Abstract:
A household liquid dispenser has a spout fitment with discontinuous beads or screw threads which define axial channels to interface with a pump inlet in a lock and key arrangement so as to maintain consistent quality of liquids dispensed by preventing the substitution of product refills of uncertain quality. Refills may be readily manufactured and at low cost. Mechanical and motorized dispensers may be used with the inventive spout fitment.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a household liquid dispenser and specifically to one having a refill that is easily replaced when spent and is keyed to the dispenser. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Motorized and mechanical household liquid dispensers are well known in the art. These dispensers have attempted to satisfy a number of criteria to be acceptable to consumers. These criteria include ease of dispensing, reliability of dispensing and ease in refilling the dispenser. When the dispenser is used to dispense a skin care or cleansing product, the user expects that the product dispensed will be of consistent and excellent quality for personal application to the skin. Manufacturers have sought to provide specific interfaces for refills for dispensers to assure the consumer that the product dispensed will be of the quality expected while minimizing production costs and providing easy replacement for the user. A brief representation of the prior art is set forth below. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,920 issued to Boll et al. on Mar. 20, 2007 discloses a household liquid dispenser that may be variously refilled by insertion of a specifically shaped refill container, insertion of a bottle or manually refilled etc. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,651 issued to Muderlak et al. on Oct. 22, 2002 discloses an automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus where the replaceable reservoir and pump combination is mounted under the dispenser via a vertical male-female type connection. 
         [0007]    However, these and other prior art devices do not incorporate structural elements that desirably provide consistent operation, easy refill replacement, low cost of manufacture and a specific keyed arrangement to prevent the substitution of low quality household liquids such as skin care and cleansing products without the desired properties that the user expects to find. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one aspect of the invention is a household liquid dispenser, including but not limited to: 
         [0009]    a. a housing containing a pump, a supply conduit for the pump extending into a supply compartment within the housing, and a rigid wall; 
         [0010]    b. the rigid wall defining an aperture having a perimeter whereby the supply conduit extends through the aperture and wherein at least one rigid protuberance extends laterally into the aperture from the perimeter; 
         [0011]    c. wherein the aperture is sized to receive a spout fitment, the spout fitment having a neck provided externally with discontinuous bead(s) extending laterally from the neck, the beads defining one or more channels; 
         [0012]    d. wherein the protuberance is shaped to fit within the channel, thereby allowing the spout fitment to be inserted into the aperture beyond the protuberance; and 
         [0013]    e. wherein the channel extends transversely into the bead(s), the depth of the channel being perpendicular to the surface of the neck. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention is a liquid dispenser kit including but not limited to: 
         [0015]    a. a household liquid dispenser including but not limited to
       i. a housing containing a pump, a supply conduit for the pump extending into a supply compartment within the housing, and a rigid wall;   ii. the rigid wall defining an aperture having a perimeter whereby the supply conduit extends through the aperture and wherein at least one rigid protuberance extends laterally into the aperture from the perimeter;   iii. wherein the aperture is sized to receive a spout fitment, and wherein the protuberance is shaped to fit within a channel on the fitment, thereby allowing the spout fitment to be inserted into the aperture beyond the protuberance;       
 
         [0019]    b. a supply container connected to the spout fitment with a neck provided externally with discontinuous bead(s) on the neck&#39;s surface adapted for receiving a cap in a sealing relationship with the neck to contain a flowable liquid; and 
         [0020]    c. a removable rigid frame sized to substantially fit within the supply compartment and configured to rigidly support the spout fitment. 
         [0021]    In a further aspect of the invention is a method for connecting a refill container to a household liquid dispenser including but not limited to the steps of: 
         [0022]    a. inserting the refill container having a spout fitment into a support frame to form a container-frame assembly for supporting the container, wherein the spout fitment has a first end and an opposed second end, wherein the fitment is bonded to the container at the first end, wherein the spout fitment includes a neck and discontinuous bead(s) disposed on the neck adjacent to the second end, and a flange disposed around at least a portion of the neck; wherein the bead(s) define at least one axial channel; 
         [0023]    b. inserting a supply conduit fluidly connected to a pump and extending into a supply compartment of the dispenser into the refill container via the spout fitment; 
         [0024]    c. inserting the container-frame assembly into the supply compartment of the dispenser, wherein the supply compartment has a rigid wall, wherein the wall defines an aperture surrounded by a perimeter, wherein at least one protuberance extends laterally within the aperture from the perimeter, and 
         [0025]    d. engaging the axial channel(s) with the protuberance to allow the fitment to be inserted past the protuberance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the household liquid dispenser, parts being broken away for clarity. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the supply container spout fitment, pump housing and the supply tube of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the rigid wall depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the rigid wall depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side elevational cross-sectional view of the dispenser taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the dispenser taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the supply container and frame assembly of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the supply container and frame assembly of the dispenser of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6B  is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the upper frame arm of the dispenser of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the supply container and frame assembly of the dispenser taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the supply container and frame assembly of the dispenser taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a detailed front elevational view of the spout fitment of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a detailed elevational cross-sectional view of the pump module cavity and adjacent surrounding structure that receives the spout fitment of  FIG. 8  taken along line B-B in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a detailed bottom cross-sectional view of the central portion of the spout fitment of  FIG. 8  positioned in the pump module cavity of  FIG. 9  taken along line C-C in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    All publications and patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0041]    Referring now to the drawings in which like figures represent like elements, in  FIG. 1  dispenser  10  is shown in the process of having supply container  20  containing a flowable household liquid  54  inserted therein. Container  20  is mounted on carrier frame  40  and the container-frame assembly is shown being received into compartment  18  defined by housing  12 . Supply conduit  16  is shown being received into container  20  through orifice  39  of spout fitment  30 . Supply conduit  16  is in fluid communication with pump  14  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) positioned within housing  12  of the dispenser. Spout fitment  30  consists of neck  32  which supports bead(s) (or screw threads)  34  and is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 5 and 8  described below. Bead(s)  34  extend along the surface of neck  38  around its circumference in a discontinuous pattern. Gaps in beads  34  define axial channel(s)  36  which are shown receiving complementary arranged protuberances  28  extending into aperture  24  along perimeter  26 . Aperture  24  is defined by perimeter  26  and rigid wall  22  located in housing  12 . Carrier frame  40  supports supply container  20  via upper arm  42 , side rail  58  and lower platform  52 . 
         [0042]    Upper arm  42  engages supply container  20  at notch  44  along groove  46  defined by spaced apart upper flange  31  and lower flange  37  shown in more detail in  FIGS. 5 and 6A . In other preferred embodiments, notch  44  may have a non-circular configuration as long as it is sized to receive supply container  20  in equivalent fashion and preferably engage upper flange  31  and lower flange  37 . Similarly, neck  32  of supply container  20  may also have a non-circular configuration in other preferred embodiments as long as it is sized to be received into notch  44  and receive supply conduit  16 . Spout fitment  30  is bonded to container  20  via boat  33 . 
         [0043]    In operation of the dispenser  10 , after supply container  20  is seated within housing  12  (e.g. as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ), a user will engage switch  64  actuating pump  14  and rotating auger  66  so as to transport fluid  54  to pump  14  and discharge it via outlet  62 . In a preferred embodiment, supply container  20  has at least one flexible wall  56 . More preferably the supply container is a flexible pouch. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows in further detail spout fitment  30  removed from supply container  20  and simultaneously engaging supply conduit  16  which extends from pump housing  15  and where the spout fitment  30  is being received in aperture  24 , while protuberances  28  are aligned with axial channels  36 . Discontinuous beads  34  freely move beyond protuberances  28  during this operation. The other components of dispenser  10  are omitted for clarity. 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIG. 2A , rigid wall  22  may in another preferred embodiment be replaced with a latticework of support members  80  which in combination with perimeter  26  define aperture  24 , which is sized to receive spout fitment  30 .  FIG. 2B  shows a third preferred embodiment of rigid wall  22  where the wall is shown in a cylindrical configuration rigidly attached to housing  12  and positioned between pump  14  and compartment  18 . As in the previously described embodiments, wall  22  supports protuberances  28  and defines aperture  24  along perimeter  26 . 
         [0046]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 1  is depicted in a side cross-sectional view where supply tube  16  is now shown extended through spout fitment  30  part-way into supply container  20 . Pump  14  is shown positioned in housing  12  and pump housing  15 , and in fluid communication with supply tube  16  at its intake and with outlet conduit  63  at its outlet. Also illustrated is battery  68  which in a preferred embodiment is a power source for both pump  14  and auger rotation motor (not shown). Other power sources may be usefully employed as well as other mechanical arrangements for transporting the household liquid from the supply container to the outlet described in further detail below. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows the supply container and frame assembly of  FIGS. 1 to 3  fully received within housing  12 . Now referring to  FIG. 5 , supply container  20 , spout fitment  30  and carrier frame  40  are shown in assembled form and in greater detail as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0048]    Now referring to  FIG. 6A , a second preferred embodiment of spout fitment  30  is shown having two locking lugs  50  rigidly attached to flange extension  35  being received into carrier frame  40 . In more detail, locking lugs  50  are shown being received into complementary notches  48  defined by upper arm  42  and the spout fitment  30  is shown being simultaneously received in notch  44  also defined by upper arm  42 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates a third preferred embodiment of upper arm  42  where notches  48  and notch  44  defined by upper arm  42  all have a similar offset arrangement designed to lock spout fitment  30  securely via locking lugs  50  configured to closely fit within notches  48  and optionally closely fit within notch  44 . Other configurations of locking lugs and complementary notches may be usefully employed in order to secure the spout fitment to the carrier frame. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  illustrates supply container  20  being received in carrier frame  40  in greater detail than is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to  6 . 
         [0050]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , spout fitment  30  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  is shown in greater detail absent the supply container  20 . Three axial channels  36  are illustrated defined by beads or screw threads  34 . A fourth axial channel  36  on the reverse side of the neck  32  is not shown. Now referring to  FIG. 9 , the surrounding features defining aperture  24  which receives spout fitment  30  are shown in greater detail absent the other components of the dispenser  10 . Upper housing wall  23  is shown fixedly supporting protuberances  28  which are configured to receive spout fitment  30  via complementary arranged axial channels  36 . Now referring to  FIG. 10 , the condition where protuberances  28  have engaged axial channels  36  is shown in greater detail in a bottom plan view. The supply conduit  16  and the other dispenser components are omitted for clarity. 
         [0051]    In one aspect of the invention is a household liquid dispenser, including but not limited to: 
         [0052]    a. a housing containing a pump, a supply conduit for the pump extending into a supply compartment within the housing, and a rigid wall, preferably positioned between the pump and the supply compartment, more preferably wherein the rigid wall may be substantially solid or have an open lattice configuration or contain a combination of solid and lattice elements and advantageously where the wall may be planar, curved or cylindrical or a combination thereof; 
         [0053]    b. the rigid wall defining an aperture having a perimeter whereby the supply conduit extends through the aperture and wherein at least one rigid protuberance (preferably two or more) extends laterally into the aperture from the perimeter, (preferably extending at least 1 mm; more preferably 1.5, or 2 mm from the perimeter), 
         [0054]    c. wherein the aperture is sized to receive a spout fitment, the spout fitment having a neck provided externally with discontinuous bead(s) extending laterally from the neck, the beads defining one or more channels; 
         [0055]    d. wherein the protuberance is shaped to fit within the channel, thereby allowing the spout fitment to be inserted into the aperture beyond the protuberance; and 
         [0056]    e. wherein the channel extends transversely into the bead(s), the depth of the channel being perpendicular to the surface of the neck (and extending to the opposite edge of the bead(s)). 
         [0057]    Advantageously the dispenser further includes a removable rigid frame sized to substantially fit within the supply compartment and configured to rigidly support the spout fitment. Preferably the frame fits entirely within the supply compartment. More preferably the rigid frame contains a rigid arm, the arm defining a notch that is sized to support the spout fitment via at least a portion of a flange disposed at least partially around the spout fitment (preferably circumferentially around the spout fitment, more preferably the notch is substantially rounded). Still more preferably the rigid arm defines at least one additional notch (preferably at least two additional notches) adapted to receive a shaped protuberance rigidly connected to the spout fitment (preferably in locking engagement therewith). 
         [0058]    Advantageously the dispenser further includes a supply container, the container having a spout fitment with a neck provided externally with discontinuous bead(s) on the neck&#39;s surface preferably adapted for receiving a cap in a sealing relationship with the neck to contain a flowable liquid. Preferably the beads are screw threads adapted for receiving a screw cap with complementary threads. More preferably the supply container has at least one flexible wall. Most preferably the container is a flexible pouch. Advantageously the container is bonded to the spout fitment preferably by an adhesive seal, induction seal, heat seal, or an ultrasonic seal or a combination thereof. More preferably a heat seal is used. 
         [0059]    In another aspect of the invention is a liquid dispenser kit including but not limited to: 
         [0060]    a. a household liquid dispenser including but not limited to
       i. a housing containing a pump, a supply conduit for the pump extending into a supply compartment within the housing, and a rigid wall;   ii. the rigid wall defining an aperture having a perimeter whereby the supply conduit extends through the aperture and wherein at least one rigid protuberance extends laterally into the aperture from the perimeter;   iii. wherein the aperture is sized to receive a spout fitment, and wherein the protuberance is shaped to fit within a channel on the fitment, thereby allowing the spout fitment to be inserted into the aperture beyond the protuberance;       
 
         [0064]    b. a supply container connected to the spout fitment with a neck provided externally with discontinuous bead(s) on the neck&#39;s surface adapted for receiving a cap in a sealing relationship with the neck to contain a flowable liquid; and 
         [0065]    c. a removable rigid frame sized to substantially fit within the supply compartment and configured to rigidly support the spout fitment. 
         [0066]    In a further aspect of the invention is a method for connecting a refill container to a household liquid dispenser including but not limited to the steps of: 
         [0067]    a. inserting the refill container having a spout fitment into a support frame to form a container-frame assembly for supporting the container, wherein the spout fitment has a first end and an opposed second end, wherein the fitment is bonded to the container at the first end, wherein the spout fitment includes a neck and discontinuous bead(s) disposed on the neck adjacent to the second end, and a flange disposed around at least a portion of the neck; wherein the bead(s) define at least one axial channel; 
         [0068]    b. inserting a supply conduit fluidly connected to a pump and extending into a supply compartment of the dispenser into the refill container via the spout fitment; 
         [0069]    c. inserting the container-frame assembly into the supply compartment of the dispenser, wherein the supply compartment has a rigid wall, wherein the wall defines an aperture surrounded by a perimeter, wherein at least one protuberance extends laterally within the aperture from the perimeter, and 
         [0070]    d. engaging the axial channel(s) with the protuberance to allow the fitment to be inserted past the protuberance. The situation of being inserted past the protuberance is advantageously done with negligible force such as below 1 Kg, more preferably less than 0.5, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 or 0.01 Kg of force. 
         [0071]    Any suitable closure such as a screw cap, a press-fit cap or a plug seal, or equivalents and combinations thereof, can be used to seal supply container  20  to contain the contents of the container prior to its being loaded into the dispenser. Preferably a tamper evident seal will be used. The dispenser pump can be any mechanism suitable for dispensing the fluid from the supply container  20 . Such mechanisms may include motorized and/or mechanical designs classified as positive displacement pumps and would include multiple/single rotor, reciprocating, diaphragm, and piston pumps and combinations and equivalents thereof. It is known that reciprocating pumps deliver a pulsating flow while rotor pumps deliver a continuous flow both of which are acceptable for the present invention. Transport of the household liquid to the pump intake can be by any suitable means including the use of an auger type device, or vacuum, pressure, mechanical or peristaltic compression means, or combinations and equivalents thereof. 
         [0072]    The embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 10  with respect to the arrangement of protuberances and axial channels may of course be modified in number and shape so long as they complement each other. Complement is herein defined as where the neck slides past the protuberances with negligible force as defined above when the axial channels are aligned with the protuberances but does not readily slide past the protuberances with negligible force when the axial channels are not aligned with the protuberances. In other words, a force greater than negligible force would be required to force the fitment past the protuberances if there were either no axial channels present or the channels were not aligned with the protuberances. Moreover this would likely result in deformation or damage to the bead(s), protuberances or other structures of the dispenser or fitment. 
         [0073]    The foregoing description illustrates selected embodiments of the present invention. In light thereof variations and modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, all of which are within the scope and spirit of this invention.