Dispenser with multi-directional pushbar

摘要

A product dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a refill unit having a product reservoir. A multidirectional pushbar is carried by the housing and movable in a plurality of directions to actuate the pump. The multidirectional pushbar may be carried by a collar pivotally secured around a pushbar support member in the shape of a spherical zone. Pivoting movement of the multidirectional pushbar is converted into an actuating force by a transfer mechanism, which may include a vertically movable carriage. In other embodiments, the multidirectional pushbar may include ramped surfaces and may support a carriage having rolling elements. Lateral movement of the multidirectional pushbar causes the carriage to roll up the ramped surfaces and actuate a pump to dispense a product.

主权项

1. A product dispenser comprising:
a. a housing adapted to selectively retain a replaceable product refill unit, the product refill unit comprising a product reservoir and a dispensing mechanism; b. the housing providing a multidirectional pushbar adapted to be pivoted about a plurality of axes relative to the remainder of said housing such that said multidirectional pushbar can selectively be pushed in any of a plurality of directions to actuate the dispenser, wherein the multidirectional pushbar is secured to a collar that is pivotable on a pushbar support member carried by the housing, the pushbar support member having the shape of a spherical zone; and c. a transfer mechanism adapted to cause dispensing of a product upon movement of the multidirectional pushbar by converting the input force applied to the pushbar into an actuating force against the dispensing mechanism of the refill unit to dispense a product.