Power systems for touch free dispensers and refill units containing a power source

Abstract

Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A refill unit for a soap, sanitizer or lotion dispenser comprising:
 a container for holding a fluid;   a pump for pumping fluid from the container; and   a disposable power source provided with the refill unit;
 wherein the disposable power source has a voltage that is less than the voltage required to operate an electrically operated actuator in a dispenser that operates the pump causing the pump to pump the fluid. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the disposable power source is a single “AA” sized battery. 
     
     
         3 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the disposable power source has a voltage of less than about 3 volts. 
     
     
         4 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising identification circuitry for authenticating the refill unit. 
     
     
         5 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising an authentication code for authenticating the refill unit. 
     
     
         6 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a dispenser for receiving the refill unit, the dispenser comprising a processor powered by a first power source installed in the dispenser that is not removable with the refill unit. 
     
     
         7 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising
 a dispenser for receiving the refill unit, 
 the dispenser having a housing;
 a processor; 
 a first power source secured to the dispenser; the first power source providing power to the processor; 
 identification circuitry for authenticating the refill unit; 
 actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to operate an actuator motor; 
 a second power source separate from the first power source, for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry and the actuator motor; 
 circuitry for charging the second power source from the disposable power source located on a refill unit; 
 a holder for holding a refill unit containing the disposable power source; and 
 a connector for releasably connecting to the disposable power source that is secured to the refill unit when the refill unit is installed in the dispenser and disconnecting from the disposable power source when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser; 
 
 
       wherein the voltage of the disposable power source is lower than the voltage used for the actuator drive circuitry to operate the pump on the refill unit. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser for dispensing soap, sanitizer or lotion comprising:
 a refill unit,
 the refill unit having
 a container; 
 a pump secured to the container; 
 a removable power source secured to the container; 
 
 identification circuitry for authenticating the refill unit; 
 a housing; 
 a receptacle for receiving the refill unit; 
 charging circuitry; 
 a rechargeable power source in circuit communication with the charging circuitry; 
 a connector for placing the removable power source in circuit communication with charging circuitry; 
 a processor for controlling the charging circuitry; 
   a permanent power source secured to the dispenser; the permanent power source in circuit communication with the processor;   actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to operate an actuator motor;   the rechargeable power source in circuit communication with the actuator drive circuitry and the actuator motor;
 wherein the voltage of the removable power source is less than the voltage provided by the rechargeable power source to power the actuator drive circuitry to operate the pump. 
   
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8  further comprising boost circuitry for boosting the voltage provided by the removable power source, wherein the boost circuitry increases the voltage by at least about 2 volts. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the rechargeable power source comprises at least one capacitor. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the rechargeable power source comprises at least two capacitors. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the charging circuitry places the at least two capacitors in parallel to charge the capacitors. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 12  further comprising circuitry for placing the at least two capacitors in series to drive the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the rechargeable power source comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the permanent power source comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for dispensing soap, sanitizer or lotion comprising:
 a refill unit,
 the refill unit having
 a container; 
 a pump secured to the container; 
 a removable power source secured to the container; 
 
 a housing; 
 a receptacle for receiving the refill unit; 
 charging circuitry; 
 a rechargeable power source in circuit communication with the charging circuitry; 
 a connector for placing the removable power source in circuit communication with the charging circuitry; 
 a processor; 
 an end of stroke sensor in circuit communication with the processor for detecting an end of stroke relating to the pump; 
   actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to operate an actuator motor;   wherein the rechargeable power source provides power to the actuator drive circuitry and the actuator motor, and   wherein the power provided to the actuator has a voltage that is greater than the voltage of the removable power source.   
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16  further comprising boost circuitry for boosting the voltage provided by the removable power source, wherein the boost circuitry increases the voltage by at least about 2 volts. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the rechargeable power source comprises at least two capacitors. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 18  wherein the charging circuitry places the at least two capacitors in parallel to charge the capacitors. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19  further comprising circuitry to place the at least two capacitors in series to drive the actuator.