Kitchen sink top-mounted rigid stem-portable dispenser soap system

The present invention provides a liquid soap dispensing apparatus having a counter-top mounting system that makes it possible to securely anchor the liquid dispensing device to a surface such as a counter-top and still allow easy removal for portability, so the dispenser can be transported and used in other areas. The apparatus also allows the soap reservoir to be easily refilled and utilizes readily available pump components.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a liquid dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a surface mounted liquid soap dispenser having a counter-top mounting system that makes it possible to securely anchor the liquid dispensing device to the counter-top and still allow portability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of counter mounted fluid dispensers known in the prior art. Unfortunately, such mounted dispensers of liquid soap and other similar liquid products are often inconvenient to use and/or refill.

Counter-mounted dispensers have typically included a dispenser fixture located above the counter and a refillable soap reservoir located under the cabinet into which dip tubes are inserted. The dip tubes have typically included one or two check valves and a piston type pump. The fixture includes an actuation button that is depressed by the user when a quantity of soap is desired. When the actuation button is depressed, the pump is operated and soap is drawn from the reservoir, pushed through the delivery spout and into the user's hand.

Because of the location of the reservoir such as behind the sink these dispensers are very difficult to refill. The user is typically required to climb under the counter to remove the reservoir from the pump mechanisms that generally remain attached to the counter. The filled reservoir must then be returned to its position under the cabinet without spilling the liquid soap or causing it to overflow by reinserting the mechanism into an overfilled pump reservoir. These pump and valve arrangements are typically permanent installations and over a period of time the valves and/or pumps often fail or become clogged such that no soap can be dispensed. The owner is left with an unusable device and/or a hole in the counter-top that requires covering.

Wall-mounted liquid soap dispensers require double sided adhesive sheets to be applied to a wall surface. One side of the adhesive sheet is applied to the wall and the soap dispenser is adhered to the second side. Once a wall mounted dispenser is emptied it must be removed from the wall before it can be refilled or replaced. Often adhesive is left on the surface or the paint is removed with the adhesive sheet leaving the owner with a scarred or unsightly wall surface.

Counter-top liquid soap dispensers often have a problem with placement. The liquid soap dispenser must be placed on an already crowded counter adjacent the sink. In the past, these dispensers had no anchoring and were often tipped over or knocked into the sink. Counter-top dispensers are especially likely to be tipped over when they are low on liquid and are top heavy.

Accordingly, what is lacking in the art is a soap dispenser having a counter-top mounting system that makes it possible to securely anchor the liquid dispensing device to the counter-top and still allow portability, so the dispenser can be transported and used in other areas. The design should also allow the reservoir to be easily refilled and utilize readily available pump components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A number of prior art devices exist for dispensing liquid soap, lotion or other viscous liquids.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,523 to Spector discloses a wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser whose container is formed of flexible plastic material and is provided with a flat rear wall and an externally threaded nipple projecting from the front wall adjacent the base. The nipple has a cap screwed thereon which incorporates a pivoted spigot that when folded in seals the nipple and when folded out creates an outlet from which soap is discharged when the front wall is depressed. In installing the assembly on a wall, a base sheet is adhered to a selected site on the wall after which a foot member is adhered to a central zone of the base sheet and the soap container is adhered to the foot member. The foot member acts as a load distributor for the soap dispenser to prevent it from dislodging from the wall. To remove the dispenser the base sheet must be peeled from the wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,340 to Lynch, Sr. discloses a counter-top liquid soap dispenser that includes a decorative housing with a soap reservoir and a pressurized gas reservoir disposed inside of the housing. A dispensing valve is provided between the pressurized gas reservoir and the soap reservoir for selectively allowing the pressurized gas to force the liquid soap through a flexible tube that extends outwardly from the housing. The housing is rested on a counter surface adjacent to the sink and the dispensing tube is extended along the faucet spout such that the distal end of the tube is positioned adjacent to the mouth of the faucet spout. The tube is coupled to the faucet spout by adhesive or fastening bands. However, there is no disclosure or a suggestion of securing a holding stem to the sink and using the holding stem to prevent the soap dispenser from sliding into the sink.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,566, to Brandenburg discloses a counter-mounted liquid soap dispensing apparatus which includes a permanently mounted actuator rod and dispenser spout adapted to be used with a disposable soap reservoir and piston pump module. The main objectives of the device are to keep the actuator rod and soap separated as well as providing a disposable soap cartridge that contains its own disposable pump. To complete these objectives the actuator rod and the dispenser spout are permanently mounted in the counter-top. A disposable soap reservoir and pump attach to the dispenser spout from underneath of the counter. When the user depresses the actuator button, the rod engages a pump piston in the refill cartridge to cause liquid soap to be pumped through a delivery tube. The delivery tube extends completely through the delivery spout of the fixture so that soap does not come into contact with the delivery spout.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,342 to Lewis discloses an improved counter-mounted liquid soap dispensing apparatus which includes a permanently mounted actuator rod and dispenser spout adapted to be used with a disposable soap reservoir. The patent is aimed at improving the Brandenburg apparatus by utilizing readily available viscous fluid pumps in place of the specially designed pumps in Brandenburg. Like the Brandenburg device the Lewis device maintains the soap reservoir below the counter-top and therefore has all of the problems associated therewith.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,594 to Ozturk discloses a soap dispensing device which is attached to the end of a standard kitchen faucet. The device is activated by rotating the device in a first direction which cuts off the flow of water and dispenses liquid soap. When the device is returned to the original position the soap flow is stopped and the original flow of water is returned.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,048 to Minke discloses a faucet assembly having an integral dispenser for liquid products such as soap, lotion, and the like. In addition to the conventional mixer tap for supplying water, the faucet assembly includes a pair of upstanding pump assemblies. The pump assemblies are manually operable to pump liquid products from reservoirs to a dispenser block located within the faucet assembly adjacent to the spigot. Reservoirs for the liquids dispensed from the pump assemblies are maintained under the counter-top.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,896 to Rocchelli discloses a soap dispenser that attaches to the water tap. The apparatus is designed as a split ring that fits under the base of a water tap. The device allows a soap dispenser to be installed without drilling holes in the sink. This device also requires the soap reservoir to be installed under the counter-top.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,821 to Kaiser discloses a kitchen sink with a raised section which houses a variable number of accessories. A removable ornamental plate closes the open top.

U.S. Pat. No. D438,041 to Huang discloses a soap supplier design. The design requires the soap reservoir to be installed under the counter-top.

U.S. Pat. No. D366,834 to Reid discloses a dispenser spout design. This design also requires the soap reservoir to be installed under the counter-top.

In addition to the difficulties associated with refilling and monitoring the fluid levels within these prior art devices they also lack portability. Typically these devices are permanently mounted to the faucet, counter-top or to an adjoining wall. Nothing in the prior art teaches or suggests a soap dispensing system wherein there is a permanently attached stem which removably and securely engages a portable soap container. The prior art further fails to teach a decorative pump head that is removable and replaceable to match various color schemes and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of liquid soap dispensers in the prior art, the present invention provides a portable yet secured liquid soap dispensing system.

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a counter-top soap dispenser system that utilizes a reservoir with a bottom surface constructed and arranged to cooperate with a holding stem rigidly secured to a surface, thereby preventing the reservoir from sliding or being inadvertently pulled into the sink. Because the reservoir is not permanently attached to the counter it can be easily refilled and/or moved and used in other locations that may or may not have the cooperating holding stem.

The principles and objectives of the present invention include, but are not limited to providing a method and apparatus for securing a liquid soap dispenser to a sink or counter-top.

Accordingly, a primary objective of the instant invention is to teach a novel apparatus and method for securing a liquid soap dispenser to a surface.

Another objective of the instant invention is to teach a liquid soap reservoir having a unique bottom surface capable of use with or without the holding stem.

Yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach an easily refillable liquid dispenser system.

Still yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach a tamper resistant liquid dispenser system.

Some of these objects are achieved by a reservoir assembly having a generally flat bottom surface with a centrally located cavity for cooperating with a holding stem that is secured to the sink or counter-top.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIG. 1 through 9, the liquid soap dispensing system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid soap system generally comprises a unique container10with a soap reservoir16, a pump mechanism60, and a holding stem22. The pump mechanism60is in fluid communication with the soap reservoir16and has a actuator with a pump head38extending from the container10. The holding stem22typically attaches to a surface28such as sink, counter-top, bathtub or the like and cooperates with the bottom surface of the container. In operation the container is slid downward over the holding stem to substantially prevent the container from tipping over or sliding across the counter-top.

In closer detail, the liquid soap system comprises a means for containing a supply of liquid illustrated herein as a container10preferably having a separable upper portion12and lower portion14with the upper portion12of the container10removably and sealably attached to the lower portion14. Alternatively, the container10can be constructed as a one piece tamper resistant construction (FIG. 5) and may be disposable when the liquid is consumed. The interior chamber of the container10is utilized as a reservoir16for holding a supply of liquid illustrated herein as liquid soap. The instant invention could also be utilized to dispense other viscous liquids, e.g. lotion, hand cleaning cream, hand sanitizing cream and the like.

The top portion12of the container10assembly further comprises a pump mounting structure30, fixedly connected to the container10to which the pump device32is attached. The pump mounting structure30is preferably constructed with an outer threaded portion34. In this case the pump device32may have a cap36including inner threads to engage the outer threads34on the mounting structure30. An optional identification disc74slides over the pump mounting structure30and is held firmly in place by the cap36. The identification disc74provides a surface for labels, warnings or product identification. The identification disc74may also be formed in various shapes to allow the liquid within the reservoir to be visually identified by the shape of the disk. This feature is especially useful when more than one container10is secured to the same surface. Shapes for the identification disk may include but should not be limited to round, square, star, heart, daisy, egg, polygon and the like. The pump device also includes a removable and replaceable pump head38. The pump head38is constructed and arranged for cooperative engagement with the pump device32. In this manner the pump head38can be removed and replaced with different pump heads for decorative/product-identification purposes or should a pump head become clogged or damaged. Like the identification disk74the pump head38may be formed in various shapes and/or colors that would allow visual identification of the liquid within the container.

The lower portion of the container14has a lower surface18configured with a centrally located cavity20for cooperation with an anchoring means illustrated herein as a holding stem assembly22. The holding stem assembly22is constructed and arranged with a proximal end24for cooperation with the cavity20and a distal end26for cooperation with at least one surface28having a flange48disposed therebetween.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4a preferred albeit non-limiting holding stem assembly22construction is shown. The holding stem assembly22utilizes a central stud member52secured to a cap member44at the proximal end24of the holding stem22extending downwardly through the annular stem, the first surface28and the second surface40. The central stud member52threadedly connects to a second surface engaging means at the proximal end26of the holding stem22illustrated herein as sub-plate42. The sub-plate42is constructed and arranged generally as a rectangle so as to allow insertion downwardly through the aperture46. The assembly is secured by pulling upwardly and turning the cap44until the flange48and sub-plate42provide sufficient frictional engagement against both the first28and second surfaces40. The stem assembly22may also include a watertight sealing means shown as, but not limited to, a resilient sealing member50. The resilient sealing member50creates a watertight seal between the flange48and the first surface28. Other suitable methods of creating a watertight seal that are well known in the art may be used in place of the resilient sealing member50.

Referring toFIG. 5an alternative embodiment of the holding stem22is shown. In this embodiment the holding stem22utilizes a threaded stub54at the distal end26of the holding stem22to secure the holding stem22to a surface28. To attach the holding stem to a surface the stem22is merely threaded into a sized aperture until the flange48tightens against the desired surface28. Also illustrated is a one piece container assembly10. The one piece container assembly may be disposable after the contents are used and replaced with a new container.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7an alternative holding stem22embodiment is illustrated wherein the proximal end24of the holding stem22is constructed with a polygon shaped periphery. By utilizing elliptical or other polygon shaped peripheries or combinations thereof on the proximal end24of the holding stem22the container10can be directionally oriented and/or indexed. Suitable geometric shapes may include but should not be limited to square, triangle, hexagon, octagon, ellipse, polygon, D-shaped or combinations thereof. The attachment means on the distal end26is illustrated as a rubber grommet56. Holding stems22utilizing the rubber grommet56may be secured to a surface28by inserting the grommet56through a suitably sized aperture. It should be noted that when holding stems utilizing the shaped peripheries are used the cavity in the container should have a conjugate shape to that of the holding stem to permit cooperating engagement.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9an alternative holding stem embodiment is illustrated wherein the proximal end24of the holding stem22is constructed with a round perimeter. By utilizing the round shaped perimeter on the proximal end24of the holding stem22the container10can be infinitely rotated and oriented. The holding stem22illustrated utilizes an adhesive pad58to secure the proximal end24of the stem22to a surface28. Adhesive pads such as the one utilized herein are well known in the art. Use of the adhesive pad58eliminates the need for an aperture46to mount a holding stem22.

As a further modification the stem22may be magnetized or contain at least one magnet within the stem. In this manner a holding stem22can be mounted to magnetic surfaces such as cast iron sinks and bath-tubs without the need for an aperture46. A second magnet may also be placed with the container cavity20or adjacent to the bottom surface18to cooperate with the magnetic stem.

Referring toFIG. 10a cross-sectional side view of the container10and pump head38illustrating the centrally located cavity20in the bottom surface18of the container10as well as the optional removable and replaceable pump head38and identification disc74. Supported within the canister is the pump means60, the pump means is generally supported by the cap36which has a centrally located opening therein. Extending downward from the pump is the suction tube62, extending upwardly from the pump is the actuator tube64. The pump head38is constructed with an aperture66in its lower surface to cooperate with the actuator tube64. The proximal end of the pump tube thus sealably engages the pump head aperture66. Operation of the pump means60causes viscous liquid contained in the reservoir16to be drawn into the suction tube62. The viscous fluid is then forced upward through the actuator tube64and the pump head38exiting through the dispenser tube68. This arrangement permits the pump heads38to be removed from the pump60and replaced with other decorative/identification pump heads.

Referring toFIG. 11a partial side view with a portion of the container being broken away is shown. In this non-limiting embodiment the holding stem22is constructed with a locking means illustrated herein as a protuberance70on the proximal end24of the locking stem22. The protuberance70is constructed and arranged to cooperate with an indentation72in the centrally located cavity20of the container10. The cooperation of the protuberance70and the indentation72provides secure retention of the container10. It is also contemplated and understood that other suitable means of securing the container to the holding pin well known in the art could be substituted for the means illustrated herein.