# US 9,038,862 B2 · Pumps with container vents > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,862 B2 - Document ID: US9038862B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/747,909 - Filed: 2013-01-23 - Published: 2014-07-24 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-23 - Assignees: GOJO Industries, Inc. - Applicants: John J. McNulty; Nick E. Ciavarella; Robert L. Quinlan; Cory J. Tederous - Inventors: John J. McNulty; Nick E. Ciavarella; Robert L. Quinlan; Cory J. Tederous - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038862B2 ## CPC - B65D 83/38: Details of the container body (pressure relief devices B65D83/70) - A47K 5/14: Foam or lather making devices - B05B 7/0025: {with a compressed gas supply} - B05B 11/0044: {compensating underpressure by ingress of atmospheric air into the container, i.e. with venting means (venting means for deformable containers B05B11/047)} - B05B 11/00442: {the means being actuated by the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure inside the container} - B05B 11/1015: {actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke (B05B11/1011 takes precedence)} - B05B 11/1087: {Combination of liquid and air pumps} - A47K 5/1217: {Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract Exemplary embodiments of pumps, refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. Some embodiments include a container for holding a fluid and a pump housing secured to the container. The pump housing includes an annular collar for securing the pump housing to the container. The pump housing includes an air chamber and a vent valve located at least partially within the air chamber. One or more air passageways are provided in the collar for providing air to the air chamber. A compressible liquid pump chamber is also located in the housing. The exemplary embodiment includes a liquid inlet valve for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refill unit comprising: an inverted container for holding a fluid; the inverted container having a neck portion located on the bottom of the inverted container; a pump housing secured to the neck of the inverted container to pump liquid; the pump housing having an annular collar for securing to the neck of the inverted container; an air chamber located within the pump housing; a vent valve located at least partially within the air chamber; one or more air passageways between the collar and the neck for providing air to the air chamber; a compressible liquid pump chamber located in the housing; a liquid inlet valve for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the vent valve is located adjacent the liquid inlet valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a seat member, wherein the seat member comprises an air passage and a liquid passage, and the vent valve is located proximate the air passage and the liquid inlet valve is located proximate the liquid passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The refill unit of claim 3 wherein the neck of the inverted container is in contact with the seat member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The refill unit of claim 3 wherein the seat member further comprises a deflector member for deflecting air entering the container away from the liquid passage in the seat member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a compressible air chamber and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber has an air inlet in fluid communication with the compressible air chamber and a liquid inlet downstream of the liquid outlet valve and in fluid communication with the liquid pump chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a liquid contained in the inverted container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the air passage is located between a wall of the collar and a wall of the inverted container. ### Claim 9 A refill unit comprising: a container for holding a fluid; a pump housing secured to the container; the pump housing having an annular collar for securing the pump to the container; a seat member located at least partially within the annular collar; an air chamber located within the pump housing below the seat member; one or more air passageways in the collar for providing air to the air chamber; a vent valve secured to the seat member for controlling the flow of air from the air chamber into the container; a compressible liquid pump chamber located in the housing; a liquid inlet valve secured to the seat member for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The refill unit of claim 9 wherein the air passage is located between a wall of the collar and a wall of the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The refill unit of claim 9 wherein the container is in contact with the seat member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The refill unit of claim 9 wherein the seat member further comprises a deflector member for deflecting air entering the container away from the liquid passage in the seat member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The refill unit of claim 9 wherein the seat member is a single unitary piece. ### Claim 14 A refill unit comprising: an inverted container for holding a fluid; the inverted container having a neck portion located on the bottom of the inverted container; a pump housing secured to the neck of the inverted container to pump liquid; the pump housing having a collar; an air chamber located within the pump housing; a vent valve located at least partially within the air chamber, selectively opening to vent the container; one or more air passageways between the collar and the neck of the container for providing air to the air chamber; a compressible liquid pump chamber located in the housing; a liquid inlet valve for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The refill unit of claim 14 wherein the vent valve is located adjacent the liquid inlet valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The refill unit of claim 14 further comprising a seat member, wherein the seat member comprises an air passage and a liquid passage, and the vent valve is located proximate the air passage and the liquid inlet valve is located proximate the liquid passage. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The refill unit of claim 16 wherein the seat member further comprises a deflector member for deflecting air entering the container away from the liquid passage in the seat member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The refill unit of claim 14 wherein the air passage is located between a wall of a collar and a wall of the inverted container. ### Claim 19 A refill unit comprising: a container for holding a fluid; a pump housing secured to the container; the pump housing having an collar for securing the pump to the container; a seat member; an air chamber located within the pump housing below the seat member; one or more air passageways formed between the collar and the neck for providing air to the air chamber; a vent valve for controlling the flow of air from the air chamber into the container; a compressible liquid pump chamber located in the housing; a liquid inlet valve secured to the seat member for allowing liquid to flow from the container into the compressible pump chamber; and a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the pump chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The refill unit of claim 19 wherein the air passage is located between a wall of the collar and a wall of the container. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The refill unit of claim 19 wherein the container is in contact with the seat member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The refill unit of claim 19 wherein the seat member further comprises a deflector member.