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US 7,540,397 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for dispensing post-foaming gel soap
AssigneeTechnical Concepts, LLC
InventorsKenneth J. Muderlak, Sean Bellinger, Rocky Hsieh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing a post-foaming gel soap is disclosed. The dispenser includes a housing containing a first actuator and a second actuator. A motor is operatively connected to said first and second actuator. A circuit is connected to said motor, as well as a sensor assembly and a power supply. In operation, said first and second actuator moves a stem valve and a cylindrical pump located on a reservoir containing a gel soap and an inert propellant gas. The cylindrical pump operates on a piston principle and also closes to prevent any dripping after use. Further disclosed are various methods of accurately dispensing a consistent dose of gel soap.
Claims17
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said first actuator comprises a single protrusion that pushes against said stem valve,
- wherein said second actuator is a “U” shaped protrusion.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during a lifetime of a previous reservoir.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during said lifetime of said reservoir.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first and second actuators;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry lengthens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether a user requests two immediately consecutive doses.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;
- and
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator,
- wherein said first actuator comprises a single protrusion that pushes against said stem valve,
- wherein said second actuator is a “U” shaped protrusion.
4 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during a lifetime of a previous reservoir.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry adjusts an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor through a lifetime of said reservoir based upon results detected during said lifetime of said reservoir.
8 more elements
A dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a first actuator for tilting a stem valve on said reservoir;
- a second actuator for pushing a cylindrical pump on said reservoir in a downward direction, said second actuator connected to said first actuator;
- a gear assembly operatively connected to said first actuator;
- a motor operatively connected to said gear assembly;
- a power supply in electrical communication with said motor;
- a sensor assembly;
- and
- circuitry containing logic which receives a signal from said sensor assembly and directs energy to said motor from said power supply,
- wherein said circuitry controls an amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor,
- wherein said circuitry lengthens said amount of time that said power supply provides energy to said motor by detecting whether a user requests two immediately consecutive doses.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.