RELATED APPLICATION
-
This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application of William M. Louis and Constance M. Louis for CONTINUOUS FLOW FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND BATCH DILUTING SYSTEM THEREFOR, filed 10 Aug. 2015. Application No. 62/282/763, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-
1. Field of the Invention
-
The present invention generally relates to dispensing devices. It more particularly relates to a dispensing device which may be utilized to mix a concentrate with another fluid to form a solution, and to dispense the solution as desired by a user without system interruption until the concentrate supply is consumed.
-
2. Background Art
-
There is no admission that the background art disclosed in this section legally constitutes prior art.
-
There have been a variety of concerns or problems associated with the mixing or dispensing of two fluids, such as a liquid soap and water. For example, where there is a conventional hand cleaning basin, including those in rest rooms and kitchens, whether at home, restaurant, retail store, hotel, hospital rooms, and others, there are common problems in dispensing, handling, storing and cleaning up liquid soap.
-
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the correct way to wash hands is to first wet them, and then to apply soap. Next, the hands are rubbed together to mix soap and water, scrubbing all surfaces to dislodge germs. Finally, the hands are rinsed well to remove soap and germs, and then dry the hands.
-
But many people wash “incorrectly.” They first apply soap onto the hands, and then turn on the water, which immediately rinses much of the soap off before washing can even begin.
-
In either case, the water and soap come from separate sources, are applied sequentially, and are mixed by rubbing the hands.
-
Much of the volume of most or many hand washing solutions is filler added to make it easier for users to control the amount of soap dispensed and as an aid in spreading or distributing it about their hands. There also may be a psychological aspect in that concentrated soaps may not give users the feeling that they are applying sufficient solution to properly perform the cleaning function. Filler, which adds to the bulk, weight and viscosity, also adds to the cost of manufacture, transportation, and storage. Filler also may make mixing the solution on the hands more difficult and takes longer. Because some of the solution may never really become well mixed, rinsing also may take longer, resulting in wasting of water. The excess soap and water may then flow into our waste water systems and is not ecologically desirable. The longer it takes to complete the whole hand washing process, the more likely the washing of one's hands may be performed inadequately and quickly, or may be skipped entirely. Even healthcare workers in hospitals may skip hand washing due to the time consuming nature of the process. Hence the CDC promotes the supplemental use of antiseptic gels because they may be more convenient than washbasin washing. However, regular hand washing is still necessary to remove dirt and viruses. Actually, most of the time in conventional handwashing is wasted: First, to spread the soap around, and to displace water under nails and in cracks before effective washing can begin. Then, to break down patches of gooey soap so it can be rinsed away.
-
Today many people don't take produce washing seriously. Why? Actually, there are a number of reasons . . . Unfortunately, one of the sound reasons is that all too often, there simply isn't enough time; that washing the conventional way takes way too long. One of the bad reasons is not knowing better. That certainly applies to produce washing. Much of our produce is imported, having been contaminated with pesticides and polluted soil and fertilizer. Oil and wax often protect the surfaces. Another bad reason for not washing: We're being told by those who should know better, that all we need to do is rinse with water. They even call it “washing!” Conclusion: We do even worse at washing produce than hand washing!
-
There is cleaning concentrate available today, commonly called “fruit & veggie wash” which is extremely effective cleaner for all kinds of items from hands to produce, even including garage floors (just to illustrate how well it works), that is low viscosity, lab proven, and made with natural ingredients that are less contaminating to the environment. Examples of sources for such concentrate are eatcleaner.com and mercola.com.
-
U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,258, titled Wash Station and Method of Operation, disclosed a system for automating substantially the entire water/soap discharge operation in an effort to streamline hand washing. It too discharges soap and water selectively from separate orifices at the end of a faucet. Hence it has the same limited advantage over current practice of entirely separate water and soap dispensers as the previously cited patent.
-
Numerous systems that inject one fluid into the moving stream of a second fluid, such as garden sprayers, rely solely upon a pressure drop in the injector to draw or suck, fluid into the mainstream. This pressure drop may be so reduced at the flow rates, that it may not be a reliable injection mechanism for some applications.
-
In part to reduce problems with operation at low flow rates, and thoroughly mix cleaning concentrate with water, as well as to eliminate problems of backflow into public water supplies in water delivery failure when negative pressure can draw fluids from attached plumbing systems, the inventors of this present application filed U.S. Patent Application, Pub. No.: 20098/0000024 A1, titled Dispensing System and Method, and Injector Therefor. But a testbed revealed there were still problems with low flow rates, hence further development of better technology leading to this current invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-
The present invention describes a system that facilitates handy, quick and efficient hand and produce washing. Upon user demand, it dispenses a cleaning solution that is ideal for washing, eliminating the necessity of the user mixing cleaner with water, so that cleaning can begin immediately, and that all surfaces to be washed will be wetted with cleaner. Because of the ideal wetting with the cleaning solution, washing can begin immediately and with maximum efficiency, saving considerable time in handwashing, including rinsing, because the cleaning solution is of low viscosity and there are no patches of gooey soap that need be manually broken up and rinsed away, also saving water in addition to time.
-
The system is capable of dispensing cleaning solution even at very low flow rates if so desired, and at the same time maintaining correct dilution. The basic configuration is appropriate for faucets that can dispense water only such as kitchen or bathroom faucets in addition to cleaning solution only—or both water and cleaning solution together for produce, for which it is well suited. It is also suited to cleaning solution only dispensers, such as for bathroom “soap” dispensers.
-
The invention facilitates the use of a highly concentrated cleaner from a container that can be refilled, in some configurations being handy to the user. The batch mixing system has two interconnected containers, the first container for mixing concentrate and water, the second container for storing and dispensing the mixed solution. When the volume of stored solution in the storage container gets low enough, but before it is empty, solution is released from the mixing container to fill the storage container, so that dispensing of solution through the faucet is not interrupted. After refilling of the storage container, automatically, a new batch is quickly prepared in the mixing container so that the process can be repeated as necessary. Thus the system can dispense a continuous flow of cleaning solution even at low rates of flow out of the faucet.
-
Another major advantage of the present invention is that it avoids problems associated with backflow into public water systems occasioned by water system failure. It accomplishes this by maintaining an air gap between the end of the water line above the maximum water level in the mixing container, and having the end of the cleaning solution dispensing line up above the spout orifice so that any water drawn back into the system will bring air with it, not any cleaning solution.
-
Appropriate mechanical and electronic systems are used to activate and control the conventional water handling components, such as valves and pumps, as utilized in various embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of certain embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic side view of one embodiment of my invention, a manually operated dispensing system for cleaning solution. The dispenser itself could be mounted on the top of a counter (location shown), or on the edge of a sink. Underneath the counter or sink is a container for cleaning concentrate and a container for cleaning solution. The three units are connected by lines for water, cleaning concentrate, and cleaning solution.
-
FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of my invention, an automatic faucet for dispensing cleaning solution, diluted cleaning solution, and just water (like a standard faucet). The faucet itself could be mounted on the top of a counter (location shown), or on the edge of a sink. Underneath the counter or sink is a container for cleaning concentrate and a container for cleaning solution. The three units are connected by lines for water, cleaning concentrate, and cleaning solution.
-
FIG. 3 is a semi-diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of my invention, an automatic dispensing system for cleaning solution. The dispenser itself could be mounted on the top of a counter (location shown), or on the edge of a sink. The container for cleaning concentrate is integrated into the dispenser for easy access. Underneath the counter or sink is a container for cleaning solution. The two units are connected by lines for water, cleaning concentrate, and cleaning solution.
-
FIG. 4 is a semi-diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of my invention, a manually operated faucet for dispensing cleaning solution, diluted cleaning solution, and just water (like a standard faucet). The faucet itself could be mounted on the top of a counter (location shown), or on the edge of a sink. The container for cleaning concentrate is integrated into the faucet for easy access. Underneath the counter or sink is a container for cleaning solution. The two units are connected by lines for water, cleaning concentrate, and cleaning solution.
-
FIG. 5 is a enlarged semi-diagrammatic sectional view of the cleaning solution container with cleaning solution container top shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The mixing and storage containers are shown with a maximum fill solution level. (Note that the cleaning solution container associated with the system shown in FIG. 1 would not have a solution pump, the cleaning solution being pumped manually by the user pressing on the push button for the mechanical pump. Note also that the cleaning concentrate line associated with the systems shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 enter the cleaning solution top from the right side, along with the other two lines.
-
FIG. 6 is the same as FIG. 4, but with the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle, cleaning concentrate bottle aligned for insertion by the user, and the lid for receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle ready for attachment on the receptacle for the cleaning concentrate bottle, all shown in exploded view.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
-
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system, components and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of the invention. For example, a non-illustrated embodiment could have the two containers shown in FIG. 5 arranged differently—side-by-side, instead of nesting with one above the other. The side-by-side arrangement may have a pump to move fluid through a line between the containers, instead of a valve with the fluid drawn down by gravity.
-
The present invention lends itself to applications in addition those illustrated here, but easily understood in light of the flexibility and power of the system. Much of this adaptability and usefulness derives from the use of electronics and imbedded microprocessors that facilitate sophisticated behavior to accommodate a wide range of anticipated and unanticipated uses.
-
NOTE: For clarity, in the illustrations conventional fluid handling mechanisms are not shown. Only enough such detail is included to make the basic operating mechanism understandable. The illustrations illustrate how the system works, and do not represent a production design. The faucet illustrations do not show how the water flow is controlled by the user, including regulation of cold and hot water. Only one water line is indicated, representative of water. However, because of the low percentage of cleaning solution mixed with water, and the usual experience of cleaning solution being room temperature, the water used in the present invention will normally be from the cold line only.
-
A method and system are disclosed for the mixing and dispensing of a cleaning concentrate that is suited to use in several applications, including sink top cleaner dispensing, as well as integration into more-or-less conventional water faucets of different types, including washroom sink and kitchen sink, residential as well as commercial configurations.
-
The system facilitates the use of a cleaning concentrate that can be diluted into a cleaning solution with a manifold increase of volume, so that much washing can be accomplished with a small volume of cleaning concentrate being consumed in the process. The system is connected to a water supply that can either be a closed portable system with relatively large container, or a utility line. The cleaning concentrate container in some configurations of the present invention is handy to the user, being above the counter, and integrated with the dispenser or faucet for immediate replacement with a new bottle of cleaning concentrate. Because of being integrated with the faucet or dispenser, the size of such a container is necessarily limited in size or volume. Separate, non-integrated containers may be much larger in capacity, and stored under the counter, perhaps intentionally hidden and inaccessible by the user, but still accessible for servicing by appropriate persons. Such containers can range widely in size or capacity, depending upon requirements. Some configurations, either above (most likely wall mounted) or under counter, could share a cleaning concentrate container, with a manifold distributing concentrate to several dispensers or faucets. This would typically be where there are several sinks sharing the system.
-
The present invention is a batch mixing system, that can dispense a continuous flow of cleaning solution. This is accomplished by having a cleaning solution container that consists of two interconnected containers that work together to mix and store the cleaning solution. The first container is for mixing concentrate and water; the second container is for storing and dispensing the mixed solution. To create a new batch of cleaning solution, the system operates the concentrate pump in the cleaning solution container top, and opens the water valve. As a result, cleaning concentrate and water flow into the mixing container, becoming a homogeneous solution. Below the mixing container, in the storage container, when by user consumption of cleaning solution, the cleaning solution volume decreases and the level of that fluid lowers to a pre-determined level, the valve at the bottom of the mixing container is opened by the system to allow the solution to rapidly drain into the storage container. The opening of the valve between the containers only occurs when there is sufficient space in the storage container to contain all of the cleaning solution in the mixing container in addition to the solution still remaining in the storage container. In some configurations of the present invention, the mixing container may not need sensing systems to measure fluid level. Since the container mixes in batches and each cycle empties fully, having pumping systems that deliver a pre-determined amount of fluid for a batch can result in a cleaning solution of consistent volume and concentration. If there is a way to control or change the amounts the pumps deliver, the system can also alter the concentration as desired to accommodate to different user demands and different kinds of cleaning concentrate.
-
One of the major systematic advantages of the present invention is that it avoids problems with continuous mixing of low flow situations, such as in normal hand and produce washing. The precision of control and associated cost of components required to achieve such precision is typically more expensive than the cost of components required for the present invention. When mixing a relatively large batch of fluid, the flow rate into the cleaning solution container can be sufficiently high, or in discreet batches or pulses of fluid, that the mechanisms can be relatively simple and inexpensive, as well as usually more reliable in operation over an extended time.
-
In most common situations, dispensers and faucets will be used to dispense cleaning solution at relatively low rates of flow, but there may be times when a user requires a much higher rate of flow, such as when filling a large container or sink with cleaning solution for carrying to another location or use to clean a really large batch of produce. At such times, when a high flow rate of cleaning solution is desired, the system may switch into a steady mode of operation; the cleaning concentrate and water flowing continuously into the mixing container at a rate appropriate to the chosen cleaning solution discharge rate as effected by the solution pump. The mixing process is continuous and effective because of the active mixing currents generated by the strong inflow of water and further mixing as the fluid flows from one container into the other.
-
The present invention is equally suited to dispensers that dispensing cleaning solution only, with two examples shown, as well as faucets that can also dispense water only (like a normal faucet) in addition to cleaning solution, with two examples shown.
-
Another major advantage of the present invention is that it avoids problems associated with backflow when a public water system to which a faucet or dispenser is connected to fails, sucking water back into the system, and often along with it, any fluids introduced into the dispensing system, such as a cleaning solution or concentrate. The illustrated examples all feature a mixing system in which the incoming water line discharge orifice is above and at a distance from the maximum fill level of the cleaning solution. Thus a suction on the line will not be able to draw any solution into the water line.
-
A second mechanism the present invention utilizes to eliminate backflow problems is to have a significant distance between the end of the cleaning solution line and the spout orifice, and the delivery end of the spout is oriented in a severe downward direction, so that whenever the delivery of fluid(s) is terminated, any residual fluid immediately drains from the spout, leaving no fluid to be sucked back up the water line with any fluid that could contaminate a water system.
-
For the present invention to be most effective, the cleaning concentrate should be of low viscosity. Low viscosity facilitates essentially all of the fluid dynamics, most especially the mixing process in the cleaning solution container. NOTE: Most liquid soap is, by volume, largely composed of non-cleaning efficacious materials, like perfumes, suds creators, lotion to sooth the skin, even substances to increase the viscosity. Most of these substances actually tend to inhibit the effective cleaning action of the “soap.”
-
In order to actuate the cleaning solution dispensing function of a faucet using the present invention, the user may push a button, touch a sensor, turn a dial, or other user activating mechanism. Such mechanisms can be in a user convenient location on the faucet, but not in a location that will tend to accidentally cause cleaner solution to be dispensed. Of course, the cleaner dispensers that do not dispense water only do not have this problem with having the user choose what product to dispense. Such user control mechanisms for dispensing cleaning solution are not illustrated, and are relatively logical in design and application, but as applied to specific designs.
-
With the faucets, the capability may also be included to simultaneously dispense water in addition to the cleaning solution to further increase the dilution of the solution, such as for cleaning produce, instead of cleaning hands. In such a case, there may be additional controls for the user to select modes of operation. Some systems may allow the user to chose different dilutions of cleaning solution, or even in some cases, between two or more different types of cleaning solution, which would be facilitated by a system with two or more cleaning concentrate containers. The water only and cleaning solution controls should not be confusing to users, and capable of being controlled separately.
-
To indicate to the user that a faucet is dispensing cleaning solution, not water, there are several options available, perhaps the most effective is the use of light. This could be with a light, such as a colored light emitting LED located within the end of the faucet, so that it is in direct contact with the fluid being dispensed The water acts as a light guide, carrying the light down to whatever it comes into contact with, such as a hand, dramatically showing the dispensing of cleaning solution in an entertaining way. Just having a colored light attached on the faucet outside surface in a clearly visible location would also work, but in quite so dramatic fashion.
-
For washing hands, a user first wets their hands with cleaning solution, rubs up, then rinses.
-
For washing produce, the faucet dispenses water and cleaning solution together • Then a quick rinse. You can easily wash produce like you wash hands. The sequences merge easily, hands first, then produce • No need to get a bowl and mix water and cleaner • Handy for single item or big batch • No bottle hassles, especially with irritating spraying.
-
Pumps of various types are suited to the present invention for moving cleaning concentrate from the cleaning concentrate bottle to the cleaning solution container, as well as moving the cleaning solution from the cleaning solution container up and out of the spout. Two example pump types: (1) Diaphragm Pump for pumping concentrate to mix (one or two deliveries/batch). (2) Peristaltic Pump for pumping solution to faucet (to deliver steady or interrupted flow to user with modest flow rate.)
-
Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention, a manually actuated cleaning solution (soap) dispenser. It would normally be located on the top side of a sink or basin, or adjacent countertop. Note demarcation: above countertop components 110, below countertop components 112. Pressing down on the push button for mechanical pump 122 draws cleaning solution through the cleaning solution line 144 from the cleaning solution container 130, which is below the countertop or sink, to exit the dispenser from the delivery end of the spout 124. Water is fed into the cleaning solution container 130 through the water line 140, to be mixed with cleaning concentrate fed into the cleaning solution container through the cleaning concentrate line 142 that carries the cleaning concentrate from the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 126.
-
Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the present invention, a “no touch” faucet with an automatic sensor 222 for controlling water flow, or in some cases when so chosen by the user, such as when washing produce or hands, the sensor can also be used to control the flow of cleaning solution. When so desired by the user, both cleaning solution and water only can be dispensed by the faucet. Other user operated controls for the faucet are not illustrated, but are necessary for the functioning the present invention. It is highly desirable in most situations that the control to activate cleaning solution discharge be handy to the user, but not subject to accidental activation. The faucet can operate as a conventional water only faucet, and will do so unless the user takes specific action to have it dispense cleaning solution. A faucet system can be so configured to have a programmed washing sequence for handwashing with the sequence being triggered by some specific action by the user, such as waving a hand over the top end of the faucet, which is detected by a sensor. The first step in the sequence is, after a short delay to allow the user to position both hands under the faucet, a specific amount of cleaning solution is delivered at a convenient rate of flow for the user to throughly wet their hands. Then there is a period of time, such as 15 seconds, with no fluid flow at all, during which the user should throughly scrub up, working the solution into the hands. Then there is a timed delivery of rinse water, and the sequence terminates. For water only dispensing, water is delivered to the faucet by the water line 260 to the faucet. Note demarcation: above countertop components 210, below countertop components 212. When dispensing cleaning solution, it is pumped from the cleaning solution container 240, which is under the counter, through the cleaning solution line 254 to the faucet to exit the faucet from inside the delivery end of the spout 224, stopping short of the orifice of the spout. The part of the cleaning solution line 254 that is inside the faucet 224 is illustrated as hidden. Water is fed into the cleaning solution container 240 through the water line 250, to be mixed with cleaning solution concentrate fed into the cleaning solution container through the cleaning concentrate line 252 that carries the cleaning concentrate from the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 230, the receptacle 230 being under the counter. There is a clearance between end of cleaning solution line and spout orifice 226, and the delivery end of the spout is oriented in a severe downward direction, so that whenever the delivery of fluid(s) is terminated, any residual fluid immediately drains from the spout, leaving no fluid to be sucked back up the water line with any fluid that could contaminate a water system.
-
Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention, a “no touch” cleaning solution (soap) dispenser with an automatic sensor 322 for controlling cleaning solution flow. The dispenser would normally be located on the top side of a sink or basin, or adjacent countertop. Note demarcation: above countertop components 310, below countertop components 312. Moving a hand within operating range of the sensor 322 activates the solution pump in the cleaning solution container top 332, which is below the countertop or sink, pumping cleaning solution through the cleaning solution line 344, to exit the dispenser from the delivery end of the spout 324. Water is fed into the cleaning solution container 230 through the water line 240, to be mixed with cleaning concentrate fed into the container 330 through the cleaning concentrate line 342 that carries the cleaning concentrate from the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 326. which is integrated into the dispenser body. The receptacle is thus easily accessed by a user, so that when necessary, they can remove the lid for receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 328 to replace an empty cleaning concentrate bottle with a full bottle.
-
Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present invention, a manually operated faucet, such as a kitchen faucet. The faucet can operate as a conventional water only faucet, and will do so unless the user takes specific action to have it dispense cleaning solution using control mechanisms (not illustrated). For water only dispensing, water is delivered to the faucet by the water line to faucet 460. When dispensing cleaning solution, it is pumped from the cleaning solution container 440, which is under the counter, through the cleaning solution line 454 to the faucet to exit the faucet from inside the delivery end of the spout 424, stopping short of the orifice of the spout. The part of the cleaning solution line 454 that is inside the faucet 424 is illustrated as hidden. Note demarcation: above countertop components 410, below countertop components 412. Water is fed into the cleaning solution container 440 through the water line 450, to be mixed with cleaning solution concentrate fed into the cleaning solution container through the cleaning concentrate line 452 that carries the cleaning concentrate from the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 430. The receptacle is integrated with the faucet to be easily accessible to a user, so that when necessary, they can remove the lid for receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 432 to replace an empty cleaning concentrate bottle with a full bottle. The system may be designed so that indication is given to the user so that they can determine the amount of cleaning concentrate remaining. There is a clearance between end of cleaning solution line and spout orifice 426, and the delivery end of the spout is oriented in a severe downward direction, so that whenever the delivery of fluid(s) is terminated, any residual fluid immediately drains from the spout, leaving no fluid to be sucked back up the water line with any fluid that could contaminate a water system. The manual water handle 422 normally controls flow of water (hot and cold by respective handles), when so desired by a user.
-
Referring now to FIG. 5, the basic internal design of a cleaning solution container assembly common to dispensing systems typical of the present invention and usually mounted under the counter. There are two interconnected containers that work together controlled by the system to mix and store the cleaning solution. The upper, or mixing container 522 is for mixing cleaning concentrate that comes to the cleaning solution container top 520 through the cleaning concentrate line 542 and is injected by the concentrate pump 532 through the cleaning concentrate line (fill) 552 into the container 522. The dominant fluid by volume is water that comes to the cleaning solution container top 520 through the water line 540 which brings in water and is injected into the container through the water line (fill) 550 after flowing through the water pump/water valve 530 Whether it is a pump or valve depends upon the specific embodiment of the invention. Examples: It will be a pump if the system is not connected to a public water supply, but uses water contained within a self contained unit such as a portable handwash station or sink; it will be a valve if the system is connected to a public water supply. The entry of the cleaning concentrate line 542 may be on the other side from that illustrated, as may be the cleaning concentrate line (fill) 552. The cleaning solution container top 520 may be removably attached to the underside of a countertop, with the two containers 522, 524, for maintenance servicing removably attached to the top 520. To create a new batch of cleaning solution 560, the system operates the concentrate pump 532, and the water pump/water valve 530. As a result, cleaning concentrate and water flow into the mixing container 522 the water directed downwards with vigor, so the two fluids quickly mix into a homogeneous solution. For optimal mixing and accurate control of the mixture, the appropriate amount of cleaning concentrate should be metered first, then the water should be added. When the cleaning solution 560 volume in the mixing container 522 increases and the level of that fluid rises to a pre-determined level as measured by a sensing mechanism, the inflow of the two fluids is terminated. (The sensing mechanism is not illustrated, but necessary to control the system. A sensor that determines fluid level by detecting the presence or absence of conduction, using the conductive property of the contained fluid, would be one kind of appropriate sensor.) The cleaning solution 560 may fill the container 522 up to a maximum fill hight that leaves a minimum clearance between the ends of the fill lines and maximum fill solution level 570. Below the mixing solution container 522, in the storage container 524, when by user consumption of cleaning solution, the cleaning solution 562 volume decreases and the level of that fluid lowers to a pre-determined level as measured by a sensing mechanism (not illustrated), the container valve 536 at the bottom of the mixing container 522 is opened by the system to allow the solution 560 to rapidly drain, drawn by gravity, into the storage container 524. The opening of the container valve 536 between the containers only occurs when there is sufficient space in the storage container 524 to contain all of the cleaning solution 560 in the mixing container 522 in addition to the solution 562 still remaining in the storage container 524. This way there is no overflowing, always leaving clearance between the end of the discharge line and maximum fill solution level 580, but the storage container 524 is always as full as possible to facilitate a continuous flow. As soon as the mixing container 522 is empty, the system begins the process of mixing a new batch of cleaning solution to be ready to fill the storage container 524 as needed to allow for the continuous dispensing of cleaning solution. This cycle of mixing with uninterrupted dispensing may rapidly repeat itself in various situations, such as if a user has turned on the cleaner flow for some time in an extended washing of very dirty hands, or with a kitchen faucet, to fill a large container to wash produce in. In this way, the present invention has the advantages of both a batch mixing or diluting system (systematic advantages) as well as a continuous flow system (user advantages). The cleaning solution container top 520 may or may not (depending upon the specific embodiment of the invention) contain a solution pump 534 to draw up cleaning solution by the cleaning solution line (intake) 554 and eject out into the cleaning solution line (out) 544. Example: The cleaning solution container top 520 will not have a solution pump 534 if the dispenser is manually operated, such as shown in FIG. 1.
-
Referring now to FIG. 6, which is the same as FIG. 4, but with the receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 630, cleaning concentrate bottle 620 aligned for insertion by the user, and the lid for receptacle for cleaning concentrate bottle 632, all shown in exploded view. Note demarcation: above countertop components 610, below countertop components 612. The system may be designed so that indication is given to the user so that they can determine the amount of cleaning concentrate remaining. When a bottle is empty, the user can remove it and replace it with a full bottle. Proprietary designs for the bottle and receptacle may be used to assure that only bottles of the particular proprietary design are compatible with the dispenser—Nonproprietary bottles being difficult or impossible to connect. This may be important to avoid contamination of the dispensing system with pathogens or non-low viscosity cleaning concentrates. When a bottle first becomes empty, the design of the dispensing system provides that a significant amount of cleaning solution is still available in the cleaning solution container, so that service may not necessarily be interrupted at an inconvenient time.
-
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different embodiments are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims, there is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.
