Dispenser for a personal hygiene liquid

Abstract: A vertically movable container (12) for dispensing a personal hygiene liquid, in particular liquid soap, from an outlet (32) in response to gravity is raised as a function of the depletion of the liquid to maintain the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet (32) essentially constant and to provide a constant rate of outflow. A selectively operated on/off valve (28) controls the flow from the container (12).

Description: The present invention relates to dispensers for a personal hygiene liquid and, more particularly, to gravity fed liquid dispensers having a constant flow rate, comprising a container for the liquid, which liquid has a level situated at a first height, a liquid outlet situated at a second height lower than the first height, a conduit comprising a flexible tube for allowing flow of liquid from said container to said liquid outlet in response to hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, and a valve for controlling the flow of liquid through said outlet. Gravity fed liquid dispensers suffer from a common problem of diminishing flow rate as a function of the lowering fluid level within the dispenser. One technique for solving this problem is set forth in EP-B-0 127 497. Herein, liquid soap is disposed within a flexible container. Outflow of the liquid soap is provided by a conduit defining an outlet and a valve controls flow through the conduit. The flow rate of the liquid soap through the outlet is maintained by applying pressure to the container. In particular, apparatus is provided for gradually increasing the pressure on the container as the container is gradually emptied. The apparatus includes a pressure plate and a spring acting through a specially designed lever mechanism to gradually increase the force exerted by the pressure plate upon the container. This known device is suitable for many applications but it incorporates certain drawbacks. To operate it, a flexible, collapsible container must be used to permit the pressure plate to decrease the volume in the container to expel the liquid soap. As the pressure upon the container increases, a risk of leakage through a seam or seal, such as the seal attendant the conduit extending from the container, is increased. Moreover, bursting of the container is also a possibility. Another gravity fed liquid dispenser is disclosed in FR-A-2 701 646 said dispenser having the features of the preamble of claim 1. In this known dispenser a flexible bag filled with liquid soap is suspended in upright position between two upper and two lower hooks. The upper hooks are slideably mounted onto vertical posts whilst the lower hooks are fixed. The upper hooks are supported by helical coil springs arranged on the posts so that a mechanical tensile force is applied onto the bag. By the pressure created in this way onto the liquid, a constant outflow of liquid from the bag would be obtained. A drawback of this known dispenser is therefore also that in order to obtain a constant outflow of liquid, a pressure has to be applied to the bag. A further drawback of this dispenser and the dispenser disclosed in EP-B-0 127 497 is that the flexible bags used therein have to be provided with a flexible outlet tube. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternate mechanism for maintaining the flow rate of fluid through the outlet of the dispenser constant, which mechanism does not present the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known dispensers. To this end, the dispenser according to the invention is characterized in that said flexible tube is arranged to have one end inserted into said container for siphoning the liquid and in that said container is movably mounted in the dispenser and is supported by a weight responsive element for raising the whole said container in proportion to depletion of the liquid from said container to maintain the hydrostatic pressure at said outlet essentially constant irrespective of the degree of fill of said container. In the dispenser according to the invention no additional pressure is to be exerted on the liquid but the hydrostatic pressure thereof is kept constant by adjusting the height of the whole container. This container may thus be a rigid container or for example a flexible bag. Moreover, the fact that no additional pressure is to be exerted on the soap bag in the dispenser according to the present invention reduces the risk of leakage at the place of insertion of the flexible tube. Use can thus be made of pre-filled soap bags which do not have to be provided with an outlet tube as disclosed in EP-B-0 127 497 and in FR-A-2 701 646. In an advantageous embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention said weight responsive element comprises at least one spring for supporting said container. In this embodiment, the spring constant of the spring or springs used to support the container can be determined in such a manner that the level of said personal hygiene liquid in the container is kept at a substantially constant height, resulting thus in a constant hydrostatic pressure. In a particular embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention, said conduit includes a hollow needle attached to said tube and said container includes a wall for penetrable engagement by said needle to form a seal about said needle upon penetrable engagement of said needle with said wall. An advantage of the use of a hollow needle is that an empty bag or container can easily be replaced by a new one without spilling liquid. Further particularities and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some particular embodiments of the soap dispenser according to the invention. This description is only given by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The reference numerals relate to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a representative perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a valve for controlling the flow rate and apparatus for initiating outflow from a filled container; Figure 3 illustrates the flow controlling valve in the open' state; Figure 4a illustrates a valve in the closed state for accommodating initiation of flow of liquid from a container; Figure 4b illustrates two flexible elements of the valve shown in Figure 4a; Figure 4c illustrates the two flexible elements of the valve shown in Figures 4a and 4b in an abutting relationship; and Figure 5 illustrates the valve shown in Figure 4a in the open state and related apparatus for initiating flow of liquid from the container. Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a dispenser 10 for dispensing a personal hygiene liquid, such as liquid soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, etc. Other liquids for various purposes can also be dispensed through use of dispenser 10. For discussion purposes, it will be assumed that the liquid to be dispensed is liquid soap for personal hygiene purposes. Dispenser 10 includes a container 12 essentially filled with liquid soap and disposed upon a shelf 14, which may be any type of support or supporting element. The shelf is vertically slidably mounted upon a pair of stanchions or posts 16,18. A pair of compressible coil springs 20,22 are mounted about posts 16,18, respectively, to support shelf 14 at a height commensurate with the weight of container 12 and the spring force exerted by the springs. Posts 16 and 18 are mounted upon a pedestal 24. A platform 26 depending from pedestal 24 by plate 25 supports a valve 28 for controlling fluid flow through conduit 30 and fluid discharge through outlet 32. To initiate flow from a filled container 12, a conduit fill valve 34, mounted upon platform 26, may be employed. The fill valve is in fluid communication with conduit 30 via a further conduit 36. A syringe 38, or other device interconnecting with valve 34 for the purpose of drawing fluid through conduit 30 into valve 28, may be employed. Container 12 may be a rigid container. Alternatively, and preferably, container 12 is a closed flexible container without an outlet and filled with the liquid to be dispensed. Access to the liquid within the container may be accomplished by a hollow needle 50 mechanically attached to and in fluid communication with end 52 of conduit 30. If container 12 is of the type described in the co-pending European patent application, wherein the priority of US patent application Serial No. 08/518,425, filed December 27, 1995, is claimed and a copy of which is furnished to the European Patent Office at the same time as the present patent application, and as shown in Figure 1, needle 50 is brought into penetrable engagement with a wall 54 of the container. The characteristics of the wall of the container will form a seal about the circumference of the needle to prevent leakage about the needle. Thus, the liquid contents of container 12 may be discharged through needle 50 into conduit 30 in response to opening of valve 28 and liquid outflow through outlet 32. The use of such a filled flexible container permits replacement of the container by simply withdrawing needle 50 from the exhausted container and inserting the needle through the wall of a replacement container. This procedure essentially prevents spillage of the liquid during container replacement and is easily performable by maintenance personnel. Once conduit 30 is filled, and when valve 28 is open, the flow rate of discharged liquid is a function of two factors. First, the hydrostatic pressure or head pressure at outlet 32 is a function of the difference in height between first height H 0 of the level of the liquid within container 12 and second height H 1 of outlet 32. As the liquid within the container is depleted, the level of the liquid will drop to a height below height H 0 . With such drop in level and commensurate reduction in height difference, the head pressure will be reduced with a commensurate effect upon the flow rate. To maintain the flow rate constant, it is necessary to maintain the level of the liquid essentially constant at height H 0 despite depletion of liquid within container 12. As the quantity of liquid within container 12 is reduced, the weight of the container is commensurately reduced. This change in weight provides a reduced compressive force upon supporting springs 20 and 22 via shelf 14 resulting in extension of the springs commensurate with the reduced weight of the container. Upon extension of the springs, shelf 14 will be raised and the level of the liquid within container 12 will be raised. By matching springs 20,22 with the weight of container 12 to cause the container to be raised a height equivalent to the lowered level of the liquid within the container from a full to an empty container, the liquid level within the container is retained essentially at height H 0 during depletion of the liquid. Thereby, the hydrostatic force or head pressure causing flow of liquid through conduit 30 and discharged through outlet 32 will remain essentially constant irrespective of the extent of depletion of liquid from within container 12. Instead of being supported by springs 20,22, the shelf may be suspended from one or more coil springs or other spring-like elements. The operation of such suspension system would be identical to that described above. That is, as the weight of the container is reduced, the suspending spring(s) would contract to raise the container and thereby maintain the level of the liquid essentially constant. Of course, the spring rate of the suspension spring(s) would be selected commensurate with the weight and change in weight of the container. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a partial cross-sectional view of valve 28. Conduit 30 is secured to inlet 60 of passageway 62. Outlet 64 of branch passageway 66, in fluid communication with passageway 62, is selectively closed by a seal member 68 disposed at the end of plunger 70. Plunger 70 is the operative element of a solenoid valve 72, which valve may be a latching valve that requires no current to operate except during a change of state of plunger 70 or it may be a monostable valve. Passageway 62 extends into a conduit 36, which may be a flexible conduit. Fill valve 34 (shown representatively) at the terminal end of conduit 36 prevents outflow and yet accommodates insertion of nozzle 78 of a syringe 38. Outlet 64, when not closed by seal member 68, evacuates liquid into an encircling chamber 82. Outlet 32 is in fluid communication with chamber 82 to permit flow of liquid from within the chamber through the outlet. As depicted by arrow 84 in Figure 3, once flow of liquid enters valve 28 through conduit 30, it flows into passageway 62, branch passageway 66, through outlet 64 and into chamber 82 for discharge through outlet 32. The discharge will continue for as long as seal member 68 is retracted by plunger 70 as a result of actuation of solenoid 72. To halt further flow of fluid, an appropriate electrical signal is transmitted to solenoid 72 to extend plunger 70 and position seal member 68 adjacent outlet 64 to close the outlet. Referring to Figure 4a, there is illustrated a detailed partial cutaway view of valve 34. The valve includes a fitting 90 engaging the end of conduit 36. A cap 92 is attached to fitting 90 for the purpose of retaining a pair of flexible opposed rubber membranes or sealing elements 94,96 in place. These sealing elements may be in the shape of two semicircular, elastomeric, flexible planar elements, as depicted in Figure 4b. When in position, elements 94,96 abut one another, as depicted in Figure 4c and form a seal at the junction. The mating of fitting 90 in cap 92 provides a seal adjacent the circular perimeter of abutting elements 94,96. Thereby, elements 94,96 of valve 34 preclude outflow through valve 34. Referring to Figure 5, there is illustrated apparatus for initially drawing fluid into and through conduit 30 to valve 28. Nozzle 78 of syringe 38 is inserted through entryway 102 at the lower end of cap 92. The entryway may include an annular sealing element 104 for encircling nozzle 78 upon penetration of the nozzle to prevent leakage of the liquid therepast. Further, penetrable insertion of the nozzle forces the abutting edges of elements 94,96 upwardly and apart from one another (see also Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c) to bring inlet 106 of nozzle 78 into fluid communication with the interior of conduit 30 through chamber 108 and entryway 110 adjacent the end of the conduit 36. Upon withdrawal of plunger 112 (see Figure 1) of syringe 38, a below ambient pressure environment is formed within chamber 108 and entryway 110. The resulting low pressure is translated through conduit 36 into conduit 30. The atmospheric pressure acting upon container 12 and being greater than the reduced pressure within conduit 30 will compress the container to force liquid through needle 50 into the conduit. Such flow will quickly fill the conduit, passageway 62, branch passageway 66, and conduit 36. (See Figures 2 and 3). The resulting liquid flow from conduit 36 into chamber 108 may flow intermediate elements 94 and 96 adjacent nozzle 78. However, seal 104 about nozzle 78 will preclude further outflow of the liquid. Upon withdrawal of nozzle 78, elements 94,96 will resume their former abutting relationship and provide a seal to prevent outflow of liquid from valve 34 through entryway 102. Upon actuation of valve 28 (see Figure 3) liquid will flow past seal member 68 into chamber 82 and be discharged through outlet 32. Hydrostatic pressure (head pressure) present in conduit 30 will ensure discharge of liquid whenever valve 28 is open. In case use is made of a flexible container or bag for housing the liquid soap, the conduit 30 may be also initially filled by opening valve 28 and by exerting for example manually a pressure upon the container so as to squeeze liquid soap in the conduit 30. In this case, no additional valve 34 has to be provided or, when an additional valve has been provided, for example a valve which can be opened manually, this latter valve may be used to provide an outlet for the air initially contained in the conduit 30 so that this conduit can be filled by squeezing the bag thus requiring no syringe or other suction device for creating a below atmospheric pressure in the conduit 30. Actuation of valve 28 may be through use of a manual switch actuated by a user. Alternatively, it may be through use of an active or passive for example infrared sensor sensing the presence, movement or temperature change of a user, a users hands, or other body part within a target volume. The target volume may be a volume commensurate with all or part of a wash basin or it may be a volume in proximity to outlet 32 or other element. If the sensor is a passive sensor, it will draw very little current. Sensors of the type useable herewith are described in any one of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,941,219, 5,086,526, 5,215,216, and 5,217,035 incorporated by reference. By employing a latching solenoid valve 72, as described above, very little current consumption occurs since current is only drawn during a change of state of the valve. However, it may also be possible to use monostable valves, in particular monostable valves designed to have a small power consumption. Thereby, battery operation for both the sensor, preferably a passive sensor or a little power consuming active sensor, and the latching valve is feasible and practical since such a battery need not be replaced for an extended period of time. The actuation/deactuation of valve 28 may be performed automatically for a predetermined period or as a function of the proximity of a user. An important advantage of the present invention is that the dispenser does not require additional energy for withdrawing liquid from the container and even not to maintain the flow rate thereof substantially constant. Indeed, flow of liquid out of the container is achieved by the force of gravity acting thereon whilst the energy required to keep the flow rate constant is automatically obtained by placing the container in the dispenser whereby potential energy is stored in the springs as a result of the weight of the liquid. This advantage may thus be important for making it practical to use one or more batteries as power source in an automatic dispenser. Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a unit 40 intended to be representative of a sensor, such as a passive infrared sensor, for initiating and/or terminating outflow through outlet 32 by operation of valve 28, circuitry for actuating and deactuating valve 28, whether responsive to a sensor or other signal generating element and a power supply, such as a battery.

Claims: A dispenser for a personal hygiene liquid comprising a container (12) for the liquid, which liquid has a level situated at a first height (H 0 ), a liquid outlet (32) situated at a second height (H1) lower than the first height (H 0 ), a conduit comprising a flexible tube (30) for allowing flow of liquid from said container (12) to said liquid outlet (32) in response to hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, and a valve (28) for controlling the flow of liquid through said outlet (32), characterized in that said flexible tube (30) is arranged to have one end inserted into said container (12) for siphoning the liquid and in that said container (12) is movably mounted in the dispenser (10) and is supported by a weight responsive element (20, 22) for raising the whole said container (12) in proportion to depletion of the liquid from said container (12) to maintain the hydrostatic pressure at said outlet (32) essentially constant irrespective of the degree of fill of said container (12). A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said weight responsive element (20, 22) is formed by resilient means adapted to increase the height of said container (12) to keep the level of the liquid at a substantially constant height (H 0 ). A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said weight responsive element comprises at least one spring (20, 22) for supporting said container (12). A dispenser according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said spring (20, 22) is a coil spring. A dispenser according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said container is a disposable flexible bag (12). A dispenser according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said conduit includes a hollow needle (50) attached to said tube (30) and said container (12) includes a wall (54) for penetrable engagement by said needle (50) to form a seal about said needle (50) upon penetrable engagement of said needle (50) with said wall (54). A dispenser according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes a further valve (34) in fluid communication with said conduit for initially filling said conduit with the liquid by subjecting said conduit to a below ambient pressure to draw the liquid into said conduit from said container (12) and/or by pressing the liquid into said conduit by exerting a pressure onto the liquid in said container. A dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes a syringe (38) for engaging said further valve (34) to create the below ambient pressure within said conduit. A dispenser according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises means (40) for automatically controlling the operation of said valve (28).

Inventors: VAN MARCKE KAREL CARL, VAN MARCKE, KAREL CARL
Applicants: INTERNAT SANITARY WARE MFG CY, N.V. INTERNATIONAL SANITARY WARE-MANUFACTURING CY, S.A. IN VERKORT: N.V. INTERSAN S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A47K1
IPC codes: A47K5