OFF-AXIS INVERTED FOAM DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS
First Claim
1. An foam dispensing system having inverted containers comprising:
- a dispenser housing;
a replaceable refill unit inserted at least partially in the housing;
the replaceable refill unit havinga container;
the container having a neck portion at the bottom of the container;
a horizontal foam pump secured to the neck portion;
the pump having an inlet orientated along an inlet axis;
the pump having a liquid pump chamber;
the pump having a stationary outlet orientated along an outlet axis;
the pump having a fluid passage extending from the pump chamber to the outlet;
wherein the inlet axis is offset from the outlet axis; and
the outlet axis is located closer to the front of the dispenser than the inlet axis;
an actuator located within the housing; and
an air compressor;
the air compressor having an air passage to direct air into the fluid passage;
wherein the actuator is configured to drive the horizontal pump toward the front of the dispenser to dispense a fluid.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of a dispensing system includes a dispenser housing and a replaceable refill unit. The replaceable refill unit has a container that has a neck portion and a horizontal foam pump. The pump has an inlet orientated along an inlet axis and an outlet orientated along an outlet axis. A fluid passage extends from the pump chamber to the outlet. The inlet axis is offset from the outlet axis and the outlet axis is located closer to the front of the dispenser. An actuator is also located within the housing. In addition, an air compressor and an air passage to direct air into the fluid passage to mix the air with the fluid are included. The actuator is configured to drive the horizontal pump toward the front of the dispenser to dispense a fluid in the form of a foam.
72 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An foam dispensing system having inverted containers comprising:
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a dispenser housing; a replaceable refill unit inserted at least partially in the housing; the replaceable refill unit having a container; the container having a neck portion at the bottom of the container; a horizontal foam pump secured to the neck portion; the pump having an inlet orientated along an inlet axis; the pump having a liquid pump chamber; the pump having a stationary outlet orientated along an outlet axis; the pump having a fluid passage extending from the pump chamber to the outlet; wherein the inlet axis is offset from the outlet axis; and the outlet axis is located closer to the front of the dispenser than the inlet axis; an actuator located within the housing; and an air compressor; the air compressor having an air passage to direct air into the fluid passage; wherein the actuator is configured to drive the horizontal pump toward the front of the dispenser to dispense a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A touch-free foam dispensing system comprising:
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a housing; a refill unit having a container; the container having a central axis; a neck located at the bottom of the container, the neck having a center along the central axis; a foam pump connected to the neck; the foam pump having a stationary outlet for dispensing foam; the refill unit configured to fit at least partially within the housing; the housing having a back side and a front side; the front side is located a first distance from the back side; the stationary outlet is located a second distance from the back side of the housing; wherein the second distance is between about 65% to 90% of the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A refill unit for a foam dispenser comprising:
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a container having a central axis; a neck located at the bottom of the container, the neck having a center point along the central axis; a horizontal foam pump secured to the neck; the horizontal foam pump having; a liquid inlet located proximate the neck of the container; a liquid pump chamber located downstream of the liquid inlet; an outlet located downstream of the liquid pump chamber; the outlet being offset from the liquid inlet along at least two axis; an air compressor having an air chamber; an air passage placing the air chamber in fluid communication with a fluid flow through the foam pump; wherein the air passage is at least partially located at a bottom of the air chamber; and a one-way air inlet valve located at least partially within the air chamber to allow air to flow into the air chamber; wherein the one-way air inlet valve has a cracking pressure that is high enough to cause at least a portion of the air flowing into the air chamber to be drawn in from the outlet when the air chamber is recharged. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification