Abstract: A foam dispenser having an actuator and a dispenser housing. The actuator releasably mates with a pomp of a refill unit and is moveable from a first position to a second position. Wherein the second position is further from the refill unit than the first position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the foam dispenser to dispense foam when a refill unit is inserted in the foam dispenser.

Abstract: Dispensers are provided including pumps for dispensing a foamed product out of an outlet provided in a dispensing tube. The foam is created from the mixing of a foamable liquid and air, with separate pumps being provided for each component. The dispensing tube is stationary, although the pumps themselves have parts that must move to dispense the foamed product. A single actuator operates both the liquid and air pumps. Additionally, in some embodiments, the air pump advances air before the liquid pump advances liquid. These pumps are particularly suited to the dispensing of a foamed skin care or skin sanitizing product.

Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A foam pump having a flexible member for engagement with a dispenser, the pump being part of a refill unit including a product reservoir. The flexible connecting member extends from an extreme end of the pump and is received by an actuating carriage that is movably connected to an actuating mechanism. The flexible connecting member permits insertion of the pump into a dispenser, and may act to dampen actuating forces to reduce foam shearing. The flexible connecting member may be provided in the form of a flared tip that is received through an oval opening in the product dispenser, and the pump may include a locking member to prevent unwanted actuation thereof during insertion of the refill unit into the dispenser.

Abstract: Dispensers are provided including pumps for dispensing a foamed product out of an outlet provided in a dispensing tube. The foam is created from the mixing of a foamable liquid and air, with separate pumps being provided for each component. The dispensing tube is stationary, although the pumps themselves have parts that must move to dispense the foamed product. A single actuator operates both the liquid and air pumps. Additionally, in some embodiments, the air pump advances air before the liquid pump advances liquid. These pumps are particularly suited to the dispensing of a foamed skin care or skin sanitizing product.

Abstract: A utility panel for a dispenser that is mounted to a support structure by a backplate includes opposed lateral legs that extend from a main section to form a receiving channel therebetween. The main section is configured to display any desired physical indicia, such as advertising messages, for viewing by the user of the dispenser, while the lateral sections include retention tabs that are received within guide channels formed between the backplate and the support structure. As the utility panel is attached to the dispenser, the blackplate is received within the receiving channel of the utility panel until the retention tabs are snap-fit into corresponding lock channels provided by the backplate of the dispenser. As such, the utility panel is easily retrofit to a previously-installed dispenser without the use of tools.

Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A refill unit for a foam dispenser that has an air compressor permanently attached to the dispenser is provided herein. The refill unit includes a liquid container and a body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the body portion is fluidly coupled to the liquid container. A liquid chamber is located in the pump body, the liquid chamber having an expanded state and a contracted state. An outlet nozzle is located proximate a second end of the body portion. A mixing chamber is located within the body portion. An air inlet is located through the body portion and is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A sanitary seal is located proximate the air inlet. The sanitary seal allows air to enter into the mixing chamber and prevents liquid from traveling out of the body portion through the air inlet.

Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.

Abstract: Dispensers are provided including pumps for dispensing a foamed product out of an outlet provided in a dispensing tube. The foam is created from the mixing of a foamable liquid and air, with separate pumps being provided for each component. The dispensing tube is stationary, although the pumps themselves have parts that must move to dispense the foamed product. A single actuator operates both the liquid and air pumps. Additionally, in some embodiments, the air pump advances air before the liquid pump advances liquid. These pumps are particularly suited to the dispensing of a foamed skin care or skin sanitizing product.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a locking mechanism to prevent actuation of the system absent an authorized product refill unit. More specifically, the dispensing system includes a housing and an actuator slidably secured within the housing and including at least one locking post extending therefrom. The actuator is adapted to actuate a pump to cause dispensing of a product. A release ring is rotatably secured within the housing and includes at least one locking post extending therefrom and aligned with the locking post of the actuator. The release ring also includes at least one ramped surface. The locking posts of the actuator and release ring engage one another in a locked position to prevent actuation of the dispensing system, and the release ring is adapted to be rotated to an unlocked position upon insertion of an authorized refill unit.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing that holds first and second refill units, each including a product container and a valve assembly that receives product from the product container. An actuator mechanism associates with the first refill unit and is actuated to force air into the associated valve assembly and dispense product from the valve assembly until such time as the product container associated with that valve assembly is empty. When empty, a float valve of the valve assembly prevents the actuation of the actuator mechanism and forces the actuator mechanism to associate with the second refill unit. While so associated, the first refill unit can be replaced, thus, helping to ensure that the dispenser does not run out of product.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a locking mechanism to prevent actuation of the system absent an authorized product refill unit. More specifically, the dispensing system includes a housing and an actuator slidably secured within the housing and including at least one locking post extending therefrom. The actuator is adapted to actuate a pump to cause dispensing of a product. A release ring is rotatably secured within the housing and includes at least one locking post extending therefrom and aligned with the locking post of the actuator. The release ring also includes at least one ramped surface. The locking posts of the actuator and release ring engage one another in a locked position to prevent actuation of the dispensing system, and the release ring is adapted to be rotated to an unlocked position upon insertion of an authorized refill unit.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing that holds first and second refill units, each including a product container and a valve assembly that receives product from the product container. An actuator mechanism associates with the first refill unit and is actuated to force air into the associated valve assembly and dispense product from the valve assembly until such time as the product container associated with that valve assembly is empty. When empty, a float valve of the valve assembly prevents the actuation of the actuator mechanism and forces the actuator mechanism to associate with the second refill unit. While so associated, the first refill unit can be replaced, thus, helping to ensure that the dispenser does not run out of product.

Abstract: A foam dispenser includes a refill unit and a dispenser housing. The refill unit carries foamable liquid and provides a liquid pump portion actuated to advance foamable liquid through the dispenser. The dispenser housing provides an air pump portion actuated to advance air through the dispenser. The air pump portion communicates with the liquid pump portion when the refill unit is properly placed in the housing. The liquid pump portion includes a piston housing that reciprocally receives a piston assembly to define a collapsible liquid chamber. Similarly, the air pump portion includes a piston housing that reciprocally receives a piston assembly to define a collapsible air chamber. Upon actuation of the dispenser, both the liquid chamber and the air chamber collapse and thereby feed air and liquid to an extrusion chamber, and extrude the mixture of air and liquid therein through a premix chamber and at least one mesh screen.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing that holds first and second refill units, each including a product container and a valve assembly that receives product from the product container. An actuator mechanism associates with the first refill unit and is actuated to force air into the associated valve assembly and dispense product from the valve assembly until such time as the product container associated with that valve assembly is empty. When empty, a float valve of the valve assembly prevents the actuation of the actuator mechanism and forces the actuator mechanism to associate with the second refill unit. While so associated, the first refill unit can be replaced, thus, helping to ensure that the dispenser does not run out of product.

Abstract: A utility panel for a dispenser that is mounted to a support structure by a backplate includes opposed lateral legs that extend from a main section to form a receiving channel therebetween. The main section is configured to display any desired physical indicia, such as advertising messages, for viewing by the user of the dispenser, while the lateral sections include retention tabs that are received within guide channels formed between the backplate and the support structure. As the utility panel is attached to the dispenser, the blackplate is received within the receiving channel of the utility panel until the retention tabs are snap-fit into corresponding lock channels provided by the backplate of the dispenser. As such, the utility panel is easily retrofit to a previously-installed dispenser without the use of tools.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston liquid pump and piston driver mechanism includes a reciprocating piston liquid pump having a piston chamber and a piston reciprocating in the piston chamber from an unactuated position to an actuated position, with movement of the piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position causing the advancement of product. The piston driver mechanism includes a first driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis, and a second driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis. The first and second driver members are aligned along their axes and mate at an unactuated position along at least a portion of their sloped circumferential surfaces. Rotation of one of the driver members about its axis relative to the other of the driver members causes the second driver member to advance away from the first driver member toward an actuated position.

Abstract: A foam dispenser having an actuator and a dispenser housing. The actuator releasably mates with a pomp of a refill unit and is moveable from a first position to a second position. Wherein the second position is further from the refill unit than the first position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the foam dispenser to dispense foam when a refill unit is inserted in the foam dispenser.