Anti-clog pump nozzles, pump and refill units

Abstract

Exemplary pumps, nozzles and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow. The conical shaped portion has a helical groove about its inner surface and the helical groove has an end proximate an outlet. Another exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower portion that has a passage. At least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path. The outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.

1 . A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising:
 a container;   a pump; and   an outlet nozzle;
 the outlet nozzle having a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow; 
 the conical shaped portion having a helical groove about its inner surface; and 
 the helical groove having an end. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a cylindrical outlet located downstream of
 the end of the helical groove. 
 
     
     
         3 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the pump is a piston pump. 
     
     
         4 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member. 
     
     
         5 . A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising:
 a container;   a pump; and   an outlet nozzle;
 the outlet nozzle having a lower portion that has a passage, wherein at least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path; and 
   the outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.   
     
     
         6 . The refill unit of  claim 5  wherein the multi-lobed cross-section has three or more lobes. 
     
     
         7 . The refill unit of  claim 5  wherein the multi-lobed cross-section at least six lobes. 
     
     
         8 . The refill unit of  claim 5  further comprising a cylindrical outlet located downstream of the multi-lobed cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The refill unit of  claim 5  wherein the pump is a piston pump. 
     
     
         10 . The refill unit of  claim 5  wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member. 
     
     
         11 . A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising:
 a container;   a pump; and   an outlet nozzle;
 the outlet nozzle having a passage formed of a first material; and 
 an outlet tip, wherein the outlet tip contains an additive that is not included in the first material. 
   
     
     
         12 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the additive comprises a performance enhancing substance. 
     
     
         13 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the additive comprises a salt. 
     
     
         14 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the tip is over-molded onto the passage. 
     
     
         15 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the tip is secured to the passage. 
     
     
         16 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the pump is a piston pump. 
     
     
         17 . The refill unit of  claim 11  wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member. 
     
     
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