CA2041120A1 - Liquid dispensing system including a discharge assembly providing a positive air flow condition - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A liquid dispenser having a replaceable unvented liquid container with only an outlet opening, a discharge assembly in liquid communication with the liquid container outlet opening, and including 3 compressible nipple for accommodating a charge of liquid, a check valve for regulating the flow of liquid into the nipple and a semipermeable filter mounted in and substantially filling the inlet lo the check valve, the filter element being permeable to air to introduce air into the liquid container through its outlet opening, the filter element being impermeable to liquid to prevent back flow of liquid through the air passageway, and having an opening therethrough which is aligned with the inlet of the check valve, defining a liquid passageway through the filter element to the check valve. The liquid dispenser includes an anti-bootleg structure including a plate mounted on the dispenser and having an irregularly shaped opening which permits installation on the dispenser of only such cartridges that have a correspondingly shaped neck portion, thereby preventing the use of unauthorized cartridges.

Description

Z04~0 I

LIQUID ~ISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A DISCHARG~
ASSEMBLY PROVIDING A POSITIVE AIR FLOW CONDITION
Backqround Of The Invention The present inventio-l relates to apparatus for dispensing liquid, normally in discrete small quantities or cllarges. The invention has particular application to the dlsperlsing of liquid from replaceable cartridges whic}l may corlt a i n gr;t- f~r .sc~uring purpo~ses.
(1l~e t,ype of soap dispenser is disclosed in U.S.
patent, no. 4,108,363 and includes a flexible pump bowl which receives soap from a container through a diaphragm-type checlc valve. When the bowl is compressed it closes the check valve and forces the soap in the bowl out through a passageway t~ a discharge outlet. This structure is relatively complex and is not well suited to modern d,istrlbution networks whlch require field maintenance by unskllled lab~rers, nor is it suited to the dispensing of soar~ containing grit, since the grit tends to clog the pas~ageways in the device thereby increasing maintenance problems.
A similar type of dispenser using a compressible pump bowl or nipple is disclosed in V.S. patent no.
1,326,880, the dispenser ejecting soap directly from a slit in the pump nipple. This dispenser utilizes a custom-made check valve stopper in the soap container outlet, and deperlds on distortion oL the slit, in the nipple for dl~pensin~ of' soap therefrom. Thus, the nipple is compressed ln the direction of the slit. This has the dlsadvantage that the slit can be opened permitting soap to drjp therefrom before pressure in the nipple has been raised suficiently to close the check valve.
Another type of soal. dispenset is disclosed in the Cassia Seria~ No. 680,822, filed ~ecember 12, 1984, a continuati~n of which was filed August 28, 1986, Serial No.
902,099, which includes mechanisms for dispensing discrete quantities of liquid soap. A problem which has been encountered in most of the prior art soap dispensing devices i~ that repeated discharges of the dispensing mechanism of Z0411~0 the soap result ;n less than full quantities of soap being dis(-llarged after the initial operation. Basically this is because there is insufficient venting of the soap container or :artridge so that refill into the discharge nozzle or nipple Ls not sufficient ~or providing a iull dosage when such soap dispensers are sub~ected to repeated rapid uses, as is c~ommon in public washrooms and the lilce.
various .qoap ~lispensing systems have been proposed which solve the problem of providing full dosage for each dispensing operation by establishing an air passage between ~he ;nside of the soap container and the outside so as to continually provide full atmospheric pressure within the 50ap container irrespective of ~he number of discharge sequences.
For example, in U.S. patent no. 4,646,94S, issued to ~obert L. Steiner et al, there is disclosed a vented discharge assembly for a liquid soap dispenser including a ~lved vent opening separate from the outlet opening for the liquid soap for providing a vent path through the discharge assembly while effectively preventing discharge of liquid soap through the vent path. However, if the pump was depressed with excessive force, it was possible to pump the soap product past the valve and out the air intake opening, and lhe buildup of dried soap in the intake area could result in blockage of the air vent path.
Another vçnted discharge assemb~y for a liquid soap .ll~penser, disclosed in U.S. patent no. 4,930,667 ISerial No. ~gg,~34) Lssued to Charles R. ~lolzner, includes a semipermeable filter mounted between the discharge assembly and the soap container to introduce air into the soap container immediately upon withdrawal of soap from the c~ontainer to permit rapid operation of the discharge assembly. The filter comprises a iisc-shape(l semi-permeable membralle installed in the air passageway which is offset radially from the liquid soap outlet opening. However, the air passageway has a relatively small cross section making lt susceptible to becoming blocled as the result of soap drying on the filter membrane. Thus, it would be desirable ;~04~

~-o have a liquid dispensinq system including a vented ~art:ridge in which the air passageway is not susceptable to l~lo~-kage.
~ nother problem that is inherent in this field is /,he use of ~Inauthori7,ed l:eplacement cartridges in the dispensers. T~lat ,is, although the ~ispenser is designed to .)ccept a specific cartridge, I,hird parties often attempt to ent,e~ e replaceable cartri-lge market and bootleg inferior soap products into the dispenser.
To ~void unauthorized cartridges being used i.n ~lixpensers, anti-bootleg clevices have been included in the disperlser mechanism to prevent the use of unauthorized ~artridqes therein. E~amples of soap dispensers including arlti-bootleg devices are lisclosed, for instance, in Steiner et al l~.S. patent nos. 4,391,309 ~nd 4,429,812. However, I,hese prior art soap clispensers employ a dispensing pump mechanism which is integral with the housing which defines a ~eservo;.r from which soap i.s Irawn in use. The cartridge is adapted for mounting on the housing and supplies soap to the reservoir by gravity. The anti-bootleg mechanism comprises a plurality of keys located in the inlet opening of the reservoir which prevent proper seating of unauthorized caL-tridt3es. In the event that a bootlegger attempts to use a standard cylindrical necked cartridge, the cartridge will no~; seat properly and soap will run out of the ~ penser.
Ilowever, .such arrangement would not be usable in the liquid ~ ,spellser of the present invention wherein the pump mechalllsm .is part of the contailler.
Summarv Of The Invention It is a general object of the invention to provide an lmproved liquid dispense.r lncluding a discharge assembly which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
Another object of the inventiorl is the provision of a discharge assembly for a liquid dispenser which is suitable for dispensing full discrete charges in rapid succession.

20~
,, ~ urther object of the invention is the provision ~t: ~ ~lischarge assembly for a Iiquid dispenser which is of simple and economical construction, and is characterized by ease of assembly.
Still another obiect of the invention is the provision of a discharge assembly for a liquid dispenser inc]llding a venting arrangement which ensures full dosage lot ~apl-l repeat operatiorl ot the I;scharge assembly.
Yet another object ~f the invention is to provide a dischal-ge ~ssembly for a liquid dispenser including a venting .~rrangement which provides a more positive air flow ~orldition than was provided b~ prior art venting arrangements.
It is another object of the invention to provide a ~ ui~ dispenser of the type including a replaceable liquid -artridge which includes .~n anti-bootleg structure for preventing unauthorized cartridges from being used.
In accordan~e with the invention, there is provided a lLquid 3ispenser comprising, an unvented liquid container having only an outlet opening, a discharge as~embly in liquid communication with the liquid container outlet opening, the discharge assembly including discharge mean~
defining a discharge chamber for accommo~ating a charge of liquid and an inlet chamber for introducing liquid to the discharqe chamber, and check valve rneans ~n the inlet hamh-?r ~or ~egulatinc3 the flow of Liqui-l from the -ontainer lo th~ discharge hamber, ~:he check ~alve means including a ~alve member ~nd a semipermeable filter element mounted in and ~substantially filling the inlet chamber between the valve member and the liquid container outlet opening, the filter element being of a material which is permeable to air ~or establishing an air passage to introduce air ;nto the liquid container ~Ipon withdrawal of liquid ~rom the container, and the filter elemellt material being of a material which is impermeable tv liquid, the element having an opening therethrough defining a passageway for liquid from the container outlet cpening to the valve member for introduction into the discharge chamber.

Z041~0 In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a discharge assembly for a liquid 3ispenser including a liquid container having an outlet .-pening, the discharge asse~bly comprising an elongated ~lexible resilient nipple having a normal expanded condition defining a discharge chamber for accommodating a charge of 1iquid ~nd having a longitudinal axis, the nipple having ~irst and second ends with an inlet chamber at the first end thereof and being provided at the second end thereof with a normall.y closed discharge slit, retaining means mounting the nipple ~n the container with the inlet chamber disposed in registry with the container outlet opening, check valve means disposed in the inlet chamber and including a valve ~ember and a semipermeable filter element substantially ~illing t:he inlet chamber, the filter element being permeable to air and impermeable to liquid, the retaining means establishing an air passage through at least a portion of the filter element to the interior of the liquid contalner, the filter element havlng an opening therethrough defining a passageway for liquid from the container outlet to the valve member for introduction into the discharge chamber, the nipple being laterally compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis, movement of the nipple to the compressed condition thereof raising the pressure in the discharge chamber for closing the check valve and ejecting liquid from the discharge slit, movement of the nipple back to t:he expanded condltion thereof .I.owerl.ng the pressure ln the discharge chamber for closing thc discharge s.lit and opening the check valve to draw a new charge of liquid into the lischarge chamber, passage of air tllrough the filter element rapidly reestablishing air pressure in the liquid container permitting rapid refill of the discharqe chamber with li~uid and rapicl activation of the discharge means.
In accordance with an~ther aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser and a replaceable l.i.quid cartridge removably mountable on the dispenser, the dispenser including a ZC~4~0 ~, ll0l1sinq and an ~ctuatinq mechanism mounted in the housing, ~,he li.~uid cartridqe includi~ a liquid container having an outlet and a discharge assembly moùnted on the container .losing the outlet and anti-boo1,l,og means mounted in the housing in overlying relationship with the actuating mechanism, the anti-bootleq means having an opening ~ r-?t,hrough of ;~ predetermilled ~-,onfiguration, t,he container llaV,i ng a neck portion complementary in .shape to the opening ~,hrc,~uqJl ~,he ant.i.-bootleg me.ns, permitting the neck portion 1,.-) pass through t-,he anti-hootleg means to mount the ~art.ridge on the housing with the discharge assembly disposed in operative relationship with the actuating mechanism for dispensing liquid from the container, and the nti.-~ootleg means preventing ,artridges without a neck r~ortion of the predetermined sonfiguration from being mounted on the housing with their discharge assembly di.sposed in ~perative relationship with the actuating mechanism.
The invention consist,s of certain novel feature~ and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing~, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being unders~ood that various changes in the details may be made without departing ~rom the .spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
Brief Descr.iPt,ion of the Drawinqs For t.he purpose of f'acilitating an understanding of t:he l.nvention, there i3 illustrated .in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered .in connection with the following ,lescription, the invention, lts construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be L-eadily understood and ~ppreciated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing system, constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention;

7 Z04~1.'~0 ~ IG. 2 is an enlargecl, exploded, perspective view of the actuator mechanism of the liquid dispensing system of FIG. 1, ~ IG. 3 is a further enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section taken alon(3 the line 3-3 in FIG. l, and illustrati.ng the ,~ctuator ~nechanism in its normal reset ~n~ tif~n;
FI-.;. 4 ls a view in horizontal section taken along ~lle lirle 4-4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the plunger of the actuator mechanism;
~ IG. 6 is a side elevation,al view of the plunger of ~-he .~ctu,ator mechanism;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plunger of the actuator mechanism:
rTG~ fl is ~ view of ~ liquid cartridge including a liquid container and a discharge assembly which are corlstructed in accordance Witll and embodying the features of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the discharge assembly illustrated in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical section of the discharge assembly;
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the nipple of the di3charge assembly;
FIG. 12 .i.s a sectional. view taken along the line 12-l2 (~f. FIG. J.l;
FIG. 13 ;s an enlarged ~ragmentary view of the nipple, illustrating details of its discharge outlet;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the nipple of the :lischarge assembly;
FIGS. 15-l7 are simplified fragmentary views of the disc}-large assembly in vertical section illustrating successive stages of liquid discharge and recharge;
FIG. 18 is a view in section of the housing of the liquid dispensing system illustrated in FIG. l showing the anti-bootleg device with the liquid cartridge illustrated in phantom, mounted on the housing;

2~)4~0 ~3 EIG. 19 is as top plall view of the llousing with the ti-bootlog device removed;
FIG. 2~ is an enlarged, fragmentary view, in section, taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the anti-bootleg levice of the housing;
~ TG. 22 .i.s a bottom plan v;ew of the anti-bootleg devire i.1.1u.strate(l in ~IG. 21;
P~t~. 23 is a front elevational view of the anti-I)ootleg dev.ice lllustrated in EIG. 2l;
FIG. 24 .is a side elevational view of the anti-boot.Leg device illustrated Ln FIG. 21, ~ IG. 25 is a front elevational view of a liquid colltairler of the liquid dispensing system illustrated in I~IC,. I;
FIG. 26 is a rear elevational view of tlle liquid cllltairler;
FTG. 27 is a .l.eft side elevational view of the l.iquid container;
FIG. 28 is a right side elevational view of the liquid container:
FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the liquid container;
FIG. 30 is a bottom plan view of the liquid ~ontainer;

FIGS. 31-34 are bottom plan views of liquid ontalrlers havlng alternative configurations for preventing un.~ thorizecl use; and FIGs. 35-38 are top plan views of anti-bootleg devices for use with the liquid containers shown in FIGS.
~31-~34, respectively.
Descrition of Preferred Embodiment Referring ~o EIGS. 1-4, ~here .is illustrated a li~uid dispensing system, gonerally designated by the nullleral 20, constructed in accordance w.ith and embodying the ~eatures of the present invelltion. The liquid dispensing system 20 comprises a dispenser 2~ adapted to be mounted on an associated support surface 21, such as on a wall 22 and, moLe l?articulaLly, in a Lecess 23 therein (see FIGS. 3 and ~'), alld a disposable liquid cartridge 26 which contains a supply of liquid and is removably mountable on the dispenser ~5 ~OL -ooperation therewith to control the dispensing of liquid therefrom. The liquid may be liquid soap, alcohol, jel, suntan oil, or any material that flows. In accordance wi~h one aspect of the invention, the liquid cartridge includes a discharge assembly which allows mounting of the cartridge on the dispenser without specific orientation therebetween. Moreover, the discharge assembly includes a filter which prevents contaminated air from entering the cartridge, which filter allows a more positive air flow condition than is provided by ~nown liquid dispensing systems of the type which are vented through their outlet opening. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the liquid dispenser includes an anti-bootleg structure ~or preventing unauthorized cartridges from being used with the dispenser, the anti-bootleg structure including an anti-bootleg device 2~ secured to the dispenser and a cooperating surface configuration 29 for the cartridge neclc, as will be descri~ed. Preferably the cartridge 26 is inexpensively manufactured so as to be disposable.
More specifically, the dispenser 25 includes a housing 30, which is preferably of unitary, one-piece construc-tion and may be formed of molded plastic. The housing 30 is similar to the llousing disclosed in United States patent no. 4,673,109, which is assigned to Steiner Corporation. The housing 30 includes a flat rectangular base wall 31 and an upstanding rectangular mounting wal~ 32 integral with the base wall 31 at the rear edge thereof and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. The mounting wall 32 may have fastener holes 33 therethrough for receiving associated fasteners (not shown), securely to mount the housing 30 on the associated support surface 21.
The housing 30 and cartridge 26 define mating edge surfaces providing a retaining system llke that for the dispenser and cartridge illustrated in the referenced U.S. patent no.
~,673,109. To this end, integral with the base wall 31 and Z~
l (~
e~telldillg upwardly thererolll along the front and side edges thereof is a .ontilluous peripheral flange 34, having a stepped riown portion 34a on tho front edge. Side flanges 35 are respectively integral with the side edges of the mounting wall 32 and project forwardly therefrom to join the peripheral flange 34. Respectively integral with the side ~langes 3~ at the forward or distal edges thereof, and proje-ting laterally inwardly therefrom substantially pf~talLel t;o the mounting wall 32, are two retaining rails :~6, each extendirlg the entire length of the mounting wall 32 to Ihe base wall 31.
Briefly, referring to rIGs. 1 and 3, and also to rIGs. 25-2~ of the drawings, the cartridge 26 includes a lic~uid .ontainer ~0 and .~ liquid discharge assembly 120 whicrl is described in ~etail l~ereinbelow. The liquid container 90 is a generally boY-like container, which may be ormed of a suitable plastic material. Preferably, the ontainer 90 is generally in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped having a top wall 92, a bottom wall 93, a front wall 94, a rear wall 95 and a pair of opposed side walls 96. The front wall 94 and the side walls 96 are set back or recessed along their lower edges adjacent to their junction with the bottom wall 93 to define a support shoulder 97. The top wall 92 projects rearwardly a slight distance beyond the rear wall 95 to form an overhang which defines a stop flange 98. Formed in the container 91 at the junctions of the rear wall 95, respectively, with the side w~lls ~h, are two elongated .Longitudinal grooves 100 which exterld rom the level of the stop flange g8 downwardly to the l~ottom wall 93. The Lower portions of the grooves 100 are cut away, as at 101, so as to defirle lugs 102 adjacent to the upper ends of the grooves 100. The cartridge outer sur~aces are all dimensioned so that whell the cartridge 26 ls in lts use position on the dispenser the outer surfaces of the front wall and the side walls are, respectively, substantially coplanar with corresponding portions of the housing so as to present an attractive, smooth outward appearance. Also, the retaining system formed by rails 36 20~ 0 Il and ~lrooves 100 prevent fcrward tilting of the cartridge telative to the clispenser.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, integral with the base wall 31 and with the mounting wall 32 and substantially perpendicular to each are a pair of laterally spaced-apart, upstanding support plates 37, respectively provided with laterally aligned bearing notches 38 in the upper edges l;hereof (.see FIG. 3). Formed in the base wall 31 is an ~-~lollrlal,ed, ger~erally rectangular openirlg 39 (FIGS. 3 and 4) whicl~ xtends laterally between the support plates 37, the vpenlng ~9 having a rearwardly extending rectangular arm 39a and having an arcuate forward end.
Integral with the housing 30 is a receptacle 40 hav,ing a periPheral wall 4l which lines the forward portion of the vpening 39, the peripheral wall 4l having an arcuate front end and parallel side portions, which side portions are respectively parallel to the support plates 37 and are ~ntegra.l. w.ith the inner surfaces thereof at the front ends thereof. The peripheral wall 4l pro~ects above and below t:he base wall 31 and is closed at its lower end by a bottom wall 42 wl1ich is disposed substantially parallel to the base wal]. 31. The bottom wall 42 has a circular opening 43 therein ad~acent to the forward end thereof, and a generally ~r-shaped slot 44 therethrough (FIG. 3) just rearwardly of ~,he circular vpening 43. Respectively ormed in the side port,ions .~f the peripheral wal]. 4l below the base wall 31 are t:wo laterally aligned circular pivot openings 45 (FIG.
1 ~ ) -Integral with the rear ends of the side portions of ~:he peripheral wall 4l and projecting laterally inwardly t:herefrom are two rear flanges 46, each having a notch or recess 47 at the Lower end thereof. ~ stop web 48 laterally spans the side portions of the peripheral wall 4l, extending a slight distance above and below the base wall 31, t:he web 48 having a rectangular notch 48a in the lower edge thereof and a forwardly directed ledge portion 48b near its upper end. A rectangular stop web 49 is fvrmed inteqrally w.ith and extends upwardly from the base wall 31. Web 49 is ~2 20411~
disposed ~substantially ~arallel to the stop web 4~ and laterally spans the peripheral wall ~l near its arcuate front end. The upper edge of the stop web and the upper surface of the ledge portion 4~b lie substantially in a common horizonal plane. Web 49 has a rearwardly directed boss 49a which is semi-cylindrical in shape and extends substaIltially t,he width of the web 49.
The d.ispenser 2S also includes an actuator assembly ';(~ wI)i-,h is removably mounted in the housing 30. The actuator assembly 50 includes a handle 51 comprising a rectangular plate 52 provided at its upper end with an inclined portion 53, whicII is in turn provided at its distal end with laterally outwardly extending cylindrical pivot InIgs 54. rhe pivot lugs 54 are respectively received in the bearing notchQs 3~ for pivotally supporting the handle 51 which extends through opening 39 in the housing bottom, for movement between actuating and retracted positions. The plate 52 has a width sliglltly less than the width of the opening 39, so that the base wall 31 at the rear end of the opening 39 and the rear flanges 4fi of the receptacle 40 provide rear and front stops to limit the pivotal movement of the handle 51. Formed in the front surface of the plate 52 is a rectangular recess 55, near the lower end of which is formed a rectang~llar slot 56 wh.ich extends thro~gh the thickness of the plate 52 midway between the side edges ~,hereof ancl i,n position so as to be disposed below the base wa.I.l 11 wllerI ~,he IIandle 5I ,i.s cl.isposed in its mounted cc~Ildil:ioll lII t~l-a IIousiIlc3 30.
The actuator assembly 50 also includes a bias unit 60 whicII comprises a latch member 51 and a bias leaf 70.
The latch member 61 is generally ,in the orm of a clevis having a pair of parallel, spaced-apart arms 62, respectively provided with ang),e(l feet fi3, at the lower ends thereof. The feet 63 are respectively provided with laterally outwardly extending circularly cylindrical pivot lugs 64, each having a substarItially square key socket 65 formed in the outer end thereof, which may extend laterally completely therethrough.

~ acll of tlle feet 53 is also provided on its inner sllrface with a bearing boss B5. The arms 62 are interconnected at their upper ends by a bight portion 67 provided wlth a forwardly extending latch tlange 68 having a part ~rustoconical cam surface 69 thereo11 which locks the cartridge in place on the dispenser. The latch member 6l is ~Jimensioned to fit within ~he receptacle 40 with the arms 62 lespe~ ely ~1isposed along ~he inner surfaces of the side portlons of the peripheral wall 4l. For mounting, the arms ~,2 ~re res.iliently deflected together to permit the pivot lugs ~,4 ~o -lear the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall 41, and then the latch member 6l is lowered into the receptacle 40 until the pivot lugs 64 respectively snap out into l:he pivot openings 4~ (~IG. 18 )l pivotally to mount the latch member 61. The length of the arms 62 is such that wher1 the latch member 61 Ls in this mounted condition, the l.atch Llange ~,~ is disposed a predetermined distance above he upper end of the receptacle 40.
The bias leaf 70 comprises a thin, flat rectangular band which is formed of a suitable flexible and resilient material, such as a suitable plastic. One end of the bias le~f 70 is fixedly secured to the rear surface of the bight portion 67 of the latch member 61 by suitable means (not shown). The bias leaf 70 is fabricated with predetermined curvature therein, and is provided with a curved tip 72 at ;.ts li.stal end wh.ich has a rectangular .sLot 73 therethrough.
rllele Ls a.Lso provided a key 7~ having a lug 76 thereon whlch i.s ~Lspo~ed for mating engagement in one of the key sockets G5 t;o effect manual rotation of the latch member 61 a1~out the axis of the pi~tot lugs 64 for releasing the cartridge when spent, allowing replacement with a full cartridge.
The actuator assembly 50 alsc~ ir1cludes a plunger B0, whic~l is generally in ~he shape of a rectangular, box-like, open-top frame. More particularly, referring to FIGS. 2-7, the ~lunger ~0 includes a pair of parallel rectangular side walls 81 .interconnected, respecti.vely, at the forward and 20~

rearward el1ds 1,hereof by a front bearing wall 82 and a rear 33.
The front bearing wall 82 curves forwardly and downwardly ~rom its uppe,r ecl3e to a point of maximum forward extension defining cam surface 82a which is approximately one ',hird the listance from its upper edge to its lower ed(le, Ihe front- bearir1q walJ ~ortion ~2b extending linearly ~,lownw;lrclly ~nd rearwardly rom its point of maximum forward eY~tel1sior1 to its bottom edge. Thus, the front bearing wall n~ rl~f ines ~ ~enerally arcuate cam surface 82a which is offset upwardly of the 11orizontal center line of the plunger ~30 and following surface 82b.
The arcl1ate cam surface ~32a is aligned with and in ~pposing rela~ion to the hoss portion 49a on web 49. The rear wall ~3 is provided with a forwardly extending pin 85 which Ls received in slot 73 of bia.s leaf 70. Integral with Ihe outer or rear surface of the rear wall 83 is a rearwardly extending rectangu]ar positioning lug 86 which is received in slot 56 in the handle 51. The side walls 81 are interconnected at t,he lower edges thereof, intermediate the front and rear ends thereof by a rectangular bottom web 87.
The plunger ~0 is dimensioned so that it can fit between the notclles 47 of the receptacle rear flange.s 46, through the notch 48a in the stop web 4~ and between the bearing bosses 66 ~L ]atch member 51 ~or reciprocating siding movement f:orwarclly and l~earwardly along ~,he bot;tom wall 42 of the r~eccptacle ~0 between pumping and release positions in resporl3e t:o operation and release of the handle 51.
The parts of the actuator assembly 50, viz., the l~andle 51, the bias unit ~0 and the plunger 80, can be qui.clcly and easily assembled with t,he housi.ng 30 wlthout the use of tools and, when thus assembled, will coopexate with each other and with the l1ousing :,0 to retain the actuator assembly 50 in the housing 30 and prevent accidental removal thereof. The manner in whicll the actuator assembly 50 is assembled in the housil1g is described in detail in the referenced U.S. patent no. ~,673,lO9.

20~ 0 ~ eferring to FTG~. 1, 3 and ~ , the liquid ~artLidge ~6 includes a liquii container 90 and a discharge assembl~ 120. Integral with the liquid container 90 at the distal end thereof is a cy~ drical nozzle or neck 113 which projects downwardly from the l~ottom wall and which includes a thill wall portion 113a whicll defines an outlet opening for the rontainer 90. The neck portion 113 of the liquid col1~aillsr gn is externally l:hreaded as at 114 and has an end surf;~(e IJ.5, as seen i.n FIG. ~. The discharge assembly 120 includes ,~n elongated, generally circular nipple 121 and a -heck valve assembly 122. The discharge assembly 120 is mounted on the threaded neck portion of the liquid container and mairltained thereon by a retaining cap 123.
Referrinq to FIGS 9-14, the nipple 121 is formed of a suitable flexible resilient material, such as rubber.
The nipple 121 has a main bod~ portion defined by a cylindrical side wall 130 which is provided at its proximal erld with a radlally outwardly extending flange 131 and an annular upstanding wall 132 defining an inlet chamber 133 for the discharge assembly. The hollow main body portion defines a discharge chamber 13S for the discharge assembly.
The side wall 130 is provided at its distal end with a pair of radially inwardly sloping concave walls 136 which cooperate to ~orm a flat, narrow duckbill-shaped tip 137 at the (~istal end of the nipple, closing the discharge chamber 135. Formed in the ti.p 137 and extending longitudinally ~:her~of, substantlally dlametrically of the nipple 130, is arl elonga~e-l ~.lot l3~ which J.n length is approximately one-half the ~iameter of the nipple. The upper edge of the slot 138 terminates in an elongated discharge slit 139, which is normally held closed by t:he resilient biased nipple 130.
Also, the ~lit 139 extends a~orlg only a portion, approximately one-third, of ~he lengtll of the duck-bill tip 137. Non-slitted top portions 137a on each side of the slit 139 assist in maintaining the slit 13g closed in the absence of Lelease pressure in the nipple discharge chamber 13~. The slit 139 is recessed relative ~o the distal tip of the nipple by an amount corresponding to the depth of the slot IG 2041~Z0 I~s~. rhe ~-atio .!f tlle Len~th L of the main body portion an(l tip of ~lle nipple to the average diameter D~ is about 3 to 1. ~rhis e~tended length of the nipple 121 and the improved tip (~onstruction together with the profile of the plunger frong bearing wall ~2 enable the cartridge to be installed t~n the dispenser without orientation of the nipple ~elative to the plunger. That is, ;t is not essential that ~:he ~lip~le be ~riented relative to t~he plunger such that it i~ ~omr)ressed in a direction perpendicular to the discharge ~Iil 13'3.
~ s shown in ~IGS. 9-10, the check valve assembly 122 includes a valve diaphragm disc 140 and a filter member 142.
'rhe valve diaphragm 140 is a thin, flat circular membrane or dial?hragm dimensioned to fit within the inlet chamber or well 133 defined by the upstanding annular wall 132 of the nil~ple 121 with its lower peripheral edge 140a supported by a ledge r shoulder portlon 131a defined by the inner upper surface of flange 131. The diaphragm i5 made of a suitable flexible material which is impermeable to liquid. The cliaphragm llas a straight-line check valve slit 141 formed therein centrally thereof and extending substantially diametrically.
The filter member 142 has a cylindrical main body portion 143 with an annular flange 144 extending outward radially at its upper surface 145. The filter member t42 arl axiaJ ~ore 146 formed therethr-ugh centrally ~hereof ~om i.1~ upper ~urface 145 to its ].ower surface 147. The outeL dlamete~ of the main body portjon ~43 at its distal r~nd surace !47 corr~sponds to t;he outer diameter of the valve diaphraym, which diameters are slightly less than the inner diameter of the well 133 defined by the annular wall 132 ot ~;he ni.pple. The outer tliameter of t-he top surface 14~ lncluding the 1ange 144 is a~-proximately the same as the outer liameter of annular wall portion 132 of nipple 121. The filter member 142 may be made from any suitable material whicll permits air to pass therethrough but which does not permit liquid to flow therethrough, such as a hydrophobic cell structured thermoplastic. Material 17 ~ O~
l~articularly sui~able ~or this purpose is commercially available. Representative thermoplastics are nylon, polyesters, polypropylene and teflon, polyurethane, ABS and the like, produced for instance by Filtertek, Inc. of Hebrorl, Jllinojs. The ~ilter elemen~ is a molded porous .l.astic material having a pore size in the range of about (J.2 m.icrons to about 4~ microlls.
I.n u~e, ~he valve di.aphragm 140 is positioned in the wel l. .L.33 wlth its peripheral edge 140a supported on the ledge portion 131a. The filter member 142 is positioned in the well 133 with its lower surface 147 engaging the upper surface of the valve diaphragm over substantially its entire extent and with the under surf~ce of its flange engaging the top edge surface of the annular wall 132. Thus, when the discharge assembly is assembled with a cartridge, the filter member 142 substantially fills the entire inlet chamber or well 133 of the nipple between the outlet of the container an~ the valve ~i.aphragm l.40. Moreover, because the filter presents a large surface area to the outlet of the liquid container 90 and is located in contact with the liquid, the filter material is continually wetted by the liquid and thu~
will not become clogged by dried or hardened liquid. The aperture 146 through the filter member 142 is aligned with the valve slit 141 in the valve diaphragm by vlrtue of it~
~eing located axially o~ the fi~.ter member, and deflnes a pa~aqeway for li~uid to the valve disc.
l'he retainirlg cap 123 is in the form of a ~ylindrical collar which has a central aperture 151 of a size Illrougll which the main ~ody portion of the nipple 121 may pass. The retaining cap has internal threads 152 between its upper edge surface 153 and ;.ts lower edge surface 154 whicll are dimensioned loosely to engage the external threads 114 on the li~uid container neck 113 and wi~h the ]iquid container lower edge 115 engaging the upper surface 145 of the filter member 142. The retaining cap 123 serves to removably mount the discharge assembly 120 on the neck of the container 112. ~ecause the retaining ring 123 20~ 0 I-enlovably secures the discharge assembly to the container 9~, ;t ls possib,l.e to r-e(ovfr ~:lisc~-ar~e assemb]ios from ~pent cartridges, if ,lesired.
The discharge assembly controls the flow of liquid between the outlet opening of the container 90 and the inlet openirlg or inlet chamber 133 of the nipple 121. An air path i6 thereby established, as best seen by the arrows in ~IG.
I~), l~e1,weerl ollts,i.do ~,he container ~0 anci the inslde thereof, which ;lir path 10ws between the neck 13 of the liquid ontairler gn and the upper edge l53 of the cylindrical ollar 123 through and along the threads 114 and 152 and l,hereaft,er through the space 160 and through the filter member 142 into the liquid sontainer 90.
In use, when t,he flischarge assembly 30 has been ~ssembled and mounted on the container as described above, ~,he check valve assembly 122 is disposed for controlling the ~low of llquid between the outlet opening of the container 90 alll the i,nlet opening or .inlet chamber 133 of the nipple 121.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 18, in mounting the cartridge 26 on the dispenser 25, it is placed over the lispenser 25 with the neck 113 disposed downwardly. The cartridge 26 i5 slid down along the mounting wall 32 of the housing 30, with the retaining rail.s 3G being respectively recessed in the longitudinal grooves 100. As the cartridge .i.s Lowered ;.nto .its use position, the nipple 121 extends clow~lwc2rdly into l;he receptacle 40 between stop webs 48 and and in ~oaxial alignment wltll the circular opening 43 in t:he bottom wall 42. The latch flange 68 of latch member 61 projects forwardly beyond stop web 4~, engaging the top surface edge 153 of the cap .1.23 so as to obstruct the path of the neclc 112, latching the c,artridge ln place. The lower edge 154 of the Leta.ining cap 123 l:ests on ledge 48a and on Llle upper edge 49b of web 49, locating the main body portion 130 of the nipple 121 between the forward cam surface 82a of the plunger 80 and the Learwardly extending boss 49a on the ro21t web 49.

2 0 ~ 0 ~g Referrilla t o FIGS . ~ and 15-17, the operation of t he (li scharae assembly 120 will be explained. with the onti nual ~eed of air into the 1 iquid container 90, the atmospheric pressure plus the weigh~c of the liquid in the container Oll the diaphragrn clisc 140 near the slit 141 therein will force the c heck valve slit 141 open, allowing l iquicl to f low through the check valve slit opening into the lischarge c: hamber ].3:~ in t-.he nippLe 12] . This flow will rJnl; jlllle l1ntil the di.scharge hamber 135 is filled, at which t ~me I he pressure on the opposite sides of the valve disc 14(~ will be equalized, thereby allowing the check valve slit 141 to -lose i.n an equilibrium condition, as illustrated in ~IG. 1~ . The nipple 121 ; s so constructed that in this rlorm~ uili~rium condition, t-he natural resilient bias of t he nipple ] 21 will hold the discharge slit 139 closed against the weight of the charge of liquid contained in the ~3ischarge -hamber 135.
In r~ler to dispense a charge of liquid, a user places his palln under the nipple 121 and pulls the handle 51 ( FIG. 3 ) forwardly towards its actuating position with his f ingers . This drives the Plunger f~0 forwardly of the housing to its pumping position against the force of bias member 70, and into engagement with the nipple 121, compressing it, as shown in FIG. 16, between the cam surface B2a and the boss 49a on forward wall 49, e ~ecting the charge of 1 ir~uid t herefrom through the discharge outlet 137 of the nipple 121. Initially, the tip of the cam surface 82a ellg~ges the nipple main body portion near its upper end, ompress.ir-g the nipple near i.ts upper end. With continued forward lineal~ movement of t he plunger f30, the upper end of the nipple will be pinclled close(l by the cam suface B2a while t;he liquid contaj.nec3 ~n ~:he nipple ; s forced out as following surface B2b of t:he ~)lunger c- ompresses t-he nipple in a downward motion as it Ls being engaged by following surface B2b.
The compression of cylindrical wall 130 of the nipple 121 raises the pressure in the ùischarge chambex 13S, so that it holds the check valve slit 141 of the valve ~-o diaphragm 140 closed and a~ainst the under side of filter member I42 I,o force the ejectioIl of a charge of liquid from t,he discharge chamber 135. ~ecause the center of the check valve disc 1~0 is held against the filter member 142 during tI~e discharge operation, no cIlange ;n the pressure in the liquid contairIer occurs at this time. When the handle 51 is reJeased, ~,he plunger ~0 w;ll return to its normal rest ~o.~it,i~,~n uncIer the urging of the I~.ias member 70, and the ~ompressed wall 132 of the nipple 121 will return to its normal oxpanded condition, see FIG. 17, as a result of the natural resilience of the nipple L21. This reexpansion of t,)le nipple 121 will lower the pressure therein to a pressure below that in the container 90, so as to allow the check valve slit 141 to open under the force of atmospheric pressure and the weight of the liquid in the container.
IIenc~ new (-harge of liquid is drawn from the container 90 (th~reby ~reating lower pressure ln container ~0) through aperture 146 ln tIle filter member 142 and the check valve opening 141 and the diaphragm disc 140 into the discharge chamber 135 of the nipple 121. The rate at which the liquid flows into the nipple 121, and particularly into the discharge chamber 13S, is controlled to some extent by the pressure in the liquid container 90. The pressure i8 equalized to normal atmospheric pressure hy means of the air path established between the inside of the liquid container ~0 and the atmosphere (which path is shown by the arrows in FTG. lO~ and 1c~ws through the filter member 142 and the in),(~t chamber I33. Particularly, the air flows downwardly past the upper edge 153 of the retaining cap 123 through and around the mating threads 114, 152 and into the annular space beneath the threads and hence through the filter mernber l42 to the liquid container outlet, and into the container 90. This mecIIanism permits air to flow into the liquld corltainer 90 while retaining the liquid therein.
TI~is construction facilitates rapid discharge and charge of the discrete quantities of liquid from the nipple 121 and is an improvement over the ~)revious constructions heretofore mentioned.

, 1 20411.'~0 ~ rhus/ the liquid ~lispensing system provided in accordance with the present Lnvention includes a discharge ~ssembly and an actuatinq mechanism therefor which allows mounting of the cartridge on the dispenser without specific orientation of the nipple of the discharge assembly relative to the plunger o the actuating mechanism. Moreover, the discharge mechanism includes a filter element which is ~orlstructed alld arranged ~o both define a portion of an air pa~sageway for venting ~he liquid container through its ~utlet opening and for providing a passageway for liquid from the cor,tainer to the discharge nipple, the filter element allowing a more positive air flow condition than is provided by known liquid dispensing systems of the type employirlg containers vented through their outlet opening.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 18, 19 and 21-30 in accordance w;th another aspect of the ,invention, the dispenser 25 ,includes an anti-bootleg structure 2~ including anti-bootleg levice 160 for preventing unauthorized cartridges from being used in the dispenser 25. The anti-bootleg device 160, best shown in FIGS. 21-24, comprises a flat plate-like member 161 generally rectangular in shape and having a central opening 162 therethrough of an irregular shape, complementary with irregular shaped neck portion 164 of the associated container 26 shown in FIGS. 25-30. The plate member 161 ha~
a eorward edge 165, a rearward edge 166, a left side edge 167 and a right side edge ]68. The irregular shaped opening 162 includes A generally circular central aperture 162a wlth a generally rect,angular-shaped extension 162b extending toward the lett side edge 167 of the plate and an arcuate segment 162c extending toward the forward edge 165 of the plate member.
The plate member 161 is mounted on the housing 30 (FIG. 18) overlying tlle well 40 which receives tlle discharge assembly 120 of the cartridge 26, with the neck of the cartridge 26 extending through the irregular shaped aperture 162 of the plate member 161. It is apparent that only cartridges which have a neck portion configured to pass through the irregular opening 162 in the anti-bootleg device 204~ 0 l.G(~ ~,all seat ~n ~,he .~ispenser .~5 .in such a way as to permit t:he ~lischarge assembly '20 (f the cartridge 26 to be operated by actuator mechanism of the dispenser.
For the purpose of motlllting the anti-bootleg device l,60 Oll the housing, the device 160 has four projections or Lugs 1.7l-.l74 which (lepend frolll lower surface 175 of the r~ t-? l fi l, one .I,ocated near each of the four corners of the pJ.a~e. I,he housing 30 has four supports ox posts 176-179 which are .~ormed integrally with and extend upwardly from ~,he hase 42 of the housing 3~. Two of the posts 176-177 are l,ocate~ orl the left side of tlle well and the other two posts 17~-179 are located on the right side of the well 40. All ~our posts extend to a height above the upper edge of the well 40 to locate the anti-bootleg device 160 in overlying re1atiorl with t,he well and slightly above the upper edge surf~ce o t,he well. Tl-e lugs L71-174 are split at 180 and are di.merlsiotled t;o l)e received .in ~pertures 170 through the re~pective posts 176, 178, 177, and 179, which apertures are stepped outwardly in a direction from top to bottom, clefining an inner shoulder 181. The luqs may be retained in the apertures 170 by a snap fit, ultrasonic welding or other means to permanently secure the plate 161 to the housing.
As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the spacing between lugs 171 and 172 near the ,~orward edge l65 of the plate l.6]. is Less than the spacing between .lugs 173 and ],74 llear the ~:earwarcl edge 16G. Correspondingly, the spacing be~,weerl ~:he l.ocw~r~ily locate(l posts 176 and 178 is less than .he spacillg between the .rearwardly located posts 177 and 179 ~,o ensure proper orientatioll of the plate 161 when it is ,i.~lsta11ed on the housirlg.
Referri.ng now t,o ~IG,. ~5~ ,he liquid container 90 ;.s particularly adapted t,o be received by the dispenser 25 ,includi.ng the anti-bootleg device 160. The neck 113 of the container 90 has a generally cylindrical portion 184 of a ~iameter corresponding to the diameter of the aperture lG2a in the plate 161 and with a generally rectangular ~oss 185 and an arcuate boss 186 which are complementary to 2(~41~2~
,.3 a,~ertuL-e exterlsion portions ].62b and 162c, respectivei.y, of t~le ~perture lfi2 ln the anti-llootleg plate 161.
Various combinations of rectangular and arcuate aperture portions can be used to define many unique irre~ular shapes for anti-l>ootleg device 160 and cartridges for ~-se exclusivoly therewith. Moreover, only the anti-~oot;leg dev;.ce 160 need be different, permitting manufacture o l a ~erler.i.c dispenser ullit, adapted by application theretr? ~ a given anti-bo~Log ~levice to receive a given ::,artr.i.clr~e. For example, referring now to FIGS. 31-34, there are illustrated four cartridges 191-194 each having a different irreqular-shaped neck portion for use with a dispenser having, respectively, one of the four anti-bootleg devi~uc.~s 195-19'~ lllustrated in FIGS. 35-38.
I~eferrinc~ to FIGS. 31 and 35, device 195 has an irregular-shaped opening 201 having two rectangular extension ~ortion.s ~Ola and 201b which extend toward its .I.eft side edge lfi7 of ~he plate member 161. Portion 201a, which .is the ~ctme shape and at the same location as portion 162b (PIG. 21), is longer than portion 201b.
Correspondingly, the neck 113 of container 191 has complementary shaped rectangular bosses 202 and 203, which are disposed i.n the neck 113 and dimensioned to pass through ~he i.rregular opening 201 in the device .l95.
Referring to FIGS. 32 and 36, device 196 has an .irregular pening 204 having two generally rectangular extensi.0n portiorls 204a a-ld 2n4~, which are the same shape as po.rtiol~ IOla alld exten(l, respectively, towards its left s.ide edge 167 and its l-iyht side edge 168 rearward of the center line of the plate lfil. The neclc 113 of container 192 llas complementary shaped bosses 205 and 206, which are so dispo6ed on t:he neck l13 and dimensiolled to pass through the lrregulctr ~penillg 204 in ~he ~evice L36.
Referring to FIC.S. 33 and 37, device 197 has an irregular shaped opening 207 having an arcuate extension portion 207a which is the same shape and at the same location as portion 162c of device 160 (FIG. 21~ and which extends towards its forward edge 165. Associated container ~4 20411~0 l93 llas a com~lementary l~oss 208 on its neck 113 which is ~lisposed to pass ~hrough tlle irregular opening in the device 197.
Referring to ~IGS. 34 and 38, device 198 has an irregular-shaped opening ~09 havillg two generally rectangular extension portions 209a and 209b which are the ~ame shape as portion 201b (FIG. 35) and extend, respectively, toward the left side edge 167 and the right ~ide erlge 168, but forward of the center line of the plate 161. (~orresponding container 194 has complementary bosses 211 alld 212 ~n its neck portion 113 which are disposed to pass through the irregular opening 209 in the device 198.
It is seen therefore that there has been provided a liquid dispensing system in which a conunon dispenser 25 has permanently mounted to it a selected one of a plurality of anti-bootleg devices, overlying the actuator mechanism and upon which an associated cartridge must be mounted. The anti-bootleg device has a particularly chosen irregular-~haped opening which will preclude the use of any cartridge except a cartridge 1laving a complementary shaped neck portion. The user of unauthorized cartridges in dlspensers having the anti-bootleg device of the present invention i~
prevented because the anti-bootleg device precludes proper seatlslg of the dispensing mechanism of such unaut}~orized cartridge on the actuator mechanism, whereby the actustor cannot operate the dispenser mechanism, thereby rendering the liquid dispenser inoperable.

Claims (29)

1. A liquid dispenser comprising, an unvented liquid container having only an outlet opening, a discharge assembly in liquid communication with said liquid container outlet opening, said discharge assembly including discharge means defining a discharge chamber for accommodating a charge of liquid and an inlet chamber for introducing liquid to said discharge chamber, and check valve means in said inlet chamber for regulating the flow of liquid from said container to said discharge chamber, said check valve means including a valve member and a semipermeable filter element mounted in and substantially filling said inlet chamber between said valve member and said liquid container outlet opening, said filter element being of a material which is permeable to air for establishing an air passage to introduce air into said liquid container upon withdrawal of liquid from said container, and said filter element material being impermeable to liquid, said element having an opening therethrough defining a passageway for liquid from said container outlet opening to said valve member for introduction into said discharge chamber.

2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein an air passage connects said filter element to the outside of said liquid container.

3. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, including retaining means holding said discharge assembly in position with respect to said liquid container and providing an air passage to said filter element.

4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said filter element is generally cylindrical in shape and has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of said cartridge outlet opening, said opening through said filter element being located centrally thereof.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said discharge means of said discharge assembly includes an elongated flexible resilient nipple having a normal expanded condition defining said discharge chamber and having a longitudinal axis, said nipple having an inlet opening to said discharge chamber at one end thereof and being provided at the other end thereof with a normally closed discharge slit extending generally perpendicular to said axis, retaining means mounting said nipple on the container with said inlet chamber disposed in registry with the container outlet opening, said check valve member including a flat membrane extending across said nipple inlet opening and having a valve slit formed therein centrally thereof, said filter element overlying said membrane with its opening being located centrally thereof and disposed in registry with said valve slit to permit liquid to flow therethrough and to prevent said membrane from being forced into said liquid container, said retaining means retaining said nipple and said check valve and said filter element in position on said liquid container and providing an air passage from outside said liquid container to said filter element, said nipple being laterally compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis to a compressed condition, movement of said nipple to the compressed condition thereof raising the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said check valve against said filter element and ejecting liquid from said discharge slit, movement of said nipple back to the expanded condition thereof lowering the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said discharge slit and opening said check valve to draw a new charge of liquid into said discharge chamber, passage of air through said filter element to the interior of said container rapidly reestablishing air pressure in said liquid container permitting rapid refill and activation of said discharge means.

6. The liquid dsipenser of claim 1, wherein said filter element is a molded porous plastic material having a pore size in the range of about 0.2 microns to about 40 microns.

7. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein said filler element is a hydrophobic microporous of polypropylene.

8. The liquid dispenser of claim 5 wherein said nipple is generally cylindrical and wherein the axial length of said discharge chamber is approximately three times its diameter.

9. A discharge assembly for a liquid dispenser including a liquid container having an outlet opening, said discharge assembly comprising an elongated flexible resilient nipple having a normal expanded condition defining a discharge chamber for accommodating a charge of liquid and having a longitudinal axis, said nipple having first and second ends with an inlet chamber at said first end thereof and being provided at said second end thereof with a normally closed discharge slit, retaining means mounting said nipple on the container with said inlet chamber disposed in registry with the container outlet opening, check valve means disposed in said inlet chamber and including a valve member and a semipermeable filter element substantially filling said inlet chamber, said filter element being of a material which is permeable to air and impermeable to liquid, said retaining means establishing an air passage through at least a portion of said filter element to the interior of said liquid container, said filter element having an opening therethrough defining a passageway for liquid from said container outlet to said valve member for introduction into said discharge chamber, said nipple being laterally compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular -to said axis, movement of said nipple to the compressed condition thereof raising the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said check valve and ejecting liquid from said discharge slit, movement of said nipple back to the expanded condition thereof lowering the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said discharge slit and opening said check valve to draw a new charge of liquid into said discharge chamber, passage of air through said filter element rapidly reestablishing air pressure in said liquid container permitting rapid refill of said discharge chamber with liquid and rapid activation of said discharge means.

10. The discharge assembly of claim 9, wherein said valve member includes a flat membrane extending across said inlet opening and having a valve slit formed therein centrally thereof, said filter element overlying said membrane with its opening therein centrally thereof and disposed in registry with said valve slit.

11. The discharge assembly of claim 10 wherein said filter element is generally cylindrical in shape and engages said diaphragm over substantially its entire extent.

12. The discharge assembly of claim 11, wherein said nipple has an annular upstanding wall at said first end defining said inlet chamber and a shoulder at the base of said wall, said diaphragm having its peripheral edge supported in said shoulder and said filter element being contained substantially within said inlet chamber.

13. The discharge assembly of claim 11, wherein said nipple is substantially circularly cylindrical in shape, the distal end of said nipple being generally duckbill-shaped and having sloping wall portions which converge to a thin flat rectangular tip, said discharge slit being formed in said tip.

14. The discharge assembly of claim 13 wherein the axial length of said discharge chamber is approximately three time its diameter.

15. The discharge assembly of claim 13, wherein said filter element is made of a semipermeable material permitting air to flow therethrough but impermeable to liquid, said filter element being in liquid communication with said liquid container and with the outside of said liquid container.

16. The discharge assembly of claim 10, wherein said liquid container is threaded at the surface thereof near the outlet, said retaining means having mating threads for loose engagement with said liquid container threads and maintaining said filter element in position between said inlet opening of nipple and the outlet of said liquid container, said threads being constructed and arranged to permit the flow of air therealong.

17. A liquid dispenser comprising a dispenser and a liquid cartridge removably mountable on said dispenser, said cartridge including a liquid container having an outlet opening, and discharge means including an elongated, cylindrical, flexible resilient nipple and check valve means, said nipple having a body portion having a normal expanded condition defining a discharge chamber for accommodating a charge of liquid and having a longitudinal axis, said nipple having an inlet opening at one end thereof and being provided at the other end thereof with a normally closed discharge slit extending generally perpendicular to said axis, retaining means mounting said discharge means on said container with said inlet opening disposed in registry with said container outlet opening with said check valve means disposed between said inlet opening and said container outlet opening, and said dispenser including actuating means including a plunger engageable with said nipple for effecting lateral compression thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis to a compressed condition, said plunger member being movable linearly relative to said nipple and having a curved cam surface constructed and arranged to engage and compress said nipple body portion at successively lower points along its vertical extent with continued linear movement of the plunger member towards said nipple, movement of said nipple to the compressed condition thereof raising the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said check valve and ejecting liquid from said discharge slit, movement of said nipple back to the expanded condition thereof lowering the pressure in said discharge chamber for closing said discharge slit and opening said check valve to draw a new charge of liquid into said discharge chamber

18. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser and a replaceable liquid cartridge removably mountable on said dispenser, said dispenser including a housing and an actuating mechanism mounted in said housing, said liquid cartridge including a liquid container having an outlet and a discharge assembly mounted on said container closing said outlet and anti-bootleg means mounted in said housing in overlying relationship with said actuating mechanism, said anti-bootleg means having an opening therethrough of a predetermined configuration, said container having a neck portion complementary in shape to said opening through said anti-bootleg means, permitting said neck portion to pass through said anti-bootleg means to mount said cartridge on said housing with said discharge assembly disposed in operative relationship with said actuating mechanism for dispensing liquid from said container, and said anti-bootleg means preventing cartridges without a neck portion of said predetermined configuration from being mounted on said housing with their discharge assembly disposed in operative relationship with said actuating mechanism.

19. The liquid dispensing system of claim 18 wherein said anti-bootleg means is permanently secured to said housing.

20. The liquid dispensing system of claim 18 wherein said anti-bootleg means comprises a flat plate-like member and mounting means mounting said plate-like member on said housing in a horizontal orientation, said discharge assembly being passed through said opening through said plate-like member during mounting of said cartridge on said dispenser.

21. The liquid dispensing system of claim 20 wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of projections on said plate-like member and a corresponding plurality of recesses in said housing receiving said projections.

22. The liquid dispensing system of claim 21 wherein said housing includes support means supporting said plate-like member in overlying relationship with said actuating mechanism.

23. The liquid dispensing system of claim 20 wherein said plate-like member has a generally circular opening therethrough and has at least one cutout portion along a portion of the circumference defining an irregular configuration for said opening and wherein said configured neck portion of said container is generally cylindrical in shape and has a boss corresponding in shape to said cutout portion.

24. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dsipenser and a replaceable liquid cartridge removably mountable on said dispenser, said dispenser including a housing and an actuating mechanism mounted in said housing, said liquid cartridge including a liquid container having an outlet and a discharge assembly mounted on said container closing said outlet and an anti-bootleg device, mounting means mounting said anti-bootleg device in said housing in overlying relationship with said actuating mechanism, said anti-bootleg device having an opening therethrough of a predetermined configuration, said container having a neck portion complementary in shape to said opening through said anti-bootleg device, permitting mounting of said cartridge on said housing with said discharge assembly disposed in operative relationship with said actuating mechanism for dispensing liquid from said container, and said anti-bootleg device preventing cartridges without a neck portion of said predetermined configuration from being mounted on said using with their discharge assembly disposed in operative relationship with said actuating mechanism.

25. The liquid dispensing system of claim 24 wherein said mounting means permanently secures said anti-bootleg device to said housing.

26. The liquid dispensing system of claim 24 wherein said anti-bootleg device comprises a flat plate-like member and mounting means mounting said plate-like member on said housing in a horizontal orientation, said discharge assembly being passed through said opening through said plate-like member during mounting of said cartridge on said dispenser.

27. The liquid dispensing system of claim 25 wherein said housing includes a plurality of posts extending upwardly from a surface of said housing adjacent to said actuating mechanism supporting said plate-like member in overlying relationship with said actuating mechanism.

28. The liquid dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said plate-like member and a plurality of apertures in the upper surfaces of said posts receiving said projections.

29. The liquid dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said plate-like member has a generally circular opening therethrough and has at least one cutout portion along a portion of the circumference defining an irregular configuration for said opening and wherein said configured neck portion of said container is generally cylindrical in shape and has a boss corresponding in shape to said cutout portion.