Soap dispensing system

Abstract

A liquid soap dispensing system includes a closed soap container having a manually actuated dispensing pump carried therebeneath and being mounted on a bracket which has support fingers engageable with a lip on the container bottom for supporting it and a flexible retaining finger engageable with a groove in the top of the container for releasably holding it immovably against the bracket. A bottom wall extends from the bracket beneath the container and cooperates therewith to enclose the dispensing pump and is provided with an aperture to accommodate dispensing of soap therethrough. Refill of the container is by a plastic refill squeeze-bottle with a neck closed by a membrane. The neck is inserted in a wall in the top of the container, and a piercing member at the bottom of the well ruptures the membrane, whereupon soap may be squeezed from the bottle and through apertures in the well bottom, which apertures are too small to permit ready flow of soap therethrough by gravity at ambient pressure. Seal flanges on the bottleneck engage the well sides to prevent soap from being squeezed up around the neck and out of the well. A latchable cover plate covers the container well and has formed therein an ashtray and cigarette holder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing liquid soap, normally in discrete small quantities or charges. Such dispensing apparatus is used, particularly for hygienic purposes, in public or institutional washrooms or the like or wherever there are a relatively large number of different users.

There are currently known various types of liquid soap dispensers which consists of a combination of elements, which are generally fastened to a wall by means of screws or nails. In such prior art devices, the elements of the combination are so combined that whenever the apparatus breaks down or is damaged, it is necessary to remove the entire apparatus and to being it to a shop for necessary repair or servicing.

Furthermore, the soap-dispensing mechanism and/or the soap refilling openings of the apparatus are frequently accessible to users, whereby they may come in contact with the users' hands and will frequently become clogged or damaged, necessitating disassembly and removal of the apparatus for servicing. Furthermore, this accessibility of the soap-dispensing and soap-refilling apparatus renders the prior art devices susceptible to vandalism.

The supplier of the dispensing apparatus may also supply the liquid soap to be dispensed therefrom and, indeed, economically speaking, the sale of soap for the dispensing apparatus typically constitutes a most significant portion of the business. In addition, it is important that the supplier of the dispenser be able to control the type and quality of soap being dispensed therefrom, in order to insure that the dispenser will operate properly. However, prior art dispensers have had soap refill apparatus which permits anyone having access thereto to refill the dispenser with any type of liquid soap, whether or not supplied by the supplier of the dispenser, thus not only adversely affecting the volume of liquid soap sold by the supplier, but also rendering it impossible for the supplier to monitor the quality of the soap being dispensed, thereby aggravating maintenance problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a general object of this invention to provide a liquid soap dispensing system, which includes a refillable dispenser having soap refill apertures dimensioned so that liquid soap of the type to be dispensed will not flow readily through them by gravity, but rather must be forced therethrough under greater than ambient pressure by the use of special soap injecting means.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide a liquid soap dispensing system of the type set forth, wherein the soap injecting means comprises a squeeze bottle, having a neck closed by a membrane, and wherein the soap refill apertures in the liquid soap container are disposed adjacent to a piercing member, which pierces the membrane to permit liquid soap to be squeezed from the injection means through the refill apertures.

In connection with the foregoing object, still another object of this invention is to provide a liquid soap dispensing system of the type set forth, wherein means are provided for forming a seal between the soap injection bottle and the liquid soap container to constrain the liquid soap to flow through the refill apertures and prevent it from flowing away therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refillable liquid soap dispenser for use in the liquid soap dispensing system set forth above.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a liquid soap injection cartridge for use in a liquid soap dispensing system of the type set forth to refill the refillable liquid soap dispenser thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid soap dispenser wherein the soap container and the dispensing apparatus and the refill apparatus are all part of a single unit which is demountable, as a unit, from a mounting bracket, it never being necessary to remove or otherwise disturb the mounting bracket.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved liquid soap dispenser wherein the soap-dispensing mechanism can be readily removed for servicing and/or replacement, without the necessity of removing any screws or other fasteners, whereby no tools are necessary.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved liquid soap dispenser of the type set forth, wherein the mounting bracket cooperates with the liquid soap container for concealing and protecting the dispensing mechanism.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide a liquid soap dispenser of the type set forth, which further includes a cover plate which cooperates with the mounting bracket and the soap container for concealing and protecting the soap refill apertures, the cover being shaped to additionally provide an ashtray and cigarette holder.

Certain of these objects are achieved in a liquid soap dispensing system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by the soap container for dispensing soap therefrom, the wall structure having a refill aperture therethrough dimensioned so that at ambient pressure liquid soap of the consistency to be dispensed flows therethrough by gravity only very slowly if at all, and filling means for forcing liquid soap through the aperture under greater than ambient pressure for filling the soap container.

Others of the objects of the present invention are achieved in a soap dispenser comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to an associated support surface and including a bearing wall and a support member extending therefrom and an aperture extending therethrough, a soap container having a mounting member engageable with the support member and a positioning member, the support member and the mounting member being shaped and dimensioned for cooperation when in engagement with eath other to support the soap container, the positioning member being snugly receivable through the aperture after the support member and the mounting member have been engaged fixedly to position the soap container with respect to the mounting bracket, the support member and the aperture respectively cooperating with the mounting member and the positioning member immovably to hold the soap container against the bearing wall, and dispensing means carried by the soap container for dispensing soap therefrom.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the liquid soap dispensing system whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a liquid soap dispenser constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in horizontal section taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2, and illustrating the internal construction of the soap dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the mounting bracket for the soap dispenser of the present invention, shown mounted in place on a supporting wall;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the liquid soap container of the present invention, shown demounted from the wall bracket and with the cover plate removed;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a soap refill bottle constructed in accordance with and embodying features of the present invention, for use in refilling the liquid soap dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the soap refill bottle of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section taken along the line 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the liquid soap container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the soap refill well of the liquid soap container of FIG. 9, illustrating the cooperation thereof with the soap refill bottle during a refill operation;

FIG. 11 is a further enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the soap refill well of the liquid soap container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken along the line 12--12 in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12, showing the refill bottle in engagement in the refill well during a refill operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a soap dispenser, generally designated by the numeral 100, constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention. The soap dispenser 100 includes a mounting bracket, generally designated by the numeral 101, which includes a generally flat rectangular wall 102 disposed substantially vertically in use to provide a bearing surface, and having along each of the side edges thereof an integral curved side flange 103 which projects forwardly from the wall 102. Formed in the vertical wall 102 and projecting rearwardly therefrom in a direction away from the direction in which the side flanges 103 extend, are two substantially vertically aligned generally frustoconical embossments 104, each having an opening 105 extending therethrough centrally thereof. Also formed in the wall 102 and projecting rearwardly therefrom are two partspherical embossments 106 which are disposed substantially in horizontal alignment with each other along the line disposed substantially midway between the embossments 104, with the embossments 106 projecting the same distance as the embossments 104. Also formed in the wall 102 adjacent to the upper edge thereof are two laterally spaced-apart substantially rectangular cutouts or openings 107.

The upper edges of the side flanges 103 join with the upper edge of the wall 102 to form a pair of shoulders 108. Integral with the wall 102 and extending laterally between the shoulders 108 is an extension flange 109 which is inclined forwardly in the same general direction as the side flanges 103, and which is integral at the distal end thereof with an upwardly extending flange 110 which is substantially parallel to the wall 102. The opposite side corners of the flange 110 are recessed to define two shoulders 111, there also being provided through the flange 110 two rectangular cutouts 112 and a small circular centrally disposed opening 113. Punched from the wall 102 adjacent to the lower end thereof are two forwardly and upwardly extending support fingers 115.

Integral with the bottom end of the wall 102 and extending forwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto is a wall 120 which is disposed substantially horizontally in use and is provided around the periphery thereof with an integral upturned flange 121 which is in turn integral with the side flanges 103. Integral with the wall 120 and projecting upwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto are two parallel and laterally spaced-apart pivot brackets 122, the portion of the wall 120 between the pivot brackets 122 being cut out to define a generally rectangular opening 123. Formed in the wall 120 adjacent to the forward edge thereof and substantially midway between the side edges thereof is a circular soap discharge opening 125, the purpose of the openings 123 and 125 being described more fully below.

In use, the mounting bracket 101 is mounted on a wall 50, generally above and closely adjacent to a sink or washbasin or the like. Mounting openings or holes 51 are formed in the wall 50 and may have screw fastening inserts 52 set therein. The mounting bracket is fixedly secured to the wall 50 by means of mounting screws 55 which are passed through the openings 105 in the embossments 104 and threadedly engaged in the inserts 52, the wall 102 being disposed substantially parallel to the surface 53 of the wall 50, and being in contact therewith only at the embossments 104 and 106, which serve to space the bracket 101 a slight distance from the surface 53 of the wall 50.

The dispenser 100 also includes a soap container or housing, generally designated by the numeral 130, which is preferably formed of plastic. The container 130 is generally box-like in configuration and includes a generally rectangular front wall 131, a pair of opposed side walls 132, a rear wall 133 and a rectangular bottom wall 135, the container 130 preferably being molded so that the walls 131, 132, 133 and 135 are all formed integrally with one another. The rear wall 133 is provided at the lateral side edges thereof with inturned forwardly inclined portions 134, and is provided at the upper end thereof with two laterally spaced-apart rearwardly extending rectangular projections 137. The side walls 132 have rearwardly extending portions 136 which projects rearwardly beyond the rear wall 133, whereby the rear wall 133 is recessed with respect to the side walls 132. In addition, the rear wall 133 extends downwardly below the bottom wall 135 to form a downwardly extending portion or mounting flange 138. Similarly, the front wall 131 and side walls 132 all extend downwardly well below the bottom wall 135 and below the bottom edge of the mounting flange 138.

The walls of the container 130 cooperate to define therewithin a soap chamber generally designated by the numeral 140 which, in use, is filled with liquid soap 141 to a predetermined level, such as 142. Formed in the bottom or outer surface of the bottom wall 135 are three cylindrical recesses 143, positioned generally at the corners of an imaginary triangle disposed substantially centrally of the bottom wall 135, the inner surface of the bottom wall 135 being provided with bosses 143a respectively above the recesses 143. Also formed in the inner surface of the bottom wall 135 is an elongated generally rectangular recess 144 which communicates with the space below the bottom wall 135 by a discharge conduit or opening 146 and by a supply conduit or opening 149. The outer end of the discharge opening 146 is surrounded by a boss 146a. Also extending through the bottom wall 135 substantially centrally thereof and adjacent to one end of the recess 144 is a suction conduit or opening 145, the outer end of which is surrounded by a boss 145a. The recess 144 is covered with and closed by a filler plate 147, so that the recess 144 does not communicate with the chamber 140, but rather communicates only with the outside of the container 130 by means of the openings 146 and 149. Respectively captured in the recesses 143 and three nuts 148, for a purpose to be described more fully below.

Mounted below the bottom wall 135 of the container 130 is a pump assembly, generally designated by the numeral 150. The operation and construction of the pump assembly 150 is described in detail in my copending application Ser. No. 620,179, filed Oct. 6, 1975 and entitled "SOAP DISPENSER", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,363, issued Apr. 19, 1977, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference. The pump assembly 150 includes an operating handle 151 provided with a pivot pin 152, the opposite ends of which are respectively mounted in the pivot brackets 122 on the mounting bracket wall 120 for pivotal movement of the operating handle 151 about the axis of the pin 152, which extends substantially horizontally above the bracket wall 120 substantially parallel thereto and to the bracket wall 102. The handle 151 projects in use downwardly through the opening 123 in the bracket wall 120 and terminates at the lower end thereof in an enlarged gripping portion 153. The handle 151 also includes a stop number 154 which projects rearwardly from the pin 152 above the housing wall 120, and an actuating arm 155 which projects forwardly from the pin 152 above the bracket wall 120 and is substantially longer than the stop member 154.

The pump assembly 150 also includes a unitary pump housing 156, which is preferably of molded construction. The pump housing 156 is provided with three apertures extending therethrough for respectively receiving three mounting screws 157, which respectively threadedly engage the nuts 148 for fixedly securing the pump housing 156 to the bottom wall 135 of the soap container 130. The pump housing 156 is provided with a delivery conduit 158 extending therethrough for communication with the discharge opening 146 in the container bottom wall 135. The pump housing 156 is also provided with a large opening 159 extending therethrough generally centrally thereof for communication with both the suction opening 145 and the supply opening 149 in the container bottom wall 135.

The pump assembly 150 is also provided with an obturator diaphragm, generally designated by the numeral 160, which is preferably formed of a flexible deformable material such as rubber or the like and, preferably, is substantially coextensive with the upper side of the pump housing 156. The peripheral edge of the diaphragm 160 is received in an accompanying recess in the pump housing 156, and the diaphragm 160 is securely sandwiched between the pump housing 156 and the container bottom wall 135, the diaphragm 160 having suitable screw openings 161 therethrough for accommodating the mounting screws 157.

The diaphragm 160 has a plurality of suction apertures 162 therethrough in surrounding relationship with the suction opening 145, and cooperating to define a central web portion which forms a suction obturator 164 disposed in use in contact with the boss 145a for closing the outer end of the suction opening 145. Similarly, the diaphragm 160 is provided with a plurality of discharge apertures 165 disposed in surrounding relationship with the supply opening 146 and cooperating to define a central web portion which forms a discharge obturator 167 disposed in use in engagement with the boss 146a for closing the discharge opening 146. Received in the opening 159 below the suction obturator 164 is a bowl 168 formed of flexible resilient material such as rubber, the bowl 168 being provided with a peripheral flange 169 which is fixedly secured to the pump housing 156 around the perimeter of the opening 159 for closing same.

In operation, the soap container 130 is mounted on the mounting bracket 101 by resting the mounting flange 138 on the support fingers 115 (see FIG. 3), and the rear wall 133 of the container 130 is placed flush against the wall 102 of the mounting bracket 101, with the rectangular projections 137 being respectively received snugly in the cutouts 107 in the bracket wall 102, for positioning the container 130 and preventing movement thereof in directions parallel to the bracket wall 102. When mounted in this position, the bracket wall 102 is received within the recess formed by the rearwardly extending portions 136 of the container side walls 132 so as to be substantially hidden from view, with the bottom of the flange 109 being at the level of the top edge of the container rear wall 133. The bottom wall 120 of the mounting bracket 101 is recessed within the bottom portions of the container front wall 131 and side walls 132, whereby the bracket bottom wall 120 is substantially concealed from view. Furthermore, the bracket bottom wall 120 and the lower end of the bracket wall 102 cooperate with the container mounting flange 138 and with the bottom ends of the container walls 131 and 132 for completely enclosing the pump housing 156, the opening 125 in the bracket bottom wall 120 being disposed immediately beneath the delivery conduit 158 of the pump housing 156 to permit delivery of liquid soap therethrough to a user.

The container 130 is also provided with a top wall 170 which is fixedly secured to the upper ends of the container walls 131, 132 and 133 for closing the upper end of the chamber 140, the top wall 170 having angled corners 171 at the rear end thereof which are respectively substantially parallel with the inturned portions 134 of the rear wall 133. Formed in the upper surface of the top wall 170 adjacent to the rear edge thereof is a narrow groove or recess 172. Also formed in the top wall 170 is a deep cylindrical depending well, generally designated by the numeral 175, which is provided with a generally cylindrical side wall 174 closed at the bottom end thereof by a circular bottom wall 176. The inner surface of the side wall 174 has an upper substantially right circular cylindrical portion 178 and a lower downwardly and inwardly sloping frustoconical portion 177, the portions 177 and 178 intersecting at a circular line 179 substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of the well 175.

Integral with the bottom wall 176 of the well 175 and projecting upwardly therefrom substantially centrally thereof is a piercing member, generally designated by the numeral 180, which comprises a cruciform arrangement of four flat blades or webs 181, respectively provided with knife edges 182 along the upper edges thereof which are inclined upwardly and inwardly to intersect at a point 183 a slight distance above the level of the dividing line 179. Formed in the bottom wall 176 and disposed between adjacent ones of the blades 181 are four groups of refill perforations or apertures 184 which extend through the bottom wall 176. It is a significant feature of the present invention that each of the refill apertures 184 has a cross sectional area such that liquid soap of the type to be dispensed from the dispenser 100 will not pass through the refill apertures 184 by gravity alone or, at best, will pass only very slowly therethrough. Integral with the top wall 170 and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent to the front corners thereof are two lugs or ears 185, each being provided with an arcuate recess defining a retaining surface 186 in the forward edge thereof.

Pivotally secured to the inner surface of the upwardly extending flange 110 of the mounting bracket 101, as by a rivet 188 extending through the opening 113, is a small retaining plate 187, preferably formed of steel or the like. The retaining plate 187 extends downwardly to a point adjacent to the bottom end of the inclined flange 109. in use, when the container 130 is mounted on the mounting bracket 101, after the mounting flange 138 has been set upon the support fingers 115, as the container rear wall 133 is moved back against the bracket wall 102, the retaining plate 107 is pivoted upwardly out of the way to permit the top wall 170 to pass thereunder, and then when the container rear wall 133 is against the bracket wall 102 the retaining plate 107 is pivoted back down into engagement with the recess 172 for cooperation with the support fingers 115 securely to hold the container 130 in place and prevent it from tipping forward. It will be understood that, when it is desired to demount the container 130, the retaining plate 187 is pivoted back up to disengage it from the recess 172 and permit removal of the container 130. Thus, the container 130 can be readily mounted on and demounted from the mounting bracket 101 without having to handle any screws or other fasteners, and without the necessity of using any tools whatsoever.

The dispenser 100 is also provided with a cover plate, generally designated by the numeral 190, which includes a top wall 191, a front wall 192, a pair of opposed side walls 193 and a rear wall 194, all integrally connected in a unitary structure. Formed in the top wall 191 is a large bowllike recess which serves as an ashtray 195 substantially centrally of the cover plate 190, the top wall 192 also having formed therein between the ashtray 195 and the front wall 192 a plurality of flutes 196 to serve as cigarette holders. Fixedly secured to the inner surface of the front wall 192 adjacent to the opposite side edges thereof are two projections 197 which are respectively adapted to be received in the arcuate recesses for engagement with the retaining surfaces 186 of the lugs 185 on the container 130. The cover plate 190 is dimensioned so as to completely cover the top wall 170 of the container 130, with the walls 192 through 194 having a depth sufficient to accommodate the inclined flange 109 and the upwardly extending flange 110 of the mounting bracket 101. In use, the projections 197 are inserted in the arcuate recesses 186 of the lugs 185, and the cover plate 190 is then pivoted down into position completely covering the top of the container 130, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Preferably, the cover plate 190 is provided with a lock mechanism 198 which may be provided with latch fingers 196 adapted to extend through the apertures 112 in the mounting bracket flange 110, whereby the engagement of the latch fingers 196 with the bracket flange 110 and the engagement of the projections 197 with the lugs 185 cooperate securely to lock the cover plate 190 in place. It will be seen that when thus positioned on the container 130, the outer surfaces of the walls 192 through 194 are respectively substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the container walls 131 and 132 and the mounting bracket wall 101 to present substantially smooth uninterrupted outer surfaces for the dispenser 100, resulting in a clean, stylish appearance.

In operation, when a user wishes to dispense soap from the dispenser 100, he pulls the handle 151 forwardly, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, which brings the actuating arm 155 into engagement with the bowl 168 and compresses it to force the liquid soap contained therein upwardly through the supply opening 149 and the recess 144 and outwardly through the discharge opening 146, the pressure caused by compression of the bowl 168 forcing the discharge obturator 167 away from the boss 146a to allow the liquid soap to flow from the discharge opening 146 into the pump housing 156 and thence outwardly through the delivery conduit 158 and the mounting bracket opening 125 to the hands of the user. The compression of the bowl 168 also serves to force the suction obturator 164 more tightly against the boss 145a to prevent further liquid soap from passing through the suction opening 145 into the bowl 168. The movement of the actuating arm 155 is limited by engagement of the stop members 154 with the mounting bracket bottom wall 120.

When the handle 151 is released, the weight of the actuating arm 155 pivots the handle 151 in a clockwise direction back to its original rest position, illustrated in solid line in FIG. 3. This clockwise movement of the handle 151 is further facilitated by the resilience of the flexible bowl 168, which tends to return to its normal position illustrated in FIG. 3, pushing the actuating arm 155 along with it. This return of the bowl 168 to its initial position exerts an aspirating or suction force on the diaphragm 160, which serves to pull the discharge obturator 167 back up into engagement with the boss 146a to close the discharge opening 146, while at the same time pulling the suction obturator 164 away from the boss 145a to open the suction opening 145 and allow a new charge of liquid soap to flow from the chamber 140 through the suction opening 145 into the bowl 168, thereby restoring the initial conditions in which the dispenser 100 is again ready for dispensing of another charge of liquid soap.

It is a significant feature of the present invention that the only portion of the pump assembly 150 which is accessible to a user is the handle 151, the remainder of the pump assembly 150 being completely enclosed by the container 130 and the mounting bracket 101. This not only enhances the appearance of the dispenser 100, but also serves to prevent a user from physically contacting the pump housing 156 and clogging the delivery conduit 158 thereof. In like manner, the cover plate 190 serves to enclose and protect the refill apertures 184 to prevent clogging thereof and to prevent contamination of the soap supply in the chamber 140. It will be understood that the cover plate 190 also serves to provide a convenient holder for a user's cigarette or other smoking material while he is washing his hands.

Referring now also to FIGS. 6 through 13 of the drawings, there is illustrated a refill cartridge or bottle, generally designated by the numeral 200, for use with the dispenser 100 to provide a complete liquid soap dispensing system. The refill bottle 200 is preferably in the form of a soft plastic squeezebottle and is adapted to hold a refill or supply of liquid soap for refilling the soap containing 130 of the dispenser 100. The refill bottle 200 includes an elongated right circular cylindrical side wall 201 closed at one end thereof by a circular bottom wall 202, and having integrally connected thereto at the other end thereof an inwardly sloping frustoconical top wall 203 which terminates in a flat annular flange 204. Integral with the annular flange 204 at the inner edge thereof and extending therefrom coaxially with the cylindrical side wall 201 is a short cylindrical shoulder 205 which is substantially thicker and more rigid than the walls 201 through 203. Integral with the shoulder 205 at the distal end thereof is a radially inwardly extending annular flange 206 which is integral at the inner edge thereof with an elongated cylindrical neck 207 coaxial with the side wall 201, but being relatively thick-walled and substantially rigid, the neck 207 defining a cylindrical discharge passage 208 communicating with the interior of the refill bottle 200.

Integral with the outer surface of the neck 207 and extending radially outwardly therefrom is a first annular rib or flange 210 and a plurality of second annular ribs or flanges 212. The first flange 210 is disposed closely adjacent to the distal end of the neck 207, and is spaced from the nearest one of the second flanges 212 by a first space 211 extending axially of the neck 207 a relatively long first predetermined distance. The second flanges 212 are equidistantly spaced apart from one another by second predetermined spaces 213, each of which has an axial extent substantially less than that of the space 211. Adhesively secured to the neck 207 at the distal end thereof and closing the discharge passage 208 is a relatively thin circular membrane 215 impermeable to the liquid soap and which is secured across the distal end of the neck 207 after the refill bottle 200 is filled with liquid soap to prevent the soap from escaping from the refill bottle 200.

When it is desired to refill the soap container 130 of the dispenser 100, the cover plate 190 is unlocked and removed to expose the refill well 175. The neck 207 of the refill bottle 200 is then inserted into the well 175 of the soap container 130, as best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13. In this regard, it will be noted that the maximum outer diameter of the flanges 210 and 212 are substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical inner surface portion 177 of the well side wall 174 so as to be disposed in frictional engagement therewith as the neck 207 is inserted into the well 175. As the flange 210 and the first of the flanges 212 come into contact with the inwardly sloping frustoconical portion 178 of the inner surface of the well side wall 174, the frictional interference therebetween becomes greater. However, the flanges 210 and 212, while being relatively rigid, are sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit insertion of the neck 207 all the way into the well 205 until the distal end of the neck 207 contacts the bottom wall 176 of the well 175.

It will be noted that the neck 207 is of such a length that, when the membrane 215 is in engagement with the bottom wall 176 of the well 175, the shoulder 205 is in engagement with the upper surface of the container top wall 170 around the periphery of the well 175. As the neck 207 is inserted into the well 175, the point 181 of the piercing member 180 pierces and ruptures the membrane 215 closing the neck 207 of the injection bottle 200, the piercing member 180 having a maximum outer diameter such that it is received into the discharge passage 208 of the neck 207. When the membrane 215 is thus ruptured, the liquid soap within the injection bottle 200 is permitted to flow therethrough around the piercing member 180 and to the refill apertures 184.

As was indicated above, the liquid soap will not flow through the apertures 184 by gravity. Thus, in order to inject the liquid soap through the refill apertures 184 and into the chamber 140, the refill bottle is squeezed, thereby applying greater than ambient pressure to the liquid soap therein and forcing it through the refill apertures 184. By reason of the interference fit between the inner surface of the well side wall 174 and the flanges 210 and 212 of the refill bottle neck 207, these members cooperate to form a substantially fluid-tight seal which prevents the liquid soap from flowing outwardly around the neck 207 and out of the well 175. When the refill bottle 200 has been emptied it is removed from the well 175 and the cover plate 190 is locked back in place.

Thus, it will be appreciated that by reason of this unique refill arrangement, the soap container 130 may not be refilled except by the use of the special refill bottle 200 which is designed to uniquely cooperate with the well 175. This will effectively prevent a user of the dispenser 100 from using therein any soap other than that provided by the supplier of the dispenser 100. It will be noted that the piercing member 180 extends only a very slight distance above the frustoconical inner wall portion 178 of the well side wall 174. Thus, when the neck 207 has been inserted into the well 175 a sufficient distance for the piercing member 180 to pierce the membrane 215, the first annular flange 210 of the neck 207 will already be coming into engagement with the frustoconical portion 178 of the inner surface of the well side wall 174 to form an effective fluid-tight seal. Thus, while normally the neck 207 will be inserted into the well 175 in one quick continuous motion, even if the neck 207 should be momentarily stopped in a position half way down the well 175, there will be no leakage of liquid soap from the well 175.

In a constructional model of the dispenser 100, the mounting bracket 101, the pump housing 156 and the cover plate 190 are all preferably formed of metal, the soap container 130 is preferably formed of transparent plastic, the diaphragm 160 and bowl 168 are preferably formed of rubber, while the injection bottle 200 is preferably formed of a translucent plastic material and the membrane 215 is preferably formed of aluminum foil. However, it will be appreciated that any other suitable materials may be used in the construction of the liquid soap dispensing system of the present invention.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved liquid soap dispenser which can be readily mounted on and demounted from a wall bracket without the use of tools.

There has also been provided a dispenser of the character described wherein the dispensing pump mechanism and the refill apertures are completely enclosed so as to be protected and hidden from view.

In addition, there has been provided a unique liquid soap dispensing system which effectively prevents the use of unauthorized liquid soap for refilling the dispenser.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modification as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispension viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a normally open refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, and filling means cooperating with said container for placing viscous liquid soap under a pressure greater than that in said container and forcing the soap through said aperture to fill said soap container.

2. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 1, and further including a cover plate releasably mountable on said soap container over said refill aperture for covering thereof.

3. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall structure includes a plurality of said refill apertures therethrough.

4. A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing soap therefrom, a piercing member carried by said container and projecting outwardly therefrom, said wall structure having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, a soap injection cartridge containing viscous liquid soap and having a cylindrical discharge outlet, said cartridge including means for placing the liquid soap therein under pressure greater than that in said container, said discharge outlet being dimensioned and adapted completely to encircle said piercing member and said refill aperture and including a membrane normally closing said discharge outlet, said soap injection cartridge being adapted in use to be placed over said piercing member and said refill aperture with said piercing member piercing said membrane and being received into said said discharge outlet to permit liquid soap to flor from said injection cartridge and around said piercing member and to be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container.

5. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 4, wherein said piercing member includes four upwardly directed blades arranged in a cruciform configuration and respectively provided with knife edges intersecting at a central point, each of said knife edges being inclined downwardly and outwardly away from said intersection point, said wall structure having a plurality of said refill apertures therethrough arranged between said blades.

6. A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and a circular inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, a soap injection cartridge containing viscous liquid soap and having a cylindrical outlet neck, said cartridge including means for placing the liquid soap therein under pressure greater than that in said container, said outlet neck including annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly therefrom and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and with said sealing means disposed in sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion of said well, whereby liquid soap may flow from said injection cartridge through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container while being prevented by said sealing means from flowing around said outlet neck and out of said well.

7. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 6, wherein said cylindrical side wall portion of said well has at the upper end thereof a substantially right circular cylindrical inner surface and has at the lower end thereof a downwardly and inwardly sloping frustoconical inner surface coaxial with said cylindrical inner surface, said cylindrical inner surface and said frustoconical inner surface intersecting at a circular line substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of said well, whereby said annular sealing means engage the side wall portion of said well more tightly adjacent to the inner end of the well than at the outer end thereof.

8. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 6, wherein said outlet neck includes a plurality of axially spaced-apart annular sealing flanges extending radially outwardly therefrom, the axial distance between the first and second ones of said annular sealing flanges closest to the distal end of said neck being greater than the axial distance between the others of said annular sealing flanges.

9. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 6, wherein said soap injection cartridge includes an annular radially outwardly extending stop flange at the base of said outlet neck positioned for engagement with said wall structure around the periphery of said well when the distal end of said outlet neck is in engagement with said inner wall portion of said well.

10. A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and a circular inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly of said well, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pessures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, a soap injection cartridge containing liquid soap and having a cylindrical outlet neck, said cartridge including means for placing the liquid soap therein under pressure greater than that in said container, sad outlet neck including annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly therefrom and a membrane normally closing said neck, said outlet neck being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member with said sealing means disposed in sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion of said well and with said piercing member piercing said membrane and being received within said neck, whereby liquid soap may flow from said injection cartridge and around said piercing member and to be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container while being prevented by said sealing means from flowing around said outlet neck and out of said well.

11. The liquid soap dispensing system set forth in claim 10, wherein said piercing member extends axially of said cylindrical side wall portion of said well a distance equal only to approximately one-half the axial length thereof.

12. A refillable viscous liquid soap dispenser adapted for use with a soap injection cartridge having a cylindrical outlet neck and being adapted for expelling viscous liquid soap therefrom under pressure, said dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, and dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a portion forming a well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion and a circulr inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said conainer, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container said well being adapted to receive therein the outlet neck of an associated soap injection cartridge in encircling relationship with said refill aperture, whereby liquid soap may flow from the associated injection cartridge and be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container.

13. The refillable liquid soap dispenser set forth in claim 12, and further including a cover plate releasably mountable on said soap container over said refill aperture for covering thereof.

14. The refillable liquid soap dispenser set forth in claim 12, wherein said wall structure includes a plurality of said refill apertures therethrough.

15. A refillable viscous liquid soap dispenser adapted for use with a soap injectin cartridge having a cylindrical discharge outlet closed by a membrane and being adapted for expelling viscous liquid soap therefrom under pressure, said dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing soap therefrom, and a piercing member carried by said container and projecting outwardly therefrom, said wall structure having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, said piercing member being adapted to pierce the membrane of an associated soap injection cartridge and to be received into the discharge outlet thereof to permit liquid soap to flow from the injection cartridge and around said piercing member and to be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container.

16. The refillable liquid soap dispenser set forth in claim 15, wherein said piercing member includes four upwardly directed blades arranged in a cruciform configuration and respectively provided with knife edges intersecting at a central point, each of said knife edges being inclined downwardly and outwardly away from said intersection point, said wall structure having a plurality of said refill apertures therethrough arranged between said blades.

17. A refillable viscous liquid soap dispenser adapted for use with a soap injection cartridge having a cylindrical outlet neck provided with radially outwardly extending sealing means and being adapted for expelling viscous liquid soap therefrom under pressure, said dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, and dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and a circular inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, said well being adapted to receive therein the outlet neck of an associated soap injection cartridge in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and with the associated sealing means disposed in sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion of said well, whereby liquid soap may flow from the associated injection cartridge and be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container while being prevented by the sealing means from flowing around the outlet neck and out of said well.

18. The refillable liquid soap dispenser set forth in claim 17 wherein said cylindrical side wall portion of said well has at the upper end thereof a substantially right circular cylindrical inner surface and has at the lower end thereof a downwardly and inwardly sloping frustoconical inner surface coaxial with said cylindrical inner surface, said cylindrical inner surface and said frustoconical inner surface intersecting at a circular line substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of said well, whereby the annular sealing means of an associated soap injection cartridge engage said side wall portion of said well more tightly adjacent to the inner end of said well than at the outer end thereof when the outlet neck of the associated cartridge is received in said well.

19. A refillable viscous liquid soap dispenser adapted for use with a soap injection cartridge having a cylindrical outlet neck closed by a membrane and provided with radially outwardly extending sealing means and being adapted for expelling viscous liquid soap therefrom under pressure, said dispenser comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap container, dispensing means carried by said soap container for dispensing soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and a circular inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, and a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly of said well, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said container thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside said container, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said container at equal pressures inside and outside said container, said well being adapted to receive therein the outlet neck of an associated soap injection cartridge in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member and with the associated sealing means disposed in sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion of said well and with said piercing member piercing the associated membrane and being received within the outlet neck, whereby liquid soap may flow from the associated injection cartridge and around said piercing member and be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said container while being prevented by the sealing means from flowing around the outlet neck and out of said well.

20. The refillable liquid soap dispenser set forth in claim 19, wherein said piercing member extends axially of said cylindrical side wall portion of said well a distance equal only to approximately one-half the axial length thereof.

21. A viscous liquid soap injection cartridge for use in refilling a viscous liquid soap dispenser having a refill well including a cylindrical side wall portion closed at the inner end thereof by a circular inner wall portion which has a normally open refill aperture therethrough communicating with the interior of the dispenser thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside the dispenser and being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of the dispenser at equal pressures inside and outside the dispenser and carrying a piercing member spaced laterally from the refill aperture and extending outwardly of the well, said cartridge commprising a liquid soap refill container having a cylindrical outlet neck and being adapted for expelling viscous liquid soap therefrom through said neck under pressure greater than that in the associated container, a membrane on said refill container normally closing said outlet neck to prevent the passage of liquid soap therethrough, the inner diameter of said neck being many times greater than the thickness of said membrane, and annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly from said neck and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in the well of an associated dispenser in encircling relationship with the refill aperture and the piercing member thereof and with said sealing means disposed in sealing engagement with the cylindrical side wall portion of the associated well, said membrane being adapted to receive the piercing member of the associated dispenser in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby liquid soap may flow from said refill container and around the piercing member and be forced through the refill aperture of the associated dispenser under pressure greater than that in the dispenser while being prevented by said sealing means from flowing around said outlet neck and out of the well of the associated dispenser.