Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
Title
DISPENSER AND CONTAMINANT SENSOR
Scope of the Invention
100011 This invention relates to a contaminant sensing dispenser and, more
particularly,
to a dispenser to dispense product to a user which incorporates a contaminant
sensor and
provide indications of contaminant presence at a single dispenser and in an
array of such
dispensers within a facility. The invention more particularly relates to such
a contaminant
sensing dispenser, an array of such dispensers and methods of use of the
dispenser and arrays
of such dispensers.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Fluid dispensers are known for dispensing cleaning and disinfecting
fluids as
liquids and foam for cleaning of a user's hands. Such dispensers are provided
in many
facilities such as in hospitals, health care premises, restaurants, food
processing areas, office
buildings, schools, airports and the like. Paper towel dispensers are known
for dispensing
paper towels as to persons in a washroom.
[0003] The growth and presence of contaminants in many facilities has
become
increasingly problematic. For example, the growth and presence of pathogens
such as
bacteria and viruses in hospitals has become a significant problem. Present
methods of
detection of such contaminants have disadvantages that they are not adequate
and notably do
not provide advance warnings of dangerous levels of contaminants. Present
detection
systems typically are so disadvantaged that warning of dangerous contaminant
situations
arises after patients have been negatively affected and exhibit symptoms of
the pathogens.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] To at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously
known devices,
the present invention provides a dispenser including a contaminant sensor and
methods of
use of such a dispenser to sense contaminants either alone or in an array of
similar dispensers
within a facility.
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[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
dispenser, preferably
for dispensing product, particularly a dispenser for dispensing hand cleaning
fluid or paper
towels incorporating a contaminant sensor.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an array of
dispensers each
including a sensor with the dispensers in the array disposed at spaced
locations within a
facility to monitor contaminants within the facility.
[0007] Another object is to provide a method of operating a dispensing
sensor alone or in
an array of similar dispensers to advantageously monitor for a contaminant.
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of monitoring
a
contaminant and or a physical property in a facility comprising:
providing a dispenser for dispensing personal products to a user,
the dispenser carrying a sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative
level of the contaminant on the sensor or a physical property about the
sensor,
generating, for the dispenser periodically over time, signals representative
of the
level of the contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property
about the sensor
or the level of the physical property about the sensor at different times,
optionally converting the signals to data representative of the level of the
contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property about the
sensor at different
times, and
optionally comparing the level sensed with one or more thresholds and
determining if the level meets the thresholds,
wherein the dispenser is preferably selected from a paper towel dispenser and
a
fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid including a liquid containing reservoir
and a pump to
dispenser fluid from the reservoir and the sensor is preferably provided on an
external surface
of the dispenser open to the environment bout the dispenser.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of
monitoring a
contaminant in a facility comprising:
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providing a plurality fluid dispensers at spaced locations about a facility
including
a plurality of fluid dispensers for dispensing fluid for cleaning persons
hands, each dispenser
comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the
reservoir,
each dispenser carrying a sensor capable of detecting the presence and
relative
level of the contaminant,
generating, for each dispenser periodically over time, signals representative
of the
level of the contaminant on each sensor at different times,
optionally converting the signals to data representative of the level of the
contaminant on each sensor at different times, and
optionally comparing the level of the contaminant sensed with one or more
thresholds and determining if the level of contaminant does not meet the
thresholds.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a contaminant
sensing
system for a facility comprising:
a common processor,
a plurality of fluid dispensers located at spaced locations within the
facility,
each said dispenser comprising a replaceable liquid containing reservoir and a
pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir,
each reservoir including a sensor,
the sensor sensing the presence of biologic contaminants, the biologic
contaminants selected from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens,
the sensor generating a signal when a contaminant is sensed,
each dispenser including a communications system for communicating the signal
to a common processor, and
the common processor monitoring the level of biologic contaminants on each
dispenser periodically over time.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a fluid
dispenser for
dispensing fluid for cleaning person's hands,
the dispenser comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense
fluid from the reservoir,
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the dispenser carrying a sensor on the surface capable of detecting the
presence and relative
level of the contaminant,
a signal generator for generating a signal representative of the level of the
contaminant on the sensor, and
a processor for converting the signal to data representative of the level of
the
contaminant on the sensor at different times and for comparing the level of
the contaminant
sensed with one or more thresholds and providing a warning signal when the
level of
contaminant exceeds the thresholds wherein preferably the dispenser includes
an external
surface open to the environment about the dispenser and the sensor is provided
to sense
contaminants from the environment.
[0011a] In a 1st aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser for
dispensing fluid
for cleaning a person's hands comprising:
a fluid containing reservoir,
a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir,
a discharge outlet from which the pump dispenses fluid,
a drip tray located below the discharge outlet to catch fluid dispensed from
the
discharge outlet,
a sensor secured to an external surface of the drip tray such that the sensor
is open
to the environment about the dispenser,
the sensor operative to detect a relative level of a contaminant on the
sensor,
the contaminant comprising a biologic pathogen or a product of the biologic
pathogen signalling the presence of the pathogen, and
a signal generator for generating a signal representative of the level of the
contaminant on the sensor.
[0011b] In a 2nd aspect, in accordance with the Pt aspect, the present
invention provides a
fluid dispenser wherein the sensor is mounted to the drip tray at a location
in the drip tray
where fluid that is caught by the drip tray will flow under gravity to come
into engagement
with the sensor.
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[0011c] In a 3' aspect, in accordance with the 1st or 2nd aspect, the
present invention
provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray has a bottom and side walls
forming an
upwardly open internal well to catch fluid, the well having a lower sump
within which fluid
caught by the drip tray will flow under gravity, the sensor provided in the
sump.
[0011d] In a 4th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 1St to 3rd aspects,
the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray is located below
the discharge
outlet providing a space below the discharge outlet and vertically above the
drip tray within
which one hand or both hands of the person are placed to have fluid dispensed
from the
discharge outlet engage the one or both of the hands and within which space
the hands can be
rubbed together.
[0011e] In a 5th aspect, in accordance with the 4th aspect, the present
invention provides a
fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray is configured to catch fluid dispensed
from the discharge
outlet that drips from the one or both of the hands when the one or both of
the hands are in
the space.
[00111] In a 6th aspect, in accordance with the 4th or 5th aspect, the
present invention
provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray is located below the
discharge outlet to catch
fluid discharged from the discharge outlet or dripping from the discharge
outlet when the one
or both of the hands are not within the space.
[0011g] In a 7th aspect, in accordance with any one of the Pt to 6th
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser including a processor for converting the
signal to data
representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor at different
times.
[0011h] In an 8th aspect, in accordance with any one of the Pt to 7th aspects,
the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the biologic pathogen is selected
from the group
consisting of bacteria and viruses.
[00111] In a 9th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 1st to 8th
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the sensor is removably secured
to the external
surface of the dispenser for removal and replacement by a similar sensor.
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[0011j] In a 10th aspect, the present invention provides a method of
operating a fluid
dispenser for dispensing fluid for cleaning a person's hands comprising:
discharging as discharged fluid, a hand cleaning fluid, from a discharge
outlet,
capturing a portion of the discharged fluid in a drip tray disposed below the
discharge outlet,
passing the portion of the discharged fluid to a sensor, and detecting with
the sensor a
relative level of a contaminant.
10011k] In an llth aspect, in accordance with the 10th aspect, the present
invention
provides a method including:
providing a person's hand below the discharge outlet, discharging the
discharged
fluid from the discharge outlet into engagement with the person's hand,
dripping portions of
the discharged fluid in engagement with the person's hand into the drip tray,
wherein the
portion of the discharged fluid captured in the drip tray includes dispensed
fluid that has been
engaged with the person's hand and dripped into the drip tray.
[00111] In a 12th aspect, in accordance with the llth aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including:
providing the drip tray located below the discharge outlet providing a space
below
the discharge outlet and vertically above the drip tray within which one hand
or both hands of
the person can be placed to have fluid dispensed from the discharge outlet
engage the one
hand or both hands.
[0011m] In a 13th aspect, in accordance with the 11th or 12th aspect, the
present invention
provides a method including: after the discharged fluid has been discharged
into engagement
with the person's hand, rubbing the user's hands together within the space.
[0011n] In a 14th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 10th to 13th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method wherein the contaminant comprising a biologic
pathogen or a
product of the biologic pathogen.
[0011o] In a 15th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 10t1 to 14th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including signaling the presence of the
contaminant.
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[0011p] In a 16th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 10th to 15th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including:
capturing the portion of the discharged fluid in the drip tray by permitting
the
discharged fluid to flow under gravity in the drip tray into a well in the
drip tray, providing a
passageway having an inlet in communication with the discharged fluid in the
well and an
outlet, and with the sensor at a location along the passageway, passing the
portion of the
discharged fluid through the passageway from the inlet to the outlet to pass
the fluid past the
sensor.
[0011q] In a 17th aspect, in accordance with the 16th aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including utilizing a pump to pass the portion of the discharged
fluid through the
passageway.
[0011r] In an 18th aspect, in accordance with the 17th aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including utilizing gravity to pass the portion of the discharged
fluid through the
passageway.
[0011s] In a 19th aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser
for dispensing
fluid for cleaning a person's hands,
the dispenser comprising:
(a) a fluid containing reservoir,
(b) a first pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir out a discharge outlet,
(c) a drip tray located below the discharge outlet to catch fluid dispensed
from
the dispenser, and
(d) a sensor mechanism,
the sensor mechanism comprising a passageway with an inlet and an outlet, and
a
sensor at a location along the passageway,
the sensor operative to detect a relative level of a contaminant,
the inlet of the passageway in communication with the fluid caught in the drip
tray,
the sensor sensing contaminants in the fluid passed through the passageway.
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[0011t] In
a 20th aspect, in accordance with the 19th aspect, the present invention
provides
a fluid dispenser wherein the contaminant comprising a biologic pathogen or a
product of the
biologic pathogen signaling the presence of the pathogen.
[0011u] In a 21St aspect, in accordance with the 19th or 20th aspect, the
present invention
provides a fluid dispenser further including: e) a second pump passing fluid
caught in the
drip tray through the passageway past the sensor.
[0011v] In a 22nd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 19th to 21St
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the inlet is in communication
with the drip tray
at a location in the drip tray where fluid that is caught by the drip tray
will flow under gravity
to the inlet, and wherein the passageway providing for fluid in the inlet to
flow under gravity
through the passageway past the sensor to the outlet.
[0011w] In a 23'd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 19t1 to 22'
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray has a bottom and
side walls
forming an upwardly open internal well to catch fluid, the well having a lower
sump within
which fluid caught by the drip tray will flow under gravity, the inlet
provided in the sump.
[0011x] In a 24th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 19th to 23rd
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray is located below
the outlet
providing a space below the discharge outlet and vertically above the drip
tray within which
one hand or both hands of the person are placed to have fluid dispensed from
the discharge
outlet engage the one or both of the hands and within which space the hands
can be rubbed
together,
the drip tray configured to catch fluid dispensed from the discharge outlet
that
drips from the one or both of the hands when the one or both of the hands are
in the space, and
the drip tray located below the discharge outlet to catch fluid discharged
from the
discharge outlet or dripping from the discharge outlet when the one or both of
the hands are
not within the space.
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[0011y] In a 25th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 19th to Nth
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser including: (f) a signal generator for
generating a signal
representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor.
[0011z] In
a 26th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 19th to 25th aspects, the
present
invention provides a fluid dispenser including: g) a second pump passing fluid
caught in the
drip tray through the passageway past the sensor.
[0011aa] In a 27th aspect, the present invention provides a method of
operating a fluid
dispenser for dispensing fluid for cleaning a person's hands comprising:
discharging as a discharged fluid a hand cleaning fluid from a discharge
outlet,
providing a drip tray located below the discharge outlet, providing a space
below
the discharge outlet and vertically above the drip tray within which one hand
or both hands of
the person can be placed to have fluid dispensed from the discharge outlet
engage the one
hand or both hands, providing a person's hand below the discharge outlet in
the space,
discharging the discharged fluid from the discharge outlet into engagement
with the person's
hand, dripping part of the discharged fluid in engagement with the person's
hand into the drip
tray, capturing a portion of the discharged fluid in the drip tray wherein the
portion of the
discharged fluid captured in the drip tray includes dispensed fluid that has
been engaged with
the person's hand and dripped into the drip tray, and detecting with a sensor
a relative level of
a contaminant in the portion of the discharged fluid.
[0011bb] In a Zo ,nth
aspect, in accordance with the 27th aspect, the present invention provides
a method including providing a sensor carried by the dispenser.
[0011cc] In a 29th aspect, in accordance with the 28th aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including passing the portion of the discharged fluid to the sensor.
[0011dd] In a 30th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 29th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including: after the discharged fluid has been
discharged into
engagement with the person's hand, rubbing the user's hands together within
the space.
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[0011 eel In a 31' aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 30th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method wherein the contaminant comprising a biologic
pathogen or a
product of the biologic pathogen.
[0011111 In a 32nd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 31'
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including signaling the presence of the
contaminant.
[0011gg] In a 33rd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 32nd
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including:
capturing the portion of the discharged fluid in the drip tray by permitting
the
portion of the discharged fluid to flow under gravity in the drip tray into a
well in the drip tray,
providing the sensor in the well at a location where the portion that flows
under
gravity in the drip tray into the well engages the sensor.
[0011hh] In a 34th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 33rd
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including:
capturing the portion of the discharged fluid in the drip tray by permitting
the
discharged fluid to flow under gravity in the drip tray into a well in the
drip tray,
providing a passageway having an inlet in communication with the discharged
fluid in the well and an outlet, and with the sensor at a location along the
passageway,
passing the portion of the discharged fluid through the passageway from the
inlet to the outlet
to pass the fluid past the sensor.
[0011ii] In a 35th aspect, in accordance with the 34th aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including utilizing a pump to pass the portion of the discharged
fluid through the
passageway.
[0011jj] In a 36th aspect, in accordance with the 34th aspect, the present
invention provides
a method wherein the portion flows under gravity from the inlet to the outlet
through the
passageway past the sensor.
[0011kk] In a 37th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 30th
aspects, the present
invention provides a method including providing the sensor in the drip tray.
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[001111] In a 38th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 27th to 30th and
37th aspects, the
present invention provides a method wherein the drip tray feeds the portion to
the sensor.
[0011mm] In a 39th aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser
for dispensing
fluid for cleaning a person's hands,
the dispenser comprising: (a) a fluid containing reservoir, (b) a first pump
to
dispense fluid from the reservoir out a discharge outlet, (c) a drip tray
located below the
discharge outlet to catch fluid dispensed from the dispenser, and (d) a sensor
mechanism,
the sensor mechanism comprising a passageway with an inlet and an outlet, and
a
sensor at a location along the passageway, the sensor operative to detect a
relative level of a
contaminant, the inlet of the passageway in communication with the fluid
caught in the drip
tray, the sensor sensing contaminants in the fluid passed through the
passageway,
the drip tray is located below the discharge outlet providing a space below
the
discharge outlet and vertically above the drip tray within which one hand or
both hands of the
person are placed to have fluid dispensed from the discharge outlet engage the
one or both of
the hands, the drip tray configured to catch fluid dispensed from the
discharge outlet that
drips from the one or both of the hands when the one or both of the hands are
in the space,
the inlet is in communication with the drip tray at a location in the drip
tray where
fluid that is caught by the drip tray will flow under gravity to the inlet.
[0011nn] In a 40th aspect, in accordance with the 39th aspect, the present
invention provides
a fluid dispenser further including: e) a second pump passing fluid caught in
the drip tray
through the passageway past the sensor.
[0011oo] In a 41st aspect, in accordance with the 40th aspect, the present
invention provides
a fluid dispenser wherein the passageway providing for fluid in the inlet to
flow under
gravity through the passageway past the sensor to the outlet.
[0011pp] In a 42.nd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39th to 41st
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray has a bottom and
side walls
forming an upwardly open internal well to catch fluid, the well having a lower
sump within
which fluid caught by the drip tray will flow under gravity, the inlet
provided in the sump.
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,
[0011qqj In a 43rd aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39th to 42nd
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the drip tray is located below
the discharge
outlet to catch fluid discharged from the discharge outlet or dripping from
the discharge
outlet when the one or both of the hands are not within the space.
[0011rr] In a 44th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39th to 43r1
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser including: (f) a signal generator for
generating a signal
representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor.
[0011ss] In a 45th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39th to 44th
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser further including: (g) a second pump
passing fluid
caught in the drip tray through the passageway past the sensor, and wherein
the contaminant
comprising a biologic pathogen or a product of the biologic pathogen signaling
the presence
of the pathogen.
[0011tt] In a 46th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39t1i to 45th
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the space is a space within which
the hands can
be rubbed together.
[0011uu] In a 47th aspect, in accordance with any one of the 39th to 46th
aspects, the present
invention provides a fluid dispenser wherein the contaminant comprising a
biologic pathogen
or a product of the biologic pathogen signaling the presence of the pathogen.
[0011vv] In a 48th aspect, the present invention provides a method of
operating a fluid
dispenser for dispensing fluid for cleaning a person's hands,
wherein the fluid dispenser includes a discharge outlet, a drip tray located
below
the discharge outlet, a space below the discharge outlet and vertically above
the drip tray
within which one hand or both hands of the person can be placed to have fluid
dispensed
from the discharge outlet engage the one hand or both hands, and a sensor,
the method comprising: discharging as a discharged fluid a hand cleaning fluid
from the discharge outlet,
providing a person's hand below the discharge outlet in the space, discharging
the
discharged fluid from the discharge outlet into engagement with the person's
hand,
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dripping part of the discharged fluid in engagement with the person's hand
into
the drip tray,
capturing a portion of the discharged fluid in the drip tray wherein the
portion of
the discharged fluid captured in the drip tray includes dispensed fluid that
has been engaged
with the person's hand and dripped into the drip tray, and
detecting with the sensor a relative level of a contaminant in the portion of
the
discharged fluid.
[0011ww] In a 49th aspect, in accordance with the 48' aspect, the present
invention provides
a method including passing the portion of the discharged fluid to the sensor.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0012] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent
from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser in accordance
with a first
embodiment of the invention schematically shown as being manually used by a
user to
dispense hand soap;
[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser of Figure 1,
however, with a
nozzle shield in a raised, open position, the bottle removed and a pump
mechanism being
manually held by a user ready for insertion or removal;
[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser of Figure 1 in
which the
pump mechanism is coupled to the housing, the nozzle shield is in a closed
position and a
bottle is being replaced;
[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser shown in Figure
lwith the nozzle
shield removed;
[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side
view of the
dispenser in Figure 1 with the nozzle shield in a closed position;
[0018] Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram showing electrically connected
elements of
the dispenser of Figure 1;
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[0019] Figure 7 is a plan view of a health care facility having an array of
dispensers in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] Figure 8 is a schematic flow diagram showing a first arrangement for
monitoring
and control of the array of dispensers in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] Figure 9 is a schematic flow diagram similar to Figure 1 but showing
a different
configuration of electrically powered elements of the dispenser of Figure 1;
[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser similar to that
shown in Figure
3 but with a modified bottle;
[0023] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in Figure 10
prior to coupling
to the dispenser;
100241 Figure 12 is a partial schematic pictorial view showing a modified
bottle added to
the dispenser housing with complementary electrical touch pads for electrical
connection on
coupling the bottle to the dispenser;
[0025] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in
accordance with a
second embodiment of the invention with a bottle attached thereto;
[0026] Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 13
with the bottle
removed;
[0027] Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an interior chassis of the
dispenser of
Figure 13;
[0028] Figure 16 is a rear perspective view of the chassis of Figure 15
with its back plate
and selected other elements removed to facilitate understanding;
[0029] Figure 17 is a schematic partial cross sectional plan view through
the bottle sensor
in Figure 15;
[0030] Figure 18 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in
accordance with a
third embodiment of the invention;
[0031] Figure 19 is a schematic plan view of a sensing mechanism for a
sensor carrying a
plurality of individual sensing elements and schematically shown as coupled to
a control
module;
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[0032] Figure 20 is a cross section similar to Figure 5 but showing a fan
to blow air over
a sensor provided on the bottom of the bottle; and
[0033] Figure 21 is a schematic partial front and bottom perspective view
of a fourth
embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention showing an
indirect
optical color sensor,
[0034] Figure 22 is a schematic collage of a plurality of elements which
may be found in
a facility and which may be monitored in accordance with methods of the
present invention,
[0035] Figure 23 is a schematic flow diagram showing a second arrangement
for
monitoring and control of an array of sensor carrying elements in accordance
with the present
invention,
[0036] Figure 24 is a schematic representation of use of an RFID system for
communication of signals from one or more sensors
[0037] Figure 25 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in
accordance with a
fifth embodiment of the invention including a drip tray;
[0038] Figure 26 is a side view of the dispenser of Figure 25;
[0039] Figure 27 is a vertical cross-sectional side view through the drip
tray shown in
Figures 25 and 26;
[0040] Figures 28, 29 and 30 is each a cross-sectional side view the same
as Figure 27,
however, showing a different configuration for the contaminant sensor; and
[0041] Figure 31 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in
accordance with a
sixth embodiment of the invention including a drip tray.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0042] Reference is made first to Figure 1 which illustrates a first
embodiment of a fluid
dispenser 10 similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,748,573 to Ophardt et
al, issued July 6,
2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The dispenser 10
is adapted to be
secured to a wall not shown. The dispenser 10 is schematically illustrated in
Figure 1 as
adapted for manual activation as by a user using one hand 11 to urge a lever
12 downwardly
so as to dispense fluid 40 from a nozzle 13 onto the palm of the other user's
hand 14.
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[0043] The dispenser 10 of this application differs from the dispenser
disclosed in U.S.
Patent 7,748,573 notably in providing on a surface 49 of the side wall 18 of
the housing 16, a
sensor 50. The surface 49 of the side wall 18 is an exterior surface which is
open to the
environment about the dispenser. The sensor 50 is preferably a sensor capable
of sensing
contaminants from the environment about the dispenser which come to engage the
sensor 50.
The sensor 50 is preferably capable of detecting the presence of one or more
contaminants on
the sensor 50. The sensor 50 is preferably an electronic sensor requiring
electrical power for
its operation.
[0044] Reference is made to Figure 6 which schematically shows the sensor
50 and a
control module 52 to control the sensor 50. The control module 52 is mounted
to the housing
16 inside the upper interior of the housing as seen in Figure 4 rearward of a
support member
22 and springs 26 within a rear space proximate a back plate 17 underneath a
top 20 and
between the side wall 18 and an opposite side wall 19. Figure 4 shows a
conduit 54
connecting the sensor 50 to the control module 52.
[0045] In Figure 6, the control module 52 is schematically illustrated as a
circuit board
which carries a processor 55, a communication device 56 and a power source 54.
Each of the
sensor 50, communication device 56 and power source 54 are connected to the
processor 55.
The processor 55 controls the receipt and distribution of power from the power
source to the
other electronic components and preferably the operation of these other
components.
[0046] In operation, the sensor 50 is controlled by the processor 55 to at
times as
determined by the processor 55 to detect the presence of a contaminant on the
sensor 50 and
to generate a signal representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor
50. The
processor 55 controls the communication device 56 so as to communicate as
desired the
signal and/or other data. The processor 55 in the preferred embodiment
controls the
communication device 56 so as to send the signal and/or other data to a remote
electronic
device. In the preferred embodiment the communication device including a
wireless
transmitter for which an antenna 57 is shown mounted externally on the top 20
of the
dispenser 10.
7
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
[0047] Reference is made to Figure 7 which shows a plan view of a health
care facility
100 having a plurality of different dispensers 10 located at different
locations within the
facilityl 00. The facility 100 has a number of areas and rooms indicated as
101 to 108 with
passage there between permitted by doors 109. The dispensers 10 are located at
various
different locations including those near the entry or exit of most doors 109,
and within the
rooms. The dispensers 10 may be mounted to the walls, on freestanding supports
or
supported on desktops, countertops and the like. Multiple dispensers may be in
any room as,
for example, in a washroom with multiple toilets or sinks or wash stations,
not shown.
[0048] Reference is made to Figure 8 which schematically illustrates a
contaminant
sensing system 99. The system 99 includes the array of dispensers 10 from
Figure 7 but
Figure 8 shows for ease of illustration only three of the dispensers 10, each
of which is
schematically shown to have its respective communication device 56 wirelessly
transmit
information to a wireless router 58 which is connected to the Intemet 59 which
subsequently
routes and transfers the information to a computer server 60.
[0049] The connection between each of the dispensers 10 and the router 58
need not be
wirelessly and can be for one or more of the dispensers a hardwired
connection. The
preferred manner of communication from each dispenser 10 to the router 58 is
wireless as,
for example, preferably using a WiFi wireless system for communication between
the
communication device 56 and the router 58 which would comprise a WiFi router.
The
communication between the router 58 and the computer server 60 preferably is
through the
Internet. While Figure 8 shows but three computers connected to a single
router, it is to be
appreciated that as many different dispensers 10 may be provided as desired
for any facility
100 with each dispenser 10 communicating by a router and, of course, that a
number of
different routers 58 may be provided to service various of the dispensers 10.
The router 58 is
shown as being connected to one computer server 60, however, one or more
different
computer servers 60 may be provided, however, preferably, all of the
information which may
be gathered from any particular facility may be adapted to be consolidated and
monitored at a
single server or central processor.
8
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
[0050] The facility 100 may comprise any areas whatsoever including, for
example, areas
about or within one or more buildings, areas accommodating people, areas for
processing of
food, transport ships, and transportation terminals, or any portion thereof.
[0051] The communication between each dispenser 10 and the computer server
60 is not
limited. Each or some of the dispensers 10 could communicate with other
dispensers. One of
the dispensers 10 could function as a router for other of the dispensers. Each
or some of the
dispensers 10 could communicate with message collection devices or directly to
a computer
as through a LAN as well as wireless router. Using the new 1PV6 standard a
dispenser 10 can
be identified by its own IP address and can communicate to find a server in
CLOUD and
communicate information into the server in CLOUD. The communication is
preferably
provided at least one way from the dispenser 10 to the computer server 60,
however, may
also be two way with the dispenser 10 having capability to receive information
from other
devices, preferably from the computer server 60.
[0052] The particular manner that the signal from the sensor 50 is
processed is not
limited, and the signal may be processed in whole or in part in the dispenser
10 or in whole
or in part in the computer server 60 or other remote processing device.
[0053] For example, in a first manner of operation, the processor in the
dispenser 10 may
send relatively unprocessed signals and data to the computer server 60 as to
minimize
processing within the dispenser 10 and thus reduce the need for processing
capability and
data storage in the dispenser 10. The computer server 60 would convert the
signals and data
received to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50.
In a second
manner of operation, the processor 55 in the dispenser converts the signal
generated by the
sensor 50 to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50,
and
communicates this data to the computer server 60. In a third manner of
operation, the
processor 55 in the dispenser converts the signal generated by the sensor 50
and its signal
generator to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50.
The processor
55 compares the level of contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and
makes ad
determination as to whether the level of contaminant as sensed on the sensor
exceeds one or
more of these thresholds, and as well may provides a warning signal if the
level of
9
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
contaminant as sensed on the sensor is determined to exceeds one or more of
these
thresholds.
[0054] Referring to Figure 4, the dispenser 10 includes the housing 16
having the back
plate 17, the spaced side walls 18 and 19 and the top wall 20 which defining
an interior 21
there between. The support member 22 is fixedly secured in the interior of the
housing
between the side walls 18 and 19 proximate the top wall 20. A lever mechanism
23
including the lever 12 and a lever bridge plate 24 is pivotally mounted to the
support member
22. The lever springs 26 are disposed between the lever bridge plate 24 and
the support
member 22 so as to bias the lever 12 to an upper raised position.
[00551 Figure 4 shows a nozzle shield 27 separate from the housing 16 and
ready for
manual coupling to the support member 22. Figure 2 illustrates the dispenser
10 with the
nozzle shield 27 coupled to the support member 22 and placed in a raised open
position in
which position the nozzle shield 27 permits a pump mechanism 28 to be coupled
or
uncoupled to the support member 22 by sliding forwardly or rearwardly. In this
regard, the
support member 22 carries a support plate with a central slot 30 open at a
forward end. As
seen in Figure 2, vertical side walls 31 and 32 extend upwardly from the
support plate 29 on
each side thereof. The pump mechanism 28 is adapted to slide rearwardly into
the central
slot 30 with the slot 30 disposed about an enlarged radius cylindrical portion
33. A
rectangular plate 34 is carried on the pump mechanism 28 above the cylindrical
portion 33.
The rectangular plate 34 is to be received above the support plate and located
against rotation
between the side walls 31 and 32.
100561 Reference is made to Figure 3 which illustrates the dispenser 10
after the pump
mechanism 28 has been applied as in Figure 2 and the nozzle shield 27 moved
from the
raised open position of Figure 2 to the closed position seen in Figure 3. A
bottle 35 with an
open upper end 36 may be, when disposed at an angle, placed to have a dip tube
37 of the
pump mechanism 28 inside its open end 36 and the bottle 35 then slid upwardly
between the
side walls 18 and 19 of the housing 16 upwardly about the dip tube 37 to a
position where a
bottom 38 of the bottle is disposed above a height of a support ledge 39
secured across the
back of the housing 16. The bottom 38 of the bottle 35 may then be pushed
rearwardly to
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
rest on the support ledge 39. The bottle 35 serves as a removable and
replaceable reservoir
for the fluid to be dispensed. With the bottle 35 inserted and in the
position, for example, as
illustrated in Figure 1, pressing downwardly on the lever 12 will dispense
fluid 40 out of the
nozzle 13 of the pump mechanism 28. The pump mechanism 28 preferably comprises
a
piston pump assembly with the nozzle 13 comprising a forward hollow tubular
extension
from a piston 41 which is slidable within a piston chamber forming element 42
which has
liquid fed to it from the bottle 38 via the dip tube 37. The piston 44 is
reciprocally vertically
displaced by the lever mechanism 23 to pump fluid.
Figures 2 and 3 show in solid lines one configuration in which the bottle 35
may be replaced
independently of the pump mechanism 28, Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in
dashed lines,
a bottle 35 mechanically secured to the pump mechanism 28 forming together a
replaceable
unit that can as a unit be coupled to and uncoupled from the dispenser for al
removed and
replacement as a unit via the forward access provided to the interior 21 of
the housing 16
when the nozzle shield 28 in a raised open position as seen in Figure 2. The
replaceable unit
comprising the bottle 35 and the pump mechanism 28 is preferably disposable
when empty.
[0057] The preferred embodiment of the dispenser 10 shown in Figures Ito 5
illustrates
a single sensor 50 carried on the exterior surface 49 of the side wall 18.
Sensors similar to
the sensor 50 sensor 50 may be provided at other locations on the dispenser
10, including, for
example, on an inside surface of the side wall 18; on an inside or an outside
surface of the
side wall 19, on the upper surface of the top 20, and on the nozzle shield 27
as, for example,
on any of a top surface 64, side surface 66, front end surface 67 or under
surfaces 68; on the
activation lever12, on the pump mechanism 28 and on the bottle 35. A sensor
could be
provided on the lever 12 preferably on a forwardmost horizontal portion 70 of
the lever 12
which is most likely to be contacted by the hand of a user. A sensor could be
provided on the
nozzle 13 preferably proximate where a fluid is discharged and there may be a
likelihood of
either contact by a user's hand or growth of biological contaminants.
[0058] The sensor may be provided secured to components of the dispenser 10
which are
typically not replaced and such a sensor would need to have a relatively long
useful life. The
sensor may, however, be provided to be removable and replaceable from the
dispenser 10 so
11
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
as to permit the use of a sensor whose sensing activities are only effective
for a period of
time or which degrades with time as, for example, as contaminants come to
engage the
surface of the sensor. In this regard, the sensor 50 of the preferred
embodiment of Figures 1
to 5 preferably is a replaceable sensor as, for example, comprising a
replaceable member
which can be secured to the side wall 18 and releasably electrically connected
to the control
module 52 by the provision and use of a manually engageable end releasable
plug 61 on the
conduit 53 which releasably connects the sensor 50 to the control module 52.
In the
preferred embodiment, the sensor 50 comprises a relatively flat planar member
to be
adhesively secured to the wall 18 with a release adhesive permitting later
removal of the
sensor 50. As seen in Figure 4, an opening 62 is provided through the wall 18
behind the
sensor 50 through which the conduit 53 is passed to provide for connection of
the sensor 50
shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 to the control module 52. Such as removable
and
replaceable sensor 50 may, for example, be provided in a kit with a
replacement bottle 35
with a user on replacing an empty bottle 35 at the same time, manually
replacing the sensor
50 with a new replacement sensor. The sensor 50 may, for example, be coupled
to a
replacement bottle 35 such that the removal of a closure on the bottle 35 to
permit its
insertion and use on a dispenser 10 also requires removal of the new sensor
50.
[0059] Wherever the sensor 50 is located on the dispenser 10, it is within
the scope of a
person skilled in the art to provide a method for providing electrical power
to the sensor 50
from the control module 52 to the site of the removable sensor 50 and to
provide a
mechanism for easy electrical connection. For example, at a location where any
sensor is to
be provided, electrical contact pads may be provided on the dispenser 10 to
engage electrical
contact pads carried on the sensor. Insofar as the sensor 50 is desired to be
secured to the
handle 12, insofar as the handle 12 is a hollow tube, then electric wiring can
extend internally
within the handle to a location where the sensor 50 is to be located. The
handle 12 may be
made from a left half portion and a right half portion, each as a metal rod or
tube, and with a
plastic spacer in the center of the forwardmost horizontal portion 70 which
mechanically
connect the two metal halves together while electrically separating them. A
sensor could be
provided with a first electrical contact pad to engage the left half portion
and a second
12
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
=
electrical contact pad to engage the right half portion and thus the sensor
will bridge between
the two metal halves and complete an electrical conduit between the rear ends
of each of the
metal halves which are each to be electrically connected to the control module
52.
[0060] Preferably, a sensor timing arrangement is provided which will
determine the time
when a sensor is initially activated so as to first permit contaminants engage
on its surface
and with the sensor timing arrangement including a timing device such that
signals from the
sensor representative of the level of contamination of the sensor are provided
with an
indication as to relative time and the time from initial activation. Such a
timing arrangement
may arise, for example, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 with the processor
55 including
a timer and a capability to sense when the plug of a new sensor 50 is first
connected to the
control module 52. While not necessary, it is preferred that each sensor 50
may have an
identification number and the control module 52 have a capability to determine
the
identification number of each sensor 50 and to determine the first time when
any particular
sensor 50 is sensed as being electrically connected and/or initially
activated. Preferably, the
sensor 50 may have some protective mechanism to prevent contaminates from
becoming
engaged on the sensor 50 prior to electrical connection of the sensor and or
activation. As
schematically illustrated in Figure 3, a protective release sheet 80 is
provided over the sensor
50 which release sheet 80 has a tab 81 to be manually engaged to remove the
release sheet
after electrical connection of the sensor 50 to the control module 52. By
removing the
release sheet 80, the sensor 50 would be initially activated, meaning that the
surface of the
sensor 50 would first come to become open to being engaged by contaminants.
The removal
of the release sheet 80 and the initial activation of the sensor 50 could be
assumed to occur at
substantially the same time that the sensor 50 is electrically connected to
the control module
52.
[0061] As another arrangement, the release sheet SO could include an
element which
blocks electrical connection of the sensor 50 to the control module 52 or
otherwise prevent
the operation of the sensor 50 until such time as the release sheet is
removed. With such an
arrangement, removal of the release sheet 80 would initially activate the
sensor 50 after the
sensor 50 was previously electrically connected to the module 52. This would
permit the
13
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
dispenser 10 to have the sensor 50 removably attached with the release sheet
80 in place to
be shipped and transported ready for use by installation of the dispenser 10
and removal of
the release sheet 80.
[0062] The sensor 50 shown in Figure 3 is a relatively thin planar member
which can be
releasably secured to the side wall 18 as by a releasable adhesive on the rear
of the sensor 50.
The release member 80 is preferably a thin sheet, for example, of plastic
material which may
be secured as over the forward surface of the sensor 50 by an adhesive, at
least with the
adhesive about a periphery of the front surface of the sensor so as to avoid
sensory areas on
the sensor which contaminants are to engage and be sensed. The sensor 50
preferably has
electrical components and circuitry printed thereon. The release sheet 80 may
have electrical
components and circuitry printed thereon to be coupled with the electrical
components and
circuitry on the sensor 50 to blocking operation of the sensor 50 until the
release sheet 80 is
removed.
[0063] Various sensors are known which would be useful as a sensor 50 in
accordance
with the present invention. A sensor could be used which accurately senses the
presence of
one or more specific contaminants. Such sensors are often expensive and have
difficulties in
respect of accuracy and calibration. In the context of an arrangement in
accordance with the
present invention in which an array comprising a plurality of dispensers is
provided within a
facility, the invention permits the use of sensors which may not individually
be accurate in
predicting the presence of a contaminant. In accordance with the present
invention, by
providing an array of dispensers 10 in which a number of dispensers 10 are
used in a facility
100, sensors 50 may be used which may not be considered particularly accurate
or relatively
accurately calibrated. Preferably, in accordance with the present invention,
the array of
dispensers 10 provided is in a facility in a relatively large number of
dispensers. The number
of dispensers is preferably at least 25 and, more preferably, at least 50, at
least 100, at least
200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500 and, more preferably, at least
1000 dispensers. In
accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that a relatively large
number of the
dispensers 10 are included in the array within the facility 100. The
opportunity to have such
a large number of arrays of dispensers 10 in a facility is readily achievable
as, for example, in
14
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
health care facilities and hospitals and where large number of dispensers is
provided in
relatively small areas. Insofar as the dispensers 10 carrying the sensors 50
are manually
operated dispensers, there is an easy opportunity for easily providing large
numbers such
dispensers 10 in an array in the facility.
10064] In many environments such as hospitals where there are concerns
about
contaminants, particularly biological contaminants, it is desired that the
bottles 35 containing
the fluid to be dispensed be changed relatively frequently, particularly where
there is an
opportunity or necessity for the dispenser to be engaged by a user in
dispensing the fluid.,
and the dispenser may serve as a location for the deposit, and transfer to
others of
contaminants. Preferably, each bottle 35 is replaced about every 14 to 30 days
whether or
not the bottle is empty of fluids. Such bottles 35 have preferred volumes in
the range of 500
ml to 2 litres. A preferred bottle 35 has a volume of 500 ml which in many
hospital and
health care environments will result in the bottle, when placed in areas of a
facility with
average usage being typically emptied and replaced every two to three weeks.
The bottles 35
are also preferably available in larger sizes such as 1 litre and greater,
which are
advantageous for insertion into dispensers 10, in relatively high use areas,
such that the
bottles 35 may be expected to be emptied within one to four weeks. Preferably,
a new
replacement sensor 50 is provided and replaced each time the removable bottle
35 is
replaced. In such an arrangement, the replaceable sensor 50 need only have, at
most, a useful
life which is the useful life of the average bottle which typically does not
exceed two to four
weeks. Providing a sensor 50 which would be active for merely two to four
weeks would be
useful in accordance with the invention of the present application and, again,
facilitate the
selection of a sensor by eliminating the need for long term useful sensing.
[0065] Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, in one preferred
embodiment, the replaceable sensor 50 may only be useful to sense
contamination for a
relatively short period of time such as, for example, selected from a time
period of a number
of minutes, or hours, or days or weeks after activation. For example, a sensor
might have a
useful sensing life of but a few minutes, say, for example, 5, 15 or 30
minutes or, for
example, one, two, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four hours or thirty-six
hours or two days,
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
three days, four days, five days, six days or seven days or some time period,
for example,
between one day and fourteen days.
[0066] The preferred sensor 50 in accordance with the present invention is
a sensor
capable of sensing contaminants on the sensor. In the case of biologic
contaminants, the
presence of the biologic contaminants on the sensor 50 may increase with time
as the
biologic contaminants may grow and remain engaged on the sensor 50. Signals
indicating
the level of contaminants on the sensor may be provided over time from the
time of
activation onward. The speed at which the level of contaminants increase can
be measured
on the sensor during its useful life as one factor to indicate the relative
level of contaminants
in the environment about the dispenser. As an example of an array of
dispensers 10 in
accordance with the present invention, 1000 dispensers 10 can be provided in a
hospital
facility. Each sensor 50 with the various individual dispensers 10 will be
replaced
periodically and preferably randomly, upon replacement of the bottles 35. Each
dispenser 10
will provide data information to the central computer server 60 including the
time when each
sensor was initially activated, and levels of contaminant sensed at various
times after initial
activation. From such data, amongst other items, the speed at which the level
of contaminant
changes typically increases can be determined. The data received from the 1000
dispensers
can be subjected to various data manipulation techniques such as statistical
analysis, and
averaging including techniques to disregard, for example, readings from
sensors which are
within either a bottom percentile of contamination level readings for all
comparable
dispensers such as, for example, in the bottom 10% or above a certain
percentile of
contamination level readings for all comparable dispensers such as above 90%.
The data
may be collected from the dispensers 10 in the facility 100 over a period of
time such as over
a three, six or twelve month period of time to establish expected baselines
and establish
thresholds against which future data can be compared. Thereafter, data
monitored from the
array of dispensers as a whole and, as well, from individual groups of
dispensers within the
array or individual dispensers may be compared to the historical values to
assist in
generalized determinations as to whether or not there may be an increase in
contaminants in
the facility as a whole or certain areas in the facility or even at certain
dispensers. Such data
16
can serve as an early warning system towards giving notice and early warning
of increasing
contaminants. Data gathered from one facility such as a first hospital may be
compared to
data from another facility such as a second hospital.
100671 Various algorithms such as statistical assessments will be apparent
to a person
skilled in the art as useful towards assessing the data received from the
dispensers towards
developing thresholds and assessing when reasonable thresholds for levels of
contaminants
have been exceeded or levels of contaminants are at acceptable levels.
100681 The sensor 50 may bc adapted to sense one or more contaminants. A
preferred
sensor may be a relatively simple sensor which is adapted to sense one
contaminant or type
of contaminant. While there may be known contaminants which are of a
particular concern
as in a hospital environment such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA), a
type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that
are commonly
used to treat staph infections and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)
bacteria and while it
would be preferred to use a sensor which would sense for the presence of any
particular
pathogen, this is not necessary for the invention to be carried out. One
preferred embodiment
of the invention is to utilize a sensor which senses an indicator contaminant
which is
reasonably expected to have a correlation to a contaminant of concern without
directly
sensing contaminant of concern. For example, in a hospital environment, while
it might be
difficult to have a sensor which senses MRSA, insofar as other biologic
contaminants such as
common E.coli bacteria are sensed, an increase in the level of E.coli bacteria
is reasonably to
be expected to be correlatable to a rise in other dangerous contaminants such
as MRSA and
C. difficile. A sensor for E.coli or other indicator contaminant which is more
readily
available and less expensive comprises a reasonable sensor to be used toward
assisting and
indicating general levels of contamination within a hospital facility and may
be demonstrated
by historical data to having a correlation to other unsensed contaminants. As
another
example, rather than sense bacteria, micro-organisms or plants directly,
signalling moleculars
produced by the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants may be sensed as methods
of detecting
the bacteria, micro-organisms and plants as in a manner described in U.S.
Patent 7,651,843 to
Stubbs et al, issued January 26, 2010.
17
CA 2778470 2019-07-24
[0069] In Figure 6, the control module 52 is shown as including a power
source 54.
One preferred power source is a removable and replaceable battery. The nature
of the
power source 54 to be used is not limited and would include, for example,
mechanisms to
generate power and mechanisms to store the power. Mechanisms to generate power
can
include light powered generators, such as solar generators, and generators
which provide
power on a user manually activating the dispenser as by moving the lever 12.
[0070] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the sensor 50 is
hardwired to the
control module 52 and receives electrical power from the control module 52.
Reference is
made to Figure 9 which shows an alternate arrangement for the connection of
the control
module 52 and the sensor 50. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the sensor 50 is
illustrated as
a wireless sensor 50 having electrically connected elements comprising a
sensor processor
75, a sensor communication device 76, a sensor power source 74 as well as a
contaminant
sensing mechanism 73. The sensor power source 74 preferably is a battery. The
sensor
communication device 76 is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the
communication
device 56 on the control module 52. The nature of the wireless communication
between the
control module 52 and the sensor control device 76 is not limited but can
preferably provide
but one-way communication from the sensor 50 to the control module 52. The
wireless
communication between the control module 52 and the sensor control device 76
is
preferably over but a very short distance. One preferred method of
communication would
be WiFi wireless communication. The communication device 56 of the control
module 52
may use different wireless communication systems to communicate with the
sensor
communication device 76 than with other remote devices such as the wireless
router 58.
[0071] The combination of the wireless sensor 50 and the control module 52
as shown
in Figure 9 can advantageously be used as, for example, in the embodiment
illustrated in
Figures 1 to 6 so as to, for example, avoid the need for a hardwired
communication between
the sensor 50 and the control module 52 and thus eliminate, for example, the
conduit 53 and
its plug as shown in Figure 4. Use of a wireless sensor 50 can facilitate the
location of a
18
CA 2778470 2019-07-24
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
sensor at virtually any location on the dispenser 10 and its components and
facilitate the
installation and removal of any sensor which is to be removable and
replaceable. Insofar as
the wireless sensor 50 is carried on the dispenser 10 in relative close
proximity to the control
module 52, the battery serving as the power source 77 for the wireless sensor
need not have
any substantial capacity to power communication. Preferably, in an arrangement
as shown in
Figure 9, the wireless sensor would be located within, at most, twelve inches,
more
preferably, at most, six inches or three inches from the control module 52.
The arrangement
illustrated in Figure 9 is readily adapted for substitution for the sensor 50
and control module
52 as in Figure 4 eliminating the need for the hardwired conduit 53.
[0072] As another embodiment of the dispenser 10, a wireless sensor 50 as
illustrated in
Figure 9 could be provided in the dispenser 10 and communicate as, for
example, wirelessly
with the wireless router 58 as shown, for example, in Figure 8. In such a
case, the control
module 52 could be eliminated from the dispenser, however, the sensor
processor 75 in that
case would need to have the capability of controlling the sensor 50 and its
operation and
suitably transmitting acceptable signals and data to the router 58. Thus
control module 52
could be eliminated from the dispenser 10 or at least not serve a purpose in
the control of or
communication with the sensor SO.
[0073] Reference is made to Figure 10 which is identical to Figure 3,
however, shows a
second sensor 50 as applied to the bottle 35 on a front surface 80 of a front
wall 81 of the
bottle 35. The sensor 50 shown in Figure 10 on the bottle is preferably a
wireless sensor of
the type illustrated in Figure 9 which may be provided in combination with a
control module
52 of the type shown in Figure 9 carried internally within the dispenser for
communication
between the wireless sensor 50 on the bottle and the control module 52 (not
shown in Figure
10) or, alternatively, the sensor may comprise a stand alone sensor 50 of the
type illustrated
in Figure 9, however, with capability of transmitting directly from the sensor
50 on the bottle
to the wireless router 58 shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 continues to show a
first sensor 50 on
the side wall 18 of the dispenser 10 in addition to the sensor 50 on the
bottle 35, although
only one sensor is necessary.
19
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
[0074] Figure 11 shows the bottle 35 used in Figure 10, however, prior to
coupling of the
bottle to the dispenser with the bottle carrying a removable snap-off cap 90
sealing the
opening to the bottle 35. The sensor 50 is shown as covered by the transparent
removable
release sheet 80 which on removal activates the sensor 50. The cap 90 needs to
be removed
prior to coupling of the bottle to the dispenser. A strap 91 mechanically
couples the cap 90
to the release sheet 80 such that with removal of the cap 90 for use of the
bottle 35, the
release sheet 80 is automatically removed.
[0075] Reference is made to Figure 12 which illustrates a dispenser 10
similar to that
shown in Figure 4 but in which a wired sensor 50 is provided on the front
surface of the
bottle 35 and in which connection wires 93 and 94 extend from the sensor 50,
each to a
respective metal electrical contact pad 95 and 96 provided on the bottom 38 of
the bottle.
Corresponding electrical contact pads 97 and 98 are provided on a support
ledge 39 secured
across the back of the dispenser housing 16. When the bottle 35 is engaged on
the housing in
the manner as seen in side view in Figure 5, the contact pads 95 and 96 of the
wireless sensor
50 carried on the bottle 35 will make electrical contact with the contact pads
96 and 97 on the
support ledge 39. The contact pads 96 and 97 on the support ledge 39 have
connection wires
87 and 88 which extend to the control module 52. This arrangement of Figure 12
provides
for a removable bottle 35 with the sensor 50 attached to the bottle 35 and
adapted to be hard
wired to the control module 52 when the bottle 35 is engaged to the dispenser
10.
[00761 Figure 10 shows two sensors 50 on the dispenser, namely the sensor
50 on the
side wall 18 of the dispenser 10 in addition to the sensor 50 on the bottle
35, although only
one sensor is necessary. In accordance with the present invention, one, two,
three or more
sensors may be provided on the same dispenser. The various sensors 50 may be
hardwired in
an arrangement as illustrated in Figure 6 or wireless as in an arrangement in
Figure 9. Some
of the sensors may be hardwired and others may be wireless.
[0077] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a replaceable unit comprising not
only the bottle
35 but also the pump 28 securely attached thereto. As in the manner
illustrated in Figure 10
or Figure 12, a sensor 50 may be provided on the bottle 35 of the replacement
unit shown in
Figure 2 comprising the bottle 35 together with the pump 28. In another
embodiment of such
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
a replaceable unit, a sensor 50 can be applied onto the nozzle 13 and
removable with the
replaceable unit.
[0078] Reference is made to Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 showing a dispenser
in accordance
with a second embodiment of the invention.
[0079] In discussion of the second embodiment of Figures 13 to 17, the same
reference
numerals as used in Figures 1 to 12 are used to refer to similar elements. The
dispenser 10 of
the second embodiment is substantially the same as the dispenser 10 of the
first embodiment
with the exception that a number of additional features are added. The
dispenser has a
chassis 130 within its housing 16. Most notably, as seen in Figure 16, the
dispenser includes
a generator 120 to generate electrical power on a user moving the lever 12. As
seen in Figure
16, the left hand arm 122 of the lever 12 extends rearwardly for pivotal
connection near a
rear end 123 of the arm 122 to the upper end of a rigid link arm 124. A lower
end 125 of the
link arm 124 is pivotally connected to a first drive gear 126 by being engaged
journalled for
rotation in an opening extending axially through the first drive gear 126 at a
radial location
spaced from the axis about which the first drive gear 126 rotates. The first
drive gear 126 is
connected by a series of gears 127 and 128 which are linked to a gear axle 129
on the
generator 120. While not shown in Figures 13 to 17, the handle 12 is
preferably biased to a
raised upper position by springs such as the springs 26 shown in Figure 4. On
movement of
the handle 12 downwardly by a user to dispense fluid against the bias of the
springs, the link
arm 124 rotates the first gear 126 and hence rotates the gears of the gear
train to rotate the
generator to generate power. After a user has moved the lever 12 to a lower
position in
which the springs are compressed, on release of the lever 12 by the user, the
lever will return
to the raised position under the bias of the springs. In one preferred gearing
arrangement,
during movement of the lever 12 from the lower position to the upper position
as under the
influence of springs, the first gear is preferably mechanically disconnected
from the
generator 120 as by a one way clutch arrangement. In a second preferred
gearing
arrangement during movement of the lever 12 from the lower position to the
upper position
under the influence of springs, a mechanical gearing connection is maintained
between the
21
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
first gear and the generator 120 to harvest electrical energy from the
movement of the lever
12. Such gearing arrangements are known to persons skilled in the art.
100801 In the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, the control module 52 as seen
in Figure 16
as secured to the rear of the chassis 130. Electrical wires 131 deliver
electrical power from
the generator 120 to the control module 52. Referring to Figure 15, a bottle
sensor 134 is
provided. The bottle sensor 134 is schematically illustrated in a schematic
cross-sectional
plan view in Figure 17 as biased forwardly by a spring member 136 to an
extended position
shown in Figure 15. On a bottle 35 being coupled to the dispenser 10, a rear
wall of the
bottle 35 engages the bottle sensor 134 and urges the bottle sensor 134
rearwardly against the
bias of the spring member 136. The forward and rearward movement of the bottle
sensor
136 opens and closes an electrical switch 137 providing a signal to the
control module 52
indicative of whether or not a bottle 35 is coupled to the dispenser 10.
[0081] As also seen in Figure 15, on the front of the chassis 130 above the
support ledge
39 on either side, there are provided angled surfaces 140 and 141. On the
surface 140 an
infrared emitter 142 is provided and on the surface 141, an infrared sensor
143 is provided.
This emitter 142 and sensor 143 provide a level sensing mechanism which is
adapted to
sense the level of fluid in the bottle 35 and to provide a signal to the
control module 52
indicative of whether or not the level of fluid in the bottle is above or
below the height of the
sensor 143.
[0082] As seen in Figures 13 and 14, a transparent window 145 is provided
through the
side wall 18 of the housing 16. Disposed on the chassis 130 inside this
window145 are a
series of LED lights 146, 147 and 148 as best seen in Figure 16. Each light is
preferably
capable if emitting light of different colors, preferably green, or yellow or
red, and capable of
being illuminated continuously or to flash intermittently. The lamps are
preferably
controlled by the control module 52 to provide visual signals to users as to
the condition of
the dispenser. One of the lights can, for example, emit, green, yellow or red
light as, for
example, to indicate that a level of contamination sensed by the sensor is,
respectively
acceptable, moderate or unacceptable. The lamps can also provide signals
indicating that the
22
bottle is empty of fluid or that there is some other malfunction or that the
dispenser is
operational.
[0083] In the second embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, in addition to the
lights
which indicate the status of the dispenser, a speaker indicated as 170 may be
provided
connected to the control module and adapted to be activated so as to provide,
for
example, spoken signals or direction to a user of the dispenser or a person
replacing
the bottle and/or sensor and/or warnings at different levels depending upon
the status
of the dispenser and the level of contaminant sensed.
[0084] Figure 13 illustrates a bottle 35 as coupled to the dispenser which
bottle is
substantially of the type illustrated in Figure 9, that is, with a sensor 50
carried on the
front face of the bottle and coupled to the control module 52 either in a
wired manner
as illustrated in Figure 4 or 12 or an unwired manner as in Figure 9.
[0085] A dispenser in accordance with the present invention in the
preferred
embodiments illustrated comprises a manually operated dispenser. However,
dispensers for use in accordance with the present invention are not so
limited. A
dispenser need not be manually activated. A dispenser may include an
electronically
activated dispenser in which, for example, dispensing of fluid is activated
automatically
by a sensor sensing the presence of a user's hand underneath a dispensing
outlet. Such
automatic dispensers which are preferably touchless include a control module
for their
operation and, in accordance with the present invention, a sensor would be
provided on
the dispenser to sense contaminants. The sensor may preferably communicate in
a
wired or wireless manner with the control module in the automatic dispenser
or, as
described alternatively, communicate directly with a wireless hub.
[0086] Reference is made to Figure 18 which illustrates a touchless
dispenser of
the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,980,421 to Ophardt et al. issued July 19,
2011 and
which dispenser 10 has been modified merely to show a contaminant sensor 50
provided on a downwardly directed surface 200 proximate the discharge outlet
201
for fluid from the dispenser 10. Of course, additional contaminant sensors 50
may
be provided at different locations on such a dispenser. In a known manner,
23
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CA 02778470 2012-05-29
hand sensors 203 sense a person's hand below the nozzle 13 and actuate a pump
(not shown)
to discharge fluid from a fluid reservoir 35.
[0087] One preferred sensor for use in accordance with the present
invention is a sensor
which has a relatively limited lifetime over which the sensor is effective to
sense a
contaminant as, for example, with the sensor operative such that once a
certain quantity of
contaminants come to engage the surface of the sensor, the sensor is no longer
operative to
indicate changes in level of contamination. A preferred sensor 50 for use in
the present
invention may have a contaminant sensing mechanism 73 as seem in Figure 19
which
comprises a circuit board 159 plurality of individual sensing areas or
elements 160. Each
individual sensing element 160 is each adapted to be independently
electrically connected to
the control module 52 via wires 165 and activated. The control module 52 is
schematically
shown in Figure 17 in dashed lines. Each sensing element 160 has a separate
release member
80 covering it and preventing engagement of contaminants with the sensing
element 160
until the release member 80 is removed. In Figure 17, an electrical heating
element is
provided underneath each sensing element 160 on the circuit board 159 with the
electrical
heating element electrically connected to the control module 52. For ease of
illustration but
one such electrical heating element 162 is shown in dashed lines with its
connecting wires
shown as 163. Each release member 80 is a sheet of material which is volatile
when heated
above room temperature. The control module 52 is capable of providing
electrical energy to
each heating element 162 to heat the release member 80 and have it sublimate
and dissipate
so that the underlying sensing element 160 is initially activated to receive
contaminants. The
control module 52 is to heat the heating element 162 for each of the
individual sensing
elements 160 at times when desired, preferably activating different of the
individual sensing
elements 160 at different desired times as, for example, in sequence over a
period of time.
[0088] Other systems for time delayed and time staggered activation of the
individual
sensing elements 160 include the use of volatile release members 80 which at
room
temperature sublimate with time and which are provided to be of different
initial thicknesses
over different of the individual sensing elements 160, or of materials which
dissipate at
different rates over of the individual sensing elements, so as to provide for
different of the
24
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
individual sensing elements become open to receive contaminants at different
times.
Preferably, with the control module 52 can determine the time when each of the
individual
sensing elements 160 are initially activated.
[0089] The individual sensing elements 160 can be relatively small, for
example, of
dimensions to provide a surface area of less than 1 square cm, more preferably
less than .5
square cm, which assist in also providing for each sensor 50 to also be
relatively small.
Preferred individual sensing elements 160 and other portions of a sensor 50
may be printed
by various techniques such as to become OLED circuits as printed on a thin
film such as on
PET film. Such small sized individual sensing elements 160 and sensors 50 may
be adapted
as, for example, for location on relatively small sized areas as on the lever
12 or on the
nozzle 13 shown in the embodiments of Figure 1 and 13 which may, for example,
comprise
tubular members of a diameter in the range of not greater than about 1/4 inch.
[0090] A dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention
is capable
of providing information as to the level of contaminant sensed by the
dispenser over a period
of time. The dispenser also has the capability for providing information as to
the time when
a bottle is replaced, the time when the bottle is empty and the number of
activations of the
pump. The number of activations of the pump can readily be sensed by sensing
when power
is provided from the generator 120 to the control module 52. As a result of
this information,
the level of activity of the dispenser can be known. The level of activity of
the dispenser has
a correlation to the number of times persons activate the dispenser to
dispense fluid. The
number of activations of a dispenser over time can be another factor to be
used in comparing
the dispenser and level of contaminants in any dispenser or group of
dispensers within an
array to any other dispenser or group of dispensers within the array.
[0091] Information can be provided to a central server as to a specific
location of any
dispenser within a facility. Historical information about any dispensers at
that same or
proximate location including information about contaminant levels and
activation levels can
be useful in determining thresholds for comparing contamination levels of any
particular
dispenser or group of dispensers.
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
[0092] Of contaminants which may be adapted to be sensed by the sensors 50
on the
dispensers 10, some contaminants may be airborne and other contaminants may be
carried by
persons as on their hands. The nature of the contaminant to be sensed can be a
factor in
determining where to locate the sensor on a dispenser. The nature of the
contaminant to be
sensed can also have a determination as to whether or not the number of
activations is a
significant factor in assessing levels of a contaminant with time at any
particular dispenser.
Preferably, contaminants which are carried as, for example, on a user's hand
will be placed
on a dispenser at a location where the sensor is likely to be contacted by a
user's hand.
Dispensers which are adapted to sense airborne contaminants may be located at
different
locations on the dispenser remote from possible contact by a user.
[0093] Reference is made to Figure 20 which shows an embodiment of a soap
dispenser
of the present invention similar to that shown in Figure 3 but in which a
sensor 50 is
provided on the bottom 38 of a bottle 35 so as to be located forwardly from
the support ledge
39. An air fan 170 is provided to be secured to the back of the dispenser 10
underneath the
support ledge 39 so as to blow air onto the sensor 50. The fan 170 is
electrically powered
and controlled by the control module 52 (not shown). The fan 170 may direct
air onto the
sensor 50 continuously or more preferably periodically for short intervals
from time to time
during the useful life of the sensor 50. In this manner, in a controlled
manner, the sensor 50
may engage with air from about the dispenser 10 and more accurately provide
for sensing of
airborne contaminants.
[0094] As to the particular nature of the contaminants which the sensor 50
may sense,
this is not limited. A most preferred application is the use of the sensors as
in hospitals, food
facilities, restaurants and the like to sense biologic contaminants such as
bacteria, micro-
organisms, viruses, fungi, molds, spores and signalling molecules or other
products or by-
products of bacterial, micro-organisms, fungi and molds. However, the sensors
may also be
adapted to sense other contaminants such as the relative levels of carbon
monoxide, carbon
dioxide, oxone, oxygen, nitrogen, natural gas and other gases. The sensors may
also sense
for smoke as by sensing carbon particles that may be airborne residue of a
fire. The
particular nature of the contaminants to be sensed is not limited. The sensors
may also be
26
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
used to sense other variables such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric
pressure, and light
and noise levels.
[0095] The particular nature of the sensors to be used is not limited. The
sensor may be a
direct sensor or an indirect sensor. A direct sensor would provide a signal as
to levels of
contamination is preferred. Preferred direct sensors are electronic with a
sensor identifying
the presence of a contaminant on its surface and providing for an electronic
signal. Such
sensors are well known and include biosensors as applied to biochips. The
biosensor is a
device that includes a biological recognition system, often called a
bioreceptor, and a
transducer. The interaction of an analyte with the biosensor is designed to
produce an effect
measured by the transducer, which converts the information into a measurable
effect, such as
an electrical signal. The biosensor typically includes associated electronics
or signal
processors that are primarily responsible for the display of results in a user
friendly manner.
Biosensors that include transducers based on integrated circuit microchips are
often referred
to as biochips. A biochip typically includes one or more in biosensors that
can be
individually monitored. Biosensors and biochips can be classified either by
their bioreceptor
or their transducer type. A bioreceptor typically is a sensitive biological
element, a
biologically derived material or a biomic material such as a biological
molecular species or a
living system or biologic material, for example tissue, micro-organism,
organelles, cell
receptors, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc, that utilizes a
biochemical mechanism for
recognition. The sampling component of a biosensor can contain a bio-sensitive
layer. The
bioreceptors are the key to specificity for biosensors as they are responsible
for the analyte of
interest to the sensor for measurement. Biosensors can take many forms,
however, include
five major catagories: antibody/antigen, enzymes, nucleic acids/DNa, cellular
structures/cells
and biomimetic. Biosensors can also be classified based upon the transduction
method.
Transduction can be accomplished by a great many methods. Most forms of
transduction can
be catagorized into one of the following classes; optical detection methods,
electrochemical
detection methods and mass deduction methods. Each of these three classes
contain many
different subclasses. An indirect sensor may also be used. An example of an
indirect sensor
is shown in Figure 21 which is similar to Figure 3. Figure 21 illustrates in a
side view similar
27
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
to Figure 3, a component of sensor 50 in the form of an indicator sheet 180
removably
secured to the bottom 38 of the bottle 35. The indicator sheet 180 is a sheet
material whose
color changes as a contaminant comes to engage the sheet. The sheet 180 may,
for example,
be of an initial colour such as white and will change successfully from white
to another
colour such as, for example, a deep red when contaminant has come into contact
with the
sheet. The sheet 180 preferably changes gradually in colour from white to red
passing, for
example, through white, red or pink colours before it reaches a deep red
colour. The extent
to which the colour red is displayed by the sheet 180 is indicative of the
level of
contaminants that have cumulatively engaged the sheet 180.
[0096] Mounted on the dispenser 10, as carried by a flange 181 secured to
the back of the
dispenser housing 16 below the support ledge 39, there is provided an optical
sensing
element 182 directed to be in opposition to the sheet 180. The optical sensing
element 182 is
an electronic element which has a capability of sensing the colour of the
sheet. The optical
sensing element 182 is electrically controlled and connected to the control
module 52 not
shown. The optical sensing element 182 monitors the colour of the sheet and
provides
suitable signals indicating the colour of the sheet and thus a representation
of the level of
contaminants sensed. The indicator sheet 180 may have a lifetime until the
cumulative
contaminants engaged on it turn its colour to a deep red. The indicator sheet
may be
provided at various locations on the dispenser 10 or on the bottle 35 and can
be removed and
replaced.
[0097] If it is desired to protect any sensor, whether direct or indirect,
from damage by
contact with a person using the dispenser or fluids dispensed, the sensor can
be provided at a
protected location as, for example, in the middle of a rear wall of the bottle
35 and, if
advantageous, have a air fan 170, for example, similar to that shown in Figure
19, direct air
flow over the sensor 50 towards providing air from the environment in
controlled contact
with the sensor.
[0098] A variety of contaminant sensors may be used in accordance with the
present
invention without limitation including, magnetoelastic, microelectromechanical
microphysiometer, nanowire, waveguide, liquid crystal, distributed dust or DNA
bridge
28
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
sensors. A description of each is provided in this paragraph; however, more
detailed
information of each is readily available in the open literature. A
magnetoelastic sensor
monitors a change in resonance of a tuned magnetoelastic strip which has been
coated with
an antibody of the analyte to be detected. The antibodies on the surface of
the magnetoelastie
strip bond with the analyte when present, changing the mass, and consequently,
the resonant
frequency of the element which change in mass can be detected to issue a
signal. To detect
multiple toxins, multiple individual strips may be coated with respective
antibodies, ganged
together and monitored by a common computer chip for issuing signals. A
microelectromechanical sensor monitors changes in the resonance of a spring-
mass with a
small cantilever beam coated with an antibody of the analyte to be detected to
capture a small
mass of analyte to effect a change in mass, and, consequently, the resonant
frequency of the
cantilever beam. A microphysiometer sensor employs live human cells that have
been
adapted to react quickly to biological agents in the environment. These cells
are disposed
atop sensors that detect abnormalities in cell structure. Nanowire or DNA
bridge sensors
employ strings of DNA disposed in or completing an electrical circuit which
changes
conductivity or resistance as receptors in the DNA molecule accept or combine
with other
DNA molecules. These DNA strings can be adapted to receive or combine with
analyte DNA
to detect and issue an alert signal. Waveguide sensors employ a coating of
antibodies which
are disposed on a sensor surface and selected to target specific analytcs such
as bacteria cells.
When the antibodies come into contact with these bacteria, the antibodies
attack and destroy
the bacteria and a light source is used to illuminate the changes. As the
antibodies destroy the
bacteria, the sensor surface detects the changes allowing the bacteria to be
identified. Liquid
crystal sensors employ cell membranes disposed atop rod-shaped liquid crystals
to detect
analytes. For example, lipids are attached to the liquid crystals, which lay
perpendicular to
the surface and appear dark. When the sensor is exposed to a protein that
binds to the lipids,
the liquid crystal molecules rapidly respond by switching to a planar
orientation. As a result,
the crystals transmit polarized light and appear bright. The change in
illumination can be
detected to issue an alert signal. Distributed dust sensors employ micrometer
size particles
which change color in the presence of contaminate. For example each particle
can exhibit
29
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
different colors depending upon its orientation such that when attaching to a
particular
contaminate, the particles collectively yield a characteristic optical
signature. The change in
optical signature can be detected to issue a signal. Immunoassay sensors
employ reactive
materials which change color or contrast in the presence of an analyte. A
sensor can includes
a white absorptive stick coated with the reactive material which, upon
contaminant exposure,
effects a color change.
[0099] The contaminant sensor provides an electrical output or switch
closure, or
changes in color, contrast or other physical characteristics can be converted
to an electrical
output/switch closure by conventional photoelectric or optical devices.
[0100] Each dispenser as illustrated in the embodiments of Figure 1, Figure
13 and
Figure 18 are adapted for dispensing fluids as, for example, on the hand of a
user. The
particular nature of the fluid which may be dispensed is not limited. The
fluid typically is
dispensed as a liquid or as a foam. The invention is applicable to fluid
dispensers of virtually
any manner or configuration in which a user has some interaction with the
dispenser and
there is an opportunity for interaction between the user and the dispenser or
the environment
about the dispenser. As to the particular nature of the fluid to be dispensed,
these may
include soaps such as aqueous based soaps and other cleaning fluids such as
alcohol based
cleaners and disinfectants. The units may be used in various different areas
in a facility such
as in common public areas in a hospital, on patient wards with or without
restricted access
and in areas which must be kept highly sanitized such as in operating rooms
and rooms for
preparation and cleaning before entering operating rooms.
101011 While Figures 1, 13 and 21 illustrate but three forms of fluid
dispensers, many
fluid dispensers fall within the scope of the present invention including foot
washers as are
known for dispensing fluid onto the foot of a user as, for example, by
spraying a fluid onto a
foot of a user on activation of a user to dispense the fluid by the foot being
sprayed.
[0102] The preferred dispenser as shown in Figures 1 and 13 are adapted for
engagement
by a user's hand to activate the dispensing of fluid. Dispensers are known
which are adapted
for activation by engagement by other parts of a user such as a user's elbow
or foot. Some
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
fluid dispensers are activated by a user pushing a button to electrically
operate a pump. All
such dispensers are included within the scope of the present invention.
[0103] Many paper dispensers are known as for use in washrooms, health care
facilities
and the like in which a user activates the dispenser so as to dispense paper
products typically
in rolls or sheets to the user. Such paper dispensers include dispensers which
may have a
lever handle for engagement by a user, for example, to rotate a roll of paper
and provide a
portion of the paper accessible for a user to tear off. Other paper dispensers
are automatic
and touchless and sense the presence of a user, hence, dispensing a portion of
the paper as for
drying a user's hands. Other paper dispensers dispense toilet paper as found
beside or near a
toilet and typically require a user to manually engage the end of the paper
and draw the paper
from a paper dispenser whether the paper may be in the form of a roll or the
form in sheets.
In each of these dispensers, there is an opportunity for a user to engage
portions of the
dispenser and there are surfaces on the dispenser where contamination may
occur. With each
of these paper dispensers as is the ease with fluid dispensers, the paper is a
replaceable
personal product and needs to be replaced periodically. In the case of a paper
dispenser
dispensing papers on rolls, the roll of paper comprises a replaceable
cartridge which must be
replaced from time to time. As is the case with a fluid dispenser, at the time
of replacing a
replaceable cartridge in a paper dispenser, a removable and replaceable sensor
may be
provided with the paper cartridge such that each time a replaceable paper
cartridge is
provided a new sensor is provided for the paper dispenser. As with the fluid
dispensers, the
sensor provided with the cartridge is adapted to be located open to an
environment in which
contaminants may be desired to be sensed as by maintaining this position on
the cartridge
while being gathered to the cartridge for coupling to the dispenser or being
removable from
the cartridge for coupling to the dispenser.
[0104] The fluid dispensers in accordance with the present invention are
more preferably
fluid dispensers for dispensing cleaning and disinfecting solutions and, more
particularly,
those adapted for cleaning a user's hands. Similarly, a paper towel dispenser
to which the
invention most directly relates are those adapted to be provided in an
environment where a
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person's hands are desired or expected to have been cleaned as, for example,
notably in
washrooms and in health care and food preparatory facilities.
[0105] Reference is made to Figure 22 which illustrates a collage of
elements which may
be found within the facility schematically illustrated as 100. These elements
include the
following: (a) dispensers 10 for dispensing fluid onto a user's hands, (b) a
paper towel
dispenser 202 for dispensing paper towels 203 from a horizontally disposed
roll of paper
schematically illustrated in dashed lines as 204 within a closed housing 205
carrying a lever
arm 206 for operation to dispenser the paper 203, (c) a toilet paper dispenser
208 having a
replaceable roll of paper 209 mounted as for rotation at least partially
covered by a housing
211; (d) a foot spray dispenser 212 typically mounted approximate to a floor
and having a
housing 213 carrying a replaceable reservoir therein and from which fluid is
adapted to be
dispensed as in a spray nozzle 214 by a user engaging a lever 215 with his
foot, (e) a sink
216 having a faucet 217 for dispensing of fluid and activated by two levered
handles 218 and
219, (f) a toilet 220 having a handle 221 which call be manually engaged for
flushing, (g) a
urinal 222 having a push button 223 for engagement by a user for flushing, (h)
a wall
mounted air blowing hand dryer 224 for dispensing of a flow of air out of an
enlarged nozzle
tube 225 and adapted, for example, for activation by a push button 226, (i) an
access door
228 for providing access to an area in a building or to a bathroom stall and
adapted to be
opened and closed by manual engagement of a door handle 229, (j) a grab bar
232 adapted
to be engaged to a wall to provide for assistance in a user in standing or
sitting as adjacent to
the toilet shown, and (k) a handrail 234 adapted to be mounted adjacent a wall
for
engagement by a user for guiding a user in movement along a wall and to assist
in supporting
a user by engagement by a user's hand, which handrail may also be adapted for
placement
along or beside one or more stairs. Each of these elements carries a sensor 50
in accordance
with the present invention.
101061 Each of the dispenser 10, the paper towel dispenser 202, the toilet
paper dispenser
208 and the foot spray dispenser 212 dispense a personal product which product
needs to be
replaced from time to time and typically is replaceable as in the form of a
reservoir or
cartridge. In accordance with the present invention, each of the fluid
dispenser, paper towel
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CA 02778470 2012-05-29
dispenser, toilet paper dispenser and foot spray dispenser carry a contaminant
sensor 50 in
accordance with the present invention preferably which is provided with and
replaced with
the replaceable reservoir or cartridge. In accordance with the present
invention, wireless
contaminant sensors 50 are provided on other of these elements in the facility
100 facility,
and preferably on any other elements which are reasonably to be expected to be
engaged by
users, preferably where they may be expected to be engaged users. Thus sensors
50
schematically indicated by arrows to be provided on each of the handles 218
and 219 for the
sink 216, the toilet handle 221, the urinal push button 223, the dryer push
button 226, the
door handle 229, the grab bar 232 and the handrail 234.
[0107] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
wireless sensors
50 which are provided on many of the elements may be provided with
communication
capability for relative limited distance such as, for example, no greater than
4 or 8 or 16 feet,
preferably within the same room without capability of passage through walls of
the facility.
Wireless sensors with such limited range communication may be provided within
the range
of communication with another element which serves as a message collector. The
message
collector could be merely a wireless router, however, preferably may comprise
another of the
elements such as preferably one of the fluid dispensers 10 or one of the paper
dispensers.
The dispenser 10 which preferably also serves as the message collector
preferably has
increased communication capabilities for sending information as to the
Internet.
[0108] The particular manner and control of any of the sensors 50 shown on
the elements
in the collage of Figure 22 is not limited. One preferred flow diagram of a
second
arrangement for monitoring and control of the sensor carrying elements of
Figure 22 is
illustrated in Figure 23. Figure 23 illustrates schematically a plurality of
the sensor carrying
elements as shown in Figure 22 adapted to communicate wirelessly via a WLAN
302 to a
message collector 310 comprising preferably a particular one of the dispensers
10. This
message collecting dispenser 310 is shown as adapted for communication with
the Internet
304 as preferably wirelessly. From the Internet 304, information may be passed
to a data
processing module 306 which typically would comprise a web tier of servers 308
which
communicate with a data tier of servers 309. The web tier of servers 308
typically delivers
33
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information through web pages, receive user information to be processed,
provides web
services for multiplexer use and for reporting to the facility manager,
generates alerts and
notifications and typically is expandable. The data tier server 309 provides a
central data
storage. A facility manager 312 is shown as schematically illustrated as an
individual person
314 at a computer 316. The facility manager 312 is able to communicate with
the message
collector 310 and, as well, with the data processing web tier 308 and data
tier 309 via the
Internet 304. The facility manager 312 has the capability, for example, of
reviewing reports,
managing all master data, and, as well, of registering each of the dispensers
10 and
configuring the dispensers 10. As shown in Figure 23, there is one dispenser
10 shown as
connected to the facility manager computer 316 as for initial dispenser
configuration via a
USB before that dispenser may be placed at its desired location in the
facility. Figure 23
shows the facility manager 312 as also having the capability of communicating
with a facility
database 318 which may include various information from a facility as, for
example, in the
case of a hospital, data regarding operations, occupancy, infection incidents
and the like.
[0109] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the
dispensers 10 and other elements which have sensors preferably do not
incorporate batteries
which require frequent replacement. The inventor of the present application
has appreciated
that in many facilities such as hospitals there are thousands of such
dispensers and avoiding
the need for battery replacement can significantly reduce the costs of
operation. As such, a
preferred arrangement is to provide the dispensers 10 to have a capability of
generating
through use the energy required for operation of the dispenser. In a
configuration as
illustrated in Figure 23, the individual dispensers 10 with limited
communication capability
may preferably comprise a dispenser 10 of the type illustrated in Figure 16
which
incorporates a generator which generates energy on manual movement of the
lever to
dispense fluid. The energy necessary to be generated can be merely the energy
necessary for
relaying from time to time information from that dispenser 10 to the message
collector 310.
In dispensers 10 with a generator such as shown in Figure 16 require for their
operation some
energy to take readings as to maintain a time clock and to store data based on
time as to the
activation of the dispenser, the amount of energy created and, if a
contaminant sensor is
34
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provided, the reading of the contaminant sensor. Such data can be stored
within the
individual dispenser 10. Depending upon the amount of energy which may be
stored at any
given time and the power of storage for the dispenser of Figure 16, the
control nodule 52 of
that dispenser 10 can then determine how frequently the stored information is
to be relayed to
the message collector. The amount of energy required for communication between
the
individual dispenser 10 and the message collector 310 including two-way
communication to
initialize and ensure there is proper communication generally is a greater
amount of energy
than that required for mere sensing and storage of information in the
collecting dispenser 10.
The frequency with which information may be transferred from the collecting
dispenser to
the message collector is preferably controlled by the controller in the
collecting dispenser 10
is as to be a function of the amount of energy at any time within the power
storage device in
the collecting dispenser. For example, if the power storage device has energy
above a first
level, the information transferral may be every five minutes or, for example,
every fifteen
activations. If the power level in the storage device is below a given level,
then the
information transferral may be less frequent as, for example, every one, two,
six or twelve
hours. Information transfer would, for example, not be permitted to occur when
the power
level may fall below any particularly low limit. Thus, in accordance with the
present
invention, there is provided an improved arrangement for optimizing power
consumption
between a collecting dispenser and a message collector in which the frequency
of
communication of data from the collecting dispenser to the message dispenser
is varied as a
function of the power contained within a rechargeable power source in the
collecting
dispenser so as to reduce the frequency of information transferral as the
power level
decreases. This arrangement is useful whether or not a contaminant sensor 50
is provided on
any dispenser.
101101 The message collector 310 preferably is a dispenser which has with
high
probability an adequate availability of electrical power in its power storage
device. Thus in
an arrangement where a plurality of gathering dispensers 10 or other devices
are provided for
communicating their information to a message collector 310, the message
collector 310
preferably has an increased and preferably continuous availability of power
as, for example,
by providing the message collector 310 to be hardwired to an A/C power system
or, to
have adequate replaceable batteries or, more preferably, to have a constant
supply of
renewable power. The constant supply of renewable power may be provided as by
a
solar panel, that is, a charging device which creates electrical energy from
light and
could, for example, have adequate capacity to provide power needs to the
message
controller for constant 24 hour operation based on the light it may receive.
Another
preferred element for use as the message collector is a fluid dispenser which
incorporates
an electrochemical cell to produce electric energy by chemical conversion of
the fluid to
be dispensed of the type disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 7,530,477 to
Ophardt,
issued May 12, 2009. In Figure 23, the message collector 310 preferably is
such a
combination fluid dispenser and electrochemical cell as disclosed in U.S.
Patent
7,530,477. With such a dispenser as the message collector 310, the fuel cell
within the
dispenser can produce electrical energy with time almost continuously and, in
any event,
periodically in amounts sufficient to provide energy for the constant
operation of the
message collector to monitor for incoming data from the plurality of other
dispensers and
devices which are attempting to communicate periodically via the WLAN 302
wirelessly.
That is, in the message connector 310 dispenser which incorporates an
electrochemical
cell to produce electrical energy, the fluid which is to be dispensed for use
as for cleaning
hands, is also used as a source for electrochemical energy as by containing
alcohol
compounds that can in a fuel cell be converted to electrical energy for
storage in a power
storage device in the message collector dispenser. Thus, in a collage of
elements such as
illustrated in Figure 22, one of the dispensers 10 may comprise a combination
liquid
dispenser and electrochemical cell which may serve as the message collector
310 and
provide renewable energy during the time that its reservoir contains fluid to
be dispensed.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel
arrangement
comprising an array of fluid dispensers and other devices which collect and
gather data
and which communicate wirelessly periodically over short distances with the
message
collector which has enhanced power generation capability and is adapted for
communication with other elements within a data distribution network such as
to
36
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the internet 304 and facility manager 312 as seen in Figure 22. Such
arrangement is useful
whether or not any contaminant sensors are included.
[0111] As seen in Figure 16, the dispenser of the second embodiment has UBS
port on its
control module by which it may be connected with devices such as a computer of
a facility
manager 312 for configuration of the dispenser as may be desired, for example,
initially or
subsequently. After initial configuration, the dispenser 10 may preferably
have the capability
for being configured wirelessly and remotely. The control module 52 of the
dispenser 10,
particularly when it is a gathering dispenser with minimal power generation
and storage
capability preferably performs but minimalistic processing and its control
module 52 may
preferably be adapted for configuration wirelessly from time to time as may be
desired by the
facility manager 312. Similarly, the message collector 310 preferably is
another dispenser 10
which may also be adapted for reconfiguration as by downloading of software
from time to
time preferably wirelessly as by the facility manager 312.
[0112] In Figure 23, a portable wireless communication device such as a
personal digital
assistant or a smart phone 320 is illustrated as wireless communicating with
the facility
manager 312, the message collector 310 and the Internet 304. Such a smart
phone 320 or
other portable device may be carried by personnel for facility to permit
timely transfer of
matter about any particular of the sensing elements. In an arrangement more
simplified than
that illustrated in Figure 23, the message collector 312 could communicate
merely with the
phone 320 and provide in a relatively smaller facility having, for example,
possibly ten or
twenty sensing elements a simplified arrangement for a person having the phone
320 as an
intelligent portable communication device to be able to readily monitor
activity of a number
of dispensers 10 or other elements. In Figure 22, each of the dispensers,
including the liquid
dispenser 10 and paper towel dispensers 202 may be provided with means of
generating
power as, for example, by having a power generator coupled to a manually
activated lever
which needs to be moved to dispense fluid. Other of the elements in the
collage could
similarly be provided to have power generators. For example, the door handle
229 could
have an internal generator and thus be self powered such as in the manner of
that disclosed in
U.S. Patent Publication US 2010/0140499 to Casale, published on June 10, 2010.
On
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movement of the door handle 229 to open the door, the movement of the door
handle 229 is
translated by a generator to create power and this power can be used to power
the wireless
sensor 50 on the door.
[0113] The manner in which the data gathered from contaminant sensors is
used,
monitored and manipulated by the facility manager and the data processing unit
is not
limited. As discussed earlier in this application, thresholds may be
established as to
contamination levels for various contaminants which can be used to generate
warnings and
the like. However, there is no need to compare any data to thresholds. Data
provided from
the system can provide to the facility manager a record with time as to
different contaminant
levels at different locations in a facility. Those contaminant levels may be
grouped as by
time or by areas of the facility and the like. The contaminant levels provide
the facility
manager with a real time indication of matters which are being sensed. It is
within the skill
of persons skilled in the art to develop monitoring techniques to review
trends and changes in
the data towards identifying where difficulties and problems may arise. Such
changes may
be used towards providing early warnings of problems or possible problems. As
but one
example, if there might be an outbreak of a particular bacterial disease at a
home for elderly
people proximate to a hospital, the hospital may track the admission and
presence of persons
from that old age home in the hospital with a view to monitoring changes in
levels of specific
contaminants within specific areas of the hospital as an indication that
contaminants may
have been brought in with the persons from the old age home and counter-
measure steps may
be taken. In another example, outbreaks of influenza can be tracked on various
Internet
databases monitoring various factors from the population as a whole such as
drug purchases,
absenteeism and the like. Such data can be combined with data gathered from
the sensors at
a facility towards increased monitoring for particular contaminants or to
reacting more
quickly upon changes in the levels of certain specific contaminants sensed.
[0114] The present invention provides a community of sensors and can use
group
behaviour strategies to identify various signals and device malfunction. A
wide array of
dispensers and other elements carrying sensors provides a widely distributed
sensor network.
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=
[0115] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method
of large scale
bio-sensing using the preferred sensor carrying dispensers and other sensor
carrying elements
in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with the present
invention, three
factors are of particular usefulness, these factors being the time of
insertion of a replaceable
bottle or cartridge in a dispenser, the usage by people of that dispenser with
time and the
level of a biologic contaminant on the sensor at the dispenser with time as,
for example,
giving a bacterial count. The three factors represented over time of the
insertion of a
reservoir, the usage of a dispenser and the bacterial levels on a dispenser
with time provide a
foundation towards determining the hygienic status of any health care
facility. The particular
nature of the data gathered from a large array of dispensers and other sensing
elements within
a facility is provided in conjunction with a network framework for collecting,
filtering and
processing large volumes of real time data. Data is provided from a large
number of data
sources providing the live network data. This mining of rich real time data
provides a system
which can be used to understand the network's operation and, as well, to
detect anomalies in
the data and the like.
[0116] As one means of communication of a signal from a sensor 50, a RFID
system may
be used comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in
combination with an
RFID reader to pass on a signal as to facility operators. The RFID device can
be active,
passive or a hybrid thereof A passive RFID device includes an antenna to
capture sufficient
energy from a surrounding electromagnetic field to power the RFID device. The
antenna is
electrically connected to an electronic chip which performs the various pre-
programmed
RFID functions. An RFID reader used in conjunction with passive RFID devices
generates
an electromagnetic field of sufficient intensity or magnetic flux to power the
RFID device 20
when the RFID device is proximal to a reader. For example, known RFID readers
30 can
produce a field such that a RFID device located can be energized and
interrogated by the
RFID reader at distances of up to at least ten feet. An active RFID device
includes an energy
source such as an embedded battery for the energy to transmit signals to the
RFID reader.
Hybrid RFID devices have characteristics of both passive and active devices
inasmuch as
39
such devices capture energy from a surrounding electromagnetic field but also
employ a
battery improve range of communication.
[0117] Reference is made to Figure 24 which shows a sensor arrangement
comprising a
wireless sensor 50 and a control unit 52 similar to that shown in Figure 9 but
using RFID
technology. The sensor 50 includes as at least part of its processor 75 a RFID
transponder
361. A RFID reader or transceiver 362 is provided as part of the control unit
52. On the
sensor 50, the processor 75 and its RFID transponder 361 are shown connected
to a plurality
of different contaminant sensing mechanisms 73 and to an antenna 259. The
wireless sensor
50 is preferably is manufactured as by printing its various elements onto a
flexible substrate
363. Selecting the RFID transponder to be a passive RFID transponder without a
battery
assists in ease of manufacture. Preferably, each of the processor 75, the
antenna 78 and the
sensor processor 75 may be printed directly onto a flexible substrate as by
inkjet printing
techniques, however, if this is not possible for any one of the components
then, for example,
one or more of the components such as the sensing mechanism 73 and sensor
processor 75
may be manufactured by another process and integrated onto the flexible
substrate 363. The
substrate may preferably comprise a flexible substrate such as polymers of
PET, PEN and PI
and on flexible foils and laminates.
[0118] In the context of Figure 22 and 23, the RFID wireless sensor 50 of
Figure 24 may
be provided as the sensor on any one of the elements in Figure 22 such as the
handrail and
the toilet handle, and the control unit 52 may be provided for example on the
message
collector 310, For each dispenser 10 the RFID wireless sensor 50 may be
provided on a
removable reservoir and the control unit 52 on the dispenser housing. The RFID
transceiver
or reader can be adapted to communicate with various devices including a
processor in the
dispenser, another dispenser which acts as a message collector, a router, the
Internet or
correctly with the facility manager.
[0119] As an example of a type of biosensor which could be adapted for use
as one or
more of the sensors 50 in accordance with the present invention is the
biosensor disclosed in
U.S. Patent 7,651,843 to Stubbs et al, issued January 26, 2010. Stubbs
discloses an
acoustical wave biosensor adapted to identify bacteria, micro-organisms or
plants in a liquid
CA 2778470 2019-07-24
or gaseous medium in which the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants are of a
kind which
produce signalling molecules in a vapour space or liquid about the subject
species within an
environment. Stubbs teaches an acoustical wave biosensor positioned to sense
vapour for the
signalling chemical within gas in the environment or sense the signalling
chemical within a
liquid forming the environment and in each case to perform a real time
evaluation of the
presence of the signalling chemicals. The above-noted patent to Stubbs teaches
the use of an
acoustical wave biosensor useful for determining the presence of bacteria in
real time from
gas or liquid medium and teaches, for example, real time detection of Bacillus
related species
including, for example, air borne micro-organisms such as Bacillus subtilis.
The acoustical
wave biosensor may be an RF1D type sensor as described in U.S. Patent
7,053,524 to
Edmonson et al, issued May 30, 2006.
[0120] The nature of the wireless sensor for use with the present invention
is not limited.
However toward providing low cost sensors, the use of relatively inexpensive
plastic or foil
substrates and low cost printing methods are preferred manners of manufacture.
[0121] Reference is made to Figures 25, 26 and 27 which illustrate a fifth
embodiment of
a dispenser in accordance with the present invention in which the dispenser 10
is identical to
that disclosed in the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 with the exceptions
of, firstly, the
inclusion of a dip tray 204 provided below the dispenser outlet nozzle 13 and
with the
contaminant sensor 50 carried by the drip tray 204. As shown, the dip tray 204
is removably
supported vertically below the nozzle 13. In use, fluid is dispensed onto a
user's hand below
the nozzle 13 and fluid may drip from the user's hand downwardly. The drip
tray 204 is
provided to catch such dripping fluid and prevent it from dripping onto the
floor or a
countertop or other surface underneath the dispenser 10. Oftentimes, a user
will, after
dispensing fluid onto one hand disposed below the nozzle 13, then rub the
user's hands
together below the nozzle 11 above the drip tray 204 such that fluid dripping
from the hands
during dispensing and rubbing is caught in the drip tray 204. Such drip trays
204 are
particularly useful when the fluid is sprayed as by a spray nozzle or missed
from the nozzle
41
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13 and where the fluid is a low viscosity fluid such as alcohol which can
readily drip from a
user's hand.
[0122] The drip tray 204 is shown as supported from the dispenser 10 via a
rigid support
208 formed from a rigid metal rod and having, as seen in Figure 26, a
vertically disposed rear
loop 210 fixedly supporting a horizontally disposed horizontal loop 212. The
horizontal loop
212 provides an opening sized to receive the drip tray 204 therein with an
outwardly
extending lip 216 of the drip tray 204 extending outwardly over the rod of the
horizontal loop
214. A spring clip member 218 extends from above the lip 216 of the drip tray
204 on one
side under the tray to the other side to securely bias the drip tray 204
downwardly into the
loop 212. The spring clip member 218 is horizontally slidable relative to the
drip tray 204
and the horizontal loop 212 to permit removal of the drip tray from the
horizontal loop 212
as, for example, for cleaning or disposal of any fluid caught by the drip
tray.
[0123] The vertical loop 212 has side members 220 that extend upwardly on
either side
of the dispenser 10 and are joined by a horizontal top member 222 coupled to
the dispenser
10, preferably to the upper rear of a wall plate 223 for the dispenser 10 for
pivoting about a
horizontal axis through the top member 222 as can be of assistance to insert
and remove the
removable bottle 35. The drip tray has a bottom 224 from which side walls 226
extend
upwardly to form an internal well 228 to catch fluid. The contaminant sensor
50 is carried on
the drip tray 212 so as to be in communication with fluid from the well 228.
As seen in
Figure 26 and 28, the sensor 50 is provided secured to the drip tray 204 in
the well 228 to the
upper surface of the bottom 224 at a location that under gravity fluid in the
drip tray 204 will
come into engagement with the sensor 50. Wires 53 are shown to extend from the
sensor 50
to couple the sensor 50 as to a control module (not shown) similar to the
control modular 52
and in a similar manner to that shown in the first embodiment of Figures 1 to
6. The sensor
50 may have other configurations as illustrated, for example, in Figure 9 or
as described and
shown with other of the embodiments.
[0124] The sensor 50 carried by the drip tray 204 can sense contaminants in
the fluid in
the drip tray and thus provide an indication of contaminants which may have
originated as on
a person's hand using the drip tray or otherwise as, for example, on the
nozzle 13 or which
42
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
have come to be in the fluid as by environmental air coming to engage fluid
within the drip
tray. The particular nature of the sensor 50 carried by the drip tray 204 is
not limited,
however, preferably, is a sensor 50 which is adapted for sensing contaminants
within a
liquid.
[0125] Reference is made to Figure 28 which shows a cross-section through
the drip tray
similar to that shown in Figure 27, however, with the sensor 50 shown as
having a
contaminant sensing mechanism 73 disposed at a low point in a lower sump 229
of the well
228 of the drip tray 204 such that any fluid in the drip tray 204 will
necessarily be in
communication with the contaminant sensing mechanism 73 of the sensor 50. In
the
embodiment of Figure 28, the sensor 50 is illustrated as being sealably
engaged within an
opening through the bottom 224 of the drip tray 204 under the sump 229 and
thus can, for
example, provide other components of the sensor 50 outside of the well 228 of
the drip tray
204 and including the wires 53.
[0126] Reference is made to Figure 29 which illustrates another cross-
section through the
drip tray similar to that shown in Figure 28, however, showing an alternate
arrangement of a
sensor 50 in which the sensor 50 is schematically illustrated as including a
passageway 230
in communication with the fluid in the well 228 via an inlet 231 and an outlet
232. The
sensor 50 is indicated as including a pump 233 to draw fluid from the well via
the inlet and
discharge it by the outlet. A contaminant sensing mechanism 73 is
schematically illustrated
as being provided at a location along the passageway 230 such that the sensor
50 effectively
senses contaminants in the fluid drawn through the sensor 50. It is to be
appreciated that the
pump may have an extremely low rate of volumetric flow and may be operated
merely
periodically.
[0127] Reference is made to Figure 30 which illustrates another cross-
sectional view
through the drip tray similar to Figure 27, however, showing a catch tray 336
nestled over the
trip tray 204 to overlie the trip tray 204. The catch tray 336 has a bottom
337 and sides 338
which extend up to a lip 339 which overlies the lip 216 of the trip tray 204.
The sensor 50 is
sealed in an opening through the bottom 337 of the catch tray 336. The sensor
50 has a
passageway 230 therethrough with an inlet 231 open to the catch tray 336 and
an outlet 232
43
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
=
which opens downwardly into the drip tray 204. Fluid within the catch tray 336
under
gravity will pass through the passageway 230 of the sensor 50 and into the
catch basin. Fluid
passing through the passageway 230 comes into contact with the sensing
mechanism 73 so as
to sense contaminants in the fluid.
[0128] Reference is made to Figure 31 which illustrates a sixth
embodiment of a
dispenser in accordance with the present invention which comprises a touchless
dispenser 10
including a drip tray 204. The dispenser 10 shown in Figure 31 is a touchless
version of a
dispenser of the type shown in Figure 1 in which hand sensors 235 are provided
under the
nozzle shield 27 and adapted to activate an electric motor (not shown) to move
a piston pump
(not shown) to dispense fluid out the nozzle 13 onto a user's hand. As
contrasted with the
embodiment of Figure 26, in Figure 31, the drip tray 204 is located in closer
proximity to the
nozzle 13 underneath the nozzle 13 and provides a bowl-like containment well
228 supported
on a rigid support 208 from the dispenser. The drip tray 204 thus provides a
bowl-like well
228 of a diameter and depth to permit a user to locate a user's hand
underneath the nozzle 13
above the drip tray 204 possibly at least partially within the well 228 with
sufficient room for
both hands to receive fluid underneath the nozzle 13 and be rubbed together
underneath the
nozzle 13 and above or within the drip tray 204 such that substantially all
errant spray from
the nozzle 13 or dripping from a user's hands may be captured by the drip tray
204. The
dispenser 10 is shown includes a lever 12 adapted to be manually moved by a
user to
dispense fluid from the nozzle if the electric motor is not powered or not
working. The drip
tray 214 is supported by the rigid support member 208 which includes L-shaped
side
members 340 which extend from underneath the drip tray 204 rearwardly along
the sides of
the dispenser 10 then upwardly to a top member which extends across the top of
the
dispenser 10.
[0129] In Figures 28 to 30, embodiments of the contaminant sensor 50
are shown which
arenot merely thin sheet members and in which provision is made for movement
of a liquid
past the contaminant sensing mechanism 73 of the sensor 50. Dispensers with
sensors which
are to sense airborne contaminants can similarly be provided with various
mechanisms to
44
CA 02778470 2012-05-29
provide for movement of air from the environment about a dispenser into
contact with the
contaminant sensing mechanism.
[0130] While the
invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments,
many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the
art. For a
definition of the invention, reference is made to the appended claims.
