Patent Application
20130214061
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to the controlled dispensing of liquid materials. More specifically, it is directed to the failsafe control of such dispensing, reliably guarding against the inadvertent or unauthorized release of such liquid materials as potentially hazardous chemical compositions from containment, except when appropriate. The present invention is directed, moreover, to a system and method by which dispensing is effected in a manner responsive to a suitable pressurized stream of fluid.
Dispensing control devices of the type used with a pressurized stream of fluid, such as water provided through a conventional garden hose or other delivery means, are widely used in many applications. One example is a spray nozzle attachment for a garden hose which serves also as a dispensing assembly and capping means for a container of fertilizer, weed/pest control, or other highly concentrated lawn or garden treating chemical. Another example of the many applications is a sprayer attachment which controls the sprayed dispensing of liquid material from an air pump-type container.
Such dispensing control devices are typically activated to dispense the given material properly only when a pressurized stream of water or other appropriate fluid is provided. In situations where the pressurized fluid stream is not present, dispensing of the liquid material would invariably be inappropriate and all too often quite hazardous. On store shelves, for instance, containers of various liquid chemicals are displayed within easy reach of even small children. Despite the chemical materials' toxicity and noxious properties, the containers are often displayed in ready-to-use form, capped by nothing more than the dispensing control devices already placed on them.
The dispensing control devices are usually equipped with closure mechanisms and seals; however, they are prone to accidental or mischievous opening when knocked over, carelessly handled by a curious customer, or otherwise tampered with. The closures and seals of the type heretofore known may be defeated in this manner, whereupon potentially hazardous release of the contained chemical liquid may occur. Such a chemical spill is hazardous to the child as well as to other persons and animals in the area, including those who must clean up such a toxic spill. The resultant risk of serious, even fatal, injury due to poisoning, chemical burn, toxic inhalation, and the like potentially occurring in that event is self-evident.
There exists, therefore, a need for an approach to dispensing a liquid material which cannot be readily defeated by tampering or other disturbance. There exists a need, moreover, for a system and method of controlled dispensing which safely guards against the inadvertent or unauthorized release of the given liquid material until and unless the conditions for its safe release and use are actually present.
2. Prior Art
Closure devices for liquid product containers are known in the art, as are devices for controlling the dispensing of liquid products from containment. The best prior art known to Applicant include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,863,843; 4,244,494; 5,996,700; 4,971,105; 4,527,740; 5,007,588; 4,811,900; 4,508,272; 4,901,923; 5,375,769; 6,471,141; 6,435,773; 5,388,767; 4,142,681; 6,012,650; 5,533,546; 5,881,955; 3,940,069; 3,929,150; 3,763,888; 3,561,680; 4,176,680; 4,883,086; 4,105,044; 4,142,545; 4,154,258; 4,197,872; 4,775,241; 5,799,688; 4,047,541; 5,039,016; 5,100,059; 5,213,265; 5,320,288; 5,372,310; 5,383,603; 6,283,385; 6,378,785; 6,578,776; 4,826,085; 5,303,853; 3,666,150; 5,213,129; 5,129,730; 2,770,501; 5,293,946; 5,085,039; 2,988,139; 4,971,105; 3,863,843; 372,503; and, RE29,405. Such devices fail to provide the unique combination of features and advantages for failsafe closure and controlled dispensing of liquid materials to the degree provided by the present invention.
Numerous concentrated liquid products are now manufactured and sold in a retail environment in ready-to-use packaged containers (including bottles). Many are capped with sprayer type dispensing mechanisms configured for attachment to the end of a hose. Such sprayer type mechanisms serve to dilute the concentrated liquid product as it is dispensed, by an appropriate mixture ratio with the pressurized stream of water emerging from the hose. They serve also to expel the diluted mixture for appropriate application. Examples of uses widely found for this type of storage and dispensing of liquid products include lawn or garden care and weed/pest control, automobile cleaning, structural siding material cleaning, and so on.
A notable problem plaguing mechanisms of this type derive from the fact that they function as the ultimate closure for the concentrated chemical liquid product's container. Most of the currently available sprayer devices provide for some degree of chemical containment in that they offer an “off” setting, whereby the container is sealed for shipping and storage. Some mechanisms provide additional safety measures—like hydrophobic venting means to allow “breathing” of the container contents and thereby prevent the generation or build up of noxious vapors while stored. Others incorporate protective measures such as child-proof locking structures.
Still, the mechanisms heretofore known in the art fail to provide adequate safeguards against mechanical defeat and manipulation inappropriately away from its “off” setting. Nor do they adequately ensure failsafe re-sealing of the container following initial use of its product.
Hence, there remains a need for a controlled dispensing approach whereby dispensing is ultimately enabled independent of any mechanical means externally accessible to user manipulation. There remains a need for such controlled dispensing approach which actuates automatically, to control dispensing in a certain condition-responsive manner.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of a liquid material which cannot be readily defeated by tampering or other disturbance.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method which permits the liquid material to be dispensed only at the time of actual intended use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of the liquid material in a manner responsive to a suitably pressurized stream of fluid directed thereto.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of the liquid material wherein the liquid material is stored in sealed manner within a collapsible receptacle for the controlled release therefrom.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of the liquid material wherein liquid material stored in a collapsible receptacle is released therefrom in controlled manner in either aspirated or non-aspirated manner.
It is another object of the present system to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of the liquid material whereby a precise mixture ratio substantially independent of available line pressure may be maintained in certain embodiments, such that substantially precise mixture is preserved despite fluctuations in line pressure.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlled dispensing of the liquid material wherein dispensing control measures in certain embodiments may be disposed on or substantially integrated with a disposable container portion.
These and other objects are attained by the present invention in a system for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material including a collapsible receptacle disposed within a storage compartment, and a dispensing control unit operably coupled to the collapsible receptacle. The collapsible receptacle is disposed within the storage compartment for sealed storage of the liquid material therein. The dispensing control unit includes a response valve portion coupled to the collapsible receptacle which is reconfigurable responsive to at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream directed selectively thereto. The response valve portion thus controls release of the liquid material from the collapsible receptacle, serving in a first state to seal the collapsible receptacle, and in a second state to open communication with the collapsible receptacle. The response valve portion is resiliently biased to its first state, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, various embodiments incorporate a method for controlling the failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material wherein a storage compartment is established, and a liquid material product is stored in releasably sealed manner within a collapsible receptacle disposed in the storage compartment. A response valve portion is coupled to the collapsible receptacle for controlling release of the liquid material therefrom. The response valve portion is reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to selective application of a pressurized fluid stream thereto. The response valve portion in its first state seals the collapsible receptacle, and in its second state remains in open communication with the collapsible receptacle. The response valve portion is biased to one of the first or second states.
In overall operation, the failsafe dispensing system of the present invention serves the crucial function of controlling the safe release of potentially hazardous liquid materials from containment. It safeguards against the accidental or unauthorized release of the liquid material by operably coupling to the liquid material's source a valve assembly which cannot be fully actuated to permit the material's release without sufficient exposure to a suitably pressurized stream of fluid. In the absence of such pressurized fluid stream, the valve assembly remains un-actuated, preserving the closure of a container or other source from which the liquid material is to be dispensed. In accordance with the present invention, this closure cannot be readily defeated by manipulating or otherwise tampering with the valve assembly mechanically, by tipping the container, or by such other common means.
In many applications, a pressurized flow of water or other fluid is necessary in any event at the time of the liquid material's dispensing and use. In typical lawn and garden applications, for instance, the contained liquid material may be a highly concentrated fertilizer, insecticide, weed killer, or other such chemical formulation requiring a stream of water for dilution and/or transport. Release of the contained liquid material is then actuable only after the necessary preparations for the material's use, like attaching a garden hose or other conduit to deliver the pressurized fluid stream to the valve assembly, have actually been made. That is, dispensing of the liquid material is advantageously permitted only at the time of actual intended use.
Preferably, certain other measures are employed with the valve assembly for not only directing the pressurized fluid stream to and from the valve assembly effectively, but also for disabling the valve assembly from actuation, even when the pressurized fluid stream is present. This serves as an added safeguard which also enhances the degree of selectivity and control to the user. Such measures may be realized in the form of a simple locking mechanism upon the valve assembly, for example, or in various other forms as illustrated in following paragraphs.
The source container for the liquid material (such as illustratively shown in
Referring now to
In the illustrative embodiment shown, system 100 is formed as a sprayer attachment of a type typically fitted to the end of a garden hose, which expels with the fluid stream supplied by the hose a liquid material drawn from an attached holding container. As such, system 100 generally comprises a housing 200 preferably having a hose coupling 20 and back-flow prevention device 80 connected at its inlet 210, and a spray nozzle 40 connected at its outlet 220. An intermediate portion 230 of the housing 200 is formed with a coupling structure 240 which surrounds and extends from an admission port 231. An adapter 60 is preferably provided at a neck portion of the coupling structure 240 to facilitate attachment of, for example, a bottle-like container supplying the given liquid material. During use, the liquid material is drawn through the admission port 231 and into the housing's intermediate portion 230 for mixture with the hose-supplied fluid stream.
Devices such as the back-flow prevention device and spray nozzle 40 are shown in the FIGS. for illustrative purposes only, as they are not important to the present invention. The structure and function of such devices are well known to those skilled in the art, are not further described herein. Moreover, in the interest of brevity and clarity, they are not necessarily shown in the FIGS. in precise configurational detail.
System 100 also includes a control valve mechanism 300 and a response valve mechanism 400, both disposed within the housing's intermediate portion 230. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control valve 300 serves the general function of selectively directing a pressurized fluid stream received through the inlet 210 in accordance with one of numerous configurations. Preferably, the control valve 300 may be alternatively set at least to open, bypass, and closed configurations. Depending in part on the prevailing configuration of the control valve 300, and in part on the supply of a suitably pressurized flow of fluid (typically though not necessarily water in the embodiment shown) through the inlet 210, the response valve 400 is maintained in one of at least two operational configurations—namely, active and inactive configurations. The response valve 400 in either configuration conveys any fluid received from the control valve 300 on to the outlet 220 for expulsion, but only in the active configuration permits the liquid material to be admitted into the housing 200 for mixture and expulsion with that fluid.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control valve 300 includes a rotary member 310 angularly displaceable along the direction indicated by arrows 305. It is so disposed within an accommodating space formed in the housing intermediate portion 230. A bore-like fluid conduit 320, preferably formed diametrically through the rotary member 310, may then be angularly positioned to one of several predetermined settings, preferably including: closed, bypass, and open settings. In
The location of the bypass position relative to the open and closed positions is preferably at an intermediate point between them, as in the embodiment illustrated. This allows a limited amount of pressurized fluid to flow from the fluid conduit 320 through the bypass channel 215, to the outlet 220, as the control valve's rotary member 310 passes while turning from the on position back to its closed position. One advantage is the flushing effect this has on any residual mixed product which may otherwise remain at the outlet upon shut-off. In addition, the back pressure resulting at the outlet end of the piston member 410 provides a measure of force to ‘push’ the piston member 410 back away from the outlet 220, aiding the piston member's quick and complete spring biased return to its inactive position.
The response valve 400 in the exemplary embodiment shown includes a displaceable assembly that may be displaced relative to the housing 200 between active and inactive positions. This is realized, for example, in the form of a piston member 410 disposed in axially displaceable manner, as indicated by directional arrows 405, within a receiving compartment 232 defined by the housing 200. The piston member 410 is preferably biased by a resilient member to one of its active and inactive positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the default position is the inactive position. That is, the piston member 410 is biased—or spring loaded—by a coil spring element 420 to its inactive position, away from the outlet 220 (and towards the control valve 300).
The piston member 410 is formed with an interface end 412 from which a mixing chamber 414 axially extends forward in bore-like manner, towards the outlet 220. A passage preferably configured as a transverse venturi aperture 416 leads from the mixing chamber 414 through to an outer surface of the piston member 410. In the response valve's inactive position (as shown in
The resilient member biasing the piston member 410 may be of any suitable type known in the art, such as the coil spring element 420 shown. It preferably applies a sufficient biasing force upon the piston member 410 to hold the default position until an opposing force sufficient to overcome the biasing force is applied thereto by an incoming flow of pressurized fluid emerging from the control valve's fluid conduit 320. Preferably, the biasing force applied by the resilient member is such that it may be amply overcome by the typical fluid flow pressures to be encountered in the intended application, yet is firm enough to resist stray forces which may be applied quite unintentionally and unexpectedly applied to the piston member 410 by various sources of potential disturbance, such as shock due to dropage, seepage of fluid through the control valve 300, and the like. In that regard, system 100 is preferably of an overall construction which guards suitably against open external access to the piston member 410, lest manual depression, obstruction, or other direct disturbance occur.
When the control valve 300 is set to its open configuration, and when a sufficiently pressurized flow of fluid passes concurrently through the fluid conduit 320, the fluid emerging from the fluid conduit's distal end 324 flows against the piston member's interface end 412. Not only does this impart a force upon that interface end 412, the pressurized accumulation of fluid resulting there builds up sufficient pressure to cause a responsive displacement of the piston member 410 against its spring loaded bias. The piston member 410 retracts until, either the opposing end 415 is stopped against the rear inner wall of the receiving compartment 232 or, alternatively, the force applied by the spring element 420 as it is compresses equalizes the pressure generated responsive to the pressurized fluid flow. In either case, the venturi aperture 416 is positioned such that it substantially aligns with the admission port 231 when the piston member 410 assumes its predetermined active position. As a portion of the pressurized fluid continues to flow through the piston member's mixing chamber 414, the given liquid material (whose source is coupled to the neck 240) is drawn through the admission port 231, through the venturi aperture 416, and into the fluid flow's path for subsequent mixture and expulsion therewith out through the outlet 220 and spray nozzle 440.
The aspiration required for such operation is preferably effected through at least first and second vent ports 233, 235 provided in the housing's intermediate portion 230. A plurality of seal members, preferably in the form of suitable O-rings are disposed about an outer surface of the piston member 410, preferably within accommodating annular recesses formed in that outer surface. When the piston member 410 assumes its inactive position, these seal members 430 bear against the surrounding walls of the receiving compartment to isolate the vent port 235 (disposed inside the neck 240) from the vent port 233 (disposed outside the neck 240) to prevent any seepage of air or liquid therebetween. When the piston member 410 assumes its active position, however, the seal members 430 are sufficiently displaced with the piston member 410, away from its intervening position between vent ports 235 and 233, unsealing to permit fluid communication between them. Atmospheric air is thereby permitted to enter the attached liquid container's interior to act on the liquid material contents.
In overall operation, then, the response valve 400 prevents the given liquid material from escaping through the admission port 231 when operational conditions are not present. That is, the outer side wall of its piston member 410 blocks the admission port 231 when in the inactive position shown in
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, then, manipulating the control valve 300 to its open configuration is not alone sufficient to activate the response valve 400. A fluid flow of sufficient pressure to overcome the bias force maintained by response valve 400 must also be present for its activation.
The housing 200 is preferably formed of hard plastic or other suitable material known in the art of sufficient strength, rigidity, and durability to withstand the conditions typically encountered in the intended application. In applications posing particularly harsh conditions, considerations such as anti-corrosion, thermal expansion, and the like may be significant factors determining the choice of materials for various portions of system 100. The present invention is not limited to a particular choice of materials, as such choice will depend on the particular requirements of the intended application.
Turning now more closely to the structure for coupling a container or other source of the liquid material (highly concentrated lawn treatment chemical, for instance), a suction tubing 70 positioned with an upper end engaging a nipple 242 and a lower end extending to the bottom of the given container (not shown). If the container is of the type having a threaded opening, it may be threadedly engaged with the adapter 60 for suspension therefrom. Within the adapter 60, a seal 62 such as a flattened O-ring or washer is preferably provided at the sprayer-container interface to prevent air and liquid material leakage. Other attachments such as snap-on, lock-in-key, dovetail, or other such coupling mechanisms known in the art may be alternatively employed.
Various alternative embodiments may be realized in accordance with the present invention. In certain alternative embodiments, for example, the spray nozzle 40 may be replaced by another downstream flow control valve device such as an extension wand or other fluid-conducting attachment coupled to the outlet 220. In certain other exemplary embodiments, an optional detent ball mechanism or other such retaining device may be incorporated in the control valve 300 to give tactile feedback when the valve 500 is optimally positioned for a particular function. Such a detent ball mechanism may be seated with a biased ball partially received within a recess formed in the control valve accommodating space within which the rotary member 310 is seated. One or more corresponding detent recesses may then be formed in the opposing surface of the rotary member 310.
With particular respect to operation when the control valve 300 is set to its open configuration, among the forces overcome by the pressure build up at the piston member interface end 412 are not only the biasing force exerted by a coil spring 420, but also inertial forces due to such things as the friction generated between the piston member and the surrounding inner surfaces of the receiving compartment 232. This friction is exacerbated by the O-rings 430, seated in the circumferential grooves/recesses formed on the piston member's exterior. In certain alternative embodiments, then, a biasing member is obviated by the inertial drag collectively generated by a suitable plurality of static seal members 430. The resultant ‘O-ring drag’ in such embodiments is sufficient to retain the piston member 410 in the inactive position in the absence of pressurized fluid flow thereto through an open control valve 300. The piston interface end 412 on which the pressurized fluid acts to create a displacement force preferably remains unexposed to points outside of the housing 200, so as to prevent unwanted mechanical manipulations, via a pencil or other foreign object.
In those alternate embodiments where a extension wand having a flexible hose for accurate spot location of the delivered stream is employed at the outlet 220, and the wand is itself equipped with an on/off control mechanism, the response valve 400 serves to protect the container's contents by closing fluid communication between the container and the piston valve compartment. More specifically, when the wand on/off valve is open and the response valve 400 is activated, admission of the concentrated chemical or other given liquid material into the pressurized flow is permitted. When the wand valve is turned off, the fluid pressure quickly equalizes on both sides of the biased piston valve, allowing the piston member's biased return to its inactive position—even if the control valve 300 were still in an open configuration at that instant.
The O-rings forming the seal members 430 in the embodiment shown are preferably formed of a suitable elastomeric material known in the art. They provide hermetic sealing of the interface between the piston member 410 and the immediately opposing sidewalls of the receiving compartment 232. As mentioned in preceding paragraphs, the O-rings serve to fluidically separate certain sections of the piston member 410. Preferably, enough seal members 430 are employed such that proximal and distal O-rings are disposed adjacent the opposed axial ends of the piston member 410 so to provide hermetically sealed protection for most of the piston member's length.
Referring now to
Briefly, the central valve 1300 in this embodiment effectively combines the functions generally served by the control valve 300 and response valve 400 in the preceding embodiment. It is formed internally with a suitable channeling structure which, as in the preceding embodiment, aligns with an admission port 231 to enable the given liquid material to be drawn from its source and appropriately dispensed. Preferably, the channeling structure includes a bore-like fluid conduit 1342 extending diametrically through the central valve assembly's main body portion 1340 and a venturi aperture 1346 branching from that fluid conduit 1342. Angular displacement of the main body portion 1340 relative to the housing 1200 (as indicated by directional arrows 1020 and 1050) then controls the selective alignment of the venturi aperture 1346 with the admission port 231.
When aligned, the admission port 231 and fluid conduit 1342 are in open communication, whereby the liquid material may be drawn into the housing for mixed dispensing with that portion of the pressurized fluid stream passing through the fluid conduit 1342. At other angular positions of the main body portion 1340 relative to the housing 1200, the venturi aperture 1346 is turned out of alignment with the admission port 231, such that the admission port is closed off by a sealing wall surface 1344 of the main body portion 1340 and any suitable seal members 1430 (as illustrated in
In this embodiment, the main body portion 1340 is seated within a generally cylindrical chamber 1232 defined transversely through the housing's intermediate portion 1230. The main body portion 1340 is correspondingly shaped and dimensioned such that it may turn within this transverse chamber 1232 unless otherwise obstructed. Such obstruction is interposed in the form of a retractable locking member 1400 positioned within a compartment 1240 situated outside the chamber 1232. The locking member 1400 includes a protruding boss 1402 that extends into the transverse chamber 1232 when the locking member is in its locking position, to engage a recess 1348 formed in the valve assembly's main body portion 1340. The central valve assembly 1300 is thereby interlocked to the housing 1200, preferably at its inactive position.
The locking member 1400 is retained within the auxiliary compartment 1240 preferably by a retaining cap 1450. A resilient member, such as a coil spring 1420 is captured between the locking member 1400 and retaining cap 1450, biasing the locking member 1400 towards the transverse chamber 1232. The protruding boss 1402 is thus urged to extend into the chamber 1232 unless pushed back by a pressure sufficient to overcome the spring's biasing force.
Within the housing 1200, fluid flow access into and out of the transverse chamber 1232 is provided through axially opposed access openings 1235, 1236. Except at the respective outlet ends of the central valve's venturi outlet port 1346 and fluid conduit 1342 (where suitable sealing measures 1362, 1364 are employed), sufficient (though minute) clearance is provided between the opposing surfaces of the relatively movable main body portion 1340 and transverse chamber 1232 to permit fluid communication therebetween. When a suitably pressurized stream of fluid is then directed into the flow path 1210 defined in the housing 1200, it passes through the access opening 1235 into the chamber 1232. The entering fluid quickly disperses through the clearance space between the valve's main body portion 1340 and inner walls of the chamber 1232 until the resulting build up of pressure therein urges the locking member 1400 away from the chamber 1232, causing the consequent retraction of the protruding boss 1402. Upon full withdrawal of this boss 1402 from recess 1348, the central valve 1300 is unlocked, or enabled, for angular displacement to its active configuration. A user at this point may effect the activating displacement necessary via a lever handle 1330 extending externally from the main body portion 1340.
While the valve assembly 1300 is in its active configuration, the locking boss 1402 remains retracted and out of the valve's way. When the pressurized fluid stream is interrupted, however, the opposing build up of pressure is lost, and the locking member 1400 is again freed to advance by force of the biasing spring and extend its protruding boss 1402 into the chamber 1232. This can only occur when the valve assembly 1300 is returned to its inactive configuration, and the recess 1348 comes to be aligned again with the protruding boss 1402 to receive its interlocking engagement.
Referring to the cross-wise sectional view shown in
Depending on the requirements of the intended use, it may be preferable in practice to use the hydraulic source pressure for direct control of the liquid material container's sealing valve as in the first embodiment, rather than for unlocking a valve controlled by other means, as in the present alternate embodiment. One practical drawback is that the interlocking mechanism could be damaged and/or defeated more readily by forcible means. Even so, such hydraulically activated interlock embodiment provides still a higher level of safety than heretofore afforded by comparable devices known in the art.
Numerous alternate embodiments of the present invention other than those illustrated in the FIGS. herein abound. In one such alternate embodiment, the valve assembly may be housed within the liquid material's container itself, to further guard against unwanted tampering. The container is provided with suitable inlet and outlet access points for receiving the required stream of pressurized fluid from a source and delivering the liquid material in appropriate amount for proper expulsion.
A few of the many other variations in structural embodiments formed in accordance with the present invention include, for example, the incorporation of:
In addition to that described herein, use of hydraulic pressure to “un-lock” a valve assembly to allow dispensing may operate in several different manners depending on the particular application and type of aspiration device used within a sprayer dispenser type device. It certain embodiments, the hydraulic pressure may simply force a spring loaded pin to move, unlocking the control assembly for activation by rotating and/or sliding movement, for example. In other embodiments, the hydraulic pressure may force a spring return spool valve to slide to a position which places the container contents in communication with appropriate openings/orifices formed in the sprayer dispenser device.
For applications utilizing a Venturi style aspiration technique, the hydraulically activated interlock/seal mechanism may form a part of a back flow prevention device typically required for hose end mounted dilution systems. For units using a flow-by style of aspiration (no back flow prevention required), the interlock/seal mechanism may form a part of a carrier stream flow control assembly, such that the mechanism is operable responsive to applied hydraulic pressure, irrespective of carrier stream control assembly's condition (static or dynamic).
Referring now to
Depending on the embodiment, the control valve portion 2300 may also serve much as a protective cap which shields and conceals the response valve portion 2400 within the container's opening, to guard effectively against tampering or other harmful manipulation. Alternatively, the control valve portion 2300 may be disposed apart from the container itself, though operably interconnected thereto by suitable conduit means—preferably serving in such embodiment to conduct the pressurized fluid stream to the container and the responsively released liquid material from the container back to the control valve portion 2300. Such embodiments may be preferable in those applications employing non-portable containers like wall-mounted eductors, for example.
Nonetheless, embodiments providing for the container—integrated and sealed disposition of the response valve portion 2400 yield a number of practical advantages. The control valve portion's ready detachability from the response valve portion 2400 (and from the container 500), for instance, permits its temporary removal without fear of spillage, where potential snagging or rough handling in the interim may be of concern. Detaching and separately packaging/stowing the control valve portion enables safer containment of the liquid material in those situations, leaving the container sealed by an unobtrusive, concealed response valve portion 2400. This option affords greater flexibility in packaging and/or shipping configurations, which only enhances overall safety and reliability.
As illustrated, a system 2000 formed in accordance with such exemplary embodiments generally includes a control valve portion 2300 removably coupled, preferably, to a neck portion 520 of a container 500 storing the liquid material to be dispensed. The system 2000 further includes a response valve portion 2400 preferably disposed to extend into and substantially fill and seal the bore-like access opening defined by the container's neck portion 520. The response valve portion 2400 may be secured in fluid-tight manner therein by any suitable means known in the art, such as welding, adhesive coupling, force fit frictional engagement, and the like. A suction tube 70 extends from the response valve portion 2400 into the container's storage compartment 510 to conduct the liquid material's passage therebetween.
In overall operation, the control valve portion 2300 preferably serves both as a conduit for appropriately directing an incoming pressurized stream of fluid (separately supplied from an external source), and as an effective staging/mixing vessel for properly expelling the liquid material drawn out of the container 500 along with a portion of the pressurized fluid stream. Preferably, the control valve portion 2300 is selectively configurable by the user to enable or disable the response valve portion's actuation.
When the control valve portion 2300 is configured to its enabled, or on, state (a “MIX” setting, for example), it directs at least a portion of the incoming fluid pressure to operate sufficiently upon the response valve portion 2400 and thereby effect its pressure-responsive actuation. The response valve portion 2400 preferably employs a movable member resiliently biased to either an open or closed position/configuration. Responsive to sufficient application of fluid pressure thereon, the movable member operates against the bias to move away from its default position or configuration. Preferably, this concurrently unseals both an admission port and one or more vent openings to establish an exit flow of the contained liquid material to and through an admission port 2315 for passage through the control valve portion 2300 and proper expulsion from a nozzle or other part of a delivery unit. A metering throttle 2500 of any suitable type known in the art is preferably also employed in this exit flow path to aid in regulating flow rate.
Response valve portion 2400 is schematically illustrated with valve measures 2410 and 2420 separately represented. While schematically represented in this manner for clarity of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that valve measures 2410 and 2420 may be realized in separate mechanisms or otherwise integrated into the same mechanism, depending on the particular requirements of the intended application.
The control valve and response valve portions 2300, 2400 may be operationally configured in much the manner described in preceding embodiments. Examples of other operational configurations which may be utilized for portions 2300, 2400 in various other embodiments include those disclosed in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/432,517 filed 12 May 2006. The control valve and response valve portions 2300, 2400 schematically illustrated in
In the schematically represented embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In certain embodiments, the liquid material to be dispensed may be contained in the given container's storage compartment sealed within a collapsible receptacle such as a flexible bag/pouch or the like. This is the case in the exemplary embodiments schematically indicated in
Use of such collapsible receptacles, particularly in the form of a flexible pouch, for liquid material storage offers numerous practical advantages. It not only provides an added measure of protection against contamination of the liquid material, for instance, it further insulates the liquid material product from unwanted escape.
Configuring the receptacle to be detachable from the other components of the system and separately disposable, moreover, adds both to the convenience and economy of use. A user may reuse the same container with many if not all of the other system components by simply replacing an empty receptacle without the potential mess and exposure hazard when the system is disassembled to get at the container's storage compartment. So long as suitable measures known in the art are carefully taken to guard against seepage during detachment/attachment of the receptacle to the given system component(s), the user may quite easily replace the spent receptacle with a pre-filled replacement, then re-assemble the system for use, appropriately discarding the spent receptacle. Providing for re-fills of the liquid material in this manner may in certain applications provide the added benefit of preserving the liquid material product's ‘freshness,’ as the material is not exposed to ambient air until it is actually dispensed.
Yet another considerable advantage in the use of a sealed collapsible receptacle for the liquid material is that it affords the liquid material's controlled release either with or without an aspirated technique, such as Venturi aspiration or the like. In the preceding embodiments, appropriate venting measures are taken to permit the entry of ambient air into the container's storage compartment such that the liquid material may be drawn by aspiration through a Venturi orifice or other such device, on to the point delivery. The sealed receptacle's collapsibility permits in the alternative a ‘squeezing’ type pressure to be externally applied thereto for the forced injection of the liquid material to the point of delivery.
As described in following paragraphs, such external pressure may be applied in certain embodiments by the same pressurized fluid stream which actuates the product release-controlling response valve portion. A further benefit derives from this in applications where the released liquid material product is to be mixed at a preferred ratio with a part of the fluid stream or other fluid prior to actual dispensing. The mixture ratio may be effectively preserved even where the pressurized fluid stream's pressure and, consequently, its flow rate at the point of delivery may fluctuate. The same fluctuation would concurrently affect the ‘squeezing’ compressive pressure applied by that pressurized fluid stream (or a portion thereof) upon the sealed receptacle, causing a corresponding fluctuation in the liquid material's expulsion pressure from the receptacle. That is, the liquid material's rate of release from the receptacle would vary in proportion to the variance of the pressure applied by the pressurized fluid stream upon the receptacle. A self-corrected dosing is effectively realized as a result.
Referring now to
System 3000 in this embodiment includes a control valve portion 3300 and a response valve portion 3400. Preferably, the response valve portion 3400 is secured within the access opening 520′ leading to the given container's storage compartment 510—which in the bottle-like container 500 shown is defined by a neck portion 520. The control valve portion 3300 may be detachably coupled at once to both the response valve portion 3400 and the container 500, such that fluid inlet and product outlet paths 3310, 3320 may be suitably established with the response valve portion 3400.
In this embodiment, a venting path connection 3330 otherwise provided for the storage container 510 may be left disconnected from the container 500, as the release of liquid material from the pouch 600 in this embodiment is not induced by aspiration. The liquid material's release is preferably effected by compressive means as follows. When the control valve portion 3300 is appropriately configured, at least a portion of the incoming pressurized fluid stream is directed through the fluid inlet path 3310 to the response valve portion 3400. That portion of the pressurized fluid stream directed in this manner serves via the path 3312 to actuate the response valve portion 3400 to a corresponding state, whereby a release path 3420 is opened for the exiting passage of the liquid material therethrough.
Meanwhile, the pressurized fluid stream is at least partially directed via the path 3314 into the storage compartment 510. When the storage compartment 510 fills with this fluid, the inflowing fluid stream applies and maintains a compressive force upon the pouch 600. The deflective collapse of the pouch 600 as a result serves to ‘squeeze’ the liquid material out through the release path 3420, via a metering throttle 3500, at a rate substantially proportional to the inflowing pressurized fluid stream's compressive pressure upon the pouch 600 (over an applicable range of operation). Rather than being drawn into a dispensing delivery path as in an aspirated approach, the liquid material product is in this approach effectively injected into the delivery path.
The rate at which release of the liquid material product occurs from the pouch 600 in this regard is more actively regulated in the illustrated embodiment by a metering throttle 3500 disposed in the product release path 3420. This metering throttle 3500 may employ an orifice of particular configuration, or a device of any other suitable type known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, this metering throttle 3500 may be configured to adjustably constrict a conduit defining a portion of the product release path 3420.
Referring to the illustrative diagram of
In certain embodiments, the metering throttles 3500, 3510 may alternatively be incorporated into the closure of the flexible pouch 600, as integrated parts of a flexible pouch assembly 3450 (
In the schematic illustration of
In practice, factors such as metering orifice size or relative fluid/liquid material viscosities may impose certain operational limits on the control of dosing as noted. For a particular orifice size, for example, a characteristic flow rate vs. fluid pressure curve typically approaches an operational point where the flow rate plateaus to a substantially constant value despite further increases in fluid pressure. The dosing control provided in accordance with the given embodiment of the present invention is, of course, realized at suitable operating conditions to the extent permitted by such applicable factors.
Referring back to the embodiment of
In this embodiment, the response valve portion 4400 is again preferably disposed in the carton-type container 500′, secured therein by threaded, snap-fit, or other suitable fastening measure known in the art. The control valve portion 4300 is detachably coupled thereto so as to establish fluid input and product release paths 4310, 4320. Because a container in the form of a paperboard carton is typically not of airtight structure, no separate venting path need be established between the control and response valve portions 4300, 4400. Rather, the venting path into the storage compartment 510′ of the carton 500′ is pre-established naturally through its unsealed seams, joints, and/or gas permeable surfaces.
No portion of the pressurized fluid stream in this embodiment is actually introduced into the container's storage compartment 510′. At least a portion of the pressurized fluid stream is passed preferably through a sealed fluid link 4310 just for the purpose of actuating the response valve portion 4400, where it overcomes the resilient bias of response valve portion and sets the same to the appropriate controlling state.
As before, a collapsible receptacle is provided in the form of a flexible pouch 600—sealed except at its link 4420 to the response valve portion 4400. The flexible pouch 600 safely stores the liquid material product in sealed manner until release. A feed tube 70 is preferably disposed within the flexible pouch 600 to extend from the product release link 4420 to the pouch bottom. The feed tube 70 is so configured and arranged that it maintains an effective feed path for the liquid material despite the flexible pouch's collapse, which might otherwise seal off the liquid material in certain portions. Internal ribbing or other suitable internal support measures may be incorporated with or in place of the feed tube 70 to guard against such seal-off, or even to reinforce the feed tube itself against sealing constriction as the pouch 600 collapses around it.
The control valve portion 4300 of system 4000 is preferably of the type employed in preceding embodiments wherein a fluid conduit structure 4350, incorporating the converging and diverging areas sufficient for Venturi operation, is provided with a Venturi aperture communicating with a product feed path 4320 leading from the response valve portion 4400. When the response valve portion 4400 is actuated during operation by a sufficiently pressurized fluid stream via the fluid path 4310, it suitably establishes communication between the feed path 4320 and the product release path 4420 therethrough. Sufficient inflow of ambient air into the storage compartment 510′ occurring through the various venting paths existing through the container 500′ itself enables the liquid product to be drawn into the fluid conduit 4350 by aspiration through the Venturi aperture. The otherwise sealed flexible pouch 600 is free due to the venting of its surrounding storage compartment 510′ to collapse responsive to the withdrawal of liquid material therefrom until it is fully evacuated.
Referring next to
Unlike system 3000, however, the released liquid material is passed through a metering throttle 5500, the response valve portion 5400, and the product feed path 5320 on to the delivery unit 5200 for direct, undiluted expulsion therefrom. The liquid material is not mixed as in system 3000 with any portion of the pressurized fluid stream, for it is provided in the flexible pouch 600 in ready-to-dispense form.
Turning to
The integrated pouch assembly 6450 is preferably configured to define each of a fluid path 6310 for receiving a pressurized fluid stream directed thereto, a feed path 6320 for dispensing passage of the given liquid material product, and a fluid return path 6325 for the outflow passage of the pressurized fluid stream therefrom. As in certain of the preceding embodiments, the pressurized fluid stream (or portion thereof) received by the integrated pouch assembly 6450, through the fluid path 6310, enters the container 500. Once the fluid sufficiently fills the storage compartment, its continued inflow applies a squeezing pressure upon the pouch 6600. Ongoing inflow of the pressurized fluid stream into the container's storage compartment maintains the squeezing pressure, while the response valve portion 6400 is concurrently actuated responsive to the inflowing fluid stream to open the way for the liquid material product's consequent ejection through the release path 6420, on to the feed path 6320.
As the storage compartment of the preferably rigid container 500 is limited in volume, the pressurized fluid introduced into the storage compartment circulates out through the return path 6325 during continued operation. Both the fluid path 6310 and fluid return path 6325 accordingly remain in open communication with that part of the container's storage compartment outside the pouch 6600.
Preferably, metering throttles 6500, 6510 are respectively provided in the feed path 6320 and fluid return path 6325 to provide a measure of flow rate regulation and control in each. The metering throttles 6500, 6510 may include an orifice of suitable configuration, or otherwise include other suitable elements known in the art. The metering throttles 6500, 6510 are also preferably provided as part of the integrated pouch assembly 6450, as shown.
The system 6000 further includes in this embodiment a control valve portion 6300 which, when operably coupled to the integrated pouch assembly 6450, provides selectively for the mixed dispensing of the liquid material product and pressurized fluid stream, with both being provided from the container (and integrated pouch assembly 6450). Control valve portion 6300, preferably disposed as part of a delivery unit 6200, includes toward these ends a flow control unit 2320 which enables a user's selection of ON, OFF, or RINSE modes of operation. The control valve portion 6300 provides suitable conduit measures for operable coupling to communicate with each of the fluid, product feed, and fluid return paths 6310, 6320, 6325 of the integrated pouch assembly 6450.
During operation, the flow of pressurized fluid stream is blocked by the flow control unit 2320 when in its OFF setting. When in its RINSE setting, the flow control unit 2320 directs the incoming stream of pressurized fluid directly to a check valve 6330 at the given rinsing flow rate FW for unmitigated expulsion by the delivery unit 6200. When in its ON setting, the flow control unit 2320 directs the incoming stream of pressurized fluid to the coupled fluid path 6310 of the integrated pouch assembly 6450, whereupon the released liquid material product and returning fluid stream (provided through the respective feed and fluid return paths 6320, 6325 of the integrated pouch assembly 6450) are appropriately mixed and conducted at a mixture flow rate FM to the check valve 6330 for expulsion through the delivery unit 6200.
The check valve 6330 is preferably of a differential pressure shuttle type, though it may be of any other suitable type known in the art. The check valve 6330 operates to guard against unintended flow of the given stream. That is, check valve 6330 opens to conduct the outward flow of either the fluid rinse stream or liquid product/fluid mixture stream provided thereto, while effectively blocking the potential flow of each stream to the other's source.
As in preceding embodiments, the feed tube 70 disposed within the integrated pouch assembly 6450 of this embodiment is preferably of sufficient rigidity to prevent any part of the pouch 6600 from being prematurely cut off during pouch's collapse. The feed tube 70 is preferably formed to extend substantially the length of the pouch 6600, with perforations formed therealong to facilitate efficient drainage of liquid material therethrough during product release.
While the integrated pouch assembly 6450 is shown with but a single pouch 6600, it may in certain variations of the given embodiment include a plurality of such flexible pouches 6600. In those cases, respective metering throttles 6510 may be separately provided for the respective feed paths 6320 associated with the pouches 6600.
In other variations of system 6000, the internal compartment of the container 500 may be configured to permit the escape of air, while sealing against the flow of pressurized fluid through the air escape path. A float valve or other such device known in the art, for example, may be suitably employed for that purpose. These variations may be particularly suitable in applications where the liquid material is provided by the pouch 6600 in ready-to-dispense form (without diluting mixture). Examples may include applications with such liquid materials as paints, stains, solvent-based chemicals, and the like—wherein the liquid material is either water insoluble or not conducive to combined delivery with water.
Although this invention has been described in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications other than those discussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, certain features may be used independently of other features, and in certain cases, particular combinations of method steps may be reversed or interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/593,568 filed 7 Nov. 2006 which is based upon and claims the benefit of provisional Patent Application No. 60/734,264 filed 8 Nov. 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11593568 | Nov 2006 | US |
| Child | 13846427 | US |
