Dispensing Device with Improved Motor Assembly

Washrooms in commercial and residential buildings frequently include products, such as toilet tissue, paper towels, diapers, feminine products, soap, and air fresheners. These products are typically housed in dispensers and are dispensed as needed by the user. Certain dispensers in public restrooms and the like are wall mounted units that typically include a housing or structure that is affixed to a wall. The dispensers can be opened by a maintenance person for refilling or servicing.

Known dispensers can be difficult to reload with products. Thus, a need exists for a dispenser design with features for improved loading of product for dispensing.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing having an interior volume configured for receipt of a removable liquid reservoir. A mounting body is disposed within the housing. The mounting body defines a passage extending along a vertical direction between an inlet and an outlet. The passage is configured for receipt of a spout of the removable liquid reservoir at the inlet of the passage. A latch is coupled to the mounting body at the passage. The latch is configured for selectively engaging the spout of the removable liquid reservoir within the passage in order to block removal of the spout of the removable liquid reservoir from the passage.

In a first example aspect, the latch may include a collar connected to the mounting body. An inner edge of the collar may face the passage. The collar may be movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The inner edge of the collar may contact the spout of the removable liquid reservoir in the engaged position of the collar. The inner edge of the collar may be spaced from the spout of the removable liquid reservoir in the disengaged position of the collar. The collar may define a handle at a middle of the collar. The mounting body may also define a latch opening. The handle of the collar may be positioned at the latch opening. The collar may be manually adjustable from the engaged position to the disengaged position with the handle at the latch opening. The latch may further include a spring coupled to the collar. The spring may be configured to urge the collar towards the disengaged position of the collar. The may include a back cover and a front cover. The front cover may be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the back cover. The front cover may contact the collar in the closed position such that the front cover positions the collar in the engaged position.

In a second example aspect, the passage may define a frusto-conical inner guide surface that is positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the passage.

In a third example aspect, the dispenser may include a switch positioned at the passage. The switch may be actuatable by the spout of the removable liquid reservoir. The dispenser may further include a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense liquid from the removable liquid reservoir. The dispensing mechanism may include a motor in communication with the switch such that the motor is inoperable when the switch is unactuated by the spout of the removable liquid reservoir.

In a fourth example aspect, the dispenser may include a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense liquid from the removable liquid reservoir. The dispensing mechanism may include a motor. A cam may be coupled to a rotor of the motor such that the motor is operable to rotate the cam. A rocker may be coupled to the cam. The rocker may have a slot. A shaft of the cam may be received within the slot. The rocker may be configured to pivot during rotation of the cam by the motor such that the rocker actuates the spout of the removable liquid reservoir. The dispenser may include a switch positioned at the passage. The switch may be actuatable by the spout of the removable liquid reservoir. The motor may be in communication with the switch such that the motor is inoperable when the switch is unactuated by the spout of the removable liquid reservoir. The dispensing mechanism may be positioned within the mounting body.

In a fifth example aspect, the outlet of the passage may be positioned at a bottom surface of the housing.

In a sixth example aspect, the housing may include a back cover and a front cover. The front cover may be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the back cover.

Each of the example aspects recited above may be combined with one or more of the other example aspects recited above in certain embodiments. For instance, all of the six example aspects recited above, i.e., the first through sixth examples aspects, may be combined with one another in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, or more of the six example aspects recited above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the example aspects recited above may be utilized in combination with one another in some example embodiments. Alternatively, the example aspects recited above may be individually implemented in other example embodiments. Accordingly, it will be understood that various example embodiments may be realized utilizing the example aspects recited above.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin.

Referring particularly to, a dispenseraccording to example aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. As shown particularly in, dispensermay include a housing. Housingmay have any desired overall shape. For instance, housingmay be a two-part configuration. Thus, e.g., housingmay include a back coverand a front cover. Back covermay be mounted to a structure, such as a wall, panel, mirror, cabinet, etc. For instance, back covermay be fastened or adhered to such structure. Front covermay be pivotally mounted to back cover, e.g., by a hinge or other suitable mechanism. Alternatively, front covermay be completely separable from back cover. Front covermay be moveable from a closed position as shown into an open position as shown in. Housingmay be loaded with product from a front of housingwhen front coveris in the open position. Dispensermay also include a conventional locking mechanism for securing the front coverto the back coverin the closed position.

As discussed in greater detail below, dispensermay include features for selectively securing a liquid reservoirwithin housingand/or facilitating installation of liquid reservoirwithin housing. With reference to, liquid reservoirmay be installed within housing. For instance, housingmay define an interior volume, which is sized for receipt of liquid reservoirsuch that liquid reservoirmay be installed within housingat interior volume. As shown in, liquid reservoirmay be removed from housing. Thus, e.g., liquid reservoiris selectively mountable within housing. For instance, a maintenance person may refill dispenserby removing an empty liquid reservoirfrom housingand then install a fresh liquid reservoirin housing. As noted above, housingmay be loaded with product from a front of housing. Thus, e.g., maintenance person may adjust front coverto the open position in order to remove an empty liquid reservoirfrom housingand then install a fresh liquid reservoirin housing.

Liquid reservoirmay be configured for containing a volume of product, such as soap, within a bladder. Bladdermay be constructed of or with a deformable, e.g., plastic, film. Bladdermay be sized to contain a suitable volume of product. For instance, bladdermay be sized to contain no less than a half-liter (0.5 L) of product, no less than one liter (1 L) of product, no less than two liters (2 L) of product, etc. Thus, bladdermay sized to contain a volume of product sufficient for a multitude of dispenses or uses of the product. The product within bladdermay exit liquid reservoirat a spout. Spoutmay be positioned at a bottom portion of bladder. Thus, product within bladdermay be urged by gravity out of bladderthrough spout. Spoutmay include a valvefor regulating the flow of product out of bladderthrough spout. A length of spout, e.g., along the vertical direction V, may be no less than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm) and no great than one hundred and fifty millimeters (150 mm) in certain example embodiment.

As discussed in greater detail below, dispenseris operable to dispense product from liquid reservoirout of housing. For instance, housingmay define an openingthrough which product (e.g., soap) may be dispensed out of housing. Openingmay be positioned a bottom surface of housing.

Operational components of dispensermay be mounted directly to back coveror may be part of a module (e.g., a component module() that is received within the housing. For example, the operational components may be part of a module that may be removable from housingfor servicing and/or replacing components without the necessity of having to remove dispenser(e.g., back cover) from a support surface. The operational components may include a support structurefor selectively mounting liquid reservoirand other components of dispenserwithin housingand a dispensing mechanismoperable to dispense product from liquid reservoir.

Support structuremay include a mounting body. Mounting bodymay be disposed within housing. For instance, mounting bodymay be mounted to back coverwithin interior volumeof housing. Mounting bodymay be configured for supporting liquid reservoirwithin housing. Moreover, mounting bodymay define a passage. Spoutof liquid reservoirmay be positioned within passagewhen liquid reservoiris mounted to dispenserwithin housing. Passagemay extend, e.g., along a vertical direction V, between an inletand an outlet. Inletof passagemay be positioned above outletof passage, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, passagemay be vertically oriented. To install liquid reservoirwithin housing, a maintenance person may insert spoutof liquid reservoirinto passageat inletof passageand slide spoutinto passage. Mounting bodymay enclose spoutof liquid reservoir, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. Moreover, mounting bodymay obstruct or limit movement of spout, e.g., perpendicular to the vertical direction V, when spoutof liquid reservoiris disposed within passage.

Passagemay define a frusto-conical inner guide surface(). Frusto-conical inner guide surfacemay be positioned between inletand outletof passage. Frusto-conical inner guide surfacemay assist with guiding or funneling spoutof liquid reservoirthrough passagetowards outlet. Outletof passagemay be positioned at or adjacent the bottom surface of housing.

A latchmay be coupled to mounting body. In addition, latchmay be positioned at passage. Latchmay be configured for selectively engaging spoutof liquid reservoirwithin passage. In particular, latchmay block or prevent removal of spoutof liquid reservoirfrom passage, e.g., when latchengages spoutof liquid reservoirwithin passage. A maintenance person may then adjust latch, e.g., such that latchis not engaged with spoutof liquid reservoirwithin passage, to allow removal of spoutfrom passage.

As shown in, latchmay include a collarconnected to mounting body. For example, collarmay be slidably mounted on mounting body. An inner edgeof collarmay face passage. Collarmay be movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. Inner edgeof collarmay contact and engage spoutof liquid reservoirin the engaged position of collar. In certain example embodiments, inner edgeof collarmay be received within or against a flange on spoutin the engaged position. Thus, collarmay block or prevent removal of spoutof liquid reservoirfrom passagein the engaged position. Inner edgeof collarmay be spaced from and not contact spoutof liquid reservoirin the disengaged position of the collar. Thus, collarmay allow removal of spoutof liquid reservoirfrom passagein the disengaged position.

Collarmay be U-shaped, e.g., when viewed along the vertical direction V, in certain example embodiments. For instance, collarmay include a pair of side legsand a middle leg. Side legsmay be spaced apart and oriented parallel to each other, and middle legmay extend between and connect side legs. Collarmay define a handleat a middle of collar. For instance, handlemay be formed by middle leg. Mounting bodymay define a latch opening, e.g., that is contiguous with passage. Handlemay be positioned at latch opening. Collarmay be manually adjustable from the engaged position to the disengaged position with handleat latch opening. For example, a maintenance person may hook a finger onto handleand pull outwardly on collarto slide collarfrom the engaged position to disengaged position.

Latchmay also include a spring(shown schematically in), such as a torsion spring or coil spring. Springmay be coupled to collar. Springmay be configured to urge collartowards the disengaged position. Thus, collarmay be normally positioned at the disengaged position, e.g., by spring. In such example embodiments, front covermay impact against and move collarfrom the normal, disengaged position to the engaged position. Thus, collarmay move from the engaged position to the disengaged position due to springwhen a maintenance person opens front cover, and collarmay move from the disengaged position to the engaged due to front coverimpacting against collarwhen the maintenance person closes front cover. It will be understood that in alternative example embodiments, springmay be configured to urge collartowards the engaged position, e.g., such that collarmay be normally positioned at the engaged position by spring. A maintenance person may pull on handleto overcome the force of springand move collarfrom the normal, engaged position to the disengaged position in such example embodiments.

With reference to, a switch() may be positioned at passage. Switchmay be actuatable by spoutof liquid reservoir. Moreover, when spoutof liquid reservoiris positioned within passage, spoutmay actuate switch. Switchmay include a legthat extends through mounting bodyinto passage. Legmay be biased outwardly, e.g., by a spring, into passage. Legof switchmay engage spoutof liquid reservoiras a maintenance person inserts spoutinto passage, e.g., such that legdeflects inwardly.

As noted above, dispensing mechanismmay be operable to dispense product from liquid reservoir. With reference to, dispensing mechanismmay include a motor. Motormay be a brushless motor in certain example embodiments. Motormay be connected to mounting body. Moreover, a stator of motormay fixed relative to mounting body. A cammay be coupled to a rotor of motor. Thus, e.g., motormay be operable to rotate cam. Cammay be press fitted or snap fitted onto the rotor of motorin certain example embodiments.

A rockermay be coupled to cam. Moreover, rockermay have a slot, and a shaftof cammay be received within slot. Shaftof cammay be radially offset from an axis of rotation of camand/or the rotor of motor. Rockermay be configured to pivot during rotation of camby motordue to the movement of shaftwithin slot. When rockerpivots, rockermay actuate spout, e.g., valve, to dispense product from liquid reservoir.

Rockermay be pivotally coupled to mounting body. For example, rockermay include a first armand a second arm. First and second arms,may extend radially from a pivot pointof rocker. For instance, first and second arms,may extend at different angles from pivot pointof rocker. First and second arms,may be oriented about perpendicular to each other in certain example embodiments. Moreover, slotmay be defined in first arm, and second armmay extend into passage. Movement of movement of shaftwithin slotmay cause first and second arms,to pivot about pivot pointof rocker.

Second armmay selectively engage spout, e.g., valve, to dispense product from liquid reservoir. For instance, second armmay actuate valveduring rotation of camby motor. Moreover, upward movement of second armwithin passagemay cause second armto open valvesuch that product from liquid reservoirexits bladderat spout. In particular, actuation of valveby rockermay release a predetermined shot amount (e.g., predetermined dose) of the product from liquid reservoir.

Latchmay prevent spoutfrom lifting upwardly, e.g., along the vertical direction V, during operation of dispensing mechanismand actuation of valveby rocker. In particular, latchmay advantageously fix a vertical position of spoutwithin passageto allow second armto engage spout, e.g., valve, and thereby dispense product from liquid reservoir. Thus, latchmay assist with dispensing of product by dispensing mechanism, e.g., in particular when bladderis approaching an empty state.

With reference to, other operational components of dispensermay be disposed within component modulein accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure. The other operational components may include battery packs, printed circuit boards, sensors, sensor modules, switches, controllers or control circuitry (e.g., controllers and/or microprocessors), network enabled devices and/or chips, and combinations thereof. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more battery packsconfigured to hold one more batteries can be included in the component module. For example, the battery packcan be configured to hold a plurality of batteries, such as at least two batteries, such as at least three batteries, such as at least four batteries, etc. The battery packmay further include any shape suitable for holding the desired sized battery. For example, in certain embodiments, the battery packmay be configured to hold D-cell batteries, such as at least three D-cell batteries, such as at least four D-cell batteries. The battery packmay provide structural support in order to hold the batteries in place. Furthermore, the battery packmay be configured to provide electrical connections to each of the batteries, such that the batteries can provide power to other components of the dispenser.

In certain embodiments, one or more printed circuit boardsmay also be disposed in the component module. The printed circuit boardsmay be configured with suitable processors and/or controllers in order to operate the various components of the dispenser. In certain embodiments, the printed circuit boardsmay be disposed in the component moduleand covered or encased, so as to protect the printed circuit boards. For example, in the event that product leaks from liquid reservoir, the printed circuit boardsmay be housed and fully encased, preventing any leaked product from accessing and/or destroying the printed circuit boards.

In certain embodiments, dispensermay also include one or more sensors. Again, such sensorsmay be at least partially housed by the mounting body. In one example embodiment, the sensormay be an activation sensor configured to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone. Such activation sensors may include sensors configured to emit infrared light. It will be understood, however, that any activation sensor or activation system shown and/or described herein or known in the art, may be mounted in any area of housing, so long as the activation sensor or activation system operates as disclosed herein. In such example embodiments, the sensorincludes an activation sensor that is a passive sensor for detecting infrared radiation. Passive infrared detectors for incorporation into dispensers are known in the art. Generally, sensormay be arranged to detect infrared radiation from a hand of a user of dispenser, and, upon detecting the radiation, to transmit a signal for activating the motorso as to dispense an amount of the product through the.

It will be understood, however, that other activation mechanisms, such as capacitive and ultrasonic, may be used with the present disclosure. Capacitive proximity sensors produce an electrostatic field that will sense both metal objects and non-metallic materials such as paper, liquids, glass, and cloth. Ultrasonic proximity sensors use a transducer to send and receive high frequency sound signals. When a target enters the beam, the sound is reflected back to the sensors, causing the sensor to energize or de-energize the output circuit. Another sensor type is inductive. In this case, an electromagnetic field is used, however, detection may be limited to only metallic objects. Accordingly, once the presence of a user is detected by the activation sensor, the dispensermay be configured to automatically dispense the product.

In other embodiments, the sensor(s)can include one or more sensors configured to monitor operations of the dispenser. For example, the sensorsmay include a sensor configured to monitor the dispensing mechanism, such as monitor the number of shot counts dispensed, the amount of product dispensed etc. In example embodiments, the sensorsmay include a variety of functional sensors configured to monitor one or more aspects of dispenserand to generate dispenser data directed thereto. Further, one or more controllers can then be configured to obtain said dispenser data from the one or more sensors, either directly and/or indirectly, and may further be configured to transmit data to a cloud-based management system.

For example, the one or more controllers or other control circuitry can be configured to establish a wireless connection in order to communicate dispenser data to and/or from a cloud-based management system. As an example, the dispensermay be configured to establish a wireless connection with one or more controllers or processing systems capable of wirelessly transmitting data. For instance, wireless connections can be by a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Wireless connections can also be established by cellular communications.

As previously noted, the dispensing mechanism, including motor, may be powered by batteries contained in a battery packor may be powered by an alternating current (AC) distribution system. If the dispenserincludes batteries, a sensor can also be included for determining the power level of the batteries and for providing a signal when the batteries are running low.

As described above, the dispensermay include a controller and control circuitry. The controller and control circuitry may control and monitor all the functions of the dispenserincluding the amount of product being dispensed, product usage, and any other activities that are occurring within dispenser. The controller may be configured to communicate information regarding the dispenserto a central control system and/or a cloud-based system via wireless network means and/or through a web-based system.

In certain example embodiments, motormay be in communication with switch. Motormay be inoperable when switchis unactuated by spoutof liquid reservoir. Thus, e.g., when liquid reservoiris not disposed within housing, switchmay be unactuated, and motormay be inoperable to rotate camand pivot rocker. Thus, e.g., dispensing mechanismmay be deactivated when switchis unactuated. In such a manner, operation of dispensing mechanismwithout liquid reservoirproperly installed within housingmay be avoided or prevented. Moreover, switchmay actuate each time that a maintenance person refills or services liquid reservoir. The controller of dispensermay track the total number of dispensing operations from liquid reservoirin order to estimate the remaining product within liquid reservoirand notify the maintenance person when liquid reservoirrequires refilling or servicing. Latchmay prevent undesired actuation of switchby preventing or blocking spoutfrom lifting upwardly, e.g., along the vertical direction V, during operation of dispensing mechanismand actuation of valveby rocker. Thus, dispensermay more accurately track usage of product from liquid reservoirby selectively securing spoutto mounting body.

As may be seen from the above, dispensermay provide a front-loading dispenser for product, such as soap. Latchmay advantageously secure spoutof the removable liquid reservoirto mounting body. Thus, latchmay prevent facilitate operation of dispensing mechanismby preventing spoutfrom lifting upwardly with rocker. Latchmay also prevent undesired actuation of switchand thus allow accurate tracking of dispensing of product from liquid reservoir.

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

First example embodiment—A dispenser () comprising: a housing () having an interior volume () configured for receipt of a removable liquid reservoir (); a mounting body () is disposed within the housing (), the mounting body () defining a passage () extending along a vertical direction between an inlet () and an outlet (), the passage () configured for receipt of a spout () of the removable liquid reservoir () at the inlet () of the passage (); a latch () coupled to the mounting body () at the passage (), the latch () configured for selectively engaging the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir () within the passage () in order to block removal of the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir () from the passage ().

Second example embodiment—The dispenser () of the first example embodiment, wherein the latch () comprises a collar () connected to the mounting body (), an inner edge () of the collar () facing the passage (), the collar () movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the inner edge () of the collar () contacting the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir () in the engaged position of the collar (), the inner edge () of the collar spaced from the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir () in the disengaged position of the collar ().

Third example embodiment—The dispenser () of the first or second example embodiments, wherein the collar () defines a handle () at a middle of the collar ().

Fourth example embodiment—The dispenser () of any one of the first through third example embodiments, wherein the mounting body () defines a latch opening (), the handle () of the collar () positioned at the latch opening (), the collar () manually adjustable from the engaged position to the disengaged position with the handle () at the latch opening ().

Fifth example embodiment—The dispenser () of any one of the first through fourth example embodiments, wherein: the latch () further comprises a spring () coupled to the collar (), the spring () configured to urge the collar () towards the disengaged position of the collar (); the housing () comprises a back cover () and a front cover (), the front cover () movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the back cover (); and the front cover () contacts the collar () in the closed position such that the front cover () positions the collar () in the engaged position.

Sixth example embodiment—The dispenser () of any one of the first through fifth example embodiments, wherein the passage () defines a frusto-conical inner guide surface () that is positioned between the inlet () and the outlet () of the passage ().

Seventh example embodiment—The dispenser () of any one of the first through sixth example embodiments, further comprising a switch () positioned at the passage (), the switch () actuatable by the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir ().

Eighth example embodiment—The dispenser () of any one of the first through seventh example embodiments, further comprising a dispensing mechanism () operable to dispense liquid from the removable liquid reservoir (), the dispensing mechanism () comprising a motor () in communication with the switch () such that the motor () is inoperable when the switch () is unactuated by the spout () of the removable liquid reservoir ().