Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a fluid dispenser of a type having a housing in which a container filled with a fluid to be dispensed is removably received. The container incorporates a pump and an adapter assembly for securing the pump within an opening or fitment of the container and for removably securing the container within the housing. In another aspect, an improved push bar-type actuator is provided. In certain embodiments, an angled receptacle for receiving the pump and adapter receptacle is provided for ease of emplacing the container within the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a fluid dispenser of a type having a housing in which a container filled with a fluid to be dispensed is removably received. The container incorporates a pump and an adapter assembly for securing the pump within an opening or fitment of the container and for removably securing the container within the housing. In another aspect, an improved push bar-type actuator for communicating movement to the pump is provided. In certain embodiments, an angled receptacle for receiving the pump and adapter receptacle is provided for increased ease of emplacing the container within the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is side-sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view thereof with the housing front cover removed and showing the housing base with the pump mounted therein. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary rear view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a pump and push bar pump actuator. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the pump and adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an exemplary bag for use with the pump and adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the bag and pump/adapter assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is cross-sectional view of an alternative mating adapter ring and product container fitment in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In reference to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or analogous components throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-7  show a fluid dispenser, indicated generally by the numeral  10 . The dispenser  10  is preferably a soap dispenser, and more preferably, a dispenser which dispenses a soap in the form of a foam, and will be shown and described herein primarily by way of reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is also amenable to all manner of dispensable fluids, including without limitation, cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, shampoos, body washes, hand sanitizers, wound care, medical applications, and the like, food products such as sauces and the like, and other flowable materials. 
     The dispenser  10  includes a housing  12  including a front section or cover  14  and a rear section  16  which join together to define an interior compartment  18 . A container assembly  20  includes a container member such as a flexible bag or bottle  22  containing soap or other product to be dispensed  24  and an integrated pump and adapter assembly  26 , and is received within the interior compartment  18  defined by the housing section halves  14  and  16 . As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, terms indicating relative position or orientation such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, etc., refer to the dispenser in the operable, upright (e.g., wall-mounted) position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Reference the axial direction is intended to mean the longitudinal axis  56  of the pump and adapter assembly  26  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , unless otherwise stated. 
     The rear section  16  is adapted to be attached to a vertical wall, e.g., via threaded fasteners, adhesive fasteners, or the like. The front housing section  14  is hingedly attached to the rear housing section  16  via pivoting connections  28 . The front section  14  pivots between a closed or latched position as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and an open position for removal and replacement of an empty container assembly  20 . A latch member  30  on the front shell  14  engages a catch  32  formed on the rear member  16  to secure the dispenser in the closed position. A latch bar  34  is slidingly secured to the rear housing  14  and is manually slidable in the vertical direction to disengage the latch member  30  from the catch  32 . Alternatively, other latching or locking arrangements, such as a lock requiring a key to access the interior of the dispenser may be employed, as are generally known in the art. The interior surfaces of the housing sections may have various shelves, bosses, ribs, or the like to receive and support the bag  22  within the interior compartment of the dispenser housing  12 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 9 , the pump assembly  26  includes an adapter member  36  having a sleeve  38  defining an axial opening  40  for receiving a pump  42 . The pump  42  includes an inlet  44 , an outlet  46 , and a main body  48 . The opening  40  receives the main body  48  of the pump  42 . A lower end  50  of the sleeve  38  forms a lip  52 . A flange  54  lies in a plane transecting a longitudinal axis  56  of the pump assembly  26 . The flange  54  is axially spaced from the lip  52  to define an annular channel  58  therebetween. The flange  54  includes a pair of resilient spring arms  60 , each having a latch  62  and a distal end  64 . An upper end  66  includes an annular lip or ridge  68  and an annular channel  70  axially adjacent thereto. Alternatively, the upper end  66  may include an annular lip and some number of annular ribs for providing a water-tight, friction fit with the container as shown in  FIG. 12  and described in greater detail below. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the pump  42  is a foam-dispensing pump of a type as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,364, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it will be recognized that the present invention may be adapted for use in connection with any other type of foaming or non-foaming pump engine which utilizes relative axial movement, e.g., telescoping or piston-type movement, between pump components. 
     When assembled, the main body  48  of the pump  42  is received in the opening  40  such that the lower edge  50  of the sleeve  38  abuts a flange  72  formed on the pump  42 . A sealing ring  74  may be provided between the edge  50  and the flange  72  to prevent fluid flow therebetween. A retaining ring  76  includes a radially inwardly extending portion  78  defining an axial opening  80  receiving pump outlet  46 . A single or plurality of latching members  82  are radially spaced about the axis  56  and engage the axial channel  58  when assembled, thereby capturing the flange  72  and optional sealing ring  74  between the lip  52  and the inwardly extending portion  78  in clamping fashion. The latch members  82  and the lip  52  may have facing and generally aligned inclined surfaces so as to facilitate relative axial movement when the components are being fastened but to resist separation once the retaining ring  42  is connected to the sleeve  38 , i.e., when the latching members  82  are received in the axial channel  58 . 
     The depicted pump and adaptor system embodiment  26  allows a portion of the pump  42  to be contained within the bag  20 , which allows external dimensions of the dispenser to be kept to a minimum, including the height of the dispenser and, in the depicted preferred embodiment having an angled receptacle as described in greater detail below, the distance the dispenser protrudes from the wall. 
     The upper end  66  of the sleeve  38  is snap fit to a flanged spout or fitment member  84  provided on the container bag  22 . The fitment member  84  includes a radially inwardly extending lip  86  which engages the annular groove  70  when the connector end  66  is received in the fitment  84 . The radially outward facing surface of the lip  68  and/or the radially inward facing surface of the lip  86  may be inclined to facilitate axial relative movement during insertion but to resist separation after the pump assembly  26  is secured to the bag  22 , i.e., when the lip  86  has engaged the channel  70 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 12 , there is shown an alternative adapter ring  36 ′ and container fitment  84 ′ configuration. The adapter ring  36 ′ includes an upper sleeve portion  66  and a lower sleeve portion  50  on opposing sides of a flange area  54  having spring arms  60  as described above. The lower sleeve  50  includes a tapered portion  52  adapted to engage a retaining ring as detailed above. The upper sleeve portion includes a tapered end  68  defining a radially outwardly extending lip or shoulder  69  and an annular channel  70  axially adjacent thereto. 
     When the sleeve portion  66  engages the spout portion of the fitment  84 ′, the shoulder  69  engages a complimentary annular notch  89 . The surface  68  is inclined to facilitate passage of the lip  69  into the channel  80  as the sleeve  66  is inserted into the fitment  84 ′, but to resist separation of the sleeve  66  from the fitment  84 ′ after the members  36 ′ and  84  are engaged. Annular protrusions  71 , such as sealing rings, pressure ribs, etc., may be provided on the radially outward facing surface of the sleeve portion  66  to increase the sealing or friction interference between the sleeve  66  and the fitment  84 ′. Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, the annular pressure or sealing rings or ribs may be provided on the radially inward facing surface of the fitment  84 ′ spout. 
     A dip sleeve  88  may also be provided in place of the conventional dip tube commonly employed with such pumps. The dip sleeve  88  is open at a first end  90  and closed at the opposite end  92 . The dip sleeve  88  defines an axial bore and includes one or more axially-extending channels or grooves  94  defined on the inward surface thereof. The dip sleeve  88  is fit over the pump inlet  44 , e.g., via friction fit, snap fit, or the like. The interior longitudinal channels  94  provide a passageway which allows the soap to be drawn along the interior of the dip sleeve  88  and into the pump inlet  44 . Since the pump is operated in a substantially inverted in operation, the dip sleeve  88  provides a flow passageway between the bottom of the container bag  22  and the pump inlet  44 . This effectively lowers the height of the pump inlet, allowing more of the soap product  24  to be withdrawn from the bag  22 , and thereby decreasing waste. 
     A nozzle  96  includes an upper end  98  which is fit over the pump outlet  46 , e.g., via friction fit, snap fit, or the like, and a lower end  100  defining a dispensing outlet. The nozzle  96  defines an axial bore which extends the flow passageway of the pump  42  to the outlet  100 . A flange  102  is provided between the nozzle upper end  98  and the nozzle lower end  100 . A coil spring  104  is received coaxially about the nozzle  96 . An upper end of the spring  104  bears against the inwardly extending surface  78  of the retaining ring  76 . A lower end of the spring  104  bears against the flange  102 . The nozzle  96  may include an enlarged diameter portion  106  to maintain the spring  104  in an axially centered position. The upward facing surface of the flange  102  may include an annular groove or channel  108  for seating the lower end of the spring  104 . Likewise, the inwardly extending portion  78  of the retaining ring  76  may include an annular groove or channel  110  for seating the upper end of the spring  104 . A removable cover  112  may be provided over the nozzle outlet  96  to protect the pump outlet and prevent inadvertent discharge or leakage during handling, transport, and storage. The cover  112  is removed prior to installation of the container/pump assembly  20  into the dispenser  10 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the spring  104  is generally cylindrical, which may result in coil stacking as the spring is compressed during pump actuation. Spring coil stacking may limit the distance the spring can compress which, in turn, may tend to limit the range of relative axial movement which may be communicated to the telescoping pump components. In the depicted embodiment, the problem of coil stacking is alleviated by the channel  110 , which is of sufficient axial extent so as to accommodate stacked coils as the spring is compressed during actuation. Alternatively, a generally conical coil spring may be employed to prevent coil stacking when the spring is compressed and thereby increase the axial extent of spring compression. 
     The rear housing member  16  includes a nest or receptacle  114  formed therein for receiving the pump assembly  26 . The nest  114  includes a slot  116  for receiving the flange  54  and spring arms  60  of the adapter member  36 . The slot  116  includes a pair of catch points  118  which engage the protrusions  62  on the spring arms  60 . Each of the protrusions include an inclined or tapered surface to facilitate movement past the catch points  118  during installation of the container pump assembly  20  in the housing member  16  while providing positive retention of the adapter member  38  in the slot  118 . The distal ends  64  of the spring arms  60  are manually accessible when the cover housing member  14  is in the open position. In removing the container/pump assembly  20 , e.g., after the container  22  is depleted, the distal ends  64  of the spring arms  60  are compressed whereby the protrusions  62  are disengaged from the catch points  118 , allowing the unit to be withdrawn from the nest. A new container/pump unit  20  may then be inserted. 
     As noted above, the pump  42  may be of any type which is actuated by relative axial movement between pump components. In operation, the pump outlet  46  and internal piston component  120  are axially movable relative to the pump body housing  48 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , a push bar member  122  includes a manually depressible lever portion  124  and lever arms  126  with cam surfaces  128 . The push bar member  122  is pivotable about a pivot point  130 . In operation of the dispenser  10 , the manually depressible lever  124  pivots about the pivot axis  130  when depressed by a user. The cam surfaces  128  of the lever arms  126  bear against the flange  102  against the urging of the spring  104 . The cam surfaces  128  are shaped such that the point of contact between the cam surface  128  and the flange  102  remains substantially aligned with the centerline, indicated by numeral  132 , of the pump  42  during rotational movement of the lever arm  126 . In this manner, sticking or jamming of the telescoping pump components, which may result from eccentric or off-axis loading of the nozzle  96 , is prevented or reduced. 
     As the nozzle assembly  96  is moved upwardly, a charge of product  24  contained in the pump is dispensed via the outlet  100 . When the lever  124  is released, the spring  104  bears against the flange  102  and assists in the return of the pump to the closed position. During the return movement, the next charge of product  24  to be dispensed is drawn from the bag  22  into the pump  42 . It will be recognized that dispenser pumps will commonly employ an internal spring  103  to urge the pump to the closed state after actuation, and thus the external spring  104  is optional. However, such springs tend to be smaller and the use of a supplemental external spring  104  is preferred to ensure complete closure of the pump after a dispensing operation. 
     Prior art dispensers employing axially displaceable pumps have typically incorporated an additional, spring loaded linkage movable in the axial direction as a permanent part of the dispenser housing. This spring-loaded mechanism captures the pump nozzle and transmits movement thereto. In such prior art solutions, the push bar bears against the spring-loaded linkage which in turn actuates the captive pump nozzle. By way of contrast, the pivoting push bar  122  of the present disclosure bears directly against the pump nozzle  96 . In this manner, there is no need for an additional linkage for the capture and operation of the pump nozzle. Instead, the actuator  122  of the dispenser is non-spring loaded, thereby simplifying the dispenser housing and reducing the cost of its manufacture and the likelihood of its malfunction. 
     As noted above, the pump is generally inverted when placed in the operative position. In the depicted preferred embodiment, the slot  116  of the nest  114  lies at an angle θ with respect to horizontal. It has been found that angling the nest  116  upward toward the front of the dispenser (i.e., upward toward the operator) facilitates placing and seating the pump assembly  26  in the nest  114 . The angle θ may be up to about 45 degrees and is preferably in the range of from about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 7.5 degrees to about 15 degrees. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that the slot  116  receiving the adapter ring flange  54  may be configured horizontally such that the pump axis  56  lies in a true vertical position. 
     In certain embodiments, a mating or keyed relationship may be provided between the pump assembly  26  and the dispenser nest  114 . For example, the adapter ring  36  may include one or more recesses, notches, or the like, e.g., formed on the flange portion  54  and aligned with and receiving one or more complimentary shaped protrusions in the nest  114  when the container  20  is installed in the dispenser unit  10 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more key projections may be provided on the adapter ring which mates with corresponding complimentary receivers in the nest  114 . Such keyed arrangements may vary in terms of, for example, the number of protrusions/receivers, the shape of protrusions/receivers, the position of the protrusions/receivers, and combinations thereof. Such keyed arrangements ensure that the appropriate containers  20  are matched with the appropriate or desired dispenser units  10 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  shows an exemplary bag  22 , which may be formed of a plurality of layers of sheets of material. In the depicted embodiment, the container is formed of opposing sheets  134  and  136 , of flexible material preferably plastic, bounded by a peripheral seam or seal  138 . It will be recognized that alternatives variations of the container bag are possible. For example, more than two layers of material may be employed. Alternatively, the seam or seams could be placed differently, e.g., on the front, the back, the top, the bottom, and so forth. The seal  138  may be formed via heat sealing or the like. Likewise, the spout  84  includes a flange  140  which is fastened about an opening  142  on the upper sheet  134 , e.g., via heat sealing or the like. In manufacturing the container/pump assembly  20 , the bag  22  is first filled with the product to be dispensed and pump and adapter assembly  26  is secured to the spout  84 , e.g., via a snap fit connection between the spout lip  86  and the adapter ring sleeve  38  as detailed above. Preferably, the plastic material is transparent or translucent to allow transvisualization of the product remaining in the bag  22 , e.g., for the purpose of determining whether the product in the container  22  has been exhausted and in need of replacement. To this end, a transparent or translucent window  144  may be provided in the housing shell  14 . It will be recognized that, in the present configuration, venting of the container  22  is unnecessary since pressure in the bag is maintained as the bag collapses upon itself. In alternative embodiments, the flexible bag  22  could be replaced with a collapsible plastic bottle or by a vented, (e.g., refillable) bottle. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including these and other modifications and alterations.