Field of the Invention

A concealed soap dispenser for a sink.

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to devices used to dispense liquid, such as liquid soap, to a user of a lavatory basin or sink. The soap may be utilized for a user to wash their hands or the device may contain dish soap to aid a user in washing pots, pans and other dishes. Various liquid dispensing devises for use with lavatory vessels are known. However, these devices are often large and unsightly, taking up precious countertop space and looking unsightly.

The vast majority of sinks, regardless of the type or style, include an overflow opening. This feature prevents a sink from overflowing and causing damage if an individual either purposefully or accidentally blocks or closes the sink drain while the water is running. The overflow opening is associated with the sink drain in some fashion to direct the water or other liquid from the sink into the drain pipe.

The overflow opening is generally not utilized by any other device, and yet provides a very convenient location to install a device. Hence, a need exists for a safe, convenient and concealed soap dispenser which may be used to dispense one or more types of liquids.

Summary of the Invention

A concealed soap dispenser comprising: a sink having a sink drain and an overflow opening; an overflow housing secured within the overflow opening, the overflow housing including an inlet to allow fluid to enter a chamber within the overflow housing and an outlet to allow fluid to exit the chamber within the overflow housing; an overflow drain conduit secured by its proximal end to the overflow housing and secured by its distal end to the sink drain wherein fluid may exit the overflow housing and flow through the lumen and into the sink drain; and a soap dispenser secured within the overflow housing.

Description of the Drawings

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical bathroom lavatory.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a typical bathroom lavatory.

Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a soap dispenser and drain of the present invention.

Figure 4 is front view of an exemplary embodiment of a soap dispenser of the present invention. Figure 5 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a soap dispenser of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment a soap dispenser of the present invention. Figure 7 is an exemplary embodiment a soap dispenser of the present invention. Figure 8 is an exemplary embodiment a soap dispenser of the present invention.

Description of the Invention

Referring to the figures, where like numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in Figures 1-5 an embodiment of a concealed soap dispenser 40 comprising: a sink 2 having a sink drain 10 and an overflow opening 15; an overflow housing 20 secured within the overflow opening 15, the overflow housing 20 including an inlet 22 to allow fluid to enter a chamber 26 within the overflow housing 20 and an outlet 24 to allow fluid to exit the chamber 26 within the overflow housing 20; an overflow drain conduit 30 secured by its proximal end 32 to the overflow housing 20 and secured by its distal end 34 to the sink drain 10 wherein fluid may exit the overflow housing 20 and flow through the lumen 35 and into the sink drainIO; and a soap dispenser 40 secured within the overflow housing 20, the soap dispenser 40 comprising: a spigot 41 having a primary spring mechanism 42 which permits the extension and/or retraction of the spigot 41 , the spigot 41 being operatively associated with a primary check valve 43 and a fluid reservoir 60; a button 50 having a secondary spring mechanism 51 operatively associated with a secondary check valve 52 and the fluid reservoir 60, wherein a user may extend the spigot 41 from within the overflow housing 20 by activating the primary spring mechanism 42 and dispense a desired amount of soap by actuating the secondary spring mechanism 52 operatively associated with the button 50 after which the user may then retract the spigot 41 back within the overflow housing 20 to its concealed starting position.

The sink 2 may be any conventional lavatory or kitchen sink known in the art. The sink 2 may be constructed of any material known in the art including, but not limited to, stone, metal, glass, composite material, wood, plastic, ceramic, granite, marble, concrete, copper, stainless steel, cast iron, enameled steel, terrazzo, soapstone, cultured marble, fiberglass, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the sink 2 includes a sink bottom 4, a sink wall 5 which emanates up from the sink bottom 4, a sink drain 10 located somewhere within the sink and also must have an overflow opening 15 or its equivalent. The sink drain 10 may be any conventional or non-conventional sink drain known in the art. Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a sink drain. In another embodiment of the instant invention, the sink 2 includes a sink drain 10 and a location for the mounting of an overflow switch housing 20 and a soap dispenser 40 whose location may not be obvious to the casual observer.

An overflow opening 15 (see Figure 1) is simply an opening, generally in the sink wall 5, which aid in the prevention of a sink overflowing if a user plugs the sink's drain and leaves the water running out of the faucet 6. Without an overflow opening 15, water would spill out over the top of the sink wall after the basin of the sink filled with water or some other fluid resulting in a potential mess or damage to items and fixtures located within a room or building. In one embodiment of the present invention, an overflow opening 15 is large enough to accommodate an overflow switch housing 20 and an overflow switch 40. In another embodiment, an overflow opening is large enough to accommodate an overflow switch housing 20, an overflow switch 40, and their associated components described herein.

Referring now to Figures 3-5, there is illustrated an overflow housing 20 which includes an inlet 22 to allow water or fluid to enter into a chamber 26 within the overflow housing 20 and an outlet 24 to allow water or fluid to exit the chamber 26 and proceed onto an overflow drain conduit 30. The overflow housing 20 also includes a soap dispenser 40 which may be an integral part of the overflow housing 20 or may be removeably detached from the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, the overflow housing 20 is comprised of a material selected from the group including plastic, metal, ceramic, stone, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, the overflow housing 20 is comprised of a material which is not electrically conductive. In yet another embodiment, the overflow housing 20 includes a material which is an electrical insulating material such as rubber, plastic, glass, paper, PTFE, composite polymer materials, porcelain, ceramic or a combination thereof.

The present invention also includes an overflow drain conduit 30 which has a proximal end 32, a distal end 34 and a lumen 35. In one embodiment of the present invention, an overflow drain conduit 30 also includes one or more fittings 36 on the proximal end 32, the distal end 34, or both. In one embodiment of the present invention, the overflow drain conduit 30 is comprised of a material selected from the group including plastic, metal, ceramic, stone, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, the overflow drain conduit 30 is comprised of a material which is not electrically conductive. In yet another embodiment, the overflow drain conduit 30 includes a material which is an electrical insulating material such as rubber, plastic, glass, paper, PTFE, composite polymer materials, porcelain, ceramic or a combination thereof. In still another embodiment of the present invention, an overflow drain conduit 30 is secured by its proximal end 32 to an overflow housing 20 and secured by its distal end 34 to a sink drain 10 allowing fluid to exit the overflow housing 20 and enter the lumen 35 within the overflow drain conduit 30 to flow through the lumen 35 and into the sink drain 10.

The present invention also includes a soap dispenser 40 (Figures 4 and 5) which is secured within the overflow housing 20. The soap dispenser 40 may include a spigot 41 having a primary spring mechanism 42 which permits the extension and/or retraction of the spigot 41 , the spigot 41 being operatively associated with a primary check valve 43 and a fluid reservoir 60. The soap dispenser 40 may also include a button 50 having a secondary spring mechanism 51 operatively associated with a secondary check valve 52 and the fluid reservoir 60. A check valve, as used herein, refers to a mechanical device which allows fluid to flow through it in only one direction. A check valve is a two port valve wherein each valve has two openings within its body, one for fluid to enter and the other for fluid to leave. These openings may be seen in Figure 5 which illustrates a primary check valve 43 with an inlet 44 and an outlet 45. Figure 5 also illustrates a secondary check valve 52 which has an inlet 54 and an outlet 55. The type of check valve used in the instant invention may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a stop check valve, a duckbill valve, or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary check valve 43 and the secondary check valve 52 may be the same type of check valve. In another embodiment of the present invention, the primary check valve 43 and the secondary check valve 52 may be the two different types of check valves. In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more check valves may be located on or near the fluid reservoir 60. In still another embodiment of the present invention, one or more check valves may be located on or within a reservoir tube 62. A user may extend the spigot 41 from within the overflow housing 20 by activating the primary spring mechanism 42 and dispense a desired amount of soap by actuating the secondary spring mechanism 52 operatively associated with the button 50 after which the user may then retract the spigot 41 back within the overflow housing 20 to its concealed starting position.

In the embodiments where one or more check valves is located away from a soap dispenser 40, the soap dispenser may be described as comprising: a spigot 41 having a primary spring mechanism 42 which permits the extension and/or retraction of the spigot 41 , the spigot 41 being operatively associated with a reservoir tube 62 and a fluid reservoir 60; a button 50 having a secondary spring mechanism 51 operatively associated with a reservoir tube 62 and the fluid reservoir 60; wherein a user may extend the spigot 41 from within the overflow housing 20 by activating the primary spring mechanism 42 and dispense a desired amount of soap by actuating the secondary spring mechanism 51 operativeiy associated with the button 50; and the user may then retract the spigot 41 back within the overflow housing 20 to its concealed starting position.

In one embodiment of the present invention a soap dispenser 40 may further comprise a push button switch 70 which may be actuated by the button 50, and a pump 48 operativeiy associated with the push button switch 70. (See Figures 7-8). In one embodiment of the present invention, the push button switch 70 is electronic. In another embodiment of the present invention, the push button switch 70 is pneumatic. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the pump 48 may be an electric pump or a pneumatic pump. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the pump 48 may be a peristaltic pump.

Looking now to Figures 6-8 there is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention in which the push button switch 70 is a pneumatic switch which includes a button cover 25 secured to the top of a push button 71 having a top 72 and a bottom 73. The bottom 73 of the push button 71 is secured to the proximal end 75 of a stem 74 and the distal end 76 of the stem 74 is secured to a base 77. The embodiment further includes a bladder 79 operativeiy associated with the base 77 of the push button 71 , the bladder 79 contains a compressed gas or fluid. A spring 78 is operativeiy associated with the push button 71 and the bladder 79 and permits the push button to be actuated by a user to compress and release the bladder 79. The embodiment also includes a pneumatic fitting 80 operativeiy associated with the bladder 79 onto which a pneumatic air conduit 86 is secured. The pneumatic air conduit 86 is connected to a pneumatic switch 88 which is connected to a pump 48 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap through the spigot 41 of the soap dispenser 40. In one embodiment of the present invention, the compressed gas is selected from the group comprising oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.

Looking to Figures 4 and 7 there is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention in which the push button switch 70 is an electric switch which includes a button cover 25 secured to the top of a push button 71 having a top 72 and a bottom 73. The bottom 73 of the push button 71 is secured to the proximal end 75 of a stem 74 and the distal end 76 of the stem 74 is secured to a base 77. A spring 78 is operatively associated with the push button 71 to facilitate the actuation of the push button 71 by a user. In one embodiment, the spring 78 is a coiled spring which surrounds the stem 74. A push button switch 90 is operatively associated with the base 77 and a pair of electrical leads 95 emanates from and is operatively associated with the push button switch 90. A pair of wires 98 is connected to the pair of electrical leads 95 to create an electrical circuit 100 and the pump 48 is connected to the electrical circuit 100 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap through the spigot 41 of the soap dispenser 40.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the push button switch 90 includes a movable contact 92 secured to the opposite side of the base 77 and two stationary contacts 94 are secured to the inside wall of the overflow housing 20. A pair of electrical leads 95 emanates from and is operatively associated with the push button switch 90. A pair of connectors 96 is engaged to a pair of wires 98 and the pair of electrical leads 95 to create an electrical circuit 100. The pump 48 is connected to the electrical circuit 100 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap through the spigot 41 of the soap dispenser 40. When a user actuates the push button 71 , the movable contact 92 is brought into contact with the stationary contacts 94 thereby completing the electrical circuit 100.

Within any embodiment employing a pneumatic switch, the compressed gas may be selected from the group comprising: oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, the overflow housing 20 and the overflow drain conduit 30 are comprised of a material which is not electrically conductive.

Looking now to Figures 4 and 8 there is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention in which the push button switch 70 is an electric switch which includes a button cover 25 secured to the top of a push button 71 having a top 72 and a bottom 73. The bottom 73 of the push button 71 is secured to the proximal end 75 of a stem 74 and the distal end 76 of the stem 74 is secured to a base 77. A spring 78 is operatively associated with the push button 71 to facilitate the actuation of the push button 71 by a user. In one embodiment, the spring 78 is a coiled spring which surrounds the stem 74. The embodiment further includes a push button switch 90 operatively associated with the base 77. A pair of electrical leads 95 emanates from and is operatively associated with the push button switch 90. A pair of connectors 96 are engaged to a pair of wires 98 and the pair of electrical leads 95 to create an electrical circuit 100 and the pump 48 is connected to the electrical circuit 100 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap through the spigot 41 of the soap dispenser 40. In one embodiment of the present invention, the push button switch 90 is a waterproof push button switch in the line of switches available from www.alibaba.com.

The present invention further includes a method for operating a concealed soap dispenser comprising the steps of: providing a sink 2 having a sink drain 0 and an overflow opening15; securing an overflow housing 20 within the overflow opening 15, the overflow housing 20 including an inlet 22 to allow fluid to enter a chamber 26 within the overflow housing 20 and an outlet 24 to allow fluid to exit the chamber 26 within the overflow housing 20; securing an overflow drain conduit 30 by its proximal end 32 to the overflow housing 20 and securing the overflow drain conduit 30 by its distal end 34 to the sink drain 10 wherein fluid may exit the overflow housing 20 and enter a lumen 35 within the overflow drain conduit 30 to flow through the lumen 35 and into the sink drain 10; securing a soap dispenser 40 within the overflow housing 20, the soap dispenser 40 comprising: a spigot 41 having a primary spring mechanism 42 which permits the extension and/or retraction of the spigot 41 , the spigot 41 being operatively associated with a primary check valve 43 and a fluid reservoir 60; a button 50 having a secondary spring mechanism 51 operatively associated with a secondary check valve 52 and the fluid reservoir 60; actuating the primary spring mechanism 42 on the spigot 41 in order to extend the spigot 41 from within the overflow housing 20 out into the sink 2; pressing the button 50 and actuating the secondary spring mechanism 51 associated with the button 50 to dispense a desired amount of soap; washing one or more items; and retracting the spigot 41 back within the overflow housing 20 to its concealed starting position by actuating the primary spring mechanism 42 on the spigot 41.

In one embodiment of the above method, the overflow housing 20 being comprised of a material selected from the group including a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, a stone, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the above method, the overflow drain conduit 30 is comprised of a material selected from the group including a plastic, a metal, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or a combination thereof. In still another embodiment, the above method further comprises a push button switch 70 which may be actuated by the button 50, and a pump 48 operatively associated with the push button switch 70. In one embodiment, the pump 48 is a peristaltic pump.

In one embodiment, the push button switch 70 is a pneumatic switch which comprises: a button cover 25 secured to a push button 71 , the push button 71 being secured to a stem 74 at its proximal end 75; a base 77 secured to the stem 74 at its distal end 76; a bladder 79 operatively associated with the base 77, the bladder 79 containing a compressed gas; a spring 78 operatively associated with the base 77 and the bladder 79; and a pneumatic fitting 80 operatively associated with the bladder 79 and with a pneumatic air conduit 86 connected to a pneumatic switch 88; the pump 48 being connected to the pneumatic switch 88 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap. In another embodiment, the compressed gas is selected from the group comprising: oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the overflow housing 20 and the overflow drain conduit 30 are comprised of a material which is not electrically conductive.

In one embodiment of the above method, the push button switch 70 is an electric switch which comprises: a button cover 25 secured to a push button 71 , the push button 71 being secured to a stem 74 at its proximal end 75; a base 77 secured to the stem 74 at its distal end 76 and a coiled spring 78 surrounding the stem 74 to facilitate the actuation of the push button 71 ; a push button switch 70 operatively associated with the base 77; a pair of electrical leads 95 emanating from and operatively associated with the push button switch 70; a pair of wires 98 connected to the pair of electrical leads 95 to create an electrical circuit 100; and the pump 48 being connected to the electrical circuit 100 to permit a user to activate and/or deactivate the pump 48 and dispense a desired amount of soap. In another embodiment, the push button switch 70 is a water proof push button switch.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. The invention illustratively discloses herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.