Abstract: A method of preparing a liquid reservoir disposable pump for insertion into a permanent dispenser housing is disclosed. The pump comprises two basic unitary, preferably all plastic, elements: a chamber forming body having an open outer end and an inner end in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, and a piston formed to slidably fit into the chamber. The reservoir and pump are prepared for insertion into the permanent housing by first substantially filling the reservoir with liquid, and then evacuating air from the reservoir by applying a vacuum to the outer end of the chamber to provide vacuum pressure sufficient to draw air out of the chamber and reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid soap dispenser is disclosed having a permanent housing which permits simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes and actuator assembly which is cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is configured to couple to a valve assembly on the reservoir so that when cycled, the valve assembly is actuated in sliding movement to dispense a quantity of fluid. The actuator assembly includes a pair of resiliently deformable fingers which act to secure the valve assembly to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to valve assembly and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the valve assembly to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A liquid soap dispenser is disclosed having a permanent housing which permits simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes and actuator assembly which is cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is configured to couple to a valve assembly on the reservoir so that when cycled, the valve assembly is actuated in sliding movement to dispense a quantity of fluid. The actuator assembly includes a pair of resiliently deformable fingers which act to secure the valve assembly to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to valve assembly and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the valve assembly to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a free standing implement such as a mop comprising: an elongate handle having a longitudinal axis; a base having a planar bottom adapted to support the mop with the handle in a free standing upright position; universal coupling means joining the base and handle; a nib having a rounded inward end extending inwardly from the handle beyond the universal coupling toward the base; and socket means, connected to the base and resiliently biased to engage the nib, for providing lateral resistance to brace the handle in said upright position and for releasing the handle to coact with the base in a universal manner when said axis is positioned at an acute angle relative to the planar bottom.

Abstract: A disposable plastic pump for dispensing liquids is disclosed which comprises two basic unitary, preferably all plastic, elements: a chamber forming body having an open outer end and an inner end in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, and a piston formed to slidably fit into the chamber. The chamber forms two axially adjacent coaxial chambers, an inner chamber of one diameter and an outer chamber of a greater diameter. The piston comprises a stem on which is located two spaced flexing disc each sized to fit in and serving as a one-way valve in the inner chamber and outer chamber, respectively, permitting fluids to flow outwardly past each flexing disc. A sealing disc is located on the stem outwardly of the outermost flexing disc. A passageway is provided from an inlet on the piston between the outermost flexing disc and the sealing disc through which the dispensed liquid flow.