SOAP DISPENSER NOZZLE VALVE AND RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A soap dispenser having anti-drip functionality to prevent soap drippage when the dispenser is not used. The soap dispenser may be used with a sink system having a sink and a soap reservoir. The sink may include an apron, and the soap reservoir may be positioned within the apron. The soap reservoir may include a pump mechanism configured to pump soap to the soap dispenser. The soap dispenser may include a spout actuatable between a dispensing position in which soap may be dispensed from a nozzle, and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed from the nozzle. The dispenser may further include a valve proximate the nozzle to prevent soap drippage when the dispenser is not used. The apron may be separable or opened to provide access to the soap reservoir to refill soap therein when exhausted.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/759,612, filed Feb. 18, 2025, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to soap dispensers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to soap dispensers having anti-drip and anti-spill functionality.

BACKGROUND

Soap dispensers and reservoirs have been widely used in homes, businesses, and industrial environments for many years. Typically, a reservoir stores a volume of soap, while a connected dispenser releases the soap for cleaning or washing purposes. These systems may be integrated with a sink deck or faucet, or they may be positioned nearby. The soap dispenser is usually activated by applying pressure, which pushes soap from the reservoir through a nozzle out of the dispenser. Once the pressure is released, the dispenser returns to its original position. However, residual soap may occasionally drip from the nozzle after dispensing is complete, leading to unnecessary waste and potential messes beneath the dispenser or on nearby surfaces.

SUMMARY

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure provide a sink system including a sink having an apron, a soap reservoir positioned within the apron, the reservoir including a pump mechanism configured to pump soap from the reservoir to a soap dispenser including a spout positioned remotely from the reservoir, such as on a sink deck. The spout may be actuatable between a dispensing position in which soap may be dispensed from a nozzle (or a nozzle valve), and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed from the nozzle (or the nozzle valve). The spout may be actuated to dispense soap by rotating the spout relative to the soap dispenser such that the nozzle is positioned over a sink basin.

The dispenser may further include a valve proximate the nozzle, or may further include a nozzle valve, to prevent soap drippage when the dispenser is not used. The pump mechanism may be configured to pump soap from the reservoir to the dispenser. The apron, which contains the reservoir, may be separable or opened to provide access to the reservoir, thereby allowing the reservoir to be refilled with soap when exhausted, or to replace the reservoir completely.

In some examples, the reservoir may further include a valve, such as a duckbill valve, to prevent soap spillage from the reservoir when the apron is opened to access the apron, such as to refill the reservoir with soap. The reservoir valve may also be used to prevent soap spillage into the apron when the reservoir pumps soap to the dispenser during dispensing operations. In some examples, the dispenser valve (or nozzle valve) may include one of an anti-drip valve and a check valve.

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure provide a dispenser including a housing and a spout couplable to the housing and defining a nozzle (or a nozzle valve). The spout may be actuatable between a dispensing position in which soap may be dispensed from the nozzle (or the nozzle valve), and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed from the nozzle (or the nozzle valve). The dispenser may further include a valve proximate the nozzle (in examples where a nozzle valve is not used). The valve may be configured to prevent soap drippage from the spout when the dispenser is not used, similar to the nozzle valve.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated example or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of examples of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink system including a sink, a soap reservoir positioned within a sink apron, and a soap dispenser positioned on a sink deck, according to examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser in a dispensing position, according to examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a soap reservoir, according to examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a side cross-section view of the soap reservoir of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective cross-section view of a cap for a soap reservoir, according to examples of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4B is a top view of the cap of FIG. 4A.

While various examples are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular examples described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the figures in which similar or identical elements in different figures are numbered the same. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. Common definitions are generally intended for the terminology used herein unless a specific definition is provided. In the case of a term having a common definition and a specific definition provided herein, the term should be construed according to its specific definition.

Examples of the present disclosure include a sink system having a sink, a soap reservoir, and a soap dispenser positioned on a sink deck or another surface near the sink. The soap reservoir may be positioned within a cavity or hollow region of a sink apron, for example a front tip-out sink apron. The soap reservoir may include a valve, such as a duckbill valve, to prevent soap from spilling out of the reservoir when the sink apron is externally removed or opened. The soap reservoir may include a pump mechanism or engine positioned within a reservoir housing in some examples. In other examples, the pump mechanism or engine may be positioned in a different area of the cavity or hollow region of the sink apron, external to the soap reservoir.

The soap dispenser may be positioned on a sink deck in a position remote from the soap reservoir (e.g., the soap reservoir may be positioned within the sink apron at a first end of the sink, the soap dispenser may be positioned at a second end of the sink where a faucet is placed). The soap dispenser may be actuated or moved between a dispensing position and a non-dispensing position. For example, a spout of the soap dispenser may be rotatably actuated between the dispensing and non-dispensing positions using any suitable visual, audible, or tactile feedback (e.g., touchless feedback), for example by a user physically moving the soap dispenser spout between the positions. Soap may be dispensed from the soap dispenser in the dispensing position, such as by pressing a button or by touchless feedback, but generally not in the non-dispensing position. The soap dispenser may include a check or anti-drip valve positioned proximate a soap dispensing nozzle in some examples. In other examples, the valve and the nozzle will be a combined component such as a check or anti-drip nozzle valve. The valve may prevent unwanted soap drippage from the nozzle when the soap dispenser is not used or immediately after soap dispensing is complete.

The pump mechanism or engine may be actuated using a mechanical component such as a button, switch, or a lever, located on the dispenser or may be actuated based on detected motion of a user, or may be actuated based on a variety of visual, audible, or tactile feedback mechanisms (e.g., touchless mechanisms). Actuation of the pump mechanism or engine enables soap to be pumped from the soap reservoir to the soap dispenser via tubing or piping connecting the reservoir and dispenser. Adjusting the soap dispenser spout from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position may enable the transported soap to be dispensed from the nozzle or nozzle valve generally included with the spout. The check or anti-drip valve (or nozzle valve) may prevent unwanted soap drippage after dispensing is complete, for example if the soap dispenser is left in the dispensing position after dispensing is complete. This operation may be repeated until a volume of soap in the soap reservoir is exhausted. When this happens, the sink apron may be opened or removed from the sink to access the soap reservoir positioned therein. The soap reservoir may then be refilled with a volume of soap to resume soap dispensing operations. The duckbill or other valve included with the soap reservoir prevents soap from spilling into or out of the sink apron during refilling, and during dispensing operations with the soap dispenser.

Accordingly, examples of the present disclosure provide soap dispensers and soap reservoirs having anti-drip or spill functionality. Examples of the present disclosure advantageously reduce soap waste during dispensing and may prevent messes near the soap dispenser or soap reservoir caused by undesired drippage or spillage. The soap dispenser may be positioned remote from the soap reservoir to provide a decreased footprint along the sink deck. The soap reservoir with pump mechanism or engine may be positioned within the sink apron to further decrease the footprint associated with the dispenser-reservoir combination. As such, examples of the present disclosure further provide space-condensed sink systems that reduce the sink deck space occupied by the soap dispenser and soap reservoir components. This arrangement is illustrated throughout the figures as now discussed.

FIG. 1 depicts a sink system 100 including a sink 110, a soap reservoir 180, and a soap dispenser 160 positioned on a sink deck, according to examples of the present disclosure. Sink system 100 may be compatible with a variety of faucets including single hole faucets, center set faucets, widespread faucets, vessel faucets, and wall-mounted faucets, for example. Sink 110 may comprise a variety of sink types commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. For example, sink 110 may comprise an undermount sink; a double bowl or basin sink; a drop-in sink; a farmhouse or apron sink; a single bowl or basin sink; a top mount sink; sinks made from stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay, ceramic, granite, or copper; a corner sink; a workstation sink; a vessel sink; an island sink; a prep sink; or other sink types commonly used in these settings.

In some examples, sink 110 may comprise a farmhouse or apron-type sink having a basin 112 with a floor 114a and a plurality of walls, for example a front wall 114b, a rear wall 114c, a left side wall 114d, and a right side wall 114e. Sink 110 may further include a drain hole 116 defined in the basin 112, a dividing wall 118 separating the basin 112 into two portions, an inner ledge 122 within the basin 112 positioned at an intermediate location along the plurality of walls, a top rim 124 extending externally outward from the basin 112, and an outer ledge 126 couplable to the top rim 124 at a front end of sink 110. Sink 110 may further include an apron 128 having a plurality of walls, for example a front wall 129a, a left side wall 129b, a right side wall 129c, and a bottom wall 129d. Apron 128 may define at least one internal cavity 132 to receive soap reservoir 180. In some examples, apron 128 may be removable from base 112 or otherwise opened to provide access to the at least one internal cavity 132 containing the soap reservoir 180 therein.

Soap dispenser 160 may be positioned on a sink deck in a location proximate sink 110 or proximate a faucet used with sink system 100, for example. Soap dispenser 160 may be configured to dispense soap received from the soap reservoir 180 positioned within the apron 128. Soap dispenser 160 and soap reservoir 180 may be couplable via tubing or piping, for example tubing or piping 172 of the dispenser 160 that may be couplable to tubing or piping 196 of the reservoir 180, or a single tubing or piping 172/196 coupling the dispenser 160 and the reservoir 180. Soap may be transported between the tubing or piping 172, 196, upon activation of soap dispenser 160 using any suitable visual, audible, or tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., touchless feedback mechanisms).

FIG. 2 depicts a soap dispenser 160 in a dispensing position, according to examples of the present disclosure. Soap dispenser 160 may be actuatable between a dispensing position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a non-dispensing position (not depicted). Generally, soap may be dispensed from the soap dispenser 160 when in the dispensing position but not when in the non-dispensing position. This is because the dispensing position generally places a spout 166 of the dispenser 160 at an outward position away from a dispenser housing suitable for soap dispensing. In contrast, the non-dispensing position may be characterized as the spout 166 and the dispenser housing being generally aligned and thus not in a position suitable or physically possible for soap dispensing. Soap dispenser 160 includes anti-drip functionality to prevent unwanted soap drippage or spillage after soap dispensing is complete.

Soap dispenser 160 may include a housing 162 configured to receive a volume of soap from the soap reservoir 180 for soap dispensing operations. Soap dispenser 160 may further include a cover 164 positioned over an opening defined in the housing 162, a spout 166 couplable to the housing 162 and actuatable between the dispensing and non-dispensing positions about an axis of rotation, an anti-drip or check valve 168 positioned proximate a soap dispensing nozzle and configured to prevent unwanted soap drippage or spillage (a check or anti-drip nozzle valve in other examples), tubing or piping 172 couplable to tubing or piping 196 of soap reservoir 180 (or couplable directly to soap reservoir 180), the tubing or piping 172 being configured to facilitate the transport of soap from the soap reservoir 180 to the soap dispenser 160. In an example, check valve 168 does not extend beyond a surface of the spout 166 so that it does not interfere with the housing 162 when the spout 166 is in the non-dispensing position. Soap dispenser 160 may further include various mechanical or electrical circuitry 174 to power or actuate soap dispenser mechanical or electrical components (e.g., to actuate spout 166 between the dispensing and non-dispensing positions). This may include buttons, sensors, or any of a variety of actuators.

Soap dispenser 160 may further include an air gap component 176 positioned within the housing 162 in some examples. Air gap component 176 may provide several functions to soap dispenser 160, for example preventing soap backflow into the soap reservoir 180; providing consistent pressure and flow of soap from the dispenser 160 (e.g., by allowing air to enter the dispenser 160 as soap is dispensed, thereby preventing a vacuum from forming which could inhibit or otherwise hinder the smooth flow of soap); and contributing to the prevention of soap drippage out of the spout 166 after dispensing is complete, similar to the anti-drip or check valve 168 (or nozzle valve) discussed later herein.

Housing 162 may have an elongated geometry with a slotted, rectangular, circular, triangular, or another polygonal cross-sectional geometry in some examples. Housing 162 may have a variable height or depth depending on a volume of soap to be dispensed from the soap dispenser 160. Housing 162 may be hollow such that the volume of soap may be received within the hollow housing region, in addition to receiving other components of soap dispenser 160 therein. Housing 162 may define an opening with a cover 164 positioned over the opening. Cover 164 may be removably couplable to the opening of housing 162, such that the hollow housing region may be accessed as needed (e.g., to remove extra, unused soap from the soap dispenser 160).

Spout 166 may have an elongated geometry that matches or compliments the geometry of housing 162 (e.g., slotted, rectangular, circular, triangular, or another polygonal cross-sectional geometry). Spout 166 may be actuatable, movable, or rotatable, relative to housing 162, between a dispensing position (depicted in FIG. 2) and a non-dispensing position (not depicted) in which a longitudinal axis of the spout 166 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing 162. Soap may be dispensed from the spout 166 in the dispensing position but generally not dispensed in the non-dispensing position, because of the non-alignment offset or general alignment between the spout 166 and the housing 162 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. When actuated or moved to the dispensing position, spout 166 may be longitudinally offset from the housing 162, for example offset by an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In other examples, spout 166 may be offset from housing 162 by an angle in the range of approximately 15 to 180 degrees, or offset by an angle greater than 180 degrees in other examples (e.g., spout 166 may be rotatable 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise relative to housing 162, thereby making the angle offset up to but less than 360 degrees). Spout 166 may include a conduit or passage couplable to the hollow housing region, such that soap in the housing 162 may flow to the spout 166 through the conduit or passage.

A check or anti-drip valve 168 may be provided proximate a soap dispensing nozzle defined in the spout 166. In other examples, a check or anti-drip nozzle valve 168 may be included with spout 166. The check or anti-drip valve 168 (or nozzle valve) may be configured to prevent soap drippage when the soap dispenser 160 is not used. For example, after dispensing soap through the nozzle in the dispensing position, the check or anti-drip valve 168 (or nozzle valve) may prevent soap remaining in the spout 166 from dripping or spilling out onto a sink deck where the soap dispenser 160 is located, or into a sink 110 proximate the soap dispenser 160. This may reduce wasted soap and may prevent messes or spills near the soap dispenser 160 caused by the undesired soap drippage or spillage. The check or anti-drip valve 168 (or nozzle valve) may be integrated directly with a through hole nozzle of spout 166, or may replace a through hole nozzle entirely in examples where a check or anti-drip nozzle valve 168 is used (e.g., the nozzle valve providing combined nozzle dispensing and anti-drip functionality). The check or anti-drip valve 168 (or nozzle valve) is generally designed with a low profile to not inhibit actuation of the spot 166 between the dispensing and non-dispensing positions.

In some examples, soap dispenser 160 may be couplable to soap reservoir 180 via tubing or piping 172. The tubing or piping 172 may be couplable to tubing or piping 196 included with soap reservoir 180, such that soap may flow between the reservoir 180 and the dispenser 160 via the tubing or piping pair 172/196. In other examples, tubing or piping 172 may be couplable directly to soap reservoir 180 rather than being couplable to separate tubing or piping 196 included with reservoir 180.

Soap dispenser 160 may be manufactured using any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing process, and may be assembled from two or more individual components in some examples. Soap dispenser 160 may be made from a variety of materials including metals (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum), polymers, ceramics, glasses, or composites thereof in examples. In most examples, the components of soap dispenser 160 will be made from different materials, for example metals and polymers. The components of soap dispenser 160 may be couplable using one or more fasteners, for example, or another suitable fastening mechanism. In some examples, soap dispenser 160 may be made from a material that is at least partially transparent.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and side cross-section views, respectively, of a soap reservoir 180, according to examples of the present disclosure.

Soap reservoir 180 may be configured to hold a volume of soap or other material therein for use in soap or other material dispensing operations with sink system 100. Soap reservoir 180 may include a housing 182 that may store the volume of soap, a tray 184 received within the housing 182, a cover 186 positioned over an opening defined in the housing 182, a cap 188 couplable to an opening of the cover 186, a pump mechanism 192 received within the housing 182, a duckbill or other check valve 194 formed in the cap 188 to prevent soap from spilling out of the soap reservoir 180, tubing or piping 196 couplable to tubing or piping 172 of soap dispenser 160 (or couplable directly to soap dispenser 160), and various mechanical or electrical circuitry 198 to power or actuate certain soap reservoir mechanical or electrical components (e.g., to power or actuate pump mechanism 192). In other examples, reservoir 180 may hold materials other than soap, for example other cleaning compositions or hand sanitizers.

Housing 182 may have an elongated geometry with a rectangular, slotted, circular, triangular, or another polygonal cross-sectional geometry in some examples. Housing 182 may have a variable height or depth depending on a volume of soap stored therein. Housing 182 may be hollow such that the volume of soap may be received within a first hollow housing region 183a, while certain components of soap reservoir 180 may be received within a second hollow housing region 183b. The first and second hollow housing regions 183a,b may be separated by a wall 183c to prevent soap in the reservoir 180 from entering the second hollow housing region 183b. In some examples, housing 182 may be at least partially transparent to provide a visual of the volume of soap or other reservoir 180 components provided therein.

Tray 184 may be positioned along a bottom surface of the second hollow housing region 183b. In examples, tray 184 may hold certain components of soap reservoir, for example pump mechanism or engine 192, tubing or piping 196, and various mechanical or electrical circuitry 198. Generally, tray 184 may extend substantially or entirely along the bottom surface of the second hollow housing region 183b.

Housing 182 may define an opening with a cover 186 positioned over the opening. Cover 186 may be removably couplable to the opening of housing 182, such that the first hollow housing region 183a may be accessed as needed, for example to refill the volume of soap provided therein. Cover 186 may have an elongated geometry that matches or compliments the geometry of housing 182 (e.g., rectangular, slotted, circular, triangular, or another polygonal cross-sectional geometry). Cover 186 may define an opening with a cap 188 positioned over the opening. Cap 188 may be removably couplable to the opening of cover 186, such that the cap 188 may be removed from the cover 186 to refill the housing 182 with a volume of soap. Accordingly, soap may be replenished within the reservoir 180 by removing the cap 188 to access the first hollow housing region 183a.

Pump mechanism or engine 192 may be received within housing 182, for example received in the second hollow housing region 183b containing tray 184 and other components of reservoir 180. Pump mechanism or engine 192 may be actuated using a mechanical component such as a button, switch, or a lever, or may be actuated based on detected motion of a user, or may be actuated based on a variety of visual, audible, or tactile feedback mechanisms (e.g., touchless feedback mechanisms). Actuation of the pump mechanism or engine 192 enables soap to be pumped from the soap reservoir 180 to the soap dispenser 160 via tubing or piping 172/196 connecting the reservoir 180 and the dispenser 160. In some examples, the pump mechanism or engine 192 may comprise various mechanical components including an actuator for dispensing soap to the tubing or piping 196, a cylinder to control the flow of soap in the reservoir 180, the cylinder including a piston that moves within the cylinder to create pump suction. The pump mechanism or engine 192 may also include a spring to return the actuator to its original position after pumping soap. Pump mechanism or engine 192 may comprise other mechanical or electrical components as needed to effect pumping or transportation of soap from the soap reservoir 180 to the soap dispenser 160.

Soap reservoir 180 may further include a duckbill or other valve 194 to prevent soap from spilling out of the soap reservoir 180 and into the apron 128 of sink 110. This is useful, for example, when the apron 128 is separated from sink 110, or otherwise opened up to access soap reservoir 180 therein, to refill the reservoir 180 with soap. Duckbill or other valve 194 may prevent soap from spilling out or otherwise being removed from reservoir 180 during and after soap refilling (e.g., when soap is pumped or transported from soap reservoir 180 to soap dispenser 160).

Soap or other materials may be transported from soap reservoir 180 to soap dispenser 160 upon activation of dispenser 160 by a user. Activating dispenser 160 enables pump mechanism or engine 192 to pump a volume of soap from the housing 182 through tubing or piping 196 and to the dispenser 160. Soap dispensing operations may then commence as described previously. When the volume of material inside soap reservoir 180 is exhausted, reservoir 180 may be refilled with soap by first removing the cap 188 from cover 186, which exposes the inside of housing 182, and then filling the reservoir 180 with soap from an external soap source.

Soap reservoir 180 may be manufactured using any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing process, and may be assembled from two or more individual components in some examples. Soap reservoir 180 may be made from a variety of materials including metals (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum), polymers, ceramics, glasses, or composites thereof in examples. In most examples, the components of soap reservoir 180 will be made from different materials, for example metals and polymers. The components of soap reservoir 180 may be couplable using one or more fasteners, for example, or another suitable fastening mechanism. In some examples, soap reservoir 180 may be made from a material that is at least partially transparent.

In operation, soap reservoir 180 may be filled with a volume of soap and positioned within a cavity 132 defined by apron 128 of sink 110. Soap reservoir 180 may include, among other components, a pump mechanism or engine 192 configured to pump soap from the reservoir 180 to a soap dispenser 160 positioned on a sink deck or another suitable surface near sink 110 or a faucet. Soap reservoir 180 and soap dispenser 160 may be operably couplable via tubing or piping 172/196, such that soap may be transported to the dispenser 160 through the tubing or piping 172/196. Soap dispenser 160 may be activated by, for example, at least one of pushing a button connected to the dispenser 160 and the reservoir 180; by providing visual, audible, or tactile feedback (e.g., touchless feedback) to the dispenser 160; or by actuating (e.g., rotating) spout 166 of the dispenser 160 between the dispensing and non-dispensing positions, which automatically prompts or enables soap reservoir 180 to pump or transport soap to the dispenser 160.

Activation of soap dispenser 160 may prompt or enable activation of the pump mechanism or engine 192 in soap reservoir 180. Subsequently, pump mechanism or engine 192 may pump or transport soap from the soap reservoir 180 to the soap dispenser 160 for dispensing operations. Spout 166 may be actuated to the dispensing position to dispense or apply soap received from the soap reservoir 180. Following dispensing, a check or anti-drip valve 168 (or nozzle valve) may prevent unwanted soap drippage from the spout 166, thereby reducing soap waste and preventing messes near the soap dispenser 160. Soap dispensing using this process may continue until the volume of soap within the reservoir 180 is exhausted.

When exhausted, the volume of soap or other material may be refilled by separating the apron 128 from the sink 110, or otherwise opening the apron 128, to reveal the soap reservoir 180 positioned therein. Cap 188 or cover 186 may be removed from the housing 182 of the soap reservoir 180, and the housing 182 may be refilled with a new volume of soap from an external soap source (e.g., a bottle or other container of consumer-purchased soap). Cap 188 or cover 186 may be replaced on their respective opening(s) of housing 182, and apron 128 with soap reservoir 180 positioned therein may be reattached to the sink 110, or otherwise closed. Soap dispensing operations using soap reservoir 180 and soap dispenser 160 may then be resumed.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective cross-section and top views, respectively, of a cap 188 for a soap reservoir 180, according to examples of the present disclosure. Cap 188 may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional geometry in some examples, or another polygonal geometry in other examples (e.g., a circular cross-sectional geometry). In one example, as depicted, cap 188 may include a tapered sidewall 200 ending in floor 202, thereby forming a depressed region 204 having a wall 206 splitting the depressed region 204 into two portions. The wall 206 may be grasped by a user when removing cap 188 from cover 186 to refill soap reservoir 180 with soap.

A lip or flange 208 may extend from the bottom edge of sidewall 200 which abuts a ledge 209 extending from the bottom of reservoir cover 186, while a second lip 210 may extend from the top edge of sidewall 200 to abut a similar ledge or shoulder 211 extending from a top end of the cover 186, thereby sealing the reservoir 180 to prevent spilling. A vent or pressure release check valve 194 is formed in and extends downward from an underside of floor 202 and may include structure defining a sealed outlet 214, such as in the form of a longitudinal slit, for venting the reservoir 180. More specifically, the check valve 194 in the cap 188 is to act as a breathing vent to prevent a vacuum forming in the reservoir 180 during dispensing, in addition to preventing spills when the apron-front is opened or tipped out. More specifically, as soap is dispensed, there is a reduction in soap volume in the reservoir 180 which needs to be replaced by air to prevent a negative pressure from forming in the reservoir 180, allowing for sufficient soap flow. The cap 188 may form a tight seal on the reservoir 180 not only to prevent spills therefrom, but this seal may also prevent air from replacing the displaced soap volume. Introducing the check valve 194 in the cap 188 allows air to enter the reservoir 180 during a dispensing event while maintaining the fluid seal of the cap 188 to the reservoir 180.

The disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes. Therefore, the illustrated examples should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects.

Various examples of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These examples are given only be way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed disclosures. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the examples that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional examples. Moreover, while various material, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed examples, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed disclosures.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual example described above. The examples described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the examples are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various examples may comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual examples, as understood be persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one example may be implemented in other examples even when not described in such examples unless otherwise noted.

Any incorporation of reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A sink system, comprising:

a sink having an apron;

a reservoir positioned within the apron, the reservoir including a pump mechanism configured to pump soap; and

a dispenser positioned outside of the apron and remotely from the reservoir, the dispenser being fluidly coupled to the reservoir, and actuatable between a dispensing position in which soap may be dispensed, and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed,

wherein the pump mechanism is configured to pump soap from the reservoir to the dispenser.

2. The sink system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a first valve to prevent soap drippage from the dispenser when the dispenser is in the non-dispensing position.

3. The sink system of claim 2, wherein the first valve comprises an anti-drip check valve.

4. The sink system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir further includes a second valve to prevent soap spillage from the reservoir, prevent a vacuum from forming within the reservoir during dispensing, or both.

5. The sink system of claim 4, wherein the second valve comprises a duck-billed check valve.

6. The sink system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a housing, and a spout having the first valve formed therein, the spout being movably coupled to the housing and shiftable about an axis of rotation between the non-dispensing position in which the spout is generally aligned with the housing, and the dispensing position in which the spout and first valve are positioned outwardly from the housing.

7. The sink system of claim 6, wherein the first valve comprises a check valve positioned within the spout such that the check valve does not extend beyond an external surface of the spout.

8. The sink system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is positioned within an interior portion of the apron, the interior portion being accessible to provide access to the reservoir.

9. A soap dispenser, comprising:

a housing configured to contain soap;

a spout fluidly and movably coupled to the housing, the spout actuatable between a dispensing position in which the soap from the housing may be dispensed, and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed; and

an anti-drip nozzle valve positioned on or within the spout, the anti-drip nozzle valve being configured to dispense soap from the spout and configured to prevent soap drippage from the spout when the dispenser is not used.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the spout is shiftable about an axis of rotation between the non-dispensing position wherein a longitudinal axis of the spout is substantially parallel with a top surface of the housing, and the dispensing position in which the spout is positioned outwardly from the housing and the anti-drip nozzle valve is positioned at a remote end of the spout from the housing.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein when the spout is positioned in the dispensing position, the spout is longitudinally offset from the housing by an angle of approximately in the range of approximately 15 to 180 degrees.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein when the spout is positioned in the dispensing position, the spout is longitudinally offset from the housing by an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein when the spout is positioned in the dispensing position, the spout is longitudinally offset from the housing by an angle greater than 180 degrees.

14. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a reservoir containing a pump, wherein the housing is fluidly couplable to a reservoir positioned remotely therefrom, and wherein the dispenser is configured to receive soap pumped from the reservoir upon actuation of the dispenser.

15. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising an air gap component positioned within the housing.

16. A soap dispenser and reservoir assembly for an apron-front sink, the assembly comprising:

a reservoir including a pump mechanism; and

a dispenser positioned remotely from the reservoir, the dispenser being fluidly coupled to the reservoir, and having a spout with a first valve, the spout being actuatable between a dispensing position in which soap may be dispensed from the first valve, and a non-dispensing position in which soap cannot be dispensed from the first valve,

wherein the pump mechanism is configured to pump soap from the reservoir to the dispenser.

17. The soap dispenser and reservoir assembly of claim 16, wherein the reservoir is fluidly coupled to the reservoir via one or more tubes or pipes.

18. The soap dispenser and reservoir assembly of claim 16, wherein the first valve comprises an anti-drip check valve.

19. The soap dispenser and reservoir assembly of claim 18, wherein the reservoir includes a second valve to prevent soap spillage from the reservoir, prevent a vacuum from forming within the reservoir during dispensing, or both.

20. The soap dispenser and reservoir assembly of claim 16, wherein the reservoir is configured to be positioned within an interior of an apron of the apron-front sink, and wherein the dispenser is configured to be mounted to a top surface of a sink deck.