U.S. patent application number 12/847345 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for dosing container.
Invention is credited to James M. Hawkins.
Application Number | 20110031149 12/847345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43534021 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110031149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawkins; James M. |
February 10, 2011 |
DOSING CONTAINER
Abstract
A dosing container comprising a floor; a sidewall extending from
said floor; indicia disposed on said container, whereby said
indicia indicates a desired volume of an additive fluid by which
said container must be filled, as a function of a characteristic of
a targeted item, at least one dimension of the container, and a
desired effect at said target item when the additive fluid is
applied to the target item.
Inventors: |
Hawkins; James M.; (Miami
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Family ID: |
43534021 |
Appl. No.: |
12/847345 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61231511 |
Aug 5, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A dosing container comprising: a floor; a sidewall extending
from said floor; indicia disposed on said container, whereby said
indicia indicates a desired volume of an additive fluid by which
said container must be filled, as a function of a characteristic of
a target item, at least one dimension of the container, and a
desired effect at said target item when the additive fluid is
applied to the target item.
2. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein said indicia comprises
a first indicia indicative of a characteristic of the target item;
and a second indicia indicative of an amount of additive fluid
required to achieve the desired effect when used; the first indicia
cooperating with said second indicia to indicate the desired volume
of additive fluid necessary to achieve the desired effect as a
function of the dimensions of the container.
3. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein said indicia is
disposed on said sidewall.
4. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is
transparent.
5. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is
translucent.
6. The dosing container of claim 4, wherein said indicia is
disposed on said sidewall.
7. The dosing container of claim 5, wherein said indicia is
disposed on said sidewall.
8. The dosing container of claim 2, wherein said first indicia
includes a plurality of lines, said second indicia includes a
second plurality of lines, the second plurality of lines
intersecting the first plurality of lines; each intersection
indicating the desired volume of additive fluid.
9. The dosing container of claim 1, further comprising a handle
extending from said sidewall.
10. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is
tapered.
11. The dosing container of claim 1, wherein the target item is a
person.
12. The dosing container of claim 11, wherein the fluid is a
medicine.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/231,511 filed on Aug. 5, 2009 in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to fluid containers, and in
particular containers for measuring doses of fluids (for purposes
of this filing "fluids" shall include liquids, powders, aggregates,
gases, and anything that freely assumes the shape of the
container), and specifically to measuring amounts of fluids needed
to cause an effect as a function of a characteristic of a target
item to which the dosed fluid is administered.
[0003] Bodies of water (such as pools or aquarium by way of
example) or other fluids are regularly adjusted with an amount of
chemical to achieve a desired result per unit of volume. Once the
desired change to be effected is identified, the amount of chemical
necessary to achieve this effect for a given body of water is
calculated. It is then determined whether a sufficient amount of
the chemical has been measured before the chemical is added.
[0004] Doses of pharmaceuticals are prescribed as amounts of liquid
that vary based on variables like age or weight. Pharmaceuticals
generally simplify dosing by using one or more age or weight
breakpoints, with dosage jumping from one breakpoint to another
instead of rising proportionately, and with only one variable,
generally age or weight considered. These dosage recommendations
are printed on the bottle, but require further measuring out for
use once the dosage is determined.
[0005] It is well known in the art to utilize measuring containers.
One such example is a measuring cup having indicia along a wall of
the cup indicating a volume of a fluid contained therein.
Similarly, many medicines contain a cap which has indications of a
height within the cap to which a fluid is poured to achieve
specific volumes. These prior art measuring devices, although
commonplace, suffer from a number of disadvantages, most
notably:
[0006] a) Multiple calculations must be made, for example adjusting
for volume and then for desired effect, which requires time on the
part of the person doing the dosing.
[0007] b) These multiple calculations must be made at the point of
use, which requires skill sets that not all individuals share, thus
limiting the percentage of the population qualified to make such
calculations.
[0008] c) With a number of variables, the multiple calculations
that must be made, the chances of an error being made only
increases.
[0009] Accordingly, a container which overcomes the shortcomings of
the prior art is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A container is provided that holds fluids. The container may
be anything that can hold a fluid, including but not limited to a
jug, bucket, scoop, tank, or trough. A first group of markings are
provided on the container indicating characteristics of the target
item for which an alteration of the target item is desired as a
result of adding an additive fluid from the container. A second
group of one or more markings are provided to cooperate with the
first group of markings to indicate an amount of the additive fluid
required in the container to affect desired levels of change of the
target item. The amount of fluid may be determined as a function of
the target item for which an alteration or certain mixture is
desired. The first and second markings are placed on the container
such that the level of the substance in the container can be
compared to the markings either because of the translucence of the
container if the markings are on the outside of the container, or
because one can view the inside of the container as it is being
filled with the additive fluid, in the case where markings are on
the inside of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the written description and the
drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a container constructed
in accordance with the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a container constructed
in accordance with the invention, in which the container is a
dosing bottle for measuring the proper level of acid to add to a
pool to meet acid demand requirements;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the container
constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention
in which the container is a dosing bottle for measuring the proper
level of sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) to add to a pool to
obtain different levels in parts per million of chlorine in the
pool;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the container
constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention
in which the container is a dosing bottle for measuring the proper
level of a pharmaceutical an individual is to take for
treatment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container constructed in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention in which
the container is a dosing scoop for measuring the proper level of
cyanuric acid (stabilizer) to add to a pool to obtain different
levels in parts per million of cyanuric acid in the pool; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container constructed in
accordance with still another embodiment of the invention in which
the container is a dosing bucket for measuring the proper level of
acid to add to a pool to meet acid demand requirements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference is made to FIG. 1, in which a container generally
indicated as 10, constructed in accordance with the invention is
provided. Container 10 in this embodiment, is shown as a bottle 12
formed of a transparent or translucent material, i.e. sufficiently
accessible to visible light to allow an observer to determine a
level of fluid contained therein. Bottle 12 includes a bottom 14, a
sidewall 16 extending from bottom 14. In this embodiment, container
10 includes a tapered neck 18 extending from sidewall 16 to a pour
spout opening (mouth) 20. Optionally, a cap 22 may be provided as
known in the art, to maintain fluids contained within bottle 12
during transport or mixing.
[0019] Indicia 30 are provided on bottle 12 and includes a first
group of indicia 32 and a second group of indicia 34. First group
indicia 32 and second group of indicia 34 cooperate with each other
to determine a desired amount of additive fluid to produce a
desired effect in a target item when used. This use may be
increasing or decreasing the acidity in a pool, alleviating medical
symptoms as a function of the age and size or weight of the
individual to receive a medicine, the addition of a catalyst to
initiate a chemical reaction, or something else in which a
prescribed amount of fluid is applied to a target item to affect a
desired change in the item.
[0020] Generally, the first indicia 32 represents a characteristic
of the target item to which an additive fluid contained in
container 20 is to be added. As will be seen below, first indicia
32 may be representative of a volume of a target fluid, the weight
of a second fluid, the characteristic of a patient, or the like.
Second indicia 34 are indicative of a desired effect at the target
item as a function of properties of the targeted item and the
necessary amount of additive fluid to be contained within container
10. Second group of indicia 34 cooperates with the first group of
indicia 32 to indicate a volume of a fluid to be held by container
12 necessary to produce a desired result.
[0021] As becomes readily discernible, indicia 30 operates as a
function of one or more of a) the physical characteristics of
bottle 12 such as the height within bottle 12 indicative of a
desired volume; b) the characteristics of the target item to which
the additive fluid is to be added and c) the characteristics of the
additive fluid contained within bottle 12 necessary to induce the
desired effect within the second fluid. In preferred embodiment,
first indicia 32 and second indicia 34 interact as intersecting
lines; the intersection being indicative of the height within
container 12 of the volume of fluid sufficient to effect a result
in the targeted item.
[0022] Container 10, which could be of any shape as long as it
holds an additive fluid, is preferably made from plastic, although
it could be made from other materials, either sufficiently
transparent or translucent to allow the user to see the level of
the additive fluid within container 10.
[0023] Indicia 30 is disposed between an interior of container 10
and a user so that indicia 30 is visible from the outside of
container 10 when viewed during use. Indicia 30 is disposed on the
sidewall 16, or imbedded into the material from which container 10
is made. Indicia may be an imprint (ink, dye or paint), molded, or
the like similarly visible marking on the outside or inside of
container 10. In any case, indicia 30 is disposed so that the
markings 32, 34 can be compared to a level of the additive fluid
within container 10 when viewed by the user.
[0024] The first set of indicia 32 preferably consists of vertical
lines or markings representing a characteristic, in this embodiment
the volume, of the target item being treated. The second set of
indicia 34 are preferably angular lines, which may begin adjacent
to container bottom 14 and angle up as they extend towards spout 20
crossing the vertical lines of indicia 32 representing items being
treated that have characteristics which require increasingly large
amounts of an additive fluid to achieve a desired alteration or
mixture in the target item. The point at which a single line of
indicia 34 crosses a single line of indicia 32 represents the
amount of additive fluid required to achieve the desired effect of
a target on an item being treated with the characteristic
represented by first indicia 32.
[0025] Further, in instances where the characteristic of the target
item lies between lines of first indicia 32, given that the lines
of second indicia operatively extend from one indicia line 32 to
another, the level of additive substance can be determined for
targeted items with characteristics that lie between those indicia
lines 32. In this way, it is possible utilizing the present
invention to accurately extrapolate effective values of the
additive fluid between intersections of first indicia 32 and second
indicia 34.
[0026] A user treating an item would first determine the
characteristic of and the desired effect on the item being treated.
Then the user would find the point on the container 10 at which the
angular line of second indicia 34 representing the desired
alteration or mixture crosses the vertical line of first indicia 32
representing the determined characteristic of the target item being
treated. The user then fills the container with a specified amount
of additive fluid to the level at which these points cross, then
adds this fluid to the target item being treated to achieve the
desired effect.
[0027] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 in which a specific example
of a container generally indicated as 100 is provided. Like numbers
are used to indicate like structures. This container is preferably
made from plastic, although it could be made from other materials,
such as glass, sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow the
user to see the level of substance within the container. Again,
container 100 has a bottom 14, sidewall 16, and a mouth 20 at the
top of a taper 18 extending from sidewall 16.
[0028] Visible on the outside of the container on the sides, or
imbedded into the material from which the device is made either via
coloration, texture, or otherwise, are first indicia 132 and second
indicia 134. The first set of indicia 132 consists of vertical
lines or marking representing a characteristic, in this embodiment
the volume of a target swimming pool to be treated. The markings of
second indicia 134 in this embodiment are angular lines, which
begin at the lower pool volume markings, and extend at an angle
towards taper 18 to cooperate with the lines of first indicia 132
representing increasingly larger volumes of water to be
treated.
[0029] The angular lines of indicia 134 in this embodiment
represent the level at which the container should be filled with
muriatic acid to meet an acid demand matching that is required for
the desired effect in the pool. Each line is a different effect as
indicated by the label on the respective angular lines of indicia
134. The point at which a respective angular line of second indicia
134 crosses a respective line of first indicia 132 representing the
volume of the pool being treated represents the level to which the
container should be filled with additive fluid to meet the acid
demand indicated by the selected level of indicia 134.
[0030] By way of non-limiting example, the amount of acid to meet
an acid demand (as tested via a commonly used method) of one in a
pool with 15,000 gallons is 9.16 fluid ounces. Thus, the point at
which the angular line of second indicia 134 labeled "Acid Demand
1" by third indicia 136 crosses the vertical line of first indicia
132 labeled "15,000 Gallons" by fourth indicia 138 would be at the
level indicating 9.16 fluid ounces. Similarly, the amount of acid
to meet an acid demand of two units in a pool with 10,000 gallons
is 18.32 fluid ounces. Thus, the point at which the angular line of
second indicia 134 labeled "Acid Demand 2" by third indicia 136
crosses the vertical line of first indicia 132 labeled "10,000
Gallons" as labeled by indicia 138, would be at the level
indicating 18.32 fluid ounces.
[0031] A user treating a pool would first determine the gallons of
the pool, then the acid demand, if any. Then the user would find
the point on container 100 at which the angular line of second
indicia 134, representing the measured acid demand intersects with
the vertical line of first indicia 132 representing the volume of
pool being treated. The user would then fill container 10 with
muriatic acid to the level 140, by way of nonlimiting example, of
container 10 at which this point occurs. The muriatic acid is then
added to the pool.
[0032] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, in which another container
generally indicated as 300 is provided. Again, like numbers are
utilized to indicate like structure. Container 300 is likewise
preferably made from plastic, although it could also be made from
other materials, sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow
the user to judge the level of an additive fluid within the
container. Again, container 300 has a bottom 14, sidewall 16, which
tapers 18 to an opening 20 at the top.
[0033] Indicia is disposed on the container 300, or imbedded into
the material from which the device is made either via coloration,
molding, or other marking. The first set of indicia 332 consists of
vertical lines or marking, by way of non-limiting example,
representing a characteristic, in this embodiment the volume, of
the target item to be treated. In this embodiment, container 300 is
for dosing a swimming pool with sodium hypochlorite, commonly
referred to as liquid chlorine or pool bleach, to achieve some
change in parts per million of chlorine in the pool water being
treated. The vertical lines of first indicia 332 represent the
volume of the pool being treated by way of non-limiting example.
The second set of markings of second indicia 334 in this embodiment
are angular lines, which begin at the lower pool volume markings of
first indicia 332 and angle towards taper 18 along container 300 to
cooperate with vertical lines of first indicia 332 representing
increasingly larger pools.
[0034] These angular lines of second indicia 334, in this
non-limiting embodiment represent the desired sodium hypochlorite
levels to achieve increases in PPM of chlorine matching that
labeled with third indicia 338 on the respective line of second
indicia 334. The point at which a respective angular line of second
indicia 334 crosses a respective line of first indicia 332
representing the volume of the pool being treated represents the
level to which container 300 should be filled with sodium
hypochlorite to achieve the increase in PPM of chlorine in the
target fluid as indicated by the label of third indicia 336.
[0035] The amount of sodium hypochlorite, in 12% solution as it is
commonly sold to treat pools, required to increase chlorine levels
by 1 PPM in a pool with 20,000 gallons is 1.33 pints. Thus, the
point at which the angular line of second indicia 334 labeled "2
PPM" at third indicia 338 crosses the vertical line of first
indicia 332 labeled "30,000 Gallons" by fourth indicia 336 would be
at the level indicating 3.99 pints of sodium hypochlorite held
within container 300.
[0036] A user treating a pool would first determine the gallons of
the pool, then how much the chlorine level is desired to be
increased. Then the user would find the point on the container at
which the angular line of second indicia 334 representing the
desired chlorine level increase crosses the vertical line of first
indicia 332 representing the volume of pool being treated. The user
would then fill the container with sodium hypochlorite to the level
of the container at which this point occurs. The sodium
hypochlorite is then added to the pool.
[0037] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 in which a container,
generally indicated as 400 and constructed in accordance with yet
another embodiment of the invention is provided. Like numerals are
utilized to indicate like structures. The primary difference
between this embodiment and the others is that the indicia 430 is
utilized to determine a dosage amount of a fluid medicine to be
administered to an individual as a function of age, weight, and
physical structure of the container. In other words, the target
item is a person.
[0038] Container 400 is again preferably made from plastic,
although it could be made from other materials, sufficiently
transparent or translucent to allow the user to judge the level of
substance within container 400. Container 400 has a bottom 14,
sidewall 16, extending to an opening 20 at the top along a taper
18. Indicia 430 includes first indicia 432 indicative of the
characteristic of the patient, in this instance by way of
non-limiting example, weight. Second indicia 434 cooperates with
first indicia 432 and corresponds to a required dosage to be
administered to accomplish the desired effect of the recipient of
the medication. To facilitate use of indicia 430, a third indicia
436 indicates the dosage treatment to which each respective line of
second indicia 434 corresponds and a fourth indicia 438 indicates
the characteristic value for each respective line of first indicia
432, in this embodiment, weight.
[0039] Indicia 430 is visible on the outside of container 400 and
may be formed on sidewall 16, or imbedded into the material from
which container 10 is made either via coloration, molding, or
otherwise. Again, first indicia 434 consists of vertical lines or
marking representing a characteristic of the target item, in this
embodiment the weight of the individual being treated. In this
embodiment, the device is for dosing a person with a medicine, with
the appropriate dose dependent on the age and weight of the
individual being treated. Respective vertical lines of first
indicia 432 represent the weight of the person being treated. The
respective angular lines of second indicia 434, begin at the lower
weight level markings of first indicia 432, then extend to
cooperate with the vertical lines of first indicia 432 representing
increasingly heavy persons being treated.
[0040] The angular lines of second indicia 434 represent the
effective level of medicine for a desired treatment of a targeted
patient as a function of age. The point at which the age
representative angular line of second indicia 434 intersects the
line representing the weight of the person being treated represents
the level to which the container should be filled with
medicine.
[0041] A user treating a person would first determine the weight of
the person being treated. Then the user would find the point on the
container at which the angular line of second indicia 434
representing the age of the person being treated crosses the
vertical line of first indicia 432 representing the weight of the
person being treated. The user would then fill the container with
medicine to the level of the container indicated by this point. The
person being treated would then be given this quantity of medicine
to ingest.
[0042] Reference is made to FIG. 5 in which a container, generally
indicated as 500, constructed in accordance yet another embodiment
of the invention is provided. In this embodiment, container 500 is
formed as a scoop, rather than a bottle. Scoop 500 has a bottom 514
and a cylindrical sidewall 516 extending therefrom to form a cup
with an open top 520. Optionally, to avoid contacting potentially
hazardous materials, scoop 500 is provided with a handle 522. Like
other embodiments, scoop 500 includes indicia 530 made up of a
first indicia 532 generally indicating characteristics of the
target item to be treated and a second indicia 534 indicating a
volume of additive fluid to be applied for desired effect. For ease
of use, a third indicia 536 is provided to indicate the specific
desired effect of each respective line of second indicia 534 while
a fourth indicia 538 identifies the respective characteristic level
of each line of first indicia 532. Container 500 also is preferably
made from plastic, although it could be made from other materials,
sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow the user to judge
the level of substance within the container. The shape shown in
this embodiment is that of a scoop, but container 10 may take any
form that would be suitable for holding the substance.
[0043] Indicia 530 is visible on the container 500 when viewed from
outside, and may be disposed on the sidewall 516, or imbedded into
the material from which container 500 is made either via
coloration, molding or otherwise, and/or similarly visible on the
inside of container 500, in any case in a manner such that the
markings can be compared to the level of substance within container
500 when used. Indicia 532 consists of vertical lines or marking
representing a characteristic, in this embodiment the volume as
indicated by fourth indicia 538, of the target item being treated.
Container 500 is for dosing a swimming pool with cyanuric acid, in
granular form as it is commonly sold to treat pools, to achieve
varying increases in parts per million (PPM) of cyanuric acid. The
second indicia 534 are angular lines, which begin at a position
corresponding to a lower pool volume markings of first indicia 532,
and angle toward and cooperate with vertical lines of first indicia
534 representing increasingly larger volumes of the target
item.
[0044] These angular lines in this embodiment represent an amount
of additive (cyanuric acid) for a desired increase in PPM. The
point at which a respective angular line of second indicia 534
crosses a respective line of first indicia 532 representing the
volume of the pool being treated corresponds to the level to which
container 500 should be filled with cyanuric acid.
[0045] The amount of acid to meet cyanuric acid required to
increase the cyanuric acid level in a 5,000 gallon pool by 10 PPM
is 6.5 ounces. Thus, the point at which the angular line of second
indicia 534 labeled "10 PPM" by third indicia 536 crosses a
vertical line of first indicia 532 labeled "5,000 Gallons" by
fourth indicia 538 would be at a level indicating 6.5 ounces of
cyanuric acid contained in container 500. Similarly, the amount
cyanuric acid required to increase the cyanuric acid level in a
25,000 gallon pool by 20 PPM is 4.33 pounds. Thus, the point at
which the angular line of second indicia 534 labeled "20 PPM" by
third indicia 536 crosses the vertical line of first indicia 532
labeled "25,000 Gallons" by third indicia 538 would be at the level
of a volume corresponding to 4.33 pounds of cyanuric acid contained
in container 500.
[0046] A user treating a pool would first determine the gallons of
the pool, then how much the cyanuric acid level is to be increased,
if any. Then the user would find the point on container 500 at
which the angular line of second indicia 534 representing the
desired increase in PPM of cyanuric acid crosses the vertical line
of first indicia 532 representing the volume of pool being treated.
The user would then fill the container with cyanuric acid to the
level of the container at which this point occurred. The cyanuric
acid is then added to the pool.
[0047] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 in which a container,
generally indicated as 600, constructed in accordance with still a
further embodiment of the invention is provided. Container 600
includes a bottom 614. A sidewall 618 extends from floor 614 to
create a bucket-like vessel. A handle 622 is provided for ease of
carrying. Indicia 630 is disposed on sidewall 618 such that a
viewer looking through sidewall 618 will see indicia 630 juxtaposed
upon any fluid contained within container 600. Indicia 630 includes
a first indicia 632 which indicates a characteristic of the target
item to be treated. A second indicia 634 includes markings
corresponding to different amounts of an additive fluid to be added
to the targeted item as a function of the effect desired at the
targeted item. A third indicia 636 indicates the desired effect and
a fourth indicia 638 indicates the characteristic corresponding to
each respective marking of first indicia 632. In this embodiment,
the device is for dosing a swimming pool for acid demand with
muriatic acid, the most common substance used to meet acid demand
in a pool. Container 600 is preferably made from plastic, although
it could be made from other materials, sufficiently transparent or
translucent to allow the user to judge the level of substance
within the container.
[0048] Indicia 630 is visible from the outside of container 600 on
the sidewall 618. In this embodiment a bucket indicia 630 may also
be imbedded into the material from which container 600 is made
either via coloration, molding, or otherwise, and/or similarly
visible on the inside of the container 600, in any case in a manner
such that the markings can be compared to the level of a fluid
additive substance within. It should be noted that because scoop
500 and bucket 600 are open topped, the container may be made of an
opaque material. The indicia can be seen from the top and need not
be viewed through the sidewall. To allow for viewing of indicia
from top, indicia may be disposed or imbedded into the material
from which the device is made on the inside and/or outside of
sidewall 618 or sidewalls of other embodiments of container 600 or
containers of other embodiments.
[0049] First indicia 632 consists of vertical lines or marking
representing a characteristic, in this embodiment the volume, of
the item being treated. Second indicia 634 consists of markings, in
this embodiment angular lines, which are extended from a lower pool
volume markings toward the lines of first indicia 632 representing
increasingly larger volumes of a target fluid.
[0050] The respective angular lines of second indicia 634 in this
embodiment indicate an amount of muriatic acid to meet an acid
demand (using a commonly used method to measure) matching the
desired effect as a function of the physical dimensions of the
bucket 600. The point at which the respective angular line of
second indicia 634 crosses the respective line of first indicia 632
representing the volume of the pool being treated as indicated by
fourth indicia 638 represents the level to which the container 600
should be filled with muriatic acid as a function of the volume of
container 600.
[0051] The amount of acid required to meet an acid demand of one in
a 100,000 gallon pool is 2.86 quarts. Thus, the point at which the
angular line of second indicia 634 labeled "Acid Demand 1" by third
indicia 636 crosses the vertical line of first indicia 632 labeled
"100,000 Gallons" by fourth indicia 638 would correspond to a level
indicating 2.86 quarts of additive fluid held in container 600.
Similarly, the amount of acid to meet an acid demand of 2 units in
a 50,000 gallon pool is 1.07 gallons. Thus, the point at which the
angular line of second indicia 634 labeled "Acid Demand 2" by third
indicia 636 crosses the vertical line of first indicia 632 labeled
"50,000 Gallons" by fourth indicia 638 would be at the level
indicating 1.07 quarts of a muriatic acid held by container
600.
[0052] A user treating a pool would first determine the gallons of
the pool, then the acid demand, if any. Then the user would find
the point on the container 600, in this case a bucket, at which the
angular line of second indicia 634 representing the measured acid
demand crosses the vertical line of first indicia 632 representing
the volume of target fluid being treated. The user would then fill
the container with muriatic acid to the level of the container 600
at which this point occurs. The muriatic acid is then added to the
pool.
[0053] Accordingly, it becomes evident that the various embodiments
of the dosing device allow for easy and quick measurement of
substances needed to dose another substance (target item) to
achieve a desired effect or mixture based upon the specific
characteristics such as size, weight, age, or otherwise, of the
subject being dosed. The device offers several advantages over the
way it is done currently, absent such a device:
[0054] It consolidates the multi-step process of calculating the
quantity of substance to add, where more than one variable affects
the calculation, and then measuring it out into one single step,
reducing potential errors;
[0055] In consolidating this multi-step process, it saves valuable
time;
[0056] In consolidating this multi-step process, it reduces the
possibility that a worker, in the interest of saving time and
effort, might instead "eyeball" it, thus increasing accuracy in
dosing;
[0057] It performs the necessary calculations for a user, reducing
the level of skill required to perform dosing, thus allowing people
with less calculation capabilities than otherwise required to be
capable of dosing competently;
[0058] It allows for consideration of 2 or more variables in one
easy step;
[0059] The ease of use should reduce frequency of eyeballing when
making adjustments, allowing for more accurate treatments.
[0060] While the above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any
embodiment, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments. Many other ramifications and
variations are possible within the teachings of the various
embodiments. For example, the containers could be very small or
very large, the containers can come in various shapes including
cubes, bottles, jugs, scoops, squirt bottles, bins, tanks, buckets,
pools, holes, cylinders, etc., and the containers could be used to
does all manner of substances to all manner of subjects.
[0061] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the
examples given.
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