Soap dispenser with soap holder with sweeping protrusions

Abstract

A soap dispenser (100) for forming w scrapings of a solid piece of soap (202), the soap dispenser comprising: - a dispenser housing (102); - a soap holder (104) with a soap holder body (105) defining a soap reception volume (163) for holding one or more solid pieces of soap (202), the soap holder body surrounding a centreline (101), and the soap holder being coupled to the dispenser housing; - a scraping module (106) comprising at least one scraping member (108) for scraping scrapings from the solid piece of soap, wherein the soap holder is rotatable relative to the scraping module; - an actuation mechanism (110) for rotating the soap holder relative to the scraping module, wherein the soap holder further comprises one or more sweeping protrusions (210) protruding radially inward towards the centreline.

Description

[0001] P138253PC00

[0002] Title: Soap dispenser with soap holder with sweeping protrusions

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The aspects and embodiments thereof relate to the field of dispensers for solid pieces of soap.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Soap is used in many applications, including for washing one’s hands.

[0007] When provided as a solid block, the soap often is exposed to the environment, leaving it prone to loss of quality. Furthermore, a solid block is often used in combination with water, leaving the user with a wet and slippery block of soap which is hard to store. When soap dissolved in water is used in portable soap dispensers, not only does the soap have to be transported but also the water in which the soap is dissolved, resulting in inefficient transport.

[0008] NL2020372 discloses a soap dispenser which allows a user to scrape scrapings of soap of a piece of soap while holding the dispenser in one hand. With the other hand, part of the dispenser may be rotated which causes the scrapings to be scraped of the piece of soap. This process may be performed before wetting the hands, and thus prevent contact between the piece of soap and water. Furthermore, the dispenser substantially encloses the piece of soap and therewith prevents contact between the soap and water, dirt, and other contaminating factors. The dispenser may be closed during transportation to prevent soap ending up in the bag or purse in which the dispenser is carried around.

[0009] NL2029060 discloses a soap dispenser assembly comprising a soap dispenser and at least two pieces of soap. The at least two pieces of soap each comprises a top surface and a bottom surface and can be stacked thereby rotationally coupling the pieces of soap in at least one direction via lockingprofiles. The soap dispenser comprises a soap holder arranged to contain, and rotationally couple, the pieces of soap in a stacked position, a knife-blade module and a biasing module. The top surface of an upper most piece of soap interfaces with the biasing module. The bottom surface of a lower most piece of soap interfaces with the knife-blade module. The biasing module is arranged to bias the at least two pieces of soap towards the knife-blade module. The knife-blade module comprises at least one blade arranged to scrape the bottom surface of the second piece of soap upon rotation of the soap holder with the at least two pieces of soap relative to the knife-blade module.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] Although the known dispensers from NL2020372 and NL2029060 already provide for convenient dispensing of scrapings of a solid piece of soap, it remains an object to provide alternative soap dispensers and / or methods of dispensing scrapings from a solid piece of soap and / or to improve on known soap dispensers and / or methods.

[0012] In particular, improvements may be found for example in reducing the amount of soap scrapings left in the soap dispenser. It has been found that scrapings of soap may not leave the dispenser after actuating the soap dispenser to form and dispense the scrapings. After a number of actuations, the scrapings may heap up inside the soap dispenser. This heaping up may in turn adversely affect the workings of the soap dispenser in forming and / or dispensing scrapings of soap.

[0013] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a soap dispenser for forming and dispensing scrapings of a solid piece of soap. The soap dispenser comprises a dispenser housing, a soap holder with a soap holder body defining a soap reception volume for holding one or more solid pieces of soap, the soap holder body surrounding a centreline. The soap holder is coupled to the dispenser housing, which generally implies that for at least one degree of freedom of the soap holder is coupled to the dispenser housing.Other one or more degrees of freedom may not be coupled, as for example the soap holder may be rotated over the centreline relative to the dispenser housing.

[0014] The soap dispenser further comprises a scraping module comprising at least one scraping member for scraping scrapings from the solid piece of soap, wherein the soap holder is rotatable relative to the scraping module. The soap dispenser further comprises an actuation mechanism for rotating the soap holder relative to the scraping module.

[0015] According to the first aspect, the soap holder further comprises one or more sweeping protrusions protruding radially inward towards the centreline. By virtue of the sweeping protrusions, scrapings of soap may be swept out of the dispenser housing. Such scrapings of soap may otherwise accidentally build up in the dispenser housing as the soap dispenser is used to form and dispense soap.

[0016] The soap holder may in general be formed by a single body, and thus the sweeping protrusions may be formed with the soap holder as a single body. However, in the present disclosure, the wording “the soap holder further comprises one or more sweeping protrusions” also includes embodiments in which the one or more sweeping protrusions are comprised by a separate body separate from the soap holder. The separate body which comprises the one or more sweeping protrusions can be coupled to rotate with the soap holder, such that a rotation of the soap holder about the centreline results in the same rotation of the one or more sweeping protrusions about the centreline.

[0017] The dispenser housing, or in short: housing, generally refers to a structural component of the soap dispenser. In general, the housing may be connected or mounted to a further element, such as a vertical wall, for example in a bathroom, kitchen, or toilet room. The dispenser housing may function as the fixed world for further components of the soap dispenser, such as the soap holder, actuation mechanism, and scraping module.It will be understood that any soap dispenser may comprise the one or more pieces of soap in the soap reception volume. For example, two or more pieces of soap may be stacked inside the soap reception volume.

[0018] The one or more sweeping protrusions are typically positioned between the dispenser housing and the scraping module. In use, in general, the one or more sweeping protrusions are positioned below the soap reception volume and / or one or more pieces of soap.

[0019] Preferably, the dispenser housing comprise an exit opening for scrapings of soap. In use, the one or more pieces of soap are typically positioned at least in part above the exit opening, and scrapings of soap scraped from the one or more pieces of soap can leave the dispenser housing through the exit opening. Furthermore, the exit opening may be used as an exit for any scrapings which are swept towards the exit opening by one or more sweeping protrusions.

[0020] When rotating the soap holder relative to the dispenser housing, when the dispenser housing comprise an exit opening, selectively one of the one or more sweeping protrusions can be aligned and misaligned with the exit opening. A surface area of the exit opening may be entirely or partially covered by a sweeping protrusions which is aligned with the exit opening.

[0021] In general, the one or more sweeping protrusions may be supported on the dispenser housing or may be at a distance of at most 2 mm from the dispenser housing. As such, the one or more sweeping protrusions may engage scrapings of soap which are supported on the dispenser housing, and the one or more sweeping protrusions may sweep these scrapings out of the dispenser housing, preferably via the exit opening, as the soap holder is rotated relative to the dispenser housing. Since the soap holder is rotated relative to the dispenser housing in typical use of the soap dispenser, no further actuation mechanism is required for the sweeping, next to the regular desired forming and dispensing of the scrapings of soap.For any soap dispenser, any soap holder, and any sweeping protrusion, the sweeping protrusion may have a pocket therein, which pocket faces away from the soap holder body. Any pocket may be surrounded by a perimeter wall, which surrounds part of the pocket and leaves an opening into the pocket. In use, scraping of soap may accumulate in the pocket via the opening, and can as such be swept towards the exit opening as the soap holder is rotated relative to the dispenser housing.

[0022] For any of the one or more sweeping protrusions, the pocket may be surrounded by a perimeter wall, which surrounds part of the pocket and leaves an opening into the pocket. A distal end of the perimeter wall may have one or more bevelled or chamfered edges.

[0023] Any actuation mechanism of any soap dispenser may be arranged to rotate the soap holder relative to the scraping module in an actuation direction, and the openings of the perimeter protrusions may face in the actuation direction in order to allow scrapings of soap left on the dispenser housing to enter the pocket of the sweeping protrusion. Preferably, but not necessarily, the actuation mechanism is arranged for rotating the soap holder only in a single rotational direction about the centreline, for example by using a one-way clutch.

[0024] The actuation mechanism is arranged to rotate the soap holder relative to the scraping module in an actuation direction, at may optional not allow for rotation of the soap holder relative to the scraping module in a direction opposite to the actuation direction. For the one or more sweeping protrusions, the opening into the pocket preferably faces in the actuation direction. As such, scrapings of soap may enter into the pocket as the soap holder is rotated relative to the dispenser housing.

[0025] In general, the actuation mechanism may be arranged such that a single actuation of the actuation mechanism results in a predefined maximum angle of rotation of the soap holder around the centreline, and the number of sweeping protrusions of the soap holder corresponds to 360 degreesdivided by the predefined maximum angle, in particular wherein the soap holder comprises three, four, five, or six sweeping protrusions. The maximum angle of rotation may be set in an electronic controller when the actuation mechanism comprises an electric motor. When the actuation mechanism receives input energy from a human operator, using for example a rack-and-pinion together with a one-way clutch may result in the predefined maximum angle of rotation for a single actuation of the actuation mechanism.

[0026] The scraping module generally comprises a scraping module body, and a scraping member connected to or formed by the scraping module body. The scraping member has a sharp distal end for forming scrapings. The scraping module body may be generally shaped as a truncated cone, wherein the scraping module body is tapered in a direction away from a top surface of the scraping module body. Preferably, the dispenser housing comprises an inner bottom surface which is at least partially shaped complementary to the scraping module body. As such, for example, a compact soap dispenser may be obtained.

[0027] Any scraping module may comprise a number of support protrusions, in particular three distinct support protrusions. The scraping module may be supported onto the dispenser housing via the support protrusions, in particular only via the support protrusions.

[0028] Additionally, or alternatively, any scraping module may comprise a support circular protrusion which protrudes from a scraping module body in a direction away from the reception volume of the soap holder. In particular, the support protrusions may protrude from the support circular protrusion.

[0029] Additionally, or alternatively, the scraping module may comprise a central circular protrusion which protrudes from a scraping module body in a direction away from the reception volume of the soap holder. In the central circular protrusions, one or more keying indentations may be formed which in use can mate with one or more corresponding keying protrusions of thedispenser housing. Alternatively, the one or more keying protrusions may be formed by the central circular protrusions, and the dispenser housing can form the corresponding one or more keying indentations.

[0030] When the scraping module body comprises the support circular protrusion and the central circular protrusion, the support circular protrusion may be positioned at a larger radius relative to the centreline than the central circular protrusion. Additionally, or alternatively, the central circular protrusion extends further away from the scraping module body than the support circular protrusion , contributing to the scraping module body being generally shaped as a truncated cone.

[0031] As a further option for any scraping module, the scraping module comprises an outer circular protrusion which protrudes from a scraping module body in a direction away from the reception volume of the soap holder. The outer circular protrusion is typically at a greater radius from the centreline than the optional support circular protrusion and / or central circular protrusion.

[0032] When the scraping module comprises a scraping member with a sharp end, the scraping module may comprise a scraping module body with an opening at a perimeter of the scraping module body, wherein the sharp end is positioned above the opening. As such, in typical use, scraping of soap formed by the sharp end may fall through the opening to end up below the scraping module. Optionally, at one or both sides, the opening may be bound by one or more radial ribs. The one or more radial ribs protrude from the scraping module body in a direction away from the reception volume of the soap holder, wherein the one or more radial ribs extend away from the centreline. Any radial rib may be oriented approximately radial, or at least at an angle relative to a circumferential direction relative to the centreline.

[0033] When the scraping member has a sharp end, and the dispenser housing comprises an exit opening, the sharp end may be positioned above the exit opening such that scrapings of soap formed at the sharp end candirectly fall through the exit opening. However, it is also envisioned that the sharp end is not positioned above the exit opening, because scrapings of soap formed may be swept towards the exit opening by virtue of the one or more sweeping protrusions.

[0034] For any soap dispenser, the one or more sweeping protrusions may extend from a non-zero first radius relative to the centreline, and the dispenser housing may extend from a non-zero second radius relative to the centreline, which second radius is smaller than the first radius. Thus, the sweeping protrusions may be positioned radially outwards relative to a central opening in the dispenser housing. In the radial direction relative to the centreline, the one or more sweeping protrusions overlap with at least part of the dispenser housing.

[0035] The dispenser housing may for any soap dispenser comprise an inner upright wall, and the scraping module may be at least partially positioned around the inner upright wall. The scraping module may be rotationally fixed to the inner upright wall.

[0036] In general, any circular protrusion disclosed herein may fully surround a centreline of the scraping module body, or may surround this centreline for less than 360 degrees, for example between 280 and 350 degrees, in particular between 300 and 330 degrees. Any circular protrusion may be precisely shaped according to an annulus, or may approximately resemble an annulus. Any circular protrusion associated with the scraping module body may be integrally formed with the scraping module body. Any circular protrusion may be interrupted by an opening in the respective body from which the circular protrusion protrudes.

[0037] Preferably, for any soap dispenser, the dispenser housing comprises a circular supporting member around the centreline, and for the one or more sweeping protrusions, the radial end of the sweeping protrusion is adjacent to the circular supporting member or abuts the circular supporting member. In use, the one or more sweeping protrusions may sweep along thecircular supporting member. An outer radius of the circular supporting member may correspond to an inner radius of the sweeping protrusions. The outer radius corresponding to the inner radius implies at most 5 mm, preferably at most 2 mm difference between the two radii.

[0038] The circular supporting member may fully encircle the centreline, or, in particular when the dispenser housing comprises an exit opening, the circular supporting member may end at the exit opening. Depending on the size of the exit opening, the circular supporting member may thus span an arc of less than 360 degrees around the centreline, for example between 280 and 350 degrees, in particular between 300 and 330 degrees.

[0039] In general, the dispenser housing, soap holder, scraping module, and / or piece of soap, in any combination thereof, may have the same centreline.

[0040] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming and dispensing scrapings of soap from a solid piece of soap. The method may be performed using any soap dispenser according to the first aspect.

[0041] The method comprises: providing a soap holder holding a piece of soap, such that a rotation of the piece of soap around a centreline of the piece of soap is coupled to a rotation of the soap holder, and wherein the soap holder is positioned in a dispenser housing, rotating the soap holder relative to a scraping module to form the scrapings of soap, and allowing the scrapings of soap to exit the dispenser housing. For forming the scrapings, the piece of soap can be forced against the scraping module, in particular a scraping member of the scraping module.

[0042] In the method, one or more sweeping protrusions of the soap holder rotate relative to the dispenser housing when rotating the soap holder relative to the scraping module.

[0043] In the method, the one or more sweeping protrusions of the soap holder may sweep scrapings out of the dispenser housing while the soapholder is rotated relative to the scraping module. The scrapings may be swept towards an exit opening of the dispenser housing, where they can fall out of the dispenser housing.

[0044] When the soap holder is rotated by an actuator mechanism, a single full actuation of the actuator mechanism may result in a rotation of the soap holder of 360 degrees divided by the number of sweeping protrusions comprised by the soap holder. As such, it may for example be ensured that a position of the one or more sweeping protrusion relative to the exit opening remains essentially the same after any number of full actuations.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] In the figures,

[0047] Fig. 1A shows an assembly of a soap holder and a dispenser housing, in a perspective front view;

[0048] Fig. IB shows the assembly of Fig. lAin a perspective rear view; Fig. 1C shows a soap dispenser in a perspective bottom view;

[0049] Fig. 2 A and 2B show an example of a soap holder, respectively in a perspective view and a top view;

[0050] Fig. 3A shows the soap holder of Fig. 2A in a perspective bottom view, and Fig. 3B shows a detail of part of Fig. 3A focussing on a single sweeping protrusion;

[0051] Fig. 4A shows a section view of the soap dispenser of Fig. 1A approximately over line A schematically indicated in Fig. 1A;

[0052] Figs. 4B and 4C show a detailed view of part of the soap dispenser indicated schematically with the dashed rectangle in Fig. 4A;

[0053] Fig. 5 shows a section view of the soap dispenser 100 of Fig. 1A approximately over line B schematically indicated in Fig. 1A;

[0054] In Figs. 6A-6D, the soap dispenser is shown being assembled in a number of steps;Figs. 7A-7C show an example of a scraping module, respectively in a side view, perspective bottom view, and a bottom view;

[0055] Fig. 8 A shows a top view of a soap holder and a scraping module positioned in the soap holder; and

[0056] Fig. 8B shows another top view of a soap holder and a scraping module positioned in the soap holder;

[0057] Fig. 9 shows the soap dispenser of Fig. 1A in a section view, sectioned approximately over line C as indicated in Fig. 1A.

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Fig. 1A shows an assembly of a soap holder 104 and a dispenser housing 102, in a perspective front view. The soap holder 104 and dispenser housing 102 form part of a soap dispenser 100. The soap dispenser is a soap dispenser for forming and dispensing scrapings of a solid piece of soap.

[0060] Fig. IB shows the assembly in a perspective rear view. The dispenser housing 102 has a soap holder reception space 162 in which the soap holder 104 can be positioned. In general, it is preferred that the soap holder 104 is supported by the dispenser housing 102 such that soap holder 104 can be rotated about centreline 101 relative to the dispenser housing. As very schematically indicated in Fig. IB, the soap dispenser 100 may further comprise an actuation mechanism 110. The actuation mechanism 110 is rotationally coupled to the soap holder 104 to rotate the soap holder 104 relative to the dispenser housing 102. For the rotational coupling, the soap holder 104 may be provided with a toothing 134. Preferably, the toothing 134 is provided around the entire circumference of the soap holder 104. The toothing 134 may be accessible through an opening 135 in the dispenser housing 102.

[0061] In general, for any soap dispenser 100 of the present disclosure, the actuation mechanism 110 is arranged for rotating the soap holder relative to the dispenser housing 102 and / or relative to a scraping module 106. Theactuation mechanism may comprise a motor for rotating the soap holder. Alternatively, the actuation mechanism may be manually operable, and may thus receive kinetic energy from a human user, which energy is converted into a rotation of the soap holder. The actuation mechanism 110 may be coupled to the dispenser housing 102. The actuation mechanism 110 may comprise a gear with toothing that is mated with the toothing 134 of the soap holder 104.

[0062] The actuation mechanism 110 is preferably arranged such that a single actuation of the actuation mechanism 110 results in a predefined angle of rotation of the soap holder 104 around the centreline 101. The predefined angle is preferably the result of dividing 360 degrees by an integer, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more. The predefined angle may thus be respectively 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 120 degrees, 90 degrees, 72 degrees, 60 degrees, or less. The predefined angle may be achieved for example by designing the toothing 134 of the soap holder 104 together with the toothing of a gear of the actuation mechanism 110 which is mated with the toothing 134 of the soap holder.

[0063] In general, any soap dispenser of the present disclosure may be mountable to a vertical wall, with the centreline 101 approximately parallel to the vertical wall. The dispenser housing 102 may be covered by a lid 130, which lid 130 is positioned above the soap holder 104. The dispenser housing 102 may in general comprise any further housing part not shown in the figures.

[0064] Fig. 1C shows the soap dispenser 100 in a perspective bottom view. Fig. 1C shows the dispenser housing 102 with a rear housing part 102’ with which the dispenser housing 102 can be mounted to a generally vertical wall, for example using screws 103 as mounting elements. From this bottom view, an exit opening 150 in the dispenser housing is visible. In use, the exit opening 150 may be oriented generally horizontally.

[0065] Fig. 2A and 2B show an example of a soap holder 104, respectively in a perspective view and a top view. The soap holder 104 comprises as apreferred option the toothing 134 around the entire circumference of the soap holder 104. The soap holder 104 has a soap reception volume 163 in which one or more solid pieces of soap can be positioned.

[0066] As a particular option, the soap holder 104 comprises one or more, for example two, radially inward keying protrusions 205 arranged to in use mate with keying indentations of one or more pieces of soap, to couple rotation of the soap holder 104 around the centreline 101 to a rotation of the piece of soap.

[0067] The soap holder 104 comprises a soap holder body 105, which has a generally cylindrical shape with an upright wall 107 surrounding the centreline 101. The optional keying protrusions 205 may protrude from an inward facing face of the upright wall 107.

[0068] According to the present disclosure, the soap holder 104 comprises one or more, in particular five, sweeping protrusions 210, which protrude radially inward towards the centreline 101. Radial distal ends of the sweeping protrusions 210 may be aligned on radius r4.

[0069] Fig. 3A shows the soap holder 104 of Fig.2A in a perspective bottom view, and Fig. 3B shows a detail of part of Fig. 3A focussing on a single sweeping protrusion 210. It is generally preferred that the sweeping protrusions 210 of a soap holder are shaped essentially the same or at least similar to each other.

[0070] Arrow A indicates the preferred rotational direction of the soap holder 104 about centreline 101. As indicated in Fig. 3B, with respect to this preferred rotational direction, a leading side 241 and a trailing side 242 of the sweeping protrusion 210 can be identified.

[0071] As an optional feature for any sweeping protrusion 210, as indicated in Fig. 3B, a pocket 240 can be formed in a bottom side of the protrusion 210. The bottom side generally faces away from the soap reception volume 163. The pocket 240 is open at the leading side 241.As a particular option, depicted in Fig. 3B, the pocket 240 is at the traihng side 242 and / or an inner side 244 surrounded by a perimeter wall 245. Preferably, the perimeter wall 245 leaves an opening into the pocket at the leading side 241. The perimeter wall 245 may be curved to follow a curvature of the dispenser housing 102, in particular a curvature of an inner bottom surface 109 of the dispenser housing 102. In general, the perimeter wall 245 may in use be supported on the dispenser housing 102, in particular on the inner bottom surface 109, or the perimeter wall 245 may be at a small distance from the dispenser housing 102, in particular the inner bottom surface 109. The small distance may be 5 mm or less, or even 2 mm or less.

[0072] Fig. 4A shows a section view of the soap dispenser 100 of Fig. 1A approximately over line A schematically indicated in Fig. 1A. Figs. 4B and 4C show a detailed view of part of the soap dispenser 100 indicated schematically with the dashed rectangle in Fig. 4A. Fig. 4B shows the soap holder 104 and the dispenser housing 102, and Fig. 4C shows the dispenser housing 102 without the soap holder 104.

[0073] In Figs. 4B and 4C, part of a circular supporting member 121 of the dispenser housing 102 is shown. The circular supporting member 121 generally surrounds the centreline 101, and may encircle the centreline 101 about any angle, for example 360 degrees or less. For example, the circular supporting member 121 may be interrupted by the exit opening 150.

[0074] In Figs. 4B and 4C, a single sweeping protrusion 210 of the soap holder 104 is shown. As can be seen, as a preferred option for any soap dispenser and any sweeping protrusion, a radial inner end 125 of the sweeping is adjacent to the circular supporting member or abuts the circular supporting member. Adjacent here implies that less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm of radial distance is present between the inner radial end 125 and the circular supporting member 121.

[0075] As a further option visible in Figs. 4B and 4C, the sweeping protrusion 210 can be supported onto an inner bottom surface 109 of thedispenser housing 102. In general, at least part of the inner bottom surface 109 may be at an angle relative to the radial direction with respect to the centreline 101, for example at an angle between 10 and 40 degrees. More in general, the inner bottom surface or at least part thereof may resemble the shape of a lateral outer surface of a truncated cone. When the sweeping protrusion 210 comprises a perimeter wall 245, the perimeter wall 245 may be supported onto the inner bottom surface 109.

[0076] Fig. 5 shows a section view of the soap dispenser 100’ of Fig. 1A approximately over line B schematically indicated in Fig. 1A. From Fig. 5, it can for example be derived that the sweeping protrusions 210 are positioned radially outward from the circular supporting member 121, relative to the centreline 101. As such, scrapings of soap which accidentally end up radially outward from the circular supporting member 121 on the inner bottom surface 109 can be swept towards the exit opening 150 when the soap holder, and therewith the sweeping protrusions 210, is rotated relative to the dispenser housing 102.

[0077] In Fig. 5, a non-zero first radius r4 and a non-zero second radius r5 are indicated. The sweeping protrusions extend from the non-zero first radius r4 relative to the centreline 101, and the dispenser housing as an option extends from a non-zero second radius r5 relative to the centreline, which second radius is smaller than the first radius. By virtue of the non-zero second radius r5, an opening is formed in the dispenser housing through which one or more further components of the soap dispenser may extend.

[0078] Fig. 5 further shows as an option for any dispenser housing 102 that the dispenser housing 102 comprises an inner upright wall 273. In use, the scraping module may be at least partially positioned around the inner upright wall. The inner upright wall 273 may comprise one or more keying protrusions 269’ which can mate with keying indentations 269 of the scraping module to lock rotation of the scraping module to the dispenser housing. Theinner upright wall 273 may be a circular protrusion, encircling the centreline 101 and surrounding an opening through the dispenser housing.

[0079] In Figs. 6A-6D, the soap dispenser 100 is shown being assembled in a number of steps. Fig. 6A shows the dispenser housing 102, with the soap holder 104 positioned inside the dispenser housing 102 and the scraping module 106 positioned inside the soap holder 104. Generally, the scraping module 106 is rotationally fixed to the dispenser housing 102, and the soap holder 104 can be rotated relative to the dispenser housing 102.

[0080] In Fig. 6B, one or more solid pieces of soap 202 have been positioned in the dispenser housing, on top of the scraping module 106. In Fig. 6C, an optional pressing module 160 is positioned on top of the one or more pieces of soap. The pressing module can comprise any spring element, such as a coil spring. In Fig. 6D, the lid 130 is added on top of the pressing module 160, such that the pressing module 160 can force the one or more pieces of soap away from the lid onto the scraping module 106.

[0081] Figs. 7A-7C show an example of a scraping module 106, respectively in a side view, perspective bottom view, and a bottom view. The scraping module 106 generally comprises a scraping module body 261, with a bottom surface 262 which is uses faces away from the piece of soap. The scraping module 106 further comprises a scraping member 108, typically with a sharp distal end arranged to from scrapings of soap when the scraping member 108 engages the piece of soap and the piece of soap is rotated relative to the scraping module 106.

[0082] The scraping module body 261 is generally shaped as a truncated cone, wherein the scraping module body is tapered in a direction away from a top surface 268 of the scraping module body. A thickness of the scraping module body is generally smaller than the outer diameter, for example at least five times smaller. Through the scraping module body 261, a central opening 263 may be provided. In general, a piece of soap rests on the topsurface 268, wherein the top surface 268 may be flat or comprise one or more surfaces features extending away from the scraping module body.

[0083] As depicted in Figs. 7A-7C, as a general option for any scraping module, a central circular protrusion 265 may protrude from the bottom surface 262. The central circular protrusion 265 may generally surround the central opening 263 when a central opening 263 is provided, and / or generally surround the centreline 101.

[0084] As depicted in Figs. 7A-7C, as another general option for any scraping module, a support circular protrusion 266 may protrude from the bottom surface 262. The support circular protrusion 266 may generally surround the central opening 263 when a central opening 263 is provided, and / or generally surround the centreline 101, over an angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably at least 270 degrees or even at least 320 degrees. The support circular protrusion 266 may be interrupted by the opening 188, any may thus not fully encircle the centreline 101.

[0085] As depicted in Figs. 7A-7C, as yet another general option for any scraping module, an outer circular protrusion 267 may protrude from the bottom surface 262. The outer circular protrusion 267 may generally surround the central opening 263 when a central opening 263 is provided, and / or generally surround the centreline 101, over an angle of at least 180 degrees, preferably at least 270 degrees or even at least 320 degrees. The outer circular protrusion 267 may be interrupted by the opening 188, any may thus not fully encircle the centreline 101.

[0086] When one or more indentations 189 are provided in an outer perimeter of the scraping module body 261, the outer circular protrusion 267 may be interrupted by the one or more indentations 189 and / or the outer circular protrusion 267 may follow the shape of the one or more indentations 189. In general, the one or more indentations 189 may be used to allow the scraping module body 261 to be positioned in the soap holder withoutinterference with the radially inward keying protrusions 205 of the soap holder.

[0087] As indicated in Fig. 70, the central circular protrusion 265, when present, may extend from a first inner radius rl relative to centreline 101 to a first outer radius which corresponds to rl + a wall thickness tl. As indicated in Fig. 7C, the support circular protrusion 266, when present, may extend from a second inner radius r2 relative to centreline 101 to a second outer radius which corresponds to r2 + a wall thickness t2. As indicated in Fig. 7C, the outer circular protrusion 267, when present, may extend from a third inner radius r3 relative to centreline 101 to a third outer radius which corresponds to r3 + a wall thickness t3. Generally, r3 is larger than r2, and r2 is larger than rl. The radius r4 as indicated in Fig. 5 may be larger than r2. The radius r4 as indicated in Fig. 5 may be larger than r2 + t2 or approximately the same. The radius r5 as indicated in Fig. 5 may be smaller than rl.

[0088] As indicated in Fig. 7A, the outer circular protrusion 267, when present, may extend up to a distance dl relative to a base 264 of the scraping module body 261. As indicated in Fig. 7 A, the support circular protrusion 266, when present, may extend up to a distance d2 relative to a base 264 of the scraping module body 261. As indicated in Fig. 7 A, the central circular protrusion 265, when present, may extend up to a distance d3 relative to a base 264 of the scraping module body 261. Generally, distance d3 is larger than d2, and d2 is larger than dl. More in general, any scraping module 261 may have a shape resembling a truncated cone, tapered in direction away from the scraping member 108. The truncated conical shape allow the protrusions 210 of the soap holder 104 to be positioned below the scraping member 108.

[0089] As a preferred option for any soap dispenser and scraping module, the scraping module 260 comprises a number of support protrusions 260. Preferably the scraping module 260 comprises three support protrusions 260,preferably spaced apart approximately 120 degrees around the centreline 101. In use, the scraping module 260 can be supported onto the dispenser housing 102 via the support protrusions 260. Preferably, the scraping module 260 is supported onto the dispenser housing 102 via the support protrusions 260 only. As indicated in Fig. 5, the dispenser housing 102 may comprise a circular supporting member 121 onto which the support protrusions 260 of the scraping module 260 can be supported. The supporting member 121 is for example formed as an upright wall protruding from the dispenser housing 102, in use protruding towards the scraping module 108.

[0090] Fig. 8A shows a top view of a soap holder 104 and a scraping module 106 positioned in the soap holder 104. The soap holder 104 and scraping module 106 may be comprised by any soap dispenser 100 disclosed herein.

[0091] The scraping module 106 is shown see-through, such that for example the sweeping protrusions 210 of the soap holder 104 are visible.

[0092] Fig. 8B shows another top view of a soap holder 104 and a scraping module 106 positioned in the soap holder 104, with the soap holder 104 rotated over an angle A relative to the view of Fig. 8A. As can be seen by comparing Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, with the rotation of the soap holder 104, the scraping module 106 has not been rotated.

[0093] In Fig. 8A, the radially inward keying protrusions 205 of the soap holder 104 are aligned with the one or more indentations 189 of the scraping module. This alignment may allow the scraping module 106 to be positioned into the soap holder 104 without the radially inward keying protrusions 205 interfering with the scraping module.

[0094] The one or more indentations 189 of the scraping module 106 are an example of one or more passages through the scraping module 106. In general, for any scraping module 106, it is preferred but not essential to provide one or more passages through the scraping module 106. These one or more passages allow for scraping of soap to pass from a soap-facing side of the scraping module 106, corresponding to the top surface 268, to the oppositeside of the scraping module 106 facing away from the soap. After having passed through the scraping module, these scrapings can be swept by the one or more sweeping protrusions, for example towards the exit opening.

[0095] Although the one or more indentations 189 are provided at the circumference of the scraping module 106, for other passages, the location of passage may be anywhere on the scraping module 106, and any passage may have any shape and size.

[0096] It has been observed that scrapings of soap may accumulate on the top surface 268 of the scraping module 106. By virtue of the one or more indentations 189 and / or any other one or more passages through the scraping module 106, these scrapings of soap may be transported through the scraping module 106, to fall for example onto the dispenser housing. Scrapings on the dispenser housing may be subsequently swept by the one or more sweeping protrusions towards an exit opening through the dispenser housing.

[0097] Fig. 9 shows the soap dispenser 100 of Fig. 1A in a section view, sectioned approximately over line C as indicated in Fig. 1A. Fig. 9 shows the dispenser housing 102 in the darkest shade of grey, the scraping module 108 in the lightest shade of grey, and the soap holder 104 in the intermediate shade of grey.

[0098] The scraping module 108 is supported via its support protrusions 260 onto the circular supporting member 121 of the dispenser housing 102. The soap holder 104 is preferably but not necessarily supported onto the dispenser housing 102 via its sweeping protrusions 210. As the soap holder 104 is rotated relative to the dispenser housing 102 in a method of forming and dispensing scrapings of soap from a solid piece of soap, the sweeping protrusion 210 sweep at least part of the volume defined between the dispenser housing and the soap holder - in particular radially outward of the support circular protrusion 266. Scrapings of soap which are accidentally present in this volume can be swept towards an exit opening of the dispenserhousing, which can prevent excessive build-up of scrapings in the dispenser housing.

Claims

22Claims1. A soap dispenser (100) for forming w scrapings of a solid piece of soap (202), the soap dispenser comprising:a dispenser housing (102);a soap holder (104) with a soap holder body (105) defining a soap reception volume (163) for holding one or more solid pieces of soap (202), the soap holder body surrounding a centreline (101), and the soap holder being coupled to the dispenser housing;a scraping module (106) comprising at least one scraping member (108) for scraping scrapings from the solid piece of soap, wherein the soap holder is rotatable relative to the scraping module;an actuation mechanism (110) for rotating the soap holder relative to the scraping module,wherein the soap holder further comprises one or more sweeping protrusions (210) protruding radially inward towards the centreline.

2. The soap dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising the one or more pieces of soap (202) in the soap reception volume.

3. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sweeping protrusions are positioned between the dispenser housing and the scraping module.

4. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser housing comprises an exit opening for scrapings of soap, and the soap holder can be rotated relative to the dispenser housing such that selectively one of the one or more sweeping protrusions can be aligned and misaligned with the exit opening.

5. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sweeping protrusions are supported on the dispenser housing or at a distance of at most 2 mm from the dispenser housing.

6. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sweeping protrusions have a pocket therein, which pocket faces away from the soap holder body.

7. The soap dispenser according to claim 6, wherein for the one or more sweeping protrusions, the pocket is surrounded by a perimeter wall (245), which surrounds part of the pocket and leaves an opening into the pocket.

8. The soap dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the actuation mechanism is arranged to rotate the soap holder relative to the scraping module in an actuation direction, and for the one or more sweeping protrusions, the opening into the pocket faces in the actuation direction.

9. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation mechanism is arranged such that a single actuation of the actuation mechanism results in a predefined maximum angle of rotation of the soap holder around the centreline, and the number of sweeping protrusions of the soap holder corresponds to 360 degrees divided by the predefined maximum angle, in particular wherein the soap holder comprises three, four, five, or six sweeping protrusions.

10. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises a scraping module body (261), which scraping module body is generally shaped as a truncated cone, wherein the scraping module body is tapered in a direction away from a top surface (268) of the scraping module body.

11. The soap dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the dispenser housing comprises an inner bottom surface (109) which is at least partially shaped complementary to the scraping module body.

12. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises a number of support protrusions (160), in particular three support protrusions, and the scraping module is supported onto the dispenser housing (102) via the support protrusions (260), in particular only via the support protrusions (260).

13. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises a support circular protrusion (266) which protrudes from a scraping module body (261) in a direction away from the reception volume (163) of the soap holder.

14. The soap dispenser according to claim 13, to the extent dependent on claim 13, wherein the support protrusions (160) protrude from the support circular protrusion.

15. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises a central circular protrusion (265) which protrudes from a scraping module body (261) in a direction away from the reception volume (163) of the soap holder.

16. The soap dispenser according to claim 15, to the extent dependent on claim 13, wherein the support circular protrusion is positioned at a larger radius (r2) relative to the centreline (101) than the central circular protrusion (265).

17. The soap dispenser according to claim 15 or 16, to the extent dependent on claim 13, wherein the central circular protrusion (265) extends25further away from the scraping module body than the support circular protrusion (266).

18. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises an outer circular protrusion (267) which protrudes from a scraping module body (261) in a direction away from the reception volume (163) of the soap holder.

19. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises a scraping member (108) with a sharp end, and the scraping module comprises a scraping module body with an opening (188) at a perimeter of the scraping module body, wherein the sharp end is positioned above the opening.

20. The soap dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the opening (188) is bound by one or more radial ribs (271, 272) protruding from the scraping module body in a direction away from the reception volume (163) of the soap holder, wherein the one or more radial ribs extend away from the centreline (101).

21. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sweeping protrusions extend from a non-zero first radius (r4) relative to the centreline, and the dispenser housing extends from a non-zero second radius (r5) relative to the centreline, which second radius is smaller than the first radius.

22. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser housing comprises an inner upright wall (273), and the scraping module is at least partially positioned around the inner upright wall.2623. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser housing comprises a circular supporting member (121) around the centreline (101), and wherein for the one or more sweeping protrusions, a radial inner end (125) of the sweeping protrusion is adjacent to the circular supporting member or abuts the circular supporting member.

24. The soap dispenser according to claim 23, to the extent dependent on claim 4, wherein the dispenser housing comprises an exit opening and the circular supporting member ends at the exit opening.

25. The soap dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping module comprises one or more passages (189) through the scraping module through which scrapings of soap can pass.

26. A method of forming and dispensing scrapings of soap from a solid piece of soap, the method comprising:providing a soap holder holding a piece of soap, such that a rotation of the piece of soap around a centreline of the piece of soap is coupled to a rotation of the soap holder, and wherein the soap holder is positioned in a dispenser housing of a soap dispenser; rotating the soap holder relative to a scraping module to form the scrapings of soap; andallowing the scrapings of soap to exit the dispenser housing; wherein one or more sweeping protrusions of the soap holder rotate relative to the dispenser housing when rotating the soap holder relative to the scraping module.

27. The method according to claim method 26, wherein the one or more sweeping protrusions of the soap holder sweeps scrapings out of the dispenser housing while the soap holder is rotated relative to the scraping module.2728. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the soap holder is rotated by an actuator mechanism, and a single full actuation of the actuator mechanism results in a rotation of the soap holder of 360 degrees divided by the number of sweeping protrusions comprised by the soap holder.

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