FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a sensor based automatic
sanitizer vending machine.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Germs are everywhere. They can get onto hands and items we touch
during daily activities and make us sick. Cleaning hands at key times with soap
and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most
important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those
around us. In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic and the apprehension in
containing the spread of the same use of hand sanitizers has become a part of our
day to day life, that too a means to use it in a non-contact manner will be highly
appreciated.
[0004] Dispensers for dispensing liquid products, such as hand Soaps are
generally known. There are many types of dispensers or vending machines,
however, two common dispensers include a pump attached to a bottle wall
mounted or foot operated dispenser. With a pump attached to a bottle, the product
to be dispensed is located in the bottle and a pump is attached to the bottle such
that a user pushes on the top of the pump to dispense product out of the pump.
With a wall mounted dispenser, the dispenser is operated by a user walking up to
the dispenser and pushing a hand operated bar to dispense product.
[0005] A foot operated one though non-contact with hands, requires a peddle
to be pressed with legs and the liquid is dispensed out. These dispensers are often

placed in locations where hand care is important, or where the likelihood of
contacting microorganisms and other soils is high, for example in a public
restroom or hospital facility. Over time, the surface that a user contacts to
dispense product (i.e. the pump or the hand operated bar) becomes a source of
germs and contaminants. Therefore, it is desirable to have a dispenser where
operation of the dispenser is “hands free” so that a user does not have to touch the
dispenser in order to dispense product. It is against this background that the
present invention has been made.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need to develop a sensor based automatic
sanitizer vending machine to enable non-contact mechanism and prevent the
spread of harmful germs.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] A general object of the present disclosure is to develop a non-contact
sanitizer vending/dispensing machine.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to develop a non-contact
sanitizer vending/dispensing machine, which overcomes disadvantages of the
prior art(s).
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to develop a non-contact
sanitizer vending/dispensing machine, which is simple in construction.
[0011] Still another object of the present disclosure is to develop a non-
contact sanitizer vending/dispensing machine, which is user friendly.
[0012] This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed

description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a
preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a sensor
based automatic sanitizer vending machine. The concepts are further described
below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0014] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a automatic
sanitizer vending machine for non-contact dispense of sanitizer, the automatic
sanitizer vending machine comprising a primary end configured with plurality of
non-contact sensors to detect the presence of a target; a motor configured to rotate
once a signal is received from the plurality of non-contact sensors of the primary
end; a shaft of the motor is fitted with a disc and pin combined as a crank to
facilitate further movement mechanism; a connecting rod configured to transfer
the input from the rotation motion from the crank to a plunger; a fixed guide
member to guide the plunger in a manner to produce a to and fro linear sliding
motion, wherein the crank, the connecting rod, the plunger and the fixed guide
member combine to form a four-bar link mechanism; a spring push operated
bottle positioned vertically below the lower end of the plunger, wherein the
motion of plunger exerts a push to the spring push operated bottle in order to
facilitate the dispense mechanism; a support stand to act as a base and hold the
spring push operated bottle; a slot provisioned to vertically adjust the height of the
support stand; a housing to accommodate the primary end, the motor, the crank,
the plunger, the connecting rod, and the fixed guide member; and a plurality of
webs connected to the housing to be fastened to a fixed structure.
[0015] In an aspect, the plurality of non-contact sensors are preferably
proximity sensors.

[0016] In an aspect, the connecting rod is made of a material that can be steel,
carbon, iron, plastic, fibre, etc.
[0017] In an aspect, the housing is selected from materials like steel, carbon,
iron, plastic, fibre, etc.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description
of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which
like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like
numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of
example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems,
and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein,
wherein:
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates an illustrative view of the main functional
components, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates the front view of a sensor based automatic sanitizer
vending machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
DRAWINGS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to
clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided
herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
[0024] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised
that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of
the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects,
and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are
intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As
used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or
“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0026] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in
the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to
be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly
indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining
"first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or
implicitly.

[0027] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,
two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts
involved.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further
understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0029] In the present subject matter, a sanitizer dispenser/vending machine, its
construction method, the mechanism behind its operation is disclosed. The
machine is based on basic four bar link mechanism activated through a non-
contact sensor that is a sensor based model which receives signal from the user’s
hand when brought to its proximity and activates a four bar link mechanism. The
sliding member of the link pushes the sanitizer filled in a bottle. The bottle is
independent of this mechanism which means the bottle can be of any standard size
available in market can be used and the bottle does not for a part of mechanism.
[0030] Now reference may be made to Figure 1, which illustrates an
illustrative view of the main functional components of the automatic sanitizer
vending machine that comprises of a primary end (4) configured with plurality of
non-contact sensors to detect the presence of a target. The plurality of non-contact
sensors detects the presence of an object, which in the present case is a user’s
hand and transmits a signal to the motor (3). The motor (3) is configured to rotate
once a signal is received from the plurality of non-contact sensors of the primary
end (4). The shaft of the motor (3) is fitted with a disc and pin combined as a
crank (2) to facilitate further movement mechanism.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates the front view of a sensor based automatic sanitizer
vending machine. A connecting rod (5) is configured to transfer the input received
from the rotation motion from the crank (2) to a plunger (7). A fixed guide
member (6) is installed in order to guide the plunger in a manner such that a to
and fro linear sliding motion is produced, wherein the crank (2), the connecting
rod (5), the plunger (7) and the fixed guide member combine to form a four-bar
link mechanism.
[0032] A spring push operated bottle (8) is positioned vertically below the
lower end of the plunger (7) in order to ascertain the motion of plunger exerts a
push to the spring push operated bottle (8) that further facilitates the sanitizer
dispense mechanism. A support stand (9) is provided that acts as a base for spring
push operated bottle (8) and holds it to provide a firm support.
[0033] A slot (10) is provisioned to vertically adjust the height of the support
stand (9) that helps in accommodating different sizes of the spring push operated
bottle (8). A housing (1) accommodates the functioning components of the
automatic sanitizer dispensing machine that includes the primary end (4), the
motor (3), the crank (2), the plunger (7), the connecting rod (5), and the fixed
guide member (6); and a plurality of webs (11) connected to the housing (1) to be
fastened to a fixed structure.
[0034] Advantages of the Present Invention:
> Fully non-contact in nature
> Portable
> The liquid can be refilled with ease
> Different size of sanitizer bottle as available in the market can be used
> Less maintenance required
> Simple in construction

[0035] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It
will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and
functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or
applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure
as encompassed by the following claims.
[0036] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other
features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other
different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be
subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be
encompassed by the following claims.
[0037] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention,
other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing
from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the
claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments,
versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill
in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and
knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We Claim:
1. An automatic sanitizer vending machine for non-contact dispense of
sanitizer, the automatic sanitizer vending machine comprising:
a primary end (4) configured with plurality of non-contact sensors to
detect the presence of a target;
a motor (3) configured to rotate once a signal is received from the
plurality of non-contact sensors of the primary end (4);
a shaft of the motor (3) is fitted with a disc and pin combined as a
crank (2) to facilitate further movement mechanism;
a connecting rod (5) configured to transfer the input from the rotation
motion from the crank (2) to a plunger (7);
a fixed guide member (6) to guide the plunger to produce a to and fro
linear sliding motion, wherein the crank (2), the connecting rod (5), the
plunger (7) and the fixed guide member combine to form a four-bar link
mechanism;
a spring push operated bottle (8) is positioned vertically below the
lower end of the plunger (7), wherein the motion of plunger exerts a push
to the spring push operated bottle (8) in order to facilitate the dispense
mechanism;
a support stand (9) to act as a base and hold the spring push operated
bottle (8); and
a housing (1) to accommodate the primary end (4), the motor (3), the
crank (2), the plunger (7), the connecting rod (5), and the fixed guide
member (6).

2. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the plurality of non-contact sensors are preferably proximity sensors.
3. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein
the target is preferably a user’s hand.
4. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein
the connecting rod (5) is made of a material including steel, carbon, iron,
plastic, fibre.
5. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein
the housing (1) is made of material including steel, carbon, iron, plastic,
fibre.
6. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claims 1-5,
wherein a slot (10) is provisioned to vertically adjust the height of the
support stand (9);
7. The automatic sanitizer vending machine, as claimed in claims 1-6,
wherein a plurality of webs (11) are connected to the housing (1) to be
fastened to a fixed structure.