Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISPENSER FOR ANTIMICROBIAL LIQUIDS
This is a divisional application of Canadian
Patent Application No. 2,257,592, filed on May 20, 1997.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to product
dispensers, and more particularly to liquid or fluid
dispensers specially adapted to dispense cleansing,
disinfecting or sterilizing products such as antiseptic
soaps, hydroalcoholic solutions, disinfecting lotions,
cleaning solutions and other antimicrobial liquids.
The subject matter of the present divisional
application is directed to a container assembly attachable
to a bracket/actuator assembly comprising a valve assembly
which is movable between a sealed position and a dispense
position.
The subject matter of the parent application was
restricted to a container assembly attachable to a
bracket/actuator assembly by means of a pair of channels
which align the driven surface of a pump with the actuator.
However, it should be understood that the expression "the
invention" and the like, when used herein, encompass the
subject matter of both the parent and this divisional
application.
BACKGROUND
In food processing establishments, surgical
centers, physician and dental offices, hospitals and other
healthcare facilities, contamination of objects (e. g. hands)
with infectious or other deleterious materials is a
significant problem. The use of a contaminated object (e. g.
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a surgeon's hand) in such environments can be a serious
problem.
To address the problems associated with the spread
of bacteria and microorganisms, the art has developed a
variety of dispensers adapted to provide products for
cleaning, disinfecting and potentially even sterilizing
objects. For example, antiseptic preparation of a surgeon's
hands conventionally includes a prolonged hand and lower arm
scrubbing with an antimicrobial soap. The antimicrobial
soap is typically dispensed from a liquid soap dispenser
mounted near a scrub sink. To resist contamination,
antimicrobial soap dispensers are designed to be operated
without hand contact by mechanical, pneumatic or
electromechanical means.
The contamination problem extends not just to the
objects to be cleaned but to the external and internal
portions of dispensers themselves. Contamination
accumulation over time is a problem to be addressed for each
object left in a room over time. U.S. Patent No. 3,203,597
discloses a surgical soap dispenser which includes a complex
bracket/actuator assembly and a bottle/pump assembly. The
entire fluid (soap) path is provided in the bottle/pump
assembly. The bottle/pump assembly is disposable in order
to resist contamination build up in the fluid path.
However, the bracket/actuator assembly is intended to be
reusable and must itself be cleaned and disinfected. The
bracket/actuator assembly comprises a complex structure
including
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keyways and cam surfaces. This complex structure may tend to collect debris
and
make it very difficult to clean.
Set up and maintenance of a dispenser are also affected by the contamination
problem. Dispensers which require excessive handling during set up or
maintenance
increase the risk of contamination by the person preparing or maintaining the
dispenser. For example, refillable bottles of soap with a threaded cap
structure require
personnel to rotate the cap relative to the rest of the dispenser for several
revolutions.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,667,854; 4,921,131; 4,946,070; 4,946,0721 and 5,156,300
disclose
various dispensers which appear more difficult to set up and maintain than the
present
invention. Those patents disclose dispensers which include doors, flaps or
covers
which are opened and closed. Some of those dispensers include refill elements
which
are carefully placed in position to avoid dispenser malfunction. In U. S.
Patent No.
3,203,597, the entire refill bottle must be rotated ninety degrees so that a
flange on a
piston may be received in a slot in an actuator assembly. Dispensers which are
complicated to set up or maintain increase the risk of improper set up due to
operator
error with the attendant risk of unsatisfactory dispenser performance or
malfunction.
Problems are also associated with the storage, transportation, handling and
shipping of prior art dispensers which include valve and pump means. For
example, in
U.S. Fateni No. 3,203,597, a pump mechanism projects from the end of a soap
2 0 container. Care needs to be taken that the pump mechanism is not
inadvertently
actuated during storage, transportation, handling and shipping of the soap
container.
The art has developed articles such as caps and removable inserts which are
designed
to prevent inadvertent actuation of the dispenser prior to use by the intended
user.
However, these additional articles tend to complicate set up of the dispenser
and may
2 5 also add cost to the dispenser.
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SUMMARY OF THE nNVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a container assembly for
a
product dispenser which ( 1 ) afl'ords Quick, convenient set up, refill and
maintenance
without requiring excessive user handling, (Z) is easily cleaned, (3) reduces
opportunities for contamination build up in its product path, (4) may
optionally provide
precise, repeatable metered amounts of product, regardless of the volume of
product in
a reservoir, (5) has a low profile, (6) optionally includes a novel nozzle for
reducing
dripping, waste, drying and clogging, (7) may be actuated without hand contact
to
avoid contamination due to actuation, and (8) includes container and
brackedactuator
I 0 assemblies and an attachment mechanism which automatically aligns elements
of the
container and bracket/actuator assemblies without the need for excessive
handling.
According to the present invernion, there is provided a container assembly
that
is attachable to a bracket/actuator assembly. The bracketlactuator assembly
has a
movable actuator and a pair of mounting flanges. The actuator is movable
between a
retracted position which affords attachment of the container assembly to the
bracket/actuator assembly and an extended position that is spaced from the
retracted
position. The container assembly comprises a reservoir for holding product to
be
dispensed, an outlet sized and shaped to afford passage of product to be
dispensed,
and a pump that is operatively associated with the actuator. The pump includes
a
2 0 driven surface for receiving the actuator. The driven surface is adapted
to be driven
by the actuator when the actuator moves from the retracted to the extended
position.
The container assembly also includes a pair of channels which are sized and
shaped to cooperatively receive the mounting flanges of the bracket/actuator
assembly
to attach the container assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly and to align
the
2 5 driven surface of the pump with the actuator when the container assembly
is attached
to the bracket/actuator assembly. The container assembly is attachable to the
bracket/actuator assembly in a vertically downward direction. The channels of
the
bracket/actuator assembly are elongate and situated so that they taper toward
each
other in the direction of attachment so that the driven surface of the pump is
guided
3 0 into a predetermined orientation relative to the actuator upon attachment
of the
container assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly.
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The container assembly includes a valve assembly
having inner surfaces. The inner surfaces receive the pump
and define a pump chamber. The valve assembly also has
outer surfaces including sealing surfaces for sealing the
reservoir, and grasping surfaces that are sized and shaped
to be manually grasped. The valve assembly also includes
the outlet. Surfaces extend between the inner and outer
surfaces to define a fill hole for the pump chamber. The
valve assembly is adapted to move between a sealed position
with the sealing surfaces sealing the pump chamber from the
reservoir, and a dispense position with the fill hole
affording passage of the product from the reservoir to the
pump chamber.
Alternatively, the present invention may be viewed
as a unique method of dispensing product.
According to one aspect of the invention of the
parent application, there is provided a container assembly
attachable to a bracket/actuator assembly having a movable
actuator and a pair of mounting flanges; said container
assembly comprising: a reservoir for holding product to be
dispensed, an outlet sized and shaped to afford passage of
product to be dispensed; a pump, operatively associated with
the actuator, for pumping the product through the outlet,
the pump including a driven surface for receiving the
actuator; a pair of channels which are sized and shaped to
cooperatively receive the mounting flanges of the
bracket/actuator assembly to attach the container assembly
to the bracket/actuator assembly and to align the driven
surface of the pump with the actuator when the container
assembly is attached to the bracket/actuator assembly;
wherein the container assembly is attachable to the
bracket/actuator assembly in a vertically downward
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direction; and the channels are elongate and situated so
that they taper toward each other in the direction of
attachment so that the driven surface of the pump is guided
into a predetermined orientation relative to the actuator
upon attachment of the container assembly to the
bracket/actuator assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention of
the parent application, there is provided a method of using
a disposable container assembly which is attachable to a
bracket/actuator assembly having a movable actuator and a
pair of mounting flanges; the method comprising the steps
of: a) providing the container assembly including: a
reservoir for holding product to be dispensed, an outlet
sized and shaped to afford passage of product to be
dispensed; a pump, operatively associated with the actuator,
for pumping the product through the outlet, the pump
including a driven surface for receiving the actuator; a
pair of channels which taper toward each other and which are
sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the mounting
flanges of the bracket/actuator assembly; and b) attaching
the container assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly and
substantially simultaneously aligning the driven surface of
the pump with the actuator by moving the container assembly
in a substantially vertically downward direction relative to
the bracket/actuator assembly until the channels engage the
mounting flanges.
According to yet another aspect of the invention
of the parent application, there is provided a dispenser for
product comprising: a bracket/actuator assembly having a
movable actuator; a container assembly comprising: a
reservoir for holding the product to be dispensed, an outlet
sized and shaped to afford passage of product to be
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dispensed; a pump, operatively associated with the actuator,
for pumping the product through the outlet, the pump
including a driven surface for receiving the actuator;
attachment and alignment means for attaching the container
assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly and for
automatically aligning the driven surface of the pump with
the actuator during attachment of the container assembly to
the bracket/actuator assembly; wherein said attachment and
alignment means comprises a pair of inwardly directed
mounting flanges on one of said bracket/actuator and
container assemblies and surfaces for engaging said flanges
on the other of said assemblies; and wherein the attachment
and alignment means affords attachment of said container
assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly in a vertically
downward direction.
According to one aspect of the invention of the
present divisional application, there is provided a
container assembly attachable to a bracket/actuator assembly
having an actuator movable between a retracted position
which affords attachment of the container assembly to the
bracket/actuator assembly and an extended position spaced
from the retracted position; said container assembly
comprising: a reservoir for holding product to be dispensed,
a pump for pumping the product, the pump including a driven
surface for receiving the actuator and being driven by the
actuator when the actuator moves from the retracted to the
extended position; a valve assembly having inner surfaces
adapted to receive the pump and to define a pump chamber,
outer surfaces including sealing surfaces for sealing the
reservoir, grasping surfaces that are sized and shaped to be
manually grasped, an outlet sized and shaped to afford
passage of product to be dispensed; and surfaces extending
between said inner and outer surfaces to define a fill hole;
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and wherein the valve assembly is movable between a sealed
position with the sealing surfaces sealing the pump chamber
from the reservoir, and a dispense position with the fill
hole affording passage of the product from the reservoir t
the pump chamber.
According to one aspect of the invention of the
present divisional application, there is provided a method
of using a container assembly that is attachable to a
bracket/actuator assembly having an actuator movable between
a retracted position which affords attachment of the
container assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly and an
extended position spaced from the retracted position; the
method comprising the steps of: a) providing the container
assembly including a reservoir for holding product to be
dispensed, a pump for pumping the product, the pump
including a driven surface for receiving the actuator and
being driven by the actuator when the actuator moves from
the retracted to the extended position; a valve assembly
having inner surfaces adapted to receive the pump and to
define a pump chamber, outer surfaces including sealing
surfaces for sealing the reservoir, grasping surfaces that
are sized and shaped to be manually grasped, an outlet sized
and shaped to afford passage of product to be dispensed; and
surfaces extending between said inner and outer surfaces to
define a fill hole; b) moving the valve assembly from a
sealed position with the sealing surfaces sealing the pump
chamber from the reservoir, to a dispense position with the
fill hole affording passage of the product from the
reservoir to the pump chamber; c) attaching the container
assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly; and d) moving the
valve assembly from the sealed position to the dispense
position.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention will be further descn'bed with reference to the
accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in
the several
views, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container assembly attached to a
bracket/actuator assembly, with a foot actuated pneumatic bladder pump shown
in
phantom lines-,
Figure 2 is a front view of the container and bracket/actuator assemblies of
Figwe 1 with the foot actuated pneumatic bladder pump omitted and with a valve
lo' ~mbly shown is a sealed position;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container assembly separated from the
bracket/actuator assembly which illustrates the direction of attachment ~of
the container
assembly onto the bracket assembly;
Figure 4 is a right side view of the container and bracket/actuator assemblies
15 shown in Fgure 2, with the valve assembly shown in a dispense position;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the container assembly,
Figure 6 is a right side view of Figure 2, with the bracket/actuator assembly
omitted to illustrate details of the container assembly,
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assembly;
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Figure 8 is a bottom view of the container assembly;
Figure 9 is a rear view of the container assembly;
Figure I O is a front view of a reservoir for holding product to be dispensed
which forms a portion of the container assembly;
Figure 11 is a side view of the reservoir of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a top view of a cover which forms a portion of the container
assembly;
Figure 13 is a cross-section view of the cover taken substantially along
section
lines 13-13 in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a cross-section view of the cover taken substantially along
section
Iines 14-14 in Figure 12;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a plug which forms a portion of the
container
assembly;
Figure 16 is a cross-section view of the plug of Figure 15 taken substantially
along section lines 16-16 in Figure 15, with an insert removed to illustrate
other details
of the plug;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a spool element for use in the container
assembly;
Figure 18 is a cross-section view of the spool element of Figure 17 taken
2 0 substantially along section lines I 8-I 8 in Figure I7;
Figure 19 is a side view of a piston for use in a pump in the container
assembly;
Figure 20 is a cross-section view of the piston of figure 19 taken
substantially
along section lines 20-20 in Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a side view of a fle~n'ble, resilient member for use in the
container
2 5 assembly;
Figure 22 is a perspective view of a retaining element for use in the
container
assembly;
Figure 23 is a cross-section view of the retaining element of Figure 22 taken
along section lines 23-23 in Figure 22;
3 0 Figure 24 is a front view of the bracket/actuator assembly of Figure 1
with the
container assembly and foot actuated pneumatic bladder pump omitted;
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Figure 25 is a side view of the bracket/actuator assembly of ~guire 24 with
portions broken away to schematically illustrate internal elements of the
bracketlactuator assembly, and with an actuator shown in a retracted position
with
solid lines and in an extended position with phantom lines;
Figures 26 through 30 are cross-section views of portions of the container
assembly which sequentially illustrate the operation of the container
asserubly, wherein:
Figure 26 illustrates a piston in a return position and a flexible, resilient
member in a relaxed position;
Figure 27 iDustrates the position of the piston just after the actuator
moves the piston toward an actuated position (with the actuator omitted to
emphasize
other details) and a displaced sealing position of the flexible, resilient
member, with the
direction of the piston movement illustrated with an arrow;
Figure 28 illustrates piston as it moves further toward the actuated
position, and the flexible resilient member in a deflected, dispense position
which
affords dispensing of the product to be dispensed through an outlet in the
valve
assembly, with the direction of the piston movement illustrated with an arrow;
Figure 29 illustrates the piston in the actuated posi'on, and the flexible,
resilient member returned to the displaced sealing position, with the flow of
air into the
reservoir illustrated with arrows; and
2 0 Figure 30 illustrates the piston on a return stroke from the actuated
position
toward the return position, the flexible, resilient member returned to the
relaxed
position, and the ball of a ball valve displaced to afford flow of product
from the
reservoir into a pump chamber, with the flow of the product from the reservoir
into
pump chamber illustrated with arrows, and with the direction of the piston
movement
2 5 illustrated with an arrow.
DETA».ED DES,S;RIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention is directed to a dispenser 30 (or
30 components thereof ) for dispensing product. The dispenser 30 comprises a
container
assembly 32 (Figure 3) which is removably attachable to a bracket/actuator
assembly
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34. The bracket/actuator assembly 34 includes an actuator 196 that is movable
between a retracted position (see Figure 3, Figure 25, solid lines) which
affords
attachment of the container assembly 32 to the bracket/actuator assembly 34
and an
extended position (Figure 25, dashed lines). The bracket/actuator assembly 34
also
includes a pair of inwardly directed mounting flanges 200 and 202 which will
be
described in greater detail below.
The container assembly 32 includes a reservoir for holding product to be
dispensed. The dispenser 30 is particularly suitable for dispensing cleansing,
disinfecting or sterilizing liquids, fluids, compositions or solutions, such
as antiseptic
soaps, hydroalcoholic solutions, disinfecting lotions, cleaning solutions and
other
antimicrobial liquids. For example, the product may comprise the compositions
described in PCT Publication No. WO/97100667 and PCT Publication No.
WO/97/00668. While the dispenser 30 is particularly suitable for dispensing
antimicrobial liquids that include volatile active ingredients, many other
compositions
may be dispensed from the dispenser 30. Preferably, the reservoir is provided
by bottle
36 which is shown in Figures 10 and 11.
The actuator 196 of the bracketlactuator assembly 34 is preferably controlled
without hand or arm contact with the dispenser 30 to reduce the risk of
contamination
due to actuation of the dispenser 30. For example, Figure 1 illustrates a foot
actuated
2 0 pneumatic bladder pump 220 with an air hose 221 adapted to be connected to
port
214. The bladder pump 220 may optionally be used to move the actuator 196 from
the retracted position to the extended position by delivering pneumatic
pressure to the
bracketlactuator assembly 34 when depressed by the operator. Alternatively, a
wide
variety of structures may be used to operate the bracketlactuator assembly 34
without
2 5 hand contact. To activate the dispenser 30, a wide variety of devices may
be used
which are designed to engage a user's foot, knee, elbow or even the user's
hand.
Optionally, an electronic eye may be used to activate the dispenser 30.
Additionally, a
wide variety of devices may be used to propel the actuator 196 between the
retracted
and extended position. For example, the actuator 196 may be propelled by a
fluid (e.g.
3 0 pneumatic or hydraulic), a mechanical device, an electromechanical device
or an
electro/fluid device. Examples of fluid driven devices include molded bulbs,
bladders,
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bellows and cylinders. Examples of mechanical devices include linkages, cables
and
foot pedals. Electromechanical devices include motors and solenoids with and
without
mechanical linkages. An example of an electrofluid device includes an electric
compressor.
The container assembly 32 includes a valve assembly (described in greater
detail below) which includes an outlet 42 that is sized and shaped to afford
passage of
product to be dispensed (e.g. a circular opening with a diameter of about
0.094
inches), and a pump that is operatively associated with the actuator 196 to
dispense
product through the outlet 42.
I 0 Preferably, the pump for the dispenser 30 comprises a constant volume pump
adapted to deliver reproducible, metered amounts of the product regardless of
the
product volume (e.g. fluid level) in the reservoir. The pump comprises a
piston 98
which includes a driven means in the form of driven surfaces 164 for receiving
the
actuator 196. More preferably, the pump is capable of delivering a precise
volume
with each actuation. This feature is particularly preferred if the dispenser
30 is utilized
to deliver a product whose efficacy, performance or effectiveness is dependent
upon
the volume delivered to the user. Controlling the volume of product delivered
by the
dispenser 30 also helps ensure that product is not wasted. Alternatively, the
dispenser
30 may function with a pump that varies the volume of product delivered.
2 0 The container assembly 32 includes a pair of channels 138 and 140 which
are
sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the mounting flanges 200 and 202 of
the
bracket/actuator assembly 34 to attach the container assembly 32 to the
bracket/actuator assembly 34 and to align the driven surfaces 164 of the
piston 98 with
the actuator 196 when the container assembly 32 is attached to the
bracket/actuator
2 5 assembly 34. Engagement between the mounting flanges 200 and 202 and the
channels 138 and 140 not only attaches the container assembly 32 to the
bracket/actuator assembly 34, but also properly orients the actuator 196 and
piston 98
to afford proper operation of the dispenser 30.
The container assembly 32 is quickly attachable to the bracket/actuator
30 assembly 34 in a vertically downward direction (see arrows 10 in Figure 3).
Conveniently, to assembly the dispenser 30, the operator may simply drop the
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container assembly 32 into the bracket/actuator assembly so that the flanges
200 and
202 engage the channels 138 and 140. This relatively simple task does not
require
excessive handling with the attendant contamination risks. Set up, maintenance
and
refilling of the dispenser 30 may be rapidly accomplished without the need for
complicated steps or excessive handling.
Preferably, the channels 138 and 140 are elongate and situated to taper toward
each other in the direction of attachment 10 (Figure 3) so that the driven
surfaces 164
of the piston 98 .are automatically guided into a predetermined orientation
relative to
the actuator 196 upon attachment of the container assembly 32 to the
bracketlactuator
assembly 34. Automatic orientation of the driven surfaces 164 and actuator 196
eliminates the need to carefully manipulate those elements into a proper
orientation.
As an example not intended to be limiting, the channels 138 and 140 may be
situated to
form an acute angle of about forty (40) degrees therebetween, and a vertical
height of
about 2.1 inches.
The container assembly 32 preferably includes a substantially planar rear wall
39 which is adapted to abut a substantially planar front housing 192 of the
bracket/actuator assembly 34 when the dispenser 30 is assembled. Should the
operator
so desire, to assemble the dispenser 30, the rear wall 39 may be placed
against the
housing 192, and the container assembly 32 slid downwardly until the flanges
200 and
202 engage the channels 138 and 140.
The container assembly 32 includes a top wall 51, a front wall 53, a pair of
side walls 45 and 47 which taper toward each other in the direction of
attachment, and
a bottom wall 49. Each of the side walls 45 and 47 include one of the channels
138
and 140. Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a bottom, rear portion of the
side wall
47. The channels (e.g. 140) are preferably located in the bottom, rear portion
of a side
wall (e.g. 47).
' The dispenser 30 preferably has surfaces which are substantially free of
sudden
discontinuities to a~'ord ease of cleaning and to reduce the potential for
accumulation
of contaminants on the dispenser 30. The top 51, front 53, side 45 and 47 and
bottom
3 0 49 walls of the container assembly 32 have surfaces which are
substantially free of
sudden discontinuities to afford ease of cleaning. Further, the top, side and
bottom
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walls of the bracket/actuator assembly 34 form a shape that is substantially
identical to
- the shape of the container assembly 32 to provide a dispenser 30 which is
substantially
free of discontinuities. The shape of the dispenser 30 is not a complex
geometry which
contributes to the ease with which the.dispenser 30 may be cleaned.
Preferably, the top 51 and front 53 walls have outer surfaces that are
slightly
curved while the side walls 45 and 47 are substantially flat. As an example
not
intended to be limiting, the front wall may have a radius of about six inches
and the top
wall S I may have a radius of about six inches.
The dispenser 30 is preferably relatively flat so that it presents a low
profile
which reduces the chances of it being inadvertently bumped, dislodged, or
knocked
over. To this end, the container assembly 32 is preferably relatively flat. As
an
example not intended to be limiting, the thickness of the container assembly
32 (the
distance between the rear wall 39 and the front wall 53) should be less than
about two
inches.
Also preferably, the flanges 200 and 202 project inwardly from support arms
201 and 203. The container assembly 32 includes recessed ledges 139 and 141
adjacent the channels 138 and 140. The ledges 139 and 141 are recessed from
the rest
of the side walls 45 and 47 by an amount that is substantially the thickness
of the
support arms 201 and 203 so that there is a substantially flush interface or
junction
2 0 between the container assembly 32 and the bracket actuator assembly 34 to
reduce the
surfaces which may coDect contaminants or which may be difficult to keep
clean.
The channels 138 and 140 each have first ends opening onto the bottom wall
49 and second ends defined by shoulder surfaces 143 and 145 which are adapted
to
engage stop surfaces S of the mounting flanges 200 and 202 and support arms
201 and
2 5 203. Engagement between the stop surfaces S and the shoulder surfaces 143
and 145
terminates the insertion of the container assembly 32 into the
bracket/actuator
assembly at the point where actuator 196 is properly oriented with the driven
surfaces
164 of the piston 98.
The container assembly 32 has a product path between the reservoir and the
3 0 outlet 42. Preferably, the container assembly 32 is disposable and the
product path is
located entirely within the container assembly 32 so that the entire product
path is
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disposed of upon disposal of the container assembly 32. In this manner, the
dispenser
30 avoids accumulation of contaminants within the product path. Alternatively,
however, the container assembly 32 or portions thereof may be reusable.
Within the product path and between the outlet 42 and the reservoir, the
container assembly 32 includes a valve assembly with inner surfaces which
receive the
piston 98 and define a pump chamber 90. The valve assembly includes outer
surfaces
83 including seating surfaces 84 for sealing the reservoir, grasping surfaces
40 (e.g. a
knob) that are sized and shaped to be manually grasped, the outlet 42, and
surfaces
extending between the inner and outer surfaces 83 to define a fill hole 94. As
described in greater detail below, the lmob 40 can be turned to permit or
prohibit flow
of product (e.g. liquid) from the bottle 36 out through nozzle 42.
The valve assembly is mounted within the dispenser 30 for movement between
a sealed position (Figure 2) with the sealing surfaces 84 sealing reservoir
from the
pump chamber 90, and a dispense position (Figures 5 and 26-30) with the fill
hole 94
affording passage of the product from the reservoir to the pump chamber 90. In
the
sealed position, the valve assembly provides a positive seal for the reservoir
which is
particularly convenient for shipping, handling or storage of the container
assembly 32.
In the preferred embodiment of dispenser 30 shown in Figures 26-30, the pump
is a constant volume pump. The piston 98 is mounted within the inner surfaces
of the
2 0 valve assembly for movement between s return position (Figure 26) and an
actuated
position (Figure 29). Movement of the actuator 196 from the retracted to the
extended position causes the actuator 196 to engage the surfaces 164 of the
piston 98
and drive the piston 98 from the return position to the actuated position.
Preferably, a
spring l 00 is mounted within the inner surfaces of the valve assembly to bias
the piston
98 toward the return position. The spring 100 also biases the actuator 196
toward the
retracted position through the piston 98.
The container assembly 32 includes a cover 38 that is adapted to receive the
reservoir. The cover 38 has surfaces defining a passageway 46. Preferably, the
valve
assembly comprises a spool element 52 (Figures 17 and 18) adapted to be
received in
the passageway 46 of the cover 38. The spool element 52 is mounted to rotate
within
the passageway 46 between the sealed and dispense positions.
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The cover 38 includes a main opening 44 adapted to receive the bottle 36. The
passageway 46 has a first end 48 and a second end 50 on opposite faces which
receive
the spool element 52. The axis of the passageway 46 in the cover 38 is
conveniently
oriented perpendicular to the main axis of the disposable container assembly
32. First
54 and second 56 hollow coaxial bosses project perpendicularly from the wall
of the
passageway 46 in the cover 38. The first hollow boss 54 includes a first
opening 58 at
the top and a second opening 60 into the passageway 46. The second hollow boss
56
includes an opening 62 at the top that is adapted to be connected to the
bottle 36. The
cover 38 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as, but not
limited to
high density polyethylene.
In addition to the product fill hole 94, the spool element 52 preferably
includes
a vent hole 96 which affords passage of replacement air into the reservoir:
The vent
hole 96 in the spool element 52 is a port for the aspiration of replacement
air into the
bottle 36.
The reservoir includes a plug 64 having first 76 and second 78 passageways.
The first passageway 76 affords passage of product from the reservoir to the
pump
chamber 90, and the second passageway 78 affords passage of replacement air
into the
reservoir. Preferably, the plug 64 is constructed from an elastomeric
material, but may
include an insert 144(Figure 5). As an example not intended to be limiting,
the
2 0 majority of the plug 64 may be constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer
such as
Santoprene 271-64 available from Advanced EIastomer, and with the insert 144
constructed from high density polyethylene. In the sealed position, the
sealing
surfaces 84 seal the first and second passageways 76 and 78, and in the
dispense
position, the fill hole 94 is aligned with the first passageway 76 and the
vent hole 96 is
2 5 aligned with the second passageway 78.
The plug 64 is disposed between the bottle 36 and the cover 38. The plug 64
includes a conical top portion 66 that is adapted to seal against the inside
surface of a
neck portion 122 of the bottle 36, and a bottom portion 70 that is
conveniently
constructed to fit inside the first hollow boss 54 of the cover 38. The plug
64 also
30 includes an intermediate flange 72 that is adapted to be compressed between
the end of
the bottle neck 122 and the top of the first hollow boss 54 in the cover 38.
The bottom
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portion 70 of the plug 64 is constructed to include a cylindrical surface with
a diameter
- substantially equal to that of the passageway 46 in the cover 38. When the
plug 64 is
compressed between the bottle 36 and the cover 38, the bottom surface 74 of
the plug
64 projects slightly into the passageway 46 of the cover 38 and seals against
spool
clement 52.
The passageways 76 and 78 communicate between the interior of the bottle 36
and the spool element 52. Preferably, the first passageway 76 includes a one-
way
valve 80 for preventing flow of product from the pump chamber 90 to the
reservoir.
The illustrated one-way valve 80 comprises a ball valve having a bail 146. The
ball
valve may be constructed from the insert mentioned above.
The ball 146 is movable between an open position (Figure 30) which affords
passage of product from the reservoir to the pump chamber 90, and a closed
position
(Figures 26-29) which prevents flow of product from the pump chamber 90 to the
reservoir. In a preferred set up, the bottle 36 is situated above the outlet
42 when the
dispenser 30 dispenses product, thus, gravity biases the ball 146 toward the
closed
position. The dispenser 30 is capable of completely dispensing substantially
all of the
product within the bottle 36, at least partly due to the location of the
bottle 36 above
the pump. Dispensing substantially all of the product within bottle 36 helps
reduce
wastage of product upon disposal of the container assembly 32.
2 0 The second passageway 78 is adapted to provide a vent 82 for the
entrainment
of replacement air into the bottle 36. The piston 98 includes first and second
piston
seals 104 and 106 which are situated to seal the vent hole 96 when the piston
98 is in
the return position, and to afford passage of ambient air through the vent
hole 96, the
second passageway 78, vent tube 82 and into the reservoir when the piston 98
is in the
2 5 actuated position.
The spool element 52 is adapted to closely fit in the passageway 46 of the
cover 38 and includes a hollow cylindrical portion with a first end 86 that is
adapted to
connect to a retaining element 88 (Figures 22 and 23), a second end that
comprises the
knob 40, and the pumping chamber 90. The retaining element 88 axially holds
the
3 0 spool element 52 in the passageway 46 of the cover 38 but permits rotation
thereof. In
the sealed position of the valve assembly (particularly useful for shipping,
handling and
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storage), a solid portion (the sealing surfaces 84) of the hollow cylindrical
portion of
the spool element 52 seals against the elastomeric plug 64 and blocks the
first ?6 and
second 78 passageways that communicate with the liquid in the bottle 36.
Notably, the
. driven surfaces 164 of the piston 98 preferably do not project out beyond
the rear wall
39 of the container assembly which helps reduce the chances of inadvertent or
undesirable actuation of the container assembly during shipping, storage or
handling
prior to use.
The inner cylindrical surface of the spool element 52 seals with piston 98. A
boss 102 on the retaining element 88 holds the piston 98 in the spool element
52. In
the return position of the piston 98, the vent hole 96 in the spool element 52
is closed
between first 104 and second 106 piston seal surfaces. During movement of the
piston
98 from the return to the actuated position, product (e.g. liquid) in the pump
chamber
90 flows through a port 108 that connects with an outlet tube 110 which ends
at outlet
42. At least at the end of the movement of the piston 98 to the actuated
position, the
vent hole 96 is open to the atmosphere.
The dispenser 30 preferably includes a drip resistant nozzle. The nozzle
includes portions of the outlet tube 110 which includes the outlet 42, and a
flexible,
resilient member 112. The flexible, resilient member 112 has a seal portion
174
adapted to engage inner surfaces of the outlet tube 110 to seal the outlet 42
relative to
2 0 the pump chamber 90.
The flexible, resilient member 1 l2 prevents air aspiration into the pump
chamber 90 when the pump chamber 90 is filled with product (e.g. a liquid)
from the
reservoir. The flexible, resilient member 112 also helps reduce the amount of
unsealed
liquid which is left adjacent the outlet 42 after a metered amount of the
liquid is
dispensed. This helps reduce contamination build up as there is less unsealed
liquid
adjacent the outlet 42 which may attract dirt, dust and other contaminants.
Reducing
the amount of unsealed liquid adjacent the outlet 42 diminishes the chance
that dried
liquid will clog or occlude the outlet 42 and also reduces the chance that any
unsealed,
undispensed liquid will drip from the outlet 42 at an inopportune time (e.g,
between
3 0 discharges of liquid).
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Referring to Figures 26-30, the flexible, resilient member 112 is mounted
within the inner surfaces of the nozzle for movement between a) a relaxed
position
(Figures 26 and 30) with the seal portion 174 engaging a portion of the inner
surfaces
of the nozzle to seal the outlet 42 relative to the pump chamber 90, b) a
displaced
sealing position (Figures 27 and 29) in which the seal portion 174 is spaced
from the
relaxed position and in which the seal portion 174 engages a different portion
of the
inner surfaces of the nozzle to seal the outlet 42 relative to the pump
chamber 90, and
c) a deflected, dispense position (Figure 28) with the seal portion 174 of the
flexible,
resilient member 112 spaced from engagement with the inner surfaces of the
nozzle to
afford flow of the product to be dispensed from the pump chamber 90 through
the
outlet 42. Movement of the flexible resilient member 112 from the deflected,
dispense
position (Figure 28) toward said relaxed position (Figure 29) tends to urge
the
unsealed, undispensed product from the outlet 42 back into the nozzle and away
from
the outlet 42.
A relaxed shape of the flexible, resilient member 112 is shown in Figures 21
and 26. The flexible, resilient member 112 is elongate in an axial direction
and includes
a seating portion having a first end 168 and retaining surfaces 172 spaced
from the first
end 168. Between the relaxed position (Figure 26) and the displaced sealing
position
(Figure 27), the flexible resilient member 112 is preferably physically
displaced to a
2 0 different location within the nozzle without being deformed or deflected
from its
relaxed shape. Between the displaced sealing position (Figure 27) and the
deflected,
dispense position (Figure 28), the flexible resilient member 112 preferably
stretches
axially to deform from its relaxed shape.
The inner surfaces of the nozzle include a base surface 173 for receiving the
2 5 first end 168 of the flexible, resilient member 112 in the relaxed
position (Figures 26
and 30), and a stop surface 175 which is spaced from the base surface 173 to
afford
displacement of the flexible resilient member 112 from the relaxed position to
the
displaced sealing position by pressure within the pump chamber 90. For
example, the
surfaces 173 and 175 may be spaced from each other about 0.19 inches.
Alternatively,
3 0 but not shown in the preferred embodiment, the seating portion of the
member 112
may be fixed relative to the nozzle so that pressure within the pump chamber
90
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deflects the flexible resilient member 112 from the relaxed position to the
displaced
sealing position.
Pressure within the pump chamber 90 and engagement between the retaining
surface 172 and the stop surface 175 cause the flexible, resilient member 112
to deflect
by stretching axially to a$'ord movement of the flexible, resilient member 112
from the
displaced, sealing position (Figure 27) to the deflected, dispense position
(Figure 28).
The flexible resilient member 112 is urged back from the deflected, dispense
position
(Figure 28) toward the displaced, sealing position (Figure 29) by the
resiliency of its
material.
As best seen in Figures 26-30, the inner surfaces of the outlet tube 110 of
the
nozzle are elongate in an axial direction and have a cross section along the
axis. The
cross section of the inner surface 118 of the outlet tube 110 which is
immediately
adjacent the sealing portion 174 of the flexible, resilient member 112 in the
displaced,
sealing position (Figure 27) is smaller than the cross section of the inner
surface 119 of
the outlet tube 110 which is immediately adjacent the sealing portion 174 of
the
fle~'ble, resilient member 112 in the deflected, dispense position (Figure
28).
Preferably the inner surface 118 comprises a cylindrical portion having a
substantially
constant cross-sectional diameter (e.g. about 0.25 inches). The cylindrical
portion is
adapted to engage the sealing portion 174 of the flexible, resilient member
112 in the
2 0 relaxed position (Figures 26 and 30) and the displaced, sealing position
(Figures 27
and 29). The inner surfaces 119 include an enlarged portion (e.g. tapering out
to a
diameter of about 0.29 inches) substantially adjacent the cylindrical portion
I 18.
The seating portion of the member 11 Z has a cross sectional area along its
axis,
and a central shaft portion 170 between the seating portion and the sealing
portion
2 5 174. The central shaft portion 170 has a cross sectional area along the
axis. The
sealing portion 174 of the flexible resilient member 112 comprises a
substantially
cylindrical surface having a diameter defining a cross sectional area along
the axis.
Preferably, the cross sectional area of the central shaft portion I70 is
substantially less
than the cross sectional areas of both the seating portion and the sealing
portion 174 to
3 0 afford axial stretching of the flexible, resilient member 112. The seating
portion of the
member 112 is capable of being snapped through a partition in the outlet tube
110
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during assembly of the container assembly 32. As an example not intended to be
limiting, the seating portion may be cylindrical with a maximum outer diameter
of
about 0.22 inches and a thickness of about 0.12 inches; the central shaft
portion may
be cylindrical with a diameter of about 0.125 inches and a length of less than
about 1
inch, and the sealing portion may be frusto-conical with a maximum diameter of
about
0.26 inches with a taper of about forty five degrees relative to its
longitudinal axis.
During movement of the piston 98 from the return to the actuated position, the
flexible, resilient member 112 is first axially displaced and then stretched.
In the
deflected dispense position of the member 112, an annular flow path is opened
between the seal portion 174 and the inner surface 119 of the outlet tube 110.
At approximately the time when liquid stops flowing from the pump chamber 90
through the outlet 42, the member 112 relaxes from the deflected, dispense
position to
its relaxed shape in the displaced, sealing position and circumferentially
seals. When
the piston 98 moves from the actuated back toward the return position, the
member
112 is axially retracted until the first end 168 of the seating portion abuts
the base
surface 173 of the inner surface of the nozzle. The axial retraction of the
sealing
portion 174 after it circumferentially seals against the inner surfaces of the
nozzle
causes any liquid remaining within the nozzle adjacent outlet 42 to be drawn
back into
the nozzle and away from the outlet 42.
2 0 When the piston 98 moves from the return to the actuated position, liquid
in
the pump chamber 90 flows through a port 108 into the outlet tube 110 in the
knob 40.
The member 112 controls the direction of flow and helps reduce the amount of
unsealed liquid that remains adjacent the outlet 42 that could dry between
uses and
obstruct the outlet 42. The outlet 42 is preferably provided by an insert 41
that is
2 5 connected to the distal end of the outlet tube 110 by means of a snap fit,
although
gluing, staking, or ultrasonic welding could also be used to make the
connection.
Referring now to Figures 10 and I 1, the bottle 36 includes a body portion 120
and neck portion 122 that is adapted to connect to the cover 38. The neck
portion 122
of the bottle is adapted to connect to cover 38 by any convenient means;
threads are
3 0 one possibility, or as in the depicted embodiment, the neck portion 122 of
the bottle 36
includes an externally projecting lip 124 that connects to cover 38 by means
of a snap
- 17 -
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frt. In the preferred embodiment, the bottle 36 includes a non-circular region
126 that
is recessed from the body portion 120. The recessed region 126 is adapted to
extend
into the cover 38 to prevent rotation of the bottle 36 after assembly with the
cover 38.
The bottle 36 can be fabricated from any material compatible with the product
to be
dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle 36 is fabricated from a blow
molded
thermoplastic such as, but not limited to high density polyethylene.
Optionally, the
entire bottle 36 or a portion thereof may be constructed from a transparent or
semi-
transparent material so that the user may visually determine the amount of
product
(liquid) that remains in the reservoir.
Referring to Figures 12 through 14, the cover 38 is seen in isolation. The
cover 38 includes an exterior body portion with a main opening 44 adapted to
receive
bottle 36 (not shown in these views for clarity). In the preferred embodiment,
the main
opening 44 is sized and shaped to receive the recessed region 126 on the
bottle 36
(Figure 10) such that the junction between the bottle 36 and the cover 38 is
essentially
flush.
A passageway 46 nuts substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the
bottle
36, and there is an orifice 130 in the passageway 46 that is substantially
parallel to the
main axis of the bottle 36. The passageway 46 extends completely through the
cover
38 and is bounded by a first end 48 on the front face and a second end 50 on
the back
2 0 face. Preferably, the first 48 and second 50 ends are surrounded by first
132 and
second 134 countersunk regions. The first countersunk region 132 optionally
includes
projections 137 that function as a detest or to limit the rotation of the
spool element
52. The second countersunk region 134 is adapted to receive retaining element
88.
The cover 38 includes first 54 and second 56 hollow coaxial bosses that
project
perpendicularly from the passageway 46. The first inner boss 54 surrounds the
orifice
130 in the wall of the passageway 46 and is adapted to retain the bottom
portion of the
plug 64. The top of the first boss 54 is adapted to seat against a flange 72
on the plug
64 and control the distance that the bottom surface of the plug 64 projects
into the
passageway 46. The second boss 56 connects to the bottle 36 by any convenient
3 0 means; in the depicted embodiment, the second boss 56 includes an inwardly
projecting
lip 136 that connects with the externally projecting lip 124 on the bottle 36
by means
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of a snap fit. The second boss 56 can be continuous or can be slotted so as to
control
the assembly force of the snap fit joint.
Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, the plug 64 is seen in isolation. The plug
64 includes a top conical portion 66 adapted to seal against the inside of the
bottle
neck 122, and a bottom portion 70 adapted to fit inside the first b05S 54 in
the cover
38. The bottom surface ?4 is adapted to seal against the spool element 52, and
an
outwardly projecting flange 72 is adapted to seal between the end of the
bottle neck
122 and the top of the first boss 54.
The plug 64 includes an outwardly projecting annular rib (Figures 15 and 16)
that is intended to improve the seal between the top conical portion 66 and
the inside
of the bottle neck 122. The one-way valve 80 inserted within first passageway
?6 can
be of any of several well known types, including valves integrally molded in
the
elastomeric plug. As depicted in Figure 5, the presently preferred valve 80
includes
valve seat insert 144 and the valve includes a gravity-biased baD 146 or
poppet.
Alternatively the valve 80 could be a spring-biased ball or poppet sealing
against an
integral valve seat in the plug 64.
The second passageway ?8 in the plug 64 retains a first end of a vent tube 82.
The second end of the vent tube 82 is above the normal liquid level in the
bottle when
the disposable container assembly 32 is mounted in an inverted position on the
2 0 bracketJactuator 34.
Portions of the plug 64 can be fabricated from any elastomeric material that
is
compatible with the product to be dispensed. This is can be accomplished by
molding
from a thermoset elastomer. The portions of the plug shown in Figure 16 may be
injection molded from thermoplastic elastomers (e.g. Santoprene 271-64) with a
2 5 hardness of 40 to 90 Shore A
At first end 86, the spool element 52 is adapted to connect to a retaining
element 88. Referring now to Figures 17 and 18, the second end of the spool
element
52 is shaped as a knob 40 that integrally includes outlet tube 110. The spool
52
includes two externally projecting ribs 148 and 150 that seal with the
passageway 46 in
30 the cover 38 by means of an interference fit. The first end 86 of the spool
element 52
is adapted to be axially retained in the cover 38 by any convenient means. In
the
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depicted embodiment, the first end 86 of the spool element 52 includes an
externally
projecting lip 152 that engages a snap fit joint on retaining element 88, but
other
expedients such as a threaded retainer or a split ring retainer could be used.
The pump chamber 90 is open at first end 86 and is in part defined by the
inner
surfaces of the knob 40 at the other end. The pump chamber 90 contains the
piston 98
and the piston return spring 100. A shoulder 154 in the pump chamber 90 acts
as a
piston stop. The knob 40 includes a flange 156 adapted for grasping by the
hand of a
user. The flange 156 of the knob 40 can include projections 158 adapted to
limit the
rotation of the spool element 52 in the cover 38. Preferably, the valve
assembly rotates
approximately one-hundred twenty (120) degrees between the sealed and dispense
positions.
Referring now to Figures 19 and 20, the piston 98 is seen in isolation. The
piston 98 slidably seals in the pump chamber 90 and includes a rod portion
162. The
piston 98 preferably includes multiple piston seals 104 and 106 but could
optionally
include a single sealing surface. The vent hole 96 in the spool element 52 is
blocked
between the two piston surfaces 104 and 106 in the return position of the
piston 98.
The two piston surfaces 104 and 106 are supported from the rod portion by any
convenient structure. The driven surface 164 transmits the force from an
actuator 196
in the bracket/actuator assembly 34 as will be explained with more
particularity below.
2 0 The second end 166 of the rod portion 162 retains the piston return spring
100. The
piston 98 can be fabricated from any material compatible with the liquid to be
dispensed; in the presently preferred embodiment, the piston 98 is injection
molded
from a thermoplastic material, such as, but not Limited to high density
polyethylene
(HDPE).
2 5 Referring now to Figures 5, 22 and 23, the retaining element 88 connects
to the
spool element 52 to axially hold the spool element 52 in the cover 38 and to
retain the
piston 98 in the spool element 52 in the normal spring-biased (return)
position. A
number of expedients for retaining the spool element 52 may be used, such as a
threaded retainer or a split ring retainer.
3 0 The retaining element 88 includes three concentric bosses projecting from
a
cylindrical disc portion 176. The first central boss 178 fits inside the spool
element 52.
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The top surface 180 of the first boss 178 retains the piston 98 in the return
position.
An axial bore 182 in the first boss 178 functions as a bushing for the piston
98 and the
reciprocating actuator 196 of the bracket/actuator assembly 34. The second
middle
boss 184 includes projections 186 that connect to the first end 86 of the
spool element
52 by means of a snap fit. The third outer boss 188 includes multiple,
inwardly
projecting, cantilevered beams 190 that axially bias the spool element 52
against the
cover 38. In the presently preferred embodiment, the retaining element 88 is
injection
molded from a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene.
Referring now to Figures 24 and 25, the bracket/actuator assembly 34 includes
a housing 191 including a front housing 192 and a rear housing 194. Mounted
within
the two housings are the actuator 196 and a means 198 to drive the actuator
196. The
front and rear housings 192 and 194 can be fabricated in any convenient shape,
although it is desirable to provide an exterior surface with simple planar
projections as
depicted so as to make the bracket/actuator assembly 34 easy to clean.
Preferably, the
bracket/actuator assembly 34 is formed from a plastic material in a shape
visually
similar to the disposable container assembly 32.
The front housing 192 includes a passageway 208 that serves as a bushing for
the actuator 196. The means 198 for moving the actuator 196 conveniently
includes a
cavity 210 in the rear housing 194 irt which the actuator can slide forwards
and back.
2 0 An air chamber 212 disposed behind the cavity 210 is in fluid
communication with the
hose 221 which allows the air chamber to be pressurized. When the air chamber
is
pressurized, the actuator 196 is moved forward and against the driven surface
164 of
the piston 98. The piston return spring 100 in the container assembly 32 helps
return
the actuator when the air chamber 212 is depressurized. An actuator seal 216
is
2 5 provided to prevent leakage of sir from the air cavity past the actuator
196. The seal
216 can include any well known devices such as o-rings, v-rings, u-seals,
diaphragms,
and rolling diaphragms.
While the depicted embodiment shows the actuator 196 being moved
pneumatically, the actuator can be reciprocated by any of several well known
means
3 0 including mechanically, for example a mechanical linkage to a user
operated lever;
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electromechanically, for example a motor and a lead screw; or hydraulically,
for
example a fluid actuator.
The various parts of the container assembly 32 may injection molded from a
thermoplastic material. The spool element 52 can be fabricated from any
material
compatible with the liquid to be dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the
spool
element 52 is injection molded from a thermoplastic material, such as, but not
limited
to high density polyethylene. The fle~n'ble, resilient member 112 can be
fabricated from
any elastomeric material compatible with the product to be dispensed. In a
preferred
embodiment, the flexible, resilient member 112 is molded from a compatible
elastomer
by well known processes; conveniently, the member 112 is injection molded from
a
thermoplastic elastomer. As an example not intended to be limiting, the member
112
may be constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer, such as, but not limited to
Santoprene 271-b4 available from Advanced Elastomer Systems.
OPERATION
Set up of the dispenser 30 may begin with attaching the bracket/actuator
assembly 34 in a convenient location, such as on the wall by a sink or on a
wheel
mounted vertical pole (not shown). The foot actuated pneumatic bladder pump
220 is
2 0 coupled to the bracket/actuator assembly 34 with the air hose 221 through
port 214.
The container assembly 32 may then be attached to the bracket/actuator
assembly 34 in the manner shown in Figure 3, except that typically the valve
assembly
will be in the sealed position (as opposed to the dispense position shown in
Figure 3)
during attachment of the container assembly 32 to the bracketlactuator
assembly 34.
2 5 The rear wall 39 of the container assembly 32 is placed opposite the front
housing 192
of the bracket/actuator assembly 34 and the container assembly is moved in a
substantially vertically downward direction 10 until the flanges 200 and 202
engage the
channels 138 and 140. The flanges 200 and 202 and channels 138 and 140 are
situated
to automatically guide the driven surfaces 1 b4 of the piston 98 to a position
opposite
3 0 the actuator 196. Engagement between the stop surfaces S and the shoulder
surfaces
143 and 145 limits the insertion of the container assembly 32 into the
bracket/actuator
- 22 -
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60557-6019D
assembly 34 at the point where the piston 98 is properly oriented relative to
the
actuator 196.
Once the container assembly 32 is attached to the bracket assembly, the valve
assembly should be moved from the sealed position (Figure 2) to the dispense
position
(Figure 1 ). Preferably, in the dispense position, the outlet 42 opens
substantially
vertically downward.
To dispense the product from the dispenser 30, the user now steps on the foot
actuated pneumatic bladder 220 which causes the actuator 196 to move from the
retracted (Figure 25 solid Iines) position to the extended position (Figure 25
dashed
fines). Movement of the actuator from the retracted to the extended position
causes
the distal end of the actuator 196 to engage the driven surfaces 164 of the
piston 98
and drives the piston from the return position to the actuated position.
Figures 26 through 30 sequentially illustrate movement of the piston 98 from
the return to actuated position and back to the return position. The actuator
198 is
omitted from these views to emphasize other details.
In Figure 26, the piston 98 is biased to the return position by spring 100.
The
vent tube 82 and hole 96 are sealed from atmospheric air by piston seal
surface 106.
After the pump is primed, the pump chamber 90 is full of a precise, metered
amount of
product to be dispensed, regardless of the amount of product in the reservoir.
The
2 0 pump chamber 90 is sealed by the piston seal surfaces 104 and 106 and the
flexible,
resilient member I 12 in the relaxed position. Because the ball 146 of the
ball valve is
in a down, closed position, product from the pump chamber 90 cannot travel
from the
pump chamber 90 back into the reservoir via first passageway 76.
The arrow in Figure 27 illustrates the direction of movement of the piston 98.
2 5 The piston 98 is shown just as it moves from the return toward the
actuated position.
As the piston 98 moves, pressure within the pump chamber 90 increases and
causes the
flexible, resilient member 112 to be initially displaced from its relaxed
position in
Figure 26 to a displaced, sealing position (Figure 27). While the flexible
resilient
member 112 still seals the pump chamber 90 when it is in the displaced,
sealing
3 0 position, it seals with a different portion of the inner surface 118 than
it does when it is
in the relaxed position. At this point, the dispenser has not yet dispensed
product.
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Figure 28 illustrates the piston 98 after it has moved further along its
stroke
- toward the actuated position. After su$cient pressure builds up in the pump
chamber
90, the flexible, resilient member 112 stretches axially to a deflected,
dispense position
which affords dispensing of the product from pump chamber 90 through the
outlet 42.
The axial stretching of the member 112 opens an annular path for the product
to flow
from the pump chamber 90, past the sealing portion 174 of the member 112 and
past
the inner surface 119 which is just adjacent the sealing portion 174 when the
member
112 is in the deflected, dispense position.
Figure 29 illustrates the piston 98 in the actuated position. Once the
pressure
within the pump chamber 90 dissipates sufficiently, the internal resilience of
the
flexible, resilient member 112 causes the member 112 to retract from the
deflected,
dispense position (Figure 28) back to the displaced sealing position (Figure
29). in this
position, the piston seal 106 no longer seals vent hole 96 and vent tube 82
from
ambient, and air is allowed to flow from ambient, through vent tube 82 and
into the
reservoir. Note the arrows in Figure 29 which show the ingress of air into
.the
reservoir.
Figure 30 illustrates the piston 98 as it is being spring biased from the
actuated
position back to the return position. As the piston 98 moves back to the
return
position, a partial vacuum is created in the pump chamber. Vacuum in the pwnp
2 0 chamber 90 causes the flexible, resilient member 112 to move from the
displaced
sealing position (Figure 29) back to the relaxed position (Figure 30). The
movement
of the member 112 from the displaced sealing position (Figure 29) back to the
relaxed
position (Figure 30) changes the unsealed volume within tube 110 that is
substantially
adjacent the outlet 42. The unsealed volume adjacent outlet 42 is increased
which
tends to draw product from the outlet 42 back within outlet tube 110 which
helps
reduce the chance that the outlet 42 will drip at an inopportune time.
Preferably, the
outlet 42 is formed by insert 41 which provides a restriction substantially
adjacent the
outlet 41 to enhance the effectiveness of the flexible, resilient member 112
at
preventing drips.
3 0 The vacuum also causes the baU 146 of the ball valve to move upward to an
open position which affords flow of product from the reservoir, through first
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CA 02522124 1997-05-20
60557-6019D
passageway 76 and into the pump chamber 90. Note the arrows in Figure 30 which
illustrate the flow of product from the reservoir and into the pump chamber
90. The
direction of the piston 98 is also illustrated in Figure 30 with an arrow.
Piston seal 106
has already sealed vent hole 96 and vent tube 82. Once the spring l00 moves
the
piston to the return position, the elements of the container assembly 32 are
back to
their position shown in Figure 26 and the dispenser 30 is ready to be actuated
again
until product within the reservoir is depleted.
When the product within the reservoir is depleted, the entire container
assembly 32 may be disposed of which reduces the chance of contaminant build
up
within the dispenser 30. A refill container assembly may be attached to
bracket/actuated assembly 34 and the process repeated. Optionally, but not
preferably,
product with the reservoir may be simply be replenished (or a new, full bottle
36 may
be supplied for the container assembly 32) and the other elements of the
container
assembly (e.g, the pump and valve assembly) may be reused.
The present invention has now been described with reference to several
embodiments thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
changes
or additions can be made in the embodiments described without departing from
the
scope of the present invention.
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