GB2441757A

GB2441757A - Dispensing Device

Info

Publication number: GB2441757A
Application number: GB0617404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Hodgson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-05
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: GB0617404D0

Abstract

A dispensing device for dispensing liquids into the water supply of a shower comprises a liquid reservoir, a pump 25 connectable on its inlet side to a source of liquid and on its outlet side to a non-return valve 20. The non-return valve comprises a flexible tube which in its closed configuration is substantially collapsed and in its open configuration debouches liquid into the water supply under pressure from the pump. The non-return valve may be positioned in a rigid tube 21 and is opened when the pressure generated by the pump is greater than the pressure of the water supply in the rigid tube surrounding the flexible tube. When the pump is not in use the pressure of the water supply in the rigid tube is sufficient to collapse the flexible tube thus forcing the flexible tube to act as a non-return valve. A later embodiment relates to a dispensing device for dispensing liquid into a water supply comprising a pump connectable on its inlet side to a source of liquid and on its outlet side to a conduit that debouches liquid into the water supply, wherein movement of the pump is selectively restricted to control the rate at which is debouched.

Description

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2441757

Dispensing Device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a dispensing device; in particular a device for dispensing liquids into the water supply for a shower.

Background of the Invention

Refillable dispensing devices for dispensing soap, shampoo or other toiletry products are often mounted in close proximity to shower fittings. They offer a convenient alternative to bottled products. Such devices are most commonly used in public shower facilities such as gyms, airports, offices, hospitals and hotels. They are a cost effective way to provide and replenish supplies of toiletry products to multiple users.

Common dispensing devices for showers are wall mounted in the shower cubicle and include a push or pull mechanism in the form of a lever or button. When this mechanism is operated manually, a predetermined quantity of product is dispensed into the hand of a user, who may then apply it to the desired area for washing.

There are a number of disadvantages associated with these kinds of dispensing devices.

It is usually necessary for a user to repeat the dispensing action numerous times in order to obtain the desired quantity of product. This can be frustrating for a user and the devices are sometimes broken by repeated pushing or pulling of buttons or levers.

Another disadvantage is if the user attempts to apply the product while under the running water of the shower, it is often washed away by the water before it can be applied properly. This leads to wasted product and is inconvenient for the user, who has to turn off the shower or step out from under the water in order to apply the product.

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A number of dispensing devices have been proposed to overcome the disadvantages associated with common toiletry dispensers.

US 3,720,352 (Kozlowski) describes a dispensing device which is fitted to a shower between a water supply pipe and a shower head. A user pulls a handle and a predetermined quantity of soap is dispensed into the water supply so that soapy water is expelled from the shower head. A similar system is described in US 3,713,585 (Conklin). This system enables a user to choose whether soap is dispensed direcdy or mixed with water before being dispensed through the shower head.

Upon activation by a user, the systems described in US 3,720,352 and US 3,713,585 dispense a predetermined amount of product into the water supply, regardless of the rate of flow of water or the amount of product desired by the user.

US2006/0011746 (De Simone) describes a device that mixes both soap and air with the water supply to create a foam. A push button causes a predetermined amount of soap to be delivered to a conveyer and the flow of the water through a Venturi tube causes the soap and air to be sucked into the flow of water to the shower head. US 4,248,266 (Queen) includes a calibrated metering valve to discharge a specific quantity of medicant into a pre-mixing valve, where it is mixed with water before being delivered to the user.

None of the known dispensing devices provides a simple, user-friendly system that allows a user to direcdy control and easily adjust the rate at which a product such as soap or shampoo is introduced to the water supply of a shower. A further disadvantage of the prior art is that the valves through which the soap or shampoo passes can easily become blocked and are difficult to clean.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved dispensing device.

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Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a dispensing device as specified in Claim 1.

A further aspect of the invention provides a dispensing device with means for controlling the rate of flow of liquid into the water supply as specified in Claim 14.

Preferred aspects of the invention are specified in the claims dependent on Claims 1 and 14 and the description which follows.

The invention provides an improved dispensing device that can be easily fitted to a shower system. It may in close connection with a shower control unit or it may be located as a remote unit of a shower system. The device includes one or more chambers for storing soap or other liquid products and a mechanism for dispensing the products into the water supply.

The device allows a user to control the rate at which the liquid product or products are introduced into the water supply. As well as allowing for personal preference of the user, the simple adjustability of the system is useful for modifying settings to account for the differences in viscosity, strength or quality of the products.

The invention further includes a valve arrangement that prevents water from the water supply entering the chamber containing the soap. The flexible plastic tube through which the soap passes into the water supply acts as a particularly effective non-return valve.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of example:

Fig la shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the dispensing device;

Fig lb shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure la;

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Fig 2a shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of Figure la;

Fig 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the pump mechanism of the dispensing device of Figure la;

Fig 3 shows a cross sectional view of the control mechanism of the dispensing device of Figure la;

Fig 4a shows the dispensing valve of the dispensing device in its closed configuration;

Fig 4b shows the dispensing valve of the dispensing device in its open configuration;

Fig 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which multiple products may be dispensed from the dispensing device.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

With reference to Figures la and lb, a dispensing device 1 comprises a housing 2 with a threaded boss, to which a connecting pipe 3 can be secured. The connecting pipe 3 connects the dispensing device 1 to a water supply.

A removable cap 4 covers an aperture, which is used for filling a liquid reservoir 12 (not shown) with soap, shampoo or other products. This cap can be in the form of a plug, which remains associated with the dispensing device while a product is introduced. A transparent window 5 allows a user to see the product contained in the device and therefore to judge when refilling is necessary.

A control wheel 6 can be adjusted by the user to vary the rate of flow of product into the water supply. The control wheel 6 may include visual indicia informing the user which way to turn the wheel. A plunger 7 is depressed by the user to activate the device.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the pump mechanism 25 of the dispensing device. The plunger 7 is associated with a piston 8, which is moveable in the longitudinal axis of a cylinder 19,

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which comprises a dispensing chamber 9 and a holding chamber 24. A spring 10 is located in the holding chamber 24 and engages the head of the piston 8. The head of the piston 8 includes a non-return valve 22. A soap inlet pipe 11 is in fluid communication with the dispensing chamber 9 and the storage chamber 12. A non return valve 23 is located in the soap inlet pipe 11. The non-return valves may be any conventional one way valve such as ball valve, flap valve or the like.

A dispensing valve 13 is in fluid communication with the dispensing chamber 9 and a water flow channel 14. Water from a water supply flows through the water flow channel 14, in the direction indicated by the arrow, to a shower head (not shown).

When the plunger 7 is depressed manually, the piston 8 is pushed downward in the cylinder 19 against the spring 10. This action causes the non return valve 22 in die piston to open, allowing soap to enter the dispensing chamber 9. Upon releasing the plunger 7, the action of the spring 10 pushes against die head of the piston 8a, forcing the piston 8 upwards and causing the non return valve 22 in the piston head to close. As the piston is forced upwards, the pressure in the holding chamber 24 is decreased, causing a non return valve 23 in the soap inlet pipe 11 to open and soap to be drawn up into the holding chamber 24 from the liquid reservoir 11 At the same time, the increased pressure in the dispensing chamber 9 causes the dispensing valve 13 to open and soap is forced through the dispensing valve 13 to the water flow channel 14, where it is introduced to water flowing to the shower head.

As shown in Pig 3, the control wheel 6 has a threaded retaining nut 15 with a tapered bore 16. The retaining nut 15 engages a threaded boss 17 on the housing 2. A tightening wedge 18 is located on the piston shaft 8b. When the retaining nut 15 is screwed onto the threaded boss and tightened, the tightening wedge 18 is squeezed against the piston shaft 8b. The tightening wedge 18 exerts a frictional force on the piston causing it to travel more slowly within the cylinder 19 under the action of die spring 10 and therefore soap leaves the dispensing chamber 9 at a slower rate. The more tightly the tightening wedge 18 is squeezed against the piston shaft 8b, the slower the rate at which soap is added to the shower water. When a user

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desires a lower concentration of soap in the shower water, the control wheel 6 is turned to squeeze the tightening wedge 18 against the piston shaft 8b.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the dispensing valve 13 comprises a flexible sleeve 20 supported by a rigid tube 21. When the piston head 8a rises in the dispensing chamber the flexible sleeve 20 is forced open by the increased pressure and soap passes through the flexible sleeve. When the pressure in the water flow channel 14 is greater than the pressure in the dispensing chamber 9 the flexible plastic sleeve 20 collapses and no water can pass through the sleeve into the dispensing chamber.

In another embodiment the dispensing device may be configured to dispense more than one liquid product In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the dispensing device has two liquid reservoirs 12 each liquid reservoir having a pump mechanism 25 and control wheel 6 associated with it. Both pump mechanisms pump liquid into the same water flow channel 14. A number of products can therefore be simultaneously or individually dispensed into the water flow to a shower and the rate at which each product is dispensed can be adjusted for each individual product

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Claims

1. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid into a water supply comprising a liquid reservoir, a pump connectable on its inlet side to a source of liquid and on its oudet side to a non-retum valve, wherein the non-retum valve comprises a flexible tube which in its closed configuration is substantially collapsed and it its open configuration debouches liquid into the water supply under pressure from the pump.

2. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the non-return valve is opened when the pressure generated by the pump is greater than the pressure of the water supply and when the pump is not in use the pressure of the water supply is sufficient to collapse the wall of the tube, thereby closing the non-retum valve.

3. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the flexible tube is supported by a substantially rigid tube.

4. A dispensing device as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, wherein the water supply is the water supply to a tap or shower.

5. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pump comprises cylinder and a piston which in one side of the cylinder form a holding chamber and in the other side form a dispensing chamber.

6. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the piston is reciprocable in the cylinder and an actuator is associated with the piston.

7. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the movement of the piston from a non-use to an in-use position decreases the pressure in the dispensing chamber.

8. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the movement of the piston from an in-use to a non-use position increases the pressure in the dispensing chamber causing the

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s non return valve comprising a flexible tube to open and a liquid to travel therethrough from the dispensing chamber to the water supply.

9. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a non return valve is located between the liquid reservoir and die holding chamber.

10. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein movement of the piston from an in-use to a non-use position causes the non return valve between the liquid reservoir and the holding chamber to open and a product to travel therethrough from the liquid reservoir to the holding chamber.

11. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the piston includes a non-return valve.

12. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein movement of the piston from a non-use to an in-use position increases the pressure in the holding chamber and causes a non return valve between the liquid reservoir and the holding chamber to close.

13. A dispensing device as claimed in Qaim 12, wherein movement of the piston from a non-use to an in-use position decreases the pressure in the dispensing chamber and causes a non return valve in the piston to open and a liquid to travel therethrough from the holding chamber to the dispensing chamber.

14. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid into a water supply comprising a liquid reservoir, a pump connectable on its inlet side to a source of liquid and on its outlet side to a conduit that debouches a liquid into the water supply under pressure from the pump and movement of the pump is selectively restricted to control the rate at which the liquid is debouched into the water supply.

15. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the water supply is the water supply to a tap or shower.

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16. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pump comprises a holding chamber; a dispensing chamber; a piston reciprocable in the dispensing chamber and an actuator associated with the piston.

17. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the reciprocation of the piston is selectively restricted by a frictional force acting on the piston thereby controlling the rate at which the product is debouched into the water supply.

18. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the means for selectively restricting the reciprocation of the piston comprises a tapered member engaging the piston.

19 A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the means for selectively restricting the movement of the piston further comprises a threaded boss configured to engage a nut

20. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the nut has a tapered bore.

21. A dispensing device as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 20, wherein movement of the piston is selectively restricted by squeezing the tapered member against the piston by turning the nut on the threaded boss.

22. A dispensing device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 21, wherein a non-return valve is mounted in the said conduit, and the non-return valve comprises a flexible tube which in its closed configuration is substantially collapsed and in its open configuration debouches liquid into the water supply under pressure from the pump.

23. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the non return valve is opened when the pressure generated by the pump is greater than the pressure of the water supply and when the pump is not in use the pressure of the water supply is sufficient to collapse the wall of the tube, thereby closing the non return valve.

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24. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the flexible tube is supported by a substantially rigid tube.

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