EP0127497B1 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents
Fluid dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0127497B1 EP0127497B1 EP84400793A EP84400793A EP0127497B1 EP 0127497 B1 EP0127497 B1 EP 0127497B1 EP 84400793 A EP84400793 A EP 84400793A EP 84400793 A EP84400793 A EP 84400793A EP 0127497 B1 EP0127497 B1 EP 0127497B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- container
- dispenser
- lever
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
- A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
- A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
- A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
Definitions
- This invention relates to automatic dispensers, in particular for dispensing liquid detergents, soaps and germicides.
- a need has long existed for a dispenser that would release a measured quantity of soap or other material without the need for the user to depress a button, move a handle or the like.
- the handling of such actuators of conventional dispensers by a number of users spreads disease causing micro-organisms and creates an unsightly appearance around the dispenser actuator.
- a dispenser that would release a predetermined quantity of liquid soap or the like in response to the presence of a hand or other receiving object placed under the dispenser outlet would eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional dispensers.
- a predetermined quantity of fluid (hereinafter termed a portion) be released from the dispenser upon each instance of use.
- the dispenser be adapted to the use of a disposable fluid container which can be placed within the dispenser, and that such a disposable container be integrally connected to disposable valve means and outlet means. In this manner, the entire wetted pathway from the container through the outlet means may be discarded after the emptying of the container, thereby minimizing the opportunities for a build-up of micro-organisms.
- the dispenser contain a proximity detector means of an electrical nature, and that said proximity detector means consumes a minimum of electric power, thereby allowing the use of disposable or rechargeable batteries.
- the present invention is concerned with an automatic fluid dispenser, in particular for dispensing liquid detergents, soaps and germicides, of the type comprising:
- the instant invention is directed to a fluid dispenser comprising:
- This invention is particularly directed to a fluid dispenser which contains an electric power source, an electronic proximity detector, a means for holding and supporting a flexible, disposable bag container, an actuator which opens and closes a disposable valve which is part of the container assembly, and a pressurizing means which applies a force to the top of the bag, moving fluid from the bag through the valve when the valve is open.
- the power source for the dispenser is a dry-cell battery, allowing location of the dispenser anywhere.
- the proximity detector employs very short pulses of infra-red radiation which are directed downward in a beam aimed toward the area under the dispenser outlet, and in association with a detector of infra-red radiation which is designed to pick up reflected light from a hand or other receiving object placed below the outlet.
- a light signal it is energized continuously in order to be in constant readiness
- it is converted to a timed pulse which is transmitted to the actuator, opening the valve.
- a predetermined interval later, another timed pulse is sent to the actuator, closing the valve.
- the fluid container is a flexible bag which lies in a horizontal position on a shelf above the detector.
- valve means and outlet means are also disposable and are attached to the bag, hanging below it.
- a spring-driven pressure plate presses gently on top of the bag and is arranged to press with gradually increasing force as the bag empties, compensating for the naturally slowing flow of the unassisted bag under this condition. This combination of constant flow rate and predetermined open time for the valve yields portions of uniform size.
- Figures 1 and 2 show two views of the dispenser, and in both of them the front side of the dispenser is on the left, and a wall mount is on the right.
- the dispenser may be mounted to a wall by means of bracket 3. Fluid is dispensed from outlet 4 which protrudes through dispenser bottom 1 at orifice 5.
- the proximity detector means uses two infra-red devices: emiter means 6 and detector means 7. Both of these are aimed optically downward in the same direction so that any object near the dispenser and illuminated by the beam from 5 will reflect a portion of this illumination back to detector 7.
- Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the side of the dispenser. Any flexible material may be employed to create a flexible container.
- the flexible container is supported by shelf 13.
- Preferred materials for the container include rubber and heat-sealed plastic sheet material.
- Flexible outlet tube 4 is sealed to the flexible container and leads to the bottom area of the dispenser as shown.
- a simple and preferred valve and actuator mechanism consists of a pinching means coupled to a special solenoid actuator.
- the pinch assembly is comprised of fixed pinch jaw 17 and movable pinch jaw 16.
- One suitable solenoid mechanism 15 is shown in Figure 3, and is based on the Model S89R bistable impulse relay manufactured by the Potter and Brumfield Division of AMF Corporation.
- each pull stroke of the solenoid plunger causes pin 27 to travel toward the heel-end 28 of the solenoid.
- the pin thus moves within the upper leg of the vee-slot in cam 29.
- the cam 29 is rotated clockwise, causing the pinch valve to close through the action of link 32 and movable jaw 16.
- an internal spring (not shown) moves pin 27 back to a position at the apex of the vee slot in cam 29. The next time the solenoid is energized pin 27 traverses the lower leg of the vee slot, at the end of which cam 29 is caused to rotate counterclockwise, opening the pinch valve.
- the electronic circuit 18 of Figure 2 powered by battery 14, converts the signal picked up by detector 7 to a short - e.g. 0.1 second - opening pulse. A pre-set interval later, the circuit sends an identical pulse to the solenoid, closing the valve. This pre-set interval is the primary control within the dispenser for the amount of fluid dispensed. It is also an exact control, provided that the flow rate through the valve is constant. If the bag container is simply resting on shelf 13, with only gravity providing pressure on the fluid or its container, the flow rate will decrease from its maximum value when the container is full, to zero when the container is empty. Thus it is necessary to provide an additional means for gradually increasing pressure on the bag container as the container is gradually emptied during the any successive withdrawals of fluid from the dispenser. In this way the naturally decreasing hydrostatic pressure caused by the height of the fluid level in the bag can be compensated by the aforementioned increase in pressure applied to the bag.
- Figures 4 and 5 show the general arrangement of the dispenser parts.
- Figure 4 shows that the flexible bag 19 lies under a pressure plate 11 which is attached in a pivoting manner to axle 26.
- This axle is solidly attached to a straight lever 30 and a triangular lever 20.
- These two levers are attached together by a shaft 31 which is free to rotate in holes or bearings which are an integral part of the dispenser framework (not shown).
- Extension spring 24 is attached to the dispenser framework at 25 and to the triangular lever at 22. In the position shown in Figure 4 the spring is attempting to cause counterclockwise rotation of the triangular lever, and hence a downward motion on the pressure plate.
- Figure 3 reveals that the dispensed fluid touches only the disposable flexible container 19 and the flexible outlet tube 4.
- the container fixed pinch jaw 17 may be adapted to be swung out of the way during container and outlet tube replacement.
- alternative valve mechanisms may be used, as long as they are disposable and adapted to operate in association with solenoid 15.
- a poppet or movable-flap type of valve, for example, may be used.
- a rotary valve may be employed, deriving its actuation from the angular motion of the cam 29.
- the resilient tube 4 may be bent to provide a kink seal. The minimum angle to provide a kink seal is defined for each resilient material and can be accomplished by any mechanism that bends the tube to the required angle.
- a simple indicator for the quantity of fluid in the container This is done, for example, by mounting a graduated dial (not shown) on shaft 31. The angular position of the dial is a direct indication of the amount of fluid in the bag.
- a switch or other electrical transducer may be mounted in cooperation with the levers 20 or 30 so that upon approaching a nearly empty condition of the container the position of the lever is sensed by the switch, lighting a lamp or the like.
- a major objective of the present invention is to reduce the electrical energy required for continuous dispenser use.
- Two major components of electrical consumption are present; (1) the valve solenoid and (2) the light emitter portion of the proximity detector.
- Valve solenoid power consumption has been lowered appreciably by the use of a bistable device, as explained above.
- this invention employs a far lower pulse frequency and pulse duty cycle than are used in other proximity detectors used for general industrial purposes. Preferred values are near 5-20 pulses per second and a duty cycle of near 0.007. Also, the lowest effective emitter current is used.
- Figure 6 shows the block diagram of the electronic circuits of the dispenser. Reflected radiation is received by the phototransistor, whose signal is amplified and then separated from ambient light in a level clipper.
- the resulting signal is fed to the 0.1 second pulse generator which causes the solenoid to stroke and open the valve.
- An auxiliary switch on the solenoid causes, through feedback path A, a variable timer to generate a "valve-open" interval, at the end of which a signal is sent to the same 0.1 second pulse generator, stroking the solenoid again and closing the valve.
- An additional circuit path B stops the interval timer if the hand is removed prematurely from below the dispenser and immediately causes a solenoid pulse which closes the valve before the normal open interval has transpired.
- An additional means for lowering consumption of electrical energy may be employed as an addition to the preferred embodiment of this invention.
- This is an additional circuit, not shown in the Figures, which senses the presence or absence of general room illumination in the location of the dispenser.
- a simple power-transistor gate actuated by a cadmium- sulfide photoresistor located on or near the exterior of the dispenser, shuts down the dispenser electronics until such times as the room lights are turned on again.
- the battery life in the dispenser would be approximately tripled over that obtained without this feature.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Tubes (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT84400793T ATE27895T1 (de) | 1983-04-26 | 1984-04-19 | Fluessigkeitsspender. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US48886783A | 1983-04-26 | 1983-04-26 | |
US488867 | 1983-04-26 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0127497A1 EP0127497A1 (en) | 1984-12-05 |
EP0127497B1 true EP0127497B1 (en) | 1987-06-24 |
Family
ID=23941443
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP84400793A Expired EP0127497B1 (en) | 1983-04-26 | 1984-04-19 | Fluid dispenser |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0127497B1 (ja) |
JP (1) | JPH0645397B2 (ja) |
AT (1) | ATE27895T1 (ja) |
CA (1) | CA1258836A (ja) |
DE (1) | DE3464320D1 (ja) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1987000743A1 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-02-12 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material |
US4666099A (en) * | 1985-11-15 | 1987-05-19 | Scott Paper Company | Apparatus for dispensing sheet material |
EP0781521A1 (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-07-02 | N.V. INTERNATIONAL SANITARY WARE-MANUFACTURING CY, S.A. in verkort: N.V. INTERSAN S.A. | Dispenser for a personal hygiene liquid |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2802792B1 (fr) * | 1999-12-24 | 2002-05-03 | Genie Et Environnement | Dispositif perfectionne de nettoyage des mains |
JP2008296132A (ja) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-11 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 静電噴霧装置 |
JP2008296143A (ja) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-11 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 流体搬送装置及び静電噴霧装置 |
JP2008296138A (ja) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-11 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 静電噴霧装置 |
JP2009011958A (ja) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-22 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 静電噴霧装置 |
JP2009022891A (ja) * | 2007-07-20 | 2009-02-05 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 静電噴霧装置 |
JP2009172488A (ja) * | 2008-01-22 | 2009-08-06 | Daikin Ind Ltd | 静電噴霧装置 |
BE1019327A3 (nl) | 2010-05-07 | 2012-06-05 | Tatjana Yazgheche | Een modulaire doseringsinrichting en een verdeelinrichting, omvattende een dergelijke doseringsinrichting. |
CN108309117B (zh) * | 2018-02-12 | 2020-12-01 | 深圳市坪地奥力奇卫浴制品有限公司 | 一种卫浴用香皂收纳盒 |
WO2023102618A1 (en) * | 2021-12-09 | 2023-06-15 | Marek Szymanski | Dispenser device for liquids in container bag |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3327901A (en) * | 1963-12-13 | 1967-06-27 | Jet Dispenser Corp | Dispenser |
FR1410288A (fr) * | 1964-07-27 | 1965-09-10 | Distributeur de boissons diverses par sachets étanches | |
NL6913085A (ja) * | 1968-09-03 | 1970-03-05 |
-
1984
- 1984-04-19 DE DE8484400793T patent/DE3464320D1/de not_active Expired
- 1984-04-19 CA CA000452402A patent/CA1258836A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-04-19 AT AT84400793T patent/ATE27895T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-04-19 EP EP84400793A patent/EP0127497B1/en not_active Expired
- 1984-04-26 JP JP59083090A patent/JPH0645397B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1987000743A1 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-02-12 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material |
US4722372A (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1988-02-02 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Electrically operated dispensing apparatus and disposable container useable therewith |
AU593277B2 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1990-02-08 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material |
AU664735B2 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1995-11-30 | Louis Hoffman Associates Inc. | Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material |
US4666099A (en) * | 1985-11-15 | 1987-05-19 | Scott Paper Company | Apparatus for dispensing sheet material |
US4786005A (en) * | 1985-11-15 | 1988-11-22 | Scott Paper Company | Apparatus for dispensing sheet material |
EP0781521A1 (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-07-02 | N.V. INTERNATIONAL SANITARY WARE-MANUFACTURING CY, S.A. in verkort: N.V. INTERSAN S.A. | Dispenser for a personal hygiene liquid |
US5782382A (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1998-07-21 | International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy | Dispenser for personal hygiene liquids |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS59209570A (ja) | 1984-11-28 |
EP0127497A1 (en) | 1984-12-05 |
ATE27895T1 (de) | 1987-07-15 |
JPH0645397B2 (ja) | 1994-06-15 |
DE3464320D1 (en) | 1987-07-30 |
CA1258836A (en) | 1989-08-29 |
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