Fluid material dispensing apparatus having automatic self-disinfection capability

1. A fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) for outputting fluid material stored in multiple material containers ( 130 ) and capable of conducting an automatic self-disinfection operation, the fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) comprising:

an outlet connector ( 110 );

a dual-mode fluid connector ( 150 ), detachably connected to a target material container ( 130 ) of the multiple material containers ( 130 ), and comprising a material tube ( 322 ) and a cleaning tube ( 324 );

a material transmission pipe ( 152 ), coupled between the material tube ( 322 ) and the outlet connector ( 110 );

a detergent transmission pipe ( 154 ), coupled with the cleaning tube ( 324 );

a pump ( 160 ), coupled between the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) and the outlet connector ( 110 );

a cleaning sink ( 170 ), arranged to operably contain a disinfectant solution, and comprising a liquid outlet;

a fluid diverter ( 190 ), comprising a liquid input terminal and multiple liquid output terminals, wherein a target output terminal of the multiple liquid output terminals is coupled with the detergent transmission pipe ( 154 ); and

a switch ( 192 ), coupled between the liquid outlet of the cleaning sink ( 170 ) and the liquid input terminal of the fluid diverter ( 190 );

wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation comprises:

controlling the switch ( 192 ) to conduct the liquid outlet of the cleaning sink ( 170 ) and the liquid input terminal of the fluid diverter ( 190 ), so that the disinfectant solution in the cleaning sink ( 170 ) flows into the fluid diverter ( 190 );

activating the pump ( 160 ) to push residual cleaning solution in the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) forward, so that the residual cleaning solution is discharged into a diversion device ( 890 ) through the outlet connector ( 110 ); and

utilizing operation of the pump ( 160 ) to form a negative pressure in the detergent transmission pipe ( 152 ), so that the disinfectant solution in the fluid diverter ( 190 ) is sucked into the dual-mode fluid connector ( 150 ) through the detergent transmission pipe ( 154 ) and the cleaning tube ( 324 ), and then flows into the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) through the material tube ( 322 ) of the dual-mode fluid connector ( 150 ).

2. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

controlling the pump ( 160 ) to continue to operate for a period of time, so that the residual cleaning solution in the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) and a part of the disinfectant solution are discharged into the diversion device ( 890 ) through the outlet connector ( 110 ).

3. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 2 , wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

activating the pump ( 160 ) to push the disinfectant solution in the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) forward, so that the disinfectant solution in the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) is discharged into the diversion device ( 890 ) through the outlet connector ( 110 ); and

utilizing the diversion device ( 890 ) to divert the disinfectant solution discharged by the outlet connector ( 110 ) back into the cleaning sink ( 170 ).

4. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 3 , wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

controlling the pump ( 160 ) to continue to operate, so as to conduct a disinfectant procedure to the dual-mode fluid connector ( 150 ), the material transmission pipe ( 152 ), and the outlet connector ( 110 ) for a predetermined length of time.

5. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 4 , wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

after the disinfectant procedure is conducted for the predetermined length of time, controlling the pump ( 160 ) to continue to operate to cause the disinfectant solution in the material transmission pipe ( 152 ) to be discharged into the diversion device ( 890 ) through the outlet connector ( 110 ), but not utilizing the diversion device ( 890 ) to divert the disinfectant solution discharged by the outlet connector ( 110 ) back into the cleaning sink ( 170 ).

6. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 2 , wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

injecting water into the diversion device ( 890 ) through the outlet connector ( 110 ) and utilizing the diversion device ( 890 ) to divert the water into the cleaning sink ( 170 ), so that disinfectant and the water in the cleaning sink ( 170 ) are mixed together to form the disinfectant solution.

7. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 2 , further comprising:

a water injection connector ( 174 ), coupled with the cleaning sink ( 170 );

wherein the automatic self-disinfection operation further comprises:

injecting water into the cleaning sink ( 170 ) through the water injection connector ( 174 ), so that disinfectant and the water in the cleaning sink ( 170 ) are mixed together to form the disinfectant solution.

8. The fluid material dispensing apparatus ( 100 ) of claim 2 , further comprising:

a check valve 194 , coupled between the target output terminal of the fluid diverter ( 190 ) and the detergent transmission pipe ( 154 ), and utilized to prevent fluid in the detergent transmission pipe ( 154 ) from flowing back into the fluid diverter ( 190 ).