A refill unit and a product dispensing system comprising said refill unit

Abstract

The invention is directed to a refill unit (34) for a use in a product dispensing system (36) including a dispenser housing (37) having an actuating device (40) that engages an actuating carriage (47), the refill unit comprising: (i) a product reservoir (35), (ii) a pump (25), (iii) a flexible connecting member (1) fluidly connected to the outlet tube of the pump, and (iv) a spacer (15) for positioning the pump (25) and for coupling the refill unit (34) in the dispenser housing (37). The pump section (26) is provided with an oval or ellipse shaped opening (29) in which opening the flexible connecting member (1) is positioned. The flexible connecting member (1) comprises of a main body, a conduit and two finger members (7) which finger members are received by and connected to two corresponding surfaces (46) of the actuating carriage (47).

Description

[0001] A REFILL UNIT AND A PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID REFILL UNIT

[0002] The invention is directed to a refill unit for a use in a product dispensing system and to a product dispensing system comprising said refill unit. The product dispensing system includes a dispenser housing having an actuating device that engages an actuating carriage. The refill unit comprises a product reservoir, a pump, a flexible connecting member fluidly connected to an outlet tube of the pump and which flexible connecting member is received by and connected to the actuating carriage, and a spacer for positioning the pump and for coupling the refill unit in the dispenser housing.

[0003] Such a refill unit and product dispenser is described in US2010 / 0059550. A refill unit is described wherein a flexible connecting member has the form of a flared tip. The flared tip can be composed of 7 separate finger members. The flared tip is flexible and resilient so that it can undergo at least some deformation and then return to its original state. This property is relevant when placing and removing the refill unit in or from the product dispenser because the flared tip has to pass a restricted opening. For this the tip is made of an elastomeric material and has a hardness of between 30 and 70 as measured on a Shore A durometer scale.

[0004] A disadvantage of the refill unit of US2010 / 0059550is that the flexible connecting unit cannot be easily recycled. This because the preferred elastomer materials for the flexible connecting unit are difficult to recycle. By recycle is meant mechanical recycling wherein the material itself not chemically altered.

[0005] It is desire to provide a refill unit composed of a high content of materials which can be easily recycled. The object of the present invention is to provide a refill unit for a use in a product dispensing system which does not have the problem of the prior art refill unit.

[0006] This object is achieved by the following refill unit. A refill unit for a use in a product dispensing system including a dispenser housing having an actuating device that engages an actuating carriage, the refill unit comprising:

[0007] (i) a product reservoir,

[0008] (ii) a pump having a pump section, an inlet tube and an outlet tube, wherein the inlet tube coaxially extends from the pump section and fluidly connects to the product reservoir and the outlet tube coaxially extends from the pump section, (iii) a flexible connecting member fluidly connected to the outlet tube of the pump and which flexible connecting member is received by and connected to the actuating carriage, and

[0009] (iv) a spacer for positioning the pump and for coupling the refill unit in the dispenser housing, said spacer is provided with a central opening for the inlet tube and the pump section of pump thereby allowing to coaxially connect the product reservoir to the inlet tube and to coaxially connect the outlet tube to the flexible connecting member, said spacer having at its exterior a means to couple the spacer in the dispenser housing in a unique orientation, wherein the side of the pump section facing the product reservoir is provided with a male or female part and the central opening of the spacer is provided with a corresponding female part respectively male part which when positioned avoid rotation of the spacer relative to the pump and results in an unique orientation between the pump and the spacer, wherein the opposite side of the pump section not facing the product reservoir is provided with an oval or ellipse shaped opening in which opening the flexible connecting member is positioned, and wherein the flexible connecting member comprises of a main body having an external oval or ellipse shaped end which allows the flexible connecting member to be positioned in the oval or ellipse opening of the pump in an unique orientation between the pump and the flexible connecting member, the main body further comprising a conduit fluidly connecting the outlet tube of the pump with an outflow opening as present at the outer end of the conduit and a number of finger members which finger members extend radially outward from the main body and due to the unique orientation are received by and connected to two corresponding surfaces of the actuating carriage, wherein the total number of finger members is two.

[0010] Applicants found that when the flexible connecting member only comprises two finger members it is possible to make the connecting member of a polyolefin material and especially polypropylene, which is easier to recycle.

[0011] A further advantage is that no permanent connection between the finger members and the actuating carriage is required. This because the two fingers themselves, especially when made of a polyolefin, act as a spring when releasing the actuating carriage. The two finger members will compress in the opening and will pull down the pump when the two finger members radially expand back to their starting position. This is advantageous because a less strong spring is required as compared to when an elastomer connecting member is used. It is found possible to place and remove the refill unit in or from the product dispenser using flexible connecting members made of material which may be easier to recycle. Further recycle material may be used to make the flexible product member, which is also an advantage. Further such material can be more durable, which is an advantage when the refill unit is used for a prolonged period of time. One may for example contemplate replacing the empty product reservoir with a filled product reservoir while the remaining part of the refill unit remains in the product dispenser. Another advantage is that the amount of material required to make a flexible connecting member having two finger members is less than when a flared tip is used.

[0012] A consequence of using a flexible connecting member with two finger members is that these finger members must be positioned in a unique rotational position in order to be effectively received by and connected to two corresponding surfaces of the actuating carriage. This unique rotational position is achieved by positioning the flexible connecting member in an unique manner to the pump, connecting the pump in a unique manner to the spacer and positioning the spacer in the dispenser housing in a unique orientation.

[0013] Terms like above, below, upwardly, downwards and the like are solely used to clarify the invention and related to an orientation of the product dispenser when in use. These terms are not intended to exclude the refill unit or the product dispenser having another orientation, for example when stored or being transported.

[0014] The material of the flexible connecting member is preferably polyoxymethylene (POM) or a polyolefin, more preferably polyethylene or polypropylene and even more preferred polypropylene. Such a POM or polyolefin typically has a hardness of above 90 on a Shore A durometer scale. Polyolefins are preferred over POM because polyolefins can be recycled in a more simple manner. The advantage of polypropylene is that it is durable, flexible and resilient for application in this invention. The polypropylene finger members have been found to have excellent spring properties for achieving the benefits of this invention. The polypropylene member can be easily recycled. The flexible connecting member can be made of virgin material but also from recycled material. Preferably the spacer and pump is made of the same material as the flexible connecting member to even more improve the amount of materials which can be recycled and / or use of recycled materials to make these parts.

[0015] The flexible connecting member and the spacer is preferably made by injection moulding and is preferably a single injection moulded product. The conduit of the flexible connecting member and the two finger members extend axially in the same direction from the main body while the two finger members also extend radially outward. The finger member and the conduit preferably make an angle of between 8 and 12 degrees and more preferably between 9 and 10 with the vertical, i.e. the direction of the conduit.

[0016] The flexible connecting member comprises of a main body having an external oval or ellipse shaped end. This ellipse of preferably oval shaped end allows the flexible connecting member to be positioned in the oval or ellipse opening of the pump in an unique orientation. In order to further enhance the unique orientation, in use, it is found to be beneficial to provide construction ribs at the radial exterior of the tubular middle part. Such construction ribs suitably run in the direction of the conduit. The ribs further avoid that the flexible connecting member rotates relative to the pump when the dispenser is actuated.

[0017] The flexible connecting member has two main functions. One is to functionally connect the two corresponding surfaces of the actuating carriage with the pump such that the pump is actuated when the actuating device is operated by a user. The second function is to fluidly connect the pump with the outflow opening from which the fluid, for example soap, leaver the dispenser in a downwards direction towards, for example, the hands of the person operating the product dispenser. The conduit, as part of the flexible connecting member, fulfils this second function. The conduit is preferably a tube connected axially with the outlet tube of the pump. The conduit preferably extend further downwards than the two finger members.

[0018] The flexible connecting member may be provided with one or more indentations for placing a side mounted klip ring that prevents unintended actuation of said pump. This klip ring may be present when the refill unit is stored or transported and may be removed when the refill unit is combined with the product dispensing system.

[0019] The invention is also directed to a product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser housing defining an internal cavity and having an actuating device pivotally connected thereto; an actuating carriage disposed within said internal cavity of said dispenser housing and movingly engaged with said actuating device; a refill unit according to this invention, wherein movement of said actuating carriage caused by movement of said actuating device is transferred to said pump by said flexible connecting member.

[0020] The product dispensing system preferably further comprises a lock ring disposed within said internal cavity. The lock ring has a bottom surface and an opening positioned substantially concentrically in said bottom surface. The lock ring receives the spacer and the pump of the refill unit. The lock ring is provided with corresponding interior means to uniquely couple to the external means of the spacer. The external means of the spacer may be radial extensions which are present at the circumference of the spacer in a non-symmetrical manner. The interior means of the lock ring may be corresponding cavities in which the extensions of the spacer fit in a unique manner resulting in that the spacer can only be placed in one rotational position in the lock ring. To assist placing the spacer in the lick ring a mark may be placed on the spacer and on the lock ring marking the correct relative orientation between spacer and lock ring.

[0021] The bottom surface of the lock ring is suitably funnel shaped, sloping downward toward the concentric opening. This opening is generally oval shaped, wherein said oval opening in said lock ring has a length and a width, said length being larger than said width. When the refill unit is placed in the product dispenser the two finger members of the flexible connecting member extend through the oval opening towards the actuating carriage, while the remaining part of the flexible connecting member remains confined within the lock ring. The outer dimensions of the radially extending finger members are approximately equal to but slightly larger than said width of said oval opening allowing passage of the fingers when placed.

[0022] The product dispensing system in which the refill unit of this invention may be used and which is described above may have any design. An example of a suitable product dispensing system is described the above referred to EP2328690.

[0023] The invention will be illustrated by the following non-limiting figures.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a flexible connecting member (1 ) comprises of a main body (2) having an external oval or ellipse shaped end (3). The main body (2) further comprising a conduit (4) and two finger members (7) which finger members (7) extend radially outward from the main body (2). An outflow opening (5) is present at the outer end (6) of the conduit (4). The main body (2) of the flexible connecting member (1 ) has an end part (8) with an oval or ellipse shaped opening (9) and a tubular middle part (10). From the tubular middle part (10) the two finger members (7) and the conduit (4) extend. At the radial exterior of the tubular middle part (10) construction ribs (11 ) are present which run in the direction of the conduit (4). Indentations (12) are shown for placing a side mounted klip ring.

[0025] Figure 2 is the flexible connecting member (1) of Figure 1 seen from aside. Figure 3 is the flexible connecting member (1 ) of Figure 1 seen from below. Figure 4 is the flexible connecting member (1) of Figure 1 seen from above.

[0026] Figures 5-8 shows a spacer (15) provided with a central opening (16). At its exterior a means (17) to couple the spacer (15) in the dispenser housing. These means (17) are extensions (17) placed along the circumference of the substantially circular spacer (15). As shown in Figure 6 a unique extension (18) is provided to assist a correct positioning when assembling the refill unit in the dispensing housing. Afemale part (21 ) is shown in which a male part of the pump fits and ensures that when positioned avoid rotation of the spacer (15) relative to the pump and results in an unique orientation between the pump and the spacer (15). At the upend end of the spacer (15) a connector (20) is present for connecting to the product reservoir.

[0027] Figure 9 shows the spacer of Figures 5-8, the flexible connecting member (1 ) of Figures 1-4 and a pump (25) in their relative positions before assembling. Further a klip ring (33) is shown slightly tilted to better understand its shape. The klip ring (33) may be made of the same material as the flexible connecting member (1) and will be provided with male extensions at its inner side which fit in Indentations (12). Klip ring (33) may be mounted in the direction of the arrow shown in this figure. The pump (25) has a pump section (26), an inlet tube (27) coaxially extending from the pump section (26) and fluidly connected to the product reservoir and an outlet tube (28) coaxially extending from the pump section (26). The opposite side (32) of the pump section (26) not facing the product reservoir is provided with an oval or ellipse shaped opening (29) in which opening the flexible connecting member (1) may be positioned. The side (31) of the pump section (26) facing the product reservoir is provided with a male part (30) which fits in the female part (21 ) of the spacer (15) shown in Figures 5-8. One advantage of the assembled configuration of Figure 10 is that it can also be simply disassembled which is advantageous when the parts are to be recycled.

[0028] Figure 10 shows a refill unit (34) according to the invention. The flexible connecting member (1) is positioned in the oval or ellipse opening (29) of the pump (25) in an unique orientation between the pump (25) and the flexible connecting member (1 ). The pump (25) is positioned in central opening (16) of spacer (15) in a unique orientation. The inlet tube (27) of pump (25) extends from the spacer (15) such that a product reservoir (35) is connected via a connecting part (35a). This connecting part (35a) may be part of a replaceable product reservoir (35). The connecting part will then enclose the product reservoir (35) when not connected to pump (25) and enable a fluid communication between product reservoir (35) and pump (25) when the product reservoir is position onto the pump (25) as shown in this figure. The product is a liquid and preferably a liquid soap.

[0029] Figure 11 shows a product dispensing system (36) having a housing (37) defining an internal cavity. The housing has a cover (38), a back plate (39) and an actuating device (40). Cover (38) pivots on back plate (39) to provide access to an internal cavity for refilling the dispenser with a new refill unit (34). Actuating device (40) which may be a push bar as shown is pressed by a user to actuate the pump (25) and is biased to return to its non-actuated state after use. A window may optionally be provided in cover (38) to allow visual inspection of the fluid level within the product reservoir (35) in the product dispensing system (36).

[0030] Figure 11 shows part of the interior of the product dispensing system (36) of Figure 10. The cover (38) is removed. Part of the back plate (39) is shown having openings (41) to attach the back plate (38), by for example bolts or screws, to a wall. Fixed to the back plate (38) a lock ring (42) is shown which is disposed within said internal cavity of the housing (37). The lock ring (42) having a bottom surface (43) and an opening (44) positioned substantially concentrically in said bottom surface (43). The lock ring (42) is shaped to receive the combined spacer (15), pump (25) and flexible connecting member (1). For this the lock ring (42) is provided with corresponding interior means (45) to uniquely couple to the external means (17) of the spacer (15). These means (45) are indentations which allow a tight fit with the extensions (17) of the spacer (15) and allow any rotation. When the combined spacer (15), pump (25) and flexible connecting member (1 ) are placed from above into this lock ring (42) the two finger members (7) are directed side ways.

[0031] Opening (44) is oval shaped having a width in the direction parallel to the plane in which the back plate (38) is positioned and a length perpendicular to said plane. The outer dimensions of the radially extending finger members (7) are approximately equal to but slightly larger than said width of said oval opening (44) allowing passage of the fingers (7) when placed. Figure 13 shows a situation where the combined spacer (15), pump (25) and flexible connecting member (1) are placed from above into the lock ring (42) and wherein due to their unique relative orientation are received by and connected to two corresponding surfaces (46) of the actuating carriage (47). In use the actuating device (40) will be moved causing an upward movement of the actuating carriage (47) thereby actuating the pump (25) via finger members (7). Even if only one finger member is supported by actuating carriage (47), for example when in use the finger members are not optimally oriented, it is found that the actuating carriage (47) can still be effectively moved.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A refill unit (34) for a use in a product dispensing system (36) including a dispenser housing (37) having an actuating device (40) that engages an actuating carriage (47), the refill unit comprising:(i) a product reservoir (35),(ii) a pump (25) having a pump section (26), an inlet tube (27) and an outlet tube (28), wherein the inlet tube (27) coaxially extends from the pump section (26) and fluidly connects to the product reservoir (35) and the outlet tube (28) coaxially extends from the pump section (26),(iii) a flexible connecting member (1) fluidly connected to the outlet tube of the pump and which flexible connecting member is received by and connected to the actuating carriage (47), and(iv) a spacer (15) for positioning the pump (25) and for coupling the refill unit (34) in the dispenser housing (37), said spacer (15) is provided with a central opening (16) for the inlet tube (27) and the pump section (26) of pump (25) thereby allowing to coaxially connect the product reservoir (35) to the inlet tube (27) and to coaxially connect the outlet tube (28) to the flexible connecting member(1), said spacer (15) having at its exterior a means (17) to couple the spacer (15) in the dispenser housing (37) in a unique orientation, wherein the side (31 ) of the pump section (26) facing the product reservoir (35) is provided with a male (30) orfemale part and the central opening (16) of the spacer (15) is provided with a corresponding female part (21 ) respectively male part which when positioned avoid rotation of the spacer (15) relative to the pump (25) and results in an unique orientation between the pump (25) and the spacer (15), wherein the opposite side (32) of the pump section (26) not facing the product reservoir (35) is provided with an oval or ellipse shaped opening (29) in which opening the flexible connecting member (1) is positioned, and wherein the flexible connecting member (1) comprises of a main body (2) having an external oval or ellipse shaped end (3) which allows the flexible connecting member (1) to be positioned in the oval or ellipse opening (29) of the pump (25) in an unique orientation between the pump (25) and the flexible connecting member (1), the main body (2) further comprising a conduit (4) fluidly connecting the outlet tube (28) of the pump (25) with an outflow opening (5) as present at the outer end (6) of the conduit (4)and a number of finger members (7) which finger members (7) extend radially outward from the main body (2) and due to the unique orientation are received by and connected to two corresponding surfaces (46) of the actuating carriage (47), wherein the total number of finger members is two.

2. The refill unit according to claim 1 , wherein the conduit (4) of the flexible connecting member (1) and the two finger members (7) extend axially in the same direction from the main body.

3. The refill unit accordingto claim 2, wherein the finger member (7) and the conduit (4) make an angle of between 8 and 12 degrees.

4. The refill unit accordingto any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the flexible connecting member (1) is made of a polyolefin having a hardness of above 90 on a Shore A durometer scale.

5. The refill unit accordingto claim 4, wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene.

6. The refill unit accordingto any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the flexible connecting member (1) is a single injection moulded product.

7. The refill unit accordingto claim 6, wherein the main body (2) of the flexible connecting member (1) has an end part (8) with an oval or ellipse shaped opening (9) and a tubular middle part (10) and wherein from the tubular middle part (10) the two finger members (7) and the conduit (4) extend and wherein at the radial exterior of the tubular middle part (10) construction ribs (11) are presentwhich run in the direction of the conduit (4).

8. The refill unit accordingto any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the flexible connecting member is provided with indentations (12) for placing a side mounted klip ring (33) that prevents unintended actuation of said pump (25).

9. A product dispensing system (36) comprising: a dispenser housing (37) defining an internal cavity and having an actuating device (40) pivotally connected thereto;an actuating carriage (47) disposed within said internal cavity of said dispenser housing (37) and movingly engaged with said actuating device (40); a refill unit (34) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein movement of said actuating carriage (47) caused by movement of said actuating device (40) is transferred to said pump (25) by said flexible connecting member (1).

10. The product dispensing system of claim 9, further comprising: a lock ring (42) disposed within said internal cavity, said lock ring (42) having a bottom surface (43) and an opening (44) positioned substantially concentrically in said bottom surface, wherein said lock ring (42) receives the spacer (15) and the pump (25) and is provided with corresponding interior means (45) to uniquely couple to the external means (17) of the spacer (15).11 . The product dispensing system of claim 10, wherein said bottom surface (43) is funnel shaped, sloping downward toward said opening (44).

12. The product dispensing system of claim 11 , wherein said opening (44) in said lock ring (42) is generally oval shaped, wherein said oval opening (44) in said lock ring (42) has a length and a width, said length being largerthan said width.

13. The product dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the two finger members (7) of the flexible connecting member (1) extend through the oval opening (44) towards the actuating carriage (47), while the remaining part of the flexible connecting member (1 ) remains confined within the lock ring (42).

14. The product dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the outer dimensions of the radially extending finger members (7) are approximately equal to but slightly largerthan said width of said oval opening (44).

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