Pressurized Liquid Mixer And Dispenser

Abstract

A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprising a tank connected to a pressurized water source, a collapsible container in said tank containing a liquid other than water, a mixing chamber connected to said pressurized water source and said collapsible container, and a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber, whereby the water pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from the collapsible container and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber, where it is mixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through the spray gun.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Pressurized spray systems for dispensing hair treating preparations, shampoos and other liquids.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The closest art known to applicant consists of the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:

1,384,296 Baumgardner 1,674,515 Johnson 1,731,767 Cramer 2,865,541 Hicks 2,847,249 Evans 3,018,970 Wittenberg et al.

These patents teach the principle of using water pressure to drive a liquid out of a closed container. The liquid is separated from the pressurized water by means of a flexible diaphragm, and the liquid is placed under pressure on one side of the diaphragm when water pressure is applied to the opposite side thereof. The pressurized liquid is forced out of the container through a hose and then through a spray gun or other form of nozzle.

There is, however, no teaching of mixing the water with the liquid to produce and dispense a pressurized mixture or solution combining both liquids. There is no teaching of using the water pressure to combine the two liquids in any proportions. There is no teaching of combining them in selected proportions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a combination liquid mixing and dispensing device which is powered by conventional municipal service water pressure. It mixes water with a liquid other than water, e.g., a concentrated shampoo or hair treating preparation, and dispenses the resulting mixture or solution through a spray gun or other nozzle. The mixing of the two liquids is performed under pressure and the mixture or solution is dispensed under pressure. Means is provided for varying the proportions of the two liquids and for regulating the pressure under which they are mixed and dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser of the present invention, showing the tank, the container partially cut away within the tank, and the mixing valving.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tank and container sealing arrangement at the upper neck of the tank.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the invention shown in FIG. 2, with the relationship of the parts clearly shown.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

The invention comprises the following major components: a source of water under pressure (not shown), a tank 10, a flexible, collapsible container 12 supported in said tank, a liquid mixing device 14, a spray gun 16, and all necessary conduits and flow and pressure regulating means.

More specifically, the water pressure source may be any conventional water supply, for example, municipal water service which reaches the consumer at pressures of approximately 20 to 30 psi. A water feed line 18 carries the pressurized water to the apparatus under discussion. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and by way of illustration, water line 18 is connected directly to mixing device 14 and a branch line 20 connects said water line to tank 10. Thus, water line 18 provides both the mixing device and the tank with water under pressure.

A second line 22 is connected to closure cap 24 of said tank and an extension or dip tube 26 projects downwardly from said line 22 and closure cap 24 into a collapsible container 12. This tube dips into the liquid 28 in said container and functions as its outlet. Liquid 28 is a shampoo or any other liquid which is to be combined with water to produce a mixture, solution or suspension, depending upon the nature of the liquid.

A third line 30, preferably a flexible hose, interconnects mixing device 14 with spray gun 16. This is the outlet line for said mixture, solution or suspension which, for convenience, will herein be broadly designated a solution.

The flow of water or liquid 28 through the several lines above mentioned is regulated and controlled by conventional regulating or metering means. Illustrative are the standard regulating valves shown in the drawing. Thus regulating valve 32 regulates the flow and pressure of the pressurized water which passes through lines 18 and 20 into tank 10. A second regulating valve 34 regulates the flow and pressure of the pressurized water which enters mixing chamber 36 of mixing device 14. A third regulating valve 38 regulates the flow and pressure of liquid 28 as it also enters said mixing chamber 36. The final regulating means is spray gun 16 which regulates the outward flow and pressure of the solution which is produced in mixing chamber 36. This is determined and controlled by the operator of the apparatus, who may at different times, under different conditions, and for different purposes wish to dispense a stronger or weaker spray.

The mechanical details of the invention are not important but may be mentioned to complete the specification. Thus, closure cap 24 may be provided with toggle latches 40 or any other quick-acting locking means to hold it in closed, pressure-tight position on tank 10. More particularly, in one form of the invention, collapsible container 12 is a plastic bag with its open upper end 42 folded over the open upper neck 44 of the tank. A gasket 46 on the closure cap engages the folded end of the plastic bag when the toggle-latches are in closed position and the plastic bag is thereby clamped in place and a pressure-tight seal is provided between the closure cap and the bag, and between the bag and the tank. When water under pressure is introduced into the tank through lines 18 and 20, it is prevented, by said clamping action, from entering the plastic bag. At the same time, the pressurized water applies pressure to the outer surface of the bag, sufficient to express its liquid contents through dip tube 26 and into mixing chamber 36. There the pressurized liquid mixes with the pressurized water which enters the mixing chamber through water line 18. Valves 38 and 34 determine the proportions of the combination.

Plastic bag 12 is easily refilled or removed and replaced, as desired. In either case, valves 32, 34 and 38 are closed and latches 40 and closure cap 24 are opened. Also, a drain valve 48 at the bottom of the tank is opened and its water contents are drained through drain pipe or tube 50. It is not possible to refill the plastic bag, and to facilitate the refilling operation a retaining ring 52 is placed around the folded end of the bag to support it from the neck of the tank while the refilling operation proceeds. Alternatively, the bag may be removed and replaced with a prefilled bag or with an empty bag requiring filling.

After the plastic bag is filled, drain valve 48 is closed, and the closure cap is clamped to the tank in pressure-sealing relationship therewith. All three valves 32, 34 and 38 may now be opened, and the apparatus is ready for use. Water pressure exerted upon the outer surface of the bag will pressurize its liquid contents and force same through tubes 26 and 22 into the mixing chamber 36 where, as previously stated, it will mix with the pressurized water which enters said mixing chamber through line 18.

The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of the invention, and it will be understood that this form may be modified and other forms provided within the broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprising:

a. a tank connected to a pressurized water source,

b. a collapsible container in said tank containing a liquid other than water,

c. a mixing chamber connected to said pressurized water source and said collapsible container, and

d. a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber,

e. whereby the water pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from the collapsible container and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber, where it is mixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through the spray gun,

f. valve means being provided between the pressurized water source and the tank to regulate the flow of pressurized water into said tank,

g. valve means being provided between the pressurized water source and the mixing chamber to regulate the flow of pressurized water into said mixing chamber,

h. valve means being provided between the collapsible container and the mixing chamber to regulate the flow of liquid from said collapsible container into said mixing chamber,

i. valve means being also connected to said tank to relieve the water pressure therein when the collapsible container is to be replaced or refilled,

j. said collapsible container comprising a flexible plastic bag having an open upper end,

k. said tank being also provided with an open upper end,

l. said plastic bag being supported with its open upper end detachably secured to the open upper end of the tank for removal of said bag from said tank and replacement of another bag therein,

m. the main body of the plastic bag projecting downwardly in said tank and being exposed on its entire outer surface to the pressurized water in the tank,

n. a closure being provided for the open upper end of the tank, and

o. a discharge line being provided through said closure to connect the plastic bag with the mixing chamber.

2. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

a. an annular rim is provided on the open upper end of the tank,

b. the open upper end of the plastic bag being folded over said annular rim, and

c. a ring encircling said annular rim and holding the folded upper end of the plastic bag thereon.

3. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

the tank closure is provided with clamping means to secure the open upper end of the plastic bag to the open upper end of the tank.