EP3081312B1 - Fluid dispenser with one-use pump - Google Patents
Fluid dispenser with one-use pump Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3081312B1 EP3081312B1 EP15164004.2A EP15164004A EP3081312B1 EP 3081312 B1 EP3081312 B1 EP 3081312B1 EP 15164004 A EP15164004 A EP 15164004A EP 3081312 B1 EP3081312 B1 EP 3081312B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- dip tube
- reservoir
- pump
- hollow dip
- hollow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
- B05B15/30—Dip tubes
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
- A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
- A47K5/1205—Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
- A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
- A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1042—Components or details
- B05B11/1043—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container
- B05B11/1046—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container
- B05B11/1047—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container the pump being preassembled as an independent unit before being mounted on the container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1009—Piston pumps actuated by a lever
- B05B11/1012—Piston pumps actuated by a lever the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container
- B05B11/1014—Piston pumps actuated by a lever the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1042—Components or details
- B05B11/1052—Actuation means
- B05B11/1056—Actuation means comprising rotatable or articulated levers
- B05B11/1057—Triggers, i.e. actuation means consisting of a single lever having one end rotating or pivoting around an axis or a hinge fixedly attached to the container, and another end directly actuated by the user
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to fluid dispensers that have replaceable, single use pumps and, more particularly, to a fluid dispenser with a pump assembly having a feed or dip tube that is prevented from being extracted from a fluid reservoir, to thereby prevent reuse of the pump assembly and reservoir.
- Various fluid dispensers are known with pump assemblies that are intended to be replaced regularly, to help prevent contamination. However, such previously known devices suffer the disadvantage that users may choose to reuse the same pump assembly in spite of the manufacturer's instructions to the contrary, and thereby increase the risk of contamination.
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US 3,129,854 discloses a dispensing device and more particularly a plug or stopper type means adapted for supporting and centering such a device interchangeably in the outlet openings of containers of varying sizes and types. - Furthermore,
US 2008/0164286 A1 describes a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir for containing fluid, the reservoir including an opening having an outer top edge and an inner bottom edge; a dispenser member, such as a pump or valve; fastener means for fastening the dispenser member in the opening and furthermore comprising tamper proofing means that are distinct from the fastener means and are secured to the dispenser member. The tamperproof means come in contact with the inner edge in the eent of an attempt at removing the dispenser member from the opening. - To at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of previously known devices, the invention provides a fluid dispenser with a replaceable pump assembly that incorporates a locking member configured to prevent reuse of the replaceable pump assembly according to the features of claim 1.
- In particular, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser with a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly, the pump assembly including a pump and a feed, as for example, a dip tube that are removably coupled together. The tube is insertable into the reservoir for communication with fluid contained therein, and the pump is operable to draw the fluid from the reservoir through the tube, and dispense the fluid from a pump outlet. A locking member is coupled to the tube, and is configured to engage internally with the reservoir to prevent the tube from being extracted from the reservoir. The locking member may, for example, include one or more elongated fingers that, when in a locking configuration, extend radially outward from the dip tube, such that a distal end of the fingers engages with a stopping surface within the reservoir to prevent extraction of the tube. Preferably, the fingers can be deflected radially inward toward the tube to permit insertion of the locking member into the reservoir, and are biased to adopt the locking configuration once fully inserted into the reservoir.
- The fluid dispenser is designed to prevent the pump assembly from being improperly reused. In particular, once the fluid within the reservoir has been depleted, reuse of the pump assembly requires the reservoir to be refilled or replaced, both of which generally require the reservoir to be separated from the pump assembly. However, the locking member prevents the reservoir from being separated from the tube, as described above. Furthermore, the pump and the tube are configured to uncouple when pulled apart with a force that is less than the force that would be required to fracture the locking member, or to uncouple the locking member from the tube. This ensures that any attempt to forcibly detach the reservoir from the pump assembly merely results in the uncoupling of the pump from the tube, with the tube remaining within the reservoir. The separation of the tube from the pump prevents the pump from being reused, since the tube is required to place the pump in communication with the fluid within a reservoir.
- Preferably, the pump is configured to become mechanically inoperative upon detachment of the tube. This may be achieved, for example, by providing the pump with a structurally weakened section that is configured to fracture under a force that is less than the force required to uncouple the pump and the tube, but greater than the forces normally encountered during operation of the pump. This further ensures that the pump is not reused.
- Preferably, the locking member is configured to substantially block an outlet opening of the reservoir, to impede refilling of the reservoir and/or the insertion of an additional dip tube therein. This helps to ensure that the reservoir is not improperly reused.
- Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, comprising: a reservoir containing fluid to be dispensed, the reservoir having an outlet opening, a pump assembly comprising a pump and a dip tube in a coupled condition, the dip tube comprising an elongate hollow tube with a passageway therethrough from a tube inlet at a first end of the tube to a tube outlet at a second end of the tube, the pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump and dip tube removably coupled together in the coupled condition with the second end of the tube and the pump inlet coupled together, while the pump and dip tube are in the coupled condition and a force is applied to the pump attempting to move the pump inlet away from tube outlet longitudinally of the dip tube, the pump and dip tube remain in the coupled condition unless the force exceeds a threshold in which case the pump inlet and the tube outlet are separated and assume an uncoupled condition, with the pump assembly having the pump and dip tube in the coupled condition, the dip tube is insertable into the reservoir with the first end of the dip tube to pass through the outlet opening and the dip tube moved inwardly into the reservoir into a pumping configuration in which the pump outlet is external of the reservoir and the dip tube extends into the reservoir to place the tube inlet of the dip tube into communication with the fluid in the reservoir, with the pump assembly having the pump and dip tube in the coupled condition and being located relative the reservoir in the pumping configuration, the pump is operable to draw the fluid from the reservoir through the dip tube and dispense the fluid from the pump outlet, a locking member coupled to the dip tube, with the pump assembly having the pump and dip tube in the coupled condition and being located relative the reservoir in the pumping configuration, the locking member and the reservoir engaging internally within the reservoir to prevent the dip tube from being extracted from the reservoir through the outlet opening under the force applied to the pump attempting to move the pump inlet away from tube outlet longitudinally of the dip tube.
- In another aspect, the present invention resides in a pump assembly for dispensing fluid from a reservoir, comprising: a hollow dip tube for insertion into the reservoir through an outlet opening, the hollow dip tube having a first open end for communication with the fluid in the reservoir, and a second open end spaced from the first open end; a locking member coupled to the hollow dip tube and configured to prevent the hollow dip tube from being extracted from the reservoir through the outlet opening; and a pump coupled to the second end of the hollow dip tube, the pump being operable to draw the fluid from the reservoir through the hollow dip tube, and dispense the fluid from a discharge outlet.
- In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a feed or dip tube for use in conjunction with a pump for dispensing fluid from a reservoir, comprising: a hollow tube body configured to be at least partially contained within the reservoir, the hollow tube body having a first open end for communication with the fluid in the reservoir, and a second open end for coupling to the pump; and a locking member coupled to the hollow tube body and configured to prevent the hollow tube body from being extracted from the reservoir through an outlet opening.
- In a still further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of assembling a fluid dispenser, comprising: providing a hollow feed or dip tube having a first open end and a second open end; coupling a pump to the second end of the hollow dip tube; coupling a locking member to the hollow dip tube; and inserting the hollow dip tube, including the locking member coupled thereto, into a fluid reservoir through an outlet opening of the fluid reservoir; wherein the locking member is configured to prevent the hollow dip tube from being extracted from the reservoir through the outlet opening.
- Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention schematically shown as being manually used by a user to dispense hand soap; -
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fluid dispenser ofFigure 1 , with a fluid reservoir removed and a pump assembly including a dip tube being manually held by a user for insertion or removal; -
Figure 3 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side view of the dispenser ofFigure 1 , with the pump assembly coupled to the housing and a fluid reservoir separate from the pump assembly and housing prior to being coupled to the pump assembly and housing; -
Figure 4 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side view similar toFigure 3 but with the fluid reservoir in an intermediate position in the process of being coupled to the pump assembly and housing; -
Figure 5 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side view similar toFigure 3 but with the fluid reservoir fully coupled to the pump assembly and supported on the housing in a condition for pumping; -
Figure 6 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side view similar toFigure 5 but after the fluid reservoir has been uncoupled and removed from the pump assembly and the housing, and showing the reservoir in cross-section with the dip tube within the reservoir; -
Figure 7 is a side view of the fluid reservoir and the pump assembly of the dispenser ofFigure 1 aligned ready for insertion of a locking member on the dip tube into the reservoir; -
Figure 8 is a side view the same asFigure 7 but with the locking member partially inserted into the reservoir; -
Figure 9 is a side view the same asFigure 7 but with the locking member inserted into the reservoir and the pump assembly and the reservoir in a condition for pumping; -
Figure 10 is a side view the same asFigure 9 but with the reservoir being drawn downwardly relative the pump assembly and the reservoir from the condition ofFigure 9 ; -
Figure 11 is a side view similar toFigure 10 but with the reservoir being moved downwardly relative the reservoir and the pump to an uncoupled condition after having been coupled to the pump assembly; -
Figure 12 is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly similar to that shown inFigure 10 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, in a condition for pumping; -
Figure 13 is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly as shown inFigure 12 but with the reservoir removed from the pump assembly; -
Figure 14 is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly similar to that shown inFigure 10 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a dip tube and a locking member in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and -
Figure 16 is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of a fluid reservoir and a pump assembly similar to that shown inFigure 10 in accordance with a non-inventive embodiment. - Reference is made first to
Figure 1 which illustrates a first embodiment of afluid dispenser 10 adapted to be secured to a wall (not shown), and configured for manual activation as by a user using onehand 12 to urge alever 14 downwardly so as to dispensefluid 16 onto the user'sother hand 18. Thefluid dispenser 10 is similar to that disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 7,748,573 to Ophardt et al., issued July 6, 2010 which is incorporated herein by reference. - The
fluid dispenser 10 includes ahousing 20, apump assembly 22, and afluid reservoir 24. Thehousing 20 is best shown inFigure 2 as having aback plate 26, spacedside walls upper plate 32 defining an interior space therebetween sized for receiving thefluid reservoir 24 therein. Anozzle shield 34 is moveably coupled to theupper plate 32 to permit movement between a raised open position as shown inFigure 2 , wherein thepump assembly 22 can be inserted or removed from thehousing 20, and a closed position as shown inFigure 1 . Theupper plate 32 defines acentral slot 38 adapted for removably coupling with acollar region 40 of thepump assembly 22. Asupport member 36 is attached to theback wall 26, for supporting thefluid reservoir 24 when held within thehousing 20. - The
pump assembly 22 is best shown inFigure 2 as including apump 42 and adip tube 44. Thepump assembly 22 is adapted to be removably coupled to theupper plate 32 for dispensing fluid from thefluid reservoir 24. The internal structure of thepump 42 is best shown inFigure 9 . Thepump 42 includes a pistonchamber forming body 46 and apiston forming element 48. The pistonchamber forming body 46 is fixed to thehousing 20 against movement through the coupling of thecollar region 40 to theupper plate 32. The pistonchamber forming body 46 carries and defines apiston chamber 50 and a diptube coupling element 52 coaxially about avertical axis 98. Thepiston forming element 48 is mounted to the pistonchamber forming body 46 for relative vertical movement, with apiston 54 of thepiston forming element 48 coaxially slidable withinpiston chamber 50. Thepiston 54 is biased upwardly byspring 56 disposed within thepiston chamber 50 between thepiston chamber 50 and thepiston 54. Depression of thelever 14 moves thepiston forming element 48 downwardly relative to the pistonchamber forming body 46 against the bias of thespring 56. - The
piston forming element 48 includes ahollow spout tube 58 that extends from thepiston 54 to apump outlet 60. Thepiston 54 sits snuggly within thepiston chamber 50, and is provided with a one wayoutlet duckbill valve 62 which permits fluid to flow upwardly into thepiston 54 from thepiston chamber 50, and prevents fluid from flowing out of thepiston 54 into thepiston chamber 50. - The
piston chamber 50 defines a cylindrical cavity within which thepiston 54 is reciprocally coaxially slidable between a retracted position and an extended position to discharge fluid from thereservoir 24 out thepump outlet 60. A one-wayinlet duckbill valve 64 sits between thepiston chamber 50 and the diptube coupling element 52, and permits fluid to flow upwardly into thepiston chamber 50 from the diptube coupling element 52, and prevents fluid from flowing out of thepiston chamber 50 into the diptube coupling element 52. - A
liquid compartment 51 is defined within thepiston chamber 50 between the lower end ofpiston 54 carrying the one-wayoutlet duckbill valve 62 and the lower end of thepiston chamber 50 carrying the one-wayinlet duckbill valve 64. The volume of theliquid compartment 51 varies as thepiston 54 moves between the retracted position and the extended position. - The dip
tube coupling element 52 is adapted for coupling to thedip tube 44, to place thepump 42 in fluid communication with thedip tube 44. The diptube coupling element 52 is formed as a hollow tube extending downwardly from thepiston chamber 50, and sized to fit in a sealed, friction fixed engagement within anoutlet end 68 of thedip tube 44 such that friction holds the diptube coupling element 52 and thedip tube 44 together in a coupled state against disengagement. - The
dip tube 44 is formed as an elongated hollow tube that extends downwardly along alongitudinal axis 98 from theoutlet end 68 to aninlet end 66 positioned toward the bottom of thefluid reservoir 24 for drawingfluid 16 therefrom. - When in the pumping configuration shown in
Figures 5 and9 , with thepump outlet 60 external to thereservoir 24 and theinlet end 66 of thedip tube 44 in communication withfluid 16 in thereservoir 24, thepump assembly 22 is operated in a retraction stroke by depressing thelever 14, which causes thepiston 54 to slide downwardly from the extended position toward the retracted position within thepiston chamber 50. The movement of thepiston 54 towards the retracted position reduces the volume of theliquid compartment 51, pressurizing the fluid 16 in theliquid compartment 51, forcing the fluid 16 upwards through theduckbill valve 62 through thehollow spout tube 58 and out thepump outlet 60. - When the
lever 14 is released, in a withdrawal stroke thespring 56 pushes thepiston 54 back up to its extended position. The movement of thepiston 54 towards the extended position increases the volume of theliquid compartment 51, reducing the pressure within theliquid compartment 51, which drawsfluid 16 into theliquid compartment 51 from thereservoir 24 via thedip tube 44 and diptube coupling element 52 through thevalve 64. Thus, in a cycle of operation involving a retraction stroke and a withdrawal stroke, fluid is drawn from thereservoir 24 and dispensed out thepump outlet 60. - To reduce the risk of contamination, the
pump assembly 22 and thefluid reservoir 24 are intended to be disposed of and replaced once the fluid 16 contained within thefluid reservoir 24 has been depleted. To prevent thepump assembly 22 and thefluid reservoir 24 from being reused, a lockingmember 70 is provided which is best shown inFigures 2 and3 . The lockingmember 70 is coupled to thedip tube 44. - As best seen in
Figures 2 and3 , the lockingmember 70 includes anannular ring 72 which is fixed to and surrounds thedip tube 44. Twoelongated fingers annular ring 72 from a lower proximalfirst end 78 to an upper distalsecond end 80. The upper distalsecond end 80 is provided with an upwardly directedstop surface 82. Eachfinger second end 80 is a greater radial distance from thedip tube 44 than the lower proximalfirst end 78. - The
fluid reservoir 24 is a hollow thin walled container formed with a circumferential side wall, closed at a lower end by a bottom wall and at an upper end by atop wall 23. As best shown inFigure 9 , thetop wall 23 has an upwardly directedreservoir opening 86 at an upper end of an upwardly extendingcylindrical neck 25 disposed about a vertical reservoir axis. Thecylindrical neck 25 is supported and merges at its lower end into a radially outwardly extendingtop wall flange 29 generally normal to the reservoir axis which extends radially outwardly from theneck 25 to merge with a cylindrical downwardly extendingannular wall 27 whose lower end merges outwardly and downwardly into the side wall. The interior surface of thetop wall flange 29 provides an axially inwardly, that is, downwardly directed stoppingshoulder 84. The stoppingshoulder 84 is an inwardly, downwardly facing flat surface that surrounds thereservoir opening 86 within thereservoir 24. - The locking
member 70 is coupled to thedip tube 44 such that as thedip tube 44 is inserted through theopening 86 of thefluid reservoir 24 into thefluid reservoir 24, the lockingmember 70 is also inserted through theopening 86 of thefluid reservoir 24 into thefluid reservoir 24 in a manner as shown by the sequence illustrated in succession in respect of theentire dispenser 10 byFigures 3 ,4 and5 and also shown in cross-section with reference to thepump assembly 22 andreservoir 24 inFigures 7 ,8 and9 . Once thedip tube 44 with the lockingmember 70 are within thereservoir 24 as seen inFigure 5 and also inFigures 9 ,10 and11 , the removal of thedip tube 44 and the lockingmember 70 is prevented by engagement of the lockingmember 70 with thereservoir 24. -
Figures 9 and10 show conditions when thepump assembly 22 is fixed to thehousing 20 against axial movement and thepump assembly 22 is coupled to thedip tube 44 with thedip tube 44 and the lockingmember 70 is within thereservoir 24.Figures 5 and9 illustrate a pumping configuration in which thereservoir 24 is supported on thesupport member 36 of thehousing 20. From the condition ofFigures 5 and9 , if a user may try to remove thereservoir 24 from thepump assembly 22, the user manipulates thereservoir 24 to draw it forwardly off thesupport member 36 of thehousing 20 and then applies forces to thereservoir 24 to draw thereservoir 24 downwardly such that thereservoir 24 will move from the condition ofFigure 9 , in which the lockingmember 70 is not in engagement with thereservoir 24, to the condition ofFigure 10 , in which the lockingmember 70 engages thereservoir 24 and prevents removal of thedip tube 44 from thefluid reservoir 24. In the condition ofFigure 10 once sufficiently great axially directed forces are applied to thereservoir 24 drawing thereservoir 24 and thepump assembly 22 axially apart to overcome the frictional engagement of thedip tube 44 and the diptube coupling element 52, then thedip tube 44 disengages from the diptube coupling element 52; and thepump 42 is separated from thereservoir 24 with thedip tube 44 and the lockingmember 70 to remain within thereservoir 24 as seen inFigure 11 as well asFigure 6 . - When the
dip tube 44 and the lockingmember 70 are disposed inside thefluid reservoir 24 the upwardly directedstop surface 82 of eachfinger shoulder 84 of thefluid reservoir 24, such that engagement of the stop surfaces 82 with the stoppingshoulder 84 prevents the lockingmember 70, and thedip tube 44 coupled thereto, from being extracted from thereservoir 24 through thereservoir opening 86 as best seen inFigure 10 . - To ensure that the locking
member 70 is unable to slide axially downwardlyrelative dip tube 44, and conversely thedip tube 44 is unable to slide upwardly relative the lockingmember 70, thedip tube 44 is provided with a radially outwardly extendingannular boss 81 carrying a catch shoulder 88 which extends radially outward from thedip tube 44 and is directed axially upwardly or outwardly toward the outlet end 68 of thedip tube 44, in opposition to an axially downwardly or inwardly directed catchingshoulder 90 of theannular ring 72. Engagement of the catch shoulder 88 with the catchingshoulder 90 prevents thedip tube 44 from sliding through theannular ring 72 and out thereservoir opening 86. - The dip
tube coupling element 52 and thedip tube 44 are held together by friction, and are configured to uncouple upon application of a sufficient force pulling thedip tube 44 axially downwardly away from thepump 42. The degree of force required is selected to be less than the force that would be required to fracture the lockingmember 70, or to otherwise detach the lockingmember 70 from thedip tube 44. This ensures that any attempt to forcibly detach thepump 42 from thereservoir 24 will result in the uncoupling of thedip tube 44 from thepump 42, as shown inFigures 6 and11 . With thedip tube 44 removed from thepump 42 as seen inFigures 6 and11 , thepump 42 can no longer be used to pump fluid 16 from areservoir 24. In particular, thedip tube 44 is required to place thepump 42 in communication withfluid 16 contained within afluid reservoir 24. As such, the uncoupling of thepump 42 from thedip tube 44 prevents thepump assembly 22 from being reused. To continue using thefluid dispenser 10 once the fluid 16 within thereservoir 24 has been depleted, it is necessary to replace thepump assembly 22 with anew pump assembly 22 including adip tube 44. This reduces the risk of contamination which might otherwise occur if thepump assembly 22 was reused. - The locking
member 70 is adapted to permit thedip tube 44 to be inserted through thereservoir opening 86 into thereservoir 24 while the lockingmember 70 is coupled to thedip tube 44. In particular, thefingers Figures 2 ,3 ,6 ,7 ,9 ,10 and11 . When thefingers fingers cam surface 93 that angles radially outwardly as it extends axially upwardly. Eachcam surface 93 is adapted to engage with a radially inwardly directedcamming surface 94 formed by the lip of thereservoir opening 86 and the interior of thecylindrical neck 25 as seen inFigure 7 , so as to deflect thefingers dip tube 44 when thedip tube 44 is being inserted by theinlet end 66 first into thereservoir 24 through thereservoir opening 86 as seen inFigure 8 . This inward deflection of thefingers member 70 to pass through thereservoir opening 86 and into thereservoir 24, as best shown inFigures 4 and8 . Once fully inserted within thereservoir 24, thefingers dip tube 44 to their inherent unbiased condition assuming the locking configuration as shown inFigure 9 and10 , wherein the stop surfaces 82 of thefingers shoulder 84, for locking thedip tube 44 within thereservoir 24. Since the stop surfaces 82 of thefingers reservoir opening 86, thedip tube 44 is prevented from being extracted from thereservoir 24 through thereservoir opening 86. The relative orientations of thefingers shoulder 84, with thefingers dip tube 44, and with the stoppingshoulder 84 forming a flat, inwardly facing surface, are selected so that when thereservoir 24 is drawn axially away from thepump 42, the engagement of thefingers shoulder 84 urges the stop surfaces 82 of thefingers reservoir opening 86 and thus to resist movement of thefingers dip tube 44. - When the locking
member 70 is within thereservoir 24 and thedip tube 44 is coupled to thepump 42 as shown inFigures 5 ,9 and10 , the relative size and location of thereservoir opening 86, thepump 42, thedip tube 44, and the stoppingshoulder 84 prevent manual access to the lockingmember 70 as, for example, to prevent a user from manually deflecting thefingers reservoir 24 to extract thedip tube 44. As seenFigure 11 , preferably when thedip tube 44 is within thereservoir 24, with the lockingmember 70 engaging with the stoppingshoulder 84 to prevent extraction of thedip tube 44, the outlet end 68 of thedip tube 44 does not extend outwardly beyond thereservoir opening 86, as can be advantageous to prevent a user from engaging thedip tube 44 through thereservoir opening 86 or attempting to couple thedip tube 44 with thepump 42. - As seen in
Figure 8 , during insertion, anannular space 91 between the radially inwardly directed surface of thecylindrical neck 25 of thereservoir 24 and the radially outwardly directed surface of the pistonchamber forming body 46 is sufficient to permit thefingers cylindrical neck 25 of thereservoir 24 and the radially outwardly directed surface of the pistonchamber forming body 46 are selected to minimize theannular space 91 yet permit thefingers - When the locking
member 70 is within thereservoir 24 and thedip tube 44 is uncoupled to thepump 42 as shown inFigures 6 and11 , the relative size and configuration of thedip tube 44, the lockingmember 70 and thereservoir 24 and itsreservoir opening 86,cylindrical neck 25, and stoppingshoulder 84 are preferably selected to the prevent manual access to thedip tube 44 or to the lockingmember 70 as, for example, to prevent a user from manually deflecting thefingers reservoir 24 to extract thedip tube 44. - A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Figures 12 and13 , wherein like numerals are used to represent like components. The embodiment of the invention shown inFigures 12 and13 is identical to the first embodiment shown inFigure 10 but for five exceptions. - A first exception is that the
dip tube 44 and the diptube coupling element 52 are fixed together against disengagement. - A second exception is that the
pump 42 is provided with a frangible or weakenedregion 96 which is configured to fracture when thepump 42 is pulled axially away from thereservoir 24. In particular, thepiston chamber 50 has an annular weakenedregion 96 that extends around the entire circumference of thepiston chamber 50. The weakenedregion 96 is configured to fracture when thepump 42 is pulled axially away from thereservoir 24 from the condition ofFigure 12 to the condition ofFigure 13 . With thepiston chamber 50 fractured as shown inFigure 13 , thepump 42 is no longer able to create the buildup of pressure required to forcefluid 16 up through theduckbill valve 62 and out thepump outlet 60. This further ensures that thepump 42 cannot be reused and, for example, would prevent a user from attaching anew dip tube 44 to a previously usedpump 42 to reuse thepump 42. - A third exception is that the
fingers foot 99 which carry thestop surface 82 disposed in a plane parallel to the stoppingshoulder 84 of thetop wall 23 of thereservoir 24. As seen inFigure 13 , eachfoot 99 provides for enhanced engagement with the stoppingshoulder 84 to prevent relative axial movement and engagement between a radially outwardly directedsurface 97 of thefoot 99 with a radially inwardly directed surface of the cylindrical downwardly extendingannular wall 27 of thereservoir 24 to limit radial outward movement of thefoot 99. - A fourth exception is that the diameter of the
reservoir opening 86 and theneck 25 of thereservoir 24 is increased to facilitate the modifiedfingers foot 99, to be inserted into thereservoir 24. - A fifth exception is that the radially outwardly extending
annular boss 81 on thedip tube 44 is enlarged to extend farther outwardly radially from thedip tube 44 and to carry as a radially outwardly directed surface an angledannular cam surface 83 that extends axially upwardly as it extends radially outwardly. Theannular cam surface 83 merges upwardly with the cam surfaces 93 of thefingers annular cam surface 83 serves to assist during insertion of thedip tube 44 through thereservoir opening 86 in locating thedip tube 44 centered within thereservoir opening 86 by engaging the radially inwardly directedcamming surface 94 formed by the lip of thereservoir opening 86 and the interior of thecylindrical neck 25. - A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Figure 14 , wherein like reference numerals are used to denote like components. The embodiment shown inFigure 14 is identical to the embodiment shown inFigures 1 to 11 , with the exception that theduckbill valve 64 is carried on the outlet end 68 of thedip tube 44 rather than on the pistonchamber forming body 46. In the embodiment shown inFigure 14 , when the outlet end 68 of thedip tube 44 is removed from the diptube coupling element 52 theduckbill valve 64 is also removed, rendering thepump 42 inoperative upon uncoupling of thedip tube 44 from thepump 42. -
Figure 15 depicts adip tube 44 and lockingmember 70 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein like reference numerals are used to represent like components. Thedip tube 44 and lockingmember 70 as shown inFigure 15 are identical to those shown inFigure 12 , with the exception that the lockingmember 70 is provided with more than two fingers, namely, with a plurality offingers 74a-74i spaced circumferentially from each other about theannular ring 72. This construction of the lockingmember 70 helps to ensure that thereservoir 24 is not reused. In particular, because the plurality offingers 74a-74i extend radially outward from thedip tube 44 in all directions, they act to substantially block thereservoir opening 86, for example, serving to impede any attempts to refill thereservoir 24 with fluid, or to insert afurther dip tube 44 into thereservoir 24. The lockingmember 70 is furthermore configured to continue blocking thereservoir opening 86 both while thepump 42 is coupled to thereservoir 24 and after thepump 42 is uncoupled from thedip tube 44. - A non-inventive embodiment is shown in
Figure 16 , wherein like numerals are used to denote like components. The embodiment shown inFigure 16 is most similar to the embodiment shown inFigure 14 , however, inFigure 16 , thereservoir 24 and pumpassembly 22 are configured to dispensefluid 16 while in an inverted orientation as shown inFigure 16 , with thereservoir opening 86 facing downwards. To accommodate inversion of thereservoir 24, the pistonchamber forming body 46 is adapted to sealingly engage with thereservoir opening 86 so as to prevent the fluid 16 from leaking out of thereservoir 24 while inverted. In particular, theneck 25 of thereservoir 24 is threaded, and the pistonchamber forming body 46 is provided with a threadedsleeve 104 for sealingly engaging with the threadedneck 25. Thepump 42 is configured such that thepump outlet 60 extends directly downward from thepiston 54, for dispensing the fluid 16 downwardly while in the inverted orientation. Since thereservoir 24 is inverted, the fluid 16 pools around thepump 42, and a shortened feed tube replaces the dip tube of the first embodiment to place thepump 42 in communication with the fluid 16. Accordingly, thepump assembly 22 is not provided with a dip tube. - In
Figure 16 , thebody 46 has acylindrical tube 106 open at an inner axial end. The lockingmember 70 is shown as integrally including acap portion 108 and thefingers cap portion 108 has acylindrical wall 109 forming the feed tube and anend wall 110 carrying the one-wayinlet duckbill valve 64. Thefingers cylindrical tube 106 radially outwardly and axially outwardly to their second ends 80. - The
cylindrical wall 109 of the feed tube of thecap portion 108 is disposed coaxially outwardly of thetube 106 in frictional engagement. If, after the threadedsleeve 104 has been disengaged from the threadedneck 25, thebody 46 is drawn axially outwardly from thereservoir 24, thefingers shoulder 84 of thereservoir 24. When sufficient forces are applied to thebody 46, the forces will overcome the frictional engagement of thecap portion 108 of the lockingmember 70 and thetube 106, disengaging the lockingmember 70 from thetube 106 and, in so doing, removing theinlet duckbill valve 64 from thetube 106 rendering the pump assembly as remaining on thebody 46 inoperative. - The
fingers member 70 inFigure 16 are shown slightly shorter in axial length than in the other embodiments having adip tube 44 however, and the lockingmember 70 and itsfingers pump 42 from being removed from thereservoir opening 86 through engagement of thestop surface 82 of the lockingmember 70 with the stoppingshoulder 84 of thereservoir 24. - Preferably, the
fluid dispenser 10 of the present invention is used to dispense a hand cleaner such as hand soap or hand sanitizer. It is to be appreciated, however, that thefluid dispenser 10 could alternatively be used to dispense any desiredfluid 16, such as hand cream, hair gel, toothpaste, food products or the like. - The
pump assembly 22 andreservoir 24 are intended to be disposed of and replaced after each use. Preferably, thepump assembly 22 andreservoir 24 are formed from relatively inexpensive materials, such as plastics, although any suitable materials could be used. Since thepump assembly 22 and thereservoir 24 are intended to be replaced after use to dispense the fluid within thereservoir 24 but once, it is not necessary for thepump assembly 22 or thereservoir 24 to be constructed so as to withstand long periods of wear, or cleaning procedures such as autoclaving. - It is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments that have been described. For example, any locking
member 70 construction that functions to prevent extraction of thedip tube 44 could be used, and not just the particular construction that has been illustrated. The lockingmember 70 may, for example, be integrally formed with thedip tube 44. - The preferred embodiments of
Figures 1 to 15 illustrate adispenser 10 in which thepump assembly 22 is first coupled to thehousing 20, as seen inFigure 3 and thereservoir 24, then coupled to thepump assembly 22 and thehousing 20. Thereservoir opening 86 of thereservoir 24 is not sealably engaged to thepump assembly 22. Thepump assembly 22 is coupled to thereservoir 24 as in the condition shown inFigure 9 as well asFigure 5 . With thepump assembly 22 coupled to thereservoir 24 as in the condition shown inFigure 9 they, in effect, together form aremovable cartridge 100 which can be removed from thedispenser 10 by pivoting thenozzle shield 34 to a raised position and sliding thecartridge 100, comprising both thepump assembly 22 and thereservoir 24 forwardly. Similarly, such acartridge 100 comprising thepump assembly 22 coupled to thereservoir 24, can be inserted into thedispenser 10 while thenozzle shield 34 is in a raised position. Thecartridge 100 comprising thepump assembly 22 is coupled to thereservoir 24 as in the condition shown inFigure 9 may be modified to provide a secondary mechanism for coupling thereservoir 24 to thepump assembly 22, such as a threaded collar carried on the pistonchamber forming body 46 which removably engages with a thread on theneck 25 of thereservoir 24. Nevertheless, in such a modification while the secondary mechanism is disengaged, the lockingmember 70 will continue to serve the function of preventing removal of thedip tube 44 and lockingmember 70 from within thereservoir 24. - It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
- Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention is defined by the following claims.
Claims (15)
- A pump assembly (22) for dispensing fluid from a reservoir (24), comprising:a hollow dip tube (44) for insertion into the reservoir (24), through an outlet opening (86), the hollow dip tube (44) having an open first end (66) for communication with the fluid in the reservoir (24), and an open second end (68) spaced from the first open end (66);a pump (42) removably coupled to the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44), the pump (42) being operable to draw the fluid from the reservoir (24) through the hollow dip tube (44), and dispense the fluid from a discharge outlet (60), characterized in thata locking member (70) is coupled to the hollow dip tube (44) and is configured, after the hollow dip tube (44) has been inserted into the reservoir (24), to prevent the hollow dip tube (44) from being extracted from the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86); and
in thatthe dip tube (44) is required to be coupled to the pump (42) to place the pump (42) in communication with the fluid in the reservoir (24), and the pump (42) is inoperative to draw the fluid from the reservoir (24) through the dip tube (44) and dispense the fluid from the discharge outlet (60) when the pump (42) is uncoupled from the hollow dip tube (44). - The pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein with the pump (42) removably coupled to the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44), the hollow dip tube (44) can be inserted into the reservoir (24).
- The pump assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump (42) is configured such that after the hollow dip tube (44) has been inserted into the reservoir (24) with the pump (42) removably coupled to the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44), the pump (42) detaches from the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44) upon separation of the pump (42) from the reservoir (24).
- The pump assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein:the locking member (70) includes an annular ring (72) and a plurality of resilient elongate finger members (74,76),
the annular ring (72) extending circumferentially about the hollow dip tube (44),
the annular ring (72) coupled to the hollow dip tube (44) to prevent axial outward movement of the hollow dip tube (44) relative the annular ring (72),each finger member (74,76) having a first end (78) and a distal second end (80),each first end (78) of each finger member (74,76) fixed to the hollow dip tube (44) at a circumferentially spaced location from other of the finger members (74,76),each finger member (74,76) having an inherent bias to assume an unbiased condition in which the finger member (74,76) extends from the first end (78) relative the hollow dip tube (44) radially outwardly and axially outwardly to the distal second end (80),the finger member (74,76) deflectable against its inherent bias to a biased condition in which the finger member (74,76) is moved radially inwardly toward the hollow dip tube (44). - A fluid dispenser, comprising a pump assembly (22) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in combination with:a reservoir (24) containing fluid to be dispensed, the reservoir (24) having the outlet opening (86),the pump (42) having a pump inlet and a pump outlet,the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) removably coupled together in a coupled condition with the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44) and the pump inlet coupled together,while the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) are in the coupled condition and a force is applied to the pump (42) attempting to move the pump inlet away from second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44) longitudinally of the hollow dip tube (44), the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) remain in the coupled condition unless the force exceeds a threshold in which case the pump inlet and second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44) are separated and assume an uncoupled condition,with the pump assembly (22) having the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) in the coupled condition, the hollow dip tube (44) is insertable into the reservoir (24) with the first end (66) of the hollow dip tube (44) to pass through the outlet opening (86) and the hollow dip tube (44) moved inwardly into the reservoir (24) into a pumping configuration in which the pump outlet is external of the reservoir (24), and the hollow dip tube (44) extends into the reservoir (24) to place the first end (66) of the hollow dip tube (44) into communication with the fluid in the reservoir (24),with the pump assembly (22) having the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) in the coupled condition and being located relative the reservoir (24) in the pumping configuration, the pump (42) is operable to draw the fluid from the reservoir (24) through the hollow dip tube (44) and dispense the fluid from the pump outlet,with the pump assembly (22) having the pump (42) and the hollow dip tube (44) in the coupled condition and being located relative the reservoir (24), in the pumping configuration, the locking member (70) and the reservoir (24) engaging internally within the reservoir (24) to prevent the hollow dip tube (44) from being extracted from the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86) under the force applied to the pump (42) attempting to move the pump inlet away from the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44) longitudinally of the hollow dip tube (44).
- The fluid dispenser according to claim 5 wherein:the reservoir (24), carries inwardly from the outlet opening (86) an inwardly directed stopping shoulder (84) about the outlet opening (86),the locking member (70) having a stop surface (82),wherein when the hollow dip tube (44) is in the reservoir (24) the stop surface (82) is directed outwardly into opposition with the inwardly directed stopping shoulder (84) and engagement between the stop surface (82) and the stopping shoulder (84) prevents the hollow dip tube (44) from being extracted from the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86) under the force applied.
- The fluid dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the locking member (70) is configured to permit insertion of the hollow dip tube (44) into the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86) by passing the first end (66) of the hollow dip tube (44) through the outlet opening (86).
- The fluid dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, wherein:the locking member (70) comprises at least one resilient elongate finger member (74,76) having a first end (78) and a distal second end (80),the first end (78) fixed to the hollow dip tube (44),the second end (80) carrying the stop surface (82),the finger member (74,76) having an inherent bias to assume an unbiased condition in which the finger member extends from the first end (78) relative the hollow dip tube (44) radially outwardly and axially outwardly to the distal second end (80),the finger member (74,76) deflectable against its inherent bias to a biased condition in which the finger member is moved radially inwardly toward the hollow dip tube (44),the hollow dip tube (44) is insertable into the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86) with the finger member (74,76) biased to the biased condition, wherein with the finger member (74,76) inside the reservoir inwardly of the stopping shoulder (84) under the inherent bias of the finger member (74,76), the finger member (74,76) moves toward the unbiased condition presenting the stop surface (82) in opposition to the stopping shoulder (84) for engagement to prevent extraction of the hollow dip tube (44) from the reservoir (24).
- The fluid dispenser according to claim 8 wherein:
a cam surface (93) is provided on the finger member (74,76) spaced from the first end (78) toward the distal second end (80),
on insertion of the hollow dip tube (44) into the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86), radially inwardly directed camming surfaces (94) on the outlet opening (86) engage with the cam surface (93) on the finger member (74,76) to deflect the finger member (74,76) from the unbiased condition to the biased condition. - The fluid dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the hollow dip tube (44) is disposed about a longitudinal axis,
the locking member (70) comprises a plurality of said resilient elongate finger members (74,76) disposed spaced circumferentially about the hollow dip tube (44). - The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the locking member (70) comprises an annular ring (72) extending circumferentially about the hollow dip tube (44),
the first end (78) of each finger member (74,76) is fixed to the annular ring (72). - The fluid dispenser according to claim 11 wherein the hollow dip tube (44) carries a catch shoulder (88) which extends radially outwardly from the tube (44) and is directed axially outwardly toward the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44),
the annular ring (72) having an axially inwardly directed catching shoulder (90) in opposition to the axially outwardly directed catch shoulder (88),
engagement between the catch shoulder (88) and the catching shoulder (90) preventing axial outward movement of the hollow dip tube (44) relative the locking member (70). - The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein when the locking member (70) and the reservoir (24) engaging internally within the reservoir (24) preventing the hollow dip tube (44) from being extracted from the reservoir (24) through the outlet opening (86), the second end (68) of the tube (44) does not extend outwardly beyond the outlet opening (86).
- The fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the pump (42) is configured to become inoperative upon detachment of the pump inlet from the second end (68) of the hollow dip tube (44).
- The pump assembly of claim 4 wherein the hollow dip tube (44) is insertable into the reservoir (24) through an outlet opening (86) of the reservoir (24) with the finger members (74,76) biased to the biased condition, wherein with the finger member (74,76) inside the reservoir (24) inwardly of the outlet opening (86) under the inherent bias of the finger members (74,76), the finger members (74,76) move toward the unbiased condition presenting the distal second end (80) as a stop surface (82) in opposition to a stopping shoulder (84) inside the reservoir (24) for engagement to prevent extraction of the hollow dip tube (44) from the reservoir (24).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP15164004.2A EP3081312B1 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2015-04-17 | Fluid dispenser with one-use pump |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP15164004.2A EP3081312B1 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2015-04-17 | Fluid dispenser with one-use pump |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3081312A1 EP3081312A1 (en) | 2016-10-19 |
EP3081312B1 true EP3081312B1 (en) | 2021-03-17 |
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Family Applications (1)
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EP15164004.2A Active EP3081312B1 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2015-04-17 | Fluid dispenser with one-use pump |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2023091332A1 (en) * | 2021-11-17 | 2023-05-25 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Single use table top sanitizer dispenser with self-detaching dip tube |
WO2023200629A1 (en) * | 2022-04-14 | 2023-10-19 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Table top dispensers with anti-refill and anti-tampering mechanisms |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN111526767B (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2022-12-09 | 高露洁-棕榄公司 | Dispenser system |
US10974267B2 (en) | 2018-11-08 | 2021-04-13 | Op-Hygiene Ip Gmbh | Frangible dip tube |
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US3129854A (en) * | 1961-08-21 | 1964-04-21 | Drackett Co | Dispensing device |
US5489044A (en) | 1991-05-20 | 1996-02-06 | Hygiene-Technik Inc. | Method of preparing replaceable liquid soap reservoir |
FR2880001B1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2011-01-21 | Valois Sas | FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER. |
CA2538876C (en) | 2006-03-08 | 2013-01-22 | Gotohti.Com Inc. | Removable nozzle shield for fluid dispenser |
DE102007018349B3 (en) * | 2007-04-16 | 2008-04-30 | Gaurav Malhotra | Drinking aid for detachable attachment to commercial drinking bottle, has circular superstructure with connecting rods connected with stabilizing bars of expansion attachment, where bars are provided from core up to outer edge of inner wall |
CA2592186A1 (en) | 2007-06-18 | 2008-12-18 | Heiner Ophardt | Optically keyed dispenser |
US8201707B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2012-06-19 | Gotohti.Com Inc | Manual fluid dispenser with discharge measurement |
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2015
- 2015-04-17 EP EP15164004.2A patent/EP3081312B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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None * |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023091332A1 (en) * | 2021-11-17 | 2023-05-25 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Single use table top sanitizer dispenser with self-detaching dip tube |
WO2023200629A1 (en) * | 2022-04-14 | 2023-10-19 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Table top dispensers with anti-refill and anti-tampering mechanisms |
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EP3081312A1 (en) | 2016-10-19 |
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