Portable liquid dispenser

Abstract

Portable liquid dispensers are disclosed herein, including a bracket and a pouch. The pouch comprises a container portion, a flange portion surrounding the container portion, and a channel portion formed in the flange portion for providing fluid communication from an interior of the container portion through the flange portion. The bracket holds the flange portion of the pouch in order to form the liquid dispenser.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A liquid dispenser comprising a bracket and a pouch, wherein
 the bracket comprises a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion may be releasably connected to the second portion in a closed bracket position;   the pouch comprises a container portion, a flange portion at least partially surrounding the container portion, and a channel portion formed in the flange portion for providing fluid communication from an interior of the container portion through the flange portion;   wherein the first portion and the second portion of the bracket hold the flange portion of the pouch when in the closed bracket position in order to form the liquid dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the bracket are permanently connected to each other by a living hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable connection means for releasably connecting the first portion and the second portion of the bracket in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the bracket comprises a receptacle and the second portion of the bracket comprises a post, such that the post snap-fits into the receptacle when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the pouch further comprises an aperture to receive the post when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the bracket comprises an outer edge lip element and the second portion of the bracket comprises an outer edge socket element, such that the lip element snap-fits into the socket element when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the bracket each comprise an orifice which receives the container portion of the pouch when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second portions surround an entire periphery of the container portion of the pouch when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a slot for attaching the liquid dispenser to another item. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch further comprises a closure means for helping to ensure that liquid is not unintentionally dispensed from the container portion of the pouch. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch further comprises at least one of a valve and a pump disposed in the channel portion. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the bracket comprises a fitment which receives the valve or pump when the bracket is in the closed bracket position. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the pouch comprises an elastomeric dome pump. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cap disposed over an outlet of the pouch. 
     
     
         15 . A pouch for use with a bracket in order to form a liquid dispenser, wherein the bracket comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the first portion may be releasably connected to the second portion in a closed bracket position, the pouch comprising:
 a container portion,   a flange portion at least partially surrounding the container portion, and   a channel portion formed in the flange portion for providing fluid communication from an interior of the container portion through the flange portion,   such that the first portion and the second portion of the bracket hold the flange portion of the pouch when in the closed bracket position in order to form the liquid dispenser.   
     
     
         16 . A refill unit for use with a liquid dispenser, the refill unit comprising a pouch having:
 a container portion forming an interior of the pouch;   a flange portion at least partially surrounding the container portion, with at least one aperture disposed in the flange portion for securing the pouch in the dispenser; and   a liquid outlet connecting the pouch interior with an environment outside of the pouch.   
     
     
         17 . The refill unit of  claim 16 , further comprising a closure means for the liquid outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The refill unit of  claim 16 , further comprising a closure for the liquid outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The refill unit of  claim 17 , wherein the closure comprises at least one of a valve, a pump, and a cap. 
     
     
         20 . A refill unit for use with a liquid dispenser, the refill unit comprising a pouch having:
 a container portion forming an interior of the pouch;   a flange portion at least partially surrounding the container portion and configured to be retained by a dispenser housing to hold the pouch in the dispenser; and   a liquid outlet connecting the pouch interior with an environment outside of the pouch; and   a closure for the liquid outlet.