Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
  • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
  • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
  • A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
  • B05B12/08—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
  • B05B12/12—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus
  • B05B12/122—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus responsive to presence or shape of target
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
  • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
  • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
  • B05B9/0403—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump with pumps for liquids or other fluent material
  • B05B9/0426—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump with pumps for liquids or other fluent material with a pump attached to the spray gun or discharge device
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
  • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
  • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
  • B05B9/043—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump having pump readily separable from container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
  • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
  • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
  • B05B9/08—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type
  • B05B9/085—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump
  • B05B9/0855—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump the pump being motor-driven
  • B05B9/0861—Apparatus to be carried on or by a person, e.g. of knapsack type with a liquid pump the pump being motor-driven the motor being electric

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a liquid delivery system.
• the fluid delivery system comprises a base unit into which a refill unit containing the material to be dispensed is fitted in an inverted configuration, namely with its outlet at the lowermost end.
• the base unit contains a liquid inlet in an upwardly facing surface, a liquid duct leading from the inlet to a liquid outlet above the liquid inlet; a pump for pumping the liquid from the inlet to the outlet; a motor to drive the pump; and a shroud extending upwardly in a manner which surrounds the inlet, the shroud having an upper edge which has a downwardly extending recess for a part of its circumference.
• a base unit is referred to subsequently as being "of the kind described”.
• the refill unit In use, the refill unit is provided with a valve at its lowermost end. As the refill unit is fitted into the base, an upwardly projecting spigot surrounding the fluid inlet opens the valve in the refill unit to allow fluid to flow from the refill unit into the base.
• a liquid delivery system comprising a base unit of the kind described and is characterised by an insert in the recess which forms a liquid-tight seal with the recess and defines, with the shroud, a liquid cavity in communication with the liquid inlet in the base.
• the insert co-operates with the shroud to define a cavity which is capable of containing liquid. This removes the need for the separate refill unit.
• the system includes corresponding further inserts dimensioned to fit in the additional recesses or openings.
• the cavity may be left open to the atmosphere.
• system may also include a cover to cover the cavity .
• Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a dispenser having a refill according to GB 0820981.9 which is included for background interest only;
• Fig. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of the refill of Fig. 1 being introduced into the dispenser but not yet being engaged;
• Fig. 3 is a rear perspective of a system according to the present invention.
• Fig. 4 is a front perspective of the dispenser of Fig.
• the dispenser is a hands-free dispenser which is generally suitable for domestic use.
• the dispenser is primarily intended to dispense liquid soap, but may also be used to dispense other liquid or semi-liquid products
• hand cream ideally with a viscosity greater than water
• hand cream body lotion, moisturiser, face cream, shampoo, shower gel, foaming hand wash, shaving cream, washing up liquid, toothpaste, acne treatment cream, a surface cleaner or a sanitising agent such as alcohol gel.
• the dispenser comprises two main parts, namely a refill 1 (which is not a part of the present invention) and a base unit 2.
• the refill 1 provides a reservoir of liquid to be dispensed and is fitted to the base unit 2 as set out below.
• the base has an interface 3 into which liquid is dispensed from the refill unit.
• the interface 3 is in fluid communication with a dispensing tube 4.
• a pump 5 is
• the base has an infrared transmitter 7A which transmits an infrared beam through a window 8 to a receiver 7B to sense the presence of a user's hands in the vicinity of the dispenser.
• Control circuitry reacts to a signal from the proximity sensor to activate the pump.
• the illustrated sensor is a break beam sensor, but may also be a reflective sensor. Although an infrared sensor is shown, any known proximity sensor such as a capacitive sensor may be used.
• the device may be mains powered or battery powered.
• the base unit 2 comprises a cowling 10 which surrounds a significant portion of the refill to protect and support it.
• a spigot 11 projects at the base of the cowling 10 and is sealed to the cowling 10 by an O-ring seal 12.
• the spigot has a plurality of castellations 13 in its top surface.
• a second O-ring seal 14 surrounds the spigot 11 beneath the castellations 13.
• the spigot 11 When the refill 1 is placed into the base unit 2, the spigot 11 enters an annular outlet 15 in the base of the refill 1 against which the O-ring seal 14 seals. The spigot then lifts outlet valve element 16 against the action of resilient biasing member 17 to open a flow path into the base .
• the cowling 10 has a deep recess
• this recess is filled with an insert 21 which forms a fluid-tight seal with the recess 20.
• the insert 21 may have a resilient seal at the part of its perimeter which interfaces with the recess 20. However, it may more simply be made of a one-piece plastic structure which is a close-fit with the recess.
• the insert can either be designed to slide into the recess from above, or may be clipped into place in a lateral direction.
• the insert 21 forms a cavity 22 into which a product to be dispensed can be poured as indicated by arrow 23.
• the depth of the cavity 22 is defined, in this case, by the top of the insert 21.
• the insert 21 should fill most, if not all, of the recess and may even project above it.
• the base unit 2 is provided with an aperture 24 which provides a visual indication of the level of the liquid within the base. If such an aperture is present, this also needs to be filled in order to create the chamber 22.
• an insert 25 in the form of a fluid-tight plug is inserted into this aperture and provides a fluid-tight seal.
• the insert 25 is transparent to maintain the window onto the liquid level.
• a cover which covers the top of the cowling 10 and insert 21 may also be provided to prevent the drying out of the liquid to be dispensed and the ingress of unwanted material.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
• Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
• Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
• Brushes (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Priority Applications (11)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=42289884

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (14)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (16)

• 2010
  • 2010-04-30 GB GBGB1007238.7A patent/GB201007238D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-04-20 AU AU2011247082A patent/AU2011247082A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-04-20 JP JP2013506744A patent/JP5946824B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-04-20 MY MYPI2012700836A patent/MY167517A/en unknown
  • 2011-04-20 CA CA2797759A patent/CA2797759A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-04-20 WO PCT/GB2011/050781 patent/WO2011135336A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-04-20 RU RU2012151305/12A patent/RU2557511C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-04-20 EP EP11716999A patent/EP2563196A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-04-20 CN CN201180021969.1A patent/CN102939036B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-04-20 US US13/695,247 patent/US20130206789A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-04-20 MX MX2012012578A patent/MX2012012578A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2011-04-20 KR KR1020127028524A patent/KR101853055B1/ko active IP Right Grant
• 2012
  • 2012-11-05 ZA ZA2012/08269A patent/ZA201208269B/en unknown
• 2013
  • 2013-07-10 HK HK13108084.5A patent/HK1180565A1/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (3)

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