Patent Publication Number: US-8534504-B2

Title: Wall-mounted and countertop-mounted dispenser

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to dispensers that may be mounted in more than one orientation. In particular embodiments, the dispensers are selectively mounted in counter-mounted orientations or wall-mounted orientations and, in either orientation, dispense product downwardly in the generally accepted and practiced direction. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various dispensers are known and used to dispense fluids such as lotions, soaps and sanitizers, whether as liquid or foam. Wall-mounted dispensers are a common form of dispenser. These dispensers generally include a dispenser housing that is adapted to receive refill units that carry the product that is to be dispensed. The refill units typically include a container, such as a bag or bottle, containing the product, and a pump is associated with the container such that, upon actuation, product is advanced from the container to an outlet of the dispenser. 
     Countertop-mounted dispensers are also a common form of dispenser, but are structurally distinct from the wall-mounted dispensers. These dispensers generally include an outlet of the dispenser positioned above a countertop, the outlet being associated with a container (containing a product that is to be dispensed) positioned below the countertop. A pump is associated with both the above-countertop outlet and the below-countertop container, and upon actuation, product is advanced from the container to the outlet. 
     Wall-mounted dispensers typically include all of the components necessary for the operation of the dispenser (including the pump, the product, and the outlet) within the dispenser housing. The components in countertop-mounted dispensers, on the other hand, are physically separated by the countertop, with some of the components being above the countertop and some components being below the countertop. Another difference between wall-mounted dispensers and countertop-mounted dispensers is that the containers for wall-mounted dispensers generally do not resemble the containers that are part of the refill units used with countertop-mounted dispensers. In particular, wall-mounted dispensers often use disposable, pliable containers that conform to the volume defined inside the housing, whereas countertop-mounted dispensers typically have refillable, hard plastic containers. Additionally, the containers in the wall-mounted dispensers are typically of smaller volume than those of the countertop-mounted dispensers. Thus, the refill units are distinct for each type of dispenser, and purchasers who opt to use both wall-mounted and countertop-mounted dispensers must purchase separate and distinct refill units for each type of dispenser. 
     Although mention has been made of dispensers that receive refill units that provide the container of product to be dispensed and the pump for dispensing the product, it will be appreciated that the prior art also includes bulk-fill dispensers wherein the container and pump mechanisms are retained as part of the dispenser, with the container being refilled with a bulk supply with product when empty. Regardless of whether wall-mounted dispensers or counter-mounted dispensers are formed to be bulk-fill type dispensers or of a type that would receive a refill unit, it will be appreciated that these two types of dispensers are provided by very distinct structures in the prior art. That is, the inventors herein are not aware of any particular dispenser that is suitable for selectively mounting in either a counter-mounted orientation or a wall-mounted orientation as desired by the entity installing the dispenser. 
     Thus, a need exists in the dispenser arts for dispensers that are more versatile, being capable of use either as a wall-mounted dispenser or a countertop-mounted dispenser in accordance with the desire of the entity offering the dispenser for use. This need exists for both bulk-fill dispensers and dispensers designed to receive refill units. In dispensers employing refill units, a need also exists for dispensers that accept the same size and type of refill unit despite whether being used as a wall-mounted dispenser or counter-mounted dispenser. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, this invention provides a dispenser including a housing and a rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly. The housing includes a base that is selectively mounted to a generally vertical surface, in a vertical mounting orientation, and selectively mounted to a generally horizontal surface, in a horizontal mounting orientation. The housing is shaped to define an undercut. The rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly is secured to the housing at the undercut and is selectively rotated between a first position associated with the horizontal mounting orientation, and a second position associated with the vertical mounting orientation. In the first position, the dispensing nozzle is directed to dispense product toward the generally horizontal surface and the undercut provides a finger receipt area sufficient for at least the receipt of fingers between the dispensing nozzle and the generally horizontal surface. In other embodiments, when the base is mounted in the vertical mounting orientation and the rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly is rotated to the second position, the dispensing nozzle is positioned to dispense product below the housing. 
     In accordance with other embodiments of this invention, the housing includes a front cover and a back cover. The front cover includes a front surface and a bottom surface and the back cover includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The front cover and the back cover form a leading surface and a trailing surface, the trailing surface providing the undercut. The nozzle assembly is positioned near the intersection of the leading surface and the trailing surface. 
     In one or more embodiments, the housing comprises a leading surface and a trailing surface that together form a fin shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a dispenser constructed according to the concepts of the present invention mounted on a countertop. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the dispenser of  FIG. 1  mounted on a wall. 
         FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the dispenser and shows that the housing is generally shaped like a fin. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a portion of the dispenser showing some of the components positioned within the housing, including the rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a portion of the dispenser showing the stationary housing of the dispensing nozzle assembly. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of the rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly, showing the dispensing nozzle in two possible positions. 
         FIG. 6  is a side plan schematic view of an alternative shape for the dispenser housing. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, a dispenser constructed according to the concepts of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , dispenser  10  can be mounted on a countertop (or any other flat, generally horizontal surface), or, as shown in  FIG. 2 , dispenser  10  can be mounted on a wall (or any other flat, generally vertical surface). 
     Dispenser  10  includes a housing  12  comprised of a front cover  14  and a back cover  16 . A volume is defined within the housing  12 , and that volume may be accessed according to methods known in the art, including those discussed below. The front cover  14  includes a front surface  18 , side surfaces  20 , and a bottom surface  22 . Front cover  14  may optionally include a transparent window  24  to enable a user to see within the volume defined within housing  12 . 
     Back cover  16  includes a top surface  26 , side surfaces  28 , and a bottom surface  30 . As seen in the figures, the front surface  18  of the front cover  14  is generally curved such that it transitions to abut the top surface  26  of back cover  16  and form a generally smooth continuous outer surface. Similarly, side surfaces  20  of front cover  14  abut side surfaces  28  of back cover  16 , and bottom surface  22  of front cover  14  abuts bottom surface  30  of back cover  16 . The abutment of the various surfaces of front cover  14  and back cover  16  results in housing  12  having generally continuous surfaces in the areas near the abutments. Back cover  16  may include a backplate (not shown) having structure for mounting the dispenser  10  onto a surface. Back cover  16  includes a peripheral edge  32  defined by surfaces  26 ,  28 ,  30  that is generally flat and planar so that dispenser  10  will rest flat against a flat surface. Dispensers, including dispenser  10 , can be mounted to a surface using structure and methods well known in the art. 
     Front cover  14  and back cover  16  may be detachably connected to each other using any known method or structure in the dispenser arts. A clamshell arrangement is well known in the dispenser arts, and is suited for use with dispenser  10 . In such a clamshell arrangement, front cover  14  is pivotally connected to back cover  16 , and to access the volume defined within housing  12 , a user simply pivots the front cover  14  out of contact with back cover  16 . Of course, other arrangements for connecting front cover  14  and back cover  16  may also be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the particular shape of housing  12  dispenser  10  is generally fin-shaped when viewed from the side. The shape will be recognized as being similar to a curved dorsal fin (as on a fish). In such a fin shape, front surface  18  of front cover  14  and top surface  26  of back cover  16  define a curved leading surface  34  of the fin shape. Bottom surface  22  of front cover  14  and bottom surface  30  of back cover  16  define a curved trailing surface  36  of the fin shape. Of course, although leading surface  34  and trailing surface  36  are generally smooth, continuous, and curved, other arrangements could be conceived that still define a leading surface and trailing surface, giving the dispenser a shape that is generally fin-shaped. For example, the fin shape could be defined by more than one generally planar portion. 
     Although a fin shaped has been disclosed for housing  12 , it should be appreciated that this is merely an aesthetically pleasing acceptable embodiment, and other shapes could be practiced. As will become more apparent herein, the importance of the fin shape relates to its provision of an undercut  44 . Thus, in accordance with this invention and the concepts taught herein, other housing shapes could be employed provided they define the desired undercut  44  as described herein. For example, as seen  FIG. 6 , angular structures define a blocky housing  12 ′ defining an undercut  44  at a ledge  37  that carries a rotatable dispensing nozzle  38 . It should also be appreciated that the curved trailing surface  36  could be formed as a general planar surface, creating a undercut under that surface by extending it from the base at an obtuse angle. 
     A rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly  38  is secured to the housing at the undercut. In this embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , it is positioned approximately at the apex of the fin shape, which is roughly where leading surface  34  meets trailing surface  36 . As viewed from the side, back cover  16  extends along peripheral edge  32  in the longitudinal direction between a first end  40  and a second end  42 . First end  40  lies on peripheral edge  32  near its intersection with top surface  26 , and second end  42  lies on peripheral edge  32  near its intersection with bottom surface  30 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , it can be seen that the rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly  38  is secured to the housing at the undercut  44  by being positioned within the ledge  37 , particularly at the distal end thereof. 
     Trailing surface  36  arcs away from second end  42  in both the longitudinal direction and a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of dispenser  10  shown in  FIG. 3  (hereafter orthogonal direction, which is generally at a right angle to the longitudinal direction in the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3 ). Thus, nozzle assembly  38  is positioned longitudinally beyond, and spaced from in the orthogonal direction, second end  42 . Particularly, the center of nozzle assembly  38  is positioned a distance d 1  in the longitudinal direction, and a distance d 2  in the orthogonal direction, from second end  42 . Nozzle assembly  38  is thus positioned longitudinally beyond most other parts of dispenser  10 , and particularly outside of the footprint defined by the peripheral edge  32 . A generally concave undercut  44  is thereby defined by the position of nozzle assembly  38  and the arc of the trailing surface  36 . The undercut  44  provides a finger receipt area that is sufficient for at least the receipt of fingers between the dispensing nozzle  56  and the counter top  120 , when the dispenser  10  is mounted in a generally horizontal orientation as in  FIG. 1 . By placing the fingers or hand between the dispensing nozzle  56  and the counter, a user can receive a dosage of product dispensed from dispenser  10 . In a preferred embodiment, distance d 1  is approximately 1.25 inches and distance d 2  is approximately 3.5 inches. Of course, the size of distance d 1  and distance d 2  may be modified based on the requirements of a particular application, so long as the distances are chosen to be practical for the receipt of at least a portion of a user&#39;s fingers and/or hand in the defined dispensing area between the dispensing nozzle  56 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly  38  includes a generally cylindrical shaped stationary housing  50 , within which many of the other components of assembly  38  rotate. Referring also to  FIG. 4 , assembly  38  includes a pivot  52 , a pivot stop  54 , and a dispensing nozzle  56 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A and  5 B, pivot  52  is generally tube-shaped and includes two circumferential wall portions, first wall portion  58  and second wall portion  60 . First wall portion  58  extends from a first end  62  to a second end  64 , and includes a radial outer surface  66 . A nub  68  extends from radial outer surface  66  between first end  62  and second end  64 , and a clip  70  positioned near first end  62  extends from outer surface  66  to a distal end extending circumferentially beyond the first end  62 . Second wall portion  60  extends from a first end  72  to a second end  74 . A nozzle carrying platform  76  extends radially inward from second wall portion  60  near first end  72 . A back wall  78  extends roughly perpendicular from platform  76  near the end of platform  76  opposite first end  72 , and a ledge  80  extends roughly perpendicular from an end of back wall  78  opposite platform  76 . Nozzle carrying platform  76  may include a recessed axial channel  82  proximate back wall  78  to accommodate a complementary shaped rim on the nozzle  56 . A first open space  84  is defined in the circumference of pivot  52  between the first ends  62 ,  72  of wall portions  58 ,  60 . A second open space  86  is defined between the second ends  64 ,  74  of wall portions  58 ,  60 . Pivot  52  rotates about an axis, which, in the embodiment shown, is centrally located. 
     Pivot stop  54  is also generally tube-shaped and includes a wall portion  88  that extends a portion of the circumference of stop  54  from a first end  90  to a second end  92 . Pivot stop  54  does not rotate. 
     Dispensing nozzle  56  can be any suitable nozzle known or developed in the dispensing arts, and is positioned in the first open space  84  between first ends  62 ,  72  of wall portions  58 ,  60 . Particularly, nozzle  56  is positioned on nozzle carrying platform  76 , and is held in place by clip  70 . A conduit  94  is connected at one end to nozzle  56  and at the other end to a pump or a container (not shown) having the product that is to be dispensed. Conduit  94  is flexible and is designed to deliver doses of the product that is to be dispensed from the pump. From nozzle  56 , conduit  94  extends out of nozzle assembly  38  by passing around the circumferential wall portion  88  of pivot stop  54  and through the second open space  86  defined between second ends  64 ,  74  of wall portions  58 ,  60 . 
     Nozzle  56 , through conduit  94 , is in fluid communication with a source of product that is to be dispensed by dispenser  10  according to methods and structure known in the dispensing arts. In a typical arrangement, a flexible container of product is positioned within a volume defined within the housing and is connected to a pump, which in turn, is connected to a dispensing nozzle. In a bulk-fill dispenser, the housing defines an area for receipt of bulk product, and a pump communicates with that area of receipt to advance product to the dispensing nozzle. In dispensers employing refill units, the container of product and the pump would be provided as one unit to be received in the housing. The refill unit may include the conduit  94  and dispensing nozzle, with the conduit and nozzle being installed in the dispenser so that the dispensing nozzle is engaged with the rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly  38 . In some embodiments, it might be preferred to provide such a refill unit inasmuch as all wetted parts would be disposed of and replaced when a particular refill unit is empty. Such an arrangement is suitable for dispenser  10 , though other possible arrangements could also be used. The pump may be actuated by any known means, the actuation of the pump advancing an amount of product from the container toward dispensing nozzle  56 . An appropriate pump may be chosen for a particular application, and the selection of an appropriate pump is within the skill of an ordinary practitioner in this art area. In one or more embodiments, a peristaltic pump may be appropriate and may operate by acting on a portion of a conduit between the container and the dispensing nozzle to advance a portion of product through the conduit toward the nozzle. Often, in peristaltic pumps, a roller passes over and squeezes the dispensing tube to advance product to the dispensing nozzle. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4A , stationary housing  50  includes a circumferentially-extending slot  100  that extends from a first end  102  to a second end  104  and opens up from a narrow portion  106  to a wide portion  108  at shoulders  110 . Referring especially to  FIGS. 1-3 , nub  68  extends through slot  100  in narrow portion  106  and nozzle  56  extends through slot  100  in wide portion  108 . 
     Pivot  52  may be moved within stationary housing  50  to change the position of nozzle  56 , which determines where a dosage of product is dispensed at outlet  57  of the dispensing nozzle. Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , two possible dispensing positions are shown. In  FIG. 5A , pivot  52  is rotated the maximum possible distance in the clockwise direction. In that position, nub  68  contacts the first end  102  of slot  100 . Also, ledge  80  of second wall portion  60  contacts second end  92  of pivot stop  54  (see  FIG. 4 ). Such a dispensing position would be useful, for instance, when the dispenser  10  is mounted on a wall. In  FIG. 2 , dispenser  10  is shown mounted on a wall  130 . Pivot  52  is shown in the position of  FIG. 5A  so that the outlet  57  of nozzle  56  is aimed to dispense product generally downwardly below dispenser  10  and away from wall  130 . In such an arrangement, the user would receive a dosage of product directly below the dispenser  10 , with the stream of product being dispensed running essentially parallel to the wall. An individual would place their hand under the dispensing nozzle in order to receive product dispensed from the outlet  57 . It will be appreciated that it is most likely the individual would place their hand also under the undercut  44 , though that may not be necessary in some configurations. The maximum possible distance that pivot  52  may be moved in the clockwise direction can be limited by adjusting the position of the first end  102  of slot  100 , beyond which the nub  68  cannot move, or by adjusting the position of the second end  92  of pivot stop  54 , which contacts ledge  80 . 
     In  FIG. 5B , pivot  52  is rotated the maximum possible distance in the counterclockwise direction (from the viewpoint of the dispenser as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). In that position, nozzle  56  contacts the second end  104  of slot  100 . Also, nozzle carrying platform  76  of second wall portion  60  contacts first end  90  of pivot stop  54 (see  FIG. 4 ). Such a dispensing position would be useful, for instance, when the dispenser  10  is mounted on a countertop. In to  FIG. 1 , dispenser  10  is shown mounted on a countertop  120 . Pivot  52  is shown in the position of  FIG. 5B  so that the outlet  57  of nozzle  56  is aimed to dispense product generally downwardly onto fingers and/or a hand positioned between the nozzle assembly  38  and countertop  120 . In such an arrangement, the user would most likely place their fingers in the undercut  44  so that a significant portion of their hand is under the outlet  57  of the dispensing nozzle  56 . receive a dosage of product below nozzle assembly  38  and between assembly  38  and the countertop, with the stream of product being dispensed toward the countertop. The maximum possible distance that pivot  52  may be moved in the counterclockwise direction can be limited by adjusting the position of the second end  104  of slot  100 , beyond which nozzle  56  cannot move, or by adjusting the position of the first end  90  of pivot stop  54 , which contacts nozzle carrying platform  76 . 
     Of course, pivot  52  can be moved to any position between the positions shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . And because the features of both slot  100  and pivot stop  54  can be used to limit the rotational movement of pivot  52 , certain embodiments may be conceived of that do not include the movement-limiting features of both the slot and the pivot stop, as movement-limiting features in either one of the two structures may be enough. In addition, the movement of pivot  52  may be characterized by detents, notches, or other structure that allow the pivot to be easily moved to predetermined positions. 
     Dispensers constructed according to the concepts of the present invention may also include several optional features. User detection devices, such as motion sensors, can be incorporated into dispenser  10 , along with electronic means for actuating the pump, to automate the operation of dispenser  10 . Such detection devices and their methods of use and incorporation in dispensers are well known in the art. For example, a detection device could be incorporated into dispenser  10 , such as near or projecting from bottom surface  22  or  30 , and which senses when a user&#39;s hand enters dispensing area  44 . Such a detection device would operate in either the wall or counter-mounted orientations, and would be associated with components that cause a dosage of product to be dispensed into the dispensing area  44 . 
     Also, orientation-sensing devices may be incorporated into dispenser  10 , along with electronic means for changing the position of pivot  52 , the orientation-sensing device causing a change in the position of pivot  52  depending on whether dispenser  10  is mounted on a wall or on a countertop. Such orientation-sensing devices could be combined with the electronic means for changing the position of pivot  52  according to structure and methods that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Thus, dispensers constructed according to the concepts of the present invention are adapted to be capable of being mounted in both a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation. For that matter, it will be apparent that the dispensers can be mounted in many orientations, including the horizontal orientation (countertop-mounted orientation) and vertical orientation (wall-mounted orientation). A rotatable dispensing nozzle assembly facilitates the multiple mounting positions, as the product to be dispensed can be directed in any appropriate direction. And, because the type of refill unit used in dispenser does not depend on the orientation the dispenser is mounted in, the same type of refill unit can be used without regard to the mounting orientation of the dispenser. The fin shape of the dispenser and the position of the dispensing nozzle assembly also facilitate the multiple mounting positions, as the shape of the dispenser and the area it defines between adjacent structures (whether a wall or a countertop) provides a dispensing area for a user to receive a dosage of the product to be dispensed, such as soap. By having an arrangement disclosed herein, a dispenser will define a dispensing area outside the footprint defined by the back (or bottom) of the dispenser. 
     Thus, dispensers constructed according to the concepts of the present invention are readily adapted between wall-mounted and countertop-mounted applications and offer several advantages over prior art forms. Purchasers of dispensers will not have to choose between using wall-mounted or countertop-mounted dispensers, as the present invention can be used for both purposes. By only needing to purchase a single style of dispenser, purchasers of dispensers will also only need to purchase a single type of related accessories, such as refill containers. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above. While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.