LIQUID DISPENSER

A liquid dispenser includes a bottle, a cap, and a dispenser head. The bottle defines an interior configured for storing contents, and defines an opening to the interior from an exterior. The cap is configured for engaging the bottle such that the cap is positioned over the opening and is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle. The dispenser head is configured for engaging the cap at a side of the cap opposite the bottle and dispensing the contents of the bottle through the cap, the dispenser head having an exterior surface extended between a top dispenser head portion and a bottom dispenser head portion. A cavity in the dispenser head is defined by the exterior surface of the dispenser head between the top dispenser head portion and the bottom dispenser head portion.

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Description
BACKGROUND

Hand hygiene is critical to preventing a spread of infection, germs, and disease. Washing or sanitizing hands at regular intervals or in view of certain actions such as entering a room or other enclosed environment or touching communal surfaces is especially critical for preventing such spread. Consequently, there is a need for convenient access to hand sanitizer, and by extension a device that is sufficiently compact and mobile for being disposed in a variety of locations to conveniently provide hand sanitizer. Notably, communal hand sanitizer devices activated by direct contact with a user ultimately require multiple users touch the same surface for access to hand sanitizer, which can communicate germs from one user to another to, in certain cases, encourage the spread of infection, germs, and disease. Further, known hand sanitizer devices distribute hand sanitizer over an empty space a user's hand is intended to occupy, however, when the user's hand does not catch the sanitizer, known hand sanitizer devices lack means for preventing the sanitizer from spilling. Consequently, there is also a need for a hand sanitizer device that is activated without direct contact and is configured for catching hand sanitizer distributed therefrom in the event the hand sanitizer is not caught by a user.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a liquid dispenser includes a bottle, a cap, and a dispenser head. The bottle defines an interior configured for storing contents, and defines an opening to the interior from an exterior. The cap is configured for engaging the bottle such that the cap is positioned over the opening and is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle. The dispenser head is configured for engaging the cap at a side of the cap opposite the bottle and dispensing the contents of the bottle through the cap. The dispenser head has an exterior surface extended between a top dispenser head portion and a bottom dispenser head portion. A cavity in the dispenser head is defined by the exterior surface of the dispenser head between the top dispenser head portion and the bottom dispenser head portion. The cavity is sized for accommodating a hand of a user positioned in the cavity. An overhang is formed from the top dispenser head portion, the overhang being located above the cavity when the dispenser is oriented in an upright position. An outlet is located on the overhang, the outlet being configured for dispensing the contents of the bottle. A ledge is formed from the bottom dispenser head portion and spaced from the overhang across the cavity. The ledge is located below the cavity when the dispenser is oriented in the upright position. A platform is formed from the ledge and positioned underneath the outlet. The platform is configured for catching and collecting contents dispensed from the outlet.

According to another aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a bottle, a cap, and a dispenser. The bottle defines an interior configured for storing contents, and defines an opening to the interior from an exterior. The cap is configured for engaging the bottle such that the cap is positioned over the opening and in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle. The dispenser head is configured for engaging the cap at a side of the cap opposite the bottle, rotating relative to the cap about a dispenser head rotational axis, and dispensing contents of the bottle through the opening and the cap. The dispenser head rotational axis is directed through the cap and the bottle when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap and the cap is engaged with the bottle. A pin is extended from one of the cap and the dispenser head and a corresponding slot is defined in the other of the cap and the dispenser head. The slot is shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap. The slot has a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the slot, the slot being configured for receiving the pin when the dispenser head engages the cap. A projection is extended from one of the cap and the dispenser head, and a recess is defined in the other of the cap and the dispenser head respectively corresponding with the projection. The recess is shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap. The recess has a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the recess. The recess is configured for receiving the projection when the dispenser head engages the cap. When the dispenser head is engaged with the cap and is rotated relative to the cap about the dispenser head rotational axis such that the pin travels in the slot from a first pin position that is closer to the first end of the slot as compared to the second end of the slot to a second pin position that is closer to the second end of the slot as compared to the first end of the slot, the projection respectively travels in the recess from a first projection position that is closer to the first end of the recess as compared to the second end of the recess to a second projection position that is closer to the second end of the recess as compared to the first end of the recess.

A bottle assembly for use with a liquid dispenser includes a bottle, a cap, a plug and shrink wrap. The bottle includes a bottle side wall defining an interior configured for storing contents, and defines an opening to the interior from an exterior. The side wall is concentric about a central axis. The cap connects with the bottle and is positioned over the opening. The cap defines an aperture centered along the central axis. The plug is received in and removable from the aperture. The shrink wrap is disposed over at least a portion of the bottle and the plug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a dispenser head of the dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the dispenser head.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the dispenser head.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cap and a bottle of the dispenser.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and the bottle.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the cap.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cap.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottle.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the bottle.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottle and the cap in a prepackaged state.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bottle and the cap in a packaged state.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dispenser 100 including a dispenser head 102 and a bottle 104. The bottle 104 defines an interior 110 configured for storing contents 112 from an exterior 114, and the dispenser head 102 is configured for dispensing the contents 112 from the bottle 104 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the bottle 104. The dispenser head 102 is configured to rotate relative to the bottle 104 about a dispenser head rotational axis 120 between and including a first dispenser head position where the dispenser head 102 is removable from the bottle 104 and a second dispenser head position where the dispenser head 102 is locked in position with the bottle 104. Also, the dispenser head 102 and the bottle 104 are, as a whole, sized to form the dispenser 100 in a mobile, handheld configuration.

As depicted, the bottle 104 is formed from a transparent material such that the contents 112 are visible to a user from the exterior 114. With this, a user is able to visibly determine an amount of the contents 112 in the bottle 104 including a state where the bottle 104 is full of the contents 112 and a state where the bottle 104 is empty of the contents 112. In an embodiment, the contents 112 are a sanitizing agent, such as a hand sanitizer.

The dispenser head 102 has an exterior surface 122 extended between a top dispenser head portion 124 and a bottom dispenser head portion 130. The exterior surface 122 of the dispenser head 102 is formed from a single unitary piece such that the exterior surface 122 of the dispenser head 102 is continuous from the top dispenser head portion 124 to the bottom dispenser head portion 130.

The exterior surface 122 of the dispenser head 102 defines a cavity 132 that is a negative space of the dispenser head 102 interposed between the top dispenser head portion 124 and the bottom dispenser head portion 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the cavity 132 is formed in the shape of an arc (e.g., a C-shaped arc) taken from a side view of the dispenser 100. The cavity 132 is sized such that the cavity 132 is configured to accommodate a hand of a user positioned in the cavity 132.

An overhang 134 formed from the top dispenser head portion 124 is located above and at least partially defines the cavity 132 when the dispenser head 102 is provided in an upright position. The upright position of the dispenser 100 including the dispenser head 102 and the bottle 104 is achieved when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the bottle 104 and the dispenser 100 is positioned with a bottom surface 140 of the bottle 104 on a supporting surface 142 that is substantially horizontal. An outlet 144 located on the overhang 134 is configured for dispensing the contents 112 from the bottle 104 into the cavity 132 and away from the exterior surface 122 of the dispenser head 102.

A power button 150 located on the top dispenser head portion 124 at least partially defines a top surface 152 of the dispenser head 102. As depicted, the power button 150 faces upwards when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position, while the outlet 144 is located on a bottom surface 154 of the top dispenser head portion 124 and directed to dispense the contents 112 downwards when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. With this construction, the top dispenser head portion 124 is interposed between and separates the outlet 144 and the power button 150 in a vertical direction when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. Also, the outlet 144 is configured to dispense the contents 112 away from the top dispenser head portion 124 including the power button 150. As such, the contents 112 do not contact the power button 150 when dispensed from the outlet 144.

A ledge 160 is formed from the bottom dispenser head portion 130 and spaced from the overhang 134 across the cavity 132. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ledge 160 at least partially defines the cavity 132 and is located below the cavity 132 and the overhang 134 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. The ledge 160 includes a platform 162 oriented substantially horizontally and positioned vertically underneath the outlet 144 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. As such, contents 112 that fall from the outlet 144 and through the cavity 132 otherwise impeded land directly on the platform 162. In this manner, the platform 162 is configured for catching and collecting the contents 112 dispensed from the outlet 144, preventing the contents from spilling onto the supporting surface 142. In an embodiment, the platform 162 may feature a raised perimeter configured for collecting larger volumes of the contents 112 without overfilling the platform 162.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the dispenser head 102 includes a visible light source 164 (depicted in phantom) positioned behind a light source cover 170, which can be formed from tinted plastic. Two visible light sources 164, which each can be an LED that emits visible light, are depicted in FIG. 3; however, a fewer or greater number of visible light sources 164 can be provided. Each visible light source 164 is configured to create visible light that is disposed from the cavity 132 to illuminate the contents 112 dispensed from the outlet 144, and is located in the top dispenser head portion 124. An infrared light source 168 (depicted in phantom) cooperates with an infrared light sensor 172 (depicted in phantom), which can both be positioned behind the light source cover 170 and located in the top dispenser head portion 124, detect the presence of a hand of a user, or other object such as a dish or plate, in the cavity 132. The infrared light source 168 and the infrared light sensor 172 can each be offset from a plane in which the dispenser head rotational axis 120 and the outlet 144 reside and that is normal to the supporting surface 142 on which the bottle 104 rests when the dispenser 100 is in a use position. The aforementioned plane is coincident with the dispenser head rotational axis 120 depicted in FIG. 3. The infrared light source 168 and the infrared light sensor 172 are offset closer to this plane as compared to each respective visible light source 164.

In an embodiment, the visible light source is an LED light configured to visually indicate various aspects of the dispenser 100 such as an operational status of the dispenser 100, and whether the dispenser 100 is turned on or off. In an embodiment of operating the dispenser 100, the power button 150 is pressed, causing the dispenser 100 to turn on and the visible light source 164 to briefly actuate with a first signal, indicating the dispenser 100 is turned on and in a normal dispensing mode. In a further embodiment of operating the dispenser 100, the power button 150 is pressed again, causing the dispenser 100 to change an operational state, for example to an extra portion dispensing mode, and the visible light source 164 briefly actuates with a second signal, indicating the dispenser 100 is turned on and in the extra portion dispensing mode. In a further embodiment of operating the dispenser 100, the power button 150 is pressed again, causing the dispenser 100 to turn off, and the visible light source 164 briefly actuates a third signal, indicating the dispenser 100 is turned off.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the dispenser head 102 taken from a plane 174 drawn in FIG. 3. As depicted in FIG. 4, a dispenser head side wall 180 extends from a dispenser head bottom wall 182 and a recess 184 is defined in an interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180. The recess 184 has a first end 192 and a second end 194 oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the recess 184. The interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180 further defines a detent 200 at the second end 194 of the recess 184.

A cutout 202 is defined in the interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180 at the bottom dispenser head portion 130 with the recess 184. The cutout 202 extends in a longitudinal direction of the dispenser 100 that is parallel to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 and substantially vertical when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. The cutout 202 respectively connects with the recess 184 at a position along the recess 184 closer to the first end 192 of the recess 184 as compared to the second end 194 of the recess 184.

A battery 206 (or batteries) located in the dispenser head 102 is removable from the dispenser head 102 through the dispenser head bottom wall 182. The battery 206 is received in a battery housing 208 that is biased toward the dispenser head bottom wall 182 by a spring 214. As depicted in FIG. 5, a battery cover 216, which is made from a flexible material such as silicone, covers a lower portion of the battery housing 208 and is accessible from a bottom surface 218 of the dispenser head bottom wall 182. The battery cover 216 forms a liquid-tight seal with the dispenser head bottom wall 182 effective to prevent the contents 112 from leaking to the battery 206 in a case where the contents 112 leak from between the bottle 104 and the cap 220. Providing access to the battery 206 through the dispenser head bottom wall 182 hides the battery compartment, i.e., it is not visible from an exterior to the dispenser head 102, when the bottle 104 is connected to the dispenser head 102. To install the battery housing 206, one inserts the battery housing 208 through the opening in the dispenser head bottom wall 182 and presses against the bias of the spring 214 until the battery housing 206 is caught. To release the battery housing, one presses again against the spring 214.

According to an aspect, the recess 184 is plural recesses 184 defined in the interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180 with a similar construction, and circumferentially spaced relative to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. Taken from a bottom view of the dispenser head 102 as depicted in FIG. 5, each recess 184 is defined along the interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180 and shaped as an arc with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. With continued reference to FIG. 5, the dispenser head bottom wall 182 features a pin 204 extended therefrom, and an inlet 210 fluidly connected with a conduit 212 configured for transporting the contents 112 through the dispenser head 102 to the outlet 144. The dispenser head 102 is configured to engage the bottle 104 through a cap 220. As depicted in FIG. 6, the cap 220 is configured for being fixed with the bottle 104. In a state prior to engagement with the dispenser head 102, the cap 220 includes a plug 222 configured for blocking an aperture 224 depicted in FIG. 7 in fluid communication with the interior 110 of the bottle 104 through a dip tube 230.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cap 220 engaged with the bottle 104. As depicted, the bottle 104 defines the interior 110 within a bottle top wall 232, a bottle side wall 234, and a bottle bottom wall 240. The bottle top wall 232 defines an opening 242 to the interior 110 from the exterior 114, and a neck 244 extends from the bottle top wall 232 at a perimeter of the opening 242 with a catch 250 and a stop 252 circumferentially disposed around the neck 244. The bottle side wall 234 is cylindrical and concentric about the dispenser head rotational axis 120.

The cap 220 includes a cap seal 254 and a cap inner side wall 260 extended downward from a cap top wall 262 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. The cap seal 254 and the cap inner side wall 260 are cooperatively engaged with the neck 244 such that the cap top wall 262 covers the opening 242. A distal end 264 of the cap inner side wall 260 includes a cap hook 270 disposed between the catch 250 and the stop 252 in a direction parallel with the dispenser head rotational axis 120. The catch 250 includes a sloped surface 272 extended from an outer surface 274 of the neck 244 and the cap hook 270 includes a complementary sloped surface 280 extended from an inner surface 282 of the cap inner side wall 260 such that the cap hook 270 is deflected over the catch 250 when the cap 220 engages the bottle 104, and is locked between the catch 250 and the stop 252 to prevent removing the cap 220 from the bottle 104 when the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104. The stop 252 is extended from the outer surface 274 of the neck 244 and disposed beneath the catch 250 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. The stop 252 is impassible by the cap hook 270 so as to support the cap hook 270 on the neck 244 when the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104.

The cap seal 254 engages an inner surface 284 of the neck 244, forming a seal between the bottle 104 and the cap 220 effective for preventing the contents 112 from leaking out of the dispenser 100 between the bottle 104 and the cap 220. The cap top wall 262 extends radially outward over the cap seal 254 to rest on a distal end 290 of the neck 244 when the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104, supporting the cap top wall 262 on the bottle 104 over the opening 242.

A cap outer side wall 292 is extended downward from a radially outer periphery of the cap top wall 262 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. A distal end 294 of the cap outer side wall 292 contacts the bottle top wall 232 when the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104.

The cap top wall 262 includes a thinned portion 300 located radially outward from the cap inner side wall 260 and immediately adjacent the cap inner side wall 260 such that the cap hook 270 fixes the cap 220 to the bottle 104 entirely through the thinned portion 300 of the cap top wall 262. The thinned portion 300 is located radially between the cap inner side wall 260 and the cap outer side wall 292 along the cap top wall 262 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. As such, the thinned portion 300 is configured to deform in the event a user attempts to tamper with the cap 220 so as to inhibit removal of the cap 220 from the bottle 104, or irreparably tear if the user is successful in removing the installed cap 220. This ensures that the bottle 104 cannot be reused with the dispenser head 102 to dispense alternative contents not original within the bottle 104.

According to an aspect, the cap hook 270 is plural cap hooks 270 extended from the inner surface 282 of the cap inner side wall 260 with a similar construction, and circumferentially spaced relative to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. Taken from a bottom view of the cap 220 as depicted in FIG. 8, each cap hook 270 extends radially inward from the cap inner side wall 260 toward the dispenser head rotational axis 120 so as to engage the catch 250 circumferentially around the neck 244 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220.

FIGS. 6-9 depict a slot 302 defined in the cap top wall 262. With reference to FIG. 8, the slot 302 is shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head 102 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220. The slot 302 has a first end 304 and a second end 310 oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the slot 302. The slot 302 is configured for receiving the pin 204 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220. When the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the bottle 104, the dispenser head 102 is capable of rotating relative to the cap 220 about the dispenser head rotational axis 120 such that the pin 204 travels in the slot 302 from a first pin position that is closer to the first end 304 of the slot 302 as compared to the second end 310 of the slot 302 to a second pin position that is closer to the second end 310 of the slot 302 as compared to the first end 304 of the slot 302. The first end 304 of the slot 302 engages the pin 204 as a mechanical stop when the dispenser head 102 is rotated from the second pin position to the first pin position, and the second end 310 of the slot 302 engages the pin 204 as a mechanical stop when the dispenser head 102 is rotated from the first pin position to the second pin position such that a rotational relationship between the dispenser head 102 and the bottle 104 is restricted to an angular range corresponding with an angular range of motion of the pin 204 in the slot 302 about the dispenser head rotational axis 120.

Notably, while the depicted pin 204 extends from the dispenser head 102 and the depicted slot 302 is defined in the cap 220, the respective locations of the pin 204 and the slot 302 may be switched such that the pin 204 extends from the cap 220 and the slot 302 is defined in the dispenser head 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this manner, the dispenser 100 generally includes the pin 204 as extended from one of the cap 220 and the dispenser head 102, and the slot 302 as defined in the other of the cap 220 and the dispenser head 102, where the slot 302 is shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head 102 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220, and the slot 302 is configured for receiving the pin 204 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, a projection 312 corresponding with the recess 184 is extended radially outward from the cap outer side wall 292 when the dispenser 100 is oriented in the upright position. When the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220, the projection 312 is extended from the cap 220 towards the dispenser head 102, into the corresponding recess 184. In this manner, the recess 184 is configured for receiving the projection 312 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220. The projection 312 is capable of travel in the recess 184 between the first end 192 of the recess 184 and the second end 194 of the recess 184 when the dispenser head 102 is rotated relative to the cap 220 about the dispenser head rotational axis 120 between the first dispenser head position and the second dispenser head position.

When the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220 and is rotated relative to the cap 220 about the dispenser head rotational axis 120 from the first dispenser head position to the second dispenser head position, the pin 204 travels in the slot 302 from the first pin position to the second pin position, and the projection 312 respectively travels in the recess 184 from a first projection position that is closer to the first end 192 of the recess 184 as compared to the second end 194 of the recess 184 to a second projection position that is closer to the second end 194 of the recess 184 as compared to the first end 192 of the recess 184. Because the cutout 202 respectively connects with the recess 184 at a position of the recess 184 closer to the first end 192 of the recess 184 as compared to the second end 194 of the recess 184, the projection 312 is guided to the first projection position by the cutout 202 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220.

According to an aspect, the projection 312 is plural projections 312 having a similar construction, and the projections 312 are disposed on the cap outer side wall 292 along a rotational direction of the dispenser head 102 taken around the dispenser head rotational axis 120, where each projection 312 corresponds with and is configured to engage a recess 184 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220. Notably, while the projection 312 is depicted as two projections 312 oppositely disposed form each other on the cap outer side wall 292, the projection 312 and corresponding recess 184 may alternatively feature additional similar projections and corresponding recesses respectively, and the projection 312 and the recess 184 may be disposed about the cap outer side wall 292 in various constant or irregular intervals without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

According to one aspect, the projection 312 is a thread extended along a rotational direction of the dispenser head 102 around the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220. As depicted in FIG. 9, a protrusion 314 disposed on the projection 312 is extended integrally from the projection 312. The detent 200 defined in the interior side 190 of the dispenser head side wall 180 corresponds with the protrusion 314 such that the detent 200 is configured to receive the protrusion 314 when the projection 312 is rotated from the first projection position to the second projection position.

Notably, while the depicted projection 312 extends from the cap 220 and the depicted recess 184 is defined in the dispenser head 102, the respective locations of the projection 312 and the recess 184 may be switched such that the projection 312 extends from the dispenser head 102 and the recess 184 is defined in the cap 220 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this manner, the dispenser 100 includes the projection 312 as extended from one of the cap 220 and the dispenser head 102, and the recess 184 as defined in the other of the cap 220 and the dispenser head 102, where the recess 184 is shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head 102 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220, and the recess 184 is configured for receiving the projection 312 when the dispenser head 102 engages the cap 220. Also, the respective locations of the protrusion 314 and the corresponding detent 200 may be switched such that the protrusion 314 extends into the recess 184 and the detent 200 is defined in the projection 312 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this manner, the dispenser 100 includes the protrusion 314 disposed on one of the projection 312 and the dispenser head 102, and the detent 200 corresponding with the protrusion 314 as defined in the other of the projection 312 and the dispenser head 102.

FIG. 9 depicts a rib 320 formed in the cap 220 and extended radially inward from the inner surface 282 of the cap inner side wall 260, while FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a channel 322 corresponding to the rib 320 defined in the catch 250. The rib 320 is configured for engaging the channel 322 and preventing rotation between the cap 220 and the bottle 104 about the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104. According to an aspect, the rib 320 is plural ribs 320 extended radially inward from the inner surface 282 of the cap inner side wall 260 with a similar construction, and circumferentially spaced relative to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. According to a further aspect, the channel 322 is plural channels 322 defined in the catch 250, and circumferentially spaced relative to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 to respectively correspond with the ribs 320. Notably, the respective locations of the rib 320 and the channel 322 may be switched such that the rib 320 extends radially outward from the outer surface 274 of the neck 244 and the channel 322 is defined in the inner surface 282 of the cap inner side wall 260 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this manner, the dispenser 100 includes the rib 320 as extended from one of the bottle 104 and the cap 220, and the channel 322 corresponding with the rib 320 as defined in the other of the bottle 104 and the cap 220.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, the thinned portion 300 of the cap top wall 262 is located radially inward of the slot 302 and the projection 312, and positioned radially outward of the rib 320 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220. With this construction, the thinned portion 300 of the cap top wall 262 is configured to deform or tear the cap 220 between a connection to the dispenser head 102 and a connection to the bottle 104. As such, in the event a user attempts to leverage the dispenser head 102 with the bottle 104 to tamper with the cap 220, aspects of the thinned portion 300 are still effective for deforming or tearing so as to inhibit tampering with the cap 220 or prevent the cap 220 from again correctly interfacing with the bottle 104 if the cap 220 is successfully removed from the bottle 104.

FIG. 12 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser 100. As depicted, the cap 220 is configured for engaging the bottle 104 such that the cap 220 is positioned over the opening 242 and the aperture 224 is in fluid communication with the interior 110 of the bottle 104 via the aperture 224. The dispenser head 102 is configured for engaging the cap 220 at a side of the cap 220 opposite the bottle 104 and dispensing the contents 112 from the bottle 104 through the opening 242 and the cap 220. The conduit 212 connects the inlet 210 of the dispenser 100 to a pump 324, and the pump 324 to the outlet 144, where the pump 324 is electrically connected with and powered by the battery 206 for delivering the contents 112 from the bottle 104 through the outlet 144. As depicted, the dispenser head rotational axis 120 is directed through the cap 220 and the bottle 104 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220 and the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104.

When the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220, the dispenser head 102 is flush with the bottle 104 such that an exterior surface 330 of the dispenser 100 is continuous between the exterior surface 122 of the dispenser head 102 and the exterior surface 332 of the bottle 104, at a location radially outward of an outermost periphery of the cap 220 including the cap outer side wall 292 with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis 120. In this manner, the cap 220 is hidden in the dispenser 100 from external view of the dispenser 100 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220 and the cap 220 is engaged with the bottle 104. Also, the dispenser head bottom wall 182 faces the cap top wall 262 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220 such that the battery 206 is hidden from external view of the dispenser 100, and is not accessible or removable from the dispenser 100. Also, because the pin 204 is extended from the dispenser head bottom wall 182 and the dispenser head bottom wall 182 faces the cap top wall 262 in which the slot 302 is defined, the slot 302 and the pin 204 are hidden from external view of the dispenser 100 when the dispenser head 102 is engaged with the cap 220.

FIG. 13 depicts the bottle 104 in a prepackaged state where a packaging seal 334, such as an adhesive sticker, is adhered to the cap 220, with the plug 222 disposed in the aperture 224 of the cap 220. The aperture 224 of the cap 220 is concentric with dispenser head rotational axis 120, which is also the central axis of the bottle 104. FIG. 14 depicts the bottle 104 in a packaged state where a shrink wrap 340 is disposed over the bottle 104, the cap outer side wall 292, the cap top wall 262, and a periphery of the packaging seal 334 such that the shrink wrap 340 and the packaging seal 334 cooperatively provide a tamper-evident seal around the bottle 104 and the cap 220.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser, the dispenser comprising:

a bottle with a bottle side wall defining an interior configured for storing contents, a bottle bottom wall, and a bottle top wall opposite the bottle bottom wall across the interior, the bottle top wall defining an opening to the interior from an exterior;
a cap with a cap side wall extended downward from a cap top wall when the dispenser is oriented in an upright position, and configured for engaging the bottle top wall such that the cap is positioned over the opening and is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle;
a dispenser head configured for engaging the cap at a side of the cap opposite the bottle and dispensing the contents of the bottle through the cap, the dispenser head having an exterior surface extended between a top dispenser head portion and a bottom dispenser head portion, and a dispenser head bottom wall that faces the cap top wall when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap;
a cavity in the dispenser head defined by the exterior surface of the dispenser head between the top dispenser head portion and the bottom dispenser head portion, the cavity being sized for accommodating a hand of a user positioned in the cavity;
an overhang formed from the top dispenser head portion, the overhang being located above the cavity when the dispenser is oriented in an upright position;
an outlet located on the overhang, the outlet being configured for dispensing the contents of the bottle;
a ledge formed from the bottom dispenser head portion and spaced from the overhang across the cavity, the ledge being located below the cavity when the dispenser is oriented in the upright position; and
a platform formed from the ledge and positioned underneath the outlet, the platform being configured for catching and collecting contents dispensed from the outlet.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outlet is located vertically above the platform when the dispenser is in the upright position such that contents which fall through the cavity from the outlet land directly on the platform.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the dispenser head defines the cavity in a shape of an arc taken from a side view of the dispenser.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the exterior surface of the dispenser head defines the cavity in a shape of a C-shaped arc taken from the side view of the dispenser.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a visible light source located in the top dispenser head portion, the visible light source configured to create visible light that is disposed from the cavity and illuminate the contents dispensed from the outlet.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, further comprising an infrared light source and an infrared light sensor located in the top dispenser head portion,

wherein the infrared light source is configured to create infrared light that is disposed from the cavity and the infrared light sensor is configured to detect the infrared light such that the infrared light source and the infrared sensor are configured to cooperatively detect a hand of a user in the cavity.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, further comprising two visible light sources and the infrared light source and the infrared light sensor are offset closer to a plane in which a dispenser head rotational axis and the outlet reside and that is normal to the supporting surface on which the bottle rests when the dispenser is in a use position as compared to each respective visible light source.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a power button located on the top dispenser head portion, the power button at least partially defines a top surface of the dispenser head located vertically above the cavity when the dispenser is oriented in the upright position.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a power button located on the top dispenser head portion, the power button at least partially defines a top surface of the dispenser head located vertically above the outlet when the dispenser is oriented in the upright position.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery located in the dispenser head, the battery being accessible from a dispenser head bottom wall; and
a pump electrically connected with and powered by the battery for delivering contents from the bottle through the outlet,
wherein the dispenser head bottom wall faces a cap top wall when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap, such that the battery is hidden from external view of the dispenser and is not accessible when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap.

11. A liquid dispenser, the dispenser comprising:

a bottle defining an interior configured for storing contents, and defining an opening to the interior from an exterior;
a cap configured for engaging the bottle such that the cap is positioned over the opening and in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle;
a dispenser head configured for engaging the cap at a side of the cap opposite the bottle, rotating relative to the cap about a dispenser head rotational axis, and dispensing contents of the bottle through the opening and the cap, the dispenser head rotational axis being directed through the cap and the bottle when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap and the cap is engaged with the bottle;
a pin extended from one of the cap and the dispenser head and a slot defined in the other of the cap and the dispenser head, the slot being shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap, the slot having a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the slot, the slot being configured for receiving the pin when the dispenser head engages the cap; and
a projection extended from one of the cap and the dispenser head, and a recess defined in the other of the cap and the dispenser head respectively corresponding with the projection, the recess being shaped as an arc along a rotational direction of the dispenser head with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap, the recess having a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from each other along an arc length of the recess, the recess being configured for receiving the projection when the dispenser head engages the cap, and
wherein when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap and is rotated relative to the cap about the dispenser head rotational axis such that the pin travels in the slot from a first pin position that is closer to the first end of the slot as compared to the second end of the slot to a second pin position that is closer to the second end of the slot as compared to the first end of the slot, the projection respectively travels in the recess from a first projection position that is closer to the first end of the recess as compared to the second end of the recess to a second projection position that is closer to the second end of the recess as compared to the first end of the recess,
the cap defines the slot,
the projection extends from the cap towards the dispenser head,
the dispenser head defines the recess, and
the pin extends from the dispenser head towards the cap.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a thinned portion of the cap located radially inward of the slot with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap.

13. (canceled)

14. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the projection is a plurality of projections disposed along a rotational direction around the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap.

15. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising:

a protrusion respectively disposed on one of the projection and the dispenser head, and a detent corresponding with the protrusion defined in the other of the projection and the dispenser head,
wherein the detent is configured to receive the protrusion when the projection is respectively rotated from the first projection position to the second projection position.

16. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein:

the slot is defined in a top surface of the cap and the pin is extended from a bottom surface of the dispenser head towards the cap such that the slot and the pin are hidden from exterior view of the dispenser when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap.

17. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a cutout defined in one of the cap and the dispenser head with the recess, the cutout extending in a longitudinal direction of the dispenser that is parallel with the dispenser head rotational axis when the dispenser head is engaged with the cap,

wherein the cutout respectively connects with the recess at a position of the recess closer to the first end of the recess as compared to the second end of the recess such that when the dispenser head engages the cap the projection is guided to the first projection position by the cutout.

18. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the dispenser head is flush with the bottle such that an exterior surface of the dispenser is continuous between the exterior surface of the dispenser head and an exterior surface of the bottle at a location radially outward of an outermost periphery of the cap with respect to the dispenser head rotational axis.

19. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the cap is hidden in the dispenser from external view when the cap is engaged with the bottle and the dispenser head is engaged with the cap.

20. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising:

a rib extended from one of the bottle and the cap and a channel corresponding with the rib defined in the other of the bottle and the cap,
wherein the rib is configured for engaging the channel and preventing rotation between the cap and the bottle about the dispenser head rotational axis when the cap is engaged with the bottle.

21-24. (canceled)

25. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bottle bottom wall has a bottom surface defining a footprint on a substantially horizontal supporting surface when the dispenser is positioned on the supporting surface in the upright position, and the cap and the dispenser are encompassed by the footprint along the supporting surface when the dispenser is positioned on the supporting surface in the upright position.

26. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein the platform is positioned inward of the footprint on the supporting surface when the dispenser is positioned on the supporting surface in the upright position.

27. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the platform is positioned vertically above the bottle when the dispenser is in the upright position.

28. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser head is flush with the bottle such that an exterior surface of the dispenser is continuous between the exterior surface of the dispenser head and an exterior surface of the bottle.

Patent History
Publication number: 20220047125
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 11, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2022
Inventors: Evan Spirk (Gates Mills, OH), Danwei Ye (Solon, OH), Trevor L. Jackson (Kirtland, OH), John Nottingham (Bratenahl, OH)
Application Number: 16/990,344
Classifications
International Classification: A47K 5/12 (20060101);