Filling hose

Abstract

A liquid dispenser filling hose for use in filling a liquid dispenser with liquid from a liquid reservoir via a pump, comprising: a distal coupler for coupling the filling hose to the liquid dispenser; and a controller arranged to control the pump. The liquid dispenser may be filled using a method comprising: providing a liquid reservoir, a pump and a controller arranged to control the pump, and a filling hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the filling hose being coupled to the liquid reservoir; coupling the distal end of the filling hose via a distal coupler to the liquid dispenser; and transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose to an airless liquid container forming part of the liquid dispenser. A system for filling a liquid dispenser, comprising: the liquid filling hose; and a liquid reservoir and/or liquid supply station is also described.

Claims

1. A method of filling a liquid dispenser, comprising: providing a liquid reservoir, a pump, a controller arranged to control the pump, and a fill-level module in communication with the controller and arranged to send a fill level signal to the controller, the fill-level module comprising a fill-level detector comprising a pressure sensor arranged to detect a change in pressure in the fluid that is being transferred to the liquid dispenser; a filling hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the filling hose being coupled to the liquid reservoir; and a second liquid reservoir containing a concentrate, wherein the concentrate is drawn from the second liquid reservoir into the flow of liquid within the filling hose and also transferred to the liquid dispenser; coupling the distal end of the filling hose via a distal coupler to the liquid dispenser; and transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose to an airless liquid container forming part of the liquid dispenser, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: soap, shampoo and/or conditioner, body lotion, alcohol based hand sanitiser, face wash, and hair gel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein turbulent movement of the liquid within the filling hose causes the concentrate to mix with the liquid, and wherein there is further provided a valve arrangement, said valve arrangement being configured to control the extent of dilution of the concentrate with the liquid within the filling hose.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second liquid reservoir is configured to be removably attached to the filling hose, and further wherein the second liquid reservoir is detached from the filling hose upon the volume of concentrate contained therein reaching a predetermined minimum level.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a distal valve formed in the filling hose in the vicinity of the distal end of the filling hose.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the controller is for controlling filling operations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: the controller is arranged to provide transfer input means to allow an operator to activate transfer of the fluid.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the controller is arranged to cease transfer when the pressure sensor detects that the liquid dispenser is at full capacity.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein: the controller is provided as part of the filling hose, as part of the reservoir, or as part of the liquid dispenser.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein: the controller is arranged to provide an discharge-state detector to detect how much liquid remains in the liquid reservoir.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the controller is arranged to initiate a purging action thereby purging the filling hose of air and/or old liquid, wherein the purging action comprises operation of the pump to dispel the contents of the filling hose therefrom using liquid from the liquid reservoir.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the controller is arranged to prevent liquid transfer when the fill-level signal is indicative of the fluid dispenser being full.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein the controller is arranged to automatically initiate liquid transfer upon coupling of the filling hose with the liquid dispenser.

13. The method according to claim 5, wherein the controller controls the pump to adjust the flow rate of the liquid to the liquid dispenser according to an output from the fill-level detector.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein filling of the dispenser includes refilling.

15. A method of refilling dispensers in a building, the method comprising: providing liquid dispensers in key locations throughout the building; providing a system for filling a liquid dispenser, and regularly refilling the liquid dispensers using the system; wherein the system comprises: a liquid dispenser filling hose for use in filling a liquid dispenser with liquid from a liquid reservoir via a pump, comprising: a distal coupler for coupling the filling hose to the liquid dispenser; a controller arranged to control the pump; and a fill-level module in communication with the controller and arranged to send a fill level signal to the controller, the fill level module comprising a fill-level detector comprising a pressure sensor arranged to detect a change in pressure in the fluid that is being transferred to the liquid dispenser; and a second liquid reservoir containing a concentrate, wherein the concentrate is drawn from the second liquid reservoir into the flow of liquid within the liquid dispenser filling hose and also transferred to the liquid dispenser; the liquid reservoir and/or a liquid supply station; and wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of soap, shampoo and/or conditioner, body lotion, alcohol based hand sanitiser, face wash, and hair gel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a service trolley being prepared for use by a janitor or other service provider.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a liquid dispenser in a toilet and an operator of the same.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a service trolley incorporating a liquid dispenser system ready for use and proximate a liquid dispenser in a toilet.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a coupling mechanism between the liquid reservoir and liquid filling hose.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a coupling mechanism between the liquid filling hose and liquid dispenser.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional slice of the liquid dispenser showing the liquid container of the liquid dispenser and flow of fluid from the filling hose thereto.

(7) FIG. 7 shows the liquid filling hose with a second liquid reservoir in a removably attached position.

(8) FIG. 8 shows the liquid filling hose with the second liquid reservoir in a detached position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a mobile cleaning trolley 1 for use by a janitor 7. The janitor 7 can prepare the cleaning trolley 1 inside or outside a cleaning cupboard or cleaning store room 5 from which cleaning supplies may be taken to prepare the cleaning trolley 1 ready for a cleaning round. In a cleaning round, the janitor may trundle the cleaning trolley 1 around a building, perform cleaning, empty rubbish bins and the like. In a building with liquid dispensers 9, the janitor 7 will refill the liquid dispensers 9 using soap contained within a liquid reservoir 3.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a toilet room providing urinals 13 in which a gentleman 11 is seen operating a liquid dispenser 9. Communal toilets notoriously harbour bacteria partly owing to frequent use by multiple persons all of whom can generate or otherwise introduce sources of bacteria through various mechanisms. The spread of bacteria can lead to infection causing illness and even death, particularly in environments such as the hospital, where exposure to infectious bacteria can be lethal. Bacteria is often carried and spread by human hands and it is for this reason that signs encouraging thorough hand washing can be seen in schools and hospitals.

(11) To facilitate hand cleaning and to combat the spread of bacteria by human hands, liquid dispensers 9 that contain and dispense anti-bacterial soap or alcohol based hand sanitisers are provided throughout buildings in key locations such as toilets as shown in FIG. 2, prior to entry to school dining halls, hospital wards and operating theatres, etc. The liquid dispenser 9 shown in FIG. 2 is of the automatic variety, and the user 11 need only place his hand 12 underneath the liquid dispenser 9 for activation thereof, whereupon liquid soap is dispensed onto the hand of the user 11. The liquid dispenser 9 can employ light or motion detectors for such automatic activation. In any case, the automated dispensing mechanism promotes contact-free use. Contact-free use removes the potential for bacteria to be spread from one user to another via a manual activator of the liquid dispenser.

(12) Although in FIG. 2 a soap liquid dispenser is shown, other forms of liquid dispenser that can be employed in connection with the present disclosure include dispensers for dispensing e.g. shampoo and/or conditioner, body lotion, alcohol base hand sanitiser, face wash or hair gel.

(13) Regardless of the form of liquid dispenser, but particularly so for a liquid soap dispenser 9, a liquid dispenser can be compromised by bacteria. The dispenser can become a source and propagator of bacteria, which can end up being spread to every dispenser operator. The dispenser role can effectively be reversed from one of fighting the spread of bacterial infection to one of promoting the spread of bacterial infection.

(14) Control of contamination of the liquid dispenser is therefore of paramount importance and it is desirable to combat sources of contamination.

(15) One such source of contamination arises from the refill process 15, necessitated by virtue of the liquid dispenser 9 holding a finite volume of liquid, which must be periodically replaced by a janitor 7 or other service provider.

(16) Disclosed herein is a device and a method for filling a liquid dispenser 9 that mitigates contamination arising from the refill process. To help aid understanding, an exemplary method of filling a liquid dispenser shall now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, interspersed with certain apparatus specifics and variants. Basic apparatus specifics implementable using common and readily known mechanical techniques have been omitted.

(17) Turning to FIG. 4, a liquid reservoir 3 is provided which constitutes a liquid supply. The liquid reservoir 3 provides the supply of liquid that is employed to fill the liquid dispenser. Filling can comprise an initial filling of an empty liquid dispenser 9 or refilling of a partially full liquid dispenser 9. The liquid reservoir 3 shown in FIG. 4 is provided on a trolley 1 facilitating transport of the liquid reservoir 3. Equally it could be wall mounted.

(18) As an alternative to a liquid reservoir 3, a liquid supply station 4 can be provided as shown in FIG. 3. The liquid supply station 4 shown in FIG. 3 is provided on a trolley 1, but could also be wall-mounted. The liquid supply station 4 comprises a liquid reservoir and a pump for transferring liquid. The liquid reservoir may be mateable with the liquid supply station 4. For example, the liquid reservoir of the liquid supply station 4 may be in the form of a cartridge that is mated with the liquid supply station 4 and can be replaced when required. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir of the liquid supply station 4 may itself be refilled from another liquid reservoir such as from a bulkier, less transportable, but larger master liquid reservoir provided in the store room 5. In such a case it would be helpful for the liquid reservoir of the liquid supply station to be collapsible, facilitating airless refill. The liquid supply station 4 is then arranged to provide a flow channel between the fluid reservoir of the supply station 4 and the filling hose 17 when the filling hose 17 is coupled with the liquid supply station 4.

(19) The liquid supply station 4 may comprise an electrically controllable diverter that is arranged to switch between two flow paths, one flow path fluidly connecting the filling hose 17 with the liquid reservoir, and another flow path fluidly connecting the filling hose with a waste channel. An inline pump may be provided between the diverter and the filling hose that can be operated in a forward and in a reverse direction. A controller can then be arranged to electrically communicate with the pump and the diverter such that when it is desired to purge the filling hose 17, and optionally also the liquid container 21 of the liquid dispenser 9, the pump is operated in a reverse mode causing fluid to flow in a proximal direction and the diverter is switched to the flow path fluidly connecting the filling hose with the waste channel. Old fluid or air is then sucked through the fluid hose and into the waste flow channel of the liquid supply station 4. When it is desired to transfer fluid, the controller can operate on the diverter to switch it to the flow path fluidly connecting the filling hose 17 and the liquid reservoir 3 and the controller can operate the pump in forward mode to cause fluid to flow in a distal direction from the liquid reservoir 3 into the filling hose 17.

(20) Next a purged filling hose 17 is provided and is coupled at a proximal end thereof to the liquid reservoir 3, as shown in FIG. 4. A purged filling hose is a filling hose that has had air or old liquid expunged. The filling hose 17 may be purged using different means.

(21) For example, a pump may be operated to transfer liquid from the liquid reservoir 3 into the liquid filling hose 17 thereby to force any old liquid and/or air from the liquid filling hose 17 out of the liquid filling hose 17. The pump could be provided in addition to the liquid reservoir, as part of a liquid supply station, or as part of the filling hose. This pump would then be the same pump that is used to transfer fluid from the liquid reservoir 3 to the fluid dispenser 9.

(22) Alternatively a pump may be employed to suck air and/or old liquid from the filling hose 17 out of a proximally disposed suction port, not shown. The suction port may have a suction port valve switchable between a state in which fluid can flow in a direction out of the suction port and a state in which fluid flow in both directions is blocked. Distal and proximal valves could be employed in order to block flow in proximal and distal directions and thereby facilitate the creation of a vacuum in the filling hose 17 using the pump to suck air and/or old liquid therefrom. A suction port valve may be closed and the proximal valve could then be opened to fill the vacuum in the filling hose 17 with new, fresh liquid from the liquid reservoir 3.

(23) Where a liquid supply station 4 is employed, the pump of the liquid supply station 4 could be placed in reverse mode, and old liquid and/or air diverted into a waste container. The waste container could be provided as part of the liquid supply station 4 or the liquid supply station 4 could have a waste exit and the liquid could be delivered to an external waste container. A switchable diverter could be employed to provide two different flow paths. One path between the filling hose and liquid reservoir and another path between the filling hose and the waste container or waste exit.

(24) The proximal end 18 of the filling hose 17 is then coupled to the reservoir so as to provide a fluid connection between the liquid reservoir 3 and the filling hose 17, see coupling in FIG. 4 and coupled state in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the coupling between the filling hose 17 and liquid reservoir 3 may be of a rotate-and-click form, providing audible feedback to the operator 7 to indicate completion of the couple; the proximal end of the filling hose 17 is inserted over an aperture 25 and subsequently rotated such that the proximal end of the filling hose 17 locks to the liquid reservoir 3. Such an interlocking mechanism may be implemented using conventional mechanical interlocking mechanisms known in the art.

(25) As shown in FIG. 5, the distal end 19 of the filling hose 17 is then coupled to an aperture 20 of the liquid dispenser 9 so as to form a fluid connection between the filling hose 17 and the liquid dispenser 9. Again, the coupling mechanism may be of the rotate-and-click form adopted for the coupling between the filling hose 17 and the liquid dispenser 3.

(26) It will be observed from FIG. 5 that the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9 is in a partially-filled state, i.e. is neither full nor empty. By contrast, in FIG. 6 the liquid container 21 is shown in the full-state. In both cases, the liquid container 21 is airless; there is no air inside the liquid container 21, which air could otherwise contaminate liquid contained within the liquid container 21. In the exemplary example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this is achieved using a collapsible container. The collapsible container defines a volume that reduces as liquid is dispensed, preventing any reduction in pressure and the need for dispensed liquid to be replaced by air.

(27) Finally, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 3 or liquid reservoir of the liquid supply station 4 is transferred via the filling hose 17 through a channel 23 in the liquid dispenser 9 to the airless liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9. As the filling hose 17 has been purged and because the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9 is airless, the filling liquid does not encounter air and/or old liquid in the filling hose and contamination is therefore prevented.

(28) With reference to FIG. 7, the liquid dispenser filling hose 17 may additionally comprise a second liquid reservoir. In this embodiment, the second liquid reservoir is in the form of a cartridge 26 that is removably attached to the filling hose 17, and is configured to contain a predetermined volume of concentrate. Said concentrate may be soap.

(29) Referring again to FIG. 7, the cartridge 26 is shown as being removably attached to the filling hose 17. Upon connection of the filling hose 17 to the liquid dispenser (not shown), liquid may be automatically transferred from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose 17 to the liquid dispenser, creating a flow of liquid in the filling hose 17. Upon actuation, the cartridge 26 is in fluid communication with the filling hose 17, thus allowing a flow of concentrate from the cartridge 26 into the filling hose 17, whereupon the concentrate is mixed by, and incorporated into, the turbulent flow of liquid within the filling hose 17. As such, the diluted concentrate is also transferred to the liquid dispenser. Alternatively, transfer of liquid between the liquid reservoir and the liquid dispenser may be controlled through the use of a controller 28, in this case a manually actuated control lever 28. When in an engaged position, said control lever 28 may additionally, or alternatively act to lock the cartridge 26 in a removably secured position.

(30) Movement of the concentrate between the cartridge 26 and the filling hose 17 may be regulated by a Venturi effect, arising within the filling hose 17. Alternatively, the cartridge 26 may have a deformable body portion 30, wherein said body portion 30 can be deformed e.g. by compression. Under the action of such deformation, the concentrate contained therein may be forced to flow out of the cartridge 26.

(31) Referring to FIG. 8, release of the concentrate from the cartridge 26 is controlled by a valve arrangement, indicated generally at 32. Said valve arrangement prevents the release of concentrate from the cartridge 26 when said cartridge is not releasably attached to the filling hose 17. Further, the valve arrangement 32 may also retain the liquid in the cartridge until the liquid is being transferred between the liquid reservoir and the liquid dispenser. The valve arrangement 32 may comprise a one-way valve, and only allow unidirectional movement of concentrate. In such circumstances, concentrate movement would only be allowed in a direction exiting the cartridge 26. Alternatively, the valve arrangement 32 may comprise a two-way valve, and also allow the movement of concentrate in a direction entering the cartridge 26. This may be advantageous should it be desirable to re-fill the cartridge 26 when the level of concentrate is depleted, for instance to provide for recycling of the cartridge.

(32) Referring to both FIGS. 7 and 8, the cartridge is provided at the distal end 19 of the filling hose 17, and may be provided as part of a distal coupler. Alternatively, the second liquid reservoir may be provided as part of a proximal coupler, or removably attached between the distal end and the proximal end of the filling hose 17 at any point configured to allow the removable attachment of a second liquid reservoir. The second liquid reservoir may be also be removably attached to the liquid reservoir or the liquid reservoir of the liquid supply station (not shown).

(33) The cartridge 26 is removably attached by virtue of a rotate-and-click coupling. This ensures that the cartridge 26 can be quickly and easily detached from the filling hose 17, and another cartridge engaged in its place with the minimum of inconvenience. This advantageously ensures that a depleted cartridge may be easily replaced upon the volume of concentrate contained therein reaching a predetermined minimum level. Alternatively, the cartridge 26 may be removably attached by virtue of a retaining pin, a threaded, bayonet or other interference fitting, or by any other means suitable for securing the cartridge 26 in place.

(34) The body portion 30 of the cartridge 26 may be manufactured from a transparent or a translucent material. This would allow a user to observe when the volume of concentrate contained therein had reached a predetermined minimum level, and as such, replace said cartridge.

(35) Contamination can be still further be prevented by purging not only the filling hose 17 prior to filling the dispenser 9, but also purging the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9. Although optional, this additional purging could be performed after a certain number of refills to remove any trace accumulation of aging liquid that is not dispensed prior to refill.

(36) The liquid container in the liquid dispenser 9 and the liquid filling hose 17 could be simultaneously purged by connecting the filling hose 17 to the liquid dispenser 9 prior to initialization of one of the purging operations described above. For example, a pump could suck liquid from the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9 and air and/or liquid from the filling hose 17 out of the suction port of the filling hose 17 in one operation whilst the filling hose is connected to the liquid dispenser 9. Alternatively, the pump from the liquid supply station 4 could suck the liquid from the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9 and air and/or liquid from the filling hose 17 proximally out of the liquid filling hose 17 and direct it to the waste container forming part of the liquid supply station 4 or out of a waste exit of the liquid supply station 4. In this arrangement there could be employed a collapsible liquid container in the liquid dispenser 9 and/or a collapsible filling hose. Combining purging of the liquid container of the liquid dispenser 9 with purging of the filling hose 17 would provide the advantage of reducing the number of operations, potentially speeding up refilling where purging of the liquid dispenser prior to filling is deemed necessary. Furthermore, in the case where the filling hose is provided with a controller, the controller could automatically purge and subsequently transfer liquid upon connection of the liquid supply station 4, liquid filling hose 17 and liquid dispenser 9. This offers enhanced simplicity.

(37) The liquid filling hose 17 may be provided with a controller for controlling a pump. Alternatively the liquid supply station 4 or liquid reservoir 3 could be provided with the controller. In an exemplary arrangement the controller is electronic and electrically communicates with other components including the pump using electrical signals. Employing an electronic controller provides numerous benefits such as being able to monitor filling operations and ensure that liquid is not transferred from the liquid reservoir 3 or liquid supply station 4 to the liquid dispenser 9 prior to purging. The controller could be arranged to keep a record of the number of times a liquid dispenser 9 has been refilled, optionally being arranged to purge the liquid dispenser 9 in the case where the number of refill operations for the liquid dispenser 9 has exceeded a pre-determined value.

(38) The filling hose 17 may comprise a fill-level module. The fill-level module may be part of the controller. In an exemplary arrangement this is electronic and electrically communicates with the electronic controller. The fill-level module sends a fill-level signal to the controller indicative of the fill-level of the liquid dispenser. The fill-level module may itself determine the fill-level by employing a pressure sensor which monitors the pressure of the fluid in the filling hose, an increase of pressure being indicative of the liquid container 21 of the liquid dispenser 9 reaching, or having reached, full capacity. The controller may at this point be configured to stop the transfer of liquid by appropriately communicating with the pump.

(39) Alternatively the fill-level module may receive and pass on to the controller a fill-level signal generated by the liquid dispenser 9. In this case the liquid dispenser 9 and the controller would be required to electrically communicate with one another via the coupling between the filling hose 17 and the liquid dispenser 9. This could take many forms such as electrical contacts that adjoin upon the couple between the filling hose 17 and liquid dispenser 9 having been formed.

(40) The controller may be permanently attached to the filling hose, detachably connectable to the filling hose, or even entirely separate from the filling hose. The controller may be provided as part of the liquid supply station 4.

(41) Preferably the controller employs electrical communication in order to control the pump, diverter if present, supply-level detector in the liquid reservoir 3 if present, fill-level detector in the liquid dispenser 9 if present.

(42) The electrical communication may be achieved via the use of control lines running along the length of the filling hose and employing electrical interfaces in the proximal or distal coupling mechanisms that electrically connect with corresponding electrical interfaces in electrical communication with the proximal or distal components to which the controller is electrically connected. The interface may be employed using mating electrical contact points, mating sleeves, and the like.

(43) In the case where the controller is detachable connectable to the filling hoses, there would be required to be an electrical interface between the controller and the filling hose that electrically couples the controller and the control lines in the filling hose upon connection between the controller and the filling hose.

(44) The controller may be battery powered. It may be dockable in a recharging dock for recharging the battery.

(45) Typically, the filling hose 17 will be formed from a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), latex rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM rubber), Nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene (low, medium or high density), PTFE, Santoprene or combinations thereof. The liquid dispenser 9 will often comprise polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), PET, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or combinations thereof. The liquid container 21, liquid reservoir 3 and second liquid reservoir will often be formed from polyethylene (linear-low density or low density), Nylon, PVC, PET, polypropylene or combinations thereof and any couplings (not shown in figures) may be formed from polyoxymethylene, Nylon, polycarbonate/PET, polycarbonate/PBT or combinations thereof.

(46) The controller could be employed to monitor the quantities of soap in the liquid dispensers 9 distributed throughout the building or the quantity of fluid left in the liquid reservoir 3. This could prompt re-purchase of stock, in the case where the liquid reservoir 3 is running low.

(47) To achieve this the controller could be provided with a visual display providing a visual indication of the supply-level of the liquid reservoir 3 and/or the fill-level of the liquid dispenser 9. The visual display could also provide a visual indication of whether the filling hose has been purged.