Sink side touchless foam dispenser

• US 7,364,053 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
• Inventors: Ophardt, Heiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas; Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US10/928,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 222/190, 222/145.5, 222/52, 222/181.1, 222/135, 222/132, 222/63, 222/145.6, 222/145.7, 222/145.8, 4623-624, 4675-678, 462/8, 251/129.04, 137/801
• US Class Current: 222/190
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/16 with mechanical drive food mixers A47J43/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A soap dispenser, preferably a sink side counter mounted dispenser, to dispense foamed liquid soap by mixing in an outlet of a soap spout liquid, soap and air preferably provided from a liquid soap pump and a air pump located remote from the faucet.

Claims

1. A foam dispenser comprising:

a spout mounted at a dispensing location carrying a foam generator,

an air inlet tube with an outlet and an inlet,

air pump remote from the nozzle operative to dispense air from the air pump into an inlet to the air inlet tube through the tube to the outlet and into the foam generator,

a liquid inlet tube with an outlet and an inlet,

a liquid reservoir remote from the spout,

a liquid pump operative to dispense fluid from the reservoir into the inlet to the liquid inlet tube through the tube to the outlet and into the foam generator,

an actuating mechanism activable to operate both the air pump and liquid pump and simultaneously pass air and liquid through the foam generator to dispense foam from the spout,

the foam generator having an inlet for the air and an inlet for the liquid and provides for mixing of the air and the liquid to produce a foam,

the actuating mechanism comprises a touchless sensor which operates both the liquid pump and the air pump on sensing the presence of a user'"'"'s hand proximate the spout.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spout is mounted to a countertop located in relation to a water faucet.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a signal from the touchless sensor operates the liquid pump and the air pump simultaneously.

4. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the liquid is liquid soap.

5. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the reservoir liquid pump and air pump is mounted under the countertop.

6. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spout is mounted on the countertop with the air inlet tube and liquid inlet tube extending though the countertop into the spout in a manner to be hidden from view by the countertop when viewed from on top of the counter.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2 when the air pump is operated after operation of the liquid pump to flush the liquid from the foam generator.

8. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid is selected from soap, disinfectant, hand cream, sunscreen, insect repellent, cream, milk and syrup.

9. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the liquid is selected from soap, disinfectant, hand cream, sunscreen, insect repellent, cream, milk and syrup.

10. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the liquid pump is an electric pump and the air pump is an electric pump.

11. A foam dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein a liquid dispensing unit comprises the liquid pump and a control mechanism,

the control mechanism coupled to a power source,

the control mechanism receiving input signals from the touchless sensor,

the control mechanism controlling distribution of power from the power source to each of the liquid pump and air pump.

12. A foam dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of foam dispensers, a single liquid reservoir, and a liquid distributor manifold,

each foam dispenser comprising:

a spout mounted at a dispensing location carrying a foam generator;

an air pump mechanism to deliver air to the foam generator;

a liquid pump mechanism to deliver liquid from the reservoir to the foam generator;

an actuating mechanism actuable to operate both the air pump and liquid pump and simultaneously pass air and liquid through the foam generator to dispense foam from the spout,

the liquid distributor manifold placing each liquid pump in communication with the liquid reservoir,

said each liquid pump being proximate the liquid reservoir and said each air pump is proximate the spout,

a plurality of sinks mounted in a countertop, with each of the foam dispensers associated with a different one of the sinks,

the reservoir, liquid distributor manifold and the liquid pumps mounted under the countertop proximate each other with a liquid inlet tube for each said liquid pump communicating the liquid from the liquid pump to the foam generator of its respective spout,

the air pump for each foam dispenser mounted under the countertop proximate its respective spout with an air inlet tube for each said air pump providing air from the air pump to the foam generator of its respective spout.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which a control mechanism to activate operation of the liquid pump and air pump is provided adjacent the liquid pump,

a single power source for each foam dispenser powers the control mechanism which said control mechanism selectively permits power to be provided to the liquid soap and air pump having regard to inputs received from the actuating mechanism;

the actuating mechanism comprising a switch carried on the spout.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the switch comprises a touchless sensor which senses the presence of an object proximate the spout.