Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090200337 | Bifurcated stem foam pump - A bifurcated stem foam pump for use in foam dispensers. An air compressor portion of the bifurcated pump is attached to and maintained as a portion of the dispenser housing. A portion of the pump for transferring liquid and including a portion for generating foam is attached to and provided as a portion of a replaceable liquid-containing cartridge in the foam dispenser. The two portions mate and form a completed pump assembly operative for generating foam from the liquid of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed within the dispenser housing and the two pump portions are mated. The air compressor portion includes a collar having an air piston reciprocatingly received therein. The collar is attached to the dispenser housing. A collar receiving a hollow stem pump is attached to the liquid cartridge. Actuation of the air piston correspondingly actuates the stem pump such that air and liquid are forced together in the stem pump and through a foam generating member. | 08-13-2009 |
20090200338 | Bifurcated stem foam pump - A bifurcated stem foam pump for use in foam dispensers. An air compressor portion of the bifurcated pump is attached to and maintained as a portion of the dispenser housing. A portion of the pump for transferring liquid and including a portion for generating foam is sealingly attached to and provided as a portion of a replaceable liquid-containing cartridge in the foam dispenser. The two portions mate and form a completed pump assembly operative for generating foam from the liquid of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed within the dispenser housing and the two pump portions are mated. The air compressor portion includes a collar having an air piston reciprocatingly received therein. The collar is attached to the dispenser housing. A collar receiving a hollow stem pump is attached to the liquid cartridge. Actuation of the air piston correspondingly actuates the stem pump such that air and liquid are forced together in the stem pump and through a foam generating member. | 08-13-2009 |
20090200339 | Bifurcated foam pump assembly - A bifurcated foam pump assembly for use in foam dispensers. A liquid dispensing portion of the foam pump assembly is attached to and disposable/replaceable with a liquid cartridge for the dispenser. The air compressor or air pump portion of the foam pump assembly comprises a portion of the dispenser itself and is attached to the dispenser housing. Upon replacement of a cartridge, the two portions mate and are operative as a foam pump generator. The liquid portion of the foam pump is received within a liquid chamber by gravity, and is subsequently driven from that chamber by air from the air compressor, which drives both the air and liquid through a foam generating member, such as a sponge or mesh. This foam generating member is a part of the liquid portion of the pump, and is replaced with the cartridge. | 08-13-2009 |
20100102083 | Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized cartridge - A foam dispenser having a selectively pressurized cartridge that includes a dispenser housing maintaining a motor driving an air compressor with a compressed air conduit extending therefrom. Also maintained within the dispenser is a foam generating head that receives air and liquid conduits that include dispensing valves. A control circuit controls the motor and dispensing valves, and further is interconnected with a hand sensor positioned in association with the dispensing head. In one embodiment of the invention, a disposable and replaceable cartridge of liquid soap or the like is adapted to sealingly and removably receive the compressed air conduit as well as the liquid and air outlet conduits, along with a vent valve and a pressure sensor, the vent valve and pressure sensor communicating with a control circuit. In another embodiment, the various conduits, valves and sensors, as well as the dispensing head, comprise a portion of the cartridge. The control circuit, upon sensing the presence of the user's hands, activates the motor and air compressor to generate a pressure head in the cartridge and the dispensing valves are activated when the pressure sensor determines that a pressure head sufficient for dispensing has been generated. The motor and compressor are turned off at an appropriate time in association with the activation of the dispensing valves. The vent valve is activated at the end of the dispensing cycle. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102085 | Handheld dispensers for personal use - A handheld dispenser includes a collapsible liquid container, a liquid pump, an air pump, and a mixing chamber. The liquid pump provides a collapsible liquid chamber collapsed from an expanded volume to a compressed volume to expel liquid from the collapsible liquid chamber into the mixing chamber. The air pump provides a collapsible air chamber collapsed from an expanded volume to a compressed volume to expel air from the collapsible air chamber into the mixing chamber. The liquid pump and air pump are secured to the collapsible liquid container so as to be capable of being manipulated with one hand. Air expelled into the mixing chamber mixes with liquid expelled into the mixing chamber so that a mixed product is dispensed. | 04-29-2010 |
20100270328 | Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized cartridge - A foam dispenser and method of operation of the foam dispenser provides that a cartridge of liquid having an air head is retained in the dispenser and maintained under pressure by an air compressor when at rest, i.e., when the foam dispenser in not being actuated. Air and liquid conduits communicate respectively between the air head and liquid maintained in the cartridge and a foam generating head. Valves selectively close flow through the conduits. In this way, when the foam dispenser is actuated the valves can simply be opened for the appropriate amount of time to advance air and liquid to the foam generating head and dispense foam at a dispensing location. | 10-28-2010 |
20120074171 | BIFURCATED STEM FOAM PUMP - Foam dispensers having a housing and an air compressor connected to the housing are disclosed herein. The air compressor releasably mates with a refill unit. The refill includes a container and liquid pump housing. The liquid pump housing includes: a liquid reservoir; an inlet valve; an outlet valve; an air inlet opening through the liquid pump housing; a foaming screen; and a foam dispensing nozzle secured to the liquid pump housing. The liquid pump housing is configured to releasably mate with an air compressor that is not part of the refill unit but is secured to a foam pump dispenser housing, and the refill unit is configured to be removed from the foam dispenser without removing the air compressor from the foam dispenser. | 03-29-2012 |
20120111891 | DISPENSER WITH FLEXIBLE COVER - A fluid dispenser including a backplate and a flexible cover fixedly secured to the backplate. A refill unit including a product reservoir and a pump is positioned within the dispenser and is carried by the backplate. The flexible cover is adapted to flex or deform when pressed by a user to actuate the pump, thereby alleviating the need for separate actuating members or pivoting of the cover. | 05-10-2012 |
20120285992 | FOAM PUMP - Dispensing systems and refill units are disclosed herein. One exemplary refill unit includes a liquid reservoir and a rotary liquid pump having a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The rotary liquid pump includes a housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing is resilient and a rotor that has one or more apexes. During operation, the one or more apexes contact the resilient portion of the housing and deflect the resilient portion of the housing resulting in the movement of a liquid. A mixing chamber having a liquid inlet and an air inlet is also provided. The liquid pump outlet is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber liquid inlet and the air inlet if in fluid communication with an air pump. An outlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber outlet for dispensing foam formed by mixing the liquid and air together. | 11-15-2012 |
20120308405 | MODULAR PUMP - A modular liquid pump operable as a liquid pump when used by itself and as a foam pump when combined with a modular air pump is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the modular liquid pump includes a housing for forming a least a portion of a liquid pump chamber; an inlet valve for allowing liquid into the liquid pump chamber; an outlet valve for allowing liquid out of the liquid pump chamber; and an attachment mechanism configured to secure the liquid pump housing to a modular air pump. The modular liquid pump operates alone to output a liquid or operates in combination with an air pump to output a foam. One embodiment includes a modular air pump configured to be secured to the modular liquid pump. In such a combination, the modular liquid pump and the air pump operate together to output a foam. | 12-06-2012 |
20130037573 | SPLIT BODY PUMPS FOR FOAM DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - Foam dispensers, refill units for foam dispensers and liquid pumps for use in foam dispensers are disclosed herein. A refill unit for refilling a foam dispenser system is also disclosed herein. The foam dispenser has an air compressor secured thereto and the air compressor is not disposed of with the refill unit. The refill unit includes a liquid pump and a container for holding a foamable liquid that is connected to the liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a pump housing and a mixing chamber having an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve. The mixing chamber has an extended position with a first volume and a contracted position with a second volume. The pump housing includes an aperture therethrough configured to receive air from an air compressor that does not form part of the refill unit. One or more one-way sealing members are located within the pump housing between the aperture and the mixing chamber for preventing liquid from passing through the aperture in the pump housing for receiving air. A foaming element and outlet nozzle are located downstream of the mixing chamber. The refill unit is configured to be received by a foam dispenser having an air compressor located therein and configured to receive pressurized air from the air compressor through the first aperture. In addition, the refill unit may be disposed of without disposing of the air compressor. | 02-14-2013 |
20130056497 | WIPER FOAM PUMP, REFILL UNIT & DISPENSER FOR SAME - Foam dispensers and pumps for use in foam dispensers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a foam dispenser system includes a liquid container for holding a foamable liquid. A flexible and resilient liquid delivery compressible member connects the liquid container to a mixing chamber. A flexible and resilient air delivery compressible member connects a source of air to the mixing chamber. A compression member compresses the compressible members to move liquid and air into the mixing chamber to become a foam. The liquid container and the liquid delivery compressible member may both be disposed in a removable and replaceable refill unit assembly. | 03-07-2013 |
20130292419 | BIFURCATED FOAM PUMP, DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - Embodiments of foam dispensers including a housing, an air compressor connected to the housing and an actuator for actuating the air compressor are disclosed herein. The air compressor releasably mates with a refill unit. The dispenser has an “empty state” and a “refilled state.” The empty state occurs when there is not a refill unit positioned in the dispenser, and the refilled state occurs when the refill unit is positioned in the dispenser. The air compressor remains connected to the housing during the refilled state and remains connected to the housing during the empty state. One refill unit for a foam pump dispenser includes a container for containing a foamable liquid and liquid pump housing connected to the container. The liquid pump housing is configured to releasably mate with an air compressor that is not part of the refill unit but is secured to a foam pump dispenser housing, and the refill unit is configured to be removed from the foam dispenser without removing the air compressor from the foam dispenser. The air inlet passage is in fluid communication with the atmosphere prior to being installed in a foam dispenser and the air inlet passage is in fluid communication with an air compressor when the refill unit is placed in the foam dispenser. | 11-07-2013 |
20130299517 | PULL-ACTIVATED FOAM PUMPS, DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - Foam dispenser systems, pumps and refill units are disclosed herein. A refill unit for refilling a foam dispenser system comprises a container for holding a supply of foamable liquid and a foam pump connected to the container. The pump incorporates a simple and inexpensive valve arrangement to move liquid through the pump and to create the foam. For example, a liquid foam pump may include a housing and a valve stem that moves in two directions. The valve stem has an inlet liquid pathway and an outlet liquid pathway to convey liquid to a mixing. In addition, a moveable valve body is movable by the valve stem in a first direction to move the valve body to the first position to open a liquid inlet pathway, and moveable in a second direction to move the valve body to the second position to open the outlet liquid pathway. | 11-14-2013 |
20130299518 | FOAM DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS FOR FOAM DISPENSERS - A refill unit for a foam dispenser that has an air compressor permanently attached to the dispenser is provided herein. The refill unit includes a liquid container and a body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the body portion is fluidly coupled to the liquid container. A liquid chamber is located in the pump body, the liquid chamber having an expanded state and a contracted state. An outlet nozzle is located proximate a second end of the body portion. A mixing chamber is located within the body portion. An air inlet is located through the body portion and is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A sanitary seal is located proximate the air inlet. The sanitary seal allows air to enter into the mixing chamber and prevents liquid from traveling out of the body portion through the air inlet. | 11-14-2013 |
20130302195 | LOW RESIDUAL INVERTED PUMPS, DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - A foam pump including a housing and a piston that reciprocates within the housing is disclosed herein. The piston has a hollow portion and an orifice through the wall of the piston. A first seal located proximate the upper end of the piston provides a seal between the piston and the housing. A liquid inlet is located in the side wall of the housing at a point lower than the top of the piston. A one-way liquid inlet valve is located proximate the liquid inlet and a one-way liquid outlet valve is located prior to the liquid outlet. A charge chamber is defined at least in part by the liquid inlet valve, the liquid outlet valve, a wall of the piston and a wall of the housing. | 11-14-2013 |
20130320043 | DOUBLE ACTING VALVE FOR LIQUID PUMPS - A refill unit includes a container for holding a liquid and a pump. The pump includes a housing that has one or more liquid inlets. In addition, the housing includes one or more liquid outlets. At least a portion of the liquid outlet(s) is made of a resilient material. A liquid chamber having a first volume and a second volume is located at least partially within the housing. A valve body having a protruding member and a valve seat is located within the housing. The protruding member acts as a one-way valve allowing fluid to flow from the container into the liquid chamber and preventing fluid from flowing out of the liquid chamber into the container. In addition, the liquid outlet contacts the valve seat to seal the outlet and flexes away from the valve seat to allow liquid under pressure to exit the liquid chamber. | 12-05-2013 |
20140054322 | OFF-AXIS INVERTED FOAM DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - 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. | 02-27-2014 |
20140054323 | HORIZONTAL PUMPS, REFILL UNITS AND FOAM DISPENSERS WITH INTEGRAL AIR COMPRESSORS - Foam dispensers having integral air compressors with connectors to connect with a disposable refill unit, disposable refill units and liquid pumps are disclosed herein. A refill unit includes a container and a liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a liquid chamber defined at least in part by a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. A piston that reciprocates horizontally in the liquid chamber. A mixing chamber is located downstream of the liquid chamber. The mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber and has an air inlet. A sanitary seal is located proximate the air inlet to prevent liquid from contaminating the air compressors. | 02-27-2014 |
20140061245 | HORIZONTAL PUMPS, REFILL UNITS AND FOAM DISPENSERS - Disposable refill units, and pumps for disposable refill units for foam dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments include a container for holding a foamable liquid and a pump secured to the container. The pump includes a liquid chamber formed between a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. In addition, the pump includes a sleeve that is located at least partially within the liquid chamber. One or more liquid passages are defined at least in part by an area located between an exterior wall of the sleeve and a wall of the liquid chamber. The pump also includes a piston body having a head and a sealing member located at a first end of the piston. The sealing member forms a seal against the interior wall of the sleeve and the piston head moves within the sleeve to reduce and enlarge the volume of the liquid chamber. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061246 | HORIZONTAL PUMPS, REFILL UNITS AND FOAM DISPENSERS - Disposable refill units, and pumps for disposable refill units for foam dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments include a container for holding a foamable liquid and a pump secured to the container. The pump includes a liquid chamber formed between a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. In addition, the pump includes a sleeve that is located at least partially within the liquid chamber. One or more liquid passages are defined at least in part by an area located between an exterior wall of the sleeve and a wall of the liquid chamber. The pump also includes a piston body having a head and a sealing member located at a first end of the piston. The sealing member forms a seal against the interior wall of the sleeve and the piston head moves within the sleeve to reduce and enlarge the volume of the liquid chamber. | 03-06-2014 |
20140203045 | SHIELD FOR A FLUID DISPENSER - A shield for a fluid dispenser includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure defining an interior flow passage. The mount structure is configured to be attached to an actuator of a fluid dispenser. Fluid dispensers and fluid dispenser systems are also disclosed. | 07-24-2014 |
20140203047 | PUMPS WITH CONTAINER VENTS - Exemplary embodiments of pumps, refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. Some embodiments include a container for holding a fluid and a pump housing secured to the container. The pump housing includes an annular collar for securing the pump housing to the container. The pump housing includes an air chamber and a vent valve located at least partially within the air chamber. One or more air passageways are provided in the collar for providing air to the air chamber. A compressible liquid pump chamber is also located in the housing. The exemplary embodiment includes a liquid inlet valve for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. | 07-24-2014 |
20140261799 | SIMPLIFIED LIQUID OUTLET VALVES, PUMPS AND REFILL UNITS - Exemplary simplified outlet valves, pumps and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary inverted refill unit for a dispenser includes a container and a pump secured to the bottom of container. The pump has a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet having an annular housing. One or more liquid outlet passages are located within the annular housing. A valve seat is located proximate the liquid outlet passages. A liquid outlet valve is also included. The liquid outlet valve includes an annular body and a resilient disc located on the interior of the annular body. The resilient disc has an opening in the center and seals against the valve seat to seal the one or more liquid outlet passages in a normal state. The resilient disc deflects from the valve seat under pressure so that liquid flows through the liquid outlet passages and through the center of the resilient disc. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263462 | SIMPLIFIED LIQUID OUTLET VALVES, PUMPS AND REFILL UNITS - An inverted refill unit for a dispenser is provided. The refill unit includes a liquid outlet valve in the form of an elastomeric member including a cylindrical side wall, an upper wall having an opening therein, and a valve member extending upwardly from the upper wall to selectively engage a valve seat. | 09-18-2014 |
20140319180 | HORIZONTAL PUMPS WITH REDUCED PART COUNT, REFILL UNITS AND DISPENSERS - Exemplary embodiments of foam pumps, refill units and dispenser systems are disclosed herein. Some embodiments have a foam pump that includes a valve cavity housing with a liquid inlet. A unitary valve body is located within the valve cavity housing. The unitary valve body includes a liquid inlet wiper valve, a liquid outlet wiper valve, a hollow interior portion, an opening through the valve body into the hollow interior portion, and an outlet opening. The foam pump also includes a pump chamber and a pump chamber opening through the valve cavity. The pump chamber opening is located between the liquid inlet wiper valve and the liquid outlet wiper valve. An air inlet into the valve cavity housing is also included. The valve cavity includes a mixing chamber. A mix media and foam outlet are included. The foam pump may be connected to a container to form a refill unit. | 10-30-2014 |
20140332563 | BIFURCATED FOAM PUMP, DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS - Embodiments of foam dispensers including a housing, an air compressor connected to the housing and an actuator for actuating the air compressor are disclosed herein. The air compressor releasably mates with a refill unit. The dispenser has an “empty state” and a “refilled state.” The empty state occurs when there is not a refill unit positioned in the dispenser, and the refilled state occurs when the refill unit is positioned in the dispenser. The air compressor remains connected to the housing during the refilled state and remains connected to the housing during the empty state. One refill unit for a foam pump dispenser includes a container for containing a foamable liquid and liquid pump housing connected to the container. The liquid pump housing is configured to releasably mate with an air compressor that is not part of the refill unit but is secured to a foam pump dispenser housing, and the refill unit is configured to be removed from the foam dispenser without removing the air compressor from the foam dispenser. The air inlet passage is in fluid communication with the atmosphere prior to being installed in a foam dispenser and the air inlet passage is in fluid communication with an air compressor when the refill unit is placed in the foam dispenser. | 11-13-2014 |