Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/755,961, “Shield For A Fluid Dispenser”, filed Jan. 23, 2013, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to fluid dispensers and more particularly, to shields for fluid dispensers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Manually operated and “touch-free” fluid dispensers are known that dispense solutions of various types, such as hand sanitizers and soaps, in various forms including gel-like fluids and foams. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a shield for a fluid dispenser includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure. The fluid-deflecting structure defines an interior flow passage having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The discharge opening is smaller than the inlet opening and is spaced distally from the mount structure. The fluid-deflecting structure includes a frustoconical portion that defines the discharge opening of the interior flow passage. The mount structure and the fluid-deflecting structure are integrally formed from a polymeric material as a unitary structure. The mount structure is configured for releasable attachment to an actuator of a fluid dispenser. 
     According to another embodiment, a fluid dispenser includes a housing that is configured to support a fluid container. The fluid dispenser also includes an actuator and a shield. The actuator is movable with respect to the housing. The shield includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure that defines an interior flow passage having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The discharge opening is smaller than the inlet opening and is spaced distally from the mount structure. The mount structure is attached to the actuator such that the shield is movable with the actuator. 
     According to another embodiment, a fluid dispenser system includes a fluid dispenser and a fluid container assembly. The fluid dispenser includes a housing, an actuator, and a shield. The actuator is movable with respect to the housing and the shield is coupled with the housing. The fluid container assembly includes a fluid container that is supported by the housing and is configured to contain a fluid for dispensing therefrom. The fluid container assembly further includes a pump that includes a nozzle. The nozzle defines a nozzle flow passage and includes a distal end portion that defines a discharge orifice. The discharge orifice is in fluid communication with the flow passage. The actuator selectively, operably actuates the pump. The shield at least partially defines an interior flow passage. The distal end portion of the nozzle is positioned at least partially within the interior flow passage defined by the shield. The discharge orifice defined by the distal end portion of the nozzle is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage defined by the shield. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is believed that certain embodiments will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is front elevational view depicting a fluid dispenser of a fluid dispenser system and a portion of a fluid container of a fluid container assembly of the fluid dispenser system, and further depicting a drip tray of the fluid dispenser attached to a base of the fluid dispenser, and a portion of a shield of the fluid dispenser, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the fluid dispenser system of  FIG. 1 , but with the drip tray omitted and with a lid of the fluid dispenser shown in an open position, and depicting the fluid container assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view similar to  FIG. 2 , but with the fluid container assembly and the shield of the fluid dispenser omitted; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a base of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 , in association with other components of the fluid dispenser, which are supported by the base; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a pump house module of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fluid dispenser system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom end elevational view of the fluid dispenser system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cam gear of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of an actuator of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the actuator depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the shield of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the shield of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the shield of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the shield of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of a portion of a fluid dispenser system according to another embodiment, that includes a shield according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view similar to  FIG. 15 , but with a pump of the fluid container assembly of the fluid dispenser system, and certain associated components of the fluid dispenser system, omitted; 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the shield of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view of the shield of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the shield of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of the shield of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the shield of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front elevational view depicting a fluid dispenser, according to another embodiment, which includes a shield according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  is a left side elevational view depicting the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a left side elevational view, partially cut away and partially in cross-section, depicting a fluid dispenser system that includes the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 22  and a fluid container assembly; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view depicting the shield and a lens support structure of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 22 ; and 
         FIG. 26  is a bottom perspective view depicting the shield and a portion of the lens support structure of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments are described herein in connection with the views and examples of  FIGS. 1-26 , wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a fluid dispenser system  10 , which can include a fluid dispenser  12  and a fluid container assembly  13 . The fluid dispenser  12  can include a housing  14 , which can include a base  15  and a lid  16 . The lid  16  can be pivotally coupled with the base  15 , for example, with one or more hinges. The lid  16  can be pivotable between an open position ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and a closed position ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ). While the lid  16  is shown to be pivotally coupled with the base  15  on a bottom edge of the base  15 , it will be appreciated that such coupling could occur along any edge of the base  15 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the base  15  and the lid  16  can cooperate to define an interior chamber  17  when the lid  16  is in the closed position. Various components of the fluid dispenser  12 , and the fluid container assembly  13 , can be positioned, or housed, within the interior chamber  17 . For example, the housing  14  can be configured to receive a fluid container, or fluid refill, for example a fluid container  18  of the fluid container assembly  13 , within the interior chamber  17 . The fluid container  18  can contain a liquid, for example, a liquid gel, to be dispensed from the fluid dispenser system  10 , for example onto the hands of a user. 
     The fluid dispenser  12  is shown to be a wall-mounted type of fluid dispenser. The base  15  can define a plurality of apertures, for example apertures  19  shown in  FIG. 3 , which can facilitate attaching the fluid dispenser  12  to a wall or other structure. For example, each of the apertures  19  can be configured to receive a respective male fastener (not shown). Such male fasteners can be used to attach the base  15  to a wall (not shown) or other structure, for example by attaching each male fastener to a respective female fastener (not shown) embedded in a wall or other structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the lid  16  can include a one or more apertures  20 , or windows, which can facilitate looking into the interior chamber  17  defined by the base  15  and lid  16 , for example, to determine if a fluid container, or a fluid refill such as the fluid container  18 , is disposed within the interior chamber  17 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the fluid dispenser  12  with the lid  16  in a closed position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a portion of the fluid container  18  can be seen through one of the apertures  20 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  each illustrate the lid  16  in an open position. The fluid container assembly  13  is shown in  FIG. 2 , but is omitted in  FIG. 3 . 
     The fluid dispenser  12  can also include a drip tray  21  ( FIG. 1 ), which can be attached to the base  15  and can extend downwardly from the base  15 . During operation of the fluid dispenser system  10 , a liquid, such as a liquid gel, that is dispensed from a fluid container or fluid refill, (e.g., fluid container  18 ), but not contained by a user&#39;s hands, may be captured by the drip tray  21  to avoid spillage onto a floor or other surface of a facility in which the fluid dispenser system  10  is used. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a pump house module  22 , which can be positioned within the interior chamber  17 , and can be attached to the base  15  with a plurality of fasteners, for example male fasteners  23 . The pump house module  22  can include a motor housing  24  and a motor  25 , housed within the motor housing  24 . The pump house module  22  can also include a battery housing  26 . A plurality of batteries (not shown) can be positioned within the battery housing  26  and can be electrically coupled with the motor  25 . The pump house module  22  can also include a collar lock assembly  28 , which can be coupled with the fluid container assembly  13 . 
     The pump house module  22  can also include an actuator  30  and a shield  32  according to one embodiment. The actuator  30  can be movably coupled with the housing  14 . The shield  32  can also be movably coupled with the housing  14 , for example, by attaching the shield  32  to the actuator  30 , as subsequently described with reference to  FIGS. 5-7  and  9 - 14 . The actuator  30  and the shield  32  can be movable, upwardly and downwardly, with respect to the housing  14 . 
     After a cap (not shown) has been removed, the fluid container assembly  13  can be positioned within the interior chamber  17  and releasably secured to the fluid dispenser  12 . The fluid container assembly  13  can include a pump  34  ( FIGS. 2 and 6 ). The pump  34  can include a closure  36  that can be threaded onto a neck of the fluid container  18 . The closure  36  can define an inlet port  37 , which can be in fluid communication with an interior fluid chamber (not shown) defined by the fluid container  18 . The fluid container assembly  13  can also include a collar  38 , which can engage the pump  34  in a snap-fit. The fluid container assembly  13  can be releasably secured to the fluid dispenser  12  by releasably securing the collar  38  of the fluid container assembly  13  to the collar lock assembly  28  of fluid dispenser  12 . The collar  38  can engage the collar lock assembly  28  in a snap-fit arrangement. 
     The pump  34  can also include an intake valve  40 . An upper portion of the intake valve  40  can be positioned within the inlet port  37 , and a lower portion of the intake valve  40  can be positioned within a piston chamber  42  ( FIG. 6 ) that can be defined by the closure  36 . The pump  34  can also include a reciprocating piston  44 , which can be movable upwardly and downwardly within the piston chamber  42 . The reciprocating piston  44  can define an interior flow passage  45 , which can be in fluid communication with the piston chamber  42 . 
     The pump  34  can include a nozzle  46  ( FIG. 6 ), which can be secured to the actuator  30  of the fluid dispenser  12 . In one embodiment, a portion of the nozzle  46  can extend through an opening  48  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) defined by the actuator  30 , such that a base  50  of the actuator  30  can be positioned between upper and lower portions of the nozzle  46 , for example as shown in  FIG. 6 , to secure the nozzle  46  to the actuator  30 . The nozzle  46  can define a nozzle flow passage  52  ( FIG. 6 ), which can be in fluid communication with the interior flow passage  45  defined by the reciprocating piston  44 . The nozzle  46  can also define a discharge orifice  54 , which can be in fluid communication with the nozzle flow passage  52 . The nozzle  46  can include a distal end portion  55 , which can define the discharge orifice  54 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the shield  32  can define an interior flow passage  60 . The distal end portion  55  of the nozzle  46  can be positioned within the interior flow passage  60 , such that the discharge orifice  54  is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage  60  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The motor  25  can provide motive power to operate the pump  34 . For example, in one embodiment, an output of the motor  25  can be rotatably coupled with a cam gear  62  ( FIG. 8 ) of the fluid dispenser  12  via a drivetrain. The cam gear  62  can include a pin  64 , which can be offset from a center of rotation of the cam gear  62 . The pin  64  can be positioned within a slot  66  ( FIG. 10 ) defined by the actuator  30 . As a result, when the cam gear  62  rotates, the pin  64  can force the actuator  30  to move upwardly and downwardly, due to the offset nature of the pin  64 . Movement of the actuator  30  can cause the reciprocating piston  44  of pump  34  to move upwardly and downwardly within the piston chamber  42 . Additionally, due to the attachment of each of the nozzle  46  of the pump  34  of the fluid container assembly  13  and the shield  32  of the fluid dispenser  12  to the actuator  30 , each of the nozzle  46  and the shield  32  can move with the actuator  30 , which can be upwardly and downwardly when the fluid dispenser  12  is mounted to a wall and is generally vertically oriented. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-14 , the shield  32  can include a mount structure  70  and a fluid-deflecting structure  72 , which can define the interior flow passage  60  of the shield  32 . The interior flow passage  60  can have an inlet opening  74  ( FIG. 13 ) and a discharge opening  76  ( FIG. 14 ). In one embodiment, the mount structure  70  and the fluid-deflecting structure  72  of shield  32  can be integrally formed as a unitary structure. In one embodiment, the mount structure  70  and the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can be integrally formed from any suitable polymeric material, using any suitable molding process. 
     The mount structure  70  can include a base flange  78  and a perimeter flange  80 . The base flange  78  can extend outwardly from the fluid-deflecting structure  72 . The perimeter flange  80  can be integral with the base flange  78  and can extend around at least a portion of the base flange  78 , which can be a substantial portion, as shown in  FIGS. 11-14 . The shield  32  can also include a scoop  82 , which can be integral with each of the base flange  78  of the mount structure  70  and the fluid-deflecting structure  72 , and can generally extend outwardly away from each of the base flange  78  and the fluid-deflecting structure  72 . The scoop  82  can include an inner surface  68  and an outer surface  69 . The inner surface  68  can be generally concave, and the outer surface  69  can be generally convex, as viewed in cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 14 . The scoop  82  can facilitate installation of the fluid container assembly  13 , for example, by at least reducing the possibility of an interference between shield  32  and pump  34  as the fluid container assembly  13  is releasably secured to the fluid dispenser  12 . 
     The base flange  78  of the mount structure  70  can surround at least a portion of the inlet opening  74  of the interior flow passage  60  defined by the fluid-deflecting structure  72 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The perimeter flange  80  of the mount structure  70  can be transverse to the base flange  78  of the mount structure  70 , and can generally extend longitudinally, and proximally, away from the base flange  78 . The mount structure  70  can further include a plurality of circumferentially spaced mount arms  84 . The mount arms  84  can be integral with the perimeter flange  80 , and can extend inwardly from the perimeter flange  80 . Each of the mount arms  84  of the mount structure  70  can include a distal tab  86 . The base flange  78  and the perimeter flange  80  of the mount structure  70  can cooperate to define a plurality of generally circumferentially spaced apertures  87 , which can reduce the complexity of a mold (not shown) that can be used to form the shield  32 , and can accordingly reduce tooling cost and cycle time for the manufacture of the shield  32 . In one embodiment, each of the mount arms  84  can be aligned with a respective one of the apertures  87 . 
     The mount arms  84  and the included distal tabs  86 , can be used to attach the shield  32  to the actuator  30 . The actuator  30  can include a perimeter flange  88 , which can be generally U-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The distal tabs  86  of the mount arms  84  can be secured to the perimeter flange  88  of the actuator  30 , for example as shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the tabs  86  of the mount arms  84  can engage the perimeter flange  88  of the actuator  30  in a snap-fit arrangement. 
     The fluid-deflecting structure  72  of the shield  32  can generally extend longitudinally, and distally, away from the mount structure  70  of shield  32 . The fluid-deflecting structure  72  can include a generally cylindrical portion  90  and a frustoconical portion  91 . The generally cylindrical portion  90  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can generally extend longitudinally, and distally, away from the mount structure  70  of shield  32 . The frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can generally extend longitudinally, and distally, away from the generally cylindrical portion  90 . The generally cylindrical portion  90  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can define the inlet opening  74  of the interior flow passage  60 , and the frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can define the discharge opening  76  of the interior flow passage  60 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can taper inwardly from the generally cylindrical portion  90  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72 . The frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72  can define a longitudinal centerline axis  71 . 
     When the shield  32  is attached to the actuator  30 , for example as described previously, the distal end portion  55  of the nozzle  46  of pump  34  can be positioned proximate to, or within, the interior flow passage  60  defined by the shield  32 . As a result, the discharge orifice  54  can be in fluid communication with the interior flow passage  60 , and a fluid, such as a liquid gel, discharging from the discharge orifice  54  during operation of the fluid dispenser system  10  can discharge into the interior flow passage  60 , which can be advantageous as subsequently described. The discharge orifice  54  can be generally centrally aligned with the interior flow passage  60 , which can facilitate discharging fluid from the discharge orifice  54  into the interior flow passage  60 . In one embodiment, the distal end portion  55  of nozzle  46 , which defines the discharge orifice  54 , can be coaxially disposed about the longitudinal centerline axis  71  defined by the frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72 , and the longitudinal centerline axis  71  can extend through the discharge orifice  54 . Referring to FIGS.  6  and  11 - 14 , the fluid-deflecting structure  72  of shield  32  can at least substantially surround the distal end portion  55  of nozzle  46 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a portion of a fluid container assembly according to another embodiment, which can include a shield  132  according to another embodiment. The fluid container assembly can include a fluid dispenser and a fluid container assembly releasably secured to the fluid dispenser.  FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a portion of a base  115  of a housing of the fluid dispenser. A lid of the housing of the fluid dispenser is not shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , such that various components of the fluid dispenser within the housing can be seen. For example, the fluid dispenser can include battery housings  126 , which can be attached to the base  115  and can contain batteries (not shown) that can be electrically coupled with a motor (not shown). The fluid dispenser can also include an actuator  130  that can be coupled with the motor and can move relative to the base  115 , which can be upward and downward movement when the fluid dispenser is mounted to a wall and is generally vertically oriented. The fluid dispenser can also include the shield  132 , which can be attached to the actuator  130  as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , such that the shield  132  can be movable with the actuator  130  and movably coupled with the housing of the fluid dispenser. 
       FIG. 15  also illustrates a portion of a pump  134  of the fluid container assembly, and a portion of a collar  138  of the fluid container assembly. The collar  138  can be releasably attached to the fluid dispenser to releasably attach the fluid container assembly to the fluid dispenser. The pump  134  can include a closure  136  that can be threaded onto a fluid container, which can be configured to contain a fluid, of the fluid container assembly. The pump  134  can also include a nozzle  146 , which can be attached to the actuator  130 , such that movement of the actuator  130  causes movement of the pump  134 , which in turn causes fluid to be discharged from the fluid container through the nozzle  146 . The nozzle  146  can include a distal end portion  155 , which can define a discharge orifice (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-21 , the shield  132  can include a mount structure  170  and a fluid-deflecting structure  172 , which can define an interior flow passage  160 . The interior flow passage  160  can have an inlet opening  174  and a discharge opening  176 . The discharge opening  176  can be smaller than the inlet opening  174  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The fluid-deflecting structure  172  can include a frustoconical portion  191 , which can define the discharge opening  176 . The frustoconical portion  191  can define a longitudinal centerline axis  171  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The fluid-deflecting structure  172  can generally extend longitudinally, and distally, away from the mount structure  170 . The frustoconical portion  191  can generally extend longitudinally, and distally, away from a generally cylindrical portion  190  of the fluid-deflecting structure. The shield  132  can also include a scoop  182 , which can facilitate releasably attaching the fluid container assembly to the fluid dispenser. The scoop  182  can extend outwardly away from the mount structure  170  and the fluid-deflecting structure  172 . The scoop  182  can include an inner surface  168  and an outer surface  169 . The inner surface  168  can be generally concave, and the outer surface  169  can be generally convex, as viewed in cross-section as shown in  FIG. 21 . In one embodiment, the mount structure  170 , the fluid-deflecting structure  172 , and the scoop  182  can be integrally formed as a unitary structure. In one embodiment, the mount structure  170 , the fluid-deflecting structure  172 , and the scoop  182  can be integrally formed from any suitable polymeric material, using any suitable molding process. 
     The mount structure  170  can include a base  178  and a perimeter flange  180 , which can be integral with the base  178 . The base  178  can include a pair of base structures  179 . One of the base structures  179  can be integral with one side of the scoop  182  and the second one of the base structures  179  can be spaced from the first base structure  179  and integral with an opposite side of the scoop  182 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . Each of the base structures  179  can include a lower portion  181  and an upright portion  183 , which can extend proximally away from the lower portion  181 . 
     In one embodiment, the perimeter flange  180  of the mount structure  170  can be generally U-shaped, as shown in  FIGS. 17 ,  19  and  20 . A first end of the perimeter flange  180  can be integral with the upright portion  183  of one of the base structures  179  of the base  178  of mount structure  170 , and a second end of the perimeter flange  180  can be integral with the upright portion  183  of the other one of the base structures  179 . As shown in  FIGS. 17-21 , the perimeter flange  180  of the mount structure  170  can be spaced proximally and outwardly from the fluid-deflecting structure  172 . The perimeter flange  180  and the fluid-deflecting structure  182  can cooperate to define an aperture  185  that can be sized and configured to receive a portion of the actuator  130 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the perimeter flange  180  can engage a mount portion  188  of the actuator  130  to attach the shield  132  to the actuator  130 . In one embodiment, the perimeter flange  180  of shield  132  can be sandwiched between, or clamped by, two portions of the mount portion  188  of the actuator  130  to attach the shield  132  to the actuator  130 . 
     When the shield  132  is attached to the actuator  130 , the distal end portion  155  of the nozzle  146  of pump  134  can be positioned proximate to, or within, the interior flow passage  160  defined by the shield  132 . As a result, the discharge orifice can be in fluid communication with the interior flow passage  160 , and a fluid, e.g., liquid gel, discharging from the discharge orifice during operation of the fluid dispenser system can discharge into the interior flow passage  160 . The discharge orifice can be generally centrally aligned with the interior flow passage  160 , which can facilitate discharging fluid from the discharge orifice into the interior flow passage  160 . In one embodiment, the discharge orifice can be coaxially disposed about longitudinal centerline axis  171  defined by the frustoconical portion  191  of the fluid-deflecting structure  172 , and the longitudinal centerline axis  171  can extend through the discharge orifice. 
       FIGS. 22-26  illustrate a fluid dispenser system  210  according to another embodiment, which can be configured for positioning on a tabletop or other support structure. The fluid dispenser system  210  can include a fluid dispenser  212  and a fluid container assembly  213 , which can be supported by the fluid dispenser  212 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . When the fluid dispenser system  210  is positioned, or placed, on a tabletop or other support structure, the fluid dispenser system  210  can be disposed in an upright orientation. The fluid dispenser  212  can include a plurality of feet  211  that can facilitate placing the fluid dispenser system  210  on a support surface. 
     The fluid dispenser  212  can include a housing  214 , which can include a rear housing  215  and a front housing  216  that can be attached to one another, for example using a plurality of fasteners such as male fasteners  292  ( FIG. 22 ). The fluid dispenser  212  can also include a mount plate  299  that can be attached to the housing  214 . For example, the mount plate  299  can be fastened to at least one of the rear housing  215  and the front housing  216 . The fluid dispenser  212  can further include an actuator  230 , which can be slidably coupled with the mount plate  299  such that the actuator  230  can be movable upwardly and downwardly, relative to the mount plate  299 , the rear housing  215  and the front housing  216 . 
     A motor (not shown) can be coupled with the actuator  230 , e.g., with a drivetrain (not shown), to selectively, operably actuate, or move, the actuator  230 , causing fluid, e.g., a liquid gel, to be dispensed from the fluid dispenser system  210 . The rear housing  215  and the front housing  216  can cooperate to at least partially define an interior chamber  217  that can house various components of the fluid dispenser  212 , which can include the mount plate  299  and the actuator  230 . In one embodiment, the fluid dispenser  212  can also include a base  227 , which can be secured to at least one of the rear housing  215  and the front housing  216 . The feet  211  can be secured to the base  227 . 
     The fluid container assembly  213  can include a fluid container  218  and a pump  234  that can be coupled with the fluid container  218 . In one embodiment, the pump  234  can include a closure  236 , or cap, which can be threaded onto a neck of the fluid container  218 . The pump  234  can also include a plunger  235 , and a nozzle  246 , which can be integral with, and can extend away from, the plunger  235 . The plunger  235  can be movable with respect to the closure  236  and the fluid container  218 , and can define a plunger flow passage. The fluid container assembly  213  can also include a dip tube  239 , which can be coupled with the pump  234  and can extend into a fluid chamber  241  defined by the fluid container  218 . The dip tube  239  can define a dip tube flow passage that can be in fluid communication with each of the fluid chamber  241  defined by the fluid container  218  and the plunger flow passage. The nozzle  246  can define a nozzle flow passage  252  that can be in fluid communication with the plunger flow passage. The nozzle  246  can include a distal end portion  255 , which can define a discharge orifice  254 . The discharge orifice  254  can be in fluid communication with the nozzle flow passage  252  such that depressing the plunger  235  can result in fluid within the fluid chamber  241  being dispensed through the discharge orifice  254 . 
     The fluid dispenser can include a door  229 , which can be pivotally coupled with the housing  214 . In one embodiment, the door  229  can be pivotally coupled with the front housing  216  as shown in  FIG. 23 , for example, using one or more hinges. The door  229  can be pivotable between a closed position, shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , and an open position. The door  229  can be opened to facilitate positioning the fluid container assembly  213  relative to the fluid dispenser  212 , and can surround a portion of the fluid container assembly  213  when closed. Referring to  FIG. 24 , in one embodiment, the door  229  can surround a portion of the pump  234  and a portion of the fluid container  218  when the door  229  is closed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the shield  232  can include a front portion  293 , a first side portion  294 , and a second side portion  295  spaced from the first side portion  294 . Each of the first side portion  294  and the second side portion  295  can be integral with, and can extend away from, the front portion  293 . The front portion  293 , the first side portion  294 , and the second side portion  295  can cooperate to at least partially define an interior flow passage  260 . The fluid dispenser  212  can further include a lens support structure  296  that can be configured to support one or more sensors, such as one or more optical lens, or sensors, which can operably sense the presence of a user&#39;s hands below the nozzle  246  of pump  234 . 
     The shield  232  can be fixedly coupled with the housing  214  of the fluid dispenser  212 . For example, in one embodiment, the shield  232  can be integrally formed with the lens support structure  296 , from any suitable material, as a unitary structure, and the lens support structure  296  can be fixedly coupled with the housing  214  of the fluid dispenser  212 , which can prevent translation of the lens support structure  296  and the shield  232  relative to the housing  214 . In one embodiment, a proximal end portion  297  of the lens support structure  296  can be secured to at least one of the rear housing  215  and the front housing  216  of the fluid dispenser  212 . In other embodiments, the shield  232  can be fixedly coupled with the housing  214  with any other suitable structural configuration or arrangement. 
     In one embodiment, the shield  232  can be integrally formed with the lens support structure  296  from any suitable polymeric material, using any suitable molding process. In one embodiment, the shield  232  can cooperate with a distal end portion  298  of the lens support structure  296  to define the interior flow passage  260 . A rear portion of the interior flow passage  260  can be open such that the nozzle  246  can extend between the first side portion  294  and the second side portion  295  of the shield  232 . The distal end portion  255  of the nozzle  246  can be positioned within the interior flow passage  260 , such that the discharge orifice  254  defined by the distal end portion  255  of nozzle  246  is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage  260 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the shield  232  can extend below the distal end portion  255  of the nozzle  246 . 
     Use of the shields  32 ,  132  and  232  can be advantageous, for example as illustrated by the following description of the operation of the fluid dispenser system  10 . The fluid dispenser system  10  can include a sensor (not shown) and suitable electronic components, which can be housed within the interior chamber  17 . The electrical components can be electrically coupled with the sensor and with the motor disposed within the motor housing  24 , such that, when a user positions his or her hand(s) in proximity to the fluid dispenser system  10 , for example below the shield  32 , the sensor can cause the motor  25  to be turned on. As a result of the coupling of the cam gear  62  to each of the motor  25  and the actuator  30 , the reciprocating piston  44  can move downwardly and upwardly in response to rotation of the cam gear  62 , corresponding to a downstroke movement and an upstroke movement, respectively, of the reciprocating piston  44 . 
     When the sensor senses the presence of a user&#39;s hand(s), and the reciprocating piston  44  is moving in a downstroke direction, a fluid, such as a liquid gel, can flow from a discharge port of the fluid container  18  into the inlet port  37  of pump  34 , around the intake valve  40 , and into the piston chamber  42 , due to a partial vacuum existing in the piston chamber  42  caused by the downward movement of the reciprocating piston  44 . This fluid can then flow around an upper portion of the reciprocating piston  44 , for example around an outside portion of wiper valves disposed at an upper end of the reciprocating piston  44 , and into the interior flow passage  45  defined by the reciprocating piston  44 . The fluid can then flow downwardly through the interior flow passage  45  and into the nozzle flow passage  52  defined by the nozzle  46 . The fluid can then discharge from the nozzle  46 , through the discharge orifice  54  and into the interior flow passage  60  defined by the shield  32 . 
     In some instances, a portion of the fluid, such as liquid gel, can dry within the nozzle flow passage  52 , and/or the discharge orifice  54 , which can restrict the discharge orifice  54 . This can result in the fluid, such as a liquid gel, or a foam, discharging from the discharge orifice  54  at a relatively high velocity, and in a random direction that is not intended. For example, the dispensed fluid when dispensed can exit at a significant angle away from the longitudinal centerline axis  71  defined by the frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72 . Fluid that is dispensed in such a random, unintended direction can be referred to as misdirected dispense. In the absence of shield  32 , this misdirected dispense, such as liquid gel, could cause the liquid gel to be dispensed away from a user&#39;s hand(s) and either onto another portion of the user&#39;s body or onto a floor, or other support structure, of the facility in which the user is standing, which is unintended and undesirable. 
     The shield  32  can redirect the majority of, or all of, the misdirected dispense, such that the dispensed fluid can be dispensed onto the hands of the user, as intended. For example, the misdirected dispense can contact an inner surface of the fluid-deflecting structure  72 , with the misdirected dispense being redirected in a substantially downward direction, i.e., in a direction forming a relatively shallow, or small, angle with the longitudinal centerline axis  71  defined by the frustoconical portion  91  of the fluid-deflecting structure  72 . Redirecting the misdirected dispense can be achieved as a result of various factors that can include the spatial relationship between the distal end portion  55  of nozzle  46  and the shield  32 , for example, positioning the distal end portion  55  within the interior flow passage  60  defined by the shield  32 , and at least substantially surrounding the distal end portion  55  with the shield  32 . 
     The configuration of the frustoconical portion  91  can also facilitate redirecting the misdirected dispense, for example by forming the frustoconical portion  91  such that the inner surface of the frustoconical portion  91  forms a relatively shallow, or small, angle with the longitudinal centerline axis  71  defined by the frustoconical portion  91 . The orientation of the discharge orifice  54  defined by the distal end portion  55  of nozzle  46  can also facilitate redirecting the misdirected dispense as desired. For example, in embodiments where the distal end portion  55  is coaxially disposed about the longitudinal centerline axis  71  defined by the frustoconical portion  91 , and the longitudinal centerline axis  71  extends through the discharge orifice  54 . 
     The configuration of shield  132  and the spatial relationship between shield  132  and the distal end portion  155  of nozzle  146 , as well as the configuration of shield  232  and the spatial relationship between shield  232  and the distal end portion  255  of nozzle  246 , can result in similar advantages to those that can be achieved by shield  32 . 
     The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been described, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 7