GB2435874A

GB2435874A - Combined air freshener and soap dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2435874A
Application number: GB0608743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Oakley
Original assignee: MALTON INFLIGHT Ltd
Current assignee: MALTON INFLIGHT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-03
Filing date: 2006-05-03
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Also published as: GB0608743D0

Abstract

A combined soap and air freshener dispenser 1 for connection to a preinstalled receiving unit 7 in an aircraft cabin. The dispenser 1 comprises a first container 2 for holding liquid soap, a second container 3 for holding a continuous release air freshener, a first end 4 for connection to a receiving unit 7 and a second end for housing a dispensing nozzle 6. The dispenser 1 has a decreased diameter toward the first end 4 an increased diameter toward the second end. The dispenser 1 may also comprise a cover for controlled release of air freshener. Preferably the first container 2 is in the form of a bottle 2, and the second container 3 is in the form of a sleeve 3 which is wrapped around the bottle 2.

Description

COMBINED AIR FRESHENER AND SOAP DISPENSER

The present invention relates to combined soap and air freshener dispensers, in particular to combined soap and air fresheners for use in aircraft cabins.

The provision of consumables to the airline industry must meet certain considerations. Of these, the ability to provide products which can be accommodated within the often restricted space of an aircraft cabin is particularly challenging.

Soap dispensers have long been provided within the washroom facilities of commercial aircraft. Because space is a premium in commercial aircraft, washroom facilities are generally very cramped and, therefore, soap dispensers for use in such washrooms are usually very small. As a result, the soap dispensers must replaced often as the small amount of soap is quickly used up.

Also commonly provided within washroom facilities are air fresheners. In order to save as much space as possible, combined air freshener and soap dispensers have previously been provided. These generally comprise a first compartment containing soap and a second compartment containing an air freshener, usually in an aerosol form. Upon depression of a nozzle, soap and air freshener are dispensed at the same time.

Another type of combined air freshener and soap dispenser comprises a bottle containing soap provided with an outer sleeve which contains a continuous release air freshener. Upon depression of a nozzle, soap is dispensed from the bottle.

One drawback of known air freshener and soap dispensers is their inability to fit into small spaces whilst at the same time containing a suitable volume of soap such that the dispenser can remain in place for longer without needing to be replaced.

When providing consumables to the airline industry, it is also desirable to ensure that the consumables can be secured in place in the aircraft cabin.

This is not only an important safety consideration, but also acts as a deterrent to passengers removing the consumables provided.

Accordingly, it is known to provide soap dispensers which comprise a bottle having a screw thread provided on the base of the bottle. The bottle is then attached to a receiving unit which is provided fixed to an appropriate surface in the aircraft cabin, for example next to a sink in a washroom. When a bottle needs to be replaced, the empty bottle can simply be unscrewed and the new bottle screwed into the receiving unit. The receiving units are permanently secured to the desired surface such that a passenger is unable to remove them. Further, even if a passenger is able to unscrew the bottle from the receiving unit, the presence of the screw thread makes the bottle unattractive to removal from the aircraft.

In order to assist the replacement of a bottle and use of the dispenser by a passenger, the receiving units are provided with an angled screw thread.

Thus, the receiving units can be secured to a surface with the screw thread projecting away from a wall and toward a user. This provides better access to the dispenser whilst allowing the dispenser to be placed up against a wall or in a corner, allowing the best use of the limited space available.

However, the provision of the bulky combined air freshener and soap dispensers discussed above has prevented use of the receiving units already in place in air craft cabins. In this connection, there is insufficient space between the walls of the cabin and the receiving units to accommodate the bulky combined dispensers.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined soap and air freshener dispenser for connection to a receiving unit in an aircraft cabin, the dispenser comprising a first container for holding liquid soap and a second container for holding a continuous release air freshener, wherein the dispenser comprises a first end for connection to a receiving unit and a second end for housing a dispensing nozzle, the dispenser having a decreased diameter toward the first end and an increased diameter toward the second end.

The present invention therefore provides a dispenser which has a suitably narrowed base for angled connection to a pre-installed receiving unit, but which, by virtue of an increased diameter toward the second end, does not compromise on the volume of soap provided within the first container. The first container may, for example, be a bottle, whilst the second container may, for example, be a sleeve-type housing. Furthermore, by virtue of the increased diameter toward the second end of the dispenser, a shorter dispenser can be provided whilst maintaining the same volume of soap, thus providing a space saving.

In preferred embodiments, the diameter of the first end is smaller than the diameter of the second end. Preferably, the diameter of the first end is up to around 50%, more preferably around 10%, smaller than the diameter of the second end.

Preferably, the diameter of the first end is substantially equal to the diameter of a receiving unit to which the dispenser is to be connected. Optionally, the diameter of the first end is substantially less than the diameter of a receiving unit to which the dispenser is to be connected. This allows for optimal connection to the receiving unit when the receiving unit is placed against a wall.

According to a further embodiment, the dispenser is tapered from the first end to the second end. The taper may be staggered. Alternatively, the taper may be continuous.

Preferably, the diameter of the second end is greater that the diameter of a receiving unit to which the dispenser is to be connected.

Conveniently, the first end comprises a screw thread for engagement with a screw thread in a receiving unit. Preferably, the diameter of the first end is between about the same diameter as the screw thread and about twice the diameter of the screw thread.

In another embodiment, a diameter of the dispenser between the first end and the second end does not exceed the diameter of the second end. This allows the dispenser to hold a maximum volume of soap whilst still allowing the dispenser to be placed next to a wall and in angled connection with a receiving unit. Thus, the second end may have a maximum diameter which extends into close proximity with the wall, with the diameter of the dispenser tapered along its length from the maximum diameter at the second end to a minimum diameter at the first end.

In preferred embodiments of the present application, the dispenser comprises an indicator for indicating a volume of soap contained within the first container. Preferably, the indicator comprises at least one window in a wall of the dispenser. In one example, at least one window is positioned for indicating the presence of liquid soap towards the bottom of the first container.

In a further embodiment, the second container comprises a sleeve formed around the first container. This provides a convenient housing for a mat or gel containing a continuous release air freshener. Preferably, release of air freshener from the second container is controllable. A dispenser is therefore provided where the amount of air freshener can be increased or decreased as required by the environment/user.

Preferably, the second container comprises one or more vents for release of air freshener. In a further example of the present invention, the dispenser further comprises a cover for closing the one or more vents, the cover being movable between an open position in which the vents are uncovered, and a closed position in which the vents are covered. This, therefore, allows for the controlled release of air freshener as discussed above. In addition, when the continuous release air freshener is reaching the end of its useful life and is releasing less air freshener, the vents can be opened fully to allow as much air freshener to be released as possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined soap and air freshener dispenser for connection to a receiving unit in an aircraft cabin, the dispenser comprising a container for holding liquid soap and a sleeve for holding a continuous release air freshener, wherein the dispenser comprises a first end for connection to a receiving unit and a second end for housing a dispensing nozzle, the diameter of the dispenser increasing between the first end and the second end An example of the present invention will now be described with the reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a side view of a known combined air freshener and soap dispenser.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a combined air freshener and soap dispenser according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a combined air freshener and soap dispenser according to the present invention attached to a receiving unit.

As shown in figure 1, a known combined air freshener and soap dispenser comprises a bottle 2 containing soap and a sleeve 3 containing a continuous release air freshener. A screw thread 4 is provided on the base of the sleeve for attachment to a receiving unit (not shown). The dispenser is intended to be attached to a receiving unit previously installed in an aircraft cabin or washroom.

As is clear from figure 1, the known dispenser is rather bulky by virtue of the sleeve 3 projecting beyond the diameter of the bottle 2. The receiving units are designed for use with bottles alone and thus are provided at a width to match the width of the bottle. As a result, when attempting to attach the dispenser of figure 1 to a pre-installed receiving unit sited next to a cabin wall, there is insufficient room for the screw thread to be inserted into the corresponding screw thread of the receiving unit. This results in dispensers of figure 1 being left unattached and so representing a safety hazard on board a flight.

With reference to figure 2, an example of a combined air freshener and soap dispenser I of the present invention comprises a bottle 2 containing soap, a sleeve 3 containing a continuous release air freshener, a screw thread 4 for attachment to a receiving unit, a nozzle 6 for dispensing soap from the bottle, and vents 5 for allowing release of the air freshener. As can be seen from figure 2, the diameter of the unit tapers: the diameter of the base of the dispenser is narrower than the maximum diameter of the top of the dispenser.

As shown in figure 3, this allows for angled attachment of the dispenser to a pre-installed receiving unit 7, whilst still allowing sufficient clearance between the dispenser I and a wall 9 adjacent to where the receiving unit is installed.

Whilst the base of the dispenser is provided with a narrowed diameter, the top of the dispenser is provided with a widened diameter. This allows the dispenser to be provided with a reduced height without compromising on the volume of soap held in the bottle. As discussed previously, space is a premium within aircraft cabins and so the reduced height of the dispenser provides an important advantage over known dispensers.

Dispensers of the present invention may also be provided with a cover placed around the sleeve. The cover may contain vents which correspond to the vents in the sleeve. The cover may be moveable from a first position, in which the vents in the sleeve and the cover are aligned, to a second position, in which the vents in the sleeve and the cover are unaligned. Thus, in the first position, air freshener is allowed to escape from the sleeve, and in the second position, air freshener is prevented from escaping from the sleeve. The degree of movement between the first and second positions can be altered, allowing the amount of air freshener released to be controlled.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the sleeve can be provided with vents which allow the soap in the bottle to be seen. As such, the level of soap in the bottle can be easily determined and the need for replacement of the dispenser easily judged. In one example, vents corresponding to a position at the bottom of the bottle allow visualisation of the bottle contents. This allows a user to identify when the level of soap in the bottle has reached a critical level.

Vents corresponding to other levels of soap may also allow inspection of the bottle contents depending upon the level indication required. For example, in order to allow sufficient time for order and delivery of replacement dispensers, a first level indicator may provide an instruction to order a further dispenser, and a second level indicator may provide another instruction to replace the dispenser.

The provision of indication means in this way prevents wastage of soap which routinely occurs when soap dispensers are replaced too early.

The present invention therefore provides a combined air freshener and soap dispenser for use with pre-installed dispenser receiving units. The present invention also presents a space saving over known dispensers.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments one of skill in the art will appreciate that variation may be made to the dispenser without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed herein. In particular where known equivalents exist, these may be substituted whilst remaining within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A combined soap and air freshener dispenser for connection to a receiving unit in an aircraft cabin, the dispenser comprising a first container for holding liquid soap and a second container for holding a continuous release air freshener, wherein the dispenser comprises a first end for connection to a receiving unit and a second end for housing a dispensing nozzle, the dispenser having a decreased diameter toward the first end and an increased diameter toward the second end.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first end is smaller than the diameter of the second end.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the first end is around 10% smaller than the diameter of the second end.

4. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the first end is substantially equal to the diameter of a receiving unit to which the dispenser is to be connected.

5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the second end is greater that the diameter of a receiving unit to which the dispenser is to be connected.

6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the dispenser is tapered from the first end to the second end.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the taper is staggered or continuous.

8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end comprises a screw thread for engagement with a screw thread in a receiving unit.

9. A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the first end is between about the same diameter as the screw thread and about twice the diameter of the screw thread.

10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein a diameter of the dispenser between the first end and the second end does not exceed the diameter of the second end.

11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, comprising an indicator for indicating a volume of soap contained within the first container.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the indicator comprises at least one window in a wall of the dispenser.

13. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the at least one window is positioned for indicating the presence of liquid soap towards the bottom of the first container.

14. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the second container comprises a sleeve formed around the first container.

15. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein release of air freshener from the second container is controllable.

16. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the second container comprises one or more vents for release of air freshener.

17. A dispenser according to claim 16, comprising a cover for closing the one or more vents, the cover being movable between an open position in which the vents are uncovered, and a closed position in which the vents are covered.

18. A combined soap and air freshener dispenser for connection to a receiving unit in an aircraft cabin, the dispenser comprising a container for holding liquid soap and a sleeve for holding a continuous release air freshener, wherein the dispenser comprises a first end for connection to a receiving unit and a second end for housing a dispensing nozzle, the diameter of the dispenser increasing between the first end and the second end.

19. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2 and 3.