Liquid dispenser with removable mobile dispenser

• US 9,993,119 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OP hygiene IP Gmbh
• Original Assignee: OP hygiene IP Gmbh
• Inventors: Ophardt, Heiner, Duncan, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): MELARAGNO, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US15/051,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20160249774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 222175, 2221795, 222192, 222133, 2223212, 141 98
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1201 hand-carried
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1205 Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1207 Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0056 with an additional opening for filling or refilling
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1014 the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1057 Triggers, i.e. actuation means consisting of a single lever having one end rotating or pivoting around an axis or a hinge fixedly attached to the container, and another end directly actuated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/12 mechanically, e.g. by pistons or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A liquid dispenser is disclosed. The liquid dispenser includes a reservoir for containing liquid to be dispensed; a dispenser outlet for discharge of the liquid from the reservoir; a discharge mechanism operable to discharge the liquid from the dispenser outlet when activated; and a personal dispenser removably coupled to the dispenser outlet. The personal dispenser includes a receptacle for containing the liquid discharged from the dispenser outlet; an inlet port for receiving the liquid discharged from the dispenser outlet; and an outlet port for discharge of the liquid from the receptacle. The personal dispenser is configured so that, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the liquid discharged from the dispenser outlet accumulates in the receptacle until the receptacle contains a preselected volume of the liquid, and once the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid, the discharge of further said liquid from the dispenser outlet causes the liquid contained in the receptacle to be discharged from the outlet port.

Claims

1. A liquid master dispenser, comprising:

a reservoir for containing liquid to be dispensed;

a dispenser outlet for discharge of the liquid from the reservoir;

a discharge mechanism operable to discharge the liquid from the dispenser outlet when activated; and

a personal dispenser removably coupled to the dispenser outlet, the personal dispenser comprising a receptacle for containing the liquid and an outlet port for discharge of the liquid from the receptacle;

wherein;

(a) while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the liquid discharged from the dispenser outlet accumulates in the receptacle until the receptacle contains a preselected volume of the liquid, and once the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid, the discharge of further said liquid from the dispenser outlet causes the liquid contained in the receptacle to be discharged from the outlet port; and

(b) while the personal dispenser is removed from the dispenser outlet;

(i) the personal dispenser is configured to be carried manually to locations remote from the dispenser outlet for selectively discharging the liquid contained in the receptacle from the outlet port; and

(ii) the discharge mechanism is operable to discharge the liquid contained in the reservoir from the dispenser outlet.

2. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a usage monitoring system configured to generate information indicative of an amount of the liquid dispensed from the liquid dispenser.

3. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the usage monitoring system comprises at least one of:

a sensor configured to detect a volume or a mass of the liquid contained in the reservoir;

a sensor configured to detect a volume or a mass of the liquid contained in the receptacle;

a sensor configured to detect a flow of the liquid through the dispenser outlet;

a sensor configured to detect a flow of the liquid through the outlet port;

a sensor configured to detect the activation of the discharge mechanism; and

a sensor configured to detect activation of a dispensing mechanism of the personal dispenser.

4. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the personal dispenser includes an inlet port for receiving the liquid discharged from the dispenser outlet and communicating the liquid to the receptacle;

the personal dispenser coupled to the dispenser outlet with the dispenser outlet engaged with the inlet port;

wherein the inlet port comprises a one-way inlet valve that permits fluid to enter the receptacle through the inlet port, and prevents fluid from exiting the receptacle through the inlet port;

wherein the outlet port comprises a one-way outlet valve that permits fluid to exit the receptacle through the outlet port, and prevents fluid from entering the receptacle through the outlet port; and

wherein the receptacle defines an internal volume and is compressible to selectively reduce the internal volume from an uncompressed volume to a compressed volume upon application of a compressing force, to thereby discharge the liquid from the outlet port.

5. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the discharge mechanism is configured to permit the liquid to be drawn from the reservoir out the dispenser outlet through application of a vacuum pressure to the dispenser outlet;

wherein the personal dispenser comprises a dispensing mechanism operable, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, to create the vacuum pressure to draw the liquid from the reservoir, out the dispenser outlet, and into the receptacle;

wherein the dispensing mechanism is manually operative to create the vacuum pressure;

wherein while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the dispenser outlet sealingly engages with the inlet port, placing the dispenser outlet in communication with the receptacle; and

wherein the discharge mechanism requires electrical power for operation, and while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, if the electrical power required for operation of the discharge mechanism is not available, operation of the dispensing mechanism draws the liquid from the reservoir, out the dispenser outlet, into the receptacle, and when the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid, out the outlet port.

6. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the receptacle comprises:

an internal chamber having an open end for receiving and expelling the liquid therefrom; and

a manually compressible diaphragm defining one side of the internal chamber;

wherein the personal dispenser is configured so that compression of the diaphragm effects the discharge of the liquid from the outlet port;

wherein the internal chamber is configured so that, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the open end is positioned at a designated height above the diaphragm, the designated height corresponding to a level of the liquid within the receptacle when the receptacle contains a designated volume of the liquid, so that the liquid only enters the internal chamber once the receptacle contains the designated volume of the liquid;

wherein the diaphragm is at least partially transparent and is visible to a user to provide a visual indication of whether the internal chamber contains the liquid; and

wherein the receptacle further comprises a baffle interposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, for directing the liquid received by the inlet port toward the internal chamber.

7. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet port comprises an opening in fluid communication with the receptacle;

wherein the personal dispenser is configured so that, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the opening is positioned at a preselected height relative to the receptacle, the preselected height corresponding to a level of the liquid within the receptacle when the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid;

wherein while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, while the level of the liquid within the receptacle is below the preselected height, the liquid discharged into the receptacle from the dispenser outlet displaces air in the receptacle out the outlet port;

wherein the outlet port comprises a tubular member disposed within the receptacle;

wherein the opening is an inlet opening of the tubular member, and the tubular member extends from the inlet opening to a discharge opening; and

wherein the personal dispenser is configured so that, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, the discharge opening is positioned below the preselected height.

8. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the discharge mechanism comprises a pump assembly configured to discharge the liquid from the reservoir upon application of a mechanical force;

wherein the reservoir, the dispenser outlet, the pump assembly, and the personal dispenser together form a replaceable cartridge;

the liquid dispenser further comprising a housing configured to support the replaceable cartridge, the housing carrying an actuator configured to selectively apply the mechanical force to the pump assembly;

wherein the replaceable cartridge is removable from the housing;

wherein the dispenser outlet comprises an outlet tube configured to be received in removable sealed engagement within the inlet port of the personal dispenser resisting removal.

9. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect if the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet;

a sensor configured to detect if the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid; and

a control system that receives information from the sensors and controls the discharge mechanism;

wherein the control system is configured to, upon detecting that the personal dispenser has been coupled to the dispenser outlet, activate the discharge mechanism to discharge the liquid to fill the receptacle when detecting that the receptacle does not contain the preselected volume of the liquid, and to end the activation of the discharge mechanism to fill the receptacle upon detecting that the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid.

10. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir has a cavity sized for removably receiving the personal dispenser;

wherein, prior to assembly of the liquid master dispenser, the personal dispenser is held within the cavity of the reservoir in an initial bundled configuration;

the liquid master dispenser further comprising a label that is secured to a face of the reservoir and a face of the personal dispenser while in the initial bundled configuration;

wherein the label is configured to be severed upon removal of the personal dispenser from the cavity, so as to leave a first portion of the label secured to the face of the reservoir and a second portion of the label secured to the face of the personal dispenser.

11. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting dock for removably engaging a housing of the personal dispenser for mounting of the personal dispenser;

wherein the mounting dock is positioned so that the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet when the housing of the personal dispenser is mounted to the mounting dock.

12. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the receptacle comprises a collapsible bag that is configured to expand, up to a maximum volume, to accommodate the liquid received by the inlet port;

wherein, once the bag reaches the maximum volume, receipt of further liquid from the inlet port causes pressure within the bag to increase up to a threshold pressure;

wherein the one-way outlet valve is configured to discharge the liquid from the outlet port when the threshold pressure is reached; and

wherein the personal dispenser further comprises a plunger that is operable to exert a compressive force on the bag, to increase the pressure within the bag up to the threshold pressure and thereby discharge the liquid from the outlet port.

13. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the personal dispenser is configured so that the liquid is contained in the receptacle without coming into contact with atmospheric air;

wherein the plunger comprises a manually operable push button;

wherein the personal dispenser comprises a housing defining an internal cavity that extends longitudinally from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, the housing having a rack of teeth arranged longitudinally on an internal surface thereof;

wherein the plunger comprises a flexible pawl arranged within the internal cavity, the flexible pawl having a foot that, when in an unbiased state, engages with the teeth;

wherein the bag is arranged within the internal cavity, between the flexible pawl and the first end of the housing;

wherein the foot and the teeth are angled so that;

(i) the foot slides freely along the rack when the plunger is moved longitudinally toward the first end of the housing; and

(ii) when the foot is in the unbiased state, the engagement of the foot with the teeth prevents the plunger from being moved longitudinally toward the second end of the housing;

the liquid dispenser further comprising a mounting dock for removably mounting the personal dispenser, the mounting dock being positioned so that the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet when the personal dispenser is mounted to the mounting dock;

wherein the mounting dock comprises a protruding rib, and the housing of the personal dispenser has a slot that is sized to receive the protruding rib when the personal dispenser is mounted to the mounting dock;

wherein the protruding rib is configured to engage with the foot when received by the slot, so as to bend the foot away from, and out of engagement with, the rack;

wherein the foot slides freely along the rib when the plunger is moved longitudinally toward the first end of the housing and toward the second end of the housing; and

wherein the foot is configured to return to the unbiased state upon removal of the rib from the slot.

14. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a hand soap or a hand sanitizer.

19. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the discharge mechanism is configured to permit the liquid to be drawn from the reservoir out the dispenser outlet through application of a vacuum pressure to the dispenser outlet;

wherein the personal dispenser comprises a dispensing mechanism operable, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the dispenser outlet, to create the vacuum pressure to draw the liquid from the reservoir, out the dispenser outlet, and into the receptacle.

20. The liquid master dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the dispensing mechanism is manually operative to create the vacuum pressure.

15. A refillable personal dispenser for dispensing hand cleaning liquid, comprising:

a receptacle for containing the liquid;

a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling to a reservoir;

an inlet port for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and communicating the liquid to the receptacle; and

an outlet port for discharge of the liquid from the receptacle;

wherein the outlet port is configured so that, while the personal dispenser is coupled to the reservoir, the liquid received by the inlet port accumulates in the receptacle until the receptacle contains a preselected volume of the liquid; and

once the receptacle contains the preselected volume of the liquid, the outlet port is configured to discharge the liquid contained in the receptacle upon receipt of further said liquid by the inlet port;

wherein the inlet port comprises a one-way inlet valve that permits fluid to enter the receptacle through the inlet port, and prevents fluid from exiting the receptacle through the inlet port; and

wherein the receptacle defines an internal volume and is compressible to selectively reduce the internal volume from an uncompressed volume to a compressed volume upon application of a compressing force, to thereby discharge the liquid from the outlet port.

16. The refillable personal dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the personal dispenser is configured so that the liquid is contained in the receptacle without coming into contact with atmospheric air.

17. The refillable personal dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the outlet port comprises a one-way outlet valve that permits fluid to exit the receptacle through the outlet port, and prevents fluid from entering the receptacle through the outlet port;

and

wherein the receptacle comprises a collapsible bag that is configured to expand, up to a maximum volume, to accommodate the liquid received by the inlet port;

wherein, once the bag reaches the maximum volume, receipt of further liquid from the inlet port causes pressure within the bag to increase up to a threshold pressure;

wherein the one-way outlet valve is configured to discharge the liquid from the outlet port when the threshold pressure is reached; and

wherein the personal dispenser further comprises a plunger that is operable to exert a compressive force on the bag, to increase the pressure within the bag up to the threshold pressure and thereby discharge the liquid from the outlet port.

18. The refillable personal dispenser according to claim 17, wherein the plunger comprises a manually operable push button;

wherein the personal dispenser comprises a housing defining an internal cavity that extends longitudinally from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, the housing having a rack of teeth arranged longitudinally on an internal surface thereof;

wherein the plunger comprises a flexible pawl arranged within the internal cavity, the flexible pawl having a foot that, when in an unbiased state, engages with the teeth;

wherein the bag is arranged within the internal cavity, between the flexible pawl and the first end of the housing;

wherein the foot and the teeth are angled so that;

(i) the foot slides freely along the rack when the plunger is moved longitudinally toward the first end of the housing; and

(ii) when the foot is in the unbiased state, the engagement of the foot with the teeth prevents the plunger from being moved longitudinally toward the second end of the housing;

wherein the housing has a slot that is sized to receive a protruding rib when the personal dispenser is coupled to the reservoir, so that the rib engages with the foot so as to bend the foot away from, and out of engagement with, the rack;

wherein the foot slides freely along the rib when the plunger is moved longitudinally toward the first end of the housing and toward the second end of the housing; and

wherein the foot is configured to return to the unbiased state upon removal of the rib from the slot.