Patent Application
20220240729
This invention relates to hand cleaning fluid dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers that have a sensor for determining the volume of fluid remaining in a fluid reservoir of the dispenser.
Fluid dispensers are well known for dispensing hand cleaning fluids such as soap or hand sanitizer. Such dispensers typically carry a fluid reservoir containing a supply of the hand cleaning fluid to be dispensed. The fluid reservoirs need to be replaced or refilled periodically when the supply of hand cleaning fluid contained therein is depleted.
Various methods are known for determining or predicting the amount of fluid remaining in a fluid reservoir, so that the fluid reservoir can be promptly refilled or replaced when needed. For example, it is known to use a counter to count the number of times that a fluid dispenser has been activated, and to use this information, together with the known or estimated volume of fluid that is dispensed with each activation, to estimate the total amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir. Such arrangements can have a number of disadvantages, including for example the requirement that the counter be reset by an appropriate mechanism each time the reservoir is replaced or refilled. Furthermore, if the amount of fluid that is dispensed with each activation is not always the same, as may occur with some manually operated dispensers, then it may not be possible for such systems to accurately calculate the amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir.
An alternative arrangement for estimating the amount of fluid in a fluid reservoir is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,788 to Ophardt et al., issued May 12, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,788 teaches the use of an infrared emitter and an infrared sensor which are arranged on a housing of a fluid dispenser. The infrared emitter and the infrared sensor are positioned adjacent to a fluid reservoir in the form of a collapsible bottle. Infrared radiation is emitted from the infrared emitter, passes through a rear wall of the bottle and through the fluid contained in the bottle, and is reflected from a front wall of the bottle towards the infrared sensor. The collapsible bottle has a bottom end that rises upwardly as the fluid contained within the bottle is dispensed and the bottle collapses. When the bottle is nearly empty, the bottom of the bottle rises above the infrared emitter and out of the path of the emitted radiation. This causes the amount of radiation that is reflected towards the infrared sensor to sharply decrease, and the decrease in radiation reaching the infrared sensor is used as an indication that the bottle is nearly empty.
The arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,788 has a number of disadvantages. For example, in order for the radiation to pass through the rear wall of the bottle and be reflected from the front wall of the bottle, the bottle needs to incorporate multiple different materials having different reflective properties. Furthermore, the arrangement and type of sensors and emitters may need to be modified for different types of fluids, depending on how the radiation interacts with each fluid. In addition, merely detecting whether the bottom of the collapsible bottle is above or below the infrared emitter provides relatively little information about the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle. For example, merely detecting whether the bottom of the bottle is above or below the infrared emitter would not distinguish between a full bottle and one that is half empty, if the bottom of the bottle remains below the infrared emitter in both circumstances.
To at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of previously known methods and devices, the present invention provides a collapsible bottle, a fluid dispenser, and a method of using a sensor to measure a distance between the sensor and a preselected surface of the collapsible bottle. The inventors have appreciated that the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface can provide a useful indication of the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle, without requiring the bottle to incorporate a variety of different materials with different reflective properties, and without requiring radiation to be transmitted through the fluid. The method can advantageously be used with any type of fluid and any type of bottle, so long as the bottle collapses in a suitably predictable manner as the fluid is dispensed therefrom. The sensor can also be located at any suitable location relative to the bottle, and for example may be located on a housing of a fluid dispenser carrying the collapsible bottle.
Optionally, the sensor may be a time of flight sensor, which determines the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface by measuring the amount of time it takes for light emitted from the sensor to be reflected back to the sensor from the preselected surface. This can provide an accurate measurement of the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface, which can in turn be used to accurately determine the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle. This information may be used, for example, to provide an indication to users and/or maintenance staff as to the amount of fluid left in the bottle, to notify maintenance staff when the bottle needs to be replaced, or for any other suitable purpose, such as tracking the usage of hand cleaning fluid over time.
The preselected surface is preferably an outer surface of an exterior wall of the bottle that is designed to move away from the sensor in a predictable manner as the bottle collapses. For example, the preselected surface is optionally an outer surface of a first exterior wall that is thinner than one or more of the other exterior walls of the bottle, so that the first exterior wall more readily deforms inwardly, in comparison with the other exterior walls, under the vacuum pressure that is generated when the fluid is dispensed from the bottle. Optionally, the first exterior wall has a convex shape when the bottle is full, and inverts to adopt a concave shape when the bottle collapses. Furthermore, one of more of the other exterior walls may be provided with a reinforcement structure, such as a groove or a rib, which resists deformation. These and other features can preferably be used to cause the first exterior wall to move a relatively large distance in a predictable manner during the collapse of the bottle, with the result that the distance between the first exterior wall and the sensor can be used to determine the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle.
Optionally, the collapsible bottle may be produced by a blow molding process, including steps of forming a cylindrical preform having a preform wall that extends concentrically about an axis, and inflating the preform so that the preform wall expands to form the exterior walls of the collapsible bottle. During the inflating step, the thickness of the preform wall decreases as the preform wall expands radially outwardly from the axis. As a result, the thickness of the first exterior wall is dependent on the distance of the first exterior wall from the axis. Preferably, the first exterior wall is further from the axis than one or more of the other exterior walls, so that the first exterior wall is thinner, and thus more readily deformable, than the other exterior walls.
The method also preferably includes steps for establishing a correlation between the volume of fluid contained in the bottle and the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface. For example, preferably one or more test fluid dispensers are provided with a test sensor and a test collapsible bottle, the test fluid dispenser, the test sensor, and the test collapsible bottle being identical to corresponding production fluid dispensers, sensors, and collapsible bottles produced for use and/or for sale. The method preferably includes steps of measuring a volume of a test fluid contained in the test collapsible bottle at various stages of collapse, using the test sensor to measure the distance between the test sensor and the preselected surface of the test collapsible bottle at each of the various stages of collapse, and establishing a correlation between the volume of the test fluid contained in the test collapsible bottle and the distance between the test sensor and the preselected surface of the test collapsible bottle at the various stages of collapse. This correlation can then be used with the corresponding production fluid dispensers to determine the volume of fluid contained in the collapsible bottle based on the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface as measured by the sensor.
Optionally, a fluid dispenser in accordance with the invention can incorporate two or more sensors that measure the distance between the sensors and two or more preselected surfaces of the bottle. This may be useful for bottles in which there is some variability in the pattern of collapse, as having distance measurements for two or more surfaces may help to distinguish between different collapse patterns, and thus provide a more accurate assessment of the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle.
Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle defining a variable volume internal compartment for containing a fluid to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser, the collapsible bottle comprising:
a first exterior wall;
a second exterior wall;
a third exterior wall; and
a neck that extends along an axis away from the third exterior wall, the neck having an opening in fluid communication with the internal compartment;
wherein the internal compartment contains an initial volume of the fluid when the collapsible bottle is in an initial configuration;
wherein, as the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards a collapsed configuration, the internal compartment containing a smaller volume of the fluid when in the collapsed configuration than when in the initial configuration;
wherein the first exterior wall is thinner than the second exterior wall;
wherein the first exterior wall is further from the axis than the second exterior wall is from the axis when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration; and
wherein the first exterior wall moves towards the axis as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of the first aspect, wherein a vacuum is generated within the collapsible bottle when the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, the vacuum causing the collapsible bottle to collapse in a predictable manner.
In a third aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first and second aspects, wherein, as the collapsible bottle collapses, the first exterior wall moves towards the second exterior wall.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to third aspects, wherein the first exterior wall moves a greater distance towards the second exterior wall than the second exterior wall moves towards the first exterior wall as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall has a convex shape when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, and has a concave shape when the collapsible bottle is in the collapsed configuration.
In a sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifth aspects,
wherein the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall are each intersected by a first plane that contains the axis;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a fourth exterior wall and a fifth exterior wall that are each intersected by a second plane that contains the axis, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a sixth exterior wall that is intersected by the axis; and
wherein the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall have a reinforcement structure that resists deformation of the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove or a rib.
In an eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove that at least partially extends across the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall; and wherein the groove is located where a third plane intersects the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall, the third plane being parallel to the second plane.
In a ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first connecting wall that extends between the fourth exterior wall and the first exterior wall; and a second connecting wall that extends between the fifth exterior wall and the first exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the fourth exterior wall; a second edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a third edge portion where the fifth exterior wall meets the second connecting wall; a fourth edge portion where the second connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a fifth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the third exterior wall; and a sixth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the sixth exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the fifth edge portion; a second corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the sixth edge portion; a third corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the fifth edge portion; and a fourth corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the sixth edge portion;
wherein the second edge portion has a first intermediate portion that is spaced from the first edge portion and is located between the first corner portion and the second corner portion; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the first corner portion is to the first plane, and the first intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the first corner portion is from the second plane;
wherein the fourth edge portion has a second intermediate portion that is spaced from the third edge portion and is located between the third corner portion and the fourth corner portion; and wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the second intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the third corner portion is to the first plane, and the second intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the third corner portion is from the second plane.
In a tenth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the first connecting wall and the second connecting wall are substantially planar when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration.
In an eleventh aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to tenth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first edge portion and the third edge portion are at least partially concave.
In a twelfth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is at least partially concave.
In a thirteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is closer to the axis than the sixth edge portion is to the axis.
In a fourteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is a rear wall of the collapsible bottle; the second exterior wall is a front wall of the collapsible bottle; the third exterior wall is a bottom wall of the collapsible bottle; the fourth exterior wall is a right side wall of the collapsible bottle; the fifth exterior wall is a left side wall of the collapsible bottle; and the sixth exterior wall is a top wall of the collapsible bottle.
In a fifteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein, during the collapse of the collapsible bottle from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the sixth edge portion moves axially downwardly towards the neck.
In a sixteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the fluid is a hand cleaning fluid.
In a seventeenth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixteenth aspects, the method comprising:
providing a fluid dispenser, the fluid dispenser having a distance measuring sensor; providing a collapsible bottle, the collapsible bottle containing a fluid to be dispensed from the fluid dispenser;
coupling the collapsible bottle to the fluid dispenser so that a preselected surface of the collapsible bottle is positioned in a measurement path of the sensor;
activating the fluid dispenser to dispense an allotment of the fluid from the collapsible bottle, the collapsible bottle collapsing as the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle;
using the sensor to measure a distance between the sensor and the preselected surface of the collapsible bottle, the distance changing as the collapsible bottle collapses; and determining a volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle based on the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface of the collapsible bottle.
In an eighteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to seventeenth aspects, wherein the preselected surface is an outwardly facing surface of the collapsible bottle that moves away from the sensor as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a nineteenth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to eighteenth aspects, wherein the sensor comprises a time of flight sensor.
In a twentieth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to nineteenth aspects, wherein the method further comprises at least one of:
displaying a visual indication of the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle; notifying maintenance staff when the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle falls below a preselected threshold; and
storing or transmitting data representing the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle.
In a twenty first aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twentieth aspects, wherein dispensing the fluid from the collapsible bottle generates a vacuum within the collapsible bottle that causes the collapsible bottle to collapse in a predictable manner.
In a twenty second aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty first aspects, wherein the method further comprises:
determining whether the collapsible bottle has been correctly coupled to the fluid dispenser based on detection data from the sensor.
In a twenty third aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty second aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first exterior wall and a second exterior wall; wherein the preselected surface is an outer surface of the first exterior wall; and wherein, as the collapsible bottle collapses, the first exterior wall moves towards the second exterior wall.
In a twenty fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty third aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is thinner than the second exterior wall.
In a twenty fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty fourth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall moves a greater distance towards the second exterior wall than the second exterior wall moves towards the first exterior wall as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a twenty sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty fifth aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle defines a variable volume internal compartment for containing the fluid;
wherein the internal compartment contains an initial volume of the fluid when the collapsible bottle is in an initial configuration; and
wherein, as the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards a collapsed configuration, the internal compartment containing a smaller volume of the fluid when in the collapsed configuration than when in the initial configuration.
In a twenty seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty sixth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall has a convex shape when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, and has a concave shape when the collapsible bottle is in the collapsed configuration.
In a twenty eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty seventh aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a third exterior wall and a neck that extends along an axis away from the third exterior wall, the neck having an opening in fluid communication with the internal compartment;
wherein the first exterior wall is further from the axis than the second exterior wall is from the axis when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration;
wherein the neck remains stationary relative to the sensor as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration; and
wherein the first exterior wall moves towards the axis as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a twenty ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty eighth aspects, wherein providing the collapsible bottle comprises forming the collapsible bottle by a blow molding process;
wherein the blow molding process comprises:
forming a cylindrical preform having a preform wall that extends concentrically about the axis; and
inflating the preform so that the preform wall expands to form at least the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall;
wherein a thickness of the preform wall decreases as the preform wall expands radially outwardly from the axis, so that a thickness of the first exterior wall is dependent on a distance of the first exterior wall from the axis, and a thickness of the second exterior wall is dependent on a distance of the second exterior wall from the axis; and
wherein the first exterior wall is thinner than the second exterior wall because the distance of the first exterior wall from the axis is greater than the distance of the second exterior wall from the axis.
In a thirtieth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to twenty ninth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall are each intersected by a first plane that contains the axis;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a fourth exterior wall and a fifth exterior wall that are each intersected by a second plane that contains the axis, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a sixth exterior wall that is intersected by the axis; and wherein the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall have a reinforcement structure that resists deformation of the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a thirty first aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirtieth aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove or a rib.
In a thirty second aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty first aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove that at least partially extends across the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall; and
wherein the groove is located where a third plane intersects the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall, the third plane being parallel to the second plane.
In a thirty third aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty second aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first connecting wall that extends between the fourth exterior wall and the first exterior wall; and a second connecting wall that extends between the fifth exterior wall and the first exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the fourth exterior wall; a second edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a third edge portion where the fifth exterior wall meets the second connecting wall; a fourth edge portion where the second connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a fifth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the third exterior wall; and a sixth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the sixth exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the fifth edge portion; a second corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the sixth edge portion; a third corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the fifth edge portion; and a fourth corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the sixth edge portion;
wherein the second edge portion has a first intermediate portion that is spaced from the first edge portion and is located between the first corner portion and the second corner portion; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the first corner portion is to the first plane, and the first intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the first corner portion is from the second plane;
wherein the fourth edge portion has a second intermediate portion that is spaced from the third edge portion and is located between the third corner portion and the fourth corner portion; and wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the second intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the third corner portion is to the first plane, and the second intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the third corner portion is from the second plane.
In a thirty fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty third aspects, wherein the first connecting wall and the second connecting wall are substantially planar when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration.
In a thirty fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty fourth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first edge portion and the third edge portion are preferably at least partially concave.
In a thirty sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty fifth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is at least partially concave.
In a thirty seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty sixth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is closer to the axis than the sixth edge portion is to the axis.
In a thirty eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty seventh aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is a rear wall of the collapsible bottle; the second exterior wall is a front wall of the collapsible bottle; the third exterior wall is a bottom wall of the collapsible bottle; the fourth exterior wall is a right side wall of the collapsible bottle; the fifth exterior wall is a left side wall of the collapsible bottle; and the sixth exterior wall is a top wall of the collapsible bottle.
In a thirty ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty eighth aspects, wherein the sensor is located on a back plate of the fluid dispenser, and faces horizontally forwardly towards the rear wall of the collapsible bottle when the collapsible bottle is coupled to the fluid dispenser.
In a fortieth aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to thirty ninth aspects, wherein, during the collapse of the collapsible bottle from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the sixth edge portion moves axially downwardly towards the neck.
In a forty first aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fortieth aspects, wherein the fluid dispenser has a second distance measuring sensor;
wherein, when the collapsible bottle is coupled to the fluid dispenser, a second preselected surface of the collapsible bottle is positioned in a measurement path of the second sensor; the method further comprising:
using the second sensor to measure a distance between the second sensor and the second preselected surface of the collapsible bottle;
wherein the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle is determined based on the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface of the collapsible bottle, and the distance between the second sensor and the second preselected surface of the collapsible bottle.
In a forty second aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty first aspects, wherein the fluid dispenser is a production fluid dispenser;
wherein the sensor is a production sensor; and
wherein the collapsible bottle is a production collapsible bottle;
the method further comprising:
providing a test fluid dispenser, the test fluid dispenser having a distance measuring test sensor;
providing a test collapsible bottle, the test collapsible bottle containing a test fluid to be dispensed from the test fluid dispenser;
coupling the test collapsible bottle to the test fluid dispenser so that a preselected surface of the test collapsible bottle is positioned in a measurement path of the test sensor;
activating the test fluid dispenser to dispense an allotment of the test fluid from the test collapsible bottle, the test collapsible bottle collapsing as the test fluid is dispensed from the test collapsible bottle;
measuring a volume of the test fluid contained in the test collapsible bottle at various stages of collapse;
using the test sensor to measure a distance between the test sensor and the preselected surface of the test collapsible bottle at each of the various stages of collapse;
establishing a correlation between the volume of the test fluid contained in the test collapsible bottle and the distance between the test sensor and the preselected surface of the test collapsible bottle at the various stages of collapse; and
using the correlation to determine the volume of the fluid contained in the production collapsible bottle based on the distance between the production sensor and the preselected surface of the production collapsible bottle.
In a forty third aspect, the present invention resides in a method, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty second aspects, wherein the fluid is a hand cleaning fluid.
In a forty fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty third aspects, the fluid dispenser comprising:
a collapsible bottle containing a fluid to be dispensed;
a fluid pump for dispensing the fluid from the collapsible bottle; and
a distance measuring sensor arranged to detect a distance between the sensor and a preselected surface of the collapsible bottle;
wherein the collapsible bottle collapses as the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, and the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface of the collapsible bottle changes as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a forty fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty fourth aspects, wherein a vacuum is generated within the collapsible bottle when the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, the vacuum causing the collapsible bottle to collapse in a predictable manner.
In a forty sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty fourth aspects, wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a processor that determines a volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle based on the distance between the sensor and the preselected surface of the collapsible bottle as measured by the sensor.
In a forty seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty sixth aspects, wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises at least one of:
a visual indicator that provides a visual indication of the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle;
a notification system that notifies maintenance staff when the volume of the fluid contained in the collapsible bottle falls below a preselected threshold;
a memory for storing data received from the sensor or the processor; and
a transmitter for transmitting data received from the sensor or the processor.
In a forty eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty seventh aspects, wherein the preselected surface is an outwardly facing surface of the collapsible bottle that moves away from the sensor as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a forty ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty eighth aspects, wherein the sensor comprises a time of flight sensor.
In a fiftieth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to forty ninth aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first exterior wall and a second exterior wall; wherein the preselected surface is an outer surface of the first exterior wall; and wherein, as the collapsible bottle collapses, the first exterior wall moves towards the second exterior wall.
In a fifty first aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fiftieth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is thinner than the second exterior wall.
In a fifty second aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty first aspects, wherein the first exterior wall moves a greater distance towards the second exterior wall than the second exterior wall moves towards the first exterior wall as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a fifty third aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty second aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle defines a variable volume internal compartment for containing the fluid;
wherein the internal compartment contains an initial volume of the fluid when the collapsible bottle is in an initial configuration; and
wherein, as the fluid is dispensed from the collapsible bottle, the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards a collapsed configuration, the internal compartment containing a smaller volume of the fluid when in the collapsed configuration than when in the initial configuration.
In a fifty fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty third aspects, wherein the first exterior wall has a convex shape when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, and has a concave shape when the collapsible bottle is in the collapsed configuration.
In a fifty fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty fourth aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a third exterior wall and a neck that extends along an axis away from the third exterior wall, the neck having an opening in fluid communication with the internal compartment;
wherein the first exterior wall is further from the axis than the second exterior wall is from the axis when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration;
wherein the neck remains stationary relative to the sensor as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration; and
wherein the first exterior wall moves towards the axis as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a fifty sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty fifth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall are each intersected by a first plane that contains the axis;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a fourth exterior wall and a fifth exterior wall that are each intersected by a second plane that contains the axis, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a sixth exterior wall that is intersected by the axis; and
wherein the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall have a reinforcement structure that resists deformation of the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration.
In a fifty seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty sixth aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove or a rib.
In a fifty eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty seventh aspects, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove that at least partially extends across the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall; and wherein the groove is located where a third plane intersects the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall, the third plane being parallel to the second plane.
In a fifty ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty eighth aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first connecting wall that extends between the fourth exterior wall and the first exterior wall; and a second connecting wall that extends between the fifth exterior wall and the first exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the fourth exterior wall; a second edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a third edge portion where the fifth exterior wall meets the second connecting wall; a fourth edge portion where the second connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a fifth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the third exterior wall; and a sixth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the sixth exterior wall;
wherein the collapsible bottle has a first corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the fifth edge portion; a second corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the sixth edge portion; a third corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the fifth edge portion; and a fourth corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the sixth edge portion;
wherein the second edge portion has a first intermediate portion that is spaced from the first edge portion and is located between the first corner portion and the second corner portion; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the first corner portion is to the first plane, and the first intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the first corner portion is from the second plane;
wherein the fourth edge portion has a second intermediate portion that is spaced from the third edge portion and is located between the third corner portion and the fourth corner portion; and wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the second intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the third corner portion is to the first plane, and the second intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the third corner portion is from the second plane.
In a sixtieth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to fifty ninth aspects, wherein the first connecting wall and the second connecting wall are substantially planar when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration.
In a sixty first aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixtieth aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first edge portion and the third edge portion are at least partially concave.
In a sixty second aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty first aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is at least partially concave.
In a sixty third aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty second aspects, wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is closer to the axis than the sixth edge portion is to the axis.
In a sixty fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty third aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is a rear wall of the collapsible bottle; the second exterior wall is a front wall of the collapsible bottle; the third exterior wall is a bottom wall of the collapsible bottle; the fourth exterior wall is a right side wall of the collapsible bottle; the fifth exterior wall is a left side wall of the collapsible bottle; and the sixth exterior wall is a top wall of the collapsible bottle.
In a sixty fifth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty fourth aspects, wherein the sensor is located on a back plate of the fluid dispenser, and faces horizontally forwardly towards the rear wall of the collapsible bottle.
In a sixty sixth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty fifth aspects, wherein during the collapse of the collapsible bottle from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the sixth edge portion moves axially downwardly towards the neck.
In a sixty seventh aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty sixth aspects, wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a second distance measuring sensor that is arranged to detect a distance between the second sensor and a second preselected surface of the collapsible bottle;
wherein the distance between the second sensor and the second preselected surface of the collapsible bottle changes as the collapsible bottle collapses.
In a sixty eighth aspect, the present invention resides in a fluid dispenser, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty seventh aspects, wherein the fluid is a hand cleaning fluid.
In a sixty ninth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty eighth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is a rear wall of the collapsible bottle; the second exterior wall is a front wall of the collapsible bottle; the third exterior wall is a bottom wall of the collapsible bottle; the fourth exterior wall is a right side wall of the collapsible bottle; the fifth exterior wall is a left side wall of the collapsible bottle; and the sixth exterior wall is a top wall of the collapsible bottle; and wherein, during the collapse of the collapsible bottle from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the sixth edge portion moves axially downwardly towards the neck.
In a seventieth aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to sixty ninth aspects, wherein, as the collapsible bottle collapses, the first exterior wall moves towards the second exterior wall; wherein the first exterior wall moves a greater distance towards the second exterior wall than the second exterior wall moves towards the first exterior wall as the collapsible bottle collapses; and wherein the first exterior wall has a convex shape when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, and has a concave shape when the collapsible bottle is in the collapsed configuration.
In a seventy first aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to seventieth aspects, wherein the first exterior wall and the second exterior wall are each intersected by a first plane that contains the axis; wherein the collapsible bottle has a fourth exterior wall and a fifth exterior wall that are each intersected by a second plane that contains the axis, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane; wherein the collapsible bottle has a sixth exterior wall that is intersected by the axis; wherein the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall have a reinforcement structure that resists deformation of the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall as the collapsible bottle deforms from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration; wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a groove that at least partially extends across the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall; and wherein the groove is located where a third plane intersects the fourth exterior wall, the fifth exterior wall, and the sixth exterior wall, the third plane being parallel to the second plane.
In a seventy second aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to seventy first aspects, wherein the collapsible bottle has a first connecting wall that extends between the fourth exterior wall and the first exterior wall; and a second connecting wall that extends between the fifth exterior wall and the first exterior wall; wherein the collapsible bottle has a first edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the fourth exterior wall; a second edge portion where the first connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a third edge portion where the fifth exterior wall meets the second connecting wall; a fourth edge portion where the second connecting wall meets the first exterior wall; a fifth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the third exterior wall; and a sixth edge portion where the first exterior wall meets the sixth exterior wall; wherein the collapsible bottle has a first corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the fifth edge portion; a second corner portion where the second edge portion meets the first edge portion and the sixth edge portion; a third corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the fifth edge portion; and a fourth corner portion where the fourth edge portion meets the third edge portion and the sixth edge portion; wherein the second edge portion has a first intermediate portion that is spaced from the first edge portion and is located between the first corner portion and the second corner portion; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the first corner portion is to the first plane, and the first intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the first corner portion is from the second plane; wherein the fourth edge portion has a second intermediate portion that is spaced from the third edge portion and is located between the third corner portion and the fourth corner portion; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the second intermediate portion is closer to the first plane than the third corner portion is to the first plane, and the second intermediate portion is further from the second plane than the third corner portion is from the second plane; wherein the first connecting wall and the second connecting wall are substantially planar when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the first edge portion and the third edge portion are at least partially concave; wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is at least partially concave; and wherein, when the collapsible bottle is in the initial configuration, the fifth edge portion is closer to the axis than the sixth edge portion is to the axis.
In a seventy third aspect, the present invention resides in a collapsible bottle, which optionally incorporates one or more features of one or more of the first to seventy second aspects, wherein the first exterior wall is a rear wall of the collapsible bottle; the second exterior wall is a front wall of the collapsible bottle; the third exterior wall is a bottom wall of the collapsible bottle; the fourth exterior wall is a right side wall of the collapsible bottle; the fifth exterior wall is a left side wall of the collapsible bottle; and the sixth exterior wall is a top wall of the collapsible bottle; wherein, during the collapse of the collapsible bottle from the initial configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the sixth edge portion moves axially downwardly towards the neck; and wherein the fluid is a hand cleaning fluid.
Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, which are in a computer generated format often known as wire-frame images with hidden-line removal, in which, simplistically stated, lines are shown where there is a change in the plane of a surface, and in which:
As best shown in
As seen in
A processor 100, a memory 102, and a wireless transmitter 104 are also mounted on the back plate 20 adjacent to the sensor 24. The processor 100 is configured to process measurement data received from the sensor 24, the memory 102 is configured to store the measurement data and other information received from the processor 100, and the wireless transmitter 104 is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement data and other information received from the processor 100. A visual indicator 106 in the form of an LED light 108 is positioned on the pump engagement body 22. The LED light 108 is configured to turn on or off in response to instructions received from the processor 100. The processor 100, memory 102, wireless transmitter 104, and visual indicator 106 could be positioned at any suitable location or locations, and are not limited to those shown in the drawings. One or more of the processor 100, memory 102, wireless transmitter 104, and visual indicator 106 could also be omitted in some embodiments of the invention.
A battery holder 26 extends forwardly from the back plate 20 at the top of the housing 14. The battery holder 26 is configured to receive batteries for powering various electronic components of the dispenser 10, including the time of flight sensor 24. A cover locking mechanism 28 is positioned above the battery holder 26. The cover locking mechanism 28 engages with a top opening 30 of the cover 12 to hold the cover 12 in place over the housing 14, as shown in
The fluid pump 16 is configured to dispense fluid from the fluid reservoir 18 out of a fluid outlet 34 of the fluid pump 16. As best shown in
The fluid reservoir 18 is best shown in
The collapsible bottle 36 has a front wall 42, a rear wall 44, a bottom wall 46, a top wall 48, a right side wall 50, and a left side wall 52, as best shown in
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As shown in dotted lines in
The left side wall 52 likewise has a left side edge portion 74 where the left side wall 52 meets the second connecting wall 56, as shown in dotted lines in
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The right side edge portion 68 is also referred to herein as the first edge portion 68, the first rear edge portion 80 is also referred to as the second edge portion 80, the left side edge portion 74 is also referred to as the third edge portion 74, the second rear edge portion 82 is also referred to as the fourth edge portion 82, the bottom edge portion 90 is also referred to as the fifth edge portion 90, the top edge portion 88 is also referred to as the sixth edge portion 88, the bottom right corner 70 is also referred to as the first corner portion 70, the top right corner 72 is also referred to as the second corner portion 72, the bottom left corner 76 is also referred to as the third corner portion 76, and the top left corner 78 is also referred to as the fourth corner portion 78.
As best shown in
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The collapsible bottle 36 as shown in
The bottle 36 is designed to collapse in a predictable manner, so that the distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 can be used to determine the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36. Various stages of collapse of the bottle 36 are shown in
As can be seen by comparing
The bottle 36 has a number of features that are selected so that the rear wall 44 moves a relatively large distance towards the axis 38, and away from the sensor 24, in a predictable manner. For example, the rear wall 44 is preferably thinner than the front wall 42, the bottom wall 46, the top wall 48, the right side wall 50, and the left side wall 52. This makes the rear wall 44 less rigid than the other walls 42, 46, 48, 50, 52, so that the rear wall 44 deforms more readily under the vacuum pressure which is generated when the fluid is dispensed.
The convex shape of the rear wall 44 also allows the rear wall 44 to move a large distance towards the axis 38 relatively easily by inverting to a concave shape. A number of features assist with allowing the rear wall 44 to invert from convex to concave. For example, the slant of the first connecting wall 54 and the second connecting wall 56 towards the first plane 58 as the first connecting wall 54 and the second connecting wall 56 extend laterally away from the second plane 60, as shown in
The groove 62 helps to reinforce the right side wall 50, the top wall 48, and the left side wall 52, so that the rear wall 44 deforms preferentially over the right side wall 50, the top wall 48, and the left side wall 52. This further ensures that the bottle 36 collapses in a predictable manner. The uncollapsed right side wall 50, top wall 48, and left side wall 52 furthermore provide a cavity for the rear wall 44 to go into as the bottle 36 collapses. In addition, the slant of the right side edge portion 68 of the right side wall 50 and the left side edge portion 74 of the left side wall 52, as shown in
When the bottle 36 is coupled to the housing 14, the neck 32 and the axis 38 remain stationary relative to the housing 14. As the bottle 36 collapses, the rear wall 44 moves towards the axis 38 and away from the back plate 20 of the housing 14, and thus away from the sensor 24. The distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 of the rear wall 44 thus increases as the bottle 36 collapses, with the distance 96 changing as a function of the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36. The distance 96 as measured by the sensor 24 can thus be used to determine the amount of fluid remaining in the bottle 36, provided the relationship between the distance 96 and the amount of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 is known.
Preferably at least one fluid dispenser 10 is used to establish the correlation between the distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 and the amount of fluid remaining in the bottle 36. The fluid dispenser 10, or more preferably fluid dispensers 10, which are used to establish the correlation are referred to herein as test fluid dispensers 10. Once the testing is complete, the test fluid dispensers 10 may later be used to dispense fluid. Alternatively, the test fluid dispensers 10 may be produced for testing purposes only. In either case, the test fluid dispensers 10 are identical to production fluid dispensers 10 that are produced for the purpose of dispensing fluid, and which may not themselves be directly tested. Because the test fluid dispensers 10 and the production fluid dispensers 10 are identical, the correlation between the distance 96 and the amount of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 as determined with respect to the test fluid dispensers 10 can be applied to the production fluid dispensers 10 as well. The test fluid dispensers 10 and the production fluid dispensers 10 all correspond identically to the fluid dispenser 10 shown in
The testing procedure optionally proceeds as follows. Each test fluid dispenser 10 is provided with a collapsible bottle 36 that is filled with a test fluid, with the collapsible bottle 36 in the initial configuration as shown in
The test fluid dispenser 10 is then repeatedly activated to dispense allotments of fluid from the bottle 36, which causes the bottle 36 to collapse. The volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 as the bottle 36 collapses is measured at various stages of the collapse, such as the stages shown in
Preferably, the testing is then repeated multiple times using multiple test fluid dispensers 10 and multiple collapsible bottles 36, to provide a suitably large data set. The data is then processed to determine the correlation between the volume of fluid contained in the bottle 36 and the distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94. This correlation can then be used to determine the volume of fluid contained in the bottle 36 of a production fluid dispenser 10, without requiring the volume of fluid to be directly measured, by applying the correlation to the distance 96 as measured by the sensor 24.
An exemplary method of using the fluid dispenser 10 will now be described with reference to
To dispense an allotment of the fluid from the dispenser 10, a user's hand is placed under the fluid outlet 34. The proximity sensor detects the user's hand, which triggers the motor to activate the fluid pump 16. This process is repeated for each user that requires a dose of the fluid. As the fluid is dispensed from the bottle 36, the bottle 36 collapses as shown in
The time of flight sensor 24 periodically measures the distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 of the rear wall 44 of the bottle 36, and transmits the measurement data to the processor 100 for processing. The sensor 24 may, for example, be configured to measure the distance 96 every time the fluid pump 16 is activated. This could be done by measuring the distance 96 immediately after the user's hand is detected below the fluid outlet 34, but before the fluid pump 16 is activated, or by measuring the distance 96 immediately after each activation of the pump 16. The sensor 24 could also be configured to measure the distance 96 at preset time intervals, such as every minute or every hour.
When the measurement data is received from the sensor 24, the processor 100 applies the known correlation between the distance 96 and the volume of fluid contained in the bottle 36 to calculate the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36. This information is then sent to the memory 102 for storage. The information may also, for example, be periodically transmitted by the wireless transmitter 104 to a server, where it can be compiled with data received from other dispensers 10, monitored for hand hygiene compliance purposes, made available for remote viewing, or used for any other desired purpose.
Optionally, the processor 100 is configured to determine when the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 falls below a preselected threshold. The preselected threshold could, for example, be set at 25% fluid remaining, 10% fluid remaining, 5% fluid remaining, or any other amount that is suitable in the circumstances. When the processor 100 determines that the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 has fallen below the preselected threshold, the processor 100 sends an activation signal to the LED light 108, which causes the LED light 108 to illuminate. The illuminated LED light 108 acts as a visual indicator 106 indicating to users and/or maintenance staff that the bottle 36 is nearly empty. Maintenance staff are thus able to determine whether the replaceable cartridge 110 needs to be replaced merely by looking to see whether the LED light 108 is illuminated, without having to remove the cover 12 and visually inspect the bottle 36. In some embodiments, the dispenser 10 may also incorporate a passive infrared motion sensor, not shown, which detects when a person is near the dispenser 10. The passive infrared motion sensor can be used to control the LED light 108 by, for example, only triggering the LED light 108 to be illuminated when motion is detected near the dispenser 10. This can help reduce energy costs by having the LED light 108 turn off when there is no one nearby to see whether it is illuminated. The passive infrared motion sensor may, for example, be located in the back plate 20.
The wireless transmitter 104 can also be used as a notification system 112 for notifying maintenance staff when the replaceable cartridge 110 needs to be replaced. For example, the processor 100 is optionally configured to send a notification alert to be transmitted by the wireless transmitter 104 when the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36 falls below the predetermined threshold. The notification alert may, for example, be in the form of a text message or e-mail that is sent to maintenance staff cell phones and/or computers. The alert may provide information such as the location of the dispenser 10 requiring a new cartridge 110, the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle 36, the type of cartridge 110 that is used in the dispenser 10, and/or the type of fluid that is dispensed from the dispenser 10.
To replace the replaceable cartridge 110, the cover 12 is removed from the housing 14 using a suitable tool. The replaceable cartridge 110 can then be removed from the pump engagement body 22 by sliding the replaceable cartridge 110 horizontally forwardly. The replaceable cartridge 110 can then be disposed of, and a new replaceable cartridge 110, with the bottle 36 completely filled with hand cleaning fluid and in the initial configuration, can be coupled to the housing 14. Once the new replaceable cartridge 110 is coupled to the housing 14, the cover 12 is placed back onto the housing 14 and the dispenser 10 is ready to continue dispensing fluid.
Optionally, the collapsible bottle 36 of the present invention may be produced by a blow molding process as described below. In a first stage of the process, a suitable material such as polyethylene or another polymer is melted, and the molten material is formed into a cylindrical preform 114 by injection molding, or by any other suitable process as known in the art. The preform 114 may, for example, have the shape and configuration as shown in
The blow molding process allows the rear wall 44 to be made thinner than the front wall 42, the right side wall 50, and the left side wall 52. In particular, the thickness of the preform wall 116 decreases as it expands radially outwardly from the axis 38. Because the rear wall 44 is further from the axis 44 than the front wall 42, the right side wall 50, and the left side wall 52, as can be seen in
The collapsible bottle 36 of the present invention could also be produced by any other suitable process, including by extrusion blow molding. In an extrusion blow molding process, a hot tube of a suitable polymer, called a parison, is extruded and captured by a cooled mold. Air is then blown into the parison, inflating it into the shape of the bottle 36. As with the injection blow molding process described above, in an extrusion blow molding process the rear wall 44 can also be made thinner than the front wall 42, the right side wall 50, and the left side wall 52, by positioning the rear wall 44 further from the axis 38 than the front wall 42, the right side wall 50, and the left side wall 52.
Reference is now made to
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A collapsible bottle 36 in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in
The collapsible bottle 36 shown in
Each of the embodiments shown in
Each of the embodiments shown in
Each of the embodiments shown in
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
The fluid dispenser 10 is not limited to the particular construction shown and described herein. For example, the fluid dispenser 10 could be designed for manual operation rather than automatic operation. The fluid dispenser 10 could also be configured to dispense fluid from an upwardly oriented bottle 36 instead of a downwardly oriented bottle 36, with the bottle 36 having the same construction or a different construction from that shown in the drawings. The bottle 36 could have any suitable construction that collapses in a predictable manner, and is not limited to the particular embodiments shown. For example, the bottle 36 could be designed so that the front wall 42, the rear wall 44, the bottom wall 46, the top wall 48, the right side wall 50, and/or the left side wall 52 deform to a greater or lesser extent, and with a different order and/or pattern of movement, from that described in the preferred embodiments. The bottle 36 could incorporate any suitable structure or combination of structures that provide a predictable pattern of collapse. For example, in an alternative embodiment the bottle 36 could have a bellow shaped back region that allows the rear wall 44 to move towards the axis 38 as the bellow collapses. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention include a groove 62 and/or a rib 126, these reinforcement structures 64 are not necessary in all embodiments of the invention. Nor is the convex shape of the rear wall 44 necessary in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the rear wall 44 could have a flat or concave shape. The rear wall 44 could also have a convex shape that differs from that shown in the drawings. For example, the rear wall 44 could have a convex shape when viewed from above rather than from the side, or could have a convex shape when viewed both from above and from the side. Nor is it strictly necessary for the rear wall 44 to be further from the axis 38 and/or thinner than the front wall 42.
The sensor 24 could also be located at a different position than that shown in the drawings. For example, for bottles 36 having a collapse pattern in which the top wall 48 moves first and to the greatest extent, the sensor 24 could be positioned at the top of the cover 12 facing vertically downwardly towards the top wall 48. Any positioning and/or orientation of the sensor 24 that is suitable for a given dispenser 10 construction and bottle 36 construction may be selected. The dispenser 10 could also be provided with more than two time of flight sensors 24, 118, with for example each time of flight sensor 24, 118 measuring the distance to a different wall 42, 44, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 of the bottle 36, and/or to a different portion of the same wall 42, 44, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56. Any type of sensor 24, 118 that provides a suitably accurate distance measurement could be used, and the invention is not limited to time of flight sensors 24, 118 as described in the preferred embodiments.
Optionally, the measurement data from the sensor 24 may be used to determine whether there is a replaceable cartridge 110 coupled to the housing 14, and/or whether the replaceable cartridge 110 has been installed correctly. For example, if there is no replaceable cartridge 110 coupled to the housing 14, then the sensor 24 will detect the distance between the sensor 24 and the cover 12, which will be much greater than the expected distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 of the rear wall 44. This large distance measurement can be interpreted by the processor 100 as indicating that there is no replaceable cartridge 110 coupled to the housing 14, and this information can be conveyed to maintenance staff by, for example, illuminating the LED light 108 or sending an notification alert via the notification system 112. Likewise, if the replaceable cartridge 110 has been installed incorrectly, for example by placing the rear wall 44 facing forwards and the front wall 42 facing backwards, then the sensor 24 will detect a distance that is different than the expected distance 96 between the sensor 24 and the outer surface 94 of the rear wall 44. This unexpected distance measurement can be interpreted by the processor 100 as indicating that the replaceable cartridge 110 has been installed incorrectly, and the processor 100 can notify maintenance staff by, for example, illuminating the LED light 108 or sending an notification alert via the notification system 112.
The fluid dispenser 10 does not necessarily need to have a processor 100, a memory 102, a wireless transmitter 104, a visual indicator 106, an LED light 108, and/or a notification system 112. For example, the fluid dispenser 10 could be configured to transmit the measurement data from the sensor 24 directly to an external computer, for example through a wired connection or the like, and all processing and interpretation of the data could be done by the external computer. Other types of visual indicators 106, such as electronic display screens or the like, could also be used.
Although the fluid is preferably a hand cleaning fluid, such as hand soap, hand disinfectant or hand sanitizer, the dispenser 10 could be used to dispense other fluids as well. The term “fluid” as used herein includes any flowable substance, including liquids, foams, emulsions, and dispersions.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16944096 | Jul 2020 | US |
| Child | 17728251 | US |
