ELECTRONIC KITCHEN DISPENSING FAUCET

• US 20070152074A1
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edgewater Faucet LLC
• Original Assignee: Edgewater Faucet LLC
• Inventors: Bergeron, Michael, Gray, Paul, Stowe, Elliott, Newhouse, Thomas, Blake, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/684,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/12.100
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/266 Arrangement of disintegrating apparatus in waste pipes or outlets; Disintegrating apparatus specially adapted for installation in waste pipes or outlets
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An electronic kitchen faucet dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing measured operator-selectable quantities of hot or cold liquid into a container with a flow rate suitable to prevent splashing and loss of the ensuing mixture while maintaining a rapid flow rate to quickly fill larger containers. The dispensing faucet can be used for measuring liquids required for preparing recipes, making instant beverages, or in the preparation of pre-packaged foods, and may be retrofitted to an existing faucet. The apparatus may utilize various controls to automatically control liquid flow, including 1) flow sensors and control valving; 2) positive-displacement pumps; and 3) flow-restrictors with shut-off valves. Also, it can be connected to a garbage disposal to prevent damage to the disposal.

Claims

1. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising:

a fluid circuit and control system capable of automatically dispensing a prescribed quantity of water at a desired temperature and flow rate embodied;

a flow-controlling device for controlling the flow of liquid through the circuit;

a flow-measuring device, such as a flow meter or positive displacement pump, to measure the volume of liquid dispensed; and

a programmable controller operably connected to the flow-controlling device and flow-measuring device, the controller being programmed and adapted to receive first signals from the flow-measuring device and being programmed and adapted to generate a second control signal to operate the flow-controlling device to dispense an accurate amount of fluid at the desired flow rate and temperature.

2. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a base adapted for mounting to a kitchen sink, and a spout extending from the base for dispensing the total amount of liquid, with the fluid circuit being connected to the spout.

3. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the base supports an input device for inputting data into the controller.

4. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the flow-controlling device includes at least one on/off valve.

5. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the flow-controlling device includes a positive displacement pump.

6. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the flow-controlling device includes a variable-flow-restrictor device.

7. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a heat source, temperature sensor and separate flow-controlling device, and wherein the controller is connected to the sensor and flow-controlling device and is programmed to control the first and second flow-controlling devices to achieve a desired temperature.

8. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a base adapted for mounting to a kitchen sink alongside and in addition to an existing kitchen faucet, and a spout extending from the base for dispensing the total amount of liquid, with the fluid circuit being connected to the spout.

9. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the base supports an input device for inputting data into the controller.

10. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a control unit including the fluid circuit adapted to mount under the kitchen sink with the control unit output adapted to the input of an existing kitchen faucet.

11. The liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the input device for inputting data into the controller is a remote item operably connected to the control unit through wired, or wireless, technology and is adapted to be mounted discretely on a wall or countertop.