US 11,852,138 B2
Flexible impeller pump for flowable food product
Edward Raleigh, Lodi, WI (US)
Assigned to SERVER PRODUCTS, INC., Richfield, WI (US)
Filed by Server Products, Inc., Richfield, WI (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/357,251.
Application 17/357,251 is a continuation of application No. 17/321,900, filed on May 17, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/112,423, filed on Nov. 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0145881 A1, May 12, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F04C 15/00 (2006.01); F04C 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC F04C 15/0076 (2013.01) [F04C 13/002 (2013.01); F04C 15/0038 (2013.01); F04C 2240/30 (2013.01)] 33 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three piece pump assembly operable to pump a flowable food product, comprising:
a pump body comprising an inlet port, an outlet port and an open impeller chamber, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are in direct fluid communication with the open impeller chamber;
an impeller assembly configured to be received within the open impeller chamber, the impeller assembly comprising an impeller shaft extending between a drive shaft portion and a stub shaft formed on an opposite end of the impeller shaft and an impeller portion having a plurality of vanes, wherein the impeller portion is molded over an interface section of the impeller shaft to prevent separation of the impeller portion and the impeller shaft; and
a cover member further comprising:
a body, wherein an outer surface thereof includes a protruding engagement fin configured as a point of contact for a user to rotate the cover member in a counterclockwise locking direction or a clockwise unlocking direction, and
a seal member integral with the body to prevent separation of the seal member from the body,
wherein the cover member is configured to be received and retained on the pump body such that the cover member rotatably supports the stub shaft of the impeller shaft and the seal member is positioned in direct contact with the body of the cover member and the pump body to create a seal between the pump body and the cover member.