Tamper resistant latch for product dispensers

Abstract

Various tamper resistant latches for product dispensers are provided herein. An example product dispenser includes a housing capable of being opened. When closed, the housing defines an at least partially enclosed internal space for receiving a supply of product and limiting access to the supply of product. A latch comprises a base portion mounted to the housing, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm and second arm each extend from the base portion and are each capable of being independently moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other to also move to the unlocked position—thereby providing a tamper resistant latch where both the first arm and the second arm need to move to the unlocked position to enable opening of the housing.

1 . A product dispenser for dispensing product from a supply of product, the product dispenser comprising:
 a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when in the closed position, the first portion and the second portion define an at least partially enclosed internal space for receiving the supply of product and limiting access to the supply of product; and   a latch comprising:
 a base portion mounted to the first portion; 
 a first arm that extends from the base portion, wherein the first arm is capable of being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that is configured to engage a latch capture feature of the second portion of the housing when the first arm is in the locked position and the first portion of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the first portion from moving from the closed position; and 
 a second arm that extends from the base portion, wherein the second arm is capable of being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the second arm defines a second arm engagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capture feature of the second portion of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position and the first portion of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the first portion from moving from the closed position, 
 wherein the first arm is independently movable with respect to the second arm such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to also move to the unlocked position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein the base portion of the latch is mounted to the first portion of the housing proximate the first end, wherein the first arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of the latch, and wherein the second arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of the latch. 
     
     
         3 . The product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the latch further comprises a connection arm extending between the first arm and the second arm proximate the second end of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm are connected. 
     
     
         4 . The product dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the connection arm comprises at least one living hinge that enables the first arm to independently flex with respect to the second arm. 
     
     
         5 . The product dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the connection arm comprises a first living hinge proximate the first arm and a second living hinge proximate the second arm. 
     
     
         6 . The product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the first arm forms a first cantilever and the second arm forms a second cantilever such that the first arm and the second arm are not connected proximate the second end of the latch. 
     
     
         7 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a lock comprising a first hole and a second hole and a rib positioned therebetween, wherein the lock is positioned proximate the latch on one of the first portion or the second portion and such that the first hole aligns with the first arm of the latch and that the second hole aligns with the second arm of the latch, wherein the first hole and the second hole enable insertion of a portion of a key to move the first arm to the unlocked position and the second arm to the unlocked position at a same time. 
     
     
         8 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the key defines a first key leg and a second key leg, wherein, when the key is inserted into the lock, the first key leg is configured to fit within the first hole and engage the first arm to move the first arm to the unlocked position and the second key leg is configured to fit within the second hole and engage the second arm to move the second arm to the unlocked position. 
     
     
         9 . The product dispenser of  claim 7  further comprising a button that is configured to be removably mounted within the lock and moved between a first position and a second position, wherein, when the button is moved to the second position, the button is configured to engage the first arm to move the first arm to the unlocked position and engage the second arm to move the second arm to the unlocked position. 
     
     
         10 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a roll of sheet product, and wherein the mechanism comprises a roll holder for receiving the roll of sheet product and enabling dispensing from the product dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a roll of sheet product, and wherein the mechanism comprises a drive roller and a motor, wherein the motor operates to cause the drive roller to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product from the product dispenser. 
     
     
         12 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a reservoir of flowable material, and wherein the mechanism comprises a pump that is configured to activate to cause a portion of the flowable material to dispense from the product dispenser. 
     
     
         13 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a reservoir of air freshener, and wherein the mechanism comprises a spray pump that is configured to activate to cause a portion of the air freshener to dispense from the product dispenser. 
     
     
         14 . A product dispenser for dispensing product from a supply of product, the product dispenser comprising:
 a housing comprising a base and a cover, wherein the cover is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the cover is in the closed position, the base and the cover define an enclosed internal space for the supply of product; and   a latch comprising:
 a first arm, wherein the first arm is capable of being moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that is configured to engage a latch capture feature of the housing when the first arm is in the locked position and the cover of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the cover from moving from the closed position; and 
 a second arm, wherein the second arm is capable of being moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the second arm defines a second arm engagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capture feature of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position and the cover of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the cover from moving from the closed position, 
 wherein the first arm is independently movable with respect to the second arm such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to also move to the unlocked position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The product dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein the latch is mounted to the housing proximate the first end, wherein the first arm extends toward the second end of the latch, and wherein the second arm extends toward the second end of the latch. 
     
     
         16 . The product dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the latch further comprises a connection arm extending between the first arm and the second arm proximate the second end of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm are connected, and wherein the connection arm comprises at least one living hinge that enables the first arm to independently flex with respect to the second arm. 
     
     
         17 . A latch for a product dispenser for dispensing product from a supply of product, the latch comprising:
 a base portion;   a first arm that extends from the base portion, wherein the first arm is capable of being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position when installed in the product dispenser, wherein the first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that is configured to engage a latch capture feature of a housing of the product dispenser when the first arm is in the locked position and the housing is closed so as to prevent the housing from opening; and   a second arm that extends from the base portion, wherein the second arm is capable of being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position when installed in the product dispenser, wherein the second arm defines a second arm engagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capture feature of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position and the housing is closed so as to prevent the housing from opening,   wherein the first arm is independently movable with respect to the second arm such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to also move to the unlocked position.   
     
     
         18 . The latch of  claim 17 , wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of the latch, and wherein the second arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of the latch. 
     
     
         19 . The latch of  claim 18 , wherein the latch further comprises a connection arm extending between the first arm and the second arm proximate the second end of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm are connected, and wherein the connection arm comprises at least one living hinge that enables the first arm to independently flex with respect to the second arm. 
     
     
         20 . The latch of  claim 18 , wherein the first arm forms a first cantilever and the second arm forms a second cantilever such that the first arm and the second arm are not connected proximate the second end of the latch.