Abstract:
A household liquid dispensing apparatus includes a container for holding a household liquid and a pump for pumping the household liquid out of the container. The pump includes a pump chamber. A dip tube is adapted to be positioned in the container and communicates with the pump chamber. An exhaust tube communicates with the pump chamber and an outlet for the household liquid. A pump actuator mechanically drives the pump. A motor operatively engages the pump actuator. The motor is electrically connected to a power source. A switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source. A trigger assembly is operatively connected to the switch to control power delivered to the motor. The trigger assembly is positioned under the outlet for the household liquid for easy actuation by an upturned hand.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/413,310 filed Sep. 25, 2002, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a pumping mechanism. More particularly, this invention relates to a motorized soap dispenser.  
           [0003]    In public restrooms along with household bathrooms and kitchens, sanitation is an important concern. Hand washing can greatly reduce the spread of germs. Liquid soap is more and more popular among consumers as the hand soap of choice. Liquid soap is usually dispensed through a hand pump that delivers the liquid soap from a bottle. The user pumps the handle using one hand and the liquid soap is delivered onto the user&#39;s other hand.  
           [0004]    When a person has particularly dirty hands prior to washing, he may leave some dirt on the hand pump which can create a sanitary problem. Limiting this sanitary problem can reduce the spread of germs. Not only is a dirty hand pump a sanitary problem; a dirty hand pump is an unsightly mess. Eliminating this unsightly mess results in a more attractive soap dispenser. Also, many consumers use more liquid soap than is necessary when washing their hands. Limiting the amount of wasted hand soap, especially at a large facility such as a factory or a sports stadium, can lead to an appreciated economic savings.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a hand soap dispenser that is more sanitary than the prior art. It is also desirable to provide a hand soap dispenser that uses less soap than the prior art, while still delivering the proper amount of soap to wash one&#39;s hands.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    A household liquid dispensing apparatus includes a container for holding a household liquid and a pump for pumping the household liquid out of the container. The pump includes a pump chamber. A dip tube is adapted to be positioned in the container and communicates with the pump chamber. An exhaust tube communicates with the pump chamber and an outlet for the household liquid. A pump actuator mechanically drives the pump. A motor operatively engages the pump actuator. The motor is electrically connected to a power source. A switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source. A trigger assembly is operatively connected to the switch to control power delivered to the motor. The trigger assembly is positioned under the outlet for the household liquid.  
           [0007]    A household liquid dispenser for use with an associated bottle for storing a household liquid is provided. The dispenser includes a housing and a pump for pumping a household liquid from the associated bottle. The pump is disposed in the housing and includes a pump chamber. A nozzle communicates with the pump chamber and defines an outlet. A pump actuator connects to the pump. A motor operatively engages the pump actuator and electrically connects to a power source. A switch electrically connects to the motor and the power source for selectively supplying power to the motor. A trigger assembly mounts to the housing and selectively mechanically engages the switch.  
           [0008]    An apparatus for dispensing a liquid from an associated pump bottle is provided. The associated pump bottle includes a container for storing a household liquid, a pump for pumping the household liquid out of the container, a pump driving member for driving the pump, and an outlet for the household liquid. The apparatus includes a housing, an actuator, a motor, a switch, and a trigger. The housing is adapted to receive the associated pump bottle. The actuator is adapted to engage the pump driving member of the associated pump bottle. The motor is operatively connected to the actuator and electrically connected to a power source. The switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source for selectively supplying power to said motor. The trigger is attached to the housing such that the trigger is positioned under the outlet of the associated pump bottle when the associated pump bottle is received by the housing. The trigger selectively engages the switch.  
           [0009]    An apparatus for pumping liquid from an associated bottle includes a housing, an actuator, a motor, a switch, and a trigger. The housing is adapted to receive an associated pump bottle. The actuator is movably mounted to the housing. The motor is operatively connected to the actuator and electrically connected to a power source. The switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source for selectively supplying power to the motor. The trigger is movably mounted to the housing such that an opening is defined by the trigger and a wall of the housing. The opening is adapted to receive a portion of the associated pump bottle.  
           [0010]    An object of the invention is to provide a hand soap dispenser that is more sanitary than prior art dispensers.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is reduce the likelihood of an unsightly mess left on a trigger assembly of the soap dispenser.  
           [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand soap dispenser that does not waste liquid soap.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a soap dispenser that can deliver foam to the user that is easier to lather than conventional liquid soap.  
           [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a soap dispenser that does not require manual pumping by the user.  
           [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hand soap dispenser that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is front perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the upper portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the lower portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a dispenser according to another embodiment showing a container removed from a housing.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4B is a close-up view of the bottom of the dispenser of FIG. 4A.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view according to another embodiment showing a container removed from a housing.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view according to another embodiment showing a container removed from a housing.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a dispensing apparatus used to dispense household liquid from a conventional retail hand soap pump.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 9 having received a conventional retail hand soap pump bottle with the dispensing apparatus and the hand soap pump in an upstroke.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 9 having received a conventional retail hand soap pump bottle with the dispensing apparatus and the hand soap pump in a downstroke. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]    It is to be understood that specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of inventive concepts. Hence, specific examples of characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.  
         [0030]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a motorized hand soap dispenser  10  includes a container  12 , a housing  14  positioned behind the container  12 , and a shroud  16  positioned above the container and the housing. Generally, the container stores a liquid, the housing encloses mechanical and electrical components, and the shroud covers a conduit for the liquid. For ease of explanation of the figures only, and not to limit the invention to only that described, the terms “front,” “rear,” “top,” and “bottom,” and the like will be used to describe the figures; however, such terms are simply to describe the figures and not to limit the invention to the embodiments described.  
         [0031]    The container  12  stores a household liquid such as hand soap, dishwashing soap, shampoo, conditioner and the like. The container can be made of plastic or another durable material. With reference to FIG. 3A, the container includes a front wall  18 , a rear wall  22 , and side walls  24  and  26 . The front wall  18  in the preferred embodiment is rounded or arcuate for an aesthetically pleasing appearance; however, the front wall can be another suitable shape. The rear wall  22  is substantially flat or planar. The side walls  24  and  26  extend beyond the central portion of the rear wall  22 . The rear wall thus defines an indented central portion or notch. The container further includes a top wall  28  and a base wall  32 . A neck  34 , which in this embodiment is circular, is positioned on the top wall  28  and defines an opening  36 . A container seal  38  (FIG. 3B) can be positioned in the circular neck  34 . The base wall  32  has a central indented portion, as seen in FIG. 7.  
         [0032]    A pump assembly draws the household liquid from the container  12 . Referring to FIG. 3B, the pump assembly includes a dip tube  42 , a pump diaphragm  44 , and an exhaust tube  46 . The pump diaphragm  44  is disposed in a pump housing  48 . The dip tube  42  communicates with the pump diaphragm  44  which includes a pump chamber (not visible) that communicates with the exhaust tube  46  to draw liquid out of the container. The dip tube  42  can include an intake check valve (not shown). The intake check valve can be positioned anywhere upstream of the pump chamber. The exhaust tube  46  can also include an exhaust check valve (not shown); however, the exhaust check valve can be positioned anywhere downstream of the pump chamber. Alternatively, a single check valve can be disposed in the pump diaphragm. The pump diaphragm  44  and the pump housing  48  can compromise a positive displacement pump similar to a traditional hand soap pump powered by a user depressing on a nozzle.  
         [0033]    A disc  50  attaches to a plate  52  (FIG. 3A) to sandwich the top of the diaphragm  44  and the pump housing  48  between the two. The diaphragm  44  is thus retained in a closed volume defined by the pump housing  48  and the disc  50 . The disc  50  includes an opening  54  that receives the exhaust tube  46 . The exhaust tube  46  moves up and down inside the opening  54 . The disc  50  further includes apertures  56  that receive fasteners  58  (FIG. 3A), which are received in apertures  60  in the plate  52  to attach the disc to the plate. The plate includes an opening  62  to receive the pump housing  48 . The plate opening  62  surrounds the neck  34  of the container and aligns with the container opening  36  such that the pump housing can be received in the container  12 . The plate  52  is attached to the shroud  16  so that when the shroud is lifted the pump assembly is removed from the container  12 . The plate includes holes  64  that align with holes  66  (only one shown in FIG. 7) in the shroud  16 . The holes  64  and  66  receive conventional fasteners  68  fixing the plate to the shroud  16 .  
         [0034]    Referring back to FIG. 3B, the exhaust tube  46  slides up and down in the disc opening  54  working a plunger  70  which is part of the pump diaphragm  44 . The plunger  70  is the working member for the pump assembly. A nozzle  72  is received by the exhaust tube  46 . The nozzle  72  includes about a 90 degree bend. The nozzle  72  attaches to a nozzle extension  74 , which provides an outlet  76  for the household liquid. In use, the household liquid is drawn through the dip tube  42  into the pump chamber of the pump diaphragm  44  and through the exhaust tube  46 , the nozzle  72  and finally the nozzle extension  74  before reaching the outlet  76  at the distal end of the nozzle extension.  
         [0035]    The exhaust tube  46  and thus the pump assembly, is driven by a pump actuator  80  (FIG. 3B). The pump actuator  80  includes a horseshoe shaped member  82  having a receiving slot  84  around the inner surface of the horseshoe shaped member that receives an apron  86  of the exhaust tube  46 . The pump actuator  80  is driven by a motor and transmission assembly contained in the housing  14 . The housing  14  is seen in an exploded view in FIG. 3A.  
         [0036]    The housing  14  can be made of plastic or another suitable material. The housing  14  includes a front or first panel  90  and a rear or second panel  92 . The front panel  90  and the container rear wall  22  are complementarily shaped such that the front panel  90  is shaped to be received in the central indented portion or notch defined by the side walls  24  and  26  and the rear wall  22  of the container  12 . In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front panel  90  includes a planar portion that abuts the rear wall  22  of the container  12 . Other complementary shapes are contemplated, including those depicted in FIGS. 4A, 5 and  6 .  
         [0037]    The front panel  90  includes a right side wall  94  and a left side wall  96 . The right side wall  94  is a mirror image of the left side wall  96 . The side walls have lower side notches  98  having front tabs  100  (only one visible in FIG. 3) positioned in the notches. The rear panel  92  includes lower side flanges  102  having rear tabs in  104  (only one shown). The lower side flanges  102  are resilient such that the rear tabs  104  fit over the front tabs  100  to attach the front panel  90  to the rear panel  92 . The rear panel  92  also includes upper tabs  106  at its top that fit into a mating portion of the shroud  16 .  
         [0038]    A latch plate  108  is provided to hold the container  12  in a fixed relation to the housing  14 . Both the front panel  90  and the rear panel  92  include notches  110  and  112  respectively that slidably receive the latch plate  108 . Referring to FIG. 7, the latch plate  108  includes a protrusion or tongue  114  that is received in a depression or groove  116  in the base wall  32  of the container  12 . As is also noticeable from FIG. 7, the bottom of the latch plate  108  is level with the bottom most portion of the base wall  32  of the container  12 , so that the dispenser  10  can sit level on a surface.  
         [0039]    Referring back to FIG. 3A, the front panel also includes a deep notch  118  defined by two upwardly extending projections  120 , which are mirror images of one another. The pump actuator  80  (FIG. 3A) is received in the deep notch  118 . The actuator  80  includes two side channels  122  (only one shown) that slide along the projections  120 . The pump actuator reciprocates up and down in the notch  118  to drive the pump assembly. The projections  118  are received inside an opening  124  in the plate  52  (FIG. 3A), which secures the front panel  90  firmly behind the rear wall  22  of the container  12 .  
         [0040]    As mentioned earlier, a motor  130  through a plurality of gears drives the pump actuator  80 . The motor  130  drives a pinion  132 . The pinion  132  drives a first intermediate gear  134 . A first intermediate pinion  136  (FIG. 7) is attached to the first intermediate gear  134 , and is driven along with the first intermediate gear. The first intermediate pinion  136  drives a second intermediate gear  138 . The second intermediate gear  138  has a second intermediate pinion  140  (FIG. 7) attached to and driven along with the second intermediate gear. The second intermediate pinion  140  drives a third intermediate gear  142 . The third intermediate gear  142  has a third intermediate pinion  144  attached to and driven along with the third intermediate gear. The third intermediate pinion  144  drives a drive gear  146  (FIG. 3B).  
         [0041]    The drive gear  146  includes a hole  148  offset from its center. A pin  150  is mounted in the hole  148  and carries an inner sleeve  152  and an outer sleeve  154 . The pin  150  engages a slot  156  in the pump actuator. The pin and slot converts the rotational movement of the drive gear  146  into reciprocating movement of the actuator  80 . In an alternative embodiment, such a mechanism can include a rack and pinion; however, a reversing electric motor would be used. Other conventional mechanisms can be used to convert the rotational movement into a reciprocal movement. The transmission disclosed is a gear reduction transmission that translates the high RPM output of the motor  130  to a lower RPM rotation for the drive gear  146 , other conventional transmissions can also be used to drive the pump actuator  
         [0042]    The intermediate gears  134 ,  138  and  142  are sandwiched between a front gear plate  158  and a rear gear plate  160 . The front gear plate  158  includes axle openings  162  that are aligned with axle openings  164  in the rear plate  160 . Axles  166  are received in the openings  162  and  164  to fix the gears between the front gear plate  158  and the rear gear plate  160 . The rear gear plate  160  includes an additional axle opening at its top  168  that receives a fastener  170  for the drive gear  146 . The rear gear plate  160  also includes a pinion opening  172  through which the pinion  132  protrudes. A spacer  174  and bushings  176  can be provided to appropriately space the gears between the front gear plate  158  and the rear gear plate  160 .  
         [0043]    The motor  130  receives power from a power source  180 . The power source  180  in the preferred embodiment is a plurality of batteries. The batteries are received in a battery pack  182  that is electrically connected to the motor  130  in a conventional manner. In an alternative embodiment, the power source could be an AC power source or any suitable power source.  
         [0044]    The plate  52  associated with the shroud  16  (FIG. 3A) further includes a mounting wall  192  projecting upwardly from the plate  52  to which a switch  194  is mounted. The switch  194  is electrically connected to the motor  130  and the power source  180  in a conventional manner. The switch  194  is activated by a trigger assembly that includes a switch actuator  196 . The switch actuator  196  includes a U-shaped member  198 , an upward projection  202 , and a downward L-shaped projection  204 . The U-shaped member  198  surrounds the neck  34  of the container  12 . The U-shaped member  198  mounts on fulcrums  208  extending upwardly from the plate  52 . The downward L-shaped projection  204  limits the pivotal movement of the switch actuator  196  by contacting the front wall  18  of the container  12 . As more clearly seen in FIG. 7, the downward L-shaped projection  204  is spaced slightly from the front wall  18  of the container  12 . The switch  194  is designed to activate with minimal force so that the switch actuator  196  need only to be barely depressed before the pump is actuated. The trigger assembly also includes a trigger pad  212  that mounts to the switch actuator  196  over the L-shaped projection  204 . The trigger pad  212  provides a rounded surface that complements the back of a user&#39;s hand or fingernail such that slight depression on the trigger  212  will result in the deposit of the household liquid on the upward facing palm of the user. Lateral force against the trigger pad  212  also activates dispensing. In an alternative embodiment, the housing  14  or the shroud  16  can limit the movement of the switch actuator  196 .  
         [0045]    In use, a consumer depresses the trigger pad  212  with the downwardly facing surface of a cupped hand causing the L-shaped projection  204  of the switch actuator  196  to rotate slightly on the fulcrums  208  about an axis defined at the intersection of the L-shaped projection  204  and the U-shaped member  198 . Upon rotation of the switch actuator  196 , the end of the U-shaped member  198  is forced upwardly closing the switch  194 . With the switch closed, the circuit between the motor  130  and the power source  180  is closed; therefore, power is delivered from the power source to the motor. When the user has enough soap, the hand is raised and dispensing ceases.  
         [0046]    Other trigger assemblies can be used to activate the trigger assembly, including an optical sensor and other known mechanisms. Furthermore, the shape of the trigger can be modified. In the particular embodiment described above, the trigger pad is adapted to be depressed by the back of the user&#39;s hand. In other embodiments, perhaps where the bottle is storing a liquid that is different from hand soap, the shape of the trigger can be modified.  
         [0047]    The trigger assembly is positioned below the outlet of the nozzle  74  such that the hand or object used to depress the trigger pad  212  is in position to receive the household liquid. In one embodiment, the soap dispenser provided allows the user to lightly depress the trigger pad with the back of the user&#39;s finger to dispense the soap. This remedies the problem of requiring the user to depress a hand pump with a dirty hand. Since the back of one&#39;s hand is usually not soiled, dirt will not likely be deposited on the trigger when the trigger is depressed. The amount of force required to activate the trigger and thus the switch is much smaller than the amount of force required to depress the hand pump of a conventional hand soap pump. Accordingly, less dexterity is needed to use the motorized dispenser than a conventional hand pump soap dispenser. Furthermore, the dispenser can be used to deposit dishwashing soap onto a dirty plate, pot or pan. In such a case, the user can depress the trigger pad with the dirty plate, pot or pan and the plate, pot or pan is positioned to receive the dishwashing soap.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an alternative embodiment of a dispenser  310  is disclosed. The dispenser  310  includes a container  312 , a housing  314  and a shroud  316 . The container  312  stores a household liquid, similar to the container  12  disclosed above. The container  312  includes a mounting portion  318  that includes two tongues  322 , one on each side. The container also includes a neck (not visible) that defines an opening (not visible). A container seal  324  mounts to the neck and includes an opening  326  that aligns with and communicates with an opening (not visible) in the housing  314 .  
         [0049]    The pump assembly, drive mechanism and power supply used to drive the pump assembly is similar to that described above in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For the sake of brevity, their description will not be provided. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the pump assembly with the exception of a dip tube  328  is disposed in the housing  314  or shroud  316 . The dip tube  328  is received in the opening  326  of the container seal  324  and communicates with the pump assembly via the opening (not visible) in the housing  314  or shroud  316 .  
         [0050]    The housing  314  can be made of plastic or another durable material. In this embodiment, the housing  314  and the shroud  316  are a unitary structure; however, in an alternative embodiment, the shroud  316  can be a separate component from the housing  314 . The housing includes a mounting portion  332  that receives the mounting portion  318  of the container  312 . In this embodiment, the mounting portion  332  of the housing  314  is shown at a side of the housing  314 , but the mounting portion can be positioned elsewhere, such as at the rear of the housing  314 . The mounting portion  332  of the housing  314  includes two grooves  334  (only one is visible) that receive the two tongues  322  of the container  312 . The housing  314  can also include a removable wall (not shown) to provide access to the power source.  
         [0051]    Referring to FIG. 4B, a latching mechanism  340  is provided to further hold the container  312  in a fixed relation to the housing  314 . The container  312  includes a notch  342  in a base wall  344  that aligns with a notch  346  in a base wall  348  of the housing  314 . A latch plate  352  slides along in the notches  342  and  346  to selectively hold the container  312  to the housing  314 .  
         [0052]    A trigger assembly  352  is positioned below an outlet  354  of the dispenser  310 . The trigger assembly  352  includes a trigger pad  356  and components similar to the trigger assembly described with reference to FIG. 3A. The trigger assembly  352  is movably mounted to the housing  314 . In this embodiment, the trigger assembly actuates a switch (not visible) in response to a slight downward and/or lateral pressure on the trigger pad  356 . The trigger assembly  352  is limited in movement by the housing  314 .  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a dispenser  410  in exploded view is disclosed. In this embodiment the dispenser  410  includes a container  412 , a housing  414  and a shroud  416 . The container  412  stores a household liquid, similar to the container  12  disclosed above. The container  412  includes a receiving portion  418 , which in this embodiment is an arcuate depression  422  in a rear wall  424  of the container  412 . The container  412  also includes a neck (not visible) that defines an opening (not visible). A container seal  426  mounts to the neck and includes an opening  428  that aligns with and communicates with an opening (not visible) in the housing  414  or shroud  416 .  
         [0054]    The pump assembly, drive mechanism and power supply used to drive the pump assembly is similar to that described above in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For the sake of brevity, their description will not be provided. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the pump assembly with the exception of a dip tube  430  is disposed in the housing  414  or shroud  416 . The dip tube  430  is received in the opening  428  of the container seal  426  and communicates with the pump assembly via the opening (not visible) in the housing  414  or shroud  416 .  
         [0055]    The housing  414  can be made of plastic or another durable material. In this embodiment, the housing  414  and the shroud  416  are a unitary structure; however, in an alternative embodiment, the shroud  416  can be a separate component from the housing  414 . Furthermore, the shroud  416  may be removable from the housing  414  to provide access to the power source of the pump assembly. The housing  414  is received in the receiving portion  418  of the container  412 . In this embodiment, the housing  414  is received at the rear of the housing  414 , but the receiving portion  418  can be positioned elsewhere, such as at the side or front of the housing  414 . The housing  414  has a complementary shape to the receiving portion  418  of the container  412 . A latching mechanism similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4B or FIG. 7 can be provided to fix the container  412  in relation to the housing  414 .  
         [0056]    A trigger assembly  452  is positioned below an outlet  454  of the dispenser  410 . The trigger assembly  452  includes a trigger pad  456  and components similar to the trigger assembly described in FIG. 3. The trigger assembly  452  is movably mounted to the shroud  416 . In this embodiment, the trigger assembly actuates a switch (not visible) in response to a slight downward and/or lateral pressure on the trigger pad  456 . The trigger assembly  452  is limited in movement by the container  412 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a dispenser  510  in exploded view is disclosed. In this embodiment the dispenser includes a container  512 , a housing  514  and a shroud  516 . The container  512  stores a household liquid, similar to the container  12  disclosed above. The container  512  includes a receiving portion  518 , which in this embodiment is an arcuate depression  522  in a rear wall  524  of the container  512 . The container  512  also includes a neck (not visible) that defines an opening (not visible). A container seal  526  mounts to the neck and includes an opening  528  that aligns with and communicates with an opening (not visible) in the housing  514  or shroud  516 .  
         [0058]    The pump assembly, drive mechanism and power supply used to drive the pump assembly is similar to that described above in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For the sake of brevity, their description will not be provided. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the pump assembly is with the exception of a dip tube  530  disposed in the housing  514  or shroud  516 . The dip tube  530  is received in the opening  528  of the container seal  526  and communicates with the pump assembly via the opening (not visible) in the housing  514  or shroud  516 .  
         [0059]    The housing  514  can be made of plastic or another durable material. In this embodiment, the housing  514  and the shroud  516  are a unitary structure; however, in an alternative embodiment, the shroud  516  can be a separate component from the housing  514 . Furthermore, the shroud  516  may be removable from the housing  514  to provide access to the power source of the pump assembly. The housing  514  is received in the receiving portion  518  of the container  512 . In this embodiment, the housing  514  is received at the rear of the housing  514 , but the mounting portion can be positioned elsewhere, such as at the side of the housing  514 . The housing  514  has a complementary shape to the receiving portion  518  of the container  512 . A latching mechanism similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4B or FIG. 7 can be provided to fix the container  512  in relation to the housing  514 .  
         [0060]    A trigger assembly  552  is positioned below an outlet  554  of the dispenser  510 . The trigger assembly  552  includes a trigger pad  556  and components similar to the trigger assembly described in FIG. 3. The trigger assembly  552  is movably mounted to the shroud  516 . In this embodiment, the trigger assembly actuates a switch (not visible) in response to a slight downward pressure on the trigger pad  556 . The trigger assembly  552  is limited in movement by the container  516 .  
         [0061]    In each of the dispensers a screen  250  (FIG. 3B) or a plurality of screens and/or aspiration opening can be provided in the fluid flow path through the pump assembly to transform the liquid soap in the bottle to a foam at the outlet of the nozzle extension. The screen  250  provides a mixing apparatus to convert the liquid soap into a foam. Furthermore, as apparent from the different embodiments described, the dispenser can take many configurations. The container can take a multitude of configurations, as well as the trigger assembly, housing and shroud.  
         [0062]    With reference to FIG. 9, a dispensing apparatus  600  can also be used with a conventional retail hand soap pump bottle A. The dispensing apparatus  600  includes a housing  602  to receive the pump bottle A, an actuator assembly  604  to drive the pump of the pump bottle A, and a trigger assembly  606  to actuate the actuator assembly. The conventional pump bottle A includes a container for storing liquid hand soap, a pump (not shown) disposed in the container for pumping the hand soap out of the container, a pump driving member and an outlet for the hand soap. The pump driving member for the pump bottle A depicted in the figures is the nozzle of the pump bottle, which normally a user depresses with one hand to dispense the liquid soap from inside the container onto his other hand.  
         [0063]    The housing  602  includes a platform  608  upon which the bottom of the pump bottle A rests, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. The platform  608  is generally rectangular to complement the bottom of the container of the pump bottle A. A small projection  610  extends upwardly from an end of the platform  608 . Projecting upwardly from the platform  608  and spaced from the projection  610 , a housing front wall  612  along with a housing rear wall  614  enclose the major mechanical and electrical components of the dispensing apparatus  600 . The projection  610  and the front wall  612  are spaced such that the container of the pump bottle A can be received on the platform  608 . Attached to the front wall  612 , two upper side walls  616  project outwardly and cover an upper portion of the pump bottle A (FIGS. 10 and 11). The side walls  616  are spaced from the platform  608  such that the side walls cover a top wall of the container of the pump bottle A. Referring to FIG. 10, the housing includes a top wall  622  having an opening  624 . The front of the housing  602  is substantially open, as noticeable from the figures.  
         [0064]    The actuator assembly  604  drives the pump of the pump bottle. Referring to FIG. 10, the actuator assembly includes a rod  626  that is received in the opening  624  in the top wall  622  and a follower  628  attached to an end of the rod  626 . The rod  626  is driven by a motor and transmission similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3A, and therefore for the sake of brevity will not be described in much detail. Basically, a motor through a gear reduction transmission that translates the rotational movement of the motor into a reciprocating motion of the actuator assembly  604  drives the rod  626 . The motor is powered by a conventional power source, including batteries and/or a plug that can fit into a wall receptacle. The motor, transmission and batteries are enclosed by the front wall  612  and the rear wall  614  of the housing  602 .  
         [0065]    The follower  628  engages a portion of the nozzle of the pump bottle A to drive the nozzle up and down, thus dispensing liquid soap from the container. The follower  628  can engage the nozzle in any conventional manner that allows the nozzle to travel along with the follower. For example, the follower can include a U-shaped member that receives an underside of the nozzle to pull the nozzle up on an upstroke, and a portion of the follower can push the nozzle down on a downstroke. Similarly, the follower  628  can simply depress the nozzle on its downstroke and the nozzle can return due to the biasing action provided by a spring (not shown) in the pump of the pump bottle A. This biasing is the usual action of a conventional retail soap bottle pump where the user of which depresses the nozzle to dispense soap.  
         [0066]    The trigger assembly  606  actuates the actuator assembly  604 . The trigger assembly  606  includes a trigger  632  having a trigger pad  634  formed at a distal end of the trigger. The trigger  632  mounts to the housing  602  above the platform  608  and below the follower  628  on the same side of the housing  602  as the platform. The trigger  632  also includes a pair of arms  636  that attach to the housing  602 . The trigger arms  636 , the trigger  632  and the front wall  612  of the housing  602  define an opening  638  (FIG. 9) through which the pump bottle A is received. The opening  638  is shaped similarly yet slightly larger than the container of the pump bottle A. In this embodiment, the opening  638  is substantially rectangular and slightly larger than the platform  608 . The trigger  632  mounts to the housing  602  by use of an axle  642 .  
         [0067]    The trigger assembly  606  closes a switch similar to the trigger assembly described with respect to FIG. 3A. The trigger  632  pivots about the axle  642  in response to a downward and/or lateral force on the trigger. The axle  642  can pivot such that a portion of the axle contacts a switch that closes the circuit between the power source and the motor. The trigger  632  can close the switch in other conventional manners. Upon depression of the