ES2725303T3 - Product dispenser in a tank, or similar - Google Patents

Abstract

Product dispenser for a tank tank (4), in which the product to be dispensed comprises: - a tank (1) container of the product to be dosed (6), fixed externally to the tank (4), which has a tube ( 12) of transfer of said product that reaches the bottom of the tank (1), and an air inlet tube (11) that emerges towards the upper area of said tank (1), both coupled through a connector means ( 3), with homologous tubes (26) and (27) connected to the dispenser (2) placed inside the tank (4); - a dosing mechanism (2) that acts that the water (5) from the tank (4) is discharged, which is located when installed below the outer tank (1), which comprises a filling tank (21) of dosing liquid (6), closed superiorly and in communication with the tank (1) through two product inlet tubes (27) and air (28), provided inferiorly with an extension (23) as a bottleneck , on which an outflow vessel (22) in the form of a vessel is located externally, which is inferiorly associated with a float (25) supported by a rod (24) in the tank (21), making this vessel (22) movements up and down, detaching from the mouth of the extension (23) when the vessel (22) falls into the emptying of the tank, filling with product to be dosed, which by overflowing pours into the water when rising when the water level rises of the tank due to the effect of the float (25) placed below it; The producer to be dispensed comprises at least: - a connection means (3) between the dispenser (2) and the product container (1), giving continuity to the tubes in product transfer (12-27) and inlet air (11-28) located on either side of the tank, this connection means (3) being suitable for fixing on the unused inlet of a conventional tank, keeping the tank (1) when installed outside in vertical position, ready to be filled, and the dosing mechanism (2) held by the liquid (27) and air circulation tubes (28), hanging inside the tank, submerged in the water (5) contained in it, when it is full.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Product dispenser in a tank, or similar.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a device that allows metering a cleaning product, disinfectant, air freshener, in general a liquid product, of which in each discharge it is advisable to provide a certain dose to the water of the tank, so that it fulfills the function for the That is destined. Optionally this device allows the dosing of different liquid products to the water of a tank, for which it would be enough to place several dosers, one for each liquid.

Background of the invention

There are currently several solid product dispensers in which the water treatment material or additive usually tends to disintegrate and erode relatively quickly. In EP 0 528 073 A1 a device is described whose purpose is to control the rate of dispersion of the treatment material in the water.

Document ES 1028501 U describes a tank with a dosing device for the interior of toilet tanks, constituted by a tank that is hung upside down inside the tank and which has a dosing device located in the lower mouth of said tank, consisting of a plug that has a float inside it, which closes with the water pressure, while emptying the water opens and allows the exit of a portion of the product.

Logically in those cases in which the dosing product is solid, or in the form of grains, it must be replenished when it runs out, for which it is necessary to open the tank of the tank. The same problem exists in most of the devices that dose a product in a liquid or pasty state, which frequently causes the product to be dosed to be depleted without even noticing this eventuality.

There are also external installations that include a tank normally fixed on the bathroom wall, with a manual actuation mechanism, which allows the user to download a certain amount of product at any time. This type of installation does not solve the problem of automating the addition of product in each tank discharge, without the user having to remember this eventuality.

Document US5903930 describes a product dispenser in a tank of the tank or the like, of the variety that includes a tank of product, from which a certain amount of liquid is released each time the tank is emptied, comprising: a tank containing the product to be distributed, fixed externally to the tank, which has a tube for transferring said product, which reaches the bottom of the tank, and which is coupled, by means of a connection means, with a homologous tube connected to the dispenser yes hanging inside the cistern; a dispensing mechanism, which acts every time the water inside the tank is emptied, said tank located below the outer tank, which comprises a filling tank to be filled with the liquid to be dispensed, which is closed at the top and is linked to the reservoir through the product inlet tube, provided with a bottleneck-shaped extension, on the outside of which a cup-shaped discharge tank is located, which is linked to a float then supported by a rod in the tank; and connection means between the dispenser itself, located inside the tank and the tank containing the product located outside, giving continuity to the product transfer tube, said connection means being suitable to be fixed to a conventional tank, maintaining the tank outside, in an upright position and in an arrangement in order to be filled.

Description of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved dispenser. The present invention allows the liquid dispensed in the tank to flow more easily, and the complete manufacture of the dispenser is simplified and easier to clean.

The product dispenser for tanks of the present invention favorably solves these mentioned problems, since on the one hand it includes a product reservoir inside the tank from which a portion of liquid is delivered in each download of it; but this inner tank is constantly being replenished from another, refillable exterior, and consequently it is not necessary to open the tank more than initially when this device is installed. In addition, the external tank can be transparent so that the user can observe without opening it how much product remains at each moment and when it is necessary to replenish or refill this deposit.

The dispenser of the present invention has three bodies:

- a tank containing the product to be dosed, which is fixed on the side of the tank;

- a dosing mechanism, which is located inside the tank; and - a means of connection between both elements through the side entrance of the tank not used for the connection with the hydraulic network, through which product is transferred to the internal dispenser.

The container container of product to be dosed, fixed externally to the tank, has a transfer tube of said product that reaches the bottom of the tank and an air inlet tube that emerges towards the upper area of said tank, both coupled through of a connecting means with two homologous tubes that connect with the actual doser that is placed inside the tank. This tank is provided with an upper mouth with a threaded closure for filling by the user. Laterally, it has a hole in which a connector is connected through which the air and liquid transfer tubes pass, which allows the tank to be connected to the tank.

The dosing mechanism that acts in each discharge of water is located inside the tank, below the outer tank so that the product to be dosed is filling the inner doser by its own weight as it delivers the product. This mechanism includes a tank for filling liquid dosing, closed superiorly and in communication with the external tank through two product and air inlet tubes. In the lower part it is provided with an extension as a bottleneck, on which externally a vessel-shaped discharge tank is located, which is inferiorly associated with a float supported by a rod in the tank; This vessel performs up and down movements, detaching itself from the mouth of the extension when the vessel falls into the emptying of the tank, filling with product to be dosed, and closing when the water level of the tank rises due to the effect of the float placed below it.

The discharge tank is escorted by an outer cylinder, prolonging the filling tank, which has a series of air drainage holes that allow the mixing of the dosed liquid with the water from the tank and the remaining air in said cylinder .

The length of the rod that supports the aforementioned float determines the displacement made by the vessel-shaped discharge tank, with respect to the extension shorter than the filling tank of the dispenser and consequently the quantity of product that is dosed in each discharge. Said rod ends in a pin that adapts to the outlet opening of the tank, closing it when the total discharge of the tank takes place and consequently the vessel and the float fall down supported by said rod.

It is also planned to provide the liquid inlet tube in the dispenser with an upper discharge tube that is open at the top, which determines the height to which the product reservoir is emptied, since the liquid has to overflow above he and consequently if it falls below that level, the product discharge in the dispenser does not continue. This discharge tube is placed to prevent air from entering the product transfer duct and the dispenser being lowered. When the dispenser is installed, or in the event of its releasing, a vertical termination, closed by means of a plug, is provided in the liquid inlet tube from the reservoir to the dispenser, which allows this duct to be purged of air.

The connection means between the dispenser itself located inside the tank and the product container tank located outside, giving continuity to the existing product transfer and air inlet tubes on either side of the tank , this connection means being suitable for fixing on the unused entrance of a conventional tank, keeping the tank on the outside in an upright position and in a position to be filled and the dosing mechanism hanging inside the tank, submerged in the water contained in it, when it is full.

In an alternative embodiment, the container container of the product to be dosed is placed hanging from a nearby wall, above the connection means between this tank and the internal dosing to the tank. In this case the product transfer takes place when the outer deposit is at a level higher than the communication element. In this case it is also possible to replace both liquid and air circulation tubes, with a single tube, of greater diameter, which allows the passage through it, at the same time, of liquid and air, to effects that the transfer of product from this tank to the dispenser tank occurs due to the difference in height between them.

Description of the figures

To complement the description that is being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a vertical elevation view of a device installed in a cistern (4).

Figures 2 and 3 represent elevational views of the dispenser itself (2), when the tank (4) is empty and filled with water (5), respectively.

Figure 4 shows an elevation view of an embodiment variant in which the tank (1) is placed fixed on a wall adjacent to the tank (4).

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The function of this device is to incorporate a certain amount of liquid (cleaner, disinfectant, air freshener, etc.) into the water of the tank, and, as can be seen in the figures, it consists of three elements:

- A dispenser (2) placed inside the tank

- An external tank (1), placed annexed by the outside of the tank (4) (see figure 1), or fixed on a nearby wall (see figure 4).

- And one element is that of connection (3) between the two previous ones through which the product transfer and the air outlet take place.

The outer tank (1) contains and stores the liquid (6) air freshener, disinfectant, cleaner ... that you want to incorporate into the water (5) of the tank with each discharge of it. This tank incorporates a liquid extraction tube (12), which connects through the connecting element (3) with another tube (27) that ends in the product filling tank (21) in the dispenser (2). This tube (12) has an elbow down, so that it reaches a point near the bottom of the tank (1). Likewise, a second tube (11) arrives in the tank (1), which ends in the upper area of the tank and connects with a second tube (28) that ends in the upper part of the dispenser filling tank (21), these tubes having the mission of returning the air that is stored in the upper part of the tank (21) when a part of product is emptied through the dispenser to the tank (1), when said tank is completely refilled (21) (6).

This tank (1) has a filling mouth in its upper part, with a sealing lid (14), and laterally a hole that adopts a concave shape so that it allows the tank (1) to be attached to the cistern wall (4). In said hole the connection element (3) is installed, which has connection means between the product and air transfer tubes.

The dispenser itself has been referred to in the figures as (2) and is a small cylindrical configuration element that hangs inside the tank (4), supported and held by two tubes (27) and (28), which Their mission is to transfer product and air from the outer tank (1) to the tank (21) of the dispenser and vice versa. This element consists of three parts:

1) Liquid and air circulation tubes: It consists of two rigid-shaped tubes (27-28) joined by a membrane and running parallel. In its upper part, a tube is hermetically coupled in each of the inner holes of the connecting element (3), to then describe in its development an angle of 90 °, which allows it to continue its projection, vertically and downwards , next to the inner wall of the cistern (4).

The liquid circulation tube (27), at the inflection point where it describes the angle of 90 °, is minimally extended vertically and upwardly as a chimney (32), which is intended to allow the drainage of accumulated air in said tube. Said extension (32) of the liquid conduction tube is minimal, remaining the same at a level lower than the level of filling of the outer tank, and once the air is evacuated by the filling action of the outer tank to the point where the liquid reaches the outlet through the upper hole of the tube, the closure of said orifice or outlet, with a plug (31) that promotes the hermetic seal of the tube at that point.

In order to control the level of emptying of the outer tank, the liquid circulation tube (27) does not discharge directly into the dispenser tank (21), but the liquid discharge occurs in the discharge tube (29), which consists of a tube of a diameter substantially greater than that of the liquid circulation duct and shorter in length than the part of it that is projected downward, maintaining a sufficient clearance between them to allow the passage of liquid between the walls of both tubes (27-29). Said discharge tube (29) is closed in its lower part and its upper end or outlet (through which the air circulation tube is introduced), once placed, is at a level higher than that of the lower end of the tube (12 ) for extracting liquid from the outer tank (1), thus preventing the level of liquid from the outer tank from reaching the lower end of the extraction tube and the entry of air into it.

2) The dispenser tank: It consists of a hollow cylinder, internally divided into two approximately equal parts or cylinders by a membrane or transverse wall, with a hole of smaller caliber in its central part that allows the passage of the cleaning liquid from the reservoir of filling the dispenser (21) to the discharge tank (22), in addition to allowing the rod (24) of the discharge tank (22) to flow through it. The cylinder remaining in the upper part of said membrane constitutes the filling tank of the dispenser (21), and, the lower extension of the cylinder that develops from said membrane has the function of protecting the discharge tank of the doser, and of the float.

In addition, from said membrane, in a downward direction, a concentric cylindrical extension (23) to the protection element of the discharge tank develops in a length substantially greater than the height of the discharge tank, leaving a gap between the wall of both loosely the vertical, upward and downward displacement of the discharge and float tank, as well as the discharge into the water of the cleaning liquid tank, by overflow from the discharge tank, when in the process of filling the tank is pushed up by the effect of the float.

The outer cylinder, in the part that protects the discharge tank and the float, has air drainage holes (26) at the height of the middle of the inner concentric cylinder thereto. These holes allow, on the one hand, the mixing of the dosed liquid with the water from the tank, and on the other, the exit of the air that remains in the chamber that forms said outer cylinder and the entry of water from the tank up to the height of the holes located at the top, leaving between them, between both cylinders, an air chamber that prevents water from the tank, when full, reaches the top of the discharge tank and mixing the cleaning liquid with the water, before dosing.

3) The discharge tank, consisting of a cylinder divided approximately in the center by a membrane, in such a way that there is one cylinder at the top and another at the bottom of it. The upper cylinder is a discharge tank (22) and the lower cylinder is a float or flotation element (25), closed or taking advantage of the air chamber that is created in it during the filling of the tank.

The discharge tank (22) is where the cleaning liquid that passes through it from the dispenser tank is collected through the central hole in the membrane that divides it. In addition, the stem (24) of the discharge tank runs through said hole. The discharge tank (22) has a suitable diameter in such a way as to allow free and loose running between the extension (23) of the doser tank and the part of the doser (2) that has the air drain holes (26) .

The height of the discharge tank cylinder (22) is substantially less than the length of the internal concentric extension (23) existing in the lower part of the dispenser tank (21).

The discharge tank (22) has a central rod (24) that runs through the existing central hole in the membrane that divides the dispenser tank. At the end of said guide axis, once it has been placed through the aforementioned orifice of the dispenser tank, it is placed by means of pressure, thread or click the stop or hat that has a double function: that of limiting the travel path of the discharge tank (22), preventing it from being removed from its location in the gap between the lower concentric cylinders of the dispenser tank, and by means of the appropriate gasket that is held at the top of the rod (24), to close the hole of liquid passage from the dispenser tank to the discharge tank in the process of filling the outer tank, preventing the loss of liquid.

The connecting element (3) between the outer tank (1) and the dispenser (2) is placed taking advantage of the free hole of the two that the tank usually has in the upper part, one on each side of the tank (one of they destined to the entrance of water to the cistern, and in which it is free the connection element that is described is installed). This element consists of a screw, with head or stop, through which two separate and parallel ducts run, with communication outputs on both ends thereof. The connecting element is firmly fixed to the wall of the cistern, imprisoning the wall of the cistern, on its inner side by means of the screw head and on the outside by means of a screw nut (13) ?. This thread nut has an extension, hollow, cylindrical, for adjustment with the extension, also hollow and cylindrical, of the external thread for securing the liquid extraction duct and air circulation that is installed inside of the outer tank (1). The screw has a length greater than the thickness of the tank wall, so that, once the fastening thread is placed and tightened to the tank wall, part of the screw is left over and covered by the cylinder of extension of the thread, (the part of the screw that exceeds the thread, and that is covered by the cylinder of extension of this one, fulfills the function of attachment and subjection of the external tank). The clamping screw must be placed in such a way that the two ducts that run through it are at the same level, horizontally.

The connection element communicates the external tank (1) and the dispenser (2) and fulfills, at the same time, the function of holding the latter two.

The variant embodiment shown in Figure 4 is an alternative to the absorption system, in this case by a drop system. In this case, the outer tank (1) is not attached to the tank (4), but to a wall near the tank, by means of the corresponding support and placed at a level higher than the location of the communication element (3). The air drain chimney (31) of the liquid circulation tube, contemplated in the previous embodiment, is not necessary nor is it necessary the vessel (29) or any installation inside the outer tank (1), in which the side hole is suppressed, and instead it is provided with two holes, one for liquid outlet (12) and another for air inlet (11), at the bottom or bottom of the outer tank, each of these communicated with the corresponding tubes identified as air circulation and liquid extraction, which communicate with the doser. In this drop system, when the outer tank (1) remains at a level higher than that of the communication element (3), it is also possible to replace both liquid and air circulation tubes, with a single tube, of greater diameter, which would allow the passage through it, at the same time, of liquid and air.

For the installation of this equipment, the connection element (3) must first be placed in the existing hole in the side wall of the tank, tightly fitted to the wall of the tank and ensuring that the holes that run through it are in parallel to the ground, that is, at the same level, and then connect the dosing tubes (27) (28) and the external tank (11) (12) to the holes of the communication element (3) by pressure.

During the start-up of the dispenser, the tank must be kept empty or unloaded. In this situation, the outer tank (1) is filled with the liquid to be poured. The filling must be complete at the start-up, allowing and allowing time for the liquid that passes through the liquid extraction and air circulation ducts to fill the filling tank of the dispenser (21), which It will be verified when the liquid begins to flow out of the air drainage chimney (32) of the air circulation tube, at which time the chimney cap will be placed, thus closing the tube tightly at that end. Then, the lid (14) of the outer tank is placed, being closed tightly, then allowing the filling of water from the tank, which ends the process of putting the doser into operation.

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the appropriate purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements may be modified, provided that this does not imply an alteration. of the essential features of the invention claimed below:

Claims (8)

1.- Product dispenser for a tank tank (4), in which the product to be dispensed includes: - a tank (1) container of the product to be dosed (6), fixed externally to the tank (4), which has a transfer tube (12) of said product that reaches the bottom of the tank (1), and a tube (11) air inlet that emerges towards the upper area of said tank (1), both coupled through a connector means (3), with homologous tubes (26) and (27) connected with the dispenser (2) placed inside the cistern (4); - a dosing mechanism (2) that acts that the water (5) from the tank (4) is discharged, which is located when installed below the outer tank (1), which comprises a filling tank (21) of dosing liquid (6), closed superiorly and in communication with the tank (1) through two product inlet tubes (27) and air (28), provided inferiorly with an extension (23) as a bottleneck , on which an outflow vessel (22) in the form of a vessel is located externally, which is inferiorly associated with a float (25) supported by a rod (24) in the tank (21), making this vessel (22) movements up and down, detaching from the mouth of the extension (23) when the vessel (22) falls into the emptying of the tank, filling with product to be dosed, which by overflowing pours into the water when rising when the water level rises of the tank due to the effect of the float (25) placed below it; The producer to be dispensed includes at least: - a connection means (3) between the dispenser (2) and the container (1) product container, giving continuity to the tubes in product transfer (12-27) and air inlet (11-28) located at on either side of the tank, this connection means (3) being suitable for fixing on the unused entrance of a conventional tank, keeping the tank (1) when installed outside in an upright position, ready to be filled , and the dosing mechanism (2) held by the liquid (27) and air (28) circulation tubes, hanging inside the tank, submerged in the water (5) contained in it, when it is full. 2. - Doser according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) container of product to be dosed (6) has an upper mouth with a threaded closure (14) for manual filling, and laterally a hole in which It attaches a fitting (13) through which the air transfer tubes (11) and liquid (12) pass and the tank (1) is connected to the tank (4). 3. - Doser according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) container of product to be dosed (6) has an upper mouth with a threaded closure (14) for manual filling, hanging from a nearby wall, above of the connection means (3), so that the product transfer from this tank (1) to the dispenser tank (21) is produced by the difference in height between them. 4. - Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid transfer tube (27) to the dispenser (2) is protected inferiorly by means of a discharge tube (29), opened superiorly, which determines the height to which it is empty the product tank (1) (6). 5. - Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid inlet tube (27) from the reservoir (1) to the dispenser (2) has a vertical termination, closed by means of a stopper (31), which allows Purge this duct with air the first time the liquid circuit (6) is filled. 6. - Doser according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge tank (22) is escorted by an outer cylinder, extension of the filling tank (21), which has a series of holes (26) or drainage slots of air that allows the mixing of the dosed liquid with the water from the tank and the exit of the air that remains in said cylinder, located in such a way that in the upper part an air chamber is created that prevents the water from the tank (5 ) mix with the liquid (6) while the dispenser remains submerged. 7. - Doser according to claim 1, characterized in that the float (25) is supported by a rod (24) in the tank (21), its length determining the displacement made by the vessel (22) with respect to the extension (23) less than the filling tank (21) of the dispenser and consequently the quantity of product that it is dosed in each discharge, preventing, in addition, the relocation of the mobile element of the dispenser. 8. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (24) ends in a pin that adapts to the outlet orifice of the tank (21), closing it when the total discharge of the tank occurs and consequently the vessel (22) and the float fall down supported by said rod (24).