Patent ID: 8313010

Claim:
A foam dispenser comprising: an air compressor portion attached to a dispenser housing, the air compressor portion having an air outlet, wherein the air compressor portion does not contact liquid during operation of the dispenser; and a refill unit including a liquid pump portion including a liquid chamber defined in part by a housing, a liquid inlet valve and an outlet valve connected to a liquid cartridge, said liquid pump portion releasably mating with said air compressor portion wherein the refill unit may be replaced when the liquid cartridge is empty without replacing he air compressor portion, which remains attached to the dispenser housing when the refill unit is replaced; and wherein the liquid pump portion includes an air inlet opening that is placed downstream of and in fluid communication with the air outlet of the air compressor portion when the refill unit is properly inserted in the foam dispenser and is not in fluid communication with the air outlet opening of the air compressor portion when the refill unit is not inserted in the foam dispenser.