Dual dispenser, supply unit, and method

• US 8,127,969 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2010
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fresh Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Douglas S., Scherger, David F., Heilman, George C., Brown, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US12/775,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20110056991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 222/4, 222/94, 222/105, 222/129, 222/135, 222/180, 222/181.1, 222/181.2, 222/325, 222/181.3, 222/642, 222/192, 222206-207, 222/183, 222/209, 222212-215, 222/491, 222/494, 222/631, 239/289, 239/333, 239/337, 261/26, 261/30, 261/DIG.65
• US Class Current: 222/192
• 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 dual dispenser for dispensing both air freshener and soap. 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. 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. 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.

Claims

1. A dual dispenser for soap and fragrance, comprising:

a soap container containing a supply of soap;

a spout that permits the supply of soap to be dispensed from the soap container;

a shroud unit that is separate from the soap container, the shroud unit fits over top of and is supported by the soap container, the shroud unit comprising a source of fragrance that is separate from the supply of soap.

2. The dual dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dispensing tube connected to the spout.

3. The dual dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a valve that normally prevents release of soap from the tube and opens in response to a sufficient pressure exerted to dispense the soap.

4. The dual dispenser of claim 3, further comprising an actuator for dispensing the soap through the spout.

5. The dual dispenser of claim 1, wherein the source of fragrance comprises between 10-25% concentration of fragrance.

6. The dual dispenser of claim 5, wherein the source of fragrance further comprises a carrier that aids in evaporation of the fragrance.

7. The dual dispenser of claim 1, wherein the source of fragrance comprises a plastic material impregnated with fragrance.

8. The dual dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate for attaching the dispenser to a wall.

9. A dual dispenser for soap and fragrance, comprising:

a soap container containing a supply of soap;

a spout that permits the supply of soap to be dispensed from the soap container;

an actuator for dispensing the soap through the spout; and

a shroud unit that is separate from the soap container, wherein the shroud unit is supported by the soap container, the shroud unit comprising a source of fragrance that is separate from the supply of soap.

10. The dual dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a dispensing tube connected to the spout.

11. The dual dispenser of claim 10, further comprising a valve that normally prevents release of soap from the tube and opens in response to a sufficient pressure exerted to dispense the soap.

12. The dual dispenser of claim 9, wherein the source of fragrance comprises between 10-25% concentration of fragrance.

13. The dual dispenser of claim 12, wherein the source of fragrance further comprises a carrier that aids in evaporation of the fragrance.

14. The dual dispenser of claim 9, wherein the source of fragrance comprises a plastic material impregnated with fragrance.

15. The dual dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a mounting plate for attaching the dispenser to a wall.