Tamper-proof chemical dispensing device for high security environments

• US 6,668,873 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keene Sanitary Supply Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keene Sanitary Supply Inc.
• Inventors: Wertheim, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/216,017
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/18, 141/98, 141/9, 141/100, 141/104, 141/94, 222/538, 222/132, 222/145.1, 222/145.4, 222/145.5, 222/129, 222/135, 222/153.01, 222/153.02, 222/153.03, 222/153.13, 222/153.14, 222/173, 222/182, 222/183, 222/540, 222/566, 222/572, 222/573, 222/575
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/32 Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid

Abstract

The present invention can be characterized as a tamper proof apparatus for dispensing liquid or cleaning product for use in a environment where abuse or vandalism may occur and a method of operating the apparatus. The apparatus includes a first chamber, a second chamber coupled to the first chamber, a first lockable door recessed within one of the first chamber and the second chamber such that a first hinge pin is not removable, a mixing unit within the first chamber. An output hose in one of the first chamber and the second chamber is coupled to the mixing unit and to a feed-through such that the output hose is not exposed outside the chambers. A faceplate with an indentation within the first chamber prevents filling large containers with liquid while also preventing damage to the mixing unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a protective plate covering the mixing unit; and

the feed-through for dispensing the liquid being in the protective plate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cavity in the protective plate whereby at least one dimension of a container is limited to a maximum by the shape of the cavity.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the feedthrough is angled toward the back of the cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the feedthrough is stiff and incapable of being aimed in any direction other than angled toward the back of the cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protective plate is coupled to the enclosed chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one pushbutton in the protective plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

a lockable hinged cover for selectively covering the pushbutton;

wherein the pushbutton is not accessible when the cover is closed; and

wherein the pushbutton is accessible when the cover is open.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a drain hole in the protective plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

the supply hose for transporting a liquid from a supply reservoir to the mixing unit;

wherein the protective plate prevents the supply hose from being accessed.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

the output hose coupled to the mixing unit and the feed-through;

wherein the output hose supplies a mixed liquid from the mixing unit to the feed-through;

wherein the output hose is not exposed outside the enclosed chamber.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid dispensing apparatus is mounted against a vertical surface at a height whereby at least one dimension of a bucket is limited to a maximum.

10. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose; and

a cavity in the protective plate whereby at least one dimension of a container is limited to a maximum by the shape of the cavity.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the feed-through is angled toward the back of the cavity.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the feed-through is stiff and incapable of being aimed in any direction other than angled toward the back of the cavity.

13. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose; and

a pusbutton for drawing liquid into the mixing unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

a cylindrical sleeve wherein the pushbutton resides;

whereby the pushbutton can only be accessed from a frontal direction.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

a lockble hinged cover for selectively covering the pushbutton;

wherein the pushbutton is not accessible when the cover is closed; and

wherein the pushbutton is accessible when the cover is open.

17. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a second output hose coupled to the mixing unit; and

a second feed-through;

wherein the second output hose supplies a mixed liquid from the mixing unit to the second feed-through;

wherein the second output hose is not exposed outside the enclosed chamber.

18. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a Y connector coupled to the first supply hose;

a first check valve coupled to the Y connector; and

a second check valve coupled to the Y connector.

19. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a strain relief coupled to the first supply hose for relieving strain between the first supply hose and the mixing unit; and

a strain relief coupled to the second supply hose for relieving strain between the second supply hose and the mixing unit.

21. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a hinge coupled to the enclosed chamber;

a hinge pin; and

a crimp in the hinge;

wherein the hinge engages the hinge pin at the crimp, such that the hinge pin is not removable.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the hinge pin is welded to the hinge such that the hinge pin is not removable.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the hinge is recessed within the enclosed chamber.

24. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a hinge coupled to the enclosed chamber; and

a hinge pin;

wherein the hinge is recessed within the enclosed chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the hinge pin is welded to the hinge such that the hinge pin it not removable.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:

a crimp in the hinge;

wherein the hinge engages the hinge pin at the crimp, such that the hinge pin is not removable.

27. An apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising:

an enclosed chamber;

a mixing unit within the enclosed chamber;

a first supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a second supply hose coupled to the mixing unit;

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit;

a feed-through coupled to the output hose;

a hinge coupled to the enclosed chamber;

a hinge pin; and

wherein the hinge pin is welded to the hinge such that the hinge pin is not removable.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising:

a crimp in the hinge;

wherein the hinge engages the hinge pin at the crimp, such that the hinge pin is not removable.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the hinge is recessed within the enclosed chamber.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a first compartment;

a second compartment coupled to the first compartment;

a first lockable door providing access to the first compartment;

a second lockable door providing access to the second compartment;

a mixing unit within the first compartment;

a supply hose for supplying the mixing unit with a liquid;

a protective plate concealing at least a portion of the supply hose when the first lockable door is open; and

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising:

a water supply hose coupled to the mixing unit; and

a plate separating the first compartment from the second compartment.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising a liquid container coupled to the supply hose.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a feed-through coupled to the output hose.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising:

a first recessed cavity in the first lockable door;

a second recessed cavity in the second lockable door;

a first hasp positioned to fit through a slot in the first lockable door when the first lockable door is closed; and

a second hasp positioned to fit through a slot in the second lockable door when the second lockable door is closed.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising:

a first lock within the first recessed cavity; and

a second lock within the second recessed cavity.

36. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein there is no access to the mixing unit when the first lockable door is closed.

37. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a protective plate concealing at least a portion of the supply hose when the first lockable door is open.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising:

a hole in the protective sheet; and

a feed-through in the hole in the protective sheet.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the output hose is coupled to the feed-through.

40. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a plate separating the first compartment from the second compartment.

41. An apparatus comprising:

a cabinet comprising a first section and a second section;

a liquid container in the first section;

a mixing unit in the second section;

a supply hose coupled to the liquid container and to the mixing unit;

a plurality of output hoses coupled to the mixing unit;

a protective plate for concealing at least a portion of one of the plurality of supply hoses;

a plurality of holes in the protective plate; and

a plurality of fee-throughs in the holes in the protective plate.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising

a first lockable door coupled to the cabinet; and

a second lockable door coupled to the cabinet.

43. The apparatus of claim 42

wherein the first lockable door prevents access to the first section of the cabinet;

wherein the second lockable door prevents access to the second section of the cabinet.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 further comprising:

a first lock for locking the first lockable door; and

a second lock for locking the second lockable door.

45. The apparatus of claim 42 further comprising:

a cavity in the first lockable door; and

a cavity in the second lockable door.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising:

a first hasp positioned to fit through a slot in the first lockable door when the first lockable door is closed;

a second hasp positioned to fit through a slot in the second lockable door when the second lockable door is closed;

a first lock in the cavity of the first lockable door; and

a second lock in the cavity of the second lockable door.

47. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising:

a plurality of supply hoses coupled to a plurality of liquid containers and to the mixing unit; and

a water supply hose coupled to the mixing unit.

48. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the protective plate conceals at least a portion of the plurality of output hoses.

49. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the plurality of output hoses are coupled to the plurality of feed-throughs such that the plurality of output hoses are concealed behind the protective plate.

50. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid comprising:

a lockable container;

a separator within the lockable container separating the lockable container into a upper section and a lower section;

a supply hose within the lockable container;

a shield for protecting at least a portion of the supply hose; and

an output hose for dispensing the liquid.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising:

a first door coupled to the lockable container; and

a second door coupled to the lockable container.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising:

a first cavity in the first door; and

a second cavity in the second door.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising:

a first hole in the first cavity;

a second hole in the second cavity;

a first hasp coupled to the lockable container; and

a second has coupled to the lockable container;

wherein the first hasp fits partially through the first hole when the first door is closed;

wherein the second hasp fits partially through the second hole then the second door is closed.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising:

a first lock located in the first cavity; and

a second lock located in the second cavity.

55. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a water supply hose coupled to a mixing unit.

56. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a supply reservoir coupled to the supply hose.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the supply reservoir is located in the lower section.

58. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a mixing unit coupled to the supply hose and the output hose.

59. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the shield is located in the upper section.

60. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the shield comprises a metal.

61. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a feed-through in the shield wherein the output hose is coupled to the feed through.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein shield prevents access to the output hose.

63. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a feed-through in a bottom of the lockable container wherein the output hose is coupled to the feed-through.

64. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising:

a chamber;

a supply hose within the chamber;

an output hose at least partially within the chamber;

a first lockable door coupled to the chamber; and

a protective plate behind the lockable door for concealing at least a portion of the output hose when the lockable door is open.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising

a second lockable door wherein a hinge pin of the second lockable door is blocked from being removed by a portion of the chamber;

wherein a hinge pin of the first lockable door is blocked from being removed by a portion of the chamber.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the hinge pin of the first lockable door is crimped;

wherein the hinge pin of the second lockable door is crimped.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the hinge pin of the first lockable door is recessed in the chamber such that it is blocked from being removed;

wherein the hinge pin of the second lockable door is recessed in the chamber such that it is blocked from being removed.

68. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the chamber comprises;

a first compartment containing a mixing unit; and

a second compartment containing a supply reservoir;

wherein the supply hose is coupled to the supply reservoir.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the protective plate is in the first compartment;

wherein the protective plate has an output hole.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 further comprising a metal cylinder coupled to the output hole.

71. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the output hose is coupled to the metal cylinder.

72. An apparatus comprising:

a cabinet;

a faceplate coupled to the cabinet;

a hole in the faceplate exposing an activation means;

an outlet in the faceplate for outputting a liquid through the faceplate; and

a supply hose for supplying a liquid from a supply reservoir.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 further comprising:

a water supply hose coupled to a mixing unit; and

an output hose coupled to the mixing unit and the outlet in the faceplate.

74. The apparatus of claim 72 further comprising a lockable plate such that when the lockable plate is closed the hole in the faceplate is covered.

75. The apparatus of claim 72 further comprising a plate within the cabinet;

wherein the plate has a plurality of holes;

wherein the water supply hose goes through the plurality of holes;

wherein the plate provides strain relief for the water supply hose.

76. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein at least a portion of the supply hose is behind the faceplate.

77. The apparatus of claim 72 further comprising:

a metal feed through in the faceplate; and

a output hose coupled to the mixing unit and the metal feed through such that the output hose is behind the faceplate.

78. The apparatus of claim 72 further comprising a recessed portion in the faceplate wherein the hole is in the recessed portion of the faceplate.