U.S. patent application number 13/691289 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-06 for liquid foaming soap dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jing Li, Sheng Yun, Jian Zhang.
Application Number | 20130140323 13/691289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48523273 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130140323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yun; Sheng ; et al. |
June 6, 2013 |
LIQUID FOAMING SOAP DISPENSER
Abstract
The present application relates to a foaming soap dispenser. The
soap dispenser includes a housing, a liquid storage tank, a pump, a
main control assembly and an output assembly. The arrangement of
the pump allows for control of the output which prevents the
air-liquid mixture from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap
dispenser includes a controller configured to reverse the fluid
pumping direction of the pump allowing for some liquid provided to
the outlet to be returned to the liquid storage tank. Return of
some liquid to the liquid storage tank prevents contamination.
Inventors: |
Yun; Sheng; (Hubei Province,
CN) ; Zhang; Jian; (Shanghai, CN) ; Li;
Jing; (Shanghai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.; |
Shanghai |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Shanghai Kohler Electronics,
Ltd.
Shanghai
CN
|
Family ID: |
48523273 |
Appl. No.: |
13/691289 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1 ; 222/109;
222/136; 222/190; 222/318; 222/52; 222/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 2005/1218 20130101;
A47K 5/16 20130101; A47K 5/1215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/1 ; 222/136;
222/109; 222/63; 222/318; 222/52; 222/190 |
International
Class: |
A47K 5/12 20060101
A47K005/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 2011 |
CN |
201110397418.7 |
Dec 2, 2011 |
CN |
201120499508.2 |
Claims
1. A soap dispenser comprising: an air inlet pipe; a liquid storage
tank; an outlet, a three-way junction receiving liquid from the
liquid storage tank and receiving air from the inlet pipe, and a
pump downstream from the three way junction configured to cause an
air-liquid mixture to be pulled into the pump via the three way
port and provided to the outlet.
2. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further comprising: a controller
configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the pump,
wherein at least some of liquid provided to the outlet is returned
to the liquid storage tank by the reversed fluid pumping.
3. The soap dispenser of claim 2, wherein the controller is
configured to cause the reversal of the pumping direction occurring
a first period of time after discontinuing forward pumping of the
liquid.
4. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump is a peristaltic
pump.
5. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the air inlet pipe is
further provided with a check valve.
6. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a
rotating shaft which includes rotary disks centered on the rotating
shaft, wherein rollers are arranged at the periphery of the rotary
disk, and repeatedly apply pressure to a flexible pipe to extrude
the air-liquid mixture into the flexible pipe.
7. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein the two ends of the
rotating shaft are respectively provided with the rotary disks, the
rollers on the two rotary disk form on roller set and the roller
set is positioned at two sides of the flexible pipe for applying
pressure to the flexible pipe.
8. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein the flexible pipe
comprises a first port, a second port and a bending part positioned
between the first port and the second port, wherein the first port
is connected to the pump port and the second port is connected to
an outlet.
9. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein a main control assembly
comprises a motor for driving the rotating shaft.
10. The soap dispenser of claim 9, wherein the main control
assembly further comprises an induction part for inducing user
operations and outputting signals, and an electric control part for
receiving signals and controlling the motor.
11. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein a filter screen part is
arrange in the pump port of the three way junction and the filter
screen comprises a cylinder with a filter screen at each end of the
cylinder.
12. The soap dispenser of claim 11, wherein an output assembly
comprises an air mixing device and a nozzle, in which the air
mixing device is positioned between the nozzle and the liquid
outlet pipe, and the air mixing device comprises at least one
filter screen part.
13. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller, pump,
three way junction, outlet, and air inlet pipe are arrange in a
mounting part formed by an upper bracket and a lower bracket, and
the liquid storage tank is positioned at the upper part of the
upper bracket.
14. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the liquid storage tank
can store liquid soap, shampoo, disinfectant, softener, or hand
sanitizer.
15. A method for preventing liquid drip and liquid contamination in
a soap dispenser comprising; mixing air and a liquid and pumping
the mixture to an outlet; and responding to discontinuing the
pumping by causing the pump to reverse fluid pumping direction of
the pump, wherein at least some liquid is returned to a liquid
storage tank.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reversal of the pumping
directions occurs a first period of time after discontinuing
forward pumping motion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to CN
201120499508.2, filed Dec. 2, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit
of and priority to CN 201110397418.7, filed Dec. 02, 2011, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid foaming soap
dispenser. Soap dispensers are commonly used for supplying cleaning
liquids such as soap or shampoo in kitchens or bathrooms. An
air-liquid mixing assemblies are sometimes arranged in the soap
dispenser. The cleaning liquid is mixed with air by the air-liquid
mixing assembly before extrusion, which creates a foam mixture
after extrusion. This saves time and water, avoids waste of the
cleaning liquid, and facilitates hygiene.
[0003] A common liquid foaming soap dispenser comprises the
following parts: a liquid storage tank, a main controller assembly,
an air-liquid mixing assembly and an output assembly. The main
controller assembly initiates the air-liquid mixing assembly
according to artificial or control signals. The air-liquid mixing
assembly is used for extracting liquid and mixing the liquid with
air creating a foam output.
[0004] FIG. 1A illustrates a figure from Chinese patent application
No. 201010200647.0 entitled "An Automatic Induction Liquid Soap
Device". The liquid soap device includes a main controller assembly
which controls a liquid pump to extract liquid from a liquid soap
tank 6'. An air-liquid mixing assembly comprises an air pump and a
liquid pump. The liquid pump is used for supplying power to extract
liquid soap in the liquid soap tank 6' through a liquid soap
delivery pipe 3'. The air pump is used for supplying air for mixing
the liquid soap through an air delivery pipe 12'. In the prior art
liquid soap device of FIG. 1A, however, after the air-liquid
mixture is extruded, air escapes from the residual air-liquid
mixture in a nozzle 1'. Upon next use, the output will be a liquid
that is no longer mixed with air. However, the liquid soap in the
nozzle 1' is oxidized due to contact with air. If the liquid soap
in the nozzle 1' is not used for a long period of time, it may
solidify and block the nozzle 1', and in severe cases the pipes,
preventing the liquid from flowing out.
[0005] FIG. 1B illustrates another prior Chinese patent application
No. 201010549388.2 entitled "Liquid Soap Dispenser." In FIG. 1B,
air is mixed in an air inlet pipe 70A of liquid soap. The liquid
soap will back flow into the air inlet pipe 70A which may cause the
liquid soap in conduit 26A to stay there or even drip out of the
conduit.
SUMMARY
[0006] One embodiment of the invention relates to a foaming soap
dispenser. The soap dispenser includes a housing, a liquid storage
tank, a main control assembly and an output assembly. The liquid
storage tank, main control assembly, and output assembly are
positioned in the housing. The main control assembly controls a
liquid processing assembly. The liquid processing assembly
comprises a three-way junction, a liquid inlet pipe, an air inlet
pipe, a pump and a liquid outlet pipe. The pump is connected on one
end with a port pump of a three-way junction. The second end of the
pump is connected to liquid outlet pump. The liquid outlet pump
connects to the outlet assembly. One hole of the three-way junction
is connected to the liquid inlet hole while a second hole is
connected with the air inlet hole. The air and liquid are mixed in
the three way part to form the air-liquid mixture which flows out
of the output assembly via the liquid outlet pipe. The arrangement
of the pump allows for control of the output which prevents the
air-liquid mixture from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap
dispenser includes a controller configured to reverse the fluid
pumping direction of the pump allowing for some liquid provided to
the outlet to be returned to the liquid storage tank. Return of
some liquid to the liquid storage tank prevents contamination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art liquid foaming soap
dispenser;
[0008] FIG. 1B illustrates another prior art liquid foaming soap
dispenser;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of a liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the
liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a three-way junction
in one embodiment of the liquid foaming soap dispenser of the
invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a filter screen part
in one embodiment of the liquid foaming soap dispenser of the
invention.
LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0013] 1'--nozzle; [0014] 3'--liquid soap pipe; [0015] 6'--liquid
soap tank [0016] 12'--air delivery pipe; [0017] 70A--air inlet
pipe; [0018] 26A--conduit [0019] 1--liquid storage tank; [0020]
2--main control assembly; [0021] 3--output assembly [0022]
4--liquid processing assembly; [0023] 5--housing; [0024] 21--motor
[0025] 22--induction part; [0026] 23--controller; [0027]
24--battery [0028] 31--air mixing device; [0029] 32--nozzle; [0030]
41--three-way junction [0031] 41a--pump port; [0032] 41b--air inlet
hole; [0033] 41c--liquid inlet hole [0034] 42--liquid inlet pipe;
[0035] 43--air inlet pipe; [0036] 44--pump(e.g., peristaltic pump)
[0037] 45--liquid outlet pipe; [0038] 51--upper bracket; [0039]
52--lower bracket [0040] 411--filter screen part; [0041]
411a--cylinder; [0042] 411b--filter screen [0043] 431--check valve;
[0044] 444--flexible pipe; [0045] 444a--first port [0046]
444b--second port; [0047] 444c--bending part
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Referring generally to the drawings, a soap dispenser
includes a housing, a liquid storage tank, a pump, a main control
assembly and an output assembly. The arrangement of the pump allows
for control of the output which prevents the air-liquid mixture
from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap dispenser includes a
controller configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the
pump allowing for some liquid provided to the outlet to be returned
to the liquid storage tank. Return of some liquid to the liquid
storage tank is intended to help prevent contamination, dripping,
and/or dryout.
[0049] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an isometric view of a liquid
foaming soap dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment. The
soap dispenser includes a housing 5, a liquid storage tank 1, a
main control assembly 2 and an output assembly 3. The liquid
storage tank 1, main control assembly 2, and output assembly 3 are
shown as positioned in the housing 5. The soap dispenser includes a
liquid processing assembly 4 controlled by the main control
assembly 2. The liquid processing assembly 4 includes a three-way
junction 41, a liquid inlet pipe 42, an air inlet pipe 43, a pump
44 and a liquid outlet pipe 45. The liquid inlet hole 41c of the
three-way junction 41 is connected to one end of the liquid inlet
pipe 42. The air inlet hole 41b is connected to one end of the air
inlet pipe 43. The other end of the liquid inlet pipe 42 is
connected to the liquid storage tank 1. A pump port 41a is
connected one end of the pump 44. One end of the liquid outlet pipe
45 is connected to the pump 44. A second end is connected with the
output assembly 3.
[0050] The three-way junction 41 in the exemplary embodiment is
connected to the liquid inlet pipe 42, the air inlet pipe 43, and
the pump 44. The air inlet pipe 43 is connected to an air source.
The air source can be either ambient air or a special air source.
The liquid inlet pipe 42 is connected to the liquid storage tank 1
and delivers liquid from the liquid storage tank 1 into the
three-way junction 41. The air and the liquid are mixed in the
three-way junction 41 and then enter the pump 44. When liquid is
needed, the pump 44 is driven. The pump 44 delivers a proper amount
of an air-liquid mixture into the liquid outlet pipe 45. The
air-liquid mixture flows out of the output assembly 3 via the
liquid outlet pipe 45. The pump 44 is arranged such that the air
and the liquid are mixed in the pump 44 and the output can be
controlled. The output control prevents the air-liquid mixture from
dripping or back flowing, which avoids waste of liquid.
[0051] The pump 44 can include a rotating shaft which is provided
with rotary disks centered on the rotating shaft. Rollers are
arranged at the periphery of the rotary disks. The rollers can
apply pressure to a flexible pipe 444 to extrude the air-liquid
mixture in the flexible pipe 444. When the rollers press the
flexible pipe 444 filled with liquid, negative pressure is formed
in the pipe and the liquid in the pipe moves forward along with
forward rotation of the rollers. The liquid is pumped by
alternately pressing and releasing the flexible pipe 444.
[0052] The two ends of the rotating shaft may be provided with
rotary disks. The rollers on the two rotary disks form one roller
set. The roller set is positioned at two sides of the flexible pipe
444 and may apply pressure to the flexible pipe 444. When pressure
is applied to the flexible pipe 444, negative pressure is formed in
the pipe and liquid flows accordingly along with movement of the
rollers.
[0053] There may be three or more roller sets. Each roller set
alternately presses the flexible pipe 444 to push the flow of
liquid along with the rotation of the rotary disks. The roller set
is evenly distributed at the periphery of the rotary disks. The
flexible pipe 444 is externally tangent to the rollers. When the
rotating shaft rotates, the rollers also rotate and apply pressure
to the flexible pipe 444. As a result, liquid is extruded which
forms a vacuum and allows for new liquid to enter.
[0054] The flexible pipe 444 may include a first port 444a, a
second port 444b, and a bending part 444c positioned between the
first port 444a and the second port 444b. The first port 444a is
connected to the three-way junction 41. The second port 444b is
connected to the liquid outlet pipe 45. As shown in FIG. 3, the
bending part 444c is U-shaped. In other embodiments, the bending
part 444c could be a different shape.
[0055] The main control assembly 2 may include a motor 21 for
driving the rotating shaft. In the exemplary embodiment, the main
control assembly 2 includes an induction part 22 for inducing user
operations and outputting signals, and an electric control part 23
for receiving signals and controlling the motor 21. The electric
control part 23 can control the motor 21 to perform both clockwise
and counterclockwise rotation. The induction part 22 can perform
infrared induction. The main control assembly 2 can obtain power
supply from the battery 24 or other external equipment.
[0056] When a user needs liquid, the user can approach or contact
the induction part 22 with their hands or other body parts. The
induction part 22 outputs an initiating signal to the electric
control part 23 after detecting the human body. After receiving the
initiating signal, the electric control part 23 prompts the motor
21 to perform clockwise rotation. After the motor 21 drives the
pump 44, the first port 444a takes liquid from the liquid storage
tank 1 through the three-way junction 41 and takes air from the
atmosphere through the air inlet pipe 42. The liquid and air are
mixed in the pump 44, then outputted from the second port 444b, and
outputted from a nozzle 32 via the liquid outlet pipe 45. After the
liquid is supplied according to the time setting, the electric
control part 23 outputs signals to the motor 21. The motor 21 stops
rotating and supply of the liquid is stopped. When the soap
dispenser is not used, the flexible pipe 444 of the pump 44 is
locked by the rollers. The self locking functions of the roller
prevent liquid in the pipe from flowing out. When the electric
control part 23 judges that the soap dispenser has not been is used
for a period of time, it prompts the motor 21 to perform reverse
rotation. The period of time can be set such that it is an hour or
several hours. During this time, the air trapped in the residual
air-liquid mixture in the liquid outlet pipe 45 will escape from
the mixture and it will return to a purer liquid state The reverse
rotation causes the residual liquid in the liquid outlet pipe 45 to
enter the pump 44 and the three-way junction 41. The liquid then
returns to the air inlet pipe 42, and enters the liquid storage
tank 1. This saves liquid and prevents contamination of the
liquid.
[0057] The air inlet pipe 43 can include a check valve 431. The
check valve 431 can only be opened from the air inlet pipe 43 to
the three-way junction 41, The check valve 431 cannot be opened in
the reverse direction, which prevents the liquid from back flowing
into the air inlet pipe 43.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exemplary embodiment includes
a filter screen part 411 which is arranged in the pump port 41a of
the three-way junction 41. The filter screen part 411 comprises a
cylinder 411a. The two ends of the cylinder 411a are each provided
with a filter screen 411b. There are at least two filter screen
411b parts. When passing through the three-way junction 41, the air
and the liquid are fully mixed in the filter screen part 411 by the
filter screen 411b.
[0059] The output assembly 3 may include an air mixing device 31
and the nozzle 32. The air mixing device 31 is positioned between
the nozzle 32 and the liquid outlet pipe 45. The air mixing device
31 includes at least one filter screen part 411 which can be used
for further mixing of the air and liquid in order to produce more
abundant foam.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main control assembly 2, the
liquid processing assembly 4, and the output assembly 3 may be
arranged in a mounting part formed by an upper bracket 51 and a
lower bracket 52. The liquid storage tank 1 is positioned at the
upper part of the upper bracket 51. The mounted liquid storage tank
1 is received in the housing 5 along with the mounting part.
[0061] The liquid storage tank 1 can store liquid soap,
disinfectant, softener, shampoo, or hand sanitizer. The invention
is not limited to these liquids, and can be used in conjunction
with any liquid substance, semisolid substance, or fluid in which a
small amount can be distributed many times.
* * * * *