IP Library Granted Patent US 10,087,608
Granted Patent B2
US 10,087,608 · App. 14/091,768 · Granted Oct 2, 2018

Sink mounted product dispensing hand washing faucet

Inventors: Kenneth Thomas Dobizl (Mounds View, MN); Sarah Elise Gilbertson (St. Paul, MN)
Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
E03C1/046E03C1/057A47K5/1217A47K5/14A47K2005/1218A47K2210/00Y10T137/0318Y10T137/9464
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,087,608
App. No.
14/091,768
Granted
Oct 2, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus, method and system for providing and dispensing various hand care alternatives from a common point of dispension, such as a faucet, for standardizing the hand care, washing, sanitizing, and drying process is disclosed. Included is a liquid flow path having an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source and an outlet in fluid communication with a user reception point. A secondary flow path has an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives and an outlet in communication with the user reception point. A first pump operatively connected to the hand care alternative and a second pump, independent from the first, pumps air. The air and hand care alternative may be mixed and foamed. In use, the air pump can provide clearing, drying and mixing functions independent from the first pump.

Claims (42)

1. A faucet adapted to provide one or more hand care alternatives, comprising:

a. a liquid flow path having:

i. an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source; and

ii. an outlet in fluid communication with a dispension point; and

b. a product flow path having:

i. an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments;

ii. an outlet in communication with the dispension point;

iii. a first pump in communication with the one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments;

c. an air flow path having:

i. a second pump independent from the first pump, the second pump in communication with an air source;

d. a mixing chamber having:

i. a product inlet in fluid communication with the product flow path;

ii. an air inlet in fluid communication with the air flow path; and

a water override button in controlling communication with the liquid flow path, said water override button being operable independent of a sensor used to determine a user for using the faucet and wherein the sensor and water override button being positioned adjacent one another on a body of the faucet wherein detection of a user by the sensor will activate the faucet;

wherein said water override button is a button dedicated for bypassing a product dispense cycle of a dispensing sequence; wherein said sensor detects the user and operates the dispensing sequence comprising a rinsing liquid and soap, while the water override button is able to stop dispensing of the soap to provide the rinsing liquid; and

wherein the mixing chamber is configured to combine a product from the one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments with air from the air flow path.

2. The faucet of claim 1 wherein the foamer is within the mixing chamber.

3. The faucet of claim 1 further comprising a foamer in the product flow path.

4. The faucet of claim 3 wherein the foamer is downstream from the mixing chamber.

5. The faucet of claim 1 wherein the liquid source, one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments, first pump, and second pump are contained in a dispenser module that is located remote from the dispension point.

6. The faucet of claim 5 wherein the foamer is located in the dispenser module.

7. A faucet adapted to provide one or more hand care alternatives, comprising:

a. a liquid flow path having:

i. an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source; and

ii. an outlet in fluid communication with a dispension point; and

b. a product flow path having:

i. an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments;

ii. an outlet in communication with the dispension point;

iii. a first pump in communication with the one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments;

c. an air flow path having:

i. a second pump independent from the first pump, the second pump in communication with an air source;

d. a mixing chamber having:

i. a product inlet in fluid communication with the product flow path;

ii. an air inlet in fluid communication with the air flow path;

a water override button in controlling communication with the liquid flow path, said water override button being operable independent of a sensor used to determine a user for using the faucet and wherein the sensor and water override button being positioned adjacent one another on a body of the faucet wherein detection of a user by the sensor will activate the faucet;

wherein said water override button is a button and dedicated for bypassing a product dispense cycle; wherein said sensor detects the user and operates a dispensing sequence comprising a rinsing liquid and soap, while the water override button is able to stop dispensing of the soap to provide the rinsing liquid; and

said liquid source, one or more hand care alternative storage compartments, first pump, and second pump contained in a dispenser module positioned remote of the outlet; and

wherein the mixing chamber is configured to combine a product from the one or more hand care alternatives storage compartments with air from the air flow path.

8. The faucet of claim 7 wherein the mixing chamber is in downstream communication with the first pump and the second pump, the mixing chamber further including a foaming medium.

9. The faucet of claim 7 further comprising a valve in communication with the first pump.

10. The faucet of claim 7 further comprising a valve in communication with the second pump.

11. The faucet of claim 7 further comprising a foaming medium in communication with the product flow path.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2013
From: DOBIZL, KENNETH THOMAS; GILBERTSON, SARAH ELISE
To: ECOLAB USA INC.
Reel/Frame 031685/0818 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 13803039 · Mar 14, 2013
Related Publication 20140259382A1 · Sep 18, 2014
Cited By (15)
US 12,210,986 US 12,258,741 US 12,260,140 US 12,261,448 US 12,282,975 US 12,393,385 US 12,406,218 US 12,424,329 US 12,431,621 US 12,437,597 US 12,524,786 US 12,571,191 US 12,687,314 US 12,695,189 US 12,719,167