Dual dispenser, supply unit, and method

• US 7,100,801 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Scherger, David F., Brown, Douglas S., Brown, Robert B., Heilman, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/795,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 222/4, 222/105, 222/129, 222/135, 222/180, 222/181.3, 222/325, 222/642, 261/26, 261/30, 261/DIG.65
• US Class Current: 222/105
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1202 dispensing dosed volume A47K5/1201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1209 with chamber in the form of a cylindrical tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1215 applied by a peristaltic action
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/088 using a deformable conduit-like element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/88 Aroma dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2467 Sulphur containing

Abstract

A method of facilitating replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. Another aspect of the invention is a method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. Another aspect is a supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle. Yet another aspect of the invention is a dual dispenser including means for dispensing the soap, means for actuating the dispensement of soap, means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener and means for actuating the means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener.

Claims

1. A supply unit for a soap dispenser, comprising:

a box defining an interior space sized and shaped to receive a supply of liquid soap, said box having an open upper end, a forward side of said box including a section defined by a perforated score line configured to define an aperture when said section is detached from said box, said aperture configured to permit said supply of liquid soap to be dispensed from said box, an external surface of a rearward side of said box defining a recess that receives and securely supports a battery outside of said interior space in a fixed position relative to said box;

a bag containing a supply of soap placed within said interior space of said box; and

a plate sized and shaped to cover said open upper end;

wherein at least terminal ends of the battery received within said recess are externally accesible when said plate is positioned to cover said open upper end of said box.

2. The supply unit of claim 1, wherein said plate extends over said recess.

3. The supply unit of claim 2, wherein said recess extends an entire width of said box.

4. The supply unit of claim 1, wherein said plate is a separate member from said box.

5. The supply unit of claim 1, wherein said plate includes a plurality of strengthening ribs.