GB2596127A

GB2596127A - Unit

Info

Publication number: GB2596127A
Application number: GB2009338.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Müller Urs
Original assignee: Ineos Hygienics Ltd
Current assignee: Ineos Hygienics Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-18
Filing date: 2020-06-18
Publication date: 2021-12-22
Also published as: GB202009338D0

Abstract

The cartridge unit 36 comprises a storage container 46, a pump 48 and an outlet, wherein the pump is operable to dispense liquid or gel from the container to the outlet. The cartridge preferably comprises material (e.g. plastic) compatible with alcohol-based gel. The container may have a handle/grip portion and/or comprise a rigid shell, optionally with an inner flexible bag. A wall of the shell may have a vent port with a gas-permeable membrane impervious to liquid or gel. The pump may be a dosing pump (e.g. peristaltic) and may have a rotor with a coupling member engaging a second coupling member (e.g. star-shaped) of an external drive member. Also claimed is a dispenser 30 comprising the cartridge unit received in a compartment 44 of a housing, optionally also with a contactless sensor, power source, indicator light, curved floor and/or receptable for dispensed fluid.

Description

UNIT

The invention relates to a cartridge unit comprising a storage container and a dispensing pump, a dispenser comprising a cartridge unit, and a method of configuring a dispenser comprising a cartridge unit.

It is known to install dispensers in public areas for providing the public with ready access to a cleaning fluid, such as a disinfectant fluid.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge unit for removable installation in a housing of a dispenser, the cartridge unit comprising a storage container, a dispensing pump and a dispensing outlet, wherein the dispensing pump is in flow communication with a flow outlet of the storage container, the storage container is for storing a liquid or gel, and the dispensing pump is operable to control dispensing of liquid or gel from the storage container to the dispensing outlet.

The cartridge unit of the invention provides the storage container and dispensing pump in a pre-assembled or integrated configuration for ready installation in the housing of the dispenser. This permits the safe storage, transport and delivery of the cartridge unit as a securely sealed unit prior to installation for purposes of safety and quality assurance.

The "plug and play" characteristic of the cartridge unit of the invention makes it easy for the user to install the cartridge unit in the dispenser, without having to assemble the parts of the cartridge unit. This not only removes the risk of incorrect assembly of the storage container and dispensing pump that may cause malfunction or damage, but also reduces or eliminates the risk of safety issues, such as spillage or contamination, during the assembly process. This is particularly important if the liquid or gel is flammable or volatile or is required to be of medical or food grade.

The configuration of the cartridge unit of the invention also permits the cartridge unit manufacturer to design the storage container and dispensing pump to provide optimal performance of the storage and dispensing functions of the dispenser. The pre-assembled or integrated configuration of the storage container and dispensing pump as a cartridge unit means that the cartridge unit manufacturer does not have to take into account the compatibility of the storage container with other dispensing pumps and the compatibility of the dispensing pump with other storage containers. Also, the pre-assembled or integrated configuration of the storage container and dispensing pump as a cartridge unit means that the user can purchase replacement cartridge units without having to buying separate storage container and dispensing pump parts that may be incompatible with each other.

Furthermore, the configuration of the cartridge unit of the invention permits use of the cartridge unit as a disposable or consumable that can be replaced by an identically or similarly configured cartridge unit. The ability to replace the cartridge unit as a whole removes the need to service the pump in the event of damage or blockage, which not only saves time in restoring the dispenser to a working state but also removes the need for a trained maintenance or repair technician to be on site.

In embodiments of the invention, the storage container may be made of at least one material suitable for storing an alcohol-based gel. The use of the cartridge unit of the invention as a disposable or consumable is particularly useful when the cartridge unit is used to store an alcohol-based gel. This is because the alcohol-based gel tends to leave difficult-to-remove residue in the dispensing pump following alcohol evaporation.

Preferably the at least one material of the storage container is impervious to alcohol so as to prevent alcohol evaporation through the storage container walls.

In further embodiments of the invention, the storage container may be shaped to include at least one handle portion or at least one grip portion. The or each handle or grip portion not only allows a user to hold the storage container to support and install the cartridge unit as a whole, without having to handle the dispensing pump, but also permits ergonomic handling of the storage container. This reduces the risk of damage to the dispensing pump's moving parts.

In still further embodiments of the invention, the storage container may include a rigid container body. In such embodiments, the storage container may further include an inner flexible bag, the flexible bag arranged inside a cavity inside the rigid container body, the flow outlet of the storage container formed by a flow outlet of the flexible bag. Such configuration of the storage container provides a reliable means for storing and dispensing liquids or gels, particularly alcohol-based gels.

A wall of the rigid container body may include a vent port for permitting gas to enter a cavity inside the rigid container body. When the storage container further includes the optional flexible bag, a wall of the rigid container body may include a vent port for permitting gas to enter an internal space in the cavity, the internal space located between the rigid container body and the flexible bag. This allows air to enter the internal space when liquid or gel is dispensed from the flexible bag. The vent port may include a gas-permeable membrane for permitting gas to enter a cavity inside the rigid container body. When the storage container further includes the optional flexible bag, the vent port may include a gas-permeable membrane for permitting gas to enter the internal space between the rigid container body and the flexible bag, the gas-permeable membrane configured to be impervious to liquid or gel. This prevents the liquid or gel from exiting the storage container through the vent port in the event of a tear or rupture in the flexible bag.

The dispensing pump may be structured and configured in a variety of ways so long as it combines with the storage container to form a cartridge unit and so long as it is capable of controlling dispensing of liquid or gel from the storage container to the dispensing outlet.

In an exemplary embodiment, the dispensing pump may be a pump configured to mechanically control dispensing of unit doses of liquid or gel from the storage container to the dispensing outlet. The ability to mechanically control the dispensing of unit doses of the liquid or gel reduces or removes the need for additional hardware and software to provide the unit dosing capability, thus further enhancing the "plug and play" characteristic of the cartridge unit of the invention.

Preferably the dispensing pump is a peristaltic pump.

A peristaltic pump provides unit dosing capability in a compact and simple configuration with a low number of parts. Therefore, using a peristaltic pump as the dispensing pump results in a robust cartridge unit that is easy and quick to manufacture and install.

In embodiments of the invention, the dispensing pump may include a rotor for driving the dispensing pump, the rotor including a first coupling member for cooperatively engaging a second coupling member of an external drive member. In such embodiments, the second coupling member may be a star coupling member, and the first coupling member may include at least one coupling element configured for cooperatively engaging a or a respective radial projection of the star coupling member.

This not only provides a reliable means for imparting rotary motion from the drive member to the rotor but also provides quick and simple installation of the cartridge unit in the dispenser in a way that minimises handling of the cartridge unit and removes the need for fasteners and tools to couple the dispensing pump to the drive member.

The cartridge unit may be made of a wide range of materials. Preferably the storage container and/or the dispensing pump is made of at least one material that is cheap, lightweight and/or recyclable. For example, the storage container and the dispensing pump may be made of one or more plastic materials.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a dispenser for dispensing a liquid or gel, the dispenser comprising a housing and a cartridge unit, wherein the cartridge unit is in accordance with any one of the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments, and the cartridge unit is removably received in a cartridge compartment of the housing so that the dispensing outlet of the cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, a dispensing outlet of the housing.

The features and advantages of the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the second aspect of the invention and its embodiments.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser may be for dispensing an alcohol-based gel.

In embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may include a replacement cartridge unit that is configured in accordance with any one of the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments. The replacement cartridge unit may be removably receivable in the cartridge compartment to replace the cartridge unit. As mentioned above, the configuration of the cartridge unit of the invention beneficially permits use of the cartridge unit as a disposable or consumable that can be replaced by an identically or similarly configured cartridge unit.

In further embodiments of the invention, a shape of the cartridge compartment may correspond, or may substantially correspond, to at least part of a shape of the cartridge unit so that at least part of the cartridge unit is matingly received, or substantially matingly received, in the cartridge compartment. For example, an internal outline of the cartridge compartment may be shaped to follow an external outline of the storage container and/or the dispensing pump.

In embodiments of the invention employing the use of the rotor, the dispenser may include a drive member for driving the dispensing pump, wherein the drive member may include a second coupling member that cooperatively engages the first coupling member of the rotor when the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment.

In such embodiments in which the second coupling member is a star coupling member, at least one radial projection of the star coupling member may cooperatively engage the or the respective coupling element of the first coupling member.

The dispenser of the invention may include a contactless sensor that is activatable to trigger a dispensing operation of the dispensing pump. The contactless sensor may be in the form of, but is not limited to, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, an infra-red sensor, a time-of-flight sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. The provision of a contactless sensor minimises or eliminates the need for users to touch the dispenser, which otherwise could contaminate the dispenser.

In further embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may include a curved floor facing the dispensing outlet of the housing. This discourages placement of objects on the curved floor that may obstruct the dispensing outlet or impede the user from using the dispenser.

In such embodiments, the dispenser may include a collector receptacle positioned to face the dispensing outlet of the housing for collecting liquid or gel dispensed from the dispensing outlet of the housing. The dispensed liquid or gel may end up in the collector receptacle, for example, due to a user retracting their hand too early or quickly or due to spillage or splashing of the liquid or gel from the user's hand. The collector receptacle may be formed in a floor of the housing, for example the aforementioned curved floor. This not only reduces the risk of spillage of the dispensed liquid or gel in the vicinity of the dispenser but also allows for quick cleaning of the collector receptacle to remove the collected liquid or gel.

In still further embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may include a power source that is removably installed in the housing. The power source provides power to one or more components of the dispenser to carry out the dispenser's function(s), without requiring an electrical connection to a mains power source. This is particularly useful when the dispenser is used in locations without access to a mains power source or when the dispenser is configured as a mobile dispenser.

The power source may be in the form of a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery such as a power bank, a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery. The dispenser may include a spare power source stored in a storage compartment of the housing, which enables rapid replacement of the power source in the dispenser.

In embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may include at least one indicator light for indicating an operational status of the dispenser. The or each indicator light may be programmable to indicate different operational status of the dispenser.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of configuring a dispenser according to any one of the second aspect of the invention and its embodiments, the method including the steps of: providing the cartridge unit; removably installing the cartridge unit in the housing so that the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment and so that the dispensing outlet of the cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, the dispensing outlet of the housing.

The features and advantages of the first and second aspects of the invention and their embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the third aspect of the invention and its embodiments.

The step of removably installing the cartridge unit in the housing may include positioning the first coupling member of the rotor to be in cooperative engagement with the second coupling member of the drive member when the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment.

Preferably, when the second coupling member is a star coupling member, the step of removably installing the cartridge unit in the housing may include aligning the or each coupling element of the first coupling member of the rotor to be in cooperative engagement with the or the respective radial projection of the second coupling member of the drive member when the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment.

The method may include the step of triggering a dispensing operation of the dispensing pump. This may include activating a contactless sensor to trigger the dispensing operation.

The method may include the steps of: providing the replacement cartridge unit; removing the cartridge unit from the cartridge compartment; and removably installing the replacement cartridge unit in the housing so that the replacement cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment and so that the dispensing outlet of the replacement cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, the dispensing outlet of the housing.

When the dispenser includes the collector receptacle positioned to face the dispensing outlet of the housing for collecting liquid or gel dispensed from the dispensing outlet of the housing, the method may include the step of cleaning the collector receptacle. Such a step may be required after a normal dispensing operation, or multiple normal dispensing operations of the dispenser, or may be required in the event of malfunction of the dispenser resulting in unexpected dispensing of the liquid or gel.

When the dispenser includes the power source that is removably installed in the housing, the method may include the steps of: providing a spare power source; removing the power source from the housing; and removably installing the spare power source in the housing.

The dispenser of the invention may be used by various users in a wide range of industries, sectors, locations and sites. In particular, the dispenser of the invention finds particular use in high-traffic areas and in industries and sectors that involve regular handling of products and/or contact with other people.

The users may include, but are not limited to, care home staff, domestic users, healthcare providers, industrial users, medical staff and service providers. Healthcare providers and medical staff may include, but are not limited to, dentists, doctors, medical technicians, nurses and surgeons.

The industries and sectors may relate to, but are not limited to, education, food, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, services and transportation.

The locations and sites may include or relate to, but are not limited to: * factories and warehouses; food industry areas covering food catering, food distribution, food processing, food production, food retail, food self-service and food service; * healthcare buildings, such as care homes, clinics, dental practices, hospitals, pharmacies, veterinary centres; * hospitality locations, such as buffets, cafes, hostels, hotels, restaurants and tourist areas; * one-off events, such as fairs, festivals, markets, sporting events; * private homes; * public areas, such as colleges, government buildings, kindergartens, libraries, playgrounds, schools, universities; * retail areas, such as service areas/stations, shopping centres, supermarkets; * transportation hubs, such as airports, bus stations, train stations; * vehicles, such as cars, coaches, boats, buses, planes, ships, taxis and trains.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a cartridge unit for removable installation in a housing of a dispenser, the kit of parts comprising a storage container and a dispensing pump, the storage container and the dispensing pump combinable to form the cartridge unit in which the dispensing pump is in flow communication with a flow outlet of the storage container, the storage container is for storing a liquid or gel, and the dispensing pump is operable to control dispensing of liquid or gel from the storage container to a dispensing outlet.

The features and advantages of the first, second and third aspects of the invention and their embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the fourth aspect of the invention and its embodiments. In particular, the cartridge unit of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features of the cartridge unit of any of the other aspects and embodiments of the invention, and/or the storage container of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features of the storage container of any of the other aspects and embodiments of the invention, and/or the dispensing pump of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features of the dispensing pump of any of the other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the use of the terms "first" and "second", and the like, in this patent specification is merely intended to help distinguish between similar features, and is not intended to indicate the relative importance of one feature over another feature, unless otherwise specified.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, and the claims and/or the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and all features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures land 2 show a dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4 and 5 show internal components of a housing of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 6 shows the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 when it is in use; Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the housing of Figure 3; Figures 8 and 9 show a wall-mounted configuration of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 10 to 12 show various views of an exemplary storage container of a cartridge unit of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 13 to 15 show various views of an exemplary cartridge unit of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 16 to 19 show a peristaltic pump and a flow adaptor of the cartridge unit of Figures 13 to 15.

The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic form in the interests of clarity and conciseness.

The following embodiments of the invention are described with reference to a dispenser for storing and dispensing an alcohol-based sanitising gel. It will be appreciated that the following embodiments of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to dispensers for storing and dispensing other types of liquids or gels, especially cleaning, sanitising or disinfectant liquids or gels.

A dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is designated generally by the reference numeral 30. The dispenser 30 is configured for storing and dispensing an alcohol-based sanitising gel. The dispenser 30 comprises a housing 32, a support frame 34 and a cartridge unit 36.

The housing 32 is suspendingly mounted onto the support frame 34 so that the support frame 34 and the suspended housing 32 form an arch, where a space 38 is formed underneath a bottom end 40 of the suspended housing 32.

The housing 32 includes an internal volume that is accessible by opening a front door 42 of the housing 32, as shown in Figure 3. The front door 42 is secured in its closed position by means of a latch but in other embodiments may be secured in its closed position using other types of securing devices, such as a mechanical lock, an electric lock, a magnetic lock or a lock and key configuration.

The internal volume is divided into a plurality of compartments, each of which is designed to store a respective component of the dispenser 30. The plurality of compartments includes a cartridge compartment 44 that removably houses a cartridge unit 36. Figure 4 shows the cartridge unit 36 when it is received in the cartridge compartment 44, and Figure 5 shows the empty cartridge compartment 44 when the cartridge unit 36 is removed.

The cartridge unit 36 includes a storage container 46, a dispensing pump 48 and a flow adaptor 50. The storage container 46 stores the gel. The dispensing pump 48 is coupleable to a drive member mounted in a wall inside the cartridge compartment 44, as shown in Figure 5. The flow adaptor 50 defines a dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36. When the cartridge unit 36 is received in the cartridge compartment 44, the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36 extends downwardly to form a dispensing outlet of the housing 32 that is aligned with an opening in the bottom end 40 of the housing 32. This allows the gel to be dispensed from the cartridge unit 36, through the opening, out of the housing 32 and into the space 38 underneath the housing 32. Further details of the cartridge unit 36 are described later in this

specification.

The support frame 34 further includes a curved floor 54 and a collector receptacle 56. The curved floor 54 is located in the space 38 underneath the bottom end 40 of the housing 32 so that the curved floor 54 faces the dispensing outlet of the housing 32.

The purpose of the curved floor 54 is to discourage placement of objects, such as mugs, that may obstruct the dispensing outlet of the housing 32 or impede the user from using the dispenser 30. The collector receptacle 56 is formed as a circular receptacle 56 on the curved floor 54 to face the dispensing outlet of the housing 32.

The dispenser 30 includes a base 58 on which the curved floor 54 rests. The base 58 has a fixed height in the embodiment shown but may have an adjustable height in other embodiments.

The support frame 34, exterior components of the housing 32 and the base 58 may be made of metal (such as aluminium) for durable robustness. The internal compartments may be made of metal and/or plastic. Preferably the dispenser 30 is made of sterile and easy-to-clean materials.

To install the cartridge unit 36 in the housing 32, the front door 42 is opened and the cartridge unit 36 is removably front-loaded into the cartridge compartment 44 so that the dispensing pump 48 is coupled to the drive member and so that the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36 forms the dispensing outlet of the housing 32. Once the cartridge unit 36 is received in the cartridge compartment 44, the front door 42 is closed.

An internal outline of the cartridge compartment 44 is shaped to generally follow an external outline of the cartridge unit 36 so that the cartridge unit 36 is substantially matingly received in the cartridge compartment 44. This not only ensures that the cartridge unit 36 is secured in place but also reduces the risk of installing the cartridge unit 36 in the wrong position or installing the wrong type of cartridge unit 36 in the dispenser 30, which could lead to safety problems due to technical incompatibility. It will be appreciated that it is merely preferred for the cartridge unit 36 to be matingly received in the cartridge compartment 44 and that the shape of the cartridge compartment 44 is not required to match the shape of the cartridge unit 36.

The dispenser 30 includes a contactless time-of-flight optical sensor that is capable of detecting a user's hand in a dispensing position underneath the dispensing outlet of the housing 32, as shown in Figure 6. Successful detection of a user's hand in the dispensing position triggers a dispensing operation of the dispenser 30. The time-offlight optical sensor may take the form of other types of contactless sensors, non-limiting examples of which are described throughout the specification.

The dispenser 30 also includes a first proximity sensor for detecting whether the cartridge unit 36 is housed in the cartridge compartment 44, and a second proximity sensor for detecting whether the front door 42 is open or closed. The output of the sensors can be used as safety checks before a dispensing operation of the dispenser 30.

The dispenser 30 further includes indicator lights 60 (such as a light emitting diode) for indicating an operational status of the dispenser 30. The indicator lights 60 may be positioned at the sides of the support frame 34.

Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the housing 32.

The plurality of compartments includes a battery compartment 62 for removably housing a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 64 (e.g. a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery). Figure 7 shows the location of the battery 64 and the battery compartment 62 in the housing 32. A removable lid 66 covers the battery compartment 62.

The battery 64 is used to provide power to one or more components of the dispenser 30. More specifically, by way of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, the battery 64 provides power to a printed circuit board (PCB) controller 70 that is programmable to configure one or more operations of the dispenser 30, and also provides power to the sensors and indicator lights 60, preferably via the PCB controller 70. The plurality of compartments also includes a spare battery compartment 65 for removably housing a spare rechargeable battery. The energy storage capacity of each battery 64 may vary depending on the requirements of the dispenser 30. Frequent use of the dispenser 30 in high traffic areas would preferably require batteries 64 with higher energy storage capacities, while irregular use of the dispenser 30 in low traffic areas may make use of batteries 64 with lower energy storage capacities.

The plurality of compartments further includes a controller compartment for housing the PCB controller 70. The PCB controller 70 is programmable to control the drive member and the indicator lights 60. The PCB controller 70 is configured to receive signals from the contactless time-of-flight optical sensor and the proximity sensors. The PCB controller 70 includes an on-off switch 71, a dosing volume selection switch 73 and a driver for driving a motor 75 that is coupled to the drive member. Such a motor 75 may be, but is not limited to, a DC motor. The on-off and dosing volume selection switches 71,73 are accessible from the front of the housing 32 when the front door 42 is opened.

The controller compartment housing the PCB controller 70 may be accessed from the rear of the housing 32 by removing a back cover 74, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. This avoids the need to open the front door 42 to access the PCB controller 70 for reprogramming, repair or maintenance purposes.

Figure 8 shows front, side and rear views of a wall-mounted configuration of the dispenser 30. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the wall-mounted configuration of the dispenser 30.

The back cover 74 of the housing 32 may be removed before being replaced by a wall mounting plate 72 in order to enable mounting of the dispenser 30 from a wall, as shown in Figure 8. Preferably the wall mounting plate 72 is pre-attached to the wall, and the dispenser 30 without the back cover 74 is mounted onto the wall mounting plate 72. The wall mounting plate 72 may be hung from the wall 74 using screws, double-sided tape or another type of fastener or adhesive. The wall-mounted dispenser 30 may omit the base 58, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

It is envisaged that, in other embodiments of the invention, the dispenser 30 may be hung from other structures, such as a pillar. It is also envisaged that, in still other embodiments of the invention, the dispenser 30 may be configured as a stand-alone dispenser 30 that may be located on top of, for example, a desk, a floor, a mobile stand, a plinth, a podium or a table. The dispenser 30 may be used indoors or outdoors.

As stated above, the cartridge unit 36 includes the storage container 46, the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the storage container 46, Figure 11 shows a side view and a front cross-sectional view of the storage container 46, and Figure 12 shows a front view and a bottom cross-sectional view of the storage container 46.

The storage container 46 includes: a rigid container body in the form of an outer rigid shell 76; and an inner flexible bag 78.

The rigid shell 76 is in the form of a bottle with a neck 80, a shoulder 82, a body 84 and a base 85. The neck 80 of the rigid shell 76 defines a flow outlet of the rigid shell 76. Starting from the neck 80, the shoulder 82 is an annular tapered shoulder 82 that extends between the neck 80 and the body 84, the body 84 is in the form of an annular sidewall, and the base 85 is in the form of a bottom wall. The shoulder 82, body 84 and base 85 are joined together to define an enclosed storage volume.

The flexible bag 78 includes a neck 86 and a flexible storage volume 88. The neck 86 of the flexible bag 78 defines a flow outlet of the flexible bag 78.

The neck 86 of the flexible bag 78 is attached to an inner wall of the neck 80 of the rigid shell 76 so that the necks 80,86 are coaxially aligned. The flow outlet of the storage container 46 is therefore formed by the flow outlet of the flexible bag 78. The gel is stored inside the storage container 46 by storing the gel inside the flexible storage volume 88 of the flexible bag 78. In addition the flexible bag 78 is arranged inside a cavity inside the enclosed storage volume of the rigid shell 76. The flexible storage volume 88 is detached from the shoulder 82, body 84 and base 85 of the rigid shell 76 so that an internal space 90 exists between the rigid shell 76 and the flexible bag 78.

A vent port 92 is formed in the base 85 of the rigid shell 76. The vent port 92 includes a gas-permeable membrane that permits gas to enter the internal space 90 between the rigid shell 76 and the flexible bag 78. This allows air to enter the internal space when the gel is dispensed through the flow outlet of the flexible bag 78, thus causing the flexible bag 78 to reduce in size. The gas-permeable membrane is configured to be impervious to the gel so that the gel is prevented from exiting the storage container 46 through the vent port 92 in the event of a tear or rupture in the flexible bag 78.

During storage and transport of the cartridge unit 36, the vent port 92 is preferably sealed. It will be appreciated that the vent port 92 is an optional feature.

Two corners of the rigid shell 76 are recessed to define grip portions 94 for a user to hold the storage container 46 to support and install the cartridge unit 36 as a whole, without having to handle the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50. Depending on the size of the storage container 46, it may be possible for a user to grip the rigid shell 76 using one hand.

It is envisaged that, in other embodiments of the invention, the storage container 46 does not have a neck 80,86, and the flow outlet of the storage container 46 is defined by coaxially arranged neckless openings in the rigid shell 76 and flexible bag 78.

It is also envisaged that, in still other embodiments of the invention, the storage container 46 may omit the flexible bag 78. In such embodiments, the storage container 46 is preferably in the form of a rigid monolayer container body.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cartridge unit 36, Figure 14 shows a rear view of the cartridge unit 36, and Figure 15 shows a side view of the cartridge unit 36. In Figures 13 to 15, the storage container 46 is in flow communication with the dispensing pump 48 via the flow adaptor 50.

The storage container 46 in Figures 13 to 15 is similar in structure to the storage container 46 in Figures 10 to 12, and like features share the same reference numerals. Accordingly the aforementioned description of the storage container 46 in Figures 10 to 12 apply mutatis mutandis to the storage container 46 in Figures 13 to 15.

The flow adaptor 50 is divided into two flow adaptor sections 50a,50b that are not in direct flow communication with each other. A flow inlet of the first flow adaptor section 50a is in flow communication with the flow outlet of the storage container 46. A flow outlet of the first flow adaptor section 50a is in flow communication with a flow inlet of the dispensing pump 48. A flow inlet of the second flow adaptor section 50b is in flow communication with a flow outlet of the dispensing pump 48. A flow outlet of the second flow adaptor section 50b defines the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36. As a result, the gel may be dispensed from the storage container 46, through the first flow adaptor section 50a, through the dispensing pump 48, through the second flow adaptor section 50b and out of the dispensing outlet. The dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36 may include a nozzle 96 attached to the flow adaptor 50 to control the dispensing of the gel.

A sealing cap (not shown) may be attached to the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36 for storage and transport before being removed prior to use of the cartridge unit 36 in the dispenser 30. The sealing cap may be a threaded cap, a seal-welded cap or a snap-on cap. Preferably the sealing cap is child-resistant or child-proof and/or the sealing cap is tamper-evident.

Figure 16 shows an exploded view of the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50.

Figure 17 shows a side view of the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50. Figure 17 shows a rear view of the dispensing pump 48 and a cross-sectional view of the flow adaptor 50 along Section B-B of Figure 17. Figure 19 shows a top view of the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50.

The dispensing pump 48 is a peristaltic pump 48. A pump housing 98 of the peristaltic pump 48 houses a rotor 100 onto which three rollers 102 are mounted. It will be appreciated that any number of rollers 102 (one or more rollers 102) may be mounted onto the rotor 100. The rollers 102 are circumferentially spaced apart about the rotor 100. A flexible fluid conduit 104, such as a rubber tube, is in flow communication with the flow inlet of the dispensing pump 48 at one end and is in flow communication with the flow outlet of the dispensing pump 48 at the other end. The fluid conduit 104 is wrapped around the rotor 100 between the rollers 102 and an inner wall of the pump housing 98 so that each roller 102 compresses a respective section of the fluid conduit 104 against the inner wall of the pump housing 98. In this way the fluid conduit 104 has a substantially U-shaped arrangement inside the pump housing 98.

An internal space of the fluid conduit 104 between successive rollers 102 defines a unit dose of the gel. Rotation of the rotor 100 pushes each unit dose of the gel through the fluid conduit 104 to the second flow adaptor section 50b. Meanwhile the fluid conduit 104 is refilled with gel from the first flow adaptor section 50a. The rotation angle and speed of the rotor 100 can be controlled to control the amount of gel dispensed. In this way peristaltic pumping action is used to control dispensing of unit doses of the gel from the storage container 46 to the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36.

The rotor 100 further includes three coupling fingers 108 that are circumferentially spaced apart about the rotor 100. Each coupling finger 108 is located between successive rollers 102. Each coupling finger 108 is radially spaced apart from the fluid conduit 104 so as to not interfere with the peristaltic pumping action. The pump housing 98 includes a housing cover 110 with a central aperture through which the coupling fingers 108 project.

The drive member of the dispenser 30 includes a star coupling member 112 having a plurality of radial projections that are circumferentially spaced apart from each other. A star coupling member 112 is also known as a spider coupling member. The star coupling member 112 is operably connected to the motor 75 so that the motor 75 is operable to drive a rotation of the star coupling member 112.

As the cartridge unit 36 is front-loaded into the cartridge compartment 44, the coupling fingers 108 cooperatively engage the radial projections of the star coupling member 112 to enable the drive member to impart rotary motion to the rotor 100 and thereby drive the rotation of the rollers 102 in order to carry out the peristaltic pumping action. Full engagement between the coupling fingers 108 and the radial projections take place when the cartridge unit 36 is fully received in the cartridge compartment 44. The star coupling member 112 is preferably spring-loaded to ensure positive engagement between the rotor 100 and the star coupling member 112 for efficient transmission of the rotary motion.

The coupling configuration of the rotor 100 and the star coupling member 112 allows the front-loading of the cartridge unit 36 into the cartridge compartment 44 for quick and simple installation of the cartridge unit 36 in the dispenser 30 while minimising handling of the cartridge unit 36 and removing the need for fasteners and tools to couple the dispensing pump 48 to the drive member.

The number of fingers 108 and rollers 102 of the peristaltic pump 48 may vary. The number of radial projections of the star coupling member 112 may vary.

The use of other types of pumps as the dispensing pump 48 is envisaged in other embodiments of the invention.

Preferably the cartridge unit's components are made of at least one material that is cheap, lightweight and/or recyclable. In particular low cost and high recyclability allows the cartridge unit 36 to be advantageously used as a disposable or consumable.

The rigid shell 76 may be moulded (e.g. blow-moulded) and may be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), another polymer material or a multi-layered combination thereof. The flexible bag 78 may be made of HDPE, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), another polymer material or a multi-layered combination thereof. The dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50 may be moulded (e.g. injection-moulded) from polyethylene or polypropylene. The nozzle 96 may be made of an elastomer, such as ethylene propylene copolymer.

Due to the high alcohol content and flammability of the gel (up to 80% in some instances), the material of the storage container 46 is preferably diffusion-tight to prevent alcohol evaporation throughout the life cycle of the cartridge unit 36 (storage, transport, use, disposal).

The design of the cartridge unit 36 allows the assembly of the storage container 46, the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50 in a controlled and sterile environment to form the cartridge unit 36. As a result, the cartridge unit 36 is in a pre-assembled configuration that can be easily front-loaded into the cartridge compartment 44 of the dispenser 30, without requiring any on-site assembly. Additionally the sealed cartridge unit 36 can be stored, transported and delivered safely without any concerns about the risk of deterioration or contamination of the stored gel.

In some embodiments of the invention, the storage container 46, the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50 may be assembled to provide an integrated configuration of the cartridge unit 36, that is to say the storage container 46, the dispensing pump 48 and the flow adaptor 50 are permanently fixed to each other.

Furthermore, the pre-assembled or integrated configuration of the cartridge unit 36 allows optimisation of the storage and dispensing functions of the dispenser 30 by the original cartridge unit manufacturer, without having to take into account the possibility of a user replacing any of the cartridge unit's components with replacement components from other manufacturers.

Exemplary embodiments of the configuration and use of the dispenser 30 are described as follows.

To install the cartridge unit 36 in the housing 32, the front door 42 is opened and the cartridge unit 36 is front-loaded into the cartridge compartment 44 so that the dispensing pump 48 is coupled to the drive member and so that the dispensing outlet 52 of the cartridge unit 36 forms the dispensing outlet of the housing 32. During the front-loading of the cartridge unit 36 into the cartridge compartment 44, the coupling fingers 108 of the dispensing pump 48 are aligned so as to be in cooperative engagement with the star coupling member 112 when the cartridge unit 36 is received in the cartridge compartment 44. The cartridge unit 36 is held by the user using the grip portions 94 of the storage container 46 during the installation process. Once the cartridge unit 36 is received in the cartridge compartment 44, the front door 42 is closed.

The design of the cartridge unit 36 provides it with a "plug and play" feature that removes the need for on-site assembly of the cartridge unit 36 and makes it easy for a user to install the cartridge unit 36 in the dispenser 30. This in turn prevents malfunction or accidental damage to the cartridge unit 36 and the dispenser 30, and also reduces or eliminates the risk of gel spillage or contamination.

To dispense gel from the dispenser 30, a user can trigger a dispensing operation by positioning their hand in a dispensing position underneath the dispensing outlet of the housing 32. This allows the contactless time-of-flight sensor to detect the presence of the user's hand and send a signal to the PCB controller 102 70, which then controls the motor 75 to drive the dispensing pump 48 in order to dispense the gel.

During the dispensing operation, gel may be collected in the collector receptacle 56 due to dispenser malfunction, a user retracting their hand too early or quickly or due to spillage or splashing of the gel from the user's hand. The collector receptacle 56 makes it easy to remove the collected gel by wiping.

The housing 32, the support frame 34 and the base 58 may also be wiped between dispensing operations.

In the event of the gel running out, the dispensing pump 48 being blocked by gel residue or the cartridge unit 36 being damaged, it is necessary to replace the cartridge unit 36. The user can buy an identically or similarly configured cartridge unit 36 without having to buy individual replacement components. In this way the cartridge unit 36 of the invention can be used as a disposable or consumable. The installation of the replacement cartridge unit 36 is carried out by opening the front door 42, removing the cartridge unit 36 by holding the grip portions 94, front-loading a replacement cartridge unit 36 in the cartridge compartment 44 in the same way as the original cartridge unit 36, and then closing the front door 42.

To replace the battery 64, the front door 42 is opened, the lid 66 is removed to open the battery compartment 62, the battery 64 is removed, the spare battery is taken from the spare battery compartment 65 and installed in the battery compartment 62, and the lid 66 is returned to close the battery compartment 62. The original battery 64 can be recharged before being stored in the spare battery compartment 65.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the various parts of the dispenser 30 may vary depending on the requirements of the dispenser 30. For example, the size and volume of the storage container 46 may vary and/or the dimensions of the housing 32 and support frame 34 may vary to suit requirements of different settings, such as private homes and public areas.

It will also be appreciated that any numerical values recited in the foregoing embodiments are intended to help illustrate the working of the invention but are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior-published document or apparently prior-published information in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or information is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

Preferences and options for a given aspect, feature or parameter of the invention should, unless the context indicates otherwise, be regarded as having been disclosed in combination with any and all preferences and options for all other aspects, features and parameters of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cartridge unit for removable installation in a housing of a dispenser, the cartridge unit comprising a storage container, a dispensing pump and a dispensing outlet, wherein the dispensing pump is in flow communication with a flow outlet of the storage container, the storage container is for storing a liquid or gel, and the dispensing pump is operable to control dispensing of liquid or gel from the storage container to the dispensing outlet.
2. A cartridge unit according to Claim 1 wherein the storage container is made of at least one material suitable for storing an alcohol-based gel.
3. A cartridge unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the storage container is shaped to include at least one handle portion or at least one grip portion.
4. A cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage container includes a rigid container body.
5. A cartridge unit according to Claim 4 wherein the storage container further includes an inner flexible bag, the flexible bag arranged inside a cavity inside the rigid container body, the flow outlet of the storage container formed by a flow outlet of the flexible bag.
6. A cartridge unit according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein a wall of the rigid container body includes a vent port for permitting gas to enter a cavity inside the rigid container body.
7. A cartridge unit according to Claim 6 wherein the vent port includes a gas-permeable membrane for permitting gas to enter a cavity inside the rigid container body, the gas-permeable membrane configured to be impervious to liquid or gel.
8. A cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing pump is a pump configured to mechanically control dispensing of unit doses of liquid or gel from the storage container to the dispensing outlet.
9. A cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing pump is a peristaltic pump.
10. A cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing pump includes a rotor for driving the dispensing pump, the rotor including a first coupling member for cooperatively engaging a second coupling member of an external drive member.
11. A cartridge unit according to Claim 10 wherein the second coupling member is a star coupling member, and the first coupling member includes at least one coupling element configured for cooperatively engaging a or a respective radial projection of the star coupling member.
12. A cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage container and the dispensing pump is made of one or more plastic materials.
13. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid or gel, the dispenser comprising a housing and a cartridge unit, wherein the cartridge unit is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, and the cartridge unit is removably received in a cartridge compartment of the housing so that the dispensing outlet of the cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, a dispensing outlet of the housing.
14. A dispenser according to Claim 13 wherein the dispenser is for dispensing an alcohol-based gel.
15. A dispenser according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 including a replacement cartridge unit that is configured in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the replacement cartridge unit is removably receivable in the cartridge compartment to replace the cartridge unit.
16. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 15 wherein a shape of the cartridge compartment corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to at least part of a shape of the cartridge unit so that at least part of the cartridge unit is matingly received, or substantially matingly received, in the cartridge compartment.
17. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 16 when dependent from Claim 10, the dispenser including a drive member for driving the dispensing pump, wherein the drive member includes a second coupling member that cooperatively engages the first coupling member of the rotor when the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment.
18. A dispenser according to Claim 17 when dependent from Claim 11, wherein at least one radial projection of the star coupling member cooperatively engages the or the respective coupling element of the first coupling member.
19. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 18 including a contactless sensor that is activatable to trigger a dispensing operation of the dispensing pump.
20. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 19 including a curved floor facing the dispensing outlet of the housing.
21. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 20 including a collector receptacle positioned to face the dispensing outlet of the housing for collecting liquid or gel dispensed from the dispensing outlet of the housing.
22. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 21 including a power source that is removably installed in the housing.
23. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 22 including at least one indicator light for indicating an operational status of the dispenser. 20
24. A method of configuring a dispenser according to any one of Claims 13 to 23, the method including the steps of: providing the cartridge unit; removably installing the cartridge unit in the housing so that the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment and so that the dispensing outlet of the cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, the dispensing outlet of the housing.
25. A method according to Claim 24 when dependent from Claim 17, wherein the step of removably installing the cartridge unit in the housing includes aligning the first coupling member of the rotor to be in cooperative engagement with the second coupling member of the drive member when the cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment.
26. A method according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 when either claim is dependent from Claim 15, the method including the steps of: providing the replacement cartridge unit; removing the cartridge unit from the cartridge compartment; and removably installing the replacement cartridge unit in the housing so that the replacement cartridge unit is removably received in the cartridge compartment and so that the dispensing outlet of the replacement cartridge unit is in flow communication with, or forms, the dispensing outlet of the housing.
27. A kit of parts for a cartridge unit for removable installation in a housing of a dispenser, the kit of parts comprising a storage container and a dispensing pump, the storage container and the dispensing pump combinable to form the cartridge unit in which the dispensing pump is in flow communication with a flow outlet of the storage container, the storage container is for storing a liquid or gel, and the dispensing pump is operable to control dispensing of liquid or gel from the storage container to a dispensing outlet.