Soap dispenser assembly

• US 5,332,129 A
• Filed: 06/16/1993
• Issued: 07/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Burns, Roy W., Brattoli, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): POMRENING, ANTHOULA
• Application Number:
  US08/076,975
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 222/321, 222/383, 222/385, 222/378, 239/333, 239/375, 239/579, 239/541
• US Class Current: 222/321.7
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1202 dispensing dosed volume A47K5/1201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1009 actuated by a lever

Abstract

A soap dispenser includes a pump assembly having an outwardly extending reciprocal plunger. A handle assembly is pivotally mounted to the pump assembly and includes an outwardly projecting operating handle. There is a discharge tube in the handle assembly which has an outlet adjacent the end of the handle. A connector is seated on the pump assembly and is attached to the handle assembly. The discharge tube which is attached to the connector, in cooperation with the connector and the pump assembly plunger, provides a soap passage, normally filled with soap, which extends between the pump assembly and the outlet. There is a check valve in the soap passage. Pivotal movement of the handle has the effect of moving the pump assembly plunger in an inward direction resulting in a measured amount of soap being moved through the soap passage and discharged from the outlet.

Claims

1. A soap dispenser including a pump assembly having a reciprocal plunger extending outwardly therefrom, a handle assembly having an outwardly projecting handle, handle assembly mounting means attached to said pump assembly, said handle assembly being pivotally mounted on said handle assembly mounting means, a discharge tube in said handle assembly having an outlet adjacent a distal end of said outwardly projecting handle, a connector seated on said pump assembly plunger and attached to said handle assembly,

said discharge tube being attached to said connector, said discharge tube, connector and plunger providing a soap passage, normally filled with soap, between said pump assembly and said outlet, a check valve in said soap passage,

downward pressure on the distal end of said handle causing pivotal movement of said handle assembly about the pivotal mounting on said handle assembly mounting means causing said connector to move said plunger inwardly of said pump assembly resulting in a measured amount of soap being moved through said passage and discharged from said outlet.

2. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said pivotal mounting of said handle assembly is diametrically opposite said outwardly projecting handle whereby hand pressure on the distal end of said handle causes soap to be discharged from said outlet beneath the point of hand pressure application.

3. The soap dispenser of claim 2 further characterized in that said pivotal mounting includes an inwardly directed projection on the interior of said handle assembly and a cooperating recess on the exterior of said handle mounting means.

4. The soap dispenser of claim 3 further characterized in that said cooperating recess has a limited arcuate extension about the exterior of said handle mounting means providing arcuate movement of said handle assembly relative to said handle assembly mounting means.

5. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said check valve is located in said plunger and includes a valve seat and a valve member seated thereon.

6. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said handle mounting means includes a mounting shank attached to said pump assembly and a pivot retainer attached to said mounting shank, the pivotal mounting of said handle assembly being on said pivot retainer.

7. The soap dispenser of claim 6 further characterized by and including a tongue and groove connection between the upper end of said mounting shank and the lower end of said pivot retainer.

8. The soap dispenser of claim 7 further characterized by and including a retaining nut extending about and supporting the tongue and groove connection between said mounting shank and pivot retainer to prevent wobble of said handle assembly relative to said mounting shank.

9. The soap dispenser of claim 8 further characterized in that said retaining nut has an inwardly directed projection bearing against the exterior of said mounting shank and has further projections interlocking with recesses on said pivot retainer.

10. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said soap passage is formed of plastic.

11. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further characterized by and including a tubing adapter connected to said discharge tube, said tubing adapter forming a part of said soap passage and being mounted within said connector.

12. The soap dispenser of claim 11 further characterized in that said handle assembly includes a rod supported by a pair of arms, said connector including a recess to receive said rod whereby said connector is attached to said handle assembly.