GB2278102A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for dispensing fluid products such as soaps from a disposable supply pack 24. A manually operable dispensing device 48 is connected, preferably by a tube, with a fluid tight connection to an opening into the supply pack 24. Support means are also provided, by an internal shoulder arrangement (40 fig. 2 not shown). When fluid is manually dispensed from the pack 24 air is introduced into the disposable pack (via hole 66, see fig. 6 not shown) and the pack is retained in its original shape as it is emptied of fluid. Conveniently, the connecting device has an internally threaded member freely located at one end to threadedly engage with an external threaded neck around the supply pack opening. Preferably, a mounting bracket 14 is included for fixing to a wall for releasably mounting thereon a casing 34 which supports the supply pack. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSING APPARATUS This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid product, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with dispensing of personal hygiene products such as soaps from a disposable supply pack.

For both environmental and economic reasons, many products are now supplied in containers or packs made of materials which are disposable in an environmentally safe way after use. Such packs have however not been found to be particularly suitable for use with hand operated dispensers which find particular use in washrooms and the like for the dispensing of soaps and other liquid products.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid product from a supply pack thereof, the dispensing apparatus comprising manually operable means for transferring fluid from a disposable supply pack mounted on the apparatus to a dispense outlet, connecting means for effecting a fluid-tight connection between an opening into the disposable supply pack and the manually operable means, and means providing support for the supply pack when connected to the manually operable means, whereby the supply pack is supported in the apparatus so that when fluid is manually dispensed from the pack air is introduced into the disposable pack and the pack is retained in its original shape as it is emptied of fluid.

Preferably the support means provides for support of the pack at one end thereof, whereby a substantial part of the pack can be visible in use.

Support means may be in the form of an internal shoulder arrangement on which said one end of the pack is supported in use with the pack opening facing downwardly for location with the connecting means.

transport cover may be provided to locate over the pack and be supported by the internal shoulder arrangement.

The pumping mechanism is preferably operated by a push button.

The connection means may comprise an internally threaded member freely located on one end of the fluid transfer means and adapted to threadably engage with an externally threaded neck around the supply pack opening.

The pumping mechanism and the connecting means are located in a casing which also provides the internal shoulder arrangement for supporting the supply pack. There is preferably provided a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on a fixture such as a wall and also adapted to releasably mount thereon the casing which supports the supply pack.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention incorporating a fluid supply pack; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 but with the supply pack removed; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of one part of the dispensing apparatus; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of another part of the apparatus with the supply pack; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the supply pack from one end thereof; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic part crosssectional side elevational view of the pump mechanism of dispensing apparatus; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic part crosssectional side elevational view of the pump mechanism of Fig. 6 with the piston in an alternative position.

Referring to the drawings, a dispenser for a soap or other skin cleanser is adapted to be mounted on a fixture such as a wall 10, and includes a wall mounting bracket 12. The latter has back plate 14 which can be initially attached to the wall 10 by a suitable adhesive pad, but also has a pair of through holes 16 for receiving fixing screws 18. From the front face of the plate 14 there protrudes a pair of profiled supporting arms 20 for a purpose hereinafter described. The arms 20 are spaced apart to provide a passageway 22 leading to a releasable securing clip (not shown) on the back plate 14.

A supply of the soap or other cleanser is provided by pack 24 formed, for example, of an environmentally safe disposable material, with appropriate information on the product being printed on the pack. At one end thereof, the pack 24 has an outlet opening 26 defined by an externally threaded neck 28. When intially filled with the soap, the outlet opening 26 is sealed and, in addition, an internally threaded closure cap 30 is mounted on the neck 28.

In use, the pack 24 is supported in an inverted condition by a casing 32. The latter has a first tray portion defined by a front wall 34 and side walls 36, 38. The tray portion is open both upwardly and to the rear, and has an internal shoulder 40 extending the lengths of the walls 34, 36, 38 below the upper edges thereof. The tray portion has a base wall 42 providing downwardly extending integral profiled housing 44. A pump mechanism, includes a tubular part 46 which, at one end, provides a manually operated push button 48, and which locates within the housing 44, having its other inner end mounted on end of a tube 50. The latter is turned to extend upwardly into the tray portion. On the free end of the tube 50 there is freely mounted an internally threaded nut 52 for a purpose hereinafter described.

To load the pack 24 on to the container 32, the latter is inverted, the closure cap 30 is removed from the pack 24 and the seal across the opening 26 is removed. The nut 52 on the pump mechanism is then threadably secured to the neck 28 of the pack 24, with appropriate seals being provided to ensure a liquid tight connection. the casing 32 is then returned to its normal condition whereby the pack 24 is inverted for use.

The casing 32 with the pack 24 is then be mounted on the bracket 12 by locating the profiled housing 44 between the arms 20 and down the passageway 22, so that the tray portion is substantially supported by the arms 20 and the casing 32 engages with the securing clip to be releasably secured on the bracket 12. The profile of the lower part of the back plate 14 and of the arms 20 substantially complements the profile of the casing 32. The latter is released from the bracket 12, when required, by insertion, through a slot provided, of an appropriate tool to manually release the securing clip. A transparent cover (not shown) is located over the pack 24, having lower edges engagable between the sides of the pack 24 and the side walls 36, 38 of the casing 32 to locate on the respective sections of the shoulder 40.

The pump mechanism is of the type which, when the pushbutton 48 is depressed to dispense some product, also releases air into the pack 24, so as to maintain the shape of the latter and thereby prevent the pack from collapsing as fluid therein is dispenses leaving a vacuum in the pack. In this way there is provided an effective and aesthetically pressing dispensing apparatus enabling direct dispensing from a flexible pack until the pack is fully emptied.

The pump mechanism is illustrated in more detail in Figs. 6 and 7 where like parts bear the same reference numerals as are to be found in the description above of the dispensing apparatus.

The pump mechanism having a push button 48 is provided with an internally screw threaded nut 52 which is arranged to engage with an external screw thread neck 28 of the pack 24 to secure the pack onto the dispensing apparatus. The pump mechanism has a piston cylinder device 60 which extends through the neck 28 into the fluid product within the pack 24.

Piston 61 is connected directly to the push button 48 which is biased outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 by a spring 62 located within the cylinder and around the piston rod.

The piston 61 comprises a two part head arrangement 63, 64 each forming a seal relative to the cylinder at its innermost end with the inner surface of the cylindrical recess extending longitudinally within the cylinder. Each part 63, 64 is tapered as indicated by surfaces 65 in each case. An aperture 66 is provided through the wall of the cylinder such that, as shown in Fig. 6, the aperture is located between the seals of the two part 63, 64 of the piston.

Fig. 7 illustrates the pump mechanism of Fig. 6 when the push button 48 has been depressed and the piston moves to the right in Fig. 6 compressing the spring 62. As a result of this movement the seal 67 moves from one side of the aperture as shown in Fig. 6 to the other side of the aperture 66 as shown in Fig. 7.

Therefore, when the pumping mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 6 the aperture 66 lies between the sealing portions 67 and 68 and consequently no fluid is allowed to flow outwardly from the pack. Conversely, no air is allowed to flow into the pack. When the pushbutton 58 is pressed inwardly to move the sealing portion to the position shown in Fig. 7, aperture 66 then communicates with the atmosphere, via the outlet nozzle of the pushbutton 48, to allow air into the pack 24 whilst simultaneously allowing the fluid product to be dispensed through the aperture 66 and the nozzle of the pushbutton 48. In this manner, air is constantly fed back into the container as the fluid is dispensed to ensure that the container retains its shape and does not collapse as the fluid is emitted from the pack.

It will be appreciated that the dispenser can dispense any fluid product and is not limited to use with soaps and skin cleansers.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the profiling of the various components could be altered from that described and shown, and also the connection between the pack and the dispenser may be by other suitable means. In addition, the mounting bracket may be of any other configuration and may be adapted in itself to be releasably mounted on a fixture.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid product from a supply pack thereof, the dispensing apparatus comprising manually operable means for transferring fluid from a disposable supply pack mounted on the apparatus to a dispense outlet, connecting means for effecting a fluid-tight connection between an opening into the disposable supply pack and the manually operable means, and means providing support for the supply pack when connected to the manually operable means, whereby the supply pack is supported in the apparatus so that when fluid is manually dispensed from the pack air is introduced into the disposable pack and the pack is retained in its original shape as it is emptied of fluid.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means provides for support of the pack at one end thereof, whereby a substantial part of the pack is visible in use.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support means has an internal shoulder arranged on which the said one end of the pack is supported in use with the pack opening facing downwardly for location with the connecting means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, including a transparent cover located over the pack for support by the internal shoulder arrangement.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means comprises an internally threaded member freely located on one end of the fluid transfer means and adapted to threadably engage with an externally threaded neck around the supply pack opening.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer means is a pumping mechanism operated by a push button.

7. An apparatus-as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pumping mechanism and the connecting means are located in a casing which also provides the internal shoulder arrangement for supporting the supply pack.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on a fixture such as a wall and also adapted to releasably mount thereon the casing which supports the supply pack.

9. A dispensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.