Abstract:
The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing system capable of automatically dispensing a controlled and predetermined amount of a wide variety of products without the need for manual manipulation of the dispenser. The dispensing system includes a housing with an internal chassis contained within the housing, where said internal chassis includes a product chamber and a component chamber. The product chamber receives the dispensable product and a solenoid within the component chamber regulates the flow of the dispensable product from the product chamber. A bladder within the product chamber applies constant pressure to the dispensable product where an air pump connected to the bladder supplies air to the bladder.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application is based on a provisional patent application serial No. 60/392,740 entitled AUTOMATIC DISPENSING SYSTEM filed on Jun. 27, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to dispensing systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing system capable of automatically dispensing a controlled and predetermined amount of a wide variety of products without the need for manual manipulation of the dispenser.  
           [0003]    Many products on the market today are packaged in some type of disposable tube, bottle, or other container, such as tubes of toothpaste or bottles of hair gel, shampoo, hand soap, or skin cream. Many of these containers even have a pump of some sort to assist in dispensing the product, such as the hand soap dispensers frequently found in homes. Additionally, there are many varieties of commercial dispensers, such as the soap dispensers found in the restrooms of buildings or schools.  
           [0004]    Traditionally, the containers, whether tubes, bottles, or commercial dispensers, have required manual manipulation to dispense the product contained therein. Because tubes, bottles, and dispensers are touched and handled frequently, they often become dirty, sticky, or otherwise soiled. This results in an unsightly appearance, and may even deter persons from using them. More importantly, containers and dispensers that are frequently touched by many people can become transmittal sites for bacteria and germs.  
           [0005]    Additionally, it is often difficult to dispense the correct amount of a product that is manually dispensed from its container. This frequently results in an over-dispensing of the product. Furthermore, many containers are such that as they are emptied, it becomes increasingly difficult to dispense the product, and the container is frequently discarded before it is completely emptied. Both the over-dispensing of a product, as well as the premature discarding of a product&#39;s container, are wasteful.  
           [0006]    Another problem with traditional containers and dispensers is the difficulty encountered in their use by children, handicapped persons, and the elderly. Frequently, traditional containers and dispensers are rendered inaccessible to such persons because they require varying degrees of manual manipulation. Accordingly, there is a need for a dispensing system which is capable of automatically dispensing a wide variety of products without requiring any manual manipulation, thereby (1) allowing the dispenser to remain clean, (2) enabling the dispenser to consistently dispense the correct amount of a product as well as dispense all of the product contained in a container, thereby minimizing wastefulness, and (3) enabling small children, handicapped persons, and the elderly to easily use the dispenser. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The accompanying drawing illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]    As shown in the drawing for purposes of illustration, a present invention resides in an automatic dispensing system, generally referred to by the reference number  10 .  
         [0010]    Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic dispensing system  10  generally comprises a back cover  12 , a front cover  16 , and a hinged top cover  36 , which are the major external components of the system and which cooperatively form a housing. The system  10  is attachable to a wall or it may rest on a horizontal surface, such as a countertop, in which case a leg (not shown) extends down from the system  10  and broadens into a base which rests on the horizontal surface. An internal chassis  14  separates the interior of the dispensing system  10  into two chambers: a product chamber  40 , and a component chamber  42 .  
         [0011]    Generally, an air pump  26 , an air regulator  24 , an air tube  22 , and a solenoid  28  all reside within the component chamber  42 . Additionally a computer chip  25  resides in the component chamber. The air pump  26  may be powered by AC, DC, or batteries.  
         [0012]    An airtight bladder  18  is generally disposed within the product chamber  40 . The bladder is specially formed to fit along the edges of the product chamber  40 , leaving a hollow center for placement of a container of the product to be dispensed. The air bladder  18  has an inflating spout  20 , which extends outwardly from the body of the air bladder, through an aperture  30  in the chassis  14 , and into the component chamber  42 . The inflating spout  20  attaches to the air tube  22 . The air pump  26 , air regulator  24 , air tube  22 , and air bladder  18  are sequentially connected in an airtight fashion, forming a closed system, such that air can flow from the air pump  26 , through the air regulator  24  and air tube  22 , and into the air bladder  18  without leakage.  
         [0013]    At the bottom of the product chamber  40 , an aperture  32  communicates with the outside. A removable rubber spout  34  fits in the bottom of the product chamber  40  and extends through the aperture  32 . The spout  34  is a soft, washable, electrometric membrane, and may be discarded from time to time and replaced with a new one, thereby ensuring the system&#39;s cleanliness.  
         [0014]    To make the automatic dispensing system  10  ready for use, the hinged top cover  36  is opened and a tube or other container of the product desired to be dispensed is placed into the product chamber  40 . The tube or container must be placed so that its nozzle or opening fits into, and attaches to, the rubber spout  34  such that the product is dispensed through the spout. The hinged top cover  36  is then closed, and at this point, no further manual manipulation of any kind is required to dispense the product. When the top cover  36  is closed, the air bladder  18  is inflated until the operating air pressure level is reached. This air pressure level is high enough to pressurize the product container in the product chamber  40  such that the product readily flows out of the dispensing system  10  during dispensation. The manner of inflation is described in greater detail herein below. The air regulator  24  is equipped with an air pressure gauge and keeps the air pressure in the dispensing system  10  at a constant level. When the pressure level drops after dispensation of the product or replacement of the product container, the air regulator  24  allows additional air from the air pump  26  to enter the air tube  22  and the air bladder  18  until the operating air pressure level is again reached.  
         [0015]    When a dispensation of product is desired, a person merely has to place his or her hand, a toothbrush, or other appropriate receptacle directly beneath the rubber spout  34 . An infrared sensor  35  detects the presence of the hand, toothbrush, or other receptacle, and relays this information to the computer chip  25 . Upon being informed by the infrared sensor  35  that a receptacle of some kind is awaiting dispensation, the computer chip  25  activates the solenoid  28 . In an alternative embodiment, a switch may be depressed to initiate dispensation.  
         [0016]    The solenoid  28  is designed to pinch the rubber spout  34 , thereby closing it off and preventing dispensation of the product. When the solenoid is activated by the computer chip  25 , it releases its grip on the rubber spout  34 , thereby temporarily allowing the spout to open up. When the spout is opened up, the product, which is under pressure from the air bladder  18 , is dispensed out of the rubber spout  34 . The solenoid  28  allows the rubber spout  34  to remain open for a certain, predetermined period of time, usually brief. The longer the time, the greater the amount of product dispensed. At the end of the time period, the solenoid  28  again pinches the rubber spout  34 , thereby closing it off and preventing further dispensing of the product.  
         [0017]    After the product has been dispensed, and the solenoid  28  again closes the rubber spout  34 , the computer chip  25  activates the air pump  26 . The air pump immediately begins pumping air through the air regulator  24  and into the air tube  22  and air bladder  18  until the air regulator  24  senses the operating air pressure level has been reached. The air pump  26  then stops pumping and the system  10  is ready to dispense more product upon the infrared sensor  35  being activated by a hand, toothbrush, or other appropriate receptacle.  
         [0018]    It is contemplated that a dial, not shown, will reside on the exterior of the back cover  12  and allow a person to select the amount of product to be dispensed with each dispensation. The dial will communicate with the computer chip  25 , which will in turn control the duration of time the solenoid  28  allows the rubber spout  34  to remain open. In this way, the dispensing system  10  may dispense any desired amount of product, ranging from a very small amount of toothpaste for a child, for example, to a large amount of hand cleaner for use in a garage. This also allows the dispensing system  10  to accommodate a wide variety of products having different viscosities.  
         [0019]    An optional, removable drip tray  38  is attachable to the bottom of the chassis  14  and serves two functions: (1) it assists children, handicapped persons, the elderly, or others in guiding a toothbrush into the proper position for receiving the product as it is dispensed; and (2) it acts as a receptacle for product that may be inadvertently dispensed.  
         [0020]    A container of product residing in the product chamber  40  is incrementally and gradually emptied until it is substantially empty, at which point a momentary switch (not shown) automatically deflates the air bladder  18  to allow for removal of the empty container and replacement with a new one. Additionally, at any time previous to that point, if desired, the container may be removed from the product chamber  40  and replaced with a new container of the same or a different product. To remove a container, a person may manually activate the momentary switch, thereby deflating the air bladder  18 . With the air bladder deflated, the top cover  36  may be opened, and the product container removed from the product chamber  40 . A new container of product may then be placed in the product chamber, and the top cover closed. As described hereinabove, at this point, no further manual manipulation is needed and the air bladder  18  automatically re-inflates until the operating air pressure level is again reached. The system  10  is then ready for dispensation.  
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the present invention, there is no need for a momentary switch. Merely opening the top cover  36  sends a signal to the computer chip  25 , which in turn causes the air bladder  18  to deflate.  
         [0022]    It is further contemplated that the present invention will include a product container of its own. The container will generally comprise a bag or tube having a sealable opening through which any of a wide variety of products may be poured or squeezed into the bag or tube. The bag or tube will also have a nozzle at one end adapted to fit securely into the rubber spout  34 . The bag or tube will be washable and reusable and allow a person to use the automatic dispensing system  10  to dispense whatever product he or she wishes; for example, shampoo, soap, lotion, and all sorts of salon products may be dispensed. Mechanics could employ the dispensing system  10  in garages to dispense industrial-strength soaps or cleaners. The dispensing system  10  could also be used as a soap dispenser in restrooms in schools or commercial buildings. Additionally, because of its highly sanitary nature, the system  10  is especially adaptable to medical uses, such as the dispensing of lotions and creams in OB/GYN offices and other areas where hygiene is so important.  
         [0023]    Additionally, it is contemplated that the exterior components of the dispensing system  10 , especially the back cover  12 , the top cover  36 , and the front cover  16 , may be formed in such a way as to allow a variety of decorations and accessories to be attached thereto. For instance, it is contemplated that the dispensing system  10  could include attachable accessories such as toothbrushes, holders, built-in floss dispensers, night-lights, clocks, timers, and other accessories, including a wide variety of cosmetic variations.  
         [0024]    The present invention provides a more durable and reliable dispensing system than prior art due to its minimal number of moving parts. Furthermore, dispensing system  10  allows a user to easily dispense products without any manual manipulation and therefore provides for efficient use of the enclosed product and a more sterile dispensing environment.  
         [0025]    Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.