Global backflow prevention assembly

• US 9,433,327 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schultz, Andrew Max, Urban, Ryan Jacob, Carlson, Brian Philip, Anderson, Jay, Blansit, Jeffrey Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARSS, KEVIN R
• Application Number:
  US14/182,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20140230927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/046 Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outletpreventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/10 Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves vacuum-breakers in general F16K, F16L
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/104 using a single check valve
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/031 Devices connected to or dispensing into the flushing pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0209 Check valves or pivoted valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7837 Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]

Abstract

A backflow prevention assembly for global use with dispensers requiring a variety of backflow prevention devices based on regulatory standards is provided. The assembly includes a housing comprising first and second housing members and including quick connector attachments extending therefrom. The quick connector attachments are non-threaded members configured to be attached to the various measurement and types of connections found throughout the world. A cover is provided for venting purposes to reduce the backflow siphoning forces or pressure, which causes the backflow of a product chemistry. Furthermore, a backflow prevention device is configured to be fluidly coupled to the housing of the present invention to provide for one way flow and the prevention of backflow of a product chemistry into a water supply. The flow control may be selected based on the regulatory standards of the location used.

Claims

1. A backflow prevention assembly for use with a dispenser, comprising:

a housing comprising first and second members attached to one another;

the first housing member covering at least a portion of the second housing member;

the second housing member comprising first and second quick attach connectors configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet tube and an outlet tube;

a cover that at least partially surrounds the housing and includes one or more vents, said one or more vents configured to provide an escape for back-siphoning pressure; and

a flow control fluidly coupled within the housing and configured to prevent the backflow of a liquid into the inlet tube;

wherein the first and second housing members abut to create a seam along a longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second housing members define a flow path connecting the inlet tube and the outlet tube, said flow path parallel to the seam created by the first and second housing members;

said first and second quick attach connectors comprising a threadless connection for the inlet and outlet tubes such that the connection to the tubes can be substantially universal.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second housing members form a closed flow path from the first quick attach connector to the second quick attach connector.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the flow control comprises a poppet positioned in the flow path and adjacent the first or second quick attach connector.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the poppet is configured to move between an open position wherein a fluid is able to pass through the inlet tube, housing, and outlet tube, and a closed positioned wherein the poppet blocks flow through at least one of the inlet tube, housing, or outlet tube.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the flow control comprises at least one check valve in either the inlet tube or outlet tube.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the flow control comprises a pipe interrupter fluidly coupled to the housing.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the second housing member further comprises a plurality of snap members configured to selectively attach the assembly to the dispenser.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second quick attach connectors each comprise:

a generally round extrusion extending generally downwardly from the second housing member and having an aperture therethrough to provide access to the second housing member; and

non-threaded connection grooves substantially surrounding the extrusions and configured to fluidly connect the inlet and outlet tubes.

9. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising O-rings positioned at the connection grooves to fluidly seal the inlet and outlet tubes.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second housing members are welded to one another.

11. A backflow prevention assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising first and second non-threaded quick attach connectors extending therefrom;

a fluid path from a first quick attach connector to a second quick attach connector configured to allow a fluid to pass therethrough;

an inlet tube fluidly connected to the first quick attach connector and an outlet tube fluidly connected to the second quick attach connector; and

a flow control fluidly coupled within the housing and configured to prevent the backflow of a fluid into the inlet tube;

wherein the housing comprises a first member and a second member that abut to create a seam along a longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second housing members define the flow path from the inlet tube and the outlet tube, said flow path parallel to the seam created by the first and second housing members;

said first and second quick attach connectors comprising a threadless connection for the inlet and outlet tubes such that the connection to the tubes can be substantially universal.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the flow control comprises:

a. a poppet including a gasket;

b. at least one check valve;

or

c. a pipe interrupter.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the fluid path comprises:

a. a housing cover, or

b. a copper tubing.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the at least one check valve is positioned within the inlet tube.

15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the first and second quick attach connectors each comprise:

a generally round extrusion extending generally downwardly from the second housing member and having an aperture therethrough to provide access to the second housing member;

non-threaded connection grooves substantially surrounding the extrusions and configured to fluidly connect the inlet and outlet tubes; and

sealing members positioned at the connection grooves to fluidly seal the inlet and outlet tubes.

16. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a cover at least partially surrounding the housing and comprising at least one vent therethrough.

17. A dispenser for forming a product chemistry between a liquid and a solid product chemistry, comprising:

a dispenser housing;

a cavity at least partially within the housing for holding the solid product chemistry;

a liquid source for providing the liquid to contact the solid product chemistry to form the product chemistry; and

a backflow prevention device fluidly coupled to the liquid source to prevent the backflow of the formed product chemistry comprising a backflow housing comprising first and second non-threaded quick attach connectors extending therefrom, a fluid path between the quick attach connectors, an inlet tube fluidly connected to the first quick attach connector and an outlet tube fluidly connected to the second quick attach connector, and a flow control fluidly coupled to the backflow housing and configured to prevent the backflow of a fluid into the inlet tube;

a cover that at least partially surrounds the backflow prevention device and said cover includes one or more vents configured to provide an escape for back-siphoning pressure;

wherein the backflow housing comprises a first member and a second member that abut to create a seam along a longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second backflow housing members define the fluid path from the inlet tube and the outlet tube, said fluid path parallel to the seam created by the first and second housing members;

said first and second quick attach connectors comprising a threadless connection for the inlet and outlet tubes such that the connection to the tubes can be substantially universal; and

wherein the outlet tube is fluidly connected to the liquid source to provide liquid to contact the solid product chemistry.

18. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein the flow control comprises:

a. a poppet including a gasket;

b. at least one check valve;

or

c. a pipe interrupter.

19. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein the fluid path comprises:

a. a housing cover, or

b. a copper tubing.

20. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein the first and second quick attach connectors each comprise:

a generally round extrusion extending generally downwardly from the second housing member and having an aperture therethrough to provide access to the second housing member; and

non-threaded connection grooves substantially surrounding the extrusions and configured to fluidly connect the inlet and outlet tubes.