Pumps with angled outlets, refill units and dispensers having angled outlets
View Patent ↗Exemplary pumps, refill units and dispensers having angled outlets are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit for dispensing fluid on a hand includes a container and a pump. The pump includes an angled outlet passage. Fluid flowing out of the angled outlet passage is directed toward the palm of a hand when fluid is dispensed.
1. A refill unit for a dispenser fluid on a hand comprising:
a container;
a pump;
the pump having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;
wherein a vertical axis extends through the inlet passage;
wherein the outlet passage includes a first portion and an angled portion;
wherein the vertical axis extends through the first portion, and the angled portion extends at an angle from the vertical axis;
wherein at least a portion of the outlet passage is located at a lowest point of the pump;
wherein fluid flowing out of the outlet passage is directed at a non-vertical angle across the palm of a hand when fluid is dispensed.
2. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the pump is a foam pump, and wherein the outlet passage is located downstream of a foam generator.
3. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the angle of the angled portion of the outlet passage is about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees from the vertical axis.
4. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ⅛″.
5. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ¼″.
6. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 1″.
7. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 2″.
8. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising an alignment member for aligning the angled portion of the outlet passage toward the palm of a hand when the refill unit is installed in a dispenser.
9. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the outlet passage moves upward and downward during operation of the pump.
10. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the outlet passage is stationary during operation of the pump.
11. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a liquid piston wherein the angled portion of the outlet passage is not parallel or perpendicular to the movement of the liquid piston.
12. A refill unit comprising:
a container;
a pump;
the pump having an outlet passage;
wherein at least a portion of the outlet passage is located at a lowest point of the pump;
wherein fluid enters the outlet passage along a vertical axis and exits the outlet passage along an axis that extends at an angle from the vertical axis.
13. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the pump is a foam pump, and the outlet passage is located downstream of a foam generator.
14. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the angle of the axis along which the fluid exits the outlet passage is about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees from the vertical axis.
15. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ⅛″.
16. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is greater than about ¼″.
17. The refill unit of claim 12 wherein the length of the outlet passage is less than about 1″.