EP3061373B1 - Kit de conversion de distributeur de savon - Google Patents

Kit de conversion de distributeur de savon Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3061373B1
EP3061373B1 EP15156912.6A EP15156912A EP3061373B1 EP 3061373 B1 EP3061373 B1 EP 3061373B1 EP 15156912 A EP15156912 A EP 15156912A EP 3061373 B1 EP3061373 B1 EP 3061373B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
soap
kit
battery
dispenser
front section
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EP15156912.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3061373A1 (fr
Inventor
Vivian Blick
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Individual
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Individual
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    • 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

  • the present invention relates to a kit for converting a battery-powered automatic soap dispenser into a solar powered automatic soap dispenser for use in an indoor lit area.
  • Automatic soap dispensers are often provided in public washrooms.
  • the dispensers typically include a proximity sensor, and automatic means for dispensing a measured volume of liquid or foam soap, when a user places his or her hands underneath the dispenser.
  • a motor and gearbox arrangement is activated which in turn presses a fluid dispenser.
  • US6557729 discloses a soap dispenser which uses a peristaltic pump. Other types of pump may be used to dispense the soap, but all rely on an electrically driven motor, solenoid valve, or similar device.
  • automatic soap dispensers are hygienic, since they operate without contacting the hands. They also serve to reduce wastage and reduce mess, since they should only dispense soap when a person's hands are beneath the dispenser.
  • different types of liquid soap can be used in the same dispenser - for example, antibacterial foam may be required in hospitals, and a barrier foam may be used in industrial areas. Other products such as moisturiser or shaving foam may also be dispensed where needed.
  • Battery-powered soap dispensers are cheap and easy to install. However, the batteries require periodic replacement. Typically, four dry 'C' or 'D' sized cells are used to power the dispenser. The cells are replaced by removing the front cover, removing the old cells and replacing with new ones.
  • Another problem with battery-powered soap dispensers is that the cells will often deteriorate and leak, particularly since the soap dispensers are often provided in moist environments. Leaking cells can damage the soap dispenser. Having to remove the leaking cells and clean away the leaked electrolyte is an unpleasant and possibly time-consuming job, adding to the ongoing running cost of a battery-powered soap dispenser.
  • This problem can be reduced by providing some sort of sealing arrangement to protect the cells from moisture.
  • any effective sealing arrangement will either significantly increase the time required to replace the cells, or will increase the cost of replacement cells if they need to be provided in specialist sealed units.
  • the fact that ordinary 'C' sized cells, available anywhere, may be used in existing soap dispensers is important to many customers, since they know that they can rely on a cheap future supply of replacement cells.
  • a soap dispenser which comprises a back section including a proximity sensor, means for receiving a soap bottle, electrically-operated dispensing means for dispensing soap from the soap bottle when the proximity sensor is activated, and a battery compartment for receiving and connecting at least one cell to power the dispensing means, and which further comprises a front section for substantially covering the back section, is henceforth referred to as "a soap dispenser of the type described".
  • a soap dispenser is known from CN 201,675,835U .
  • An example of this type of soap dispenser is shown in Figures 1 to 3 .
  • kit for converting a battery-powered automatic soap dispenser of the type described into a solar powered automatic soap dispenser for use in an indoor lit area, the kit comprising:
  • the kit allows existing battery-powered soap dispensers to be upgraded to solar-powered operation in a matter of seconds.
  • the front section of the soap dispenser is removed and the existing cells are taken out of the battery compartment.
  • the battery pack of the kit is then inserted into the battery compartment, and the replacement front section is clipped on. From then on, the soap dispenser will operate for an extended period without battery maintenance, as long as there is some light in the surroundings. Energy is constantly harvested from both natural and artificial light, and the energy is stored in the battery pack. Energy is drawn directly from the NiMh LSD battery pack on demand when the user passes his hand close to the proximity sensor.
  • Tuned amorphous silicon solar panels and/or dye sensitised solar cells are particularly suitable in this application, because they harvest a useful amount of energy from artificial light sources, and can be designed specifically to work with high efficiency in a particular spectrum, for example the spectrum emitted by typical fluorescent tubes.
  • the energy density of the tuned amorphous solar panel or dye sensitised solar cell is great enough to allow the replacement front section, with the solar panel(s), to be substantially the same size as the existing front section of the soap dispenser which is being upgraded - bulky solar panel extensions are not required.
  • the device can continue to run indefinitely, without battery replacement, even in low-light conditions or where there is little or no natural light.
  • the low self-discharge battery retains charge, even when not used or charged for a period of time, for example if a washroom in a workplace is closed over a weekend. Also, the low self-discharge battery can be pre-charged at the time when the kit is manufactured, and will retain its charge over a long period so that the kits can be sold with the battery pack substantially charged.
  • the total surface area of the solar panel(s) may be around 80 square centimetres. This is found to provide sufficient power to keep the battery pack charged in most scenarios, and solar panel(s) of this area can be accommodated without making the replacement front section of the kit any larger than the front section of the original battery-powered soap dispenser being upgraded.
  • At least one solar panel may be mounted substantially on a front wall of the replacement front section.
  • the solar panel is therefore disposed substantially vertically when a rear wall of the soap dispenser is mounted to a vertical wall.
  • a vertically mounted solar panel on the front surface maximises the degree to which the panel absorbs incident sunlight from any windows, whilst still absorbing an appreciable amount of ambient light from ceiling-mounted lights.
  • At least one solar panel may be top-mounted on the replacement front section, and may be disposed substantially at an angle of between 0 degrees and 45 degrees from the horizontal when a rear wall of the soap dispenser is mounted to a vertical wall.
  • the top-mounted solar panel is preferably mounted at substantially between 0 and 30 degrees from the horizontal, and most preferably at substantially 20 degrees from the horizontal.
  • a top-mounted solar panel is most advantageous for absorbing light from ceiling-mounted light fittings. Providing the panel at an angle of around 20 degrees is found to be particularly advantageous, bearing in mind that the soap dispenser is likely to be mounted to a wall which is at the edge of a room and which extends all the way up to the ceiling.
  • the top-mounted panel is preferably mounted at an angle to face into the room, towards ceiling-mounted sources of artificial light.
  • both top-mounted and front-mounted solar panels are provided on the replacement front section. This maximises the amount of energy which can be harvested from the ambient light, reducing the likelihood that the battery pack will become depleted, especially where there is heavy use of the soap dispenser. Also, two solar panels can provide some redundancy - the unit will not stop functioning if one of the solar panels develops a defect.
  • a water-resistant barrier may be provided for protecting the battery pack from moisture.
  • a shrink wrap cover is provided to protect the cells of the battery pack.
  • Other types of water-resistant or water-tight barrier may be provided, either as an integral part of the battery pack, or as an additional component which is fitted over the battery compartment once the battery pack has been installed. It is noted that, since the battery pack is constantly recharged and has a long service life, for example around 10 years, the ease of changing the battery is less important than with the disposable dry cells which were used in the original battery-powered soap dispenser. The batteries can therefore be better sealed, to prevent moisture from affecting their operation. This protects the battery pack from short-circuits, corrosion and leakage which can all be problems with conventional battery-powered soap dispensers.
  • the battery pack may comprise at least one set of two NiMh cells, connected in series.
  • two sets of two cells are provided.
  • a shrink-wrap cover is provided over each set of two cells.
  • the positive cable from the solar panel may be connected to one of the sets of cells and the negative cable from the solar panel may be connected to the other set of cells, so that the cells do not form a circuit with the solar panel when the sets of cells are disconnected from each other, awaiting installation.
  • the existing connections are used to form a charging circuit between the solar panels and the cells, and to connect the cells to the soap dispenser to power the soap dispenser.
  • Shottky blocking diodes may be provided between the solar panel and the cells. This prevents discharge of the cells through the solar panels in low-light conditions. Shottky blocking diodes are found to be preferable to providing an electronic charge controller in this application, since they are simple, cheap and small. Also, the Shottky blocking diode uses very little energy, enabling nearly 100% efficiency in this part of the energy transfer. A conventional charge controller would typically be 80% efficient or less. This is significant, since the amount of energy generated by the solar panel(s) is small and space is at a premium on the replacement front section. Using blocking diodes instead of an electronic charge controller allows a soap dispenser to be modified without adding bulky extensions.
  • the replacement front section may include a nozzle access through which soap may be dispensed.
  • An aperture or window may be provided to allow the proximity sensor to work, and an aperture or window may be provided for viewing the amount of soap remaining.
  • the replacement front section may be clipped, locked or latched onto the back section.
  • These features will preferably be identical or substantially similar to the corresponding features on the front section which is being replaced, so that the operation and maintenance (i.e. refilling with soap) of the soap dispenser is substantially unaffected by conversion to solar operation.
  • at least one solar panel on the replacement front section is disposed above the nozzle access, so that soap will not drip onto the panel and reduce its effectiveness. In most designs of soap dispenser of the type described, the soap is dispensed in any case from the underside of the dispenser.
  • a prior art soap dispenser of the type described is indicated generally at 10.
  • the soap dispenser 10 comprises a front section 12 and a rear section 14.
  • the front section 12 is simply a cover, which clips over the back section 14 and locks in place when the soap dispenser is loaded with soap and ready for use, as shown in Figure 1 .
  • the front section 12 can be unclipped by releasing a catch at the top of the dispenser, and pivots downwardly on a hinge 16 to allow access to the inside of the soap dispenser, as shown in Figure 2 .
  • FIG. 3 shows the battery compartment 18.
  • the battery compartment 18 receives four 'C' sized dry cells, which power the soap dispenser.
  • the soap dispenser further includes a proximity sensor, a controller, and a motor and gearing arrangement powered by the cells.
  • a bottle holder 20 which can be clipped over the battery compartment 18, once the batteries are installed.
  • a soap bottle which includes a push-operated pump outlet can then be placed within the bottle holder, with the pump and outlet extending below the bottle holder, into a pump region 22.
  • the pump region includes a pair of jaws 24 which grip the neck of the soap bottle when installed, and a sliding actuator 26.
  • the motor and gearing arrangement drive the sliding actuator 26 upwards, to operate the pump on the soap bottle and dispense a portion of soap.
  • kits according to the invention can be made which are suitable for other soap dispensers.
  • the type of pumping and actuator arrangement, and the arrangement for holding the bottle may be different in different devices.
  • a wide range of soap dispensers are available which comprise a back section including a proximity sensor, means for receiving a soap bottle, electrically-operated dispensing means for dispensing soap from the soap bottle when the proximity sensor is activated, and a battery compartment for receiving and connecting at least one cell to power the dispensing means, and which further comprise a front section for substantially covering the back section.
  • Many different soap dispensers of this type may be upgraded with a suitable kit according to the invention.
  • FIG 4 shows a first embodiment of a kit according to the invention, installed on a soap dispenser similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 .
  • the kit includes a replacement front section 50, which is substantially the same size and shape as the front section 12 of the soap dispenser 10 which is being upgraded.
  • the lock 52 on the top face of the front section 50 which is identical to a lock which is not seen in Figures 1 to 3 but which is nevertheless provided on the top face of front section 12.
  • the lock co-operates with a catch 28, seen in Figure 3 , to keep the soap dispenser 10 closed when installed and ready for use.
  • the soap dispenser may be opened with a suitable key in order to refill with liquid soap.
  • Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a kit according to the invention, fitted over a different soap dispenser. Note that the front section 50' is a slightly different shape to the front section 50 in Figure 4 .
  • Solar panels 54, 54', 56 are provided on outer surfaces of the replacement front sections 50, 50' which form part of embodiments of the inventive kit.
  • the solar panels 54, 54', 56 are either tuned amorphous silicon solar panels, or dye-sensitised solar cells.
  • the embodiment of Figure 4 includes two solar panels 54, 56, one on the front face of the front section 50 and one on the top face. Note that the space available on the top face of the Figure 4 embodiment is limited due to the location of the lock 52.
  • the solar panel 56 on the front face provides extra area for energy harvesting, to compensate for the necessarily fairly small solar panel 54 on the top face.
  • the soap dispenser being converted has a different locking arrangement, which does not take up space on the top face of the front section 50'. As a result, a larger solar panel can be provided on the top face, and it is found that a second, front solar panel is not required in this embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 shows a battery pack 58 which forms part of the kit.
  • the battery pack includes two sets of two 'C' sized rechargeable cells 60, 62. Each set of cells is shrink-wrapped to protect the cells from moisture, and to hold the two cells of the set together to form one 'long cell'.
  • the cells in the set are attached to each other in series, i.e. the negative terminal of one cell is connected to the positive terminal of the other cell.
  • a first cable 64 is attached to the negative end of the first cell set 60, and another cable 66 is attached to the positive end of the second cell set 62. These cables then connect to the solar panels which are provided on the replacement front section (not visible in Figure 6 ).
  • the front section 12 is first removed. With the specific soap dispenser 10 illustrated, the front section 12 can be unlocked and pivoted down, as shown in Figure 2 , and then detached at the hinge 16 simply by urging the side walls, which are slightly resilient, sideways away from the back section 14. The replacement front section 50 is then attached at the hinge by the reverse operation.
  • a soap bottle is currently installed, it is temporarily removed to allow removal of the bottle holder 20 and access to the battery compartment 18, as shown in Figure 3 .
  • the battery pack 58 is installed in the battery compartment 18 by installing each 'long cell' 60, 62 into a respective side of the battery compartment 18.
  • the internal connections in the battery compartment join the two 'long cells' together in series, and connect the positive and negative terminals of the four-cell battery to the soap dispenser, for powering the proximity sensor, actuator, and any other electrically-powered features.
  • the bottle holder 20 can then be clipped back on, and the soap bottle re-installed.
  • the replacement front cover is then closed by pivoting upwards.
  • the converted soap dispenser ready for use, is shown in Figure 4 .
  • the soap dispenser may be expected to operate for around 10 years without requiring any battery maintenance. Conversion of an existing battery-operated soap dispenser may be carried out in-situ, with minimal effort. The converted soap dispenser is more reliable, because the batteries are unlikely to fail. The risk of battery leakage is also significantly reduced, since each 'long cell' 60, 62 is substantially sealed in shrink wrap. Because access to the battery compartment is generally not required once the soap dispenser has been converted, extra seals may be included over the battery compartment as part of the conversion process, further reducing the possibility that moisture will damage the batteries.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Kit de conversion d'un distributeur de savon automatique à piles, comprenant une section postérieure contenant un détecteur de proximité, un dispositif de réception d'une bouteille de savon, un distributeur électrique assurant la distribution du savon depuis la bouteille de savon lors de l'activation du détecteur de proximité, et un compartiment de piles, pouvant recevoir et connecter au moins une cellule d'alimentation du distributeur, et comprenant en outre une section antérieure pour couvrir substantiellement la section postérieure, (10), en un distributeur automatique fonctionnant à l'énergie solaire pour une utilisation dans un espace intérieur éclairé, le kit comprenant :
    un bloc-piles (58) pouvant être installé dans le compartiment de piles du distributeur de savon, le bloc-piles comprenant une pile nickel-hydrure métallique (NiMH) à faible autodécharge (LSD) possédant des zones de connexion positive et négative pour la connexion avec les connecteurs positif et négatif du compartiment de piles ;
    une section antérieure de remplacement (50) pour le distributeur de savon, fabriquée de façon à permettre la distribution du savon du dessous du distributeur vers le bas ;
    au moins un panneau solaire en silicium amorphe syntonisé (54, 56) et/ou au moins une cellule solaire sensibilisée aux colorants sur une surface extérieure de la section antérieure de remplacement (50) ; et
    un dispositif de raccordement par câble (64, 66) assurant le raccordement électrique de l'au moins un panneau solaire en silicium amorphe syntonisé et/ou de l'au moins une cellule solaire sensibilisée aux colorants à la pile NiMH LSD du bloc-piles (58).
  2. Kit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins un des panneaux solaires (56) est monté substantiellement sur une paroi antérieure de la section antérieure de remplacement (50).
  3. Kit selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel au moins un des panneaux solaires (54) est monté substantiellement sur une paroi antérieure de la section antérieure de remplacement (50).
  4. Kit selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le panneau solaire (54) monté sur la paroi supérieure est disposé substantiellement à un angle compris entre 0 et 45 degrés de l'horizontale.
  5. Kit selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le panneau solaire (54) monté sur la paroi supérieure est disposé substantiellement à un angle compris entre 0 et 30 degrés de l'horizontale.
  6. Kit selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le panneau solaire (54) monté sur la paroi supérieure est disposé substantiellement à un angle de 20 degrés de l'horizontale.
  7. Kit selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une barrière résistante à l'eau pour la protection du bloc-piles (58) contre l'humidité.
  8. Kit selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la barrière résistante à l'eau est pratiquée sous forme de couvercle rétractable.
  9. Kit selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le bloc-piles (58) comprend un ou plusieurs jeux (60, 62) de deux cellules.
  10. Kit selon la revendication 9, lorsqu'il est tributaire de la revendication 8, dans lequel chaque jeu de deux cellules (60, 62) est joint ensemble et couvert substantiellement par un couvercle rétractable.
  11. Kit selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins une diode de blocage Shottky est placée entre le panneau solaire (54, 56) et les cellules.
  12. Kit selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un accès pour une buse afin de permettre la distribution du savon vers le bas du dessous du distributeur.
  13. Distributeur de savon (10) avec un kit selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes monté sur celui-ci, le distributeur de savon (10) comprenant une section postérieure comprenant un détecteur de proximité, un dispositif de réception d'une bouteille de savon, un distributeur électrique assurant la distribution de savon depuis la bouteille de savon lors de l'activation du détecteur de proximité, et un compartiment de piles, pouvant recevoir et connecter au moins une cellule pour l'alimentation du distributeur, et comprenant en outre une section antérieure pour couvrir substantiellement la section postérieure.
EP15156912.6A 2015-02-27 2015-02-27 Kit de conversion de distributeur de savon Active EP3061373B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15156912.6A EP3061373B1 (fr) 2015-02-27 2015-02-27 Kit de conversion de distributeur de savon

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15156912.6A EP3061373B1 (fr) 2015-02-27 2015-02-27 Kit de conversion de distributeur de savon

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EP3061373A1 EP3061373A1 (fr) 2016-08-31
EP3061373B1 true EP3061373B1 (fr) 2017-08-30

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Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4417098A1 (fr) * 2023-02-17 2024-08-21 Huonker GmbH Dispositif de distribution d'un fluide, en particulier d'un fluide de nettoyage, de soin ou de désinfection pour les mains

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6557729B2 (en) 2001-02-20 2003-05-06 Sloan Valve Company Soap dispensing system with single soap pump and two unpressurized soap containers
CN201675835U (zh) * 2010-03-29 2010-12-22 由展企业有限公司 光能发电式自动给皂机
GB2515354A (en) * 2013-08-29 2014-12-24 Vivian Blick Fragrance sprayer

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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