Pumps with angled outlets, refill units and dispensers having angled outlets

• US 9,578,996 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2015
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Harris, Donald R., Quinlan, Robert L., McNulty, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LONG, DONNELL ALAN
• Application Number:
  US14/595,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20150196170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 222/321.1, 2223217-3219, 222/383.1, 222/383.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02

Abstract

Exemplary pumps, refill units and dispensers having angled outlets are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit for dispensing fluid on a hand includes a container and a pump. The pump includes an angled outlet passage. Fluid flowing out of the angled outlet passage is directed toward the palm of a hand when fluid is dispensed.

Claims

1. A refill unit for a dispenser fluid on a hand comprising:

a container;

a pump;

the pump having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;

wherein a vertical axis extends through the inlet passage;

wherein the outlet passage includes a first portion and an angled portion;

wherein the vertical axis extends through the first portion, and the angled portion extends at an angle from the vertical axis;

wherein at least a portion of the outlet passage is located at a lowest point of the pump;

wherein fluid flowing out of the outlet passage is directed at a non-vertical angle across the palm of a hand when fluid is dispensed.

2. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the pump is a foam pump, and wherein the outlet passage is located downstream of a foam generator.

3. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the angle of the angled portion of the outlet passage is about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees from the vertical axis.

4. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ⅛

″

.

5. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ¼

″

.

6. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 1″

.

7. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 2″

.

8. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising an alignment member for aligning the angled portion of the outlet passage toward the palm of a hand when the refill unit is installed in a dispenser.

9. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the outlet passage moves upward and downward during operation of the pump.

10. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the outlet passage is stationary during operation of the pump.

11. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a liquid piston wherein the angled portion of the outlet passage is not parallel or perpendicular to the movement of the liquid piston.

12. A refill unit comprising:

a container;

a pump;

the pump having an outlet passage;

wherein at least a portion of the outlet passage is located at a lowest point of the pump;

wherein fluid enters the outlet passage along a vertical axis and exits the outlet passage along an axis that extends at an angle from the vertical axis.

13. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the pump is a foam pump, and the outlet passage is located downstream of a foam generator.

14. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the angle of the axis along which the fluid exits the outlet passage is about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees from the vertical axis.

15. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ⅛

″

.

16. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ¼

″

.

17. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 1″

.