Dispensing system with the means for detecting liquid level and a collapsible container for such a system

Abstract

A dispensing system includes a collapsible container for liquid material, such as soap, with an outlet for withdrawal of liquid material during collapse thereof. The dispensing system includes a support structure configured for wall attachment of the dispensing system. The support structure further includes at least one movable follower biased towards a collapsing part of the collapsible container, and a detector for reading the position of the movable follower. Detectable substance can be added to the movable follower or the collapsible container. The detector can actuate an alert indicator for indicating a low level of liquid in the collapsible container. Also a collapsible container with detectable substance is disclosed for use in such a system.

Claims

1. A dispensing system comprising a collapsible container for liquid material, wherein the collapsible container has an outlet in the bottom part for withdrawal of said liquid material from the collapsible container during collapse thereof, wherein the collapsible container comprises a pump connected to said outlet of the collapsible container such that said liquid material can be withdrawn upon activation of a dosing member associated with said pump; a support structure configured for wall attachment of said dispensing system; and a lower holder that secures said collapsible container to said support structure, wherein said support structure further comprises at least one movable follower biased towards a collapsing part of said collapsible container, and a detector that detects the position of the movable follower, and wherein the movable follower and the detector are arranged spaced apart from each other on the support structure, and the distance between the movable follower and the detector decreases as said liquid is drawn from the collapsible container.

2. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector is capable of detecting said liquid material in the collapsible container by detecting the position of the movable follower, such that the position of the movable follower is a reflection of a remaining amount of said liquid material in the collapsible container.

3. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the collapsible container is positioned between the movable follower and the detector.

4. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one element is arranged to support one side of the collapsible container when it is installed in the support structure.

5. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector is arranged to detect a detectable substance in or on the movable follower, said detectable substance is chosen from the group consisting of metallic substance, magnetic substance, conductive substance, coloured substance, fluorescent substance, and radioactive substance.

6. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the detector is chosen from the group consisting of inductive sensor, magnetic sensor, capacitive sensor, resistive sensor, conductive sensor, radiation sensor, and angular sensor.

7. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible container has at least one rigid portion and at least one compressible portion, and said movable follower is configured to follow the deformation of said compressible portion when the collapsible container is evacuated.

8. The dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the rigid portion of the collapsible container is supported by the element of the support structure arranged to support one side of the collapsible container.

9. The dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the movable follower is biased towards at least a part of the compressible portion of the collapsible container such that the movable follower may influence the deformation of the collapsible container.

10. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible container is supported by a top holder fastened at an upper part of the support structure.

11. The dispensing system according to claim 10, wherein the support structure is provided with at least one guiding railing for said movable follower, said guiding railing is capable of guiding the movable follower from an upper position to a lower position, in the vertical direction, such that the movable follower influences the deformation of the collapsible container by gravity.

12. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the movable follower is provided in the form of a plate connected to a lever, whereby the lever is pivotally attached to the support structure around a pivot axis allowing the plate to follow the deformation of the collapsible container.

13. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the movable follower is biased towards a compressible portion of said collapsible container by a spring allowing the movable follower to follow the deformation of the collapsible container.

14. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the movable follower is detectable through the collapsible container when the container is substantially collapsed.

15. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the movable follower is detectable by the detector from a distance of less than 15 mm.

16. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing system further comprises an alert indicator that indicates the filling state of the collapsible container, wherein the alert indicator is activated in response to the detection of the movable follower by the detector.

17. The dispensing system according to claim 16, wherein the alert indicator is configured to trigger actions to alert the service personnel of the upcoming depletion of the collapsible container.

18. The dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein a detectable substance is added to the outside of a compressible portion of the collapsible container at a position where said detectable substance will be in contact with the movable follower when the movable follower presses against the collapsible container.

19. A dispensing system comprising a collapsible container for liquid material, wherein the collapsible container has an outlet in the bottom part for withdrawal of said liquid material from the collapsible container during collapse thereof, wherein the collapsible container comprises a pump connected to said outlet of the collapsible container such that said liquid material can be withdrawn upon activation of a dosing member associated with said pump; a support structure configured for wall attachment of said dispensing system; and a lower holder that secures said collapsible container to said su ort structure, wherein said support structure further comprises at least one movable follower biased towards a collapsing part of said collapsible container, and a detector that detects the position of the movable follower, and wherein the movable follower is pivotally attached to the support structure around a pivot axis allowing the movable follower to follow the deformation of the collapsible container.

20. The dispensing system according to claim 19, wherein the detector is an integral part of the movable follower.

21. A collapsible container for liquid material, comprising: an outlet in a bottom part for withdrawal of the liquid material from the collapsible container during collapse thereof; a pump connected to said outlet of the collapsible container such that the liquid material can be withdrawn upon activation of a dosing member associated with said pump; a detectable substance fastened to the outside of a compressible portion of the collapsible container where said detectable substance will be in contact with a movable follower on a support structure when the movable follower presses against the collapsible container upon securing the collapsible container to the support structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the combination of a dispensing system and a collapsible container of an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the dispenser and collapsible container, which shows a first embodiment of the dispensing system of the present invention when the collapsible container is collapsed, and also indicates the un-collapsed state.

(4) FIG. 2A is a zoomed-in view of portion 2A of a dispenser and collapsible container according to an example embodiment of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the functional parts of the dispensing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the functional parts of the dispensing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the functional parts of the dispensing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the functional parts of the dispensing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(10) Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

(11) FIGS. 1-2A illustrate a dispensing system 1 for liquid according to example embodiments. The dispensing system 1 is adapted to contain a collapsible container 10 for liquid material such as soap. The collapsible container 10 is designed to securely and safely store and transport liquid prior to use, and to be inserted into a dispensing system 1, in which dispensing takes place from the bottom of the dispensing system 1. The dispensing system illustrated includes a support structure 8 for holding the collapsible container 10. The support structure 8 may be a simple structure, e.g. a holder or a handle. If the support structure is a handle, the handle is suitable for gripping around at least a part of the collapsible container. However, as seen in FIG. 2, the support structure 8 is an integral part of a dispensing housing 28 which is suitable for encompassing the collapsible container 10. Hence, throughout this description, either dispensing housing 28 or support structure 8 is used to denote a component which is suitable for holding the collapsible container 10.

(12) Conventionally, the dispensing system 1 is placed in a location where the soap is used, e.g. a restrooms, close to hand washbasins or sinks in public establishments, or hospital, industrial or kitchen premises. It may also be used to dispense foam.

(13) The dispensing system illustrated is configured for mounting on a vertical surface (e.g. a wall or a door), and liquid is dispensed from the lower end of the dispensing system 1. The support structure 8 is configured for wall attachment to ensure that the dispensing system can be securely attached prior to use so as to avoid any malfunction of the dispensing system. By attaching the dispensing system to a wall or a door, in a vertical direction, the support structure (including the movable follower) is fixated and positioned in a manner which is less dependent on the collapse of the collapsible container than if the dispensing system would have been placed on, for instance, a table surface. As such, the support structure 8 provides the necessary stability to the dispensing system.

(14) The dispensing system 1 may therefore include mounting means for mounting the dispensing system 1 on the vertical surface. The dispensing system 1 can be mounted to the wall by means of screws or bolts, and may therefore be provided with attachment holes in their rear walls to this extent. The dispensing system 1 may also be mounted to the wall by means of a suction unit disposed on the outside of the rear wall of the dispenser housing 28. Other designs are also possible within the scope of the present invention which enables the dispensing system 1 to be attached to a vertical surface.

(15) The dispensing housing 28 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first portion 60 and a second portion 62. The first and second portions 60, 62 are hinged against one another, and fastened via a lock 64. Other fastening means between the first and second portions 60, 62 are conceivable. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 60 includes the front side of the dispensing housing 28, while the second portion 62 includes the rear side of the housing 28, and the two portions are hinged towards the bottom 68 of the housing 28, although other designs are also possible within the scope of the present invention. The two portions may further be pivoted about an essentially horizontal axis from the illustrated closed position to an open position, in which an access opening provides access to an interior of the housing 28.

(16) The dispensing housing 28 may be made of any suitable materials, e.g. plastic or metal. As previously mentioned above, the housing 28 holds the collapsible container 10 in place, and protects it from damage and theft. A dispensing housing 28 is not entirely necessary, however, and the collapsible container 10 may be held in place in the dispensing system 1 solely by the support structure 8, which for instance can be elastic straps or mechanical engagement between the collapsible container 10 and the dispensing system 1.

(17) In one embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 1 the user activates dispensing of soap by pushing the dosing member 72 which is operatively connected to the pump 52 of the collapsible container 10.

(18) Inside the dispensing system 1 a collapsible container 10 for a liquid material such as soap is arranged. The collapsible container 10 is that portion of the dispensing system 1 in which soap is stored. Hence, the collapsible container 10 is capable of holding a liquid which is to be dispensed from the dispensing system 1. In FIG. 2, the collapsible container 10 is shown as having a generally cylindrical form, but other three-dimensional forms are possible (e.g. cuboid). The collapsible container 10 is hollow.

(19) The main part of the collapsible container 10 may advantageously be made from a conformable material, e.g. rubber, plastics or polymer material, which tolerates the liquid contained, without degradation of the liquid or the collapsible container. Suitable plastic materials are e.g. a polypropylene- or polyethylene-based material. It is particularly advantageous if the pump 52 is formed from materials of the same type as the materials in the main part of the collapsible container, if used together with the container, such that the entire collapsible container 10 may be disposed and recycled as one single unit. The main part of the collapsible container 10 may advantageously be blow-moulded.

(20) The collapsible container 10 may include two portions 54, 56. One portion 54 is softer than the other, and collapses as liquid is dispensed from the container 10. In other words, the collapsible container 10 is advantageously of the semi-rigid type, having a relatively rigid portion 56 and a collapsing (compressible) portion 54. Generally, the difference in rigidity of the portions may be obtained by providing the portions with walls having different material thicknesses, the rigid portion having a larger wall thickness than the collapsing (compressible) portion. However, the collapsible container may also be made of two parts of different material.

(21) The illustrated collapsible container 10 is divided in the vertical direction, such that the rigid portion 56 approximately forms one vertical half of the container, and the collapsing (compressible) portion 54 approximately forms the other vertical half. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the collapsing portion 54 will collapse towards, or into, the rigid portion 56 during emptying of the container 10. During collapse, the rigid portion provides sufficient support for maintaining a controlled position of the container in e.g. a dispenser. This construction avoids the problem with build-up of vacuum within the container 10, while maintaining a portion of the collapsible container 10 which is rigid, suitably for displaying information thereon. This is particularly advantageous when information is to be printed on the container, and it is desired that the information is visible through e.g. a window in the dispenser throughout the emptying process. Since the information is printed on the rigid portion 56, the information remains clearly visible and undistorted regardless of the state of collapse of the container.

(22) As shown in FIG. 2, the rigid portion 56 of the collapsible container 10 is supported by the support structure 8 at support means 74. In this manner, the support structure 8 provides stability to the collapsible container 10.

(23) The collapsible container 10 includes an outlet 12 connected to the pump 52 for withdrawal of liquid material from the container during collapse thereof. The outlet 12 can be formed as extending from an end wall of the rigid portion of the collapsible container. The outlet 12 forming part of the rigid portion to rest upon the outlet holder 66 is advantageous from a manufacturing point of view and ensures that the structure and positioning of the outlet is stable. As mentioned above, the pump 52 is operatively connected to the dosing member 72 of the support structure 8 such that soap can be withdrawn upon activation of the dosing member 72.

(24) The pump 12 has an inlet, an outlet, and a recovery means. As with most pumps, the pump has an idle stage, a discharging stage, and a recharging stage. In the idle stage, the pump mechanism is at rest and provides a fluid-tight seal. In the discharging stage a shot of the fluid is expelled from the pump 52 through the dispensing outlet 70. The recovery means allows the pump 52 to return to the idle stage from the end of the discharging stage via the recharging stage when a shot of the fluid is drawn into the pump 52. One example of a suitable pump is shown in WO2010067226. Another example of a pump suitable for foam is shown in WO2011133077. However, since the constructional features of a pump and its operative connection to a dispenser are well known in the art, they will not be described in further detail. In embodiments of the present invention, the pump can be replaced with a simple pump valve in order to provide a fluid-tight connection between the collapsible container and the dispensing outlet 70.

(25) Moreover, the support structure 8 includes outlet holder means 66 for securing the outlet 12 of the collapsible container 10 to the support structure 8. The outlet holder means 66 can be arranged at the bottom of the support structure 8, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This will ensure a fixed and secure positioning for the entire collapsible container, in those cases the outlet is part of the rigid part of the collapsible container 10.

(26) Top holder means 58 can be arranged at the top of the support structure 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(27) Contact means 74 is arranged on any of the side portions of the support structure 8, as illustrated in e.g. FIG. 2. Thus the collapsible container 10 can be supported, not to move in a sidewise direction. This will be further explained in view of the embodiments below.

(28) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the support structure 8 includes a movable follower 20. The movable follower 20 is biased towards a collapsing part of the collapsible container 10, e.g. the collapsible portion 54 as seen in FIG. 2.

(29) By using a biased movable follower 20 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, it is meant that a biasing force is imparted to the movable follower which urges the movable follower towards a part of the collapsible container 10. As shown in FIG. 2, this part of the collapsible container can be the exterior surface 30 of the collapsible container. It is therefore possible for the movable follower 20 to follow the collapse of the container 10 when soap is being withdrawn from the collapsible container 10. In other words, each time the user withdraws soap from the dispensing system 1, the amount of soap in the collapsible container 10 is reduced which causes the container to collapse a little. During this collapsing process, the movable follower 20 trails the collapse of the container 10 due to that the movable follower 20 is biased towards the container 10. That is, the movable follower 20 moves from the dashed position in FIG. 2 to the full-lined position in FIG. 2. By being biased, the movable follower serves as a guiding mechanism and the result of this technical feature is therefore an improved control of the collapse process of the container.

(30) Hence, in the dashed lines in FIG. 2, the movable follower 20 is shown in its original position, i.e. when the collapsible container 10 is filled with soap. When dispensing a portion of soap from the collapsible container 10, the container deforms due to its properties and construction, as mentioned above. In other words, the collapsing portion of the container 10 will collapse into the rigid portion of the container 10, and when the container 10 is emptied, or nearly emptied, the collapsible container 10 may take the shape as can be seen in the full lines in FIG. 2. During collapse, the movable follower 20 is biased towards the exterior surface 30 of the container 10, and follows the deformation of the collapsible container 10. In this manner, the movable follower 20 trails the collapse of the container 10 when liquid is being withdrawn from the collapsible container 10.

(31) The position of the movable follower in accordance with the present invention is a reflection of a remaining amount of soap in the collapsible container 10. Thereby, the detecting means 22 is capable of detecting the soap level in the collapsible container 10 by detecting the position of the movable follower 20.

(32) In order to further improve the control of the collapse process of the container 10, the movable follower 20 may be configured to actively form the collapsible container 10. In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the movable follower 20 is biased towards at least a part of the exterior surface of the collapsible container 10 such that the movable follower 20 influences the deformation of the collapsible container 10. That is, the biasing force which is applied by the movable follower 20 on the collapsible container 10 allows the movable follower to influence, i.e. guide and shape, the collapse process of the container 10. Hence, a dispensing system is provided with an even more improved control of the collapse process of the container.

(33) FIG. 2 shows a dispensing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the movable follower 20 is pivotally attached to the support structure 8, i.e. dispensing housing 28, around the pivot axis P. The movable follower 20 is formed by a plate 14 pivotally connected to a lever 16. Hence, the lever 16 is pivotally attached to the support structure 8, i.e. dispensing housing 28, around a pivot axis P, which allows the movable follower 20 to rotate around the axis P towards the collapsible container 10. In this particular embodiment, the lever 16 is biased by means of the spring 34 to render the movable follower 20 spring-biased towards the container part 54. By this arrangement, it is possible for the lever 16 (or movable follower 20) to follow the deformation of the collapsible container. The movement of the movable follower 20 is smooth and carried out in a homogenous manner, but also independent of the filling state of the collapsible container 10 since the biasing force of the movable follower comes from the spring 34.

(34) The movable follower 20 should be biased towards the lower part of the collapsible container 10. This allows the movable follower 20 to follow the part of the collapsible container 10 which normally contains the very last amount of soap.

(35) In certain embodiments, the movable follower 20 is provided in the form of a plate 14, pivotedly connected to the lever 16 to freely follow the container. The plate 14 is arranged to extend over an area of the collapsible container such that no folds occur in the container wall between the movable follower and the detecting means. No sharp edges or corners should be allowed on the plate, so it will not penetrate the container wall. The area of the plate can of course vary depending on the size of the collapsible container and the liquid to be dispensed, but one non-limiting example is a vertical height of 35 mm and a horizontal width of 15 mm. A normal range is a vertical height of 20-40 mm and a horizontal width of 15-40 mm. The range of dimensions can of course be varied considerably, depending also upon the flexible material used, and the force with which the plate is pressing on the collapsible container.

(36) The movable follower 20 can be biased in many ways besides that the lever 16 can be pivotally attached to the dispensing housing 28 by means of a spring 34. For instance, it is within the scope of the present invention to make use of a tensioned pin in a sleeve or any other suitable means known by the skilled in the art which allows the lever 16, and the movable follower 20, to be rotatable around the pivot axis P, and biased towards the collapsing part 54 of the collapsible container. It is contemplated to use a biased configuration of the movable follower 20, which is sufficient to make sure that the movable follower 20 can rotate reliably and smoothly around the pivot axis P while at the same time provide the required biasing force F such that the movable follower 20 is biased towards the exterior surface 30 of the compressible part 54 of the collapsible container 10. It is also contemplated to use the lever 16 itself as a spring, in which case it should not be allowed to rotate around the pivot axis P, but instead be fastened to the support structure 8 at one end and tensioned against the collapsible container 10 at its other end. Further possibilities of biasing the movable follower will be described below.

(37) In the above embodiment, the term movable follower 20 includes a lever 16 and a plate 14. The plate 14 can be attached to the lever 16 in a pivotable way, such that the plate can maintain a flat and close alignment to the surface 30 of the collapsible container.

(38) However, it is also possible within the scope of the present invention that the movable follower may include further components, e.g. an additional spring. The lever 16 and the plate 14 may be integral components of the support structure 8 or the dispensing housing 28. It is also apparent that the attachment of the movable follower to the support structure, or dispensing housing, does not have to be at the upper part of the housing. The movable follower can for instance be attached to either of the side walls of the dispensing housing or even to the bottom of the dispensing housing. The specific attachment of the movable follower depends on the shape of the collapsible container and the space available between the dispenser housing and the collapsible container.

(39) As can been seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and as explained above, the collapsible container 10 is defined by one rigid portion 56 and one compressible portion 54. The movable follower 20 is in this context configured to follow the deformation of the compressible portion 54 when the collapsible container 10 is evacuated. Further, the rigid portion 56 of the collapsible container 10 is supported by the support structure 8. The rigid portion 56 of the collapsible container 10 is fastened to the support structure 8 by the illustrated outlet holder means 66 and contact means 74 such that the container 10 is securely attached to the support structure 8.

(40) The support structure 8 further includes detecting means 22 for detecting the position of the movable follower 20. In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the detecting means 22 is arranged spaced apart from the movable follower 20 by a distance in the horizontal direction. In particular, the detecting means is located in, or proximate, one of the contact means 74, which is a part of the support structure 8 in the illustrated dispensing system 1.

(41) However, in some embodiments, it is also possible that the detecting means 22 may be an integral part of the movable follower 20.

(42) By arranging the detecting means 22 in the support structure 8, it becomes possible to determine if the dispensing system 1 needs to be refilled with a new container of liquid material, e.g. soap. This is achieved since the detecting means 22 monitors the deformation of the collapsible container by sensing the position of the movable follower 20. As illustrated by FIG. 2, the movable follower 20 travels from a first state, the dashed lines in FIG. 2, to a second state, the full lines in FIG. 2, i.e. a certain distance, by being biased towards the container 10 during the collapse process of the container. Finally, the movable follower 20 has travelled into a detectable area of the detecting means 22 such that the detecting means 22 is able to detect the movable follower 20. The detecting means 22 is arranged to sense a detectable substance in the movable follower 20. In a particular embodiment, the plate 14 of the movable follower 20 is made of metal, i.e. the detectable substance is a metallic substance, and the detecting means 22 is an inductive sensor, such that the detecting means 22 senses a change in the inductive properties of the movable follower. When the movable follower 20 is detected by the detecting means 22, the detecting means 22 signals by appropriate alert indicating means (not shown) that the collapsible container 10 needs to be replaced. In this context, the detectable area of the detecting means corresponds to a remaining and critical level of soap in the container 10. The detectable area can for instance be a predetermined detectable area or a detectable area governed by the detecting means to be used.

(43) It is advantageous for any embodiment of the invention to position the detecting means 22 fairly low down to ensure that not too much of the soap is left in the collapsible container 10 when the movable follower 20 enters the detectable area.

(44) When the detecting means 22 is triggered by the nearness of the movable follower 20, the sensor used for that particular detecting means could in known ways use a control system to send an electrical signal, which could be used for a plurality of different alert indicating means.

(45) The sensor is connected to a control system (not shown) that will control the timing of the appropriate signals sent out by the sensor, if the sensor is of the active type. If the movable follower, and with it the detectable substance, has come into the detectable area the sensor will send back a signal to the control system. Passive sensors don't need to send signals, they will just wait for the appropriate message from the detectable substance (e.g. magnetic resonance sensors, etc).

(46) The control system may then handle an answer signal from the sensor in a suitable manner to use it for triggering the alert indicating means.

(47) Examples of alert indicating means handled by the control system are coloured lamps turned on or blinking, messages like please refill lighting up, covering lids being removed from text messages, pictographs or signal (e.g. red) areas. These can be situated on the dispenser cover to be seen when a person is in the vicinity of the dispenser. It is also conceived to concentrate all the alert indicating means to a central area covering one or more dispensers in one or more washrooms, but still near the actual dispensers, so a caretaker quickly can get an overview of several dispensers in one, or more, washrooms.

(48) It is also conceivable to have the control system send remote signals, by radio or by net, to another more remote location, e.g. to indicate to caretakers that the collapsible container 10 should be exchanged for a new one at the next service round.

(49) The dispenser normally needs to be supplied with electrical power to the control system, the detecting means and the alert indicating means. This may be supplied by normal electric mains, or to get more flexibility in placing the dispenser, by replaceable batteries.

(50) An active sensor functions by sending out signals in a timed sequence, to check if there will be a positive response, and is often used for dispensing i.e. a drying towel to a user approaching a towel dispenser. In such a case, the response time should be very short, not to let a user wait for the towel.

(51) In the soap dispenser case, the soap level is sinking very slowly and the timing frequency for a sensor can be very low, i.e. once every ten minutes, or every hour, or once a dayfor example before the caretaker starts the maintenance round. This makes it possible to adjust the control system in a way to have a very low power consumption, for batteries to last for a long time.

(52) The detectable substance that is provided to either the wall of the collapsible container or the movable follower 20 is a detectable substance which can be replaced with a wide range of substances depending on the selected type of sensor.

(53) As the detectable substance, different substances are contemplated which are available for detection by a sensor. In particular, the detectable substance is chosen from the group of metallic substance, magnetic substance, conductive substance, coloured substance, fluorescent substance, and radioactive substance.

(54) Other combinations of sensors and detectable substances are also contemplated as long as the detectable substance can be applied to the movable follower (or the detectable substance added to the wall of the collapsible container) so as to achieve reliable sensing by a sensor.

(55) In one example, the movable follower 20 may be detectable through the collapsible container 10 when the container is substantially collapsed, i.e. when the movable follower 20 is in close vicinity of the detecting means 22. This state of the container is illustrated by the full lines in FIG. 2. In this context, the term substantially collapsed means a state of the container where the container is reduced in volume by at least 90% relative to its volume in its original state.

(56) Moreover, it is possible to make an appropriate configuration of the detecting means such that the movable follower is detectable by the detecting means from a distance D of less than 15 mm, from less than 10 mm, or from less than 5 mm. The distance D is the closest distance between the detecting means 22 and the detectable substance applied to either the wall of the collapsible container or the movable follower 20. Normally, it is the distance which is measured between the surface of the detecting means 22, which is facing the movable follower, and the surface of the movable follower 20, which is facing the detecting means.

(57) As previously explained, the collapsible container 10 is formed by one compressible portion 54, which collapses towards, and into, the rigid portion 56 as liquid is dispensed from the container 10. During this process, the detecting means 22 will detect the position of the detectable substance and ultimately alert by appropriate alert means (not shown) if the container needs to be replaced.

(58) Accordingly, the dispensing system 1 may further include alert indicating means for indicating the filling state of the collapsible container 10. The alert indicating means is activated in response to the detection of the movable follower 20 by the detecting means 22. The alert indicating means may be provided as an integral part of the detecting means in the form of a visual alert, such that a change in colour of the alert indicating means occurs when the movable follower 20 is detected by the detecting means 22. Thus, by using a transparent cover of the dispensing system 1, the alert indicating means is visible to the user from the outside of the dispensing system 1. Likewise, the alert indicating means may be an integral part of the movable follower 20. Alternatively, the alert indicating means may be a separate part of the dispensing system 1 which is operatively connected to the detecting means 22. For example, the alert indicating means may be configured to alert the user on the filling state of the collapsible container 10. Non-exclusive examples of suitable alert indicating means, besides a visual alert, are components that can provide an audible alert, a vibrational alert or a verbal alert.

(59) As previously mentioned above, the support structure 8 is also provided with lower holding means 66 and contact means 74 for securing the collapsible container 10 to the support structure 8. In this context, the detecting means 22 is arranged on the support structure 8 to ensure that the detecting means 22 maintains its focus on the movable follower 20 upon collapse of the container 10. Furthermore, by securing the above relationship between the components, it is safeguarded that the reading of the position of the movable follower 20 is an appropriate reflection of the condition of the collapsible container 10.

(60) Embodiments of the present invention provide several additional possibilities for biasing the movable follower towards the support structure of the dispensing system.

(61) Some of these possibilities will now be discussed with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

(62) FIG. 3 shows a dispensing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the movable follower 20 is pivotally attached to the support structure 8 around the pivot axis P. By this configuration of the movable follower 20, it is possible for the movable follower 20 to follow the deformation of the collapsible container 10. This is achieved since the movable follower 20 is biased towards the external surface 30 of the collapsible container 10 by means of a spring (not shown) such that the movable follower can rotate around the pivot axis P in a clock-wise direction, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3. For this particular embodiment, the detecting means 22 is an integral part of the movable follower 20. Due to the detecting means 22 on the movable follower 20, it is possible to recognize if the collapsible container 10 is running dry. The detecting means 22 is provided by means of an angle sensor, which is configured to measure the angular position of the movable follower 20. The angular sensor is configured such that a certain angle corresponds to a certain state of the collapsible container 10, and consequently a certain level of soap. The function of the movable follower 20 can be clearly understood by explaining its movement when soap is withdrawn from the dispensing system 1 by the user, which results in a gradual collapse of the collapsible container 10, i.e. its inner volume is decreasing as soap is dispensed therefrom. As such, when the collapsible container 10 collapses from its original state to an empty state, the movable follower 20 moves from a first upper position (A) to a second lower position (B), as shown in FIG. 3. By measuring the angle of the movement of the movable follower 20, the detecting means 22 provides a suitable indication to the user when the second position B is reached by the movable follower 20, which corresponds to an empty state of the collapsible container 10. Hence, it is possible to monitor the soap level of the collapsible container so that a dispensing system which is running dry is recognized in good time.

(63) It might be advantageous, if the collapsible container 10 is fairly long and narrow, to arrange the lever arm of the movable follower to be telescopic, such that it can be more extended when it is in the upper or lower positions, than in the middle position, as seen in FIG. 3. This will ensure a smooth and exact following of the liquid level.

(64) FIG. 4 shows a dispensing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the movable follower 20 is pivotally attached to the support structure 8 around the pivot axis P in a similar manner as explained above for FIG. 2. Besides the features as explained for FIG. 2, this embodiment includes detecting means 22 which are arranged opposite the movable follower 20, in the horizontal direction, as seen in FIG. 4. The collapsible container 10, which in this embodiment doesn't have a stiff wall but two soft walls that both are flexible, is attached to an upper portion of the support structure 8 by the top holder means 58, and is hanging down from the support structure 8, and also is fastened at the outlet 12 to the outlet holder means 66. The collapsible container 10 is located in between the movable follower 20 and the detecting means 22. By this configuration of the movable follower 20, the movable follower 20 is biased towards a compressible portion of said collapsible container 10, and also towards the detecting means 22 on the other side of the collapsible container 10, as seen in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the biasing is obtained by using a magnetic substance in either the movable follower 20 or detecting means 22. For instance, the movable follower 20 can be provided with a metallic substance and the detecting means 22 can be provided in the form of a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor influences the movable follower 20 such that when the collapsible container 10 is collapsed, the movable follower 20 has travelled towards the detecting means 22 due to the magnetic field between the movable follower 20 and the detecting means 22. The magnetic field is illustrated by the two arrows in FIG. 4, and denoted with an M for magnetic field. The detecting means 22 provides a suitable indication to the user when the movable follower 20 is within a certain distance D from the detecting means 22, which may correspond to certain strength of the magnetic field. As for the embodiment in FIG. 2, the distance D is less than 15 mm, less than 10 mm, or less than 5 mm. Hence, it is possible to monitor the soap level of the collapsible container so that a dispensing system which is running dry is recognized in good time.

(65) FIG. 5 shows a dispensing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in a cross-sectional view. The collapsible container 10, is attached to an upper portion of the support structure 8 by the top holder means 58, and is hanging down from the support structure 8, and also is fastened at the outlet 12 to the outlet holder means 66. In this embodiment, the movable follower 20 is biased by weight of gravity towards the compressible part of the collapsing container 10, which like in the third embodiment doesn't have a stiff wall but two soft walls that both are flexible. The support structure 8 is provided with two cylindric movable followers 20 and four corresponding guiding railings 76, two guiding railings 76 for each movable follower 20. The movable follower 20 has a large enough weight allowing it to be guided in the vertical direction by gravity. It can be made of metal, rubber, or plastic, etc. Thereby, the guiding railings 76 are capable of guiding the movable follower from an upper position 78 to a lower position 80, in the vertical direction, such that the movable follower 20 influences the deformation of the collapsible container by means of gravity. It is also contemplated to only use one movable follower 20 with two corresponding guiding railings 76 where the backside of the collapsible container should be as flat as possible to get good contact with the cylindric movable follower on its downward path. However, it is considered that a system with two movable followers and four guiding railings is more reliable than a system including only one follower and two guiding railings. In this fourth embodiment, the detecting means 22 is placed at the lower part of the support structure 8 and configured such that the position of the movable follower 20 is detected in order to provide an appropriate indication when the movable follower 20 has travelled to the lower position 80. The lower position 80 is indicative of a collapsible container 10 which is emptied. An emptied collapsible container may take the shape as illustrated by the dashed lines of the oval-shaped container in FIG. 5.

(66) FIG. 6 shows a dispensing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the movable follower 20 is attached to the support structure 8, or dispensing housing 28, by means of a telescopic tension 36 to render the movable follower 20 biased towards a compressible part of the collapsible container 10. This attachment allows the movable follower 20 to follow the deformation of the collapsible container 10 in a smooth manner.

(67) By telescopic tension system is meant a technical solution with a compressed spring that will exert a force upon the movable follower, which in this case will move perpendicularly from the wall part of the support structure towards the collapsible container and the detecting means. The spring should have a low enough force over a long enough distance to press on the collapsible container in the correct way.

(68) The detecting means 22 is, as shown in FIG. 6, an integral part of the support structure 8 and the contact means 74, and arranged opposite the movable follower 20 in the horizontal direction.

(69) In embodiments of the present invention, and as previously mentioned, it is desired that the movable follower 20 is configured in a manner to make sure that the movable follower 20 can move freely and smoothly against the collapsible container while at the same time provide the required biasing force F such that the movable follower 20 is biased towards the exterior surface 30 of the collapsible container 10. A balance should therefore be kept between the ability to control the collapse of the container and an undesired deformation of the collapsible container, i.e. to avoid that the movable follower itself, due to a too high biasing force, provides an additional undesired deformation of the collapsible container.

(70) Furthermore, it is also envisaged to use combinations of the above attachment configurations, and it will be within the capability of those skilled in the art to make the required adjustments to meet the space limits between the dispensing housing and the collapsible container.

(71) In embodiments of the present invention, the support structure 8 is provided with outlet holder means 66, and in some embodiments with contact means 74 and/or top holder means 58, for securing the collapsible container 10 to the support structure 8. In addition, the detecting means 22 is arranged on the support structure 8 to ensure that the detecting means 22 maintains its focus on the movable follower 20 upon collapse of the container. Furthermore, by securing the above relationship between the above components, it is safeguarded that the reading of the position of the movable follower 20 is an appropriate reflection of the condition of the collapsible container 10.

(72) It is readily understood that numerous alternative embodiments may be envisaged by the skilled person, incorporating one or more of the above-mentioned advantageous features.

(73) In particular embodiments, the movable follower is constructed in a way such that it is feasible for a user or caretaker to take out an emptied collapsible container and reload a new filled one. Normally it will suffice to hold the movable follower against the spring (or other) action working upon it with one hand, take out the used container, and substitute it with a new one, using the other hand.

(74) In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 2A, a collapsible container for liquid material suitable to be used in the inventive dispensing system for liquid material is disclosed, wherein the detectable substance 25 is fastened to the outside of the compressible portion 54 of the collapsible container where it will be in contact with the movable follower 20 when the movable follower presses against the collapsible container.

(75) The use, design and incorporation of further conventional dispensing system components into the above dispensing system will be apparent to the skilled person in the art.