Solution proportioner and dispensing system

• US 5,259,557 A
• Filed: 03/10/1993
• Issued: 11/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Perseptive Biosystems Incorporated (Ecovyst, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Copeland, James L., Thomas, John E., Decker, James D., Spriggs, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, WILLIAM ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/032,838
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: 239/304, 239/307, 239/310, 239/318, 239/526, 239/569, 222/129, 222/129.1, 222/132, 222/143, 222/145
• US Class Current: 239/304
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0277 using negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/423 specially adapted for blending several fluids mixing devices B67D7/74
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/74 Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred coin-freed apparatus G07F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/84 Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports

Abstract

A system for proportioning and dispensing concentrated liquid products is disclosed. The components of the system'"'"'s first embodiment are mounted upon a cart (12). A concentrate solution tube (14) is interconnected to a dilution assembly (61) containing an aspirator (26). A water supply assembly (69), containing a valve (75) and backflow preventer (74), is connected to the aspirator assembly (26) when dilution of the concentrated product (13) is desired. A discharge tube (68) carries the diluted product from the aspirator assembly (26) to a container (60). The system'"'"'s second embodiment has a spray gun assembly (150) containing an aspirator (167), a valve (166), and preferably though not necessarily, a backflow preventer (165). The concentrate pickup tube (114) attaches to the spray gun assembly (150) with a releasable connector (170). The spray gun assembly has a rigid delivery tube (153) for dispensing to large containers (160), and a nozzle tip (180) for attachment to an inlet port (119) of a jug (111). Also disclosed is a method for dispensing and handling solutions.

Claims

1. A system for diluting and dispensing a chemical, comprising:

(a) gun means attached to and in fluid communication with a diluent supply hose which carries a diluent, said gun means including an aspirator, a backflow preventer, and a valve for controlling flow of diluent, said aspirator, backflow preventer and valve being located within said gun means, said valve being controlled by an actuator operably attached to said gun means, said gun means further including a releasable quick connector means for connecting and disconnecting a concentrate supply tube; and

(b) at least two concentrate containers, each containing a concentrated chemical, wherein said concentrate containers are positioned on a support means, one end of a concentrate supply tube extending into each of said concentrate containers, wherein said support means includes a holder sized and configured to accommodate said gun means when said gun means is in a non-use position; and

wherein when one of said concentrate supply tubes is connected to said gun means and said actuator opens said valve, the concentrated chemical within the concentrate container which is fluidly connected to said gun means flows through said aspirator into said gun means and is dispensed therefrom in diluted form.

2. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said diluent is water.

3. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said gun means includes a rigid delivery tube.

4. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 3, wherein said rigid delivery tube is removable from said gun means.

5. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage container, positioned upon said support means, said storage container having an inlet port.

6. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said gun means includes a nozzle sized and configured to correspond to said storage container'"'"'s inlet port.

7. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said concentrate supply tubes includes metering means.

8. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein said metering means comprises a metering tip, said metering tip being color-coded to correspond to a particular dilution ratio.

9. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein a shelf of said supporting means includes contoured ridges to conform with the size and configuration of said storage container.

10. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein one of said concentrate containers, a front panel of said support means, and said storage container have corresponding identification means.

11. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said support means includes a front panel having a plurality of apertures, each of said apertures corresponding to a concentrate supply tube and being sized and configured for passage of said concentrate supply tube therethrough.

12. A system for diluting and dispensing a chemical, comprising:

(a) a plurality of concentrate storage containers for storing concentrated chemicals, each of said storage containers having a pickup tube extending therefrom, said concentrate storage containers being supported upon shelf means;

(b) dispensing gun means having a first water inlet end and a second outlet end, said dispensing gun means including a valve for controlling water flow, said valve being controlled by an actuator operably attached to said dispensing gun means, said dispensing gun means further including;

(i) an aspirator within said dispensing gun means,

(ii) a releasable connector means for releasably connecting to one of said pickup tubes,

(iii) a delivery tube, and

(iv) a gun nozzle,

said delivery tube being connected to said gun nozzle, and said shelf means including mounting means for releasably mounting said dispensing gun means when said dispensing gun means is in a non-use position;

(c) a water hose connected to said first water inlet end;

(d) metering means in at least one of said pickup tubes; and

(e) a drum for storing diluted chemical, wherein when one of said pickup tubes is connected to said dispensing gun means and said actuator opens said valve, the concentrated chemical within the concentrate storage container which is fluidly connected to said dispensing gun means flows through said aspirator into said dispensing gun means forming a diluted chemical, and said delivery tube being insertable within said drum for dispensing of said diluted chemical.

13. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of jugs for storing diluted chemical, each of said jugs having an inlet port sized and configured to correspond to said gun nozzle for dispensing of said diluted chemical, said jugs being supported upon said shelf means while said diluted chemical is being dispensed therein.

14. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein a shelf of said shelf means includes contoured ridges to conform with the size and configuration of said jugs.

15. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 14, wherein said shelf means includes a front panel having a plurality of apertures, each of said apertures corresponding to one of said pickup tubes and being sized and configured for passage of said pickup tube therethrough.

16. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein said concentrate storage containers, said front panel, and said jugs have corresponding identification means.

17. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein said metering means comprises a metering tip which is color-coded to correspond to a particular dilution ratio.

18. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein said delivery tube is rigid and removable from said gun means.

19. The diluting and dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein said mounting means includes a holster sized and configured to accommodate said gun means.

20. A method for dispensing and handling liquid solutions, comprising the steps of:

(a) removing a gun from a holder on a shelf means;

(b) interconnecting a first concentrate pickup tube to said gun with a quick connect means, said gun being in fluid communication with a water supply and having a water control valve and aspirator therein;

(c) positioning an outlet end of said gun into a container; and

(d) opening said water control valve by pressing an actuator connected to said gun, thereby drawing a concentrated chemical into said gun via said pickup tube and dispensing the resulting liquid solution into the container.

21. The method for dispensing and handling liquid solutions according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of disconnecting said first concentrate pickup tube from said gun, and connecting a second concentrate pickup tube to said gun.

22. The method for dispensing and handling liquid solutions according to claim 20, further comprising the step of transporting said shelf means proximate a point of usage.