Automatic water and soap dispensing faucet

Abstract

An automatic faucet assembly having a faucet spout for simultaneously dispensing water and soap; a touchless sensor on the automatic faucet assembly; a soap supply for a soap; a water flow control valve; and a controller. The touchless sensor is configured to signal the controller to activate a timed wash cycle including a start-up phase to initiate only water flow through the faucet spout for a first predetermined period of time, a scrubbing phase to dispense the soap from the soap supply and water flow simultaneously in a single stream through the faucet spout for a second predetermined period of time, and a rinsing phase to provide only water flow through the faucet spout for a third predetermined period of time.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automatic faucet assembly comprising:
 a faucet spout for simultaneously dispensing water and soap;   at least one touchless sensor on the automatic faucet assembly;   a soap supply for a soap;   a water flow control valve; and   a controller;   wherein said at least one touchless sensor is configured to signal the controller to activate a timed wash cycle;   wherein the timed wash cycle includes:
 a start-up phase to initiate only water flow through the faucet spout for a first predetermined period of time; 
 a scrubbing phase to dispense the soap from the soap supply and water flow simultaneously in a single stream through the faucet spout for a second predetermined period of time; and 
 a rinsing phase to provide only water flow through the faucet spout for a third predetermined period of time. 
   
     
     
         2 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one touchless sensor includes an infrared sensor configured to detect a user's hands. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the soap supply for includes a soap receptacle and a pump connected to for the soap receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the water flow control valve is configured to provide water flow through the faucet spout at a first predetermined pressure and at a second predetermined pressure, the second predetermined pressure being greater than the first predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the water flow control valve is configured to provide water flow through the faucet spout at the first predetermined pressure during the start-up phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the water flow control valve is configured to provide water flow through the faucet spout at the first predetermined pressure during the scrubbing phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the water flow control valve is configured to provide water flow through the faucet spout at the second predetermined pressure during the rinsing phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable water temperature controller. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a visual or audible indicator configured to be activated during the scrubbing phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic faucet assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a manual override button configured to signal the controller to activate the timed wash cycle. 
     
     
         11 . A touchless water and soap dispensing faucet comprising:
 a faucet body and a faucet spout for simultaneously dispensing water and soap in a single stream flow;   at least one sensor mounted on the faucet body;   a pump configured to deliver soap from a soap supply to the single stream flow;   a water flow control valve configured to deliver water to the single stream flow at a first predetermined pressure and at a second predetermined pressure, the second predetermined pressure being greater than the first predetermined pressure; and   a controller;   wherein said at least one touchless sensor is configured to signal the controller to activate a timed wash cycle.   
     
     
         12 . The touchless water and soap dispensing faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor includes an infrared sensor configured to detect a user's hands. 
     
     
         13 . The touchless water and soap dispensing faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the water flow control valve includes a water saver feature configured to provide water at the first predetermined pressure in a first mode of operation. 
     
     
         14 . The touchless water and soap dispensing faucet according to  claim 13 , wherein the water saver feature in the water flow control valve is configured to provide water at the second predetermined pressure in a second mode of operation. 
     
     
         15 . The touchless water and soap dispensing faucet according to  claim 11 , wherein the water flow control valve includes a means for selectively reducing an effective diameter of an outlet from the water flow control valve, thereby increasing water flow pressure to provide water at the second predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         16 . A method of washing hands to improve hand hygiene, comprising:
 providing a touchless water and soap dispensing faucet having a faucet spout;   sensing a user's hands under the touchless water and soap dispensing faucet;   signaling a controller to begin a timed wash cycle including a start-up phase, a scrubbing phase and a rinsing phase;   activating a start-up phase and initiating only a water flow through the faucet spout for a first predetermined period of time;   activating a scrubbing phase and dispensing soap from a soap supply and water flow simultaneously in a single stream through the faucet spout for a second predetermined period of time; and   activating a rinsing phase and providing only a water flow through the faucet spout for a third predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         17 . The method of washing hands according to  claim 16 , wherein initiating only the water flow in the start-up phase includes providing water flow through the faucet spout at a first predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of washing hands according to  claim 17 , wherein activating the scrubbing phase includes providing soap and water flow through the faucet spout at the first predetermined pressure during the scrubbing phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of washing hands according to  claim 18 , wherein activating the rinsing phase includes providing water flow through the faucet spout at a second predetermined pressure during the rinsing phase of the wash cycle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of washing hands according to  claim 16 , further comprising actuating a visual or audible indicator during the scrubbing phase of the wash cycle.