TECH N ICAL FI ELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers having latch locking mechanisms for retaining a refill unit.

BACKGROU N D OF TH E I NVENTION

[0002] Dispensers, such as, for example, soap and sanitizer dispensers, often include a refill unit that may be inserted into a dispenser and removed from the dispenser when empty. The refill units typically consist of a container used in an inverted position. The container has a neck located at the bottom and typically includes a pump connected to the neck. The refill units may include a retention mechanism that is biased into a latched position that must be manually held in an unlatched position remove a refill. Typically, this requires two hands, one to hold the retention mechanism in an open position and one to remove the refill unit.

[0003] Depending on the dispenser placement, it may be difficult to use two hands 2 open the retention mechanism and remove the refill unit.

SU M MARY

[0004] Exemplary soap or sanitizer dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a housing and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. The refill unit includes a container, the container has a neck. A closure is secured to the neck. The refill unit is configured to have the neck at the lower most position of the container when the refill unit is inserted into the dispenser. The receptacle has an upper plate. There is an opening through the upper plate. A latching arm movable between an unlatched position and a latched position and a biasing member are also included. The biasing member biases the at least one latching arm toward the latched position. The dispenser further includes a latch retention member and a latch release member. When the latching arm is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the latch retention member latches the latching arm in the unlatched position and when a refill unit is inserted into the receptacle, the latch retention member unlatches from the latching arm. [0005] Another exemplary soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a housing and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. The refill unit includes a container that has a neck and a closure secured to the neck. The refill unit is configured to have the neck at the lower most position of the container when the refill unit is inserted into the dispenser. The receptacle has an upper plate, an opening through the upper plate, a lower plate, a first latching arm and a biasing member. The biasing member biases the first latching arm toward a latched position. The dispenser further includes a first latch retention projection and a first movable latch release. When the first latching arm is moved from a latched position to an unlatched position, the fist latch retention projections engage the movable latch release and secure the latching arms in the unlatched position. When a refill unit is inserted into the receptacle, the movable latch release moves to disengage with the first latch retention projection and the first latching arm moves toward the latched position.

[0006] Another soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a housing and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. The refill unit includes a container. The container has a neck and a closure secured to the neck. The refill unit is configured to have the neck at the lower most position of the container when the refill unit is inserted into the dispenser. The receptacle has an upper plate with an opening therethrough. A pair of opposing latching arms and a biasing member are also included. The biasing member biases the pair of latching arm toward the latched position. A latch retention projection for each latching arm and a movable latch release for each latching arm are also included. When the pair of latching arms are moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the latch retention projections engage the latch releases and secure the latching arms in the unlatched position. When a refill unit is inserted into the receptacle, the movable latch releases the latching arms.

[0007] Another soap or sanitizer dispenser includes a housing and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. The refill unit includes a container. The container has a neck and a closure secured to the neck. A key collar is secured to the closure. The refill unit is configured to have the neck at the lower most position of the container when the refill unit is inserted into the dispenser. The receptacle has an upper plate with an opening therethrough. A pair of opposing latching arms and a biasing member are also included. The biasing member biases the pair of latching arm toward the latched position. A latch retention projection for each latching arm and a movable latch release for each latching arm are also included. When the pair of latching arms are moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the latch retention projections engage the latch releases and secure the latching arms in the unlatched position. When a refill unit is inserted into the receptacle, the movable latch releases the latching arms.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF TH E DRAWI NGS

[0008] To further clarify various aspects of the present disclosure, a more particular description of inventive concepts will be made by reference to various aspects of the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, while the figures can be drawn to scale for some embodiments, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is an exemplary soap or sanitizer dispenser system;

[0010] Figure 2 is a prospective view of an exemplary dispenser base;

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser spout;

[0012] Figure 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary refill unit for a soap or sanitizer dispenser system;

[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the exemplary refill unit of Figure 4 prior to insertion into a pump house receptacle;

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary refill unit of Figure 4 inserted into the pump house receptacle of Figure 5; [0015] Figures 7 and 7 A are prospective views of an exemplary latching arm;

[0016] Figure 8 is a top prospective view of the pump house receptacle of Figure 5;

[0017] Figure 9 is a prospective view of an exemplary key collar; and

[0018] Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary pump house and reservoir.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

[0019] The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] 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).

[0021] An exemplary soap or sanitizer dispenser system 100 is illustrated in Figure 2. The exemplary dispenser system 100 is a counter-mount dispenser system. The inventive concepts described herein may be used in other dispenser systems, such as for example, table-top dispensers, wall-mounted dispensers, stand-mounted dispensers and the like. Dispenser system 100 includes a spout 102 configured to be mounted to a countertop 103. Dispenser system 100 is a touch-free dispenser system. The inventive concepts may be used in a manual system. Spout 102 includes an optional sensor 104. Sensor 104 detects the presence of a hand in the dispensing area and upon such detection, a processor (not shown) causes a dose of fluid to be dispensed to a user’s hands. The optional sensor 104 is preferably an infrared (IR) sensor, but may be another type of dispenser, such as, for example, a capacitance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a heat detection sensor, or the like. An exemplary sensor 104 is shown and described in co-pending U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/388371, titled Touch Free Dispensers Having Improved Hand Sensing, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Sensor 104 may be mounted remotely from the spout 102. As shown in Figure 3, spout 102 includes a threaded rod 310, a u-shaped plate and a nut 312 for mounting spout 102 to countertop 103.

[0022] Dispenser system 100 is a foam-at-a-distance dispenser. Liquid is pumped up to a mixing chamber (not shown) in spout 102 through conduit 164 and air is pumped up to the mixing chamber (not shown) through conduit 162. One or more connectors (not shown) for connecting portions of conduits 162 and 164 may be included and may be used to simplify installation. The air and liquid are mixed in the mixing chamber (not shown) and are dispensed out of outlet 310 in the form of a foam. Exemplary foam-at-a-distance spouts and mixing chambers are shown and described in co-pending U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/311,663 titled Remote Foam Generators and Foam At A Distance Dispenser Systems, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/311,225, titled Reduced Loss Of Prime Foam-At-A-Distance Dispenser Systems, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Electrical cable 166 provide power to sensor 104 and provides signals from sensor 104 to a processor (not shown) in dispenser base 130. Although dispenser 100 is a foam-at-a-distance dispenser, the inventive concepts may be used with a liquid dispenser, a foam near the pump dispenser, a counter mount dispenser, a wall mount dispenser or the like.

[0023] Dispenser system 100 is powered by a battery pack 150. Battery pack 150 may be one or more batteries. Dispenser system 100 may be powered by other means, such as, for example, solar power, focused energy power systems, 115 VAC systems with power converters, or the like. Power cable 160 extends from battery pack 150 to dispenser base 130. Dispenser base 130 has an optional back plane 210. Back plane 210 may be mounted to a back wall as shown in Figure 1. Back plane 210 may be mounted to a side wall. Optionally, dispenser base 130 may be configured to sit on the floor below the counter. Dispenser base 130 may be attached to the floor. Power cable 160 may include one or more connectors 161. Connectors 161 may facilitate shipping. Connectors 161 may also make installation easier with the ability to add length to cable 160 without having to splice wires.

[0024] Base 130 has an optional shell 110. Shell 110 provides protection to the components located within dispenser base 130. Components located within base 130 include, for example, a processor (not shown), memory (not shown), one or more motors (not shown), one or more pumps (not shown). Exemplary pumps are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Patent No. 10, 143,339 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additional components may also be included, such as, for example, an encoder for counting motor or pump revolutions to control dose size, or the like.

[0025] Dispenser system 100 includes a pump housing 201. Pump housing 201 includes a receptacle 202. In addition, pump housing 201 includes a pair of latching arms 140. Although a pair of latching arms 140 are shown and described, one latching arm 140 may be used. Receptacle 202 receives the neck 403 (Figure 4) of container 402.

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary refill unit 120 that may be used in dispenser system 100. Refill unit 120 includes a container 402. Container

402 includes a neck 403, a closure 404, a valve 450 and an optional dust cap 460. Refill unit 120 may also include a key collar 480. Valve 450 is a normally closed valve that may be opened up to allow liquid to flow out of container 402. Valve 450 may also allow air up into container 402. Optional valve cover 460 may be included to keep valve 450 clean and from dust and debris prior to the valve cover 460 being removed and the refill unit 120 being installed in the dispenser. In addition, the valve cover 460 may be included aid in valve 450 retention during distribution. The valve cover 460 can be a plastic injection molded component, adhesive peel seal, or induction heat seal. Closure 404 is connected to neck 403. Closure 404 may be connected to neck

403 by any means, such as, for example, a threaded connection, a welded connection, a glued connection, a snap -fit connection, a friction fit connection, or the like. Key collar 480 fits over closure 404 and includes an optional key 490. Optional key 490 is a memory device, such as, for example, and RFID. Optional key 490 may be a read-only key or a read-write key. Optional key 490 may contain information relating to the refill unit, such as, for example, volume of refill, volume remaining in refill, type of fluid in refill, manufacturing date, expiration date, dose size, and the like.

[0027] Figure 5 illustrates pump housing 201 with shell 110 and backplane 210 of dispenser base 130 removed (other components have been removed for clarity). Refill unit 120 is removed from pump housing 201. A reservoir 530 is located in pump housing 201. Reservoir 530 receives fluid from container 402, and the fluid from reservoir 530 is pumped to the spout 102 when the dispenser system 100 is dispensing.

[0028] Pump housing 201 includes an upper plate 511. Upper plate 511 has an opening 511. A pair of latching arms 140 are secured to pump housing 201. Although a pair of latching arms are shown, the inventive concepts may utilize only one latching arm. Latching arms 140 include a latch 540. Latching arms 140 are shown in an unlatched position 580.

[0029] Latch 540 may have a sloped or ramped upper surface that slopes downward toward the end of the latch 540. If the latching arms 140 are in the latched position when a refill unit 120 is inserted into the dispenser 130, the downward sloped surface causes the latch arms 140 to be pushed outward so that the refill unit 120 may be inserted into the dispenser even though the latch arms 140 are not locked or retained in their unlatched position 580.

[0030] A biasing member 590 biases the latching arms 140 toward the latched position. The biasing member 590 may be, for example, a spring, an elastomeric member, a rubber member, or the like. The spring may be a metal spring or a plastic spring.

[0031] Latching arms 140 pivot with respect to the pump housing, i.e. the latching arms 140 have a pivot point. Pump housing 201 includes an optional lower plate 512. Upper plate 511 includes apertures 570. Apertures 570 are circular in shape. Lower plate includes apertures (not shown) directly below apertures 570. Latching arms 140 include optional cylindrical projection 710 and optional cylindrical projection 710A, which fit into apertures 570 and the apertures (not shown) in lower plate 512. In some embodiments, latching arms 140 move inward and outward in a linear path, rather than an arcuate path. In such applications, aperture 570 may be, for example, an elongated slots. These applications may require additional biasing members.

[0032] Latching arms 140 include engagement surfaces 520. Engagement surfaces 520 are engaged by a user to move the latching arms 140 from the latched position 680 (Figure 6) to the unlatched position 580.

[0033] Figure 7 is a prospective top view of a latching arm 140 and Figure 7A is a prospective bottom view of the latching arm 140. Latching arm 140 has a body 702. The illustrated latching arm 140 includes a cylindrical projection 710 and 710A located at pivot point P. Cylindrical projections 710 and 710A may be replaced with one or more cylindrical openings and cylindrical projections may be located on the upper plate 510 and lower plate 510. Latching arm 140 and upper plate 510 and lower plate 512 may each have cylindrical openings and a pin (not shown) may be used to attach latching arm 140 to upper plate 510 at the pivot point P. Body 702 includes an optional finger guide 760. Body 702 incudes an optional guide plate 730. Optional guide plate 730 is configured to ride along a projection (not shown) on one of the upper plate 510 and the lower plate 512 to prevent latching arm 140 from upward or downward movement.

[0034] Latching arm 140 includes an engagement member 750. Engagement member 750 includes an arm engagement surface 752. In addition, engagement member 750 includes a surface 754. Surface 754 may optional be a sloped or ramped surface. Engagement member may be a projection. Engagement member may have numerous shapes and sizes provided engagement member 750 includes an arm engagement surface 752. Arm engagement surface 752 may be flat vertical surface. Arm engagement surface 752 may have an angled surface. The angled surface may form an “undercut”. An undercut may be used for retaining the latching arm 140 in the unlatched position 680. Arm engagement surface 752 may have an angled surface with a rounded top portion. [0035] Lower plate 512 includes retaining members 812. Retaining members 812 have a retaining member engagement surface 816. Retaining member engagement surface 816 may be flat vertical surface. Retaining member engagement surface 816 may have an angled surface. The angled surface may form an “undercut”. An undercut on one or both of retaining member engagement surface 816 and arm engagement surface 752 may be used for retaining latching arm 140 in the unlatched position. Retaining members 812 may have a sloped or ramped surface 814.

[0036] Retaining members 812 are located on a flexible tab 810. Flexible tabs 810 is a resilient member that may be deflected and is biased toward its undeflected position. Flexible tabs 810 may be tabs cut into a portion of lower plate 512. Flexible tabs 810 include a release engagement surface 890. Release engagement surface 890 may be located at an outer end of the flexible tab 810. Release engagement surface 890 may be engaged by contact surface 912 of release member 910 as described below to deflect flexible tab 810.

[0037] When latching arms 140 are moved from their latched position 580 to their unlatched position 680, engagement surface 752, which may be a sloped or ramped surface, is engaged by surface 752 of arm engagement member. The flexible tabs 810 deflect downward. When arm engagement surface 752 passes the end of surface 814, the flexible tabs 810 move upward so that arm engagement surface 752 contacts retaining member engagement surface 816. Thus, latching arms 140 are retained or locked in an unlatched position. The user can release engagement arms 140 and engagement arms 140 remain in an unlatched position.

[0038] Figure 9 is a prospective view of an exemplary optional key collar 480. Optional key collar 480 snap fits over closure 404. Key collar 480 includes a pocket 930 for receiving a key (not shown). In addition, this exemplary key collar 480 includes a pair of slots 950. Slots 950 are configured so that latch 540 passes through slots 950 which allows the latches 540 to latch onto the closure 408 to retain the refill unit 120 in place. In addition, if the key collar 480 is rigidly secured to closure 408, latches 540 may latch onto slots 950. [0039] Located on key collar 480 is a pair of latch release members 910. Latch release members 910 are on key collar 480, however, latch release members 910 may be located on any part of the refill unit 120, such as, for example, on closure 404. Latch release members 910 include a release member contact surface 914. Optionally, latch release members 910 include a sloped surface 914.

[0040] When refill unit 120 is lowered into receptacle 202, latch release member 910 contacts release engagement surface 890 of flexible tab 810. The engagement causes flexible tab 810 to deflect downward. As flexible tab 810 moves downward, latching arm retaining surface 752 disengage from retaining member engagement surface 816. Biasing member 590 causes the latching arms 140 to move toward the latching position 680.

[0041] Figure 10 is a cross-section of a portion of a dispenser base 130. Reservoir 530 is a sealed reservoir and includes a neck 1002. Attached to neck 1002 is a valve post 1003. Valve post 1003 engages valve 450 and opens valve 450 when refill unit 120 is inserted into dispenser base 130. Valve post 1003 includes a valve contact surface 1020. Valve post 1003 includes one or more apertures 1023 from an outside surface 1021 of valve post 100 to an interior hollow passage 1024. A tube 1025 extends downward into reservoir 530. Optionally, valve post 1003 includes one or more passages that allow air in reservoir 530 to flow up into container 402 as liquid is drawn out of container 402.

[0042] Reservoir 530 includes an optional opening 1004. Optional opening 1004 may be used to attach a float to the reservoir 530. A float (not shown) may be used to determine a level of fluid in the reservoir 530.

[0043] Reservoir 530 includes an optional opening 1006. Opening 1006 may be used to vent reservoir 530 when fluid is added to reservoir 530.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.