The present invention relates to solution dispensing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to solution dispensing devices that are designed for use with solvents and soaps.
Many cleansing and disinfectant solutions, such as hand sanitizing alcoholic solution or traditional soap, are offered in liquid or aqueous form, and are used together with a dispenser designed to easily allow a user to access a small amount of the solution. Such dispensers are commonly found both in a home environment as well as in a professional or clinical setting. Many such dispensers are configured to release the solution in varied amount, dependent on how far a user depresses a lever.
These devices are not designed for use with a cleaning material, such as paper towel or cosmetic wipes, but rather for dispensation directly onto a user's hand. Further, even if a user wished to use such a dispenser with certain material, such as toilet paper, the amount and method of dispensation of the solution would cause the material to disintegrate, rendering the cleansing properties of the solution useless if the task requires such material.
Further, in some situations where water lines are difficult to run or not worth the effort, for example in a temporary bathroom or an outhouse, cleansing products are hard to use. In some instances, the cleansing product that is used, and intended to be water free, does not clean or remove the necessary bacteria. This means that the bacteria is in fact just being rubbed into the users hands further and not actually killed or removed. Usual dispensers, such as antibacterial soaps, containing 60 percent or more of alcohol, rely on this alcohol to dry quick and not require drying towels such as a paper source. Furthermore, these alcohol derived solution dispensers are not variable, dispensing a said amount of solution. Using alcohol based solutions dries out the skin of the user and unlike this dispenser, is not recommended to be used for a user's buttock. This dispenser is engineered to be used with non-toxic biodegradable solution and paper, eliminating the need for woven wet wipes. This solution is then ground into the user's hands along with contaminates, until dried. This is not the best way to thoroughly clean one's hands, soap solutions with some form of drying towel-material, more thoroughly cleans and decontaminate the user's hands.
Accordingly, a device designed to dispense a measured amount of solution, either on its own or aerated with compressed air, that is configured to be dispensed directly only such a material is desired.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dispensers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a solution dispensing device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wishing to dispense solution directly on a targeted material.
The present system comprises a housing having a solution reservoir therein. An actuator is disposed on the housing and is configured to move between a starting position and a dispensing position. In some embodiments, an air chamber is disposed within the housing. When the actuator is engaged and moved toward the dispensing position, a predetermined amount of solution and air is released into a dispensing passageway and onto a targeted material. As the mixture of air and solution combine, a volume of air bubbles is introduced in order to create a foam product that can be dispensed on certain paper goods, such as toilet paper, without causing the paper good to disintegrate. A trigger is installed within the housing that is configured to only release the solution or solution and air mixture when a surface of the targeted material is detected, ensuring that that correct amount of solution is released only when the targeted material is present.
The solution dispensing device is configured to work with various materials, such as toilet paper, paper towels, cosmetic cleansing pads and diaper wipes. This dispensing device works with demising rolls of paper products. Additionally, various types of solutions may be used with the solution dispensing device, such as traditional soaps, hand sanitizer, and cleansing biodiesel.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the solution dispensing device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
In some embodiments of the solution dispensing device 10, the solution chamber 30 is configured similar to a piston, having a plunger 32 inserted within a housing having an interior volume 34, where the housing has a first inlet 38 and a first outlet 35. The first inlet 38 is in fluid communication with the solution reservoir 24 and is configured to draw solution stored therein into the housing of solution chamber 30 when the actuator 54 moves from a dispensing position to a starting position. The first outlet 35 is fluid communication with a dispensing passageway 36.
A trigger 40 is disposed adjacent to the dispensing passageway 36 and is operably attached thereto. When the actuator 54 is engaged, the trigger 40 is lowered toward a targeted material, such as a paper good source. For example, a toilet paper roll 19 may be suspended below the housing 20 of the solution dispensing device 10. The trigger 40 includes a sensor that is configured to release the contents of the solution chamber 30 when a surface of the targeted material is detected. In one embodiment, the trigger operates as a mechanical sensor. Thus, when the actuator 54 is engaged and the trigger 40 senses the targeted material, the trigger 40 causes the solution chamber 30 to release a predetermined amount of solution onto the targeted material through the dispensing passageway 36 via an exit outlet 42.
In some embodiments, the solution dispensing device 10 further comprises an air chamber 25 comprising a housing having an interior volume 28 with a second outlet 29, where the second outlet 29 is in fluid communication with the dispensing passageway 36. In some embodiments, the air chamber 25 is disposed within the interior volume 24 of the housing 20 of the solution dispensing device 10. In some embodiments, the air chamber 25 is connected to the actuator 54.
In some embodiments, the air chamber 25 is larger than the solution chamber 30. The varying sizes will adjust the air to solution ratio when the solution is pumped from the solution dispensing device 10. The larger the air chamber 25 is in relation to the solution chamber 30, the more bubbles will be created. This will make the solution better suited to be placed on a paper product because the paper product will not dampen entirely and absorb the solution. In one embodiment, the air chamber 25 may be three times larger than the solution chamber 30. In another embodiment, the air chamber 25 is four times larger than the solution chamber 30. In other embodiments, the ratios can change to make the solution of a desired consistency.
In such embodiments, the trigger 40 is configured to release both the predetermined volume of solution from the solution chamber 30 as well as a predetermined volume of air from the air chamber 25 into the mixing passageway 36 when the actuator 54 is engaged and the trigger 40 detects the surface of the targeted material. As the mixture of air and solution combine, air bubbles are introduced in order to create a foam product that can be dispensed on certain paper goods, such as toilet paper, without causing the paper good to disintegrate.
In further embodiments of the solution dispensing device 10, a screen 43 is disposed within the dispensing passageway 36 in order to control the amount and size of air bubbles introduced to the solution. The screen 43 may be provided in various sizes in order to create the most efficient foaming mechanism for various solutions. In other embodiments there are a plurality of screens 43. In one embodiment, the apertures of the screens 43 gradually decrease in size in order to gradually decrease the bubble sizes as the solution is pushed through the screens 43.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, a chamber housing 603 connects the solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25 to the actuator 54. The chamber housing 603 will allow the solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25 to move in concert with the actuator 54. By allowing the solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25 to move within the actuator, it is ensured that the solution is only dispensed at the proper time.
The push button 52 is slidably attached to the top side of the actuator 54. The push button 52 is capable of moving from a resting position to a depressed position. The push button 52 will only be able to enter the depressed position once the actuator 54 is locked into place. The push button 52 is connected to the plunger 26 of the air chamber 25 and the plunger 32 of the solution chamber 30. The connection is done in such a manner that both plungers 26, 32 are pressed at the same time.
Referring now to
In the dispensing position, the trigger 40 will be engaged. The trigger 40 is slidably connected to and positioned partially within the actuator 54. When the actuator 54 is moved to a dispensing position the trigger 40 will, in one embodiment, contact the paper good source 19. In other embodiments, other surfaces may be contacted. When the trigger 40 contacts the paper good source 19, the trigger 40 will be moved further into the actuator 54. This will cause the actuator 54 to become locked in place and not move further. For example,
Once the actuator 54 is locked in place in the dispensing position, the exit outlet 42 will be positioned overtop the paper good source 19. The exit outlet 42 will be located close enough to the paper good source 19 that the solution will be deposited onto the paper good source 19. By creating a foam from the solution, the solution will take longer to sink into the paper good source 19. This means that the integrity of the paper good source will be held intact longer.
Referring now to
The plungers 26, 32 are configured to force the solution and the air from the chambers 25, 30 and into the dispensing passageway 36. There the solution will be infused with the air creating a bubbly foam. The foam will then be forced toward the exit outlet. In some embodiments the solution will pass through a screen as shown and described in
Once the solution is dispensed the push button 52 is released, returning the actuator 54 and the plungers 26, 32 to the original starting position. As the plungers 26, 32 return to the resting position, they draw solution and air into the solution and air chambers 25, 30 respectively. The trigger 40 will further slide out of the actuator 54 and return to the resting position. This will reset the solution dispensing device 10.
Referring now to
The actuator 54 further holds a locking device 901. The locking device 901 is slidably disposed within the actuator 54. The locking device 901 is an elongated bar with an enlarged head 901b. The enlarged head 901b has a set of locking teeth 901a cut therein. The locking teeth 901a are configured to mesh with a set of opposite locking teeth 902 located on the dispensing device 10.
When the trigger 40 is activated, it pushes the locking bar 901 into the actuator 54. The actuator 54 has a block 903 that engages with the enlarged head 901b. The enlarged head 901b will be pushed toward the locking teeth 902 located on the dispensing device 10. The locking teeth 901a located on the enlarged head 901b will engage with the locking teeth 902 located on the dispensing device 10. This will lock the actuator 54 in a dispensing position where it cannot move any further in a dispensing direction.
The solution that may be used with the solution dispensing device 10 can include various soaps or alternative solvents. For example, a B100 biodiesel with solvent cleansing properties may be used within the solution dispensing device 10 and aerated with air, allowing for an effective and environmentally-friendly method of added solvent properties to a targeted material such as a paper good. A regular disinfecting soap can be used in this solution dispenser 10. Measured quantity of solutions with a varying percent of ingredients for varied cleaning purposes, example hand cleaning, countertops such as salmonella, ecoli, example glass and stainless steel. Additional solutions dispensed with this dispenser may contain extreme foaming agents, so as to create a foam lather, with the ability to sit on top of the paper source, and not let water permeate into the paper source for a said period of time. The regular soap will be filled with air and can be used in a manner similar to traditional hand sanitizer. Traditional soaps work better than traditional hand sanitizers in most cases. With this dispenser the soaps will not have to be washed off with water and will be able to be more accommodating and easier to have access to.
Referring now to
Referring now to
A stack of cosmetic cleansing pads 74 are placed below the exit outlet 79 of the mixing passageway. In some embodiments, the cosmetic cleansing pads 74 are placed directly above a spring 80 that is configured to bias them toward the exit outlet 79. In operation, a user engages the actuator 78 to release the solution onto the cleansing pad 74. In some embodiments, the cleansing pads include reinforced pads, allowing for extended use even when impregnated with solution dispensed thereon. Additional embodiments include solution dispensing devices adapted for use with diaper wipes in the place of cosmetic cleansing pads.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The enclosed paper dispenser 1101 further includes a spring 1104 and a base plate 1105. The spring 1104 is connected to a sidewall 1002 at one end. The spring 1104 is connected to the base plate 1105 at the second end. The spring 1105 is configured to be compressed and apply pressure to the base plate 1105 away from the side wall 1002. This will allow a user to insert cleaning pads and have them pushed towards the opening between the front plate 1103 and the base 1001.
At one end of the interior volume of the housing is a dispenser. In one embodiment there is an interior wall 1106 that separates the dispenser components from the rest of the interior volume creating a dispenser compartment. The interior wall 1106 is attached to the sidewalls 1002 and the base 1001. In the embodiment where the lid is in two parts the short part 1003b covers the dispenser compartment. The dispenser located within the housing is essentially the same as the dispenser of
The dispenser mechanism includes a solution reservoir 1107 in fluid communication with the solution chamber 30. There is further an air chamber 25. There is a hose that connects the solution chamber 30 to the air chamber 25 and then continues out of the bottom of the dispenser via an opening 1108. The activation button 52 is located through the interior wall 1106 and is in contact with the top of the solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25. When the activation button 52 is pressed, the solution will be dispensed. In other embodiments various different components are added or removed to match the above described dispensers.
Referring now to
At an edge of the housing there is a dispenser compartment 1204. The dispenser compartment 1204 will house a solution dispensing assembly. In one embodiment the dispenser compartment 1204 is separated from the interior volume by an interior wall 1205. This will prevent the contents of the interior volume from damaging the dispenser assembly.
Referring now to
The dispenser assembly is comprised of a push button 1301. The push button is configured to be housed within a channel 1302 of the dispenser compartment 1204. The push button 1301 is in contact with a solution chamber 30 and an air chamber 25. When pushed, the push button 1301 will depress the solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25. There is a solution reservoir 1303 located within the dispenser compartment 1204. The solution reservoir 1303 is in fluid communication within the solution chamber 30. The solution reservoir 1303 allows for the solution chamber 30 to be automatically refilled between each activation cycle of the dispenser.
The solution chamber 30 and the air chamber 25 are in fluid connection with an exit nozzle 1304. When the solution and air are mixed, they create a bubbled substance that then exits the exit nozzle 1304. In one embodiment there are screens that will filter the solution and ensure the solution comes out with the proper consistency.
Referring now to
In one configuration the dispenser assembly 1401 is placed in the housing such that the push button 1301 and channel 1303 are located on the right side of the dispenser. This will allow for a person to easily activate the dispenser using the right thumb. In another configuration the dispenser assembly will be placed in the housing such that the push button 1301 and the channel 1303 are located on the left side of the dispenser. This will allow for a person to easily activate the dispenser using the left thumb. In either configuration the solution will exit the housing using the correct exit nozzle 1304.
Referring now to
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 16/539,323 filed on Aug. 13, 2019 which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/483,021 filed on Apr. 10, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16539323 | Aug 2019 | US |
Child | 16722904 | US | |
Parent | 15483021 | Apr 2017 | US |
Child | 16539323 | US |