EP2025274B1 - Distributeur sans contact commandé optiquement - Google Patents
Distributeur sans contact commandé optiquement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2025274B1 EP2025274B1 EP20080014458 EP08014458A EP2025274B1 EP 2025274 B1 EP2025274 B1 EP 2025274B1 EP 20080014458 EP20080014458 EP 20080014458 EP 08014458 A EP08014458 A EP 08014458A EP 2025274 B1 EP2025274 B1 EP 2025274B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- dispensing
- dispensing apparatus
- axis
- emitter
- sensor
- 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.)
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Links
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 34
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 28
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001994 activation Methods 0.000 description 25
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001429 visible spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom 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
-
- 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 an optically controlled dispensing mechanism and, more particularly, to a dispenser whose operation is controlled by optical sensors which can be moved to assume different sensing positions.
- Touchless dispensers are known in which a dispenser operates by sensing the presence of a user's hand below a discharge outlet.
- a touchless system disclosed in US Patent 5,836,482 , it is known to provide an emitter which emits electromagnetic radiation and a sensor adapted to sense electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sensor which has been reflected off the hand of a user disposed below the discharge outlet. Dispensing occurs when light reflected from the hand of a user under the discharge outlet is received by the sensor. In the absence of a hand disposed under the discharge outlet dispensing is not desired to occur.
- Typical known soap dispensers have their hand sensing systems including the sensor and emitter disposed to be fixed relative to the dispenser to dispense when the hand is located at a desired position underneath the dispenser.
- US Patent 5,477,984 teaches a soap dispenser having a box like housing which carries both the dispensing nozzle and a hand detecting sensor.
- the housing is pivotably mounted to this dispenser for pivoting about an axis which extends forwardly and upwardly such that the box like housing may pivot left to right moving the nozzle and the hand detecting sensor in unison side to side relative to the dispenser.
- the present inventors have appreciated that disadvantages arise when sensors are placed, for example, above reflective tabletops or sinks in that reflection of electromagnetic radiation from the sensor off the countertop or sink can reach the sensor causing false activations.
- the present inventors have appreciated that with many soap dispensers in which the hand sensing systems direct the electromagnetic radiation virtually vertically downwardly, it can be difficult to locate a dispenser at a sufficient height above a countertop or sink to avoid false activations.
- the present invention provides a touchless dispenser in which a hand sensing system, preferably including a sensor and an emitter to receive radiation from the emitter reflected off a hand of a user, is adjustable to permit the sensor and emitter to be disposed at different orientations relative to the dispenser.
- a hand sensing system preferably including a sensor and an emitter to receive radiation from the emitter reflected off a hand of a user
- An object of the present invention is to provide a touchless dispenser which permits easy adjustment of the direction that the sensor and emitter of a hand sensing system are directed relative to the remainder of the dispenser.
- the present invention provides an automatically controlled apparatus whose operation is controlled at least in part by the input of a signal that an object is sensed in a selected positioned relative the apparatus, the apparatus having an emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation and a sensor to sense electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter which is reflected off an object suitably positioned relative the apparatus, the improvement comprising a carriage member mounted to the apparatus for relative pivoting about a pivot axis, the emitter and sensor carried by carriage member, the emitter being generally directional emitting radiation to emanate outwardly from the emitter generally along a longitudinal emission axis, the sensor being generally directional and sensing radiation which emanates generally along a longitudinal sensing axis terminating in the sensor, the emission axis and the sensing axis generally disposed in a common plane which includes the horizontal axis.
- the apparatus is an automatic dispensing apparatus for dispensing material onto the hand of a user when positioned under a dispensing outlet for the material to be dispensed.
- Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a dispenser assembly in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 is a pictorial exploded view of the dispenser assembly shown in Figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 is a pictorial view showing assembly of the reservoir assembly and backplate assembly shown in Figure 2 ;
- Figure 4 is a schematic pictorial side view showing the relative positioning of a user's hand relative the reservoir assembly and an activation unit of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 3 ;
- Figure 5 is an exploded pictorial view of the reservoir assembly shown in Figures 2 and 3 ;
- Figure 6 is a pictorial view showing the assembled bottle, valve member, piston chamber forming member and piston shown in Figure 5 ;
- Figure 7 is a pictorial top rear view of the collar shown in Figure 5 ;
- Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the dispenser assembly 10 shown in Figure 1 ;
- Figure 9 is an exploded pictorial front view of the backplate assembly shown in Figure 2 ;
- Figure 10 is a rear pictorial view of the activation unit shown in Figure 9 ;
- Figure 11 is a schematic exploded pictorial front view of the activation unit shown in Figure 9 ;
- Figure 12 is a schematic exploded pictorial bottom view of selected components of the activation unit shown in Figure 10 ;
- Figure 13 is an exploded pictorial rear view of the top and bottom elements of the carriage member shown in Figure 12 ;
- Figure 14 is a schematic pictorial assembled view of the circuit board and carriage member shown in Figure 11 ;
- Figure 15 is a schematic side view of Figure 4 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser assembly 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the dispenser assembly 10 includes a removable reservoir assembly 12 adapted to be secured to a housing formed by a combination of a backplate assembly 14, a presser member 15 and a shroud 16.
- the backplate assembly 14 includes a reservoir support bridge 200, a backplate front housing 202, a backplate rear housing plate 204, a battery pack 206 and an activation unit 48.
- the battery pack 206 and the activation unit 48 are received inside an enclosed compartment formed between the assembled backplate front housing 202 and backplate rear housing plate 204.
- An electrical wire 208 electrically connects batteries in the battery pack 206 with electronic/electric components in the activation unit 48.
- the reservoir support bridge 200 is supported on a generally forwardly directed face plate 17 of the backplate front housing 202 from which a horizontally disposed support plate 18 of the support bridge 200 extends forwardly supported by two side plates 19.
- the presser member 15 is pivotally mounted to the support bridge 200 between the two side plates 19 with stub axles 20 received in journaling bores 21 in each of the side plates 19.
- the housing is completed by the shroud 16 being coupled to the backplate assembly 14 to substantially enclose the support bridge 200 and the presser member 15.
- the reservoir assembly 12 is adapted to removably couple to the assembled housing with a piston 32 of a pump assembly 25 of the reservoir assembly 12 becoming coupled to the presser member 15.
- the backplate assembly 14 includes and carries the activation unit 48 best seen in Figures 4 , 9 to 12 and 15 .
- the activation unit 48 includes as schematically shown in Figure 11 , an internal drive assembly including an electric motor 49 which rotates via a series of gears 50, a drive wheel 51 carrying an eccentrically mounted axially extending externally mounted cam post 52.
- the cam post 52 couples to an inner end of the presser member 15 such that in rotation of the drive wheel 51 in one full revolution, the presser member 15 is pivoted about its stub axles 20 downwardly and then upwardly, returning to the same position.
- the presser member 15 is coupled to piston 32 of the pump assembly 25 of the reservoir assembly 12.
- the motor 49 is operated so as to rotate the drive wheel 51 360 degrees and thus move the presser member 15 and hence the piston 32 in a single stroke inwardly and outwardly to dispense an allotment of fluid from the bottle 22 of the reservoir assembly out a discharge outlet 34 of the piston 32.
- the motor 49 is an electric motor and its operation may be controlled by a control mechanism receiving various inputs.
- the activation unit 48 shown is adapted provide touchless operation of the dispenser in a manner in which, as seen in Figure 4 , the presence of a user's hand 210 underneath the discharge outlet 34 is sensed by a hand sensing system.
- the hand sensing system includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter 53 located at the bottom front of the activator unit 48 to direct radiation downwardly and forwardly towards the position the user's hand 210 is to be placed and an electromagnetic radiation sensor 54 also located at the bottom front of the activator unit 48 to sense radiation reflected off the user's hand 210.
- the hand sensing system on suitable receipt of reflected radiation from the hand, provides a suitable signal to the control mechanism indicating the presence of the hand, for example, satisfying at least one condition for operation of the motor.
- the activation unit 48 is schematically shown in a pictorial exploded view in Figure 11 as having a lid 212 which mates with a base 214 to provide a substantially enclosed internal compartment therebetween for mounting of a circuit board 216 and the internal drive assembly 218 as well as a carriage member 220.
- the motor 49 is adapted to be mounted to the circuit board 216 electrically coupled thereto.
- the various gears 50 are journalled at each of their ends to the lid 212 and the base 214 with suitable openings provided through the circuit board and permitting, for example, coupling of one of the gears 50 through the lid 212 to carry and rotate the drive wheel 51.
- the circuit board 216 carries the emitter 53 and sensor 54 of the hand sensing system electrically coupled thereto by flexible wiring 223 and 224.
- the carriage member 220 carries two generally cylindrical sockets 225 and 226 to securely receive, respectively, the emitter 53 and the sensor 54 secured therein coaxially within one of the sockets 225 and 226 of the carriage member 220.
- the assembled carriage member 220 has a pair of stub axles 228, one at each end, coaxially disposed and providing cylindrical outwardly directed journaling surfaces.
- the lid 212 has side walls 230 which carry inwardly directed sockets 232 within which the stub axles 228 of the carriage member are to be received such that the carriage member becomes journalled to the lid 212 for pivoting about a general axis indicated as 234.
- the stub axles 228 are held in the sockets 232 against removal by portions of a front wall 236 of the base 214 closing the open ends of the sockets 232 when the lid 212 and base 214 are secured together.
- the carriage member 220 has a support bar 238 extending parallel to the stub axles 228 and coupling the sockets 225 and 226 fixedly together.
- a removable handle member 240 is shown coupled to the carriage member 220 extending forwardly from the support bar 238 centered between the two sockets and extending radially relative to the axis 234 through the stub axles 228.
- a pair of catch arms 242 extend radially from the support bar 238 spaced from each other on either side of the handle member 240, however, at a different angle relative to the axis 234 of the stub axles 228 than the handle member 240.
- Each of the catch arms 242 extends from an inner end where it is coupled to the support bar 238 to a distal end 244.
- Each catch arm 242 carries an inwardly extending semi-spherical boss 245 proximate its end 244.
- the front wall 236 of the base 214 carries a locating bridge 246 with a pair of side surfaces 248 each of which has an array of semi-circular recesses 250 disposed at different locations in an arc about the pivot axis 234 when the lid 212 is coupled to the base 214.
- the catch arms 242 are disposed outwardly of each of the side surfaces 248 of the locating bridge 246 with the bosses 245 adapted to be received in any one of the recesses 250 so as to locate the carriage member 220 at one of a number of different rotational positions about the axis 234.
- the array of recesses 250 is shown to include three recesses and the carriage member 220 is shown as being located in an intermediate of the recesses 250.
- the removable handle 240 when coupled to the carriage member 220 extends forwardly and is adapted to manually be grasped by an installer's hand and forcibly urged to move the bosses 245 out of one pair of the recesses 250 into another pair.
- the emitter 53 comprises a lamp which is generally configured so as to be generally directional, that is, to direct electromagnetic radiation to emanate outwardly from the emitter generally along a longitudinal emitter axis 253 and, similarly, the sensor is generally directional so as to sense radiation which emanates generally along a longitudinal sensor axis 254 terminating in the sensor as seen in Figure 14 .
- Each of the sockets 255 and 256 effectively act as a shroud which assists in substantially preventing any transmission of electromagnetic radiation therethrough and effectively serves to assist in directionalizing the emitter 53 and the sensor 54 so as to restrict emissions or reception of either to radiation passing through the outer ends of the sockets 225 and 226.
- the emitter axis 253 and the sensor axis 254 are disposed in a common plane which includes the pivot axis 234 about which the carriage member 220 is journalled to the activation unit 48.
- the handle 240 is shown as extending substantially in the same plane.
- the emitter axis 253 and sensor axis 254 are angled relative to each other so as to converge in the plane including the pivot axis 234 a convergent point at a fixed distance from the pivot axis 234.
- the convergent point is located centered between the sockets 225 and 226 as preferred for symmetrical location and arrangement on the dispenser although this is not necessary.
- FIG. 15 there is illustrated by an arrow 262 in side view, the common plane containing each of the emitter axis 253 and the sensor axis 254 when the catch arms 242 are secured with their bosses in the intermediate recess 250.
- Arrows 261 and 263 show the position of this common plane if the carriage member 220 is rotated to have the catch arms 242 engaged in the lowermost and uppermost recesses 250, respectively.
- FIG. 13 shows the carriage member 220 as being formed from a top element 270 and a bottom element 271 which are adapted to snap-fit together as with catches 272 on the top element 270 to pass through and snap-fit into openings 273 in the bottom element 271.
- the top element 270 carries half of the stub axle 222 while the bottom 271 carries the other half.
- the top element 270 carries a top half of the socket 225 and the top half of the socket 226 and the bottom element 271 carries a bottom half of the socket 225 and a bottom half of the socket 226.
- the emitter 53 is received coaxially within the socket 225 against removal and the sensor 54 is received coaxially within the socket 226 against removal.
- the carriage member 220 is capable of being disposed such that the sensors 53 and 54 point virtually vertically downward or, preferably, no more than about ten degrees from the vertical. This is believed preferred to allow good sensing to ensure there is no dispensing before the hand is underneath the discharge outlet 34. However, insofar as there may be provided, for example, some surface such as a reflective countertop below the dispenser, then the difficulty arises that radiation from the emitter can bounce off the surface being reflected to the emitter and, thus, provide an false activation when there is no hand of a user under the discharge outlet 34.
- the angle of the carriage member 220 By adjusting the angle of the carriage member 220 to be increased, for example, to different angles such as 15 degrees or 20 degrees, or 25 degrees or 30 degrees or 35 degrees to the vertical or any angle in ranges therebetween, the difficulty with reflection as from a flat countertop surface can be reduced and typically eliminated.
- the present invention provides a convenient arrangement in which when a dispenser is installed on the wall, if there are problems with false readings as due to reflection, then the relative angle of the sensors altered to a vertical can be suitably directed.
- preferred angles for directing the sensors is in the range of 5 degrees to about 35 degrees, more preferably, in the range of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees.
- the carriage member 220 is intended to be able to be located at angles of 10 degrees, 20 degrees and 30 degrees from the vertical. It is appreciated that a plurality of recesses may accommodate a plurality of different angles as may be desired.
- the pivotable carriage member 220 provides a simple mechanism for easy adjusting of the hand sensing system to optimally sense hands at different positions and locations relative to the dispenser, and/or to avoid problems with reflected radiation from permanent elements of the environment about the dispenser.
- the handle member 240 a separate removable element from the carriage member 220 and not integrally formed as part of the carriage member 220.
- the handle member 240 has an elongate portion 300 from which an elongate plug like key member 302 extends longitudinally at one end.
- the key member 302 has a rectangular cross sectional shape shaped and sized to fit inside a complementary rectangular key hole 304 in the carriage member 220 seen in Figure 14 . With the key member 302 engaged in the keyhole 304, the handle member 240 extends about a notional longitudinal 276 shown in Figure 14 lying centered between the axis 253 and 254 all in the common plane.
- the removable handle member 240 is shown coupled to the carriage member in each of Figures 1 to 4 , 8 to 12 and 15 although in use in dispensing the handle member 240 should preferably be removed.
- the handle member 240 is not necessary and the handle member 240 could be eliminated and some other positioning mechanism may be provided for manual movement of the carriage member 220 or permitting access to the carriage member 220 as, for example, by use of a tool such as a screwdriver or the end of a cylindrical pencil.
- a tool such as a screwdriver or the end of a cylindrical pencil.
- a flat head screwdriver could be inserted into the keyhole 304 in the support bar 238 as seen in Figure 14 .
- the backplate front housing 202 has three openings 281, 282 and 283 located in its lower wall 284 complementary to the locations of the sockets 225, handle 240 and socket 226, respectively.
- the openings 281 and 283 are disposed below the sockets 225 and 226 and are of a size to permit radiation from the emitter 53 to pass outwardly and radiation for the sensor 54 to pass inwardly in all desired rotational positions of the carriage member 220.
- the opening 282 provides an opening through which the handle member 240 may extend for manual engagement and manipulation and permits the handle member 240 to assume any corresponding desired rotational positions of the carriage member 220. Insofar as the handle member 240 may be eliminated, then the central opening 282 may provide an access point for a tool to engage the carriage member 220.
- the face plate 17 of the backplate housing 202 has an opening 285 through which the drive wheel 51 may extend for engagement with the gears 50 within the activation unit 48.
- the face plate 17 also includes two openings 286 and 287 to receive two key shrouds 57 and 58 carried on the activation unit lid 212 and which are to receive a key emitter 55 and key sensor 56 of an optional key system as discussed hereafter.
- engagement between the bosses on the catch arms and the recesses in the bridging member provide for discrete pre-set adjustment of the carriage member 220 to have the sensors at a plurality of different angles. It is to be appreciated that the device could be arranged to provide for the dispensing angle to be any desired angle within a range as, for example, by having the catch arms merely frictionally engage the sides of the retaining bridge.
- the socket members 225 and 226 are shown as being fixed to the carriage member 220 against movement. This is preferred, however, it is to be appreciated that a carriage member could be further modified so as to provide an arrangement for changing the angle at which the socket members 225 and 226 converge towards each other, preferably, with the movement of the sockets being constrained to remain symmetrical relative to the pivot axis although this is not necessary.
- the reservoir assembly 12 comprises a reservoir bottle 22, a pump assembly 25 and a key collar 26.
- the bottle 22 has a threaded neck 27 about an outlet 28.
- a locking tab 29 extends forwardly and axially relative to the threaded neck 27 and is of generally rectangular shape in horizontal, axial cross-section having flat parallel side faces and an end face normal thereto.
- the pump assembly 25 includes a piston chamber forming member 30 having an outer flange 31 which is internally threaded such that the outer flange 31 may be threadably engaged onto the threaded neck 27.
- the pump assembly 25 further includes a piston 32 and a valve member 33.
- the piston 32 is reciprocally movable coaxially within a cylindrical chamber formed within the piston chamber forming member 30 so as to dispense fluid from inside the bottle 22 out of the outlet 28 internally through the piston 32 and out a discharge opening 34 of the outer end of the piston 32.
- the bottle 22 and pump assembly 25 is shown assembled in Figure 6 .
- the key collar 26 is applied by sliding the collar 26 axially upwardly such that the collar 26 comes to be engaged in a snap-fit upon the outer flange 31 against removal from the outer flange 31 and with the locking tab 29 engaging in a slotway 46 on the collar 26 so as to prevent rotation of the collar 26 relative to the bottle 22.
- the collar 26 has an axial upper end 35 and an axial lower end 36 with a central, generally cylindrical opening 37 extending therethrough.
- a generally cylindrical side wall 38 about the opening 37 carries approximate the lower end 36 three radially inwardly extending lower shoulder members 39 presenting stop shoulders 80 directed axially toward the upper end 35.
- the side wall 38 includes three radially inwardly directed upper shoulder members 40.
- the upper shoulder members 40 have a catch surface 81 directed towards the lower end 36 and a bevelled camming surface 82 directed towards the upper end 35.
- the camming surface 82 of the upper shoulder members 40 engage with an outer lower surface 83 of the outer flange 31 biasing the upper shoulder members 40 radially outwardly to permit the outer flange 31 to move relative the collar 26 axially toward the lower end 36 into the opening 37 of the collar 26.
- the upper shoulder member 40 returns to its inherent unbiased position with the catch surface 81 disposed above the upper end 84 of the outer flange 31 radially inwardly therefrom thus locking the outer flange 31 between the stop shoulders 80 of the lower shoulder member 39 and the catch surface 81 of the upper shoulder member 40.
- the collar 26 carries on its upper end 35 a pair of upwardly extending lock tabs 45 providing a slotway 46 therebetween.
- the slotway 46 is sized to closely receive the locking tab 29 of the bottle 22 therebetween.
- the slotway 46 is circumferentially aligned with the locking tab 29 on the bottle 22 such that the reservoir assembly 12 when fully assembled as shown in Figure 2 has the locking tab 29 on the bottle 22 received within the slotway 46 preventing relative rotation of the collar 26 and bottle 12.
- the piston chamber forming member 30 and the collar 26 are secured to the bottle 22 against removal. That is, the key collar 26 and piston chamber-forming member 30 are preferably secured on the bottle 22 substantially against removal other than by significant breaking or deformation of the bottle 22 or key collar 26.
- key collar 26 or piston chamber forming member 30 can be selected as desired.
- the bottle 22, piston chamber-forming member 30 and collar 26 can be permanently secured together as with glue or by sonic welding.
- the interior side wall 38 of the collar 26 may be knurled with axially extending alternating ribs and slotways only partially shown at 170 in Figure 7 such that a complementarily knurled outer surface of the outer flange 31 having axially extending alternating ribs and slotways may couple with ribs on the side wall 38 preventing relative rotation of the piston chamber-forming member 30 relative to the collar 26 once the collar is applied.
- the assembled reservoir assembly 12 may be coupled thereto by the reservoir assembly 12 moving vertically downwardly relative the backplate assembly 14 with the collar member 26 and pump assembly 25 to pass vertically downwardly through an opening in the plate 18, and the entire reservoir assembly 12 then being urged rearwardly to engage a rear support portion of the plate 18 above the collar 26 and below a lower shoulder 192 on the bottle placing the piston 32 into a position for coupling with or in which it is coupled with the presser member 15. Removal of the reservoir assembly 12 is accomplished by reversed movement forwardly then upwardly.
- the presser member 15 is coupled to the piston 32 by engagement between catch members (not shown) carried by the presser member 15 with an engagement flange 54 on the piston 32.
- catch members and engagement may be similar to that described in U.S. Patent 5,373,970 to Ophardt dated December 20, 1994, which engagement necessarily results on coupling of the reservoir assembly 12 with the backplate assembly 14.
- the activation unit 48 is shown to also includes portions of an optional optical key system for determining if the reservoir assembly 12 is compatible with the activation unit 48, that is, whether the reservoir assembly 12 meets pre-selected criteria to permit use with the activation unit 48.
- the circuit board 216 of the activation unit 48 includes an electromagnetic radiation key emitter 55 and an electromagnetic radiation key sensor 56.
- the lid 21 of the activation unit 48 includes on an upper portion of its front face a pair of hollow shrouds 57 and 58 which are directed forwardly.
- the key emitter 55 is received in the generally cylindrical shroud 57 about a lamp of the key emitter 55 and the key sensor 56 is received in the generally cylindrical shroud 57 about a lamp of the key emitter.
- the shrouds 57 and 58 substantially prevent any transmission of electromagnetic radiation therethrough and effectively serve to directionalize the key emitter 55 and key sensor 56 so as to restrict emissions or receptions of either to light passing through the outer end of the shrouds 57 and 58.
- the collar 26 has two arms 60 and 61 which extend rearwardly from the collar 26 toward each of the key emitter 55 and key sensor 57.
- the collar 26 provides an electromagnetic radiation wave guide from an end face 62 at the end of arm 60 through the collar 26 to the face 63 at the end of the arm 61 providing an outlet to the wave guide.
- the wave guide is schematically illustrated in dashed lines as 64 in Figure 7 as extending in a generally U-shape within a U-shaped rim 65 of material disposed proximate the upper end 35 of the collar 26 about its outer periphery.
- electromagnetic radiation emitted by the key emitter 55 enters the wave guide 64 via the inlet end face 62 and is conducted via the wave guide 64 through the collar 26 with electromagnetic radiation to exit the wave guide 64 via the outlet end face 63 with the radiation exiting the wave guide via the outlet end face 63 to be sensed by the key sensor 56.
- the activation unit 48 includes a key control system under which as a prerequisite to dispensing, having regard to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the key emitter 55, the electromagnetic radiation sensed by the key sensor 56 is to comply with one or more pre-selected parameters.
- the key emitter 55 may emit electromagnetic radiation within a selected range of wave lengths and, in the absence of the key sensor 56 sensing electromagnetic radiation within the range of emitted radiation, the motor 49 may not be permitted to operate.
- the key emitter 55 may emit electromagnetic radiation within a selected range of wave lengths and, in the absence of the key sensor 56 sensing electromagnetic radiation within the range of emitted radiation, the motor 49 may not be permitted to operate.
- the non-compliant reservoir assembly 12 which has the bottle 22, pump assembly 25 but not the collar 26, be coupled to the backplate assembly 14 and would not have a wave guide, the radiation of a selected wavelength emitted by key emitter 55 would not be directed to or sensed by the key sensor 56 and the control mechanism of the activation unit would not permit dispensing.
- the collar 26 may preferably be formed as by injection molding from a plastic material which permits transmission of electromagnetic radiation therethrough.
- plastic materials such as polycarbonate plastics can be used which provide a resultant product having electromagnetic radiation transmitting properties.
- Radiation which may enter the light transmitting collar 26 as by being directed normal to the inlet end face 62 will, to some extent, be reflected internally by reason of such light impinging at relatively low angles on the external surfaces of the collar forming effectively the sides of the wave guide.
- a portion of the radiation directed into the collar 26 is passed through the collar 26 as around the U-shaped external rim 65 with some proportion of the radiation to be directed substantially perpendicular to the exit end face 63 to exit the wave guide and be sensed by the key sensor 56.
- the collar 26 may be formed as unitary element all from the same radiation transmitting properties or may be formed from a number of different materials. For example, to increase internal reflection, exterior surfaces of the collar 26 especially about the rim 65 could be coated with a reflective material other than on the inlet end face 62 and the outlet end face 63.
- the collar 26 may be formed such that merely a U-shaped portion of the collar, for example, substantially corresponding to the U-shaped rim 65 may comprise light transmitting materials and the remainder of the collar may be formed of other plastic materials.
- the collar 26 may be formed to incorporate therein one or more pre-existing optical fibres, for example, disposed to extend internally within the U-shaped rim as with an inlet end of an optical fibre to be presented at the inlet end face 62 and an outlet end of the optical fibre to be presented at an outlet end face 63.
- the electromagnetic radiation for the key emitter may be selected having regard to pre-selected parameters. These parameters may include radiation within one or more ranges of wavelengths, electromagnetic radiation within one or more ranges of intensity, polarized electromagnetic radiation, and electromagnetic radiation within one or more ranges of duration and at one or more different points in time.
- the wave guide which is provided may have electromagnetic radiation transmitted properties selected from a plurality of properties and including the ability to transmit one or more ranges of wavelengths and or the ability to block one or more ranges of wavelengths, the ability to restrict the intensity of electromagnetic radiation which can be transmitted through the wave guide, preferably, as a function of most of the wave guide.
- the transmission properties may restrict the transmission of radiation having a first range of wavelengths yet permit transmission of radiation having a range of second wavelengths.
- any modular wave guide element may appear to have a visible colour such as blue, red or yellow, insofar as it is adapted for transmission of non-visible electromagnetic radiation, then the presence or absence of colour in the modular unit could assist in fooling an imitator.
- a circuit board 216 is provided plus simplified carrying of electronics and ease of electrical coupling of the motor 49, the hand sensing system components including the sensor 53 and the emitter 54 and the optional key system including the key emitter 55 and the key sensor 57.
- the dispenser could be provided without the key emitter 55 or key sensor 56 or their shrouds and without the collar 26.
- the embodiment disclosed would function with the elimination of these elements and, for example, with the reservoir assembly to be inserted comprising that merely shown in Figure 6 .
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Claims (12)
- Distributeur automatique pour distribuer un matériau sur une main d'un utilisateur lorsque la main est positionnée de façon appropriée sous une sortie de distribution (34) pour le matériau definé à être distribué, le distributeur (10) possédant un émetteur (53) pour émettre un rayonnement électromagnétique et un capteur (54) pour détecter un rayonnement électromagnétique émis par l'émetteur (53) qui est réfléchi à partir de la main d'un utilisateur positionnée de façon appropriée sous la sortie (34),
un élément soutien (220) monté sur le distributeur (10) pour un pivotement relatif autour d'un axe de pivotement (234),
l'émetteur (53) et le capteur (54) étant soutenus par l'élément soutien (220),
l'émetteur (53) étant généralement directionnel, émettant un rayonnement pour sortir vers l'extérieur à partir de l'émetteur généralement le long d'un axe d'émission longitudinal (253),
le capteur (54) étant généralement directionnel et détectant un rayonnement qui sort généralement le long d'un axe de détection longitudinal (254) se terminant dans le capteur,
l'axe d'émission et l'axe de détection étant généralement disposés dans un plan commun qui comprend l'axe de pivotement (234),
le distributeur (10) possédant une plaque arrière (4) pour le montage sur une paroi verticale et le distributeur (10) faisant saillie vers l'avant à partir de la plaque arrière (14) avec la sortie de distribution (34) distribuant le matériau vers le bas espacée dans une direction avant à partir de la plaque arrière (14),
caractérisé par :la sortie de distribution (34) distribuant le matériau vers le bas à partir de la sortie de distribution (34) le long d'un axe de distribution qui est fixe par rapport à la plaque arrière (14),l'axe de pivotement (234) étant horizontal et normal par rapport à la direction avant,l'élément soutien (220) étant monté sur le distributeur (10) pour pivoter autour de l'axe de pivotement (234) entre une pluralité de positions différentes par rapport à la plaque arrière (14),dans lequel le pivotement de l'élément soutien (220) entre des positions différentes desdites positions place le plan commun à des orientations angulaires différentes par rapport à l'axe de distribution. - Distributeur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'axe d'émission (253) et l'axe de détection (254) convergent pour se croiser à un point de convergence dans le plan en dessous du distributeur (10).
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'émetteur (53) et le capteur (54) sont espacés l'un de l'autre dans une direction mesurée parallèlement à l'axe de pivotement (234).
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel l'axe d'émission est à un angle d'émission fixe par rapport à l'axe de pivotement et l'axe de détection est à un angle de détection fixe par rapport à l'axe de pivotement, l'angle de détection étant égal à l'angle d'émission.
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le pivotement de l'élément soutien (220) positionne un croisement de l'axe de distribution avec le plan commun à des hauteurs relatives différentes en dessous de la sortie de distribution (34).
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le soutien (220) du distributeur (10) est monté sur un côté inférieur du distributeur (10) pour diriger le plan commun vers le bas et vers l'avant avec le plan commun pour croiser la main d'un utilisateur lorsqu'elle est positionnée dans une position sélectionnée.
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, comprenant un mécanisme de positionnement angulaire pour verrouiller de façon libérable l'élément soutien (220) à des positions angulaires différentes par rapport à l'axe de pivotement.
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, comprenant un élément de positionnement (240) accouplé vers l'arrière avec le soutien (220) et pouvant être pris manuellement par un utilisateur pour faire pivoter l'élément soutien (220) jusqu'à des positions angulaires différentes par rapport à l'axe de pivotement.
- Distributeur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'élément de positionnement comprend un élément levier (240) qui, lorsqu'il est accouplé avec le soutien (220), fait saillie à partir de l'élément soutien (220) radialement par rapport à l'axe de pivotement pour la prise manuelle sous le distributeur (10).
- Distributeur selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, comprenant en outre :un ensemble réservoir (12) comprenant un réservoir (22) contenant un matériau destiné à être distribué, une unité d'activation (48), et un mécanisme pompe (25) pouvant être activé par l'unité d'activation (48) pour distribuer le matériau à partir du réservoir (22) hors de la sortie (34),un mécanisme de commande pour permettre le fonctionnement du distributeur (10) lorsque le capteur (54) détecte un rayonnement à partir de l'émetteur (53).
- Distributeur selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le réservoir (22) soutient le mécanisme pompe (25),
le réservoir (22) et le mécanisme pompe (25) comprenant une unité insérable dans le distributeur (10) pour prendre une position de distribution et amovible à partir du distributeur (10) pour le remplacement,
le mécanisme pompe (25) possédant un piston (32) pouvant coulisser en va-et-vient le long de l'axe de distribution pour distribuer un fluide à partir du réservoir (22) avec le coulissement axial réciproque du piston (32) le long de l'axe de distribution. - Distributeur selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le réservoir (22) possède une sortie,
le mécanisme pompe (25) étant disposé sur la sortie pour distribuer un fluide à partir du réservoir (22),
le piston (32) comprenant des surfaces de prise pour entrer en prise avec l'unité d'activation (48).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002597190A CA2597190A1 (fr) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-08-13 | Distributeur a commande optique sans contact |
CA2633564A CA2633564C (fr) | 2007-06-18 | 2008-06-05 | Distributeur a declenchement optique |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2025274A1 EP2025274A1 (fr) | 2009-02-18 |
EP2025274B1 true EP2025274B1 (fr) | 2012-07-11 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20080014458 Active EP2025274B1 (fr) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-08-13 | Distributeur sans contact commandé optiquement |
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EP (1) | EP2025274B1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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AU2011101604A4 (en) * | 2011-12-06 | 2012-01-12 | Calfarme Australia Pty Ltd | A dispenser unit |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4946070A (en) * | 1989-02-16 | 1990-08-07 | Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. | Surgical soap dispenser |
JPH06163782A (ja) | 1992-11-17 | 1994-06-10 | Sanyo Silicon Denshi Kk | Icリードの曲り矯正装置 |
US5477984A (en) * | 1993-04-27 | 1995-12-26 | Saraya Co., Ltd. | Liquid jetting apparatus for jetting liquid toward a hand for disinfection thereof |
CA2102016C (fr) | 1993-10-29 | 1995-08-15 | Heiner Ophardt | Distributeur de savon liquide pour le remplacement simplifie pour du reservoir de savon |
US5836482A (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1998-11-17 | Ophardt; Hermann | Automated fluid dispenser |
WO2003005873A1 (fr) * | 2001-07-13 | 2003-01-23 | Scheepers, Roger, Basil, Lawson | Distributeur d'un produit fluide |
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2008
- 2008-08-13 EP EP20080014458 patent/EP2025274B1/fr active Active
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EP2025274A1 (fr) | 2009-02-18 |
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