Claims
- 1. A dispenser for a solid chemical, comprising:
- (a) a spray nozzle for directing a solvent upon an eroding surface of a solid chemical, said chemical being located within a housing, wherein the chemical immediately adjacent said spray nozzle is dissolved and passes out of said dispenser in solution form, wherein said solid chemical is supported upon a screen above said spray nozzle;
- (b) adjustment means for varying a distance between said spray nozzle and said screen, said distance being variable between a first, high concentration setting and a second, low concentration setting, said eroding surface having a fixed position and said spray nozzle being vertically movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a concentration of the chemical in the solution is adjustable between said high concentration setting and said low concentration setting; and
- (c) indication means operatively connected to said adjustment means for displaying the spray nozzle positions which correspond to said high concentration setting and said low concentration setting.
- 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means further comprises means for moving said eroding surface of said solid chemical.
- 3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a radius of the solid chemical is R, said nozzle has a spray angle of approximately 90 degrees, and the distance between said spray nozzle and said eroding surface is adjustable from approximately 1/2 R to 2 R.
- 4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said screen has openings of approximately 0.4 cm.
- 5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said solvent is water.
- 6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said solvent contains a chemical additive which is reactive with the solid chemical.
- 7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the solid chemical contains at least two components which are non-compatible in liquid form.
- 8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means has a plurality of discrete concentration settings.
- 9. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a capsule for containing the solid chemical, said capsule having at least one side wall, said capsule side wall being slidably engageable with a housing wall in a lower portion of said dispenser.
- 10. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises a threaded support means for said spray nozzle.
- 11. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said threaded support means is powered by a motor.
- 12. The dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said threaded support means is controlled by a manual knob.
- 13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises a cable means for supporting said spray nozzle.
- 14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said spray nozzle is mounted upon a support member and said adjustment means comprises a cable means.
- 15. The dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said support means comprises a water inlet conduit.
- 16. The dispenser according to claim 15, further comprising a solvent blocking means for blocking solvent flow when said spray nozzle is in a predetermined position.
- 17. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises a support rod for said spray nozzle, the position of said support knob being controlled by a solenoid.
- 18. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises a push rod supporting said spray nozzle, the position of said push rod being movable by a lever means.
- 19. The method for dispensing a solid chemical having an eroding surface, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing the apparatus of claim 1;
- (b) directing a solvent through a inlet line, said inlet line being in fluid communication with a movable spray nozzle, wherein the chemical proximate the spray nozzle is dissolved and passes in a solution;
- (c) adjusting a distance between said spray nozzle and said screen between a first, high concentration setting and a second, low concentration setting by adjusting a vertical position of said spray nozzle, wherein the concentration of chemical dispensed is adjusted between a high concentration and a low concentration; and
- (d) impinging the solvent from said spray nozzle upon said eroding surface of said solid chemical.
- 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of placing said solid chemical upon a screen.
- 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said distance adjustment step is in response to concentration sensing means.
- 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said concentration sensing means includes a conductivity sensor.
- 23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of adjusting a flow rate of the solvent.
- 24. The method according to claim 19, wherein said spray nozzle is moved vertically by screw thread means.
- 25. The method according to claim 19, wherein said spray nozzle is moved vertically by solenoid means.
- 26. The method according to claim 19, wherein said spray nozzle is moved vertically by cable means.
- 27. The method according to claim 19, wherein said spray nozzle is moved vertically by lever means.
- 28. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of forming the solvent from water and a chemical additive which is reactive with the solid chemical.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 169,325, filed Dec. 17, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,716, issued May 2, 1995, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 131,653, filed Oct. 5, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,344, issued Feb. 14, 1995.
US Referenced Citations (48)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Wrangler Brochure, entitled "Wrangler F/B 27"-33" Automatic Scrubbers", published by The National Super Service Company, copyright 1992. |
Tornado Brochure, entitled "Tornado Long-Range Automatic Floorkeepers," published by Breuer Electric Mfg. Co., copyright 1992. |
Clarke Brochure, entitled "Clarke Family of Compact Automatics", published by Clarke Industries Inc., undated. Prior Art. |
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
169325 |
Dec 1993 |
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Parent |
131653 |
Oct 1993 |
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