An automatic water faucet device 1 includes: an electrolysis tank 37 that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water; a second water discharge part 13 for discharging the electrolyzed water, a second flow path 18 that extends from the electrolysis tank 37 to the second water discharge part 13; a second solenoid valve 28 that switches between supply and blocking of normal water with respect to the electrolysis tank 37, and a controller 40 that controls the electrolysis tank 37 and the second solenoid valve 28. The controller 40 energizes the electrolysis tank 37 to discharge the electrolyzed water and thereafter stops the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 and maintains an open state of the second solenoid valve 28, to stop the supply of the electrolyzed water to the second flow path 18 and to supply normal water to the second flow path 18.

A faucet apparatus including a water discharger, a water supply path, an opening/closing valve, a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller, where the water discharger has a water discharge port discharging water, the water supply path guides the water from a water supply source to the water discharge port, the opening/closing valve opens and closes the water supply path, the transmitter transmits an optical signal, the receiver receives a reflected signal of the optical signal and outputs a received signal corresponding to the reflected signal, the controller detects an existence or absence of an object based on the received signal and controls opening and closing of the opening/closing valve according to a detection result of the object.

A water discharge apparatus including a water discharger, a water supply path, an opening/closing valve, a photoelectric sensor, and a controller, the photoelectric sensor projects detection light, receives a reflected light of the detection light, and outputs a received signal corresponding to a light reception amount of the reflected light, the controller detects an existence or absence of an object based on the received signal and controls opening and closing of the opening/closing valve according to a detection result of the object, the photoelectric sensor includes a sensor main body and a conductive member, the sensor main body includes a light-projecting element and a light receiving element, and the conductive member covers a front of the light receiving element, is formed in a sheet configuration, is light-transmissive, is conductive, and is electrically connected to a reference potential of the sensor main body.

A sanitary touch-free automatic condiment dispensing apparatus and method of use. The automatic sanitary touch-free condiment dispensing apparatus includes a two-stage detection process for detecting and automatically dispensing a pre-determined amount of a condiment/sauce (e.g., ketchup, mustard, mayo, food sauces, desert sauces, syrups, salad dressing, etc.) or another fluid (e.g., soap, shampoo, etc.). without accidental or wasteful dispensing.

A faucet comprises a spout, a passageway that conducts water flow through the spout, and an electrically operable valve disposed within the passageway. A first capacitive sensor has a first detection field that generates a first output signal upon detection of a user's hands in the first detection field, and a second capacitive sensor has a second detection field that generates a second output signal upon detection of a user's hands in the second detection field. A controller is coupled to the first and second capacitive sensors and the electrically operable valve. The controller is programmed to actuate the electrically operable valve in response to detecting the user's hands in the first detection field and not in the second detection field for a predetermined period of time surrounding the detection of the user's hands in the first detection field.

An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.

A faucet configured for touchless actuation that includes a spout; a mechanical valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state and having a member radially movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state; an electronic valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and a system configured to detect and communicate a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.

A hand-washing monitor and hand washing monitoring system are provided. The hand-washing monitoring system includes a motion detector mounted near, to or in a sink and configured to detect a scrubbing motion near a location of an outlet of a sink faucet. Both the hand-washing monitor and the hand-washing monitoring system include a processor coupled to the motion detector and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is continuous during a predetermined scrubbing interval and to provide signal indicating a successful scrubbing operation when the scrubbing motion is continuously detected during the entire interval. The hand-washing monitor includes a housing containing the processor, the motion detector, the memory and proximity sensors for detecting the application of soap.

A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a micro-mixing valve, first and second capacitive sensors, and a controller. The body includes a base and a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The micro-mixing valve is contained within the body and is in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface and is spaced apart from the first capacitive sensor. The controller is operatively connected to the first capacitive sensor, the second capacitive sensor, and the micro-mixing valve. Each of the first and second capacitive sensors is configured to be independently activated by a user to transmit a signal to the controller to increase or decrease a temperature of a flow of water flowing from the micro-mixing valve.

An automatic water faucet includes a spout pipe; a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout pipe such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out; and a sensor provided in the vicinity of the spout port for causing water to start being discharged upon detecting an object underneath the spout port. The spout port member is configured to be pulled out from a side behind the sensor in an axial direction of the spout pipe.