Chemical supply tube isolation system

• US 6,336,468 B1
• Filed: 01/30/1998
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Diverseylever Incorporated (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Cords, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US09/016,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 134/103.1, 134/104.1, 134/94.1, 134/95.1, 134/98.1, 134/99.1, 134/99.2, 134/169.R, 134/169.C, 134/166.C, 134/171, 68/17.R, 682/07, 137/239, 137/240, 137/563, 137/266, 137/565.01, 137/565.15, 137/565.17, 137/565.39, 137/565.3, 137/15.05, 222/144.5, 222/148, 222/642, 222/651, 141/85, 141/89
• US Class Current: 137/239
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4418 in the form of liquids A47L15/4409, A47L15/4436, A47L15/4445 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0424 Liquid cleaning or flushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4252 Reverse fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4259 With separate material addition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4857 With manifold or grouped outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump

Abstract

A supply tube isolation system for use with a chemical delivery system includes a feedback tube connected between the manifold and each of the supply tubes connected between the chemical supply containers and the chemical pumps of the chemical delivery system. A controllable valve means is provided at or near the junction of the feedback tube and the supply tube so as to effectively segment the supply tube into first and second portions, where the first supply tube portion is that which is connected between the valve means and the manifold, and the second tube portion is that which is connected between the valve means and the chemical supply container. During delivery of the chemical to one or more destinations within the delivery system, the valve means is positioned so as to close the feedback tube and connect the first and second portions of the supply tube. During a subsequent flushing of the delivery system with water, the valve means is positioned so as to connect the first portion of the supply tube to the feedback tube and close the second portion of the supply tube. In this manner, water flushed through the manifold and chemical pump to remove chemical residue therein does not contact chemicals within the supply containers.

Claims

1. An isolation system for isolating a supply container from a supply tube connecting said supply container to a manifold of an associated chemical delivery system, said isolation system comprising:

a feedback tube having a first end connected to said manifold and a second end connected to said supply tube at a junction thereof;

a valve arrangement proximate to said junction for selectively connecting a first portion of said supply tube to either a second portion of said supply tube or to said feedback tube, said first portion of said supply tube connected between said valve arrangement and said manifold, said second portion of said supply tube connected between said valve arrangement and said supply container; and

a pump located in-line along said first portion of said supply tube, between said valve arrangement and said manifold, for pumping in forward and reverse directions, where said valve arrangement is configured to be responsive to the pumping direction of the pump, such that in use said valve arrangement is either automatically adjusted when said pump is pumping in the forward direction to selectively connect said first portion of said supply tube to said second portion of said supply tube so as to supply a chemical fluid from the supply container to the pump to be delivered to the manifold, or automatically adjusted when said pump is pumping in the reverse direction to selectively connect said first portion of said supply tube with said feedback tube to draw water from the manifold through the pump to flush said chemical fluid therefrom into the manifold and out of said isolation system.

2. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein during a chemical delivery mode of operation said pump pumps in the forward direction and said valve arrangement connects said first portion of said supply tube to said second portion of said supply tube, thereby enabling delivery of said chemical from said container to one or more destinations within said chemical delivery system.

3. The isolation system of claim 2, wherein said valve arrangement prevents chemical flow through said feedback tube while said pump pumps in the forward direction.

4. The isolation system of claim 3, wherein during a flush mode of operation said pump pumps in the reverse direction and said valve arrangement connects said first portion of said supply tube to said feedback tube.

5. The isolation system of claim 4, wherein said valve arrangement prevents chemical flow through said second portion of said supply tube when said delivery system is flushed with water by running said pump in the reverse direction thereby flushing said first portion of said supply line and said pump with water and preventing water from entering said supply container.

6. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein said valve arrangement comprises:

a first valve provided within said feedback tube; and

a second valve provided within said second portion of said supply tube intermediate said junction and said supply container.

7. The isolation system of claim 6, wherein said first valve is closed and said second valve is open during delivery of said chemical from said container to one or more destinations within said chemical delivery system.

8. The isolation system of claim 6, wherein said first valve is open and said second valve is closed to prevent chemical flow through said second portion of said supply tube when said delivery system is flushed with water by running said pump in the reverse direction thereby flushing said first portion of said supply line and said pump with water and preventing water from entering said supply container.

9. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein said valve arrangement comprises a three-way, motor-driven ball valve positioned within said junction, said motor-driven ball valve responsive to a control signal that corresponds to the direction said pump is pumping.

10. The isolation system of claim 9, wherein said ball valve connects said first and second portions of said supply tube and closes said feedback tube during delivery of said chemical from said container to one or more destinations within said chemical delivery system.

11. The isolation system of claim 9, wherein said ball valve connects said first portion of said supply tube to said feedback tube and closes said second portion of said supply tube when said delivery system is flushed with water by running said pump in the reverse direction thereby flushing said first portion of said supply line and said pump with water and preventing water from entering said supply container.

12. A method of flushing a chemical delivery system, said chemical delivery system comprising a supply container connected to a manifold via a supply tube, a feedback tube connected between the manifold and the supply tube at a junction thereof, and a valve arrangement proximate to the junction, the method comprising:

operating a pump in a forward dispensing direction and a reverse flushing direction, including pumping a chemical from a chemical supply container to a delivery manifold when the pump is operating in the forward dispensing direction and drawing water from the delivery manifold when the pump is operated in the reverse flushing direction;

setting said valve arrangement automatically in a first position when the pump operates in the forward dispensing direction, the valve arrangement in the first position fluidly connecting the chemical supply container to the delivery manifold; and

arranging the valve arrangement automatically in a second position when the pump operates in the reverse flushing direction, the valve arrangement in the second position fluidly isolating the chemical supply container from delivery manifold and drawing water in the reverse flushing direction so as to flush the chemical from the pump with water from the delivery manifold.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the valve arrangement fluidly connects the chemical supply container to the delivery manifold through second and first portions of a supply tube when the pump is operating the forward dispensing direction, and the valve arrangement fluidly connects a continuous flush circuit through the delivery manifold, a feedback tube and the first portion of the supply tube when the pump is operating in the reverse flushing direction.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein operating the pump in the reverse flushing direction pumps water through the continuous flush circuit in the reverse flushing direction.