Under-counter mount foam dispensing systems with permanent air compressors and refill units for same

Abstract

Under-counter foam dispensing systems and refill units for under-counter mount foam dispensing systems are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container for holding a liquid, at least a portion of a liquid pump, a quick-connect air manifold for releasably connecting to a pressurized air source, an air passage to a mixing chamber and a liquid passage to the mixing chamber. The air inlet is in fluid communication with the source for pressurized air when the refill unit is mounted in the dispensing system and disengages from the pressurized air source when the refill unit is removed from the under-counter mount foam dispensing system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A refill unit for an under-counter mount foam dispensing system comprising:
 a container for holding a liquid, the container adapted to mount below a countertop;   a dip tube extending to the bottom of the container;   at least a portion of a liquid pump in fluid communication with the dip tube;   a first tube having a proximate end and a distal end;   a mixing chamber for receiving air and liquid;   the proximate end of the first tube in fluid communication with the portion of the liquid pump and configured to be below the top of a counter when installed in a foam dispensing system and the distal end in fluid communication with the mixing chamber;   the mixing chamber configured to be located above the counter when installed in a foam dispensing system;   a manifold secured to the container;   the manifold comprising an air inlet and an air outlet,   a second tube extending from the air outlet to the mixing chamber for communicating air from the manifold to the mixing chamber;   the air inlet being in fluid communication with a source for pressurized air when the refill unit is mounted in the dispensing system and being disengaged from the pressurized air source when the refill unit is removed from the under-counter mount foam dispensing system.   
     
     
         2 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the air inlet is located on a top portion of the manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing member located around the air inlet to create a seal between the air inlet and the source of pressurized air when the refill unit is installed in the foam dispensing system. 
     
     
         4 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising an alignment member configured to cause the air inlet on the manifold to line up with the source of pressurized air when the refill unit is installed in the foam dispensing system. 
     
     
         5 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least a portion of the liquid pump comprises a collapsible tube. 
     
     
         6 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least a portion of the liquid pump comprises a dome pump. 
     
     
         7 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a membrane located over the air inlet on the air inlet to the manifold, wherein the membrane is removable prior to installing in the foam dispensing system or is piercable by the source for pressurized air. 
     
     
         8 . A refill unit for an under-counter mount foam dispensing system comprising:
 a container for holding a liquid, the container adapted to mount below a countertop;   a dip tube extending to the bottom of the container;   at least a portion of a liquid pump in fluid communication with the dip tube;   a first tube in fluid communication with the portion of the liquid pump for communicating liquid from the container to a mixing chamber,   a manifold secured to the container;   the manifold comprising an air inlet and an air outlet;   a second tube extending from the air outlet of the manifold to the mixing chamber;   the air inlet being engaged with a source of pressurized air when mounted in the foam dispensing system and being disengaged from the pressurized air source when the refill unit is not mounted in the dispensing system.   
     
     
         9 . The refill unit of  claim 8  further comprising a tube from the mixing chamber to an outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The refill unit of  claim 8  wherein the air inlet is located on a top portion of the manifold. 
     
     
         11 . The refill unit of  claim 8  further comprising a sealing member located around the air inlet which creates a seal between the air inlet and the source of pressurized air when the refill unit is installed in the foam dispensing system. 
     
     
         12 . The refill unit of  claim 8  further comprising an alignment member configured to cause the air inlet on the manifold to line up with the source of pressurized air when the refill unit is installed in the foam dispensing system. 
     
     
         13 . The refill unit of  claim 8  wherein the at least a portion of the liquid pump comprises a collapsible tube. 
     
     
         14 . The refill unit of  claim 8  wherein the at least a portion of the liquid pump comprises a piston pump. 
     
     
         15 . The refill unit of  claim 8  wherein the at least a portion of the liquid pump comprises a dome pump. 
     
     
         16 . The refill unit of  claim 8  further comprising a membrane located over the air inlet on the air inlet to the manifold for shipping. 
     
     
         17 . A foam dispensing system comprising;
 a spout located above a countertop;   an air compressor having an air outlet;   a refill unit having a container for holding a foamable liquid; a liquid outlet tube and a manifold for releasably engaging the air outlet;   a liquid pump for pumping liquid from the container to through the liquid outlet tube; and   the liquid pump located below the counter top.   
     
     
         18 . The foam dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein the air compressor is located below the counter. 
     
     
         19 . The foam dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein the air compressor is located above the counter and within the spout. 
     
     
         20 . The foam dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein the manifold is located below the counter.