U.S. patent application number 09/942126 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for high flow/low flow mixing and dispensing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lohr, James H..
Application Number | 20020070248 09/942126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27109614 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020070248 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lohr, James H. |
June 13, 2002 |
High flow/low flow mixing and dispensing apparatus
Abstract
Liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus which can dispense a high
and a low flow rate by means of a flow control valve. The apparatus
includes a multiplicity of containers with liquid concentrate which
are interconnected with eductors so that when pressurized water
flows through the eductors and by activation of a selected valve
liquid concentrate is mixed with the water so as to dilute it for
use. A flow control valve is positioned upstream of the selector
valves and has a high and a low flow rate capacity. The high and
low flow capacity is accomplished by metering devices placed in a
ball of the valve or the valve housing.
Inventors: |
Lohr, James H.; (Union
Grove, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON COMMERCIAL MARKETS INC
8310 16TH STREET, M/S 510
PO BOX 902
STURTEVANT
WI
53177-0902
US
|
Family ID: |
27109614 |
Appl. No.: |
09/942126 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09942126 |
Aug 29, 2001 |
|
|
|
09716883 |
Nov 20, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/482 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 11/006 20130101;
F16K 5/0605 20130101; B67D 7/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/482 |
International
Class: |
B67D 003/00 |
Claims
1. A liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus comprising: a support
member; at least one container placed on the support member; a
valve member; an eductor in fluid communication with the container;
a liquid intake conduit member connected to the valve member and
the eductor; a flow control valve connected to the liquid intake
conduit member, the control valve having a first bore constructed
and arranged to provide a first flow rate and a second bore
constructed and arranged to provide a second flow rate lower than
the first flow rate, at least one of the bores including a liquid
metering device; a liquid product supply line operatively connected
to the container and a liquid product intake of the eductor; a
closure member connected to each container and the liquid supply
line; and a liquid outlet line operatively connected to the
eductor.
2. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
1, wherein the second bore is smaller than the first bore.
3. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
2, wherein the second bore includes the liquid metering device.
4. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
3, wherein the second bore is adaptable to receiving at least two
metering devices having different flow patterns.
5. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
1, including a multiplicity of containers, valve members and
eductors.
6. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
1, wherein the first and second bores include liquid metering
devices.
7. In a liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus having a support
member, at least one container placed on the support member, an
eductor in fluid communication with the container, a valve member,
a liquid intake conduit member connected to the valve member and
the eductor, a closure member connected to each container, a liquid
supply line connected to the container and a liquid product intake
of the eductor, and a liquid outlet line operatively connected to
the eductor, the improvement comprising: a flow control valve
connected to the liquid intake conduit member, the control valve
having a first bore constructed and arranged to provide a first
flow rate and a second bore constructed and arranged to provide a
second flow rate lower than the first flow rate, at least one of
the bores including a liquid metering device.
8. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7
wherein the second bore is smaller than the first bore.
9. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7
wherein the second bore includes the liquid metering device.
10. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
9 wherein the second bore is adaptable to receiving at least two
metering devices having different flow patterns.
11. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
7, including a multiplicity of containers, valve members and
eductors.
12. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
7 wherein the first and second bores include liquid metering
devices.
13. A liquid mixing an dispensing apparatus comprising: a support
member; at least one container placed on the support member; a
valve member; an eductor in fluid communication with the container;
a liquid intake conduit member connected to the valve member and
the eductor; a flow control valve connected to the liquid intake
conduit member, the control valve having a first bore constructed
and arranged to provide a first flow rate and a second bore
constructed and arranged to provide a second flow rate lower than
the first flow rate, at least one of the bores including a liquid
metering device, the flow control valve including a housing with a
passage, a liquid metering device positioned in the housing
passage; a liquid product supply line operatively connected to the
container and a liquid product intake of the eductor; a closure
member connected to each container and the liquid supply line; and
a liquid outlet line operatively connected to the eductor.
14. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
13, wherein the second bore is smaller than the first bore.
15. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
13, wherein the second bore includes the liquid metering
device.
16. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
15 wherein the second bore is adaptable to receiving at least two
metering devices having different flow patterns.
17. The liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim
13, including a multiplicity of containers, valve members and
eductors.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No.
09/716,883 filed Nov. 20, 2000.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] NONE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Technical Field
[0004] This invention relates generally to liquid dispensing and
more particularly, to combining and dispensing liquids in a time
efficient manner.
[0005] 2. Background Art
[0006] In the maintenance of large buildings such as office
buildings or stores in shopping centers, it is customary to mix the
required cleaning agents from a source of concentrate with water
such as by employing an aspirator. The resulting solutions are then
filled into suitable containers such as bottles or buckets. An
apparatus of this type is available from Johnson Wax Professional
of Sturtevant, Wis., as the Select AG. For chemical dispensing
apparatus of this type, there are applications when a high flow
rate (4 gpm or greater) is desired to deliver ready to use product,
such as when filling a bucket or an auto-scrubber. However, a low
flow rate (2 gpm or less) is desired when filling spray bottles.
Current systems such as the Select AG dispensing apparatus and
Quick Fill units available from Ecolab Inc. of St. Paul, Minn., are
designed to fill either buckets or bottles from the same
concentrate bottle through the dispenser but have a fixed,
intermediate flow rate (i.e., 2.5 gpm). Other systems such as the
Twist 'n Fill available from the 3M Company and Outpost available
from The Butcher Company, Inc. of Marlborough, Mass. can vary the
flow rate, but they require two different concentrate bottles (high
flow bottle/low flow bottle) of the same product to accomplish this
function.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,443,094 and 5,505,382 both disclose
dispensing systems with aspirators and valves in the liquid inlet
lines.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,986 there is disclosed a fluid
control valve having two bores which allows for selective change of
flow rate of fluid through the valve. The disclosed valve is
designed for high temperature and pressure use.
[0009] The prior art does not provide a high and low flow rate
dispensing apparatus which can deliver a high and low flow rate
from a single concentrate source.
[0010] The objects of the invention therefore are:
[0011] a) Providing an improved liquid mixing and dispensing
apparatus;
[0012] b) Providing a liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus which
allows for different flow rates from the same product bottle;
[0013] c) Providing a liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus of the
foregoing kind which can efficiently fill both large containers
such as a bucket or an auto-scrubber and a small container such as
a bottle;
[0014] d) Providing a liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus of the
foregoing kind which can be easily retrofitted to a currently used
dispensing apparatus;
[0015] e) Providing a liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus of the
foregoing kind which allows for variation of the low flow rate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The foregoing objects are accomplished and shortcomings of
the prior art are overcome by the liquid mixing and dispensing
apparatus of this invention which in one aspect includes a support
member, at least one container placed on the support member, an
eductor in fluid communication with the container, a valve member,
a liquid intake conduit member connected to the valve member and
the eductor, a flow control valve connected to the liquid intake
conduit member, the control valve having a first bore constructed
and arranged to provide a first flow rate and a second bore
constructed and arranged to provide a second flow rate lower than
the first flow rate, at least one of the bores includes a liquid
metering device, a liquid product supply line operatively connected
to the container and a liquid product intake of the eductor, a
closure member connected to each container and the liquid supply
line, and a liquid outlet line operatively connected to the
eductor.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the second bore is smaller than
the first bore.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the second bore includes
the liquid metering device.
[0019] In another aspect, the second bore is adaptable to receiving
at least two metering devices having different flow patterns.
[0020] In yet another aspect, a housing for the control valve has a
passage with a liquid metering device positioned in the
passage.
[0021] In still another aspect, a liquid metering device is
positioned in both of the bores.
[0022] In still yet another aspect, the dispensing apparatus
includes a multiplicity of containers, valve members and
eductors.
[0023] These and still other objects and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In
the detailed description below a preferred embodiment of the
invention will be described in reference to the full scope of the
invention. Rather, the invention may be employed in other
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the mixing and dispensing
apparatus of this invention, illustrating the filling of a
bucket.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the filling
of a bottle.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a panel member
removed.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flow control valve used
in conjunction with the mixing and dispensing apparatus.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a top view of the control valve shown in FIG. 4
illustrating the positions of the handle member.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the flow control
valve.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the component parts
shown in section.
[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the flow control valve.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 except showing the
component parts in section.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing an alternative
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a ball valve for use in the flow control valve.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, mixing and dispensing apparatus
generally 10 includes a housing member 12 through which extends a
flow control valve generally 14 and valve members 16, 17, 18 and
19. The housing member 12 includes an upper panel 21 which is
connected to rack member 23 for confining containers 25 on panel
21. The containers 25 will contain a concentrated cleaning or
sanitizing material. The valve bodies 28 are connected to manifold
32 which is connected to one end of the control valve 14. Water
supply line 30 is connected to the other end of the control valve
14.
[0036] As seen in FIG. 3, eductors 35 are connected to the valve
members 16-19. Positioned on containers 25 are caps 40. Liquid
supply lines 42 are in fluid communication with the caps 40 and
containers 25 at one end and with the eductors 35 at another end.
Outlet lines 45 and 46 extend from the eductors 35. Eductors 38 are
available from S.C. Johnson Commercial Markets, Inc., Sturtevant,
Wis.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 4-9, there is shown the flow control
valve 14. It has a housing 50 to which is connected the handle 52.
End cap 54 is threadably connected to the housing at one end such
as by the threads 53. At the opposing end, there is a threaded
portion 56 for connection to the manifold 32 (See FIG. 3). A valve
seat 58 is positioned between the cap 54 and inside the hollow
housing 50. A second seat 74 is positioned in the housing
downstream of seat 58. These valve seats provide sealing engagement
with the ball 65. Stop surfaces are provided at 47 and 48 to
provide limited travel of handle 52 and orientation of ball 65.
[0038] Referring specifically to FIG. 8, ball 65 has a main
throughbore 66. In addition, there are two smaller bores 68 and 70
which extend transversely with respect to bore 66 and at a right
angle to the axis of main bore 66. At the entrance to bore 68 is
seat 72 which receives metering housing 63 in which is placed a
washer 61. A metering device 60 has multiple apertures 62 and is
positioned in the metering housing 63 with the washer 61. As
illustrated, additional metering devices such as 64 with different
apertures 67 for a different flow can be placed in seat 72 of bore
68.
[0039] As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, valve housing 50 has a passage 80
which receives the valve stem 77 connected to the ball 65. Handle
52 is connected to the threaded stem 77 by means of the screw 84
extending through the opening 82 of the handle 52. The washer 78
provides the usual seal.
[0040] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate alternative embodiments of a flow
control valve 114 and a ball 265. Similar parts are designated with
similar numbers except in the "100" and "200" series. Referring to
FIG. 10, flow control valve 114 differs from valve 14 in the
placement of a metering device 164 in the passage 186 of end cap
housing 154. It is secured therein by washer 175 and has a
peripheral flange 179 for seating against seat 173. The second
metering device 160 would be placed in the smaller bore 168.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows ball 265 with two metering devices 260 and
264. One of the devices is placed in small bore 68 and the other in
the larger bore 66 as seen in FIG. 8. In this instance, bore 66
would have the seat such as 72 to receive the device.
OPERATION
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the dispensing of liquid material
from dispensing apparatus 10 is effected in the usual manner. Water
under pressure will be introduced through the supply line 30 and
into manifold 32. Depending upon the material which is desired to
be dispensed from containers 25, one of the valve members 16, 17,
18 or 19 will be activated. This causes water under pressure to
flow through the corresponding eductor 35 which will cause a
siphoning effect in the liquid supply line 42. This draws the
concentrated chemical material into the diluent water and causes a
mixed product to flow out of the outlet lines 45 or 46.
[0043] An important feature of the invention is the ability to have
a high and low flow water mixing and dispensing apparatus 10 with
high and low flow accomplished by the control valve 14. Referring
to FIG. 7, when the bore 66 is aligned with the passages 86 and 88
a high flow condition is accomplished with the result that water
flows through the eductors 38 at a rate of 4 gpm or greater which
in turn causes the liquid concentrate to be mixed at a high rate
with the diluent water. This is the condition which would be
utilized to fill the bucket 90 as shown in FIG. 1. When a lower
flow rate is to be accomplished, handle 52 would be turned 90
degrees as indicated in solid lines in FIG. 7. This would cause the
metering device 60 to be orientated with the passages 86 and 88 to
thereby reduce the flow of water through the ball 65 of valve 14.
Note that for this purpose bore 70 is smaller than the bore 68
which receives the metering device 60. This position is the low
flow rate having a flow rate of 2 gpm which is utilized to fill the
bottle 92 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0044] Flow control valve 114 operates in essentially the same
manner as valve 14. It offers the advantage of two metering devices
160 and 164 with different flow capacities with only a single
device being placed in the ball 165.
[0045] Ball 265 can be substituted for ball 65 and operate as
previously described for ball 65. It offers the advantage of two
metering devices 260 and 264 with different capacities in a single
ball.
[0046] It should be pointed out that for illustration purposes
only, the handles 52 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are not in proper
orientation with respect to the ball valve. Referring to FIGS. 4,
5, 6 and 7, when the handle 52 is parallel with the passages 86 and
88 a high flow condition is effected and when it is turned 90
degrees a low flow condition.
[0047] It will thus be seen that there is now provided a dispensing
apparatus which can accomplish a high and low flow rate to fill
either buckets or bottles from the same concentrate dispenser. This
is accomplished while using only a single concentrate bottle.
[0048] While the dispensing apparatus has been shown in conjunction
with a flow control valve having a metering device with specific
configurations of apertures, it should be appreciated that other
metering devices can be employed with various configurations of
apertures or flow patterns depending on the desired flow rate.
These can be easily inserted and removed from the ball 65 and valve
seat 58. Semi-rigid containers 25 are described as being positioned
on panel 21. Flexible bags could be substituted. Neither is it
necessary that the containers or bags be placed on an elevated
support member. They could be supported on a floor. Further, the
liquid control valve 14 is operable with a portable dispensing
apparatus wherein the housing member 12 and only a single valve
body 28, manifold 32 and eductor 35 would be present in a portable
housing. The outlet line 45 is described for filling a bucket 90 or
a bottle 92. This line is in the form of a hose and can be used to
broadcast a spray for cleaning purposes as well as for the purpose
of filling a sink. Other variations and modifications of this
invention will be obvious to those skilled in this art. This
invention is not to be limited except as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *