Concentrate metering apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for removing toxic liquid concentrates from their shipping and/or storage containers, mixing selected amounts of such concentrates with water, and rinsing the containers when they are empty, in a manner that avoids exposure of users to such concentrates.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
- 2. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube being connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
- 6. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud having an upper end affixed to said tube and a free lower end adapted to engage a concentrate container supported by said support frame, said tubular shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
- 8. An apparatus for removing toxic liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member hingedly connected to said support frame for pivotal movement between a raised position and a substantially horizontal lowered position, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is pivoted into its lowered position, an elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said suction tube having indicia means associated therewith for indicating the position of adjustment of said suction tube relative to said piercing tube, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and having a lower end extending below the tip of said piercing tube when said shroud is expanded, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
- 20. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, and a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip.
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24. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
- 25. An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Specification