No-touch fluid dispenser

• US 5,632,414 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Merriweather, Frank Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US08/566,117
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/61, 222/63, 222/173, 222/180, 222/381, 222/382, 222/383.1, 222/333, 4/623, 250/221
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1205 Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/028 the dosing device being provided with a dip tube and fitted to a container, e.g. to a bottleneck

Abstract

A fluid dispenser having a body for mounting in a counter with a spout above the counter, a escutcheon for the upper end of the shank or body, and a pump with cylinder and piston in the body, with the upper end of the piston projecting above the cylinder and connected to the spout and with the lower end of the cylinder connected to a container below the counter. An electrical solenoid is carried on the body below the counter with a moving plunger connected to the cylinder for moving the cylinder upward relative to the piston for pumping fluid from the container through the piston and out through the spout. A lamp housing is carried in the escutcheon, with an infra red source and an infra red detector mounted in the housing, and an electrical cable is connected between the lamp housing and an electrical circuit mounted adjacent the solenoid for energizing the infra red source and for energizing the solenoid in response to a signal from the infra red detector.

Claims

1. In a fluid dispenser having a body for mounting in a counter with a spout above the counter, an escutcheon for the upper end of the body, and a pump with cylinder and piston in the body, with the upper end of the piston projecting above the cylinder and connected to the spout and with the lower end of the cylinder including means for connecting to a container below the counter, the improvement comprising:

connector means for fixing said piston and spout to said escutcheon;

an electrical solenoid carried on said body below the counter and having a fixed coil and a moving plunger; and

drive means for connecting said solenoid plunger to said cylinder for moving said cylinder upward relative to said piston for pumping fluid from the container through the piston and out through the spout.

2. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said spout is threaded into said piston and said connector means includes a bushing positioned between said spout and escutcheon applying a downward force on said escutcheon, and a clamp on said piston below said escutcheon resisting said downward force.

3. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a lever connected to said solenoid plunger and a bracket attached to said cylinder, with said lever passing through an opening in said body and engaging a slot in said bracket.

4. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 3 including:

a lamp housing carried in said escutcheon, with an infra red source and an infra red detector mounted in said housing;

electrical circuit means mounted adjacent said solenoid for energizing said infra red source and for energizing said solenoid in response to a signal from said infra red detector; and

an electrical cable connected between said lamp housing and said electrical circuit means.

5. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said lamp housing has a body and a mounting tab with an opening for receiving said piston, with said tab positioned on said piston between said escutcheon and said clamp, and

said escutcheon has an opening for receiving said tab, with said lamp housing body on the exterior of said escutcheon.

6. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 1 including:

a lamp housing carried in said escutcheon, with an infra red source and an infra red detector mounted in said housing;

electrical circuit means mounted adjacent said solenoid for energizing said infra red source and for energizing said solenoid in response to a signal from said infra red detector; and

an electrical cable connected between said lamp housing and said electrical circuit means.

7. A fluid dispenser as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said lamp housing has a body and a mounting tab with an opening for receiving said piston, with said tab fixed on said piston, and

said escutcheon has an opening for receiving said tab, with said lamp housing body on the exterior of said escutcheon.