CA1304725C - Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLOWABLE MATERIAL
Abstract The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing flowable material such as liquid material from a disposable container. The disposable container is provided with means for releasing a predetermined amount of flowable material when the releasing means is electrically actuated. The disposable container is also provided with an electrical battery integrated with the container for powering the dispensing apparatus. The disclosure further relates to the actuation of a dispensing apparatus in response to the proximity of a user to the dispensing apparatus without the user contacting the apparatus. Circuitry is disclosed for reducing the electrical requirements and power consumption of the dispensing apparatus.
Circuitry is also disclosed which prevents improper repetitive operation of the dispensing apparatus. Provisions are disclosed for encoding the disposable container to enable a given dispos-able container to operate only with a predetermined dispensing apparatus.

Description

~.3~ ~5 D ;.ND ~P~A~ FO~ DISPENSI_E'LOW~13I,E MATERIAL

Field of the Invent~on The invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensiny flowable materlal from a dispos~ble container. More in particular, the inveQtion relates to the ~ispensing of a liquid material such as liquid soap from a disposable container.
The disposable contairler is provided with means for releasing a predetemined amount of flowable material when the releasing means i5 actuated. The disposable container is also provided with an electrical battery inte~rated with the container for poweriny a dlspensing apparatus. The invention further relates to the actuation of a di~pensing apparatus in response to the proximity of a llser to the dispensing apparatus without contact therewith.
ac grourld Art U.S. Patent No. 3,162,3fiO of Erickson shows a liquid dispenser having a Iow cost liquld container of one-piece molded plastic construction. I.iquid flow is controlled by a solenoid valve in tne dispensing ap2aratus.
U.~. Pat:Qnt No~ 3,639,920 of Griffin et al. shows a dispenser for liquid soap in CQtn~inatiOn with a plumbing fixture in which the presence o~ a user as sensed by a photocell init-iates ths aispensing of liquid soap~
Each o~ U.S. Pa-tent No. 3,491,381 of Cathcart, U.S.
Patent No~ 3,576,2,i of Blackmon, U.S. Patent No. 3,670,167 of ~orbes, and U.S. Patent No. 4,398,310 of Lienh3rd show a system in which a photocell sense6 the approach of a user to initiate the flow of water f~r a hand-washirlg device.
U.S. Patent r~o. 3,480,787 of Johansen also shows tne control of flow fro~ a faucst by ~eans of a light sou~ce and a photo-responsive element which senses the presellce o the user's hands adjacent the faucet.
U.S. Patent r~O. 3,327,901 of ~erkovich shows a photocell which in response to the presence of the user's hands actuates a pump which dispellses liquid material such as soap frorn the dis-penser.

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U.S. Patent No~ 3,741,439 of Vehrs, ~.S. Patent No.
3,870,201 of Asplund, and ~.S. Patent No. 4,130,224 of Norman et al. shows a dispen~ing apparatus in which a reservoir is provided with a resilient tube having a check valve at the lower end thereoE. A block when moved by a yieldable arm against the tube pinches off the upE~r portion of the tube and then collapses the portion of the tube therebeneath to discharge a viscous liquid through the valve~
Summar~ of the Invention An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing flowable material in which the material is dispensed from a di.sposable container hav.ing means integrated with the conta.iner for releasing a predete~mirled amount of the material wh~n the re].easing means is actuated.
Another ok~ject of the invention is to provide apparatus for dispensing flowable material when electrically energized.
An additional vbject of the inventi.on is to provide a dispensing apparatus in which the disposable container is pro-vided with an elonsated chamber for releasiny a predetermined amount of material when deformed to decrease the volume therein.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dis-posab].e container having an electrical power source integrated therewith.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for dispensing flowable material in which the releasing of material to be dispensed is in response to the proximity of a user to the dispensing apparatus without the user contacting the dispensing apparatus.
In the pr~ferred embodiment of the inventi.on, the apparatus for dispensi.ng flowable material comprises a disposable container suctl as a bag in a casing for holdiny mate~ial to be dispensed. Means SUCII as a va].ve is integrated with the con-tainer for releasing a p.redetermined amollnt of flowable material when the valve is actuated. The apparatus further includes means when electrically energized for actuat.ing the releasing valve to release the predetermined amount of material.

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The disposable container of the invention further com-prises an elongated chamber having a releasing valve disposed at an opening therein Eor releasing material and a check valve disposed at the opposite end thereof for blocking a flow of material between the chamber and the container. The means for actuating the releasing means comprises means for displacing the deformable wall portion of the elongated chamber to increase the pressure therein, thereby enabling the rnaterial to be released through the releasing valve.
Further in accordance with the in~ention, the disposable container cornprises at: least one receptacle for receiving at least one electrical power sourcs to energize the dispensing apparatus.
Also in accorclance with the invention, there is a plur-ality of different available positions for the receptacles with eacn different position of a receptacle corresponding to a differ-ent material to be dispensed.
The invention also comprises means for activating the means for actuating the releasing means with electrical energy in response to the proxil~tity of a portion of the body of a user with-out the portion of the bodv contacting the dispensiny apparatus.
The means for actuating the releasing means includes means for sensing electromagnetic radiation applied thereto and means responsive to a change in electromagnetic radiation applied to the sensing mear.s when a portion of the body of a user is approxi-mate to the dispensin~ apparatus without contacting the disuens-ing apparatus.
In addition, the inventiotl co~prises means for detecting a chanye in the ambient light applied thereto when a user is proxlmate to the dispensing apparatus without the user contacting the apparatus. The detecting of the change in ambient light by the detecting means enables the means for activating the means for actuating the releasing rneans.
Brief Descrip~ion of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspectlve view of the exterior of the dispensing apparatus of the invention;

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Fig. 2 i.3 a vertical section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. l and showing the disposable container, its releasing valve, and means for actuating the releasing valve;
Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the dispensing of a predetermined amount of liquid material from the chamber of the disposable container in response to the actuating means;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting adapter, support plate, means for actuating the releasiny valve, the disposable container and the cover of the dispensing apparatus;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the disposable container, receptacles adjacent thereto for receiving batterie,, and a casing;
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the casing Eor the disposable container showing one of the plurality of the optional locations Eor the receptacle for receiving the batteries o the dispensing apparatus;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section of the relsas-ing valve taken alony the line 7-7 in Fig. 5 of the disposable container showing the check valve at the lower portion thereof;
Fig. 8 is a front elevatlon v~ew of the means for actuating the releasing valve;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the means for actuating the releasing valve;
Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the mean~ for actua-ting the releasiny valve;
Fig. ll ;s a schematic representation of t1le electrical circuit for energizing the actuating means of the dispensing apparatuæ;
Fig. 12 i~ a perspective view of the dispensing appara-tus showing a piurali~y o~ contacts 0!1 the upper support plate which are adapted to engage a conductive pattern on the dispos-able container;
Fig~ 13 is a schematic view showing the contacts of the plurality of contacts of the dispensing apparatus in circuit with the conductive pat~ern of the casing of the disposable container;

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Fig. 1~ is a perspective view of the exterior of another embodiment of the dispellsing apparatus of the invention;
Fig. 15 is vertical sectlon of the dispensing apparatus of Fiy. 14 showing the releasing valve with the disposable container and means for actuating the releasing valve;
Fig. 16 is a vertical section of the dispensing appar-atus of Fig. 14 showiny a predetermined amount of liquid material being dispensed in re~ponse to the hand of a user interrupting the radiation extending from a source toward a sensing element;
Fig. l? is a fra~mentary horizontal section of the dis-pensiny apparatus of Fig. 14 showing the means for actuating the releasing valve;
~ Fig. l8 is a perspective view oE the disposable con-tainer of the embodiment of the dispensing device shown in Fig.
14 including the receptacles for batteries;
Pig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section showing the assembly of a valve and receptacles for batteries for the disposable container;
Fig. 20 is a persuective view showin~ the dispensing apparatus of Fig. 14 receiving a disposable container with releasing valve and batteries;
Fig. 21 is an additional embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the invention in which the releasing valve is operated from the up~r portion of the disposable container;
Fig. 22 is a vertical sect;on view showing the releasing valve and the means for actuating the releasing valve;
Fig. 23 i5 a pespective view showing the disposable container, the means for actuating the releasing valve, the cover of the dispensing apparatus shown in Fig. 14;
Fig. 24 i5 an exploded perspective view of the ap~aratus of Fig. 2l;
Fig. 25 is a schematic representation of another embodi-ment of the electrical circuit for energizing the actuating means o the dispensing apparatus; and Fig. 26 is a schematic representation of still another embodiment of the electrical circuit-for energizing the dispens-ing apparatus in ~1hich the motor is braked to a stopped position.

-- -13(3~1~7~5 r~eS CJ: i p ~ i on of the Invention As shown in Fig. 4 dispens.ing apparatus 40 corr,prisesa~apter 41 for mounting the the appara~us on a vertical surface such as a wall. Holes 4la enab.le the adapter to be mounted by screws extending therethrough into a wall. Support 42 comprises vertical plate 42a, upper hori20ntal plate 42b, and lower horizontal plate 42c. When support 42 is inst~lled with respect to adapter 41, rib 42d engages lip 41b of the adapter with studs 41c engaging mating openinys (not shown) at the bottom portion of rib 42d to secure the support with respect to the adapter. Lugs 42e engage channels 41d to secure the support with respect to the upper portion of the adapter. Latches 42f of the support enter notches 41e of the adapter to prevent removal of the support from the adapter once it is installed unless the latches are re:Leased.
Dispcsabl~ container assembly 43 comprises housing or casing 43a. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, one or more of recep-tacles or tubes 44 extelld laterally wi,th respect to the bottom portion 43b of l:.he housin.g, parallel to one another. Openings 43c in the wall~s 43d o the casing 43a provide access to the interior of receptac].es 44. ~s shown in Figs, 5 and 6, a given receptacle 44 can hs positioned within housing 43a in alignment wii:h any one of four pai.rs oE openinys 43c. In the al~ernative, receptacles 44 can be placed at rnore than one Rair of the aligned openings 43c.
In order to er,eryize the dispensing apparatus of the invention, electrical hatteries 45 such as primary or dry-cell batteries are disposed within each receptacle 44. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a pair oE batteries 45 are disposed in one receptacle and a single receptacle is disposed in housing q3a.
If the dispensing apparat\.ls is to be energized by a pair of hatteries 45 in one receptacle, it can be undel.st:ood that with the arranyement S'ilOWI) in Fi.gs. 5 and 6 there are four optional positions for a si.ngle receptacle 44.
In the ca~se uhe2.e it is intended that the position of the receptacle within the casing and thereby the source of elec-trical energy for the dispensing apparatus be in a predetermined '7~S

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position for a yivell disperseL container assembly, our different positions are availab~Le. It the~efore can be seen that a different onç of the four positions can be related to a different type of material that is to be provided ~?Y disposable container 46. Accordislgly the diferent available positions enable a given dispensing apparatus to operate with only one of a plurality of container assemblies haviny different bat~ery locations.
As shown in Figs. ~ and 5, disposable container 46 is adapted to be formed of resin material either in flexible or rigid form; however, the preferred embodiment is for container 46 to be a flexible bay of resin material. The disposable container 46 is placed in casilly 4?a in which it is supported by bottom portion 43d and by engagement with receptacle 44 within the casing. As shown in Fig 5, disposable container 46 includes structure forming in elor.gated chamber 47 connected at end portion 47a thereof to the bottoM portion of the disposable container 46. The elongated chamber 47 is of flexible or deform-able material of a resilient nature and can be formed from tubular resin material. In Fig. 7, it can be seen that flange 47a is connected to the bottom portion 46a of the disposable container and supports coupling 47b therein. Defonnable wall portion 47c of the elonyated chamber which can be tubular in form has a lower end portion 47d. Bushing 47e is mounted in the lower end portion 47d and supports check valve 48 which includes ball 48a, urged ayainst seat 48b by spring 48c. If the pressure within elongated chamber 47 is increased to a predetermined level, the resulting downward force applied to ball 48 is sufficient to overcome the upward closinc~ force determined by the spring 48c. As a result ba]1 48a will then commence to open at the predeter~ined pressure, there))y initiatin~ the release of material to flow througll port 48d of the che&k valve.
Further as showr! in Fig. 7, couplillg 47b supports check valve 50 which can be in the form of a 1apper valve. The flap-per valve wh-lch can be of resilient material, such as elastomeric material, is adapted to close opening 50a whenever the pressure within the elongated chamber 47 is yreater than the pressure witll-~14~

in the interior ef th~ apos~ble co1l~ain~r 46. ~rhu~;, the checkvalve 50 while parmit~ilg flow to occur in a downward dire~tion from disposabl0 container 4h wi~l block any upward flow toward the container.
As shown in Fig. 4, disposab]e container assembly 48 is adapted to be supported on upper horizonta1 plate 4~b with elongated chamber 47 extending through notch 42d when disposable container assembly 43 is in place on upper horizontal plate 42b of the support. C~ver assembly 51 can then be installed.
Cover assembl~ 51 is provided with hinge pin 52 which is adapted to be disposed behind rib 42d in slot 42y of support 42 ~Fig. 4). Thus, the covsr assembly 51 is pivotally supported with respect to support 42, When the cover assembly is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 4, projections 51~ enter slots ~h in the sup2ort~ Upper horizontal plate 42b supports receptacles 53 wl.ictl are mounted adjacent the lower sur-face of the upper horizontal plate. Front 51b of the cover assem-bly supports hooks 54. Upon moving the cover assembly in a coun-terclockwise direction about hinge pin 52 as viewed in Fig. 4, hooks 54 enyage rece~tac~es 53 at;d secure the cover assembly 51 in a closed position wlth respect to support 42. In order to open the cover asseltlbl~ 51. that i.s to move the cover assembly in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, finger 55 is urged inwardly, thereby freeing the internal surface of slde portion 51c from finger 55. The cover assembly can then be moved slightly upwardly with hinye pin 5'2 trave1ing vertically in slot 42g. This movement enables the hooks 54 to move above receptacles 53, there~)y fre~ing the hooks from engagement with receptacles and enâbling the cover assem~ly to be opened.
In Fig. 2, there is shown the means when electrically energized for actuatir.g the releasing mearls~ check valve 48, to release a predetelmined amourlt of material frolm elonyated chamber 47~ The actuat;n~3 mearls includes motor 56 (Fig~ 9~ which drives gears 57 within gear box 58 (Fig. 8). The output driven gear 58a is coupled to shaft 59 upon which cam 60 is mounted. Cam 60 has high peripheral portion 60a and low peripheral portion 60b.

- ~ 3~ 25 Follower 61 of leaf switch 62 rides on the high and low portions of cam 60 as tlle cam is rotatecl. When Evllower 61 is on the high portion 60a, ~oliower 61 causes contac~ 62b to connect to contact 62a~ When the follower is on ths low portion 60b of cam 60, follower 61 enabls~ contact 62b to op~n with respect to contact 62a.of the leaf switch.
Cam 60 carries pivotally mounted roller 63. As shown in Fig. 2, roller 63 enyages up~er surface 64a of lever 64. As shown in Fiy. 4, lever 64 is pivotally mounted at the end thereof 64b by pin.s 64c which enya~e sockets 65a in support. 65, mounted upon the lower sur~ace of upper horizontal plate 42bo The means for displacing the defoL~lable wall porLion 47c of the elongated chamber 47 comprises pad 66 mounted on lever 64 by arm 66a. As cam 60 rotates in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2, roller 63 engage~ with upper surface 64a of lever 64 moves the lever in a clockwise direction. As a result, pad 66 advances to the left as shown in Fi.g. 3 ancl deorms the wall portion 47c of the elongated chamber 47. The decrease in the volume within the elongated chamber 47 with the up~er portion of the chamber closed by check or flapper valve 50 causes the pressure to increase within the chamber~ When ball 48a of check valve 48 is urged downwardly an~ off seat 48b, flow of material takes place throu~h the check valve.
As cam 6~ advances in a clockwise direction ~eyond the poæition shown in Fig. 3, ro:Ller 63 enables lever 64 to commence movement toward the rest position shown in Fig. 2. At this point, fo].lo~er 61 drops fro~ the high portion 60a of the cam to the low portion 6~b of the ca~ As shown in Fig. 2, when the follower 61 is on the low portion 60b of the cam, the follower opens contact 62b wit.h respect to contact 62a of leaf switch 62.
This places the motor under the control of circuit 74 of Fig. 11 for ultlmate eleckri.cal ener~izing of ~he motor. When the cam is rotated in a clockwise di.rection as vie-~ed in Fig. 2, follower 61 will move on to high portion 6~a in which follower 61 connects contact fi2b to contact 62a. When the cam moves clockwise from the position shown in F-.g. 3, follower 61 subsequently drops on to low portion 60b, thereb~ opening contacts 61a and 61b. There-after, the rotational momentuJn of the motor 56~ gears 57 and cam 60 cause the cam to continue to move to~ard the rest position shown in Fig. 2 in which follower 61 i9 engaged with the low portion 60b. The movemellt of the cam to the rest position shown in Fig. 2 is assisted by the engagement therewith of the upper portion 64a of lever 64. Thus, pad 66 i5 urged in a counter-clockwlse direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 in moYing from the position in Fig. 3 to that in Fig. 2 in response to the elastic forces of deformable wall portion 47c.
When the elongated chamber returns to its rest condition shown in Pi~. 2, the pressure therein is reduced with the result that check valve 48 closes, therehy ten~inating the dispensing of material from disposable container 46. At thfe same time the reduction ln pressure within the elongated chamber 47 enables flow to pass downwardly past flapl~er valve 50, thereby replenish-iny the material which is to be subsequently dispensed from the elongated chamber.
As shown in Fig. 2, block 67 having rounded portion 67a is slidably mounted on parallel tracks Ç8 which are disposed in opening 51c of front portion 51b of the cover assembly 51 ~Fig.
4). Clip 67a has hooks 67b which extend between tracks 68 and engage block 67 to secure it in place. ~lock 67 comprises means adjustably mount~d a~jacent the deformable wall portion 47c for limiting the change in the volume of the elongated chamber 47 in response to the deforming of the deformable wall portion. In Fig. 2, hlock 67 i3 shown in its maximum downward position. In this posi-tion, the .~inimum of movement of pad 66 by the movement of lever 64 in a clockwise direc'.ion will displace or deform wall portion 47~ of th~ elonyated chamber 47 until it is adjacent block 67. As a result, the pre~sure within the elongated chamber boneath the location of the block and pad will rapidly reach a pressure enabling flow to take place through check valve 48. In this position of block 67, the maximum amount of material is released.

~.3~ '~5 In the ~lternativ~, if block 67 is moved upwardly along track 68 to its up~ermost position adjacent flapper valve 50, the bloc~ will be displaced from the location alony the elongated chamber in which the deformable wall portion 47c is displaced by pad 66. In this condi~ion, the increase in pressure within the elongated chamber beneath the location of pad 66 will be at a reduced rate and accordinyly the point at which~the flow can be initiated through check valve 48 will be delayed. In this way, the a~ount of material to be dispensed is reduced to a minimum amount. As shown in FigO 4, there is provided cover 69 having tabs 69a for retaininy the cover with an opening 51c in order to mask the opening and to prevent unauthorized adjustment of block 67.
Support 42 at vertical plate 42a is provided with a contact 69 having a U-shaped portion ~9a which extends through a predetermirled one of a pl~rality of hollow bosses 42i mounted upon the vertical plate. Contact 69 is disposed in the leftmost boss 42i of the arran~ement of four bosses shown in Fig. 4. The leftmost boss correspc~nds to a Code l position for the leftmost receptacle 44. Thus, the U-shaped portion 69a of contact 69 when disposed in hollow boss 42i is selected to ke in a]ignment with one of the differellt optlonal positions of receptacles 44 within housing or casing 4~a of the disposable container assembly 43.
Since the leftmost receptacle 44 is to be used as shown in Fig. 4 as identi~ied by the position of openin~s 43c, contact 6g is in circuit with the battery or batteries within the leftmost receptacle 44. Th~ls, the selection of the location of contact 69 and receptacle 44 erlable the dispensing apparatus to be coded to a speciic disposable container asse~bly.
Front portion 51b of cover assembly 51 as shown in Fig.

2 is provided with a plurality of hollow bosses 70 which are in alignment respectivel~ with the hollow bosses 42i when the cover assembly is installed. One of the hollow bosses 70 carries a contact 71 which is ;.!1 alignmerlt with contact 69. The U-shaped portion 7ia of contact 71 is adapted to connect electrically to battery 45 withln receptacle 54 o the predetermined one of the 13(~'~7~

four locations within housing or casillg 43a of the disposable container assembly 43.
Contact 72 shown in Fig. 4 which is connected to battery contact 71 engages r_nd 73a of contact 73 when cover assembly 51 is closed. Contact 73 is mounted on the lower surface of horizontal plate ~2b. Whsn the cover assembly 51 is to be opened by first being moved slightly upward before being rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 4, the upward movement releases hook 73 from slot 72a of contact 72. In this way, the electrical circuit is opened, i.e., interlocked, thereby preventing operation of the dispensing apparatus when the cover assembly is open.
As shown in Fig. 2, the means responsive to an input signal for energizing the actuating means incllldes means for activating the means for actuating the releasing means with electrical energy in response to the proximity of a portion of the body of the user without the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus. Tha activating means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation such as light, e.g~, infrared light, from infrared light source 75 mounted in strut 76 extending downwardly from yaar box 58. The strut ex~-ends through passage 42; of support 42. Infrared light source 75 can comprise a light emitting diode (LED). A beam of infrared light 77 is directed toward an infrared sensor or receiver 78 which can comprise a phot:otransistor. As shown in Fig. 3, the fingers oE a user interrupt beam 77 of electromaynetic radiation such as infrared radiation from IR source 7S when the hand of the user is placed beneath check valve 48 from which material i8 released through port 48d.
The dispensing apparatus further includes means responsive to the proximity of a portion of the b~dy of a user ~ithout the portion of the body contact ng the dispensiny apparatus for enabliny the means for activating the means for actuatiny the releasiny means with electrical energy. The enablin~ means comprises a sensor of ambient light which is mounted upon prlnted circuit board 80 extendiny from gear box ~3(.~

58. As shown in E`iy. 3, the posltioning of the fingers of the user beneath sensor 79 reduces the level of am~ient light to which the sensor is exposecl. Accordinc31y, the sensing of the change in ambient light by sensor 7g can be used to activate the circuitry 74 (Fig. 11) o~ the dispensing apparatus which includes the means for activating the means for actuatin~ the releasing means. Phototransistor 8l, resistors 82, 83, and 84, capacitors 85, 86 and 87, and integrated circuit 88 vrm a differential comparator having a predetermined time constant. By way of example, the time constant can be approximately five seconds.
Phototransistors 81 can comprise an MRD370 phctotransistor.
Integrated circuit 88 can cc~prise a TLC251 integrated circuit.
The circuit is always in an energized state ~ith phototransistor 81 constantly sensing the level of ambient light adjacent the dispensiny apparatus. The phototransistor 81 is always energized; however, ambient light keeps its collector-emitter circuit turned of~ with the result that ~he input to integrated circuit 88 is low. When phototransistor 81 senses a sharp change in the ambient light le~el as whell a user places his hands beneath the dispensor apparatus, the input to integrated circuit 88 from phototransistor 81 goes high. As a result, the output of integrated clrcuit 88 goes high.
The infr~red light source 75 comprises LED 89. Inte-grated circuits '~ and 9l, resistors 9~, 33, 94 and 95 as well as ~capacitor 9h which are connected to transistor 97 which in turn drives the light e~litting diode or LED 89. 8y way o~ example, each of integrated circuits 90 and 91 can comprise onequarter of a quadruple 2-input ~asitive nand gate, such as a 74HC00.
Further by way of eY~.ample, the light emitting diode 89 can be a TL906-1. Transistor 97 in series with the LED ~9 can, ~y way of example, be an MPSA13. nue to the feedback of capacitor 96 and integrated circuits 30 and 91, the input signal to transistor 97 is a series of pulses~ In turn, translstor 97 dri~es LED 89 to produce light pulses.
When integra~:ed circuit 88 goes highr it also enables capacitor 98 by way of integrated circuits 99 and 100. Each of ~3Q4~725 integrated circuits 9'3 and 100 can be one-quarter of a quadruple 2-input positive nancl gate with open collector output, by way of example, a 74HC03.
The infrared light beam 77 from LE~ 89 by being pulsed is distinct ~rom any st~ay infrared light adjacent the dispensing apparatus. The pulsed irfrared light beam 77 is received by infrared sensor receiver 78 which can comprise a phototransistor 101. By way of e~ample, phototransistor 101 can be a TIL414 phototransistor. When phototransistor 101 receives pulsed infra-red beam 77, it holds capacitor 98 discharged by means of inte-grated circuits lO2 and 103 and resistor 103a. If pulsed infra-red beam 77 applied by LED 89 to phototransistor 101 is inter-rupted by the hand of a user as shown in Fig. 3, capacitor 98 ccmmences to charge by means of resistor 105. The charging of capacitor 98 exceeds the input threshold of the inputs 1~6a and 106b of inteyrated circu;t 106. By way of example, integrated circuit 106 may be a quadruple 2-input positive nand gate, such as a 74HC00. As a result, the output of integrated circuit 106 connected through capacitor 107 goes low. The low output of inte-~rated circuit lOÇ causes the output of the integrated circuit 10~ to go high for a time period determined by resistor 109 and capacitor 110. When the OlltpUt of integrated circuit 108 is high, it drives transistor 111 to an on condition which in turn switches motor 56 on. Cam 60 thereafter causes switch 62 to close, therehy shorting out transist~r lll for a time ~eriod determined by the high portion 6~a of the cam.
In summary, amhient light or approach sensor 79 compris-ing phototransistor 81 disahles infrared transmitter, i.e., IFD
89 and holds ca~acitor 98 discharged as long as a user does not approach the dispensing apparatus. In this ~ay, the energy of the battery power supply is conserved~ If the user approaches the dispensiny apparatus and places his or her hand near ambierit light sensor 79, i.e~, pho~otransistor 81~ the phototransistor 81 is turned on and enables the infrared transmitter LED 89 to transmit infrared pulses w~.ich fonn beam 77. If the interr~ption of ambient light is simp3y transient phototransistor 81 returns ~3~ 5 - ~.5 -to the qu.iescent state. When the user's hand remains adjacent the dispenser and internlpts beam 77 adjacent infrared receiver 78 comprising phototransistor 101, integrated circuits 99 and 100 then enabling capaci~.or 98 to be charged. When phototransistor 101 received infrared pulses from LED 89, it discharges capacitor 98. When the user interrupts i.nfrared beam 77 to phototransistor 101, capacitor 98 can then charge. ~hen capacitor 98 charges to a point approaching the output of integrated circuit 101, inte-grated circuit 106 goes low and integrated circuit 108 yoes high, thereby turning on transistor 111 to turn on motor 56. Capacitor 110 and resistor lC9 see a sharp change. As a result, the inte-yrated circuit 10~ is high for a brieE L~r;od of ti~ne which, by way of example, can be 300 milliseconds. Capaci~or 110 prevents recycling of motor 56 until the han~ of the user i.s removed from adjacent infrared receiver lOl.
It can be understood that circuit 74 of t.he invention enables the dispen.sing apparatus to b~ operated with batteries such as dry cells or primary batteries because of the low power consumption result:ing from the ~act that the c;.rcuit is substan-tially turned of.~ unti.l the approach of the user. Thus, ambient light at phototransistc)r 81, the approach sensor, prevents the operation of the LED transmitter 89. In the absence of pulsed infrared beam 77 at phototransistor 101, the portion of circuit 74 for driving transistor lll is similarly deenergized. Only the response of the approâch sensor, phototransistor 8l, to the approach of a user initiates the infrared transmitter, LED, 89 and only the interruption of the in~rared be~ to phototransistor 101 can result in t~e circuit turnin~ on transistor 111 to drive motor 56. As a result, the battery power supply which is integ-rated with the di.sposable container is sufficient to operate the dispenser fo~ the number of operations required to dispense the entire contents of the container~
The location of receptacle or tube 44 as shown in Fig. 6 at one of the four lc,cations in aliynment with openings 43c enable â disposable container a.ssembly 43 tc be conditioned or coded to release its content.s only in a dispensiny apparatus in ~3~

-- ~6 -which the contact~ 69 and 71 are positioned to connect to the batteries within one oL rreceptacles 44~ In the construction shown in Fig. 6, t.he follr available position~s for receptacles 44 provide four di.fferent coded selections. The arrangement of coding the dispensing apparatus and disposable containers can provide a means for enab].ing only an authorized container to be used with a given dispensing apparatus. The optional four coded selections can be increased to ei~ht ln the example oE Fi~. 6 if the batteri.es are reversed in polarity and the circuitry of the dispensing apparatus is electrically polarized.
In Fi.gs. 12 and 13, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in which a disposable container assembly can be conditioned to operate wi.th a predetermined selection of dispen-sing apparatus 112. As shown in Fig~ 12, dispensing apparatus 112 has a support 112a with a horizontal. plate 112b upon which bottom portion 113a o:E casing 113 is mounted. On horizontal plate 112b, there i5 disposed a plurality of contacts 114 which, by way of examp].e~ can be three rows of three contacts 114.
Disposable container assembly 1l.l contains one receptacle llS
having b3tteries 116.
As shown in Fig. 13, a contact 117 whi.ch is similar to door contact 72 shown in Fig~ 4 has portion 117a connected to batteries 116 and portion 117b adapted to be connected by lead 118 to a predetennined one of contacts 114. Printed circuit board 119 for the control circuit of the dispensing apparatus is connected by lead 120 to a different predetermined one of con-tacts 114. In additiorl, printed circuit board 119 is connected to cvntact 121 havin~ porti.on 121a in connection with battery 116. As shown in Fiy. 12, bottom portion ].13a of the container assembly 111 is provided with a pattern 122 formed by conductive material such as a printed circu.it conductive ink or the like which is shaped to connect the predetennined contact 114 to which lead 118 i~ connccted and the predetermined contact 114 to which lead 120 i.s connected. As a result, when the disposable contain-er assembly 111 Ls placed upon horizontal plate 112b of the support of the dispensi.ng apparatus, conductive pattern 122 ~ 31~4!~5 completes the circuit from battery 116 to printed circuit board 119. It can be understood that the various permutations of the plurality or array of contacts 114b re~uire a plurality of different patterns, each of which has a corresponding different conductive pattern 122.
In Fig. 13, lead 120a can be connected to any one of contacts 114, other than those to which pattern 122 is adapted to connect. If one attempted to defeat the coding provided by pattern 122 by placing a conductive sheet (e.g., metal foil) across the array of contacts 114, the lead 120a would short or short circuit circuit board 119, thereby preventing operation of the dispensing apparatus.
In Figs. 14 and 15, there is shown another embodiment of disposabls container assembly 123 of the invention. The dispos-able container assembly is adapted to be mounted upon a dispen-sing apparatus 124 comprising base portion 124a adapted to be mounted on wall 125 and having support 124b extending from the base portion 124a to cover 124c.
~ s shown in Fiy. ]9, the releasing valve assembly 126 which is adapted to be integrated with disposable container assembly 123 comprises threaded inlet portion 127 which is adapted to be engaged with threaded neck 123a of the container assembly. As shown in Fig. 15, release valve assembly 126 includes poppet valve 128 which in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 15, bears upon seat 129. Stem 130 of the poppet valve is provided with shoulder 130a which i5 enyaged by fork 131 connect-ed to sector gear 137.. ~he poppet valve is biased downwardly as shown in Fig. 15 by a resilient disk 133 which can be of elasto-meric material. In Fig. 16, resilient disk 133 can be seen deflected upwardly in response to the lifting cf the poppet valve by fork 131. It should be noted that resilient disk 133 serves the additional function of providiny a seal between the moving poppet valve and release valve housing 126.
As shown in Fig. 17, motor 134 drives pinion 135 which in turn drives reduction gear train 136, the output oE which is connected to sector gear 13~.

f~ZS

.
The circuitry for sensing the proximity of the hands of the user can be similar to that shown of circuit 74 in Fig. 11 for use with dispensing apparatus 124. Thus, as shown in Fig.
l5, there is provided a source of electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared light 137, which corresponds to infrared source 75 shown in Fig. 8. The receiver for the radiation from source 137 is infrared receiver 138 mounted in the release valve assembly 126. The pulsed beam 139 of infrared radiation as shown in Fig.
16 can be interrupted by the user's hand similarly as shown in Fig. 3. In addition, ambient light can be sensed by sensor 140 which is similar to ambient light sensor 7~ described above. As in the case of sensor 79, sensor 140 in response to a reduced ambient light level, when the user places his hands adjacent the dispensing apparatus, can energize the portion of circuit 74 which in turn energi~es the infrared source 137 and the circuitry responsive thereto.
As shown in Fig. 20, when cover 1~4c is raised, dispos-able container assembly 123 can be inserted into the dispensing apparatus 124. Relief va]ve assembly which includes receptacles 126a is disposed between side walls 124d of the dispensing apparatus 124. As shown in Fig. 20, batteries 141 such as primary or dry cell batteries are disposed in receptacles 126a.
When the disposable container assembly 123 is instalLed on the dispensing apparatus 124, door 124e can be closed. The door is provided with contacis 124f which abut batteries 141 within receptacles 126a. Circuitry not shown connects the batteries to the power supply of the control clrcuit similar to that of Fig.
11 .
Here it should be noted that the circuitry of Fig. 11 provides for the energization of motor 56 to terminate when cam 60 is rotated from the position in which follower 61 is on high portion 60a of the cam to low portion 60b of the cam. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 14-17, the electrical connection to motor 134 is opened when the pOsitiOIl of sector gear 132 as shown in Fig. 16 has been reached. Thereafter the resilient or elastic force of resilient disk 133 can reverse the movement of sector '1'7~

gear 132 and return lt to the ~osition ~llown in ~iy. 17 in whlch poppet valve 12~ is closed.
In Fig. 22, there i.6 shown dispensing apparatus 142 which includes a disposa~le dispensiny container 143. Disposable container assembly 143 includes container 143a and cap 143b.
Valve assembly 144 compri~es valve body 144a which is connected by threads to neck 144c of container 143a. Valve rod 144b car-ries poppet valve 144c which engages valve seat 144d of the valve body 144a. The upper end of the valve rod is provided with shoulder 144e which engages spring 144f. The spring kiases poppet valve 144c against the valve seat. The upper end or the valve rod 144b is also provided with shoulder 1449 which is engaged by a fork-shaped lever 145. The lever which is pivotally mounted about shaft 146 includes a follower 147 which engages the lower surface of roller 148 as viewed in Fig. 22~ Gear train 149 driven by motor 150 revolves roller 148 within a vertical plane which causes the follower 147 to mo~e downwardly as the roller mo~es downwardly as viewed in Fig. 22 to elevate the fork-shaped lever 145, thereby raising valve rod 144b.
As shown in Fig. 23, disposable container assembly includes receptacles 15] attached to one another by plates 152 and 153 which are attached to valve body 144a. Each oE the receptacles is adapted to carry at least one battery such as a primary battery or a dry-cell battery. Contacts 154 engage the end portion of each of the batteries withirl the receptacles.
In Fig. 24~ there is shown the dispenser assembly 142 which includes support 142a. The support engages adapter 142b for mounting the dispensilly assembly with respect to a vertical wall. Support 142a carries base 142c which contains well 142d haviny opening 142e through which the valve body 144a can extend.
The well also contains electrical contacts 155 in enyayement with the ends of the batteries within receptacles 151 which are disposed opposite contacts 154. Spacer 142f mounted upon adapter 142b supports fra~,e 142g which carries motor 150, gear train 149 and fork-shaped le~er 145. In Fig. 23, cover 142h vf the dispen-ser assembly is shown in its raised position in which it is 13~ 2S

adapted to enable the disposable container assembly 143 to be installed.
Motor 153 can be operated by circuitry similar to that shown in Fig. 11. Thus, the dispensing apparatus shown in Fig.
22 includes an infrared source 156 fo`r directing a beam of infra-red energy 157 toward infrared receiver 158. The dispensing apparatus 142 shown in Fig~ 22 also includes proximity sensor 159 which operates similarly as proximity sensor 79 shown in Fig. 2.
The proximity sensor 159 activates the circuitry as heretofore discussed above with respect to circuit 74 in Fig. 11, and infra-red sensor 158 in response to the interruption of beam 156 by the user's hands, actuates the operations of the dispensing appar-atus.
Another embodiment of the circuitry of ths invention is shown in Fig. 25. As shown in Fig. 3, the positioning of the fingers of the user beneath sensor 79 reduces the level of ambi-ent light to which the sensor is exposed. Accordingly, the sensing of the change in ambient light by sensor 79 can be used to activate the circuitry 75 (Fig. 25) of the dispensing appara-tus which includes the means for activating the means for actua-ting the releaslng means. Phototransistor 161, resistors 162, 163 and 164, capacitors 165, 166 and lh7, integrated circuit 168 form a differential comparator haviny a predetermined time con-stant. By way of example, the time constant can be approximately five seconds. Phototransistor 161 can comprise an MRD370 photo-transistor. Integrated circuit 168 can cc~prise a TLC251 integrated circuit. The circuit is always in an energized state with phototransistor 161 constantly sensing the level of ambient light adjacent the dispensing apparatus. The phototransistor 161 is always energized; Iowever, ambient light keeps its collector-emitter circui~ turned off with the result that the input to integrated circuit 168 i5 low. When phototransistor 161 senses a sharp change in ths ambient light level as when a user places his hands beneath the dispensing apparatus, the input to lntegrated circuit 168 from ~hototransistor 161 goes high~ As a result, the output of integrated circuit 168 goes high.

The infLared ligl-lt source 75 comprises LED 169. ~y way o~ example, LED source 169 can comprise a TIL906-1 light emitting diode. Nancl ~ates 170 and 17]., resistors 172, 173, 174 and 175 as well as capaci.tor ].78 are connected to transistor 177.
Transistor 177 in turn drives the light emitting diode or LED
169. By way of example, each nand yate 170 and 171 can comprise one-quarter of a quadruple 2-input positive nand gate, such as a 74CH00. Transistor 177 in series with the LED 169 can, by way of example, be a 2N2222. Due to the feedback of capacitor 176 and nand gates 170 ancl 171, the input signal to transistor 177 is a series of pulses. In turn, transistor 177 drives LED 168 to produce light pulses.
When integrated circuit 168 yoes high, nand 170 goes low, nand 171 goes hlgh, nand 179 goes low and nand 180 goes high. This enable.s capacitor 178. Each of integrated circuits 179 and 180 can be one-quarter of a quadruple 2-input positive nand gate with open collector output, suc.h as a 74HC03.
The infrared li-~ht beam 77 from LED 169 by being pulsed is distinct Erom any stray infrared light which may be received by infrared sensor receiver 78 which can comprise a phototran-sistor 181. By way of example, phototranslstor 181 can be a TIL414 phototran3i~tor. When phototransistor 181 receives pulsed infrared beam 77, it holds capacitor 178 discharged hy means of nand gates 179 and 18(), integrated circuits lQ2 and 103, and resistor 181.
If pulsed inrared beam 77 applied by LED 169 to photo-transistor 181 is intarrupted by the hand of a user as shown in Fig. 3, capacitor 178 commences to charge by means of resistor 183. The charging of capacitor 178 provides an input to pin 10 of retriggerabl.e monostable multivibrator with clear 186, which, by way of ex-ample, can be a MM74C221. In response to the input at pin 10, an output pulse at pin 5 is coupled to transistor 191 which is thereby turned on to drive motor 56.
The drive signal for motor 56 from pin 5 of monostable multivibrator 18~ to transistor 191 is also coupled to pin 14 of a programmable modulo N decade counter 192, which for example, can comprise a MM74HC4Q17. Thus the motor drive signal provides a clock input pulse to the decade counter 192 at pin 14. The output of the decade counter 1~2 is pin 3 which is normally high.
When the clock inpu~ comes in, pin 3 yoes low. By way of pin 9 of monostable multivibrator 193, the clock input triggers a first monostable timer which is one-half of the retriggerable mono-stahle multivibrator with clear 193, such, for example, a MM74HC221. The first timer has a time period of approximately S.6 seconds, for exa~ple.
nuring that tir,le period when the first timer goes high, the decade counter 191 wil] count any input of motor drive pulses which it receives at pin 14. If the decade countsr 191 receives more than, for example, three pulses itl a predetennined period of time, such as 5 6 seconds, during which the first timer is on, the decade counter 191 causes a second timer in monostable multi-vibrator 193 to fire which is the other half of monostable multi-vibrator 193. The second timer is Eired by a nand gate 194.
Nand gate 1~4 can be one-quarter of a quadruple 2-input position nand gate, for example a 74~C03. Thus, pin 7 of decade counter 192 is connected to one input of nand gate 194 and pin 5 of monostable multivibrator 193 is connected to the other input of nand gate 194. When nand gate 194 fires, it provides a delay pulse by means of the second timer of monostable multivibrator 193. Thus the output of nand gate 194 is conn~cted to pin 1 of monostable multivibrator 193. The output of the second timer at pin 4 is connected as an input along with the approach sensor input signa] from c~mparator 168 into nand 170~ As a result, the second timer of monostable multivibrator 193 will provide a timing period delay of about fifteen seconds during which the dispensing apparatus can not be triggered. This time duration can be made to be adjusta~le. In this way the dispensing device can be protected against improper use where a user would repeat-edly interrupt the sensiny beam in a short period of time to cause a number of closely spaced dispensing cycles.
Monostable rnultivibrator 195 has a variable resistor or potentiometer 195 to enable the drive pulse to mOtOL 56 to be t~J~ ?~j - ~.3 -adjusted in length and ~hereby the time durat on of the dispens-ing cycle~ Thus by means of adjusting the time duration of the drive signal to motor 56, the duration of a dispensiny cycle can be controlled. By way of example, a typical period for the drive signal of motor 56 can he selected to be from about one-half second to about one and one-half seconds. Similarly the time cycle of each of the two timers of monostable multivibrator 193 can be provided with potentiometers for setting their respective time cycles.
In summary when the input pulse to motor 56 goes high, pin 14 of the counter 192 goes high. Pin 3 which is the zero ou~put of the decade counter is normally high; however it will go low when the counter 192 is pulsed at pin 14. When pin 3 goes low, the first timer of half of the monostable multivibrator 193 will go on for approximately 5.6 seconds. During this period that the first half is on, if the decade counter 192 receives more than three pulses at pin 14~ pin 7 of the counter will go high. When pin 7 of the counter 192 goes high, it is coupled through an open collector nand gate 194 to which is collected the first timer haviny the 5.6 second time period. If both of those conditions are arrived at, i.e., the inputs to nand 194 are both high at the same time, then the output of the nand gate 194 will go high and fire the second time of nonstable multivibrator 193 which is the delay timer. When the delay timer goes high, its output at pin 4 disab]es the approach sensor nand ~ate 170.
Thereafter for a period of approximately fifteen seconds, the delay period, the dispensin~ unit can not be actuated. At the end of fifteen seconds, the circuit resets back to normal and thereafter can be actuated to dispense. Accordingly, excessive cycling of the dispenser is prsvented and yet after the fifteen second delay period, the dispenser is raset for proper use.
Switch 196 when it is in a grounded position short circuits capacitor i97. Nand gate 198 connects capacitor 197 to pin 15 of counter 191. The timer monostable multivibrator 193 can still go on, but the counter 191 fires the counter reset, thereby keeping the counter reset high so it can not count. Thus the counter circuitry can be disabled by s~itch 194.

:1 3~'7~

In Fiy. 2~, there is shown another embodiment of the electrical circuitry ~or the dispensing apparatus of the inven-tion. Rhototransistor 200, resistors 20l, 202, 203, and 204, capacitors 205, 206, 207 and 208r along with integrated circuit 209, fonm a differential comparator with an on-time constant, for example, of approximate]y five secor~s. Phototransistor 200 senses the ambient light level at the dispensing apparatus. When the phototransistor 200 senses a reduction in light in response to the placin~ of the hand of a user adjacent to the phototransistor in the dispensiny aparatus, the output of integrated circuit 209 goes high.
This condition enables an infrared transmitter circuit which includes resistors 210, 211, 212 and 213, transistor 214, light emitting diode 2157 capacitor 216, and two quarters 217 and 218 of an inteyrated circuit which can be a quadruple 2-input positive nand gate, such for example, a 74HC00. When the output of integrated circuit 209 goes high, it also causes input 219a of integrated circuit 219 to go hiyh thereby enabling light emitting diode or infrared transrnitter 215 to emit a stream of intrared pulses as shown by tne arrows in Fig. 26. The infrared pulses are sensed by phototransistor 220 which is connected to an infra-red receiver circuit includir-g resistors 221 and 222, and capacitor 22~.
A response cf phototransistor 220 to infrared pulses causes pulses to be applied to capacitor 223 and thereby to input 219b of integrated circuit 219. Integrated circuit 219 can be one-quarter of a 2~input positive nand gate, such ~or example, a 74HC00. Thus, input 219l~ goes alternately high and low with each pulse. The output oE integrated clrcuit 219 is coupled through resistor 224 to transistor 225. Transistor 2.25 has its collector connected to resistor 226 and capacitor 227. The pulses frcm integrated circuit 2l9 applied to the base of transistor 225 causes capacitor 227 to be he7d in a discharged state.
If the in~rared pulses Erom lED 215 beirg applied to phototransistor 220 are interrupted by the hand of a user adjacent to the dispensing apparatus, the input of 219b goes high ZS

while the output ~`rom i~tegrated Cil.cuit 209 connected to input 219a of integrated circuit 2l~ remain.s hlgh. The o~tput of integrated circuit 213 then goes low, causiny trar,sistor 225 to turn off and thereby allowing capacitor 2~7 to charge. When the voltage on capacitor 227 reaches the threshold of pin 2 of integrated circuit 228, pin 13 of integrated circui.t 228 goes high. Integrated circuit 228 is a dual monostable multivibrator which can ~)e, by way of example, an MM74HC221. Pin 13 of inte-grated circuit 228 is coupled by resistor 229 to the base of transistor 230. When p.i.n 13 goes high, it turns on transistor 230, thereby causlng motor 231 to turn on.
At the same ti~ne, pin 4 of ir,tegrated circuit 228 goes low, thereby causing pin 10 of integrated circuit 228 to go low.
~fter a predetenmined period of time, the low at pin 10 disables pin 13 of inteyrated circuit: 228 and cause~s pin 13 to go low.
Thus, the output from pin 12 of integrat:ed circuit 228 stays high for the predetermined period of time which, for example, can be approximately 300 mil~iseconds. This predetermined period of time allows mOtGr 231 to start even though cam switch 232 is in the position shown in Fig. 26 in ~hich switch 232 is connected to motor 23]. and the follower 232a for the cam switch is in low portion 23lb of c~m 231a.
Starting of the motor 231 causes rotation of the cam 231a connected to the motor. Cam 231a operates cam switch 232 by moving it from the position shown in Fig. 26 to the alternate position of the switch in whi.ch it is connected to ground and in which high portion 231c of. can 231a engageci Eollower 232a. In this way, cam switch 232 maintains motor 231 energized. After a revolution of the cam 23la by motor 231, follower 232a enters a lower portion 231b of cam 232 and SWitCtl 232 then returns to its original position shown in Fig. 26. Pin ~ o integrated circuit 228 is thereby caused to gv low. This in turn causes pin 5 of integrated CiL-CUit 228 to go high for a ti.me period which, by way of example, can be approximately 300 milliseconds. By means of resistor 233, the high at pin 5 of integcated circuit 228 turns on transistor 23~ which inturn switches 011 transistors 235 and ~ ~fi 236. In this way, transistor 236 shorts out the armature of motor 231 thereby inducing dynamic braking within the motor which immediately stop~ the rotatiorl oE motor 231. Thus it can be seen that the circuitry oL Fiq. 26 by means of the braking of motor 231 provides a positively determined stopped or rest position for motor 231 after the dispensing cycle has been completed. In this way, the circuitry positions motor 231 to be ready for the next dispensing cycle.

Claims (21)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for dispensing flowable material comprising:
a disposable container for holding flowable material to be dispensed, releasing means integrated with the container for releasing a predetermined amount of flowable material from the disposable container when the releasing means is actuated, said releasing means including an elongated chamber connected at one end portion thereof to the interior of the container with the end portion of the chamber having an opening therein, said chamber having a deformable wall portion disposed between its end portions, actuating means when electrically energized for displacing the deformable wall portion of the chamber for dispensing the flowable material, said actuating means including a pad disposed adjacent the deformable wall portion, a pivotably mounted lever for supporting the pad and an electrical motor coupled to the lever for moving the pad between a rest position and an operating position in which the pad displaces the deformable wall portion of the chamber; and means engaged with the pivotably mounted lever for deenergizing the electrical motor when the pad supported by the pivotably mounted lever is substantially in the operating position.

2. An apparatus for dispensing flowable material having a disposable, flexible container for holding flowable material to be dispensed, releasing means integrated with and disposable with the container for releasing a predetermined amount of flowable material from the disposable container when the releasing means is actuated, a disposable jacket in which is disposed said flexible container, said releasing means extending through a wall of the jacket so as to be located outside said jacket so that said releasing means can be actuated, actuating means when electrically energized for actuating the releasing means to release the predetermined amount of material and energizing means responsive to an input signal for energizing the actuating means; characterized in that at least one disposable receptacle is disposed within the jacket adjacent to, and disposable with the jacket and container, said receptacle receiving at least one electrical battery to electrically energize the dispensing apparatus and in which the apparatus further comprises means for providing an electrical connection to the at least one receptacle through a wall of said jacket.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that there is a plurality of disposable receptacles disposed adjacent to, and disposable with the disposable container, a predetermined fraction of the receptacles, less than one, being adapted to contain electrical batteries sufficient to electrically energize the apparatus for dispensing, and in which the means for providing an electrical connection to the at least one receptacle is adapted to be connected only to the predetermined fraction of the receptacles for transmitting electrical energy to the apparatus.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the disposable container is one of a plurality of different disposable containers and in which different predetermined fractions, less than one, of the plurality of receptacles being adapted to contain electrical batteries corresponds to a container which is a different predetermined one of the plurality of different disposable containers.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the energizing means responsive to an input signal for energizing the actuating means comprises photoelectric means for activating the actuating means with electrical energy in response to the proximity of a portion of the body of a user of the dispensing apparatus adjacent said photoelectric means without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus, further characterized by enabling means responsive to the proximity of a portion of the body of a user of the dispensing apparatus without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus for enabling the photoelectric means so that the actuating means will actuate the releasing means in response to the proximity of a portion of the body of a user adjacent said photoelectric means.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the photoelectric means is deenergized prior to being enabled by the enabling means, to thereby reduce the consumption of electrical energy.

7. A disposable device for holding flowable material which is to be released by a dispensing apparatus having an electrically energized actuating means, said disposable device comprising structure for forming a disposable, flexible container for holding flowable material to be dispensed, the container having an opening extending into the interior of the container, releasing means integrated with the container disposed adjacent the opening therein for releasing a predetermined amount of flowable material from the disposable container when the releasing means is actuated by the electrically energized actuating means, a disposable jacket in which is disposed said flexible container, further characterized by structure forming at least one receptacle disposed within the jacket adjacent to, and disposable with the container for receiving at least one electrical battery in the receptacle to electrically energize a dispensing apparatus having means for providing an electrical connection to the at least one receptacle, said jacket including means for permitting said electrical connection to be made to said at least one receptacle within the jacket.

8. The disposable device for holding flowable material in accordance with claim 7 characterized in that there is a plurality of receptacles disposed adjacent to, and disposable with the disposable container, a predetermined fraction of the plurality of receptacles, less than one, being adapted to contain electrical batteries sufficient to electrically energize the apparatus for dispensing, and in which the means for providing an electrical connection to the at least one receptacle is adapted to be connected only to the predetermined fraction of the receptacles for transmitting electrical energy to the apparatus.

9. A system for initiating operation of a dispensing apparatus in response to the proximity of a portion of the body of a user of the dispensing apparatus without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus, the dispensing apparatus having actuating means for dispensing material when electrically energized, comprising activating means for activating the actuating means with electrical energy, said activating means including sensing means adapted to be mounted on the dispensing apparatus for sensing electromagnetic radiation applied thereto when said activating means is enabled, and means responsive to a change in electromagnetic radiation sensed by the sensing means when the activating means is enabled and a portion of the body of the user is proximate to the sensing means without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus for applying electrical energy to the actuating means, characterized by enabling means adapted to be mounted on the dispensing apparatus and responsive to the proximity of a portion of the body of a user of the dispensing apparatus to the enabling means without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus for enabling the activating means.

19. The system in accordance with claim 9 in which the enabling means comprises detecting means mounted on the dispensing apparatus for detecting a change in ambient light applied thereto when a portion of the body of a user is proximate to the dispensing apparatus without the portion of the body of the user contacting the dispensing apparatus, the detecting of a change in ambient light by the detecting means enabling the activating means.

11. The system in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that the activating means is deenergized prior to being enabled by the enabling means to thereby reduce the consumption of electrical energy.

12. The system in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that the enabling means comprises detecting means fox detecting a change in ambient light applied thereto when a portion of a hand of a user is proximate to the detecting means, said enabling means enabling the activating means upon the detection of a change in ambient light.

13. The system in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that the enabling means for enabling the activating means enables said activating means for a predetermined period of time.

14. The system in accordance with claim 9 further characterized by means responsive to the occurrence of a predetermined number of actuations by the actuating means within a predetermined time interval for preventing operation of the actuating means subsequent to the occurrence.

15. An system in accordance with claim 14 characterized in that the means responsive to the occurrence of a predetermined plurality of input signals within a predetermined time interval for preventing operation of the actuating means comprises means for timing the extent of the predetermined interval, means for counting the plurality of input signals, and means for determining the counting of the predetermined plurality of input signals within the timing of the predetermined interval for preventing operation of the actuating means.

16. The system in accordance with claim 14 further characterized by means responsive to the means for preventing operation of the actuating means subsequent to the occurrence for enabling operation of the actuating means after the passage of a predetermined time period from the time of preventing operation.

17. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a device for dispensing material having a releasing means for releasing material to be dispenses and actuating means for actuating the releasing means to release the material characterized by means responsive to an input signal for actuating the actuating means for a predetermined cycle of operation of the releasing means; and disabling means responsive to the occurrence of a predetermined number of input signals within a predetermined time interval for preventing operation of the actuating means subsequent to the occurrence.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 which the disabling means is characterized by means for timing the extent of the predetermined interval, means for counting the plurality of input signals, and means for determining the counting of the predetermined plurality of input signals within the timing of the predetermined interval for preventing operation of the actuating means.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17, further characterized by enabling means responsive to the means for preventing operation of the actuating means subsequent to the occurrence for enabling operation of the actuating means after the passage of a predetermined time period from the time of preventing operation.

20. An apparatus for dispensing flowable material having a disposable container for holding flowable material to be dispensed, means integrated with the container for releasing a predetermined amount of flowable material from the disposable container when the releasing means is actuated, actuating means when electrically energized for actuating the releasing means to release the predetermined amount of material, said actuating means comprising an electrical motor, further characterized by braking means responsive to the advancement of the motor for braking said motor after the release of a predetermined amount of material.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20 in which the means for braking the electrical motor comprises means for dynamically braking the electrical motor.