Dispensers having anti-leak air vents and bubble traps
An exemplary soap or sanitizing dispenser includes a housing, a permanent reservoir located within the housing, a pump in fluid communication with the permanent reservoir and a refill port. The refill port is configured to connect to a refill container. A refilling vent conduit extends upward from the permanent reservoir. The refill vent conduit extends above a maximum fill line of the refill unit and a vent valve is located proximate an upper end of the refill vent conduit.
1 . A soap or sanitizing dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a permanent reservoir located within the housing;
a pump in fluid communication with the permanent reservoir;
a refill port;
wherein the refill port is configured to connect to a refill container;
a refill vent conduit extending upward from the permanent reservoir;
wherein the refill vent conduit extends above a maximum fill line of the refill container; and
a vent valve located proximate an upper end of the refill vent conduit.
2 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the valve has an upper valve housing portion and the upper valve housing portion comprises a valve seat.
3 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a bubble trap.
4 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 3 wherein the bubble trap has a downward extending conical projection.
5 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 3 wherein the bubble trap is located above the valve seat.
6 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 3 wherein the bubble trap has an outwardly tapered portion and a downward extending conical projection is located at least partially within the tapered portion.
7 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 3 wherein the bubble trap is in a cap.
8 . A soap or sanitizing dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a permanent reservoir located within the housing;
a pump in fluid communication with the permanent reservoir;
a refill port;
wherein the refill port is configured to connect to a refill container;
a refilling vent extending upward from the permanent reservoir;
wherein the refill vent conduit extends above a maximum fill line of the refill container;
a vent valve located proximate an upper end of the refill vent conduit; and
a bubble trap located proximate an upper end of the refill vent conduit.
9 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 8 wherein the valve has an upper valve housing portion and the upper valve housing portion comprises a valve seat.
10 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 9 wherein the bubble trap is located above the valve seat.
11 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 8 wherein the bubble trap has a downward extending conical projection.
12 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 8 wherein the bubble trap has an outwardly tapered portion and a downward extending conical projection is located at least partially within the tapered portion.
13 . A soap or sanitizing dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a processor;
memory;
a permanent reservoir located within the housing;
a pump in fluid communication with the permanent reservoir;
a refill port;
wherein the refill port is configured to connect to a refill container;
a refilling vent conduit extending upward;
an electronically controlled vent valve located proximate an upper end of the refill vent conduit.
14 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 13 further comprising a bubble trap.
15 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 14 wherein the bubble trap has a downward extending conical projection.
16 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 14 wherein the bubble trap is located above the electronically controlled valve.
17 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 14 wherein the bubble trap has an outwardly tapered portion and a downward extending conical projection is located at least partially within the tapered portion.
18 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 13 further comprising a level sensor for sensing the level of the permanent reservoir.
19 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the processor opens the electronically controlled vent valve when the level of fluid is below a first level and closes the electronically controlled vent valve when the level of fluid is above a second level.
20 . The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 19 wherein the first level and the second level are different levels.