DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND INJECTOR THEREFOR
First Claim
1. An injector for mixing fluids, comprisinga first side of the injector including a fluid inlet, a constricted portion, and a first vortex generating portion;
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1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
83 Citations
39 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A user programmable faucet, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hand washing system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A hand washing system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A hand washing system for a faucet in communication with a water supply via a water line, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of dispensing fluids from a hand washing system having a soap injector and a faucet with an outlet end, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification