NON-ELECTRIC POWERED AUTOMATIC WASHING APPARATUS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A non-electric hand washing device, comprising:
- a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve;
an activation handle that when moved by a user causes the flow control valve to move to the open position;
a bleed line interconnected to the water supply line at a point downstream from the flow control valve, wherein the bleed line is supplied with water when the flow control valve is in an open position;
a bleed line adjustment valve disposed between the water supply line and the bleed line, the bleed line adjustment valve being operable to control a rate at which a redirected flow of water enters the bleed line from the water supply line; and
a timing mechanism operable to receive the redirected flow of water from the bleed line, wherein after the timing mechanism receives a predetermined amount of water from the bleed line, the timing mechanism causes the flow control valve to move to a closed position;
wherein the time it takes for the predetermined amount of water to be received by the timing mechanism depends on the rate at which the redirected flow of water enters the bleed line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a non-electric hand-washing apparatus. The present invention is adapted to be used in connection with a supply of pressurized water. The present invention utilizes the water pressure to power at least a timing mechanism that operates to control a wash cycle. The wash cycle includes at least the delivery of a set amount of water to a user'"'"'s hands. Embodiments of the present invention include the delivery of a quantity of soap to the user at the beginning of the wash cycle. The delivery of soap is also affected by a utilization of water pressure.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A non-electric hand washing device, comprising:
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a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve; an activation handle that when moved by a user causes the flow control valve to move to the open position; a bleed line interconnected to the water supply line at a point downstream from the flow control valve, wherein the bleed line is supplied with water when the flow control valve is in an open position; a bleed line adjustment valve disposed between the water supply line and the bleed line, the bleed line adjustment valve being operable to control a rate at which a redirected flow of water enters the bleed line from the water supply line; and a timing mechanism operable to receive the redirected flow of water from the bleed line, wherein after the timing mechanism receives a predetermined amount of water from the bleed line, the timing mechanism causes the flow control valve to move to a closed position; wherein the time it takes for the predetermined amount of water to be received by the timing mechanism depends on the rate at which the redirected flow of water enters the bleed line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of providing a flow of a liquid in a non-electric hand-washing device, comprising:
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initiating a flow of water in a water supply line, wherein the flow is initiated by an action of a user; as the flow of water is initiated, dispensing a quantity of soap into the water supply line; redirecting a portion of the flow of water into a timing mechanism, wherein the redirected portion of the flow of water flows into the timing mechanism at a predetermined rate; receiving water in the timing mechanism; and after receiving a particular amount of water in the timing mechanism, automatically stopping the flow of water in the water supply line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-electric hand-washing system, comprising:
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means for controlling the flow of water in a water supply line, wherein the flow of water is initiated by an action of a user; means for diverting a portion of the flow of water, wherein the means for diverting is downstream from the means for controlling; means for timing, wherein the means for timing receives the portion of the flow of water; means for adjusting the rate at which the portion of the flow of water is received in the means for timing; wherein after the means for timing has received a predetermined amount of water, the means for timing causes the means for controlling to stop the flow of water in the water supply line. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A non-electric hand washing device, comprising:
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a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve; a lever associated with the flow control valve, wherein with the lever in a first position the flow control valve is in an open position, and with the lever in a second position the flow control valve is in a closed position; an activation handle that when moved by a user causes the lever to move to the first position; a bleed line interconnected to the water supply line at a point downstream from the flow control valve, wherein the bleed line is supplied with water when the flow control valve is in an open position; a bleed line adjustment valve disposed between the water supply line and the bleed line, the bleed line adjustment valve being operable to control a rate at which a redirected flow of water enters the bleed line from the water supply line; and a timing cylinder having a first end and a second end, the timing cylinder further comprising; a piston, wherein the piston and a portion of the timing cylinder define a fluid cavity having a variable size, the fluid cavity operable to receive a redirected flow of water from the bleed line; a timing spring which exerts a force on the piston which urges the piston towards the first end of the cylinder, wherein the fluid cavity receives the redirected flow of water from the bleed line causing the fluid cavity to be filled and expanded such that the piston moves against the action of the timing spring; and a rod interconnected to the piston, the rod extending from the second end of the timing cylinder; a control linkage interconnected to the lever and the rod and releaseably attachable to the activation handle, wherein when the user moves the activation handle the control linkage is moved in a first direction of travel towards the user, the first direction of travel of the control linkage at least causing the lever to move to the first position thereby opening the flow control valve; a support, wherein the support is in contact with the control linkage at least during the first direction of travel of the control linkage, and wherein the timing spring exerts a force on the control linkage through the rod, the force causing the control linkage to be maintained in contact with the support at least during the first direction of travel of the control linkage; a notch disposed on the control linkage, wherein when the notch on the control linkage reaches the support during the first direction of travel of the control linkage, the force exerted on the control linkage through the rod causes the control linkage to move towards the timing cylinder thereby releasing the control linkage from the activation handle; wherein with the flow control valve open, water flows into the fluid cavity causing the fluid cavity to expand thereby causing the rod to extended farther from the timing cylinder, thereby causing the control linkage to be lifted away from the support, thereby causing a second direction of travel of the control linkage, thereby causing the lever to move to the second position, thereby causing the flow control valve to close; wherein with the flow control valve closed, water no longer flows downstream from the flow control valve, the timing cylinder is allowed drain through the bleed line, thereby causing the piston to move towards the first end of the cylinder under the action of the timing spring, thereby causing the rod to move into the timing cylinder, thereby causing the control linkage to return to contact with the support. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A non-electric hand washing device, comprising:
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a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve; a plunger associated with the flow control valve, wherein with the plunger in a first position the flow control valve is in an open position, and with the plunger in a second position the flow control valve is in a closed position; an activation handle that when moved by a user causes the plunger to move to the first position; a bleed line interconnected to the water supply line at a point downstream from the flow control valve, wherein the bleed line is supplied with water when the flow control valve is in an open position; a bleed line adjustment valve disposed between the water supply line and the bleed line, the bleed line adjustment valve being operable to control a rate at which a redirected flow of water enters the bleed line from the water supply line; and a timing cylinder operable to receive the redirected flow of water, wherein when a predetermined amount of water is received by the timing cylinder, the timing cylinder operates to move the plunger to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A non-electric hand-washing device, comprising:
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a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve; a plunger associated with the flow control valve, wherein with the plunger in a first position the flow control valve is in an open position, and with the plunger in a second position the flow control valve is in a closed position; an activation handle that when moved by a user causes the plunger to move to the first position; a bleed line interconnected to the water supply line at a point downstream from the flow control valve, wherein the bleed line is supplied with water when the flow control valve is in an open position; a bleed line adjustment valve disposed between the water supply line and the bleed line, the bleed line adjustment valve being operable to control a rate at which a redirected flow of water enters the bleed line from the water supply line; and a cam wheel driven by a pelton wheel, the pelton wheel operable to receive the redirected flow of water from the bleed line, wherein when a predetermined amount of water flows over the pelton wheel, the cam wheel operates to move the plunger to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A non-electric hand washing device, comprising:
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a flow control valve operable to control a flow of water through a water supply line, wherein with the flow control valve in an open position, water is allowed to flow through the flow control valve, and with the flow control valve in a closed position, water is prevented from flowing through the flow control valve; an actuator that when actuated by a user cause the flow control valve to move to the open position; a timing mechanism operable to causes the flow control valve to move to a closed position after a predetermined time interval following a time when the actuator is actuated by the user. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification