Apparatus for hands-free dispensing of a measured quantity of material

• US 7,909,209 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph S. Kanfer
• Original Assignee: Joseph S. Kanfer
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, O'Toole, Martin, Van Deman, Bruce J., Reynolds, Aaron R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas; Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US12/564,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20100006597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 222/41, 222/2, 222/23, 222/25, 222/52, 222/325, 222/63, 222/113, 222/207, 222/214, 222/333, 222/181.1, 222/183, 222/181.3, 222638-639, 333/482
• US Class Current: 222/41
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1208 by means of a flexible dispensing chamber
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically dispensing a fluid includes a container adapted to carry a supply of fluid, and a valve connected to the container, wherein actuation of the valve dispenses the fluid. Also included is an apparatus position indicator proximally associated with the container and an object sensor positioned near the valve. The object sensor monitors an area below where the valve dispenses when open and upon detection of an object opens the valve. Initial positioning of the apparatus triggers the apparatus position indicator to generate an appropriate signal until the object sensor is properly positioned. Once positioned the device may be permanently secured. A control circuit within the apparatus also allows programming of lighting indicators, dispense cycle size, and dispense quantities. The control circuit also provides for overload protection, motor braking and RF shielding.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically dispensing a fluid comprising:

a housing;

a container carrying a supply of fluid in said housing;

a valve connected to said container, wherein actuation of said valve dispenses the fluid;

an apparatus position indicator carried by said housing and detected by an installer of the apparatus;

an object sensor positioned near said valve, wherein said object sensor monitors a zone below where said valve dispenses, wherein upon detection of an object, said valve dispenses the fluid; and

wherein during initial positioning of the apparatus in an area, said apparatus position indicator provides an indication when said object sensor is properly positioned in said area to prevent inadvertent triggering of said object sensor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control circuit connected to said object sensor and said apparatus position indicator, said control circuit initiates said object sensor to detect an operable installation position of the apparatus and sends a signal to said apparatus position indicator to indicate a proper installation position as detected by said object sensor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus position indicator includes at least one illumination device that illuminates when said object sensor is properly positioned in said area.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus position indicator includes at least one illumination device that illuminates until said object sensor is properly positioned in said area.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus position indicator provides an indication when said object sensor is properly positioned in said area and a different indication when said object sensor is improperly positioned.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said housing has a viewable panel, and said apparatus position indicator includes at least one illumination device detectable at said viewable panel.