GB2390123A - A dispenser for dispensing a metered quantity of liquid. - Google Patents
A dispenser for dispensing a metered quantity of liquid. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2390123A GB2390123A GB0210678A GB0210678A GB2390123A GB 2390123 A GB2390123 A GB 2390123A GB 0210678 A GB0210678 A GB 0210678A GB 0210678 A GB0210678 A GB 0210678A GB 2390123 A GB2390123 A GB 2390123A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- piston
- dispensing
- dispensing device
- liquid
- key
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
- G01F11/023—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type with provision for varying the stroke of the piston
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
- G01F11/025—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type with manually operated pistons
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
Abstract
A dispensing device 1 for delivering a metered quantity of liquid comprises a piston 17 and cylinder 3, a priming means for priming the cylinder with a metered quantity of liquid and a dispensing means for dispensing the metered quantity of liquid from the cylinder. Preferably the priming and dispensing means is a lever (9, fig. 1) acting on the piston. The device also includes a variable inhibiting means for inhibiting the movement of the piston comprising a stop element and mounting means to mount the stop element in a number of positions such as a key and slot system (7, 8, fig.3). The device is capable of dispensing different metered quantities of liquid depending on the position of the stop element i.e the key.
Description
23901 23
-1 Dispensing Device This invention relates to a dispensing device, and in particular a dispensing device with novel means for adjusting the quantity of a material to be dispensed.
Materials such as cleaning products or industrial chemicals are commonly supplied in a concentrated substantially liquid form, to be diluted with water before use. Therefore, it is important to dispense a measured quantity of such material for dilution from a storage and dispensing means.
The applicant's pending patent Application no GB-A-0010232.7 discloses a manually operated dispensing device for a metered quantity of liquid comprising a reservoir in the form of a piston and cylinder arrangement with a manually operated lever for priming the reservoir with a metered quantity of liquid and delivering the metered quantity of liquid from the reservoir. Inhibiting means are provided for preventing the reversal of a priming stroke and preventing the reversal of a delivering stroke. The inhibiting means comprises an arcuate rib connected to a plate which is pivoted by the lever about a pivot and which operates the piston. Two locking members in the form of triangular blocks are pivotally mounted and spring biased so that they engage the sides of the rib and, by friction engagement, prevent reversal of the movement of the rib before it reaches the end of its travel. Before movement of the lever and piston in the other direction can occur, the blocks are rotated so that another corner engages the rib. Stop elements are provided at the opposite ends of the arcuate rib which are adapted to engage the triangular blocks, and pivot them so that another corner engages the rib, and the rib can only travel back in the other direction. The position of the stop elements is variable in order to alter the length of the priming and deliver strokes, and therefore to alter the quantity of liquid dispensed.
-2 The above described invention suffers from several problems.
First of all the system is quite complex and expensive to build and therefore to purchase. Secondly, moving the stop elements up and down the arcuate rib to alter the quantity of liquid to be dispensed requires a special tool, and is an awkward task due to confined access to the internal workings of the dispenser, and due to several parts of the dispensing device needing to be removed. Thirdly, the system comprises multiple safety functions, which are not required by all customers, and finally, the system only allows an exact metered quantity of liquid to be dispensed, and no less.
T he present invention is intended to overcome some of these problems. According to the present invention a dispensing device for delivering a metered quantity of liquid comprises a piston and cylinder, priming means for priming the cylinder with a metered quantity of liquid, dispensing means for dispensing the metered quantity of liquid from the cylinder, and variable inhibiting means for inhibiting the movement of the piston comprising a stop element and mounting means to mount the stop element in a number of positions. The priming and dispensing means can be a lever pivotally mounted on the dispensing means, one end of the lever being connected to a piston linkage connected to the piston inside the cylinder.
When the lever is moved in a first direction the piston is lowered inside the cylinder and the liquid to be dispensed is drawn into the cylinder. When the lever is moved in a second direction the piston is moved up the cylinder and the liquid to be dispensed is pumped out of the device.
In a preferred construction the stop element can be a key and the mounting means may be a row of key slots disposed along the path of one element of the piston linkage.
-3 With this arrangement the key can be positioned in a preferred slot, and when the lever is moved in the first direction the maximum movement of the piston is inhibited when the element of the piston linkage comes into contact with the key. Therefore a desired maximum quantity of liquid can be drawn into the cylinder and dispensed. Further, a quantity less than the desired quantity can be drawn into the cylinder and dispensed.
The row of key slots can be provided with markings to indicate the maximum measurements of liquid which can be dispensed by the device when the key is positioned in each slot. Further, the key can be provided with a head portion, so it can be readily removed from one slot and placed in another by hand. With this arrangement no independent tool is required to adjust the quantity of liquid to be dispensed.
The dispensing means can be provided with a base, and with storage means to store the key. With this arrangement the absolute maximum movement of the piston can be limited by the position of the piston linkage in relation to the base of the dispensing device.
Therefore, if the absolute maximum movement of the piston is required, the key can be removed from the slots and placed in the storage means, and the piston linkage can move freely within the confines of the dispensing device. In a preferred construction the storage means is a resilient key-shaped socket adapted to receive and hold the key in position.
The dispensing device can be provided with external covers and fitting means to mount it on a wall or other fixture.
In a preferred construction the various parts of the dispensing device can be constructed form a hard wearing and lightweight plastics material for example ABS or polypropylene, and the parts can be readily moulded in large numbers.
-4 The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the right side of a dispensing device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the right side of the dispensing device shown in Figure 1, with the internal parts shown in dotted lines; Figure 3 is a side view of the left side of the dispensing device as shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 4 is a plan view of a key, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 a dispensing device 1 for delivering a metered quantity of liquid comprises a piston 2 (only visible in Figure 2) and cylinder 3, priming means 4 for priming the cylinder 3 with a metered quantity of liquid, dispensing means 5 for dispensing the metered quantity of liquid from the cylinder 3, and variable inhibiting means 6 for inhibiting the movement of the piston comprising a stop element 7 (only shown in Figure 3) and mounting means 8 to mount the stop element 7 in a number of positions.
The priming means 4 and the dispensing means 5 are provided by hand operated lever 9 and piston linkage 10. The lever 9 is pivotally mounted to the device by pivot 11, and comprises substantially vertical portion 12, and substantially horizontal portion 13. The piston linkage 10 comprises linkage arm 14, pivot 15, an arcuate rib 16, a piston rod 17 (only visible in Figure 2) and the piston 2 (only visible in Figure 2).
-5 When the lever 9 is pulled outwards in the direction of arrow A, the pivot 15 is moved down along the rib 16, and the linkage arm 14 draws the piston 2 down the cylinder 3. As a result liquid is drawn into the cylinder from inlet nozzle 21, which is connected by a pipe (not shown) to initial inlet nozzle 22, which is connected to an external supply hose (not show). The liquid passes through a two-way valve 19 (only visible in Figure 2) disposed inside valve housing 20.
When the lever is then pushed back to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 the above steps are reversed and the liquid drawn into the cylinder 3 is pumped out of the cylinder 3 and through the two-way valve to outlet nozzle 18 (only visible in Figure 3) which is connected to an internal hose (not shown), which is connected to a final dispensing means attachment of known type (not shown).
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 inhibiting means 6 comprises a key 7 (only shown in Figure 3) and a substantially vertical row of slots 8 disposed along the path of the lower end 23 of the linkage arm 14 during operation of the device. The slots pass through the body of the dispensing device 1. The key 7 is passed through any slot from the left side of the device 1, and the key 7 extends out of the other end of the slot on the right side of the device 1, where the priming 4 and dispensing 5 means are provided. In Figure 1 the end of the key which extends through the slot is marked as 7a.
When the key 7 is disposed in one of the slots and the above described priming and dispensing steps are performed the lever 9 can only be pulled out until the linkage arm 14 comes into contact with the section of the key 7 which extends out from the slot. As a result a maximum measured quantity of liquid can be drawn into the cylinder 3.
Further, any quantity less than the maximum quantity can be drawn into the cylinder 3.
-6 Measurement markings 24 (shown in Figure 3) are provided on the device adjacent to the slots 8. The markings correspond to the maximum quantity of liquid which can be drawn into the cylinder 3 before the linkage arm 14 comes into contact with the key 7. In the case of the dispenser 1 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a maximum quantity of 15ml of fluid will be drawn into the cylinder 3.
The dispensing means 1 also comprises a base 25. If the key 7 is removed from the slots 8, the linkage arm 14 is free to move until it comes into contact with the base 25. In the case of the dispenser shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, that will mean a maximum quantity of 30ml of liquid can be drawn into the cylinder 3. With this arrangement the size of the dispensing device 1 can be kept to a minimum as another slot is not required in the row of slots 8.
Storage means 26 in the form of a resilient key shaped socket is provided to house the key 7 if it is not required as described above. Outer covers (not shown) are provided which can be fitted to both the left and the right side of the dispensing device 1. The covers are readily removable, for example by hand or with a simple tool. The dispensing device 1 is also provided with means (not shown) to mount it on a wall or other fixture.
As shown in Figure 4 the key 7 comprises an arm 27 and a head 28. The arm 27 is shaped and dimensioned to pass through one of the row of slots 8, and extend out the other side, where it crosses the path of the linkage arm 14. The head 28 is shaped so it can be readily removed from one slot and placed in another by hand.
All the parts shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 are constructed from a lightweight and hard wearing plastics material, for example ABS or polypropylene, which can be readily moulded in large numbers.
Thus a dispensing device is provided which is inexpensive to produce and therefore to purchase, which is provided with a readily adjustable quantity setting system which required no special tool.
Further, a dispensing device is provided which can be set to dispense a maximum quantity of liquid, or a quantity less than the maximum set quantity.
Claims (14)
1. A dispensing device for delivering a metered quantity of liquid comprising a piston and cylinder, priming means for priming the cylinder with a metered quantity of liquid, dispensing means for dispensing the metered quantity of liquid from the cylinder, and variable inhibiting means for inhibiting the movement of the piston comprising a stop element and mounting means to mount the stop element in a number of positions.
2. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the priming and dispensing means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the dispensing device, one end of the lever being connected to a piston linkage connected to the piston inside the cylinder, movement of the lever in a first direction priming the cylinder, and movement of the lever in a second direction dispensing liquid from the cylinder.
3. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 2 in which two way valve means is provided at the top of the cylinder, which is adapted to supply liquid to be dispensed to the cylinder when the piston is lowered, and to supply liquid to be dispensed to an outlet when the piston is raised.
4. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the lever comprises an approximately L-shaped member, which is pivotally mounted to the device adjacent its corner section and with its longer portion extending downwards, and its shorter portion extending into the device, and in which the piston linkage comprises an arm pivotally mounted at its upper end to the end of the shorter portion of the L-shaped member, an arcuate rib adapted to carry the pivot connecting the arm and the L-
shaped member, and a piston rod pivotally mounted to the lower end of the arm, such that movement of the longer portion of the lever away from the device lowers the piston and primes the device, and movement of the lever towards the device raises the piston and dispenses liquid from the device.
-A
5. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 4 in which the stop element is a key, and the mounting means is a row of key slots disposed along the path of one portion of the piston linkage.
6. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the key slots are disposed along the substantially vertical path of the lower end of the piston rod.
7. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 6 in which at least one portion of the key slots are provided in the outer surface of the device, and in which the key Is provided with a head portion which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and which is larger than the slots.
8. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 7 in which the slots are provided with markings to indicate the maximum quantity of liquid which can be dispensed with one priming and dispensing stroke of the lever.
9. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 8 in which the device is provided with a base, and in which the maximum movement of the piston is limited by the position of the lower end of the piston rod in relation to the base.
10. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 9 in which the device is provided with storage means to store the key when the maximum movement of the piston is required, and the key is not placed in any of the slots.
11. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the storage means is a resilient key-shaped socket adapted to receive and hold the key in position.
12. A dispensing device as claimed in Claim 11 in which the device is provided with an external cover, and fitting means to mount it on a wall or other fixture.
-1
13. A dispensing device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the components of the device are constructed from a plastics material.
14. A dispensing device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210678A GB2390123B (en) | 2002-05-09 | 2002-05-09 | Dispensing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210678A GB2390123B (en) | 2002-05-09 | 2002-05-09 | Dispensing device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0210678D0 GB0210678D0 (en) | 2002-06-19 |
| GB2390123A true GB2390123A (en) | 2003-12-31 |
| GB2390123B GB2390123B (en) | 2005-08-10 |
Family
ID=9936387
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210678A Expired - Fee Related GB2390123B (en) | 2002-05-09 | 2002-05-09 | Dispensing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2390123B (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1520218A (en) * | 1976-02-12 | 1978-08-02 | Roach W J | Liquid dispensing apparatus |
| DE2924138A1 (en) * | 1979-06-15 | 1981-01-08 | Graf & Co Gmbh Walter | Precision metering device for laboratory use - having calibrated cylinder with piston connected to drive cylinder by bridge coupling with limit switch on this to control length of stroke |
| GB2333507A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 1999-07-28 | United Distillers Plc | Apparatus for delivering liquid |
| GB2349921A (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2000-11-15 | Brightwell Dispensers Ltd | Dispensing device with prevention of reversal of priming and delivery strokes |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3097763A (en) * | 1960-11-30 | 1963-07-16 | Dominick M Aluotto | Liquid dispensing apparatus |
| DE4334974C2 (en) * | 1993-10-14 | 2002-11-14 | Poulten & Graf Gmbh | Device for dosing liquids, in particular bottle-top dispenser and method for producing such a device |
| GB2321051B (en) * | 1997-01-14 | 2000-03-29 | Rembrook Developments Limited | An applicator for dispensing measured doses of a liquid |
| US5988452A (en) * | 1997-01-14 | 1999-11-23 | Mark Anderson | Dispensing mechanism and method for delivering measured doses with slotted plunger |
-
2002
- 2002-05-09 GB GB0210678A patent/GB2390123B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1520218A (en) * | 1976-02-12 | 1978-08-02 | Roach W J | Liquid dispensing apparatus |
| DE2924138A1 (en) * | 1979-06-15 | 1981-01-08 | Graf & Co Gmbh Walter | Precision metering device for laboratory use - having calibrated cylinder with piston connected to drive cylinder by bridge coupling with limit switch on this to control length of stroke |
| GB2333507A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 1999-07-28 | United Distillers Plc | Apparatus for delivering liquid |
| GB2349921A (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2000-11-15 | Brightwell Dispensers Ltd | Dispensing device with prevention of reversal of priming and delivery strokes |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0210678D0 (en) | 2002-06-19 |
| GB2390123B (en) | 2005-08-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20100509 |