Photo-electric controlled dispenser

• US 4,645,094 A
• Filed: 01/31/1986
• Issued: 02/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Original Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Inventors: Devitt, John L., Danna, Joseph J., Acklin, John R., Bush, Lee W., Rauh, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US06/825,025
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 222/41, 222/52, 222/95, 222/96, 222/103, 222/105, 222/504, 222/494, 222/214, 222/638, 222/639, 222/641, 222/642, 222/644, 250/214 AL, 250/210, 250/221, 250/577, 250/206, 221/279, 209/526, 194/904, 141/94, 141/360
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism

Abstract

A fluid dispenser for dispensing liquid detergents, soaps and germicides. A pressure plate imparts a squeezing force to a flexible reservoir containing the liquid material to force the material therefrom. A battery operated photoelectric device is positioned adjacent the dispensing valve which is opened for a timed period upon locating an object such as a hand, near the photoelectric device. Also, a device is provided to control the power to the photoelectric device upon sensing the condition of the ambient room lighting.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

(a) a flexible container for fluid integrally connected to a valve means and an outlet means;

(b) a means for imparting a squeezing force to said flexible container; and

(c) a proximity detector means connected to a means for opening and closing said valve means;

wherein said means for imparting a squeezing force is a pressure plate which is connected to a spring-driven lever which comprises;

(i) an extension spring whose axis is near the central pivot point of a first-class lever when said flexible container is full, said spring axis moving away from said pivot point of said lever as said flexible container is emptied;

(ii) said first-class level having extremities that comprise the attachment point of said extension spring to the lever and the attachment point of an axle attached to the pressure plate, respectfully; and

(iii) said spring having a sufficient length so that the torque increase caused by the increasing distance of the spring center line from the central pivot point as said container empties is more than the torque decrease caused by the lessening extension of the spring caused by movement of the lever as said flexible container empties.

2. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein said flexible container is formed of at least two thermoplastic sheets which are fastened together by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.

3. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein said valve means and outlet means comprises a flexible tube and a pinch means for pinching the flexible tube to stop the flow of fluid from the container to enable fluid flow.

4. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein said means for opening said valve means comprises an electromagnetic actuator.

5. The fluid dispenser of claim 4 wherein said actuator is powered by batteries.

6. The fluid dispenser of claim 4 wherein said actuator is controlled by said proximity detector means and an electric circuit connected therebetween whereby, the actuator is reponsive to the presense of a object placed near the proximity detector means.

7. The fluid dispenser of claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic actuator is a solenoid.

8. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein said flexible container is a plastic or rubber bag which has a thickness when filled with fluid, no greater than 20% of its length and its width being less than its length.

9. The fluid dispenser of claim 8 wherein said container, valve means and outlet means are disposable.

10. The fluid dispenser of claim 8 wherein said flexible container lies flat upon a substantially horizontal shelf.