U.S. patent application number 12/184636 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for automatic filler.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.. Invention is credited to CHRISTOPHER J. DYER.
Application Number | 20100024916 12/184636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41607111 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DYER; CHRISTOPHER J. |
February 4, 2010 |
AUTOMATIC FILLER
Abstract
A chemical proportioner comprises an eductor wherein a venturi
generates a vacuum to suck chemical into a diluent and also to
maintain open a diluent valve until the vacuum is automatically
vented by depletion of a concentrated chemical, discharge of a
predetermined diluent and chemical mix or manual venting. An
expansible chamber device such as a bellows is operably connected
to a diluent valve to maintain it in open position until a vacuum
operating on such bellows is vented by one or more of the foregoing
events.
Inventors: |
DYER; CHRISTOPHER J.;
(Oakley Hampshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER, 441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION,
INC.
WILMINGTON
DE
|
Family ID: |
41607111 |
Appl. No.: |
12/184636 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 5/043 20130101;
B01F 5/0413 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/100 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A diluted chemical dispenser having a water inlet and water
valve, a venturi for creating a suction to draw a concentrated
chemical into a water flow and a discharge passage for discharging
diluted chemical, said dispenser including: a switch for activating
and deactivating a water valve; a bellows for holding said switch
in a position to hold open said water valve; said venturi operably
connected through a passage to apply a bellows operating suction to
said bellows to hold said switch in said position; and a vent line
operably communicating with to said bellows for venting said
bellows to selectively close said switch and said water valve.
2. A dispenser as in claim 1 including a manually operable valve
for venting said vent line.
3. A dispenser as in claim 1 including a float valve for venting
said vent line upon opening of said float valve.
4. A dispenser as in claim 1 including a chemical pick-up for
venting said vent line when concentrated chemical is depleted.
5. A chemical dispenser for drawing concentrated chemical into a
diluent flow and dispensing mixed chemical and diluent, said
dispenser including: venturi initiated vacuum means for stopping
said dispenser in response to depletion of concentrated
chemical.
6. A dispenser as in claim 5 farther including venturi initiated
vacuum means for stopping said dispensing in response to the
establishment of a pre-determined level of dispensed chemical and
diluent in a receiving container.
7. A chemical dispenser including a venturi operated proportioner
receiving a diluent from a diluent valve and drawing concentrated
chemical into said diluent upon opening of said diluent valve
through manual operation of a switch, said dispenser further
including: an expansible chamber member operably connected to said
switch for holding said switch open upon application of a suction
to said member; and a vent operably communicating with said
expansible chamber member for moving said member and releasing said
switch to close said diluent valve.
8. A dispenser as in claim 7 wherein said vent comprises a chemical
pick-up tube exposed to atmosphere upon depletion of concentrated
chemical.
9. A dispenser as in claim 7 wherein said vent comprises a float
valve opened in response to establishment of a pre-determined level
of mixed diluent and chemical.
10. A dispenser as in claim 7 wherein said vent comprises a
manually operated valve.
11. An eductor for use in a chemical proportioning dispenser for
mixing a chemical with a diluent passing from a diluent valve
through a venturi said venturi providing a vacuum upon passage of
diluent there through and being operably connected to a chemical
source for drawing a chemical into said diluent upon applying a
vacuum to said chemical and said venturi operably applying a vacuum
for retaining said diluent valve in a position to pass diluent to
said venturi while said vacuum is so applied.
12. A method of controlling a chemical proportioner including the
steps of: passing a diluent through a valve to a venturi; passing a
diluent through the venturi and creating a vacuum; applying said
vacuum to a chemical source and drawing chemical into said diluent
as a function of said vacuum; and applying said vacuum to and
holding said valve in an open position to pass diluent
therethrough.
13. A method as in claim 12 including the step of interrupting said
vacuum applied to hold said valve in said open position and closing
said valve.
14. A method as in claim 13 including the step of interrupting said
vacuum by venting vacuum applied to said chemical source.
15. A method as in claim 13 including the step of interrupting said
vacuum by venting said vacuum through a valve from a position
proximate a container receiving mixed chemical and diluent.
16. A method as in claim 13 including the step of interrupting said
vacuum by manual operation of a valve venting said vacuum.
17. A method of automatically controlling a chemical proportioner
which includes a venturi for creating a vacuum upon passage of a
diluent therethrough, said vacuum drawing a chemical into said
diluent, the step of: applying said vacuum for holding open a
diluent valve and venting said vacuum to close said diluent
valve.
18. A method as in claim 17 wherein said proportioner includes an
expansible chamber member connected to said venturi, said member
operably connected to said diluent valve for holding said valve
open when vacuum is applied to said member, and including the step
of interrupting said vacuum and closing said diluent valve by
venting vacuum applied to said member.
19. A method as in claim 18 including the step of venting said
vacuum upon depletion of said chemical.
20. A method as in claim 18 including the step of venting said
vacuum through a valve which opens in response to said mixed
chemical and diluent reaching a predetermined level in a container
receiving said mixed chemical and diluent.
21. A method as in claim 18 including the step of venting said
vacuum by manually opening a vent valve operably communicating with
said member.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to proportioning systems and more
particularly to portioning systems for automatically filling a
container to desired levels and with accurate chemical dilution
ratios.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the past, eductors or proportioning devices have been
used to mix concentrated chemicals with flowing water and to
discharge the so diluted chemical into bottles or other containers
for use, such as for cleaning, sanitizing or otherwise treating
surfaces. Where the receiving containers are relatively larger than
traditional smaller containers, such as the gallon size containers,
it takes quite a while to fill them at traditional effluent flow
rates such as at four gallons per minute, for example. In
particular, it is frequently desired to fill much larger containers
such as 40 gallon or even 80 gallon containers or scrubbers with
diluted chemical mixtures for cleaning, sanitizing or otherwise
treating, for example, a floor.
[0003] Prior eductors or proportioning systems typically require
the constant attention of an operator, either to continually hold
or actuate a button to operate the proportioner for dispensing the
diluted chemical into a received container or to monitor the
proportioning operations to shut it off once the receiving
container is filled. When large containers are to be filled, the
process may take ten to twenty minutes or longer. Inattention to
the process during this time may result in either the overflow of
the receiving container and an ensuing spill or mess, or the
continued operation of the water flow when the chemical service is
depleted, resulting in a container fill of a more dilute mixture
than is desired or is functional for that intended use.
[0004] In the past, electronics have been used in some instances to
control proportioning operation. That has required AC or battery
power, increasing costs and limiting location or requiring local
electrical hook-up.
[0005] Accordingly, it has been one objective of the invention to
provide a proportioning apparatus capable of automatically filling
a receiving container.
[0006] Another objective of the invention has been to provide a
proportioning apparatus which is capable of automatically ceasing a
mixing and filling operation when a receiving container has been
filled with an appropriate amount of mixed chemical and diluent, or
when a chemical source is depleted, and without operator attention
or input.
[0007] Another objective has been to provide a proportioner capable
of automatic shut-off upon a desired fill being reached in a
receiving container or upon depletion of a chemical source and
without electronic control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To these ends, a proportioner according to one embodiment of
the invention contemplates the combination of an eductor defining
or providing multiple suction or vacuum pick-ups with a
suction-operated bellows controlling the operation of a magnetic
switch, in turn controlling a water valve. One of the multiple
pick-ups is operably connected to a chemical source. Another of the
multiple pick-ups is connected to a bellows which holds the switch
and thus the water valve open when suction is applied to the
bellows by the eductor. Vent lines are connected to the bellows
from the chemical source, a float valve in the receiving container
and from a manual shut-off valve. Venting of the bellows from any
of these components balances the suction so the bellows expands and
operates the switch to shut off the water.
[0009] Once the magnetic switch is manually operated to turn the
water valve on, the water flow creates suction in both pick-ups.
The bellows holds a suction plate connected to the magnetic switch
in a position so the switch is held on, for so long as the bellows
is compressed by the suction applied to it. After manual
activation, the human operator can thus turn his attention to other
tasks.
[0010] At least two different events can automatically turn off the
water flow and filling of the receiving container. More
specifically, when the float valve in a receiving container rises
to a predetermined position, the rising float unseats a valve in
the float valve pick-up line, venting it and the line leading to
the bellows, thereby venting the bellows, allowing it to expand,
thus releasing the suction plate and allowing the magnetic switch
to operate or return to its "off" position, shutting off the water
valve. Alternately, when the chemical source is depleted, that
pick-up line is vented, which also vents the line leading to the
bellows, releasing the suction plate and similarly resulting in
closing of the water valve.
[0011] It will be appreciated that a normally closed, manually
operated emergency vent line to the bellows could be manually
opened by an operator at any time to also cease the proportioning
and filling operations.
[0012] Advantages of this invention are numerous. In no particular
order, it will be appreciated that automatic shut-off control is
provided upon completion of filling or upon chemical depletion
without electronic control of the water valve or other components.
Large quantities of diluted chemical concentrates can be dispensed
without operator attention. When used in a manually attended
operational manner, the apparatus still shuts down automatically
upon chemical depletion. Overfills and spillage are prevented by
the invention, as well as over dilution, such as would otherwise
occur upon continued water flow at a time when the concentrated
chemical has been depleted.
[0013] The float valve can be disposed in the receiving container
and quick-connected to the venturi pick-up (i.e. the suction line
leading to the bellows), or it can be mounted in an appropriate
position on the mixture discharge tube in the receiving container,
corresponding operationally to a desired fill level.
[0014] So no longer is it required for an operator to constantly
attend such a filling operation. Once manually initiated,
dispensing of diluted chemical continues until either the receiving
container is filled or the chemical concentrate is depleted, and
the water flow automatically ceases in response.
[0015] Nor are electronic timers or other controls necessary to
automate a filling or proportioning process. Instead, venturi
created vacuum is used not only for chemical pick-up, but is
additionally used for automation of the process and the control
thereof as noted.
[0016] Several alternative embodiments are contemplated. For
example, in one embodiment, a manual shut-off valve is provided,
comprising a selectively opened vent line operably coupled to the
suction line connecting the eductor or venturi to the bellows.
Opening the vent line vents suction to the bellows, it expands, and
the water valve is closed, ending the dilution and dispensing
operation. Also, it will be appreciated that an operator could
simply pull out the bellows connected switch against its suction to
stop the flow and cease operation.
[0017] Such a manual shut-off may be provided in conjunction with
the preferred automatic receiving container shut-off float valve to
provide more operator control, or the float valve may be used alone
for automatic control.
[0018] These and other objectives and advantages will be readily
apparent from the following written description of preferred
embodiments of the invention and from the drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic flow chart illustrating operation
of an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustrative view of one embodiment
of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 an showing three suction
ports;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the invention of FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side elevational diagrammatic view of an eductor
of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an illustrative perspective view of a mix
discharge tube and a float valve of one embodiment of the invention
as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and with the valve open in a venting
position; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the float valve as in FIG. 5,
showing the valve in closed position during automatic filling.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Turning now first to FIGS. 2 and 3, certain physical
components of the invention are illustrated, it being understood
these components may take a variety of forms. In FIG. 2, there is
illustrated an automatic filler 10 according to the invention which
includes a diluent such as a water valve 12 with a water valve
activating switch 14 and a magnetic button 16. When button 16 of
switch 14 is manually operated, valve 12 opens to allow water to
pass through an inlet such as 18, through valve 12 and into
preferably a back flow preventor unit 20 upstream of an eductor
comprising a vacuum pick-up venturi 22 in turn providing a vacuum
plenum operably connected preferably to multiple vacuum chemical
pick-up tube 24 and a vacuum or suction port or pick-up 26. In this
regard, two venturi passages can be provided in the body of the
venturi, or a common suction manifold or plenum operably connected
to the venturi could be used to provide suction both to the
chemical source and to the bellows to be described. Pick-up 26 is
connected via a conduit 43 (FIGS. 1, 4), to a float valve 42 (FIG.
5). Pick-up 43 is connected via conduit 28 to a coupling 29
operatively connected to a bellows 30. Concentrated chemical
pick-up 24 is connected via a conduit 25, ending in pick-up tube
36, to a source 37 of concentrated chemical. As suggested in FIG.
4, pick-ups 26 and 43 are commonly and operatively connected to
float valve 42 and bellows 30 via conduits 43a and 28,
respectively, each of these being connected to the vacuum side of
eductor 22.
[0026] As used herein, the terms "eductor" and "venturi" are
interchangeable, it being understood that a venturi 22 is an
operational component of the more broadly referred to eductor.
[0027] Bellows 30 is located as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 between a
fixed bracket or other fixed structure and a moveable suction plate
32 which is attached to the button/switch 16/14.
[0028] The filler 10 includes a discharge end 34 for discharging
diluted chemical mixed with water (or other diluent) into a
receiving container directly or via discharge tubing (not
shown).
[0029] In use, chemical pick-up 24 is coupled through an operative
conduit shown at dotted line 25 to a pick-up tube 36 on the end of
conduit 25 disposed in a replacement chemical source shown
diagrammatically at 37 (FIG. 3).
[0030] It will be appreciated that water valve 12, switch 14,
button 16 and back flow preventor 20 are well-known apart from this
invention. For example, the water valves 12, magnetic switches 14
and buttons 16 used to operate such water valves in chemical
proportioning and dispensing systems are as used in the dispensers
marketed by Hydro Systems Company of Cincinnati, Ohio under model
names "Accudose" and "Streamline". Back flow preventor 20 may be of
any suitable form of water line vacuum back flow preventor such as
the breaker or back flow preventor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,634,376; 5,552,419; 5,253,677 or 5,159,958; said United States
patents herewith expressly incorporated herein by reference as if
wholly described herein.
[0031] It will also be appreciated that, in one embodiment as
shown, water flow is directed downstream from the back flow
preventor 20 to venturi 22 through an elongated tube 40. If
desired, the back flow preventor 20 could be connected directly to
venturi 22.
[0032] The venturi 22 is shown graphically in larger detail in FIG.
4. Flow of water is noted as labeled in the drawing. As a result of
this flow, a negative pressure or suction is applied to the
respective suction pick-ups 24, 26. Suction inlet 26 is preferably
connected to both the bellows 30 through conduit 28 and to a float
valve 42 via conduit 43a (FIG. 5) which is disposed in a receiving
container 44 (FIG. 1) or attached to a chemical/water discharge
tube 46 extending from discharge end 34 of venturi 22.
[0033] Float valve 42 is connected through a conduit 43a to the
suction pick-up 43 of venturi 22. Float valve 42 includes a
slidable member 47 which, in use, floats in and relation to
receiving container 44 and/or discharge tube 46, to which it may be
mounted. As the level of mixture in container 44 rises, member 47
rises until breaking the seal 48 in valve 42, allowing air into
conduit 43a and venting the pick-up 26 as will further be
described.
[0034] With more particularity, float valve 42 includes the sliding
body 47 and seal member 49, which is preferably attached to or is
part of sliding body 47. Sealer 49 rises with body 47. The end 48
of tube 43 defines a seat which is normally closed by sealer 49.
However, when body 47 and seal 49 are lifted by the fill of diluted
chemical in a receiving container, seal 49 lifts off tube end 48,
venting tube 43a and thus bellows 30 to terminate the filling
operation.
[0035] Finally, it will be appreciated that a manual shut-off valve
58 is connected via a conduit 59 to line 28 connecting bellows 30
to vacuum pick-up 26. Valve 58 is normally closed, but can be
manually opened to vent line 59 and thus bellows 30, having the
effect of allowing the bellows 30 to expand and thus shut off the
water valve 12, ending a filling process. Valve 58 can be any
suitable manually operated valve. Alternately, an operator may
simply pull out the bellows-connected switch, against the bellows
suction, to manually cause cessation of the process.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic chart
illustrating embodiments of the invention and its function.
[0037] In operation, it will be appreciated that a pick-up tube 36
(FIG. 3) is introduced to chemical source 37. A receiving container
44 is operationally disposed to receive the diluted chemical
discharge from discharge end 34 (FIGS. 2, 3) or any discharge tube
46 extending therefrom (FIG. 5). Float valve 42 is disposed within
container 44.
[0038] Chemical dilution and discharge to fill container 44 is
initiated by manual depression of the button 16, moving magnetic
switch 14 to open water valve 12. Water passes through valve 12
into back flow preventor 20 and from there through the eductor
comprising venturi 22. Suction generated by venturi 22 pulls
chemical concentrate into the eductor where it is mixed with
flowing water and discharged through discharge end 34 and any tube
46 into receiving container 44.
[0039] At the same time, as water flows through venturi 22, suction
created by venturi 22 is also applied to pick-up 26 and through
conduit 28 to bellows 30. The bellows compresses, pulling with it
suction plate 32 with sufficient force to retain button 16 and
magnetic switch 14 in position to maintain water valve 12 in open
position. This allows the flow of water and the dilution and
discharge process to continue, despite removal of the manual bias
by an operator to button 16. Thus, the dilution and discharge
process continues without operator attention so long as the bellows
remains compressed by suction within via conduit 28.
[0040] Several different events can cause this operation to cease
as a result of the venting of bellows 30, allowing it to expand,
and allowing switch 14 to return to a position which closes water
valve 12. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the suction
to the bellows 30 is sufficient to collapse or retract the bellows
with sufficient force against any inherent bias in the bellows or
switch 14, button 16, tending to expand the bellows and thus to
return the switch to its closed position. The force executed
through suction plate 32 is sufficient to maintain water flow. As
long as that suction is applied to bellows 30, the process
continues automatically without manual bias of button 16. When that
suction terminates or is removed by venting of the suction
conduits, the accumulated inherent bias in the bellows 30, switch
14 and button 16 results in a return of switch 14 to a position
which closes water valve 12.
[0041] The various events which vent the suction by the bellows 30
and thus stop water flow will now be described. In particular,
depletion of concentrated chemical, filling of the receiving
container to a predetermined level or manual shut off can all cause
a halt to the dilution and discharge process in the absence of an
operator.
[0042] First, with reference to chemical depletion, once the
chemical level descends below the lower end of the chemical pick-up
tube 36 (FIG. 3) air is emitted to line 25 and thus eductor or
venturi 22 is vented. Suction is consequently lost in line 28 to
bellows 30 and the bellows expands, releasing button 16 and switch
14 and automatically stopping the operation as a function of
chemical depletion. This prevents continued water flow into the
container 44, thereby avoiding undesired dilution of the mix
therein.
[0043] Second, the process may also be automatically terminated by
the rising level of diluted chemical in container 44 to a
predetermined level. This activates the float valve therein to open
to atmosphere, venting conduits 43a and 28 to bellows 30, allowing
switch 14 to return to its position closing water valve 12.
[0044] It will be appreciated that the float valve 42 can be
clipped to or otherwise mounted in a receiving container 44 and
adjusted so as to vent conduit 43a when the dispensed liquid in the
container 44 reaches a predetermined level. Also, the float valve
42 can be attached to conduit structure or discharge tube 46 also
disposed in container 44.
[0045] Thirdly, the water flow and filling process can be manually
terminated by emergency manual activation of a selective shut-off
vent or valve 58. Manual activation of vent 58 vents conduit 59,
which is in operable communication with conduit 28, thus venting
conduit 28 and bellows 30, allowing the bellows 30 to expand, move
suction plate 32, release switch 14 and shut off water valve 12,
terminating the water flow and the dispensing operation. Shut-off
vent 58 may be any suitable, manually operable valve or switch
sealing conduit 59 and selectively movable to open conduit 59 or
passage thereof to atmosphere. Alternately, an operator could stop
the process merely by pulling out button 16 against the bias of
suction in bellows 30, thus closing valve 14.
[0046] It will, of course, be appreciated that while it is
preferable to use a float valve 42, use of emergency or optional
manual shut-off is also provided where constant operator attention
is contemplated or needed. Generally, float valve 42 is used for
automatic filling (i.e. automatic shut-off) of relatively large
columes. When infrequently filling only small containers or in
other operations not requiring automatic shut-off on filling a
container to a pre-determined level, for example, the emergency
manual shut-off vent can be useful.
[0047] As used herein, reference to "venturi operated" for example,
contemplates the invention wherein the chemical draw and the
suction vacuum applied to the bellows is provided by the action of
the eductor venturi as described.
[0048] Moreover, it will be appreciated that the term "bellows" as
used herein also includes other apparatus operated by pressure
differentials such as a diaphragm, expansible chamber or other
devices.
[0049] It will also be appreciated that while a number of suction
conduits have been described, these references are for the purpose
of describing particular embodiments of the invention and other
structures may be used, such as integral suction manifolds or
plenums, connectors, fittings and venting passages and the like to
the same ends. In particular, it will be appreciated that the
venturi in the eductor may define or be operatively connected to a
vacuum plenum which itself is operatively connected to as many
pick-up barbs or connectors as are needed to provide functionality
for a particular embodiment of the invention (such as vacuum
pick-ups or connectors 24, 26 and 43 in FIGS. 2 and 4), for
example.
[0050] Also and alternatively, a mechanical flow valve associated
with the discharge tube 46 could be used to open the float valve or
another vent line connected to bellows 30 upon passage of a
predetermined volume, thus relaxing the bellows and stopping the
dispensing.
[0051] Accordingly, a proportioning dispenser is provided capable
of manual initiation and automatic shut-off on chemical depletion
or fill completion without human operator attention, and without
the use of any electronic control. The dispenser does not require
any electric hook-up or battery power. The suction power of the
eductor/venturi is used not only to draw concentrated chemical into
the water flow, but to energize the automatic shut-off function as
described herein.
[0052] These and other modifications, methods and apparatus will
become readily apparent from this application without departing
from the scope of the invention and applicant intends to be bound
only by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *