ROTARY VALVE DISPENSER FOR TABLETS

• US 3,680,736 A
• Filed: 08/05/1970
• Issued: 08/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hans Viessmann
• Original Assignee: Hans Viessmann
• Inventors: Viessmann, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Application Number:
  US05/061,358
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 221/231,232,266,279,280,277,15,174,14 206/DIG.26,42
• US Class Current: 221/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically dispensing disinfecting or germicidal tablets into a swimming pool or other body of water where the application of a disinfectant is required is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a casing having a rotary valve positioned therein and means to rotate the rotary valve on a timed program. A supply of tablets is provided adjacent the rotary valve and pressure is maintained on the tablet to maintain the tablets in contact with the valve. The valve is provided with a recess whereby one tablet is transported from the column of tablets to a dispensing duct in the casing with one tablet being dispensed into the pool during each rotation of the valve. Means may also be provided for indicating when the supply of tablets has been depleted.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically dispensing disinfectant and germicidal tablets into water in a swimming pool or the like, the apparatus comprising 1. a compartment for receiving and positioning a supply of the tablets in column form, a. the compartment having an open end;

2. a casing mounted adjacent the open end of the compartment, a. the casing having an opening adjacent the compartment opening for receiving respective and successive ones of the tablets from the compartment;

3. means providing a constant and uniform pressure on the supply of tablets in the compartment to urge the column of tablets towards the open compartment end and into the casing opening, a. the pressure means including a weight exteriorly of the apparatus;

4. a timed rotary valve mounted in the casing for dispensing successive ones of the tablets at timeD intervals, a. the dispensing valve having a tablet receiving recess in the periphery thereof, the recess having a substantially flattened bottom curving smoothly into the periphery of the valve for carrying one tablet during each rotation of the valve; and

5. a tablet dispensing duct angularly spaced in the casing from said opening;

a. the rotary valve being mounted between the opening and the duct in the casing to dispense the successive tablets received through the opening in the valve recess and carried by the rotary valve to the duct.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means comprises a band extending around the column of tablets, one end of the band being secured within the compartment and the weight being secured to the other end of the band which protrudes out of the apparatus.

3. means providing a constant and uniform pressure on the supply of tablets in the compartment to urge the column of tablets towards the open compartment end and into the casing opening, a. the pressure means including a weight exteriorly of the apparatus;

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a packaging sheath holding the column of tablets and the band extending therearound, the packaging sheath being insertable in the compartment.

5. a tablet dispensing duct angularly spaced in the casing from said opening:

a. the rotary valve being mounted between the opening and the duct in the casing to dispense the successive tablets received through the opening in the valve recess and carried by the rotary valve to the duct.