Dispensing system and method, and injector therefor
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
79 Citations
27 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A soap dispensing system for a faucet, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hand washing system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of mixing first and second fluids, comprising:
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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.
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26. A soap dispensing system for a water faucet, comprising:
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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.
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27. A method of dispensing soap, comprising:
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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.
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Specification