Patent Publication Number: US-2002008117-A1

Title: Soap dispenser for soap of different viscosity

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is based on provisional patent application no. 60/108,969, filed Nov. 18, 1998, in the name of Jeffrey Strickler. Various portion of the invention also appear in design application Ser. No. 29/112,032, 29/11,065, 9/112,070, 29/112,071, 29/112,072, 29/112,103, 29/112,139, 29/112,140, all filed on even date. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates to a system for dispensing soap with a wide range of viscosities. Although the invention may be used to dispense a wide variety of viscous material, soap will be used for only illustrative purposes. Normally, soap is dispensed in commercial systems wherein the soap has a relatively low viscosity on the order of 1000 to 2000 cps. The present invention is directed toward a system which can accommodate the lower viscosity soaps normally encountered in commercial establishments such as restaurants, washrooms, airports, and the like, as well as grit containing soaps in which the viscosities may be as high as 20,000 cps.  
       [0003] Patents which are relevant to the lower viscosity dispensing systems, for instance, include but are not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 248,927, Des. 278,887, Des. 282,347, Des. 282,528, Des. 299,427, Des. 325,312, Des. 332,544, 4,149,573, 4,173,858, 4,214,676, 4,316,555, 4,391.308, 4,391,309, 4,429,812, 4,673,109, 4,886,192, 5,082,150, 5,174,476, 5,209,377, 4,345,627, and 4,576,313. On the other hand, when viscosities increase, systems such as those disclosed in the patents above are often insufficient to dispense the higher viscosity material. Frequently, higher viscosity materials on the order of 15,000-20,000 cps viscosities simply do not flow through the systems used to dispense soaps having viscosities in the 1000-2000 cps range. Accordingly, this invention is directed to a new system which can accommodate soaps having a wide range of viscosities.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a commercial device including mounting plates, dispensing mechanisms, reservoirs and soap cartridges which can accommodate a wide range of fluid materials having various viscosities.  
       [0005] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device in which a high viscosity liquid can be dispensed in doses using a standard dispensing mechanism.  
       [0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a soap cartridge and a punch or cutting mechanism which permits high viscosity soap to be dispensed while at the same time retaining the sealing material used to seal the soap cartridge attached to the soap cartridge so as to prevent inadvertent plugging of the dispensing mechanism.  
       [0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a series of mounting plates useful for mounting a variety of combinations of the various constituent parts of the liquid dispensing system.  
       [0008] A still further object of the present invention is to incorporate a new soap container or bottle which can be mated to a backing or mounting plate so as to provide a commercially secure system.  
       [0009] The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting plate, dispensing system, reservoir system and soap container of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the soap dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the soap dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support plate used in the system illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the soap dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a view in cross section of the system illustrated in FIG. 2 as seen along lines  6 - 6  thereof;  
     [0017]FIG. 7 is a view in cross section of the system illustrated in FIG. 2 as seen along lines  7 - 7  thereof;  
     [0018]FIG. 8 is a view in cross section of the system illustrated in FIG. 3 as seen along lines  8 - 8  thereof;  
     [0019]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the dispensing mechanism used in the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 on a mounting plate which is different than that illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0020]FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the reservoir and dispensing system illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the mounting plate in phantom line;  
     [0021]FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the reservoir shown in FIG. 10;  
     [0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the soap cartridge shown in FIG. 1;  
     [0023]FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the soap cartridge illustrated in FIG. 12;  
     [0024]FIG. 14 is a bottom elevational view of the soap cartridge illustrated in FIG. 12;  
     [0025]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the soap cartridge illustrated in FIG. 12;  
     [0026]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate support plate;  
     [0027]FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the support plate illustrated in FIG. 16;  
     [0028]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of alternate embodiment of a soap dispenser mounted on the plate illustrated in FIG. 16;  
     [0029]FIG. 19 is a side view partly in section of the soap dispenser and mounting plate shown in FIG. 18 in exploded view; and  
     [0030]FIG. 20 is a view in partial section and partial elevation of the soap dispenser illustrated in FIG. 18.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0031] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 9 thereof, there is illustrated a soap dispensing system  50  which includes a soap bottle or container  55  sitting on top of a reservoir  60  which is received by a dispensing mechanism  65 , all of which are supported by a support plate  70 . Various plate configurations are disclosed hereinafter which support various combinations of the components described above.  
     [0032] More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and  5 , the support plate  70  includes a generally rectangular member  71  having a front surface  72  and a rear surface  74  and having a plurality of mounting apertures  73  therein. Preferably, the mounting apertures  73  are at each ends of the plate  71  and also longitudinally spaced from but near the bottom of the plate  71 .  
     [0033] A first pair of mounting rails  75  are positioned near the top of the support plate  70  and each includes an inwardly directed, generally rectangular plate  76  having top and bottom triangularly shaped end ribs  77  and a intermediate triangularly reinforcing member  78 . There are two mounting rails  75 , one the mirror image of the other to make up the first pair of mounting rails. A plurality of strengthening ribs  81  on the inwardly facing surfaces of the plate  76  help to stabilize the first pair of mounting rails  75 .  
     [0034] Below the first pair of mounting rails  75  and intermediate the rails is a first or upper shelf  85  which includes a platform  86  which extends somewhat downwardly from the edges of the platform toward the middle, as best seen in FIG. 17, as will be explained later, the platform  86  being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending ribs  87  and a number of triangular supports  88 , there being three shown.  
     [0035] An upper latch  90  extends outwardly from the surface  72  of the plate  70  and includes a generally rectangular or square flap  91  extending outwardly from an opening  92  in the plate  70  and being connected to the plate by a hinge  93 .  
     [0036] Below the upper latch  90  is a second pair or lower mounting rails  95 , each of which includes a generally flat rectangular plate  96  extending inwardly and outwardly from the plate  70  and more particularly the front surface  72  thereof being provided with end plates  97  similar to the end plates  77  previously described and a middle reinforcing member  98  similar to the previous reinforcing member  78  hereinbefore described. The inner sides of the plates  96  include a plurality of ribs  101 . At the bottom of the second pair of mounting rails  95  is a second or lower shelf  105  which is a generally flat piece having an upper surface  106  and a curved arcuate outwardly facing edge  107 . A plurality of support ribs  108  at the bottom of the shelf  105  are seen in FIGS. 17, 19 and  20 .  
     [0037] There is further provided on the plate  70  a lower latch  110  consisting of a flap  111  generally rectangular in shape cut out from an opening  112  in the plate body  71  and connected thereto by a hinge  113 . A receiving mechanism  115  for the dispenser mechanism  65  includes two generally vertically positioned and slightly taped toward each other and spaced apart L-shaped channels  116  each of which is strengthened by a plurality of generally horizontally extending ribs  117  and a support ledge  120  generally horizontally extending and having an L-shaped portion or channel  121  with a plurality of downwardly extending supports  122 . The tapering of the channels  116  result in a wedging of the dispensing mechanism  65 . The rear of the plate  70  is provided, as seen particularly in FIG. 5 with a plurality of horizontal and vertical ribs  118  and  119 , respectively, for strengthening purposes.  
     [0038] While there has been described the preferred design of two pairs of rails (in a tongue and groove or dove tail arrangement, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art that various configurations may be used to accomplish the purpose of this invention, and the preferred embodiment is descriptive, but not limiting.  
     [0039] The dispensing mechanism  65 , as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, includes a dispensing mechanism support structure  125  which includes a flat circular plate  126  having a rectangular cut-out slot  127  therein and an upstanding peripheral ridge or flange  128 . A plurality of circular segments  129  extend upwardly from the plate  126  for a purpose hereinafter set forth. A ball check valve  130  is positioned in the central circular cut-out contiguous with the slot  127 .  
     [0040] Extending rearwardly and integrally with the dispensing mechanism support plate  125  is a horizontal ledge  131  having a vertical plate  132  provided with a plurality of mounting apertures  133 . The vertical plate  132  extends downwardly and fits within the two opposed and tapered L-shaped side channels  116  so as to mount the dispensing mechanism  65  by wedging and centering action to the plate  70  as illustrated in FIG. 4 or to plate  70 C as illustrated in FIG. 9. Plate  70 C is substantially the same as the lower portion of the plate  70  previously described from a horizontal point just above the lower latch  1   10  to the bottom of the support plate. Like numbers have been used to identify like portions of the two plates  70  and  70 C. An actuator mechanism  135  as best seen in FIGS. 7 through 9, includes a plunger housing  136  having a circular end cap  137  and a dispensing spout  138 , seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. The actuator  135  further includes an actuator housing  139  which surrounds the slot  127  and the ball check valve  130  and provides support for the actuator  135 , the dispensing mechanism  165  in general being old and well known in the art.  
     [0041] The reservoir  60 , as best shown in FIGS. 6, 8,  10  and  11 , has a frustoconical reservoir housing  145  having a flat upper surface  146  and a flat bottom surface  147 . The flat bottom surface  147  is provided with a plurality of circular arcuate indentations  149  in the bottom thereof which fit over and frictionally fit upon the wedging segments  129  in the plate  126  of the dispensing mechanism support plate  125 . As seen also in FIG. 7, there is a cut-out or rectangular slot  151  in registry with the slot  127  and a plunger cover  152  which prevents soap from caking on the plunger  135  and impeding the operation thereof. An outer wall  155  extends from the bottom  147  up to the top surface  146  defining an aperture  157  in the middle. A notch  158 , which may identify a docking lug position, is cut into one side of the top wall  146  and may be located in one of eight different angular positions, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The circular ledge  161  extends upwardly from the upper surface  146  to receive the bottle  55 , as will be described. A window  159  is provided in the front of the side wall  155  to permit the operator the view the soap level in the reservoir  60  at any particular time.  
     [0042] A cylindrical skirt  163  extends downwardly from the top wall  146  and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches or cut-outs  164  to facilitate soap flow, as will be explained. The skirt  163  defines a well  165  in which is positioned a C-shaped punch mechanism  170 . The C-shaped punch mechanism  170  includes an upwardly extending cylindrical wall  171  also provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches or cut-outs  172 , also to facilitate flow of soap. The C-shaped punch  170  has an angular extent of not less than about 270° and preferably about 295° and is provided at the top end thereof with a plurality of serrated teeth  175 . Connecting struts  176  (see FIG. 11) circumferentially spaced around the C-shaped punch  170  connect the cylindrical wall  171  to the skirt  163 . Finally, a drain hole  179  is provided at the bottom of the surface  146  to facilitate cleaning of the reservoir structure  60 . Although a C-shaped design is shown for punch  170 , variations are acceptable, provided the seal for the bottle holding the liquid stays attached to the bottle after it is punched open.  
     [0043] Referring to FIGS. 12 through 15, there is shown a soap bottle body  180  similar to that disclosed in FIG. 1 and labeled  55 . The soap bottle of FIG. 1 and the soap bottle of FIGS. 12 through 15 are principally the same and like numbers will be used to describe like portions. A bottle body  180  is generally cylindrical in shape and has a side wall  181  closed by a top wall  182  from the bottom wall  183  of the bottle  180  with the distal end of the neck  185  being in the form of plurality of ridges  186 . In some circumstances, the ridges  186  may be threads, as will be described. The neck  185  includes a cylindrical portion  187  from which protrudes a lug  188  complimentary in shape to the notch  158  in the reservoir  60 . As with the reservoir  60  and the notch  158  therein, the lug  188  may be positioned in eight various angularly disposed positions to accommodate systems which are proprietary to each purchaser. Moreover, a plurality of lugs and notches may be used to create more proprietary systems; and the lugs and notches may be reversed with the notch bottle neck. Finally, longitudinally spaced apart cylindrical bands  189  serve to rigidify the bottle  180 .  
     [0044] On the back of the bottle are axially aligned and longitudinally spaced apart dove tail members  190  and  195 . The upper dove tail member  190  is configured to fit as a tongue and groove fit into the upper mounting rails  75  and the lower dove tail member  195  is spaced to fit into the lower mounting rails  95 . The upper dove tail member  190  includes a back wall  191  and spaced side walls  192  extending rearwardly of the container or bottle  55 . A protrudence  193  extends downwardly from the rearward and bottom portion of the upper dove tail member  190 . Similarly, the lower dove tail member  196  has a back wall, opposed side walls  197  and a protrudence  197  which extends upwardly toward the protrudence  198 . On one embodiment of he bottle  55  as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 , there is irregularly shaped notch  200  cut out of the top  182  serving as a proprietary configuration.  
     [0045] As best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, there is an intermediate sized plate  70 B on which like numbers are used to identify like parts. An inspection of plate  70 B and comparison with plate  70  illustrated for instance in FIGS.  1 - 5 , shows that plate  70 B is the same as the upper portion of the plate  70  to and including a point just below the second or lower pair of mounting rails  95  but does not includes a lower shelf. The lower shelf in the embodiment of plate  70 B is somewhat differently shaped than the shelf in the embodiment  70  and is identified as  105 B because it is trapezoidal in shape and has a longer perpendicular extent than does the arcuately shaped. The purpose of this will hereinafter be set forth.  
     [0046] Referring now to FIGS.  18 - 20 , there is disclosed an embodiment  210  which is a combination of the plate  70 B, the soap bottle  55  and a dispensing mechanism as well known in the art and is akin to that used on condiments such as mustard jars in restaurants and the like. The mounting plate  70 B was previously described as was the soap container  55  on which like numbers have been applied to like parts. The soap container  55  slides into the upper and lower mounting rails  75  and  95 , respectively, as previously described and the latch mechanism  90 , as seen in FIG. 19, contacts the top of protrudence  198  and serves to maintain the soap container or bottle  55  in place preventing removal by the users of these dispensers in commercial and industrial locations. The embodiment  210  includes a circular cap  211  having an internally threaded portion  212  which mates with external threads on the neck  187  of the soap container  55 . A sleeve  213  extends vertically through the cap  211  and receives a tube  215  which extends into the soap bottle  55  and the soap  220  disposed therein and can create a suction in the usual manner to dispense soap through the tube  215  and out the spout  216 , all in a well known manner.  
     [0047] A variety of features of the present invention are important. Among the most important features are the means by which the upper latch  90  contacts the protrudence on the spaced apart dove tail members  190 ,  195  and particularly the lower protrudence  198  so as firmly to clamp the soap bottle or container  55  onto the mounting plate  70 . The lower latching mechanism  110  slips over the top of the vertical wall  132  securely to fasten the dispensing mechanism  65  which includes the actuator  135  and dispensing mechanism support plate  125  firmly to the mounting plate  70 . Whether the mounting plate  70 ,  70 B or  70 C is used, the connections are substantially the same. The virtues of this system are that it is easy in the field to use, the mechanism is easy to maintain and lends itself to a variety of uses. A combination of the reservoir  60  which the soap bottle or container  55  is novel and is a significant improvement over prior art systems because of the unique C-shaped punch mechanism  170  accommodates very viscous soaps. Soaps with yield values above  120  can be dispensed with the system of the present invention and this includes soaps having viscosities in the neighborhood of 20,000 cps. Yield value is a property critical to achieving certain physical characteristics such as particles dispersed in a suspension, emulsions, foams and the like.  
     [0048] The most common way to measure yield value is the Brookfield yield value extrapolation method. A Brookfield RVT viscometer is used to measure the torque necessary to rotate a spindle through a liquid sample at speeds of 0.5 to 100 rpm. Multiplying the torque reading by the appropriate constant for the spindle and speed gives the apparent viscosity. Spindle speed corresponds to shear rate. Yield value is an extrapolation of measured values to a shear rate of zero.  
     [0049] Viscous suspensions can and will collapse. It is a common misconception that if the viscosity of a product is high enough, it can be used to suspend. Actually, a higher viscosity only slows down the rate of particle movement. Yield value is required to create a stable suspension.  
     [0050] Silica sand with an average particle diameter of 0.6 mm was placed in gels made from various thickener types at different concentrations. The data suggests that a critical Brookfield yield value between 90 and 124 is required to produce a stable sand suspension. In the present case, the system of the present invention has been capable of adequately dispensing samples having viscosities of 13,000 cps and a yield value of 980, viscosities of 7500 cps with a yield value of 520 and soaps with viscosities of 20,500 cps having a yield value of 1540. It is clear from the foregoing that the subject system is entirely capable of dispensing soaps having a wide range of yield values and viscosities since it is also just as clear that the system can also effectively dispense soaps having very low viscosities in the 1000-2000 range.  
     [0051] While there has been disclosed what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.