Chemical mixing and metering apparatus

• US 6,701,953 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stay Green, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stay Green, Inc.
• Inventors: Agosta, Vito
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/166,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 137/268, 137/205.5, 137/564.5, 422/264, 422/276, 422/282
• US Class Current: 137/268
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/32 Mixing fertiliser ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/315 wherein a difference of pressure at different points of the conduit causes introduction of the additional component into the main component B01F25/316 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3112 Main line flow displaces additive from shunt reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8597 Main line as motive fluid for follower-type feeder

Abstract

A chemical mixing and metering apparatus is provided which can be easily incorporated into existing irrigation lines. The apparatus includes a venturi which is positioned along an irrigation supply line. The venturi is connected to a chemical supply container by a chemical conduit and by a bypass conduit. A valve is positioned in the bypass conduit to regulate the flow of irrigation fluid from the irrigation supply line into the chemical supply container. A check valve or vent is provided in the container to prevent formation of a vacuum. The chemical mixing and metering apparatus is operable in two modes of operation. Firstly, the apparatus may be operated as a vacuum system by closing the valve in the bypass conduit. Secondly, the system may be operated in a force feed/vacuum mode by opening the valve in the bypass conduit. Moreover, the apparatus may be used to inject solid and/or liquid chemicals into an irrigation system.

Claims

1. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus comprising:

a chemical supply container for housing a chemical, the chemical supply container defining an opening and including a cover for sealing the opening;

a removable chemical holder supported by the cover and extending into the chemical supply container;

a venturi including a conduit having an inlet portion, a central portion and an outlet portion, the inlet portion of the conduit defining a convergent section and the outlet portion defining divergent section, the venturi being adapted to be positioned along an irrigation supply line;

a chemical conduit interconnecting the central portion of the venturi conduit and the chemical supply container; and

a bypass conduit interconnecting the inlet portion of the venturi conduit and the chemical supply container.

2. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, further including a valve positioned in the bypass conduit.

3. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chemical supply container has an opening at its upper end and includes a top cover for sealing the opening, the chemical conduit and the bypass conduit communicating with openings formed in the top cover of the chemical supply container.

4. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the venturi, the chemical conduit, the bypass conduit and the top cover are formed of monolithic construction.

5. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venturi, the chemical conduit and bypass conduit are formed of monolithic construction.

6. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, further including a standpipe defining a fluid passage, the standpipe being positioned within the chemical supply container and extending from an upper portion of the chemical supply container to a bottom portion of the chemical supply container, the fluid passage of the standpipe communicating with the chemical conduit.

7. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the standpipe includes a filter at one end thereof.

8. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chemical supply container includes an opening and a cover for sealing the opening.

9. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removable chemical holder includes a cap portion and a reservoir portion, the reservoir portion defining an opening and the cap portion being removably secured within the opening of the reservoir portion.

10. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir portion is formed of a permeable material which allows liquid chemical to diffuse therethrough at a controlled rate.

11. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir portion includes at least one hole formed therethrough.

12. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removable chemical holder includes a cap portion and a solid chemical attached to the cap portion.

13. A chemical mixing and metering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chemical holder includes a chemical selected from the group consisting of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.