BACKGROUND

Dispensers for the dispensing of liquid product and for the dispensing of foam product are offered in a wide variety of sizes and shapes with a variety of dispensing mechanisms and operating principles. Known in the art are trigger sprayers (typically for liquid product), squeeze bottles with some type of attached dispensing mechanism, such as a foamer, and pump dispensers with manual actuation of the dispensing mechanism, to name some of the more common constructions. Subsets of each basic style include, as examples, upright constructions and inverted constructions.

As used herein, the term, "dispenser", refers to the entire device which includes a container or bottle and a dispensing mechanism. As used herein, the phrase "dispensing mechanism" refers to the device or mechanism which is attached to or assembled to the container and which defines the outlet from which the product being dispensed exits. As used herein, the phrase, "pump dispenser", refers to a dispenser with an attached or assembled "pump mechanism" which is actuated by movement of a pump head, actuator or plunger. As used herein, the phrase "squeeze bottle", refers to a type of dispenser where a flexible container is used and when compressed, creates an elevated internal pressure which activates and operates the corresponding dispensing mechanism.

In the design of these types of dispensers, most of the engineering focus is directed to the specifics of the dispensing mechanism. Design considerations include, as a few examples, the specifics of the structural interfaces which must be sealed, the metering of the desired dose of product and for foam dispensers, the quality of the foam which is dispensed. The "quality" can encompass the size of the bubbles as well as the degree or extent of the moisture content. This latter aspect considers whether the foam being dispensed may be too dry or too wet. There are though other design considerations which deserve attention, depending on the structural specifics of the dispenser. For example, there may be

opportunities to improve the mounting configuration for wall-mounted dispensers, such as soap dispensers which may be used in lavatories. When the container is refillable, there may be opportunities to improve the manner of release and removal of the container. Further, for this type of application there may be opportunities to improve the portion of the structure which is manually actuated for the dispensing of product and its interfit with the pump mechanism or portions thereof. Another opportunity for improvement in the actuation and dispensing of product is to improve the manner of air venting when a more viscous product is to be dispensed.

Inverted packaging, i.e. bottles placed into service with the filling neck and pump attaching details positioned at the bottom of the bottle, does not provide direct access between the pump's venting structure and the fluid headspace at the top or high point of the inverted bottle. Venting air must enter into the fluid and then rise to the surface of the fluid which is in the inverted bottle in order to "feed" the headspace with air and thereby alleviate the vacuum which has been generated by the dispensing stroke as fluid product is removed. Light or low viscosity fluids exhibit little resistance to the movement of venting air therethrough. A series of bubbles can typically be observed floating up through the fluid in order to supply the required replacement volume of air in the headspace of the inverted bottle. Fluids with a high viscosity by nature are more resistant to displacement and as a consequence act as a barrier to venting air as it enters the bottle and attempts to reach the headspace. A series of venting bubbles may form but their rapid movement to the headspace is compromised due to the higher viscosity and this results in a vacuum being formed in the bottle. Left unattended, this vacuum may be relieved over time as the bubbles slowly make their way to the headspace. However, for those dispensing pumps which are intended to be "on demand", a second dispensing stroke could follow closely after the prior dispensing stroke and the vacuum which has been formed in the bottle by that first dispensing stroke results in an undesirable performance characteristic for the second dispensing stroke. Accordingly, it would be an improvement to devise a way to route the venting air bubbles up to the headspace in a more rapid fashion.

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention as disclosed herein focuses on these last two opportunities for improvement. First, a novel and unobvious handle interfit is disclosed which includes a unique manner of connecting a handle to a dispensing plunger of an inverted dispenser which is preferably wall mounted. A novel and unobvious air venting structure is able to be integrated into the inverted dispenser for use in those situations when a viscous product is to be dispensed.

SUMMARY

An inverted pump dispenser, constructed and arranged for being wall mounted, is disclosed. In the context of the exemplary embodiment, a generally vertical wall is assumed. However, this is not a requirement as the novel features of the exemplary embodiment perform the same regardless of the mounting orientation.

The inverted pump dispenser includes a holder, a wall mount, a bottle, a handle and a dispensing mechanism. The holder and wall mount are preferably constructed and arranged for snap-together subassembly. The handle is assembled into this subassembly and at the same time fits over the bottle. The dispensing mechanism assembles onto the neck of the bottle and is constructed and arranged for plunger travel (assumed herein to be generally horizontal based on a vertical wall mount). The handle includes a unique interfit construction which cooperates with the plunger for dispensing actuation.

The handle is moveable from a dispensing position (lock) to a refilling position (unlocked). In the refilling position, the bottle is able to be removed and either refilled and reinstalled or replaced and a new (filled) bottle installed. The release of the handle from "locked" position is performed by depressing a lock tab of the handle which engages the wall mount when in the locked position. It is intended for the dispensing mechanism to be discarded when an empty bottle is discarded as a new (filled) bottle comes with an installed dispensing mechanism.

The exemplary embodiment is directed to an inverted pump dispenser, and the possibility exists for a high viscosity product to be placed in the bottle for dispensing. One example of such a high or at least higher viscosity product is a hand sanitizer. One consideration for an inverted pump dispenser with this type of product is the ability of venting air to be able to move into and through the product to reach the air space (headspace) at the top of the inverted bottle. The exemplary embodiment includes one way of addressing this aspect. A venting tube is added to the inverted pump dispenser so as to connect the dispensing mechanism (i.e. pump) to the air headspace which is above the fluid level at the top of the inverted bottle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a dispenser corresponding to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a right side elevational view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 2B is a left side elevational view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view, in full section, of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 dispenser with its handle removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a dispensing mechanism comprising one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 10 is

FIG. 11 is

FIG. 12 is

FIG. 13 is

FIG. 14 is

mechanism.

FIG. 15 is

FIG. 16 is

FIG. 17 is

dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of a nozzle and fitting comprising one portion of the FIG. 9 dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of a handle which comprises one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser, the handle including cooperating channel members .

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the cooperating interfit between the channel members and fitting. FIG. 21 is an enlarged, partial, bottom plan view of the FIG. 20 cooperating interfit.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the FIG. 20 cooperating interfit.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the handle which comprises one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 24 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 25 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 26 is a left side elevational view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 27 is a right side elevational view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the FIG. 23 handle.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a holder comprising one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 30 holder.

FIG. 32 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 30 holder.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a wall mount comprising one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 34 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 33 wall mount.

FIG. 35 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 33 wall mount.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the assembly of the FIG. 30 holder and the FIG. 33 wall mount.

FIG. 37 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 36 assembly.

FIG. 38 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 36 assembly.

FIG. 39 is a side elevational view of a bottle comprising one portion of the FIG. 1 dispenser.

FIG. 40 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 39 bottle.

FIG. 41 is a rear elevational view of the FIG. 39 bottle.

FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic illustration of a dispenser which defines an air path for venting air into a cooperating bottle.

FIG. 43 is a diagrammatic illustration of the FIG. 42 structure with the venting air path denoted. FIG. 44 is a diagrammatic illustration of the FIG. 42 structure with the addition of a vent tube.

FIG. 45 is a diagrammatic illustration of the FIG. 44 structure with the venting air path denoted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENT

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated an inverted dispenser 20 which is constructed and arranged according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Dispenser 20 is intended for wall mounting and for the exemplary embodiment it will be assumed that this wall provides a generally vertical mounting surface which is sufficiently smooth and sufficiently strong to adequately hold the dispenser and allow dispensing actions to be performed using the handle. Dispenser 20 includes a holder 22, a wall mount 24, a bottle 26, handle 28 and a dispensing mechanism 30. The dispensing mechanism 30 is illustrated in FIGS 9-17. The details of the handle 28 interfit with the dispensing mechanism 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 18-22. Other component parts of dispenser 20 are illustrated in FIGS. 23-41.

As a brief overview of the exemplary embodiment of the dispenser 20 assembly, it is intended that the holder 22 and the wall mount 24 will have a snap- fit assembly to each other. This initial assembly of these two parts may be performed at the manufacturer's location. Since these two parts may not need to be separated later, the manufacturer' s location is the preferred site for creating this assembly which actually is then a subassembly of dispenser 20. This snap-fit assembly is described herein as "semi-permanent". The meaning here is for a permanent assembly of these two parts under what would be regarded as normal operating conditions and circumstances of use. However, if these two parts, holder 22 and wall mount 24, later need to be separated, this is possible without needing to damage either part in the process. The remainder of dispenser 20, without handle 28 is illustrated in FIG. 8.

In use, the bottle 26 is inverted such that its neck opening 36 opens in an axially downward direction, as shown in FIG. 1. Assuming the mounting of dispenser 20 to a generally vertical wall, the center line or axis of neck opening 36 will correspondingly be generally vertical. In the exemplary embodiment the neck opening may be externally threaded.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-17, the dispensing mechanism 30 is assembled to the neck opening 36 by threaded engagement of adapter 38 which fits around and on the outside of the neck opening. As previously noted, other assembly options would be suitable so long as the specific adapter or connection member is designed in a corresponding fashion to the construction of the neck opening.

The pump mechanism 40 within body 42 is operated by the inward movement of plunger 44. The outer end 46 of plunger 44 is constructed and arranged with a fitting 48 for receipt by cooperating channel members 50 and 52 of handle 28 (see FIGS. 18 through 22). Each channel member 50 and 52 defines a corresponding clearance channel 50a and 52a, respectively. These two clearance channels open toward each other. As will be explained further, this connection between handle 28 and fitting 48 enables the handle 28 to be used for the actuating element for dispensing of product from bottle 26 by pushing inwardly on plunger 44. This aspect is one focus of the present invention. Another focus of the present invention is on the venting feature.

When the inverted dispenser 20 is mounted to a wall which is generally vertical, the inward movement of the plunger 44 is in a generally horizontal direction. The relationship between the mounting plane for wall mount 24, whether vertical or something else, and the direction of plunger 44 travel is substantially perpendicular. Inward movement of plunger 44 is effected by pushing inwardly on the outer surface 54 of the lower portion 56 of handle 28.

One focus of this disclosure is directed to handle 28, its manner of assembly and its manner of use relative to fitting 48. Accordingly, less attention is being directed to the internal workings of dispensing mechanism 30. Given the extent and details of FIGS. 9-17, a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand the operational details and principles of dispensing mechanism 30 sufficient for an understanding and enablement regarding the disclosed and claimed invention. As will be explained further, inward movement of the lower portion 56 of handle 28 is by deflection of the handle based on its size, shape, plastic material and anchor points relative to the wall mount 24 and relative to bottle 26. One difference between handle 28 and prior art mechanisms is that handle 28 does not use or include any separate linkage components, such as pins, pivot joints, rivets, hinges, etc. Further, the return of handle 28 to a "ready to dispense" position does not require a separate component for spring biasing and return, such as a spring, an elastomer member, and the like. While there is a biasing spring 45 associated with plunger 44, it is to be noted that the inherent spring return of a plastic material would allow handle 28 to return to its dispensing position whether or not the plunger includes a spring return for its own purpose. Since the handle and the dispensing mechanism are connected, the return of the handle to its dispensing start position is assisted by the spring return of the plunger 44, though as noted the handle would return independently. The handle 28 has a "ready to dispense" position (see FIG. 3) as a starting point of its travel and is constructed and arranged to travel to a "product dispensed" position, as plunger 44 is actuated.

From this description of the handle 28 and fitting 48 interfit, see FIGS. 18- 22, it will be clear that the handle 28 and fitting 48 remain connected to each other when the pump dispenser 20 is in a ready-for-dispensing condition. As will be clear as well from the overall disclosure, if the handle 28 needs to be moved in an upward direction for release of the bottle, there is a slight clearance fit between handle 28 and fitting 48 which allows the handle 28 to move upwardly without interference with fitting 48. Likewise, handle 28 is able to move in a downward direction and reestablish the interfit connection with fitting 48. The details of handle 28 are illustrated in FIGS. 23-29.

Even without the described interfit connection between handle 28 and fitting 48, inward movement of the handle against the end of plunger 44 is sufficient to move the plunger inwardly in the direction which is defined by arrow 49 and is generally toward wall mount 24. Similarly, the spring return of the plunger 44 pushes outwardly on handle 28. The cooperative interfit between handle 28 and fitting 48 provides other benefits. With this cooperative interfit the dispensing mechanism is properly aligned to dispense product in an axially downward direction. This of course assumes a substantially vertical wall mount or the like, but in the normal or intended use condition, with the handle 28 properly assembled, the cooperative interfit can only be established with fitting 48 if the dispensing mechanism is properly installed and aligned. Further, with the cooperative interfit between handle 28 and fitting 48, there is a structural reinforcement to the handle to help prevent misalignment and the risk of being pulled outwardly. The flexure of the plastic shape of handle 28 lessens the return load on the plunger 44 spring 45.

The holder 22 is further illustrated in FIGS. 30-32. The wall mount 24 is further illustrated in FIGS. 33-35. The snap-fit assembly of holder 22 and wall mount 24 is further illustrated in FIGS. 36-38. These drawings have been simplified in terms of some of the details of FIGS. 30-35 in order to focus simply on the snap-fit assembly.

The bottle 26 includes a uniquely sculpted outer shape, see FIGS. 39-41, with a raised plateau 62 generally centered in what is best described as a front surface 64. Each side 66 and 68 includes a generally centered, raised oval plateau 70 and 72, respectively. The bottom panel 74 of bottle 26 has a generally oval shape which extends into the front surface 64, the two sides 66 and 68 and rear surface 76.

With continued reference to FIGS. 39-41 it will be seen and understood that due to the oval shape of bottle 26, there is no clearly defined edge denoting where the rear surface 76 ends and the sides 66 and 68 begin. The same applies to front surface 64 and its transition into sides 66 and 68. The four regions or portions of bottle 26 which might be considered corners are each smoothly curved. For purposes of helping to explain the shape of bottle 26, first assume an axial centerline extending from the center of neck opening 36 to the center of bottom panel 74. Lateral sections taken through bottle 26 which are perpendicular to this axis line have an oval shape between plateaus 62, 70 and 72. When the holder 22 and wall mount 24 are assembled together with the described snap-fit into a subassembly of dispenser 20 (see FIGS. 36-38), a curved left-side edge 82 and curved right-side edge 84 are formed. Edges 82 and 84 define a curved shape which generally matches the curvature of the portions of the bottle 26 which are to be positioned against edges 82 and 84 in the assembly of the bottle into the holder-wall mount subassembly, see FIGS. 2A and 8. Bottle 26 rests securely onto and against edges 82 and 84 as part of the assembly of the dispenser 20.

In the assembly sequence for dispenser 20, the holder 22 and wall mount 24 are preferably assembled at the manufacturing location and this subassembly ships ready to install on the selected support surface. Keyhole openings 86 and 88 are provided in the rear panel 90 of wall mount 24 for use in installing dispenser 20 on a selected support surface, such as a vertical wall. The bottle 26 is fitted with the dispensing mechanism 30. It is intended that when the bottle 26 has been emptied that it will be discarded, along with its dispensing mechanism 30 and a new (filled) bottle installed. This filled bottle includes its own dispensing mechanism. As an option, the bottle can be refilled with product. The dispensing mechanism 30 is then unthreaded when product is to be added into bottle 26. Because the bottle 26 can be removed from the dispenser 20 for refilling with product, or for replacement with a new (filled) bottle (with its own dispensing mechanism), the handle 28 can be assembled to the holder 22 and wall mount 24 either before the bottle 26 is placed in position or after the bottle is installed in the dispenser 20.

The handle 28 is constructed and arranged (see FIG. 23) as a contoured frame-like structure with a front frame panel 92 extending into a top panel 94 and then a rear panel 96. The space-apart channel members 50 and 52 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) are each L- shaped and extend axially in a direction downward, away from the top panel 94 in a direction from lip 98 toward lower edge 100 of frame panel 92. In the course of assembling handle 28 onto the bottle 26, each channel member slides over a corresponding tapered flange 102 and 104 of fitting 48 (see FIGS. 18 - 22). This manner of assembly assures that when the handle 28 is in its closed position the product will be dispensed in a downward direction. The two tapered flanges 102 and 104 of fitting 48 are more narrow at their upper extent and widen laterally as they extend along the length of dispensing nozzle 103 toward nozzle tip 105. This is due to the selected shape and geometry of the dispensing nozzle and the manner in which it tapers in a downward direction toward its tip 105. Flanges 102 and 104 are essentially symmetrically positioned and oriented relative to each other on opposite sides of nozzle 103. Flanges 102 and 104 each have a substantially uniform thickness in what would be considered an inward direction which is the direction of movement of the plunger 44 toward to bottle 26. This substantially uniform thickness for each flange 102 and 104 is only slightly less than the width of the corresponding cooperating clearance channels defined by channel members 50 and 52. This close sizing, without interference, provides a clearance fit and allows the handle 28 to be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to fitting 48 as described herein. Each flange may be integrally molded as a part of nozzle 103 all as a single-piece, molded plastic component. The outermost edges 102a and 104a of flanges 102 and 104, respectively, are substantially straight and are substantially parallel to each other. This uniform spacing between the outermost edges corresponds to the uniform spacing and the substantially parallel configuration of the two channel members 50 and 52 and of the clearance spaces each of those channel members define.

The wall mount 24 includes as a part of the inner, bottle-facing surface 106 of rear panel 90, spaced-apart channel members 108 and 110. Each channel member 108 and 110 defines a clearance slot for receipt of a corresponding outer edge of rear panel 96 of handle 28. Based on the various shapes, contours and openings provided as a part of wall mount 24 and as a part of handle 28, these two cooperating components are constructed and arranged to provide two temporary positions. One of these two temporary positions is identified as "open" for refilling of the bottle with the selected product. The other of these two temporary positions is identified as "closed" wherein the dispenser is ready for use.

In order to transition from a closed position to an open position a lock tab 116 on rear panel 96 of handle 28 is pushed inwardly (toward the bottle) from its engagement within a lock tab opening 118 of the rear panel 90 of the wall mount 24. Releasing the lock tab 116 from opening 118 allows the handle to slide upwardly in the channel members 108 and 110. Importantly, the location, shape and configuration of flanges 102 and 104 and of channel members 50 and 52 allow the handle to slide upwardly and downwardly without interference. At the designed upper extent of intended travel for handle 28, the handle temporarily locks into its open position. This is accomplished by having lock tab 116 snap into rectangular opening 117. This opening serves as a mechanical stop to limit the upward travel of handle 28. In the reverse direction the ramp shaped lower edge 116a of lock tab 116 easily releases from opening 117. This open position is able to be maintained with this snap-in fit as the only "load" on this snap-in fit is the weight of the molded plastic handle 28 which is minimal. Slight pressure applied to the upper portion of the handle is sufficient to move the handle downwardly to the closed or locked position. Again, this sliding motion is enabled by the manner of interfit between handle 28 and fitting 48. In this closed condition the handle 28 helps to locate and keep the bottle 26 in a fixed position as it is cradled in the subassembly of holder 22 and wall mount 24. The handle 28 which is attached mechanically to holder 22 and to wall mount 24 has built in flexibility to move inwardly toward the bottle as it is pressed to dispense product by pushing inwardly on plunger 44. As one example of a possible dispensing dose, a designed 0.25 inches of travel of the handle which means 0.25 inches of travel of the plunger 44 dispenses approximately 1.0 ml of product. In order for the user of dispenser 20 to be able to dispense a dose of product into the center of the user's hand, the palm of the open hand is used to engage the handle.

The holder 22, wall mount 24, bottle 26 and handle 28 are each preferably molded plastic component parts and each are preferably single-piece components. The components which comprise the dispensing mechanism 30 are also each preferably single-piece molded plastic components with the exception of the spring and related mechanical fasteners which may be required and would preferably be made of metal, though plastic fastening components could be used as well.

When the product to be dispensed from an inverted dispenser, such as dispenser 20, has a higher viscosity there has been shown to be an air venting concern. In terms of relative numbers (in centipoise (cps) units), at room temperature of approximately 70 degrees F water has a viscosity of 1.0 cps. SAE 10 motor oil has a viscosity of 100 cps. For this disclosure reference has been made to a higher (a relative term) viscosity product, as compared to water, for example, such as a hand sanitizer. This type of product has a viscosity in the range of 6000 cps to 25000 cps for a gel composition, based on a PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer "Technical Guide", Copyright 2004. When this type of higher- viscosity product is being dispensed from an inverted dispenser, the make-up air which travels to the air pocket referred to as the headspace of the inverted bottle or other container currently flows through the volume of product which is still in that bottle. Lighter (i.e. lower) viscosity fluids or products exhibit little resistance to the upward movement of venting air in these types of situations. A series of bubbles can typically be observed floating up through the fluid to supply the replacement air to the volume of the headspace of the inverted bottle. Fluids with high viscosities by their nature are more resistant to displacement. As a consequence, the higher viscosity fluids act as a barrier to venting air as it enters the container and attempts to reach the headspace of the inverted container.

When the venting air bubbles fail to reach the headspace in a timely manner due to the resistance of the higher viscosity fluid, the vacuum created by dispensing will not be relieved in a timely manner, and this is a particular concern for an "on demand" dispensing pump. While the vacuum may be relieved over time as the air bubbles slowly make their way to the headspace, an "on demand" pump requires more rapid recycling of the dispenser for the next dispensing stroke. That next dispensing stroke typically only performs or dispenses properly if the vacuum in the bottle from the prior dispensing stroke has been relieved. "Proper dispensing" requires dispensing of the intended dose.

As disclosed herein, one solution to the problem of air bubble travel in higher viscosity fluids, according to the exemplary embodiment, is to incorporate a vent tube (also called a stand pipe) into the dispenser. In the construction of dispensing mechanism 30, this vent tube addition is shown as vent tube 128. This vent tube is constructed and arranged so as to extend from an air entry point of venting air into the headspace of the inverted bottle. This vent tube allows the venting air to travel rapidly into the headspace, unimpeded, thereby relieving any vacuum and recycling the dispenser for the next dispensing stroke. The incorporation of such a vent tube as disclosed herein allows this type of inverted bottle and pump dispenser to recycle rapidly so as to constitute an "on demand" pump dispenser and perform "proper dispensing".

Referring to FIGS. 42 - 45, diagrammatic illustrations of a venting situation are provided. In FIG. 42 there is a dispensing mechanism 130 which is configured with an inverted bottle 132 and a dispensing plunger 134 which has a generally horizontal travel and a spring return by way of spring 136. A vent port 138 is covered by a plunger seal 140 in the FIG. 42 illustration. A second vent port 142 opens into the interior 132a of bottle 132. The diagrammatic configuration in FIG. 42 represents a closed or at rest condition of a dispensing mechanism without the improvement offered by the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 43 the plunger 134 has been moved inwardly for a dispensing stroke. As this generally horizontal travel occurs, the vent port 138 is opened to the atmosphere and the air venting path which is established is shown by the use of arrows 144. Assume that the fluid product 146 to be dispensed has a higher viscosity, such as the viscosity of a hand sanitizer gel product. This higher viscosity fluid product results in a slow upward travel of the venting air bubbles 148. Depending on the viscosity of the fluid product, the bottle vacuum may not be relieved in time for the next dispensing stroke. This can affect proper performance of that next dispensing stroke. Proper operation requires that the bottle vacuum be relieved before the stroke is initiated.

FIG. 44 corresponds to FIG. 42 in all respects except that in FIG. 44 a vent tube 128 has been added. The panel 152 which defines the vent port 142 has been modified with an integral cylindrical sleeve 154 which surrounds the vent port 142. This sleeve 154 extends from panel 152 toward the headspace of bottle 132. The vent tube 128 is inserted into sleeve 154 with a snap fit. Alternatively, a sliding interference fit is suitable as there is essentially no load on either the sleeve 154 or the vent tube 128. FIG. 45 shows the venting air flow path up through vent tube 128. The vent tube 128 should extend close to the upper panel of the bottle (when inverted), so that it reaches the air pocket in the headspace and in so doing does not risk receiving product down through the center of the vent tube 128. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.