Field of the invention

The present invention relates to dispenser units for dispensing a product from a bottle. The invention may find particular application in dispensing viscous or fluid products, such as soap, sanitiser, moisturiser, and like products. The dispenser unit may find particular, though not exclusive, application with an automatic dispensing mechanism.

Background of the invention

Dispensers that dispense viscous or fluid products such as soap, sanitiser and moisturiser are often found in a healthcare environment, for example in hospitals and medical clinics. They may also be utilised in public environments such as shopping centres, as well as in the home.

The present invention is directed to dispenser units that receive bottles that already contain the product to be dispensed. In commercial applications, there is a need to provide securing means, such that the bottle cannot be readily removed by users, whilst also being easily removed by maintenance personnel for changing empty bottles. To securely fasten a bottle within a dispenser housing, it typically needs to be wholly contained within the housing to prevent unauthorised removal. However, this increases the size of the dispenser housing required, increasing the overall costs to the manufacturer and therefore the customer. There is therefore a need for an alternative arrangement.

Another problem identified with existing automatic dispensers is that when the dispenser fails to activate in a timely manner, the user will either remove their hand or bend down to see if there is a problem. The dispenser then dispenses fluid onto the ground, into the drip tray or onto the user. It is evident that the dispenser needs a better user interface that communicates to the user it has detected a hand and is in the process of dispensing fluid.

A further problem faced by manufacturers and distributors is where a number of different products are housed within the same sized and shaped bottles, such that bottles with different products are interchangeable. In a hospital environment for example, at a particular location there may be multiple dispensers mounted together, each intended to contain a different product, such as soap, sanitiser and moisturiser. Maintenance staff may inadvertently order the wrong product, as it is not easy to identify which product is which, and the levels within the bottles.

Users and distributors therefore may wish to monitor the usage of products, for example for determining when a product is about to run out so that it may be reordered. They may also wish to monitor whether there is excessive usage of a dispenser product, any malfunctioning components, or maintain a maintenance record of all the dispenser units that are located in a chosen location. It can be a very mundane and time consuming task for a user to physically examine each dispenser unit and update the status of the dispenser unit regularly.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least one of the above issues with existing dispensers. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art. Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser unit for receiving at least a portion of a bottle and dispensing the contents of the bottle, the dispenser including: first and second housing portions slidably mounted to each other and movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; mounting means configured to mount the dispenser unit to a surface; receiving means on the first housing portion configured to receive at least a portion of a neck of the bottle, inserted in a generally vertical direction; engagement means associated with the second housing portion, configured to engage the neck of the bottle when the housing portions are in the engaged position wherein the bottle is prevented from being moved in a vertical direction; wherein, when the housing portions are in the disengaged position, the neck of the bottle is disengaged from the engagement means and is removable from the dispenser unit in a generally vertical direction.

The bottle to be used with the dispenser unit would typically include a reservoir and a neck portion. It may additionally include a bottle cap, with some embodiments of the cap integrating a pump arrangement with a nozzle. The product to be dispensed will typically be a fluid or viscous product, dispensed through the nozzle.

Advantageously, the neck is received within the receiving means, with the reservoir projecting outside the housing portions. Receiving means can be an opening into which the neck is inserted. A depression may be formed by sloping a portion of the upper surface of the first housing portion towards the opening, whereby the depression cradles the portion of the bottle surrounding the base of the neck.

In an embodiment, the first housing portion slides with respect to the second housing portion, with the second housing portion including the mounting means for mounting the dispenser to a surface. The surface may be a vertical or horizontal surface, but may typically be a vertical panel such as a wall. It will be appreciated that alternatively the mounting means may be provided on the first housing portion.

The second housing portion can be generally rectangular and formed from a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, and a base, with an open top. The first housing portion can be complementary, such that it is also generally rectangular and formed from a front wall, two side walls and a top, whereby the first housing portion is configured to slide over the second housing portion to create a generally enclosed internal volume. The internal volume may be exposed via the receiving means in the top of the first housing portion, and an outlet opening formed in the base of the second housing portion. It will be appreciated that the first housing portion could slide within the second housing portion or that the first housing portion includes the base.

The sliding movement of the first and second housing portions can be generally horizontal to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The disengaged position being such that the top of the first housing portion exposes a portion of the top of the second housing portion. The sliding movement may be provided by one or more rails located on one of the housing portions, with the other housing portion including a corresponding pin(s) projecting into the rail, such that the pin(s) slide(s) along the rail(s). In a preferred embodiment, there is a further fully open position whereby the first housing portion is configured to tilt forward and downwardly to fully expose the internal volume through the open top of the second housing portion. This provides access for removing and replacing batteries that may be located within the internal volume. The engagement means may be a projection that is generally horizontally orientated, whereby in the engaged position the projection engages a formation on the neck of the bottle preventing vertical movement of the bottle. The engagement means is preferably a semi-circle such that it engages about a maximum of 180° of the neck, allowing horizontal movement of the bottle in one direction to disengage the engagement means.

In an embodiment, where the bottle cap includes a pump head with a nozzle, the dispenser unit includes a pump carriage with a locking mechanism to engage the pump head. The pump carriage reciprocates generally vertically to extend and retract a piston of the pump, dispensing product through the nozzle. The locking mechanism can engage a flange around the pump head and may extend about a maximum of 180° of the pump head to allow for horizontal removal. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism can be engaged by pushing the pump head in a downwards direction but cannot be disengaged by moving upwardly, such that removal of the pump head from the locking mechanism must be in a horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments latches may be provided that lock the housing portions in the engaged position, which must be disengaged to allow sliding movement into the disengaged position. Further locking means may be provided to prevent unauthorised access and removal of the bottle from the dispenser unit.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser unit for dispensing a fluid or viscous product, the dispenser unit including: an outlet configured to dispense product along a predefined path; a light source configured to emit a light beam along a predefined path; a sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of an object, such as a user's hand, within a detecting region; wherein the product path and the light beam path intersect within the detecting region; and activation means, whereby when the sensor detects the presence of an object within the detecting region it activates the light beam to project onto the object and dispenses the product on the object on or near where the light beam projects. According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser unit for dispensing a fluid or viscous product, including: a sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of an object within a detecting region of the dispenser unit; indication means configured to indicate to a user of the dispenser unit one or more of the following: a likely position of where the fluid or viscous product will be dispensed onto the detected object; an object has been detected; and the dispenser unit is going to dispense a fluid or viscous product or is in the process of dispensing a fluid or viscous product; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing fluid or viscous product from the dispenser unit.

In one form of the third aspect, the indication means provides visual indication for a user of the dispenser unit. In a preferred form, the visual indication is a light beam from a light source.

In other forms, the indication means may in addition or alternatively provide non- visual indication such as audio indication. According to the second or third aspect, one or more of the following features may be incorporated.

The light source may be one or more light emitting diodes (LED) or other similar light emitting components located at a suitable location. Preferably, the visual indication is located on the underside of the dispenser unit, and more preferably rearwardly of the dispensing outlet.

Preferably, the light source is switched on after the sensing mechanism detects the presence of an object and is switched off after a dispensing cycle. The light source may be configured to vary its output (e.g. colour, shape of light beam, lighting patterns, on/off times) at different stages of a dispensing cycle.

Preferably, the light source is placed behind a lens cover. The lens cover shapes the light outputted by the light source into a narrow light beam. The lens cover may also determine the projecting direction of the light beam.

In one form, the lens cover is a clear lens that shapes the light outputted by the light source into a narrow light beam and projects the narrow light beam onto the detected object, to indicate a likely location of where the product will be dispensed onto the object.

In a most preferred form, the visual indication means is configured to project a circle of blue light onto the object before the dispenser unit dispenses product into the circle.

Preferably, the sensing mechanism includes a proximity sensor, an infra-red sensor, or similar.

Preferably, the object may be a body part of a user (e.g. hand, arm, face, or similar) or an object that a user wishes the product to be dispensed onto, e.g. a pair of gloves, for sanitizing, cleaning, conditioning or other similar purposes.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of dispensing a fluid or viscous product from a dispenser unit, including: detecting the presence of an object within a detecting region of the dispenser unit; indicating one or more of the following to a user of the dispenser unit: a likely position of where the product will be dispensed onto the object; the object has been detected; and the dispenser unit is going to dispense product and/or is in the process of dispensing product; dispensing the product onto the object.

Preferably, the likely position of where the product will be dispensed is indicated by projecting a light beam onto the object.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of configuring a dispenser unit, said dispenser unit includes a dispensing mechanism arranged to dispense a fluid or viscous product when actuated, a control system for monitoring the status of the dispenser unit and communicating the status to a server, a network module for enabling the data communication between the dispenser unit and the server, said dispenser unit being installed in an environment with a local wireless network, said method including: upon determining that the dispenser unit is in a configuration mode: activating the network module of the dispenser unit to generate a dispenser network; establishing a network connection between the network module and a network-enabled user device; allowing a user to enter a network address of the dispenser unit on a user interface of the network-enabled user device; generating and displaying a configuration page on the user device, said configuration page allowing the user to enter one or more parameters of the dispenser unit and login information required to connect to the local wireless network; disabling the network connection between the network module and the user device; and connecting the network module to the local wireless network using the received login information to thereby communicate with the server.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of configuring a dispenser unit, said dispenser unit includes a dispensing mechanism arranged to dispense a fluid or viscous product when actuated, a control system for monitoring the status of the dispenser unit and communicating the status to a server, a network module for enabling the data communication between the dispenser unit and the remote server, said dispenser unit being installed in an environment with a local wireless network, said method including: upon determining that the dispenser unit is in a configuration mode: activating the network module of the dispenser unit to generate a dispenser network; establishing a network connection between the network module and a network-enabled user device; generating and displaying a configuration page on the user device, said configuration page allowing the user to enter one or more parameters of the dispenser unit and login information required to connect to the local wireless network; disabling the network connection between the network module and the user device; and connecting the network module to the local wireless network using the received login information to thereby communicate with the remote server.

Preferably the network address is an IP address of the dispenser unit and each dispenser unit has a unique IP address. In one form, the configuration page is generated based the IP address of the dispenser unit. In one form, data representative of the configuration page is stored on the dispenser unit and is transmitted to the user device once the network connection between the network module and the user device is established.

In one form, the login information may include one or more of the following: an identifier for the local wireless network, a password for establishing a connection with the wireless network, user account details such as user name and user password.

In one form, the one or more parameters of the dispenser unit may include one or more of the following: an identifier for the dispenser unit, physical location of the dispenser unit, a description of the product being dispensed, or similar. Preferably, the configuration mode is enabled when a user switches on the power of the network module and is disabled when the user indicates that the process of entering information on the dispenser configuration page has been completed.

Preferably the network module is a Wifi unit.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of managing or monitoring a plurality of dispenser units installed in an environment with a wireless network, wherein at least one dispenser unit includes a dispensing mechanism arranged to dispense a fluid or viscous product when actuated, a control system for monitoring the status of the dispenser unit and communicating the dispenser status with a server, a network module for establishing a network connection between the dispenser unit and the wireless network, said method including: establishing a network connection between the dispenser unit and the wireless network; at the server, receiving data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit via the wireless network connection, processing the data received from the dispenser unit.

In one form, the step of processing the data received from the dispenser unit includes: identifying data that is indicative of an abnormal condition, wherein said abnormal condition may include a fault condition, a service request, excessive usage, low battery level, and the like.

In one form, the step of processing the data received from the dispenser unit further includes: identifying data that is indicative of normal operation or maintenance of the dispenser unit.

In one form, the step of processing the data received further includes: storing the data received at a data storage of the server. The method may further include generating an output to notify an operator of the abnormal condition so that appropriate actions can be taken.

The status of the dispenser may be transmitted to the server according to a predefined schedule, or on an ad-hoc basis, or both.

In one form, the data transmitted to the server may also include any one or more of the following parameters of the dispenser unit: an identifier of the dispenser unit such as a description, a name, physical location of dispenser, the type of product dispensed, a User account name, an account password, or similar.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a dispenser unit for dispensing a product, including: a sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of an object within a detecting region of the dispenser unit; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product when actuated; a control system that is configured to control and monitor the status of the dispenser unit; a network module for establishing a network connection between the dispenser unit and a local wireless network, wherein the network module is configured to operate in: a configuration mode which when enabled allows the network module to emit its own dispenser wireless network and allows a network-enabled device to exchange information with the network module via the dispenser wireless network; and an operation mode which when enabled allows the network module to establish a network connection with the local wireless network to thereby exchange data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit with a remote server via the local wireless network.

In one form, the configuration mode is enabled when a user first switches on the power of the network module and the operation mode is enabled when a user indicates that the process of exchanging data with the network-enabled user device has been completed.

Preferably, the configuration is enabled to set up the operation of the operation mode. Preferably the configuration mode is entered only once.

In one form, the data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit may be indicative of any one or more of the following: a fault condition, a service request, excessive usage, low battery level, and the like.

In one form, the data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit may also be indicative of normal usage of the dispenser unit such as: dispensing time, dispensing frequency, product dispensed, and the like.

Preferably, the data also includes one or more of the following parameters of the dispenser unit including: an identifier for the dispenser unit, physical location of the dispenser unit, a description of the product being dispensed, or similar. According to a ninth aspect, there is provide a dispenser unit for dispensing a product, including: a sensing mechanism for detecting the presence of an object within a detecting region of the dispenser unit; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product when actuated; a network module for establishing a network connection between the dispenser unit and a local wireless network to exchange data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit with a server; a control system that is configured to control and monitor the status of the dispenser unit, wherein the control system transmits data indicative of the status of the dispenser unit to the server via the network connection established between the dispenser unit and the local wireless network.

In one form, the control system monitors one or more of the following abnormal events or conditions for the dispenser unit: a fault condition, a service request, excessive usage, low battery level, and the like.

In one form, the control system may also monitor normal usage of the dispenser unit such as: dispensing time, dispensing frequency, product dispensed, and the like.

The dispenser unit may additionally include one or more indicators for indicating the abnormal events or conditions to a user.

Brief description of the drawings

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a dispenser unit in the engaged position;

Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the dispenser unit of Figure 1 in the disengaged position;

Figure 3 is a perspective front view of the dispenser unit of Figure 1 with a bottle in position;

Figure 4 is a perspective rear view of the dispenser unit of Figure 2 with a bottle in position; Figure 5 is a top view of the dispenser unit of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view through line A-A of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view similar to Figure 6 with the dispenser unit in the engaged position; Figure 8 is a perspective front view of the engagement means alone;

Figure 9 is a perspective front view of the engagement means of Figure 8 engaged with a bottle;

Figure 10 is a front cross-sectional view through the dispenser unit in an engaged position; Figure 1 1 is a close-up view of the section marked P in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective front view of the dispenser unit of Figure 1 in a fully open position;

Figure 13 is a top view of the dispenser unit in a fully open position;

Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view through lines K-K of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view in the disengaged position;

Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view similar to Figure 15 in the engaged position;

Figure 17 is a rear view of the dispenser unit in the engaged position, with the latching means engaged; Figure 18 is a rear view of the dispenser unit with the key inserted and the latching means disengaged;

Figure 19 is a side view of a dispenser unit according to another embodiment;

Figure 20 is a close up perspective view of the base of the dispenser unit;

Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a system including a dispenser unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 21 a is a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality of dispenser units of that of Figure 21 ;

Figure 22 is a flow chart showing the steps of configuring a network module of a dispenser unit according to one embodiment; and Figure 23 is an exemplary configuration page of the dispenser unit of Figure 21 .

Detailed description of the embodiments

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

A dispenser unit according to a first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 through 18. Figure 1 shows the dispenser unit 10 in a configuration as it would be delivered to a customer for installation. The dispenser unit 10 is generally rectangular having a front 12 and a rear 14. The front side 12 and top have edges and corners with a large radius to facilitate cleaning of the dispenser unit.

As shown in Figure 2 the dispenser unit includes a first housing portion 16 and a second housing portion 18. The first housing portion 16 sits about the second housing portion and is slidable with respect thereto, to be described further below.

First housing portion 16 includes a front wall 20, side walls 22 and top 24. Top 24 includes a receiving means in the form of an opening 26. Surrounding the opening is a depression creating sloping edges 28 leading towards the opening 26. As shown in Figure 3 a bottle 30 is receivable within the depression 28, such that a neck of the bottle projects through opening 26. The depression 28 cradles a portion of the bottle receptacle 32 to provide lateral stability to the bottle. As can be seen from Figure 3 a substantial portion of the bottle receptacle 32 is exposed outside and above the dispenser unit 10. Such an arrangement allows for the existing graphics (not shown) on the bottle to be utilised in identification of the product being dispensed. This reduces manufacturing costs, as customisation of the dispenser unit is not required for different types of products. Second housing portion 18 (see Figure 4) includes a flat rear wall 34, side walls 36, front wall 38 and base 40. The second housing portion 18 has an open top that is covered by top 24 of first housing portion 16 when in an engaged position. In this engaged position a generally enclosed internal volume 42 is created (shown in Figure 6). As can be seen from Figure 4 rear wall 34 includes apertures to allow attachment to a substantially vertical panel, such as a wall. Key holes 44 can be positioned over screws in the wall and lowered for engagement with their upper slots. Additional fixing may be utilised if required.

Base 40 includes outlet opening 46 through which product can be dispensed. Typically the dispenser units according to the present invention are utilised for dispensing products of a fluid or viscous state, however certain features of the embodiments described herein are applicable to dispenser units for other types of product.

As mentioned above, the first and second housing portions 16, 18 are slidably mounted to each other to allow for movement between an engaged position (Figure 1 ) and a disengaged position (Figure 2). When in the disengaged position bottle neck 48 can be inserted into the opening 26 in a generally vertical direction, as shown in Figure 6. The bottle neck 48 of the illustrated embodiment includes a pump arrangement 50 that is integrated into the bottle cap. The bottle cap illustrated is described in the applicant's earlier filed Australian patent application 2016905323, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Engagement means 52 is provided on the inside of second housing portion 18 (see Figure 6). As the first housing portion 16 is slid rearwardly over the second housing portion 18, engagement means 52 engages with bottle neck 48, as shown in Figure 7. Bottle neck 48 includes a formation or ridge 54 about the base of the neck, which when inserted sits below the height of the engagement means 52. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the engagement means showing a semi-circular projection 52 that extends a maximum of 180° about the neck, such that it can only be engaged and disengaged by sliding the bottle neck in a horizontal direction. As the bottle 30 is cradled by the first housing portion 16, outward sliding movement of the first housing portion 16 moves the bottle with respect to the second housing portion 18 and the engagement means 52. Due to this horizontal engagement, insertion and removal of the bottle in a vertical direction is prevented when the housing portions are in the engaged position and the engagement means abuts under the ridge 54 (as shown in Figure 7).

Figures 8 and 9 also show a pump carriage 55 located below the engagement means 52. The pump carriage 55 engages with pump arrangement 50 on the bottle cap to reciprocate the pump head 56 in an upward and downward direction. A plunger 58 is extended and retracted within an internal dispensing chamber. As the plunger is extended, the dispensing chamber is loaded with product. Then, as the plunger is retracted, the product is dispensed through a nozzle 60 and through outlet 46 in housing portion 18. The reciprocating motion of the pump carriage 55 is achieved by any standard driving mechanism, which will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, for example a rotating cam wheel driven by a DC motor.

The pump carriage 55 utilises a locking mechanism to engage the pump head. Pump head 56 includes an external circumferential flange 62 that is engaged by the locking mechanism 64. The locking mechanism 64 is a series of downwardly and inwardly extending protrusions that are capable of deforming when pressure is applied in a downwards direction, such as when the flange 62 is pushed downwardly in the pump carriage. Figure 1 1 shows the protrusions 64 in their natural resting state, with the angle of the protrusions preventing deflection in the upward direction and removal of the flange. Once engaged by the locking mechanism 64 removal can only occur through a forward horizontal sliding of the pump head out of engagement with the pump carriage 55. This engagement arrangement means that the pump carriage 55 can be in either the retracted or extended position and still allows insertion of the pump head. When the bottle is inserted through opening 26, if the pump carriage 55 is retracted (as shown in Figure 9) the flange 62 is pushed downwardly past the protrusions 64, which flex under pressure. Alternatively, if the pump carriage 55 is extended, when the bottle is inserted it is not initially engaged by the pump carriage. Upon activation of the pump carriage to move upwardly the protrusions 64 flex past flange 62 and lock into position.

Figure 12 shows a further fully open position where the first housing portion 16 is slid further forward and tilted downwardly to fully expose the internal volume 42. This position provides full access for removing and replacing batteries 66 that sit within the second housing portion 18 on either side of the engagement means and pump carriage. The sliding movement of the first housing portion 16 is achieved by having a rail 68 on either side of second housing portion 18, being open slots in side walls 36. Projecting inwardly from side walls 22 of first housing portion 16 are pins having bulbous heads 74 at either end. The pins extend through slots 70 with bulbous heads 74 engaging rails 68. The pins slide along the slots 70 as the first housing portion 16 moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position and then to the fully open position. Once in a fully open position, whereby the pins have reached the end of slot 70, first housing portion 16 is able to pivot about the pins forwardly and downwardly to expose the open top of internal volume 42. Before moving between the various positions stop mechanisms must be overcome. The three different positions are shown in cross-section in Figures 14, 15 and 16. Figure 16 shows first housing portion 16 in the fully engaged position whereby a stopper 76 is situated at the end of a latch rail 78. This arrangement positions stopper 76 behind a first latch 80. To move from the engaged position to the disengaged position stopper 76 must be lifted upwardly before sliding over first latch 80. This movement positions stopper 76 between first latch 80 and second latch 82 as shown in Figure 15. The lifting of stopper 76 is actuated by upward pushing of buttons 84 (which can also be seen in Figure 4). Stopper 76 can further be lifted over the second latch 82, to slide forwardly on latch rail 78 moving into the fully open position. The end of latch rail 78 is downwardly curved to encourage the forward and downward pivoting of the first housing portion 16.

In an alternative non-illustrated embodiment, the second latch 82 may instead be located on an upper latch rail opposite the latch rail 78 at the same position along the latch rail 78 as the second latch 82 in Figure 14. In this embodiment, to move the first housing portion 16 from the engaged position to the disengaged position, stopper 76 is lifted upwardly via buttons 84 to slide the first housing portion 16 over the first latch 80 on the latch rail 78 until the stopper 76 is stopped by the second latch (not shown) on the upper latch rail opposite latch rail 78. To continue to move the first housing portion 16 to the fully open position, the user releases the buttons 84 to thereby lower the stopper 76, and thereafter pulls the first housing portion 16 forwardly to allow the stopper 76 to slide forwardly on the latch rail 78. An additional security measure can also be incorporated into the dispensing unit as shown in Figures 17 and 18. Pivotable latches 86 on the rear wall 35 rotate about pivot points 88. Distal ends 90 engaged behind latches 92 protruding from side walls 22 of the first housing portion 16. Latches 86 are biased into the engaged position shown in Figure 17. To unlock the latches, enabling movement of the first housing portion, a key 94 can be inserted at the rear of the second housing portion to push proximal ends 96 upwardly, pivoting distal ends 90 downwardly and out of engagement with latches 92, as shown in Figure 18. Once the key 94 is removed, latches 86 pivot back to their natural resting state. The present invention therefore provides a dispenser unit 10 that secures a bottle in position, whilst exposing product labelling for identification. Changing of the bottle and maintenance of the dispenser unit is easily accomplished by a maintenance worker with the use of a key by the simple disengagement of hidden latches on the unit.

Another aspect of the present invention is shown in Figures 19 and 20, wherein the same dispenser unit 10 illustrated as shown in Figures 1 to 18 is mounted to a vertical wall 100. The dispenser unit is configured to automatically dispense product when a user's hand 102 is positioned under the base 40 of the unit. The user's hand 102 is detected by a sensing mechanism 104, which detects the presence of any object positioned within a detecting region underneath the unit. The sensing mechanism 104 may be a proximity sensor that activates an indication means. In the embodiment illustrated the indication means provides a visual indication for a user in the form of a light beam 106 that emits from a light source 108. The light source 108 is an LED that projects a blue beam of light onto the user's hand. The beam of light 106 creates a circle of blue light by using a clear lens over the top of the LED to narrow and shape the beam.

The indication means may indicate to the user that an object has been detected, the likely position of where the product will be dispensed and/or that the dispenser unit is going to dispense product or is in the process of dispensing a product. It will be appreciated that alternative indication means may be utilised such as an audible tone. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 19 the light beam 106 projects along an angled predetermined path that intersects with the path of the product being dispensed within the detecting region. This results in the product being dispensed onto a user's hand, which is sitting within the detecting region.

The light source 108 is located behind the outlet 46 so as not to interfere with the fluid path of the product. This feature of the dispenser unit provides a positive user experience. By increasing the positive nature of using the dispenser unit users are more likely to use the dispenser and wash their hands more often. This increases the number of times the dispenser unit is used, increasing product usage and also providing a positive effect on the hand sanitisation within an environment. Figure 21 shows a schematic diagram of a system that includes another embodiment of a dispenser unit 10. For ease of illustration, not all components of the dispenser unit 10 are shown in the figure. The details of the operation of these components have been described previously so they will not be repeated here again.

In this embodiment, the dispenser unit 10 includes a network module 151 for establishing a network connection with a local wireless network so that it can be connected to the internet and communicate to a server 201 using the internet connection. In one form, the network module 151 is a low power consumption Wifi unit located in the dispenser unit 10.

In order to establish the network connection, the dispenser unit 10 is required to undergo a configuration procedure which is described below with reference to Figures 21 , 22 and 23. Typically, the configuration procedure is required before the dispenser unit 10 starts its normal operation. It is mainly used to setup the unit 10 so that it can establish a network connection with the local wireless network to thereby connect to the internet. After the dispenser unit 10 is properly installed at a location, a user can initiate the configuration procedure of the dispenser unit 10 by activating the network module 151 at step 220 (see Figure 22). In one form, activating the network module 151 is achieved by, for example, switching on the power of the network module 151 . The dispenser unit 10 may include a button or a power switch 1 10 (shown in Figure 20) for the network module 151 located at a suitable location such as the underside of the dispenser unit 10. Once the network module 151 is activated, it generates a dispenser wireless network so that a network-enabled user device 200 can establish a wireless connection with the dispenser unit 10 at step 221 . By 'network-enabled' it is generally meant that the device 200 is able to detect and join a wireless network. In a simplest form, the network-enabled user device 200 is a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet device, a PDA, a laptop, or similar.

Next, a configuration page 230 is generated and displayed on a user interface of the user device 200 such as that shown in Figure 23. In one embodiment, the configuration page 230 is automatically displayed on the user interface as soon as the network connection is established between the user device 200 and the network module 151 .

In another embodiment, before step 223 of displaying the configuration page 230 on the user interface, the user may be required to first enter a network address of the dispenser unit 10 at step 222. The network address may simply be the IP address of the dispenser unit 10 which is unique for each dispenser unit 10. The configuration page 230 is only generated and displayed if a correct network address is entered.

Preferably, the data relating to the configuration page 230 is stored on the dispenser unit 10. Upon successful network connection of the user device 200 and the dispenser unit 10, this data is transmitted to the user device 200 to launch a web page browser on the user device 200 for rendering and displaying the configuration page 230.

Figure 23 shows an exemplary configuration page 230 of the dispenser unit 10. On this page, the user is allowed to enter or select one or more parameters of the dispenser unit 10, as well as the login information that is required for the network module 151 to connect to a local wireless network so that it can be connected to the internet.

The login information may only require an identifier of the local wireless network, for example, a name of the Wifi network that the dispenser unit 10 should be connected to. In a more secure system setup, the login information may additionally include a network password, so that the dispenser unit 10 can use the network identifier to locate the correct Wifi network, and use the password information to join the Wifi network. The login information may also include user account details for identifying the personnel that is currently configuring the dispenser unit 10. In this case, the login information may also include a user name and a user password.

As mentioned above, the user also needs to enter one or more parameters for the dispenser unit 10 such as a description of the dispenser unit 10, a description of the product being dispensed, physical location of the dispenser unit 10, and so on.

Once the user has completed entering information on the configuration page 230, the network connection with the user device 200 is disabled at step 224.

The dispenser unit 10 then uses the login information received at step 223 to find and connect to the local wireless network to access the internet, and from thereon, communicate with the server 201 .

The configuration procedure may be repeated for a plurality of dispenser units 10a, 10b, 10c that may be located at different physical locations, or may be setup to dispense different types of products such as that shown in Figure 21 a. In this way, the server 201 is able to communicate with a plurality of dispenser units 10a, 10b, 10c to manage the operation, or monitor the statuses, of these dispenser units.

Also according to this embodiment of the invention, a control system 150 is provided in the dispenser unit 10 (see Figure 21 ), wherein the control system 150 monitors the status of the dispenser unit 10, and transmits data indicative of the status to the server 201 via the network connection established with the local wireless network. Transmitting such data to the server 201 may take place at regular time intervals according to a predefined transmission schedule, or may be on an ad-hoc basis, or both.

The dispenser status data is received and processed by the server 201 . Preferably the server 201 includes a data storage means 202 to store the data received from the dispenser units 10a, 10b, 10c, so that the server 201 maintains a record of the operation or the maintenance of these units.

The status data may be representative of the normal operation of the dispenser units 10a, 10b, 10c, for example dispensing frequency, product being dispensed, time of dispensing and so on. The normal operation may be recorded in a log file that is maintained and updated by the control system 150, or it may be forwarded to the server 201 after each dispensing event.

Alternatively or in addition to monitoring normal operation, the control system 150 may also monitor abnormal condition or operation of the dispenser unit and transmit data to the server accordingly. For example, the abnormal condition or operation may include excessive usage, low battery level, low product level, a fault condition, and the like. The server 201 may be configured to issue an alert to notify an operator so that appropriate actions can be taken.

Preferably, the status data that is sent to the server 201 also includes one or more identifiers of the dispenser units 10a, 10b, 10c for the server to correctly identify which dispenser unit the data information relates to.

Providing a network module 151 and a control system 150 in a dispenser unit 10 allows the unit to transmit data to a server 201 that may be located remotely from the unit 10. Previously, in order to examine whether a reservoir of a dispenser unit 10 needs a refill or replacing, a user will have to search for physical locations of these dispensers and examine them one by one. When there is a plurality of such units positioned at distant locations, it can be very time consuming and may not be practical to perform such examination regularly. If a unit is broken, it may take a long time before it is discovered and fixed. The dispenser unit 10 of the invention simplifies this process by allowing the unit

10 to transmit data indicative of the dispenser status to the server 201 , wherein normal dispenser operation and/or abnormal conditions are both reported and recorded. In this way, if a dispenser unit 10 is having issues, it can be identified by the server 201 immediately. It will also be useful to maintain a record of the dispensing events so that a distributer or an operator knows how much dispenser product is used for a certain period of time.

It is be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.