Abstract:
In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a liquid dispensing apparatus having improved sanitary, aesthetics and stabilizing aspects is provided. For example, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing housing designed to contain a soap filled bottle. Depending on particular configurations, the housing may be designed as an open or closed system. In any case, the housing has a sleek, streamlined design with a dispensing button which tends to have a rounded appearance that accents the shape of the remainder of housing. In accordance with various other aspects of the present invention, within the housing is a stabilization system which prevents bottles which are not designed to engage housing from being inserted into housing. In addition to (or alternatively) housing may have support structure which allows the soap bottle to rest within housing with less of a propensity to wobble.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/195,773 filed on Apr. 10, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to liquid dispensing devices, and more particularly, to liquid soap dispensing devices. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Various liquid dispensing devices are known in the art. For example, commonly known dispensers are those used for distributing soap (e.g., hand soap) in public restrooms. The dispensers offer the benefits of convenience of use, easy refilling, refillable or disposable containers, and the like. 
     One example of common soap dispensers is the disposable pump and container system which generally comprises a plastic bottle with a pump which screws into a cap fitted to the bottle. Generally, these units are disposed of once empty. However, in some cases, the bottles may be refilled. Unfortunately, however, these dispensers are susceptible to being knocked over, stolen, or lost because, in general, they merely sit on countertops and in wash basin areas. Further, the containers tend to be of smaller and/or limited capacity. 
     Another common dispenser is the wall-mounted dispenser which is intended to provide a greater degree of security and reliability for public restrooms. Generally, this type of dispensing apparatus comprises a housing which is mounted on the wall of the restroom. The housing is open and inside a disposable or refillable container of liquid soap is placed within the housing. The housing is closed and a pumping means is used for distributing the soap to the user. 
     These types of dispensers are not without their drawbacks either. For example, they can be messy. That is, many dispensers have pump mechanisms which are awkward for the user. When a lever is pulled the soap is dispensed into the user&#39;s hand. However, this can cause soap to drip on the lever and other structures of the soap dispenser. Likewise, other push button type dispensers consist of elongated pumping members which also may become covered with liquid soap and may be prone to breaking. Still further, with many of these soap dispensers, sanitation can be a problem. That is, because the pumping mechanisms and ejection nozzles are integrated with the dispenser itself, they must be cleaned or replaced. Because they are integrated with the dispenser itself, it is often not easy to replace the pumping mechanism. 
     With existing soap dispensers it is also common for janitorial services to dispose of refill bottles before they are completely empty. For example, many janitorial services have prescheduled times that they check and clean the soap dispensers and the restrooms they are located in. If a soap dispenser bottle is nearly empty, often, to ensure that the dispenser does not run out of soap before the person refilling the dispenser returns, they will simply throw out the bottle, regardless of how much soap is left, and replace it with a full bottle. Thus, the potential for wasting soap is high. 
     Further, it is not uncommon to place soap bottle refills within soap dispenser housings which are not intended to fit within the housing being used. This leads to an insecure fit within the housing, potentially causing problems with dispensing, closing the housing, and wobble of the bottle within the housing. 
     Thus, improved soap dispenser housing units are desirable. In particular, units which are more sanitary, aesthetically pleasing, do no suffer from premature disposal of the refill bottles, and prevent wobble within the housing are desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a liquid dispensing apparatus having improved sanitary, aesthetics and stabilizing aspects is provided. For example, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing housing designed to contain a soap filled bottle. Depending on particular configurations, the housing may be designed as an open or closed system. In any case, the housing preferably has a sleek, streamlined design with a dispensing button which tends to have a rounded appearance that accents the shape of the remainder of the housing. Similarly, the housing has various aspects tending to create a symmetry between various views of the dispenser. In accordance with various other aspects of the present invention, within the housing is a stabilization system which prevents bottles which are not designed to engage housing from being inserted into housing. In addition to (or alternatively) housing may have support structure which allows the soap bottle to rest within housing with less of a propensity to wobble. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Additional aspects of the present invention should become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a soap dispenser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a closed system soap dispenser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an open or closed system bottle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an open system soap dispenser of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a back plan view of a bottle in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide a convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, though not specifically described, many shapes and orientations of the housing and refill bottle and alternative dispensing and pumping mechanisms should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     In general, the present invention comprises a liquid dispensing unit  10  with a backing  11 , a cover  12 , and a bottle  30 . Dispensing unit  10  is preferably comprised of a substantially rigid plastic such as high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), but any other suitable material rigid, semi-rigid or even flexible material may be used. 
     As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one exemplary embodiment, cover  12  is releasably attached to backing  11 . As should be apparent, various configurations for attaching backing  11  and cover  12  may be employed, and generally allow for cover  12  to be opened such that a cavity  13  is accessible. In this embodiment, cover  12  is hingedly connected to backing  11  by hinges  14  so that cover  12  may be pivotally opened. Of course, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the invention, cover  12  may be completely detachable, slidably releasable, or the like. Optionally, cover  12  or part of cover  12  may be comprised of a clear or translucent material to enable the user to view the contents of dispenser  10 , for example, to aid in determining whether the unit needs to be refilled. 
     Further still, as mentioned above, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, cover  12  preferably has an aesthetically pleasing, sleek, design. For example, in the various embodiments described herein, cover  12  has a substantially longer vertical length than its width. Additionally, the corners of the housing, as well as the edges, tend to be of a rounded nature. Similarly, the dispensing button (which is configured to operate various pumping mechanisms) has similarly rounded features which tend to flow with remainder of cover  12 . Thus, symmetry of the various features and views of unit  10  is created. Still further, for aesthetic reasons, the dispensing button and cover  12  (and likewise various other components of dispenser  10 ) may optionally be of varying colors. 
     In accordance with another aspect of dispenser  10 , a locking mechanism is provided to secure cover  12  and back  11  in a closed position. Generally, any means of securing cover  12  and back  11  may be used, including snaps, adhesives, threadable connections and the like. In the presently described embodiment, locking mechanism comprises a reception  15  and corresponding teeth  16 . In this embodiment, teeth  16  are located on cover  12  and reception  15  is located on backing  11 , though it should be apparent the locations may be reversed. Teeth  16  preferably engage reception  15  in a snap fit manner to secure cover  12  and back  11 . Preferably, back  11  has a keyhole  17  for disengaging cover  12  and back  11 . In the present embodiment, to disengage locking mechanism, a key  60  is inserted into key holes  17 . The key suitably extends teeth  16  away from reception  15  so that cover  12  may be pivoted away from back  11 . 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a stabilizing mechanism is provided. Stabilizing mechanism suitably comprises any structure which prevents bottles of the wrong size to be placed in dispenser  10  and/or suitably provides support to the bottles inserted into dispenser  10  aiding in preventing movement of the bottle once inserted into dispenser  10  (rotation or “wobble”). For example, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, stabilizing mechanism  40  comprises a projection  41  and a depression  50 . In the present exemplary embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 2,  4  and  5 , projection  41  is a structure integrated into backing  11 , and depression  50  is a cavity integrated into bottle  30  which corresponds to projection  41 . Thus, projection  41  and depression  50  engage when bottle  30  is inserted into dispenser  10 . 
     Optionally, projection  41  may further comprise an anti-rotation protrusion  40   a  which aids in preventing rotational movement of bottle  30  within dispenser  10 . For example, FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of protrusion  40   a  configured as a notch-like projection. Similarly, depression  50  may further comprise an anti-rotation indention  50   a  which aids in preventing rotational movement of bottle  30  within dispenser  10 . For example, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of indention  50   a  configured as a notch-like depression which substantially corresponds to protrusion  40   a.    
     Of course, it should be apparent that in alternative embodiments, varying numbers and configurations of projections and depressions  41 ,  50  may be used. For example, projection  41  and depression  50  may take on varying shapes so that bottle  30  cannot rotate within housing and likewise to correspond particular bottles  30  to particular dispensers  10 . Similarly, the shape of projection/depression  41 ,  50  may indicate the manufacture of dispenser  10 . Further, projection  41  can be located on bottle  30 , and depression  50  can be located on the housing including, for example, backing  11  and cover  12 . 
     Stabilization system may also comprise (or alternatively comprise) support structure for supporting bottle  30  within dispenser  10 . For example, on back plate  11 , support structure  18  is provided so that a liquid dispensing bottle can be placed in cavity  13  such that bottle  30  is supported within cavity  13 . In the presently described embodiment, support structure  18  is provided on backing  11  to support bottle  30  once it is placed within cavity  13  of dispenser  10 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2, support structure  18  suitably comprises a plate with a neck depression  19  configured to surround the neck of bottle  30  such that bottle  30  is secured within cavity  13 . In the present embodiment, in a system where soap is distributed to the user directly from bottle  30  or a “closed system,” support structure  18  is located proximate to the lower portion of cavity  13  near the base of unit  10 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2, in accordance with the present exemplary embodiment, support structure  18  for a closed liquid dispensing system comprises a rigid shelf-like structure projecting from back plate  11 . Of course, in accordance with alternative embodiments, support structure  18  may comprise any alternative structure which suitably provides support to bottle  30  when placed in cavity  13 . For example, multiple projections which need not be integrated with back plate  11  may be used. Likewise, support straps which encircle the bottle, snap in locking mechanisms and other support structure such as substantially vertical members which support the sides of the bottle may be used. 
     Generally, with reference to FIG. 3, in a closed system, bottle  30  contains its own dispensing nozzle  62  for regulating disbursement of the contents of bottle  30 . As mentioned above, a closed system allows for disbursement of the liquid in the bottle to be dispensed directly from bottle  30  to the user. When a pumping mechanism  25  integrated with dispenser  10  is activated, pumping mechanism  25  interacts with nozzle  62  to dispense soap to the user. For example, in this closed system embodiment, when pumping mechanism  25  is pressed inward by the user, a pumping member  25   a  extends a collar  63  on bottle  30  in a downward direction to dispense soap to the user. When deactivated, collar  63  returns to its original position and soap is not dispensed. 
     Now, in accordance with but one alternative embodiment of the present invention, dispenser  10  comprises a system where the soap leaves bottle  30  and is transferred to a compartment of unit  10  prior to disbursement of the user or an “open system.” With combined reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, bottle  30  generally contains a neck with a nozzle configured to engage an open system pumping mechanism  20 . In the open dispenser  10 , the liquid to be dispensed leaves the bottle and fills a containment unit  21  prior to disbursement to the user. With reference now to FIG. 4, an exemplary open system is illustrated. In accordance with this embodiment, a reservoir  21  is provided. In this embodiment, reservoir  21  is suitably integrated with support structure  18  and pumping mechanism  20 . When dispenser  10  is open, bottle  30  can be placed upon support structure  18  located directly above reservoir  21 . An opening  22  is provided on reservoir  21 . Opening  22  suitably comprises a piercing mechanism  23  surrounded by a plurality of holes to allow soap to drain into reservoir  21 . In accordance with the present embodiment, piercing mechanism  23  suitably pierces the foil over the opening of bottle  30  (to prevent leakage prior to use) so that soap may be dispensed from bottle  30 . The holes suitably allow soap to be dispensed into reservoir  21  and/or likewise allow air to return to bottle  30  as soap is dispensed. Thus, when bottle  30  is placed in cavity  13  and foil is pierced by piercing mechanism  23 , soap flows into reservoir  21 . Thus, during use, a user operates pumping mechanism  20  which pumps the liquid (soap) directly from reservoir  21  to the user. 
     Thus, it should be apparent that many alterations of the dispenser embodiments described herein may be made. For example, as mentioned above, open and closed systems may be interchanged. That is, reservoir  21  may be suitably configured to fit the structure which comprises a closed system. Further, many drawbacks of the prior art are solved. For example, with reference to the closed system, pumping mechanisms and nozzles do not become messy or unsanitary. 
     Lastly, various aspects of the invention have been described in illustrative embodiments. Of course, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials and components, used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, may be varied and particularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.