Automatic fluid dispenser

A motion-activated dispenser includes a housing having a base and top defining a gap sized to receive a human hand. The top portion defining cavity sized to receive a fluid reservoir and an opening extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion to the cavity, a neck of the fluid reservoir extending through the opening. A pressing member is positioned within the cavity and an actuator is coupled to the pressing member and configured to urge the pressing member toward and away from the opening. The pressing member may include, for example, a sliding member positioned opposite a stop face; a roller moved by the actuator toward the opening; a plunger positioned above the opening and driven by an actuator toward the opening; or a pair of rods spanning the cavity and urged by the actuator through the cavity, the rods pressing against sides of the reservoir.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to dispensers for viscous fluid and, more particularly, to motion-activated dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soap dispensers that are motion activated are well known. Such dispensers advantageously reduce the spread of germs and disease by not requiring any contact with the dispensers. Automated soap dispensers typically have large amounts of fluid that flows freely. The mechanisms of such dispensers retain a residual amount of soap, which is acceptable given the large reservoir size. Soap is left in the container. Soap also typically contacts the dispensing mechanism outside the container.

Motion activated dispensing could be advantageously used for other fluids such as personal lubricants or other substances dispensed in medical applications. In particular, the lack of contamination may be ideal. However, the dispensing of other fluids may not effectively be performed using existing soap dispensing mechanisms inasmuch as residual fluid left in the dispenser may be messy, non-hygienic, or result in unacceptable waste.

The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an improved dispensing mechanism that can be used for personal lubricants or other viscous fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a dispenser includes a housing having a base configured to stably rest on a support surface. The housing includes a top portion positioned above the base such that a gap between the base and top portion is sized to receive a human hand. The top portion defines a cavity sized to receive a fluid reservoir and an opening extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion to the cavity. A pressing member is positioned within the cavity and an actuator is coupled to the pressing member and configured to urge the pressing member toward and away from the opening. A fluid reservoir may be positioned within the cavity, the fluid reservoir including a neck having a pressure actuated opening at a distal end thereof, the neck extending through the opening. In some embodiments, no portion of the dispenser, other than the base, is positioned in a flow path vertically beneath the pressure actuated opening.

In another aspect, the dispenser includes a controller mounted within the housing and operably coupled to the actuator, the controller configured to selectively activate the actuator. The dispenser may include a proximity sensor mounted in the housing and configured to detect movement within the gap. Alternatively, the sensor may be a motion detector or other sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the proximity sensor is operably coupled to the controller and the controller configured to activate the actuator in response to an output of the proximity sensor. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is mounted within the top portion and the controller is mounted within the base. The dispenser may further include a light emitting device mounted within a portion of the housing, preferably within the top portion. The top portion in such embodiment includes a downward facing translucent panel positioned below the light emitting device. The controller may be configured to activate the actuator to move between positions of a plurality of discrete positions including a start position and an end position in response to detecting of movement in the gap by the proximity sensor. The controller may also be configured to activate the actuator to move to the start position in response to detecting positioning of the actuator in the end position. The dispenser may additionally include a temperature-control element in thermal contact with the cavity or otherwise placed to heat the fluid reservoir. The temperature-control element is preferably a heating element, such as a resistance heater.

In another aspect, the actuator is configured to urge the pressing member in a first direction and the top portion includes a stop face arranged substantially transverse to the first direction (i.e., substantially normal to the first direction) and offset to a first side of the opening. The pressing member may include a pressing face extending upward from the opening and having a normal substantially parallel to the first direction. The pressing member may be positioned on a second side of the opening opposite the first side. The actuator is configured to urge the pressing member perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the top portion defines rails extending perpendicular to the first direction, the pressing member being configured to slidingly receive the rails. The fluid reservoir may be collapsible and positioned within the cavity having a first surface in contact with the stop face and a second surface in contact with the pressing face, the neck abutting the first surface, the body of the collapsible reservoir may have a substantially constant cross section along substantially an entire extent of the body between the first and second surfaces.

In another aspect, the pressing member includes a roller rotatably coupled to the actuator and defining an axis of rotation. The actuator is configured to move the roller in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation across the cavity toward and away from the opening. The pressing member may include an axle extending through the roller, the top portion defining guides engaging end portions of the axle. The actuator may be coupled to the end portions of the axis by means of a flexible but substantially inextensible line. Springs may be coupled to the end portions of the axle and configured to urge the roller to a starting position offset from the opening.

In another aspect, the opening extends in a first direction through the lower surface of the top portion and the pressing member is positionable at a starting position having the cavity positioned between the opening and the pressing member. The actuator is configured to urge the pressing member from the starting position toward the opening along the first direction. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the top portion defines an aperture and a lid is hingedly secured to the lower surface and is selectively positionable over the aperture, the opening being defined in the lid. In some embodiments, one or more members extend from the cavity to a position offset from the cavity, each member of the one or more members being pivotally mounted to the top portion and including a first arm extending over the pressing member having the pressing member positioned between the first arm and the opening; and a second arm engaging the actuator.

In another aspect first and second rods are each pivotally coupled at a first end to one side of the cavity and having a second end positioned on an opposite side of the cavity. The actuator engages the first and second rods and is configured to draw the first and second rods through the cavity toward the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, a dispenser10may be understood with respect to a vertical direction12, a longitudinal direction14perpendicular to the vertical direction12, and a lateral direction16perpendicular to the vertical and longitudinal directions12,14. The vertical direction12may be perpendicular to a planar surface on which the dispenser10rests. Likewise, the lateral and longitudinal directions14,16may be parallel to the support surface.

The dispenser10may include a housing18that has a C-shape in the longitudinal-vertical plane. Accordingly, the housing18may include an upper portion20and a base22such that a vertical gap is defined between the upper portion20and the base22. The upper portion20may define a cavity24for receiving a reservoir26. The reservoir26may include a neck28defining an opening30and a body32coupled to the neck28. The neck28may be smaller such that the body32can be inserted into an opening through which the body32cannot pass, or cannot pass through without deformation. The cavity24may be wider than the body32in the lateral direction16to facilitate removal of the reservoir26. The opening30may be a pressure sensitive opening that is closed in the absence of pressure applied to the body32, but will permit fluid to pass therethrough in response to an above-threshold pressure at the opening30. For example, the opening30may be any of various “no-drip” systems used in many condiment dispensers known in the art.

The cavity24may be accessible by means of a lid34covering a portion of the upper portion20. The lid34may secure to the upper portion20vertically above the upper portion20, vertically below the upper portion20or to a lateral surface of the upper portion20. The lid34may be completely removable and secure by means of a snap fit or some other means. The lid34may also be hingedly secured to the upper portion or slide laterally in and out of a closed position. For example, a slide out drawer defining a portion of the cavity24for receiving the reservoir26may slide in and out of a lateral surface of the upper portion20.

A pressing member36is slidable into and out of the cavity24in order to compress the reservoir26and retract to enable insertion of a refill reservoir26after an extractable amount of fluid has been pressed out of an original reservoir26. The pressing member36may define a pressing face38positioned opposite a stop face40defining a wall of the cavity24.

Referring toFIG. 2, the pressing member36may slidably mount to the housing18. For example, the pressing member36may define one or more slots42that receive rails44secured to the upper portion20. Alternatively, rails formed on the pressing member36may insert within slots defined by the upper portion20. An actuator46may engage the pressing member36in order to move the pressing member36toward the reservoir26in order to force fluid therefrom. The actuator46may be any linear actuator, such as a motor driven screw or worm gear, servo, rotating cam, or the like. In particular, the actuator46may advantageously maintain its state in the absence of applied power. The actuator46may secure within one or more actuator mounts50secured to the upper portion20or some other portion of the housing18, including the base22. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator46engages the pressing member36by means of a spreader48that distributes the force over a greater area of the pressing member36.

The dispenser10may include a proximity sensor52that is configured to sense the presence of a human hand within the gap between the upper and lower portions20,22. The mode in which the proximity sensor52identifies the presence of a human hand may include various means such as by detecting reflected light, interruption of light incident on the proximity sensor52, detecting a thermal signature or temperature change, change in inductance or capacitance, or any other modality for detecting movement, proximity, or presence of hand. The proximity sensor52may protrude below a lower surface54of the upper portion20or be exposed through the lower surface54to light, air, or thermal energy in the gap between the upper and lower portions20,22. Other sensors than proximity sensors may be employed, such as voice-activated sensors. Furthermore, multiple sensors may be employed in the same or various parts of the device.

In some embodiments, one or more light-emitting elements56may be mounted in the upper portion20and emit light into the gap between the upper and lower portions20,22. For example, the lower surface54or a portion thereof may be translucent or perforated to allow the light from the light-emitting elements to reach the gap. The light-emitting elements56may be light emitting diodes (LED), incandescent bulbs, or other light emitting structure. Alternatively, lighting elements may provide light emitting from the bottom or side.

Various structures or shapes may form the housing18. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing18includes a curved outer portion58and a curved inner portion60that when engaged define a curved or C-shaped cavity for receiving the components of the dispenser10. The ends of the curved portions58,60may be planar, or include planar surfaces. In particular, the outer curved portion58may include a lower end with a planar lower surface for resting on a flat surface, or three or more points that lie in a common plane for resting on a flat surface.

A controller62may mount within the housing18, such as within the base22. The controller62may be operably coupled to some or all of the actuator46, proximity sensor52, and light-emitting elements56. The controller62may be coupled to these elements by means of wires. The controller62may also be coupled to a power source (not shown) such as a battery or power adapter. The controller62may be embodied as a printed circuit board having electronic components mounted thereon that are effective to perform the functions attributed to the controller62. The controller62may include a processor, memory, or other computing capabilities to perform the functions attributed thereto.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the lower surface54of the upper portion20may define an opening66for receiving the neck28of the reservoir26. As shown, the opening30is free to dispense fluid without the fluid being incident on any portion of the dispenser, other than the base22, if the fluid is not incident on a user's hand. As is also apparent, the opening30and the neck28are disposed closer to the stop face40than to the pressing face38. In this manner, as the body32of the reservoir26is collapsed, the neck38inserted within the opening30does not interfere with advancing of the pressing face38. The neck28may be located as close as possible to the surface of the body32engaging the stop face40. For example, a gap between the stop face40and the pressing face38above the opening66, e.g. measured parallel to the surface of the housing supporting the reservoir26, may be X and the distance between the stop face40and the neck28and the side of the neck closest the stop face may be less than 10% X, preferably less than 5% X.

The lower surface54of the upper portion20may additionally define an opening68for receiving a portion of the proximity sensor52or for allowing light, vibrations, thermal energy, and the like to be incident on the proximity sensor52. The lower surface54may additionally include an opening for allowing light from the light-emitting devices56to radiate the gap. Alternatively, the lower surface54may be translucent or transparent or include translucent or transparent portions to allow light to pass through the lower surface54. In some embodiments, a marker70, such as a depression, painted mark, or other visual indicator may be defined in an upper surface of the base22positioned vertically below the opening66to indicate where the dispenser10will dispense fluid.

The pressing member36may slide back and forth in an actuator direction72that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction, e.g. within 20 degrees. The pressing face38may be substantially perpendicular to the actuator direction72, e.g. the normal of the pressing face38may be within +/−5, preferably within +/−1, degree of parallel to the actuator direction72. The stop face40may also be substantially perpendicular to the actuator direction (i.e. have a nearly parallel normal). However, in the illustrated embodiment, the stop face40is slanted to facilitate insertion of the reservoir26. For example, the stop face may have a normal that points upward from the actuator direction72by between 2 and 10 degrees, or some other non-zero angle.

In some embodiments, the reservoir26may be directly or indirectly heated by a heating element74that may be operably coupled to the controller62or directly to a power source and may include a thermal sensor enabling thermostatic control thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element74is coupled to the pressing member36, such as to the illustrated lower surface of the pressing member perpendicular to the pressing face38. Other possible locations include the illustrated location76aimmediately opposite the pressing face38or location76bimmediately opposite the stop face40. In some embodiments, it may be sufficient to simply heat the air around the reservoir26such that thermal contact with the reservoir26or structure facing the reservoir26is not required. Accordingly, the heating element74may be placed at any convenient location within the upper portion20or some other part of the housing18. Other temperature-control elements may alternatively be used to either heat or cool or maintain a temperature of the fluid.

The controller62may be configured to move the pressing member36from a starting position shown inFIG. 3to an end position located closer to the stop face40. The controller62may be configured to move the pressing member36between discrete positions between the start and end positions. For example, the controller62may be configured to cause the actuator46to move the pressing member36from one position to a next position responsive to a detecting of movement based on an output of the proximity sensor52. Upon detecting the pressing member36reaching the end position, the controller62may be configured to cause the actuator46to move the pressing member36to the start position. Detecting reaching of the end position may be determined by counting a number of times the pressing member36has been advanced from the start position, e.g. upon advancing the pressing member N times, the controller46may be configured to return the pressing member to the start position. In one preferred embodiment, the user may adjust the amount of advancement of the pressing member36with the controller. In this way an individual user may have more or less fluid delivered to the hand upon placing the hand beneath the opening. A rotatable adjustment knob or other switch (e.g., up & down arrow buttons) may be provided for such purpose.

Referring toFIG. 5, in some embodiments, the pressing member36may be embodied as a roller80that squeezes fluid from the reservoir26as it is urged across the reservoir. To facilitate this operation, the body32may be flat such that the length82and width84thereof are substantially greater than a thickness86thereof. The width84dimension may be parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller80when placed within the cavity24and the length82may be parallel to a direction of travel of the roller80in response to actuation thereof. The thickness86dimension may be perpendicular to both the length and width82,84dimensions. The neck28may be located at or near an end of the body32along the length dimension82thereof. In particular, to enable insertion of the reservoir26, the roller80may be positioned at a starting position shown inFIG. 5. The neck28may be located at an end of the body32opposite the end closest the roller80when in the illustrated starting position.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the roller80may rotate about one or more axles88having ends that protrude out of the roller80. The axles may rest on ridges90that define the actuation direction72for the roller80and have upper edges parallel to the actuation direction72. The axles88may further be retained on the ridges90by means of a U-shaped cover92. The cover92may include a cutout portion94having parallel edges96between which the roller80is permitted to travel. The edges96or other portion of the cover92may be positioned opposite the ridges90in order to provide a slot within which the axles88may slide. The cover92may have faces98that slope upward with distance from the cutout94in order to guide the reservoir26into the cavity24. The cover92may define channels100on either side, or a U-shaped channel extending on both sides, of the cut out portion94.

In some embodiments, the channels100may provide a space for accommodating lines102for pulling the axle along the slot between the edges96and the ridges90. In the illustrated embodiment, the lines102secure to ends of the axle88, extend around posts104, and each couple to a common pulley106or spool that is driven by an actuator46including a rotational actuator108. In response to rotation of the rotational actuator108, the lines are wound onto the pulley106thereby drawing the roller80toward the posts104and the opening66through which the neck28of the reservoir26passes. To return the roller80to the starting position, biasing members, such as springs110may be coupled to the housing18and to the axle88on either side of the roller80. Upon removal of force exerted by the rotational actuator108, the springs110may urge the roller back to the starting position. Alternatively, the springs may bias the roller toward a forward position of compression of the reservoir. In such an alternate embodiment, the lines102and actuator108serve to allow the roller to advance under the pull of the spring or springs and to pull the roller back against the spring pressure to a non-compressing, starting position.

The rotational actuator may maintain its state, e.g. lock when not changing position, such that the roller80may be stepped between various positions between the starting position and a final position nearest the opening66. As is apparent inFIG. 6, a support surface112may support the body32of the reservoir26such that the body32is pinched between the roller80and the support surface112during movement of the roller.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 5 to 7may likewise include a controller62, proximity sensor52, and lights56configured similar to those shown inFIGS. 1 to 4. As for other embodiments disclosed herein, the controller62may be configured to advance the roller80between discrete positions in response to detecting proximity using the proximity sensor52. Likewise, the controller62may be configured to return, or allow the return, of the roller80to the start position upon reaching the end position. The embodiments ofFIGS. 5 to 7may likewise include a heating element74as for the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 4located at a location within the upper portion20, such as interfacing with the support surface112or otherwise positioned to heat air within the upper portion20.

Referring toFIG. 8, in some embodiments, a reservoir cover120may secure to the lower surface54by a hinge or be completely removable and secure by a snap fit or some other means. The opening66for receiving the neck28of the reservoir26may be defined in the reservoir cover120. Accordingly, in use, the neck28(seeFIGS. 9-11) may be placed in the opening66having the body32of the reservoir26seated within a seat122, such as a concave or other surface, and the reservoir cover120may then be secured to the lower surface54.

In the illustrated embodiment, a distal end, e.g. opposite any hingedly secured end, of the cover120may include a ridge124or lip124for engaging a detent mechanism. However, any retention mechanism or detent mechanism may be used to retain the cover120in a selectively releasable manner.

Referring toFIGS. 9 to 11, in some embodiments, the reservoir cover120may be hingedly secured and releasably secured within an opening126covered thereby using the illustrated mechanism. A hub128including a registration boss130on an upper surface thereof may have front spring arms132extending forwardly therefrom in the longitudinal direction14. The front spring arms132may also spread laterally with distance from the hub128. The spring arms132may also be bent downwardly from the hub128and secure to a cross bar134spanning the distal ends of the front spring arms132. As shown, the cross bar134spans a portion of the opening126and engages the ridge124in order to retain the cover120within the opening126. The spring arms132and cross bar134may be made of a resilient material, e.g. spring steel, that is capable of deforming to enable the ridge to pass over the cross bar134. As noted above, the front spring arms132may be bent downwardly from the hub128such that a vertical gap is present between the bottom of the hub128and the opening128and the upper surface of the cover120positioned in the opening126.

Rear spring arms136may secure to the hub128and project rearwardly therefrom in the longitudinal direction14. The rear spring arms136may also flair outwardly from one another in lateral direction16and be bent downwardly from the hub128in the vertical direction12. The rear spring arms136may pivotally secure to axle portions138protruding in the lateral direction16outwardly from the cover120. The axle portions138may be cylindrical with axes extending in the lateral direction16. The rear spring arms136may include bent end portions insertable within the axle portions138. The rear spring arms136may be retained in engagement with the axle portions138due to biasing force of the rear spring arms136. In some embodiments, the front spring arms132, rear spring arms134, and cross bar134may be part of a single metal rod or wire bent to the illustrated shape.

The axle portions138may be secured to the cover120by means of an arm140that extends from outside the upper portion20to within the upper portion20. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm140is arched such that a concave lower surface thereof spans the edge of the opening126.

The axle portions138may be positioned within seats142positioned on either side of the arm140. As apparent inFIGS. 9 and 10, the seats142are open such that insertion and removal of the axle portions138from the seats142. The lid34engages the hub128and urges the rear spring arms136downwardly and accordingly the axle portions138into the seats142. In the illustrated embodiment (seeFIG. 10), the lid34includes a registration hole144A receiving the boss130formed on the hub128in order to maintain the hub138in an appropriate location within the cavity24. In the illustrated embodiment, the registration hole144A extends completely through the lid124. In some embodiments, a user may press on the registration boss130through the hole144A in order to depress the hub128and urge the cross bar134out of engagement with the ridge124and allow the reservoir cover120to fall out of the opening126. In some embodiments, the hub128may define one or more registration holes144A,144B that receive one or more posts145(seeFIG. 11) secured to an inner surface of the lid34or other covering of the upper portion20.

Pressing of fluid from a reservoir26positioned within the cavity24may be accomplished by a plunger146actuated in substantially the vertical direction12. In particular, the plunger146may move substantially vertically within a gap between the hub128and the seat122of the cover120(seeFIGS. 12A and 12B). For example, the plunger may move substantially parallel (e.g. within +/−5 degrees of parallel) to a central axis of the opening126. In some embodiments, the plunger146may be actuated by means of a cross bar148that spans the plunger146in the lateral direction16and may extend laterally outward beyond the plunger146. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross bar148passes through a raised post150or tube formed on an upper surface of the plunger146(seeFIG. 14). The ends of the cross bar148may slide within vertical grooves152defined in the upper portion20, one on either side of the opening126. As is apparent inFIGS. 9-11, the upper portion20is at a slight angle, e.g. 2 to 10 degrees, from horizontal. The grooves152may likewise be at a similar angle from vertical. The grooves152may be understood as parallel to a central axis of the opening126or to a direction of travel of the plunger146. For example, the grooves152may be formed in posts154positioned on either side of the opening126. In some embodiments, one or more springs156may engage the cross bar148, or some portion of the plunger146or other structure secured thereto (seeFIGS. 9 and 10). The springs156may bias the plunger toward the opening126. The springs156may include first arms160and second arms162.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 12A, when inserting a reservoir26within the cavity24, the user may seat the reservoir26on the cover120and then urge the cover120upward thereby urging the reservoir26against the plunger146. The configuration ofFIG. 12Amay be a starting position for the plunger146. As shown inFIG. 12B, upon compression of the plunger146toward the cover120, the body32of the reservoir26is compressed thereby forcing fluid from the opening30until the plunger146reaches the end position shown inFIG. 12B. The plunger146may be moved between a plurality of discrete positions between the illustrated start and end positions to release discrete amounts of fluid from the reservoir126as for other embodiments disclosed herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the springs156may seat within seats158positioned laterally outward from the posts150, however other positions may advantageously be used. As apparent inFIGS. 12A and 12B, the first arms160of the springs156press against the cross bar134. The second arm162of each spring156may engage a portion of the upper portion20to counter torque on the arm160.

FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate an example of an actuation mechanism that may be used to drive the plunger146. The springs156may be considered part of the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism may include rods164extending along the upper portion such as in a generally longitudinal direction14that slopes upward similarly to the upward angle of the upper portion20. The rods164may include first arms166secured to first end portions thereof that engage the linear actuator46, such as by means of the spreader48driven up and down by the linear actuator46. The rods164may include second arms168secured at second end portions opposite the first end portions. The rods164may seat within slots170defined by the upper portion20.

The second arms168extend over the plunger146such that in response to rising of the arms166, the arms168are also raised. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms168are loops that extent around the posts154and between the cross bar134and the plunger146. As is apparent, the actuator46may only be able to force the arms166up. Accordingly, the arms168may be operable to counter the force of the biasing springs156to enable insertion of a reservoir26. To dispense fluid, the actuator46may lower the spreader50to a different position thereby allowing the biasing force of the springs156to force fluid from the reservoir26. In some embodiments, the actuator46may be coupled to the arms166such that the actuator46is able to force both raising and lowering of the arms166,168. In still other embodiments, springs156may urge the plunger146up and the actuator46is operable to urge the plunger146downward toward the cover120. As shown inFIG. 14, in some embodiments, the rods164may pass through coils of the springs156.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 9 to 14may likewise include a controller62, proximity sensor52, and lights56configured similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 4. As for other embodiments disclosed herein, the controller62may be configured to advance the plunger146between discrete positions in response to detecting proximity using the proximity sensor52. Likewise, the controller62may be configured to return, or allow the return, of the plunger146to the start position upon reaching the end position. The embodiment ofFIGS. 9 to 14may likewise include a heating element74in thermal contact with the reservoir26, cavity24, or air within the upper portion20.

Referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, in some embodiments, the upper portion20and lower portion22may have the illustrated configuration. In particular, rather than having being C-shaped, the upper portion20and lower portion22may join at both ends to define an opening180for receiving a portion of a user's hand. The embodiment ofFIGS. 15 and 16may be used with the illustrated reservoir26. As shown, the body32of the reservoir26may have a substantially constant cross section along the height thereof. A handle182may be secured to the body32opposite the neck28to facilitate removal of the reservoir26. A lip or shoulder184may protrude from the handle182and extends outwardly from the body32.

The upper portion20may define an opening186for receiving the reservoir26and include a sloped surface188surrounding the opening186to guide the reservoir26into the opening186. A seat190shaped to engage the shoulder184may also be positioned adjacent the opening186.

Referring toFIGS. 17A to 17C, in some embodiments the opening186may be defined by a flexible sleeve192secured to the upper portion20. The sleeve may be open at both ends such that the neck28of the receiver26may pass therethrough and insert within the opening66. In some embodiments, a washer194may be positioned above the opening66and the neck28may insert therethrough.

In the illustrated embodiment, fluid is forced from the reservoir26by arms196positioned on either side of the flexible sleeve192. The sleeves may define an angle198between them. The sleeves may be pivotally secured at a pivot200on one side of the sleeve192to the housing18and pass on to an opposite side of the sleeve192having the sleeve192positioned therebetween. The arms196may be part of a single metal rod bent to the illustrated shape including a straight portion defining the pivot200. Opposite the pivot200, a link202may pivotally mount within the housing18and to the arms196, such as by means of a cross bar204secured to both bars arms196. The actuator46may pivotally secure to the link202, such as at a point between the points of securement of the arms196to the link202and a point of securement of the link202to the housing18. However, the actuator46may also be coupled to the link202at another point along the link202. The actuator46may be pivotally mounted to the housing18as well such that the actuator46pivots during actuation thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the actuator46may shorten thereby drawing the arms196down over the flexible sleeve192and forcing fluid out of the opening30. As for other embodiments, the actuator46may move the arms196between discrete positions from a start position (FIG. 17A) to an end position (FIG. 17B). The controller62may cause the actuator46to return the arms196to the start position upon the arms196reaching the end position. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller62is positioned below the opening180.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 15 to 18Cmay likewise include a controller62, proximity sensor52, and lights56configured similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 4. As for other embodiments disclosed herein, the controller62may be configured to advance the arms196between discrete positions in response to detecting proximity using the proximity sensor52. Likewise, the controller62may be configured to return, or allow the return, of the arms196to the start position upon reaching the end position. The embodiment ofFIGS. 15 to 18Cmay likewise include a heating element74in thermal contact with the reservoir26, cavity24, or air within the housing18.