Adapter Assembly for a Fluid Distribution System

Abstract

An adapter assembly for use in a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container that includes a fluid pump. The adapter assembly is for use in a dispenser to allow the use of a fluid container having a pump actuated by lateral compression. The adapter assembly includes a fluid container support for supporting the fluid container in a desired position in the dispenser and an actuating member having an actuating head movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. The actuating head has a contact surface for abutting a carriage surface and the pump. The contact surface abuts the carriage surface in the non-actuated and actuated positions. A moving member is displaceable between a lower and an upper position. A horizontal plane passing through the actuating head in its fully actuated position intersects a portion of the carriage surface that contacts the contact surface. A fluid dispensing system and a dispenser are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to fluid dispensing systems for dispensing skin care products and cleaning products such as soaps, gels, disinfectants, etc. The present disclosure particularly relates to a dispenser adapter assembly for use in a fluid dispensing system to allow for a variety of types of disposable fluid dispensing packages using refillable containers and fluid pumps in a dispenser. The present disclosure also relates to a dispenser. Background Art

[0002] Various types of fluid dispensers are known. In particular, for the dispensing of cleaning products such as soaps and hand sanitizers, there are various manually or automatically actuated pumps that dispense a given amount of product into the user's hand.

[0003] Consumer products may include a dispensing outlet as part of the packaging, which is actuated by the user pressing the top of the packaging. Such packaging uses a draw tube extending below the liquid level and a piston pump that sucks the liquid and dispenses it downward through the outlet.

[0004] Commercial dispensers often use inverted disposable containers that can be placed in a dispensing device, fixed to a wall, or built into a bathroom counter, etc. The pump can be integrated as part of the disposable container, or can be part of a permanent dispensing device, or both form a fluid dispensing package. Such devices are robust, and if they are fixed to a wall, greater freedom can be obtained in the direction and amount of force required for actuation. Such devices can also use sensors that identify the position of the user's hand and dispense a unit dose of the product. This avoids user contact with the device and associated cross-contamination. It also prevents incorrect operation that may cause damage and premature aging of the dispensing mechanism.

[0005] A dispensing system for dispensing unit doses of liquid from an inverted collapsible container using a pump is described in WO2009 / 104992. The pump consists of several elements with elastic pumping chambers and regulating valves. The operation of the pump is achieved by applying a lateral force to the pumping chamber, which causes the pumping chamber to partially collapse and discharge its contents through an external valve. Once the lateral force is removed, refilling of the pumping chamber occurs through an internal valve. The filling force is provided by the inherent elasticity of the pumping chamber wall, which must be sufficient to overcome any backpressure due to the collapse resistance of the container.

[0006] Other dispensing systems use an axial force to actuate the pump, i.e., the force is in the same direction as the direction of dispensing the fluid.

[0007] In many cases, different dispensing systems with different types of fluid dispensing packages having different pump types can be used at a given location. For example, a building can have a mixture of dispensers for different dispensing packages, which in turn requires stocking different types of liquid dispensing packages rather than just one type in the inventory. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a dispensing system that can operate in different operational dispensing scenarios, such as in an axial operation dispensing scenario and a lateral operation dispensing scenario. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] There is a desire to have a dispensing system that is flexible in its mode of operation, reliable when used with different types of fluid dispensing packages, and simple to produce, hygienic, environmentally acceptable, and economical.

[0009] The present disclosure particularly relates to an adapter assembly, a fluid dispensing system, and a dispenser. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0010] Accordingly, an adapter assembly is disclosed for a dispenser of a fluid dispensing package of a replaceable fluid container, the fluid container including a fluid reservoir and a fluid pump. The dispenser includes a housing and a compartment therein for receiving the fluid container. The dispenser has a front portion, a rear portion, and upper and lower ends. The lower end forms a dispensing end of the dispenser and includes an actuator that is directly displaced by a user or moved by a motor for operating the dispenser to dispense a dose of fluid from the fluid container through a nozzle at the lower end.

[0011] The compartment of the dispenser is sized to receive a fluid container having a first type of pump that is axially compressible, and the actuator has a lifter for actuating the pump by axially compressing the first type of pump in a vertical direction.

[0012] The adapter assembly is used in combination with the dispenser to allow the use of a fluid container having a second type of pump that is actuated by lateral compression within the dispenser. The adapter assembly is configured to removably connect it to the dispenser and the fluid container.

[0013] The adapter assembly includes a fluid container support configured to be received in the compartment of the dispenser for holding and / or supporting a fluid container having a second type of pump in a desired position within the dispenser compartment.

[0014] The adapter assembly includes a first actuation member that includes a first actuation head movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the first actuation head includes a first contact surface for abutting a first carriage surface and a second contact surface for abutting the second type of pump.

[0015] The adapter assembly further includes a second actuating member, the second actuating member including a second actuating head movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the second actuating head includes a first contact surface for abutting against a second carriage surface and a second contact surface for abutting against the second type of pump.

[0016] The first contact surfaces of the first actuating head and the second actuating head abut against the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface in the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position.

[0017] The adapter assembly further includes a moving member displaceable between a lower position and an upper position, wherein displacement of the moving member from the lower position to the upper position moves the first and second actuating heads from their non-actuated positions to their fully actuated positions.

[0018] When the adapter assembly is installed in the dispenser, the lifter engages and acts on the moving member, wherein when installed in the compartment, the lifting force (P) applied by the lifter on the moving member moves the moving member from its lower position to its upper position, thereby transmitting an actuating force (TF) from the moving member to the pump of the fluid container via the actuating head, wherein the second type of pump is laterally compressed to dispense fluid from the fluid container.

[0019] A horizontal plane (H1-H3) passing through the first actuating head and the second actuating head in their fully actuated positions intersects those portions of the first and second carriage surfaces that contact the first contact surfaces of the actuating heads.

[0020] The horizontal plane (H1-H3) may intersect those portions of the second contact surface that contact the second type of pump.

[0021] By having these contact points, a good force transmission from the lifter 124 to the pump 300b for dispensing a certain dose of fluid is ensured.

[0022] As used herein, terms such as "horizontal", "lateral" and "vertical", "uppermost" and "lowermost", "downward" and "upward", "front" and "rear", and "upper" and "lower" etc. should be understood as seen when the dispensing system having the dispenser and the fluid container is set for use with or without the adapter assembly.

[0023] The lifting force (P) applied by the lifter on the moving member may be an axial force. As used herein, an axial or vertical force for actuating the pump is understood to be a force directed in line with the direction of dispensing the fluid. Similarly, a lateral force is understood to be a force substantially perpendicular to the fluid dispensing direction.

[0024] The fluid container may be adapted to be filled with a liquid, such as liquid soap, foam soap, alcohol gel, disinfecting or antibacterial liquid or lotion. The flexible dispensing portion may be filled with the relevant liquid and withstand an external force to dispense the liquid therefrom. The pump described herein may be sized such that when performing a full dispensing stroke, an appropriate or desired volume of liquid, such as about 0.5 to 1 ml (e.g., 0.6 to 0.9 ml), can be dispensed. The dispensed volume depends on the type of fluid to be dispensed and the material from which the adapter assembly is made.

[0025] Suitable materials for forming the adapter assembly may be aluminum or any suitable plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide 12 (PA12), and olefin plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The adapter assembly may be formed by injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. The formation of the materials and components mentioned may be used for all parts of the adapter assembly, and combinations of materials may also be considered for the adapter assembly or its parts.

[0026] As used herein, the term adapter or adapter assembly is a device that converts the properties of a dispensing system or dispenser into the properties of other incompatible replaceable fluid containers of a fluid dispensing system. The adapter assembly should be constructed to be detachably connected to the dispenser and a fluid container having a second type of pump. Here, the detachable connection means that the adapter assembly can be easily connected and detached from the dispenser without affecting the characteristics of the dispenser without the adapter assembly.

[0027] Thus, the adapter assembly allows the dispensing system to operate in different operational dispensing schemes, i.e., in an axial operational dispensing scheme as well as a lateral operational dispensing scheme. The adapter assembly makes the dispensing system flexible and reliable in its use, thereby allowing the use of different types of fluid dispensing packages and being simple, hygienic, environmentally acceptable, and economical to manufacture.

[0028] As described above, the actuator with a lifter may be of the type directly displaced by the user or may be of the type displaced via a motor to operate the dispenser to dispense a certain dose of fluid from the fluid container through the nozzle at the lower end. If the actuator is of the type directly displaced by the user, it may be a user lever configured to pivot about a pivot. The user lever may then extend from the pivot to the user-operated portion of the user lever, where the user actuator has a lifter extending into the dispenser compartment to act on the moving part.

[0029] The moving part may be constructed to be at least partially enclosed by the pump engagement portion of the lifter. The moving part may be constructed to at least partially engage the engagement portion of the lifter in a form-fitting manner.

[0030] This provides the correct engagement between the lifter and the moving part, and such a lifter can be adapted to be operatively connected to a motor for operating fluid dispensing.

[0031] The fluid container support can form the upper part of the actuator assembly, and the moving part can form the lower part of the adapter assembly, wherein the moving part is movably connected to the fluid container support. The first and second actuating parts can connect the fluid container support to the moving part.

[0032] When the moving part moves from its lower position to its upper position, the first and second carriage surfaces can form an elongated sliding surface against which the first contact surface of the actuating part abuts, and the first contact surface slides or moves along the sliding surface.

[0033] The fluid container support can have a vertically extending through-hole for receiving a part of the fluid container, wherein the through-hole extends to the front part, and presents the front opening of the fluid container support to the surrounding environment.

[0034] This opening provides for simple assembly of the dispensing system and does not require removal of the adapter assembly from the dispenser when the fluid container needs to be replaced.

[0035] The moving part can have a through-hole extending from the upper part to the lower part of the moving part. The through-hole can be configured to at least partially accommodate a second type of pump.

[0036] The moving part can have an access opening at its front upper part to access the through-hole from the front, wherein the access opening forms a continuous opening with the through-hole at the upper part of the moving part.

[0037] The moving part can have an access cavity formed inside the moving part, which is located below the access opening and faces the through-hole of the moving part.

[0038] The opening and the access cavity provide for easier assembly of the dispensing system and do not require removal of the adapter assembly from the dispenser when the fluid container needs to be replaced.

[0039] The first and second carriage surfaces can form part of the moving part. The carriage surfaces can be provided on opposite sides of the through-hole of the moving part and face each other. Then, the carriage surfaces can extend obliquely downward and inward towards each other in the directions (C1; C2) to form a tapered cavity portion therebetween.

[0040] The arrangement of the carriage surface as described above provides the correct reaction force to the actuator head when the actuator head moves from its non-actuated position to its actuated position, so as to provide the correct dispensing action. When the moving part is displaced between the lower position and the upper position, the first contact surface can abut against the carriage surface and slide along the carriage surface. The inclined carriage surface allows the actuator head to move inward against the pump when the moving part is displaced towards the upper position.

[0041] Each of the first actuating member and the second actuating member may include an elongate arm that extends along its substantially longitudinal direction (L1; L2) between two opposite ends of the arm. In this case, the first end may be connected to the fluid container support, and the second end may carry one of the two actuator heads, wherein the actuator head may move between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position.

[0042] The elongate arm having the actuator head provides a flexible and reliable actuating member that can be shaped and sized for a desired use. For example, it can be shaped and sized for a desired volume to be dispensed.

[0043] The actuating member is movably connected to the fluid container support arm to allow the movement of the actuator head between the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position. For example, each actuating member may be pivotally attached to the fluid container support and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis.

[0044] This allows the actuator head to move in a substantially lateral direction towards the pump between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. The pivot axis can be formed by a snap connection between the first connection support and the actuating member, or can be formed, for example, by a hinge connection or a living hinge.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the elongate arm may be a flexible arm for allowing the movement of the actuator head between the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position.

[0046] This allows the actuator heads to move substantially laterally towards the pump between their non-actuated positions and their actuated positions. The arm can be fixedly connected to the first connection support and is made partially or fully flexible from the non-actuated position to the fully actuated position. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the arm can be made flexible by using an elastic and flexible plastic material such as, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM) or an olefin plastic (such as polypropylene), and by selecting a shape and size suitable for this purpose.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment, the actuator head is movably connected to the respective arm of the actuating member.

[0048] As described above, there are some suitable materials for forming the adapter assembly. The actuating member may comprise or be made of polyoxymethylene (POM). POM is a rather hard plastic material, which can be used to provide appropriate flexibility and spring force for the flexible arm to support the functions and structures of the adapter assembly and support the return of the actuating head from its actuated position to the non-actuated position, i.e., towards the rest position of the arm, and support the return of the moving member to its lower position when the moving member has been moved to the upper position and is movably connected to the actuating member. In addition, by manufacturing the drive head of POM, good sliding characteristics are provided between the first contact surface of the drive head and the carriage surface.

[0049] The fluid container support may comprise or be made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0050] The moving member may comprise or be made of an olefin plastic, such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene. If the moving member includes a carriage surface, the olefin plastic will provide good sliding characteristics between the carriage surface and the first contact surface of the actuating head, for example when the actuating head is made of POM.

[0051] The second type of pump may have an elastic pumping chamber. The elastic pumping chamber may be an elongated elastic tube chamber extending downward at the lower part of the fluid container in the direction from the bottom of the fluid reservoir to the nozzle of the elastic tube chamber.

[0052] The adapter assembly may also be constructed such that at least a portion of each second contact surface abuts against the pump in the non-actuated position.

[0053] This possibility of abutment may be provided by an actuating member having an elastic and flexible arm that holds the actuating head in the non-actuated position, so that at least a portion of the actuating head abuts against the pump when the pump is inserted between the actuating heads of the adapter assembly. This provides reliable and effective dispensing during its actuation.

[0054] The adapter assembly may also be constructed such that a portion of each second contact surface extends at an angle relative to the vertical direction in the non-actuated position, for example where each second contact surface is convex. The convex surface may be in the vertical direction and bulge towards the other second contact surface. The radius (r) of the convex surface may be about 10 - 18 mm.

[0055] During the use of the adapter in the dispensing system, this allows for smooth compression and deformation of the pump from its upper to lower position.

[0056] The adapter assembly may further include one or more positioning devices for engaging corresponding one or more connecting portions in the dispenser and preventing axial and / or rotational movement of the adapter assembly in the dispenser, and / or for preventing the adapter assembly from being mispositioned in the dispenser.

[0057] When the adapter assembly and a fluid container having a second type of pump are installed in a dispenser, the energy consumption of the dispensing cycle for dispensing fluid may be less than 1100 μWh, such as 300 to 1000 μWh or 500 to 1000 μWh, by moving a moving part from a lowest position to its highest position and returning the moving part to the lowest position.

[0058] An adapter assembly is also provided for a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container having a fluid pump actuated by lateral compression.

[0059] The adapter assembly includes an actuating part that is connected to a fluid container support and is movably connected to a moving part, wherein the moving part is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position.

[0060] The actuating part has an actuating head that is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, wherein the actuating head includes a first contact surface for abutting against a carriage surface of the moving part and a second contact surface for abutting against the fluid pump, and wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface face away from each other.

[0061] A horizontal plane (H1-H3) passing through the actuating head in its fully actuated position intersects those portions of the carriage surface that are in contact with the portion of the first contact surface of the actuating head.

[0062] The adapter assembly provides all of the advantages and effects described above. Some features that the adapter assembly may have are described below, which correspond to similar features described above, and they will add similar advantages and effects described herein. Any additional features described herein can also be used in the adapter assembly now described. In addition, the adapter assembly now disclosed is described as having an actuating portion of the actuating part and a carriage surface of the moving part. The adapter assembly may include two actuating parts and two carriage surfaces constructed in the moving part, as described above and below.

[0063] The fluid container support may have a vertically extending through-hole for receiving a portion of the fluid container, wherein the through-hole extends to the front portion and presents an opening at the front portion of the fluid container support to the surrounding environment.

[0064] The moving part may have a through-hole extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of the moving part. The through-hole of the moving part may be configured to at least partially receive the second type of pump.

[0065] The moving part may have an access opening at its front upper portion to access the through-hole of the moving part from the front, wherein the access opening forms a continuous opening with the through-hole at the upper portion of the moving part.

[0066] The inlet chamber can be formed inside the through-hole of the moving part that is located below the inlet opening and faces the moving part.

[0067] The fluid container support can form the upper part of the actuator assembly, while the moving part can form the lower part of the adapter assembly.

[0068] The carriage surface can form an elongated sliding surface. When the moving part moves from its lower position to its upper position, the first contact surface of the actuating part abuts against the elongated sliding surface and the first contact surface slides or moves along the elongated sliding surface.

[0069] The carriage surface can form part of the moving part. The carriage surface can face the through-hole of the moving part. The carriage surface can extend downward and inward at an inclined angle.

[0070] The actuating part can include an elongated arm that extends along its basic longitudinal direction (L1; L2) between two opposite ends of the arm. The first end of the elongated arm is connected to the fluid container support, and the second end carries two actuating heads, where the actuating heads can move between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position.

[0071] The actuating part is movably connected to the fluid container support. For example, the actuating part can be pivotally attached to the fluid container support and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis.

[0072] The elongated arm can be a flexible arm for allowing the above-mentioned movement of the actuating heads between the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position.

[0073] The actuating heads can be movably connected to the arm of the actuating part.

[0074] The actuating part can contain polyoxymethylene (POM) or be made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0075] The fluid container support can contain polyoxymethylene (POM) or be made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0076] The moving part can contain an olefin plastic or be made of an olefin plastic, such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0077] The second type of pump can have an elastic pumping chamber. The elastic pumping chamber can be an elongated elastic tube chamber that extends downward at the lower part of the fluid container in the direction from the bottom of the fluid reservoir to the nozzle of the elastic tube chamber.

[0078] The adapter assembly can also be configured such that at least a part of the second contact surface abuts against the pump in the non-actuated position.

[0079] The adapter assembly may also be constructed such that a portion of the second contact surface extends at an angle relative to the vertical direction in the non-actuated position, for example where the second contact surface may be convex. The convex surface may bulge in the vertical direction. The radius (r) of the convex surface may be approximately 10 - 18 mm.

[0080] The adapter assembly may further include one or more positioning means for engaging corresponding one or more connecting portions in the dispenser and preventing axial and / or rotational movement of the adapter assembly in the dispenser, and / or for preventing the adapter assembly from being mispositioned in the dispenser.

[0081] There is also provided an adapter assembly for a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container having a pump actuated by a lateral compression pump. The adapter assembly includes an actuating member that is connected to a fluid container support and is movably connected to a moving member, where the moving member is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position. The fluid container support forms the upper part of the actuator assembly, while the moving member forms the lower part of the adapter assembly. The actuating member includes an actuating head that is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, where the actuating head has a first contact surface for abutting against a carriage surface of the moving member and a second contact surface for abutting against the fluid pump. The actuating member comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0082] The adapter assembly provides all the advantages and effects described above. Some of the features that the adapter assembly may have are described below, which correspond to the similar features described above, and they will add the similar advantages and effects described herein. Any additional features described herein may also be used in the adapter assembly now described.

[0083] In addition, the adapter assembly now disclosed is described as having an actuating member and a carriage surface of the actuating member. The adapter assembly may include two actuating members and two carriage surfaces constructed in the moving member, as described herein.

[0084] The fluid container support may comprise or be made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0085] The moving member comprises or is made of an olefin plastic, such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0086] The present disclosure also provides an adapter assembly for a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container having a fluid pump actuated by lateral compression of the fluid pump. The adapter assembly includes an actuating member connected to a fluid container support and movably connected to a moving member, wherein the moving member is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position. The fluid container support forms the upper part of the actuator assembly, while the moving member forms the lower part of the adapter assembly. The actuating member includes an actuating head movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the actuating head has a first contact surface for abutting a carriage surface of the moving member and a second contact surface for abutting the fluid pump. The fluid container support has a vertically extending through-hole for receiving a part of the fluid container, wherein the through-hole extends to the front and presents a front opening of the fluid container support to the surroundings in front of the adapter assembly.

[0087] This opening provides for easy assembly of the dispensing system and does not require removal of the adapter assembly from the dispenser when the fluid container needs to be replaced.

[0088] The adapter assembly also provides all of the advantages and effects described above. Some of the features that the adapter assembly may have are described above, and they will add similar advantages and effects to this adapter assembly. Any additional features described herein can also be used in the adapter assembly now described.

[0089] In addition, the adapter assembly now disclosed is described as having an actuating member and a carriage surface of the actuating member. The adapter assembly may include two actuating members and two carriage surfaces constructed in the moving member, as described herein.

[0090] The moving member may have a vertically extending through-hole and an access opening at its upper front for accessing the through-hole from the front, wherein the access opening and the through-hole located at the upper part of the moving member form a continuous opening. An access chamber may be formed inside the moving member below the access opening and facing the through-hole of the moving member.

[0091] The opening and the access chamber provide for easier assembly of the dispensing system and do not require removal of the adapter assembly from the dispenser when the fluid container needs to be replaced.

[0092] There is also provided a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a replaceable fluid container. The dispensing system includes a dispenser, a fluid container, and an adapter assembly as described above. The dispenser includes a housing and a compartment therein for receiving the fluid container, and the dispenser has a front portion, a rear portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion. The lower end portion forms the dispensing end of the dispenser and has an actuator, by which the dispensing system is operated to dispense a dose of fluid through a nozzle at the lower end portion. The fluid container includes a fluid reservoir and a fluid pump, wherein the fluid reservoir extends downwardly from an upper portion to the fluid pump located at the lower end portion, and the nozzle is provided at the lower end of the fluid container. The compartment of the dispenser in the dispensing system without the adapter assembly is sized to receive a fluid container having a first type of pump, the first type of pump being an axially compressible pump, and the actuator has a lifter for actuating the first type of pump by axially compressing the first type of pump upwardly in a vertical direction towards the upper portion. The adapter assembly sizes the compartment to accommodate a fluid container having a second type of pump, which is actuated by lateral compression. The fluid container has a second type of pump, and the lifter of the actuator for actuating the first type of pump also actuates the second type of pump by shifting the lifter upwardly, causing the lifter to act on the adapter assembly to laterally compress the second type of fluid pump.

[0093] The second type of pump may have an elastic pumping chamber.

[0094] The elastic pumping chamber may be an elongate elastic tube chamber that extends downwardly at a lower portion of the fluid container in a direction from the bottom of the fluid reservoir to the nozzle of the elastic tube chamber.

[0095] The fluid dispensing system may further include one or more connectors for engaging one or more positioning means of the adapter assembly.

[0096] There is also provided a dispenser that includes a dispensing mechanism for a fluid container having a pump with an elastic pumping chamber, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes an actuating member connected to a fluid container support and a moving member attached to the dispenser, wherein the actuating member includes an actuating head having a first contact surface for abutting a carriage surface of the moving member of the dispenser and a second contact surface for abutting the fluid pump, wherein

[0097] - the actuating head is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position;

[0098] - the fluid container support is any of the fluid container supports as described above;

[0099] - the actuating member is any of the actuating members as described above; and

[0100] - the moving member is any of the moving members as described above.

[0101] A dispenser having a dispensing mechanism allows an adapter assembly to be a non-integrated or integrated part of the dispenser while providing all the advantages of using a fluid container support, an actuating member, and a moving member as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following drawings of multiple exemplary embodiments, wherein:

[0103] Figure 1 A perspective view of a dispensing system is shown;

[0104] Figure 2 Showing the Figure 1 dispensing system in an open configuration;

[0105] Figure 3 A side view of a disposable container having a first type of pump according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0106] Figure 4A Showing the Figure 1 lower end portion of the dispenser shown, with the front cover of the dispenser cut away to show details inside the dispenser;

[0107] Figure 4B and 4C Showing the Figure 1 lower end portion of the dispensing system of Figure 3 and a perspective view of the pump assembly of

[0108] Figure 5 with the front cover of the dispenser removed to show details inside the fluid dispensing system in operation;

[0109] Figure 6A and 6B A perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter assembly is shown;

[0110] Figure 7A and 7B Showing the Figure 6A and 6B upper portion of the adapter assembly;

[0111] Figure 8A and 8B Showing the Figure 6A and 6B lower portion of the adapter assembly;

[0112] Figure 9 Showing the Figure 7A upper portion of Figure 8A and the Figure 6A lower portion of6B adapter components;

[0113] Figure 10 shows Figure 6A and 6B a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adapter components;

[0114] Figure 11A and 11B schematically shows the components of a fluid distribution system, including Figure 1 a dispenser of Figure 5 a disposable container of Figure 6A and 6B adapter components;

[0115] Figure 12A shows Figure 11A and 11B a perspective view of the lower end of a fluid distribution system formed by the components shown, with the front cover removed and viewed from the front and partially from below to show the details inside the fluid distribution system;

[0116] Figure 12B and 12C shows Figure 11A and 11B a perspective view of the lower end of a fluid distribution system formed by the components shown, with the front cover removed and viewed from the front to show the details inside the fluid distribution system in operation;

[0117] Figure 13A and 13B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter components;

[0118] Figures 14A to 14C is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter components;

[0119] Figure 15A and 15B shows Figure 1 a dispenser of Figure 5 a disposable container of Figures 14A to 14C and an adapter component of

[0120] Figure 16A and 16B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter components; and

[0121] Figure 17A and 17B shows Figure 1 a dispenser of Figure 5 a disposable container of Figure 16A and16B Perspective view of the lower end of a fluid distribution system formed by an adapter assembly, with the front cover removed and viewed from the front to show details inside the fluid distribution system in operation. Figure 17B An exploded view of the adapter assembly is shown, as depicted, for illustrative purposes of the operational details. Detailed Description

[0122] Hereinafter, the fluid distribution system and the adapter assembly according to the present disclosure will be illustrated by several exemplary embodiments. However, the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to these exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments of fluid distribution systems and adapter assemblies may also be considered to be within the scope of the appended claims. The disclosed features of the exemplary embodiments may be combined as readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The same reference numerals always denote similar elements. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or constructions will not be described in detail.

[0123] Figure 1 A perspective view of the fluid distribution system 1 is shown, in which the present disclosure as claimed in the appended claims can be implemented. The distribution system 1 includes a reusable dispenser 100, which is of the type that can be used in washrooms etc. and is a product named Tork available from Essity Hygiene and Health AB. TM The operation of the dispenser 100 will be further described hereinafter, which utilizes automatic actuation using a motor and sensors, but the present invention is equally applicable to dispensers using a manual actuator, such as the dispenser system described in WO2011 / 133085, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should be understood that these embodiments of the distribution system are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure can also be implemented in other distribution systems.

[0124] The dispenser 100 includes a rear portion 110 and a front portion 112, which are joined together to form an enclosed housing 116, and the housing 116 is fastened at the upper end portion 101 of the dispenser 100 using a lock 118. The housing 116 is fixed to a wall or other surface by a bracket portion 120. At the lower end portion 102 of the dispenser end forming the dispenser 100 and the downward-facing lower side of the housing 116 is a contactless sensor 123, which is configured to detect the approach of, for example, a user's hand to initiate the automatic dispensing of a unit dose of a cleaning or disinfecting fluid etc. The contactless sensor can be an infrared sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, a capacitive sensor, etc.

[0125] Figure 2A perspective view of the dispenser 100 is shown, where the housing 116 is in an open configuration and the disposable and replaceable fluid container 200 is received in the compartment 150 therein. At the front portion 112 of the dispenser 100, the housing 116 forms a front cover 113 which is pivotally connected to the rear portion 110 at its lower end portion 102. In Figure 2 it, the front cover 113 is shown in an open position where the cover has been rotated about a pivot at its lower end to expose the interior of the dispenser 100. The replaceable fluid container 200 includes a fluid reservoir 250 and a fluid pump 300. The reservoir 250 is a 1000 ml collapsible reservoir of the type described in WO2011 / 133085 and WO2009 / 104992, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The reservoir 250 is generally cylindrical and is made of polyethylene. Those skilled in the art will understand that other volumes, shapes and materials are equally applicable and the reservoir 250 can be adjusted according to the shape of the dispenser 100 and the fluid to be dispensed. At the lower end portion of the dispenser 100 is the pump 300 of the fluid container 200. The pump 300 is inserted into the lower end portion 102 and into a dispensing unit 125 provided in the compartment 150 of the dispenser 100. The dispensing unit 125 includes a contactless sensor 123 adapted to identify the hand position of the user and a dispensing mechanism that dispenses a unit dose of product when the user's hand is identified. At the rear of the dispensing unit 125, a battery compartment is also provided to power the electronic devices in the dispenser (not shown).

[0126] The present disclosure relates to a fluid dispensing system 1 and an adapter assembly to allow the use of different fluid containers 200 having different types of pumps 300.

[0127] The fluid container 200 having a first type of pump 300a is sized to be received in the compartment 150 of the dispenser 100 without using the adapter assembly, see Figure 3 . The first type of pump is an axially compressible pump 300a and the actuator 124 of the dispenser 100 engages the first type of pump 300a and actuates the first type of pump by axially compressing the first type of pump 300a in a vertical direction towards the upper end portion 101 of the dispenser 100.

[0128] The fluid container 200 having a second type of pump 300b requires the use of the adapter assembly of the present disclosure, see Figure 5 . The adapter assembly sizes the compartment 150 to accommodate the fluid container 200 having the second type of pump in the dispenser 100, thereby allowing the second type of pump to be actuated by lateral compression to dispense fluid from the fluid container. The actuator 124 can move a moving part of the adapter assembly which in turn can act on an actuating part of the adapter assembly and move the actuating part towards the second type of pump 300b and laterally compress the pump.

[0129] Figure 3 The fluid container 200 with a first type of pump 300a is shown in a side view. As can be seen, the reservoir 250 includes two parts. A hard part 210 and a soft part 212. The two parts 210, 212 are made of the same material but have different thicknesses. When the reservoir 250 is emptied, as the liquid is dispensed by the pump assembly 300a, the soft part 210 collapses into the hard part 212. This structure avoids the problem of forming a vacuum within the reservoir 250. Those skilled in the art will understand that this is just an example of the form of the reservoir, but other types of reservoirs can also be used in the context of the present disclosure, including but not limited to bags, packages, cylinders, etc., which are all closed and open to the atmosphere. The container can be filled with soap, detergent, disinfectant, skin care products, moisturizing creams or any other suitable liquid or even drugs. In most cases, the fluid will be aqueous, but those skilled in the art will understand that other substances can be used in appropriate cases, including oils, solvents, alcohols, etc. In addition, although liquids will be referred to hereinafter, the dispenser 100 can also dispense fluids such as dispersions, suspensions or granules.

[0130] At the lower side of the fluid container 200, a first type of pump 300a is provided, which has an external configuration substantially corresponding to that described in WO2011 / 133085. The fluid container has a rigid neck 214 provided with a connecting flange 216. The connecting flange 216 engages with the fixing sleeve 310 of the pump assembly 300a. The pump assembly 300a also includes a sliding sleeve 312, which terminates at an orifice 318. The sliding sleeve 312 carries an actuating flange 314, while the fixing sleeve has a positioning flange 316. The sleeves 310, 312 are both injection molded from polycarbonate, but those skilled in the art will be well aware that other relatively rigid moldable materials can be used. In use, as will be described in further detail below, the sliding sleeve 312 can move relative to the fixing sleeve 310 in the axial direction A by a distance D1 in order to perform a single pumping action.

[0131] Figure 4A is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower end portion 102 of the dispenser 100 is shown, where the front cover 113 of the dispenser 100 is cut away to show the details of the dispensing unit 125. The dispensing unit 125 particularly includes means for actuating fluid dispensing and means for connecting the first type of pump 300a to the dispenser 100. These means will be explored in more detail below. At the rear of the dispensing unit 125, a battery compartment is also provided to power the electronic devices in the dispenser (not shown).

[0132] The dispensing unit 125 has a forwardly projecting projection 128 at the lower end portion 102 of the dispenser 100. The projection 128 includes an opening 130 extending from the lower end to the upper end of the projection 128. The opening 130 faces the front of the dispenser 100 and forms a cavity 130 extending in the vertical direction thereof in the projection 128. The cavity 130 is sized to receive the lower portion of the fluid container 200, which has a first type of pump 300a as shown and described above. Figure 3 as shown.

[0133] The uppermost part of the cavity 130 forms a neck engagement portion 132 that is configured to partially enclose and match the shape of the neck 214 of the fluid container 200, as shown in Figure 3 FIG. The wider cavity portion 134 is located directly below the neck engagement portion 132. The cavity portion 134 forms a locating flange engagement portion 134 that is sized to enclose and receive the locating flange 316 of the fixed sleeve 310. The inner ridge 136 extending from the inner wall in the cavity into the cavity 130 defines the lower end of the flange engagement portion 134 by forming a locating flange shelf 136 for the locating flange 316 to rest on.

[0134] At the lower part of the dispensing unit 125 is an actuator 124 in the form of a lifter 124. The lifter is connected to a lifter mechanism in the rear of the dispensing unit 125, and the vertical movement of the lifter occurs along a vertical slot 138 formed at the rear of the inner wall 131 in the cavity 130, and the lifter mechanism is connected to the lifter 124 through this slot 138. The lifter mechanism is operatively connected to a motor (not shown) located inside the dispensing unit 125.

[0135] The shown lifter 124 has a pump engagement portion 122 that partially encloses and engages the sliding sleeve 312 of the pump 300a in a form - fitting manner. The engagement portion 122 has a substantially recessed surface portion 129 that forms a concave lifter cavity and is substantially hollow and semi - cylindrical in the vertical direction. At the upper end of the pump engagement portion 122, an outwardly and laterally projecting flange 127 is formed, which forms a lifting shelf 127 for the actuating flange 314 of the sliding sleeve to rest on, also see Figure 4B .

[0136] At the lower end of the pump engagement portion 122, two flexible arms 126a, 126b are provided on the opposite side of the lifter 124 and extending forward. This allows an annular snap-fit engagement between the lifter 124 and the sliding sleeve 312 inserted into the lifter cavity 129. During the insertion of the sliding sleeve 312 into the lifter cavity 129, the arms 126a, 126b move laterally from their rest (equilibrium) position and apply a spring force to the sleeve 312. The fully inserted sleeve 312 is elastically held in place by the arms partially enclosing the sleeve, thereby forming a cylindrical snap-fit connection with the arms 126a, 126b, see Figure 4A and 4B .

[0137] The identification switch 133 is formed on the right side of the positioning flange engagement portion 134. The identification switch 133 is actuated when the fluid container 200 has been inserted into the dispenser 100 and the positioning flange 316 of the pump 300a acts on the identification switch 133 by moving the identification switch 133 in the lateral direction towards the right side of the dispenser 100. Actuation of this switch 133 triggers the dispenser 100 to recognize that a new refill 200 has been inserted into the dispenser 100.

[0138] The dispensing unit 125 also has a start switch 137 for turning on and off the mode enabling fluid dispensing, see Figure 4B . The switch 137 is located at the bottom of the dispensing unit 125 and is actuated to turn on the dispensing mode when the front cover 113 moves from Figure 2 its open position as shown to Figure 1 its closed position as shown. Similarly, the switch 137 is deactivated to turn off the dispensing mode when the front cover moves from the closed position to the open position. This ensures that no accidental fluid dispensing occurs when the front cover 113 is opened, for example, to replace the refill 200 in the dispenser 100.

[0139] Figure 4B and 4C show a perspective view of the lower end portion 102 of the dispenser 100 of Figure 1 wherein the front cover 113 of the dispenser 100 is removed to show the dispensing unit 125 and the first type of pump 300a in operation. As described above, the first type of pump 300a is an axially compressible pump 300a. According to Figure 4A , the fluid container 200 has been inserted into the dispenser 100, wherein the pump 300a is assembled into the cavity 130 of the dispensing unit 125 and engages the lifter 124 as described above. The positioning flange 316 is engaged by the positioning groove 139 formed between the positioning flange holder 136 and the upper inner surface 135 of the positioning flange engagement portion 134.

[0140] As Figure 4BAs shown, the sliding sleeve 312 of the pump 300a is engaged with the lifter 124 in its rest position, i.e., when the pump is not actuated to dispense a unit dose of fluid. When the user's hand is recognized by the sensor 123, the motor is activated, and the lifter 124 operatively connected to the motor axially compresses the pump 300a to dispense fluid from the fluid container 200.

[0141] Figure 4C Shows the position of the first type of pump 300a once the user's hand has been recognized by the sensor 123, where the motor has been started, and the lifter 124 operatively connected to the motor causes the pump 300a to be axially compressed to dispense fluid from the fluid container 200. In this view, the lifter 124 acts in the upward direction with a force F, causing the sliding sleeve 312 to move axially (A) upward. This causes the fluid to be dispensed downward from the fluid container 200 and its orifice 318 in the direction Y1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the fluid dispensing system 1 includes a fluid container 200 having a first type of pump 300a, which operates substantially the same as the manual dispensing system known from WO2011 / 133085, except that the lifter 124 is replaced by another actuator for engaging and moving the sliding sleeve 312.

[0142] So far, the fluid dispensing system 1 has been described in connection with using the dispenser 100 with a fluid container 200 having a first type of pump 300a. It is desirable to be able to use a fluid container 200 having a second type of pump 300b in the above-described dispenser 100 without affecting the possibility of still being able to load the dispenser 100 with a fluid container 200 having a first type of pump 200a. The removable adapter assembly according to the present disclosure provides this possibility. Hereinafter, the fluid dispensing system 1, the dispenser 100, and the adapter assembly will be illustrated in more detail by reference to the drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments.

[0143] Figure 5 Shows a perspective view of a fluid container 200 with a second type of pump 300b. As shown, for simplicity, the reservoir 250 is shown as being generally cylindrical. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the reservoir 250 can have the same structure as described above with respect to Figure 3 the fluid container 200 shown. Those skilled in the art will also understand that any other type of reservoir 250 that has been described above and can be used with the Figure 3 container 200 shown can also be used in the context of a fluid container 200 having a second type of pump. The container 200 can be filled with a fluid, such as soap, detergent, disinfectant, skin care product, moisturizer, or any other suitable fluid as described above with respect to Figure 3 the above.

[0144] At the lower side of the fluid container 200, a second type of pump 300b is provided, which has an external configuration of an elongate elastic tube forming an elastic pumping chamber 300b. The chamber is in internal fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and is connected to the rigid neck 214a of the fluid reservoir through a connector cap 360 for connecting and sealing the fluid reservoir to the chamber 300b. A nozzle 365 is provided at the lower end of the chamber. A valve may be provided in the chamber 300b near the nozzle 365 to prevent liquid from dripping from the fluid container when the chamber is not being squeezed. Similarly, a valve may be provided between the chamber 300b and the fluid reservoir to prevent liquid from being pressed back into the reservoir when the chamber is being squeezed. Such valves are known in the art. Examples of this type of pump and examples of the connection of the pump to the fluid reservoir are described in WO2009 / 104992. Those skilled in the art will understand that while the elongate elastic tube chamber 300b is an example of the second type of pump 300b, other types of the second type of pump may also be used in the context of the present disclosure, including pumps 300b having flexible or elastic pumping chambers with other shapes different from the elongate elastic tube chamber 300b.

[0145] Figure 6A and 6B An embodiment of an adapter assembly 400 is shown, which is for a fluid container 200 having a second type of pump 300b, particularly a fluid container 200 having an elastic elongate tube chamber 300b as shown in Figure 5 FIG.

[0146] The adapter assembly 400 includes an upper portion 410 forming a fluid container support 410 of the present disclosure for detachably connecting the adapter assembly to the fluid dispensing system 1 and the fluid container 200.

[0147] The adapter assembly 400 further includes two actuating members 420a, 420b, each including portions 126a, 126b forming actuating heads 126a, 126b, which are movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position such that when the adapter assembly 400 and the fluid container are mounted in the dispenser, the elongate elastic pumping chamber 300b can be laterally compressed between the two actuating heads 126a, 126b, thereby dispensing fluid from the fluid container 200.

[0148] The adapter assembly 400 further includes a lower portion 430, which forms a moving member 430 of the present disclosure, which is configured to engage the pump engaging portion 122 of the lifter 124 and partially enclose the second type of pump 300b.

[0149] Figure 7A and 7B It is shown that the fluid container support 410 includes a cap receiving portion 411, which is a U-shaped element, forming a cavity 412 extending in the vertical direction and providing for receiving and engagingFigure 5 The connector cap 360 and the central through hole 412 of the fluid container 200. The fluid container support 410 is completely open at the front so that when the adapter assembly 400 has been installed in the dispenser 100, the cavity 412 can be accessed when the container is installed in the dispenser to allow the fluid container 200 to be inserted from the front.

[0150] A laterally protruding flange 413 is provided at the lower end of the fluid container support 410, which protrudes outward from the lower end of the cap receiving portion 411. The shape and size of the flange 413 allow it to match the U-shaped shape of the cavity portion 134 of the positioning flange engaging portion 134 forming the dispensing unit 125 and to rest on the base of the dispenser 100 formed by the positioning flange holder 136 of the dispensing unit 125, see Figure 4A and 11A . The height of the fluid container support 410 corresponds to the height of the positioning flange engaging portion 134.

[0151] Each front end of the U-shaped element forming the cap receiving portion 411 rotates and protrudes in the lateral direction to form positioning means in the form of positioning flanges 415a, 415b, which are connected to the front end of the laterally protruding flange 413 and extend along the width of the front end. These positioning flanges 415a, 415b match the shape and size of the outer front edge portion of the flange engaging portion 134 forming the connecting portion for the positioning means 415a, 415b. Thus, the positioning flanges 415a, 415b provide correct insertion of the adapter assembly 400 into the dispensing unit 125. The flanges 415a, 415b can also prevent lateral, rotational and / or axial movement of the cap receiving portion 411 installed in the dispensing unit 125.

[0152] At the lower rear part of the cap receiving portion 411, a pump support element 418 is optionally provided, which is in the form of a support flange 418 that extends laterally into the opening 412 and has a concave portion 419 that is in the form of Figure 5 the elongated elastic tube chamber 300b shown. When the fluid container 200 is installed in the dispenser 100, the flange 418 can support the correct insertion of the fluid container into the dispenser 100 and the correct support of the pump 300b.

[0153] The cap support rib 414 extends laterally from the U-shaped inner surface 416 of the cap receiving portion 411 and partially along the U-shaped inner surface 416. The cap support rib 414 can provide a certain rigidity to the fluid container support and is configured to partially engage or support Figure 5the circular shape of the connector cap 360 of the fluid container 200, thereby providing correct insertion of the fluid container 200 into the dispenser 100 and the adapter assembly 400 and correct support of the connector cap 360 when the fluid container is installed in the dispenser 100.

[0154] Those skilled in the art will understand that the fluid container support 410 may have other shapes than U-shaped, including but not limited to polygons, which can still form a support for the fluid container 200 and the connector cap 360, etc., and engage with the U-shaped cavity portion 134 forming the positioning flange joint 134 of the dispensing unit 125.

[0155] In the upper part of the cap receiving portion 411 and its wall, there are recesses, and in the recesses, there are elastic and flexible switch shifting arms 417 extending forward from the rear of the wall 416. The switch shifting arm 417 can be laterally moved from a rest position to a switch actuating position. This function will be explored in more detail below, see Figure 12A .

[0156] The adapter assembly 400 also includes two actuating members 420a, 420b, as Figure 7A and 7B shown. Each actuating member 420a, 420b includes an elongated arm 422a, 422b that extends in its longitudinal direction (L1; L2) between two opposite ends 423a, 423b, 424a, 424b of the arm.

[0157] Each first end 424a, 424b is connected to the fluid container support 410 at the straight surface portions 411a, 411b at the lower end of the U-shaped inner surface 416, and the straight surface portions are formed by the straight-pointing arms 411a, 411b of the U-shaped element 411. Thus, the elongated arms 422a, 422b are connected to the straight-pointing arms 411a, 411b of the fluid container support 410 on opposite sides of the central opening 412, and extend downward in the direction (L1; L2) from their first ends 424a, 424b and toward each other to their second ends 423a, 423b.

[0158] Each second end 423a, 423b of the arm carries an actuator head 426a, 426b, which includes a first contact surface 427a, 427b and a second contact surface 428a, 428b. Each first contact surface 428a, 428b is configured to abut against a carriage surface 436a; 436b, which is formed by a sliding surface of a moving member 430, as described below. Each second contact surface 428a, 428b is configured to abut against a second type of pump 300b. The actuator head 426 protrudes slightly outward in two opposite directions that are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L1) of the elongated arm 422 to form first and second contact surfaces 427a, 427b, 428a, 428b that face away from each other. Each of the illustrated second contact surfaces 428a, 428b is convex in shape to allow for smooth and proper contact with the pump 300b. The second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other to allow the surfaces to abut against the second type of pump 300b on their opposite sides, see Figure 12B Those skilled in the art will understand that each second contact surface 428a, 428b can adopt other shapes and sizes, including but not limited to, for example, flat or concave shapes to match the shape of the pump.

[0159] As Figure 7B shown, each first contact surface is formed by an upper surface portion 427a1, an intermediate surface portion 427a2, and a lower surface portion 427a3. The upper surface portion 427a1 is provided by laterally extending flanges 421a, 421b, which form snap-fit hook elements 421a, 421b for connection to the moving member 430, as described below. The upper surface portion 427a1 of each first contact surface 427a, 427b is configured to slidably contact the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b of the moving member 430 for moving the actuator heads 426a, 426b from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, which will also be discussed in more detail below. Below the upper surface portion 427a1 is an inclined intermediate second surface portion 427a2, which is provided by a vertical support flange 429a connected to the laterally extending flanges 421a, 421b. The lower surface portion 427a3 is formed as an inclined lateral surface portion 427b3 at the lower end and connects to the inclined surface of the intermediate surface portion 427a2.

[0160] The actuator heads 426a, 426b are both movable between their non-actuated positions and their fully actuated positions, thereby allowing the first type of pump 300b to be compressed between the two actuator heads 426a, 426b when the adapter assembly 400 is installed in the dispenser 100 together with the fluid container 200 and once an actuation dispensing operation is performed, causing fluid to be dispensed from the pump 300b.

[0161] The movement of the actuating heads 426a, 426b can be achieved by movably connecting the first ends 424a, 424b of the arms to the fluid container support 410 and / or by making at least a portion of the arms flexible or elastic. Thus, the actuating heads 426a, 426a2 can move between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position along the rotational directions Z1, Z2, see Figure 7A .

[0162] The movable connection of the arms 422a, 422b to the fluid container support 410 can be provided by arms 422a, 422b pivotally connected to the fluid container support 410. Those skilled in the art also recognize that other types of movable connections can be used, including but not limited to pivots formed by hinge connections or living hinges.

[0163] In the illustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art envision that the arms 422a, 422b can be fixedly connected to the fluid container support 410 and be made partially or fully flexible to move the actuating heads 426a, 426b from a non-actuated position to a fully actuated position in the rotational directions (Z1; Z2). Those skilled in the art understand that the arms 422 can be made flexible by using elastic and flexible plastic materials (such as olefin plastics like polypropylene) and selecting suitable shapes and dimensions for this purpose. Harder plastic materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM) can also be used to form the flexible arms 422a, 422b to obtain appropriate flexibility and spring force to support the return of the actuating heads 426a, 426b from the actuated position to the non-actuated position, i.e., towards the rest position the arms have and to support the connection to the moving part 430. When forming the parts by injection molding, all of the above materials are applicable. However, when other plastics such as polyamide 12 (PA 12) of the nylon type can be used, the parts can also be formed by 3D printing or any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art.

[0164] Those skilled in the art will understand that the actuating components 420a, 420b that are movably connected to the fluid container support 410 or have flexible arms 422a, 422b to provide movable actuating heads 426a, 426b are examples of the actuating components 420a, 420b that are connected to the fluid container support 410 and carry the first and second contact surfaces 428a, 428b, 428a, 428b for use with the second type of pump 300b, but other actuating components 420a, 420b can also be used, including but not limited to the actuating components 420a, 420b having actuating heads 426a, 426b movably connected to the arms 422a, 422b, and the actuating components 420a, 420b formed in the shape of the actuating heads 426a, 426b, such as heads having a spherical shape or heads having flat or concave second contact surfaces 428a, 428b to match the shape of the pump. The first contact surfaces 427a, 427b can also adopt other shapes and sizes, for example, they are convex or flat in shape to correctly contact the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b.

[0165] As Figure 6A and 6B Further shown, the adapter assembly 400 also includes a lower portion 430, and the lower portion 430 forms the moving member 430 of the present disclosure. The moving member 430 is configured to engage the pump engagement portion 122 of the lifter 124 and partially enclose the second type of pump 300b:

[0166] As Figure 8A and 8B shown, the moving member 430 forms a sleeve 430 having an axially extending through hole 432, wherein the upper front portion of the sleeve has an access opening 433 to access the through hole from the front portion of the moving member 430. The access opening 433 forms a continuous opening with the through hole 432 at the upper portion of the moving member 430, that is, the upper end portion of the axially extending through hole 432 extends from the rear to the front and extends to the upper portion of the access opening 433, which in turn extends downward to provide a large opening 433 for accessing the interior of the moving member 430 from the top and front of the moving member 430. The inner surface portion 440 of the moving member 430 below the access opening 433 can form an access cavity 440, and the access cavity 440 extends downward and backward at an oblique angle from the lower end of the access opening 433 to the lower end of the front portion of the through hole 432 so as to provide better access to the interior of the moving member 430 when installed in the dispenser 100 as Figure 11B shown, for example, when inserting the fluid container 200 into the adapter assembly 400.

[0167] The shape and size of the moving member 430 are configured to be Figure 4AThe elevator 124 of the dispenser 100 shown is partially enclosed and engaged. The elevator 124 shown has a pump engagement portion 122 which is generally configured to partially enclose and engage in a form-fitting manner a sliding sleeve 312 of a first type of pump 300a as shown Figure 4B . The moving part 430 of the adapter assembly 430 is also configured to be enclosed and engaged in a form-fitting manner with the pump engagement portion 122 within the elevator cavity 129 of the engagement portion 129. The moving part 430 also includes a laterally upward flange 434 which extends laterally outward from the rear and side of the upper end of the moving part 430. This upper flange 434 is configured to rest on the elevator carriage 127 of the elevator 124 (see Figure 12A ).

[0168] As described above with respect to Figure 4A , the elevator 124 has two flexible arms 126a, 126b which are located at opposite sides of the elevator 124 and extend forward. These arms 126a, 126b generally allow an annular snap-fit engagement between the elevator 124 and the sliding sleeve 312 of a first type of pump 300a as shown Figure 4A . These flexible arms 126a, 126b will also allow a snap-fit engagement between the moving part 430 and the elevator 124. There are two recesses 435a, 435b at the lower part of the moving part 430, located on opposite sides of the sleeve 430 near its front. These recesses 435a, 435b are configured to receive the outer portions of the two flexible arms 126a, 126b which have slightly rounded protrusions facing inward towards each other. During the insertion of the moving part 430 into the elevator cavity 129, the arms 126a, 126b move laterally from their rest (equilibrium) position and exert a spring force on the sleeve 430. The fully inserted moving part 430 is elastically held in place by the arms 126a, 126b which partially enclose the sleeve 430, and the outer rounded portions of the arms 126a, 126b snap-fit into the recesses 435a, 435b of the moving part 430, see Figure 12A . Thus, these recesses 435a, 435b provide for the correct insertion of the moving part 430 into the dispensing unit 125. The snap-fit connection of the recesses 435a, 435b to the flexible arms also prevents lateral, rotational and / or axial movement of the moving part 430 within the elevator 124. Thus, the recesses form positioning means 435a, 435b for engaging corresponding one or more connecting parts 126a, 126b in the dispenser 100, and prevent unwanted axial and / or rotational movement of the adapter assembly 400 within the dispenser, and / or prevent misalignment of the adapter assembly within the dispenser. When the adapter is fully inserted, the lower end of the adapter assembly 400 is close to the bottom of the dispenser, see Figure 12A .

[0169] Those skilled in the art will understand that the moving part 430 can adopt any suitable shape and size to engage with the lifter 124. For example, by adopting a circular shape as the sliding sleeve 312 of the first type of pump 300a as described above.

[0170] The moving part 430 has a substantially flat rear wall 441, which is provided with a vertically extending flange 435 that extends backward from the wall and the bottom of the moving part 430 to the top along its central part. The flange 435 is adapted to form a support against the rear part of the lifter 124 so that the moving part 430 is correctly engaged in the lifter 124. In addition, a vertically and centrally extending rounded cavity 439 is formed in the rear wall 441 on its inner surface 444. The cavity 439 is formed to assemble the pump of the elongated elastic tube chamber 300b into the moving part 430 and the adapter assembly 400.

[0171] In the central through-hole 432 of the moving part 430, there are two snap-fit matching parts on the opposite side parts between its front part and the rear wall, which are provided with two snap-fit supports 437a, 437b and two cutouts 438a, 438b. The cutouts are configured to allow snap-fit engagement with the snap-fit hook elements 421a, 421b of the actuating parts 420a, 420b formed by the laterally extending flanges 421a, 421b of the corresponding actuating heads 426a, 426b. Figure 10 and 12B The snap-fit engagement is best shown, where the actuating parts 420a, 420b form a type of cantilever snap-fit beam with hook elements 421a, 421b, which are subjected to a bending load to engage the snap-fit matching parts of the two snap-fit supports 437a, 437b with the two snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b. The width of the snap-fit matching parts extends laterally from the inner surface 444 of the rear wall 441 to the inner front surface parts 443a, 443b, which in turn extend downward from the upper end of the moving part 430 along each side of the entry opening 433 and the entry cavity 440 to the lower end of the moving part 430 at its front part. Starting below the two snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b are the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b, which extend downward and inward at an inclined angle in the direction towards each other (C1; C2) to form a tapered cavity part therebetween, and the cavity part terminates at the lower narrow part connected to the two vertically facing surfaces 445a, 445b, see Figure 10 . The lateral dimension between the two vertical surfaces 445a, 44tb substantially matches the outer diameter of the elongated tube of the pump 300b, see Figure 12BThe two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b also face each other and provide sliding surfaces for the actuator heads 426a, 426b to slide along. When the moving part 430 moves upward to move the sliding surfaces 436a, 436b upward, it causes the actuator heads 426a, 426b to move from their non-actuated positions towards each other to their actuated positions.

[0172] As Figure 9 shown, the adapter assembly 400 is assembled by moving the fluid container support 410 with two actuator parts 420a, 420b facing downwards towards the moving part 430 and its upper part, and all parts are placed in the correct orientation they should have when installed together. As the actuator parts 420a, 420b move into the through holes 432 of the moving part 430, their first contact surfaces 427a, 427b will contact and slide on the snap-fit supports 437a, 437b, causing the arms 422a, 422b of the actuator parts 420a, 420b to bend inwards according to the cam-like shape of the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b, and finally the snap-fit hook elements 421a, 421b of the actuator heads 426a, 426b move into snap-fit engagement with the snap-fit mating parts of the two snap-fit supports 437a, 437b and the two snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b, and these snap-fit engagements are subject to the bending loads of the actuator parts 420a, 420b and their arms 422a, 422b, see Figure 10 。

[0173] As Figures 8A to 9 shown, the inner surface 444 of the rear wall 441 and the inner front surface portions 443a, 443b define a space therebetween to accommodate the actuator heads 426a, 426b, which have a maximum lateral dimension in the backward direction that matches the corresponding lateral dimension of the space. Therefore, positioning means are provided for the correct assembly of the adapter assembly 400 and for correctly guiding the axial movement of the moving part 430 and the lateral movement of the actuator heads 126a, 126b; and for preventing rotational movement between the moving part 430 and the fluid container support 410.

[0174] Suitable materials for forming the adapter assembly 400 can be aluminum or any suitable plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide 12 (PA12), and olefin plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The adapter assembly 400 can be formed by injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. The formation of the materials and components mentioned can be used for all parts of the adapter assembly, and combinations of materials can also be considered for the adapter assembly or its parts.

[0175] In addition, the adapter assembly 400 now described may have the following dimensional examples. The fluid container support 410 may have a maximum width of 54-55 mm and a height of approximately 14-15 mm. Each actuator arm 422a, 422b has a length of approximately 22-23 mm. Each second contact surface 428a, 428b has a width of approximately 14-16 mm, a height of approximately 12-13 mm, and a convex radius (r) of approximately 14-16 mm, see Figure 10 The moving part 430 has a height of about 37-38 mm, a width of about 40 mm, and a depth of about 44-46 mm. Each carriage surface 436a, 436b has a width of about 14-16 mm and a length of about 10 mm. The distance between the upper ends of the two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b is about 23-25 mm, and the distance between the lower ends of the two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b is about 14-15 mm. The diameter of the elongated elastic tube chamber can be 13-14 mm, and the length from the dispensing end to the cap is about 50-56 mm.

[0176] A device having an adapter assembly 400 according to the present disclosure Figure 1 The dispenser 100 and the dispensing system 1 of the fluid container 200 equipped with the second type pump 300b can provide a dispensing cycle for dispensing fluid with low energy consumption. The dispensing cycle includes moving the moving part 430 from the lowest position to its highest position, and returning the moving part 430 to the lowest position. The energy consumption of the adapter assembly 400 described so far may be lower than 1100 μWh, for example 300 to 1000 μWh or 500 to 1000 μWh. The energy consumption can be measured by using an Otii analyzer, which is a power analyzer from Qoitech.

[0177] Figure 10 Shows Figure 6A and 6BPartial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an adapter assembly, including an upper fluid container support 410, actuating members 420a, 420b, and a lower moving member 430. In this view, as described above, the actuating members are in snap-fit engagement with the moving member 430. Thus, the actuating members 420a, 420b form a type of cantilever snap-fit beam having hook elements 421a, 421b, which are subjected to a bending load to engage with the snap-fit mating members of two snap-fit supports 437a, 437b and two snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b of the moving member 430. Starting below the two snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b are carriage surfaces 436a, 436b, which extend downward and inward at an oblique angle in directions (C1; C2) towards each other to form a tapered cavity therebetween, which terminates at a lower narrowing connected to two vertically facing surfaces 445a, 445b. The lateral dimension between the two vertically facing surfaces 445a, 445b substantially matches the outer diameter of the slender tube of the pump 300b, see Figure 12B .

[0178] When the moving member 430 moves axially (A) upward to perform a single pumping action, the two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b also face each other and provide sliding surfaces along which the actuating heads 426a, 426b slide. When the moving member 430 moves upward, the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b that form the sliding surfaces also move upward, causing the actuating heads 426a, 426b to move from their non-actuated positions towards each other to their actuated positions. The movement of the moving member 430 from its lowest position to its highest position relative to the fluid container support 410 by a distance D2 causes that part of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b configured to abut the slender elastic tube chamber 300b placed therebetween to move laterally towards each other by distances d1 and d2, as Figure 10 shown. The lateral displacement of each part of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b can provide a ratio of approximately 1 / 3 between the distances d1, d2 and the distance D2 to provide a correct single pumping action. For example, D2 can be 12 mm, d1 can be 4 mm, and d2 can be 4 mm.

[0179] As Figure 10As shown, the portions of the intermediate and lower first surface portions 427a2, 427a3, 427b2, 427b3 of each actuator head 426a, 426b that are in the non-actuated position are supported on the respective carriage surfaces 436a, 436b, directly below the snap-fit cuts 438a, 438b in the moving member 430 that is in its lowest position. An upward displacement of the moving member 430 will also move the carriage surfaces upward, causing the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b to slide along the moving carriage surfaces 436a, 436b. The upper edges of the moving carriage surfaces 436a, 436b will act on the surface portions of the hook elements 421a, 421b to cause the actuator heads to move inward following the shape of the hook elements 421a, 421b. The support contact between the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and the said portions of the intermediate and lower first surface portions 427a2, 427a3, 427b2, 427b3 will move to the support contact between the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and the upper surface portions 427a1, 427b1 of the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b formed on the hook elements 421a, 421b. The upper surface portions 427a1, 427b1 will then abut against and slide along the carriage surfaces during the upward movement of the moving member 430, causing the actuator heads 426a, 426b to move to their actuated positions.

[0180] Also as Figure 10 shown, the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b are convex in the vertical direction. The radius (r) of the convex surface can be approximately 10 - 18 mm.

[0181] Figure 11A and 11B schematically shows the components of the fluid dispensing system 1, including Figure 1 the dispenser 100, Figure 5 the disposable container, and Figure 6A and 6B the adapter assembly 400.

[0182] At the front portion 112 of the dispenser 100, the housing forms a front cover 113 that is pivotally connected to the rear portion 110 at its lower end portion 102. The front cover 113 is opened by unlocking the lock 118 at the upper end of the front cover and rotating the cover about its pivot at the lower end to expose the interior of the dispenser 100. At the lower end portion of the rear portion 110 is the dispensing unit 125, which is the portion for holding the fluid container 200 and the pump. As Figure 11AAs shown, by inserting the fluid container support 410 into the cavity portion 134 of the dispensing unit 125, with the rounded portion of the U-shaped element 411 of the fluid container support 410 facing the rear portion 110 of the dispenser 100, and inserting the moving member 430 into the elevator cavity 129 of the elevator 124 until the outer rounded portions of the arms 126a, 126b of the elevator 124 are snap-fitted into the recesses 435a, 435b of the moving member 430, the adapter assembly 400 is inserted into the dispenser 100 and its dispensing unit 125 from the front and into the dispensing unit 125. When the adapter assembly 400 has been installed in the dispensing unit 125, the laterally extending flange 413 of the fluid container support 410 rests on the base of the dispenser 100 formed by the positioning flange holder 136 of the dispensing unit 125.

[0183] Figure 11B and 12A The dispenser 100 carrying the inserted adapter assembly 400 is shown in 12A , where the positioning flanges 415a, 415b of the fluid container support 410 match the shape and size of the outer front edge portion of the flange engagement portion 134, so as to be aligned with the front portion of the dispensing unit 125, and the flanges 415a, 415b provide correct insertion of the adapter assembly 400 into the dispensing unit 125. These flanges 415a, 415b can prevent lateral, rotational and / or axial movement of the cap receiving portion 411 installed in the dispensing unit 125. When the adapter assembly 400 has been fully inserted, the lower end of the adapter assembly 400 is close to the bottom of the dispenser 100.

[0184] As Figure 11B Schematically shown, the next step in assembling the fluid dispensing system 1 is to insert the fluid container 200 into the dispenser 100 that now holds the adapter assembly 400. The fluid container 200 is tilted and inserted, and the pump 300b of its elongated elastic tube chamber 300b is moved at an angle from above into the central through-hole 412 of the fluid container support 410 and the through-hole 432 of the moving member 430 until the connector cap 360 of the fluid container 200 can be inserted from the front into its fully inserted and upright position by rotating the fluid container 200.

[0185] It should be noted that the adapter assembly 400 is provided with the central through-hole 412 of the fluid container support 410 (the through-hole can be accessed from the front), and optionally with an access opening 433 and an access chamber 440 of the moving member 430, thus allowing the replacement of the fluid container 200 without removing the adapter assembly 400. The shapes and sizes of the openings 412, 432 allow the second type of pump 300b to be inserted through them.

[0186] Then, the dispenser 100 is closed by moving the upper part of the front cover 113 to the rear part 110 and optionally locking the cover 113 to the rear part 110 of the dispenser 100, thereby completing the assembly of the fluid dispensing system 1. Then, the dispenser 100 is ready for use.

[0187] Figure 12A A perspective view of the lower end of the fluid dispensing system 1 formed by the components shown by Figure 11A and 11B is shown, in which the front cover 113 is removed and viewed from the front to show the internal details of the fluid dispensing system 1.

[0188] According to Figure 12A , the bottom surfaces 255 of the fluid container 200 and the fluid reservoir 250 are placed on a base in the dispenser 100, which is formed by the upper surface 121 of the protrusion 128 of the dispensing unit 125. See also Figure 4A . The rigid neck 214a of the fluid reservoir 250 is received in the neck engagement portion 132, and the connector cap 360 is partially enclosed and engaged within the cavity portion 134. As described above, the moving member 430 engages the pump engagement portion 122 of the lifter 124 and partially encloses the second type of pump 300b.

[0189] In the upper part of the cap receiving portion 411 and its wall, there is an elastic and flexible switch shifting arm 417, which extends forward from the rear part of the wall. As Figure 12A shown, the inserted connector cap 360 has laterally moved the switch shifting arm 417 from its rest position in the rotational direction S to the switch actuating position, so that the identification switch 133 formed in the positioning flange engagement portion 134 has moved and been actuated in the lateral direction. As described above, the actuation of the identification switch 133 triggers the dispenser 100 to identify that a new refill 200 has been inserted into the dispenser 100.

[0190] The second type of fluid pump 300b is an elongated elastic tube chamber 300b, which extends downward from the fluid container 200 and between the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuating members 420a, 420b to the nozzle 365 at the bottom of the dispenser 100. The nozzle 365 is placed at the lowermost part of the dispenser 100 to prevent any risk of contamination of any dispensing components when dispensing any fluid from the fluid container 200, but at the same time the user cannot clearly see it when using the dispenser 100. The position of the nozzle 365 depends on, for example, the size of the fluid container 200 and the position where the fluid container 200 can be placed in the dispenser 100. Those skilled in the art understand how to adjust the adapter assembly 400 or its position in the dispenser 100 in order to adjust the position of the nozzle 365.

[0191] Figure 12B and 12C A perspective view of the lower end of the fluid dispensing system 1 formed by the components shown byFigure 11A and 11B A perspective view of the lower end of the fluid distribution system 1 formed by the components shown, with the front cover 113 of the dispenser 100 removed to show the internal details of the fluid distribution system 1 in operation.

[0192] In Figure 12B , the second type of fluid pump 300b is an elongate elastic tube chamber 300b that extends downward from the connector cap 360 of the fluid container 200 between the actuating members 420a, 420b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b in the through holes 432 of the moving member 430 to the nozzle 365 at the bottom of the dispenser 100. In this view, the lifter 124 and the moving member 430 are in their lowest positions, i.e., their rest positions. In these positions, the actuating members 420a, 420b and their actuating heads 426a, 426b are held in their non-actuated positions between the moving member 430 and the elongate elastic tube chamber 300b that forms the second type of pump 300b. As Figure 10 and 12B shown, the actuating heads 426a, 426b are both in their non-actuated positions, where the snap-fit hook elements 421a, 421b are engaged with their respective snap-fit mating parts 437a, 437b, 438a, 438b. At least a portion of the intermediate and lower first surface portions 427a2, 427a3, 427b2, 427b3 of each actuating head 426a, 426b are supported on the respective carriage surfaces 436a, 436b, which are just below the snap-fit cutouts 438a, 438b in the moving member 430, see Figure 10 .

[0193] As Figure 12B shown, the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other and are laterally spaced from each other in their non-actuated positions, where portions of them abut against the elongate elastic tube chamber 300b placed therebetween, such that the second type of pump 300b placed therebetween in the dispenser 100 and in the non-actuated position should be in a non-compressed and non-deformed form and still provide sufficient dispensing upon actuation. Thus, in the non-actuated position, the minimum lateral dimension between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b is slightly larger than or substantially matches the outer diameter of the elongate tube of the pump 300b. As Figure 12B shown, the adapter assembly 400 is constructed such that the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b abut against the second type of pump 300b at their central portions to provide correct actuation of the dispensing. In addition, the lateral dimension between the two vertical surfaces 445a, 445b is slightly larger than or substantially matches the outer diameter of the elongate tube of the pump 300b.

[0194] The adapter assembly 400 can also be modified to adjust its position relative to the pump 300b, as well as the shape of the pump 300b and the maximum volume desired to be dispensed from the fluid container 200. Some examples of the size and shape of the adapter assembly 400 have been given above for Figure 12B the embodiments shown. These sizes and shapes can also be envisioned for other embodiments shown herein. For example, the sizes of the actuator heads 426a, 426b can be adjusted such that a second type of pump 300b placed therebetween in the dispenser 100 and in a non-actuated position should still be in a non-compressed and non-deformed form and still provide sufficient dispensing upon actuation. Optionally, the shape and size can be adjusted to allow the actuator heads 426a, 426b to rest on the pump 300b in a prestressed manner in the non-actuated position to allow immediate and proper dispensing when the actuator heads 426a, 426b are moved to the starting position.

[0195] Figure 12B Also shown is the fluid dispensing system 1 when the hand of a user located below the dispenser 100 is recognized by the sensor 123. Then, Figure 12C shown is the dispensing system 1 when the hand of the user is recognized by the sensor 123, where the motor has been started, the elevator 124 operably connected to the motor has moved upward, and an upward force (P) has been applied to the moving member 430, which causes the moving member 430 to move from its lower position to its upper position. The movement of the moving member 430 causes the actuator heads 426a, 426b to move from their non-actuated positions toward the actuated position and toward the pump 300b, where the pump 300b is laterally compressed between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuator heads 426a, 426b, and where the actuating force TF is transmitted from the moving member 430 to the pump 300b via the actuating members 420a, 420b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b. This causes the fluid to be dispensed downward from the fluid container 200 and its nozzle 365 in the direction Y2. In Figure 12C this, when the actuator heads are in their fully actuated positions, the upper surface portions 427a1, 427b1 abut the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b. A horizontal plane H1 passing through the first and second actuator heads 426a, 426b in their fully actuated positions will intersect the portions of the first and second carriage surfaces 436a, 436b that contact the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b of the actuator heads. This ensures good force transmission from the elevator 124 to the pump 300b for dispensing a certain dose of fluid.

[0196] Once the lifter 124 is in its uppermost position, the lifter 124 and the moving member 430 move downward to the position they had before the user's hand was recognized to actuate the fluid dispensing. When the refill of the pumping chamber occurs by providing a filling force, the actuating heads 426a, 426b then return to their non-actuated positions, and the filling force is provided in particular by the inherent elasticity of the walls of the pumping chamber 300b (not shown). The return of the actuating heads 426a, 426b is also supported by the bending loads of the actuating arms 422a, 422b, which cause the actuating heads 426a, 426b to pop outwards.

[0197] Figures 13A to 13B An embodiment of the adapter assembly 400 is shown, which is used with a fluid container 200 having a second type of pump 300b, in particular a fluid container 200 having an elastic elongated tube chamber 300b as Figure 5 shown.

[0198] The adapter assembly 400 is Figure 6A and 6B a variant of the embodiment shown in

[0199] with only minor differences. The difference is that the spring 450 is mounted between the rear bottom surface of the fluid container support 410 and the rear upper surface of the moving member 430. The spring 450 shown is a helical spring, which is connected at its ends to a pin 451 protruding from the bottom surface of the fluid container member and a pin 452 protruding from the upper surface of the moving member 430. The use of the spring 450 can support the correct movement of the moving member 430 and its structure to allow the adapter assembly 400 to be properly installed in the dispensing unit 125. If, for example, the flexible and elastic arms of the actuating members 420a, 420b (which allow the movement of the actuating heads 426a, 426b) are made of a very soft, less ductile and less elastic material, or if the shape and size of the arms are different, and no spring restoring force that can support the actuating members 420a, 420b and the moving member 430 to return to their non-actuated positions and lower positions respectively is provided, the use of the spring may be particularly useful.

[0199] In Figure 13A and 13B the same numbers refer to the same elements as shown in the embodiments described above Figure 6A and 6B and reference is made to the details related to the embodiments shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B The components of the fluid dispensing system 1 of the adapter assembly 400 including Figure 13A and 13B are similar to the components of the fluid dispensing system 1 shown in Figure 11A and 11B The fluid container having Figure 13A and 13BThe operation of the fluid distribution system 1 of the adapter assembly 400 is the same as that of Figure 12B and 12C shown Figure 11A and 11B the fluid distribution system 1.

[0200] Figures 14A to 14C FIG. is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter assembly 400 that will be used with a fluid container 200 having a second type of pump 300b, particularly a liquid container 200 having an elastic elongated tube chamber 300b as shown in Figure 5 FIG.

[0201] The adapter assembly 400 is generally similar to Figure 6A and 6B the embodiments shown in Figure 13A and 13B the embodiments shown in, with only some differences. The adapter assembly 400 includes a fluid container support 410, two actuating members 420a, 420b, and a moving member 430. Figure 14A FIG. shows the components of the adapter assembly 400 that have not been assembled into the adapter assembly 400. Figure 14B and 14C FIGS. show the adapter assembly 400 with its components assembled in different views.

[0202] In Figures 14A to 15B the same numerals refer to the same elements as shown in the embodiments of Figure 6A 6b, 13A, and 13B described above, and reference is made to the details described in connection with these embodiments.

[0203] As Figure 14A shown, the fluid container support 410 of the adapter assembly 400 is similar to that described in the above embodiments. It includes a cap receiving portion 411, which is a U-shaped element that forms a cavity 412 extending in the vertical direction and provides for receiving and engaging Figure 5 the connector cap 360 and the central through hole 412 of the fluid container 200.

[0204] One difference is that the vertical rear wall 472 extends downward from the fluid container support 410 and from the support flange 418 that laterally extends into the cavity 412 from the rear of the fluid container support 410. The rear wall 472 has a central rounded vertical cavity 467 that is formed on the inner surface of the rear wall 472 and extends in the downward direction. On each side of the cavity 467, there are two flat wall edge portions 466a, 466b that extend downward along the cavity 467 from the support flange 418 of the fluid container support 410. The wall edge portions 466a, 466b are configured to movably connect the fluid container support 410 to the moving member 430. The wall edge portions movably engage the recess 469a between two vertical flanges 463a, 463b that extend from opposite sides in the opening 412 and the carriage portions 462a, 462b of the moving member 430 that are disposed in front of the two vertical flanges 463a and project from opposite sides in the through hole 432. The carriage portions 462a, 462b carry the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b of the moving member 430. Accordingly, two recesses 469a, 469b are formed on opposite sides of the through hole 412 of the moving member 430, and their shapes are capable of movably engaging the two vertical flanges 463a, 463b of the rear wall 472 to allow the moving member 430 to axially move relative to the fluid container support 410 and the actuating members 420a, 420b. Thus, the wall 472 will extend into the through hole 430 of the moving member 430 at its rear portion and provide a guiding movement of the moving member 430 relative to the fluid container support 410. When the fluid container 200 is installed in the dispenser 100, the vertical cavity 467 can support the correct insertion of the fluid container 200 into the dispenser 100 and the correct support of the pump 300b.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that the fluid container support 410 can take other shapes than U-shaped, including but not limited to polygons, which can still form supports for the fluid container 200 and the connector cap 360, etc., and engage with the U-shaped cavity portion 134 that forms the positioning flange engaging portion 134 of the dispensing unit 125.

[0206] The adapter assembly 400 further includes two actuating members 420a, 420b, as Figures 14A to 14C shown. In addition, in this embodiment, each actuating member 420a, 420b includes an elongated arm 422a, 422b that extends longitudinally between two opposite ends 423a, 423b, 424a, 424b of the arm.

[0207] Each first end 424a, 424b is connected to the fluid container support 410, as regarding Figure 6A and 6Bas described in the embodiments. Arms 422a, 422b extend from their first ends 424a, 424b in a downward direction towards each other to their second ends 423a, 423b that carry actuator heads 426a, 426b, while first contact surfaces 427a, 427b abut against carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and second contact surfaces 428a, 428b abut against second type pumps 300b. Each of the shown second contact surfaces 428a, 428b is flat in shape to allow for proper compression of pump 300b in this embodiment. The second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other to allow the surfaces to abut against second type pump 300b on their opposite sides, see Figure 15A .

[0208] Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b can adopt other shapes and sizes, including but not limited to, for example, convex shapes for smooth contact with pump 300b or concave shapes to match the shape of the pump.

[0209] As Figures 14A to 14C shown, each actuator head 426a, 426b is wedge-shaped, having triangular surfaces facing the front portion 112 and the rear portion 110 of the dispenser 1 and tapering downward to a point. As described above, each of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the wedge-shaped actuator heads 426a, 426b is flat in shape and is formed by vertical wall elements 474a, 474b extending in a backward direction. Thus, each of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b forms a vertical surface of the wedge-shaped heads 426a, 426b. From the wall sides of the wall elements 474a, 474b - which are opposite to the sides that form the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b, four vertical flanges 476a1-a4, 476b1-b4 extend outwardly and perpendicularly. These vertical flanges 476a1-a4, 476b1-b4 have edge surfaces that face away from each of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b and form first contact surface portions 427a1-a4, 427b1-b4. These contact surface portions 427a1-a4, 427b1-b4 extend at an oblique angle downward and inward towards the point of the wedge-shaped heads 426a, 426b.

[0210] Actuator heads 426a, 426b are both movable between their non-actuated positions and fully actuated positions to allow the first type pump 300b to be compressed between the two actuator heads 426a, 426b.

[0211] In the illustrated embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art contemplates that arms 422a, 422b are fixedly attached to fluid container support 410 and the arms are made rigid. In this embodiment, actuator heads 426a, 426b are movably attached to arms 422a, 422b to allow the actuator heads to move laterally along X1, X2 between their non-actuated and fully actuated positions. The second ends 423a, 423b of arms 422a, 422b each have three finger portions 446a - 446a3 which are configured to be inserted from the top of each actuator head 426a, 426b into cavities formed by four vertical flanges 476a1 - a4, 476b1 - b4. The finger portions 446a - 446a3 of each arm 422a, 422b are connected to rods 445a, 445b that extend rearward. Each rod 445a, 445b is fitted within lateral cavities 448a1 - 448a4, 448b1 - 448b4 that are formed within each actuator head 426a, 426b between vertical flanges 476a1 - a4, 476b1 - b4 at their upper portions and extend laterally to form elongated slots 448a1 - 448a4, 448b1 - 448b4, where the rods 445a, 445b cooperate to support the lateral movement of actuator heads 426a, 426b along a lateral distance within the slots 448a1 - 448a4, 448b1 - 448b4. This arrangement allows the actuator heads to move between their non-actuated and fully actuated positions. The movement of actuator heads 426a, 426b is as Figure 15A and 15B shown.

[0212] One of ordinary skill in the art also recognizes that other types of movable connections can be used to provide the movement of actuator heads 426a, 426b. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that this can be achieved by movably attaching the first ends 424a, 424b of arms 422a, 422b to fluid container support 410 and / or by making at least a portion of the arms flexible or elastic as described above.

[0213] Adapter assembly 400 also includes a lower portion 430 of moving member 430 of the present disclosure which is configured to engage pump engagement portion 122 of lifter 124 and partially enclose second type pump 300b.

[0214] As Figures 14A to 14C shown, as described above, moving member 430 forms a sleeve 430 having an axially extending through-hole 432.

[0215] The shape and size of moving member 430 are configured to be partially enclosed and engaged by lifter 124 of dispenser 100. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that moving member 430 can take any suitable shape and size to engage lifter 124 as described above.

[0216] As described above, the moving member 430 is movably connected to the fluid container support 410 and its rear wall 472. In the central through-hole 432 of the moving member 430, there are trolley portions 462a, 462b on opposite side portions between the front and rear walls of the moving member, which have carriage surfaces 436a, 436b facing the through-hole 432 of the moving member 430. The carriage surfaces 436a, 436b extend obliquely downward and inward in a direction towards each other to form a tapered cavity portion therebetween. They extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the first contact surface portion extends, so as to form a sliding contact between the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and the first contact surface portions 427a4, 427b1 - 427b4. There are two trolley protrusions protruding from each carriage surface, and a vertical cavity is formed therebetween. These protrusions are configured to fit into two outermost cavities formed by the vertical flanges 476a1 - a4, 476b1 - b4. In the adapter assembly 400, the actuating head contacts the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b, such that the protrusions of the trolley portions 462a, 462b and the vertical flanges 476a1 - a4, 476b1 - b4 of the actuating heads 426a, 426b are inserted into their respective cavities. In this setting, the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b will contact the first contact surface portions 427a4, 427b1 - 427b4 of the actuating head. When the moving member 430 moves upward to move the sliding surfaces 436a, 436b upward, causing the actuating heads 426a, 426b to move into the tapered space between the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and move from their non-actuated positions towards each other to their actuated positions, the two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b provide a sliding surface for the actuating heads 426a, 426b to slide along.

[0217] As Figure 14B and 14C shown, a spring 450 is installed between the rear bottom surface of the fluid container support 410 and the rear upper surface of the moving member 430 at the rear of the vertical rear wall 472. The spring arrangement shown has been described according to the Figure 13A and 13B embodiments shown.

[0218] According to the present disclosure, suitable materials for forming the adapter assembly 400 can be aluminum or any suitable plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide 12 (PA 12), and olefin plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The adapter assembly 400 can be formed by injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. The materials mentioned and the formation of the components can be used for all parts of the adapter assembly, and combinations of materials can also be used for the adapter assembly or its parts.

[0219] Including Figure 14Band 14C The components of the fluid distribution system 1 of the adapter assembly 400 are similar to Figure 11A and 11B the components of the fluid distribution system 1 shown.

[0220] Figure 15A and 15B show a perspective view of the lower end of the fluid distribution system 1 formed by the dispenser 100 of Figure 1 , the disposable container of Figure 5 and the adapter assembly 400 of Figures 14A to 14C , with the front cover removed to show the internal details of the fluid distribution system 1 in operation. The operation of the fluid distribution system 1 having the adapter assembly 400 of Figure 14B and 14C is similar to the operation described in Figure 12B and 12C .

[0221] In Figure 15A , the second type of fluid pump 300b is an elongate resilient tube chamber 300b that extends downward from the connector cap 360 of the fluid container 200 between the actuating members 420a, 420b in the through holes 432 of the moving member 430 and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b to the nozzle 365 at the bottom of the dispenser 100. In this view, the lifter 124 and the moving member 430 are in their lowest positions, i.e., their rest positions. In these positions, the actuating members 420a, 420b and their actuating heads 426a, 426b are held in their non-actuated positions, which are located between the moving member 430 and the elongate resilient tube chamber 300b forming the second type of pump 300b. The actuating heads 426a, 426b are both in their non-actuated positions and are partially connected to the carriage portions 462a, 462b, where the upper portions of the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b contact the lower portions of the first contact surface portions 427a4, 427b1 - 427b4.

[0222] As Figure 15A shown, the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other and are in their non-actuated positions laterally spaced from each other, with portions thereof abutting against the elongate resilient tube chamber 300b placed therebetween, such that the second type of pump 300b in the dispenser 100 during placement and in the non-actuated position should be in a non-compressed and non-deformed form and still provide sufficient dispensing upon actuation, as with respect to Figure 6A and 6BAs described in the embodiments. Thus, the minimum lateral dimension between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b in the non-actuated position is slightly larger than or substantially matches the outer diameter of the slender tube of the pump 300b. Optionally, the shape and dimensions can be adjusted to allow the actuator heads 426a, 426b to rest on the pump 300b in a prestressed manner in the non-actuated position to allow immediate and proper dispensing when the actuator heads 426a, 426b are moved to the activated position.

[0223] As Figure 15A shown, the adapter assembly 400 is constructed such that the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b abut against the second type of pump 300b in their central portions to provide proper actuation of the dispensing.

[0224] The adapter assembly 400 can also be modified to adjust its position relative to the pump 300b as well as the shape of the pump 300b and the maximum volume desired to be dispensed from the fluid container 200, as Figure 12B described.

[0225] Similarly as Figure 15A shown, the bottom surfaces 255 of the fluid container 200 and the fluid reservoir 250 can at least partially rest on the base in the dispenser 100, which is formed by the upper surface 121 of the protrusion 128 of the dispensing unit 125.

[0226] Figure 15B Shown is the dispensing system 1 when the user's hand is recognized by the sensor 123, where the motor has been started, the elevator 124 operably connected to the motor has moved upward, and an upward force (P) has been applied to the moving part 430, which causes the moving part 430 to move from its lower position to its upper position. The movement of the moving part 430 causes the actuator heads 426a, 426b to move laterally from their non-actuated positions towards the actuated position and towards the pump 300b, where the pump 300b is laterally compressed between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuator heads 426a, 426b, and where the actuating force TF is transmitted from the moving part 430 to the pump 300b via the actuating members 420a, 420b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428. This causes the fluid to be dispensed downward from the fluid container 200 and its nozzle 365 in the direction Y2. In Figure 15AIn [the situation], when the actuating head is in its fully actuated position, the first contact surface portions 427a4, 427b1 - 427b4 abut against the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b. A horizontal plane H2 passing through the first and second actuating heads 426a, 426b in their fully actuated positions will intersect the portions of the first and second carriage surfaces 436a, 436b that contact the first contact surface portions 427a4, 427b1 - 427b4 of the actuating heads. This ensures good force transmission from the lifter 124 to the pump 300b for dispensing a certain dose of fluid.

[0227] Once the lifter 124 is in its uppermost position, the lifter 124 and the moving member 430 move downward to the position they had before the user's hand is recognized to actuate the dispensing of the fluid. When the pumping chamber is refilled by providing a filling force (which is provided in particular by the inherent elasticity of the walls of the pumping chamber 300b (not shown)), the actuating heads 426a, 426b then return to their non - actuated positions.

[0228] Figure 16A and 16B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter assembly 400 that will be used with a fluid container 200 having a second - type pump 300b, particularly a fluid container 200 having an elastic elongated tube chamber 300b as shown in Figure 5 the fluid container 200 having an elastic elongated tube chamber 300b as shown.

[0229] The adapter assembly 400 is similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 6A - 6B 13A - 13B and 15A - 15B. The adapter assembly 400 includes a fluid - container support 410, two actuating members 420a, 420b, and a moving member 430. Figure 16A and 16B show different views of the adapter assembly 400 with the components of the adapter assembly 400 assembled.

[0230] In Figures 16A to 17B the same numerals refer to the same elements as those shown in the embodiments of Figure 6A 6b, 13A, 13B, and 15A through 15B described above, and reference is made to the details associated with those embodiments.

[0231] As Figure 14A shown, the fluid - container support 410 of the adapter assembly 400 is similar to that described in the above - mentioned embodiments. It includes a cap - receiving portion 411, which is a U - shaped element that forms a cavity 412 extending in the vertical direction and provides for receiving and engaging Figure 5 the connector cap 360 and the central through - hole 412 of the fluid container 200.

[0232] At the lower rear part of the cap receiving portion 411, a pump support element 418 in the form of a U-shaped element is provided, which extends downward and inward to a U-shaped portion 419 that is shaped to receive Figure 5 the elongated elastic tube chamber 300b shown. When the fluid container 200 is installed in the dispenser 100, this support element 418 can support the correct insertion of the fluid container into the dispenser 100 and the correct support of the pump 300b. The inclined upper surface 419' of the pump support element 418 can provide a base for the connector cap 360 to rest on, as shown in Figure 17A .

[0233] Those skilled in the art will understand that the fluid container support 410 can take other shapes than U-shaped, including but not limited to polygons, which can still form supports for the fluid container 200, the connector cap 360, etc., and engage with the U-shaped cavity portion 134 of the positioning flange joint 134 that forms the dispensing unit 125.

[0234] The adapter assembly 400 also includes two actuating members 420a, 420b, as shown in Figure 15A and 15B . In this embodiment, each actuating member 420a, 420b includes an elongated arm 422a, 422b that extends longitudinally between two opposite ends 423a, 423b, 424a, 424b of the arm.

[0235] Each first end 424a, 424b is connected to a hinge connection 470 that is connected to the fluid container support 410 at the rear of the adapter assembly 400. The arms 422a, 422b extend from their first ends 424a, 424b in a generally forward direction to their second ends 423a, 423b, and the second ends carry actuating heads 426a, 426b while the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b abut against the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b abut against the second type of pump 300b. Each of the shown second contact surfaces 428a, 428b is slightly curved from the rear to the front of the second contact surface 428a, 428b; in this embodiment, a surface shaped as a convex surface is formed to correctly and smoothly compress the pump 300b. The second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other to allow the surfaces to abut against the second type of pump 300b on their opposite sides, as shown in Figure 17A .

[0236] Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b can take other shapes and sizes, including but not limited to, for example, flat or concave to match the shape of the pump.

[0237] As shown in Figure 16A and 16BAs shown, the actuator heads 426a, 426b have vertical portions 478a, 478b that extend outwardly and slightly rearwardly. The lower edge portions of the vertical portions 478a, 478b extend downwardly and inwardly toward each other at an oblique angle from the outer ends of the vertical portions 478a, 478b, wherein the lower edge portions form first contact surfaces 427a, 427b.

[0238] The actuator heads 426a, 426b are each movable between their non-actuated positions and their fully actuated positions to permit the first type of pump 300b to be compressed between the two actuator heads 426a, 426b.

[0239] In the illustrated embodiment, the arms 422a, 422b are movably connected to the rear portion of the adapter assembly 400, wherein the arms 422a, 422b are connected to a hinge 470 having a pivot 471 about which the arms can move in rotational directions X1, X2, see Figure 17B and the exploded view of the adapter assembly 400. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arms 422a, 422b are rigid. This arrangement permits the actuator heads 426a, 426b to move between their non-actuated positions and their fully actuated positions. The actuator heads 426a, 426b are as Figure 17A and 17B shown.

[0240] Those skilled in the art will also recognize that other types of movable connections can be used to provide movement of the actuator heads 426a, 426b. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that it can be achieved by movably connecting the first ends 424a, 424b of the arms 422a, 422b to the adapter assembly 400 via a living hinge or the like and / or by making at least a portion of the arms flexible or elastic as described above.

[0241] The adapter assembly 400 also includes a lower portion 430 that forms the moving member 430 of the present disclosure, the moving member 430 being configured to engage the pump engagement portion 122 of the lifter 124 and partially enclose the second type of pump 300b.

[0242] As Figure 16A and 16B shown, as described above, the moving member 430 forms a sleeve 430 having an axially extending through-hole 432.

[0243] The shape and size of the moving member 430 are configured to be partially enclosed and engaged by the lifter 124 of the dispenser 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the moving member 430 can be of any suitable shape and size to engage the lifter 124 as described above.

[0244] The moving part 430 is movably connected to the fluid container support 410. In the central through-hole 432 of the moving part 430, there are trolley parts 462a, 462b presenting carriage surfaces 436a, 436b that are substantially facing each other on the opposite side parts between the front part and the rear wall of the moving part, as well as the through-hole 432. The carriage surfaces 436a, 436b extend downward and inward at an inclined angle towards each other to form a tapered cavity part therebetween, as shown in Figure 17B . They form a sliding contact between the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b and the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b. In this setting, the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b will contact the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b. The two carriage surfaces 436a, 436b provide sliding surfaces for the actuating heads 426a, 426b to slide along. When the moving part 430 moves upward to move the sliding surfaces 436a, 436b upward, it causes the actuating heads 426a, 426b to move inward to move from their non-actuated positions towards each other to their actuated positions, as shown in Figure 17B .

[0245] According to the present disclosure, suitable materials for forming the adapter assembly 400 can be aluminum or any suitable plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide 12 (PA12), and olefin plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The adapter assembly 400 can be formed by injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art. The formation of the materials and components mentioned can be used for all parts of the adapter assembly, and combinations of materials can also be considered for the adapter assembly or its parts.

[0246] Comprising Figure 16A and 16B The components of the fluid distribution system 1 of the adapter assembly 400 are similar to Figure 11A and 11B The components of the fluid distribution system 1 shown.

[0247] Figure 17A and 17B Show a perspective view of the lower end part of the fluid distribution system 1 formed by Figure 1 The dispenser 100 of Figure 5 The disposable container of Figure 16A and 16B The adapter assembly 400 of Figure 17A and 17B The operation of the fluid distribution system 1 of the adapter assembly 400 is similar to the operation described herein with respect to other embodiments.

[0248] In Figure 17AIn it, the second type of fluid pump 300b is an elongated elastic tube chamber 300b that extends from the connector cap 360 of the fluid container 200 and extends downward between the actuating members 420a, 420b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b located within the through holes 432 of the moving member 430 to the nozzle 365 at the bottom of the dispenser 100. In this view, the lifter 124 and the moving member 430 are in their lowest positions, i.e., their rest positions. In these positions, the actuating members 420a, 420b and their actuating heads 426a, 426b are held in their non-actuated positions, which are located between the moving member 430 and the elongated elastic tube chamber 300b forming the second type of pump 300b. The actuating heads 426a, 426b are both in their non-actuated positions and are partially connected to the carriage portions 462a, 462b, where the upper portions of the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b contact the lower portions of the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b.

[0249] As Figure 17A shown, the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b face each other and are in their non-actuated positions that are laterally spaced apart from each other, with a portion thereof abutting against the elongated elastic tube chamber 300b placed therebetween, such that the second type of pump 300b placed in the dispenser 100 and in its non-actuated position therebetween should be in a non-compressed and non-deformed form and still provide sufficient dispensing upon actuation, as described in the embodiments regarding Figure 6A and 6B . Thus, the minimum lateral dimension between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b in the non-actuated position is slightly larger than or substantially matches the outer diameter of the elongated tube of the pump 300b. Optionally, the shape and dimensions can be adjusted to allow the actuating heads 426a, 426b to rest on the pump 300b in a prestressed manner in the non-actuated position to allow for immediate and proper dispensing when the actuating heads 426a, 426b move to the activation position.

[0250] As Figure 17A shown, the adapter assembly 400 is constructed such that the second contact surfaces 428a, 428b abut against the second type of pump 300b at their central portions to provide correct actuation of the dispensing.

[0251] The adapter assembly 400 can also be modified to adjust its position relative to the pump 300b as well as the shape of the pump 300b and the maximum volume desired to be dispensed from the fluid container 200, as Figure 12B described.

[0252] Similarly as Figure 17AAs shown, the bottom surfaces 255 of the fluid container 200 and the fluid reservoir 250 can rest at least partially on a base in the dispenser 100, which is formed by the upper surface 121 of the protrusion 128 of the dispensing unit 125.

[0253] Figure 17B Shown is the dispensing system 1 when the user's hand is recognized by the sensor 123, where the motor has been started, the lifter 124 operatively connected to the motor has moved upward, and an upward force (P) has been applied to the moving part 430, which causes the moving part 430 to move from its lower position to its upper position. The movement of the moving part 430 causes the actuating heads 426a, 426b to move from their non-actuated positions towards the actuated positions and laterally towards the pump 300b, where the actuating members 420a, 420b have rotated about their pivots 471 in the rotational directions X1, X2, and the actuating heads 426a, 426b have moved towards each other in the rotational directions R1, R2, where the pump 300b is laterally compressed between the two second contact surfaces 428a, 428b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b, as seen in the exploded view (looking from below) including the adapter assembly 400 Figure 17B . Thus, the actuating force is transmitted from the moving part 430 to the pump 300b via the actuating members 420a, 420b and the second contact surfaces 428a, 428. This causes the fluid to be dispensed downward from the fluid container 200 and its nozzle 365 in the direction Y2. In Figure 17B , when the actuating heads 426a, 426b are in their fully actuated positions, the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b rest against the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b. The horizontal plane H3 passing through the first and second actuating heads 426a, 426b in their fully actuated positions will intersect the first and second carriage surfaces 436a, 436b that contact the first contact surfaces 427a, 427b of the actuating heads 426a, 426b. This ensures good force transmission from the lifter 124 to the pump 300b for dispensing a certain dose of fluid.

[0254] Once the lifter 124 is in its uppermost position, the lifter 124 and the moving part 430 move downward to the position they had before the user's hand was recognized to actuate the fluid dispensing. When the pumping chamber is refilled by providing a filling force (especially by the inherent elasticity of the wall of the pumping chamber 300b (not shown)), the actuating heads 426a, 426b then return to their non-actuated positions.

[0255] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative, and many embodiments and alternatives are possible within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, the adapter assembly 400 may take other shapes different from those shown in the figures. For example, the adapter assembly 400 can be easily modified to use a manually actuated dispenser, such as the dispenser described in WO2011 / 133085. Additionally, those skilled in the art will also recognize that the moving member 430 and the fluid container support 410 can take the form of a circular sleeve to provide an adapter assembly 400 having an external shape and dimensions similar to those of, for example Figure 3 the first type of pump 300a.

[0256] Furthermore, any actuating member 420 can include actuating members 420a, 420b having actuating heads 426a, 426b in the form of cams, which have a contact surface portion forming a first contact surface and another contact surface portion forming a second contact surface 428a, 428b carrying cam protrusions. In this case, the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b of the moving member 430 can be vertical inner surfaces that contact the cams, where an upward displacement of the moving member 430 causes the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b to rotate the cams such that the protrusions of the cams compress the second type of pump 300b. Those skilled in the art understand that the adapter assembly 400 of this embodiment can include one or more additional cams.

[0257] The (one or more) second contact surfaces of the (one or more) actuating heads according to the present disclosure can be made of a soft and flexible material for soft fluid dispensing operations.

[0258] The actuating members as described herein can also be used with a fixed cart forming part of the adapter assembly 400. In this configuration, the second type of pump can be positioned between the second contact surface of the actuating member and the fixed cart, which replaces the need for the two actuating members 420a, 420b. When a force is applied to the actuating member to move the actuating head towards the pump, the pump is compressed between the second contact surface of the actuating head and the carriage surfaces 436a, 436b such that fluid is dispensed from the pump.

[0259] Additionally, a dispenser 100 having a dispensing mechanism can be provided, which allows the connecting support to be a non-integrated or integrated part of the dispenser 100 while providing all the advantages of using the first connecting support and the actuating parts 420a, 420b as described herein. Such a dispensing mechanism can be fixedly attached by a connecting support similar to the first fluid container support 410 and / or a lifter in the shape of the moving member 430.

Claims

1. An adapter assembly for a dispenser of a replaceable fluid container including a fluid reservoir and a fluid pump, wherein the dispenser includes a housing and a compartment therein for receiving the fluid container, the dispenser having a front portion, a rear portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion, the lower end portion forming a dispensing end of the dispenser and including an actuator that is displaced directly by a user or via a motor for operating the dispenser to dispense a dose of fluid from the fluid container through a nozzle at the lower end portion. Wherein the compartment of the dispenser is sized to receive a fluid container having a first type of pump that is an axially compressible pump, and the actuator has a lifter for actuating the first type of pump by axially compressing the first type of pump in a vertical direction. Wherein the adapter assembly is used in combination with the dispenser to allow the use of a fluid container having a second type of pump within the dispenser, the second type of pump being actuated by laterally compressing the second type of pump, and Wherein the adapter assembly is configured to removably connect it to the dispenser and the fluid container having the second type of pump. The adapter assembly includes: - A fluid container support configured to be received in a compartment of the dispenser to hold and / or support the fluid container in a desired position within the dispenser compartment. - A first actuation member including a first actuation head movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the first actuation head includes a first contact surface for abutting a first carriage surface and a second contact surface for abutting the second type of pump. - A second actuation member including a second actuation head movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the second actuation head includes a first contact surface for abutting a second carriage surface and a second contact surface for abutting the second type of pump, wherein at least a portion of the first contact surfaces of the first actuation head and the second actuation head abuts the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface in the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position. - A moving member movable between a lower position and an upper position. Wherein the displacement of the moving member from the lower position to the upper position causes the first actuation head and the second actuation head to move from their non-actuated positions toward the fully actuated positions. Wherein when the adapter assembly is installed in the dispenser, the lifter engages and acts on the moving member, and wherein when installed in the compartment, a lifting force (P) applied by the lifter on the moving member causes the moving member to move between its lower position and its upper position, thereby transferring an actuating force (TF) from the moving member to the fluid pump of the fluid container via the actuation head, wherein the second type of pump is laterally compressed to dispense fluid from the fluid container. Wherein a horizontal plane (H1-H3) passing through the first actuation head and the second actuation head in their fully actuated positions intersects those portions of the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface that contact the portion of the first contact surface of the actuation head.

2. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the moving part is configured to be at least partially enclosed by the pump engagement portion of the lifter.

3. The adapter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the moving part is configured to at least partially engage the engagement portion of the lifter in a form-fitting manner.

4. The adapter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid container support forms the upper part of the adapter assembly, the moving part forms the lower part of the adapter assembly, and the moving part is movably connected to the fluid container support.

5. The adapter assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first actuating part and the second actuating part connect the fluid container support to the moving part.

6. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface form an elongated sliding surface, and when the moving part moves from its lower position to its upper position, the first contact surface of the actuating part abuts against the elongated sliding surface and the first contact surface slides or moves along the elongated sliding surface.

7. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the fluid container support has a vertically extending through hole for receiving a part of the fluid container, and the through hole extends to the front part and presents an opening at the front part of the fluid container support to the surrounding environment.

8. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the moving part has a through hole extending from the upper part to the lower part of the moving part.

9. The adapter assembly according to claim 8, wherein the through hole of the moving part is configured to at least partially accommodate the second type of pump.

10. The adapter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the moving part has an access opening at its front upper part to access the through hole of the moving part from the front part, and the access opening forms a continuous opening with the through hole at the upper part of the moving part.

11. The adapter assembly according to claim 10, wherein an access cavity is formed inside the moving part, and the inside is located below the access opening and faces the through hole of the moving part.

12. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface form a part of the moving part.

13. The adapter assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface form a part of the moving part, and the first carriage surface and the second carriage surface are arranged on opposite sides of the through hole of the moving part and face each other.

14. The adapter assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The first carriage surface and the second carriage surface extend obliquely downward and inward in a direction (C1; C2) towards each other to form a tapered cavity portion therebetween.

15. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein each of the first actuating member and the second actuating member includes an elongate arm that extends in its longitudinal direction (L1; L2) between two opposite ends of the elongate arm, a first end of the elongate arm being connected to the fluid container support, and a second end carrying one of the two actuating heads, wherein the actuating head is movable between a non - actuated position and a fully actuated position.

16. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the actuating member is movably connected to the fluid container support.

17. The adapter assembly according to claim 16, wherein each actuating member is pivotally attached to the fluid container support and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis.

18. The adapter assembly according to claim 15, wherein the elongate arm is a flexible arm for allowing the movement of the actuating head between the non - actuated position and the fully actuated position.

19. The adapter assembly according to claim 15, wherein the actuating head is movably connected to the corresponding arm of the actuating member.

20. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the actuating member comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

21. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the fluid container support comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

22. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the moving member comprises or is made of an olefin plastic.

23. The adapter assembly according to claim 22, wherein the olefin plastic is polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

24. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the second type of pump has an elastic pumping chamber.

25. The adapter assembly according to claim 24, wherein the elastic pumping chamber is an elongate elastic tube chamber that extends downwardly at the lower part of the fluid container in a direction from the bottom of the fluid reservoir to the nozzle of the elastic tube chamber.

26. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, further configured such that at least a portion of each second contact surface abuts against the second type of pump in the non - actuated position.

27. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein a portion of each second contact surface extends at an angle relative to the vertical direction in the non - actuated position.

28. The adapter assembly according to claim 27, wherein the second contact surface is convex.

29. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, further comprising one or more positioning devices for engaging corresponding one or more connection portions in a dispenser and preventing axial and / or rotational movement of the adapter assembly in the dispenser, and / or for preventing the adapter assembly from being mis - positioned in the dispenser.

30. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein when the adapter assembly and a fluid container having a second type of pump are installed in a dispenser, the energy consumption of a dispensing cycle for dispensing fluid by moving a moving part from a lowest position to its highest position and returning the moving part to the lowest position is less than 1100 μWh.

31. The adapter assembly according to claim 30, wherein when the adapter assembly and a fluid container having a second type of pump are installed in a dispenser, the energy consumption of a dispensing cycle for dispensing fluid by moving a moving part from a lowest position to its highest position and returning the moving part to the lowest position is 300 to 1000 μWh.

32. The adapter assembly according to claim 30, wherein when the adapter assembly and a fluid container having a second type of pump are installed in a dispenser, the energy consumption of a dispensing cycle for dispensing fluid by moving a moving part from a lowest position to its highest position and returning the moving part to the lowest position is 500 to 1000 μWh.

33. An adapter assembly for use in a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container having a fluid pump actuated by lateral compression, wherein the adapter assembly includes an actuating part connected to a fluid container support and movably connected to a moving part, wherein the moving part is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position, wherein the actuating part has an actuating head movable between a non - actuated position and an actuated position, wherein the actuating head includes a first contact surface for abutting a carriage surface of the moving part and a second contact surface for abutting the fluid pump, and wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface face away from each other, wherein a horizontal plane (H1 - H3) passing through the actuating head in its fully actuated position intersects a portion of the carriage surface that contacts a portion of the first contact surface of the actuating head.

34. The adapter assembly according to claim 33, wherein the fluid container support has a vertically extending through - hole for receiving a portion of the fluid container, wherein the through - hole extends to the front of the dispenser and presents an opening at the front of the fluid container support to the surrounding environment.

35. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the moving part has a through - hole extending from the upper part to the lower part of the moving part.

36. The adapter assembly according to claim 35, wherein the moving part has an access opening at its front upper part for accessing the through - hole of the moving part from the front, and wherein the access opening forms a continuous opening with the through - hole at the upper part of the moving part.

37. The adapter assembly according to claim 36, wherein an access cavity is formed inside the moving part, the inside being located below the access opening and facing the through - hole of the moving part.

38. The adapter assembly according to claim 35, wherein the carriage surface faces the through - hole of the moving part.

39. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the fluid container support forms an upper part of the adapter assembly, and the moving part forms a lower part of the adapter assembly.

40. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein when the moving part is displaced from its lower position to its upper position, the carriage surface forms an elongate sliding surface against which the first contact surface of the actuating part abuts and along which the first contact surface slides or moves.

41. The adapter assembly according to claim 40, wherein the carriage surface extends downwardly and inwardly at an oblique angle.

42. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the actuating part includes an elongate arm that extends in its longitudinal direction (L1; L2) between two opposite ends of the elongate arm, a first end of the elongate arm being connected to the fluid container support and a second end carrying the actuating head, wherein the actuating head is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position.

43. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the actuating part is movably connected to the fluid container support.

44. The adapter assembly according to claim 43, wherein the actuating part is pivotally attached to the fluid container support and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis.

45. The adapter assembly according to claim 42, wherein the elongate arm is a flexible arm for allowing the movement of the actuating head between the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position.

46. The adapter assembly according to claim 42, wherein the actuating head is movably connected to the elongate arm of the actuating part.

47. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the actuating part comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

48. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the fluid container support comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

49. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the moving part comprises or is made of an olefin plastic.

50. The adapter assembly according to claim 49, wherein the olefin plastic is polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

51. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein a part of the second contact surface extends at an angle to the vertical direction in the non-actuated position.

52. The adapter assembly according to claim 51, wherein the second contact surface is convex.

53. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, further comprising one or more positioning means for engaging corresponding one or more connecting parts in a dispenser and preventing axial and / or rotational movement of the adapter assembly in the dispenser, and / or for preventing the adapter assembly from being mispositioned in the dispenser.

54. The adapter assembly according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the adapter assembly includes two actuating parts and two carriage surfaces.

55. An adapter assembly in a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container for a pump actuated by lateral compression, wherein the adapter assembly includes an actuating member that is connected to a fluid container support and movably connected to a moving member, wherein the moving member is movable between a lower position and an upper position, and wherein the fluid container support forms the upper part of the adapter assembly and the moving member forms the lower part of the adapter assembly, wherein the actuating member includes an actuating head that is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the actuating head has a first contact surface for abutting against a carriage surface of the moving member and a second contact surface for abutting against the fluid pump, and wherein the actuating member comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

56. The adapter assembly according to claim 55, wherein the fluid container support comprises or is made of polyoxymethylene (POM).

57. The adapter assembly according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the moving member comprises or is made of an olefin plastic.

58. The adapter assembly according to claim 57, wherein it is polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

59. The adapter assembly according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the adapter assembly includes two actuating members and two carriage surfaces.

60. An adapter assembly in a dispenser for a replaceable fluid container for a pump actuated by lateral compression, wherein the adapter assembly includes an actuating member that is connected to a fluid container support and movably connected to a moving member, wherein the moving member is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position, and wherein the fluid container support forms the upper part of the adapter assembly and the moving member forms the lower part of the adapter assembly, wherein the actuating member includes an actuating head that is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position, wherein the actuating head has a first contact surface for abutting against a carriage surface of the moving member and a second contact surface for abutting against the fluid pump, wherein the fluid container support has a vertically extending through-hole for receiving a part of the fluid container, and wherein the through-hole extends to the front and presents the front opening of the fluid container support to the surroundings.

61. The adapter assembly according to claim 60, wherein the moving member has a vertically extending through-hole and an access opening at its front upper part for accessing the through-hole from the front, and wherein the access opening and the through-hole form a continuous opening at the upper part of the moving member.

62. The adapter assembly according to claim 61, wherein an access chamber is formed inside the moving member, the inside being located below the access opening and facing the through-hole of the moving member.

63. The adapter assembly according to any one of claims 60 to 62, wherein the adapter assembly includes two actuating members and two carriage surfaces.

64. A fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a replaceable fluid container, the dispensing system comprising a dispenser, a fluid container, and an adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 63, wherein the dispenser comprises a housing and a compartment therein for receiving the fluid container, the dispenser having a front portion, a rear portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion, the lower end portion forming the dispensing end of the dispenser and having an actuator, the dispensing system being operable by the actuator to dispense a dose of fluid through a nozzle at the lower end portion, wherein the fluid container comprises a fluid reservoir and a fluid pump, the fluid reservoir extending downwardly from the upper portion to the fluid pump located at the lower end portion, the nozzle being provided at the lower end of the fluid container, wherein the size of the dispenser compartment in a dispensing system without the adapter assembly is set to receive a fluid container having a first type of pump that is an axially compressible pump, and the actuator has a lifter for actuating the first type of pump by axially compressing the first type of pump in a vertical direction towards the upper end portion, wherein the adapter assembly adjusts the size of the compartment to receive a fluid container having a second type of pump in the dispenser, the second type of pump being actuated by lateral compression, wherein the fluid container of the dispensing system has the second type of pump, and the actuator causes the lifter to act on the adapter assembly by shifting the lifter upwardly so as to move the actuating member towards the second type of pump to laterally compress the pump to actuate the second type of pump.

65. The fluid dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the second type of pump has an elastic pumping chamber.

66. The fluid dispensing system according to claim 65, wherein the elastic pumping chamber is an elongate elastic tube chamber extending downwardly at the lower portion of the fluid container in a direction from the bottom of the fluid reservoir to the nozzle of the elastic tube chamber.

67. The fluid dispensing system according to claim 64 or 65, further comprising one or more connectors for engaging one or more positioning means of the adapter assembly.

68. A dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism for a fluid container having a fluid pump with an elastic pumping chamber, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an adapter assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 63, the adapter assembly comprising an actuating member connected to a fluid container support and a moving member attached to the dispenser, wherein the actuating member comprises an actuating head having a first contact surface for abutting a carriage surface of the moving member and a second contact surface for abutting the fluid pump, wherein - the actuating head is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position.

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