Steris Inc.

Allan E Wade

Jon B Taylor

David C Brown

James E deBeers

James D deBeers

An antiseptic soap dispenser has a dispensing system (,) which includes a pressure actuated platen (,) and a moveable roller (,) for dispensing soap from a replaceable container (,). A dispensing tube (,) with an integral self-sealing valve (,) at a downstream end is connected to a neck (,) of the container. Hand pressure on the platen compresses a upstream end of the dispensing tube between the platen and the roller. With increasing pressure, the roller moves progressively down the tube to dispense soap through the valve. A volume regulator (,) controls the amount of soap dispensed. The platen returns quickly to its at-rest position once the pressure is removed, avoiding complete compression of the pathway by the roller. This minimizes air ingress, and resultant contamination of the soap. Optionally, a filtered vent (,) in a wall (,) of the container allows filtered air to enter the container in place of the soap dispensed.

Antiseptic soap dispenser with selectively variable dose

A cap (18,120) and a thrust washer (62,128) seal a flexible silicone dispensing tube (10,118) to a neck (20,114) of a container (12,116) which holds a fluid to be dispensed. The thrust washer is shaped to inhibit contact between a lip (50,110) of the dispensing tube and the interior of the cap so that the soft material of the dispensing tube is not damaged when the cap is screwed on to the neck of the container. The thrust washer slides on the cap as the cap is screwed on to limit sliding movement relative to the dispensing tube. A dust cover (24,138) protects the dispensing tube during shipment and storage. The dust cover is attached to the cap by a frangible portion (66) which is broken prior to dispensing the cleaning fluid. A lower projecting ring (86,134) on the thrust washer prevents the dust cover from compressing and damaging the lip of the dispensing tube.

Cap and dust cover for an antiseptic soap dispenser

An antiseptic soap dispenser (A) is mounted to a wall by a secure mounting system (E). A latching and locking mechanism (D) inhibits tampering with the dispenser or theft of a replaceable soap reservoir (B), received within a dispenser housing (C). The housing includes a front cover (18) pivotally connected to a back plate (20). The mounting mechanism (E) removably mounts the back plate of the housing to a wall mounting plate (24), which is attached by screws or other fixing means to a wall or other suitable mounting surface. The back plate includes mounting tabs (172) which engage a corresponding releasable engagement portion (170) on the mounting plate to secure the housing to the mounting plate. A latch plate (60), is movably carried by the back plate. The latch plate provides the latching and locking mechanism (D) which releasably locks the housing in a manner which is not readily obvious to a casual observer, yet which avoids the need for a key. The latching and locking mechanism (D) secures the front cover to the back plate. The latch plate includes a plurality of latching hooks (80) which engage tabs (90) on an interior of the front cover. The latching hooks are moved downward, and out of engagement, by pressing upward on a push bar (78) mounted to a lower end of the latch plate. A locking plate (110), pivotally connected to the latch plate, provides an optional additional locking system when pivoted to a position in which downward motion of the latch plate is prevented.

Mounting and locking mechanism for a soap dispenser

A multi-layer film (22) covers an aperture (21) in a rigid container (10) to provide a filtered venting system (C) for the container. The film includes a porous filter layer (36,36') of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene foam which filters bioburden from air as it enters the container during the dispensing of a fluid from a nozzle (14) in the container. The film also includes a barrier layer (34,34') of an impermeable material that prevents air from entering the container during transit and storage and prevents blockage of the porous layer with dried fluid. Before dispensing, the film is stretched, thereby destroying the integrity of the barrier layer and allowing air to enter through the porous layer.

Filtered venting system for liquid containers which are susceptible to

A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a fluid product and preventing air from being drawn into the fluid product through the valve includes a flexible diaphragm valve (10, 50, 100) and a valve seat insert (12, 58, 102). The flexible diaphragm valve flexes from a concave closed position to a convex open position in which fluid product is dispensed through a dispensing opening (26, 56, 116) in the diaphragm. The valve seat insert is positioned adjacent an inside surface of the diaphragm valve in its closed position to prevent the valve from buckling inward and prevent air from passing into the fluid product through the valve.

Growing community of inventors

Manchester, MO, United States of America

Allan E Wade