AUTOMATED FLUID DISPENSER

• US 20100213208A1
• Filed: 10/23/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Riccomini, Robert A., Ngai, Amelia, Babikian, Dikran, Bem, Branko
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism

Abstract

A fluid dispenser is provided. The dispenser includes a reservoir for storing the fluid to be dispensed, an outlet for dispensing the fluid, a pump in the reservoir for pumping the fluid to the outlet, a motor external of the reservoir, and a coupling magnetically transferring a force generated by the motor to the pump for operating the pump for pumping the fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir for storing the fluid to be dispensed;

an outlet for dispensing the fluid;

a pump in the reservoir for pumping the fluid to the outlet;

a motor external of the reservoir; and

a coupling magnetically transferring a force generated by the motor to the pump for operating the pump for pumping said fluid.

2. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein the coupling comprises:

a first member external of the dispenser driven by the motor; and

a second member in the dispenser for driving the pump, wherein the first member is magnetically coupled to the second member, whereby the first member the drives the second member.

3. The dispenser as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one of said first and second members comprises a magnet.

4. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said pump is submerged in the fluid to be pumped.

5. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprises a body and a base portion, wherein the base portion in removably coupled to the body and the first and second members sandwich at least a portion of said base portion.

6. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprises a body and a base portion, wherein the base portion in threaded onto the body and the first and second members sandwich at least a portion of said base portion.

7. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sensor proximate the outlet for sensing movement proximate the outlet and for generating a signal in response thereto, wherein said pump pumps fluid in response to said signal.

8. The dispenser as recited in claim 7 wherein said motor is operable in response to said signal.

9. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a neck extending from the reservoir defining a conduit in communication with said reservoir;

a spout extending from the neck, wherein the outlet is formed on the spout; and

a lid on the spout being moveable for providing access to said conduit, wherein said reservoir is fillable through said conduit.

10. The dispenser as recited in claim 9 further comprising a funnel in the spout and coupled to said conduit.

11. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a neck having a threaded outer surface; and

a cap threaded to the reservoir and coupling the neck to the reservoir.

12. The dispenser as recited in claim 11 further comprising a lock nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck, wherein the cap comprises a first surface and a second annular surface extending from the first surface, wherein an opening is formed through the first surface, wherein the neck penetrates said opening and the first surface urges said lock nut toward said reservoir.

13. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a neck extending from the reservoir having a threaded outer surface;

a groove formed along the neck;

a spout extending from the neck, wherein the outlet is formed on the spout;

a first conduit coupled to the pump;

a second conduit extending to the outlet, wherein at least part of the second conduit is received in the groove;

a conduit connector coupled to the neck and releasably connecting the first conduit to the second conduit;

a first nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding said portion of the second conduit received in the groove;

a cap having an opening penetrated by the neck and threaded to the reservoir, wherein the cap is retained in an axial direction by the first nut; and

a second nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding said portion of the second conduit received in the groove.

14. The dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid is a liquid soap.

15. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a neck extending from the reservoir having a threaded outer surface;

a groove formed along the neck;

a spout extending from the neck, wherein the outlet is formed on the spout;

a pump for pumping fluid from the reservoir to the outlet;

a first conduit coupled to the pump;

a second conduit extending to the outlet, wherein at least part of the second conduit is received in the groove;

a conduit connector coupled to the neck and releasably connecting the first conduit to the second conduit;

a first nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding said portion of the second conduit received in the groove;

a cap having an opening penetrated by the neck and threaded to the reservoir, wherein the cap is retained in an axial direction by the first nut; and

a second nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding said portion of the second conduit received in the groove.

16. The dispenser as recited in claim 15 wherein a third conduit is defined through the neck, the dispenser further comprising a lid on said spout providing access to said third conduit for refilling said reservoir.

17. The dispenser as recited in claim 16 further comprising a funnel in said spout and coupled to said third conduit, wherein said lid provides access to said funnel for refilling said reservoir.

18. The dispenser as recited in claim 15 wherein said fluid is a liquid soap.

19. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a neck extending from the reservoir defining a conduit there through leading to said reservoir;

a spout extending from the neck, wherein an outlet is formed on the spout; and

a lid on said spout being moveable for providing access to said conduit for refilling said reservoir with a fluid.

20. The dispenser as recited in claim 19 further comprising a funnel in said spout and coupled to said conduit, wherein said lid provides access to said funnel for refilling said reservoir.

21. The dispenser as recited in claim 19 wherein said fluid is a liquid soap.