Apparatus and method for dispensing post-foaming gel soap

• US 7,540,397 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Hsieh, Rocky, Muderlak, Kenneth J., Bellinger, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US10/842,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20050247735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,849 Days
• Field of Search: 222/400.5, 22240221-40223, 222/333, 2223217-3219, 222/373, 222/378, 222/381, 222/385, 2223831-3833, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 222/400.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/16 with mechanical drive food mixers A47J43/04
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/267 by a separate device actuated by repeated, e.g. human, input, e.g. by a moving wing of a door or window, a ringing doorbell, a flushing toilet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/384 comprising an aerosol container disposed in an outer shell or in an external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/46 Tilt valves B65D83/50 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a post-foaming gel soap is disclosed. The dispenser includes a housing containing a first actuator and a second actuator. A motor is operatively connected to said first and second actuator. A circuit is connected to said motor, as well as a sensor assembly and a power supply. In operation, said first and second actuator moves a stem valve and a cylindrical pump located on a reservoir containing a gel soap and an inert propellant gas. The cylindrical pump operates on a piston principle and also closes to prevent any dripping after use. Further disclosed are various methods of accurately dispensing a consistent dose of gel soap.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said first actuator comprises a single protrusion that pushes against said stem valve,

wherein said second actuator is a “

U”

shaped protrusion.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the single protrusion and said “

U”

shaped protrusion are on a common mounting.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein said single protrusion is located at the base of the “

U”

shaped protrusion.

4. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during a lifetime of a previous reservoir.

5. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during said lifetime of said reservoir.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said circuitry adjusts said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting the level of soap in the reservoir using diodes and a photoreceiver.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein said diodes are located to indicate that said receiver is 80% full, 60% full, 40% full, 20% full, and empty.

8. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry lengthens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether a user requests two immediately consecutive doses.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said circuitry shortens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether the last ten users have not requested two immediately consecutive doses.

10. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator; and

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator,

wherein said first actuator comprises a single protrusion that pushes against said stem valve,

wherein said second actuator is a “

U”

shaped protrusion.

11. The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the single protrusion and said “

U”

shaped protrusion are on a common mounting.

12. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during a lifetime of a previous reservoir.

13. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during said lifetime of said reservoir.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein said circuitry adjusts said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting the level of soap in the reservoir using diodes and a photoreceiver.

15. The dispenser of claim 14 wherein said diodes are located to indicate that said receiver is 80% full, 60% full, 40% full, 20% full, and empty.

16. A dispenser comprising:

a reservoir;

a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;

a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;

a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;

a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;

a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;

a sensor assembly; and

circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,

wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,

wherein said circuitry lengthens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether a user requests two immediately consecutive doses.

17. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein said circuitry shortens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether the last ten users have not requested two immediately consecutive doses.