Dispenser having top loading and unloading refill units

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of top loading and unloading dispensers are disclosed herein. One embodiment, includes a housing having a guide plate located in the housing. The guide plate includes two or more guide members, the two or more guide members have a first portion and a second portion. The first portions of the two or more guide members are closer together then the second portions of the two or more guide members. The dispenser also includes an actuator carriage and a pair of engagement blades carried by the actuator carriage. Each engagement blade has a first end that engages with one of the two or more guide members. The engagement members having opposing recesses for engaging the nozzle of a pump of a refill unit. When the pair of engagement blades move along the second portion of the two or more guide members, the size of the recess expands.

1 . A top loading and unloading dispenser comprising:
 a housing;   a guide plate located in the housing;   the guide plate having two or more guide members;   the two or more guide members have a first portion and a second portion;   wherein the first portions of the two or more guide members are closer together then the second portions of the two or more guide members;   an actuator carriage;   a pair of engagement blades carried by the actuator carriage;   each engagement blade having a first end that engages with one of the two or more guide members;   the engagement members having opposing recesses for engaging the nozzle of a pump of a refill unit;   wherein when the pair of engagement blades move along the first portion of the two or more guide members the size of the recess remains constant, and when the pair of engagement blades move along the second portion of the two or more guide members, the size of the recess expands.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the guide members are slots. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the first end of each engagement blade has a projection that engages with the guide members. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first portions of the two or more guide members extend in a substantially vertical direction and are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the second portion of the two or more guide members extend vertically and outwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a refill locking mechanism that secures a refill unit to the dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a manual actuator that moves the actuating carriage in an upward direction. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising one or more biasing members for biasing the actuator carriage in a downward direction. 
     
     
         9 . A top loading and unloading dispenser comprising:
 a housing;   a guide plate located in the housing;   the guide plate having two or more guide members;   at least one guide member that extends vertically and has retaining portion and a release portion;   wherein the release portion is above the retaining portion;   an actuator carriage;   an engagement member carried by the actuator carriage;   the engagement member linked to the at least one guide member;   the engagement member engages with the nozzle of a pump of a refill unit when the refill unit is installed in the dispenser;   wherein when the engagement member moves along the retaining portion of the at least one guide member the nozzle of the pump is remains engaged with the engagement member, and when the engagement member moves along the release portion of the at least one guide member, the engagement member disengages with the nozzle.   
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the at least one guide member is a slot. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the engagement member comprises a pair of engagement blades. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the retaining portion of the at least one guide member extends in a substantially vertical direction. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the release portion of the at least one guide member extends vertically and outwardly. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising a refill locking mechanism that secures a refill unit to the dispenser. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising a manual actuator that moves the actuating carriage in an upward direction. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising one or more biasing members for biasing the actuator carriage in a downward direction. 
     
     
         17 . A top loading and unloading dispenser comprising:
 a housing;   a guide plate located in the housing;   the guide plate having a pair of guide slots;   wherein a first portion of the slots extend vertically and a second portion of the slots diverge away from one another;   an actuator carriage;   a pair of engagement blades carried by the actuator carriage;   each engagement blade having a projection that engages with one of the guide slots;   the engagement members having opposing recesses for engaging the nozzle of a pump of a refill unit;   wherein when the pair of engagement blades move along the first portion of guide slot the size of the recess remains a substantially constant size, and when the pair of engagement blades move along the second portion of the two or more guide members, the size of the recess expands to release the nozzle of a pump.   
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 17  further comprising a refill locking mechanism that secures a refill unit to the dispenser. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 7  further comprising a manual actuator that moves the actuating carriage in an upward direction. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 7  further comprising one or more biasing members for biasing the actuator carriage in a downward direction.