Dispensing – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-04-03
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Dispensing
Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209751
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to automatic dispensers and more particularly relates to automatic fluid dispensers for providing a metered amount of liquid soap, or the like, on sensing the presence of a user's hand.
Many automatic fluid dispensers have been developed and have general use in restaurants, hotels, theaters, and the like. The dispensers are typically activated by light, such as infrared sensors. Heretofore developed dispensers typically are prone to clogging which renders the dispenser unusable, or leaking, the latter causing an unsafe situation.
Further, heretofore developed devices for the automatic dispensing of a measured amount of liquid are prone to falsely sensing the presence of a user and dispensing unwanted soap.
It should be easily appreciated that falsely triggered soap, or the like, when disposed on sink surfaces and floors produces slippery, unsafe surfaces which may result in injury to the public.
This problem is recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,935, which attempted to solve the problem of false operation by using an elaborate control drive circuit which included the emission of an optical signal of predetermined wavelengths in the infrared spectrum and of a predetermined configuration along with optical detection means, responsive to the wavelength and configuration of the optical signal, for actuating a timed control signal, in order to apply power to actuate a rotary motor to dispense fluid.
Such elaborate control systems still do not solve non triggering due to the presence of dark clothing or dark skin pigmentation. In addition, false triggering is known to occur by light reflected from porcelain sinks, from fluorescent light ballast or from camera flash.
The present invention provides for a fluid dispenser utilizing a disposable nozzle system wherein is self-cleaning in order to eliminate the problem of clogging. In addition, a control system to provide for actuating the dispenser which is virtually free of false triggered operation. In addition, the present invention provides for a touch free pumping action to dispense fluids which simulates manually operated fluid dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fluid dispenser in accordance with the present invention generally includes a reservoir which provides a means for containing a fluid and tubular means, depending from the reservoir, for receiving fluid therefrom by the force of gravity, and for dispensing measured quantities of the fluid.
The tubular means generally includes an orifice and a valve seat disposed at a dispensing end of the tubular means. The reservoir means and tubular means may be disposed in a housing and may be removable as an integral unit therefrom. Accordingly, because the orifice and valve seat are replaced by a change of reservoir, possible clogging of the dispensing end of the tubular means due to prolonged use is eliminated.
A plunger is provided and slidably disposed within the tubular means for movement between a first and a second position. The plunger includes an opening therethrough for enabling fluid to flow past the plunger and a valve face is provided on the plunger for sealably engaging the valve seat when the plunger is in the first position.
A solenoid is provided and disposed in the housing adjacent the tubular means for magnetically engaging and moving the plunger from the first position to the second position upon activation of the solenoid by electrical current. The second position of the plunger is above the first position with the valve face disengaged from the valve seat. Movement of the plunger to the second position causes flow past the plunger into a tubular lower portion.
Spring means are provided and disposed within the tubular means for forcing the plunger to the first position upon deactivation of the solenoid means in order to force fluid in the tubular means lower portion through the orifice. Because the spring means is disposed in the tubular means, it is, of course, disposable therewith and, accordingly, problems of the spring fatigue or sticking due to prolonged use, are eliminated. Further, the spring provides sealing pressure between the valve face and the valve seat which prevents any fluid leakage. Thus, a positive shutoff is provided with no subsequent dripping of fluid.
Additionally, the valve face and valve seat are self-cleaning due to the mating angular surface structure provided on the valve face and valve seat. The angular surfaces provide a sliding engagement therebetween which expels any coagulated, or hardened, fluid through the orifice.
A control means is provided for sensing the presence of a user's hand beneath the orifice and providing electrical current to the solenoid means for a duration of time.
More particularly, the solenoid means has a torroidal shape and is fixed to the housing with the tubular means being removably disposed therethrough.
Preferably, the dispenser includes a first one-way valve for preventing fluid in the tubular means lower portion from flowing past the plunger as the plunger moves to the first position and enabling fluid in the tubular means upper portion to flow into the tubular means lower portion as the plunger moves to the second position.
Additionally, a second one-way valve is preferably provided for preventing fluid flow out of the tubular means upper portion as the plunger moves to the second position while enabling fluid flow into the tubular means upper portion as the plunger moves to the first position.
The control means in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a Theremin antenna for sensing the presence of a user's hand and, more particularly, the control means may include a second sensor means for sensing the presence of a user's hand and processing means for providing electrical current to the solenoid means only upon confirmation of both the Theremin antenna and the second sensor means sensing the presence of user's hand.
Preferably, the Theremin antenna is disposed at a bottom of the housing and in a spaced apart relationship with the valve seat and orifice in order to prevent any interference therebetween. An aperture is provided through the Theremin antenna for passage of fluid therethrough.
To provide greater coupling, or sensing of a user's palm, the Theremin antenna may include upstanding portions which, in combination with a relatively horizontal portion, enables the antenna to generally conform to a shape of the user's palm.
The plunger, valve seat an antenna are virtually aligned which enables vertical upward and downward movement of the user's palm, like a conventional manual pumping of a level, to cause repeated discharge of fluid from the dispenser.
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Gerenraich Kenneth B.
Goodin John W.
Pribonic Edward M.
Regla Peter A.
Hackler Walter A.
Morris Lesley D.
Woodward Laboratories, Inc.
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