Vented non-collapsing containers, dispensers and refill units having vented non-collapsing containers
First Claim
1. An inverted refill unit for a soap, sanitizer or lotion comprising:
- a non-collapsing container;
the non-collapsing container having a neck located at a bottom of the container when in use, wherein the neck comprises a side wall and an opening;
an annular projection disposed on the side wall of the neck, wherein the annular projection comprises an air inlet that extends through the side wall of the neck;
a one-way valve disposed in the air inlet, wherein the one-way valve allows air to flow into the non-collapsing container through the air inlet when the vacuum pressure in the container reaches the cracking pressure of the one-way valve, and wherein the one-way valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the air inlet; and
a pump for pumping the contents of the container out of the non-collapsing container through the opening of the neck, wherein the pump comprises a liquid inlet that is substantially perpendicular to the air inlet of the annular projection.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments of dispensers and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit for a soap, sanitizer or lotion includes a non-collapsing container. The non-collapsing container includes a neck. An annular projection is located at least partially on the neck. A one-way valve is located proximate the annular projection. The one-way valve allows air to flow into the non-collapsing container once the vacuum pressure in the container reaches the cracking pressure of the one-way valve and the one-way valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the annular projection. In addition, a pump for pumping the contents of the container out of the container is also included.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An inverted refill unit for a soap, sanitizer or lotion comprising:
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a non-collapsing container; the non-collapsing container having a neck located at a bottom of the container when in use, wherein the neck comprises a side wall and an opening; an annular projection disposed on the side wall of the neck, wherein the annular projection comprises an air inlet that extends through the side wall of the neck; a one-way valve disposed in the air inlet, wherein the one-way valve allows air to flow into the non-collapsing container through the air inlet when the vacuum pressure in the container reaches the cracking pressure of the one-way valve, and wherein the one-way valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the air inlet; and a pump for pumping the contents of the container out of the non-collapsing container through the opening of the neck, wherein the pump comprises a liquid inlet that is substantially perpendicular to the air inlet of the annular projection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18)
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7. An inverted refill unit for a soap, sanitizer or lotion comprising:
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a non-collapsing container; the non-collapsing container having a neck located at a bottom of the container when in use, wherein the neck comprises a side wall and an opening; an inlet extending through a side wall of the neck; a one-way valve located proximate the inlet, wherein the one-way valve allows air to flow into the non-collapsing container through the inlet when the vacuum pressure in the container reaches the cracking pressure of the one-way valve, and wherein the one-way valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the inlet; and a pump for pumping the contents of the container out of the container, wherein the pump comprises a liquid inlet that is substantially perpendicular to the inlet extending through the side wall of the neck. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20)
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12. A dispenser comprising:
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a housing; an actuator connected to the housing for causing the dispenser to dispose a fluid; and an inverted refill unit;
wherein the inverted refill unit comprises;a non-collapsing container; the non-collapsing container having a neck located at a bottom of the container when in use, wherein the neck comprises a side wall and an opening; an inlet extending through the side wall of the neck; a one-way valve located proximate the inlet, wherein the one-way valve allows air to flow into the non-collapsing container through the inlet when the vacuum pressure in the container reaches the cracking pressure of the one-way valve, and wherein the one-way valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the inlet; a pump for pumping the contents of the container out of the container, wherein the pump comprises a liquid inlet that is substantially perpendicular to the inlet extending through the side wall of the neck. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22)
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Specification