GB2497097A - Dispenser for fluids such as hand cleanser - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for fluid such as alcohol gel includes apertures 13 in fluid communication with a reservoir 5. A respective ball or roller 9 is seated in each aperture, and each roller is moveable between a closed position preventing fluid flow through the aperture, and an open position permitting fluid flow. At least one, preferably all, of the rollers is biased towards the closed position by a biasing means 15. In a preferred embodiment the biasing means comprises arms 19 each connected to a central hub 17 and extending radially to contact a respective roller. An elastic O-ring 27 is provided between the arms and the hub such that the arms are resiliently hinged with respect to the hub. In use, a user rotates the rollers using the palm of a hand, and the pressure on the rollers causes movement of the rollers due to pivoting of the arms against the restorative force of the O-ring, thus allowing fluid to be dispensed to the user's hand. Release of the user pressure allows the rollers to return to the closed position due to the restorative force of the O-ring on the arms. A fluid flow control device is also claimed.

Description

S

A FLUID CONTROL DEVICE AND DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a fluid control device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a dispenser for a product, in particular a hand treatment product.

In order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, healthcare workers are required to cleanse their hands between dealing with separate patients. Similarly, workers handling food can be required to cleanse their hands between dealing with different foods. This may result in staff having to cleanse their hands many times in a single working day.

Many known cleansing product dispensers do not lend themselves to such frequent use. Typical dispensers are of the plunger type and require two-handed operation. One hand must be used to hold the reservoir of cleansing product while the other hand operates the plunger in order to dispense the cleaning product. Such operation may not always be convenient for staff already using one of their hands. Furthermore, such operation is relatively time consuming. These difficulties can discourage staff from cleansing their hands as often as they should, which may contribute to the spread of infection, such as MRSA.

A known type of dispenser is disclosed in WO 2007/144634. However, a problem with these dispensers is that the flow of fluid from the device is not sufficiently controlled and, as a result, fluid can be dispensed unevenly, when not required, or in insufficient quantity.

A further problem with these dispensers is that the fluid reservoir is not always effectively sealed.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a dispenser with a biasing element which can be easily assembled.

S A first aspect of the present invention provides a dispenser as recited the appended independent claim I. A second aspect of the present invention provides a fluid flow control device as recited the appended independent claim 23. I0

Further features of the invention are provided as recited in the appended dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to thc accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art dispenser; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser of Figure 1 (without an attachment clip); Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a dispenser according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a dispenser according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a biasing element; Figure 6 is atop view of the biasing element shown in FigureS; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the biasing element shown in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the biasing element shown in Figure 5, together with roller balls; and Figure 9 is a side view of the biasing element and roller balls of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a prior art dispenser 101 is shown as comprising an applicator 103, a reservoir 105 containing a fluid alcohol gel cleanser 108 and an attachment clip 107. The applicator 103 is located on a wall of the reservoir 105 such that cleanser from the reservoir is able to pass from the reservoir to the external surface of the applicator 103 and then to the hand of a user, for example a medical staff member.

The clip 107 is provided on the reservoir 105 so that, in use, the dispenser can be clipped to the user.

The applicator 103 comprises eight spherical roller balls 109 held within races III. The roller balls 109 project inwardly through the front wall of the reservoir 105 so that at least a part of the surface of each roller ball 109 is in contact with the cleanser held therein.

In order to dispense cleanser, the user moves their hand across the roller balls 109, which causes the roller balls 109 to rotate. The surfaces of the roller balls which are located within the reservoir are coated in cleanser, and then move outside the reservoir as the roller balls rotate and thereby apply the cleanser to the user's hand. Continued rotation of the roller balls 109 applies further cleanser to the user's hand.

The clip 107 is attached to the top of the reservoir 105. The clip 107 is located relative to the back wall of the reservoir 105 so that when the dispenser 101 is clipped to a user, for example to their belt or pocket, the roller balls 109 face outwardly. It is then possible for the user to single-handedly apply cleanser to their hands.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a dispenser 1 according to the present invention. The dispenser I has an applicator 3. Specifically, Figure 3 shows an external surface 21 of a front face 20 of the dispenser and Figure 4 shows an internal surface 22 of the front face 20 of the dispenser. Like the prior art dispenser shown in Figures I and 2, the dispenser comprises a fluid reservoirS containing a fluid product 8, specifically a liquid product such as a fluid alcohol gel cleanser (see Figure 4). The reservoir 5 is formed by the front face 20 in combination with a rear face (not shown). The front and rear faces are sealed to one another to form the reservoir 5. The rear face may be of a flexible material which can allow the volume of the reservoir S to be reduced as the product held therein is dispensed.

The reservoir 5 is filled with liquid product through an aperture 30, which may be closed with a suitable closure (not shown).

The internal surface 22 of the body 20 is in fluid communication with the alcohol gel cleanser. The body 20 (or front face) is rigid and is provided with a plurality of apertures 13. A roller ball 9 is located in each of the apertures 13. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the apertures 13 is less than that of the rollers so that the rollers 9 are prevented from passing through the apertures during use. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are six apertures 13 and a roller ball 9 associated with each aperture.

Although each roller may be in the shape of a ball, for example, it may be spherical, alternatively each roller may be cylindrical.

With regard to the body or front face 20 of the dispenser l,this may be manufactured from a plastics material (possible polyethylene) by injection moulding techniques.

Each aperture 13 comprises a sealing seat 14. When a roller ball 9 abuts the sealing seat 14, no treatment fluid can pass between the sealing seat 14 and the roller ball 9. The roller ball is in a closed position when the roller ball 9 abuts the sealing seat 14.

Each roller ball is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the roller baIl 9 does not abut the sealing seat 14 and treatment fluid can pass between the sealing seat 14 and the roller baIl 9.

A biasing means 15 is provided for biasing the rollers 9 into abutment with the sealing seats 14. The biasing means IS allows each roller 9 to be pressed inwardly and thus away from a sealing seat by a hand of a user, so as to provide a space between the roller and the sealing seat 14. In this way, treatment product is able to pass from the interior of the dispenser (the reservoir) to the exterior of the dispenser as the roller 9 is rotated by a user's hand. The biasing means 15 may limit the extent to which a roller 915 moved. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), each roller 9 is held captive adjacent the sealing seat 14 by means of one or more clip members (not shown). In this way, a maximum spacing is provided between the roller 9 and the sealing seat 14 which ensures that an excess of treatment product is not dispensed in an undesirable fashion. The biasing means 15 also ensures that the roller 9 is moved to an aperture closing position in sealing contact with the seat 14 when a user removes his hand from the dispenser and thereby removes the force with which the biasing of the biasing means 15 was overcome.

The biasing means 15 has a central hub 17 and six arms 19 extending from the hub, which together form a common element for biasing the plurality of rollers. The hub 17 has a generally cylindrical shape. The arms 19 extend radially from the hub 17. More specifically, the arms extend from a first end of the hub 17. The arms 19 are spaced equi-distant along the circumference of the hub 17. Each arm has a roller seat 21 for receiving part of a roller ball 9. The seat 21 is in the form of a depression having a circular edge, enabling part of a roller ball 9 to fit within the depression and contact the edge of the depression for support. The seat is located at the end of the arm 19 located farthest away from the hub.

The biasing means has an inner shoulder 25. The inner shoulder 25 has an annular shape. The shoulder 25 is extension formed on said first end of the central hub 17. The biasing means also has a plurality of outer shoulder elements 23. The outer shoulder elements 23 are part-circular in shape and lie on a common circular line, each shoulder element 23 separated from neighbouring shoulder elements 23 on either side thereof by means of a space. The outer shoulder elements 23 are collectively referred to herein as the outer shoulder 26. The inner and outer shoulders 25,26 are concentric with one another. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 9, the outer shoulder elements 23 are formed on the radially innermost end of a respective arm 19. Each arm 19 has an outer shoulder 23 associated therewith. A gap 24 is located between each outer shoulder element 23 and the inner shoulder 25.

The biasing means 15 further has a biasing element located in the gap 24. The biasing element is provided as an 0-ring 27 of an elastic resiliently deforniable material.

For example, the o-ring 27 may be of a rubber material. The 0-ring 27 locates concentrically between the inner and outer shoulders 25,26 and abuts both shoulders 25,26 so as to be held in place therebetween. The 0-ring 27 has a circular cross-section, but it will be understood that an elastic resiliently deformable material having a different cross-section can be used. The 0-ring 27 may also be sized so as to abut only one of the inner and outer shoulders 25,26. The biasing element is common to the plurality of rollers, providing each roller with a force biasing a roller towards the closed position.

The biasing element may provide the majority of the force biasing a roller towards the closed position. The biasing element thereby assists in reducing problems associated IS with creep in the material of the central hub 17 and six arms 19.

In operation, a user presses against the external surface of one or more of the balls 9 to overcome the force exerted by the biasing means 15 and move the ball or balls from the closed position to the open position. The arms of the biasing means 15 flex to allow the balls to move away from the closed position. The arms are resilient flexible. The arms are formed to exert a restoring force when they are moved away from holding the balls in the closed position (i.e. when the balls are moved to the open position). This restoring force directs the balls back towards the closed position. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 9, the arms and the hub are formed from a single piece component.

The arrangement of the arms and hub is such that, when a ball is pressed from the closed position to the open position, the arm 19 associated with the ball rotates relative to the hub 17 principally by flexing at a point located between the inner shoulder 25 and the associated outer shoulder element 23. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that, said outer shoulder element 23 consequently moves towards the inner shoulder 25 and pinches the 0-ring 27 as the arm 19 flexes. The 0-ring 27 is thereby deformed and thus provides a restoring force. Once a user removes their pressing force from the balls, the biasing means biases the balls back into the closed position. The biasing force is provided by the resilient elastic nature of the arms (particularly at the point located between the inner shoulder 25 and the outer shoulder 26) and by the 0-ring.

It will be appreciated that the biasing force may be conveniently changed by simply changing an 0-ring having one characteristic (for example, of one material and/or dimension, such as, thickness/cross-sectional area) for an 0-ring having a different characteristic. For example, if an 0-ring 5 exchanged for one having a larger cross-sectional area, then a greater biasing force may be thereby created. This may be appropriate where, for example, a less viscous or thinner liquid product is to be dispensed. So, during assembly of the biasing means, a choice can be made as to which 0-ring 1S used.

in an alternative embodiment, the biasing means may not be provided with said biasing element 27.

In an alternative embodiment, the arms 19 may not be elastic and only said biasing element 27 provides the restoring force.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show different views of the biasing means 15. The arms may be made from a plastics material or a metal or another material. in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 9, the hub 17 and arms 19 are formed together as a single component, from for example, a plastics or metal material. This can be seen especially clearly in Figure 7.

Figures 8 and 9 show different views of the biasing means 15 and the roller balls 9. The biasing means 15 has an attachment means 29 for attaching the biasing means to the body 20. The attachment means 29 is located at a second end of the hub opposite said first end. The attachment means 29 provides for a snap-fitting of the hub to the body of the dispenser. Alternatively, the hub may be attached to the hub by means of adhesive.

S

As for the dispenser of Figures I and 2, a clip (not shown) is provided so that, in use, the dispenser can be clipped to the user. The clip is secured to the body of the dispenser through hole 40 therein. The hole 40 is located at an end of the body opposite the end of the body where the roller balls are located, In this way, when the dispenser is secured to a user by means of the clip, the dispenser hangs from the user such that the roller balls are position at a then lower end of the reservoir and are exposed to liquid product which tends to flow to said end under the action of gravity.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above.

Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that the dispenser operates as a fluid flow control device and that the roller balls may be considered to be closure elements closing the apertures in the body of the dispenser. In other words, the roller balls perform as valves It will be understood that the fluid reservoir may be filled by applying fluid to the external surface 21 of the dispenser so that the fluid flows past the roller balls. The roller balls may be moved to the open position against the aforementioned biasing force by means of the fluid pressure applied to the external face or by a force generated by means other than said fluid pressure. This valve arrangement can also be used in applications other than the dispenser described herein and indeed can be used generally in a non-return fluid valve.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS: I. A dispenser for dispensing a product, the dispenser comprising an applicator, and a product storage reservoir in fluid communication with the applicator, wherein the applicator comprises a plurality of rollers which, in use, are rotated by a user and thereby transport treatment product from the reservoir to said hand; the dispenser being characterised in that each roller is moveable between a closed position, in which each roller is substantially prevented from transporting treatment product from the reservoir, and an open position, in which each roller is permitted to transport treatment product from the reservoir; the dispenser further comprising a biasing means for biasing one or more of the plurality of rollers towards the closed position.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A dispenser as claimed in claim I, wherein the biasing means comprises a first element which biases two or more of the plurality of rollers towards the closed position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing means comprises a second element (27) which biases, in combination with said first element, at least one of said two or more of the plurality of rollers towards the closed position.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second element biases at least two of said two or more of the plurality of rollers towards the closed position 5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said first element comprises first and second parts (25,26) and a point located between said parts (25,26) about which said first and second parts move relative to one another such that, when a roller moves from the closed position to the open position, said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>S</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said point is a point of rotation about which said first and second parts (25,26) rotate relative to one another when a roller moves between said open and closed positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first element deforms elastically and resiliently at said point when said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said second element (27) is located between said first and second parts (25,26) so as to be deformed by said parts (25,26) when a roller moves from said closed position to said open position.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein said second element (27) is separate and selectively removable from between said first and second parts (25,26).</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9, wherein said second element (27) is a closed loop of resiliently elastic material, and is preferably an 0-ring.</claim-text> <claim-text>II. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 5 to 0, wherein the first element comprises a hub and a plurality of biasing arms extending from the hub, each biasing arm extending to a different one of the plurality of rollers, wherein the hub is provided with said first part (25) and each biasing arm is provided with said second part (26).</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 11, wherein each biasing arm comprises a depression having a circular edge for receiving a roller, wherein the depression is located at an end of the arm located opposite the end of the arm connected to the hub.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A dispenser as claimed in any claim 2, wherein said biasing means further comprises first and second parts (25,26) and a point located between said parts (25,26) about which said first and second parts move relative to one another such that, when a roller moves from the closed position to the open position, said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another, and wherein said first element (27) is located between said first and second parts (25,26) so as to be deformed by said parts (25,26) when a roller moves from said closed position to said open position.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A dispenser as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first element (27) is separate and selectively removable from between said first and second parts (25,26).</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 13 to 14, wherein said first element (27) isa closed loop of resiliently elastic material, and is preferably an 0-ring.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein said point is a point of rotation about which said first and second parts (25,26) rotate relative to one another when a roller moves between said open and closed positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16, wherein said biasing means deforms resiliently at said point when said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the biasing means comprises a hub and a plurality of biasing arms extending from the hub, each biasing arm extending to a different one of the plurality of rollers, wherein the hub is provided with said first part (25) and each biasing arm is provided with said second part (26).</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18, wherein each biasing arm comprises a depression having a circular edge for receiving a roller, wherein the depression is located at an end of the arm located opposite the end of the arm connected to the hub.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing means comprises a hub and a plurality of biasing arms extending from the hub, each biasing arm extending to a different one of the plurality of rollers and deforming elastically and resiliently when said one roller moves from the closed position to the open position.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A dispenser as claimed in claim 20, wherein each biasing arm comprises a depression having a circular edge for receiving a roller, wherein the depression is located at an end of the arm located opposite the end of the arm connected to the hub.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A hand fluid dispenser as claimed in any of claims Ito 21.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A fluid flow control device, the device comprising a body having an aperture defined therein for allowing the passage of fluid therethrough, an closure element moveable between a closed position, in which fluid flow through the aperture is substantially prevented, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the aperture is substantially permitted; the device further comprising a biasing means for biasing the closure element towards the closed position; characterised in that the biasing means comprises first and second elements which bias, in combination with one another, the closure element towards the closed position.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said first element comprises first and second parts (25,26) and a point located between said parts (25,26) about which said first and second parts move relative to one another such that, when the closure element moves from the closed position to the open position, said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said point is a point of rotation about which said first and second parts (25,26) rotate relative to one another when the closure element moves between said open and closed positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said first element deforms elastically and resiliently at said point when said first and second parts (25,26) move towards one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A device as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26, wherein said second element (27) is located between said first and second parts (25,26) so as to be deformed by said parts (25,26) when the closure element moves from said closed position to said open position.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A device as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27, wherein said second element (27) is separate and selectively removable from between said first and second parts (25,26).</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A device as claimed in any olclaims 23 to 28, wherein said second element (27) is a closed loop of resiliently elastic material, and is preferably an 0-ring. l0</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A device as claimed in any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the body comprises a plurality of apertures defined therein for allowing the passage of fluid therethrough. the first element comprising a hub and a plurality of biasing arms extending from the hub, each biasing arm extending to a different one of a plurality of closure elements for closing an associated aperture, wherein the hub is provided with said first part (25) and each biasing arm is provided with said second part (26).</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A device as claimed in claim 30, wherein each biasing arm comprises a depression having a circular edge for receiving a closure element., wherein the depression is located at an end of the arm located opposite the end of the arm connected to the hub.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A dispenser comprising a device as claimed in any of claims 23 to 31.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A hand fluid dispenser comprising a device as claimed in any of claims 23 to 31.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. A dispenser substantially as shown in, and hereinbefore described with reference to, the accompanying drawing.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A hand fluid dispenser substantially as shown in, and hereinbefore described with reference to, the accompanying drawing.</claim-text> <claim-text>36. A device substantially as shown in, and hereinbefore described with reference to, the accompanying drawing.</claim-text>