SOLID SOAP DISPENSER

Abstract

The invention relates to a solid soap dispenser, comprising a housing with a housing cover and an outlet opening, a grating device for grating a solid soap, and a conveying device for conveying a solid soap in the direction of the grating device. The conveying device and the grating device are situated inside the housing, and the grating device is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening.

Description

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of European Patent Application No. 23215608.3, filed Dec. 11, 2023, which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a solid soap dispenser, comprising a housing with a housing cover and an outlet opening, a grating device for grating a solid soap, and a conveying device for conveying a solid soap in the direction of the grating device, wherein the conveying device and the grating device are situated inside the housing, and the grating device is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This type of solid soap dispenser is previously known from GB 658 448 A. In addition, reference is made to DE 20 2021 003 799 U1, DE 10 2022 116 669 B3, and DE 186 5232 U.

Dispensers for liquid shampoo, provided primarily in the hotel sector, are previously known in various designs from the prior art, and are usually mounted directly on the wall or on devices at the wall. In the private sector, soap dispensers are often used as a freestanding model at the sink.

One drawback of the known soap dispensers or shampoo dispensers containing liquid shampoo, which are usually wall-mounted, on the one hand is that their product container is made of a flexible plastic, and pressing the container releases an unspecified amount of the liquid soap. On the other hand, there are also dispenser systems with nonflexible, solid container materials, usually likewise made of plastic, which are provided with a dispenser pump. Pressing on the dispenser pump provides at least a better dosable delivery of the liquid contents.

However, these dispensers share the common feature that the usage of the liquid soap is still difficult to control or is often excessive, and therefore in particular in the hotel sector may result in high costs due to the considerable provision of materials and services.

A further drawback of such liquid soap dispensers compared to solid soap dispensers is the higher required usage rate of liquid soap, since due to the necessary admixture with water the liquid soap has a much higher volume than a comparable solid soap with respect to the soap essence that is present. In addition, known dispenser systems are predominantly made of plastic, which at least for replacement or disposal of the product is not very sustainable, in particular with regard to the well-known environmental problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art and the resulting drawbacks, the object of the invention described herein is to provide a solid soap dispenser, via which in particular the stated drawbacks of the prior art are remedied.

This object is achieved by a solid soap dispenser according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the solid soap dispenser according to the invention may be inferred from the dependent claims.

The invention described here involves a solid soap dispenser, comprising a housing with a housing cover and an outlet opening, a grating device for grating a solid soap, and a conveying device for conveying a solid soap in the direction of the grating device, wherein the conveying device and the grating device are situated inside the housing, and the grating device is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening. The solid soap dispenser according to the invention is characterized in that the conveying device is made up of a threaded spindle and a feed plate resting on the threaded spindle, wherein the threaded spindle opens into the grating device, and the grating device is in operative connection with an actuating element for actuating the grating device, wherein upon actuation of the actuating element the threaded spindle is rotatable and the feed plate is displaceable along the threaded spindle, and the threaded spindle has a connecting element at both ends for connecting the threaded spindle to the grating device.

Due to the cooperation of the actuating element and the grating device with the threaded spindle and the feed plate resting thereon, solid soap that is present below the feed plate and introduced into the conveying device may be conveyed in the direction of the grating device. In the longitudinal section, the solid soap that is introduced has a recess or borehole, extending in the midpoint, for the threaded spindle.

When the solid soap is fully depleted, the feed plate is situated at the grating device. To allow the solid soap dispenser to now be refilled with solid soap, it was previously necessary in the prior art to displace the feed plate at the free end of the threaded spindle. This could take place, for example, by rotating the threaded spindle in the opposite direction or by removing and manually displacing the feed plate. Since this involves considerable effort, in particular in the hotel sector, in which several hundred soap dispensers may possibly have to be changed daily, for the solid soap dispenser described here it is therefore proposed that the threaded spindle has a connecting element at each free end. This connecting element connects the conveying device to the grating device. Since according to the invention such a connecting element is present at both ends of the threaded spindle, after the feed plate is completely displaced at one end of the threaded spindle and the housing cover is removed from the housing of the solid soap dispenser, a person may easily remove and rotate the threaded spindle, fit it with a new piece of solid soap provided with a longitudinal borehole, and subsequently reconnect it to the grating device by means of the connecting element.

In one conceivable embodiment of the connecting element, this may be a recess at the threaded spindle which is complementary to the grating device, so that the threaded spindle is merely inserted into a groove in the grating device, for example. However, other complementary types of connection are conceivable, in particular those according to the key-lock principle, which may be separated from one another without great effort.

To allow a specified position of the solid soap within the housing to be ensured and to prevent undesirable tilting or twisting of the solid soap, in one advantageous embodiment the invention provides that the conveying device is accommodated in a guide device having at least one guide element, via which entrained movement or tilting of the solid soap within the housing or along the threaded spindle upon actuation of the actuating element and grating of the solid soap at the grating device is prevented. The guide device itself is preferably designed in the form of an enclosure within the solid soap dispenser housing. The guide device advantageously has a one-piece design, and is particularly preferably manufactured using an injection molding process. In addition, it is advantageous for the guide device to be made of a transparent plastic, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylic, polystyrene, or polycarbonate.

As the guide element for the guide device, it is possible to use at least one projecting rib that tilts or blocks the solid soap at one side, or that engages with a recess that is present for this purpose at the solid soap. In one simple embodiment, this projecting rib may be situated directly at the inner side of the housing of the solid soap dispenser. The recesses of the solid soap and the guide elements of the guide device are particularly preferably coordinated with one another, so that no other solid soap is usable with the guide device. It is thus possible, for example, to prevent solid soap that is not intended for the solid soap dispenser from being filled or used, and instead, only a correctly fitting solid soap can be used.

In development of the solid soap dispenser, the applicant has found that with grating devices known from the prior art, differently sized pieces are often broken off from the solid soap, which may result in jamming or blocking of the actuating element, and also do not give the user the impression of quality. In the search for suitable grating devices, the applicant has surprisingly found that by use of a grating device made up of multiple ribs situated at the outlet opening, with the ribs having cutting edges and/or cutting teeth, preferably half moon-shaped cutting teeth, at the side facing in the direction of the housing cover, esthetically pleasing grated soap flakes all in the same size may be reliably dispensed. The ribs are particularly preferably arranged at the midpoint of the housing in a star shape. Multiple triangular interspaces are thus formed, through which the grated soap can fall into the palm of a user. The cutting edges and/or cutting teeth of a rib are particularly preferably offset relative to one another with respect to the cutting edges and/or cutting teeth of a further rib. In this way the entire contact surface of the solid soap may be grated, so that uniform wearing down of the solid soap may be ensured.

The housing of the solid soap dispenser may be made of metal or plastic, preferably recycled plastic, so that the soap dispenser is robust and durable; when metal is used, this also gives the user the impression of quality, and the soap dispenser may also be appropriately adapted to the particular place of use, for example the shower or the sink. It is also conceivable for the outlet opening to have a funnel shape for guiding the grated soap into the palm of a user, to allow the grated soap that is formed to slide into the palm of the user in a targeted manner. The outlet opening may be integrated into the actuating element. In one preferred embodiment, the actuating element may have locking tabs via which the actuating element is detachably connectable to the housing.

To also allow easy determination of when solid soap must be refilled into the solid soap dispenser, the solid soap dispenser according to the invention may also have a fill level indicator at the housing. This is preferably a fill level indicator with a transparent viewing window that is advantageously situated just in front of the grating device, in this case it being highly preferred for the feed plate to be provided in a signal color, in particular red. When the solid soap is almost fully depleted, the feed plate provided in red is thus situated just in front of the grating device, and can be seen through the transparent viewing window.

The actuating element, which is coupled or operatively connected to the grating device, may preferably be a rotating ring that is situated at the housing and particularly preferably has grip bars. The latter allow secure handling even when the hands of a user are wet, if the solid soap dispenser is to be mounted in a wet space such as the shower. In this regard, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the housing cover has a watertight and theft-proof design. Watertightness may be achieved, for example, by an appropriate elastic seal at the housing cover, which engages with a groove present at the housing. A key lock integrated into the housing cover is one conceivable exemplary embodiment of suitable theft-proofing. However, any other appropriate type of device for theft-proofing or sealing the solid soap dispenser is suitable here.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the housing cover of the solid soap dispenser according to the invention is openable only using a key that is specifically adapted to the solid soap dispenser. The key has a shape that is adapted to the housing, and has an engagement element that engages with a recess provided at the housing, as a result of which the housing cover may be rotated from the closed position into an open position.

To also allow use at frequently used premises, such as sanitary facilities at train stations, airports, or just hotels, for hygienic reasons it is meaningful to avoid mechanical actuation of the actuating element by a user. Therefore, in a further advantageous embodiment the invention provides that an electric motor that is data-linked to a motion sensor situated at the outlet opening is associated with the grating device, so that upon triggering of the motion sensor, the electric motor is activated by the motion sensor and the grating device is actuated by the electric motor. However, for esthetic reasons, to also do without laying of possible power cables, the electric motor and the motion sensor may be supplied with power by batteries and/or accumulators. These may, for example, be integrated into the housing, preferably at one side of the housing or in the housing cover.

Moreover, in a further advantageous embodiment the solid soap dispenser may have a fastening device for fastening the solid soap dispenser to a wall. This fastening device may advantageously be made up of a fastening element situated at the housing, and a suitable bracket, wherein the bracket may be mounted on a wall using customary mounting means, for example screws and dowels.

Lastly, in one advantageous embodiment the invention for the solid soap dispenser provides that the bracket has a support surface for supporting shower articles, for example. The support surface may preferably have an overflow edge to prevent articles placed there from sliding off due to splashing water or from a film of water on the support surface. In addition, the support surface may have a slight inclination toward the wall, via which any water present on the support surface is guided toward the wall, and with a minimum distance from the wall that is particularly preferably present, which may be achieved with an appropriate fastening means, for example, and any excess water is diverted at this passage that is formed.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention in a perspective view from the front,

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from the rear,

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a view from above,

FIG. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 3 in a view from below,

FIG. 5 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 4 in an exploded illustration,

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the conveying device according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the grating device according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view,

FIG. 8 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a bracket for a solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

FIG. 9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a bracket with a support surface for a solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

FIG. 10 shows the bracket with a support surface according to FIG. 9, with the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view from the front,

FIG. 11 shows the bracket with a support surface according to FIG. 9, with the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view from the rear, and

FIG. 12 shows one exemplary embodiment of a key for opening the theft-proof housing cover of the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 5 show one exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser 1 according to the invention in multiple views. The solid soap dispenser 1 has a housing 2 that is closed at the top via a housing cover 3, and has an outlet opening 4 on the bottom side. Also situated at the housing 2 is a fastening element 7 via which the solid soap dispenser 1 may be mounted on a wall, using a bracket 21. An actuating element 17 in the form of a rotating ring having multiple grip bars 18 is situated at the outlet opening 4. By use of this actuating element 17, the grating device 9 may be actuated and the solid soap 10 grated, wherein the solid soap flakes may fall from the outlet opening 4 and into the hand of a user. In the longitudinal section, the solid soap 10 has a recess or borehole, extending in the midpoint, for the threaded spindle 13, as well as two oppositely situated recesses 8 with which the guide elements (not shown) of the guide device 12 engage to prevent twisting of the solid soap 10. In the installed state, one side of the solid soap 10 rests against the feed plate 14, and the opposite side rests against the grating device 9. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment the housing 2 has a viewing window 5 recessed in the housing 2, with a fill level indicator 6. In addition, lock symbols and a bar indicator are situated on the housing cover 3 so that a user may easily identify whether the housing cover 3 is in a closed or open position. To prevent unauthorized opening, the solid soap dispenser 1 is openable only with a specific key 24, shown in FIG. 12. This key has a contour that is complementary to the shape of the solid soap dispenser 1 and the housing cover 3. In addition, the key 24 has an engagement element 25 via which the key 24 can engage with the corresponding complementary recess 26 at the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1 in order to open the housing cover 3. The housing cover 3 cannot be opened without simultaneous engagement with the recess 26 and rotation of the housing cover. Unauthorized opening of the solid soap dispenser 1 is thus prevented.

Situated inside the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1 is the conveying device 11, shown in detail in FIG. 6, which is made up of a threaded spindle 13 with a feed plate 14 mounted thereon. The feed plate 14 has two oppositely situated recesses 15, which in addition to the soap can likewise engage with guide elements (not shown) of the guide device 12 to prevent undesirable twisting of the solid soap 10 or of the feed plate 14. The conveying device 11 opens into the grating device 9 situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening 4. To allow the conveying device 11 to be easily refilled with little manipulation after the solid soap 10 is depleted, the threaded spindle 13 has a connecting element 16 at each end. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this connecting element is a recess at the threaded spindle 13 which engages with a complementary groove 27 at the grating device 9.

FIG. 7 shows the exemplary embodiment of the grating device 9 according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in greater detail. The grating device 9 shown here is made up of multiple ribs 19 arranged in a star shape, and at the midpoint has a recess, in the form of a groove 27, that is complementary with the connecting element 16 of the threaded spindle 13. The groove 27 may be a continuous groove or offset groove 27. On the side directed toward the solid soap 10 or the feed plate 14, the ribs 19 have cutting teeth 20 via which grated soap flakes are removed and obtained upon rotation of the solid soap 10. The cutting teeth 20 of a rib 19 are offset with respect to the cutting teeth 20 of the further ribs 19 situated in front of or behind the rib 19. In this exemplary embodiment, the ribs 19 have either four or five cutting teeth 20, with one rib 19 that has four cutting teeth 20 being followed by a rib having five cutting teeth 20. This achieves uniform removal of the solid soap 10 during grating, since the entire grating surface of the solid soap 10 is grated.

In this exemplary embodiment, the grating device 9 is integrated into the actuating element 17. At the inner side the actuating element 17 has recesses with which the four projecting ribs of the grating device 9 engage, so that the actuating element 17 is in operative connection with the grating device 9. When the actuating element 17, i.e., the rotating ring, is rotated in one of the two rotational directions, the grating device 9 co-rotates in these directions.

In addition, the actuating element 17 has locking tabs, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5, via which the actuating element 17 is detachably connected to the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1. This allows the grating device 9 to be easily replaced when it must be exchanged, for example due to material fatigue. In addition, the inner side of the actuating element 17 may have a conical or funnel-like shape, so that any grated soap flakes formed by the grating device 9 can be guided into the palm of a user in a targeted manner.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show two exemplary embodiments of brackets 21 for the solid soap dispenser 1. The first exemplary embodiment of a bracket 21, shown in FIG. 8, is a simple bracket 21 with two semicircular surfaces, projecting toward the respective end, which may be mounted on a wall using appropriate mounting means, for example screws and dowels. The bracket 21 shown in FIG. 9 also has a support surface 22 on which in particular toiletries or cosmetic articles may be placed. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the combination of the bracket 21 according to FIG. 9 with the solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5, in a perspective view from the front and from the rear, respectively. Since the solid soap dispenser 1 may also be used in wet spaces, the support surface 22 has an overflow edge 23.

A solid soap dispenser is disclosed above, via which simple refilling of solid soap is made possible and which is easy to operate, while at the same time conserving resources.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1 solid soap dispenser
  • 2 housing
  • 3 housing cover
  • 4 outlet opening
  • 5 viewing window
  • 6 fill level indicator
  • 7 fastening element
  • 8 recess
  • 9 grating device
  • 10 solid soap
  • 11 conveying device
  • 12 guide device
  • 13 threaded spindle
  • 14 feed plate
  • 15 recess
  • 16 connecting element
  • 17 actuating element
  • 18 grip bars
  • 19 ribs
  • 20 cutting teeth
  • 21 bracket
  • 22 support surface
  • 23 overflow edge
  • 24 key
  • 25 engagement element
  • 26 recess
  • 27 groove

Claims

1. A solid soap dispenser (1), comprising a housing (2) with a housing cover (3) and an outlet opening (4), a grating device (9) for grating a solid soap (10), and a conveying device (11) for conveying a solid soap (10) in the direction of the grating device (9), wherein the conveying device (11) and the grating device (9) are situated inside the housing (2), and the grating device (9) is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening (4), wherein the conveying device (11) is made up of a threaded spindle (13) and a feed plate (14) resting on the threaded spindle (13), wherein the threaded spindle (13) opens into the grating device (9), and the grating device (9) is in operative connection with an actuating element (17) for actuating the grating device (9), wherein upon actuation of the actuating element (17) the threaded spindle (13) is rotatable and the feed plate (14) is displaceable along the threaded spindle (13),characterized in that the threaded spindle (13) has a connecting element (16) at both ends for connecting the threaded spindle (13) to the grating device (9).

2. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying device (11) is accommodated in a guide device (12), the guide device (12) having at least one guide element via which entrained movement of the solid soap upon actuation of the actuating element (17) is prevented.

3. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one guide element is a projecting rib.

4. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the feed plate (14) has recesses (15) for engagement with the guide element of the guide device (9).

5. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the grating device (9) is made up of multiple ribs (19) situated at the outlet opening (4), with the ribs (19) having cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) at the side facing in the direction of the housing cover (3).

6. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the ribs (19) are arranged at the midpoint of the housing (2) in a star shape.

7. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) of one rib (19) are offset with respect to the cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) of a further rib (19).

8. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (17) has locking tabs for connecting the actuating element to the housing (2).

9. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) has a fill level indicator (6), in particular with a viewing window (5).

10. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (17) is a rotating ring that is situated at the housing (2) and preferably has grip bars (18).

11. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing cover (3) has a watertight and theft-proof design.

12. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that an electric motor that is data-linked to a motion sensor situated at the outlet opening (4) is associated with the grating device (9), so that upon triggering of the motion sensor, the electric motor is activated by the motion sensor and the grating device (9) is actuated by the electric motor.

13. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor and the motion sensor are operated by means of batteries and/or accumulators.

14. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in the solid soap dispenser has a fastening device for fastening the solid soap dispenser (1) to a wall.

15. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 14, characterized in that the fastening device is made up of a fastening element (7) situated at the housing and a complementary bracket (21), wherein the bracket (21) may be mounted on a wall using mounting means.

16. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 15, characterized in that the bracket (21) has a support surface (22) for supporting shower articles, wherein the support surface (22) preferably has an overflow edge (23).