Dispensing system for flowable liquids

• US 5,862,956 A
• Filed: 06/26/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Brandenburg, Allen Eugene, Maldonado, John Ethan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): QUINALTY, KEATS ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/882,886
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 222/181.2, 222/182, 222/183, 222/207, 222/214
• US Class Current: 222/214
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap

Abstract

A dispensing system for flowable liquids that includes a dispensing base for holding a refill package of a flowable liquid. A door is pivotally mounted to the dispensing base by a first pivot so that the door can have an open position and a closed position. The system has a push handle pivotally mounted to the door by a second pivot and a latch integral with the dispensing base to pivotally secure the push handle at the second pivot when the door is closed so that the door is held secure in the closed position and the push handle may be used for dispensing. The dispensing system also includes a release for disengaging the push handle from the latch so that the door may be moved to its open position.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for flowable liquids, comprising:

a dispensing base for holding a refill package of a flowable liquid;

a door that is pivotally mounted to the dispensing base by a first pivot means, the door having an open position and a closed position;

a push handle pivotally mounted to the door by a second pivot means;

latching means integral with the dispensing base to pivotally secure the push handle at the second pivot means when the door is closed so that the door is held secure in the closed position and the push handle may be used for dispensing; and

release means for disengaging the push handle from the latch means so that the door may be moved to its open position.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises latch receptacles located generally opposite the first pivot means and wherein the latching means further comprise latching elements integral with the dispensing base to engage the latch receptacles when the door is in the closed position.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the latching means comprise a pivot latch.

4. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the release means comprise a release lever mounted to the latching means.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first pivot means comprise pivot posts and mounting holes.

6. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the second pivot means comprise pivot posts and mounting holes.

7. The dispensing system of claim 4, wherein the release means further comprise a return spring and a tab lock so that the latching means are held in an unlocked position when the release lever is depressed and remain in the unlocked position until the door is closed.

8. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing base supports the refill package beyond one-half the overall height of the refill package.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the push handle further comprises a discrete push surface.

10. The dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the push surface is set at an angle to permit actuation by the elbow or forearm of a user and wherein the push surface includes a depression which accommodates a finger or thumb of the user for actuation.

11. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the body of the push handle defines an opening through which a user may view the portion of the dispenser where liquid is dispensed.

12. A dispensing system for flowable liquids, comprising:

a dispensing base for holding a refill package of a flowable liquid;

a door that is pivotally mounted to the dispensing base by a first pivot means, the door having an open position and a closed position and at least one latch receptacle located generally opposite the first pivot means;

a push handle pivotally mounted to the door by a second pivot means;

latching means integral with the dispensing base, the latching means comprising at least one pivot latch to pivotally secure the push handle at the second pivot means when the door is closed and at least one latching element integral with the dispensing base to engage the latch receptacle so that the door is held secure in the closed position and the push handle may be used for dispensing; and

release means for disengaging the push handle from the latch means so that the door may be moved to its open position.

13. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the release means comprise a release lever mounted to the latching means.

14. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the first pivot means comprise pivot posts and mounting holes.

15. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the second pivot means comprise pivot posts and mounting holes.

16. The dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the release means further comprise a return spring and a tab lock so that the latching means are held in an unlocked position when the release lever is depressed and remain in the unlocked position until the door is closed.

17. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the dispensing base supports the refill package beyond one-half the overall height of the refill package.

18. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the push handle further comprises a discrete push surface that is set at an angle to permit actuation by the elbow or forearm of a user and wherein the push surface includes a depression which accommodates a finger or thumb of the user for actuation.

19. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the body of the push handle defines an opening through which a user may view the portion of the dispenser where liquid is dispensed.

20. A dispensing system for flowable liquids, comprising:

a dispensing base for holding a refill package of a flowable liquid;

a door that is pivotally mounted to the dispensing base by a first pivot means, the door having an open position and a closed position and at least one latch receptacle located generally opposite the first pivot means;

a push handle pivotally mounted to the door by a second pivot means;

latching means integral with the dispensing base, the latching means comprising at least one pivot latch to pivotally secure the push handle at the second pivot means when the door is closed and at least one latching element integral with the dispensing base to engage the latch receptacle so that the door is held secure in the closed position and the push handle may be used for dispensing; and

release means for disengaging the push handle from the latch means so that the door may be moved to its open position, the release means comprising a release lever mounted to the latching means in combination with a return spring and a tab lock so that the latching means are held in an unlocked position when the release lever is depressed and remain in the unlocked position until the door is closed.