PHOTOELECTRIC CONTROLLED DISPENSER

• US 3,650,435 A
• Filed: 04/03/1970
• Issued: 03/21/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: William E. Kleefeld
• Inventors: Kleefeld, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tollberg, Stanley H.
• Application Number:
  US05/025,445
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 250/209,208,210 222/52
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/73 for dc voltages or currents H03K17/722, H03K17/735 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/79 controlling bipolar semiconductor switches with more than two PN-junctions, or more than three electrodes, or more than one electrode connected to the same conductivity region

Abstract

A device is disclosed for dispensing materials such as detergents without manual control. It is operated by blocking the passage of light to one of two photoelectric cells, as by a hand, which actuates an SCR circuit. The pump is turned off automatically preferably by a pulse generating circuit which interrupts the SCR. The two photocells are connected in series and together function as a voltage divider, comparing ambient light to proximate light.

Claims

1. A material dispenser comprising two photocells adapted to be connected in series across a DC power source and forming a variable voltage divider, a silicon-controlled rectifier responsive to current coming directly from said variable voltage divider, means responsive to current from said silicon-controlled rectifier for dispensing material, and turnoff means for ceasing operation of the dispensing means.

2. Dispenser of claim 1 in which the turnoff means comprise a capacitor-actuated unijunction transistor and a silicon-controlled rectifier responsive thereto.

3. Dispenser of claim 1 in which the means responsive to current from the silicon-controlled rectifier is a pump.