Foam pumps with lost motion and adjustable output foam pumps

• US 8,955,718 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Ciavarella, Nick E., Tederous, Cory J., McNulty, John J., Rosenkranz, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M
• Application Number:
  US13/791,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20140117053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 921/52, 2221811-1813, 222/190, 222/383.1, 222/325, 417/521, 417/523, 417/533, 417/568
• US Class Current: 222/190
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1015 actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke B05B11/1011 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1042 Components or details
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1087 Combination of liquid and air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0025 with a compressed gas supply
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/14 Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections

Abstract

Embodiments of lost motion foam pumps are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment includes a liquid chamber, a liquid piston movable in the liquid chamber, an air chamber and an air piston movable in the air chamber. The air piston is linked to the liquid piston. A connector is linked to the air piston or the liquid piston. The connector includes an engagement member for connecting to an actuator of a foam dispenser. Movement of the actuator in a first direction moves the liquid and air pistons to contract the liquid chamber and the air chamber. Movement of the actuator a first distance in a second direction does not move the liquid piston or the air piston; however, continued movement of the actuator a second distance in the second direction moves the liquid piston and the air piston and expands the liquid and air chambers.

Claims

1. A refill unit having a lost motion foam pump comprising:

a container for holding a foamable liquid;

a pump housing connected to the container;

a liquid chamber;

a liquid piston movable in the liquid chamber;

an air chamber;

an air piston movable in the air chamber;

the air piston linked to the liquid piston;

a lost motion connector linked to the air piston or the liquid piston;

the lost motion connector having an engagement member for connecting to an actuator of a foam dispenser;

wherein movement of the lost motion connector in a first direction moves the liquid and air pistons to contract the liquid chamber and the air chamber;

wherein movement of the lost motion connector a first distance in a second direction results in lost motion between the actuator and the liquid piston and the air piston; and

wherein continued movement of the lost motion connector a second distance in the second direction moves the liquid piston and the air piston and expands the liquid and air chambers.

2. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the engagement member comprises an annular projection.

3. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the engagement member comprises a slot.

4. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the engagement member comprises one or more threads.

5. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the engagement member comprises one or more steps.

6. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the engagement member comprises a cylindrical bore and one or more walls.

7. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a foamable liquid in the container.

8. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the lost motion connector has lost motion between the lost motion connector and an actuator of a dispenser.

9. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising one or more different lost motion connectors that may be switched with one another to change the output volume of the foam pump.

10. A refill unit having a lost motion foam pump comprising:

a container for holding a foamable liquid;

a pump housing connected to the container;

a liquid chamber;

a liquid piston movable in the liquid chamber;

an air chamber;

an air piston movable in the air chamber;

the air piston linked to the liquid piston;

a lost motion connector linked to the air piston or the liquid piston;

the lost motion connector having an engagement member for connecting to an actuator of a foam dispenser;

wherein movement of the lost motion connector in a first direction fully discharges the liquid chamber and the air chamber; and

wherein movement of the lost motion connector along a first portion in a second direction does not move the air piston and the liquid piston; and

wherein continued movement of the lost motion connector along a second portion in the second direction moves the air piston and the liquid piston to at least partially recharge the liquid chamber and the air chamber.

11. The refill unit of claim 10 wherein the lost motion connector is slideably affixed to one of the liquid piston and the air piston.

12. The refill unit of claim 10 wherein the liquid piston and the air piston move along a horizontal axis.

13. The refill unit of claim 10 wherein the lost motion connector is cylindrical.

14. The refill unit of claim 13 wherein the cylindrical lost motion connector has an angled projection.

15. The refill unit of claim 10 wherein the air piston and the liquid piston are rigidly connected together.