Dispenser with projector

A dispenser having a projector is disclosed. The projector has a body with a cavity sized and shaped to receive a battery, a lens holders sized and shaped to receive at least one lens for focusing an image, a first protrusion sized and shaped to be received by a first wall of the dispenser, and a second protrusion sized and shaped to be received by a second wall of the dispenser. The projector further includes a lens assembly, a lamp, and a circuit board. The lens assembly is disposed in the lens holder, the lamp is configured to project a light through the lens assembly, and the circuit board is in electrical communication with the lamp.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to dispensers and more particularly to a fluid dispenser having an integrated projector.

BACKGROUND

Fluid dispensers for storage and distribution of personal products (e.g., soap, hand sanitizer, lotion) and other suitable fluids are well known in the art and are often mounted to a wall. For example, fluid dispensers are often mounted in public restrooms, hospital rooms, and other spaces to encourage the use of the product contained in the dispenser. The dispenser may be decorated or have markings identifying the liquid contained in the dispenser. Additionally, the dispenser may have some indicia of how to use the dispenser such as instructions. Although the product stored and dispensed by the dispenser is typically a liquid, other products are possible such as foams and powders.

Many fluid dispensers are configured to dispense product beneath the dispenser. Typically, an outlet of the dispenser is in fluid communication with a reservoir housed within the dispenser and adapted to selectively release the product contained in the dispenser beneath the dispenser. The outlet may be selectively actuated through a physical manipulation such as a pump or may be actuated through an electronic means. For example, a user may pull or push a lever to actuate a pump, or a user may place their hands under the dispenser to trigger a sensor causing the product to be dispensed through the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one aspect, a projector for a dispenser generally comprises a body having a cavity sized and shaped to receive at least one battery, a lens holder, and at least one dispenser attachment member for attaching the projector to the dispenser. A lens assembly is disposed in the lens holder and includes a lamp configured to project a light through the lens assembly, and a circuit board in electrical communication with the lamp.

In another aspect, a dispenser generally comprises a housing having a reservoir configured to receive a product and a mounting surface configured to be mounted to a wall. An outlet of the dispenser is in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to selectively release a quantity of the product. A projector is secured to the housing and configured to project a light source onto the wall.

In yet another aspect, a method of projecting information on a wall generally comprises actuating a dispenser to dispense a product contained in the dispenser, and projecting a light source onto a wall on which the dispenser in mounted. The light source is emitted from a projector mounted to the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a suitable embodiment of a dispenser10for dispensing products such as, but not limited to, liquids, foams, gels, and powders. Dispenser10is configured to house a product such as soap, detergent, hand sanitizer, and the like. More specifically, the product is stored in a reservoir (not shown) located within a housing12of dispenser10. Housing12is configured to mount on a wall22. More specifically, housing12as seen inFIG. 1has a flat side14that is complementary to a flat surface of wall22. That is, flat side14of housing12is configured for face-to-face engagement with the flat surface of wall22. In one suitable embodiment, flat side14may include one or more cutouts (not shown) for receiving a hanger (e.g., a screw, nail, hook) fastened to wall22. Alternatively, housing12may be mounted to wall22using other common techniques such as adhesives or other suitable fasteners. It is also contemplated that dispenser10can be mounted on a suitable stand.

Dispenser10has an outlet16configured to dispense product contained in the reservoir. More particularly, outlet16is in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to selectively dispense product. Specifically, outlet16selectively dispenses a predetermined quantity of product (e.g., 0.4 ml to 1.0 ml per dispense) in response to a physical actuation by a user, such as pressing handle18(broadly, “an actuator”) inward. The inward movement of handle18may open a valve or actuate a pump in order to dispense the product through outlet. In other suitable embodiments, the product may be dispensed in response to a detected condition, such as actuation of a sensor or switch61. For example a proximity sensor may detect the close present of a user. Some embodiments may power a pump in response to the detected condition to dispense a portion of the product.

It is understood that dispenser10can be any suitable dispenser without departing from some aspects of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a projector20is disposed on a lower portion of dispenser10. In some embodiments, projector20may be located else ware, such as the top of the dispenser10. That is, projector20can be disposed at any suitable location on the dispenser. Projector20is configured to project a light source and thus an image23. In the illustrated embodiment, projector20is configured to project a light source at a surface to which dispenser10is mounted, such as wall22resulting in image23. In some embodiments, the light source remains lit at all times. In other embodiments, the light source illuminates in response to a triggering event. For example, the light source can illuminate (i.e., turn on) in response to handle18being pressed or the outlet16dispensing product. Or, in other suitable embodiments, the light source may illuminate upon detection of noise or movement.

Image23projected by projector20varies dependent on application and can have any suitable brightness. By sending a lighted symbol or color, the user receives a positive reinforcement to encourage use of the product in dispenser10. In one suitable embodiment, image23may be a simple light, similar to a night light for use in low light situations or to draw attention to dispenser. In other suitable embodiments, image23may be configured for standard or typical light situations. That is, image23is sufficiently bright to be readily visible under normal lighting conditions. In some embodiments, projector20may project image23with detail, such as an advertisement or instructions on wall22. This advertisement may be advantageous compared to traditional printed media because image23may be more economical than printed media and is not easily defaced. It may also be simpler to change to a new advertisement by updating or changing the image. The image23may be a combination of text and graphics to convey the desired information. The image23can be the same per triggering event or can change between a plurality of images23.

In one suitable embodiment, image23may convey information related to the product contained in dispenser10. For example, dispenser10may have limited space for product identification and safety information. Projector20may project image23containing such information, freeing up space on dispenser10. Or, in another embodiment, image23may include instructions for using the product. For example, projector20could project image23containing instructions for proper hand washing. Thus, image23can be directly related to the product contained within the dispenser.

Projector20may light in other situations as well. Dispenser10may have a sensor configured to detect an event such as a person moving, a toilet flushing, or water running, and project image23to direct attention to dispenser10. Thus, image23can be used to draw attention to the dispenser and thereby remind individuals to wash their hands. In one suitable embodiment, projector20may project image23for the length of time recommended for hand washing. After the recommended time has passed, image23may then go dark or change. For example, the image23may be red for at least 20 seconds (or other suitable period of time for washing hands) and then turn green to indicate to the user of dispenser10that they have washed their hand for at least the recommended period of time. It is further contemplated that image23can be a static image, can change between multiple images, or can be a video.

In one suitable embodiment, the projector is configured to turn off after a predetermined amount of time. It is contemplated that the predetermined amount of time can be any suitable length of time.

With reference again toFIG. 1, projector20projects image23onto wall22at an angle. Projector20may have corrective lenses to correct for any keystone effects or other distortions caused by the angled projection. In some embodiments, an included angle24between wall22and a centerline26of projection is greater than twenty five degrees. Angles shallower than twenty-five degrees are not advised as they may cause image distortion that is difficult to correct. Thus, in suitable embodiments, the included angle24is greater than twenty five degrees. For example, in one suitable embodiment, the angle24at which the image23is projected onto the wall22is approximately forty-five degrees or greater. It is understood that the in some embodiments the image23can be projected onto any suitable surface. That is, the image23can be project onto surface besides wall22(e.g., a floor, a ceiling, an adjacent wall) without departing from some aspects on this disclosure.

FIG. 2illustrates another exemplary dispenser30for use with the projector20. Dispenser30is similar to dispenser10ofFIG. 1, with the exception that dispenser30has a lower profile. Because of the lower profile, dispenser30must place projector20closer to the wall, resulting in a low included angle32. Dispenser30ofFIG. 2is projecting at an angle close to about twenty five degrees. Lower included angle32results in a larger image25, but it typically has more distortion than the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3illustrates the projector20removed from dispenser10, andFIG. 4illustrates a cross-section of projector20. As seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, projector20has a body42with projections44,46for interfacing with housing12of dispenser10and a lamp assembly48. Body42, in the illustrated embodiment, further includes a cavity50sized and shaped to receive at least one battery52and a lens holder54sized and shaped to receive at least one lens for focusing an image. Body42has a removable cover43providing access to battery52. In other suitable embodiments, battery52can be separate from and spaced from body42. In such an embodiment, a separate, discrete battery holder (not shown) sized and shaped to hold at least one battery52can be provided and that is operatively connected (e.g., via suitable wiring) to the body42. The discrete batter holder can be located anywhere on dispenser10,30or at a suitable location spaced from the holder.

Projector20has a lens assembly56disposed in the lens holder54, a lamp58configured to project an image through lens assembly56, and a circuit board60in electrical communication with lamp58. Lamp58may be a white light source that is modified using colored filters to project various colors. Or, in other suitable embodiments, lamp58may be a white light source and a shadow filter may be used to project shapes. In still other suitable embodiments, a printed image may be disposed in lens assembly56for projection. In yet other suitable embodiments, lamp58may be a video source configured to project digital images. In one suitable embodiment, projector20includes memory source for storing image23.

It is contemplated that in some suitable embodiments, image23can be readily changed for an external device (e.g., a computer, a smartphone, a tablet) capable of communicating with the memory source. The communication between the external device and the projector20to change the image(s)23can be wired or wireless.

FIG. 5illustrates a cross-section of projector20mounted to dispenser10. Dispenser10has a first wall50with a first recess sized and shaped to receive lower protrusion46(broadly, a “first dispenser attachment member”). A second wall52has a second recess sized and shaped to receive side protrusion44(broadly, a “second dispenser attachment member”). Lower protrusion46interfaces with first wall12proximate wall22. The interaction between lower protrusion46and housing12inhibits a lower end of projector20from moving laterally relative to housing12. A side protrusion44interfaces with housing12at a lateral location. Side protrusion44snaps into place in housing12, further inhibiting movement of the projector20relative to the housing12. Protrusion44has a recess that ends into housing14. A lock pin48may be inserted in side protrusion44to expand an end of side protrusion44, locking projector20to housing12. It is contemplated that the projector20can be mounted to the dispenser10(or dispenser30) in any suitable manner without departing from some aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 7illustrates dispenser10having an exemplary projector66is disposed on a lower portion of dispenser10. Projector66is similar to projector20, but is configured to project an image on floor68rather than wall.

FIG. 8illustrates a perspective view of projector66.FIG. 9illustrates a top view of projector66.FIG. 10illustrates a front view of projector66.FIG. 11illustrates a side view of projector66. Of note, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 8throughFIG. 11, projector66has a lock pin70disposed on a back side72of body74and protrusions76on a bottom side78of body74. Protrusions76and locking pin70orient projector66to project an image downward. In other embodiments, different configurations of mounting mechanisms are possible and embodiments are not limited to the lock pin and protrusions described.