Push-type soap dispenser

• US 5,421,489 A
• Filed: 01/12/1994
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steiner Co., Inc. (Alsco Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steiner Co., Inc. (Alsco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Phillips, Brian, Holzner, Charles R. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, LISA ANN
• Application Number:
  US08/180,377
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 222/207, 222/181, 222/185, 222/209, 222/214, 222/325
• US Class Current: 222/207
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1208 by means of a flexible dispensing chamber

Abstract

A system for dispensing liquid soap including a closed wall structure defining a container with a partition separating the container into a separate lower liquid soap reservoir and a separate upper refill compartment. Dispensing mechanism is carried by the container for dispensing liquid soap from the reservoir. The partition has a refill aperture therethrough providing communication for soap flow between said reservoir and the refill compartment and dimensioned to permit the free flow of liquid soap therethrough. A refill cartridge of liquid soap has an outlet, removably enclosed within the refill compartment in a refill configuration with the outlet disposed for cooperation with the refill aperture to permit the free flow of liquid soap from the refill cartridge to the reservoir thereby to refill the reservoir as liquid soap is dispensed therefrom. Actuating mechanism is slidably mounted on the container in pivotable contact with the dispensing means with the actuating mechanism being slidable between a rest position and a dispensing position such that not greater than five pounds of pressure is sufficient to move the actuating mechanism between the rest and dispensing positions thereof.

Claims

1. A dispenser for liquid soap comprising a soap container, a slidable and pivotable actuating means connected to said soap container, and pumping means carried by said soap container for emitting discrete charges of liquid soap from a fluid outlet in communication with said pumping means, said actuating means disposed for contact with said pumping means for effecting operation thereof, whereby sliding and pivoting movement of said actuating means from a rest position to a dispensing position at not greater than five pounds of pressure dispenses discrete doses of soap from said pumping means.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said pumping means includes a flexible bulb which when filled with soap and compressed dispenses a discrete dose of soap from said fluid outlet, said actuating means including a slidable bar extending outwardly from said soap container which when pushed by a user causes compression of said bulb.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said slidable bar moves between said rest position wherein said bar extends outwardly beyond said soap container and to said dispensing position wherein said bulb is compressed, movement out of said slidable bar to said dispensing position occurs when said bar is slidably moved toward the rear of said soap container and still extends beyond the front of said soap container and said bulb is compressed to dispense soap from said outlet.

4. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said actuating means has portion thereof pivotally mounted in communication with said slidable portion.

5. A system for dispensing liquid soap comprising a closed wall structure defining a container, partition means separating said container into a separate lower liquid soap reservoir and a separate upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said container for dispensing liquid soap from said reservoir, said partition means having a refill aperture therethrough providing communication for soap flow between said reservoir and said refill compartment and dimensioned to permit the free flow of liquid soap therethrough, a refill cartridge containing liquid soap and having an outlet, said refill cartridge being removably enclosed within said refill compartment in a refill configuration with said outlet disposed for cooperation with said refill aperture to permit the free flow of liquid soap from said refill cartridge to said reservoir thereby to refill said reservoir as liquid soap is dispensed therefrom, and actuating means slidably mounted on said container in pivotable contact with said dispensing means, said actuating means being slidable between a rest position and a dispensing position such that not greater than five pounds of pressure is sufficient to move said actuating means between the rest and dispensing positions thereof.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a slidable portion of said actuating means carries a pair of prongs thereon for engagement with a pivotable portion thereof movable by said slidable portion to cause said dispensing means to dispense a discrete dose of soap.

7. A refillable liquid soap dispenser adapted for use with a soap refill cartridge containing liquid soap and having an outlet, said dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a container, partition means dividing the interior of said container into a separate lower liquid soap reservoir and a separate upper refill compartment, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing liquid soap from said container, and actuating means slidably mounted on said container in pivotable contact with said dispensing means, said actuating means slidable between a rest position and a dispensing position, said actuating means in both positions thereof having a horizontally positioned bar member extending beyond said container for easy access by the handicapped and being movable between position with not greater than five pounds of pressure, said partition means having a refill aperture therethrough providing the exclusive communication for soap flow between said refill compartment and said reservoir and dimensioned readily to permit the flow of liquid soap from said refill compartment to said reservoir, said refill compartment being dimensioned to enclose the associated refill cartridge in a refill configuration with the outlet thereof disposed for cooperation with said refill aperture to permit the free flow of liquid soap from the refill cartridge to said reservoir thereby to refill said reservoir as liquid soap is dispensed therefrom.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein said dispensing means includes a pumping mechanism having a flexible bulb which when filled with liquid soap and compressed dispenses a discrete dose of soap.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein said bar member of said actuating means is slidably mounted with respect to said soap container and said actuating means has a portion thereof pivotally mounted in communication with said slidable bar member.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein said slidable bar member is in communication with opposed journals receiving stub shafts extending from said pivotable portion, said pivotable portion has a spherical part which compresses said bulb when said slidable portion is in the dispensing position thereof.