Foaming soap dispensers
Assigneesimplehuman, LLC
InventorsFrank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Hon-Lun Chen, Nasser Pirshafiey, Joseph Sandor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various dispensing devices, such as foaming soap pumps, are disclosed. The soap pump can include a fluid storage unit and a fluid handling unit. The fluid storage unit can include a reservoir that is configured to hold a quantity of product, such as liquid soap. The fluid handling unit can include a pumping assembly and dispensing assembly. The soap pump can be configured to withdraw liquid soap from the reservoir, convert the liquid soap to foamed soap, and dispense the foamed soap from the discharge assembly.
Claims20
A method of replenishing a soap pump system, the soap pump system comprising an outer housing and a fluid handling unit, the fluid handing unit having a coupling actuator with an arm, the method comprising:
- disconnecting a first cartridge, wherein disconnecting the first cartridge comprises:
- unlocking the first cartridge from the fluid handling unit;
- and
- removing the first cartridge from the outer housing;
- connecting a second cartridge, wherein connecting the second cartridge comprises:
- inserting the second cartridge into the outer housing;
- moving the second cartridge and the fluid handling unit into engagement;
- displacing the arm of the coupling actuator of the fluid handling unit with the second cartridge;
- and
- locking the second cartridge to the fluid handling unit with a physical interference between the second cartridge and the arm.
A cartridge that is configured to removably connect with a fluid handling unit of a pump system, the fluid handling unit comprising a first arm and a second arm, the cartridge comprising:
- an inner chamber configured to contain a liquid;
- a bottom end;
- a sidewall;
- and
- a top end comprising:
- a first recess configured to receive a first coupling tooth of the first arm of the fluid handling unit;
- a second recess configured to receive a second coupling tooth of the second arm of the fluid handling unit;
- and
- an outlet positioned between the first recess and the second recess.
A soap pump system comprising:
- a fluid storage unit configured to store liquid soap;
- and
- a fluid handling unit removably engageable with the fluid storage unit, the fluid handling unit comprising:
- a pump;
- a dispensing nozzle;
- a coupling unit comprising an actuator and an arm, the arm comprising a locking tooth and an unlocking tooth, the coupling unit configured to move between an upper position and a lower position;
- and
- a cam;
- the fluid handling unit configured such that, when the coupling unit is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the cam engages the unlocking tooth and the locking tooth is deflecting outward.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.