Dispensing system and method, and injector therefor

Abstract

The disclosed dispensing system, and method may be used in combination with a faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line, and includes a liquid dispensing device adapted to create a liquid such as liquid soap, and water mixture in the water line. The dispensing device may include an injector, and a soap container for the liquid soap or other. The system may provide for storage of liquid soap or other, and may also have the injector in line with the faucet water line. The injector may create strong vortices that effectively commingle the liquid soap or other liquid with water into a thoroughly mixed solution that is discharged at the faucet outlet.

1 . An injector for mixing fluids, comprising
 a first side of the injector including a fluid inlet, a constricted portion, and a first vortex generating portion; and   a second side of the injector for mating with the first side of the injector and including a constricted portion and a vortex generating portion,   wherein the constricted portions of each side create a constrictor and the vortex generating portions of each side are located opposite each other when the first and second sides are assembled.   
   
   
       2 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the vortex generating portions of each side each include a shelf with a slot disposed upstream from the constricted portion. 
   
   
       3 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein each side of the injector further includes a second vortex generating portion. 
   
   
       4 . The injector of  claim 3 , wherein the vortex generating portions of each side each include a first vane disposed upstream from the constricted portion, and the second vortex generating portions of each side each include a second vane disposed downstream from the constricted portion. 
   
   
       5 . The injector of  claim 4 , wherein the first vanes are adapted to create turbulence in a first direction and the second vanes are 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  further including an integrated check valve disposed downstream the constricted portion, the check valve including a check valve ball, a check valve cage, and a check valve channel. 
   
   
       7 . The injector of  claim 6  further including a proximity sensor adapted to detect the check valve ball. 
   
   
       8 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side of the injector include a plurality of corresponding alignment bumps and alignment recesses for correctly aligning the first side and the second side during bonding. 
   
   
       9 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet includes a seep blocker to prevent passage of a first fluid when no pressure is applied to the first fluid. 
   
   
       10 . The injector of  claim 9 , wherein the seep blocker includes an X-shaped cut. 
   
   
       11 . The injector of  claim 9 , wherein the seep blocker includes an I-shaped cut. 
   
   
       12 . The injector of  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the injector includes a third fluid inlet. 
   
   
       13 . A user programmable faucet, comprising:
 a spout for dispensing fluid;   a manual handle for controlling rate and temperature of fluid dispensed via the spout;   a first switch for controlling the introduction of soap into the dispensed fluid;   a second switch for selecting the type of soap introduced into the dispensed fluid;   a programming button for programming the operation modes for at least one of the first and second switches; and   a programming display for displaying the programming status.   
   
   
       14 . The user programmable faucet of  claim 13  further comprising a third switch for selecting the operating mode of the faucet. 
   
   
       15 . The user programmable faucet of  claim 13 , wherein the operating modes of the faucet include manual, automatic, and sensor mode. 
   
   
       16 . The user programmable faucet of  claim 13  further comprising a sensor adapted for activating fluid flow through the spout. 
   
   
       17 . The user programmable faucet of  claim 13  further comprising at least one display associated with one of the switches. 
   
   
       18 . A hand washing system, comprising:
 a faucet having a spout for dispensing fluids;   a soap injector disposed within the spout; and   a soap dispensing device adapted to provide soap to the soap injector, the soap dispensing device including a soap pump and a soap container,   wherein the soap injector is adapted to create a soap and water mixture within the spout of the faucet.   
   
   
       19 . The hand washing system of  claim 18 , wherein the faucet includes at least one handle to control water flow. 
   
   
       20 . The hand washing system of  claim 18 , wherein the faucet includes at least one sensor to control water flow. 
   
   
       21 . The hand washing system of  claim 18 , wherein the soap dispensing device includes an activator adapted to control the soap pump. 
   
   
       22 . The hand washing system of  claim 18 , wherein the soap dispensing device further includes a second soap pump and a second soap container. 
   
   
       23 . A hand washing system, comprising:
 a faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line;   a no-touch soap sensor disposed on the faucet; and   a soap dispensing device adapted to be activated by the no-touch soap sensor and create a soap and water mixture in the water line, the soap dispensing device including an injector, a soap pump, and a soap container.   
   
   
       24 . The hand washing system of  claim 23 , further comprising
 an automatic button adapted to transition the operation of the faucet between normal operation and no-touch operation; and   a no-touch sensor adapted to automatically dispense fluid from the faucet during no-touch operation of the faucet.   
   
   
       25 . A hand washing retrofit kit for converting an existing faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line into a hand washing system, comprising:
 a control panel adapted to be mounted adjacent the faucet;   a soap dispensing device adapted to introduce soap into the water line and activated by the control panel, the soap dispensing device including an injector, a soap pump, a microcontroller, and a soap container.   
   
   
       26 . The hand washing retrofit kit of  claim 25 , wherein the control panel communicates wirelessly with the soap dispensing device. 
   
   
       27 . The hand washing retrofit kit of  claim 25 , wherein the control panel includes a soap switch. 
   
   
       28 . The hand washing retrofit kit of  claim 25 , wherein the control panel includes an ON/OFF switch, a soap switch, a hot water dial, and a cold water dial. 
   
   
       29 . The hand washing retrofit kit of  claim 25 , wherein the soap dispensing device includes connectors for attaching to both a hot water line and a cold water line of the water line. 
   
   
       30 . The hand washing retrofit kit of  claim 25 , wherein the control panel includes a second soap switch, and the soap dispensing device includes a second soap pump and a second soap container. 
   
   
       31 . A hand washing system for a faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line, comprising:
 a soap injector disposed within the water line;   a soap dispensing device adapted to provide soap to the soap injector, the soap dispensing device including a soap valve and a soap container; and   wherein the soap is expelled from the soap container using a propellant.   
   
   
       32 . The hand washing system of  claim 31 , wherein the propellant is a liquid. 
   
   
       33 . The hand washing system of  claim 31 , wherein the propellant is a gas. 
   
   
       34 . The hand washing system of  claim 31 , wherein the system is used with a second faucet, and further comprising a second soap injector in communication with the soap dispensing device. 
   
   
       35 . The hand washing system of  claim 31 , further comprising a no-touch soap sensor. 
   
   
       36 . The hand washing system of  claim 31 , wherein the propellant is water from a bleed water line of the water line. 
   
   
       37 . The hand washing system of  claim 36  further including a soap flow restrictor to meter the soap flow rate to the soap injector in relation to the water flow rate. 
   
   
       38 . A method of dispensing fluids from a hand washing system having a soap injector and a faucet with an outlet end, comprising:
 receiving a soap request from a user to initiate a faucet soaping sequence; and   precharging the faucet by filling the faucet volume between the soap injector and the outlet end of the faucet with a soap and water mixture prior to the user placing their hands in a position to begin washing their hands.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the step of flushing the faucet by filling the faucet volume between the soap injector and the outlet end of the faucet with water at the end of the faucet soaping sequence.