Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a dispenser. In particular the invention relates to a dispenser which when used in combination with water dispenses soapy water for cleaning items such as people's hands.

Background Art

The need for hand hygiene in controlling and minimising the spread of germs is well documented. ,ln areas where there is good hand hygiene the occurrence of illness caused by easily transferred germs such as flu's and diarrhea, is greatly reduced.

In some countries it is difficult to provide the necessary facilities to enable people to regularly wash their hands. While in other countries the traditional manner in which people wash their hands results in an unsightly environment requiring constant cleaning and maintenance. Typically hand hygiene involves people washing their hands with a cake of soap. The soap is usually left next to a source of water where a person will use the soap with the source of water and place it back in position. This leaves a significant mess. In some cases the soap is held within a stocking or mesh bag that is used by multiple users. This induces the transfer of bacteria from one user to the next. Also, from a health and safety aspect the cake may be dropped, become encrusted with dirt and present a hazard.

A solution to prevent significant soiling of the soap and area around the water source is the use of liquid soap. This is typically dispensed using a pump action container. Whilst this solution does keep the area around the water source clean, the liquid soap is prone to leak, particularly in warmer conditions, the liquid soap container may become blocked, preventing the liquid soap from being dispensed, and/or the liquid soap container is easily vandalized or stolen.

A solution to improve hand hygiene is provided by the soap dispenser disclosed in WO 00/41608 to Sudsmaster 2000 Pty Ltd. This document discloses a soap dispenser adapted to receive a soap pellet and is connected directly to a tap. The soap dispenser is rotatable between a first position wherein the portion of the soap dispenser containing the soap pellet is directly under the water flow, and a second position wherein the portion is clear of the water flow such that the tap may operate in its normal capacity; Whilst this invention solves several disadvantages of the prior art it is prone to splash back from the water flow impacting upon the soap dispenser and soap pellet. Furthermore, as this soap dispenser requires a tap it would be considered difficult to install and maintain in developing countries. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser which ameliorates, mitigates or overcomes, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

The invention has also been developed to provide a simple and cost effective manner to enable people to wash their hands and to maintain good hand hygiene. Also, by providing a dispenser which addresses the deficiencies of the prior art more people will be able to readily access a means to wash their hands.

The present invention provides a dispenser through which water may pass to dispense a soapy fluid for cleaning objects such as hands, the dispenser comprises: an upper portion adapted to releasably secure the dispenser to a water outlet; a lower portion adapted to be retained relative to the upper portion so as to be movable between a first position and a second position wherein when in the first position the upper portion and lower portion provide a passage through the dispenser, the passage aligning with the outlet when the dispenser is releasably secured thereto; wherein the lower portion is adapted to retain soap therein such that when the lower portion is in the first position water may flow from the outlet and through the passage, passing over the soap before exiting the dispenser in the form of a soapy liquid.

Preferably the lower portion may be slidably, rotatably or removably retained relative to the upper portion. The present invention provides a dispenser through which water may pass to dispense a soapy fluid for cleaning objects such as hands, the dispenser comprises: ' an upper portion adapted to releasably secure the dispenser to a water outlet; a lower portion adapted to be rotatably retained relative to the upper portion so as to be rotatable between a first position and a second position wherein when in the first position the upper portion and lower portion provide a passage through the dispenser, the passage aligning with the outlet when the dispenser is releasably secured thereto; wherein the lower portion is adapted to retain soap therein such that when the lower portion is in the first position water may flow from the outlet and through the passage, passing over the soap before exiting the dispenser in the form of a soapy liquid.

The water must pass through a passage before it contacts the soap in the lower portion. This minimises splashback of the water as it impinges upon the soap, allowing for a more controlled stream of soapy water to be dispensed from the dispenser. The lower portion may have an aperture therethrough, the aperture aligns with an aperture in the upper portion to define the passage when the lower portion is in the first position.

A first end of the upper portion may be adapted to receive the outlet, the first end being remote from the lower portion.

The aperture in the lower portion may incorporate a cavity therein. The cavity may be adapted to receive the soap. The soap may be in the form of a pellet which is shaped to fit in the cavity such that water passing through the passage may circulate around the soap. The lower portion may have a grill like filter at the end of the lower portion's aperture. This assists in retaining the soap therein, particularly as the soap dissolves and begins to break up into smaller pieces. It also prevents people blocking the passage.

In one aspect of the invention the upper portion may be grippingly received on the tap to releasably secure the dispenser to the outlet. The upper portion may comprise a compressible region of gripping material around the aperture at the first end of the upper portion. The compressible region may deform to

accommodate the outlet, gripping the outlet in the aperture as the compressible region expands towards its normal state. In another aspect of the invention the upper portion is threadingly received on the outlet, such as may be the case with a tap with a thread, or a common water bottle.

The dispenser may comprise a valve which may move from an open position wherein water may flow through the dispenser, to a closed position wherein no water can flow through the dispenser. The valve may be biased to the closed position.

The dispenser may include an actuation means for operating the valve. The actuation means may be operated automatically or manually. The actuation means may comprise a pedal to allow the actuation means to be operated by foot. This negates the need for dirty hands to turn the valve, while clean hands turn it off and thus becoming re-contaminated with germs left behind when turning it on.

The dispenser may comprise a cradle adapted to be secured to a post, building or other structure. The cradle may support the bottle or storage container when the dispenser is used in conjunction with same. The cradle may have a bracket to secure the cradle to the post, building or other structure.

When the lower portion is in the second position, water flowing from the outlet will be dispensed without the water flowing over the soap when the soap is received in the lower portion. This allows an operator to rinse their hands when cleaning is complete. It also allows the operator to easily access non-soapy water.

The lower portion may comprise a housing and a cap.

In one aspect of the invention the housing may be rotatable with respect to the upper portion whereby the cap remains in position as the housing is rotated such that the lower portion is in the second position. With this arrangement the housing may be rotated with respect to the upper portion, removing the soap from the passage. In this position the soap may be easily replaced.

In another aspect of the invention the cap may be removed from the housing. Once the cap is removed the soap can be easily replaced before the cap is placed back on the housing. In another aspect of the invention the housing may be removed from the dispenser to allow for easy replacement of the soap.

In another aspect of the invention the housing is replaced each time the soap needs to be replaced. The housing may be partially or wholly formed from soap.

In another aspect of the invention the lower portion may be removed from the dispenser and changed with a new lower portion. The dispenser may comprise a support which may be supported in the ground or on to a structure. This may be in the form of a spike, hook or bracket.

The present invention provides a dispenser through which water may pass to dispense a soapy fluid for cleaning objects such as hands, the dispenser may be releasably secured to a water outlet, the dispenser includes a region for holding soap, means for attaching the soap holder to the outlet and means for enabling fluid to flow through the soap dispenser and exit the soap dispenser.

In one aspect the outlet is in the form of a tap.

In another aspect the outlet is in the form of an opening of a bottle or other storage container.

The dispenser may include an upper region adapted to be releasably secured to the outlet, and a lower region through which the water may pass through.

The dispenser may include a valve arrangement for activating fluid flow through the soap dispenser. The valve arrangement may be located in the upper region or the lower region.

The soap holding region may be selectively engageable with the flow of fluid through the dispenser.

The dispenser may supply soapy water when the dispenser is in one position and soap free water when in a second position. The soap holding region may be rotatable with respect to the path through which fluid flows.

The soap holding region may be located in the upper region or in the lower region. The upper region may be threadingly engageable with the outlet. The upper and lower regions may be spaced apart.

The dispenser may include actuation means for operating the valve remote from the dispenser.

The actuation means may be operated manually. The actuation means may be adapted to be operated by a foot.

The means for operating the valve may be a cord attachable to the valve.

The valve means may be biased to the closed position.

The present invention also comprises means for attaching the bottle or storage container to a support structure. The present invention further provides a soap dispenser as above described and further comprising a fluid containing vessel.

The present invention provides a dispenser through which water may pass to dispense a soapy fluid for cleaning objects such as hands, the dispenser being for use with a fluid containing vessel, such as a bottle or tap, the soap dispenser including a region for holding soap, means for attaching the soap holder to the fluid vessel and means for enabling fluid to flow through the soap dispenser and exit the soap dispenser.

The present invention provides a dispenser through which water may pass to dispense a soapy fluid for cleaning objects such as hands, the dispenser comprises: an upper portion adapted to releasably secure the dispenser to a water outlet; a lower portion adapted to be rotatably retained relative to the upper portion such that at least a housing of the upper portion is rotatable between a first position and a second position wherein when in the first position the upper portion and lower portion provide a passage through the dispenser, the passage aligning with the outlet when the dispenser is releasably secured thereto; wherein the upper portion is adapted to retain soap therein such that when the upper portion is in the first position water may flow from the outlet and through the passage, passing over the soap before exiting the dispenser in the form of a soapy liquid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be further explained with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a soap dispenser attached to a liquid vessel according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a front view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a left hand side view of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a rear view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a right hand side, view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the soap dispenser attached to the liquid vessel as shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the soap dispenser attached to the liquid vessel taken at line 8-8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a top perspective exploded view of an upper portion of the soap dispenser shown in figure 1 ; Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the upper portion as shown in figure 9 in a closed position;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the upper portion as shown in figure 9 in an open position; Figure 13 is an upper perspective view of a lower portion of the soap dispenser shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4-is a view similar to Figure 13 with a cavity 49 in an open position; and

Figure 15 is a bottom perspective view of figure 14. Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention

The figures show an embodiment of the dispenser 11 as used with a water bottle 53. This application is particularly suited at sites in which the facilities and infrastructure may not be readily available, such as in developing countries, remote sites and temporary sites. In these applications the bottle 53 may be filled with water and set up in a location which will allow the water discharged during cleaning to drain away.

While the present invention is described in relation to use with a water bottle 53, it can readily be applied where the water is to be supplied from a storage container or through a tap plumbed to a water supply. Figures 1 to 8illustrate the dispenser 11 attached to the water bottle 53, which provides a water outlet.. The dispenser 1 1 comprises an upper portion 15 secured to the water bottle 53, and a lower portion 19 rotatably retained relative to the upper portion 15 so as to be rotatable between a first position and a second position.

The dispenser 11 is attachable to the water bottle 53 through a threaded connection between the neck 17 of the water bottle and the upper portion 15. The dispenser 11 is adapted to hold a soap cartridge 99 in a cavity 49 located in the lower portion. Attached to the upper portion 15 is the lower portion 19. The connection between the upper portion 15 and the lower portion 19 includes an attachment means 20 to connect the upper portion 5 and lower portion 19.

The dispenser 11 includes a valve 31 that can open and close to regulate the flow of water from the water bottle 53 through the dispenser. The valve 31 is illustrated as a ball valve, but can be any type of valve, such as a butterfly valve, plug valve, needle valve, spring loaded valve or otherwise. The valve 31 includes a lever arm 13 that moves the valve from its open position where water from the water bottle 53 passes through the dispenser 1 into the environment, and a closed position that keeps the water within the water bottle 53.

When the valve 31 is in the open position, water passes through the water bottle 53, out of the outlet and into the upper portion 15. As the water leaves the bottle, the water enters into a passage 81 defined by apertures 25, 26, . In the passage the water passes through the upper portion into a cap 18 of the lower portion 19. Once water has entered into the lower portion 19 through its cap 18 it passes into a housing 16 which incorporates the cavity 49, impinging on the soap cartridge 99. When the soap cartridge 99 is located within the cavity 49 the water flows over the soap cartridge 99 and expels soapy water out of the base of the lower portion providing a soapy fluid for a user to wash their hands.

To increase the hygienic nature of the dispenser 1 , a cable in the form of a piece of string 21 is attached to the lever arm 13 and attached to a foot pedal 23. The foot pedal 23 is attached in a raised position so that a user can step down on the foot pedal 23 which turns the lever arm 13 and moves the valve 31 into the open position. The use of the lever arm with the string 21 enables the soap dispenser to be used without direct contact from the user. This enables the potential for transfer of bacteria between successive users to be eliminated or minimised as the dispenser 1 has not been handled. The water bottle 53 and dispenser 11 may be fixed to a support structure such as a wall, tree, pole or otherwise, using a cradle in the form of a water bottle receiver 51. The water bottle receiver 51 is shaped to receive the water bottle 53 along its inner surface so that the water bottle 53 abuts the water bottle receiver 51. The base of the water bottle receiver 51 includes an aperture that allows the neck 17 and outlet of the bottle to pass through it and be connected to the dispenser 11.

To fix the water bottle receiver to the support structure the water bottle receiver 51 comprises an attaching bracket 52 which is attachable to the suppbrt structure. The attaching bracket 52 can be screwed, riveted, welded, snap fit, buttoned or otherwise secured to the support structure. Alternatively, the water bottle receiver 51 can be attached to the support structure. The dispenser 1 1 can be supplied with a metal stand that attaches to the dispenser 1 that can be driven into the ground. This allows the dispenser 11 to easily be supported remotely where a surface that can be penetrated is located, such as a patch of earth. This is convenient for use of the soap dispenser when camping, on a picnic or at a BBQ for example.

The use of a liquid vessel such as a water bottle makes the soap dispenser usable in a variety of remote areas that do not have access to water. The attachment bracket allows it to be fixed to a variety of support structures for ease of use in remote areas. In the illustrated embodiment the neck 17 of the water bottle 53 is connectable to the upper portion 5 through a threaded connection. Depending on the diameter of the neck 17, the neck 17 can be thread directly into the upper portion 15, or adapters such as insert 40 can be used to match the diameter of the neck to that of the upper edge of the upper portion 15. Although the dispenser 11 has been described above as being attachable to a water bottle 53, it is readily apparent that the soap dispenser can alternatively be attached to other types of water vessels, such as taps, water tanks and other liquid carrying vessels. Figures 9 to 15 illustrate features of the dispenser 11 in more detail.

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate the upper portion 15 and valve 31. The valve 31 is illustrated as a ball valve including an opening 33. The valve 31 is spring loaded with spring 35 to bias the valve to a closed position. . As the lever arm 13 is biased by the spring 35, the spring 35 ensures that when the lever arm is released from the open position, as shown in Figure 12, the spring exerts force on the lever arm 13 returning the valve to a closed position, as shown in Figure 11.

The lever arm 13 includes an aperture 14 that receives an end of the string 21. The string 21 is secured to the lever arm 13 through aperture 14. In order to ensure that the spring restores the valve 31 to the closed position the lever arm includes an aperture 12 that receives an end portion of the spring 35. This ensures that opening the valve 31 causes the spring to tighten causing the valve 31 to be biased towards the closed position.

Figures 13 to 15 illustrate the lower portion 19 in more detail. The cap 18 includes the attachment means 20. The attachment means 20 is illustrated as a pin projection that can be inserted into an aperture 80 in the upper portion 15 and fixed in place. When the attachment means 20 is fixed in place and the cap 8 is adjacent the lower portion 19, the lower portion aperture 26 is aligned with the upper portion aperture 25. With the upper portion aperture 25 and lower portion aperture 26 aligned and the valve 31 in the open position water passes through the apertures 25 and 26, through the cavity 49 and over the soap cartridge 99.

Once water has passed over the soap cartridge it exits the lower portion 19 through a grill like filter 22 to be dispensed for use by the user. The passage 81 and filter 22 are arranged so that the water exits the dispenser 11 in a uniform manner reducing splash and water wastage. To enable the user to wash the soap off their hands or to avoid the use of soap, the attachment means 20 allows the cap 18 to be rotated around a pivot point defined by attachment means 20 so that the housing 16 of the lower portion 19 is not underneath the cap 18 as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. In this position, when the valve 31 is in the open position, soap free water passes through aperture 26 to the user As the soap cartridge 99 is designed to dissolve over time, when the lower portion 19 is arranged as shown in figures 14 and 15 the soap cartridge 99 can be removed or replaced as required.

Although the upper portion 15 and the lower portion 19 are illustrated as spaced apart by attachment means 20 and include apertures 25 and 26 which defines the passage 81 , it is within the scope of the invention for the upper portion 15 and the lower portion 19 abut each other without the cap and lower surfaces so that water can flow directly through the upper and lower portions. In this arrangement the upper and lower portions can still be pivotally attached to enable access to the soap cartridge 99 and to enable soap free water to be expelled.

With the present invention there is no need for a user to use a cake of soap or liquid soap with a tap or with some other water source. The user simply needs to turn the valve to the on position and wash his/her hands. If the user does not require a soapy solution the present invention also allows the user to move the soap dispenser to a second position such that they are able to use normal water. The soap dispenser of the present invention is also configured to minimise any splashback which would otherwise occur when the water impacts upon the water cartridge.

The present invention is also expected to improve hand hygiene as a soap solution will be more readily available then prior art solutions.

Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee. Modifications, combinations and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.