Simplified liquid outlet valves, pumps and refill units

Abstract

An inverted refill unit for a dispenser is provided. The refill unit includes a liquid outlet valve in the form of an elastomeric member including a cylindrical side wall, an upper wall having an opening therein, and a valve member extending upwardly from the upper wall to selectively engage a valve seat.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An inverted refill unit for a dispenser comprising:
 a liquid container;   a pump housing secured to a bottom of the container and forming a liquid pump chamber, with a liquid inlet valve disposed in a liquid path between the liquid container and the liquid pump chamber, and the pump housing further comprises a liquid outlet passage extending from the liquid pump chamber to an annular projection extending away from the liquid pump chamber;   a liquid outlet valve comprising an elastomeric member including a cylindrical side wall, an upper wall having an opening therein, and a valve member extending upwardly from the upper wall to engage the annular projection in a closed position and disengage the annular projection in an open position; and   a liquid outlet disposed downstream of the liquid outlet valve.   
     
     
         2 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the upper wall of the liquid outlet valve comprises more than one opening. 
     
     
         3 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid piston disposed within a sleeve located in the liquid pump chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the liquid inlet valve is a ball valve. 
     
     
         5 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the pump housing further forms an air pump chamber having a pressurized air outlet channel leading to a mixing chamber disposed downstream of the liquid outlet valve, and wherein liquid and pressurized air mix in the mixing chamber to form a foam. 
     
     
         6 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 5  further comprising a piston shaft supporting an air piston in the air pump chamber and a liquid piston in the liquid pump chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 5  further comprising a foaming cartridge disposed in a chamber formed by the cylindrical side wall of the liquid outlet valve. 
     
     
         8 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a lower pump housing connected to the pump housing and comprising a seat to support the liquid outlet valve, and the lower pump housing further comprises a liquid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The inverted refill unit of  claim 8  wherein the lower pump housing further comprises a pressurized air inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized air to mix with the liquid in a mixing chamber above the upper wall of the liquid outlet valve, and the seat further supports a foaming cartridge disposed in a chamber formed by the cylindrical side wall of the liquid outlet valve. 
     
     
         10 . A refill unit for a liquid foam dispenser comprising:
 a housing which includes a mixing chamber, a liquid channel for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber from an annular projection into the mixing chamber, and an air channel for supplying a pressurized air to the mixing chamber;   a liquid outlet valve located in the mixing chamber, wherein the liquid outlet valve comprises an elastomeric member including a cylindrical side wall, an upper wall having an opening therein, and a valve member extending upwardly from the upper wall to engage the annular projection in a closed position and disengage the annular projection in an open position; and   a liquid outlet disposed downstream of the mixing chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The refill unit of  claim 10  wherein the upper wall of the liquid outlet valve comprises more than one opening. 
     
     
         12 . The refill unit of  claim 10  further comprising a foaming cartridge disposed in a chamber formed by the cylindrical side wall of the liquid outlet valve. 
     
     
         13 . The refill unit of  claim 10  wherein the air channel comprises a step portion to hold liquid which enters the air channel from the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         14 . An inverted refill unit for a dispenser comprising:
 a liquid container;   a pump housing secured to a bottom of the container;
 the pump housing having 
 a liquid inlet valve; 
 a pump chamber; 
 a liquid outlet valve seat; and 
 a liquid outlet valve;
 the liquid outlet valve having; 
 a first surface with an opening below the surface; 
 one or more apertures through the first surface; 
 an upstanding member projecting upward from the first surface; and 
 the upstanding projection member having a valve surface located on the top of the upstanding member for contacting the valve seat; 
 
 wherein the first surface is resilient and deflects under pressure to allow fluid to flow past the valve surface and through the one or more apertures in the first surface and wherein the resilient first surface urges the valve surface closed against the valve seat. 
   
     
     
         15 . The refill unit of  claim 14  further comprising a cylindrical body for supporting the first surface. 
     
     
         16 . The refill unit of  claim 15  further comprising one or more foaming elements located at least partially within the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         17 . The refill unit of  claim 14  further comprising an air chamber and a mixing chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The refill unit of  claim 17  wherein the mixing chamber is located upstream of the one or more apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The refill unit of  claim 14  wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing and wherein the liquid outlet valve includes a cylindrical body and the cylindrical body is supported by the lower housing. 
     
     
         20 . The refill unit of  claim 14  wherein the pump chamber comprises a piston that engages a sleeve inserted into a cavity of the pump housing.