GB2134654A

GB2134654A - Liquid soap dispensers

Info

Publication number: GB2134654A
Application number: GB08332542A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Michael George Fielding
Original assignee: Dudley Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Dudley Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1983-02-03
Filing date: 1983-12-06
Publication date: 1984-08-15
Also published as: GB8332542D0

Abstract

A magnet on a pivoted float arm 15 within a liquid soap dispenser actuates an external reed switch 22 when the liquid falls below a predetermined level; this causes actuation of a remotely-observable alarm, e.g. a flashing l.e.d. 30. The arm 15 comprises a plurality of support stubs (17, Fig. 3 not shown) and its effective length can be varied by cutting off the moulding at a selected pair of stubs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid soap dispensers This invention relates to liquid soap dispensers, such as are used in public or communal facilities.

Dispensers commonly comprise a reservoir for soap which flows out through a manually operated valve fixed to the bottom thereof. It is a common experience that such dispensers are frequently empty of soap and so it is desirable to provide some way of checking the level of soap. Some existing dispensers have a viewing window in the casing for directly observing the level of the liquid soap. However these suffer from the disadvantage that the windows often steam up or become covered with grease or dirt so that observation of the level becomes difficult or impossible. In addition an observer must bring his eye right up to the window so that remote observation is not possible.

The present invention seeks to provide a dispenser which overcomes or reduces at least one of the above problems.

Accordingly, the invention provides a dispenser for liquid soap comprising a reservoir supplying an outlet, means for detecting when the level of liquid within the reservoir falls below a pre-determined level, and remotely-observable alarm means responsive to said detecting means.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a soap dispenser reservoir in section; Fig. 2 shows a top view of the reservoir; and Fig. 3 shows a top view of a float arm.

A reservoir 10 for containing liquid soap is moulded in plastics material, and has an outlet 11 to which a control valve (not shown) can be fixed.

The reservoir is normally contained within an external housing 32 which housing can be fixed to a wall and forms also a top cover for the reservoir.

At approximately half its depth, the reservoir has internal ribs 12 which are designed to support an upturned re-fill container. In operation, the reservoir is about half filled and a re-fill container with its top removed is upturned over the liquid in the reservoir. The open neck of the container dips into the liquid, so that no more can flow out until some of the liquid is used.

In order to ensure that the reservoir never completely runs out, the dispenser includes a warning system. This comprises a float arm 1 5 pivoted within the reservoir on the back wall at 1 6. The arm 15, as seen clearly in Fig. 3, is in the form of an open frame and has a number of support stubs 17, so that its effective length can be determined by cutting off the moulding at a selected pair of pivots stubs furthest from the float end 18. At the end 18, a small housing 19 is formed with a removable cover 20. Within the housing 1 9 is a small magnet (not shown). Fixed on the outside of the reservoir at a height appropriate to the length of the float arm is a reed switch 22. The reed switch is connected in the circuit of a visual alarm which has a battery, a light-emitting diode 30 and a bistable circuit.The l.e.d. is mounted on a bracket 31 fixed to the reservoir 10 and located behind a diffusing lens 34 staked into the external housing 32 so that the visual signal is easily visible from outside the dispenser. Where a plurality of dispensers are disposed in a washroom etc, the l.e.ds are preferably positioned so that they are all visible from the entrance to the room. Thus any dispenser needing refilling can be identified immediately.

Upon actuation of the switch 22, the circuit is energised and the l.e.d. starts to flash on and off.

In operation, as the level of liquid soap in the reservoir drops, the float arm 1 5 pivots downwardly in an arc 23 until the magnet in the housing 19 approaches close enough to the switch 22 to actuate it.

In this embodiment, the float arm is supported by two brackets 25 moulded on the inside wall of the reservoir, a notch 26 receiving each support stub 1 7. At the area between the brackets 25, the wall of the reservoir is formed in a series of steps 27 to receive the switch at different heights. The switch may be attached e.g. by adhesive, at any suitable height, depending on the chosen length of arm 1 5. This length is selected in dependence on the level of soap below which re-charge is necessary. This will depend on frequency of use and frequency of checking. The brackets 25 are offset in the reservoir so that the float arm does not foul the outlet 11, or the neck of the refill cartridge or container.

The above-described dispenser has the advantages of providing a clear warning of impending exhaustion of the liquid soap supply. In addition the warning can be observed remotely, e.g. from the doorway to a washroom.

Alternative constructions of float arm are possible. Moreover, the switch could be actuated mechanically, and the alarm may be given by other visual means and/or even audibly. However visual means such as a flag or a light are preferred, a light having the advantage that it is readily visible in the dark or in poor ambient light conditions. An I.e.d. has the further advantage of relatively low power consumption.

1. A dispenser for liquid soap comprising a reservoir supplying an outlet, means for detecting when the level of liquid within the reservoir falls below a predetermined level, and remotelyobservable alarm means responsive to said detecting means.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the alarm means comprises a visual alarm.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the visual alarm is a light emitting diode.

4. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein said detecting means comprises a pivoted float arm mounted within the reservoir and a switch mechanism actuable in dependence on the position of the float arm.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Liquid soap dispensers This invention relates to liquid soap dispensers, such as are used in public or communal facilities. Dispensers commonly comprise a reservoir for soap which flows out through a manually operated valve fixed to the bottom thereof. It is a common experience that such dispensers are frequently empty of soap and so it is desirable to provide some way of checking the level of soap. Some existing dispensers have a viewing window in the casing for directly observing the level of the liquid soap. However these suffer from the disadvantage that the windows often steam up or become covered with grease or dirt so that observation of the level becomes difficult or impossible. In addition an observer must bring his eye right up to the window so that remote observation is not possible. The present invention seeks to provide a dispenser which overcomes or reduces at least one of the above problems. Accordingly, the invention provides a dispenser for liquid soap comprising a reservoir supplying an outlet, means for detecting when the level of liquid within the reservoir falls below a pre-determined level, and remotely-observable alarm means responsive to said detecting means. In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a soap dispenser reservoir in section; Fig. 2 shows a top view of the reservoir; and Fig. 3 shows a top view of a float arm. A reservoir 10 for containing liquid soap is moulded in plastics material, and has an outlet 11 to which a control valve (not shown) can be fixed. The reservoir is normally contained within an external housing 32 which housing can be fixed to a wall and forms also a top cover for the reservoir. At approximately half its depth, the reservoir has internal ribs 12 which are designed to support an upturned re-fill container. In operation, the reservoir is about half filled and a re-fill container with its top removed is upturned over the liquid in the reservoir. The open neck of the container dips into the liquid, so that no more can flow out until some of the liquid is used. In order to ensure that the reservoir never completely runs out, the dispenser includes a warning system. This comprises a float arm 1 5 pivoted within the reservoir on the back wall at 1 6. The arm 15, as seen clearly in Fig. 3, is in the form of an open frame and has a number of support stubs 17, so that its effective length can be determined by cutting off the moulding at a selected pair of pivots stubs furthest from the float end 18. At the end 18, a small housing 19 is formed with a removable cover 20. Within the housing 1 9 is a small magnet (not shown). Fixed on the outside of the reservoir at a height appropriate to the length of the float arm is a reed switch 22. The reed switch is connected in the circuit of a visual alarm which has a battery, a light-emitting diode 30 and a bistable circuit.The l.e.d. is mounted on a bracket 31 fixed to the reservoir 10 and located behind a diffusing lens 34 staked into the external housing 32 so that the visual signal is easily visible from outside the dispenser. Where a plurality of dispensers are disposed in a washroom etc, the l.e.ds are preferably positioned so that they are all visible from the entrance to the room. Thus any dispenser needing refilling can be identified immediately. Upon actuation of the switch 22, the circuit is energised and the l.e.d. starts to flash on and off. In operation, as the level of liquid soap in the reservoir drops, the float arm 1 5 pivots downwardly in an arc 23 until the magnet in the housing 19 approaches close enough to the switch 22 to actuate it. In this embodiment, the float arm is supported by two brackets 25 moulded on the inside wall of the reservoir, a notch 26 receiving each support stub 1 7. At the area between the brackets 25, the wall of the reservoir is formed in a series of steps 27 to receive the switch at different heights. The switch may be attached e.g. by adhesive, at any suitable height, depending on the chosen length of arm 1 5. This length is selected in dependence on the level of soap below which re-charge is necessary. This will depend on frequency of use and frequency of checking. The brackets 25 are offset in the reservoir so that the float arm does not foul the outlet 11, or the neck of the refill cartridge or container. The above-described dispenser has the advantages of providing a clear warning of impending exhaustion of the liquid soap supply. In addition the warning can be observed remotely, e.g. from the doorway to a washroom. Alternative constructions of float arm are possible. Moreover, the switch could be actuated mechanically, and the alarm may be given by other visual means and/or even audibly. However visual means such as a flag or a light are preferred, a light having the advantage that it is readily visible in the dark or in poor ambient light conditions. An I.e.d. has the further advantage of relatively low power consumption. CLAIMS

5. A dispenser according to claim 4 wherein the float arm carries a magnet and the switch mechanism comprises a reed switch located outside the reservoir and actuable by the magnet.

6. A dispenser according to any claim 4 or 5 wherein the float arm has a plurality of support means along its length, whereby its effective length can be determined by removing selected ones of the support means.

7. A dispenser for liquid soap comprising a reservoir supplying an outlet and means for detecting when the level of liquid within the reservoir falls below a predetermined level, said detecting means comprising a pivoted float arm with a plurality of support means along its length, whereby its effective length can be determined by removing selected ones of the support means.

8. A dispenser for liquid soap substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.