Patent ID: 9138109
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A47K,B05B

Abstract:
1. A universal automated hands-free liquid dispensing system configured for use with liquid dispensers each having a different neck and spout configuration and size, the system also being configured to be adaptable to dispensers of differing heights, the universal automated hands-free liquid dispensing system comprising: an expandable tube configured to permit the flow of liquid from a liquid dispenser by way of pressurized flow, the tube comprising a fixed length portion and an expandable portion, the expandable portion being configured to permit manual extension or collapse of the expandable portion to accommodate dispensers of differing heights; the tube have a first end configured to engage a dispensing outlet and a second end configured to engage a means for pressuring the liquid in the liquid dispenser for purposes of directing the liquid through the tube from the dispenser to the dispensing outlet for delivery of the liquid to a user; a means for pressurizing the liquid in the liquid dispenser and configured to reside within the liquid dispenser without adverse impact of the ambient liquid on operation f the pressurizing means, the means being configured to receive a signal from a sensor to initialize pressurizing of the liquid within the liquid dispenser, where such pressurizing means is configured to continuing pressurizing the liquid for dispensing through the tube and out of the dispensing outlet for as long as the signal continues to be sent; the pressurizing means configured to discontinue liquid pressurizing upon cessation of the signal; and a sensor for detecting the close proximity of a user to the dispensing outlet, the sensor configured to detect the user's proximity without the need of the user to touch any portion of the system thereby eliminating any contamination of the user attributable to germs or other infectious materials that may be present on any surfaces of the system and/or liquid dispenser, the sensor configured to be powered by a locally-mounted power supply and further configured to generate a signal to the pressurizing means to initiate pressurizing of the liquid and dispensing of the liquid to the user upon the detection of the user's proximity to the dispensing outlet.