GB2530290A

GB2530290A - Liquid soap dispensing system

Info

Publication number: GB2530290A
Application number: GB1416452.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Justin Lovell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: JUSTIN LOVELL
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2014-09-16
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201416452D0

Abstract

A liquid soap dispensing system comprises a central liquid soap reservoir 12; a plurality of individual soap dispensers (4, Fig 1) arranged to dispense liquid soap to users; a plurality of individual soap reservoirs 7, these reservoirs feeding the dispensers with liquid soap; a liquid soap level detector (11f, 11l) in each individual reservoir 7; and a refill means for feeding liquid soap to a respective one of the individual reservoirs 7 from the central reservoir 12 in response to low liquid soap level detection at the respective individual reservoir. The dispensers may be manual pump action or automated with proximity sensors. Preferably, each individual reservoir has one Full level detector and one Low level detector (11f and 11l respectively). The refill feeding means may be a gravity feed system or a refill pump means. Preferably a control system is included to switch on the pump n response to low level liquid soap detection.

Description

LIOUID SOAP DISPENSING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a liquid soap dispensing system.

In public washrooms, where there are a plurality of wash-hand basins, normally each is provided with a liquid soap dispenser. Typically these have a replaceable reservoir from which soap is dispensed on action against a dispense lever.

In a heavily used washroom, the reservoirs can become exhausted within a matter of an hour or so and so need replacing on a regular basis. This is expensive in terms washroom attendant's time.

In the interests of simplicity and hygiene, in the washroom, soap dispensers are often now installed between partition walls, dispensing through the walls. This is inefficient use of space with the result that a wider, "behind the scenes" space being is provided than might otherwise be necessary. Further, the space is narrow and awkward for attendants to work in, in regularly replacing dispenser reservoirs.

It is known to provide a central reservoir and individual dispense plumbing from the central reservoir to individual basins. Such systems are regarded as unsatisfactory, at least partially as a result of long runs of small bore pipes through o * which viscous liquid soap does not readily flow in small frequent dispense actions. * . S

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved soap dispensing system. * .* * 25 * S.

:-** According to the invention there is provided a liquid-soap dispensing system comprising: * a central liquid soap reservoir, * a plurality of individual, smaller soap reservoirs arrangeable for dispensing to users at individual wash-hand basins, * a plurality of individual soap dispensers, * a liquid soap level detectors for each individual reservoir and means for feeding soap to each individual reservoir from the central reservoir in response to low soap level detection at the individual reservoir.

Whilst it is envisaged that one dispenser could be provided for each pair of basins, normally they will be provided on a one-to-one basis.

Further it is envisaged that one dispenser reservoir could be provided for more than one dispenser, again, they will normally be provided on a one-to-one basis.

to The dispensers could be manual pump action dispensers. However, they will normally be automatic dispensers incorporating a proximity sensor at each or a pair of basins and a power operated pump arranged to dispense in response to a hand presence detection.

The detectors for detecting the liquid-soap level in the individual reservoirs can be float level detectors or other conventional type. Normally there will be one for detecting an "Low" or "Start Filling" and another for detecting a "Full" or "Stop Filling" level.

The liquid soap feeding means can be a gravity feed system, with the central * : reservoir set up above the individual reservoirs and servo-valves in feed lines to the *:::. individual reservoirs. However, preferably a pump is provided for pumping the soap from the central reservoir to the individual reservoirs. Conveniently a control system is provided to switch the pump ON and open that individual reservoir's servo-valve *. .. 25 whenever a Low signal has been received and OFF again once the corresponding Full signal has been received.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washroom and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a liquid-soap dispensing system according to the invention for use in the washroom.

Referring to the drawings, a washroom has a plurality of basins 1 set in a counter 2 with taps 3 and soap dispenser heads 4 extending from a splash back 5. The latter is mounted on a wall 6. Behind the wall are arrayed individual reservoirs 7 with a soap dispensing pump S integral with each reservoir. As is conventional, each dispenser head has a hand presence detector 9. When a hand is detected, via a control circuit 10 the pump dispenses a dose of soap into the detected hand of the user.

In accordance with the invention, the reservoirs are provided with detectors II rand l1 for detecting respectively when the level of the liquid soap in the individual dispenser is Full or Low. A remote, larger central reservoir 12 is provided with a pump 14 connected to a main, supply pipe 15, from which individual supply pipes, each with a solenoid valve 16, extend to the individual reservoirs.

After dispensing of many doses of liquid soap from one dispenser and its individual reservoir, the Low level is detected. The control circuit for this dispenser opens the solenoid valve 16 and sends a signal to a main control unit 17 at the main reservoir, which switches On the pump 14. The individual reservoir is steadily filled -liquid soap is viscous and is pumped slower than water for the same pump -and when the level reaches the Full detector, the pump is switched off and the solenoid valve is closed.

*eec.. * .

This operation is entirely automatic and requires only for the washroom attendant to monitor a single control panel 18. The main reservoir is provided with its * level detectors 1 9 and 1 9i. The panel alarms when the central reservoir is Low. It is filled manually. Typically the central reservoir has a 25litre capacity and the *** . * individual reservoirs have a 11 capacity. For a typical washroom, it can be expected that the main reservoir will be filled once a day on a routine basis.

It should be noted that whilst mains voltage is applied to the main control unit, 17, the latter includes a rectifier to low voltage and the system, including the individual control units and solenoid valves, operates at low DC voltage.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the system is applicable to conventional liquid soap, as preferred, where the dispenser are suitably provided with foam heads, to liquid soap. *040 * S **. 4 * * * * 44 * 4 * ** * -J

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A liquid-soap dispensing system comprising: * a central liquid soap reservoir, * a plurality of individual, smaller soap dispensers arrangeable for dispensing liquid soap to users, * a plurality of individual liquid soap reservoirs, these reservoirs being arranged to feed the dispensers with liquid soap, * a liquid soap level detector for each individual reservoir and * refill means for feeding liquid soap to a respective one of the individual reservoirs from the central reservoir in response to low liquid soap level detection at the respective individual reservoir.
2. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an equal number of individual soap dispensers and individual soap reservoirs are provided.
3. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a greater number of individual soap dispensers than individual soap reservoirs are provided, each individual reservoir being arranged to feed more than one reservoir with soap.
4. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensers are manual pump action dispensers.
5. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dispensers are automatic dispensers incorporating a proximity sensor and a power operated individual pump arranged to dispense in response to a hand presence detection.
6. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detectors for detecting the liquid-soap level in the individual reservoirs are float level detectors or transducer level detectors.
7. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein each individual reservoir has one "Low" or "Start Filling" level detector and another "Full" or "Stop Filling" level detector.
8. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid soap refill feeding means is a gravity feed system, in which in use the central reservoir is set up above the individual reservoirs and the soap feeding means including servo-valves in feed lines from the central reservoir to the individual reservoirs for controlling feed of liquid soap.
9. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the liquid soap refill feeding means includes a refill pump for pumping liquid soap from the central reservoir to the individual reservoirs and servo-valves in feed lines from the central reservoir to the individual reservoirs for controlling feed of liquid soap.
10. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in claim 9, including a control system to switch the refill pump ON and open that individual reservoir's servo-valve in response to low liquid soap level detection at the respective individual reservoir and OFF again in response to thll liquid soap level detection.
11. A liquid-soap dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the central reservoir is provided with full and low level detectors and a control panel is provided a central reservoir Low alarm to indicate that the central reservoir itself should be refilled.
12. A liquid-soap dispensing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.