Apparatus and method for controllably delivering fluid to a second fluid stream

• US 6,415,808 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microlin LLC
• Original Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
• Inventors: Joshi, Ashok V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US09/840,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 137/9, 137/88, 137/92, 137/93, 137/101.11, 137/101.19
• US Class Current: 137/88
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/02 Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0363 For producing proportionate flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2499 Mixture condition maintaining or sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2509 By optical or chemical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2526 Main line flow displaces or entrains material from reservoir

Abstract

A device for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid stream comprising an enclosure and a member which causes release of a first fluid. The enclosure releasably retains the first fluid. The release causing member causes the release of the first fluid from the enclosure into the second fluid stream upon detection of a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

Claims

1. A device for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid stream comprising:

an enclosure for releasably retaining the first fluid, wherein the enclosure comprises a semi gas permeable fluid enclosure, and

means for causing the release of the first fluid from the enclosure into the second fluid stream upon association with a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream, the release causing means comprises the force of gravity associated with the semi gas permeable fluid enclosure.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined condition includes one or more of the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pH, conductivity, pressure and/or combustion.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes:

a moveable member capable of altering the volume of the enclosure; and

an opening associated with the enclosure and with the second fluid stream, wherein movement of the moveable member directs the first fluid through the opening.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the moveable member comprises a flexible membrane associated with the enclosure.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the release causing means further includes electronic circuitry capable of detecting a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the release causing means further includes at least one sensor capable of detecting a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream associated with the electronic circuitry.

7. The device according to claim 5 wherein the release causing means further includes at least one switch actuatable by a user upon detection of a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the release causing means further includes at least one sensor capable of detecting a predetermined condition associated with the second fluid stream.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the release causing means is actuated by a predetermined condition selected from the group consisting of pH, temperature, humidity, hard water, air quality, conductivity and pressure sensors.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the second fluid is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air and water based fluids.

11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first fluid is selected from the group consisting of laundry formulations, such as liquid bleach, enzyme solutions, surfactants, concentrated detergents, water softeners, sud-controlling agents, whiteners, perfumes, corrosion inhibitors, bluing agent, antiseptic agents, fabric softeners, starch, pre-soaks, and mixtures thereof, mildew retardants, fragrances, air fresheners, plant food, chlorine solutions, water softener chemical solutions and insecticides.