Removable timer cap for liquid soap dispenser

• US 7,663,977 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Slam Dunk, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark E. Hartelius
• Inventors: Hartelius, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEON MUNOZ, EDWIN A
• Application Number:
  US11/710,179
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368107-110, 368/278, 368/204, 215/228, 215/230, 221/2, 221/15, 222/321.9
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28

Abstract

A timer assembly mounted removably on a personal soap dispenser of a type having a pump operated by a soap dispensing plunger with a handle and spout. The timer assembly has a housing capsule with a timer for measuring a preselected time interval; LEDs and a music generating chip for signaling the time interval to the user, and a pressure switch for starting the timer. The housing capsule is received in a flexible hood/cover mounted on the top of the handle so that pressure switch is actuated to start the time by pressure of the user'"'"'s hand during depression of the handle to dispense soap.

Claims

1. A timer assembly for mounting removably on a personal soap dispenser of a type having a pump operated by a soap dispensing plunger with a handle and spout, the timer assembly comprising:

a housing;

a timer in the housing for measuring a preselected time interval;

means in the housing for signaling the time interval to the user at least one of audibly and visually;

actuating means in the housing for starting the timer; and

means for mounting the housing on the handle, removably, so that the actuating means is normally operated to start the timer by depression of the handle to dispense soap wherein;

the mounting means comprises a hood/cover formed with a housing receiving pocket having a resiliently flexible mouth portion and a spout receiving sleeve extending from the pocket so that, when received in the pocket, the housing can be mounted removably on the handle by looping the sleeve over the spout and moving the assembly of the module and hood downwards and rearwards, away from the spout, bringing the mouth portion into gripping receipt of the handle and demounted by tilting forward towards the spout, stretching of the mouth portion to release at least a lower portion of the handle from the mouth portion and moving the assembly towards and over the spout to slip the sleeve off the spout.

2. A timer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the actuating means comprises a pressure switch and the housing caps the handle so that the pressure switch is operated by pressure of the user'"'"'s hand during depression of the handle to dispense soap.

3. A timer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the timer assembly further comprises a battery, said signaling means comprises at least one LED and a sound generating chip and a speaker operably connected to the timer and battery by an electrical circuit encapsulated by the housing.

4. A timer assembly according to claim 3 wherein said at least one LED flashes and the sound generating chip generates a tuneful song for the duration of the time interval.

5. A timer assembly according to claim 3 wherein the time interval is 20 seconds.

6. A timer assembly according to claim 1 wherein finger engagable protuberances are formed on opposite sides of the mouth portion to facilitate manual stretching thereof during mounting on and demounting from the handle.

7. A timer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the hood/cover is made from elastic material.