Patent Publication Number: US-10766045-B1

Title: Concentrated cleaning capsule and dispenser for dispensing cleaning solution therefrom

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/423,526, filed May 28, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a user may wish to have various cleaning solutions for cleaning different surfaces. For example, a user may wish to have a glass cleaning solution, a bath cleaning solution, a general purpose kitchen cleaning solution, a metal cleaning solution, and/or the like. However, traditional cleaning arrangements require users to maintain store separate reservoirs of cleaning solution corresponding to each desired use cleaning solution. The user may not want or be able to dedicate enough storage space to a plurality of reservoirs of cleaning solution to accommodate a plurality of different reservoirs of cleaning solutions. 
     Moreover, traditional cleaning arrangements require that a user purchase a dispenser each time the user wishes to refill a cleaning product. This increases the financial and carbon footprint costs of cleaning products. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Example embodiments of the present invention provide concentrated cleaning capsules configured to store concentrated cleaning solution and a dispenser for dispensing the concentrated cleaning solution therefrom. Example embodiments of the present invention allow a user to have multiple types of cleaning solution, without requiring the user to have multiple dispensers. In various embodiments, the dispenser may be an atomizer (e.g., spray bottle), a pump dispenser (e.g., hand pump), and/or the like. In various embodiments, the concentrated cleaning solution may be a concentrated glass cleaning solution, bath cleaning solution, general purpose kitchen cleaning solution, metal cleaning solution, hand soap, dish soap, laundry stain remover, scent neutralizing solution, air freshener, and/or the like. Some example embodiments of the present invention provide a user with a single use amount of cleaning solution. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a dispenser for dispensing a cleaning solution from a capsule is provided. In an example embodiment, the dispenser comprises a handle and a base. The handle comprises a nozzle, a trigger, a lever, a reservoir pipette, a dispensing pipette, and a capsule chamber. The base comprises a reservoir portion configured for receiving cleaning solution from the capsule. The handle is configured to be secured to the base. When the capsule is positioned within the capsule chamber and the handle is secured to the base and the lever is closed, the cleaning solution is provided to the reservoir portion through the reservoir pipette. When the capsule is positioned within the capsule chamber, the handle is secured to the base, the lever is closed, and the trigger is activated, the cleaning solution is dispensed from the reservoir portion through the dispensing pipette and out of the nozzle. 
     In an example embodiment, the dispensing pipette extends from the handle into the base. When the handle is secured to the base and the dispensing pipette is inserted into the body of the base (e.g., the reservoir portion), cleaning solution can be transferred and/or dispensed (e.g., in a stream, mist, pump, and/or the like) by activation (e.g., pulling, pushing, squeezing, pressing, and/or the like) of the trigger on the handle from the dispensing pipette to the nozzle. 
     In an example embodiment, the base comprises a reservoir portion configured to receive a dilution chemical configured to dilute the cleaning solution. The dilution chemical is dispensed from the reservoir portion of the base through the dispensing pipette and out of the nozzle with the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the dilution chemical comprises water (e.g., distilled water, ionized water, filtered water, and/or tap water). 
     In an example embodiment, the lever comprises and/or is coupled to a first puncture pin configured to puncture a first surface (e.g., the lid portion) of the capsule. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to be inserted into the capsule chamber and securing the capsule into the capsule chamber by closing and/or actuating the lever causes the first puncture pin to puncture a first surface (e.g., the lid portion) of the capsule disposed within the capsule chamber. In an example embodiment, the capsule chamber comprises a second puncture pin configured to puncture a second surface (e.g., the cup portion) of the capsule. In an example embodiment, the capsule chamber is configured to hold the capsule and cause the second puncture pin to puncture the cup portion of the capsule when the lever is closed and/or actuated. Closing and/or actuating of the lever causes at least one of (a) the first puncture pin to create a first puncture hole in a first surface (e.g., the lid) of the capsule or (b) the second puncture pin to create a second puncture hole in a second surface (e.g., the cup portion) of the capsule. In an example embodiment, closing the lever causes the cleaning solution to be infused into the reservoir pipette and secures the capsule within the handle. For example, the second puncture pin may be a hollow puncture pin that is coupled to the reservoir pipette such that cleaning solution may flow through the second puncture pin and into the reservoir pipette. The cleaning solution may then flow through the reservoir pipette into the reservoir portion. 
     In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 0.5 to 2 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 0.25 to 1.25 ounces of cleaning solution (e.g., 0.5 to 1 ounce). In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 1.5 to 3 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 1-2 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the reservoir portion has a convex end surface configured to direct the cleaning solution toward a mouth of the dispensing pipette. In an example embodiment, the mouth of the dispensing pipette extends from the center of the handle into the center of the base. In an example embodiment, the base comprises a metal or other resilient material such as glass, wood, plastic, rubber, and/or the like. In an example embodiment, the reservoir portion has a capacity of 10-30 ounces. In an example embodiment, the reservoir portion has a capacity of 5 to 15 ounces. In an example embodiment, the reservoir portion has a capacity of 20 to 40 ounces. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a capsule is provided. In an example embodiment, a capsule comprises a cup portion; a ridge portion; and a lid portion. The lid portion is configured to seal cleaning solution within the cup portion. The ridge portion is configured for securing the capsule within a capsule chamber. 
     In example embodiments, the capsule is configured to contain 1-2 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 0.5 to 2 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 1.5 to 3 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, at least a portion of the capsule comprises metal. In various embodiments, the capsule may be comprised of a natural post recycled material, rubber, aluminum, plastic, cardboard, paper, etc. The shape of the capsule may be round/spherical, cubic, ovoid, polyhedron (e.g., a tetrahedron, pyramid, cuboid, rectangular cuboid, etc.), and/or the like, as appropriate for the application. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing a cleaning solution from a capsule is provided. In an example embodiment, the method comprises providing a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a handle comprising a capsule chamber configured to receive a capsule containing cleaning solution therein, a base, and a dispensing pipette extending from the nozzle into a reservoir portion of the base. The handle comprises the nozzle, a trigger, a lever, a reservoir pipette, a dispensing pipette, and the capsule chamber. The base comprises a reservoir portion configured for receiving cleaning solution from the capsule, for example, via the reservoir pipette. The method further comprises inserting the capsule into the capsule chamber; securing the handle to the base; and closing and/or actuating the lever to cause the cleaning capsule to be punctured to enable the cleaning solution to flow into the reservoir portion through the reservoir pipette. The method further comprises diluting the cleaning solution with a dilution chemical in the reservoir portion to form a diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution and activating the trigger. Activating the trigger causes diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution (e.g., a mixture of concentrated cleaning solution and dilution chemical) to be dispensed from the reservoir portion, through the dispensing pipette, and out of the nozzle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a partially exploded cross-section view of an atomizer dispenser with a cleaning capsule therein, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  provides perspective views of four cleaning capsules, in accordance with example embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an atomizer dispenser, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hand pump dispenser, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded cross-section view of a hand pump dispenser with a cleaning capsule therein, in accordance with an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  provides a flowchart illustrating various processes for using a dispenser and cleaning capsule, in accordance with example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Example embodiments of the present invention provide cleaning capsules for storing and providing concentrated cleaning solution and a dispenser for diluting and/or deconcentrating the concentrated cleaning solution (e.g., to form a diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution) and dispensing the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution.  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  show an example dispenser that is an atomizer  100  and example cleaning capsules  300 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show an example dispenser that is a hand pump  600 . In general, a user may place a cleaning capsule  300  within a dispenser (e.g., atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 , and/or the like) to provide cleaning solution to the dispenser. The user may then use the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, a cleaning capsule  300  may be configured to contain approximately one cleaning session worth of cleaning solution such that when the user is finished cleaning, the user need not store unused cleaning solution. The dispenser (e.g., atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 , and/or the like) may generally comprise a handle  200 ,  800  and a base  400 ,  700 . In example embodiments, the handle  200 ,  800  may be configured to receive a cleaning capsule  300  therein (e.g., within a capsule chamber  245 ,  845 ) and provide a trigger  220 ,  820  and a nozzle  230 ,  830  such that when the trigger  220 ,  820  is activated, the cleaning solution is dispensed through the nozzle  230 ,  830 . As should be understood, the atomizer  100  and the hand pump  600  are some example dispensers that may be utilized in various embodiments. In some other embodiments, the dispenser may be a dispenser other than a hand pump or atomizer (e.g., a direct application dispenser via which diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution is dispensed directly to a cleaning surface via a sponge and/or the like secured to a base, etc.). Various aspects of cleaning capsules  300  and some example dispensers (e.g., atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 ) will now be described in more detail below. 
     Exemplary Cleaning Capsule 
     In an example embodiment, a cleaning capsule  300  is configured to hold cleaning solution therein. In an example embodiment, the cleaning capsule  300  comprises a first surface and a second surface. For example, in an example embodiment, the first surface is at least a part of a lid portion  310  of the cleaning capsule  300  and the second surface is at least a portion of a cup portion  330  of the cleaning capsule  300 . The cup portion  330  is configured to hold cleaning solution therein. The lid portion  310  is configured to seal the cleaning solution within the cup portion  330 . The cleaning capsule  300  may further comprise a ridge portion  320 . The ridge portion  320  may be where the lid portion  310  is secured to the cup portion  330 . The ridge portion  320  may further be configured to assist in securing the cleaning capsule  300  into the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  of the dispenser (e.g., atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 , and/or the like). For example, the ridge portion  320  may be configured to aid in the alignment of the cleaning capsule within the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  of the dispenser or be secured within the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  or other portion of the dispenser. 
     In various embodiments, the cup portion  330  is configured to hold one to two ounces of cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 0.5 to 2 ounces of the cleaning solution. In an example embodiment, the capsule is configured to contain 1.5 to 3 ounces of the cleaning solution. In other embodiments, smaller or larger volumes of cleaning solution may be accommodated by the cup portion  310 . In an example embodiment, the cup portion  330  is configured to hold a single cleaning session worth of cleaning solution. For example, the cup portion  330  may be configured to hold enough cleaning solution to clean the windows of one house or apartment, to clean one bathroom, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the cup portion  330  may be configured to hold between about 10-100 doses (each dose corresponding to a single actuation of the atomizer to dispense a dose of cleaning solution through the nozzle). In example embodiments, the cleaning solution may be a concentrated cleaning solution. In some embodiments, the concentrated cleaning solution may be of a cleaning solution strength that is ready to use. In some embodiments, the cleaning solution may be intended to be diluted (e.g., by putting water or another dilution chemical into the reservoir portion  420  before the cleaning solution to the reservoir portion). In various embodiments, the concentrated cleaning solution may be a concentrated glass cleaning solution, bath cleaning solution, general purpose kitchen cleaning solution, metal cleaning solution, hand soap, dish soap, laundry stain remover, scent neutralizing solution, air freshener, and/or the like. In example embodiments, the cup portion  330  may be color-coded based on the cleaning solution type contained therein. In example embodiments, the cup portion  330  may be made of aluminum, another metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard, a natural post-consumer recycled material, or another appropriate material and/or combination thereof. 
     In example embodiments, the lid portion  310  may be configured to seal the cleaning solution within the cup portion  330 . For example, the cup portion  330  may comprise an opening and the lid portion  310  may seal the opening. In example embodiments, the lid portion  310  comprises aluminum (e.g., a rigid sheet of aluminum and/or aluminum foil), another metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard, or another appropriate material and/or combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the lid portion  310  may be a foil lid. The lid portion  310  may have information/data printed thereon. For example, the printed information/data may comprise a cleaning solution type indicator, branding, and/or other printed information and/or indicia. The printed information/indicia may be on an exterior surface of the lid portion  310  opposite the side of the lid portion  310  that directly faces the opening of the cup portion  330 . 
     In example embodiments, the lid portion  310  may be sealed to the cup portion  330  to a ridge portion  320  surrounding the opening of the cup portion  330 . The ridge portion  320  may be configured to assist in securing the cleaning capsule  300  into the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . For example, when the cleaning capsule  300  is properly inserted into the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 , the ridge portion  320  may be configured to abut a seat  241 ,  841  within the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  of the handle  200 ,  800 . When the lever  240 ,  840  is in a closed position, the ridge portion  320  may be engaged by both a lip of the lever arm  246 ,  846  and a seat  241 ,  841  within the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 , thereby holding the cleaning capsule  300  in place with respect to components of the handle  200 ,  800 . 
     Exemplary Atomizer Dispenser 
     In various embodiments, the dispenser may be an atomizer  100  configured for spraying and/or otherwise dispensing diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution. In various embodiments, the atomizer  100  comprises a handle  200  and a reservoir portion  400 . 
     Exemplary Atomizer Dispenser Handle 
     In example embodiments, the handle  200  comprises a reservoir pipette  215 , an atomizer pipette  210 , a trigger  220 , a nozzle  230 , a capsule chamber  245 , and a lever  240 . In an example embodiment, the lever  240  comprises and/or is coupled to a lever arm  246  and lever arm support(s)  248 . The atomizer pipette  210  is configured to, when the trigger  220  is activated, receive cleaning solution via a mouth  412  of the atomizer pipette  210  that is disposed within a reservoir portion  420  of the base  400  and provide the cleaning solution to the nozzle  230 . In an example embodiment, the cleaning solution enters the mouth  412  of the atomizer pipette  410  from the reservoir portion  420  of the base such that the cleaning solution may be dispensed (e.g., as a mist, stream, and/or the like) via the nozzle  230 . The attachment portion  250  is configured to secure the handle  200  to the base  400  (e.g., via threadings and/or another mating mechanism). In example embodiments, various portions of the handle  200  may comprise aluminum, another metal, and/or other appropriate resilient material. 
     In example embodiments, the dispensing pipette  210  is attached to the handle  200  and extends out from the bottom of the handle  200  where the attachment portion  250  connects the handle  200  to the base  400 . The dispensing pipette  210  is configured to receive cleaning solution into the mouth  412  of the dispensing pipette  210  when the trigger  220  is pulled and/or activated. The dispensing pipette  210  may then provide the cleaning solution to the nozzle  230  for dispensing. The nozzle  230  may be adjustable such that a user may select how directed the stream and/or mist of cleaning solution is that is dispensed through the nozzle  230 . In an example embodiment, the nozzle  230  and the general direction in which the nozzle  230  dispenses the cleaning solution defines a nozzle axis. The dispensing pipette  210  defines a pipette axis. The nozzle axis and pipette axis intersect and define a plane. In example embodiments, the angle between the nozzle axis and the pipette axis in the plane is between 60 and 120 degrees. In an example embodiment, the angle between the nozzle axis and the pipette axis in the plane is between 80 and 100 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. 
     When the handle  200  is secured to the base  400 , the cleaning solution may be forced into the dispensing pipette  210 , in response to the trigger  220  being activated. For example, a user may squeeze, press, pull, push, or otherwise activate the trigger  220  to cause cleaning solution to be dispensed from the nozzle  230 . For example, when the trigger  220  is activated, the cleaning solution is pumped from the reservoir portion  420  through the dispensing pipette  210  and dispensed out of the nozzle  230 . For example, the trigger  220  may be actuated to create a pressure differential along the length of the dispensing pipette  210 , causing the cleaning solution to be dispensed from the reservoir portion  420  through dispensing pipette  210 , and out of the nozzle  230 . 
     The attachment portion  250  of the handle  200  is configured to secure the handle  200  to the base  400 . The attachment portion  250  may comprise threads or another mating mechanism for securing the handle  200  to the base  400 . For example, the attachment portion  450  of the base may comprise corresponding threads such that the base  400  may be screwed onto the handle  200 . 
     In various embodiments, the handle further comprises a capsule chamber  245 . In an example embodiment, the nozzle  230  is disposed on first end  260  of the handle  200  and the capsule chamber  245  is disposed at, adjacent, and/or proximate to a second end  265  of the handle  200 . The first end  260  of the handle  200  and the second end  265  of the handle  200  are located on opposite sides of the handle  200  with respect to the nozzle axis. The capsule chamber  245  portion of the handle  200  is configured to receive the cleaning capsule  300  and comprises one or more elements configured to puncture the cleaning capsule  300  to release the cleaning solution contained within the cleaning capsule  300 . In example embodiments, the capsule chamber  245  may comprise a seat  241  configured to have the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  engage therewith. The capsule chamber  245  may further comprise a cup receiving portion  243  configured to receive the cup portion  330  of a cleaning capsule  300  therein. The capsule chamber  245  may further comprise a mechanism for at least partially opening the cleaning capsule  300 . For example, the capsule chamber  245  may comprise a first puncture pin  242  configured to at least partially open (e.g., puncture) a first surface of the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., the lid portion  310  of the cleaning capsule  300 ) when the lever  240  is moved from an open position to a closed position on the handle  200 . A second puncture pin  244  is configured to partially open (e.g., puncture) a second surface of the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., the capsule cup  330 ) simultaneous to the first puncture of the first surface (e.g., lid portion  310 ) of the cleaning capsule  300 . This is achieved upon moving of the lever  240  from an open position to a closed position when the cleaning capsule  300  is disposed within the cup receiving portion  243  and the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  is engaged with the seat  241 . For example, when the lever  240  is in the open position, a lever arm  246  may be in a position such that the cup receiving portion  243  of the capsule chamber  245  is accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule  300  may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  243 ). The lever arm  246  may be supported at least in part in the open position by one or more lever arm supports  248 . When the lever  240  is in the closed position, the lever arm  246  is in a position such that the lever arm at least partially covers the cup receiving portion  243  such that cup receiving portion  243  is not accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule  300  may not be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  243 ). For example, the lever arm  246  may be coupled to the lever  240  (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s)  248 ) such that moving of the lever  240  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  246  into a position where the lever arm  246  encloses and/or at least partially seals the cup receiving portion  243  of the capsule chamber  245 . In various embodiments, the lever arm  246  is coupled to the lever  240  (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s)  248 ) such that moving the lever  240  from the closed position to the open position causes the lever arm  246  to move into a position where the cup receiving portion  243  is accessible (e.g., not closed or sealed such that a cleaning capsule may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  243 ). 
     In various embodiments, moving the lever  240  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  246  to move to enclose and/or at least partially seal the capsule  300  within the capsule chamber  245 . In an example embodiment, moving the lever  240  from the open position to the closed position may cause the capsule chamber  245  to move (e.g., on a hinge mechanism provided via the one or more lever arm supports  248  and/or the like) such that the opening of the cup receiving portion  243  moves toward the lever arm  246 . For example, the capsule chamber  245  may move such that a ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  disposed within the capsule chamber  245  (e.g., such that the ridge portion  320  is proximate and/or engages seat  241 ) engages a lip of the lever arm  246 . 
     In various embodiments, the first puncture pin  242  is disposed on and/or coupled to the lever arm  246  such that moving the lever  240  from the open position to the closed position causes the first puncture pin  242  to engage and puncture a first surface (e.g., the capsule lid  310 ) of a cleaning capsule  300  disposed within the cup receiving portion  243 . The second puncture pin  244  may be disposed in the cup receiving portion  243 . In an example embodiment, the moving of the lever  240  from the open position to the closed position causes a lip of the lever arm  246  to engage the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule disposed within the cup receiving portion  243 , causing the cup  330  to be pressed against the second puncture pin  244  within the cup receiving portion  243  such that the second puncture pin  244  punctures the cup  330 . In an example embodiment, the second puncture pin is coupled to the reservoir pipette  215  such that cleaning solution may vacate the cleaning capsule  300  via the puncture in the cup  330  cause by engagement of the second puncture pin  244  with the cup  330  and enter the reservoir pipette  215 . For example, the second puncture pin  244  may be a hollow puncture pin affixed to a mouth  217  of the reservoir pipette  215 . The reservoir pipette  215  facilitates the flow of concentrated cleaning solution from the cleaning capsule  300  to the reservoir portion  420  of the base  400  for dilution and mixture. 
     Exemplary Atomizer Base 
     In example embodiments, the atomizer  100  comprises a base  400 . The base  400  may comprise a reservoir portion  420 , and an attachment portion  450 . In example embodiments, the attachment portion  450  is configured to secure the base  400  to the handle  200 . The reservoir portion  420  is configured to receive cleaning solution therein and provide the cleaning solution to the mouth  412  of the dispensing pipette  210  such that the cleaning solution may be dispensed via the nozzle  230 . In example embodiments, the base  400  may comprise aluminum, another metal, or other appropriate material such as glass, plastic, wood, rubber, and/or the like. 
     In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  420  may comprise a hollow portion within the base  400  configured for receiving cleaning solution therein from the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., via the reservoir pipette  215 ). For example, the cleaning capsule  300  may provide cleaning solution to the reservoir portion  420 . The reservoir portion  420  may contain the cleaning solution therein. In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  420  may be configured to receive and/or contain a dilution chemical (e.g., water) therein for mixing with concentrated cleaning solution provided by the cleaning capsule  300 . In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  420  may be configured to have a dilution chemical (e.g., water) and concentrated cleaning solution mixed therein to provide a diluted concentrated cleaning solution. 
     The reservoir portion  420  may further comprise an end surface  425 . The end surface  425  may define one end of the hollow portion of the reservoir portion  420 . Wall  427  may join the end surface  425  to the attachment portion  450 . The interior of the wall  427  and the end surface  425  may define the hollow portion of the reservoir portion  420 . In various embodiments, the end surface  425  is planar, convex, concave, and/or a combination thereof. In example embodiments, the mouth  412  of the dispensing pipette  210  may be located directly below the attachment portion  450  proximate the center of the bottom surface  425 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In example embodiments, the attachment portion  450  of the base  400  comprises a mechanism for securing the base  400  to the handle  200 . For example, the attachment portion  450  of the base  400  may comprise threads that correspond to threads on the attachment portion  250  of the handle  200  and/or another mating mechanism that corresponds to (e.g., is configured to mate with) the mating mechanism of the attachment portion  250  of the handle  200 . 
     Exemplary Hand Pump Dispenser 
     In various embodiments, the dispenser may be a hand pump  600  configured for dispensing diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution (e.g., hand soap, dish soap, gel and/or gel-like diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution, and/or the like). In various embodiments, the hand pump  600  comprises a handle  800  and a reservoir portion  700 . 
     Exemplary Hand Pump Dispenser Handle 
     In example embodiments, the handle  800  comprises a reservoir pipette  815 , a dispensing pipette  810 , a trigger  820 , a nozzle  830 , attachment portion  850 , a capsule chamber  845 , and a lever  840 . In an example embodiment, the lever  840  comprises and/or is coupled to a lever arm  846  and lever arm support(s)  848 . The dispensing pipette  810  is configured to, when the trigger  820  is activated, receive cleaning solution via a mouth  712  of the dispensing pipette  810  that is disposed within a reservoir portion  720  of the base  700  and provide the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution to the nozzle  830 . In an example embodiment, the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution enters the mouth  712  of the dispensing pipette  810  from the reservoir portion  720  of the base such that the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution may be dispensed (e.g., as a stream, gel, and/or the like) via the nozzle  830 . The attachment portion  850  is configured to secure the handle  800  to the base  700  (e.g., via threadings and/or another mating mechanism). In example embodiments, various portions of the handle  800  may comprise aluminum, another metal, and/or other appropriate resilient material. 
     In example embodiments, the dispensing pipette  810  is attached to the handle  800  and extends out from the bottom of the handle  800  where the attachment portion  850  connects the handle  800  to the base  700 . The dispensing pipette  810  is configured to receive diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution into the mouth  712  of the dispensing pipette  810  when the trigger  820  is pushed, pressed, lowered, and/or activated. The dispensing pipette  810  may then provide the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution to the nozzle  830  for dispensing therethrough. The nozzle  830  may be adjustable such that a user may select how much diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution is dispensed via the nozzle  830  with each activation of the trigger  820 . In an example embodiment, the nozzle  830  and the general direction in which the nozzle  830  dispenses the cleaning solution defines a nozzle axis. The dispensing pipette  810  defines a pipette axis. The nozzle axis and pipette axis intersect and define a plane. In example embodiments, the angle between the nozzle axis and the pipette axis in the plane is between 60 and 120 degrees. In an example embodiment, the angle between the nozzle axis and the pipette axis in the plane is between 80 and 100 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. 
     When the handle  800  is secured to the base  700 , the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution may be forced into the dispensing pipette  810 , in response to the trigger  820  being activated. For example, a user may push or otherwise activate the trigger  820  to cause cleaning solution to be dispensed from the nozzle  830 . In an example embodiment, the trigger  820  of the hand pump  600  is a surface on top of the handle  800  and a user activates the trigger by pressing, pushing, and/or the like on the trigger  820  surface, causing the handle  800  to move from a decompressed state to a compressed state and causing (diluted and/or deconcentrated) cleaning solution to be dispensed from the hand pump  600  via the nozzle  830 . For example, when the trigger  820  is activated, the cleaning solution is pumped from the reservoir portion  720  through the dispensing pipette  810  and dispensed out of the nozzle  830 . For example, the trigger  820  may be actuated to create a pressure differential along the length of the dispensing pipette  810 , causing the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution to be dispensed from the reservoir portion  720  through dispensing pipette  810 , and out of the nozzle  830 . 
     The attachment portion  850  of the handle  800  is configured to secure the handle  800  to the base  700 . The attachment portion  850  may comprise threads or another mating mechanism for securing the handle  800  to the base  700 . For example, the attachment portion  750  of the base may comprise corresponding threads such that the base  700  may be screwed onto the handle  800 . In an example embodiment, the attachment portion  850  may include a spring  835  and/or the like configured to cause the handle  800  to return to a decompressed state after the trigger  820  has been activated and the released. For example, activation of the trigger  820  (e.g., a user pressing and/or pushing down on the trigger  820 ) may cause the handle to enter a compressed state where the spring  835  is compressed. In an example embodiment, the diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution is dispensed as the handle  800  moves from the decompressed state to the compressed state through the action of the trigger  820  being activated. When the user releases the pressure on the trigger  820 , the spring  835  may cause the handle  800  to return to a decompressed state. 
     In various embodiments, the handle further comprises a capsule chamber  845 . In an example embodiment, the nozzle  830  is disposed on first end  860  of the handle  800  and the capsule chamber  845  is disposed at, adjacent, and/or proximate to a second end  865  of the handle  800 . The first end  860  of the handle  800  and the second end  865  of the handle  800  are located on opposite sides of the handle  800  with respect to the nozzle axis. The capsule chamber  845  portion of the handle  800  is configured to receive the cleaning capsule  300  and comprises one or more elements configured to puncture the cleaning capsule  300  to release the cleaning solution contained within the cleaning capsule  300 . In example embodiments, the capsule chamber  845  may comprise a seat  841  configured to have the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  engage therewith. The capsule chamber  845  may further comprise a cup receiving portion  843  configured to receive the cup portion  330  of a cleaning capsule  300  therein. The capsule chamber  845  may further comprise a mechanism for at least partially opening the cleaning capsule  300 . For example, the capsule chamber  845  may comprise a first puncture pin  842  configured to at least partially open (e.g., puncture) a first surface of the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., the lid portion  310  of the cleaning capsule  300 ) when the lever  840  is moved from an open position to a closed position on the handle  800 . A second puncture pin  844  is configured to partially open (e.g., puncture) a second surface of the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., the capsule cup  330 ) simultaneous to the first puncture of the first surface (e.g., lid portion  310 ) of the cleaning capsule  300 . This is achieved upon moving of the lever  840  from an open position to a closed position when the cleaning capsule  300  is disposed within the cup receiving portion  843  and the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  is engaged with the seat  841 . For example, when the lever  840  is in the open position, a lever arm  846  may be in a position such that the cup receiving portion  843  of the capsule chamber  845  is accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule  300  may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  843 ). The lever arm  846  may be supported at least in part in the open position by one or more lever arm supports  848 . When the lever  840  is in the closed position, the lever arm  846  is in a position such that the lever arm at least partially covers the cup receiving portion  843  such that cup receiving portion  843  is not accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule  300  may not be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  843 ). For example, the lever arm  846  may be coupled to the lever  840  (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s)  848 ) such that moving of the lever  840  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  846  into a position where the lever arm  846  encloses and/or at least partially seals the cup receiving portion  843  of the capsule chamber  845 . In various embodiments, the lever arm  846  is coupled to the lever  840  (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s)  848 ) such that moving the lever  840  from the closed position to the open position causes the lever arm  846  to move into a position where the cup receiving portion  843  is accessible (e.g., not closed or sealed such that a cleaning capsule may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion  843 ). 
     In various embodiments, moving the lever  840  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  846  to move to enclose and/or at least partially seal the capsule  300  within the capsule chamber  845 . In an example embodiment, moving the lever  840  from the open position to the closed position may cause the capsule chamber  845  to move (e.g., on a hinge mechanism provided via the one or more lever arm supports  848  and/or the like) such that the opening of the cup receiving portion  843  moves toward the lever arm  846 . For example, the capsule chamber  845  may move such that a ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  disposed within the capsule chamber  845  (e.g., such that the ridge portion  320  is proximate and/or engages seat  841 ) engages a lip of the lever arm  846 . 
     In various embodiments, the first puncture pin  842  is disposed on and/or coupled to the lever arm  846  such that moving the lever  840  from the open position to the closed position causes the first puncture pin  842  to engage and puncture a first surface (e.g., the capsule lid  310 ) of a cleaning capsule  300  disposed within the cup receiving portion  843 . The second puncture pin  844  may be disposed in the cup receiving portion  843 . In an example embodiment, the moving of the lever  840  from the open position to the closed position causes a lip of the lever arm  846  to engage the ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule disposed within the cup receiving portion  843 , causing the cup  330  to be pressed against the second puncture pin  844  within the cup receiving portion  843  such that the second puncture pin  844  punctures the cup  330 . In an example embodiment, the second puncture pin is coupled to the reservoir pipette  815  such that cleaning solution may vacate the cleaning capsule  300  via the puncture in the cup  330  cause by engagement of the second puncture pin  844  with the cup  330  and enter the reservoir pipette  815 . For example, the second puncture pin  844  may be a hollow puncture pin affixed to a mouth  817  of the reservoir pipette  815 . The reservoir pipette  815  facilitates the flow of concentrated cleaning solution from the cleaning capsule  300  to the reservoir portion  720  of the base  700  for dilution and mixture. 
     Exemplary Hand Pump Base 
     In example embodiments, the hand pump  600  comprises a base  700 . The base  700  may comprise a reservoir portion  720 , and an attachment portion  750 . In example embodiments, the attachment portion  750  is configured to secure the base  700  to the handle  800 . The reservoir portion  720  is configured to receive cleaning solution therein and provide the cleaning solution to the mouth  712  of the dispensing pipette  810  such that the cleaning solution may be dispensed via the nozzle  830 . In example embodiments, the base  700  may comprise aluminum, another metal, or other appropriate material. 
     In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  720  may comprise a hollow portion within the base  700  configured for receiving cleaning solution therein from the cleaning capsule  300  (e.g., via the reservoir pipette  815 ). For example, the cleaning capsule  300  may provide cleaning solution (e.g., concentrated cleaning solution) to the reservoir portion  720 . The reservoir portion  720  may contain the cleaning solution therein. In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  720  may be configured to receive and/or contain a dilution chemical (e.g., water) therein for mixing with concentrated cleaning solution provided by the cleaning capsule  300 . In example embodiments, the reservoir portion  720  may be configured to have a dilution chemical (e.g., water) and concentrated cleaning solution mixed therein to form a diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution. 
     The reservoir portion  720  may further comprise an end surface  725 . The end surface  725  may define one end of the hollow reservoir portion  720 . Wall  727  may join the end surface  725  to the attachment portion  750 . The interior of the wall  727  and the end surface  725  may define the hollow portion of the reservoir portion  720 . In various embodiments, the end surface  725  is planar, convex, concave, and/or a combination thereof. In example embodiments, the mouth  712  of the dispensing pipette  810  may be located directly below the attachment portion  750  proximate the center of the bottom surface  725 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In example embodiments, the attachment portion  750  of the base  700  comprises a mechanism for securing the base  700  to the handle  800 . For example, the attachment portion  750  of the base  700  may comprise threads that correspond to threads on the attachment portion  850  of the handle  800  and/or another mating mechanism that corresponds to (e.g., is configured to mate with) the mating mechanism of the attachment portion  850  of the handle  800 . In an example embodiment, the attachment portion  750  comprises a ledge or lip configured to engage the spring  835 . For example, the spring  835  may engage the ledge or lip of the attachment portion  750  when the trigger  820  is activated, as the handle  800  approaches the compressed state, when the handle  800  is in the compressed state, and as the handle  800  moves from the compressed state to the decompressed state. 
     Exemplary Method of Use 
       FIG. 6  provides a flowchart that illustrates various processes that may be completed to dispense a cleaning solution from a dispenser (e.g., an atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 , and/or the like). Starting at block  502 , the base  400 ,  700  is secured to the handle  200 ,  800 . For example, a user may mate the mating mechanism(s), threads, and/or the like of the attachment portion  450 ,  750  of the base  400 ,  700  with the corresponding mating mechanism(s), threads, and/or the like of the attachment portion  250 ,  850  of the handle  200 ,  800 . In an example embodiment, a user may add a dilution chemical (e.g., water) to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  of the base  400 ,  700  prior to securing the base  400 ,  700  to the handle  200 ,  800 . For example, the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  and/or base  400 ,  700  may include a fill line and the user may add the dilution chemical to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  until the dilution chemical reaches the fill line. Various other mechanisms may be used to guide a user in adding an appropriate amount of the dilution chemical (e.g., water) to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  of the base  400 ,  700  in various embodiments. 
     At block  504 , with the lever  240 ,  840  in the open position, a cleaning capsule  300  is inserted into a capsule chamber  245 ,  845  of the handle. For example, a user may insert a cleaning capsule  300  into the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  of the handle  200 ,  800  such that the cup portion  330  of the cleaning capsule is within the cup receiving portion  243 ,  843  and the ridge portion  320  rests against and/or proximate a seat  241 ,  841  of the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . For example, the cup portion  330  may be pressed against and/or proximate a second puncture pin  244 ,  844  of the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . In some embodiments, the user may press the cleaning capsule  300  into the capsule chamber  245 ,  845  until the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  punctures the cup portion  330  to create a puncture hole. In other embodiments, the cleaning capsule  300  may rest against and/or be positioned in the vicinity of the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  but not actually engaged with the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  at this point. 
     At block  506 , the lever  240 ,  840  is moved from an open position to a closed position. In example embodiments, moving the lever  240 ,  840  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  246 ,  846  coupled to the lever  240 ,  840  to enclose and/or at least partially seal the cup receiving portion  243 ,  843  of the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . For example, moving the lever  240 ,  840  from the open position to the closed position causes the lever arm  246 ,  846  to secure the cleaning capsule  300  within the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . For example, a lip of the lever arm  246 ,  846  may engage the lid  310  side of ridge portion  320  of the cleaning capsule  300  to press the opposite side of the ridge portion  320  (e.g., the cup portion  330  side) against and/or into engagement with the seat  241 ,  841  of the capsule chamber  245 ,  845 . Moving of the lever  240 ,  840  from the open position to the closed position may further cause the first puncture pin  242 ,  842  to open (e.g., puncture) the lid portion  310 . Thus, a puncture hole may be created in the lid portion  310 . If the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  has not yet punctured the cup portion  330 , closing of the lever  240 ,  840  may cause the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  to puncture the cup portion  330 . Thus, the cleaning solution may be infused, released, provided, and/or the like into the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815 . In some embodiments, the cleaning solution is not infused, released, provided and/or the like into the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815  until both the first puncture pin  242 ,  842  and the second puncture pin  244 ,  844  have punctured the cleaning capsule  300 . In various embodiments, the cleaning solution flows through the mouth  217 ,  817  of the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815 , through the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815 , and into the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  of the base  400 ,  700 . 
     In an example embodiment, as noted above, before securing the handle  200 ,  800  to the base  400 ,  700 , the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  may be at least partially filled with a dilution chemical (e.g., water). Thus, when the concentrated cleaning solution is provided to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  (as a result of the lever  240 ,  840  being moved from the open position to the closed position), the resulting diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution in the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  may be a regular or normal strength cleaning solution. For example, the concentrated cleaning solution provided by the cleaning capsule  300  to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  through the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815  may be diluted to a less concentrated cleaning solution. 
     At block  508 , the dispenser (e.g., atomizer  100 , hand pump  600 ) may be shaken, stirred, swirled, turned, twirled, and/or the like. For example, the user may shake, stir, swirl, tun, twirl, and/or the like the dispenser. In example embodiments, shaking, stirring, swirling, turning, twirling, and/or the like the dispenser may cause at least a portion of any cleaning solution still residing the cleaning capsule  300  to be infused, released, and/or provided to the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  through the reservoir pipette  215 ,  815 . In another example, shaking the dispenser may cause the concentrated cleaning solution to mix generally uniformly with any dilution chemical (e.g., water) within the reservoir portion  420 ,  720  such that the resulting solution is a relatively uniform diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning solution. 
     At block  510 , the trigger  220 ,  820  may be activated to cause the cleaning solution to be dispensed. For example, the user may activate the trigger  220 ,  820  by pulling, pushing, pressing, pumping, squeezing, or otherwise activating the trigger  220 ,  820 . When the trigger  220 ,  820  is activated, a pressure differential along the length of the dispensing pipette  210 ,  810  may cause cleaning solution to enter the mouth  412 ,  812  of the dispensing pipette  210 ,  810 , and be provided to the nozzle  230 ,  830 , from which the cleaning solution is dispensed. Thus, activating the trigger  220 ,  820  causes cleaning solution to be dispensed from the reservoir portion  420 ,  720 , through dispensing pipette  210 ,  810 , and out of the nozzle  230 ,  830 . In various embodiments, a user activates the trigger  220 ,  820  (e.g., pushing, pressing, squeezing, and/or the like the trigger  220 ,  820 ) to cause the trigger  220 ,  820  to enter a compressed state. When the user stops activating the trigger  220 ,  820  (e.g., releases the trigger  220 ,  820 ), a spring  835  and/or the like may cause the trigger  220 ,  820  to return to a decompressed state from the compressed state such that the trigger  220 ,  820  is ready to be activated again. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.