LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM

Abstract

A liquid supply system for supplying liquid to one or more liquid dispensers is provided. The system comprises a water source for supply of water to the system; a concentrate reservoir for supply of concentrate to the system; and a liquid reservoir coupled to the water source and the concentrate reservoir, and configured to be coupled to one or more liquid dispensers. In use, the liquid reservoir is configured to supply liquid to the or each dispenser and is replenished via the water source and concentrate reservoir.

Claims

1. A liquid supply system for supplying liquid to one or more liquid dispensers, the system comprising: a water source for supply of water to the system; a concentrate reservoir for supply of concentrate to the system; and a liquid reservoir coupled to the water source and the concentrate reservoir, and configured to be coupled to one or more liquid dispensers; wherein, in use, the liquid reservoir is configured to supply liquid to the or each dispenser and is replenished via the water source and concentrate reservoir.

2. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is fixed, directly or indirectly, to the water source, and wherein the liquid reservoir is configured to be fixed, directly or indirectly, to the or each liquid dispenser.

3. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is provided in a given location in which it is configured to supply liquid each liquid dispenser, and wherein the system is configured such that the liquid reservoir remains in said given location as it is replenished.

4. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a sensor configured to detect a fill level condition of the liquid reservoir, and wherein the system is configured to replenish the liquid reservoir in response to feedback from the sensor.

5. A liquid supply system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the liquid reservoir is empty, when an amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir is below a predetermined minimum fill level, when the amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir has reached a predetermined maximum fill level, and/or when the liquid reservoir is full.

6. A liquid supply system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, a fill level switch and/or a float switch.

7. A liquid supply system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors.

8. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises: at least one inlet, via which the liquid reservoir is replenished, and at least one outlet for supplying liquid to each dispenser.

9. A liquid supply system according to claim 8, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a single inlet coupled to both the concentrate reservoir and the water source.

10. A liquid supply system according to claim 9, wherein the inlet of the liquid reservoir is coupled to the water source via a supply line, wherein the concentrate reservoir is coupled to the supply line via a dosing mechanism that is configured to supply an amount of concentrate from the concentrate reservoir to the supply line, and wherein the dosing mechanism comprises a venturi element.

11. A liquid supply system according to claim 9, wherein the inlet of the liquid reservoir is coupled to the water source via a supply line, wherein the concentrate reservoir is coupled to the supply line via a dosing mechanism that is configured to supply an amount of concentrate from the concentrate reservoir to the supply line, and wherein the dosing mechanism comprises a rotary dosing pump.

12. A liquid supply system according to claim 9, wherein the inlet of the liquid reservoir is coupled to the water source via a supply line, wherein the concentrate reservoir is coupled to the supply line via a dosing mechanism that is configured to supply an amount of concentrate from the concentrate reservoir to the supply line, and wherein the supply line comprises a pump for controlling the flow through the supply line.

13. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a first concentrate reservoir and a second concentrate reservoir, wherein the system is configured such that the liquid reservoir can be in fluid communication with either the first concentrate reservoir or the second concentrate reservoir, such that supply of concentrate to the system can be from either the first or second concentrate reservoir.

14. A liquid supply system according to claim 13, wherein the system comprises a control mechanism configured to determine when the concentrate reservoir supplying the liquid reservoir becomes depleted, and to switch supply of concentrate to the other concentrate reservoir.

15. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the water source is a mains water supply.

16. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is collapsible.

17. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system is airtight.

18. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to replenish the liquid reservoir via batch filling or continuous filling.

19. A liquid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes one or more liquid dispensers coupled to the liquid reservoir.

20. A soap supply system for supplying soap to one or more dispensers, the system comprising: water source for supply of water to the system; a soap concentrate reservoir for supply of soap concentrate to the system; and a soap reservoir coupled to the water source and the concentrate reservoir, and configured to be coupled to one or more soap dispensers; wherein, in use, the soap reservoir is configured to supply soap to the or each dispenser and is replenished via the water source and soap concentrate reservoir.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] Embodiments disclosed herein will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0089] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a first embodiment;

[0090] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a second embodiment;

[0091] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a third embodiment;

[0092] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

[0093] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a fifth embodiment; and

[0094] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a liquid supply system in accordance with a sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a liquid supply system, e.g. a soap supply system, indicated generally at 2. The system includes a water source 4 which is arranged to supply water to the system, and two concentrate reservoirs, e.g. soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b for supplying concentrate e.g. soap concentrate to the system.

[0096] The system 2 also includes a liquid reservoir, e.g. a soap reservoir 8 which is coupled to the water source 4 and the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b, as is shown in FIG. 1. The soap reservoir 8 is coupled to a series of liquid dispensers, e.g. soap dispensers 10. In use, the soap reservoir 8 is configured to supply liquid, e.g. soap to the dispensers 10. Further, the soap reservoir 8 is replenished with soap via the water source 4 and the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b.

[0097] In the Figures, fluid flow lines are shown with solid lines, and information communication lines are shown with dashed lines.

[0098] The soap reservoir 8 is plumbed into the water source 4. In other words, the soap reservoir 8 is fixed to the water source 4, such that the soap reservoir 8 cannot be readily disconnected from the water source 4.

[0099] Similarly, the soap reservoir 8 is fixed to the series of soap dispensers 10. In other words, the soap reservoir 8 is coupled to the soap dispensers 10 such that the soap dispensers 10 and soap reservoir 8 cannot be readily disconnected.

[0100] The soap reservoir 8 is configured such that it remains in position both during dispensing of soap to the soap dispensers 10 and also during replenishing of the soap reservoir 8 via the water source 4 and the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b.

[0101] The soap reservoir 8 includes an inlet 16, via which the soap reservoir 8 is replenished, and an outlet 18, for supplying soap to the dispensers 10.

[0102] The outlet 18 is coupled to the series of soap dispensers 10 via a manifold 20, which includes a dedicated outlet 22 coupled to each of the dispensers 10 via a respective supply line 24. Each of the supply lines 24 includes a non-return valve 26 to prevent backwash into the soap reservoir 8. In some embodiments, a single outlet is provided from the manifold, this outlet splitting downstream into a series of dedicated supply lines 24 corresponding to each dispenser 10.

[0103] The inlet 16 of the soap reservoir 8 is coupled to the water source 4 via a further supply line 28. The soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b are coupled to the supply line 28 via a dosing mechanism 30. The dosing mechanism 30 is arranged to supply an amount of soap concentrate from the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b to the supply line 28. In this way, soap concentrate is added to the water supply to produce diluted soap for replenishing the soap reservoir 8.

[0104] The soap reservoir 8 is fixed to the supply line such that the supply line is not readily releasable or removable from the reservoir 8.

[0105] The soap supply system 2 includes a sensor configured to detect a fill level condition of the soap reservoir 8. The system 2 is configured to replenish the soap reservoir 8 in response to feedback from the sensor.

[0106] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the system includes a first sensor 12a, a second sensor 12b and a valve 14, e.g. an actuated valve. In exemplary embodiments the valve 14 may be a motorised valve, a solenoid valve, a magnetically actuated valve, or any other suitable valve. In the illustrated embodiments, the valve is a piston operated solenoid valve 14. With reference to FIG. 1, the piston operated valve is coupled to each of the sensors 12a, 12b. The piston operated solenoid valve 14 is configured to permit and prevent flow through the supply line 28.

[0107] The first sensor 12a is configured to detect when an amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 has reached a predetermined maximum amount. In some embodiments, the first sensor 12a is configured to detect when the soap reservoir 8 is full.

[0108] When this predetermined maximum amount has been reached, the system 2 ceases replenishing of the soap reservoir 8. When the first sensor 12a detects that the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 has reached the predetermined maximum amount the piston operated solenoid valve 14 closes to stop flow through the supply line 28 and prevent further filling of the soap reservoir 8.

[0109] The second sensor 12b is configured to detect when an amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is below a predetermined minimum amount. In some embodiments, the second sensor 12b is configured to detect when the soap reservoir 8 is empty.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second sensor 12b is positioned above (i.e. vertically above) the position of the outlet 18. In this way, under normal operation, the level of soap in the soap reservoir 8 remains above the position of the outlet 18. This reduces the likelihood of air entering the manifold 20 and supply lines 22, 24 to the dispensers 10.

[0111] When the second sensor 12b detects that the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is below the predetermined minimum amount, the piston operated solenoid valve 14 is opened to permit flow in the supply line 28 and allow replenishing of the soap reservoir 8.

[0112] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the dosing mechanism comprises a venturi element. As water flows through the supply line 28, through the venturi element 30, soap concentrate is drawn into the supply lines from one of the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b.

[0113] As previously described, the system 2 includes two soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b. These are coupled to the supply line 28 via a switch manifold 32. The switch manifold 32 is operable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a is in fluid communication with the soap reservoir 8 and the second soap concentrate reservoir 6b is disconnected from the soap reservoir 8. In the second position the second soap concentrate reservoir 6b is in fluid communication with the soap reservoir 8 and the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a is disconnected from the soap reservoir 8. In this way, supply of soap concentrate to the supply line 28 can be switched between the first and second soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b. FIG. 1 shows the switch manifold 32 in the first position.

[0114] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the system comprises more than two concentrate reservoirs coupled to the supply line via the switch manifold. For example, the system may comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more concentrate reservoirs.

[0115] The system 2 also includes a control mechanism 34 which is configured to determine when either of the first and second soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b becomes depleted. The control mechanism 34 is also configured to switch supply of soap concentrate to the system 2 from one soap concentrate reservoir to the other, and vice versa.

[0116] The control mechanism 34 is coupled to sensors 36 which detect when each of the respective soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b becomes depleted. This enables the control mechanism 34 to determine when the respective reservoir is empty, such that supply can be switched to the other soap concentrate reservoir.

[0117] For example, where the soap reservoir 8 is in fluid communication with the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a, when the control mechanism 34 determines that the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a is empty (i.e. has been depleted fully), the control mechanism 34 causes the switch manifold 32 to switch from the first position to the second position. When the switch manifold 32 is in the second position, the second soap concentrate reservoir 6b is in fluid communication with the soap reservoir 8. The soap concentrate reservoir 6b can then be used to supply soap concentrate to the system 2 whilst the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a can be replaced.

[0118] The control mechanism 34 can similarly direct the switch manifold 32 to switch between the second position and the first position, as required.

[0119] In some embodiments, the system is configured to halt replenishment of the soap reservoir 8, when both the concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b are depleted, until at least one of the concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b has been replaced or refilled. This ensures that the soap reservoir 8 is replenished with diluted soap of the desired concentration.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiments, the water source 4 is a mains water supply.

[0121] In use, the soap reservoir 8 contains a supply of soap. As the soap dispensers 10 are used, soap is supplied from the soap reservoir 8 to the dispensers 10 via the respective supply lines 24. Use of the dispensers 10 causes the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 to reduce. The soap reservoir 8 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is of a rigid construction. Accordingly as the amount of soap in the reservoir 8 is depleted, air is permitted to enter the reservoir via an air bleed valve 38.

[0122] When the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 drops below a predetermined minimum level, the drop in the level of soap is detected by the second sensor 12b. This causes the piston operated solenoid valve 14 to be opened, thereby opening the supply line 28 from the water source 4.

[0123] When the valve 14 is opened, this enables flow of water along the supply line 28. As water flows past the venturi element 30, soap concentrate is drawn from the relevant soap concentrate reservoir (reservoir 6a in FIG. 1) so that diluted soap is provided to the soap reservoir 8.

[0124] This causes the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 to increase. Once the amount of soap has reached a predetermined maximum threshold, this is detected by the first sensor 12a, causing the piston operated solenoid valve 14 to be closed and replenishment of the soap reservoir 8 to be stopped.

[0125] In this way, a batch refilling mechanism for refilling the soap reservoir 8 is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the soap reservoir 8 comprises only a single sensor 12a to prevent overfilling of the soap reservoir. In such embodiments, filling of the soap reservoir 8 is continuous, i.e. soap is replenished continuously as it is depleted.

[0126] Replenishing of the soap reservoir 8 continues as described above until all the soap concentrate in the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a is used up. Sensor 36 detects when reservoir 6a is empty and provides this information to the control mechanism 34. Control mechanism 34 determines based on the sensor 36 feedback that the soap concentrate reservoir 6a is empty and causes the switch manifold 32 to be moved from the first position to the second position. This switches supply of soap concentrate from the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a to the second soap concentrate reservoir 6b, which is not empty. In other words, the second soap concentrate reservoir 6b is now in fluid communication with the soap reservoir 8 and so can provide soap concentrate to the system 2.

[0127] A janitor will then replace the first soap concentrate reservoir 6a with a full reservoir or cartridge. Alternatively the soap concentrate reservoir 6a may be refilled from another vessel. The second soap concentrate reservoir 6b will continue to provide soap concentrate to the system until it becomes empty, at which point the control mechanism will switch supply back to the first reservoir 6a, in a similar manner to that described above.

[0128] A janitor need only replace the relevant soap concentrate reservoir 6a, 6b when completely empty. This ensures that all the available soap concentrate is used, thereby reducing waste. There is also no requirement to refill or replace the soap reservoir 8 itself. Therefore a more simple system for ensuring continuous supply of soap is provided.

[0129] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the disclosure. Like features will be indicated with the same reference numerals. For the sake of brevity, only those features which are different to those in the first embodiment will be described.

[0130] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the dosing mechanism is a rotary dosing pump 40. In addition to ensuring that an appropriate amount of soap concentrate is added to the supply line 28, the rotary dosing pump 40 also acts to ensure a required flow level is provided through the supply line 28.

[0131] FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the disclosure. Like features are indicated with the same reference numerals. Only those features which are different from the previous embodiments will be described for the sake of brevity.

[0132] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the soap reservoir 8 includes a float valve 42 having a float 42a, which floats on the surface of the soap in the soap reservoir 8.

[0133] The float valve 42 is configured to detect when the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is at a predetermined maximum amount, corresponding to a predetermined position of the float 42a. When this is the case, the float valve 42 provides feedback to the piston operated solenoid valve 14 to cause the valve 14 to shut. This prevents further filling of the soap reservoir 8 and so prevents overfilling.

[0134] As the level of soap in the soap reservoir 8 decreases level of the float 42a also drops. The system is configured such that when the float 42a of the float valve 42 drops by a predetermined amount or angle, the float valve 44 provides feedback to the piston operated solenoid valve 14 to cause the valve to open and the soap reservoir 8 to be replenished.

[0135] FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of this disclosure. Like features are indicated by the same reference numerals. Only those features which differ from those of the previous embodiments will be described for the sake of brevity.

[0136] In this embodiment, the reservoir has three outlets 18, one for each of the soap dispensers 10. In addition, the soap reservoir 8 is a collapsible reservoir which is arranged to collapse as soap is dispensed from the reservoir. As the soap reservoir 8 is depleted, a change in pressure can be detected in the supply line 28. A pressure switch 44 is provided in the supply line 28 and is arranged to detect changes in pressure corresponding to a fill condition of the soap reservoir 8. When the soap reservoir 8 is empty or drops below a predetermined minimum amount, a corresponding pressure will be detectable in the supply line 28. This pressure is detected by the pressure switch 44 which communicates with a pump 46 to pump water through the supply line 28. This causes the soap reservoir 8 to be replenished, as previously described.

[0137] The supply line 28 also includes a non-return valve 48 to ensure that fluid in the supply line 28 does not wash back into the mains water supply 4.

[0138] As the soap reservoir 8 is refilled, a change in pressure will be detectable in the supply line 28. The pressure switch 44 is also configured to detect a pressure corresponding to when the soap reservoir 8 is completely full or has reached a predetermined maximum threshold. When this is detected, the pump 46 is directed to stop so that refilling of the soap reservoir 8 is stopped.

[0139] Since the soap reservoir 8 is collapsible, the soap supply system can be airtight, thereby improving the hygiene of the system.

[0140] In some embodiments, the pump 46 may instead be replaced by a valve e.g. a solenoid valve.

[0141] FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the disclosure. Like features are indicated by the same reference numerals. Only those features which differ from those of the previous embodiments will be described for the sake of brevity.

[0142] A header tank 50 is provided between the soap reservoir 8 and the dispensers 10. The header tank 50 has an inlet 52 and an outlet 54. The inlet 52 is coupled to the outlet 18 of the liquid reservoir 8 via a supply line 56. The outlet 54 of the header tank 50 is coupled to the series of dispensers 10 via manifold 20 and supply lines 22, 24.

[0143] The header tank 50 has a smaller volume than the soap reservoir 8 and is configured to be supplied with liquid from the liquid reservoir 8. The header tank 50 is configured to supply liquid to the or each dispenser 10 when required. For example, this may be advantageous when the soap reservoir 8 is being replenished, and/or when replenishment of the soap reservoir 8 has been halted (e.g. awaiting refill or replacement of the concentrate reservoir 6a,b) and the level of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is below the predetermined minimum amount.

[0144] The provision of the header tank 50 therefore ensures that, in normal use, there will always be a supply of soap available to a user.

[0145] It will be appreciated that any of the first to fourth embodiments may also include a header tank.

[0146] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure. Like features are indicated by the same reference numerals. Only those features which differ from those of the previous embodiments will be described for the sake of brevity.

[0147] The embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 2, but differs in that the dosing mechanism 30 is arranged to supply an amount of soap concentrate from the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b directly to the reservoir 8 via a dedicated inlet 58. Accordingly, the reservoir 8 has two inlets: a first water inlet 16 and a second soap concentrate inlet 58.

[0148] In such embodiments, the soap concentrate and water mix in the reservoir 8. In some embodiments, the reservoir 8 includes a mixing device e.g. a stirrer.

[0149] When the second sensor 12b detects that the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is below the predetermined minimum amount, the piston operated solenoid valve 14 is opened to permit water flow in the supply line 28 and allow replenishing of the soap reservoir 8 with water. Additionally, the piston operated solenoid valve 14 is coupled to a concentrate pump 60 such that, when the second sensor 12b detects that the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 is below the predetermined minimum amount, a signal is passed to the concentrate pump 60 to pump an appropriate amount of soap concentrate into the reservoir 8.

[0150] The first sensor 12a is configured to detect when an amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 has reached a predetermined maximum amount. In some embodiments, the first sensor 12a is configured to detect when the soap reservoir 8 is full.

[0151] When this predetermined maximum amount has been reached, the system 2 ceases replenishing of the soap reservoir 8. When the first sensor 12a detects that the amount of soap in the soap reservoir 8 has reached the predetermined maximum amount, the piston operated solenoid valve 14 closes to stop flow of water through the supply line 28 and signals to the pump 60 to stop supply of soap concentrate to the reservoir 8 from the soap concentrate reservoirs 6a, 6b, to prevent further filling of the soap reservoir 8.

[0152] In some embodiments, the fill level sensors 12a, 12b are coupled to the concentrate pump 60 directly (i.e. not via the solenoid valve 14), to trigger supply of soap concentrate to the reservoir 8.

[0153] Although the disclosure has been described above with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the soap dispensers illustrated in the accompanying figures are counter top soap dispensers which are supplied via supply lines through the counter, wall mounted soap dispensers may also be used, or any other suitable type of soap dispenser.

[0154] Further, is will be appreciated that soap concentrate and water may be mixed prior to entering the soap reservoir, as they enter the soap reservoir, and/or in the soap reservoir.