Fluid delivery system including a disinfectant device

Abstract

A fluid delivery system illustratively includes a spout, at least one valve in fluid communication with the spout, and a disinfectant device, illustratively an antibacterial device, fluidly coupled to the spout. The faucet is configured to selectively flow water through the disinfectant device in response to a user input to the faucet. In another illustrative embodiment, the fluid delivery system includes an outer housing, a plurality of fluid devices supported by the outer housing, and an ozone generator fluidly coupled to the fluid devices.

1 . A faucet comprising:
 a spout including a waterway defining an outlet;   at least one valve in fluid communication with the waterway of the spout;   a controller in communication with the at least one valve;   a disinfectant device fluidly coupled to the waterway of the spout, the faucet being configured to selectively flow fluid through the disinfectant device in response to an input to the controller;   a mode indicator;   wherein the faucet is configured to selectively operate in a treatment mode and a non-treatment mode; and   wherein the mode indicator provides indication to a user when the faucet is in treatment mode.   
     
     
         2 . The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein treated water passes through the disinfectant device in the treatment mode, and non-treated water by-passes the disinfectant device in the non-treatment mode. 
     
     
         3 . The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant device includes an antibacterial device. 
     
     
         4 . The faucet of  claim 3 , wherein the antibacterial device includes an electrolytic ozone generator. 
     
     
         5 . The faucet of  claim 4 , wherein the antibacterial device includes a first electrolytic ozone generator in serial fluid communication with a second electrolytic ozone generator. 
     
     
         6 . The faucet of  claim 4 , wherein the ozone generator comprises:
 an outer cartridge;   an electrolytic cell assembly received within the outer cartridge, the electrolytic cell assembly comprising:
 a first housing; 
 an anode coupled to the first housing; 
 a second housing 
 a cathode coupled to the second housing; 
 a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode; and 
 a holder that couples the first housing to the second housing independently of the outer cartridge. 
   
     
     
         7 . The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the mode indicator is a visual indicator. 
     
     
         8 . The faucet of  claim 7 , wherein the mode indicator is a light emitting device. 
     
     
         9 . The faucet of  claim 8 , wherein the mode indicator illuminates the water stream when the faucet is operating in the treatment mode. 
     
     
         10 . The faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the mode indicator is supported on the spout of the faucet. 
     
     
         11 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect a user's hands in proximity to the spout, the controller configured to determine hand washing compliance. 
     
     
         12 . The faucet of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor includes an in-water sensor configured to detect a user's hands in a water stream delivered from the outlet of the spout. 
     
     
         13 . The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the in-water sensor is configured to detect a user's hands moving in the water stream delivered from the outlet of the spout. 
     
     
         14 . The faucet of  claim 12 , wherein the in-water sensor includes a capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect the status of the antibacterial device. 
     
     
         16 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface in communication with the controller, the user interface including a time indicator configured to display a representation of the time water is discharged from the outlet of the spout. 
     
     
         17 . The faucet of  claim 16 , wherein the time indicator includes a circular dial including a plurality of sectors that are selectively illuminated based upon the time that water is discharged from the outlet of the spout. 
     
     
         18 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface in communication with the controller, the user interface including a compliance indicator configured to display a representation of a user's compliance with hand hygiene protocols. 
     
     
         19 . The faucet of  claim 18 , wherein the compliance indicator provides a visual pass/fail indication of compliance with hand hygiene protocols. 
     
     
         20 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the amount of time that a user's hands are in a water stream discharged from the outlet of the spout. 
     
     
         21 . The faucet of  claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of the amount of time that the water stream is discharged from the outlet, and the amount of time that a user's hands are in the water stream. 
     
     
         22 . The faucet of  claim 20 , wherein data regarding the amount of time that the a user's hands are in the water stream is stored in a remote database. 
     
     
         23 . The faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising an identification device for determining the identity of a user. 
     
     
         24 . A faucet comprising:
 a spout including a waterway defining an outlet;   at least one valve in fluid communication with the waterway of the spout;   a controller in communication with the at least one valve;   a disinfectant device fluidly coupled to the waterway of the spout, the faucet being configured to selectively flow fluid through the disinfectant device in response to an input to the controller;   a mode indicator supported on the spout;   wherein the faucet is configured to selectively operate in a treatment mode and a non-treatment mode;   wherein the mode indicator provides indication to a user when the faucet is in treatment mode; and   wherein the mode indicator is a visual indicator.   
     
     
         25 . The faucet of  claim 24 , wherein treated water passes through the disinfectant device in the treatment mode, and non-treated water by-passes the disinfectant device in the non-treatment mode. 
     
     
         26 . The faucet of  claim 24 , wherein the disinfectant device includes an antibacterial device. 
     
     
         27 . The faucet of  claim 26 , wherein the antibacterial device includes an electrolytic ozone generator. 
     
     
         28 . The faucet of  claim 24 , wherein the mode indicator is a light emitting device. 
     
     
         29 . The faucet of  claim 28 , wherein the mode indicator illuminates the water stream when the faucet is operating in the treatment mode.