WO2015070198A1

WO2015070198A1 - Dispenser reservoir release mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2015070198A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/064939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shelby J. Buell
Original assignee: Go-Jo Industries Inc
Current assignee: Go-Jo Industries Inc
Priority date: 2013-11-11
Filing date: 2014-11-11
Publication date: 2015-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-11

Abstract

A fluid dispenser includes a dispenser housing that receives a replaceable fluid reservoir. The reservoir is held in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing by a retaining latch. Fluid is dispensed by moving a pivotally attached lever in a first direction to activate a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir. The lever is also pivotally connected to move in a second opposite direction. A cam actuator extends from the lever and is configured to disengage the retaining latch when the lever is moved in the second direction.

Description

DISPENSER RESERVOIR RELEASE MECHANISM

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/902,333, titled "DISPENSER RESERVOIR RELEASE MECHANISM" and filed on November 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The current invention relates generally to fluid dispensers having replaceable fluid reservoirs and in particular mechanisms for releasing the fluid reservoir from engagement with the dispenser. More specifically, the current invention relates to fluid dispenser actuators that activate the dispenser and release the fluid reservoir from engagement with the dispenser.

Background of the Invention

[0003] It is known in the art to dispense hand care products from a dispenser mounted to a wall or dispenser stand. Dispensers may be conveniently located in building entrances, bathrooms, or lunchrooms providing convenient accessibility to passersby. Such dispensers may have a replaceable reservoir containing hand soap, lotion, or sanitizer. Replaceable reservoirs provide a sanitary solution to the problem found in refillable dispensers, which is that over time germ-laden bio-films form inside the fluid container and dispenser nozzle.

[0004] Fluid dispensers are designed in a variety of ways that best meet the needs of the user. Some dispensers include an enclosed housing, which protects and obscures access to the replaceable reservoir. This type of dispenser includes housing components that close upon themselves to form the enclosure. The enclosure unlocks or unlatches to provide access to the refill unit and other dispenser components contained therein. Such dispensers are relatively large and require ample installation space. Slimmer, more compact dispensers are available for installation in locations not having ample space. However, these dispensers are typically designed with an open-top that directly receives the replaceable refill unit. While the open top design uses less parts and takes up less space, the refill unit is directly accessible, which makes the refill unit more susceptible to tampering or theft. [0005] What is needed is a way of locking the replaceable refill unit to the dispenser and releasing the replaceable refill unit in an inconspicuous manner, all while providing quick and convenient access for service personnel maintaining the dispenser systems. The embodiments of the described invention obviate the aforementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment of the subject invention, a dispenser is provided having a dispenser housing that holds a fluid reservoir and fluid pump. The fluid reservoir and pump is removable from the dispenser housing for replacement when empty. The dispenser includes a retaining latch incorporated in the dispenser housing and moveable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The fluid reservoir is held in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing when the retaining latch is in the latching position and accordingly the fluid reservoir is removable from the dispenser housing when the retaining latch is in the unlatching position. A lever is provided that pivots or otherwise connects to the dispenser housing. The lever is moveable in a first direction, which actuates the pump to dispense fluid. The same lever is also moveable in a second opposite direction to move the retaining latch to the unlatching position. In this way, a single lever both actuates the fluid dispenser and releases the fluid reservoir. The lever may generate an audible sound when releasing the latch so the user or service personnel realizes that the fluid reservoir has been released. The lever may also incorporate a biasing mechanism that pushes the fluid reservoir upwards when the fluid reservoir has been released.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 depicts a fluid dispenser according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

[0008] Fig. 2 depicts a posterior side of the fluid dispenser according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

[0009] Fig. 3 depicts a fluid reservoir assembly with attached pump and nozzle according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

[00010] Fig. 4 is partial cutaway side view showing the actuator engaging the pump and latch according to the embodiments of the subject invention. [00011] Fig. 5 is a perspective view depicting a partial assembly of the fluid dispenser including the actuator, fluid reservoir latch, and back portion of the dispenser housing according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

[00012] Fig. 6 is front plan view depicting a partial assembly of the dispenser housing and the fluid reservoir assembly according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

[00013] Fig. 7 is schematic representation of the latch and interlock according to the embodiments of the subject invention.

Detailed Description

[00014] A product dispensing system, depicted in Fig. 1, dispenses a measured amount of fluid product according to the embodiments of the subject invention. In one exemplary instance, the dispensing system, shown generally at 10, dispenses hand care products like soap, lotion or sanitizers, although other products may similarly be dispensed from the product dispenser including, but not limited to, powder or granular products.

[00015] In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the dispensing system 10, also referred to as fluid dispenser 10, includes a dispenser housing 14 or base. The dispenser housing 14 is made of one or more walls 15 constructed to support the components of the fluid dispenser 10. Plastic may be used for cost effective manufacturing of the dispenser housing 14, as well as other components of the system. A replaceable fluid reservoir 26 supplies fluid product to the fluid dispenser 10 and is mounted to the dispenser housing 14 in an inverted manner. In one embodiment, the walls 15 of the dispenser housing 14 form a concave, open top section 17 that receives the replaceable fluid reservoir 26.

[00016] Referencing Fig. 2, a posterior side 13 of the fluid dispenser 10 is shown. The dispenser housing 14 includes apertures 19 and/or slots 21 for mounting the fluid dispenser 10 to a structure, like for example a wall or dispenser stand, not shown. In one embodiment, a mounting bracket, also not shown, is provided with mounting holes that receive fasteners, not shown, for securing the mounting bracket to the wall or other structure. The mounting bracket may be designed with stepped edges that correspond to the slots 21 fashioned in the dispenser housing 14. Once the mounting bracket is secured to the desired structure, fluid dispenser 10 may be installed onto the mounting bracket by sliding slots 21 over the stepped edges. In other embodiments, the dispenser housing 14 may be directly secured to the wall or other structure via fasteners. In that the mounting of fluid dispensers to supporting structures is known in the art, no further explanation will be provided.

[00017] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, fluid reservoir 26 is constructed to hold a dispensable hand care product. The walls 27 of the fluid reservoir 26 may be constructed of sheet-like material forming a container having an opening at one end configured for attachment to a pump in a fluid tight manner. Any type of material, shape and dimensions of the walls 27 and/or opening may be chosen as is appropriate for the storing product therein. Blow molding, or other plastic molding process, may be used to form the fluid reservoir 26.

[00018] Notably, the fluid reservoir 26 is constructed as a replaceable container. By replaceable it is meant that the container is intended to be discarded when emptied of product and substituted with a sealed refill replacement. In addition to the fluid reservoir 26, the pump and nozzle, are also discarded when the fluid reservoir is exhausted. Thus, a new assembly of reservoir, pump, and nozzle is supplied every time the fluid dispenser 10 is refilled.

[00019] Still referencing Fig 3, an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser pump 40 is shown having a pump inlet 42 and a pump outlet 46. The pump outlet 46 is fixedly connected to a nozzle 47 for dispensing fluid product from the fluid dispenser 10. The pump inlet 42 is connected to the fluid reservoir 26, as previously mentioned. Specifically, the pump inlet 42 is fixedly attached and sealed to the opening of the fluid reservoir 26 in a fluid- tight manner. Accordingly, the pump 40, nozzle 47, and fluid reservoir 26 are provided as an assembly. In this manner, every wetted component of the fluid dispenser 10 is disposed of when the fluid reservoir 26 is replaced.

[00020] The pump 40 may include a pumping chamber shown at 50. In the embodiment currently described, pumping chamber 50 has a generally concave region covered by a dome 51 constructed of resiliently deformable material. Inlet 42 extends from a top side of the concave region and outlet 46 extends from the distal bottom side of the concave region, although other positions of the inlet and outlet relative to the pumping chamber 50 may be chosen with sound judgment. In this way, gravity assists in drawing product from the fluid reservoir 26 into the concave region. One or more check valves, not shown, may be incorporated to prevent leakage of the fluid product through the nozzle. An actuator 30 is included to push against dome 51 thereby pressurizing chamber 50 and expelling product through the outlet 46 and nozzle 47. It will be appreciated that other configurations of pumping chambers 50 may be used without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the present invention.

[00021] With continued reference to Fig. 1 and now also to Figs. 4 and 5, at a front side of the fluid dispenser 10, actuator 30 is provided for engaging pump 40 as indicated above. Actuator 30 is movably coupled to the dispenser housing 14. In one embodiment, the actuator 30 may comprise a lever 32 configured to span the width of the dispenser housing 14. The lever 32 may be pivotally attached to the dispenser housing 14 for movement back and forth about an axis A through an arcuate trajectory. The actuator 30 may include protruding nubs 35 from which the actuator 30 pivots. The nubs 35 are designed to fit into recesses, not shown, formed in the dispenser housing 14. In an alternate embodiment, the actuator 30 may comprise a similarly fashioned push bar that translates back and forth with respect to the dispenser housing 14. In this embodiment, protruding nubs move within linear guide slots formed in the dispenser housing 14. One or more sets of protruding nubs and guide slots may be used as needed. Thus it can be seen from the embodiments described above that the actuator 30 is constrained to movement in a single plane P.

[00022] Still referencing Fig. 4, the underside 37 of the actuator 30 may include a generally rigid protrusion 38 that contacts the pump dome 51. The surface of the protrusion 38 may be contoured to match the curvature of the dome 51. Alternatively, the surface may be flat. However, any configuration of rigid protrusion may be employed. A "home" position is defined for the actuator 30, where the protrusion 38 is positioned adjacent to the dome 51 of the pump 40. It follows that when manually depressed by the user, the actuator 30 is moved in a first direction to engage the pump 40 thereby dispensing product from the nozzle 47. It will be observed that the actuator 30 will return to the home position due in part to the resilient nature of the dome material, although alternative designs are contemplated where the actuator 30 may be spring biased.

[00023] With continued reference to Fig. 3 and now also to Fig. 6, a fluid reservoir assembly is defined, which includes the fluid reservoir 26, pump 40, and nozzle 47, indicated generally at 60. Persons of skill in the art will understand that the configurations presently described are not limited to the whole assembly 60 but also pertain to a subset of the assembly components. The fluid reservoir assembly 60 includes a rigid or semi-rigid rim or ledge 62 used to secure the assembly 60 to the dispenser housing 14 during use. In one embodiment, ledge 62 is annular in configuration and extends substantially around the entire perimeter of the fluid reservoir assembly 60. Alternatively, the ledge 62 may extend only part of the way around the perimeter of the assembly 60, referred to as tabs, not shown in the figures. Still other embodiments are contemplated that include recesses formed in the body of the assembly 60. However, it is to be construed that any manner of forming a gripping surface for holding the fluid reservoir assembly 60 in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing 14 may be chosen without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention.

[00024] The ledge 62 may be fashioned at a location between the junction of the fluid reservoir 26 and the pump 40, referred to herein as the neck 64. Accordingly, a latch 70, located in an interior region of the dispenser housing 14, selectively engages the ledge 62 to prevent removal of the fluid reservoir assembly 60 from the dispenser housing 14. In one particular embodiment, latch 70 includes one or more fingers 72 that move laterally into and out of engagement with the ledge 62. In this way, the latch 70, and more specifically fingers 72, are movable between a first latching position and a second unlatching position. It should be noted that while mechanical embodiments for the latch 70 are described herein, other forms of latching mechanisms are contemplated including but not limited to magnetic latching means.

[00025] Still referencing Fig. 6, fingers 72 are depicted in the first latching position. It is noted that the fingers 72 are positioned above the ledge 62 creating an interference or barrier to removing the fluid reservoir assembly 60 from the dispenser housing 14. It follows that the fingers 72 may be moved laterally outward away from the neck 64 into the second unlatching position. In this position, the assembly 60 may be readily pulled from the dispenser housing 14 and replaced with another unit.

[00026] In one embodiment, latch 70 may include two diametrically positioned fingers 72', 72". The fingers 72', 72" move within channels formed in the dispenser housing 14. Biasing members 75, shown in Fig. 5, force fingers 72', 72" into a default position, i.e. the first latching position. Examples of biasing members include: coil springs, leaf springs, elastomeric elements, and the like. When it is desired to remove the fluid reservoir assembly 60 from the fluid dispenser 10, force is applied to the fingers 72', 72" to overcome the force of the biasing members 75. [00027] As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, fingers 72 may include a cam surface 77. The cam surface 77 may be angled for contact with a cam actuator 85. As the cam actuator 85 impinges on and applies force to the angled surface 77, laterally directed components of the applied force drive the fingers 72 outwardly into the second unlatching position. In one embodiment, the cam surface 77 may be angled at substantially 45 degrees, although other angles may be chosen as required to move the fingers 72 out of engagement with the ledge 62.

[00028] With reference now to Figs. 4 and 5, in the preferred embodiment, the cam actuator 85 is connected to actuator 30. In one particular embodiment, cam actuator 85 extends directly from the pivoting lever 32 and may be integrally formed therewith. Cam actuator 85 further includes hooked sections 86 configured to contact the fingers 72 during movement of the lever 32 in one particular direction. Movement of the lever 32 for contact with the fingers 72 is contrasted with movement of the lever 32 for actuating the pump 40 described above. When actuating the pump 40, lever 32 is moved in a first direction, which is to say that lever 32 is moved from the home position in a first direction into contact with the dome 51 of the pump 40. In a separate action, lever 32 may be moved in a second direction, i.e. away from the pump, which pivots the cam actuator 85 into contact with the fingers 72. Stated differently, lever 32 may be moved from the home position in a second opposite direction to move the fingers 72 outwardly thereby disengaging the fingers 72 to allow removal of the fluid reservoir assembly 60. It will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 4 that the cam actuator 85 is positioned immediately above the axis A about which lever 32 pivots. In this way, leverage from the pivoting lever 32 is applied, through the fingers 72, against any biasing elements, which may be present.

[00029] Additional embodiments are considered, which include a linkage interconnected between the actuator 30 and the fingers 72. One such embodiment, not depicted in the figures, employs one or more rigid links interconnected by pivoting or sliding mechanisms for the purpose of transferring movement of the actuator 30 into movement of the fingers 72. In this embodiment, biasing members are not required as the fingers 72 move in conjunction with the motion of the actuator 30. Accordingly, movement of the actuator 30 from the home position in the second direction directly moves the fingers 72 into the second unlatching position. [00030] With reference now to Fig. 7, a latch interlock 90 is incorporated into the fluid dispenser 10, which temporarily holds the fingers 72 in the second unlatching position. The interlock 90 functions to retain the fingers 72 in this position until disengaged by inserting a replacement fluid reservoir assembly into the fluid dispenser 10. In an alternate embodiment, a manually operated interlock release, not shown, is provided that disengages the interlock 90 thus allowing the fingers 72 to spring back into the first latching position.

[00031] The latch interlock 90 may include pivotally mounted retention members 93 that swing into the pathway of the fingers 72 as the fluid reservoir assembly is removed from the dispenser housing 14. One retention member 93 may be employed for each of the fingers 72. The retention members 93 are mounted beneath fingers 72 so as not to interfere with movement of the fingers 72.

[00032] In one embodiment, the retention member(s) 93 are comprised of a generally rigid arm 95, the first end of which is pivotally mounted to the dispenser housing 14. A hooked end 97 may extend from the second distal end of arm 95 for retaining the fingers 72 in the second unlatching position. Accordingly, the arm 95 may be constructed having a length suitable for allowing the hooked end 97 to engage the fingers 72 in the second unlatching position.

[00033] A spring, not shown, may be connected between the retention members 93 and the dispenser housing 14, which biases the arm 95 into constant contact with the fingers 72. In this way, when the fingers 72 are actuated into the second unlatching position and as the fluid reservoir assembly 60 is removed, the retention members 93 will automatically swing upwardly into place thereby holding the fingers in the second unlatching position. It will be readily observed that insertion of a replacement fluid reservoir assembly will displace, i.e. pivot, the retention members downwardly allowing the fingers 72 to re-engage the ledge 62. It is noted here that other forms of biasing mechanisms may be used, including leaf spring and/or living springs.

[00034] Having illustrated and described the principles of this invention in one or more embodiments thereof, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for use with an associated fluid reservoir and an associated pump, the dispenser comprising:

a dispenser housing adapted to selectively receive the associated fluid reservoir and the associated pump for dispensing fluid product;

a retaining latch operatively connected to the dispenser housing and moveable between a latching position and an unlatching position, wherein the associated fluid reservoir is held in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing when the retaining latch is in the latching position and wherein the associated fluid reservoir is releasable from the dispenser housing when the retaining latch is in the unlatching position; and

a lever movably connected to the dispenser housing, wherein the lever is moveable in a first direction to actuate the associated pump to dispense fluid, and wherein the lever is moveable in a second opposite direction to move the retaining latch to the unlatching position.

2. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the retaining latch includes one or more movable fingers for holding the associated fluid reservoir in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing, wherein the one or more movable fingers are biased in the latching position.

3. The dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein the one or more movable fingers have fashioned therein a cam surface and the dispenser further comprising:

a cam actuator extending from the lever to move the one or more movable fingers into the unlatching position.

4. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the retaining latch includes one or more movable fingers for holding the associated fluid reservoir in fixed relationship to the dispenser and the dispenser further comprising:

a linkage operatively connected between the lever and the one or more movable fingers for moving the one or more movable fingers between the latching position and the unlatching position.

5. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lever is pi vo tally connected to the dispenser housing, the lever being constrained to move in a first direction and a second direction through a single plane of movement, wherein the lever is moveable in the first direction to actuate the associated pump, and wherein the lever is moveable in the second direction to move the retaining latch to the unlatching position.

6. The dispenser as defined in claim 2, further comprising:

an interlock operatively connected to automatically hold the one or more moveable fingers in the unlatching position when the one or more moveable fingers are moved from the latching position to the unlatching position, and

an interlock release mechanism operatively connected to disengage the interlock from holding the one or more moveable fingers in the unlatching position.

7. The dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein the interlock release mechanism is activated by inserting the associated fluid reservoir into the dispenser housing.

8. A fluid dispenser, comprising:

a fluid reservoir;

a dispenser housing having one or more walls for supporting the fluid reservoir; a latch operatively connected to hold the fluid reservoir in fixed relationship to the dispenser housing in a latching position, the latch being operatively connected to release the fluid reservoir from the fixed relationship with the dispenser housing in an unlatching position;

a pump in fluid connection with the fluid reservoir for dispensing associated fluid product from the dispenser; and

an actuator operatively connected to the dispenser housing to actuate the pump for dispensing the associated fluid product and to actuate the latch for releasing the fluid reservoir.

9. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein one of the fluid reservoir or the pump further comprises a generally rigid lip, and

wherein the latch comprises at least one moveable finger that is biased to move between the generally rigid lip and the fluid reservoir when the fluid reservoir is inserted into the dispenser housing thereby holding the fluid reservoir in the fixed relationship to the dispenser housing in the latching position.

10. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein the actuator is moveable between a first actuator and a second actuator position,

wherein the actuator engages the pump when the actuator is moved into the first actuator position, and

wherein the actuator engages the latch to release the fluid reservoir from the fixed relationship with the dispenser housing when the actuator is moved into the second actuator position.

11. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein the actuator is pivo tally connected to the dispenser housing, the actuator being constrained to move in a first direction and a second direction through a single plane of movement, and

wherein the actuator is moveable in the first direction to actuate the pump and in the second direction to move the latch to the unlatching position.

12. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a biasing device operatively connected to bias the latch into the latching position.

13 The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

an interlock operatively connected to automatically hold the latch in the unlatching position when the latch is moved from the latching position to the unlatching position; and a release mechanism operatively connected to disengage the interlock from holding the latch in the unlatching position.

14. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein the release mechanism is activated to disengage the interlock by inserting the fluid reservoir into the dispenser housing.

15. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein the release mechanism further comprises a push button that is manually activated to disengage the interlock.

16. The fluid dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a lever having a first end pivotally connected to the dispenser housing, wherein the lever is constrained to move in a first direction and a second direction through a single plane, and wherein the lever is moveable from a home position in the first direction to actuate the pump, and wherein the lever is moveable from the home position in the second direction to move the latch into the unlatching position.

17. A dispenser for use with an associated fluid reservoir, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing adapted to selectively receive the associated fluid reservoir; a latch operatively connected to the dispenser housing and moveable between a latching position and an unlatching position,

a lever moveable in a first direction to dispense fluid a pump operatively connected to the associated fluid reservoir and moveable in a second direction to move the latch from the latching position to the unlatching position.

18. The dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the lever has a defined home position to which the lever is biased, and wherein the latch is held in the latching position when the level is positioned at the home position.

19. The dispenser as defined in claim 18, wherein the latch is held in the latching position when the level is moved in the first direction.

20. The dispenser as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

an interlock operatively connected to hold the latch in the unlatching position when the latch is moved from the latching position to the unlatching position; and

a release mechanism operatively connected to disengage the interlock from holding the latch in the unlatching position.