Soap solution dispenser including indicator means for indicating the filling state thereof

• US 4,570,823 A
• Filed: 12/19/1983
• Issued: 02/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CWS AG
• Original Assignee: CWS AG
• Inventors: Baumann, Manfred, Arabian, Sandro, Besserer, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handren, Frederick R.
• Application Number:
  US06/563,045
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 222/51, 222/154, 222/156, 222/157, 222/158, 222/181, 222/28, 222/182, 73/317, 116/229
• US Class Current: 222/28
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap

Abstract

The soap solution dispenser contains a reservoir into which opens an outlet or outflow opening of a container. In the reservoir there is present a float body or float which is pivotably mounted and provided with at least one indicator flag. Conjointly with the drop of the liquid level in the soap solution reservoir the float body also descends, which causes a displacement of the indicator flag. During the lowering of the surface of the soap solution the indicator flag moves along a viewing window formed in a cover or covering hood. There is thus signalled or indicated that the content of the soap solution in the reservoir is quite small or nearly consumed, so that the container now should be exchanged. One resulting advantage of the invention is that the indicator flag moves externally of the soap solution, so that the indicator flag cannot become stuck or bind, and thus, always remains readily visible.

Claims

1. A soap solution dispenser comprising:

at least one container holding soap solution;

a reservoir;

a cover enclosing said at least one container and said reservoir and including at least one viewing window;

indicating means for indicating the filling state of the soap solution dispenser;

said indicating means comprising a float body provided in said reservoir and equipped with at least one indicator flag operatively coupled thereto;

said float body defining a path of movement of said at least one indicator flag within said cover which at least partially extends along said viewing window;

said at least one container containing at least one outlet;

said reservoir defining an interior space;

said at least one outlet opening into said interior space of said reservoir;

at least one lever for pivotably mounting said float body in said interior space of said reservoir above said at least one outlet;

pivot means arranged in said reservoir above said at least one outlet; and

said at least one lever pivotably engaging said pivot means at a region of said at least one lever remote from said float body and said indicator flag.

2. The soap solution dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein:

two viewing windows are provided, each on a different side of said cover; and

two indicator flags are provided, each of which is operatively associated with a respective one of said two viewing windows.

3. The soap solution dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one indicator flag is provided with two differently colored zones.

4. The soap solution dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein

said float body defines end faces;

each one of said end faces being provided with a respective one of said levers;

said reservoir defining a width; and

said float body extending over a substantial portion of said width of said reservoir.

5. The soap solution dispenser as defined in claim 1, further including:

a chamber formed intermediate said cover and said container; and

said at least one indicator flag extending into said chamber.

6. A soap solution dispenser comprising:

at least one container holding soap solution;

a reservoir;

a cover enclosing said at least one container and said reservoir and including at least one viewing window;

indicating means for indicating the filling state of the soap solution dispenser;

said indicating means comprising a float body provided in said reservoir and equipped with at least one indicator flag operatively coupled thereto;

said float body defining a path of movement of said at least one indicator flag within said cover which at least partially extends along said viewing window;

said at least one container containing at least one outlet;

said reservoir defining an interior space;

said at least one outlet opening into said interior space of said reservoir;

at least one lever for pivotably mounting said float body in said interior space of said reservoir above said at least one outlet;

said float body defining end faces;

each one of said end faces being provided with a respective one of said levers;

said reservoir defining a width;

said float body extending over a substantial portion of said width of said reservoir;

a respective one of said indicator flags being arranged at each said end face of said float body;

each said indicator flag being formed of one-piece with a related one of said levers;

an arcuate portion formed in each of said levers between each said indicator flag and the related one of said levers; and

said float body being mounted to said arcuate portions.