Abstract: A fluid dispensing system, fluid reservoir, refill container for refilling the fluid reservoir, and method of refilling the fluid reservoir are provided. The fluid dispensing system includes a refill connection port or nozzle to which a refill container is connected when refilling the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir includes a piston head and an actuator for moving the piston head in a first direction and in a second direction. When the piston head is moved in the first direction, the fluid within the fluid reservoir is pressurized, causing the fluid to be dispensed through an outlet of the fluid reservoir. When the piston head is moved in the second direction, a vacuum is created within the fluid reservoir that draws fluid, from the refill container, into the fluid reservoir. The fluid dispensing system includes a valve to enable multiple refill containers to be coupled to the nozzle and/or the refill connection port.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system, fluid reservoir, refill container for refilling the fluid reservoir, and method of refilling the fluid reservoir are provided. The fluid dispensing system includes a refill connection port or nozzle to which a refill container is connected when refilling the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir includes a piston head and an actuator for moving the piston head in a first direction and in a second direction. When the piston head is moved in the first direction, the fluid within the fluid reservoir is pressurized, causing the fluid to be dispensed through an outlet of the fluid reservoir. When the piston head is moved in the second direction, a vacuum is created within the fluid reservoir that draws fluid, from the refill container, into the fluid reservoir. The fluid dispensing system includes a valve to enable multiple refill containers to be coupled to the nozzle and/or the refill connection port.

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: A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.

Abstract: A system and related method is disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, the presence of a user's hand is detected to start a pump actuator associated with a refill container. A controller associated with a motor actuates the pump actuator by rotating a motor shaft in a first direction. The current sensor is monitored and when the current sensor detects a predetermined level of current the motor shaft is reversed to a starting position.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, it is determined whether a refill container is received in the dispensing system and then a pump actuator is moved to a loading position when the refill container is removed. Another method sets a run timer, starts a pump actuator, determines whether the pump actuator is still dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing system upon lapsing of the run timer and then moves the pump actuator if the pump actuator is still dispensing upon the expiration of the run timer. And another method detects opening of a cover, energizes a motor to move an actuator to a loading position, determines when the actuator is at the loading position and then turns the motor off.

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 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 dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.

Abstract: A system and related method is disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, the presence of a user's hand is detected to start a pump actuator associated with a refill container. A controller associated with a motor actuates the pump actuator by rotating a motor shaft in a first direction. The current sensor is monitored and when the current sensor detects a predetermined level of current the motor shaft is reversed to a starting position.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, it is determined whether a refill container is received in the dispensing system and then a pump actuator is moved to a loading position when the refill container is removed. Another method sets a run timer, starts a pump actuator, determines whether the pump actuator is still dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing system upon lapsing of the run timer and then moves the pump actuator if the pump actuator is still dispensing upon the expiration of the run timer. And another method detects opening of a cover, energizes a motor to move an actuator to a loading position, determines when the actuator is at the loading position and then turns the motor off.

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: A toddler swing (10) includes a restraining bar assembly (11) having a cross bar (12) and a lower extension member (13), the restraining bar assembly (11) being positively attached to and releasable from the swing (10). A latch mechanism (19) connects the lower extension member (13) to the seat (14) of the swing (10) by engaging a generally J-shaped hook (25) of the lower extension member (13) with a generally J-shaped catch (21) located beneath the seat (14) of the swing (10) as part of a spring (20). In addition, the restraining bar assembly (11) includes bosses (34) formed on the cross bar (12) of the restraining bar assembly (11) to be received in recesses (38) in the arm rests (16) of the swing (10). Together, the latch mechanism (19) and the bosses (34) positively position and hold the restraining bar assembly (11) in place.

Abstract: A tray is secured to a baby carrier in a manner which permits both pivoting and removal by use of a hinge connection combined with a releasable hook. The hinge is joined to the tray edge while the hook is inserted through a slot in the side arm of the carrier, to engage an external flange on the carrier in a locking relationship. The hook is releasable by manual pressure. In preferred embodiments, the hinge connection has two pivot axes together providing a wide arc of rotation. A latch on the opposite side of the tray, similarly releasable by manual pressure, secures the tray in place.

Abstract: A swinging apparatus such as a child's swinging play seat is driven by an extension spring linked between the suspension arm of the swing and a gear wheel which is coupled to a motor-driven drive shaft through meshed gears. In preferred arrangements, two gear wheels are used, arranged in coplanar configuration for reciprocal rotation in opposite directions, each driving an extension spring in alternating manner to swing the apparatus back and forth. In certain embodiments, pivot links are included to permit the extension springs to float when either the motorized drive shaft or the swing itself are stopped, and in certain further embodiments, guide pins are included to hold the springs in a bowed configuration. The mechanism is characterized by the lack of a tendency to jolt, and by the ability to start up and shut down smoothly at any point in the rotation cycle of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A foldable high chair requiring only four pivot joints and a combination pivot and sliding joint on each side is disclosed. Three of the four pivot joints are spaced along each side arm, the first connecting the side arm to the back of the high chair, and the second and third joining the side arm with the rear and front legs of the high chair, respectively. The fourth pivot joint on each side joins the front leg with the seat of the high chair, and the combination joint joins the seat to the chair back in a pivoting relationship, and the rear leg to both in a sliding relationship. By virtue of this arrangement, only four rivets are needed per side. Also disclosed is a lock-and-release mechansim associated with the combination joints and operated by a single trigger underneath the chair seat.