Abstract:
Apparatuses for dispensing fluid product, such as soap, hand sanitizer, lotion, etc. are provided. A reservoir carrier is configured to be interchangeably attached to one or more mounting brackets of a mounting bracket system to facilitate attachment of the fluid dispensing system to various structures. For example, at times the reservoir carrier may be paired with a hanging bracket to facilitate hanging a fluid dispensing system, including the reservoir carrier, on a bed rail. At other times, the hanging bracket may be swapped with a clamping bracket to facilitate clamping the fluid dispensing system to a counter or IV pole.

Description:
RELATED 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional filing of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/882,944, titled “MODULAR POINT OF CARE DISPENSER SYSTEM” and filed on Sep. 26, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The current invention pertains to devices for dispensing fluid product, and more specifically to fluid dispensers and holders that can be adapted for installation to a variety of different mounting surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    People entering healthcare facilities, like for example hospitals or nursing homes, frequently acquire infections during the course of their stay. Such infections, which the patients did not originally possess prior to entering the healthcare facility, are termed HAIs (Healthcare-Associated Infections) and represent a serious risk to the health of the patient. In many instances, HAIs result in prolonged stay and additional treatment, and in other instances even loss of life. In addition to the trauma imposed on the patient and their family, HAIs add significant financial burden to the healthcare facility, which incurs the cost of treatment. 
         [0004]    There is significant evidence that good hand hygiene can prevent the spread of HAIs. Washing with soap and clean water assists in preventing the transmission of germs, as does the use hand sanitizers. Results from studies have lead health organizations like the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the WHO (World Health Organization) to release guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing hands, which include the use of alcohol based sanitizers. 
         [0005]    One guideline, published by the WHO, describes five moments for hand hygiene. This guideline outlines key moments when healthcare workers should clean or sanitize their hands. The five moments include cleaning or sanitizing: before patient contact, before an aseptic procedure, after exposure to bodily fluid, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings. 
         [0006]    When sanitizing, healthcare workers typically use wall mounted dispensers. Some dispensers are conveniently located near doorways at the entrance to a patient&#39;s room. In other instances, a healthcare worker relies on freestanding bottles to sanitize their hands. However, freestanding bottles are not always conveniently within reach, especially when performing one of the five moments listed above. As such, an opportunity to sanitize may be lost. Moreover, free standing bottles are subject to theft. What is needed is a system for mounting dispensers and dispenser bottles to a variety of locations within the patient&#39;s room. The embodiments of the described invention obviate the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one embodiment of the subject invention, a fluid dispensing system includes a generally enclosed fluid reservoir for holding a fluid product like soap, hand sanitizer, or lotion. A fluid pump connects to an open end of the reservoir in a fluid tight manner. A nozzle is also included and fluidly connects to the pump. The dispensing system further includes a reservoir carrier, which comprises the housing of the fluid dispensing system. The reservoir carrier includes retaining members for holding the fluid reservoir in a fixed position relative to the reservoir carrier. A system of mounting brackets having interchangeable attachments removably connects to the reservoir carrier for selectively attaching the fluid dispensing system to one of a number of differently configured structures, like for example a countertop and an IV pole. Examples of interchangeable attachments may include clamping brackets or hanging brackets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a fluid dispensing system attached to a pole according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a front-side perspective view of a fluid dispensing system according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a rear-side perspective view of a fluid dispensing system according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a mounting bracket attachment according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts another mounting bracket attachment according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a bottle holder and bottle of fluid product in one mounting orientation according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts another perspective view of a bottle holder and bottle of fluid product in another mounting orientation according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts yet another perspective view of a bottle holder and bottle of fluid product in still another mounting orientation according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts a rear side perspective view of a bottle holder and bottle of fluid product according to the embodiments of the subject invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    A product dispensing system is depicted in  FIG. 1  that dispenses a measured amount of fluid product according to the embodiments of the subject invention. In one exemplary instance, the dispensing system, shown generally at  10 , dispenses hand care products like soap, lotion, or sanitizers, although other products may similarly be dispensed from the product dispenser. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the dispensing system  10  includes a base  14 . The base  14  is made of one or more walls  15  constructed to support the components of the dispensing system  10 . Plastic may be used for cost effective manufacturing of the base  14 , as well as other components of the system. A fluid reservoir  26  is mounted to the base in an inverted fashion and includes a pump for dispensing product in a manner known in the art. At a rear side  16  of the base  14 , a mounting bracket  22  is included for attaching the dispenser to a table  17 , IV pole (Intravenous pole)  18 , dispenser stand (not shown) or other supporting structure. The mounting bracket  22  shown is modular in design, which is to say that the mounting bracket  22  may be detached from the base  14  and replaced with another type of mounting bracket. In this way, different types of mounting brackets may be used for attaching the dispensing system to different types supporting structures, to be discussed in detail below. 
         [0020]    As mentioned, the base  14  is designed to securely receive the fluid reservoir  26 . The walls  15  of the base  14  are constructed to form a concave region  20  at an upper end of the dispensing system  10 . Structural components, not shown, receive and lock the reservoir  26  in place during use. A latch  30  is included for releasing the fluid reservoir when service is required. 
         [0021]    Before installation into the base  14 , the reservoir is fitted with a pump (not shown). The pump engages an assembly of linkages and is driven by a motor, not shown, for actuating the pump and dispensing the product. Batteries stored onboard the dispensing system  10  provide power to actuate the pump. For dispersing fluid product in a desired manner, a nozzle (not shown) is attached to an outlet of the pump. 
         [0022]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the base  14  may include a spine  34  or a back plate  34  extending downwardly from the base  14 . In one embodiment, the spine  34  is integrally fashioned with the base  14 . However, other embodiments are contemplated where the spine  34  may be fastened to the base  14 . A drip plate  38  extends from the distal end of the spine  34  and protrudes outward at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, although any acute angle may be chosen with sound judgment. The drip plate  38  is thus positioned at an elevation beneath the pump, and more specifically beneath the nozzle. Persons of skill in the art will understand that the drip plate  38  will capture residual product that may drip from the nozzle during the course of use. Accordingly, the drip plate  38  may be constructed with a concave center  40  to catch fluid product until it evaporates or is cleaned by service personnel. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the batteries (now shown) may be housed in the body of the drip plate  38 . Conductors (also not shown) may be routed from the battery cavity up to the motor located in the base  14 . It follows that the conductors run to the motor through the spine  34 . In other embodiments, electronic circuitry, e.g. circuit boards, used by the dispensing system  10  may also be housed in the base  14  or spine  34 . 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , the product dispensing system  10  may be activated without touching the base  14  or any other component of the system. Accordingly, the “touch-free” system may include one or more sensors  42  that detect motion beneath the nozzle. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensors  42  use IR (infrared) technology, which may be installed on an underside on the base  14 . To avoid accidental activation, the sensor&#39;s field of detection may be orientated, i.e. angled, to detect motion only within the region between the base  14  and the drip plate  38 . It should be construed that other types of sensors and/or configurations of sensors may be chosen without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments of the subject invention. 
         [0025]    With reference again to  FIG. 1  and now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the product dispensing system  10  includes a modular mounting bracket system. By modular is it meant that multiple interchangeable components are provided that each interlock to the base  14  of the dispensing system for connecting the dispensing system to one or more substantially different surfaces, as previously mentioned. Multiple mounting brackets  50 , examples of which are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , are provided that each interlock to the base  14 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mounting brackets  50  include a connecting member  54  extending from a side thereof. The connecting member  54  may be integrally formed with the body of the mounting bracket  50 . In one embodiment, the connecting member  54  may comprise a protuberance, referred to as coupling lug  56 . The coupling lug  56  may be configured to connect to a matching coupling lug receiver  64  fashioned in the base  14  and/or spine  34 . More specifically, the coupling lug  56  interlocks with the coupling lug receiver  64 . In one particular embodiment, the coupling lug  56  may include plates or flanges  57  that lock into the base  14 . Stated differently, the coupling lug  56  may be constructed having flat surfaces  59  that overlap mating surfaces on the base  14 . It is noted here that while the current embodiments primarily describe mechanical interlocks, other forms of interlocking are contemplated including but not limited magnetic interlocking. 
         [0027]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the coupling lug receiver  64  may be constructed by fashioning slots  66  in the base  14  of the dispensing system  10 . Accordingly, the flanges  57  slide into the slots  66  thereby interlocking with the base  14 . It will be readily understood that the depth of the slots  66  correspond to the thickness of the flanges  57  located on the mounting brackets  50 . Additionally, the distance between the slots  66  will also be chosen that corresponds to the spanned width of the flanges  57 . Any depth of slots and any width between slots may be chosen as is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the dispensing system described herein. 
         [0028]    With reference again to  FIG. 5 , the coupling lug  56  may be configured for attaching the mounting bracket  50  to the base  14  in more than one mounting orientation. An axis A is defined that passes through the coupling lug  56  of the mounting bracket  50 . In a first mounting orientation, axis A is parallel to the slots  66  formed in the base  14 . In a second mounting orientation, the mounting bracket  50  is rotated such that axis A is now perpendicular to the slots  66 . When attaching the mounting bracket  50  to a particular surface, the user aligns the coupling lug  56  in the desired orientation and installs or slides the mounting bracket  50  into engagement with the coupling lug receiver  64 . For example, the dispensing system  10  may be attached to a countertop having a generally horizontal surface. Alternatively, the surface for attaching the dispensing system  10  may be a vertically standing IV pole (intravenous pole). Once in position, the user can tighten a clamp to secure the dispensing system  10  to the surface or in the case of a hanging bracket, reference  FIG. 4 , allow the dispensing system  10  to hang in place. The user can thus conveniently adapt the dispensing system  10  to attach to multiple disparately configured mounting surfaces. 
         [0029]    In the current embodiment, one mounting bracket  50  comprises a clamp  70 , or clamping bracket  70 . The clamp  70  may include the following constituent parts: rigid clamp body  72 , first moveable clamping member  74 , second stationary clamping member  76 , threaded rod  78 , user handle  80 , and coupling lug  56 . In a manner known in the art, the threaded rod adjusts the distance between the clamping members  74 ,  76 . The clamping members  74 ,  76  may include a clamping surface that allows the clamp  70  to securely attach to differently shaped surfaces. Specifically, the clamping members  74 ,  76  may include flat sections  74   a,    76   a  and notched sections  74   b,    76   b.  In the depicted figures the notched sections are V-shaped, although curved or other shaped notches may be incorporated in the clamp  70  without departing from the intended scope of coverage of the embodiments described herein. In this way, the clamping members  74 ,  76  are adapted to mount not only to different thicknesses of attaching surfaces but also to differently shaped surfaces. 
         [0030]    With reference again to the  FIG. 4 , a second type of mounting bracket  50 ′ includes a hooked section  80  that allows the mounting bracket  50 ′ to hang onto, for example, a bed rail or end of the bed (not shown). In this embodiment, the mounting bracket  50 ′, also called a hanging bracket  79 , similarly includes a coupling lug  56  comprised of flanges  57  protruding from a side thereof. It follows that the thickness and spanned width of the flanges  57  correspond to the dimensions of the slots  66 . The hanging bracket  79  is thus attached to the base  14  in a manner similar to that of the clamping mounting bracket  70 . Mounting brackets having attaching means other than those described herein will become apparent to person skilled in the art. All such variations are to be construed as falling within the scope of coverage of the claimed invention. 
         [0031]    Another embodiment of the subject invention is shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . In this embodiment, a dispensing system  100  includes a bottle carrier  104 , or reservoir carrier  104 , and a prepackaged bottle of fluid product  102 . It will be understood that the prepackaged bottle of fluid product  102 , hereafter referred to as bottle  102 , is readily replaceable and moreover is functional for use as a stand-alone unit. However, as previously stated, the short comings of a stand-alone unit are overcome by the various embodiments of the subject invention described herein. 
         [0032]    The bottle carrier  104  includes a frame  112 , also termed housing  112 , constructed from plastic or other suitable material. A base  114  extends from one end of the housing  112  and is rigidly attached thereto for supporting the bottle  102 . Side walls  116  or ledges  116  may be included that extend upward from the base  114 , forming a bowl or cup  118  configured to further hold the bottle  102  in place with respect to the bottle carrier. At a distal end of the base  114 , arms  120  extend forward from the base  114 . The arms  120  are design to at least partially surround the bottle  102  and add support for holding the bottle  102  in place during use. In an alternate embodiment, the arms  120  are formed to interconnect and lock together, positively holding the bottle  102  in place. 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 6-8  and now also to  FIG. 9 , the back side  124  of bottle carrier  104  includes a coupling lug receiver  128  similar to that of the coupling lug receiver  64  fashioned in the base  14 . Slots  132  making up the coupling lug receiver  128  may correspond dimensionally to the coupling lugs  56  of the mounting brackets  50  described above. 
         [0034]    From the aforementioned description of the embodiments, it can be seen that by providing a plurality of interchangeable mounting brackets, the dispensing system  10 ,  100  is capable of attaching to multiple structures each being significantly different. In this way, the dispensing system  10 ,  100  is made to be conveniently positioned near an end user, e.g. healthcare worker, in a wide array of places. 
         [0035]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modifications and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.