Abstract: These disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a vacuum released valve which closes an opening into a reservoir to passage therethrough until a sufficient vacuum is created with the reservoir as on initial dispensing of fluid from the reservoir. Furthermore a cap is preferably adapted to assume an inherent shape. The inherent shape is a shape such that when in the closed position; the cap will have an inherent bias to urge the female annular seat downwardly onto the male seat to form a seal and when deflected under vacuum conditions, to assume the open position; the inherent bias of the cap, on release of the vacuum, will cause the cap to reassume the position.

Abstract: A simplified arrangement for the translation of movement as, for example, arcuate movement as from a lever into movement which is different as for example, in a linear direction with a slide element preferably comprising a piston in a piston pump. In accordance with a preferred aspect, the present invention provides a bridging element which is disposed intermediate a pivoting lever and a linearly sliding slide element with the bridging member being retained in engagement with camming surfaces having an arcuate portion at a constant distance from the pivot axis of the lever and tangentially merging into a linear portion which is parallel to a longitudinal axis along which the slide element is slidable. The bridging member is slidable relative to the camming surface with the bridging member deforming to assume the shape of the camming surface where the bridge member engages the camming surface.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting of a lever member to a housing in which a stop member which normally limits rotation of the lever member about a fulcrum is movable to a position which permits the lever member to be disengaged from the housing and removed.

Abstract: A lever with a shifting pivot or fulcrum point such that in pivoting of the lever between a first position and a second position for at least one angular segment of such pivoting about a first fulcrum point and for a second angular sector of such pivoting, pivots about a second fulcrum point.

Abstract: A spring mechanism comprising an elongate cantilevered spring member extending along a longitudinal coupled at a first end to a first member and with a distal, second end of the spring member engaging a second member such that the spring member biases the first and second members relative to each other. The spring member has an unbiased condition and being resiliently deflectable generally normal to its longitudinal to assume deflected conditions from which the spring member inherently attempts to return to its unbiased condition. The longitudinal of the spring member preferably remains disposed in a flat plane in deflecting of the spring member between the unbiased condition and the deflected conditions. The spring member preferably has, in cross-section normal to its longitudinal, a shape including two legs disposed to lie in planes parallel the flat plane and joined by a bight normal to the flat plane.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for coupling a nozzle shield to a dispenser housing using interacting hook members and axle members. One of the hook members and axle members is carried by the housing. The member which is carried by the housing is preferably movable between a forward and a rear position as by being slidable relative to the housing and spring biased as to a rear position. In moving the cover from a closed position to a forward position, the hook member and axle member are in engagement with the member which is movable relative to the housing, preferably moved against the spring bias. For removal of the cover, with the cover approximate the closed position, the member which is carried by the housing is moved relative the housing against the spring bias to a forward position in which the hook member may be disengaged from the axle member.

Abstract: A vacuum controlled valve mechanism providing two separate one-way valves, one for each of a pair of collapsible fluid containing reservoirs with each valve being in an initial sealed condition preventing flow therethrough until by operation of the pump mechanism a threshold vacuum is exceeded and with the threshold vacuum of a first of the valves being greater than the threshold vacuum of the other, second of the valves. When the threshold vacuum of the first valve is exceeded, that first valve separately permits dispensing of fluid from its reservoir under vacuum conditions less than the threshold vacuum of the first valve and the second valve until the first reservoir is substantially empty after which further operation of the pump mechanism creates a vacuum which exceeds the threshold vacuum for the second valve after which the second valve permits dispensing of fluid from the second reservoir.

Abstract: A pump assembly with a first pump to displace a first volume and a second pump to displace a second volume greater than the first volume. The first pump draws liquid from a reservoir and dispenses it to the second pump. The second pump draws in the discharge from the first pump and an additional volume of air such that the second pump discharges both liquid and air. The first pump preferably has a piston movable in a first inner chamber and the second pump has the same piston movable in a second outer chamber. The first and second chambers communicate together. In one version, a one-way valve provides flow outwardly only from the first chamber to the second chamber and the first pump discharges while the second pump draws in, and vice versa.

Abstract: A spring mechanism comprising an elongate cantilevered spring member extending along a longitudinal coupled at a first end to a first member and with a distal, second end of the spring member engaging a second member such that the spring member biases the first and second members relative to each other. The spring member has an unbiased condition and being resiliently deflectable generally normal to its longitudinal to assume deflected conditions from which the spring member inherently attempts to return to its unbiased condition. The longitudinal of the spring member preferably remains disposed in a flat plane in deflecting of the spring member between the unbiased condition and the deflected conditions. The spring member preferably has, in cross-section normal to its longitudinal, a shape including two legs disposed to lie in planes parallel the flat plane and joined by a bight normal to the flat plane.

Abstract: A collapsible bottle having at least two independent compartments each connected to provide communication with each other and, preferably, with a non-collapsible channelway leading to an outlet opening for the bottle.

Abstract: In combination, a fluid dispenser and an electrochemical cell to produce electric energy by chemical conversion of the fluid to be dispensed. The electrical energy produced is preferably used to operate a device associated with the dispensing of the fluid as, for example, in operation of an electric pump-to-pump fluid from the reservoir. The fluid preferably is dispensed for use after dispensing in some other purpose than as a source for electrochemical energy to dispense fluid from the reservoir. For example, preferred fluid containing alcohol compounds are for use in cleaning and disinfecting.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism, a housing and a container having an interior. The container is removably coupled to the housing for dispensing fluid from the container by the dispensing mechanism. The housing has a guard recess opening downwardly and an access opening into the recess. A piercing member is secured in the recess. The container has a protuberance which is adapted to be received in the recess such that when the container is being coupled to the housing, the protuberance on the container is inserted upwardly into the recess and moved into the piercing member to pierce the protuberance with the piercing member. On the piercing member piercing the container, an air passageway is provided providing communication between the interior of the container and the atmospheric air. Preferably the piercing member is secured in the guarded recess against engagement other than with elements inserted into the recess via the access opening.

Abstract: A soap dispenser, preferably a sink side counter mounted dispenser, to dispense foamed liquid soap by mixing in an outlet of a soap spout liquid, soap and air preferably provided from a liquid soap pump and a air pump located remote from the faucet.

Abstract: Liquid soap dispensers including a vacuum relief valve which comprises an enclosed chamber having an air inlet open to the atmosphere and a liquid inlet in communication with liquid in the reservoir and in which the liquid inlet opens to the chamber at a height below a height at which the air inlet opens to the chamber. The vacuum relief valve permits relief of vacuum from the reservoir without moving parts or valves.

Abstract: A piston pump for dispensing foam by simultaneously dispensing air and liquid through a foam generator and in which air to be dispensed is drawn into a chamber from which it is to be dispensed, at least in part, through an air inlet passageway which is different than a flow path out which foam is dispensed. A lost link valve arrangement provides for relative motion to open the air inlet passageway when air is drawn into the chamber and to close the air inlet passageway when air is forced out of the chamber to a dispensing outlet. Preferably, the lost link valve arrangement is provided by a piston carrying an actuator member coaxially slidable thereon to selectively open and close the air inlet passageway.