US3639920A

US3639920A - Programmed plumbing service

Info

Publication number: US3639920A
Application number: US44501A
Authority: US
Inventors: James R Griffin; Norman A Forbes
Original assignee: American Standard Inc
Current assignee: Bauer Industries Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-08
Filing date: 1970-06-08
Publication date: 1972-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-08
Also published as: BE767635A; CA939101A; GB1302821A; FR2097796A5; DE2127939A1

Abstract

Covers a proximity apparatus for a lavatory or basin or other plumbing fixture which responds to the approach of the user to the plumbing fixture to dispense water and soap according to a predetermined pattern. Water may be turned on for a first predetermined interval, for example, when the user reaches the front of the plumbing fixture, after which the water will be briefly turned off and the soap will be turned on for another predetermined interval. Then there will be a predetermined pause during which neither soap nor water will be dispensed, after which the flow of water will be reinstated and the flow continued until the user has departed from the plumbing fixture.

Description

D United States Patent [151 3,639,920

Griffin et al. 1 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] PROGRAMMED PLUMBING SERVICE 3,419,] 88 12/1968 Matchett ..222/76 X [72] Inventors: James R. Griffin; Norman A. Forbes, both 3487'477 1/1970 Classen of Louisville, Ky 3,505,692 4/1970 Forbes.... ..4/166 3,551,919 1/1971 Forbes ..222/76 X [73] Assignee: American Standard Inc., New York, N.Y.

- Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [22] Filed June 1970 Attorney-Jefferson Ehrlich, Tennes l. Erstad and Robert G. [21] Appl. No.: 44,501 Crooks 52 US. Cl ..4/166, 4/100, 222/76 [57] ABSTRACT Cl. ..A47k Covers a proximity apparatus for a lavatory or or other Fleld of Search fixture responds to the approach of [he U561 222/63 to the plumbing fixture to dispense water and soap according to a predetermined pattern. Water may be turned on for a first [56] Relerences C'ted predetermined interval, for example, when the user reaches the front of the plumbing fixture, after which the water will be D TATE PATEN UNITE S S TS briefly turned off and the soap will be turned on for another 2,446,109 1943 predetermined interval. Then there will be a predetermined 2,772,116 1956 pause during which neither soap nor water will be dispensed, 3,151,340 l964 after which the flow of water will be reinstated and the flow 3,241,719 3/1966 continued until the user has departed from the plumbing fix- 3,298,037 1/1967 ture. 3,333,160 7/1967 3,415,278 12/1968 18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEB ms 8 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 3 T i m'e User Present Water on Soap light SL on Soup on Rinse light RL on Pouse water 8 soup off) t t, t t; t,

t,=lsec. t =3sec. 3 5589 INVENTORS:

J. R. GRIFFIN F l G .4 BY N.A.FORB;ES

ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 81972 $639320 sum 2 or 3 FIG.2

ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 8 I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTORS J. R. GRIFFIN N. A. FORBES ATTORNEY PROGRAMMED PLUMBING SERVICE The invention relates to proximity equipment for a lavatory, washbasin or other plumbing fixture. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus associated with a plumbing fixture for supplying soap and water to the plumbing fixture according to predetermined patterns.

Proximity apparatus heretofore proposed for lavatories, washbasins and other plumbing fixtures was designed to control the flow of water to the plumbing fixture without requiring the user to touch the faucet or any other part of the plumbing fixture. However, in such arrangements, there may be a need for a soap dispenser to enable the user to receive a selected or predetermined quantity of soap, in liquid or granulated solid or other form, so that the user may soap his hands or face and then remove the soap from the parts of his body to which the soap has been applied. Soap dispensers, however, have heretofore required mechanical means, controlled by the user, for dispensing the soap. Such a user-operated mechanical dispensing equipment generally requires the user to touch the soap-dispensing equipment to release soap. This independent mechanical operation by the user usually defeats or nullifi'es the automatic operating feature of the overall equipment at the plumbing fixture.

In the usual soap-dispensing apparatus, especially in soapdispensing apparatus used in association with a lavatory or washbasin, the soap dispensed by the equipment and not used sometimes falls upon an exposed surface of the plumbing fixture and remains fixed or hardened in the position in which it has fallen. This mars the appearance of the plumbing fixture. Moreover, if the fixture is in a public place, an attendant may be required, and usually is required, to clean the fixture and remove all of the unused soap which remains on the fixture. It is, therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide an arrangement which dispenses soap upon or after the approach of the user, and which also discharges water from the plumbing fixture, so that both soap and water will be dispensed from the plumbing fixture but no soap will be deposited on the plumbing fixture to mar the fixture. Hence, such an arrangement will diminish, or perhaps eliminate, the usual requirement for the maintenance of the plumbing fixture.

Furthermore, experience with mechanical soap-dispensing apparatus suggests that such apparatus may be exposed to vandalism, or may become an object of vandalism, possibly because a fnistrated user who wanted and needed soap and was unable to get it, relieved his frustration and his feelings by vandalism, especially if the soap dispenser were readily breakable. This invention is provided to minimize or eliminate faulty operation of soap dispensers and thereby minimize vandalism and render their operation automatic and positive.

According to one exemplary form of the invention to be described hereinafter, a proximity equipment for a lavatory or washbasin or like plumbing fixture will be illustrated and described having mechanism for the control of the flow of water from the spout of the plumbing fixture and having also additional mechanism coupled to the spout for the control of the disposal of soap from a soap container or dispenser. Water will be supplied from the spout for a predetemiined time interval promptly when the user arrives at the plumbing fixture, then the water will be turned ofi and soap will be dispensed for a predetermined time interval, then there will be a pause during which neither water nor soap will be dispensed, and finally the water will be again turned on and remain turned on as long as the user remains at the plumbing fixture. By turning the water during a first predetermined interval, the user may get his hands into position and wetted in advance of a soaping operation. Then the water will be turned off and soap will be supplied for a second predetermined interval so that the user may receive soap independently of any additional water. Then there will be a pause lasting a third predetermined interval during which the user may, if he wishes, build up a lather on his hands or face sufficient for his intended purpose. Finally, the water will be turned on again and remain on (without any soap dispensation) until the user has completed his washing or rinsing functions at the plumbing fixture. It is only necessary for the user to remove himself from the plumbing fixture to cause the water flowing from the spout to be interrupted. This will complete the programmed sequence of events while the user remains at the plumbing fixture. This cycle will be restarted and completed with each approach of a user.

This invention and its objects and features will be more clearly understood from the more complete and more detailed description and explanation hereinafter following when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 generally and schematically shows a front elevational view of a plumbing fixture along with the additional apparatus, shown generally and schematically therein, for the control of the flow and dispensation of water and of soap;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the equipment shown schematically in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of associated circuitry for the overall control and programming of the apparatus of the plumbing fixture; and

FIG. 4 shows a diagram exhibiting the time intervals which may be employed in the practice of one form of the invention.

Referring especially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing there is shown an antenna ANT, which may be a proximity antenna such as may be employed with a lavatory or basin or other plumbing fixture LV, a control equipment CN which is activated and otherwise controlled by the approach of the user to the antenna ANT, a solenoid valve SV which is employed for controlling the flow of water through the spout ST of the plumbing fixture LV, and a soap pump SP for dispensing soap through a fitting or spout SF of the plumbing fixture LV. These are the principal components of the invention and they are interconnected by the electrical circuitry of FIG. 3 which is provided for regulating and programming all of the operations to be performed at the plumbing fixture LV, as will be explained. A form of antenna arrangement suitable for the indicated purpose is disclosed in our copending application, Ser. No. 856,667, filed Sept. 10, 1969.

As is schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lavatory LV, which may be of any conventional shape, includes, in addition to the spout ST, the usual basin BA for the lavatory and a hanger section HN for hanging the lavatory LV against a backwall or other suitable support. The spout ST is employed primarily to control the downward flow of water through the spout ST and into the basin BA. The flow of water, according to this invention, will not be controlled by the usual form of valves which are manually operated by the user to turn water on and off as desired, but the flow of water will be automatically controlled by the electrical solenoid valve SV and its associated equipments. The solenoid valve SV is connected to the control apparatus CN as will be described and, according to this invention, the control apparatus CN will promptly respond to the approach of a user to the front of the lavatory LV, thereby changing the capacitance of the antenna ANT and causing the solenoid valve SV to be energized to initiate the flow of water through the spout ST. Water will continue to flow through the spout ST only as long as the solenoid valve SV is operated. The flow of water will be stopped upon the release of the solenoid valve.

In addition to the water control mechanism, the equipment of the invention includes the soap pump SP which is connected by means of a separate pipeline, or so-called soap conduit line SC, to a mechanically coupled soap fixture or spout SF through which soap may be dispensed. According to this invention, the control mechanism CN is provided and arranged to activate the soap pump SP, which is connected to a soap reservoir (not shown) from which soap is applied through the conduit SC to fitting SF. The soap conduit and the water conduit are separate and distinct from each other so as to prevent any commingling of the soap and water through a common faucet.

Thus, water may be dispensed through the spout ST and soap may be dispensed through the fitting SF, to enable the user to obtain a predetermined but ample supply of soap along with a sufficient quantity of water to enable the user to develop a good lather on his hands or his face, and thereafter collect water additionally discharged through the spout ST to wash away or rinse the user's hands or face. Such an agenda can make for the efficient use and operation of the plumbing equipment.

A primary feature of the invention resides, therefore, in the programmed dispensation of water and soap to the user in sufficient quantities to enable the user to develop an appropriate lather for the customary washing and rinsing purposes. The water and soap dispensations may be arranged in any desired order, and the intervals of dispensation, if desired, may overlap to some extent. But in any case, the minimal requirements of soap and water for adequate lathering will be supplied by the equipment for the customary washing purposes.

According to this invention, moreover, after sufficient materials have been supplied for lathering, the solenoid valve SV will be operated to allow water to be transmitted through the spout ST for a sufficient time interval to enable all the lather to be fully removed. if desired, the waterflow may be continued as long as the user remains in front of the lavatory LV, and the waterflow may be interrupted only when the user has left the vicinity of the plumbing fixture LV. Then, and only then, will the waterflow be interrupted.

Before the user arrives at the plumbing fixture, that is, while the equipment is in its quiescent state and is in its unoperated condition, power supplied from a source PS, which may be the conventional l lO-volt AC source, will be transmitted through the transformer TR. The negative half cycles of the applied AC voltage will charge capacitor C2 through the diode D2, so that a negative DC voltage appears across capacitor C2. This negative voltage appears across a voltage divider made up of resistor R1 and diode D3, and the negative voltage across diode D3 will apply a negative potential to the base of the transistor Q1 and maintain it in a nonconductive state. However, the positive half cycles of the applied AC voltage will charge capacitor C1 through diode D1, and positive current will flow from the positive charge on capacitor C1 through a circuit including resistor R2 and resistor R3. This current will generate a positive potential at the base of the transistor Q2, whereupon the transistor Q2 will become conductive. During the conductive state of transistor Q2, current will flow from the positive charge on capacitor C1, through resistor R4, through the collector and emitter electrodes of transistor Q2 and back to the grounded side of capacitor C1. As long as transistor Q2 remains conductive, the flow of current through the winding of relay L3 will be insufficient to energize that relay. Hence the lower or operating contact of relay L3 will remain open.

A negative voltage appears across capacitor C2, as already explained, and this negative voltage is supplied to a series circuit made up of resistor R5 and diode D4. The small fraction ofthis negative voltage that appears across diode D4 supplies a negative potential to the base of transistor Q3 and maintains transistor Q3 nonconducting. However, additional negative current will flow from capacitor C2 through diode D4 over a circuit including the base and collector of transistor Q3, resistor R6 and back to capacitor C2. This negative current will apply a negative potential to the base of transistor Q4 and maintain transistor O4 in a nonconducting state.

When transistor O4 is in its nonconducting state, positive current will flow from the positive charge on capacitor C1 through resistor R7 and resistor R10 and back to the grounded side of capacitor C1. This positive current will supply a positive potential to the base of the transistor 05, whereupon transistor Q5 will become conducting. As long as transistor Q5 remains conducting, current will flow from the positive charge on capacitor C1 through resistor R8, through the collector and emitter electrodes of transistor 05 and back to the grounded side of capacitor C I. This current will be sufficiently large so that very little current may traverse the winding of relay L1. Hence, relay L1 will remain deactivated.

It is noted, moreover, that the schematically represented control network CN interconnects the antenna ANT to the winding of relay L2. As long as the user is remote from the plumbing fixture LV, the antenna ANT will be unchanged in capacitance. Hence, the control network CN will not supply operating current to the winding of relay L2. Relay L2 will, therefore, remain deenergized and the forward or operating or make contact of this relay will remain open. As long as relay L2 remains deenergized, current cannot flow through the solenoid valve SV. Hence, no water will be supplied through the spout ST of the plumbing fixture LV. Furthermore, while the user is remote from the plumbing fixture LV, relay L4 will be in its normal or nonoperated position. Hence, current cannot flow to the motor MO which controls the soap pump SP. The soap pump SP is shown coupled to the motor M0 by a coupler CP. The motor MO is also wired through a conventional fullwave rectifier, including diodes D8 to D11, from the makecontact of relay L4. Because of the normal release of relay L4, the motor MO will not be operated and the soap dispenser SP will remain inactive and no soap will be dispensed by the fitting FS.

Thus, during the idle condition of fig. 3 and the associated equipment, all the relays L1, L2, L3 and L4 will be in their released positions and remain released. No water or soap will be dispensed by any part of the equipment associated with the lavatory LV.

Upon the arrival of the user in front of lavatory LV, the antenna ANT will be sufficiently changed in its caPacitance so that the relay L2 will become operated. Immediately upon the operation of relay L2, current will flow from the secondary winding of transformer TR over a circuit extending through the armature and make-contact of relay L2, then through the solenoid valve SV, then over the back contact and armature of relay L1, and back to the secondary winding of transformer TR. This current will operate the solenoid valve SV, and water will be transmitted through the spout ST of the plumbing fixture LV.

The operation of the relay L2, in response to the approach of the user to the antenna ANT, will also establish a circuit to three delay networks DL1, DL2 and DL3. That circuit will be established from the secondary winding of transformer TR through the armature and make-contact of relay L2, through diode D12 and capacitor C6 and back to the secondary winding of the transformer. This will cause positive pulses of current to be supplied to the upper tenninal of capacitor C6. Capacitor C6 will become charged by these positive pulses. It is to be observed that the capacitor C6 is bridged by a resistor R9.

Capacitor C6 is also connected to the three delay networks DL1, DL2 and DL3 in a parallel arrangement. The delay network DLl includes the series resistors R16 and R15 which extend to the terminal common to the collector of transistor 03 and the base of transistor Q4. The terminal common to resistors R15 and R16 is bridged by a capacitor C5 extending to the grounded terminal of the secondary winding of transformer TR. Likewise, the delay network DL2 is connected to the upper terminal of capacitor C6 through series resistors R12 and R11 and this series circuit is connected to the base terminal of transistor Q1. A capacitor C3 of delay network DL2 is bridged between the terminal common to resistors R11 and R12 and the grounded terminal of the secondary winding of transformer TR. Similarly, the delay network DL3 is connected to the upper terminal of the capacitor C6 through a series circuit including resistors R14 and R13 and this circuit extends to the base terminal of transistor Q3. The several resistors R16, R12 and R14 of the respective delay networks DL1, DL2 and DL3 are bridged by corresponding diodes D7, D5 and D6. These delay networks DL1, DL2 and D3, all of which are controlled by the charge of capacitor C6, are provided to furnish appropriate but different predetermined time intervals for the operation of the mechanism of this invention.

Immediately after the user arrives, the flow of current to capacitor C6 to charge the capacitor C6 and the flow of current from capacitor C6 to the delay network DL1 causes the capacitor C5 of this network to become charged, the lower terminal of the capacitor C5 receiving a positive voltage. After a sufficient charge has been collected on capacitor C5, the flow of positive current through resistors R16 and R15 will develop a positive voltage on the base of transistor Q4. Transistor Q4 will therefore become conducting. As the transistor Q4 becomes conducting, the current flow via diode D1, resistor R7, and the collector and emitter of transistor Q4 will change the direction of the current flowing through resistor R7 to the new path through the collector and emitter electrodes of transistor Q4, so that the base of transistor Q5 will receive a zero current. This will render transistor Q5 nonconducting.

As soon as transistor Q5 becomes nonconducting, the positive pulses of current flowing from the secondary winding of transformer TR will traverse a circuit through diode D1, re sistor R8 and the winding of relay L1 and return to the secondary winding of the transformer TR. This will cause relay L1 to operate. Hence, upon the breakage of the back contact of relay L1, the circuit through solenoid valve SV will be opened, whereupon the flow of water through the faucet ST will be opened, whereupon the flow of water through the faucet ST of the plumbing fixture LV will cease. The solenoid valve SV will be operated for a predetermined time interval which is designated t t in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

Upon the operation of relay Ll, a circuit will be established through the winding of relay L4 over a path which includes the secondary winding of transformer TR, the armature and make-contact of relay L2, the armature and back contact of relay L3, the winding of relay LA, the make-contact and armature of relay L1 and back to the secondary winding of transformer TR. Relay L4 will therefore operate.

Upon the operation of relay L4, which will occur after a predetermined time interval denoted by the period t to t, of FIG. 4, a circuit will be established to operate the motor MO and the soap pump SP coupled thereto. This circuit will include the secondary winding of transformer TR, the armature and make-contact of relay [4, resistor R17, the full-wave rectifier consisting of diodes D8, D99, D10 and D11, and back to the secondary winding of transformer TR. The full-wave rectifier will pemiit the motor M0 to be fed current unidirectionally during both halves of each cycle of current supplied by the power source PS. The soap pump SP will then be activated, thereby supplying soap to the soap-dispensing fixture SF affixed to or associated with the plumbing fixture LV.

Soap will be dispensed by the soap pump SP via spout or fitting SF for a period of time determined by the constants of the delay network DL2 which may be, for example, during an interval t to L of FIG. 4 of, say, 2 seconds. During this predetermined interval, the capacitor C3 will continue to receive a rather large charge of voltage, and the voltage on capacitor C3 will increase to the magnitude required to make transistor Q1 conductive at about the end of the interval.

Following the operation of relay L2 and the charging of capacitor C6, positive current will be fed through resistors R12 and R11 and through resistor R1 to the terminal between diode D2 and capacitor C2. This positive current will, at time t cause the base of transistor O1 to become positive and render the transistor Q1 conducting. The flow of current through the collector and emitter of transistor 01 will substantially reduce the positive voltage previously supplied through resistor R2 to the base of transistor Q2. As the positive voltage applied to the base of transistor Q2 becomes sufficiently reduced, the transistor Q2 will become nonconducting. When this happens, the current through the winding of relay L3 will be increased sufiiciently to cause this relay to become operated. Thus, the relay L3 will become operated to break the circuit previously established to the winding of relay IA. The relay L4 will be released and will stop the current flow to the motor MO and, therefore, stop the discharge of soap from pump SP to the soap dispenser SF.

Thus, there will be no flow of water via the solenoid valve SV because relay Ll had been operated to break the circuit of solenoid valve SV and, as already explained, the release of relay L4 will interrupt the discharge of soap from the soap dispenser. This status, i.e., the condition in which there is no flow of water and no discharge of soap, will continue for a period of time t to t of FIG. 4 deten'nined by the time constants provided by the delay network DL3 as will be presently explained.

After the operation of relay L3, there will continue to be a flow of positive current from the terminal common to diode D12 and capacitor C6 through the resistors R14 and R13, serving to charge the capacitor C4. After a sufficient and predetermined time interval, such as 5 seconds afler time t,,, the charge on capacitor C4 will reach a value which is sufficient to develop a considerable positive current at the base electrode of transistor Q3, rendering transistor Q3 conducting. Hence, transistor 04 will be deprived of the positive current previously applied to its base electrode, and, therefore, transistor Q4 will be rendered nonconducting. As soon as transistor Q4 becomes nonconducting, transistor Q5 will again become conducting, thereby shunting much of the current previously flowing through the winding of relay L1 to the path established by the collector and emitter electrodes of transistor Q5, so that relay L1 releases. The release of relay L1 will again connect the solenoid valve SV to the secondary winding of transformer TR over a path established through the armature and make-contact of relay L2, the solenoid valve SV, the back contact and armature of relay L1 and back to the transformer secondary winding. This operation of the solenoid valve will reestablish a flow of water through the faucet ST of the plumbing fixture LV.

The flow of water through the solenoid valve SV will be continued and maintained as long as relay L2 remains operated. As already explained, relay L2 is controlled by the control network CN which, in turn, is controlled by the capacitance of the antenna ANT. Hence, when the user departs from the plumbing fixture LV, and only then, the relay L2 will become released, breaking the circuit extending to the solenoid valve SV and interrupting the flow of water through the faucet ST of the plumbing fixture LV.

There are, therefore, three distinct time intervals which are effective in controlling the flow of water and soap into the plumbing fixture LV. The first interval, determined by delay network DLl, which may be 1 second, for example, will effect the interval of the initial flow of water through the solenoid valve SV and, therefore, through the faucet ST. The second time interval, determined by the delay network DL2, will determine the end of the period of time, such as 2 seconds, for example, during which soap alone will be dispensed by the soap dispenser SP through the spout SF. The third period of time, which is determined by the delay network DL3, will determine the end of the period of time, such as 2 seconds, for example during which neither soap nor water will be dispensed. The solenoid valve SV will then be turned on a second time to permit the user to wash his hands or face, etc. The water will continue to flow through faucet ST until the user leaves his position adjacent to the plumbing fixture LV. The three time intervals are exemplified in FIG. 4 and may be adjusted to any desired values merely by changing the parameters of the circuitry.

It will be observed that each of the three delay networks DLI, DL2 and DL3 embodies a distinctive diode. The three diodes are designated, respectively, D7, D5 and D6, and they bridge the resistors R16, R12 and R14 respectively. These diodes are intended to dissipate the discharge current flow through the respective delay networks so as to discharge their respective capacitors rapidly. The rapid discharge of the capacitors of the three delay networks serves to reinstate the three delay networks in readiness for their prompt return for delaying action as may be required with the approach of a subsequent user of the same lavatory LV.

Although the first or initial flow of water through the faucet ST precedes the discharge of soap from the dispenser SF, the time intervals need not be adjacent or sequential, but may be partially or fully overlapping, as may be desired. The objective in having them in sequential order is to allow the user to become aware and cognizant of the automatic operation of the equipment before allowing soap to be dispensed to the user. This helps to avoid the unnecessary wastage of soap. These time factors may, of course, be changed as may be desired to change the intervals.

Although the equipment of this invention has been illustrated as embodying two different outlets ST and SF for the water and soap, respectively, it will be readily apparent that a common faucet may be used if desired to discharge both of the mediawater and soap. A common faucet would serve to maintain the paths of both media in a common direction.

The arrangement of this invention, as already noted, employs a control network CN to operate relay L2 when the user arrives at the plumbing fixture and to release relay L2 when the user departs from the fixture. The control network CN may be of any suitable structure available for this purpose. Any appropriate vacuum tube system or transistor system will suffice if it is triggered by a predetennined change in capacitance of a capacitive antenna or by a change in impedance of a photocell or other device to operate relay L2 upon the users arrival and to release relay L2 upon the return of the device to its normal condition as the user departs.

Two lamps RL and SL are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The lamp RL, which is controlled by relay L3, will be operated at about time t (see FIG. 4) when neither water nor soap are being discharged. The lamp RL will continue to be lighted from the beginning of the pause in the discharge of the soap until the user has departed from the plumbing fixture. The other lamp SL, which is connected to the back contact of relay L3, will be lighted as soon as the user arrives at the plumbing fixture and remain lighted until the soap delivery has been completedwhich will occur at about time t (of FIG. 4). Preferably, the lamp SL is labeled SOAP and the lamp RL is labeled RINSE. These lamps are provided to help explain the operation of the device to an uninitiated user.

Although the structure of this invention employs an antenna in the form of a capacitance which changes in magnitude with the approach of the user and returns to its original capacitive value when the user departs, any other form of device such as a photoelectric cell, may be substituted therefor. The photocell would be employed to undergo a change in its impedance when the user arrives and to return to its initial impedance when the user departs. A suitable photoelectric arrangement for this purpose is fully shown and described in a copending application of N. A. Forbes, Ser. No. 37,077, filed on or about May I4, 1970.

Although this invention has been shown and described in certain particular embodiments merely for illustration and explanation and the equipment of this invention has been represented schematically to simplify the illustration and explanation, it will be apparent that the features and principles of this invention may be applied to other and widely varied organizations without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of a plumbing fixture having a faucet for the discharge of water and a dispenser for the discharge of soap, sensing mechanism responsive to the approach of a user to the plumbing fixture to open said faucet to transmit water from the faucet for a predetermined time interval and for opening said dispenser for subsequently transmitting soap from the dispenser for a different predetennined interval.

2. The combination recited in claim 1, including means for reinstating the flow of water through the faucet after soap has been dispensed by the dispenser for said different predetermined interval of time.

3. The combination recited in claim 2, including means to interrupt the flow of water through the faucet upon the departure of the user from the plumbing fixture.

4. The combination recited in claim 1, including two delay networks to introduce the respective operating time intervals.

5. The combination recited in claim 1, including separate conduits for the discharge of water and soap so as to prevent the mixture of the water with the soap.

6. The combination of a plumbing fixture having a spout for the discharge of water and a dispenser for the discharge of soap, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of water through the spout, a pump for feeding soap to the dispenser, an antenna, and means controlled by said antenna for operating the solenoid valve for a first predetermined time interval to discharge water through the spout, said means also including means for operating the pump for a second predetennined time interval to discharge soap through the dispenser.

7. The combination recited in claim 6 including a programming network having two delay networks for fixing the first and second predetermined time intervals.

8. The combination of claim 6, including means for operating the solenoid valve for another time interval after the discharge of soap through the dispenser.

9. The combination of a plumbing fixture having first and second spouts for supplying water and soap respectively, a first device including means for controlling the discharge of water through the first spout, a second device including means for controlling the flow of soap through the second spout, and programming apparatus coupled to said first and second devices and including mechanism for sequentially operating said first and second devices for first and second predeter' mined time intervals, respectively.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 in which the programming apparatus includes means for interrupting the flow of water through the first spout and for thereafter reinstating the flow of water through the first spout.

11. The combination recited in claim 10, including separate conduits for the soap and the water to prevent any mixture of the two substances.

12. Program apparatus for a plumbing fixture comprising, in addition to the plumbing fixture, a solenoid valve and a faucet to control the flow of water through the plumbing fixture, a pump and a fitting to control the flow of soap to the plumbing fixture, electrical sensing means responsive to the advent of a user to the plumbing fixture to operate the solenoid valve to transmit water through the faucet for a first predetermined time interval and to operate the pump to dispense soap through the fitting for a second predetennined interval, and means to interrupt the flow of water through the faucet for a third predetermined time interval and thereafter to reinstate the flow of water through the faucet.

13. The program apparatus according to claim 12, including a delay network to fix the time interval between the separate operations of the solenoid valve.

14. Program apparatus according to claim 12, including means to mechanically couple the faucet and the fitting to each other so that the soap and the water may be emitted in the same general direction.

15. Plumbing apparatus comprising a soap dispenser, a water dispenser, and electrical sensing means coupled to both dispensers and including mechanism responsive to the approach of a user to the plumbing apparatus to sequentially operate the water and soap dispensers for different predetermined time intervals.

16. Plumbing apparatus according to claim 15, including the means to operate the water dispenser continuously after said different predetermined intervals have expired and to interrupt the flow of water through the water dispenser upon the departure of the user from the plumbing fixture.

17. Plumbing apparatus according to claim 16, including means to couple the soap dispenser to the water dispenser so that the emission paths of the soap and water will be substan tially parallel to each other.

18. Plumbing apparatus according to claim 17, including two indicators coupled respectively to the soap and water dispensers to indicate that the respective dispensers are in operation.

Claims

1. The combination of a plumbing fixture having a faucet for the discharge of water and a dispenser for the discharge of soap, sensing mechanism responsive to the approach of a user to the plumbing fixture to open said faucet to transmit water from the faucet for a predetermined time interval and for opening said dispenser for subsequently transmitting soap from the dispenser for a different predetermined interval.

6. The combination of a plumbing fixture having a spout for the discharge of water and a dispenser for the discharge of soap, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of water through the spout, a pump for feeding soap to the dispenser, an antenna, and means controlled by said antenna for operating the solenoid valve for a first predetermined time interval to discharge water through the spout, said means also including means for operating the pump for a second predetermined time interval to discharge soap through the dispenser.

9. The combination of a plumbing fixture having first and second spouts for supplying water and soap respectively, a first device including means for controlling the discharge of water through the first spout, a second device including means for controlling the flow of soap through the second spout, and programming apparatus coupled to said first and second devices and including mechanism for sequentially operating said first and second devices for first and second predetermined time intervals, respectively.

12. Program apparatus for a plumbing fixture comprising, in addition to the plumbing fixture, a solenoid valve and a faucet to control the flow of water through the plumbing fixture, a pump and a fitting to control the flow of soap to the plumbing fixture, electrical sensing means responsive to the advent of a user to the plumbing fixture to operate the solenoid valve to transmit water through the faucet for a first predetermined time interval and to operate the pump to dispense soap through the fitting for a second predetermined interval, and means to interrupt the flow of water through the faucet for a third predetermined time interval and thereafter to reinstate the flow of water through the faucet.

13. Program apparatus according to claim 12, including a delay network to fix the time interval between the separate operations of the solenoid valve.

17. Plumbing apparatus according to claim 16, including means to couple the soap dispenser to the water dispenser so that the emission paths of the soap and water will be substantially parallel to each other.