ES1252639U - PEDAL OPERATED FLUID DISPENSER (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Pedal actuation fluid dispenser comprising at least; -a fluid container (1) - a lid (3) of the container, which will have an inlet for the suction tube (4) and the non-return valve (2) - a non-return valve (2) placed on the cover to facilitate the entry of air - Two tubes for guiding the fluid from the container (1) to the pump (7) and with expulsion to the nozzle (9) with a non-return valve (14) in said nozzle - a pedal (8) that will have a return spring (10) - a rod (11) to activate a mechanical counter (13) - a mechanical meter (13) to control the consumption of the fluid. - a pump (7) having an impeller of elastic polymeric structure with a tight programmed deformation, with an inner chamber (7B) calculated to dispense a dose of fluid with two non-return valves (5 - 6) used to maintain a one-way direction in the movement of the fluid. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

PEDAL OPERATED FLUID DISPENSER

Technical field

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser, in which the fluid is driven by an elastic polymer pump with tight programmed deformation, without a return spring. which is pedal-operated, where said fluids are for skin care (eg, hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion, etc.). More particularly, this invention refers to a fluid dispenser that is provided with a pump operated by a pedal from the pressure of the user's foot, avoiding direct contact of the hands with the dispenser, which implies greater hygiene in the action of dispensing fluid. The internal design of the pump allows a more accurate dosing of the fluid than that provided by current dispensers, especially in the case of viscous fluids.

Background

Keeping your hands clean is very important in terms of preventing disease transmission, which has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevention of risks derived from contact by actuation / manipulation of elements is already being applied in the health sector (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), the food industry and the hotel sector (hotels, restaurants, etc.) o.

Most fluid dispensers have a disposable or reusable product container, such as a cartridge or a rigid plastic container, which contains the desired product supply. Said fluid reservoir frequently has capacities of less than one liter of fluid, which makes it necessary to replace it more frequently, harming the environment with the plastic waste that is generated. As an illustrative example in this regard, a reusable 15-liter container would avoid the residue corresponding to 60 bottles of 250ml each.

Dispensers are generally wall-mounted with screws to prevent vandalism, and include a hinged cover and a lock that allows the housing to be opened and closed so the fluid container can be replaced. There are various types of actuation, with a large group of dispensers that are manually actuated by pressing a lever or a button. Over time, the surface that the user contacts to dispense the product becomes a source of germs and contaminants. In another group are those with proximity sensors, which automatically dispense the fluid when detecting the presence of a user or their hands near the dispenser. This second group of dispensers need batteries for their operation and have more complex mechanisms. There are also those that are operated by the foot with an air pump, which moves a mechanism that pulses the dispenser head, avoiding direct contact with the hand or forearm. Most of the current dispensers leave much to be desired when it comes to dispensing the exact amount of fluid, since the dosage depends on many factors, and more when we talk about amounts between 1.5 to 3 ml. To ensure clean hands, it is important to dispense a sufficient dose and not fall short on that dose. Another disadvantage of current systems is that the fluid in the container is not drained 100%, requiring it to be recharged in advance.

Examples of these systems are patents: US5492247A / US 2007 / 0138208A1

Based on the disadvantages of current dispensers, identified and described in the preceding paragraphs, the present invention has been made.

Summary of the invention

The present invention includes a dispensing pump particularly suitable for viscous liquids, which is composed of an elastic polymer with tight program deformation and is suitable for use in dispensers of soap, gel or similar products. The pump can be oriented in any position, thus allowing greater flexibility in terms of the design and configuration of the dispenser that uses it.

The reduced number of parts simplifies its design and construction process. The shape of the impeller and its construction material, allows the recovery of its state of rest without the need for the presence of a recovery spring, which reduces its wear by friction.

The dispenser will generally comprise the following elements: a tank with a higher capacity than current fluid dispensers, with a closing cap that contains a non-return valve to facilitate the entry of air but not its exit, thus avoiding the evaporation of the fluid; a supply conduit to the pump, which includes two non-return valves for fluid circulation in one direction only through two slightly flexible tubes, one tube is inserted into the fluid container and the other goes directly to the nozzle that expels the fluid, where there is also a non-return valve that prevents the evaporation of the essential chemical elements of the fluid; a pedal to facilitate pumping; and a mechanical meter to control the consumption of the fluid.

These and other features that characterize the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated schemes. However, it should be noted that this summary and the detailed description represent only a few examples of various embodiments, and are not intended to limit the invention as claimed.

Description of the drawings

To complete the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a schematic general view of the basic operation of the circuit.

Figure 2 shows a schematic interior view of the device.

Figure 3 shows the pump drive mechanism by means of the pedal.

Figure 4 shows the rod-actuated counter mechanism.

Figure 5 shows the device with a front top view with a slightly inclined perspective.

Figure 6 shows the device in side view.

Figure 7 shows a basic sectional drawing of the pump in its resting state.

Figure 8 shows the same drawing as figure 7 but with the pump in a state of compression.

Figure 9 shows another possibility of driving the pump.

Figure 10 shows another possibility of driving the pump.

Figure 11 shows another possibility of driving the pump.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The present invention and its various embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the Figures.

In general, the present invention relates to a pedal activated dispenser for dispensing a fluid such as hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion and the like. The components include, without limitation, a mechanical counter to control the flow of the fluid, a pump operated by the pedal, which in turn is activated by the user, and a return spring as a pressure stop to avoid damage to the pump. , several non-return valves, a nozzle through which the fluid is dosed with a non-return valve and a container with certain dimensions, with no less than 5 liters so that the whole equipment is fully exposed standing and that its weight facilitates its stability and the Instead, avoid theft or other vandalism.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the device assembly, the pedal-activated dispenser (8) being containing a fluid container (1) with a lid (3) that contains a suction port through the tube (4) and a non-return valve (2), which facilitates the introduction of air into the container (1) but not its exit, so as not to lose the chemical essence of the product. When actuated by the user, the pedal (8) deforms the pump (7) made of an elastic polymer, in such a way that the deformation produced by the pressure compresses an internal space of the pump (7) with preferred shapes and not limiting that avoid having a recovery spring, as will be described later. The deformation due to the pressure of the pedal (8) will cause the pumped fluid to exit through the non-return valve (6), and when this pressure is no longer exerted and the elastic polymer recovers its resting form, the fluid will feed the pump through the tube (4), thanks to the non-return valve (5). When the pedal (8) is pressed again, the fluid will come out through the non-return valve (6) towards the nozzle (9), providing the corresponding dose of fluid in the user's hands, and this sequence will be repeated successively as the user operates. the pedal (8) with your foot. The nozzle (9) will contain a non-return valve (14) to avoid losses of the essence that the fluid may contain, due to evaporation.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the device, sectioned and front, in which reference is made to some elements of the invention, such as: the fluid container (1), the lid (3) of said container with the suction tube (4) and its non-return valve, the pump (7), the pedal (8) and the fluid dosing nozzle (9), which will contain a non-return valve to prevent the evaporation of the fluid.

Figure 3 ; It is a side view of the pedal mechanisms (8), with the return spring (10) and the non-return valves (5-6) for feeding and driving the fluid in the pump (7). The spring (10) has a double function, at the same time that it allows the recovery of the pedal (8) to its starting position, it also acts as a stop to avoid damage to the pump (7). Additionally, you can see a spring (12) coupled to the pedal, which serves to raise and lower a rod (11) that activates a lever attached to a counter (13), which allows the control of fluid consumption, as explained in the following figure.

Figure 4 is a front view of the mechanical counter (13) and the rod (11) that activates it, which is connected to the pedal (8) to transmit the necessary vertical movement up and down.

Figure 5 is a front view of the device once mounted with perspective from a point of view located on it, in which the pedal (8), the ejection nozzle (9), a partial segment of the rod can be observed (11) and a side cover that gives access to the mechanical counter (13).

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but shows a side view in which the nozzle (9) and the pedal (8) can be seen.

Figure 7 represents the front section of the pump (7) in a state of rest. In it, it can be seen that the cavity (7B) has a limited and calculated space, and the two non-return valves can also be observed, both the suction or inlet of the fluid (5), and the impulsion or outlet of the same ( 6). These non-return valves are intended for guarantee the fluid circulation towards the nozzle in a unidirectional way. As can be seen in this figure, the non-limiting shape of the elastic polymer in its resting state has a hemispherical configuration in the upper part, which will be maintained while in its resting state, which makes the recovery spring unnecessary, as already It has been mentioned before.

Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 but shows the pump (7) in a state of compression, in which it is observed that the elastic polymer deforms in its hemispherical upper part under the action of a force, which in this case comes exerted by a drawn pedal. Said deformation of the internal cavity (7B) propels the fluid so that it leaves the non-return valve (6) and towards the nozzle. As soon as the upper part of the pump (7) is released, the elastomer returns to the rest state shown in figure 7. The sufficient hardness of the elastomer and its adequate thickness allow the absorption of the fluid from the container when the pump returns. to its state of rest, even though said fluid is very viscous, and thus the pumping of the fluid through the circuit is achieved. Additionally, in this figure it is also observed that there are no frictions on the sides of the perimeter of the pump (7) causing there to be no wear.

Figure 9 is a schematic drawing that shows one of the possibilities of mechanical actuation, in which the lever (17) that would activate the pump (7) actuated by the forearm or by the elbow is shown. This modality would allow its placement on the wall. This figure is included exclusively to claim another possibility of actuation.

Figure 10 is a very basic drawing of one of the actuation possibilities through an electronic sensor (not drawn), which would activate an electric motor (15) through its corresponding electronic plates, and its activation would move a cam (16 ). This option would allow the device to be placed on the wall or with a specific container standing without a pedal. This figure is included exclusively to claim another possibility of actuation.

Figure 11 is the same as the previous figure 10 but in this case the pump (7) is actuated by a connecting rod. Like the two previous figures, this figure is included exclusively to claim another possibility of actuation.

Claims (1)

°. Dispenser of fluids by actuation of a pedal comprising at least; -a fluid container (1) -a lid (3) of the container, which will have an inlet for the suction tube (4) and the non-return valve (2) -a non-return valve (2) placed on the cover to facilitate the entry of air - Two tubes for guiding the fluid from the container (1) to the pump (7) and with expulsion to the nozzle (9) with a non-return valve (14) in said nozzle - a pedal (8) that will have a return spring (10) -a rod (11) to activate a mechanical counter (13) - a mechanical meter (13) to control the consumption of the fluid. - A pump (7) having an impeller with an elastic polymeric structure with a tight programmed deformation, with an inner chamber (7B) calculated to dispense a dose of fluid with two non-return valves (5-6) used to maintain a one-way direction in the movement of the fluid. 2nd. Pedal actuation fluid dispenser according to claim 1, comprising a pump (7) that has an impeller with an elastic polymeric structure with a tight programmed deformation, with an inner chamber (7B) calculated to dispense a dose of fluid, connected to two non-return valves (5-6), so that the elastic polymer is adapted to deform under the pressure exerted by a pedal (8) on its hemispherical part, reducing the volume of the inner chamber (7B), thus producing a first cycle of expulsion of the fluid through the non-return valve (6) as soon as the pressure of the pedal (8) disappears, the pump will return to an original position of rest thus producing the suction through the tube (4) and the non-return valve (5) of the fluid, the composition of the elastic polymer will be correct to be compatible both in its composition, as well as its shape and hardness to be used, in order to have the desired power and according to the specifications. chemical characteristics of the fluid to be dispensed. 3rd. Pedal-actuated fluid dispenser according to claims 1 or 2, comprising a return spring (10) calculated to have to exert adequate pressure with the foot and dimensions to act as a mechanical stop and prevent damage to the pump ( 7). 4th. Pedal actuation fluid dispenser according to claim 3, comprising a mechanical counter (13) connected by a rod (11) to the movement of the pedal (8) in a vertical direction by means of a spring (12) of the pedal ( 8) and being its usefulness for the control of the flow of the fluid. 5th. Pedal-actuated fluid dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a non-return valve (2) in the lid (3) that facilitates the entry of air as the fluid is consumed in the container (1) but it prevents the chemical from losing its original chemical effectiveness. 6th. Pedal actuation fluid dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a non-return valve (14) in the nozzle itself (9) that prevents the chemical product from losing its effectiveness in the section of the tube that goes from the pump (7) to the final expulsion through the nozzle (9). 7th. Pedal-operated fluid dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid container (1) that will have capacities of not less than 5 liters to 20 liters, with geometric shapes that facilitate its transport and placement at the device through a lockable back cover. 8th. Pedal actuation fluid dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pump (7), this being an elastic polymer with a tight programmed deformation that can be actuated by means of a manual mechanical system such as a lever (17) . this modality could be wall placement. 9th. Dispenser of fluids by actuation of a pedal according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pump (7) being this an elastic polymer with a tight programmed deformation that can be actuated by means of an electronic sensor (not drawn) which by its corresponding electronic boards would activate an electric motor (15) and its activation would move a cam (16) or connecting rod (18) figure 11, this mode could be placed both on the wall or as a specific container standing without pedal operation.