Dispensing device and battery package

Abstract

A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid dispensing device comprising:
 a housing defining a passage having an outlet;   a sensor operable to sense a condition and to send a signal based on the sensed condition;   a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense fluid through the passage and out of the outlet;   a solenoid controlled, based on the signal from the sensor, to cause the dispensing mechanism to dispense fluid; and   a hybrid battery disposed in the housing and operable to power the solenoid.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the hybrid battery includes a battery cell and a capacitor. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing device of  claim 2 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes resin encapsulating the battery cell and the capacitor. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing device of  claim 3 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes a polymeric cup, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated in the cup. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing device of  claim 2 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes a polymeric cup, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated in the cup. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is operable to sense a presence of a user. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing device of  claim 6 , wherein the sensor includes a touchless sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further defines an inlet, fluid being dispensed through the inlet into the passage, through the passage and out of the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing device of  claim 8 , wherein the housing defines an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet, an outlet chamber communicating with the outlet, a pressure chamber in communication with the inlet chamber, and a vent passage in selective communication between the pressure chamber and atmosphere, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a piston movably supported in the passage between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber, and wherein the solenoid is operable to selectively place the pressure chamber in communication with the vent passage to thereby cause the dispensing mechanism to dispense fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing device of  claim 9 , wherein the solenoid has a first condition, in which the pressure chamber is not in communication with the vent passage, and a second condition, in which the pressure chamber is in communication with the vent passage, the solenoid being operable between the first condition and the second condition. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing device of  claim 10 , wherein the solenoid includes an armature movable between a first position, in which communication between the pressure chamber and the vent passage is inhibited, and a second position, in which communication between the pressure chamber and the vent passage is allowed, the armature being movable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing defines an opening between the pressure chamber and the vent passage, and wherein, in the first position, a portion of the armature closes the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing device of  claim 11 , wherein the armature is latched when in the first position, the armature being movable from the first position to the second position when energized by the hybrid battery. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing device of  claim 13 , wherein the armature is latched when in the second position, the armature being movable from the second position to the first position when momentarily energized by the hybrid battery. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a flushometer for a bathroom fixture. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the solenoid is disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the hybrid battery is operable to power the sensor. 
     
     
         19 . A battery package for a fluid dispensing device, the dispensing device including a housing defining a passage having an outlet, fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet, the dispensing device also including a powered component, the battery package comprising:
 a battery cell; and   a capacitor operable to power the powered component, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated as a unitary battery package, the unitary battery package being supportable in the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The battery package of  claim 19 , further comprising resin, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated in the resin. 
     
     
         21 . The battery package of  claim 20 , further comprising a polymeric cup, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated in the cup. 
     
     
         22 . The battery package of  claim 19 , further comprising a polymeric cup, the battery cell and the capacitor being encapsulated in the cup. 
     
     
         23 . A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing device, the method comprising:
 providing a housing for the fluid dispensing device, the housing defining a passage having an outlet, fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet;   encapsulating a battery cell and a capacitor as a unitary battery package; and   supporting the unitary battery package in the housing.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein encapsulating includes encapsulating the battery cell and the capacitor in resin. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes a cup, and wherein encapsulating includes vacuum forming the cup to fit around the battery cell and the capacitor. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the battery cell and the capacitor further includes a terminal, the method further comprising encapsulating the terminal within the unitary battery package. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes a wire, the method further comprising encapsulating a first portion of the wire within the unitary battery package, and exposing a second portion of the wire outside of the unitary battery package for connection to powered devices. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the hybrid battery further includes a wire, the method further comprising encapsulating a first portion of the wire within the unitary battery package, and exposing a second portion of the wire outside of the unitary battery package for connection to powered devices. 
     
     
         26 . A fluid dispensing device comprising:
 a housing defining a passage having an inlet, an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet, an outlet, an outlet chamber communicating with the outlet, a pressure chamber in communication with the inlet chamber, a vent passage in selective communication between the pressure chamber and atmosphere, and an opening between the pressure chamber and the vent passage;   a sensor operable to sense a condition and to send a signal based on the sensed condition;   a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense fluid through the passage and out of the outlet, the dispensing mechanism including a piston movably supported in the passage between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber;   a solenoid controlled, based on the signal from the sensor, to cause the dispensing mechanism to dispense fluid, the solenoid being operable to selectively place the pressure chamber in communication with the vent passage to thereby cause the dispensing mechanism to dispense fluid, the solenoid including an armature movable between a first position, in which communication between the pressure chamber and the vent passage is inhibited, and a second position, in which communication between the pressure chamber and the vent passage is allowed, the armature being movable between the first position and the second position, in the first position, a portion of the armature closes the opening; and   a power source operable to power the solenoid.   
     
     
         27 . The dispensing device of  claim 26 , wherein power source includes a hybrid battery. 
     
     
         28 . The dispensing device of  claim 27 , wherein the hybrid battery includes a battery cell and a capacitor. 
     
     
         29 . The dispensing device of  claim 28 , wherein the hybrid battery is supported in the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The dispensing device of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor includes a touchless sensor. 
     
     
         31 . The dispensing device of  claim 26 , wherein the armature is latched when in the first position, the armature being movable from the first position to the second position when energized by the hybrid battery. 
     
     
         32 . The dispensing device of  claim 31 , wherein the armature is latched when in the second position, the armature being movable from the second position to the first position when momentarily energized by the hybrid battery. 
     
     
         33 . The dispensing device of  claim 26 , wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a flushometer for a bathroom fixture.