Patent Publication Number: US-10321791-B2

Title: Manually activated dispensers for squeezable bottles

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefits of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/427,210, titled MANUALLY ACTUATED DISPENSERS FOR SQUEEZABLE BOTTLES, which was filed on Nov. 29, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to liquid dispenser systems, such as liquid soap and sanitizer dispensers, and more particularly to manual dispensers for dispensing fluid squeezable bottles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Liquid dispensing systems, such as liquid soap and sanitizer dispensers, provide a user with an amount of liquid or foam upon actuation of the dispenser. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of dispensers and refill units disclosed herein. 
     An exemplary dispensing system includes a refill unit having a top and a bottom. The refill unit includes a resilient container, a pressure activated liquid outlet valve in fluid communication with the resilient container and an outlet in fluid communication with the pressure activated outlet valve and disposed at the bottom of the refill unit. The dispenser further includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end. An upper retainer is attached to the upper end and is configured to receive the top of the refill unit. A lower retainer is attached to the lower end of the frame and is configured to receive the bottom of the refill unit. An anvil configured to engage the resilient container when the dispensing system is actuated is also included. The dispenser includes actuator hingedly connected to the lower receptacle and extending below the lower receptacle. The actuator is connected to the anvil. 
     Another exemplary dispenser includes a base portion and a refill unit frame member. The refill unit frame member includes an upper retaining member for receiving an upper portion of a refill unit, a lower retaining member for receiving a lower portion of the refill unit and an actuator connected to the lowered retaining member. A hinge connects the refill unit frame member to the base portion. A container for holding a liquid to be displaced is also included. An anvil is secured to the base. Applying a force to the actuator causes the refill frame member to pivot toward the anvil and wherein the anvil compresses the container to dispense fluid from the container. 
     Another exemplary dispenser includes a refill unit and a refill unit frame member. The refill unit frame member has a bracket for receiving a lower portion of the refill unit. A back plate for mounting the dispenser is also included. An actuator is hingedly connected to the bracket. A curved push bar is connected to the actuator. An anvil is connected to the curved push bar. Movement of the actuator toward the back of the dispenser causes the anvil to move toward the front of the dispenser. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a liquid dispensing system includes a refill unit, a frame, an anvil portion, and an actuator. The refill unit has a top and a bottom and includes a resilient container, a one-way outlet valve in fluid communication with the resilient container, and an outlet in fluid communication with the one-way outlet valve and disposed at the bottom of the refill unit. The frame has an upper end and a lower end and includes an upper receptacle attached to the upper end, a lower receptacle attached to the lower end, and an aperture in the lower receptacle substantially aligned with the outlet of the refill unit. The upper receptacle is configured to receive the top of the refill unit and the lower receptacle is configured to receive the bottom of the refill unit. The anvil portion is configured to engage the resilient container when the dispensing system is actuated. The actuator is attached to and extends below the lower receptacle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser having a refill unit; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser having a refill unit; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a front view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a partial rear perspective view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 2A , with a portion of the frame removed to reveal the actuation mechanism; 
         FIG. 2E  is a front perspective view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 2A , with the refill unit removed from the dispenser; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front-left-top perspective view of an exemplary dispenser having a refill unit; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 3A ; and 
         FIG. 3E  is a perspective view of the exemplary dispenser having a refill unit of  FIG. 3A , with the refill unit partially removed from the dispenser. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Prior to discussing the various embodiments, a review of the definitions of some exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure is appropriate. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning. 
     As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members, or elements. Also as described herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” are defined as at least close to (and includes) a given value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser  100  having a disposable refill unit  120  is shown. The dispenser  100  is a table-top dispenser that is supported by a support arm  104  above a base  102  that rests on a table-top or any other surface, such as, for example, a counter top, a shelf, or the like. The dispenser  100  may be a mounted system, or may be an un-mounted portable system movable from place to place, or any other kind of dispenser system. The base  102  includes a drip tray  103  formed by a recessed portion in the top surface of the base. The drip tray  103  catches excess soap or sanitizer that may drip from the dispenser  100  after use. In some embodiments support arm  104  may be a wall mounting bracket so that the dispenser  100  may be mounted to a wall. 
     The support arm  104  extends upward from the base  102  to a hinge  108  that hingeably attaches a frame  110  and an upper receptacle  118  to the support arm  104 . The support arm  104  includes an anvil  106  that engages the refill unit  120  through an opening  112  in the frame  110  when the user presses on an actuator  116  to actuate the dispenser  100 . The frame  110  extends downward from the hinge  108  to a lower receptacle  114  that includes a actuator  116  on its front. The upper and lower receptacles  118 ,  114  are configured to receive and support the top and bottom of the refill unit  120 , respectively. The receptacles  114 ,  118  and the frame  110  support the refill unit  120  and allow the refill unit  120  to be pivoted about hinge  108  when the user pushes on the actuator  116 . The receptacles  114 ,  118  also prevent the refill unit  120  from moving laterally when it is compressed by the anvil  106  during actuation. The actuator  116  extends downward from the receptacle and provides a natural push bar for the user to engage to receive a dose of liquid. The actuator  116  is positioned so that when the user presses the actuator  116  the hand is located below the outlet nozzle of the refill unit  120 . 
     The refill unit  120  includes a container  122  and a cap  124  disposed at the bottom of the container  122 . The container  122  forms a liquid reservoir that contains a supply of dispensable liquid within the disposable refill unit  120 . In various embodiments, the contained liquid could be, for example, a soap, a sanitizer, a cleanser, a disinfectant, a foamable liquid, or some other dispensable liquid. In the exemplary disposable refill unit  120 , the container  122  is a flexible and resilient container that returns to substantially its original form after being squeezed or pressed. In some embodiments, the container  122  is formed of clear plastic, such as for example, polyethylene terephthalate plastic so that the level of the liquid inside the container  122  can be seen by the user. In some embodiments, the container  122  is dimpled where the anvil  106  engages the container  122  to facilitate the generation of pressure inside the container  122  during actuation. 
     The cap  124  of the refill unit  120  includes a valve (not shown) in fluid communication with the container  122  and a outlet nozzle (not shown) in fluid communication with the valve. The valve is a pressure-actuated one-way valve that is oriented such that it allows flow out of the container  122  through the outlet nozzle when the pressure of the liquid inside the container  122  exceeds an actuation pressure threshold. The valve can be any kind of one-way valve, such as a cross-cut valve, a ball and spring valve, a wiper valve, a poppet valve, a flapper valve, an umbrella valve, a slit valve, a mushroom valve, a duck bill valve, or the like. 
     The dispenser  100  is capable of single-handed operation, i.e., the user can push the actuator  116  with the palm of one upward facing hand to dispense liquid into that same hand. During operation of the dispenser  100 , the user presses forward on the actuator  116  to cause the frame  110  and refill unit  120  to pivot about hinge  108 . As the frame  110  and refill unit  120  swivel backward the anvil  106  engages the container  122  causing it to compress, thereby increasing the pressure on the liquid stored inside the container  122 . When the pressure on the liquid exceeds the actuation pressure threshold of the valve, liquid is dispensed from the container  122  through the outlet nozzle and into the user&#39;s hand. When the user removes their hand from the actuator  116 , the resilient container  122  is allowed to expand back to its original shape. The expanding container  122  pushes on the anvil  106  until the frame  110  and refill unit  120  are in their original position. In some embodiments, the container  122  also includes a vent (not shown) to allow air to enter the container  122  as it expands to its uncompressed state after being actuated, thereby preventing a low pressure condition in the container  122  that could prevent the container  122  from returning to its original shape. 
     The container  122  may advantageously be refillable, replaceable or both refillable and replaceable. In the event the liquid stored in the container  122  of the installed disposable refill unit  120  runs out, or the installed refill unit  120  otherwise has a failure, the installed refill unit  120  may be removed from the dispenser  100 . To remove the refill unit  120 , the user lifts, or rotates, the upper receptacle  118  to free the upper end of the refill unit  120 . The empty or failed disposable refill unit  120  may then be removed vertically and replaced with a new disposable refill unit  120  and the upper receptacle  114  lowered to hold the new refill unit  120  in place. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2E , an exemplary dispenser  200  having a disposable refill unit  224  is shown. The dispenser  200  is a wall-mountable dispenser that may be attached to a wall or other vertical surface via a back plate  204  of a frame  202  that supports the refill unit  224  and the actuation mechanism  212  of the dispenser  200 . The frame  202  extends from a lower receptacle  206  disposed near the bottom of the frame  202  to an upper bracket  210  disposed near the top of the frame  202 . The lower receptacle  206  and bracket  210  receive and support the bottom and top of the refill unit  224 , respectively. The lower receptacle  206  and upper bracket  210  also prevent the refill unit  224  from moving laterally or tipping forward during actuation of the dispenser  200 . An aperture  208  in the lower receptacle  206  allows liquid to be dispensed from the refill unit  224  when the dispenser  200  is actuated. 
     The refill unit  224  includes a container  226 , a cap  228  disposed at the bottom of the container  226 , and a outlet  230  in the cap  228 . The outlet  230  includes a valve (not shown). The container  226  forms a liquid reservoir that contains a supply of dispensable liquid within the disposable refill unit  224 . In various embodiments, the contained liquid could be for example a soap, a sanitizer, a cleanser, a disinfectant, a foamable liquid, or some other dispensable liquid. In the exemplary disposable refill unit  224 , the container  226  is formed of a flexible and resilient material that allows the container  226  to return substantially to its original form after being squeezed or pressed. In some embodiments, the container  226  is formed of clear plastic, such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate plastic so that the level of the liquid inside the container  226  can be seen by the user. 
     The container  226  may advantageously be refillable, replaceable or both refillable and replaceable. In the event the liquid stored in the container  226  of the installed disposable refill unit  224  runs out, or the installed refill unit  224  otherwise has a failure, the installed refill unit  224  may be removed from the dispenser  200  by sliding the refill unit  224  upward to disengage the refill unit  224  from the lower receptacle  206  and slide the refill unit  224  through the upper bracket  210 . The empty or failed disposable refill unit  224  may then be replaced with a new disposable refill unit  224 . 
     The valve (not shown) in outlet  230  is in fluid communication with the container  226 . The refill unit  224  may also include a nozzle (not shown) in fluid communication with the valve  230 . The valve is a pressure-actuated one-way valve that is oriented such that it allows flow out of the refill unit  224  when the pressure of the liquid inside the container  226  exceeds an actuation pressure threshold. In some embodiments, the valve is a pressure-actuated two-way valve that allows fluid under pressure to flow out of container  226 , and also allows air to flow back into container  226  when there is a negative pressure in the container  226 . The valve can be any kind of one-way valve, such as a cross-cut valve, a ball and spring valve, a wiper valve, a poppet valve, a flapper valve, an umbrella valve, a slit valve, a mushroom valve, a duck bill valve, or the like. The valve could be any kind of two-way valve that allows liquid to be forced out of the container  226  under positive pressure and allows air to flow into the container  226  when there is negative pressure in the container. In some embodiments, the cap includes a one-way air inlet valve that allows air to flow into the container when there is a negative pressure in the container  226 . 
     The dispenser  200  is actuated when the user presses on an actuator  212  which is hingedly connected to the lower receptacle  206  via hinge  214 . Actuator  212  extends below the bottom of the container  226  and is a user activated push bar intuitively manipulated by a user to receive a dose of fluid. When a user&#39;s hand is positioned to press actuator  212 , user&#39;s hand is correctly positioned underneath the outlet for receiving a dose of fluid. A lower bar  214  extends rearward from the actuator  212  to a hinge  218  that hingeably connects an upper push bar  216  to the lower push bar  214 . The upper push bar  216  is hingeably connected to the frame  202  at a hinge  220 . The upper push bar  216  includes an anvil portion  222  at its upper end that engages the container  226  of the refill unit  224  when the actuator  212  is pressed. In some embodiments, frame  202  has a slot that receives hinge  220 . Accordingly, upper push bar  216  may have some upward movement during actuation. Thus any upward forces acting on hinge  218  and upper push bar  216  from movement of lower bar  214 , may be accounted for. In some embodiments, upper push bare  216  has an arcuate shape. In some embodiments, upper push bar  216  is not connected to frame  202  at hinge  220  but rather the curved back portion of the upper push bar  216  context back plate  204  and movement of the hinged section  218  causes and anvil  222  to compress container  226 . 
     The dispenser  200  is capable of single-handed operation, i.e., the user can push the actuator  212  with the palm of one upward facing hand to dispense liquid into that same hand. During operation of the dispenser  200 , the user presses on the actuator  212  causing the actuator  212  and lower bar  214  to move rearward. Movement of the actuator  212  rearward causes the hinge  218  joining the lower bar  214  and upper push bar  216  to move rearward and slightly upward, pivoting the upper push bar  216  around the hinge  220 , thereby causing the anvil portion  222  to engage and compress the container  226 . The pressure on the liquid stored inside the container  226  increases as the container  226  is compressed. When the pressure on the liquid exceeds the actuation pressure threshold of the valve  230 , liquid is dispensed from the refill unit  224  and into the user&#39;s hand. In some embodiments, the movement of at least one of the actuator  212 , lower bar  214 , and upper push bar  216  is limited to control the amount of liquid that can be dispensed from the dispenser  200  during actuation. In some embodiments, the amount of liquid dispensed during a single actuation cycle of the dispenser  200  is adjustable by adjusting, for example, the length of lower push bar  214  or angle of upper push bar  216 . 
     When the user removes their hand from the actuator  212 , the container  226  is allowed to expand substantially to its original condition. The expanding container  226  pushes on the anvil portion  222  causing the lower bar  214 , upper push bar  216  and actuator  212  to return to their original position. In some embodiments, the container  226  also includes a vent (not shown) to allow air to enter the container  226  as it expands to its uncompressed state after being actuated, thereby preventing a low pressure condition in the container  226  that could prevent the container  226  from returning to its original shape. In some embodiments, a resilient biasing member (not shown) biases actuator  212  towards its unactuated state. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3E , an exemplary dispenser  300  having a disposable refill unit  330  is shown. The dispenser  300  is a wall-mounted dispenser that is attached to a wall or other vertical surface via a back plate  304  of a frame  302  that supports the refill unit  330  and the actuation mechanism of the dispenser  300 . The frame  302  extends from a lower receptacle  306  disposed near the bottom of the frame  302  to an upper receptacle  310  disposed near the top of the frame  302 . The upper receptacle  310  is hingably attached to the frame  302  with a hinge  312 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacles  306 ,  310  and hinge  312  are integrally formed with the frame  302 , with the hinge  312  being formed by a bendable portion of the material forming the frame  302  and upper receptacle. The lower receptacle  306  and receptacle  310  receive and support the bottom and top of the refill unit  330 , respectively. The lower receptacle  306  and upper receptacle  310  also prevent the refill unit  330  from moving laterally or tipping forward during actuation of the dispenser  300 . An aperture  308  in the lower receptacle  306  allows liquid to be dispensed from the refill unit  330  when the dispenser  300  is actuated. 
     The refill unit  330  includes a container  332 , a cap  324  disposed at the bottom of the container  332 , and a valve  336  in the cap  334 . The container  332  forms a liquid reservoir that contains a supply of dispensable liquid within the disposable refill unit  330 . In various embodiments, the contained liquid could be for example a soap, a sanitizer, a cleanser, a disinfectant, a foamable liquid, or some other dispensable liquid. In the exemplary disposable refill unit  330 , the container  332  is formed of a flexible and resilient material that allows the container  332  to return substantially to its original form after being squeezed or pressed. In some embodiments, the container  332  is formed of clear plastic, such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate plastic so that the level of the liquid inside the container  332  can be seen by the user. 
     The container  332  may advantageously be refillable, replaceable or both refillable and replaceable. In the event the liquid stored in the container  332  of the installed disposable refill unit  324  runs out, or the installed refill unit  330  otherwise has a failure, the installed refill unit  330  may be removed from the dispenser  300  by first lifting the upper receptacle  310  upward to free the refill unit  330  from the upper receptacle  310  and then lifting the refill unit upward to disengage the refill unit  330  from the lower receptacle  306 . The empty or failed disposable refill unit  332  may then be replaced with a new disposable refill unit  332 . 
     The valve  336  is in fluid communication with the container  332 . The refill unit  330  may also include a nozzle (not shown) in fluid communication with the valve  336 . The valve  336  is a pressure-actuated one-way valve that is oriented such that it allows flow out of the refill unit  330  when the pressure of the liquid inside the container  332  exceeds an actuation pressure threshold. The valve  336  can be any kind of one-way valve, such as a cross-cut valve, a ball and spring valve, a wiper valve, a poppet valve, a flapper valve, an umbrella valve, a slit valve, a mushroom valve, a duck bill valve, or the like. In some embodiments, valve  336  is a two-way valve in allows fluid under pressure to flow out of the container  332  and allows air to flow into the container  332  when there is a negative pressure in the container. 
     The dispenser  300  is actuated when the user presses on an actuator  314  hingeably attached to the lower receptacle  306  at a hinge  316 . Actuator  314  extends below the bottom of the container and provides an intuitive push bar for users to manipulate in order to receive a dose of liquid. Resilient biasing members  318  extends rearward and upward from the actuator  314  to engage the lower receptacle  306  and a portion of frame  302 . The resilient biasing members  318  press against the lower receptacle  310  when the actuator  314  is actuated and causes the actuator  314  to return to its original position after an actuation cycle. In some embodiments resilient spring member  318  is a spring. 
     A push bar  320  extends rearward from the actuator  314 . Push bar  320  curves upward and behind the refill unit  330 . When actuator  314  is manipulated, the upper portion of push bar  320  engages the container  332 . In this exemplary embodiment, a lower portion  322  of the push bar  320  includes two members that are spaced apart to allow liquid to be dispensed between them from the refill unit  330  during actuation. An upper portion  324  of the push bar  320  joins the spaced apart members of the lower portion  322  and extends upward to an anvil portion  326  of the push bar  320 . The anvil portion  336  engages the container  332  of the refill unit  330  when the actuator  314  is pressed and compresses container  332 . A guide portion  328  extends forward from the back plate  304  to engage the upper portion  324  of the push bar  320  and to direct the force exerted on the actuator  314  toward the rear of the container  332 . 
     The dispenser  300  is capable of single-handed operation, i.e., the user can push the actuator  314  with the palm of one upward facing hand to dispense liquid into that same hand. During operation of the dispenser  300 , the user presses on the actuator  314  causing the actuator  314  and push bar  320  to pivot rearward around the hinge  316 . Movement of the actuator  314  rearward causes the push bar  320  to move rearward and upward, sliding along the curve of the guide portion  328 , thereby causing the anvil portion  326  to engage and compress into the container  332 . The pressure of the liquid stored inside the container  332  increases as the container  332  is compressed. When the pressure of the liquid exceeds the actuation pressure threshold of the valve  336 , liquid is dispensed from the refill unit  330  and into the user&#39;s hand. In some embodiments, the movement of at least one of the actuator  314  and push bar  320  is limited to control the amount of liquid that can be dispensed from the dispenser  300  during actuation. In some embodiments, the amount of liquid dispensed during a single actuation cycle of the dispenser  300  is adjustable. 
     When the user removes their hand from the actuator  314 , the container  332  is allowed to expand substantially to its original condition. The expanding container  332  pushes on the anvil portion  326  and the spring members  318  push against the lower receptacle  306  causing the push bar  320  and actuator  314  to return to their original position. In some embodiments, the container  332  also includes a vent (not shown) to allow air to enter the container  332  as it expands to its uncompressed state after being actuated, thereby preventing a low pressure condition in the container  332  that could prevent the container  332  from returning to its original shape. 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, alternatives as to form, fit, and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the disclosures may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present application, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a disclosure, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary meanings and are not limited in any way by the description of the embodiments in the specification.