Refilling systems, refillable containers and method for refilling containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12473191-B2
Application number	US-202318522342-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 29, 2023
Priority date	Mar 14, 2017
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A refill for a soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a container; a neck located on a first end of the container and extending outward from the first end of the container; a first opening located at a distal end of the neck; a closure connected to the neck; the closure surrounding at least a portion of the neck; a second opening through at least a portion of the neck; a one-way valve in the a fluid flow path of the second opening; wherein the one-way valve allows fluid to flow through the second opening into the neck and into an interior of the container; and a vent tube extending upward from a third opening through the first end of the container to proximate a second end of the container to vent the container.

2 . The refill of claim 1 wherein the vent tube extends upward from a vent.

3 . The refill of claim 2 wherein the vent includes a vent valve.

4 . The refill of claim 2 wherein the vent includes a vent valve and a filter.

5 . The refill of claim 2 further comprising a pump, wherein the closure connects the pump to the container.

6 . The dispenser of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the pump passes through the first opening and is located at least partially in the neck.

7 . The refill of claim 2 further comprising an annular projection surrounding the second opening and extending outward from the neck.

8 . The refill of claim 2 comprising a one-way fluid outlet valve located in the flow path of the third opening.

9 . A refill for a soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a container; a neck located on a first end of the container and extending outward from the first end of the container; a first opening located at a distal end of the neck; a closure connected to the neck; the closure surrounding at least a portion of the neck; a second opening through at least a portion of the neck; a one-way valve in a fluid flow path of the second opening; wherein the one-way valve allows fluid to flow through the second opening into the neck and into an interior of the container; and a vent tube extending upward from the first end of the container to proximate a second end of the container; wherein the vent tube extends upward from a vent; and wherein the refill is configured to be inserted into a dispenser, and wherein the dispenser includes a movable housing and wherein the refill is configured such that the second opening is located behind the movable housing when the dispenser is in an operating position and wherein the moveable housing is moved to expose the second opening to refill the refill unit.

10 . A dispenser for dispensing soap or sanitizer comprising:
a moveable housing; wherein the moveable housing is movable between a closed operating position and an open position; a receptacle; a pump; a container; wherein the container is received at least partially within the receptacle; a neck located on a first end of the container and extending outward from the first end of the container; a first opening located at a distal end of the neck; wherein liquid is removed from the container through the first opening; wherein when the housing is in its closed position, the first opening is located behind the housing and when the housing is in its open position, the first opening is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a liquid supply; a closure connected to the neck; the closure surrounding at least a portion of the neck; a second opening through at least a portion of the neck; a one-way valve in the fluid flow path of the second opening; wherein the one-way valve allows liquid to flow through the second opening into the neck and into an interior of the container; and a vent tube extending upward from a third opening in the first end of the container to proximate a second end of the container to vent the container.

11 . The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the dispenser is configured so that air flows out of the container when liquid is pumped into the container and air flows into the container when liquid is pumped out of the container.

12 . The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the vent tube extends upward from a vent.

13 . The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the vent includes a vent valve.

14 . The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the vent includes a vent valve and a filter.

15 . A refill for a soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a container; a neck located on a first end of the container and extending outward from the first end of the container; a first opening located at a distal end of the neck; a closure connected to the neck; the closure surrounding at least a portion of the neck; a second opening through at least a portion of the neck; a one-way valve in a fluid flow path of the second opening; wherein the one-way valve allows fluid to flow through the second opening into the neck and into an interior of the container; and a vent extending upward from a third opening in the first end of the container to proximate a second end of the container to vent the container; and a pump, wherein the closure connects the pump to the container.

16 . The refill of claim 15 wherein a vent tube extends upward from the vent.

17 . The refill of claim 16 wherein the vent includes a vent valve.

18 . The dispenser of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the pump passes through the first opening and is located at least partially in the neck.

19 . The refill of claim 15 further comprising an annular projection surrounding the second opening and extending outward from the neck.

Assignees

• Gojo Ind Inc

Inventors

• Marshall Aaron D
• Ciavarella Nick E
• Mcnulty John J
• Archer Matthew J
• Kennedy Emily Barbara
• Lightner Bradley L
• Corney Richard E
• Fokens Jason
• Bonner Chet J

Classifications

• B05B11/0056

  with an additional opening for filling or refilling · CPC title

• A47K5/14

  Foam or lather making devices · CPC title

• A47K5/1202 Primary

  dispensing dosed volume (A47K5/1201 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B67D7/62

  power operated · CPC title

• B67D7/78

  Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines · CPC title