GB2596557A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser comprises a body (e.g. elongate) for housing a reservoir 170, a pump 160 actuated by pedal 120, and a nozzle 140 for directing cleanser onto a user’s hands. The pump may be connected to a base of the reservoir by an inlet tube 180. The pedal may be movable between a first configuration wherein the pump is actuated, a second wherein it is presented for pressing by a foot, and a third which exposes a region beneath the pedal for cleaning. There may be a closable inlet 150 for refilling the reservoir, optionally located on an opposite side of an upper portion of the body from the nozzle. Optionally, an actuator 162 is configured such that it returns to a starting position after being moved by the pedal, e.g. under its own weight. The reservoir may be located adjacent the pump and/or arranged to remain fixed when the pump is operated.

Description

Dispensing Apparatus The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a quantity of hand cleansing medium and is concerned particularly with an apparatus that maybe operated 10 without requiring use of the hands.

Hand sanitising equipment typically includes a container for storing a sanitising medium, in the form of a gel or a foam, and a pump to dispense the medium from an outlet. Many dispensing devices require that the user depresses a handle to operate the pump. This is seen as undesirable as the point of sanitising hands is to avoid contamination by germs or virus particles. Touching any article that has been touched by others is to be avoided.

Accordingly, some sanitisers are operated electronically, wherein a sensor detects that the hands have been presented to the outlet and dispenses a measured quantity of sanitising medium. However, such apparatus usually relies on battery power, and when the batteries run out of charge, the apparatus ceases to function. This is especially problematic for sanitiser apparatus where a high volume of users might be expected, such as at hospitality venues, medical establishments and commercial premises, for example.

High usage also brings other problems, such as the constant requirement to re-fill the container with sanitising medium and also the difficulty in maintaining the cleanliness of the apparatus.

Another problem with this type of dispenser is that it may operate accidentally, for example if the sensor determines that a hand has been presented, when in fact this is not the case.

Other examples of dispenser in the prior art have utilised a moveable container of medium and a captive nozzle assembly, so that a foot pedal is used to raise the container and thereby operate the pump. These examples suffer from a number of disadvantages, including the need to remove the nozzle assembly to refill the container and also the variable pressure required to operate the foot pedal, as the mass of medium in the container reduces.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a 20 sanitiser apparatus in which at least some of the aforementioned problems are addressed.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand cleansing dispenser apparatus comprising a body housing a reservoir of cleansing medium, a pump for displacing the medium, an outlet nozzle for directing the cleansing medium onto a user's hands and a foot-pedal for actuating the pump.

The body may be substantially elongate. Preferably, the pump is fluidically connected to a base region of the reservoir by an inlet tube.

The foot pedal is preferably mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the body and is preferably moveable between a first, operable configuration in which it is arranged to cause actuation of the pump, a neutral configuration in which is presented for pressing by a foot of a user and a third, access configuration in which a region of the apparatus which lies beneath the pedal in the first and second configurations is exposed for cleaning.

The reservoir may be fillable through a closable inlet which may be located at an upper portion of the body on a side 20 substantially opposed to the nozzle.

The pedal may be arranged to operate an actuator for the pump, wherein the actuator moves when the pedal is depressed and returns to a starting position when the pedal is released. Preferably, the actuator is arranged in use to return to the starting position under its own weight, without requiring a biasing mechanism, such as a spring.

The reservoir is preferably located adjacent the pump. The 30 reservoir is preferably arranged to remain in a substantially fixed position when the pump is operated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a cleaning medium for cleaning hands, the method comprising depressing a foot pedal to cause an actuator to operate a pump, and thereby to draw cleaning medium from a base region of a substantially stationary reservoir and discharge it through a nozzle.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, Or mutually 15 inconsistent.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in front perspective view a sanitiser dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an upper part of the apparatus of Figure 1 in rear perspective view; Figure 3 shows the apparatus with an outer cover removed to reveal a sanitiser medium path; Figure 4 shows a pump part of the view of Figure 3 in a first configuration; Figure 5 shows the pump part of Figure 4 in a second 35 configuration; Figure 6 shows, in part-sectional schematic view, a pedal in a first, non-operative configuration; Figure 7 shows the pedal of Figure 6 in a second, operative 10 configuration; and Figure 8 is a view of a lower part of the apparatus of Figures 1-7, showing the pedal in a third configuration.

Turning to Figure 1, this shows, generally at 100 a foot-operated sanitiser dispenser for dispensing a sanitising medium, such as an alcohol-based gel or foam. The dispenser comprises broadly a base 110, a foot pedal 120, an upright tower body 130 that houses a container (not shown) to provide a reservoir for the medium, an integrated dispensing nozzle 140 and a refill inlet 150. The tower, pedal and container are of moulded plastics material. On a front-facing surface 132 of the tower is a panel for displaying decals or commercial messages or the like. To operate the dispenser, a user (not shown) depresses the foot pedal 120 which actuates a piston pump (not shown) as will be described later. This, in turn, causes a measured volume of dispensing medium to be discharged from the nozzle 140.

Figure 2 shows the upper part of the dispenser from the rear. The refill inlet 150 has a lockable, openable access cap 152 which, when removed, allows several litres, more preferably at least five litres, of sanitising medium to be poured into the container within the tower. The refill inlet is located within a recess 154 on the rear of the dispenser, facing away from the user.

Figure 3 shows the dispenser beneath the tower body 130. The piston pump 160 is located approximately half-way along the length of the apparatus. One end of the pump fluidically connected to a reservoir of sanitiser medium in container 170 by an intake tube 180. The other end of the pump is fluidically connected to the dispensing nozzle 140 by an outlet tube 190.

The pump 160 comprises a hollow actuator 162 through which the intake tube 180 passes, and a chamber 164 housing a piston (not shown). At a lower end, the actuator rests on a portion of the foot pedal, as will be described later. At its upper end, the actuator drives the piston to draw sanitising medium into the chamber by suction, displacing air that was present in the chamber. The medium is prevented from returning to the intake tube by a non-return valve (not shown).

In an initial, priming stage, successive actions of the piston cause the medium to fill the chamber and then the outlet tube 190. When the pedal is next pressed, the actuator drives the piston to force another volume of sanitiser into the medium, at the same time pushing the previous volume through the chamber, along the outlet tube 190 and out through the nozzle 140. After the initial priming stage, each successive operation of the pump will dispense a measured volume of medium to users.

The pump 160 is recessed within the container 170 so as to maximise the volume of the latter.

Figures 4 and 5 respectively show the actuator in lowered and raised configurations. In this embodiment, when the foot 10 is lifted off the pedal, the actuator returns to its start position to draw medium up the tube 180.

Figures 6 and 7 show a lower portion of the apparatus in side view, with part of the body 130 cut away to reveal the workings of the foot pedal 120 and with the container and actuator shown in cross-section. The pedal 120 is pivotally mounted at a proximal end 122 to the base 110. A distal end 124 of the pedal rests on a pivoting linkage 200 which controls the up and down movement of the actuator.

The linkage 200 protrudes through an aperture in a housing portion 210 of the body to reach the underside of the pivoting foot pedal 120. The linkage 200 is shaped to include a closure part 220 which, when the pedal is in the depressed configuration of Figure 7, rotates to close the aperture as it becomes exposed by displacement of the pedal. Away from the pedal, the linkage has a toe portion 230 which raises the actuator when the pedal is depressed. Beneath the toe portion 230 a soft rubber pad 240 is mounted on the base.

The purpose of the pad 240 is to soften the release and press position of the pivoting linkage 200 so that the user does not experience a hard contact and any associated noise.

The pedal 120 is able to flip right over on its pivot, as indicated by Arrow A in Figure 8. This allows the area around the pedal to be thoroughly cleaned.

The dispensing apparatus described above has many advantages over previously considered apparatus. Firstly, it is easy to clean, there being no exposed nozzle parts and the tower body being of smooth, feature-free plastics. Secondly, the large container for the medium allows bulk storage and replenishment, without the need for cartridges, bags or the like which are expensive and environmentally inefficient. Also, the refill inlet, being located in a recess on a rear face of the body, is less exposed to contamination from users.

Furthermore, the pump/pedal/container geometry, in particular the fact that the container is separate and does not move, while the pedal raises only the actuator to operate the pump, means that the pressure required to operate the pump is substantially independent of the mass of medium in the container. This, in turn, means that the user is able to control the dispensing of medium very accurately using his or her foot.

The example described above uses a spring to help return the actuator after operation. However, it will be apparent to the skilled person that another form of return bias arrangement may be employed or, indeed, the weight of the actuator alone may be sufficient to return it.

In another embodiment (not shown) the apparatus includes an electrically powered pump, with the power being supplied from either a mains electricity or a battery source. In this embodiment, dispensing of a predetermined volume of medium is initiated by a sensor device, which detects the presence of a hand in proximity to the nozzle. The sensor may conveniently be located beneath an overhang at the top of the body and the electronic circuitry and/or battery may be located within a recess at the upper end of the body.

Whilst it is envisaged that the main application for the apparatus will be for dispensing hand sanitiser fluid, in the form of a gel, rub, rinse or foam, it will be understood that the apparatus is suitable for dispensing other media such as -but not limited to -lotions, creams, moisturisers, soaps and cleansers such as Swarfega (RTM).

The shape of the dispenser apparatus, being essentially smooth-bodied and generally without protruding parts, makes for easy cleaning. This also helps to ensure that rainwater will flow readily off the body when the apparatus is used outdoors.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. A hand cleansing dispenser apparatus comprising a body for housing a reservoir of cleansing medium, a pump for displacing the medium, an outlet nozzle for directing the cleansing medium onto a user's hands and a foot-pedal for actuating the pump.
2. 2. Apparatus according tc Claim 1, wherein the body is substantially elongate.
3. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump is fluidically connected to a base region of the reservoir by an inlet tube.
4. 4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foot pedal is moveable between a first, operable configuration in which it is arranged to cause actuation of the pump, a neutral configuration in which is presented for pressing by a foot of a user and a third, access configuration in which a region of the apparatus which lies beneath the pedal in the first and second configurations is exposed for cleaning.
5. 5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is fillable through a closable inlet.
6. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the closable inlet is located at an upper portion of the body on a side substantially opposed to the nozzle.
7. 7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pedal is arranged to operate an actuator for the pump, wherein the actuator moves when the pedal is depressed and returns to a starting position when the pedal is released.
8. 8. Apparatus according to Claim V, wherein the actuator is arranged in use to return to the starting position under its own weight, without requiring a biasing mechanism, such as a spring.
9. 9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is located adjacent the pump.
10. 10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is arranged to remain in a substantially fixed position when the pump is operated.
11. 11. A method of dispensing a cleaning medium for cleaning hands, the method comprising depressing a foot pedal to cause an actuator to operate a pump, and thereby to draw cleaning medium from a base region of a substantially stationary reservoir and discharge it through a nozzle.