Sanitary apparatus

Abstract

This invention concerns a sanitary apparatus, and more particularly a hydraulically-activated cleanser dispensing device for use with, for example, a hands-free tap system. In one form the invention provides a sanitary apparatus for dispensing cleanser and water, including a water supply line to deliver water to a water outlet, and a hydraulically activated liquid cleanser dispenser device connectable to said water supply line and operable by way of water pressure in said water supply line to deliver cleanser to a cleanser outlet, a valve system provided in said water supply line being operable to selectively deliver water to said water outlet and to selectively apply the water pressure in said water supply line to said liquid cleanser dispenser device. No additional liquid cleanser pump is required, as the cleanser is dispensed by action of the water supply pressure. In a further form the invention provides a sanitary apparatus for delivery of liquid cleanser and water to a user, including a liquid cleanser outlet for delivering liquid cleanser to the hands or body of a user, said outlet being provided within a water outlet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sanitary apparatus for dispensing cleanser and water, comprising a water supply line to deliver water to a water outlet, and a hydraulically activated liquid cleanser dispenser device connectable to said water supply line and operable by way of water pressure in said water supply line to deliver cleanser to a cleanser outlet, a valve system provided in said water supply line being operable to selectively deliver water to said water outlet and to selectively apply the water pressure in said water supply line to said liquid cleanser dispenser device, wherein the valve system comprises a first valve in the water supply line upstream of a connection to said liquid cleanser dispenser device, and a second valve downstream of the connection to said device, such that when both valves are open water is able to flow from said water outlet, and when said second valve is closed the liquid cleanser dispenser device is operated to deliver a dose of cleanser to said cleanser outlet.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleanser outlet is located at or in the vicinity of said water outlet.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said valve system in the water supply line being controllable by way of a controller to provide a timed sequence of water and cleanser delivery.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is of electronic form, and the timed sequence is automatically initiated by a remote sensor device.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cleanser dispenser device comprises a dispenser body defining a tubular bore containing a piston, said dispenser body being connectable to said water supply line to allow water pressure in said water supply line to act on said piston, movement of said piston acting to deliver a dose of liquid cleanser to said cleanser outlet.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , said piston being biased by a resilient means to a first position, a cleanser dosing volume being defined within said dispenser body, said dosing volume being connectable to a source of liquid cleanser and to said cleanser outlet, such that movement of said piston from said first to a second position under action of water pressure in said water supply line forces a liquid cleanser dose to said cleanser outlet, whilst movement of said piston from said second to said first position under action of said resilient means draws a dose of cleanser from said cleanser source into said dosing volume.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said dosing volume is connectable to said cleanser source by way of a first one-way valve, whilst said dosing volume is connectable to said cleanser outlet by way of a second one-way valve.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein two pistons are provided within said dispenser body, a first piston arranged to be acted upon by water pressure in the water supply line and to drive a second piston, said second piston being arranged to deliver said liquid cleanser dose, a vent orifice being provided in said dispenser body between said first and second pistons.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , the two pistons being part of a unitary body.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the first piston is constructed and arranged to form a one-way valve within the dispenser body such that a partial vacuum acting at said connection in the water supply line to said liquid cleanser dispenser device will cause air to be drawn in through said vent orifice, thereby permitting the liquid cleanser dispenser device to act as a backflow prevention device in the water supply line.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cleanser dispensing device is mounted such that the axis of the tubular bore is vertical, the piston movement from said first position to said second position being in a downward direction.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  provided with a sanitising unit connectable to a point in the cleanser supply line.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the sanitising unit is connectable to said liquid cleanser dispenser device near to said dosing volume.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  comprising a hot water supply line connecting a hot water source to said point in the cleanser supply line, a source of sanitising agent being connectable to said hot water supply line such that hot water can entrain and convey sanitising agent.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said source of sanitising agent is connectable to said hot water supply line by means of a venturi valve.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the hot water supply line is provided with a valve for selective operation of said sanitising unit, and a one-way valve to prevent backflow.  
     
     
         17 . A sanitary apparatus for delivery of liquid cleanser and water to a user, comprising a liquid cleanser outlet for delivering liquid cleanser to the hands or body of a user, said outlet being provided within a water outlet, and wherein the liquid cleanser outlet and the water outlet are separate outlets.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , including a cleanser supply line conveying liquid cleanser passing along the inside of a water supply pipe supplying said outlet.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , said liquid cleanser outlet being mounted substantially centrally of said water outlet.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 18  comprising a T-piece connection fitting used to provide fluid connection to said water supply pipe and to said cleanser supply line, the leg of the T-piece connection fitting coupling to a water supply line, a first arm of said fitting coupling to said water supply pipe to supply said water outlet, the cleanser supply line passing into the second arm of said fitting and continuing via said first arm within said water supply pipe.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  for use with a cleanser selected from the group of soap, soap-free cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, disinfectant solution, antibacterial solution and sanitising agent.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , the water outlet being a shower head and the cleanser outlet being provided at or in the vicinity of the shower head.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , the water outlet being a hand faucet and the cleanser outlet being provided at or in the vicinity of the hand faucet.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , for use in a water supply system to a toilet.