Plastic Lotion Pump: All You Need to Know

A plastic Lotion Pump is used to dispense viscous liquids. Viscous means thick, viscous, somewhere between a solid and a liquid. This could mean lotion, soap, honey, etc. Like all premium liquid products, it is important to dispense them correctly. You wouldn't think of dispensing lotion with a fine mist sprayer or just pouring soap from a bottle. One of the most common ways to dispense these products is from a bottle using a pump.

pump parts

Actuator - The actuator is the top of the pump that you push down on to dispense whatever sticky material is in the container. This is what allows the pump to run. Actuators usually have a locking mechanism so that products cannot be accidentally dispensed during shipping or travel. The lotion pump can be locked in the up or down position. Actuators are usually made of polypropylene (PP), a very durable plastic.

Closure - This is the part where the pump is screwed onto the bottle. Lotion pump caps are either ribbed or smooth. The ribbed closure is easier to open because the small grooves allow for a better grip on lotion-covered fingers.

Housing - The housing is the main pump assembly that holds the pump components (pistons, balls, springs, etc.) in place and delivers fluid to the actuator.

Internal Components - Internal components are located inside the pump casing. They consist of various components, including springs, balls, pistons, and/or rods, that transfer product from the container through the dip tube into the actuator.

Dip Tube - A dip tube is a tube that extends down into a container. Liquid flows up the tube and out of the pump. It is important that the length of the dip tube matches the height of the bottle. If the tube is too short, you will get a product that cannot be dispensed with the pump. If the tube is too long, then it may not tighten the bottle.

pump output

Pump output is usually measured in cubic centimeters (cc) or milliliters (mL). The output tells you how much liquid was dispensed by each pump. The pump has various output options.