Dispensing system and method, and injector therefor

Abstract

A dispensing system and method, and injector therefor are disclosed. The disclosed dispensing system, when used for washing hands, may include a faucet in communication with a water or other supply line and a soap or other substance dispensing device adapted to create, for example, a soap and water mixture in the supply line. The system may provide an injector which may include at least one vortex generator to create strong vortices that effectively commingle the two fluids into a thoroughly dispersed mixture, for discharging from the faucet outlet or other outlet.

1 . An injector for mixing first and second fluids, comprising 
 a constrictor that accelerates the flow of the first fluid and includes a first aperture for the introduction of the second fluid;    a first vortex generator located upstream of the constrictor; and    a second vortex generator located downstream of the constrictor.    
   
   
       2 . The injector of  claim 1  further including an injector body having at least three external interfaces.  
   
   
       3 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the injector body includes a cap and both the injector body and the cap include an interior locating ridge.  
   
   
       4 . The injector of  claim 3 , wherein the constrictor, the first vortex generator, and the second vortex generator each have an external locating groove.  
   
   
       5 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the first vortex generator is adapted to create fluid flow rotating in a first direction and the second vortex generator is adapted to create turbulence rotating in a second direction, wherein the second direction is the opposite of the first direction.  
   
   
       6 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second vortex generators includes fins.  
   
   
       7 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the first vortex generator and the second vortex generator each have a plurality of approximately wing-shaped fins.  
   
   
       8 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the first vortex generator includes a stator and the second vortex generator includes a plurality of strakes.  
   
   
       9 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the constrictor includes a second aperture for the introduction of a third fluid into the flow of the first fluid.  
   
   
       10 . A soap dispensing system for a faucet, comprising: 
 a container for holding a supply of soap;    an injector for allowing the introduction of soap into a water line of the faucet;    a soap pump in communication with the container and the injector to provide soap to the injector; and    an activator adapted to control the soap pump.    
   
   
       11 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the injector includes a constrictor, and at least one vortex generator.  
   
   
       12 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the soap pump includes an electric motor.  
   
   
       13 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the soap pump includes a hydraulic motor.  
   
   
       14 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the activator is a push button.  
   
   
       15 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the activator is an electronic sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the activator is a push handle.  
   
   
       17 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the activator utilizes a fiber optic cable to control the soap pump.  
   
   
       18 . The soap dispensing system of  claim 10 , wherein the activator is located on the faucet.  
   
   
       19 . A hand washing system, comprising: 
 a faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line; and    a soap dispensing device adapted to create a soap and water mixture in the water line, the soap dispensing device including an injector, a first soap pump, and a first soap container.    
   
   
       20 . The hand washing system of  claim 19 , wherein the injector includes a constrictor and at least one vortex generator.  
   
   
       21 . The hand washing system of  claim 19 , wherein the faucet includes at least one sensor to control water flow.  
   
   
       22 . The hand washing system of  claim 19 , wherein the soap dispensing device includes an activator adapted to control the soap pump.  
   
   
       23 . The hand washing system of  claim 19 , wherein the water supply includes a hot water supply and a cold water supply.  
   
   
       24 . The hand washing system of  claim 19 , wherein-the soap dispensing device further includes a second soap pump and a second soap container.  
   
   
       25 . A method of mixing first and second fluids, comprising: 
 accelerating the flow of the first fluid by using a constrictor having a first aperture;    admitting the second fluid into the second aperture; and    creating at least one vortex to cause the mixing of the first and second fluids by using at least one vortex generator.    
   
   
       26 . A soap dispensing system for a water faucet, comprising: 
 an injector for allowing introduction of soap into a water line of the faucet;    a soap pump for providing soap to the injector;    an activator adapted to control the soap pump; and    control means for causing a soap/rinse sequence, wherein the sequence includes flowing a soap solution, turning off the flow of soap solution for a sufficient time, and establishing a water flow.    
   
   
       27 . A method of dispensing soap, comprising: 
 admitting soap into a water line of a faucet; and    causing a soap/rinse sequence using control means, wherein the sequence includes flowing a soap solution in response to activation by a user, turning off the flow of soap solution for a sufficient time, and establishing a water flow.