EP1089647B1 - Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion - Google Patents

Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1089647B1
EP1089647B1 EP98931559A EP98931559A EP1089647B1 EP 1089647 B1 EP1089647 B1 EP 1089647B1 EP 98931559 A EP98931559 A EP 98931559A EP 98931559 A EP98931559 A EP 98931559A EP 1089647 B1 EP1089647 B1 EP 1089647B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reservoir
connecting line
piston
dispenser
outlet
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP98931559A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1089647A1 (fr
Inventor
Dennis W. Redman
Emmanuel A. Hanna
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc
Original Assignee
Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc filed Critical Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc
Publication of EP1089647A1 publication Critical patent/EP1089647A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1089647B1 publication Critical patent/EP1089647B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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
    • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
    • A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
    • A47K5/1205—Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
    • 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
    • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
    • A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
    • 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
    • A47K2005/1218—Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap

Definitions

  • This invention relates to washing systems for dispensing liquid cleaners. typically liquid or cream soaps.
  • Washing systems for dispensing soap and/or lotion provide convenience for the users of public and semi-public facilities. In addition to convenience, these systems allow individual users to dispense an appropriate amount of liquid to address their needs, thereby reducing waste and further eliminating sanitary concerns that might be introduced with publicly shared supplies, such as, for example, bar soap.
  • a typical washing system such as the one shown in US-A-3 035 737, includes a container for the soap and a manually operated valve which may be an off-on valve or a pump valve. Ordinarily the container is mounted directly on the valve structure. A variety of such dispensers are in common use today.
  • a dispenser may be provided with every wash basin. Soap and/or lotion is provided to the dispensers in a variety of manners. For instance, in some systems, each individual dispenser has its own supply container. Dispensing systems utilizing an independent reservoir per dispenser, however, have increased unit costs and maintenance costs.
  • a plurality of the dispensers are served from a single container.
  • a liquid reservoir is mounted on the wall above a plurality of basins, with a dispenser positioned at each basin and fed by a line from the reservoir.
  • the head pressure of the liquid in the container above the dispensers causes fluid to flow by gravity into each of the dispensers to fill the valve cavity.
  • Liquid is dispensed by actuating the open-shut valve to empty the valve cavity into the operator's hand. When the valve is closed. the cavity is refilled by gravity flow from the reservoir.
  • the reservoir is positioned directly under the counter.
  • the supply container is coupled to a single line or multiple lines that feed the individual pump type dispensers mounted above the counter.
  • the reservoir is filled by removing one of the dispensers and pouring the liquid through the dispenser housing into the reservoir below the counter.
  • each of the pump dispensers must be primed by repeatedly actuating the pump mechanism. Typically about 75 to 110 strokes are required per dispenser to adequately prime the dispenser to start pumping.
  • valves are high cost, designed to withstand a high hydraulic head.
  • the piping system is made of costly metallic pipes either inside the wall, requiring early plumbing, or exposed non-esthetically pleasing plumbing.
  • the soap used has to be a water thin vegetable soap, to run in the pipes and meet the valve design criteria.
  • Such soap, once popular, is now outdated and currently replaced with lotion type soap, which is much more difficult to draw through the pipes.
  • these systems empty the supply line when the reservoir is empty. Thus, the lines must be reprimed. If the lines are long, more effort is required to reprime them.
  • a problem encountered by all of the above mentioned current feed systems is that they fail to provide the dispensing liquid in an ongoing manner: namely, they fail to provide a continuous and uninterrupted supply of dispensing liquid for the users. Indeed, in situations wherein the dispensers are refilled after they are empty, an interim period exists where some users will not be provided with the dispensing liquid. Of course, the supply reservoir can be replenished prior to becoming entirely empty, but this results in increased maintenance costs and in instances where the supply reservoirs are sealed containers, the remaining dispensing liquid is wasted.
  • the present invention mitigates the aforementioned problems by the provision of the feed system defined in the independent claim.
  • the washing system including the feed system of the present invention is designed for use with a sealed, large capacity cleanser reservoir in the form of a flexible or collapsible container which can be located at any height and in any area.
  • the reservoir provides the cleanser to a plurality of individual dispensers, which may be attached directly to a wall or other support, with the dispenser pump itself within a housing for improved vandal resistance.
  • Inexpensive flexible tubing serves to connect the cleanser container to the individual dispensers which can utilize multi-viscosity, low cost. bulk liquid soap from containers which can provide a month's supply. Actuation of the pump at the dispenser deposits the liquid directly into the user's hand.
  • the amount of cleanser in the reservoir can be periodically checked and the reservoir replaced when the content falls to a predetermined level, or the reservoir can be replaced periodically on a scheduled maintenance event. Alternatively, one can wait until the reservoir is empty and then install a new reservoir without requiring re-priming.
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention includes a washing system for dispensing a liquid cleanser from a collapsible container, with a plurality of dispensers, each dispenser having a positive displacement pump, mounting means for mounting the pump on a dispenser support, and connection means for connecting the pump to a flexible supply line, a container support for supporting a collapsible container of liquid cleanser, and a flexible supply line for connecting the collapsible container to each of the pumps, with a one-way valve in the line for blocking fluid flow to the collapsible container while permitting fluid flow from the collapsible container to the dispensers.
  • One embodiment of the washing system includes a cabinet with the container support positioned in the cabinet, with an access door for removing a used collapsible container and placing a new container in the container support, and a lock for securing the access door on the cabinet.
  • the container may be placed in a remote room.
  • the dispensers are mounted on a wall and the supply line is behind the wall.
  • the dispensers may be mounted on a wall above a counter, with the container support means below the counter, and with the supply line behind the wall between the dispensers and the container support means.
  • the dispensers may be mounted on a wall in a first room. with the container support means in a second room, and with the supply line behind the wall between the dispensers and a cabinet support means in the second room.
  • the dispenser may be mounted on a counter, with the container under the counter.
  • Each of the dispensers preferably includes a tubular casing with an inlet tube as the connection means for slidingly receiving an end of the flexible supply line and with the positive displacement pump slidably inserted into the casing, with the positive displacement pump having a cylinder with a piston cavity and a piston sliding in the cavity, means defining an inlet opening in the cylinder for fluid flow from the flexible supply line through the inlet tube into the piston cavity, a spring in the piston cavity for urging the piston outward, a one-way valve positioned between the inlet opening of the cylinder and spring, another one-way valve positioned between the spring and piston, with the piston having an outlet flow passage defining a flow path from the flexible supply line through the casing inlet tube, cylinder and piston cavity to the exterior of the dispenser.
  • Each of the dispenser pumps may further include a first retainer means for fixing the cylinder in the casing, first sliding seal means between the cylinder and casing for blocking fluid flow from the casing around the cylinder, second sliding seal means between the piston and the interior of the cylinder for blocking fluid flow from the cylinder around the piston, and second retainer means for retaining the piston in the cylinder while permitting reciprocation of the new piston in the cylinder during fluid dispensing.
  • the washing system includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir and a fitting, wherein the fitting couples, in fluid communication, the first reservoir to the second reservoir, and further couples, in fluid communication, the first and second reservoirs to a dispenser.
  • the reservoirs are positioned such that the larger reservoir is placed above the smaller reservoir.
  • the first and/or the second reservoir is controlled with a one-way valve, piston type valve or other valve that automatically caps off the supply line when the reservoir is disconnected from the rest of the system.
  • a one-way valve, piston type valve or other valve that automatically caps off the supply line when the reservoir is disconnected from the rest of the system.
  • Another feature of the invention is the use of noncollapsible flexible tubing.
  • An advantage of this feature is that the reservoirs can be placed in substantially any location without being limited by the placement of the tubing.
  • a further advantage is that the noncollapsible tubing prevents the dispensing liquid from being completely drawn out of the tubing when the reservoirs are empty, thereby, further eliminating the problem of repriming.
  • the reservoirs of the instant invention can be of varying volumetric sizes. This feature allows the system to accommodate a multitude of space configurations.
  • FIG. 1 One embodiment of the washing system of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 installed in a washing room 11 and a service room 12.
  • the washing room includes a conventional counter 13 with basins 14 and dispensers 15.
  • a collapsible soap container 16 is positioned in a support box 17 in the service room 12, and is connected to the dispensers 15 via a flexible line 18, typically plastic tubing.
  • the line 18 has an airtight cap or other connection 21 for connection to the container 16, and feeds liquid to each of the dispensers 15 through one or more tee fittings 22.
  • the dispensers are mounted on the wall 20 of the washing room 11 in position above and adjacent basins 14.
  • the line is positioned behind the wall 20 and is connected to the dispenser 15, as is shown in greater detail in Fig. 3.
  • the line runs up the wall and above the hung ceiling of the washing room and onward to the service room 12 for connection to the liquid container. While two dispensers are illustrated, the washing system can be used with one dispenser and with more than two if desired.
  • FIG. 2 An alternative configuration of the washing system is shown in Fig. 2, with the support box 17a for the container positioned below the counter 13.
  • the support box 17 may rest on a shelf, or in a cabinet, with or without a locked door, or on another article, or otherwise as desired.
  • a one-way valve 23 is positioned in the line 18 at a location between the fluid container 16 and the dispensers 15.
  • the purpose of the one-way valve is to block fluid flow through the line from the dispensers to the collapsible container, while permitting fluid flow from the collapsible container to the dispensers.
  • One specific installation for the one-way valve 23 is illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • the line is formed in two sections 18a, 18b with the one-way valve 23 positioned between the two sections.
  • the one-way valve is a flapper or duck type valve which permits fluid flow to the right as viewed in Fig. 4 while blocking fluid flow to the left.
  • a sleeve 24 is positioned around the ends with the valve therebetween and may be clamped or cemented or otherwise held in place as desired.
  • FIG. 5 An alternative construction for positioning the one-way valve is illustrated in Fig. 5.
  • the container 16 has a top or outlet 25 and the cap 21 fits over the top 25 as by screwing or by snapping or otherwise as desired.
  • the one-way valve 23 is positioned in a section 26 of the cap, with the upstream end of the line 18 pushed into the section 26.
  • the line may be clamped or cemented or otherwise held in place as desired. Since the supply line is a low pressure system. high pressure seals are not indicated.
  • Each dispenser includes a positive displacement pump which may be manually operable or electrically powered, as desired.
  • the presently preferred embodiment of the dispenser is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3.; however, other configurations for the dispenser and positive displacement pump may be used.
  • the dispenser includes a tubular casing 29 with an inlet tube 30 for connection to the line 18.
  • the casing is mounted on the wall 23 with the tube 30 positioned in an opening 31 in the wall.
  • the end of the line 18 may be fastened on the inlet tube 30 by a fastener 32.
  • the casing 29 may be mounted on the wall 23 by toggle bolts or screws or other fasteners 33 positioned in aligned openings 34 in the casing and aligned openings 35 in the wall.
  • the openings 34 are parallel with each other and perpendicular to the wall.
  • the positive displacement pump includes a cylinder 38 with a piston 39 sliding in a piston cavity 40 of the cylinder.
  • a spring 41 is positioned in the cylinder cavity between a washer 42 and a one-way valve 43 at one end and another washer 45 and one-way valve 44 at the other end.
  • the one-way valve may be conventional in design, such as a duckbill valve or a capsule valve with head holding capacity.
  • a seal ring 46 is positioned on the cylinder for sealing engagement with the interior wall of the casing 29.
  • Another seal ring 47 is provided in the piston for sealing engagement with the interior wall of the cylinder.
  • a fastener, such as a screw 48, provides for connecting the pump to the casing.
  • a pin 49 is fixed in the cylinder 38 and rides in a slot 50 in the piston, permitting sliding of the piston in the cylinder while limiting the piston travel and preventing piston rotation, thereby keeping the soap outlet downwards.
  • the dispenser Since the dispenser does not operate with gravity flow, a construction for preventing leakage at high pressure heads is not required.
  • the dispenser as disclosed has a low cost simple construction.
  • the cylinder and piston may be plastic molded parts and the entire pump requires only two one-way valves, the spring. the retaining screw and pin, and the sliding seals.
  • the casing itself should be a high strength casting to reduce damage due to vandalism, while this construction makes the pump easily replaced.
  • the casting typically may be chrome plated die cast zinc for both durability and strength. Alternatively, plated strong plastic material may be used for the casing.
  • the positive displacement pump may be a liquid pump or a lather pump as desired.
  • the line is typically a flexible plastic tubing which can be readily installed after the walls of the rooms are constructed.
  • the one-way valve in the line adjacent the supply container also prevents soap dripping from the line or leaking out during changing of the soap container.
  • the dispensers 15 are mounted on the counter 13, and a cabinet 55 is mounted underneath the counter for receiving the liquid cleanser container 16 and the support box 17.
  • the cabinet has a hinged door 56 with a locking latch 57 for controlling access to the cabinet.
  • an outlet nozzle 60 is carried in the support box 17 for connection to the container 16.
  • a lever control valve 61 may be affixed in the nozzle for controlling flow.
  • the flexible line 18 is connected to the nozzle 60 by a coupling 62 with a J-shaped slot 63 for engaging a pin 64 at the outer end of the nozzle 60.
  • a gasket 65 is positioned in the coupling 62 for sealing engagement with the end of the nozzle 60.
  • a one-way valve 23 may be positioned in the line 18 in a fitting 24a, with this fitting connected between portions 18a and 18b of the line by conventional barbed projections 66.
  • the washing system 100 includes a main reservoir 102, a secondary or auxiliary reservoir 104, a connecting line 105 and two dispensers 106. While any dispenser may be utilized, the presently preferred dispenser design is that shown in U.S. patent 5,476,197, which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • the main reservoir includes a carton 107 having a top end 108. a bottom end 110 and a hollow interior 112.
  • a collapsible soap container 114 is disposed within the carton.
  • the carton includes an outlet 116 through which an outlet nozzle 117 of the soap container may pass.
  • the outlet nozzle is mounted in the outlet of the carton by conventional means. which permit the nozzle to rotate to achieve any desired orientation, e.g., vertically or horizontally.
  • the carton 107 may be made from heavy cardboard, or any other material suitable for supporting therein a full soap container.
  • the main body is rectangular, although any shape which facilitates stable storage is suitable.
  • the carton further includes a handle 119 which is disposed on the top end 108 of the carton and a detachable box-end (not shown) for protection of the nozzle 117.
  • the collapsible soap container 114 is made from heavy plastics, although any nonpermeable material is suitable.
  • the container may be made from "bacteria resistant” or antibacterial material such that microbes, spores or other germs or bacteria do not cultivate within the dispensing liquid.
  • the collapsible soap container 114 includes the outlet nozzle 117, and a lever control valve 120 such as an on/off valve, which is well known in the art.
  • the valve controls the flow of the dispensing liquid from the container through the nozzle.
  • the outlet nozzle is coupled to an outlet 122 of the soap container, e.g., by welding. and is made from sturdy material, such as, but not limited to heavy plastics or metal, although any material capable of facilitating the flow of liquids such as lotion type soap or other similar liquids more viscous than water is suitable.
  • the secondary reservoir 104 also includes a collapsible soap container 115, having an outlet nozzle 118.
  • the container and nozzle may be of the same type as used in the main reservoir 102.
  • the soap container of the secondary reservoir need not be encased in a carton since it is replaced less often than the main reservoir.
  • the soap containers 114, 115 can be made to accommodate any volumetric size.
  • the soap container of the main reservoir 102 is capable of storing about 12 liters of dispensing liquid
  • the soap container of the secondary reservoir 104 is smaller and capable of storing about 3 liters of dispensing liquid.
  • the volumetric size of the reservoirs is limited, in part, only by practical considerations, such as, for example, storage size and weight of the reservoir with the liquid. However, any varying sizes conducive to conveniently supplying dispensing liquid to end users is suitable.
  • At least two reservoirs 102, 104 of varying sizes are utilized together, wherein the main reservoir 102 is disposed above the secondary reservoir 104 such that gravity acts on the dispensing liquid in the main reservoir to pull the dispensing liquid downward, into the secondary reservoir.
  • the reservoirs may be placed on shelving or any other type of storage unit that protects the reservoirs from being disturbed or falling over.
  • the secondary reservoir 104 is placed between two shelves such that it is protected and the main reservoir 102 resides on the shelf above the secondary reservoir.
  • the use of both reservoirs allows the main reservoir to be replaced when empty without affecting the supply of dispensing liquid to the end users as the secondary reservoir continues supplying liquid to the users.
  • a valve 121 of the secondary reservoir if provided, remains in the open position at all times, as the secondary reservoir need not be changed.
  • An adapter 124 is preferably mounted to the outlet nozzles 117. 118 of the collapsible soap containers 114, 115 of the main and secondary reservoirs.
  • the adapter 124 includes a housing 126, and a piston 128.
  • the housing 126 has a substantially cylindrical portion 130 having a first end 132 and a second end 134 and a barbed outlet 135. The first end of the upper portion is open and is sized to receive the outlet nozzle 117 of the soap container 114 on the outlet nozzle 118 of the soap container 115.
  • the first end further includes a J-shaped channel 136 that is configured to receive a pin 138 on the outlet nozzles to form a bayonet-type connection such that the adapter 124 and the outlet nozzle can be coupled together.
  • the second end 134 of the cylindrical portion forms an annular wall 140.
  • the barbed outlet 135 extends from the second end 134 of the cylindrical portion of the housing and includes a hollow body 142 having an outer barbed surface 144.
  • the interior of the barbed outlet includes a flared opening 146 that widens toward the interior of the cylindrical portion.
  • the cylindrical portion and the barbed outlet of the housing are manufactured as a unitary piece.
  • the outer barbed surface 144 facilitates coupling to a plastic tube.
  • Other surface configurations, or other means capable of securing a tube to the adapter 124, such as a clamp, however, are also suitable.
  • the piston 128 includes a shaft 148 having a plug 150 mounted at one end thereof.
  • the shaft preferably includes four ribs 152 that come together at their inner ends to form a cross-shape.
  • Each rib has a first end portion 154 that extends longitudinally from the plug 150 and has a width slightly smaller than the radius of the bore of the barbed outlet 135 such that the first end portions of the four ribs form a cross shaped first end portion 156 that fits within the bore of the barbed outlet and provides flow passages between the ribs through the barbed outlet.
  • Each rib 152 also has a tapered portion 158 that flares out from the first end portion 154.
  • the four tapered portions form a cross shaped tapered portion 160 that mates with the flared opening 146 by the barbed outlet.
  • Each rib 152 further has a radially extending shoulder portion 162 and a second end portion 164.
  • a spring 166 is located between and engages the shoulder portions 162 of the ribs and the annular wall 140 of the housing to bias the piston 128 towards the first end 132 of the cylindrical portion of the housing.
  • the second end portions 164 of the four ribs 152 forms a cross shaped second end portion 168 that closely fits within the cylindrically upper portion 130 of the housing and provides flow passage between the ribs through the cylindrical portion.
  • the plug 150 is a disc shaped member that fits within the bore of the barbed outlet 135.
  • a peripheral groove 170 in the plug receives an O-ring 172 to form a seal between the plug and the barbed outlet to prevent the liquid soap from leaking out of the adapter.
  • the shaft 148 and the plug 150 are manufactured as a single unitary piece.
  • the adapter 124 maybe mounted. for example, to the outlet nozzle 117 of the collapsible soap container 114 by placing it over the end of the outlet nozzle such that the pin 138 of the outlet nozzle enters the J-shaped channel 136 of the adapter 124. As the adapter is mounted to the outlet nozzle, the end of the outlet nozzle engages the cross-shaped second end portion 168 of the piston and slides it downward. disengaging the O-ring 172 from the bore of the barbed outlet 135, permitting liquid soap to flow through the adapter when the lever control valve 120 is opened. The adapter is secured to the outlet nozzle by rotating the adapter such that the pin 138 of the outlet nozzle is located in the circumferentially extending portion 169 of the J-shaped channel 136.
  • the adapter when it is time to replace an empty soap container 114 with a full container, the adapter is disengaged from the outlet nozzle and the plug 150 of the piston automatically retracts into the bore of the outlet nozzle due to the biasing action of the spring 166. This prevents liquid from the dispenser and connecting line 105 from leaking back out through the adapter.
  • the secondary reservoir 104 need not utilize the adapter, but rather the outlet nozzle 118 may be modified such that it directly couples with the connecting line 105. As stated above, there is less of a need to be able to control fluid flow into the secondary reservoir as it is not changed as often as the first reservoir.
  • a first connecting tube 200 is coupled between the adapter 124 on the main reservoir 102 and a first inlet 202 of a first T-connector 204.
  • a second connecting tube 206 is coupled between the adapter 124 on the secondary reservoir 104 and a second inlet 208 of the first T-connector.
  • a third connecting tube 210 is coupled between an outlet 212 of the first T-connector and a first inlet 214 of a second T-connector 216.
  • a fourth connecting tube 218 is coupled between a first outlet 221 of the second T-connector and an inlet 220 to a first dispenser 222.
  • a fifth connecting tube 224 is coupled between a second outlet 226 of the second T-connector and an inlet 228 to a second dispenser 230.
  • the outlet end of the fifth connecting tube 224 may be coupled to an inlet 231 of an elbow connector 232 and a sixth connecting tube 234 may be coupled between an outlet 236 of the elbow connector to the inlet of the second dispenser 230.
  • all the connecting tubes are made from a flexible material that does not collapse during use. It will also be appreciated that many different types of fittings, such as tees, elbows, cross fittings, etc. may be used depending on the application. In addition, reducers may be inserted in the lines to connect any size soap container to any size dispenser.
  • the adapters 124 are connected to the outlet nozzles 117, 118 on both reservoirs and the dispensers 106 are initially primed such that dispensing liquid fills the connecting tubes.
  • the dispensers 106 are initially primed such that dispensing liquid fills the connecting tubes.
  • liquid from the main reservoir 102 moves downward into the secondary reservoir 104 such that the secondary reservoir remains full.
  • the liquid is drawn from both reservoirs through the first T-connector 204 from tubes 200, 206.
  • the dispensing liquid is drawn through the first T-connector and traverses the connecting tubes 210, 218, 224, 134 until it reaches the dispensers 106.
  • the collapsible soap containers 114, 115 are airtight, the containers collapse as the soap is withdrawn. When the containers are empty, the dispensers will stop delivering soap but the connecting tubes will remain full of liquid as they do not collapse and no air is displacing the liquid content. Therefore, the dispensing system will remain primed.
  • the main reservoir 102 will empty before the secondary reservoir 104.
  • maintenance personnel disconnect the adapter 124 from the outlet nozzle 117 on the main reservoir and remove the main reservoir from the location.
  • the piston 128 slides toward the first end 132 of the housing 126 such that the O-ring 172 retracts and seals the barbed outlet 135, and hereby preventing any back flow of the dispensing liquid out of the connecting tube 200 and adapter.
  • Removal of the main reservoir does not affect operation of the washing system. Rather, the dispensers 106, when operated, begin drawing liquid from the secondary reservoir 104 until such time that the main reservoir has been replaced. Thus, the end user is unaware of the removal of the main reservoir.
  • the main reservoir is replaced and the secondary reservoir is replenished from the main reservoir by gravity.
  • the supplemental reservoir also allows continuation of service even if the main reservoir is empty and while it is being replaced.
  • the dispensers will stop delivering liquid but the connecting tubes will remain filled with liquid that cannot be dispensed. This is a feature that allows immediate dispensing from the dispensers as soon as the empty reservoirs are replaced, provided both reservoirs are connected to an adapter that seals the end of the connecting tube as each reservoir is replaced. After replacement, the newly supplied liquid simply allows the liquid already in the tubes to be dispensed first.
  • a one-way valve such as that shown in Figs 4 and 5 may be substituted for the adapter 124 in the main reservoir and still achieve the benefit of the invention discussed above.
  • a one-way valve is not used with the secondary reservoir since it is desired that the secondary reservoir receive fluid from the main reservoir when it is not full.
  • the secondary reservoir is used with only an on/off valve and/or the adapter 124 described above or, in some instances, without either a valve or an adapter.
  • the construction of the invention readily permits the use of the large capacity containers now available, including the twelve and twenty-four liter containers now used for soap supplies.
  • the flexible container collapses as the soap is withdrawn, since the container is airtight.
  • the pumps will stop delivering soap but the supply lines will remain full of liquid as they do not collapse and no air is displacing the liquid content. Therefore, the dispensing system will remain pre-primed.
  • the container exchange is a time saving feature for maintenance; no bulk soap is poured or spilled and only one container is required to fill multiple dispensers.
  • This system is very hygienic with no outside contamination problem.
  • the system is essentially vandal proof having no vessels to tamper with.
  • This system is a low-cost installation and maintenance system; expensive stainless steel vessels are not needed.
  • the washing system is especially suitable for use in fast food restaurants and other installations with high public traffic where frequent interruptions for servicing the equipment is undesirable.
  • the new washing system delivers soap through soap pumps which can be mounted directly to the wall or counter, without costly soap vessels attached to them. It handles a wide range of soap viscosity from water thin to shampoo like thickness.
  • the system has a centrally located soap reservoir for supply to all the soap pumps. A single fill of the reservoir will refill the complete washroom.
  • the soap reservoir can be mounted on the floor level or under counter or in a remote area.
  • the soap pumps may be connected to the reservoir via plastic tubing running behind the wall, above a hung ceiling, to a maintenance or service room, normally 7.61 to 15.23 metres (25 to 50 feet) away to the soap reservoir. This soap reservoir will usually be in the same room containing the cleaning supply.
  • the soap pumps will stop delivering once the soap reservoir is empty, but the supply plastic tubes will remain filled with liquid at all times for quick priming.
  • the long supply line will have a one-way valve on its end by the soap reservoir. This valve will prevent the tube from draining during soap refilling.
  • the soap reservoir is a sealed large plastic collapsible container. The first time priming of the system will be done by providing the long supply line pre-filled soap in the factory, and plugged at both ends. No re-priming is required in between refills.

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)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Claims (32)

  1. Système d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon ou de lotion, comprenant
       un premier réservoir (102) comportant un sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (114) de savon ou de lotion, caractérisé en ce que le système comprend en outre
       un second réservoir (104) comportant un sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) de savon ou de lotion, où le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (114) du premier réservoir est mis dans une position au-dessus du sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) du deuxième réservoir (104) ; et
       un conduit de connexion (105, 18), où le conduit de connexion (105, 18) relie, en communication fluidique, les sacs aptes à s'affaisser, étanches à l'air (114, 115) des premier et second réservoirs et, en cours d'utilisation, relie en outre, en communication fluidique, les sacs aptes à s'affaisser, étanches à l'air (114, 115) des premier et second réservoirs au distributeur (106, 15).
  2. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre au moins une unité de distribution de savon ou de lotion (106, 15) comprenant une pompe à déplacement positif, actionnable manuellement.
  3. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 1, où les sacs aptes à s'affaisser, étanches à l'air (114, 115) de chacun des premier et second réservoirs définissent une sortie et comportent une buse (117, 118) s'étendant depuis la sortie.
  4. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 3, où la sortie du sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) du second réservoir est située d'une manière adjacente à une paroi inférieure dudit sac apte à s'affaisser (115) lorsque ledit sac est plein de savon ou de lotion.
  5. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 1, où le conduit de connexion (105, 18) comprend un raccord (204) avec une première entrée (202), une deuxième entrée (208), et une sortie (212) en communication fluidique avec les première et seconde entrées (202, 208), et où les première et seconde entrées (202, 208) sont en communication fluidique.
  6. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 5, où le raccord (204) est un raccord en T.
  7. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 5, où le raccord (204) est un raccord en croix.
  8. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 5, où le conduit de connexion (105, 18) comprend :
    un premier tube (200) reliant le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (114) du premier réservoir à la première entrée (202) ;
    un deuxième tube (206) reliant le sac apte à s'affaisser étanche à l'air (115) du second réservoir à la deuxième entrée (208) ; et
    un troisième tube (210) pour relier la sortie (212) au distributeur (106, 15).
  9. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 8, où les tubes sont réalisés en un matériau qui ne s'affaisse pas pendant l'utilisation.
  10. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un capuchon (124) situé dans une première extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) adjacent au sac apte à s'affaisser étanche à l'air (114) du premier réservoir qui permet l'écoulement d'un liquide de distribution du premier réservoir à travers la première extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) lorsque le premier réservoir est relié au conduit de connexion (105, 18) mais qui empêche l'écoulement du liquide de distribution hors de la première extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) lorsque le premier réservoir n'est pas relié au conduit de connexion (105, 18).
  11. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 10, où le capuchon (124) est une vanne à une voie.
  12. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 10, où le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (114) du premier réservoir comporte une buse de sortie (117), et le capuchon (124) comporte une vanne du type à piston qui est actionnée en connectant et en déconnectant la buse de sortie (117) à la première extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) pour permettre l'écoulement à travers et pour empêcher l'écoulement hors de la première extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18), respectivement.
  13. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 10, où le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (114) du premier réservoir comporte une vanne passante-non passante.
  14. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 10, comprenant en outre un capuchon (124) situé dans une seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) adjacent au sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) du second réservoir qui permet l'écoulement du liquide de distribution du second réservoir à travers la seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) lorsque le second réservoir est relié à la ligne de connexion (105, 18) mais qui empêche l'écoulement du liquide de distribution hors de la seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) lorsque le second réservoir n'est pas relié au conduit de connexion (105, 18).
  15. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 14, où le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) du second réservoir comporte une buse de sortie (118), et le capuchon (124) situé dans une seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) comporte une vanne du type à piston qui est actionnée en connectant et en déconnectant la buse de sortie du sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air, du second réservoir à la seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18) pour permettre l'écoulement à travers celle-ci et pour empêcher l'écoulement hors de la seconde extrémité du conduit de connexion (105, 18), respectivement.
  16. Système d'alimentation selon la revendication 14, où le sac apte à s'affaisser, étanche à l'air (115) du second réservoir comporte une vanne passante-non passante.
  17. Système de lavage comprenant un système d'alimentation selon la revendication 1 ;
       un distributeur (106, 15) comportant une pompe à déplacement positif ; et
       un moyen de support de récipient (17) pour supporter le second réservoir (104) ;
       où le conduit de connexion (105, 18) est flexible et est relié à une sortie du sac apte à s'affaisser (115) du second réservoir ;
       le conduit de connexion comprenant en outre :
    une première vanne à une voie pour bloquer l'écoulement du fluide au sac apte à s'affaisser (115) du second réservoir tout en permettant l'écoulement du fluide dudit sac apte à s'affaisser au distributeur (106, 15).
  18. Système de lavage selon la revendication 17, où la sortie dépasse d'une paroi latérale du moyen de support (17) du récipient.
  19. Système de lavage selon la revendication 17 ou la revendication 18, où la pompe à déplacement positif comporte un piston qui est actionné manuellement.
  20. Système de lavage selon la revendication 19, où la sortie du distributeur et le piston actionné manuellement sont suffisamment proches l'un de l'autre pour permettre à un utilisateur d'actionner le piston pour distribuer le produit de nettoyage liquide de la sortie du distributeur dans la main de l'utilisateur.
  21. Système de lavage selon la revendication 17, comprenant
       une pluralité desdits distributeurs (106, 15),
       où le conduit de connexion flexible (105, 18) relie les sacs aptes à s'affaisser (114, 115) des premier et second réservoirs à chacun desdits distributeurs (106, 15).
  22. Système de lavage selon la revendication 21, où ledit conduit de connexion flexible (105, 18) comporte un capuchon étanche à l'air adapté à la sortie du sac apte à s'affaisser (115) du second réservoir, ladite première vanne à une voie étant positionnée dans ledit conduit de connexion flexible (105, 18) audit capuchon.
  23. Système de lavage selon la revendication 21 ou la revendication 22, comportant un placard (55) avec ledit moyen de support de récipient (17) positionné dans ledit placard (55), ledit placard (55) comportant une porte d'accès (56) pour remplacer un récipient apte à s'affaisser usé par un nouveau récipient apte à s'affaisser, et un moyen de verrouillage (57) pour fixer ladite porte d'accès (56) sur ledit placard (55).
  24. Système de lavage selon l'une des revendications 21 à 23, où ledit conduit de connexion flexible (105, 18) comprend au moins trois longueurs (200, 206, 210) de tube en plastique, et au moins un raccord en T (204) réalisant des chemins d'écoulement des sacs aptes à s'affaisser (114, 115) des premier et second réservoirs à chacun desdits distributeurs (106, 15), avec ladite première vanne à une voie dans ledit conduit entre ledit raccord en T (204) et les sacs aptes à s'affaisser (114, 115).
  25. Système de lavage selon l'une des revendications 21 à 24, dans lequel, en cours d'utilisation, lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) sont montés sur un mur, et ledit conduit de connexion (105, 18) se trouve derrière ledit mur.
  26. Système de lavage selon la revendication 23, où lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) sont montés sur un mur dans une première pièce, ledit moyen de support de récipient (17) est positionné dans une deuxième pièce, et ledit conduit de connexion (105, 18) se trouve derrière ledit mur entre lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) et ledit placard (55) dans ladite deuxième pièce.
  27. Système de lavage selon la revendication 26, où lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) sont montés sur un mur au-dessus d'un comptoir (13), ledit moyen de support de récipient (17) se trouve en dessous dudit comptoir (13), et ledit conduit de connexion (105, 18) se trouve derrière ledit mur entre lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) et ledit moyen de support de récipient (17).
  28. Système de lavage selon l'une des revendications 21 à 24, où lesdits distributeurs (106, 15) sont montés sur un comptoir (13), et ledit conduit de connexion (105, 18) se trouve sous ledit comptoir (13).
  29. Système de lavage selon la revendication 28, où ledit moyen de support de récipient (17) se trouve sous ledit comptoir (13).
  30. Système de lavage selon l'une des revendications 13 à 23, où le distributeur (106, 15) comprend un boítier tubulaire (29) avec un tube d'entrée (30) pour recevoir d'une manière coulissante une extrémité dudit conduit de connexion flexible (105, 18), et avec ladite pompe à déplacement positif insérée d'une manière coulissante dans ledit boítier (29),
       ladite pompe à déplacement positif comportant un cylindre (38) avec une cavité de piston (40) et un piston (39) coulissant dans ladite cavité (40), un moyen définissant une ouverture d'entrée (52) dans ledit cylindre (38) en vue d'un écoulement du fluide à travers ledit tube d'entrée (30) dans ladite cavité de piston (40), un ressort (41) dans ladite cavité de piston (40) pour solliciter ledit piston (39) vers l'extérieur, une première vanne à une voie (43) positionnée entre ladite ouverture d'entrée (52) dudit cylindre (38) et ledit ressort (41), une deuxième vanne à une voie (44) positionnée entre ledit ressort (41) et ledit piston (39),
       ledit piston (39) comportant un passage d'écoulement de sortie définissant un chemin d'écoulement (51) à travers ledit tube d'entrée de boítier (30), ledit cylindre (38) et ladite cavité de piston (40) vers l'extérieur dudit distributeur.
  31. Système de lavage selon la revendication 30, où le distributeur comprend en outre un moyen de retenue (48) pour fixer ledit cylindre (38) dans ledit boítier (29),
       un premier moyen d'étanchéité coulissant (46) entre ledit cylindre (38) et ledit boítier (29) pour bloquer l'écoulement du fluide dudit boítier (29) autour dudit cylindre (38),
       un deuxième moyen d'étanchéité coulissant (47) entre ledit piston (39) et l'intérieur dudit cylindre (38) pour bloquer l'écoulement du fluide dudit cylindre (38) autour dudit piston (39), et
       un deuxième moyen de retenue (49) pour retenir ledit piston (39) dans ledit cylindre (38) tout en permettant un mouvement alternatif dudit piston (39) dans ledit cylindre (38) pendant la distribution du fluide.
  32. Système de lavage selon la revendication 31, où le distributeur comprend en outre des moyens définissant au moins deux ouvertures de montage (34) dans la paroi dudit boítier (29), les axes desdites ouvertures de montage (34) étant parallèles l'un à l'autre, avec des épaulements internes dans lesdites ouvertures pour recevoir des vis (33) pour le montage sur la paroi, avec des têtes cachées dans lesdites ouvertures (34).
EP98931559A 1998-06-23 1998-06-23 Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion Expired - Lifetime EP1089647B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1998/013144 WO1999066821A1 (fr) 1998-06-23 1998-06-23 Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1089647A1 EP1089647A1 (fr) 2001-04-11
EP1089647B1 true EP1089647B1 (fr) 2004-01-14

Family

ID=22267364

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98931559A Expired - Lifetime EP1089647B1 (fr) 1998-06-23 1998-06-23 Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1089647B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU755057C (fr)
CA (1) CA2336013C (fr)
DE (1) DE69821140T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999066821A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006062183A1 (de) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-26 Miscea Gmbh Spendereinrichtung für sanitäre Fluide
DE202006019653U1 (de) * 2006-12-22 2008-05-08 Miscea Gmbh Spendereinrichtung für sanitäre Fluide
WO2009039290A2 (fr) 2007-09-20 2009-03-26 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo
WO2011044247A1 (fr) 2009-10-07 2011-04-14 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo avec sèche-mains
US9758953B2 (en) 2012-03-21 2017-09-12 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Basin and hand drying system
US9267736B2 (en) 2011-04-18 2016-02-23 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Hand dryer with point of ingress dependent air delay and filter sensor
USD663016S1 (en) 2011-08-25 2012-07-03 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Lavatory system with integrated hand dryer
US10100501B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2018-10-16 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Multi-purpose hand washing station
AT13896U1 (de) * 2013-04-25 2014-11-15 Hagleitner Hans Georg Vorrichtung zur dosierten Abgabe eines Reinigungsmittels
US11015329B2 (en) 2016-06-08 2021-05-25 Bradley Corporation Lavatory drain system
US10041236B2 (en) 2016-06-08 2018-08-07 Bradley Corporation Multi-function fixture for a lavatory system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3035737A (en) * 1960-02-12 1962-05-22 Hedwin Corp Liquid container dispensing rack
FR2339382A1 (fr) * 1976-01-27 1977-08-26 Jacot Daniel Distributeur-doseur pour savons liquides ou pateux
US4484697A (en) * 1980-08-27 1984-11-27 Shasta Beverages, Inc. Method and apparatus for dispensing liquid
US5215216A (en) * 1991-09-25 1993-06-01 International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Water flow responsive soap dispenser
US5476197A (en) * 1995-01-27 1995-12-19 Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. Spout assembly for fluid dispenser
US5791519A (en) * 1995-12-27 1998-08-11 International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy, S.A. Soap bag
US5992691A (en) * 1997-07-07 1999-11-30 Fluid Management Dispensing apparatus for fluid contained in flexible packages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2336013A1 (fr) 1999-12-29
AU8165998A (en) 2000-01-10
AU755057C (en) 2003-06-26
WO1999066821A1 (fr) 1999-12-29
AU755057B2 (en) 2002-12-05
DE69821140T2 (de) 2004-11-11
DE69821140D1 (de) 2004-02-19
CA2336013C (fr) 2005-05-10
EP1089647A1 (fr) 2001-04-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5988451A (en) Washing system
US6502721B2 (en) Washing system with auxiliary reservoir
US6129245A (en) Washing system with auxiliary reservoir
US8893928B2 (en) Counter mounted dispensing system with above-counter refill unit
EP1057441B1 (fr) Accouplement rotatif pour distributeur de savon liquide
EP1089647B1 (fr) Systeme d'alimentation pour un distributeur de savon et de lotion
US7155758B1 (en) Bathtub liquid dispensing system
US7753087B2 (en) Product dispensing system
AU2013249422B2 (en) Water-driven dispensing systems employing concentrated product
US5540362A (en) Liquid soap supplying device
EP3528680B1 (fr) Système distributeur à dispositif de fixation
US5716005A (en) Soap dispensing shower unit
US20040164093A1 (en) Liquid feed system
CA2220402C (fr) Systeme de lavage
CN101343890A (zh) 用于分配清洁材料的装置和方法
US5356051A (en) Liquid soap supplying device
CA2342510C (fr) Systeme d'approvisionnement en liquide
US20030168471A1 (en) Soap or lotion dispenser with auxiliary reservoir
US20070246486A1 (en) Conversion Kit to Retrofit Kitchen Sink Soap Dispenser to a Liquid Soap Bottle
MXPA00012791A (en) Feed system for soap and lotion dispenser
US20080302823A1 (en) Coupling device and kit for a cleaning fluid dispenser

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010103

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010417

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20040114

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040114

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69821140

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20040219

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040425

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20041015

EN Fr: translation not filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070731

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070628

Year of fee payment: 10

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080623

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080623