SUDSY WATER FIXTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to soap dispensers and, more particularly, to a sudsy water fixture and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

Though hand washing seems simple, the majority of people do not adequately wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. For example, the American Society of Microbiology released a study revealing that 50% of middle and high school students wash their hands, but only 33% of males and 8% of females use soap. Soap represents a key component for effective hand hygiene. Even so, of those people who wash their hands with soap, only 5% wash their hands long enough to kill germs. For example, to kill germs, a person must wash their hands with soap for about 15 seconds.

Each year, 2.2 million children under the age of 5 die from preventable diarrheal and respiratory illnesses worldwide. Correct hand washing, however, can reduce the prevalence of diarrhea by 31% and respiratory illnesses by 21%. Further, in the private sector, correct hand washing can save millions of dollars by reducing worker sick days. Thus, societies could benefit from any mechanism that encourages proper hand washing habits, whereby proper hand washing would significantly reduce the occurrence of illnesses attributed to unclean hands.

In typical wash rooms, soap dispensers are provided separate from the water faucet. For example, the soap dispenser may be next to the water faucet on a sink or on a wall near the sink. Even though the soap dispenser can be in close proximity to the water faucet, the user must independently dispense the soap while running water from the faucet. Because the soap dispenser is separate from the water faucet, users often neglect to use the soap or do not use enough soap for proper disinfection. Further, the process of reaching back and forth between the faucet and soap dispenser takes time and thus water is wasted. Therefore, new approaches are needed to ensure proper hand washing and/or to conserve water while washing hands.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed subject matter generally provides a fixture for mixing soap and water. The presently disclosed fixture encourages a user to wash for an amount of time, e.g., 15 seconds, required to kill germs.

In one aspect, the presently disclosed subject matter provides an above-sink fixture for mixing soap and water, the fixture comprising a soap supply that is fluidly coupled to an aspirator via a supply line, the aspirator further comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet is fluidly coupled to a standard water supply and the second inlet is fluidly coupled to the soap supply via the supply line, and wherein the soap supply is intersected with the standard water supply to create a soapy mixture downstream of the standard water supply.

In certain aspects, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a below-sink fixture for mixing soap and water, the fixture comprising a soap supply that is fluidly coupled to an aspirator via a supply line, the aspirator further comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the first inlet is fluidly coupled to a standard water supply and the second inlet is fluidly coupled to the soap supply via a soap infusion valve, and wherein the soap supply is intersected with the standard water supply to create a soapy mixture upstream.

In particular aspects, the soap infusion valve uses the flow of the soap to determine the amount of soap that enters the water stream. In such aspects, a ball inside of a tube of the soap infusion valve moves in the direction of the soap flow while the faucet is turned on. The ball then hits a stopper and stops the flow of soap, thereby ending the flow of soap after a certain amount of soap enters the water supply.

In further aspects, the fixture includes a pressurized soap canister, wherein the canister can maintain a pressure at or greater than the outlet pressure of the aspirator. Water from a source upstream of the aspirator flows into the soap canister, wherein this water source pressurizes the soap canister to the same pressure as the water supply line, thereby allowing the soap to flow when the aspirator is activated.

Certain aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter having been stated hereinabove, which are addressed in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other aspects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying Examples and Drawings as best described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system arranged in an above-sink configuration;

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system arranged in a below-sink configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a soap infusion valve of the presently disclosed sudsy water system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinged flap of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a rear plan view) of a first portion of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a rear plan view) of a second portion of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 shows detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and an end view) of the hinged flap of the soap infusion valve shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an example of a method of operation of the presently disclosed sudsy water system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system arranged in a below-sink configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example of a soap dispensing device of the sudsy water system shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show exploded views of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 show various views of an example of a soap injector of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12, wherein the soap injector comprises both a soap infusion valve and an aspirator (or Venturi pump);

FIG. 19 is a side view of an example of a ball of the soap injector shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 show various views of an example of an endcap of the soap injector shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 show various views of an example of a soap canister of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 show various views of an example of a soap canister cap of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 show various views of an example of a soap bladder of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and FIG. 30 show cross-sectional views of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of an example of a method of operation of the presently disclosed sudsy water system shown in FIG. 11 that comprises the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12 through FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a view showing three states of the soap infusion valve of the soap dispensing device shown in FIG. 12 through FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is another embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system arranged in an above-sink configuration; and

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the soap dispensing device used in the above-sink configuration of the sudsy water system shown in FIG. 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I. Sudsy Water Fixture

The presently disclosed subject matter provides a fixture for mixing soap and water. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture comprises a soap supply and mixing intersections. The fixture can be attached to an existing faucet or be built into the faucet or any other plumbing system.

The objectives of the presently disclosed fixture include, but are not limited to: improving public health by providing a system that standardizes the way that the general public or particular populations, e.g., school-age children, wash or scrub their hands, which is accomplished, in part, by seamlessly transitioning from releasing a mixture of soap and water to releasing just water; providing an inexpensive system that is automated and, in particular embodiments, does not require electricity making it adaptable for any location having a water source; and providing a robust device that can withstand long term wear and tear. Accordingly, the presently disclosed fixture facilitates the use of soap while hand washing, thereby more effectively removing disease causing germs from the user's hands and promoting the reduction of diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.

The presently disclosed fixture is adaptable to any faucet or water supply/source and enhances the hand washing process by controlling several steps in the process including turning the faucet on, mixing the soap and water, providing fresh water, and then turning the faucet off More particularly, and as provided in more detail herein below, when the faucet is turned on, the presently disclosed fixture initially releases fresh water to allow the user time to place their hands beneath the flowing water. This step, in some embodiments, can occur over a time period of about one second. The pressure differential created by the flowing water causes soap to enter the water stream, mix and lather, and then exit the faucet over several, e.g., 5, seconds. Then, fresh water, i.e., soap free water, is released to allow the user to rinse for, in some embodiments, 15 seconds. The entire process can take approximately 20 seconds, during which the user's hands never leave the stream of water.

In one mode of operation, the soap mixes with the water at the faucet outlet. In another mode of operation, the fixture is bypassed to provide water without soap. In certain embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture further comprises an automatic shut off system that regulates the amount of time the water is infused with soap to regulate the concentration of soap in the water. In other embodiments, the fixture comprises a time release valve for the soap. For example, the time release valve can release the soap at different times during different washes for different users. That is, the time release valve can release the soap after 2 seconds for user A, while the time release valve can release the soap after 5 seconds for user B. In yet more particular embodiments, the soap is a concentrated soap adapted to provide an ideal soap/water mixture.

As also is provided in more detail herein below, the presently disclosed fixture comprises at least three general components: a soap canister, which in particular embodiments, is pressurized; an injection mechanism; and a valve. The fixture can be adapted for use with any faucet or water supply/source. The presently disclosed fixture infuses an optimal amount of soap and automatically resets after each use. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture is completely mechanical and does not require the use of electricity.

Without wishing to be bound to any one particular theory, the presently disclosed fixture operates on the principles of pressure and drag. One component of the fixture comprises an aspirator, which in particular embodiments, comprises a Venturi pump. A Venturi pump forces a fluid through a constriction thereby producing a pressure differential. In the presently disclosed fixture, this pressure differential is used to draw soap from the soap canister, e.g., a pressurized soap canister, and infuse the soap into the efflux stream of water.

Because the volumetric flow rate must stay constant throughout the entire system, reducing the cross-sectional area of a pipe results in an increase in fluid velocity. Increasing the velocity of incompressible fluids results in a decrease in pressure at the constriction according to Equation 1:

p
₁
−p
₂
=Q
₂(v₂²−v₁²) eq.(1)

where p₁is the pressure before the constriction, p₂is the pressure after the constriction, Q₂is the density of the fluid, v₁is the velocity of the slower fluid, and v₂is the velocity of the faster fluid where the pipe constricts.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter includes an under- or below-sink model, which comprises a soap supply. In some embodiments, this soap supply can be contained within a canister, or, in some embodiments, a pressurized canister. In some embodiments, the pressurized canister can be pressurized using the water from the water supply. To facilitate the desired aspiration, in some embodiments, the pressure in the soap reservoir and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the pipe are substantially equal. The pressurized canister also facilitates removing soap from the canister, for example, soap in a bag comprising the canister.

In some embodiments, the soap supply can be removable. In other embodiments, the soap supply can contain up to five gallons of soap, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 gallons of liquid soap. Larger or smaller volumes of soap also are envisioned depending on the needs of the user. In other embodiments, the soap supply can comprise one or more fluids. In particular embodiments, the one or more fluids are selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, a disinfectant, a deodorant, a fragrance, and a flavor. In certain embodiments, the soap supply is substantially free of soap.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter includes an over- or above-sink model, which comprises a removable soap cartridge. In other embodiments, the removable soap cartridge can contain several fluid ounces of liquid soap or more. For example, the removable soap cartridge may contain 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or more fluid ounces of soap depending on the needs of the user, such as the initial concentration of the soap and the space requirements of the area around the sink.

In some embodiments, the aspirator (or Venturi pump), the soap supply, and the valve can be integrated into one device, which, in some embodiments, comprises the removable soap cartridge.

The removable soap cartridge can be in fluid communication with an aspirator at the faucet end via a tube. In such embodiments, the aspirator draws the soap into the water and the soap and the water mix to form a sudsy mixture due to turbulent flow. The sudsy mixture then exits the aspirator for the consumer to use.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture further comprises a first valve in fluid communication with and operationally positioned between the soap supply and the aspirator. This valve controls whether or not the soap enters the aspirator. The valve can be turned on or off manually or it can be controlled by a mechanical gear powered by the water flow.

In yet other embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture comprises a second valve in fluid communication with and positioned between the aspirator and the faucet exit, which allows the water from the faucet to bypass the soap supply.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed hand washing station flows seamlessly from releasing soap and water to releasing water alone. The system can lather the soap for the user. The system also can standardize the time a user scrubs their hands with soap.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed system can be used to wash dishes. Currently, a user usually mixes dishwashing soap with water on a sponge or a brush or in a bowl before applying the soapy mixture to a dish. In some embodiments, with the presently disclosed system, the soap is automatically diluted with water before getting to the user so the user does not have to dilute the soap before washing a dish.

In some embodiments, the soap supply can be attached to multiple sinks, each with its own infusion mechanism and aspirator that allow each sink to be run independently and in parallel for commercial and industrial uses. In some embodiments, the soap supply with its own infusion mechanism and aspirator can be attached to a shower or multiple showers.

In particular embodiments, the presently disclosed fixture is integrated with a plumbing system. In certain embodiments, the plumbing system is selected from the group consisting of a faucet piece, a shower, an automatic dishwasher, a bathtub, a pool, a hot tub, a whirlpool, a toilet, and a urinal. Referring now to FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the presently disclosed system; namely, a sudsy water system 100 arranged in an above-sink configuration. The sudsy water system 100 comprises a soap supply 110 that is fluidly coupled to an aspirator 120 via a supply line 130. In this above-sink configuration, the soap supply 110 can be, for example, a removable soap cartridge that can contain several fluid ounces of soap. The aspirator 120 includes a first inlet 122, a second inlet 124, and an outlet 126. The first inlet 122 is fluidly coupled to a standard water supply 150. For example, the first inlet 122 can be fluidly coupled to a faucet 180 by any conventional means. The second inlet 124 of the aspirator 120 is fluidly coupled to the soap supply 110 via the supply line 130. The supply line 130 can be, for example, plastic or rubber tubing. The aspirator 120 is a type of ejector-jet pump that produces vacuum by means of the Venturi effect. In an aspirator (also known as a “Venturi pump”), fluid (liquid or gaseous) flows through a tube which then narrows. When the tube narrows, the fluid's speed increases, and because of the Venturi effect, its pressure decreases.

When in use, water or soapy water is delivered out of the outlet 126 of the aspirator 120. Namely, via the Venturi effect, the aspirator 120 draws the soap from the soap supply 110 into the water. Then, the soap and the water mix inside the aspirator 120 to form a sudsy mixture 185 due to turbulent flow. The sudsy mixture 185 then exits the outlet 126 of the aspirator 120 for consumer to use.

Arranged along the supply line 130 between the soap supply 110 and the aspirator 120 is, for example, a shutoff valve 135 and a soap infusion valve 140. The shutoff valve 135 can be any manual or automatic shutoff valve for turning off the flow of soap from the soap supply 110. The soap infusion valve 140 is a time release valve for releasing a certain amount of soap with each use of faucet 180 by the consumer. The aspirator 120 comprises a mechanism, such as a check valve 128, that prevents water from flowing into the soap infusion valve 140. Further, the aspirator 120 may include a mechanism (not shown in FIG. 1, see, for example, FIG. 33) for bypassing the soap supply 110 altogether to deliver water only (without soap) when desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system 100 arranged in a below-sink configuration. The below-sink configuration is substantially the same as the above-sink configuration shown in FIG. 1 except that the soap supply 110 is located upstream of the faucet 180 instead of downstream of the faucet 180. In this example, the soap supply 110 is out of sight of the user and can be, for example, a container holding up to about five gallons of soap.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the presently disclosed sudsy water system 100 provides: (1) a system that can easily integrate with existing sinks; (2) a time release valve (e.g., the soap infusion valve 140) for time-release of the soap; and (3) an aspirator (the aspirator 120) that mixes the soap and water before it is released for consumption. Accordingly, the presently disclosed sudsy water system 100 provides a hand washing station that flows seamlessly from releasing soap and water to releasing water only. Further, the sudsy water system 100 can be used to standardize the time that users scrub their hands with soap. Additionally, the sudsy water system 100 can be used to lather the soap for the users.

Referring now to FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of the soap infusion valve 140 of the presently disclosed sudsy water system 100. The soap infusion valve 140 comprises a first body 310 that has an inlet 312 and an opposing second body 320 that has an outlet 322. The direction of flow is from the inlet 312 of the first body 310 to the outlet 322 of the second body 320. Namely, the inlet 312 of the first body 310 is facing the soap supply 110, while the outlet 322 of the second body 320 is facing the aspirator 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3 in a disassembled state. In this, view additional features of the first body 310 and the second body 320 of the soap infusion valve 140 are shown. For example, the first body 310 further includes a plurality of alignment features 314 and, likewise, the second body 320 further includes a plurality of alignment features 324. The alignment features 314 of the first body 310 are designed to mate with the opposing alignment features 324 of the second body 320. The alignment features 314 and the alignment features 324 can be, for example, pegs and holes. Further, a cavity 316 is formed in the first body 310. Similarly, a cavity 326 (not visible) is formed in the second body 320. When the first body 310 and the second body 320 are assembled, together the cavity 316 and the cavity 326 form a soap reservoir. Additionally, a slot 318 is provided at one edge of the cavity 316 in the first body 310 for receiving a hinged flap, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinged flap 400 of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3. The hinged flap 400 includes a body 410, as shown. A bar 412 is provided at one end of the body 410, wherein the bar 412 is designed to be slideably and rotatably installed in the slot 318 of the first body 310. The first body 310, the second body 320, and the hinged flap 400 can be formed, for example, of molded plastic or aluminum.

Referring now to FIG. 6 is a side view of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3. This view shows the orientation of the hinged flap 400 (and the specific features thereof) with respect the inlet 312 and the outlet 322. The soap infusion valve 140 also includes a spring 420 for applying spring force to the hinged flap 400 when in use.

Referring now to FIG. 7 are detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a rear plan view) of the first body 310 of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 8 are detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and a rear plan view) of the second body 320 of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 9 are detailed drawings (i.e., a perspective view, a top view, a side view, and an end view) of the hinged flap 400 of the soap infusion valve 140 shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an example of a method 500 of operation of the presently disclosed sudsy water system 100 that is using the soap infusion valve 140 described in FIG. 3 through FIG. 9. The method 500 includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

At a step 510, the sudsy water system 100 is provided in combination with a water supply fixture. For example, the sudsy water system 100 is provided in the above-sink configuration shown in FIG. 1 or the below-sink configuration shown in FIG. 2.

At a step 515, with a starting assumption that the soap reservoir of the soap infusion valve 140 is filled with soap and no water is running, the hinged flap 400 is blocking the inlet 312 of the first body 310 due to spring force of the spring 420. In so doing, the flow of soap from the soap supply 110 and into the soap infusion valve 140 is blocked.

At a step 520, the water is turned on and is flowing through the aspirator 120, which overcomes the spring force of the spring 420 in the soap infusion valve 140. As a result, the hinged flap 400 opens toward the outlet 322 of the second body 320 of the soap infusion valve 140.

At a step 525, the soap reservoir of the soap infusion valve 140 becomes devoid of soap due to vacuum pressure created by water running though the aspirator 120. At the same time, the soap supply inlet is opened and soap reservoir refills with soap for next cycle

At a step 530, the water is turned off and no longer flows through the aspirator 120. Therefore, the pressure inside of the soap infusion valve 140 returns to atmospheric pressure and the hinged flap 400 returns to blocking the inlet 312 of the first body 310 due to the spring force. In so doing, the flow of soap from the soap supply 110 and into the soap infusion valve 140 is again blocked.

Referring now to FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system arranged in a below-sink configuration; namely, a sudsy water system 600. The sudsy water system 600 comprises a soap dispensing device 610, wherein the soap dispensing device 610 further includes a soap supply 612, a soap infusion valve 614, and an aspirator (or Venturi pump) 616.

In soap dispensing device 610, the soap supply 612 supplies the soap infusion valve 614, which then supplies the aspirator 616. The soap supply 612, the soap infusion valve 614, and the aspirator 616 are fluidly coupled via a supply line 618. Namely, the soap infusion valve 614 supplies a soap injection port of the aspirator 616, while the water supply 150 supplies a water supply inlet of the aspirator 616. Namely, a T-fixture 152 in the water supply 150 connects to a supply line 620 that is fluidly coupled to the water supply inlet of the aspirator 616. A standard shutoff valve 622 may be provided inline with the supply line 620. An outlet of the aspirator 616 supplies a soap injection line 624 that is fluidly coupled back to the water supply 150 via a T-fixture 154. A standard shutoff valve 626 may be provided inline with the soap injection line 624.

The soap supply 612 may be, for example, a canister that contains a bladder that holds a quantity of liquid soap. In the soap dispensing device 610 of the sudsy water system 600, the soap supply 612 is a pressurized soap supply. For example, a water supply line 628 that branches off the supply line 620 is fluidly connected to the canister forming soap supply 612. Water from water supply line 628, which is under pressure, fills the void inside of the canister but outside of the soap bladder, thereby applying pressure to the soap inside the soap bladder. Namely, water from a source before the aspirator 616 flows into the soap supply canister of soap supply 612. This pressurizes the soap supply canister to the same pressure as the water supply 150, allowing the soap to flow when the aspirator 616 is activated. The pressurized soap canister can maintain a pressure at or greater than the outlet pressure of the aspirator 616. An example of a pressurized canister and soap bladder are described herein below with reference to FIG. 12 through 31.

In the soap dispensing device 610 of the sudsy water system 600, water pressure pushes the soap from the soap bladder into the soap infusion valve 614. Then, the soap infusion valve 614 supplies a controlled amount of soap for a controlled amount of time to the aspirator 616, wherein the aspirator 616 draws the soap from the infusion valve 614 via vacuum pressure due to the Venturi effect. Water and soap mix in the aspirator 616, which is injected back into the water supply 150 that supplies the faucet 180. Accordingly, the soap dispensing device 610 is a totally passive device that can be used to inject a controlled amount of soap into the water supply 150 that supplies the faucet 180. Namely, the soap dispensing device 610 requires no electricity as it operates based off a pressure differential created by the aspirator 616, which is the Venturi pump. An example of one instantiation of the soap dispensing device 610 is described herein below with reference to FIG. 12 through 31.

Referring now to FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a soap dispensing device 700, wherein the soap dispensing device 700 is an example instantiation of the soap dispensing device 610 of the sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 11. Referring now to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are exploded views of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12. In this example, the soap dispensing device 700 comprises a soap injector 710, a ball 735, a soap injector endcap 740, a soap canister 750, a soap canister cap 760, and a soap bladder 780. Soap injector 710, ball 735, soap injector endcap 740, soap canister 750, and soap canister cap 760, can be formed, for example, of molded plastic or metal (e.g., aluminum). Soap bladder 780 can be, for example, a flexible plastic bag for holding a quantity of liquid soap (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 are various views of an example of the soap injector 710 of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, wherein the soap injector comprises both a soap infusion valve portion and an aspirator portion (or Venturi pump). Namely, the soap injector 710 includes a valve housing 712 coupled to an aspirator housing 714. Referring now to FIG. 16, which is a transparent perspective view of the soap injector 710, the valve housing 712 is a solid cylinder-shaped member, while the aspirator housing 714 is a disk-shaped member. The valve housing 712 is arranged substantially perpendicular to one side of the aspirator housing 714 and at about the center of the aspirator housing 714.

Built into the aspirator housing 714 is a Venturi pump 716. The Venturi pump 716 has a first inlet 718, a second inlet 720, and an outlet 722. Together, the Venturi pump 716, the first inlet 718, and the outlet 722 provide a flow channel in the plane of and spanning the aspirator housing 714.

Built into the valve housing 712 is a flow channel 724 and a soap infusion valve 728. The flow channel 724 is substantially tubular flow channel that is fluidly connected to the first inlet 718 of the Venturi pump 716. The flow channel 724 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first inlet 718 of the Venturi pump 716. An inlet-end of the flow channel 724 is fluidly connected to the first inlet 718 of the Venturi pump 716. An outlet 726 of the flow channel 724 is at the end of the valve housing 712 opposite the aspirator housing 714. The soap infusion valve 728 is a tubular flow channel, wherein the ball 735 is inside the flow channel. The soap infusion valve 728 is substantially perpendicular to the Venturi pump 716 in the aspirator housing 714. An outlet-end of the soap infusion valve 728 is fluidly connected to the second inlet 720 of the Venturi pump 716 in the aspirator housing 714. An inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 is at the end of the valve housing 712 opposite the aspirator housing 714.

The flow of liquids in the soap injector 710 is indicated in FIG. 17. Namely, water is supplied to the inlet 718 of the Venturi pump 716 and flow through the Venturi pump 716. The flow of water also branches off into the flow channel 724 and is directed out of the outlet 726 of the flow channel 724 of the valve housing 712. This water is used to pressurize the soap canister 750. Additionally, liquid soap is supplied to the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 in the valve housing 712. Consequently, soap flows through the soap infusion valve 728 and into the Venturi pump 716 in the aspirator housing 714. In this way, the soap enters the flow in the Venturi pump 716, whereby the Venturi pump 716 is the mixing point of the water and soap.

The ball 735 is provided inside the soap infusion valve 728. An example of the ball 735 is shown in FIG. 19. The ball 735 inside soap infusion valve 728 provides a control valve (e.g., a ball valve) for controlling the flow of soap in the soap infusion valve 728. Namely, in a first state, when the ball 735 is at the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728, the soap is blocked from entering the soap infusion valve 728. In a second state, when the ball 735 is at the outlet-end of the soap infusion valve 728 (near the Venturi pump 716), the soap is blocked from entering the Venturi pump 716. In a third state, when the ball 735 is floating between the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 and the outlet-end of the soap infusion valve 728, the soap can flow freely through the soap infusion valve 728. This is because the diameter of the ball 735 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the soap infusion valve 728, which allows the soap to flow around the ball 735. Example dimensions (in inches) of the soap injector 710 are shown in FIG. 18. More details of the operation of the Venturi pump 716 and the soap infusion valve 728 are described herein below with reference to FIG. 31.

Referring now to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are various views of an example of the soap injector endcap 740 of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. The soap injector endcap 740 is designed to be fitted on the end of the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710. The soap injector endcap 740 includes a disk-shaped member 742. Disk-shaped member 742 has a through-hole 744. When assembled, the location of the through-hole 744 of the soap injector endcap 740 aligns with the outlet 726 of the soap infusion valve 728 of the valve housing 712. The disk-shaped member 742 also has a through-hole 746 with a collar that protrudes from the surface of the disk-shaped member 742. When assembled, the collar of the through-hole 746 of the soap injector endcap 740 mates with the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 in the valve housing 712. Example dimensions (in inches) of the soap injector endcap 740 are shown in FIG. 21.

Referring now to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are various views of an example of the soap canister 750 of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. The soap canister 750 is a vessel for holding the soap bladder 780 containing a volume of liquid soap. The soap canister 750 has an opening 752. A ridge 754 is provided around the perimeter of the opening 752 of the soap canister 750. The soap canister 750 can be sized to hold from about 500 ml to about 1000 ml of liquid soap. For example, the diameter of the soap canister 750 can range from about 4 inches to about 8 inches. The height of the soap canister 750 can be, for example, about 12 inches. Example dimensions (in inches) of the soap canister 750 are shown in FIG. 23.

Referring now to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 are various views of an example of the soap canister cap 760 of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. The soap canister cap 760 includes a disk-shaped member 762 with an opening 764 in the center thereof. A hollow cup-shaped member 766 is arranged at the opening 764. Namely, the opening 764 opens into the hollow cup-shaped member 766 as shown. Further, a rim 768 is provided around the outside perimeter of the disk-shaped member 762. The rim 768 is designed to be fitted around the ridge 754 around the top of the soap canister 750.

Further, at least two hooks 770 can be provided on the underside of disk-shaped member 762, such as one hook 770 on each side. Further, the bottom of the hollow cup-shaped member 766 has two openings or through-holes; an opening 772 and an opening 774. Example dimensions (in inches) of the soap canister cap 760 are shown in FIG. 25. In another example, the soap canister cap 760 is omitted and the soap injector 710 serves as the cap for the soap canister 750. In this case, the hooks 770 can be provided on the underside of the aspirator housing 714 of the soap injector 710.

When the soap dispensing device 700 is assembled, the opening 772 of the soap canister cap 760 substantially aligns with the through-hole 744 of the soap injector endcap 740 and the outlet 726 of the flow channel 724 of the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710. Likewise, when the soap dispensing device 700 is assembled, the opening 774 of the soap canister cap 760 substantially aligns with the through-hole 746 of the soap injector endcap 740 and the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector endcap 740.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 show various views of an example of the soap bladder 780 of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. The soap bladder 780 can be, for example, a flexible plastic bag or pouch that holds a quantity of liquid soap, such as concentrated liquid soap (e.g., concentrated dish washing liquid). The soap canister 750 and the soap bladder 780 can be sized to hold from about 500 ml to about 1000 ml of liquid soap. In one example, the soap canister 750 and the soap bladder 780 are sized to hold about 750 ml of liquid soap.

In this example, the soap bladder 780 is an elongated doughnut-shaped flexible plastic bag or pouch, wherein the “doughnut hole” does not extend all the way through thereby forming a cavity 782 at about the center of the soap bladder 780. An outlet 784 of the soap bladder 780 is at the floor of the cavity 782. Additionally, a rail 786 is provided around the perimeter of the top of the soap bladder 780. Example dimensions (in inches) of the soap bladder 780 are shown in FIG. 27.

When the soap dispensing device 700 is assembled, the hooks 770 of the soap canister cap 760 are engaged with the rail 786 of the soap bladder 780 (see FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and FIG. 30). Further, when the soap dispensing device 700 is assembled, outlet 784 of the soap bladder 780 substantially aligns with the opening 774 of the soap canister cap 760, the through-hole 746 of the soap injector endcap 740, and the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector endcap 740 (see FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and FIG. 30). Namely, FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and FIG. 30 show cross-sectional views of the soap dispensing device 700 shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14 when fully assembled.

Referring now again to FIG. 11 through FIG. 30, the aspirator housing 714 of the soap injector 710 of the soap dispensing device 700 is an example of the aspirator 616, the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710 of the soap dispensing device 700 is an example of the soap infusion valve 614, and the soap canister 750 with the soap bladder 780 of the soap dispensing device 700 is an example of the soap supply 612.

Using the soap dispensing device 700 in the sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 11, the supply line 620 from the water supply 150 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 718 of the Venturi pump 716 of the aspirator housing 714 of the soap injector 710. The outlet 722 of the Venturi pump 716 of the aspirator housing 714 of the soap injector 710 is fluidly coupled to the soap injection line 624 that returns to the water supply 150. Further, the flow channel 724 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710 corresponds to the water supply line 628 of sudsy water system 600.

In operation and referring now again to FIG. 11 through FIG. 30, in a state in which faucet 180 is not turned on and there is no flow of water in water supply 150, the ball 735 in the soap infusion valve 728 is at rest by gravity at the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728, thereby blocking the flow of soap into the soap infusion valve 728.

Next, the user turns on the faucet 180 and the flow of water begins. In this state, water begins to flow under pressure through the Venturi pump 716 in the aspirator housing 714. Water is always present under pressure in the flow channel 724 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710 and in the soap canister 750, applying pressure to the outside of the soap bladder 780 containing the liquid soap. Accordingly, the soap canister 750 of the soap dispensing device 700 is a pressurized vessel. Due to this pressure, soap is pushed out of the outlet 784 of the soap bladder 780 and into the soap infusion valve 728, thereby pushing the ball 735 upward along the soap infusion valve 728, i.e., the valve is opened. The soap flows around the ball 735 toward the Venturi pump 716. Further, due to the Venturi effect, vacuum pressure at the Venturi pump 716 draws soap from the soap infusion valve 728 into the second inlet 720 of the Venturi pump 716. Here in the Venturi pump 716, the water and soap mix together and are ejected out of the outlet 722 of the Venturi pump 716 and into the water supply 150. The Venturi pump 716 is therefore the mixing intersection of the soap injector 710. After a few seconds, the ball 735 hits the top of the soap infusion valve 728 and stops the flow of soap through the soap infusion valve 728. The ball 735 is held at the top of the soap infusion valve 728 due to the pressure difference caused by the Venturi effect at the Venturi pump 716. As a result, the ball 735 closes the soap infusion valve 728 and the flow of soap ends. The water/soap mixture then flushes out of the outlet 722 of the Venturi pump 716, and the cycle is complete. Once the faucet 180 is turned off, the ball 735 falls by gravity back down to the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728, which is the resting state of the soap infusion valve 728.

In one example, soap is ejected from the soap infusion valve 728 into the Venturi pump 716 for about 5 seconds. Then it may take about another 5 to 10 seconds for the water/soap mixture to flush all the way through the system and exit the faucet 180. Accordingly, a full cycle may last up to about 15 to 20 seconds. In one example, about 1.5 ml of soap is injected during each wash cycle.

In the soap dispensing device 700, water from a source located upstream of the Venturi pump 716 flows into the soap canister 750. This pressurizes the soap canister 750 to the same pressure as the water supply 150, allowing the soap to flow when the Venturi pump 716 is activated. The pressurized soap canister 750 can maintain a pressure at or greater than the outlet pressure of the Venturi pump 716.

Certain characteristics of the soap infusion valve 728 may be used to control or change the amount of soap dispensed from the soap dispensing device 700. For example, the amount of soap dispensed from the soap dispensing device 700 can be adjusted and/or determined by (1) adjusting the weight of the ball 735, (2) adjusting the length and/or diameter of the soap infusion valve 728, (3) adjusting the concentration and/or viscosity of the soap, and (4) any combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of an example of a method 800 of operation of the presently disclosed sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 11 that comprises the soap dispensing device 700 described hereinabove with reference FIG. 12 through FIG. 30. In the soap dispensing device 700, a pressure differential is used to draw soap from the pressurized soap canister 750 and then the soap is infused into the efflux stream via the Venturi pump 716. The method 800 assumes a beginning state of no water flow and no pressure differential between the soap canister 750 and the Venturi pump 716. The method 800 may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

At a step 810, the faucet 180 is turned on and water begins to flow through the Venturi pump 716, and through the water feedback loop to the soap canister 750, wherein the water feedback loop is the flow channel 724 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710.

At a step 815, a pressure differential is created between the soap canister 750 and the Venturi pump 716.

At a step 820, due to the pressure differential, the soap infusion valve 728 opens and soap flows out of the soap bladder 780 inside the soap canister 750 to the Venturi pump 716. Namely, the ball 735 is pushed away from the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 (see FIG. 32) and allows soap to flow through the soap infusion valve 728.

At a step 825, soap is injected into and mixed with the flow of water in the Venturi pump 716.

At a step 830, after a few seconds, the ball 735 hits the top of the soap infusion valve 728 and stops the flow of soap through the soap infusion valve 728. The ball 735 is held against and blocks the second inlet 720 of the Venturi pump 716 (see FIG. 32) due to the pressure difference causes by the Venturi effect of the Venturi pump 716. As a result, the soap infusion valve 728 is closed and the flow of soap ends.

At a step 835, the remaining amount of the water/soap mixture flushes out of the Venturi pump 716 of the soap dispensing device 700 and out of the faucet 180.

At a step 840, the faucet 180 is turned off and the water flow through the Venturi pump 716 is stopped. Once the faucet 180 is turned off, the pressure between the water supply 150 and the soap canister 750 equalizes and the ball 735 drops back down to the resting state at the inlet 730 of the soap infusion valve 728 (see FIG. 32).

Referring now to FIG. 32 is a view showing the three states of the soap infusion valve 728. The soap infusion valve 728 comprises two parts: a tube that attaches directly to the pipe between the soap canister 750 and the Venturi pump 716 and a ball 735 that stops the flow of soap after a specified period of time. Accordingly, the soap infusion valve 728 performs two automatic functions: limiting soap flow to a specified volume and period of time and then automatically resetting.

The system has three distinct positions once the water supply is turned on. Namely, a POSITION A of the ball 735 is the resting state of the soap infusion valve 728 when the flow of water is turned off, wherein ball 735 is on the bottom of the tube thereby preventing the flow of soap up through the system. The valve is in this position in some embodiments, for example, after the faucet has been turned off for at least 10 seconds, or in other embodiments, 3 seconds. A POSITION B of the ball 735 is the opened state of the soap infusion valve 728, wherein soap is flowing through the soap infusion valve 728 when the flow of water is turned on. Ball 735 can be in this position of transit through the tube for approximately 4 to 5 seconds after the water supply has been turned on. At this point, the valve is allowing soap to flow into the cold water line and the user is receiving a lathered soap and water mixture out of the fixture. Ball 735 also could be in this position immediately after the water supply has been closed and then in transit in the downward direction for approximately 10 seconds. Finally, in a POSITION C of the ball 735 is the closed state of the soap infusion valve 728, wherein the flow of soap is blocked from entering the Venturi pump 716 when the flow of water is turned on. At this point ball 735 has reached the top of the valve and is blocking the opening of the tube. This prevents the flow of soap into the system for as long as the water supply is on. During this time, the user is receiving fresh water to wash the soap off of their hands.

Again, without wishing to be bound to any one particular theory, two major forces control the ball: drag force; and gravity. Drag force pushes the ball up when the system is on, while gravity resets the system when the ball turns off. The drag force is completely controlled by turning on and off the cold-water faucet valve. When the faucet valve is closed, the water is not flowing through the system, thus the Venturi pump is not aspirating soap up. When the faucet valve is open, water is flowing through the Venturi pump, the Venturi pump is aspirating, and the soap flows up through the control valve. The drag from the soap pushes the ball up. A summary of the force balance, including the calculations for each force, is presented in Equations 2-5

F=F
_Bouyancy
+F
_Drag
−F
_Gravity eq. (2)

F
_Bouyancy
=V
_Ball*ρ_Soap eq. (3)

F
_Drag=6πμRv eq. (4)

F
_Gravity
=m*(9.8) eq. (5)

where V is the volume of the ball, ρ is the density of the soap, R is the radius of the ball, μ is the dynamic viscosity of the soap, and v is the velocity of the soap.

To functionalize the system, a ball with an optimal density and volume was required. The density was important so the ball would sink in soap. The volume was important to ensure that the drag force could overcome the force of gravity to allow for the ball to move up. In some embodiments, the ball has a density of 1.4 g/cm³and a volume of 0.49 cm³. For example, to make the reset time quicker a denser ball with a similar volume could be used. Further, the ball density can be optimized to ensure that the force of gravity does not become too large.

Referring now to FIG. 33 is another embodiment of the presently disclosed sudsy water system 600 arranged in an above-sink configuration. Aside from being an above-sink configuration rather than a below-sink configuration, the configuration differs from that shown in FIG. 11 in that the water supply line 628 to the soap dispensing device 610 is absent and the soap supply 612 is not pressurized. Instead, the flow of soap out of the soap supply 612 is by the pressure differential between the water pressure and atmospheric pressure caused by the aspirator 616. In the sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 33, the soap dispensing device 610 can be instantiated using the aforementioned soap dispensing device 700, albeit with one modification. Namely, FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the soap dispensing device 700 used in the above-sink configuration of the sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 33, wherein the soap dispensing device 700 is absent the flow channel 724 in the valve housing 712 of the soap injector 710. The sudsy water system 600 shown in FIG. 33 is an example of an embodiment in which the water can bypass the soap dispensing device 610, (i.e., by closing the shutoff valves 622, 626.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

REFERENCES

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, patent, and other reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It will be understood that, although a number of patent applications, patents, and other references are referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120255623 for “Faucet Mountable Water Conditioning System to Bell et al., published Oct. 11, 2012;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110119825 for “Apparatus and Method for Encouraging Hand Washing,” to Reiter et al., published May 26, 2011;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110306265 for “Bathtub Foam Generating Device,” to Mor, published Dec. 15, 2011;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110240760 for “Hand Worn Washing Device,” to Tucker, published Oct. 6, 2011;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20140075691 for “Implement Washing Apparatus,” to Albright, published Mar. 20, 2014; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20060065188 for “Method and System for Coating a Human Body,” to Whitmore, published Mar. 30, 2006.

SUDSY WATER FIXTURE

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