Detergent dispenser for use with solid cast detergent

• US 5,342,587 A
• Filed: 09/24/1992
• Issued: 08/30/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sunburst Chemicals
• Original Assignee: Sunburst Chemicals
• Inventors: Gruber, Kenneth P., Scepanski, William H., Laughlin, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASTRZAB, KRISANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US07/950,932
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 222/181, 222/185, 222/190, 422/261, 422/266, 422/278, 422/282, 134/93, 137/268, 137/561 A, 4/229-232, 138/45, 138/46
• US Class Current: 422/266
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/08 for solid soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4436 in the form of a detergent solution made by gradually dissolving a powder detergent cake or a solid detergent block
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/22 using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/45 using flow mixing
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/483 using water for diluting a liquid ingredient, obtaining a predetermined concentration or making an aqueous solution of a concentrate
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7179 using sprayers, nozzles or jets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained

Abstract

A detergent dispenser that is utilized with solid cast detergent. A single valve is utilized to initiate a flow of a ready to use detergent solution that may be drawn off in container. The valve commences a flow of water that is split in a T-shaped fitting. An appropriate portion is routed to spray on the solid cast detergent and to dissolve the detergent into a concentrated solution. The concentrated solution flows into a conduit where it is mixed with the second portion of the water, diluting the solution to an appropriate concentration for use. A restricter located in the T-shaped fitting acts to split the flow of water appropriately to ensure that the discharge solution is in a ready to use concentration.

Claims

1. A detergent dispenser adapted for receiving water from a source and for delivering a ready to use solution of detergent and water to a container, the detergent dispenser having a dispenser bowl constructed and arranged to receive a cast solid detergent therein and including a water jet disposed in the dispenser bowl to direct a spray of water onto the detergent to dissolve the detergent and thereby produce a concentrated solution of detergent and water, wherein the improvement comprises;

fitting means for distributing the water received from the source within the dispenser, having an inlet and a first and a second outlet, the inlet being operably fluidly coupled to the second end of the water source and wherein the fitting means has a bifurcated passageway defined therein, with a respective branch of the bifurcated passageway fluidly coupled to the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet thereby connecting the inlet and the first and second outlets in fluid communication;

first conduit means for conveying water from the first fitting means to the water jet, having a first conduit means first end operably coupled to the first outlet of the fitting means and first conduit means second end operably coupled to the water jet thereby providing said water spray from said water jet to produce said concentrated solution;

second conduit means for conveying said concentrated solution from the dispenser bowl, the second conduit means having a second conduit means first end operably coupled to the dispenser bowl and a second conduit means discharge end;

third conduit means for conveying water from the fitting means to the second conduit means, having a third conduit means first end operably coupled to the second outlet of the fitting means and conveying water therefrom and a third conduit means second end intercepting and in fluid communication with the second conduit means, the water mixing with and diluting the concentrated solution in the third conduit means;

the third conduit means second end providing a discharge port for the diluted detergent solution; and

preset restricter means operably fluidly disposed in the fitting means for selectively parting the water entering said fitting means inlet and directing a portion of the water to said first outlet and diverting the remaining portion of the water to said second outlet in a desired ratio.

2. The detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the restricter means comprises an elastomeric ring defining a central hole therethrough and an elongated tube radially compressively held in the hole, the tube having an elongated central orifice therethrough defining an area selected to achieve a desired rate of water flow therethrough, the elastomeric ring compressively disposed in the second outlet branch of the bifurcated passageway.

3. The detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein the restricter means further comprises a second elastomeric ring defining a central hole therethrough and a second elongated tube radially compressively held in the hole, the second tube having an elongated central orifice therethrough defining an area selected to achieve a desired rate of water flow therethrough, the second elastomeric ring compressively disposed in the first outlet branch of the bifurcated passageway.

4. The detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the restricter means comprises an orifice defining an area selected to achieve a desired rate of water flow therethrough operably fluidly disposed within the second outlet branch of the bifurcated passageway.

5. The detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein the restricter means further comprises a second orifice defining an area selected to achieve a desired rate of water flow therethrough operably fluidly disposed within the first outlet branch of the bifurcated passageway.

6. The detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein a valve is operably coupled to the inlet branch of the bifurcated passageway to selectively admit water to the detergent dispenser.

7. A detergent dispenser adapted for receiving water from a source and for delivering a ready to use solution of detergent and water to a container, the detergent dispenser having a dispenser bowl constructed and arranged to receive a cast solid detergent therein and including a water jet disposed in the dispenser bowl to direct a spray of water onto the detergent to dissolve the detergent and thereby produce a concentrated solution of detergent and water and a conduit connecting the dispenser bowl to the container and conveying the concentrated solution to the container, wherein the improvement comprises;

bifurcation means for parting the water received from the source into two portions, the first portion being directed to the water jet and producing the concentrated solution, the second portion being directed to the conduit to mix with the concentrated solution and to dilute said solution to an appropriate concentration for use, wherein the bifurcation means includes preset ratio fixing means for selectively fixing the ratio of water that is supplied to the two portions.

8. A detergent dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein the preset ratio fixing means is an orifice through which one of the two portions of the water must flow.