System, apparatus and method for creating and/or dispensing a mixture of water and a personal care liquid
First Claim
1. A dispensing system comprising:
- a faucet;
a personal care liquid (PCL) reservoir;
a PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL reservoir;
a water supply line;
a mixing unit comprising;
a first passageway extending from a water inlet to an outlet, the first passageway comprising a mixing chamber comprising a venturi constriction;
a second passageway extending from a PCL inlet to a PCL outlet in the mixing chamber; and
a pressure compensating flow control (PCFC) device operably disposed in the first passageway between the venturi constriction and the water inlet;
the water supply line fluidly coupled to the water inlet of the mixing unit and the PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL inlet;
a dispensing line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the first passageway of the mixing unit and to the faucet;
a shutoff valve operably coupled to the PCL supply line between the PCL reservoir and the PCL inlet, the shutoff valve actuatable between;
(1 ) a closed position in which the shutoff valve stops flow from the PCL reservoir to the mixing unit; and
(2) an open position in which the shutoff valve allows flow from the PCL reservoir to the mixing unit;
a timer;
a controller operably coupled to the shutoff valve and the timer; and
the controller configured to;
(1) activate flow of water;
(2) actuate the shutoff valve from the closed position to the open position and activate the timer; and
(3) upon expiration of the timer, actuate the shutoff valve from the open position to the closed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for dispensing or and/or creating a mixture of water and a personal care liquid (PC), such, as soap, shampoo, antibacterial liquids, disinfectant liquids, liquid dishwashing detergents, or other sanitization fluids. The system, in one embodiment, is used in conjunction with a faucet that is mounted adjacent a washbasin to dispense the mixture. In an embodiment, a mixing unit is included in the system that comprises a venturi and a pressure compensating control device. In another embodiment, a pinch valve is utilized to control the introduction of the PCL into the water flow. In yet another embodiment, at least one water pressure actuatable valve is utilized to control the introduction of the PCL into the water flow.
34 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dispensing system comprising:
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a faucet; a personal care liquid (PCL) reservoir; a PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL reservoir; a water supply line; a mixing unit comprising; a first passageway extending from a water inlet to an outlet, the first passageway comprising a mixing chamber comprising a venturi constriction; a second passageway extending from a PCL inlet to a PCL outlet in the mixing chamber; and a pressure compensating flow control (PCFC) device operably disposed in the first passageway between the venturi constriction and the water inlet; the water supply line fluidly coupled to the water inlet of the mixing unit and the PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL inlet; a dispensing line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the first passageway of the mixing unit and to the faucet; a shutoff valve operably coupled to the PCL supply line between the PCL reservoir and the PCL inlet, the shutoff valve actuatable between;
(1 ) a closed position in which the shutoff valve stops flow from the PCL reservoir to the mixing unit; and
(2) an open position in which the shutoff valve allows flow from the PCL reservoir to the mixing unit;a timer; a controller operably coupled to the shutoff valve and the timer; and the controller configured to;
(1) activate flow of water;
(2) actuate the shutoff valve from the closed position to the open position and activate the timer; and
(3) upon expiration of the timer, actuate the shutoff valve from the open position to the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14)
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7. A dispensing system comprising:
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a faucet; a personal care liquid (PCL) reservoir; a PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL reservoir; a water supply line; a mixing unit comprising; a first passageway extending from a water inlet to an outlet, the first passageway comprising a mixing chamber comprising a venturi constriction; a second passageway extending from a PCL inlet to a PCL outlet in the mixing chamber; and a pressure compensating flow control (PCFC) device operably disposed in the first passageway between the venturi constriction and the water inlet; the water supply line fluidly coupled to the water inlet of the mixing unit and the PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL inlet; a dispensing line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the first passageway of the mixing unit and to the faucet; wherein the PCL supply line comprises a resilient conduit; and a pinch valve operably coupled to the resilient conduit, the pinch valve actuatable between;
(1) a closed position in which the pinch valve compresses the resilient conduit at a first location to seal the resilient conduit; and
(2) an open position in which the pinch valve does not compress the resilient conduit so that PCL can freely flow through the resilient conduit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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15. A dispensing system comprising:
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a faucet; a personal care liquid (PCL) reservoir; a PCL supply line fluidly coupled to the PCL reservoir and comprising a resilient conduit having a free end; a pinch valve operably coupled to the resilient conduit, the pinch valve actuatable between;
(1) a closed position in which the pinch valve compresses the resilient conduit at a first location to seal the resilient conduit; and
(2) an open position in which the pinch valve does not compress the resilient conduit so that PCL can freely flow through the resilient conduit;a water supply line; a mixing unit comprising; a first passageway extending from a water inlet to an outlet, the first passageway comprising a mixing chamber comprising a venturi constriction; a second passageway extending from a PCL inlet to a PCL outlet in the mixing chamber; the water supply line fluidly coupled to the water inlet of the mixing unit and the free end of the resilient conduit of the PCL supply line detachably coupled to the PCL inlet in a fluid-tight manner; and a dispensing line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the first passageway of the mixing unit and to the faucet. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification