Dispensing – Automatic control – Motor control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-04-03
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Automatic control
Motor control
C222S181300, C222S214000, C222S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209752
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to dispensers for liquid soap and other viscous materials. More particularly, the invention relates to devices that automatically detect the presence of a user's hand and dispense a predetermined quantity of the viscous material.
Wall-mounted dispensers for liquid soap or other viscous material, such as hand lotion, are widely used in public and commercial buildings. Often, the dispenser will be constructed having a support base attached to the wall. A pivotal cover is closable on the base to define a housing in which components of the dispenser are contained. The viscous material is located in a storage bag or the like provided as part of a disposable cartridge located in the housing's interior. The disposable cartridge includes a tube forming a peristaltic pump through which the viscous material is dispensed.
Many dispensers of the prior art operate manually, wherein a lever is moved by the user when a quantity of the viscous material is desired. Alternatively, the dispenser may be adapted for automatic operation. In devices of this type, a photoelectric detection circuit is typically provided to sense the presence of a user's hand near the dispenser. When the hand is detected, the device actuates the peristaltic pump to thereby release a predetermined quantity of the viscous material.
Due to the use of electrical and electromechanical components therein, automatic dispensers require a source of power in order to operate. In some cases, the dispenser may be adapted for AC operation from a conventional wall outlet. Often, however, AC operation has been seen as undesirable, in part because it limits the potential locations at which the dispenser can be installed.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of using AC power, dispensers have been provided that operate from battery power. These dispensers, however, have typically employed general purpose batteries, such as D-cells. Because such batteries are relatively large, the dispenser housing must be appropriately sized. In addition, batteries of this type are often subject to frequent replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others of prior art constructions and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel dispenser for viscous material such as liquid soap.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic dispenser for viscous material having various novel arrangements for providing operational power.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an automatic dispenser for viscous material that employs a compact battery incorporated into the disposable soap cartridge.
It is also a particular object of the present invention to provide an automatic dispenser for viscous material that employs solar power cells to provide primary or supplemental power for operation thereof.
Some of these objects are achieved by a dispenser for automatically dispensing viscous material. The dispenser comprises a base, and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover and base define a housing for containing components of the dispenser when the cover is in the closed position. A disposable cartridge is also provided, having a reservoir of viscous material to be dispensed through a dispensing tube. The disposable cartridge further includes at least one generally flat battery.
The dispenser also includes a mechanical actuator, configured to engage the dispensing tube of the disposable cartridge such that a quantity of the viscous material is dispensed therethrough. Detection circuitry is operative to detect presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser. A motor is operative in response to the detection circuitry to cause movement of the mechanical actuator.
The generally flat battery will preferably define terminal portions engaged by fixed terminals when the disposable cartridge is inserted in the housing. The fixed terminals, for example, may comprise respective spring elements to facilitate firm engagement against the terminal portions of the generally flat battery. Often, the generally flat battery may be carried on a side surface of the disposable cartridge.
In some exemplary embodiments, the dispenser may further comprise at least one solar power cell operative to supplement power supplied by the generally flat battery. For example, the solar power cell may be operative to charge at least one supplemental power storage component, such as one or more batteries or storage capacitors, located in the housing. The circuitry of the dispenser may be configured such that substantially all power to operate the motor is derived from the generally flat battery of the disposable cartridge and substantially all power to operate the detection circuitry is derived from the supplemental power storage component.
Other objects of the invention are achieved by a dispenser for automatically dispensing viscous material. The dispenser comprises a base, and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover and base define a housing for containing components of the dispenser when the cover is in the closed position. A disposable cartridge is also provided, having a reservoir of viscous material to be dispensed through a dispensing tube.
The dispenser also includes a mechanical actuator, configured to engage the dispensing tube of the disposable cartridge to cause a quantity of the viscous material to be dispensed therethrough. Detection circuitry is operative to detect presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser. A motor is operative in response to the detection circuitry to cause movement of the mechanical actuator.
At least one solar power cell, which may comprise a solar panel mounted on the cover, is also provided to charge at least one supplemental power storage component. Preferably, the solar power cell may be of the type which is suitably efficient in conditions of fluorescent lighting. The supplemental power storage component, located in the housing, supplies power to at least the detection circuitry of the dispenser.
Often, the supplemental power storage component may comprise at least one rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may comprise a nonmemory-type battery, such as a nickel-metal-hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. In some embodiments, the supplemental power storage component may comprise at least one storage capacitor.
Additional objects of the invention are achieved by a dispenser for automatically dispensing viscous material. The dispenser comprises a wall-mounted housing in which a disposable cartridge having a reservoir of viscous material to be dispensed is located. The disposable cartridge further includes a generally flat battery, defining terminal portions engaged by fixed terminals.
The dispenser further comprises a mechanical actuator operative to cause a quantity of the viscous material to be dispensed from the reservoir. Detection circuitry, including a light emitter and a light sensitive receiver, is operative to detect presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser. A motor is operative in response to the detection circuitry to cause movement of the mechanical actuator.
At least one solar power cell is located on the housing to receive ambient light. The solar cell charges at least one supplemental power storage component located in the housing for supplying power to at least the detection circuitry. Often, the supplemental power storage component may comprise at least one rechargeable battery, such as a nonmemory-type battery. In some cases, the supplemental power storage component may comprise at least one storage capacitor.
Still further objects of the present invention are achieved by a disposable cartridge for use in a wall-mounted dispenser device of the type operative to automatically dispense viscous material such as liquid soap by
Frassanito John R.
Mitchell Joseph
Kaufman Joseph A.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
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