Patent ID: 8215521
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A47K,B05B

Abstract:
1. A method for dispensing soap, in the form of a foam, from a wall-mounted foam dispenser including: a dispenser housing mounted to a wall; a cartridge removable and replaceable within the dispenser housing, the cartridge containing a foamable soap and an air section; an air compressor fluidly communicating with the air section; a foam generating head; an outlet air conduit providing a fluid pathway between the air section and the foam generating head; an air dispensing valve associated with the outlet air conduit to regulate the flow of air therethrough; an outlet liquid conduit providing a fluid pathway for the foamable soap to the foam generating head; a dispensing nozzle, a hand sensor for sensing the presence of an individual's hand within a particular region beneath the dispensing nozzle; and a liquid dispensing valve associated with the outlet liquid conduit to regulate the flow of foamable soap therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining the pressure within the cartridge within a desired dispensing pressure range while the foam dispenser is unactuated, the pressure being generated by the air compressor and establishing a pressure head in the air section of the cartridge to separately force both air and foamable soap, respectively, toward the air dispensing valve and the liquid dispensing valve; maintaining the air dispensing valve and the liquid dispensing valve in a closed position while the foam dispenser is unactuated to prevent flow of air and foamable soap through their respective outlet air conduits and outlet liquid conduits to the foam generating head; and actuating the foam dispenser by placing a hand beneath the dispensing nozzle so as to be sensed by the hand sensor, said step of actuating causing the air dispensing valve and the liquid dispensing valve to open so that air and foamable soap flow to and through the foam generating head, creating a foam that is dispensed onto the hand beneath the dispensing nozzle, the air and liquid and foam flowing under the pressure established in said step of maintaining the pressure within the cartridge within a desired dispensing pressure range.