DISPENSERS, REFILL UNITS AND PUMPS HAVING SUCK-BACK FEATURES
First Claim
1. A refill unit comprising:
- a container;
a pump connected to the container; and
an outlet passage;
the outlet passage includes a first cylindrical portion and a second portion;
wherein the diameter of the second portion is larger than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion;
an inline suck-back valve located in the in the outlet passage;
wherein the inline-suck-back valve moves within the first cylindrical portion and second portion of the outlet passage; and
wherein movement of the inline suck-back valve in a first direction while the inline suck-back valve is located within the first cylindrical portion causes fluid in the outlet passage to be drawn back into the outlet passage.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments of dispensers and refill units having suck-back mechanisms are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump connected to the container, and an outlet passage. The outlet passage includes a first cylindrical portion and a second portion. The diameter of the second portion is larger than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion. An inline suck-back valve is located in the in the outlet passage. The inline-suck-back valve moves within the first cylindrical portion and the second portion of the outlet passage. Movement of the inline suck-back valve in a first direction while the inline suck-back valve is located within the first cylindrical portion causes fluid in the outlet passage to be drawn back into the outlet passage.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A refill unit comprising:
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a container; a pump connected to the container; and an outlet passage; the outlet passage includes a first cylindrical portion and a second portion; wherein the diameter of the second portion is larger than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion; an inline suck-back valve located in the in the outlet passage; wherein the inline-suck-back valve moves within the first cylindrical portion and second portion of the outlet passage; and wherein movement of the inline suck-back valve in a first direction while the inline suck-back valve is located within the first cylindrical portion causes fluid in the outlet passage to be drawn back into the outlet passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A refill unit comprising:
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a container; a pump connected to the container; an outlet passage having a first cylindrical portion and a second portion; an inline suck-back valve located in the in the outlet passage; wherein fluid flowing from the pump causes the inline suck-back valve to move away from its rest position; and wherein when fluid stops flowing out of the pump, the inline suck-back valve moves back to its rest position and draws residual fluid in the outlet passage back. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A refill unit comprising:
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a container; a foam pump secured to the container; an outlet passage downstream of the foam pump; an inline suck-back valve located in the outlet passage; the inline suck-back valve having a sealing member; a first portion of the outlet passage engages with the sealing member and fluid cannot pass by the sealing member when the sealing member is located in the first portion of the outlet passage; and an outlet; wherein movement of the sealing member in the first outlet passage toward the foam pump draws fluid away from the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A dispenser system:
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a container; a pump secured to the container; an outlet passage downstream of the pump; an inline suck-back valve located in the outlet passage; the inline suck-back valve having a sealing member; a first portion of the outlet passage engages with the sealing member and fluid cannot pass by the sealing member when the sealing member is located in the first portion of the outlet passage; and an outlet; wherein movement of the sealing member in the first outlet passage toward the foam pump draws fluid away from the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification