Horizontal pumps, refill units and foam dispensers

摘要

Disposable refill units, and pumps for disposable refill units for foam dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments include a container for holding a foamable liquid and a pump secured to the container. The pump includes a liquid chamber formed between a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. In addition, the pump includes a sleeve that is located at least partially within the liquid chamber. One or more liquid passages are defined at least in part by an area located between an exterior wall of the sleeve and a wall of the liquid chamber. The pump also includes a piston body having a head and a sealing member located at a first end of the piston. The sealing member forms a seal against the interior wall of the sleeve and the piston head moves within the sleeve to reduce and enlarge the volume of the liquid chamber.

主权项

1. A refill unit comprising:
a container for holding a foamable liquid; a pump housing connected to the container; the pump housing including a cavity, a liquid inlet passage and a liquid outlet passage; the liquid inlet passage placing the container in fluid communication with the cavity; the liquid outlet passage placing the cavity in fluid communication with a mixing chamber; a liquid outlet valve located downstream of the liquid outlet passage and upstream of the mixing chamber; a liquid inlet valve located between the container and the cavity; a cylindrical sleeve located at least partially within the cavity; a liquid piston reciprocally movable within the cylindrical sleeve; the cylindrical sleeve forming at least a portion of a liquid pump chamber; an air compressor; an air passageway placing the air compressor in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; an air inlet valve and wherein the liquid outlet valve and the air inlet valve are part of an insert; and an outlet nozzle in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for dispensing a mixture of foamable liquid and air.