GB2284800A

GB2284800A - Automatic soap dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2284800A
Application number: GB9325895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gomer John Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-17
Filing date: 1993-12-17
Publication date: 1995-06-21
Also published as: GB9325895D0

Abstract

A soap dispenser, e.g. as used in toilets, has a soap container 3 which dispenses soap via an automatically operated soap dispenser valve attached to the outlet 4 of the soap container. The soap dispenser valve opens when the sensing circuit 5 and 6 detects a hand. The amount of soap dispensed is controlled and when the soap dispenser valve closes, the user has time to remove their hand before the sensor commences operation. The sensor 2 operates by detecting infra-red radiation from a users hand. <IMAGE>

Description

SOAP DISPENSER This invention relates to the process of dispensing soap from a soap dispenser unit.

Soap dispensers, often found in toilets secured to the wall above sink units, comprise soap container and manually operated dispensing mechanism, both housed in an outer casing. The soap dispenser is operated by the hand and soap is dispensed from an outlet at the bottom of the soap dispenser.

Soap dispensers require hands to touch the manually operated soap dispensing mechanism which increases the risk of infection and is prone to mechanical failure resulting from heavy haizded use.

According to the present invention there is provided an automatic soap dispenser comprising an automatically operated soap dispenser mechanism, soap container, detector, all housed in an outer casing to be mounted on the wall and powered by mains electricity and/or batteries.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows the component parts of the electrical circuit used to operate the soap dispenser valve which controls the flow of soap.

Figure 2 is a flow chart which illustrates the process by which the automatic soap dispensing circuit operates.

Figure 3 shows perspective, the soap dispenser housing and illustrates the inner soap container complete with automatic soap dispense mechanism and sensor circuit.

Figure 4 shows an example of the sensor circuit being used to automatically detect a hand which subsequently activates the soap dispenser valve.

Figure 5 illustrates the discharge of soap, having detected the hand which causes the soap dispenser valve to open.

Figure 6 shows the hand removed and the automatic soap dispenser ready to detect the next hand when placed below the sensor.

Referring to the drawing the automatic soap dispenser comprises an automatically operated soap dispenser mechanism (control valve), activated in this example, by the sensor circuit 5 and 6 detecting a hand. The soap is dispensed from a soap container 3 which is housed in an outer casing 1. The circuit is powered 7 by a mains power supply and/or battery (not shown). The automatic soap dispenser is typically mounted on the wall above a sink unit.

The hand emits infra-red radiation which is detected by a passive infra-red (P.I.R.) detector or similar means (not shown). Fig 1 shows how a P.I.R. detector, having detected a hand, enables a clock which controls the length of time the electromagnetic valve or valve operated by similar means (not shown), remains open to allow soap to be dispensed. Fig 2 illustrates the complete operation of the automatic soap dispensing mechanism. The P.I.R. detector monitors the area below the soap dispenser for a hand, during which low power consumption is achieved. If a hand is detected the detector is disabled and the first clock cycle (clockl) commences. This enables the soap dispenser valve and controls the length of time it remains open. When the first clock cycle finishes the soap dispensing valve closes.This first clock cycle can be varied to control the quantity of soap dispensed. A second clock cycle (clock2) then begins to allow time for the user to remove their hand. At the end of the clock cycle the detector is enabled; thus preventing the continual discharge of soap after the first clock cycle.

Fig 3 reveals the internal components of the automatic soap dispenser. The soap dispenser housing 1 includes an indicator 2 (electronic or by similar means) to show in advance when the soap needs to be refilled. The soap container 3 has an electromagnetic valve 4 or by similar means (not shown), to control the flow of soap, attached to the outlet of the soap container. This is controlled by an electronic circuit 5 and P.I.R. detector 6 which is powered by mains power supply and/or batteries 7.

Figs 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the physical steps involved in the operation of the automatic soap dispenser. In Fig 4 the hand is placed below the soap dispenser (5cm to 10cm distance). The sensor, facing the hand, detects the infra-red radiation emitted by the hand and enables the soap dispenser valve (valve open). In Fig 5 soap is dispensed for a set time, before the soap dispenser valve is disabled (valve closed). The hand is removed and the soap dispenser detector is reactivated. It monitors the area below the soap dispenser for the next hand as illustrated in Fig 6.

Claims

(1) An automatically operated (non-touch) soap dispenser comprising a soap container, a sensor for detecting a part of the body or such material for which the sensor is designed to detect, means for automatically dispensing the soap once activated by the sensor, all housed in an outer casing.

(2) An automatically operated soap dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the detector senses the infra-red emissions from the hand.

(3) An automatically operated soap dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the detection of a hand activates the mechanism which dispenses the soap.

(4) An automatically operated soap dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the mechanism which allows soap to be dispensed comprises an electromagnetic valve that is normally closed and opens when activated by the sensor.

(5) An automatically operated soap dispenser as claimed in 4 wherein the length of time the soap dispenser valve remains open is controlled to vary the quantity of soap dispensed.

(6) An automatically operated soap dispenser substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawing.