisting individuals in plumbing or automotive tasks.

Current methods and apparatuses for initiating siphoning may be ineffective or inefficient in several settings. Many devices utilize differential hydraulic pressure, coupled with pumps or oscillation devices, to initiate the siphoning process. These devices typically require clear access to the surface of the fluid to be siphoned. Thus, these devices are not ideal for situations where the user lacks a clear line of sight to the fluid surface. Other devices utilize check valves, coupled with an oscillating mechanism to initiate a siphon. These devices are also limited by surface access and sufficient depth of the fluid to be siphoned. Furthermore, other devices apply pressure to the vessel containing the fluid to be siphoned, resulting in an overflow that initiates the siphon. However, these devices are ineffective in situations where the vessel is not sealed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior art references for an improvement to the methods and apparatuses used in siphoning processes. Ideally, the solution for this problem would allow for siphoning to occur across multiple settings. This includes settings where the fluid to be siphoned may be in a non-sealed container, the fluid to be siphoned may not be directly viewable by the user. Such solution should be cost-effective, light in weight and provide all the benefits of the known prior art references. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closed system, to prevent contamination of the fluid to be siphoned. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a gentler form of siphoning, such as to prevent the disturbance of sediment or other particulate contaminants in the container of the fluid to be siphoned. Additionally, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a lightweight and structurally strong unit through the use of a rotatable cap.

In furtherance of this solution, a peristaltic pump device capable of transforming into a siphon is provided. The device comprises a body. A rotary pump is disposed within an internal cavity of the body. The rotary pump comprises a plurality of outer rollers. An actuator is in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers. A tube is in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers, such that engaging the actuator creates suction within the tube in the direction that the actuator is turned.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG.1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device.

FIG.2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the removable bypass door is in an open position.

FIG.3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the removable bypass door is in an open position.

FIG.4 shows a top view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the removable bypass door is in a closed position.

FIG.5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the removable bypass door is in a closed position.

FIG.6 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device.

FIG.7 shows a demonstrative, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device.

FIG.8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein an actuator is affixed thereto.

FIG.9 shows a top view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein an actuator is affixed thereto.

FIG.10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the outer rollers contain gear teeth thereon.

FIG.11 shows a top view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the outer rollers contain gear teeth thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now toFIG.1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device. The peristaltic pump comprises abody19 having a base portion and asidewall10. In the illustrated embodiment, thebody19 defines a substantially circular housing in which arotary pump25 is situated. Therotary pump25 is in operable connection with a tube1 defining an opening on each end thereof for fluid to pass.

Therotary pump25 comprises a plurality ofouter rollers6. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, therotary pump25 comprisescentral gear5 meshed with a plurality ofouter rollers6. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality ofouter rollers6 are defined between anupper section11 and alower section14. Theupper section11 and the lower section14 (as shown inFIG.6) may engage a central post15 (as shown inFIG.6) connected to thebody19. In the demonstrated embodiment, the plurality ofouter rollers6 comprises three rollers, however, in alternate embodiments, any number of rollers may be utilized. In one embodiment, therotary pump25 further comprises acap2. Thecap2 can act as a non-movable fixation point for the central post15 (as shown inFIG.6), such as to maintain the positioning of both thecentral gear5 and the plurality ofouter rollers6. Thecap2 may be rotatable relative to thebody19, such as to enable loading and unloading of the tube1 from the device. Thecap2 has a channel26 (as shown inFIG.6) that engages alip8 of thebody19 to allow rotation of thecap2 to form a retention profile. Thecap2 may be rotated to a closed position as shown inFIG.1, thereby locking theremovable bypass door13 in place, or in an open position as shown inFIG.2 to allow opening or removal of thebypass door13 so as to transition from pumping to siphoning. The removal of thebypass door13 is not defined as losing all physical contact with thebody19 orsidewall10 thereof, but rather that it is removed from the pressure system by pivoting, rotating, or otherwise releasing pressure from theouter rollers6 and tube1. In an alternate embodiment thebypass door13 may be detached from thebody19 or associatedsidewall10 wherein it is not in physical contact with either. In the depicted embodiment any arrangement ofouter rollers6 may be utilized so long as not more than one roller is engaging the tube1 when the primary roller is aligned with theremovable bypass door13. In this manner, when a single roller is positioned at theremovable bypass door13, all pressure may be relieved from the tube1 when theremovable bypass door13 is opened. The single roller applying pressure to the tube1 against theremovable bypass door13 can be further utilized as a valve, wherein fluid can flow when the door is open but is restricted when the door is closed. The same can be accomplished by moving anouter roller6 to any part of thebody19 so as to restrict flow regardless of whether theremovable bypass door13 is open or closed. In alternate embodiments any number of doors may be utilized with a corresponding number of rollers applying pressure to the tube1 against thebody19 or door(s). In a further embodiment thesidewall10 may be continuous without a bypass door. Furthermore, while depictions are made showing a single tube1, any number of tubes may be used so long as the sum of their compressed diameters is no larger than the length of theouter rollers6 as measured from the roller end nearest thebody19 to the roller end nearest thecap2.

An actuator4 is in operable connection with the plurality ofouter rollers6. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator4 is a manually-operated crank. Various actuators are conceived including in alternate embodiments where rotation of the plurality ofouter rollers6 is accomplished by other mechanical means such as a motor. When the actuator4 is engaged by the user, the siphoning or pumping process will be engaged in the tube1. As such, the user has direct control over the suction or siphon force generated by the plurality ofouter rollers6. The actuator4 is bidirectional, such that pumping in forward and reverse is enabled. In some embodiments, a pair oftubing brackets3 are disposed on thebody19. The pair oftubing brackets3 are configured to removably receive the ends of the tube1 therein for providing enhanced stability and alignment of the tube1 as well as aiding in inserting and removing the tube1. Thetubing brackets3 are of any suitable structure for securing the ends of the tube1. For example, thetubing brackets3 may be clamps, snaps, swings, straps, press fit brackets or similar attachments. Thetubing brackets3 may be interchangeable with other tubing bracket configurations via screws, snap fits, dovetails or any suitable fastening structure.

In some embodiments, one or more mounting features12 may be disposed on thebody19. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features12 comprises a pair of slots. The pair of slots are configured to receive a strap therebetween. As such, a user may secure the pump to his or her hand via the strap. In further embodiments, thebody19 may comprise one or more finger grips9 therein. The finger grips9 are configured to assist the user with comfortably holding thebody19 of the device when using the device.

Referring now toFIGS.2 and3, there are shown a top view and a side view, respectively, of the peristaltic pump device wherein theremovable bypass door13 is in an open position. In the illustrated embodiment, theremovable bypass door13 forms a section of thesidewall10. Theremovable bypass door13 is movable between an open position (shown inFIGS.2 and3) and a closed position (shown inFIGS.4 and5). Theremovable bypass door13 is configured to release pressure on the tube1 when placed into the open position, such that free flow of fluids through the tube1 may be allowed when theremovable bypass door13 is opened and anouter roller6 is aligned with it or otherwise not applying pressure against thebody19. In the illustrated embodiment, theremovable bypass door13 is affixed to thebody19 via ahinge17. Specifically, thehinge17 in the illustrated embodiment is a snap fit hinge that is engaged with a corresponding recess formed on thebody19. Alternatively, theremovable bypass door13 may be secured by any suitable means, such as an external hinge, a molded pin, a pressed pin, a magnetic fixturing structure or the like. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a plurality ofremovable bypass doors13 may be placed on thebody19 thereby forming sections of thesidewall10.

Referring now toFIGS.4 and5, there are shown a top view and a side view, respectively, of the peristaltic pump device wherein theremovable bypass door13 is in a closed position. The closed position of theremovable bypass door13 is defined where theremovable bypass door13 is locked into place with thebody19 and conforms to the shape of thebody19 thus providing a continuous surface. Furthermore theremovable bypass door13 has amatching lip8 to engage thecap2. In some embodiments, theremovable bypass door13 may be removably securable in the closed position via rotation of acap2 defined by thebody19 so long as thecap2 is wider than theremovable bypass door13. Alternatively, theremovable bypass door13 may be retainable or releasable via any suitable means, such as a translational sliding mechanism, a latch, a magnet, a cam, a pin or a wedge. Furthermore, thecap2 itself may be securable via a retention profile defined as thelip8 andchannel26.

In embodiments where thebody19 is circular, thecap2 may be hemispheric in shape for maximum stability of the central post15 (as shown inFIG.6) or can be of any size depending on the force applied or the strength needed to prevent deflection of thecentral post15. Furthermore, in some embodiments, thecap2 defines a plurality of indexing tabs7. The indexing tabs7 are configured to partially restrain thecap2 in configurations most convenient for use, such as in a closed position to lock theremovable bypass door13, an open position to unlock theremovable bypass door13, or any suitable position therebetween. Furthermore, in the demonstrated embodiment, a bottom platform is defined on thebody19, while atop platform20 is disposed on thecap2. Thebottom platform19 and thetop platform20 work in conjunction to vertically confine the plurality ofouter rollers6 and the tube1, preventing misalignment.

Referring now toFIG.6, there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device. As shown in the demonstrated embodiment, the plurality ofouter rollers6 may be toothed, wherein gear teeth are disposed on the rollers outer surface. Specifically, atoothing surface18 may be centrally defined on each roller of the plurality ofouter rollers6. The plurality ofouter rollers6 may be toothed in any pattern, such as a herringbone pattern, suitable for engaging the tube1. Alternatively, thetoothing18 may include standard straight gear teeth or single angle gear teeth. By providingtoothing18 that applies variable pressure to the tube1, reduced energy is required to operate the pump while increasing the lifespan of the tube1. Furthermore, thetoothing18 assists with maintaining the central orientation of the plurality ofouter rollers6 relative to the tube1. Thelower section14 of the frame has a plurality ofposts23 rising from it that form an axel for the correspondingouter rollers6 to rotate on. Theposts23 receive theouter rollers6 and allow them to rotate freely while also providing attachment means for theupper section11 of the frame to be attached to thelower frame14 withfasteners22. While the illustrated embodiment showsposts23 rising from thelower frame14 andfasteners22 coming through theupper frame11, the opposite can be done to achieve the same result, wherein theposts23 come down from theupper frame11 andfasteners22 go up through thelower frame14. A further embodiment of the invention includes only one of the upper or lower frame as shown inFIG.6 whereby the in the present embodiment theupper frame11 would be removed and thefasteners22 would attach theouter rollers6 to theposts23. The same can be contemplated whereby thelower frame14 is removed and theupper frame14 hasposts23 for receiving theouter rollers6 andfasteners22.

Referring now toFIG.7, there is shown a demonstrative, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein the tube1 is being compressed between theremovable bypass door13 and theouter rollers6. The tube1 is made of a flexible material, such as to enable suction when the tube1 is engaged by the plurality ofouter rollers6.

A further benefit of theouter rollers6 havingteeth18 is to allow the tube1 to be compressed in a variable way. The placement of theteeth18 allows areas at the outside of the tube1 that experience the most deformation to be compressed to a different quantity than the compression experienced by areas of the tube1 that are less deformed. Providing variable levels of compression, also known as occlusion, on the tube1 promotes reduced energy required to operate the pump and increases the tube1 lifecycle. Design of thetooth18 feature may be in the form of a herringbone pattern as demonstrated on theouter roller6 ofFIG.1. If the herringbone pattern is oriented in the correct direction of rotation, thetooth18 pattern of theouter roller6 will modestly improve central orientation of the tube1 on theouter roller6 during operation. In the instance ofFIG.1, ideal orientation is promoted when the actuator4 is rotated clockwise, whereby fluid is drawn in from the left side of the tube1 and exits out of the right side of the tube1 when viewed from the perspective ofFIG.1. The use of a herringbone pattern also promotes central alignment of theouter rollers6 with thecentral gear5. Other embodiments of theouter roller6 include standardstraight gear teeth18, or single angle gear teeth.

Referring toFIGS.8 and9 there is shown a perspective view and top view, respectively, of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein an actuator4 is affixed thereto. In the illustrated embodiment thepump assembly24 operates without a central gear, wherein the actuator4 is statically affixed to theupper section11 of the frame , thereby negating the need for gear teeth on theouter rollers6. In a further embodiment, as shown inFIGS.10 and11 there is shown a perspective view and top view, respectively, of an embodiment of the peristaltic pump device wherein theouter rollers6 containgear teeth18 thereon. In the illustrated embodiment thepump assembly25 is without a central gear but with theouter rollers6 havinggear teeth18 to aid in alignment of and pressure distribution on the tube1. While a herringbone gear pattern is shown, any type of gear pattern or any type of protuberances or recesses on the surface of theouter rollers6 may be used to accomplish the same alignment and pressure distribution.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

I claim:

1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:

a body having a sidewall;

a rotary pump disposed in the body;

the rotary pump comprising a plurality of rollers disposed on a frame that rotates about a central post;

the rotary pump comprising an actuator in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers;

a tube in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers, such that engaging the actuator creates suction within the tube; and

wherein a section of the sidewall is a removable bypass door.

2. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 1, wherein the removable bypass door can be fixed in an open or closed position to control the flow of a fluid through the tube.

3. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 1, wherein the frame comprises an upper and lower section joined by a plurality of posts,

wherein the posts form an axel for which the outer rollers rotate thereon; and

wherein the actuator is affixed to the upper or lower section of the frame to rotate the rotary pump.

4. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 1, wherein the rotary pump has the central post for receiving a central gear;

wherein the outer rollers have gear teeth thereon; and

wherein the central gear is in meshed contact with the gear teeth on the plurality of outer rollers.

5. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 1, wherein the removable bypass door is removably secured in the closed position by a cap; and

wherein the cap is secured to the sidewall of the body by a retention profile that allows the cap to rotate.

6. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 1, wherein each roller of the plurality of rollers are toothed in a herringbone pattern.

7. A peristaltic pump, comprising:

the body having a sidewall;

the rotary pump disposed in the body;

the rotary pump comprising the plurality of outer rollers disposed on a frame that rotates about the central post;

the tube in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers, such that engaging the actuator creates suction within the tube; and

the cap rotatably attached to the sidewall of the body.

8. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 7, wherein the section of the sidewall is a removable bypass door, and

wherein the removable bypass door can be fixed in an open or closed position by rotating the cap.

9. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 7, wherein the frame comprises an upper and lower section joined by the plurality of posts,

wherein the posts form an axel that the outer rollers rotate thereon; and

10. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 7, wherein the rotary pump has the central post for receiving the central gear;

wherein the outer rollers have gear teeth thereon; and

11. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 7, wherein each roller of the plurality of outer rollers are toothed in the herringbone pattern.

12. A peristaltic pump, comprising:

the body having a sidewall;

the rotary pump disposed in the body;

the rotary pump comprising the plurality of outer rollers disposed on the frame;

the rotary pump comprising the actuator in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers; and

the tube in operable connection with the plurality of outer rollers, such that engaging the actuator creates suction within the tube.

13. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the frame comprises the upper section and the lower section joined together by the plurality of posts.

14. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the rotary pump comprises the central gear meshed with the plurality of outer rollers.

15. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the central gear is affixed to the actuator.

16. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the section of the sidewall is the removable bypass door.

17. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the removable bypass door is removably securable in the closed position through rotation of the cap; and

wherein the cap is securable via a retention profile defined between the cap and the sidewall of the body.

18. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein each roller of the plurality of rollers is toothed.

19. The peristaltic pump ofclaim 12, wherein the cap is disposed on the top surface thereof, wherein the cap is rotatable relative to the body.