SOLID SOAP DISPENSER

Abstract

The invention relates to a solid soap dispenser, comprising a housing with a housing cover and an outlet opening, a grating device for grating a solid soap, and a conveying device for conveying a solid soap in the direction of the grating device. The conveying device and the grating device are situated inside the housing, and the grating device is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening.

The object of the invention described here is to provide a solid soap dispenser that is long-lasting, resource-conserving, and easy to handle.

This object is achieved by a solid soap dispenser that is characterized in that the conveying device is made up of a threaded spindle and a feed plate resting on the threaded spindle. The threaded spindle opens into the grating device, and the grating device is in operative connection with an actuating element for actuating the grating device. Upon actuation of the actuating element the threaded spindle is rotatable and the feed plate is displaceable along the threaded spindle. The threaded spindle has a connecting element at both ends for connecting the threaded spindle to the grating device.

Claims

1. A solid soap dispenser (1), comprising a housing (2) with a housing cover (3) and an outlet opening (4), a grating device (9) for grating a solid soap (10), and a conveying device (11) for conveying a solid soap (10) in the direction of the grating device (9), wherein the conveying device (11) and the grating device (9) are situated inside the housing (2), and the grating device (9) is situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening (4), wherein the conveying device (11) is made up of a threaded spindle (13) and a feed plate (14) resting on the threaded spindle (13), wherein the threaded spindle (13) opens into the grating device (9), and the grating device (9) is in operative connection with an actuating element (17) for actuating the grating device (9), wherein upon actuation of the actuating element (17) the threaded spindle (13) is rotatable and the feed plate (14) is displaceable along the threaded spindle (13), characterized in that the threaded spindle (13) has a connecting element (16) at both ends for connecting the threaded spindle (13) to the grating device (9).

2. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying device (11) is accommodated in a guide device (12), the guide device (12) having at least one guide element via which entrained movement of the solid soap upon actuation of the actuating element (17) is prevented.

3. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one guide element is a projecting rib.

4. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the feed plate (14) has recesses (15) for engagement with the guide element of the guide device (9).

5. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the grating device (9) is made up of multiple ribs (19) situated at the outlet opening (4), with the ribs (19) having cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) at the side facing in the direction of the housing cover (3).

6. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the ribs (19) are arranged at the midpoint of the housing (2) in a star shape.

7. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) of one rib (19) are offset with respect to the cutting edges and/or cutting teeth (20) of a further rib (19).

8. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (17) has locking tabs for connecting the actuating element to the housing (2).

9. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) has a fill level indicator (6), in particular with a viewing window (5).

10. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (17) is a rotating ring that is situated at the housing (2) and preferably has grip bars (18).

11. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing cover (3) has a watertight and theft-proof design.

12. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that an electric motor that is data-linked to a motion sensor situated at the outlet opening (4) is associated with the grating device (9), so that upon triggering of the motion sensor, the electric motor is activated by the motion sensor and the grating device (9) is actuated by the electric motor.

13. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor and the motion sensor are operated by means of batteries and/or accumulators.

14. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in the solid soap dispenser has a fastening device for fastening the solid soap dispenser (1) to a wall.

15. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 14, characterized in that the fastening device is made up of a fastening element (7) situated at the housing and a complementary bracket (21), wherein the bracket (21) may be mounted on a wall using mounting means.

16. The solid soap dispenser according to claim 15, characterized in that the bracket (21) has a support surface (22) for supporting shower articles, wherein the support surface (22) preferably has an overflow edge (23).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the figures:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention in a perspective view from the front,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from the rear,

[0028] FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a view from above,

[0029] FIG. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 3 in a view from below,

[0030] FIG. 5 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 4 in an exploded illustration,

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the conveying device according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the grating device according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view,

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a bracket for a solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a bracket with a support surface for a solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5,

[0035] FIG. 10 shows the bracket with a support surface according to FIG. 9, with the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view from the front,

[0036] FIG. 11 shows the bracket with a support surface according to FIG. 9, with the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in a perspective view from the rear, and

[0037] FIG. 12 shows one exemplary embodiment of a key for opening the theft-proof housing cover of the exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIGS. 1 through 5 show one exemplary embodiment of a solid soap dispenser 1 according to the invention in multiple views. The solid soap dispenser 1 has a housing 2 that is closed at the top via a housing cover 3, and has an outlet opening 4 on the bottom side. Also situated at the housing 2 is a fastening element 7 via which the solid soap dispenser 1 may be mounted on a wall, using a bracket 21. An actuating element 17 in the form of a rotating ring having multiple grip bars 18 is situated at the outlet opening 4. By use of this actuating element 17, the grating device 9 may be actuated and the solid soap 10 grated, wherein the solid soap flakes may fall from the outlet opening 4 and into the hand of a user. In the longitudinal section, the solid soap 10 has a recess or borehole, extending in the midpoint, for the threaded spindle 13, as well as two oppositely situated recesses 8 with which the guide elements (not shown) of the guide device 12 engage to prevent twisting of the solid soap 10. In the installed state, one side of the solid soap 10 rests against the feed plate 14, and the opposite side rests against the grating device 9. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment the housing 2 has a viewing window 5 recessed in the housing 2, with a fill level indicator 6. In addition, lock symbols and a bar indicator are situated on the housing cover 3 so that a user may easily identify whether the housing cover 3 is in a closed or open position. To prevent unauthorized opening, the solid soap dispenser 1 is openable only with a specific key 24, shown in FIG. 12. This key has a contour that is complementary to the shape of the solid soap dispenser 1 and the housing cover 3. In addition, the key 24 has an engagement element 25 via which the key 24 can engage with the corresponding complementary recess 26 at the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1 in order to open the housing cover 3. The housing cover 3 cannot be opened without simultaneous engagement with the recess 26 and rotation of the housing cover. Unauthorized opening of the solid soap dispenser 1 is thus prevented.

[0039] Situated inside the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1 is the conveying device 11, shown in detail in FIG. 6, which is made up of a threaded spindle 13 with a feed plate 14 mounted thereon. The feed plate 14 has two oppositely situated recesses 15, which in addition to the soap can likewise engage with guide elements (not shown) of the guide device 12 to prevent undesirable twisting of the solid soap 10 or of the feed plate 14. The conveying device 11 opens into the grating device 9 situated in the vicinity of the outlet opening 4. To allow the conveying device 11 to be easily refilled with little manipulation after the solid soap 10 is depleted, the threaded spindle 13 has a connecting element 16 at each end. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this connecting element is a recess at the threaded spindle 13 which engages with a complementary groove 27 at the grating device 9.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the exemplary embodiment of the grating device 9 according to FIGS. 1 through 5 in greater detail. The grating device 9 shown here is made up of multiple ribs 19 arranged in a star shape, and at the midpoint has a recess, in the form of a groove 27, that is complementary with the connecting element 16 of the threaded spindle 13. The groove 27 may be a continuous groove or offset groove 27. On the side directed toward the solid soap 10 or the feed plate 14, the ribs 19 have cutting teeth 20 via which grated soap flakes are removed and obtained upon rotation of the solid soap 10. The cutting teeth 20 of a rib 19 are offset with respect to the cutting teeth 20 of the further ribs 19 situated in front of or behind the rib 19. In this exemplary embodiment, the ribs 19 have either four or five cutting teeth 20, with one rib 19 that has four cutting teeth 20 being followed by a rib having five cutting teeth 20. This achieves uniform removal of the solid soap 10 during grating, since the entire grating surface of the solid soap 10 is grated.

[0041] In this exemplary embodiment, the grating device 9 is integrated into the actuating element 17. At the inner side the actuating element 17 has recesses with which the four projecting ribs of the grating device 9 engage, so that the actuating element 17 is in operative connection with the grating device 9. When the actuating element 17, i.e., the rotating ring, is rotated in one of the two rotational directions, the grating device 9 co-rotates in these directions.

[0042] In addition, the actuating element 17 has locking tabs, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5, via which the actuating element 17 is detachably connected to the housing 2 of the solid soap dispenser 1. This allows the grating device 9 to be easily replaced when it must be exchanged, for example due to material fatigue. In addition, the inner side of the actuating element 17 may have a conical or funnel-like shape, so that any grated soap flakes formed by the grating device 9 can be guided into the palm of a user in a targeted manner.

[0043] FIGS. 8 and 9 show two exemplary embodiments of brackets 21 for the solid soap dispenser 1. The first exemplary embodiment of a bracket 21, shown in FIG. 8, is a simple bracket 21 with two semicircular surfaces, projecting toward the respective end, which may be mounted on a wall using appropriate mounting means, for example screws and dowels. The bracket 21 shown in FIG. 9 also has a support surface 22 on which in particular toiletries or cosmetic articles may be placed. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the combination of the bracket 21 according to FIG. 9 with the solid soap dispenser according to FIGS. 1 through 5, in a perspective view from the front and from the rear, respectively. Since the solid soap dispenser 1 may also be used in wet spaces, the support surface 22 has an overflow edge 23.

[0044] A solid soap dispenser is disclosed above, via which simple refilling of solid soap is made possible and which is easy to operate, while at the same time conserving resources.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0045] 1 solid soap dispenser [0046] 2 housing [0047] 3 housing cover [0048] 4 outlet opening [0049] 5 viewing window [0050] 6 fill level indicator [0051] 7 fastening element [0052] 8 recess [0053] 9 grating device [0054] 10 solid soap [0055] 11 conveying device [0056] 12 guide device [0057] 13 threaded spindle [0058] 14 feed plate [0059] 15 recess [0060] 16 connecting element [0061] 17 actuating element [0062] 18 grip bars [0063] 19 ribs [0064] 20 cutting teeth [0065] 21 bracket [0066] 22 support surface [0067] 23 overflow edge [0068] 24 key [0069] 25 engagement element [0070] 26 recess [0071] 27 groove