US20210071437A1 - Dispensing systems - Google Patents
Dispensing systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210071437A1 US20210071437A1 US16/974,217 US202016974217A US2021071437A1 US 20210071437 A1 US20210071437 A1 US 20210071437A1 US 202016974217 A US202016974217 A US 202016974217A US 2021071437 A1 US2021071437 A1 US 2021071437A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dispenser
- socket
- converter
- dispensing
- flow
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/12—Devices or arrangements for circulating water, i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
- E04H4/1281—Devices for distributing chemical products in the water of swimming pools
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/68—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water
- C02F1/685—Devices for dosing the additives
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
- C02F2103/42—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/002—Construction details of the apparatus
- C02F2201/005—Valves
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/4891—With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
- Y10T137/7837—Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]
- Y10T137/7838—Plural
Definitions
- dispensers for delivering water purification material into a body of water such as a pool or the like are known in the art.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566 which shows nestable canisters for use in inline dispersal valves that normally hold only a single canister with the nestable canisters suitable for replacing the single canister, which disperses a single chemical dispersant, with a first canister to disperse a first dispersant and a second canister to disperse a second dispersant.
- the dual canisters permit simultaneous but separate treatment of a temporarily bifurcated fluid stream that flows through a set of dispersal valve ports that were normally used for dispensing only one chemical dispersant into the dispersal valve.
- the nestable canisters may be provided with an improved bactericide and algaecide for killing bacteria and algae in the water with each of the canisters including a set of ports that connect to the inlet and outlet port in the inline dispenser.
- a number of patents show valves or the like for controlling the flow through some type of inline dispensing system.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,170 shows a treatment system with a set of valves to control the flow of liquid through the treatment system.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,870 shows a swimming pool chlorinator that uses a ball valve to control flow of material into the body of water.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,812 shows a valve block for supplying chlorine that uses a ball valve to control the flow of liquid.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,116 shows a chlorinator that contains an opening that is formed by the relative position of two members with slots.
- U.S. patent application 2011/0163124 shows a granular chemical dispenser that uses ganged valves to control the inlet to the dispenser.
- U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,565 shows a device for treating or sensing through the use of flow sensors or objects acted upon by the flowing water.
- U.S. patent application 2002/0153043 discloses a pool chlorinator with a check valve to prevent the water and gases to enter the chemical compartment through the return port.
- a consumer friendly device for a dispensing valve comprising a converter with a cartridge activeable flow limiter for changing a normally open port-dispensing valve into a normally closed port dispensing valve when there is no dispensing cartridge in the dispensing valve.
- the invention comprises a dispensing system wherein the dispensing cartridges carried by a dispensing valve can be replaced on the go with the dispensing valve including a flow limiter that reduces or shuts off the flow of fluid from a dispensing valve port when one of the dispensing cartridges is removed from a chamber in the dispensing valve.
- the converter allows one to convert a conventional dispensing valve to a flow limiting valve through the insertion of a converter containing flow limiters with the converter self securable to an interior surface of a dispensing valve and mateable with the existing ports of the dispensing valve.
- the invention includes a cartridge dispenser that is mountable within a dispensing valve with the cartridge dispenser including a deactivator engageable with a flow limiter in the converter for opening the flow limiter when the cartridge dispenser is in a dispensing condition.
- the flow limiter is normally maintainable in a closed condition through the pressure forces acting on an underside of the flow limiter.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a dispensing valve for delivering water treatment materials to a swimming pool
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a dispensing valve containing replaceable dispenser cartridges
- FIG. 3 is a cutaway view showing a converter being inserted into a prior art dispenser
- FIG. 4 shows a top view of the converter
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the converter of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the converter of FIG. 4 taken along lines 6 , 7 - 6 , 7 with the converter in a flow limiting condition;
- FIG. 6A is a side view in section showing the converter frictionally mounted in a dispenser housing
- FIG. 6B is an isolated view of the cantilevered radial fins on the converter
- FIG. 6C is a perspective of a flow limiter
- FIG. 6D is an isolated view of an end cap without a flow limiter therein;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the converter of FIG. 4 taken along lines 6 , 7 with the converter in a flow through condition;
- FIG. 8 is a side view partially in section shown the converter of FIG. 5 about to be inserted on the extension sockets of the inline dispenser;
- FIG. 9 is a side view partially in section shown the converter of FIG. 5 engaged with the extension sockets of the inline dispenser;
- FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section shown a set of dispensing cartridges to be inserted into the converter, which is mounted on the extension sockets of the inline dispenser;
- FIG. 11 is a pictorial end view of an annular dispensing cartridge having a deactivator for engaging the flow limiter in the converter;
- FIG. 11A is a pictorial end view of a cylindrical cartridge having a deactivator for engaging the flow limiter in the converter;
- FIG. 11B is an isolated pictorial view of a cam located in a socket of a dispenser cartridge
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing flow limiters in a deactivated condition
- FIG. 12A is a sectional view showing flow limiters in an operative condition
- FIG. 12 b is an isolated view of the extensions sockets of the dispenser and the dispensing cartridge in mating engagement with the flow limiter deactivated by the dispensing cartridge;
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the flow limiters as integral part of an inline dispenser
- FIG. 14 is a front view of a set of cartridge s mounted in a converter
- FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view through the sockets similar to the view along lines 6 , 7 of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a set of dispensing cartridges, a converter and a bulk feeder;
- FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a bulk feeder and a converter for axial insertion into a compartment in the bulk feeder;
- FIG. 17A shows a converter mounted in a bulk feeder
- FIG. 17B shows a converter edge in engagement with a bulk feeder
- FIG. 17C shows a converter edge in engagement with a bulk feeder
- FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the sockets and flow selector at the bottom of the bulk-dispensing cartridge
- FIG. 19 is a bottom view of a bulk feeder converter
- FIG. 20 is a top view of a bulk feeder converter of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 21 is bottom view of the bulk feeder converter with a flow limiter
- FIG. 22 is an isolated view of the flow limiter in the bulk feeder converter of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective partially cutaway view of a dispenser cartridge
- FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the bulk feeder converter and the contoured sockets located thereon.
- FIG. 24A is a bottom perspective view of the bulk feeder converter with a cylindrical deactivator cam.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical dispensing valve 10 for delivering water treatment materials to a swimming pool or the like.
- the dispensing valve 10 includes a base or flange 16 , with an inlet fitting 11 on one end and an outlet fitting 12 on the opposite end.
- On top of flange 16 is a housing 13 having a cover 14 that is securable to the housing 13 .
- the cover allows one to remove and insert fresh cartridges into a chamber in the dispensing valve 10 .
- a rotateable control valve 15 allows one to control the amount of water that is diverted through the housing 13 and the dispensing cartridges that are located within the chamber in the housing 13 .
- An example of an inline dispensing valve is shown in King et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,743 and is herby incorporated by reference.
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a dispensing system with the dispensing valve 10 of FIG. 1 showing a first cylindrical dispensing canister 22 and a second annular dispensing canister 21 located in a nested relationship in a dispenser cartridge compartment or chamber 20 within housing 13 .
- Each of canisters 21 and 22 have a set of bottom extensions or sockets with ports for directing water into the dispersants in the canisters 21 and 22 and then returning water with dispersants therein into an outlet in the dispenser 10 .
- an extension or socket 21 a of canister 21 is visible and in engagement with extension or water socket 19 a of dispenser 10 .
- an extension or socket 22 a of canister 22 is visible and in engagement with extension or water socket 19 b of the dispenser 10 .
- Each of the sockets includes a first set of ports to allow fluid to flow from the dispensing valve into the dispersant in the dispensing cartridges and then return through another set of ports.
- An example of a dispensing system where two dispensing cartridges are fitted into the chamber of the housing to deliver multiple dispersants to a body of water can be found in King U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566, which is herby incorporated by reference.
- FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of an inline dispensing valve 10 showing the axial insertion of a converter or backflow limiter 30 , which contains a first flow limiter 40 and a second flow limiter 41 that limits or prevents backflow of water into the chamber 20 of dispensing valve 10 .
- the arrow indicates the axial direction of insertion of the converter 30 into the lower end of the chamber 20 where features on the underside of converter 30 mate with the first extension socket 19 a in dispensing valve 10 and the second extension socket 19 b in dispensing valve 10 .
- the extension socket 19 a and extension socket 19 b of the dispensing valve 10 mates directly to a set of extension sockets on a set of dispensing cartridges, which enables the inline extension socket 19 a and extension socket 19 b to direct water to and from the mating dispensing cartridges in the dispensing valve.
- a converter or adapter 30 is about to be attached to the interior of dispensing valve 10 with the converter 30 forming a functional interface between the dispensing valve 10 and the dispensing cartridges located in the dispensing valve.
- Converter 30 contains a first flow limiter 40 or canister deactiveable valve and a second flow limiter 41 or a canister deactiveable valve for positioning in flow paths between the dispensing valve 10 and the dispenser cartridges in the dispensing valve 10 .
- a feature of the invention is that the flow limiters do not interfere with the flow during the dispensing of materials from the cartridges in the dispensing valve 10 but prevent or inhibit backflow through the chamber of the dispensing valve 10 when a dispensing cartridge is replaced.
- a benefit of the flow limiters is that they minimize or eliminate adverse effects during the replacement of a spent cartridge without interfering with the performance of the dispensing valve.
- problems due to backflow can be minimized or eliminated through placement of a converter in an existing dispensing valve and without adversely affecting the operation of the system.
- Converter 30 is preferably made of a polymer plastic that is resistant to the dispersants and is rigid but with sufficiently resilient fins 31 a that form locking frictional engagement with the sidewalls of the dispenser housing while a set of bottom sockets 35 and 36 ( FIG. 7 ) form mating frictional engagement with the extension water sockets 19 a and 19 b of the dispensing valve 10 .
- FIG. 3 shows the dispenser housing 13 includes an internal locater 13 A to enable one to correctly position dispensing cartridges within the chamber 20 .
- the locater 13 A can be used to correctly align and position the converter 30 in the bottom of chamber 20 .
- a feature of the invention is that converter 30 can be hand mounted within dispensing valve 10 without the aid of tools and adhesives although one may elect to use tools or adhesives if so desired. That is, converter 30 can be securely mounted within dispensing valve 10 through frictional engagement between a set of radial fins 31 a and the chamber sidewall 10 a as well as the mating engagement between the extensions 19 a and 19 b on the dispensing valve 10 and a set of socket extensions 35 and 36 on the under side of converter 30 .
- the mating and frictional engagement between the housing and the converter maintains the converter 30 in a fixed condition within the dispensing valve 10 .
- a benefit of the converter 30 is that because of its unique frictional mounting within the dispensing valve it allows a pool owner to update his or her dispensing valve by his or her self without the use of tools.
- a further benefit is that the converter 30 allows one to introduce flow limiters into an existing circulation system without having to replace the dispensing valve or to modify any of the structure of the dispensing valve.
- the consumer benefits from a quick conversion from a non-flow limiting system to a flow limiting system.
- the consumer benefits since the out of pocket expenses for system conversion are eliminated as the consumer avoids the expense of hiring a person to make the conversion.
- FIG. 3 shows a converter 30 being axially inserted into a dispensing valve 10
- FIG. 4 shows an isolated top view of converter 30 revealing a set of radial fins 31 a , which are cantilevered radially outward from a central hub 31 . Fins 31 a , while rigid, are cantilevered to provide resiliency for forming frictional engagement with a smooth sidewall of a dispensing valve. As shown in FIG.
- first top socket 50 having an inner socket sidewall 50 a and a web or end cap forming a socket bottom member 50 b having a fluid passage 48 and a plurality of smaller fluid passages 45 that are located proximate flow limiter 40 and a second top socket 51 with an inner socket sidewall 51 a and a web or an end cap forming a socket bottom member 51 b having a fluid passage 47 and a plurality of smaller fluid passages 46 that are located proximate flow limiter 41 .
- the top socket 50 and the bottom socket 35 share an end cap 50 b .
- the top socket 51 and the bottom socket 36 share an end cap 51 b .
- FIG. 5 shows a side view of converter 30 with the flow limiters concealed within the converter 30 .
- FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a sectional view taken along lines 6 , 7 of FIG. 4 to reveal the position of the flow limiters under different conditions.
- FIG. 6 shows the flow limiters 40 and 41 in a flow limiting condition.
- flange 81 obstructs the fluid flow through ports 45 and flange 81 a obstructs the fluid flow through ports 46 .
- FIG. 7 shows the flow limiters 40 and 41 in a deactivated condition.
- fluid can flow past flange 81 and through ports 45 as well as past flange 81 a and through ports 46 .
- the flow limiting condition as shown in FIG.
- the flange 81 of flow limiter 40 has been axially displaceable in socket 50 to block the apertures 45 and limit or prevent flow therethrough since the flow limiter 40 has a flange 81 having a diameter larger than a diameter of the set of fluid ports in the end cap 50 b .
- the flow limiter 41 has been axially displaceable in socket 51 to block the apertures 46 and limit or prevent flow therethrough since it has a flange having a diameter larger than the diameter of the set of fluid ports in the end cap 51 b.
- FIG. 6C is a perspective-isolated view of a one-piece flow limiter 40 for limiting or obstructing the fluid flow through a dispensing valve in response to a fluid condition within the dispensing valve.
- Flow limiter 40 includes a flat circular flange or disk 81 with a central cylindrical stem 83 extending vertically upward from the center of flange 81 .
- the stem 83 allows the flow limiter 40 to move up and down in a hole in the socket bottom while the stem is radially restrained by the sidewalls 50 f of a hole 50 d in an the end cap or socket web 50 b of socket 50 ( FIG. 6D ).
- Stem 83 contains a split head 84 , 85 with a first split head 84 a having a retaining barb 84 a and a second split head 85 having a retaining barb 85 a .
- Split head 84 and split head 85 are resilient and can be pinched together to facilitate insertion of the stem 83 into an opening 50 d in web or end cap 50 b . Once inserted the split head ends 84 and 85 are allowed to expand causing barb 84 a and barb 85 a to act as a top stop to thereby retain the flow limiter 40 in the socket of the converter 30 .
- disk 81 functions as a bottom stop to retain the flow limiter 40 in the socket of the converter 30 . While the purpose of the split stem is to facilitate insertion of the stem into an opening in the socket bottom other means or methods may be used to insert or restrain axial displacement of a flow limiter.
- a feature of the converter 30 is that during operation of dispensing valve 10 the dispensing cartridges within the dispenser mechanically maintain the flow limiter 40 and the flow limiter 41 in a deactivated condition to allow fluid from the dispensing valve 10 to flow into and out of the dispensing cartridges, which are located in chamber 20 in the dispensing valve 10 and mate with the converter.
- removal of the mateable dispenser cartridges from the dispensing valve 10 automatically activates the flow limiter 40 and flow limiter 41 through utilization of the water pressure in the dispensing valve which urges the flow limiter 40 and flow limiter 41 to a closed condition that limits or prevents backflow into an open chamber of the dispensing valve.
- a benefit of the integral activation and deactivation feature is that if a consumer should accidentally remove a dispensing cartridge from the dispensing valve without shutting off the water pressure the flow limiters automatically limit or prevent backflow of water into the chamber of the dispensing valve thus minimizing chances of a water spill or injury to the person.
- FIG. 6A shows a partial sectional view showing converter 30 bridged across the chamber 20 to reveal the frictional cooperation between the dispenser housing sidewall 10 a and converter 30 . That is, the peripheral frictional engagement of the edge of radial fins 31 a with the inner sidewall 10 a limits lateral and axial displacement of the converter 30 .
- converter socket 35 extends into dispenser socket 19 a on dispensing valve 10 so that outer sidewall 35 a of converter socket 35 is in mating engagement with inner sidewall 19 c a of dispensing valve socket 19 a which extends vertically upward from the bottom of dispenser 10 .
- converter socket 36 extends into dispenser so that outer sidewall 36 a of socket 36 is in mating engagement with inner sidewall 19 d of socket 19 b to limit or prevent flow leakage therebetween.
- the mating engagement between sockets of the converter and the sockets of the dispensing valve is preferably a frictional fit along the entire peripheral region of the sockets to provide a flow path for water to flow through the dispenser sockets and the converter sockets before entering chamber 20 which contains a set of dispensing cartridges.
- a feature of converter 30 is that it can be hand mounted in an existing dispensing valve without the aid of tools and without having to alter the internal structure of the dispensing valve solely through frictional engagement between the dispensing valve and the converter although other methods may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- a reference to FIG. 6B shows a detail of a radial fin 31 revealing an angled peripheral edge 31 b of radial fin 31 a in biting engagement with sidewall 10 a .
- the radial fin 31 a is cantilevered from hub 31 of converter 30 with the peripheral edge 31 b of the radial fins engaging the sidewall at an acute angle ⁇ .
- the radial fin is also an acute angle ⁇ with respect to plane 37 which extends through an edge 31 a of the radial fins 31 of the converter ( FIG. 5 ) so that the end face 31 b ( FIG. 6B ) is located at an acute angle to the sidewall with a sharp corner or angled edge 31 b in contact with the side wall.
- the use of an angled edge 31 b for engaging the sidewall 10 a increases the frictional resistance to removal of the converter from the inline dispenser.
- the location of the fin 31 at an acute angle ⁇ with respect to the sidewall 10 a allows the fin 31 a to flex with respect to the hub 31 as the hub is forced downward into the dispenser.
- the flexing allows the fins 31 a to accommodate an inside housing 10 where the diameter of the housing may vary since the fin 31 a can flex to cause the fin edge 31 c to bite into the sidewall 10 a .
- the peripheral edge 31 a is shown as comprising a set of radial fins 32 the radial fins may be omitted as illustrated in the converter 210 .
- the end face 31 c of the fins is perpendicular to fin 31 a so that the slight upward acute angle of fin 31 a with respect to plane 37 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 and FIG. 6B causes edge 31 b to engage the wall 10 a .
- a feature of the angled fin 31 a is that it inhibits or prevents removal of converter 30 since upward force on converter 30 increases the friction forces since the upward force to increase in diameter thus increasing the binding of the converter to the housing.
- FIG. 6 shows an isolated view of the converter 30 with flow limiter 40 and flow limiter 41 in the flow limiting condition
- FIG. 7 shows and isolated view of the converter 30 with the flow limiter 40 and flow limiter 41 in the non-flow limiting condition.
- a reference to FIGS. 8-12 reveals the converter and the converter mateable dispensing cartridges for insertion in a dispensing valve and the steps of an operator in first inserting a converter into a dispensing valve and then inserting mateable dispensing cartridges into the dispensing valve as well as the effect of the step of inserting or removing a mateable dispenser cartridge from the dispensing valve.
- the conventional step of inserting mateable dispensing cartridges into the converter automatically changes the flow limiters in the converter from a flow limiting condition to a non flow limiting condition while the conventional step of removing the mateable dispenser cartridges from the converter automatically changes the flow limiters in the converter from a non flow limiting condition to a flow limiting condition. In both instance the operation of changing the flow limiter condition from one state to another is seamless and requires no special action by the pool owner.
- FIG. 8 shows the first step (indicated by the arrows) of mounting a converter 30 with flow limiters in a dispensing valve 10 through frictionally engagement between the converter fins 31 a and the sidewall 10 a as well the engagement of the converter socket 35 with a first extension socket 19 b of the dispensing valve 10 and the second extension 19 a (located behind extension 19 b ).
- FIG. 9 is a side view partially in section showing the second step where the converter 30 has been frictionally engaged with sidewall 10 a as well as mateingly engaged with the dispensing valve extension water socket 19 b and extension water socket 19 a ( FIG. 3 ).
- FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section showing the third step where a set of nested dispensing cartridges 60 and 70 , which are mateable with the converter 30 , are in the process of being inserted into the top sockets of the converter 30 , which is mounted on the extension sockets of the dispensing valve 10 .
- FIG. 11 and FIG. 11A show isolated views of nested dispensing cartridges 60 and 70 that contain features that seamlessly deactivate the flow limiters 40 and 41 in the converter 30 .
- FIG. 11 is a pictorial end view of an annular dispensing cartridge 60 for insertion into dispenser 10 .
- the dispensing cartridge 60 includes an alignment slot 60 e for rotational alignment of the dispenser cartridge 60 with respect to the dispensing valve housing as well as alignment of a first socket 60 a having a set of fluid ports 60 f with a first dispensing valve socket and a second socket 60 b having a set of fluid ports 60 g for alignment with a second dispensing valve socket.
- Located in cartridge socket 60 b is a deactivator cam 60 c .
- cam 60 c comprises a rigid, rectangular shaped, rib that extends axially outward from end cap 60 d of cartridge socket 60 b .
- FIG. 12B shows that the height h of cam 60 c is less than the height L of a portion of sidewall 60 b that extends below socket 60 .
- the deactivator cam 60 c extends in a same direction as the axis of insertion of the flow limiter 40 in the converter 30 . Consequently, the step of axially inserting the cartridge 60 into the dispenser 10 can be used to deactivate the flow limiter 40 as cam 60 c forces the flow limiter 40 from the flow limiting condition shown in FIG. 12A into the non-flow limiting condition shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 12B .
- the pool maintainer need not be aware of the deactivator cam 60 c as the flow limiter is positioned so that the alignment of the socket of the dispensing valve with the socket in either of the converter or the dispensing valve automatically aligns the cam face 60 r of deactivator cam 60 c with the end of flow limiter 40 as illustrated in FIG. 12B . Consequently, the primary action of insertion or removal of a dispensing cartridge from a dispensing valve seamlessly controls the operation of the flow limiter.
- a pool maintainer need not take any additional action to activate the flow limiter since the axial removal of the dispenser cartridge 60 automatically activates the flow limiter 40 as the deactivator cam 60 c is withdrawn from contact with the stem head 84 , 85 of flow limiter 40 , which frees the flow limiter 40 to respond to fluid conditions within the system.
- a pool maintainer automatically activates or deactivates a flow limiter through the action of replacing a dispensing cartridge in the dispenser.
- cam 60 c When the dispensing cartridge 60 is removed from a dispensing valve cam 60 c activates the flow limiter 40 and when the dispenser cartridge 60 is inserted into the dispensing valve 10 cam 60 c deactivates the flow limiter.
- the deactivator cam 60 c is fitted within dispenser socket 60 b and is positioned so that deactivator cam face 60 r ( FIG. 12B ) contacts the end of the flow limiter 40 to hold the flow limiter in an out of the way condition when the dispensers cartridge 60 is located in an operable condition in the dispensing valve.
- the deactivator cam 60 c comprises a rigid rectangular shaped extension or rib that extends outward from the bottom of socket 60 d having a cam face 60 r with the cam side 60 h and cam side 60 c alignable with flow therepast.
- FIG. 11A is a pictorial end view of a canister or cylindrical dispensing cartridge 70 having a chamber 70 L for holding a dispersant 70 m , for example chlorine or bromine or other types of water treatment materials containable in a dispensing cartridge.
- Dispensing cartridge 70 has a central axis 9 with dispensing cartridge 70 nestable within dispensing cartridge 60 as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
- Dispensing cartridge 70 also includes a deactivator cam or rib 70 c for deactivating a flow limiter, which may be located in either a converter or a dispensing valve, when the dispensing cartridge 70 is inserted into the dispensing valve and activating the flow limiter when the dispensing cartridge 70 is removed from the dispensing valve.
- dispensing cartridge 70 includes an alignment slot 70 i and 70 d for rotational alignment with dispensing cartridge 60 so that both dispenser cartridges 70 and 60 can be aligned for placement in the dispensing valve.
- Dispensing cartridge 70 includes a first socket 70 a having a bottom or end cap 70 e with a set of fluid ports 70 f therein for ingress water into the cartridge 70 and a second socket 70 b having a bottom or end cap 70 h with a set of fluid ports 70 f for egress of water from cartridge 70 .
- the deactivator cam 70 c also comprises a rectangular shaped extension or rib, which is permanently mounted to the end cap 70 e with the rib 70 c extending axially outward from end cap 70 e of socket 70 a and having a cam face 70 g for engaging and deactivating a flow limiter.
- FIG. 11B is an isolated pictorial view of an example of a low profile deactivator 81 a , which is located in socket 80 a on a dispenser cartridge 80 .
- socket 80 a has a top edge 80 b for engaging an end cap of a socket in either a converter or a dispensing valve and an external mateable side 80 c for engaging a sidewall of a socket in either a converter or a socket in a dispensing valve.
- An end cap 80 e extends across the bottom of socket 80 a with one end of end cap 80 e including a set of fluid ports 80 d for flow of fluid therethrough.
- deactivator 81 a Extending outward from end cap 80 e is the deactivator 81 a , which comprises a cylindrical post having a cylindrical sidewall 81 a and a top circular cam face 81 b having a geometric center 83 .
- cam face 81 b can be used to deactivate a flow limiter when the dispensing cartridge 80 is inserted into a socket in either a dispensing valve or a converter.
- the deactivator 81 has a height y which is less than the height y, of the sidewall 80 c , which allows one to align the socket of the dispensing cartridge with either the socket of a converter or a dispensing valve before the deactivator 81 contacts the flow limiter which is carried in a socket of either the converter or the dispensing valve.
- the deactivator 81 is positioned with respect to the socket sidewall 80 b as noted by the dimensions x and z that are measured from a central axis 83 of deactivator 81 .
- the flow limiter in the converter or the dispensing valve is also positioned with respect to a sidewall socket of the converter or the dispensing valve that mates with the socket of the dispensing cartridge.
- dispensing cartridges and the dispensing valve are separate components the referencing of the position of the deactivator 81 b with respect to a socket sidewall which forms mating engagement with a socket sidewall on a converter or the inline dispenser, allows one to locate the deactivator 81 so that the insertion of the dispensing cartridge 60 into the socket of a dispensing valve or a converter automatically brings the deactivator 81 into alignment and engagement with the flow limiter since the flow limiter is dimensionally positioned with respect to the socket sidewall carrying the flow limiter.
- FIG. 12A shows converter 30 located in dispensing valve 10 with the dispensing cartridges having been removed from the dispensing valve 10 .
- the inlet water socket 19 a connects to a source of pressurized water (not shown).
- a source of pressurized water not shown.
- an operator normally closes the rotor valve 15 ( FIG. 1 ) to stop flow into the chamber of the dispensing valve, however, in the event an operator fails to close the rotor valve 15 the invention described herein provides a safety feature that automatically limits or prevents backflow of water into the dispensing chamber in the dispensing valve 10 when the dispensing cartridges are removed from the dispensing valve.
- the sockets of converter 30 mate to the sockets of the dispensing valve 10 . That is, the dispensing valve water socket 19 a is in mating engagement with bottom converter socket 35 and dispensing valve water socket 19 b is in mating engagement with bottom converter socket 36 .
- the fluid pressure in socket 19 a generates an upward force on flow limiter 40 causing the flow limiter 40 to move axially upwards and block the ports 45 ( FIG. 12A ) with flange 81 thus limiting or preventing fluid flow into the dispensing chamber 20 .
- fluid pressure in socket 19 b generates an upward force on flow limiter 41 causing the flow limiter to move axially upward and block the ports 46 ( FIG. 12A ) with flange 81 a thus limiting or preventing fluid flow into the dispensing chamber 20 .
- the flow limiters 40 and 41 can urge the flow limiters 40 and 41 to a flow-limiting mode thus reducing the chances that the water in the dispensing valve can escape the dispenser during a replacement of one or more of the dispensing cartridges.
- a dispensing cartridge or cartridges are located in the chamber 20 of the dispensing valve.
- a set of deactivator's 60 c and 70 c on the dispensers normally hold the flow limiter 40 and the flow limiter 41 in an open or non-flow limiting condition.
- the flow limiters are automatically displaced axially upward to block the ports in the sockets of the converter ( FIG. 12A ).
- the opening 50 d ( FIG. 6D ) in the bottom socket member 50 is larger than the diameter of the stem 83 but less than the diameter of the stem at the barb which enables the flow limiter 40 to move axially up and down within sidewall 50 f in response to a water condition in the dispensing valve 10 .
- the flow limiter 40 is made from a polymer plastic or the like with the weight of the flow limiter such that the water pressure forces the flow limiter 40 to move upward with flange 81 sealingly abutting against the underside of end cap 50 b ( FIG. 12A ) thereby shutting off or limiting flow through the openings 45 in socket end cap 50 b .
- the flow limiter 41 is made from a polymer plastic or the like with the weight of the flow limiter such that the water pressure forces the flow limiter 41 with flange 81 a to move upward to sealingly abut against the underside of end cap 51 a ( FIG. 12A ) thereby shutting off or limiting flow through the openings 46 in socket end cap 51 b .
- the flow limiter 40 and 41 are allowed to be responsive to water pressure in the dispensing valve while in the non flow limiting condition the flow limiters are not responsive to water pressure in the dispensing valve.
- converter 30 can be quickly installed into the sockets at the bottom of an existing inline non-flow limiting dispensing valve to provide an on-the-go conversion to a flow-limiting dispensing valve.
- an inner side wall 50 a of a top converter socket 50 and an inner sidewall 51 a of top converter socket 51 engage the outer side wall of mating sockets which are located on dispensing cartridges that are installed in the dispensing valve.
- the radial fins 31 a on the converter 30 engage the inner surface 10 a to frictional maintain the converter 30 in an operative condition within the dispensing valve 10 .
- FIG. 12 shows the deactivator 60 c holding the flow limiter 40 in a deactivated condition with deactivator 70 c holding flow limiter 41 in a deactivated condition to allow fluid to bypass the flow limiters and flow into the dispensing cartridges 60 and 70 .
- FIG. 12B shows an isolated view of a portion of a dispensing cartridge 60 having a cam face end 60 r of a deactivator 60 c in contact with an end 84 , 85 of flow limiter 40 to maintain the flow limiter 40 in a bypass condition where the flow of water into and out of the dispensing cartridge 60 can be maintained.
- the dispensing cartridge socket 60 b is in mating engagement with the top converter socket 50 with the web or end cap 50 b of socket 50 in engagement with edge 60 p of dispensing cartridge 60 .
- the deactivator 60 c which extends a distance h from the socket bottom 60 d , holds the flow limiter 40 in a non-flow limiting position i.e. a deactivated condition.
- the height h of the deactivator is such that in a condition where the cartridges are present in the dispenser the deactivator 60 c abuts the head 84 , 85 of the stem 83 to hold the flow limiter 40 in a condition that permits flow around the disk seal 81 and through the ports 45 .
- the axial alignment of the deactivator 60 c and the stem 83 allows the action of inserting the dispensing cartridge 60 into the converter 30 to automatically deactivate the flow limiter 40 . That is, the deactivator 60 c contacts the top end 84 , 85 of stem 83 as one pushes the dispensing cartridge into a dispensing position in the inline dispenser.
- the cam face 60 r of deactivator 60 c pushes the stem 83 of the flow limiter 40 downward to the position shown in FIG. 12B .
- the deactivator 60 c holds the flow limiter 40 in a deactivated condition i.e. disk 81 in a spaced condition from the web or end cap 50 b of socket 50 thereby allowing flow into canister 60 through ports 45 and 60 g .
- the fluid flows around the disk 81 and through the openings 45 and the openings or ports 60 g and into the dispenser cartridge 60 where the water can come into contact with the dispersant therein.
- water bypasses the flow limiter 40 allowing water to come into contact with the dispersant in the dispensing cartridge 60 .
- FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein flow limiters 125 and 138 are incorporated directly into an inline dispensing valve 100 and become an integral part of the dispensing valve.
- Flow limiters 125 and 138 are identical to flow limiter 40 shown in FIG. 6C however, in this example the flow limiters are located in sockets of the dispensing valve rather than sockets in the converter.
- the dispensing valve 100 includes inlet housing 111 to direct water into the dispenser 100 and an outlet housing 112 that directs water out of the dispenser 100 .
- a rotor valve 115 allows one to select the amount of water to flow through the dispenser and consequently the dispensing rate of the dispersant in the dispensing canisters, which would be located in chamber 220 of dispenser 100 .
- the dispensing valve socket 120 includes a bottom member or end cap 127 having a return port 126 and a dispenser cartridge inlet port comprised of a set of openings 121 that are circumferentially positioned around the flow limiter 125 .
- the dispensing valve socket 130 includes a bottom member or end cap 131 having a return port 136 and a dispenser cartridge inlet port comprised of a set of openings 137 that are circumferentially positioned around the flow limiter 138 .
- the flow limiters 125 and 138 are identical in operation to flow limiters 40 and 41 and automatically limit or prevent water flow into the dispenser chamber 220 when either or both of the dispensing cartridge are removed from the dispensing chamber 220 and are deactivated when dispensing cartridges are present in dispensing chamber 220 to thereby let water flow into the dispensing cartridges.
- a benefit of the invention of FIG. 13 is that it eliminates the need for an insertable converter since the flow limiters can be incorporated directly in the dispensing valve sockets 120 and 130 .
- a feature of the invention is that the flow limiters can block the flow upstream of the dispenser cartridges with the deactivation and activation of the flow limiters determined by the location of the dispensing cartridges with respect to a dispensing valve.
- a feature of the invention described herein includes a pool operators ability to on-the-go resize a dispensing valve such as an inline dispenser shown in FIG. 3 , to enable the dispensing valve to operably receive one or more different size dispensing cartridge without having to alter or modify the internal structure of the inline dispenser.
- To operably receive is understood to mean that the dispenser cartridges within the dispensing valve function in a normal dispensing manner whereby water flows into and out of the dispenser cartridge during the delivery of a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water.
- the invention of resizing as illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 3 includes the method of on-the-go reconfiguring a dispensing valve 10 that operably receives a first dispenser cartridge to operably receive a second dispenser cartridge 60 where a water socket 50 of the first dispensing cartridge is a different size than a water socket of the second dispensing cartridge 60 .
- the on-the-go resizing comprises the step of removing a first dispensing cartridge from engagement with a water socket in the dispensing valve (not shown) followed by inserting a converter 30 having a top socket 50 , a top socket 51 a bottom socket 35 and a bottom socket 36 into a chamber 20 in the dispensing valve 10 .
- Additional features may include the step of resiliently engaging a set of radial fins 31 a on the converter 30 with a sidewall 10 a of the dispensing valve 10 to maintain the converter 30 within the dispensing valve through frictional engagement therebetween. While the method has been described in relation to insertion of a single dispenser cartridge into the dispensing valve, the drawing illustrates that two dispenser cartridges each having separate water sockets can be mated with additional sockets in the converter and the dispensing valve.
- FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view showing a set of dispensing cartridges 60 and 70 with a converter 30 attached to the sockets 60 b and 70 b of dispensing cartridges 60 and 70 .
- the sectional view of the converter 30 is taken along lines 6 , 7 as shown in FIG. 4 so as to reveal both of the flow limiters in the converter 30 .
- a further feature of this embodiment is that the peripheral edge of the converter can securely fasten the converter 30 to the dispensing valve through frictional engagement therebetween while the axial removal of one or both of the dispensing cartridges 60 or 70 from a dispensing valve can be used to separate the dispensing cartridges 60 , 70 from the converter 30 . That is, the force of attachment of the dispensing valve cartridges 60 , 70 to the converter 30 is less than the force required to remove the converter 30 from an inline dispersal valve. Consequently, one may remove spent cartridges while leaving the converter in place to receive a set of fresh cartridges.
- FIGS. 1-15 show a converter for use in dispensing valves such as inline dispensing valve that contain a set of nested containers
- FIGS. 16-24 show a bulk feeder converter and a set of dispensing cartridges for on the go converting a dispensing valve such as bulk feeder into a cartridge feeder.
- inline dispensing valves includes both bulk feeders and inline dispersal valves that deliver dispersants through fluid action
- the existing bulk feeders generally lack sockets for direct engagement to a dispenser cartridge since the bulk feeders are intended to receive a dispersant in a bulk or loose condition without a cartridge supporting the dispersant.
- the dispensing valve used in conjunction as described herein may be either an inline dispensing valve, an off line dispensing valve a bulk feeder dispensing valve although other types of dispensing valves may benefit from the inventions described herein.
- FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a dispensing system with a set of nesting dispensing cartridges 220 and 221 , a bulk feeder converter 210 , a set of flow limiters 230 and 231 and a bulk feeder having a frusto conical chamber 202 for receiving the cartridges, the converter and the flow limiters.
- a cover is secured to the top of the bulk feeder to contain the cartridges, converter and flow limiters within the chamber 202 .
- Dispensing cartridge 221 of FIG. 16 and dispensing cartridge 70 of FIG. 11 are identical as well as dispensing cartridge 220 of FIG. 16 and dispensing cartridge 60 of FIG. 11 .
- the dispensing cartridges are normally mounted in a nested relationship in a dispensing valve as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566.
- FIG. 17 is an isolated view showing bulk feeder converter 210 about to be axially inserted into a frusto conical chamber 202 of bulk feeder 200 , which has a larger diameter D 2 at the top of the bulk feeder than the diameter D 1 at the bottom of the bulk feeder as illustrated in FIG. 16 .
- the converging diameter of the chamber 202 allows the bulk feeder converter 210 to be pushed downward until the circular peripheral edge 210 a frictionally engages the circular inner frusto conical wall 200 a of bulk feeder 200 and the underside of the converter mates with the curvilinear lip 204 and curvilinear lip 205 on the bottom of the bulk feeder.
- the diametrical dimension of converter 210 is selected so that frictional engagement between the converter 210 and the sidewall 200 a occurs when the curved undersides of the converter 210 mates with the curvilinear lip 204 and curvilinear lip 205 at the bottom of the bulk feeder with the curvilinear lip 204 and curvilinear lip 205 each defining regions of flow into and out of the chamber 202 of the bulk feeder. Consequently, through coordination of the diameter of the converter with the vertical height where the underside of the converter mates with the bottom of the bulk feeder one can simultaneously secure the converter in the bulk feeder and form a fluid pathway between the bulk feeder and the converter. In this example the sole action of axially forcing the bulk feeder converter 210 into the bottom of the bulk feeder chamber 202 frictionally retains the converter in the bulk feeder.
- FIG. 17 illustrates the method of on the go reconfiguring a bulk feeder usable in either an industrial water treatment application or a nonindustrial water treatment application to a bulk feeder 200 for receiving a water dispersant contained in a dispenser cartridge comprising the steps of inserting a converter 210 having a peripheral edge 210 a , a first top cartridge socket 210 d and a first bottom socket 214 ( FIG. 19 ) and a second top cartridge socket 210 e and a second bottom socket 245 ( FIG. 19 ) into a chamber 202 in the bulk feeder 200 and securing the converter 210 to the bulk feeder 200 through methods as illustrated in FIGS. 17 b and 17 c although other methods may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- FIG. 17A shows converter 210 mounted in the bottom of bulk feeder 200 in a condition to receive a set of dispensing cartridges and engage the ports on the dispensing cartridge and FIG. 17B shows a detail of the frictional engagement of the circular peripheral edge 210 a of converter 210 with the with the frusto conical sidewall 200 a .
- FIG. 17B shows a detail of the frictional engagement of the circular peripheral edge 210 a of converter 210 with the with the frusto conical sidewall 200 a .
- the combination of a slight taper of the frusto conical sidewall 200 allows the converter to be inserted into the chamber until the peripheral edge 210 a of the converter contacts the sidewall 200 a . Once contacted, a further downward axial force on the converter 210 causes the peripheral edge 210 a of the converter to bite into the wall 200 a as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 18 is a sectional perspective view of the bulk feeder 200 showing the interior bottom portion of bulk feeder 200 .
- Bulk feeder 200 is similar to dispensing valve 10 shown in FIG. 3 but instead of having a set of sockets for engaging an inlet and an outlet in a set of canisters the bulk feeder 20 includes a bottom member 207 having a first curvilinear lip 204 encompassing a curvilinear web 208 with a fluid port 208 a and a second curvilinear lip 205 encompassing a second curvilinear web 209 with a fluid port 209 a therein.
- water enters inlet fitting 255 and flows through inlet port 209 a into the chamber 202 and then flows back into outlet fitting 206 through port 208 a .
- the curvilinear webs with the ports therein prevent a solid dispersant such as halogen pucks or tablets of chlorine or bromine from falling into the fluid stream flowing from the inlet port 209 a to the outlet port 208 a of the bulk feeder 200 . Since the pucks or tablets are larger than the ports the water has an opportunity to flow around and through the pucks or tablets before being discharged through outlet fitting 256 .
- a rotary valve which would normally be located in circular housing 260 of the bulk feeder 200 has been left out. The purpose of the rotary valve is to increase or decrease the flow of water through the chamber 202 of the bulk feeder 200 .
- the set of curvilinear lips 204 and 205 which are located at the bottom of chamber 202 , are suitable for forming mating engagement with features on the underside of converter 210 .
- FIG. 19 shows a bottom view of bulk feeder converter 210 revealing a cutout 210 b for pressure relief valve 230 ( FIG. 18 ) as well as a first curvilinear lip 214 with a web 212 therein and a curvilinear lip 245 with a web 213 therein.
- Located in web 213 is a first set of ports 213 e and a second set of ports 213 d which surround an opening 240 a for receiving the stem of a first flow limiter.
- located on web 212 is a first set of ports 212 e and a second set of ports 212 d which surround an opening 241 for receiving the stem of a second flow limiter.
- the converter curvilinear lip 214 mates with the curvilinear bulk feeder lip 204 and the curvilinear converter lip 245 mates with the curvilinear bulk feeder lip 205 .
- the peripheral edge 210 a can be brought into mating frictional engagement with a sidewall 200 a while the curvilinear converter lip 214 is brought into mating face-to-face engagement with curvilinear bulk feeder lip 204 and the curvilinear converter lip 205 is brought into mating face-to-face engagement with curvilinear bulk feeder lip 214 .
- FIG. 19 shows the bulk feeder converter 210 without the flow limiters
- FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 show the bulk feeder converter 210 with flow limiter 230 and flow limiter 231 .
- FIG. 22 shows flow limiter 230 comprises a planar flange member 231 having a first ear 230 a and a second ear 230 b . Located on one end of flow limiter 230 is a stud 234 having a split head 235 with a retaining shoulder 235 a .
- Flow limiter 230 functions in the same manner as flow limiter 40 in that in one mode the flow limiter 230 can block flow through the ports in the web supporting the flow limiter and in a second mode the flow limiter is deactivated through engagement with a cam on dispensing cartridge.
- Flow limiter 230 is shown in an isolated view in FIG. 22 revealing a stem 234 extending perpendicularly from the flat flange base 230 c of the flow limiter 230 .
- the flow limiter comprises an elliptical shaped flange formed from a polymer plastic or the like with the flow limiter containing a first ear 230 a on one side of flow limiter 230 and a second ear 230 b on the opposite side of flow limiter 230 to maintain the flow limiter 230 properly positioned in the bulk converter. That is, as shown in FIG.
- Flow limiters 230 and 231 are identical and are shown in the closed condition in FIG. 21 to prevent or limit flow into the chamber of the dispenser valve 200 when there are no cartridges present in the bulk feeder 210 .
- FIG. 20 is a top view of the bulk feeder converter 210 revealing a first socket 211 having a web 213 with a set of ports 213 e and 213 d .
- the end 247 of a stem of a flow limiter 230 extends through an opening in web 213 to permit axial displacement of flow limiter 230 in response to a cartridge placement in the bulk feeder.
- a second socket 209 includes a web 212 with a set of ports 212 d and 212 e .
- the stem end 235 of a flow limiter 231 extends through an opening in web 212 to permit axial displacement of flow limiter 231 in response to a cartridge placement in the bulk feeder.
- FIG. 23 is a perspective partially cutaway view of a dispenser cartridge or canister 300 having a housing 309 with a dispenser chamber 310 .
- Canister 300 which is axially insertable into bulk feeder 200 , includes a halogen 295 such as chlorine or bromine although materials may be used without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention.
- a halogen 295 such as chlorine or bromine although materials may be used without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention.
- Located on the bottom of canister 300 is a first leg 301 that terminates in a first elongated socket 303 and a second leg 302 that terminates in a second elongated socket 321 .
- FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view revealing that the first elongated socket 303 includes an inside wall 304 that encompass a web 308 .
- Web 308 may include a key slot for engagement with a mating key on a converter to prevent the canister 300 from being inserted improperly.
- Web 308 contains a set of openings 307 for passage of water into and out of the chamber 310 in canister 300 .
- FIG. 24 a shows an identical socket 302 with the deactivator comprising cylindrical post 343 having a top cam surface 343 a and socket 31 with a cylindrical post 336 having a top cam surface 336 a .
- the openings 342 and 337 are rectangular in shape as compared to the square openings shown in FIG. 24 although other shape fluid openings may be used to provide for a fluid passage therethrough.
- the sidewall 304 around the web 308 extends a greater distance from the web 308 than the cam 306 to enable socket-to-socket engagement between the canister and the converter before the cam engages the flow limiter in the converter.
- the cam 306 is similar to cam 60 c in that the cam 306 axially engages one of the flow limiters in converter 210 to permit water flow into the dispensing chamber 310 through the web supporting the flow limiter when the socket 303 of canister 300 is placed in a top socket of the converter 210 .
- Canister 300 also includes a second socket 320 that includes an inside sidewall 326 that encompass a web 325 .
- Web 325 may include a key slot for engagement with a mating key on a converter to prevent the canister 300 improper installation of the canister 300 .
- Web 325 also contains a set of openings 322 for passage of water into and out of the chamber 310 in canister 300 .
- Secured to the bottom of web 325 is a cross-shaped cam deactivator 323 that is laterally offset from sidewall 326 with cam 323 extending axially outward from web 325 so that axial insertion of the canister 300 into a converter in a bulk feeder engages and deactivates the flow limiter.
- the sidewall 326 around web 325 extends a greater distance from the web 305 than the cam 323 to enable socket-to-socket engagement between the canister and the converter before the cam engages a flow limiter in the converter.
- the cam face 306 a in socket 303 and the cam face 323 in the socket 302 extend equal distance from the webs supporting them for simultaneously deactivation of converter flow limiters when the dispenser 300 and the converter 210 are brought into socket-to-socket engagement.
- the first cam face 306 a and the second cam face 323 a are orthogonal positioned with respect to the central axis 9 of the dispenser 30 to enable the cam face to axially displace the flow limiters to minimize lateral forces on the stem of the flow limiters that may cause the flow limiters to bind as they are deactivated.
- the cam 323 and the cam 306 are molded into the canister during the formation of the canister housing 309 and become an integral part of the canister housing.
- the canister 300 includes two cams while the canister 60 and canister 70 , as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 11A , each contains a single cam for separately deactivating the flow limiters in the converter 30 .
- both the flow limiters in the converter are deactivated by the cams so that water can flow through the converter and into and out of the dispenser cartridge.
Abstract
A system for limiting the flow from a dispensing valve when a dispensing cartridge is replaced with the system including a dispenser cartridge with a cam and a water socket with a flow limiter therein that is activeable in response to the position of the dispenser cartridge in the dispensing valve and operable in response to an upstream fluid pressure in the dispensing valve.
Description
- This application is a division of patent application Ser. No. 15/932,889 filed May 15, 2018 (pending), which is a division of patent application Ser. No. 15/330,533 filed Oct. 4, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,060,148), which is a division of application Ser. No. 14/545,413 filed May 1, 2015 titled DISPENSING SYSTEMS (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,752,920), which claims priority from provisional application 61/999,099 filed Jul. 16, 2014 titled Dispensing Systems.
- None
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- The concepts of dispensers for delivering water purification material into a body of water such as a pool or the like are known in the art. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566 which shows nestable canisters for use in inline dispersal valves that normally hold only a single canister with the nestable canisters suitable for replacing the single canister, which disperses a single chemical dispersant, with a first canister to disperse a first dispersant and a second canister to disperse a second dispersant. The dual canisters permit simultaneous but separate treatment of a temporarily bifurcated fluid stream that flows through a set of dispersal valve ports that were normally used for dispensing only one chemical dispersant into the dispersal valve. In addition, the nestable canisters may be provided with an improved bactericide and algaecide for killing bacteria and algae in the water with each of the canisters including a set of ports that connect to the inlet and outlet port in the inline dispenser.
- A number of patents show valves or the like for controlling the flow through some type of inline dispensing system.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,170 shows a treatment system with a set of valves to control the flow of liquid through the treatment system.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,870 shows a swimming pool chlorinator that uses a ball valve to control flow of material into the body of water.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,812 shows a valve block for supplying chlorine that uses a ball valve to control the flow of liquid.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,116 shows a chlorinator that contains an opening that is formed by the relative position of two members with slots.
- U.S. patent application 2011/0163124 shows a granular chemical dispenser that uses ganged valves to control the inlet to the dispenser.
- U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,565 shows a device for treating or sensing through the use of flow sensors or objects acted upon by the flowing water.
- King U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566 shows an inline dispenser having replaceable cartridges container within a chamber of the inline dispenser.
- U.S. patent application 2002/0153043 discloses a pool chlorinator with a check valve to prevent the water and gases to enter the chemical compartment through the return port.
- A consumer friendly device for a dispensing valve comprising a converter with a cartridge activeable flow limiter for changing a normally open port-dispensing valve into a normally closed port dispensing valve when there is no dispensing cartridge in the dispensing valve. In one example the invention comprises a dispensing system wherein the dispensing cartridges carried by a dispensing valve can be replaced on the go with the dispensing valve including a flow limiter that reduces or shuts off the flow of fluid from a dispensing valve port when one of the dispensing cartridges is removed from a chamber in the dispensing valve. The converter allows one to convert a conventional dispensing valve to a flow limiting valve through the insertion of a converter containing flow limiters with the converter self securable to an interior surface of a dispensing valve and mateable with the existing ports of the dispensing valve. In another example the invention includes a cartridge dispenser that is mountable within a dispensing valve with the cartridge dispenser including a deactivator engageable with a flow limiter in the converter for opening the flow limiter when the cartridge dispenser is in a dispensing condition. The flow limiter is normally maintainable in a closed condition through the pressure forces acting on an underside of the flow limiter. Other features and examples are described herein.
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FIG. 1 is a front view of a dispensing valve for delivering water treatment materials to a swimming pool; -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a dispensing valve containing replaceable dispenser cartridges; -
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view showing a converter being inserted into a prior art dispenser; -
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the converter; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the converter ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the converter ofFIG. 4 taken along lines 6,7-6,7 with the converter in a flow limiting condition; -
FIG. 6A is a side view in section showing the converter frictionally mounted in a dispenser housing; -
FIG. 6B is an isolated view of the cantilevered radial fins on the converter; -
FIG. 6C is a perspective of a flow limiter; -
FIG. 6D is an isolated view of an end cap without a flow limiter therein; -
FIG. 7 is a side view of the converter ofFIG. 4 taken alonglines 6,7 with the converter in a flow through condition; -
FIG. 8 is a side view partially in section shown the converter ofFIG. 5 about to be inserted on the extension sockets of the inline dispenser; -
FIG. 9 is a side view partially in section shown the converter ofFIG. 5 engaged with the extension sockets of the inline dispenser; -
FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section shown a set of dispensing cartridges to be inserted into the converter, which is mounted on the extension sockets of the inline dispenser; -
FIG. 11 is a pictorial end view of an annular dispensing cartridge having a deactivator for engaging the flow limiter in the converter; -
FIG. 11A is a pictorial end view of a cylindrical cartridge having a deactivator for engaging the flow limiter in the converter; -
FIG. 11B is an isolated pictorial view of a cam located in a socket of a dispenser cartridge; -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing flow limiters in a deactivated condition; -
FIG. 12A is a sectional view showing flow limiters in an operative condition; -
FIG. 12b is an isolated view of the extensions sockets of the dispenser and the dispensing cartridge in mating engagement with the flow limiter deactivated by the dispensing cartridge; -
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the flow limiters as integral part of an inline dispenser; -
FIG. 14 is a front view of a set of cartridge s mounted in a converter; -
FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view through the sockets similar to the view alonglines 6,7 ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a set of dispensing cartridges, a converter and a bulk feeder; -
FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a bulk feeder and a converter for axial insertion into a compartment in the bulk feeder; -
FIG. 17A shows a converter mounted in a bulk feeder; -
FIG. 17B shows a converter edge in engagement with a bulk feeder; -
FIG. 17C shows a converter edge in engagement with a bulk feeder; -
FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the sockets and flow selector at the bottom of the bulk-dispensing cartridge; -
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of a bulk feeder converter; -
FIG. 20 is a top view of a bulk feeder converter ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 21 is bottom view of the bulk feeder converter with a flow limiter; -
FIG. 22 is an isolated view of the flow limiter in the bulk feeder converter ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective partially cutaway view of a dispenser cartridge; -
FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the bulk feeder converter and the contoured sockets located thereon; and -
FIG. 24A is a bottom perspective view of the bulk feeder converter with a cylindrical deactivator cam. -
FIG. 1 is a front view of atypical dispensing valve 10 for delivering water treatment materials to a swimming pool or the like. The dispensingvalve 10 includes a base orflange 16, with an inlet fitting 11 on one end and an outlet fitting 12 on the opposite end. On top offlange 16 is ahousing 13 having acover 14 that is securable to thehousing 13. The cover allows one to remove and insert fresh cartridges into a chamber in the dispensingvalve 10. Arotateable control valve 15 allows one to control the amount of water that is diverted through thehousing 13 and the dispensing cartridges that are located within the chamber in thehousing 13. An example of an inline dispensing valve is shown in King et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,743 and is herby incorporated by reference. -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a dispensing system with the dispensingvalve 10 ofFIG. 1 showing a firstcylindrical dispensing canister 22 and a second annular dispensingcanister 21 located in a nested relationship in a dispenser cartridge compartment orchamber 20 withinhousing 13. Each ofcanisters canisters dispenser 10. In this example an extension or socket 21 a ofcanister 21 is visible and in engagement with extension orwater socket 19 a ofdispenser 10. Similarly, an extension orsocket 22 a ofcanister 22 is visible and in engagement with extension orwater socket 19 b of thedispenser 10. Each of the sockets includes a first set of ports to allow fluid to flow from the dispensing valve into the dispersant in the dispensing cartridges and then return through another set of ports. An example of a dispensing system where two dispensing cartridges are fitted into the chamber of the housing to deliver multiple dispersants to a body of water can be found in King U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566, which is herby incorporated by reference. -
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of aninline dispensing valve 10 showing the axial insertion of a converter orbackflow limiter 30, which contains afirst flow limiter 40 and asecond flow limiter 41 that limits or prevents backflow of water into thechamber 20 of dispensingvalve 10. The arrow indicates the axial direction of insertion of theconverter 30 into the lower end of thechamber 20 where features on the underside ofconverter 30 mate with thefirst extension socket 19 a in dispensingvalve 10 and thesecond extension socket 19 b in dispensingvalve 10. Normally, theextension socket 19 a andextension socket 19 b of the dispensingvalve 10 mates directly to a set of extension sockets on a set of dispensing cartridges, which enables theinline extension socket 19 a andextension socket 19 b to direct water to and from the mating dispensing cartridges in the dispensing valve. In this example, a converter oradapter 30 is about to be attached to the interior of dispensingvalve 10 with theconverter 30 forming a functional interface between the dispensingvalve 10 and the dispensing cartridges located in the dispensing valve.Converter 30 contains afirst flow limiter 40 or canister deactiveable valve and asecond flow limiter 41 or a canister deactiveable valve for positioning in flow paths between the dispensingvalve 10 and the dispenser cartridges in the dispensingvalve 10. A feature of the invention is that the flow limiters do not interfere with the flow during the dispensing of materials from the cartridges in the dispensingvalve 10 but prevent or inhibit backflow through the chamber of the dispensingvalve 10 when a dispensing cartridge is replaced. Thus a benefit of the flow limiters is that they minimize or eliminate adverse effects during the replacement of a spent cartridge without interfering with the performance of the dispensing valve. Thus problems due to backflow can be minimized or eliminated through placement of a converter in an existing dispensing valve and without adversely affecting the operation of the system. -
Converter 30 is preferably made of a polymer plastic that is resistant to the dispersants and is rigid but with sufficientlyresilient fins 31 a that form locking frictional engagement with the sidewalls of the dispenser housing while a set ofbottom sockets 35 and 36 (FIG. 7 ) form mating frictional engagement with theextension water sockets valve 10. -
FIG. 3 shows thedispenser housing 13 includes aninternal locater 13A to enable one to correctly position dispensing cartridges within thechamber 20. In this example thelocater 13A can be used to correctly align and position theconverter 30 in the bottom ofchamber 20. A feature of the invention is thatconverter 30 can be hand mounted within dispensingvalve 10 without the aid of tools and adhesives although one may elect to use tools or adhesives if so desired. That is,converter 30 can be securely mounted within dispensingvalve 10 through frictional engagement between a set ofradial fins 31 a and thechamber sidewall 10 a as well as the mating engagement between theextensions valve 10 and a set ofsocket extensions converter 30. In this example the mating and frictional engagement between the housing and the converter maintains theconverter 30 in a fixed condition within the dispensingvalve 10. A benefit of theconverter 30 is that because of its unique frictional mounting within the dispensing valve it allows a pool owner to update his or her dispensing valve by his or her self without the use of tools. A further benefit is that theconverter 30 allows one to introduce flow limiters into an existing circulation system without having to replace the dispensing valve or to modify any of the structure of the dispensing valve. Thus the consumer benefits from a quick conversion from a non-flow limiting system to a flow limiting system. In addition the consumer benefits since the out of pocket expenses for system conversion are eliminated as the consumer avoids the expense of hiring a person to make the conversion. - While
FIG. 3 shows aconverter 30 being axially inserted into a dispensingvalve 10FIG. 4 shows an isolated top view ofconverter 30 revealing a set ofradial fins 31 a, which are cantilevered radially outward from acentral hub 31.Fins 31 a, while rigid, are cantilevered to provide resiliency for forming frictional engagement with a smooth sidewall of a dispensing valve. As shown inFIG. 4 converter 30 includes a firsttop socket 50 having aninner socket sidewall 50 a and a web or end cap forming asocket bottom member 50 b having afluid passage 48 and a plurality of smallerfluid passages 45 that are locatedproximate flow limiter 40 and a secondtop socket 51 with an inner socket sidewall 51 a and a web or an end cap forming a socket bottom member 51 b having afluid passage 47 and a plurality of smallerfluid passages 46 that are locatedproximate flow limiter 41. As can be seen inFIG. 6 thetop socket 50 and thebottom socket 35 share anend cap 50 b. Similarly thetop socket 51 and thebottom socket 36 share an end cap 51 b. Whenconverter 30 is in a dispensing condition the plurality offluid passages 45 and the plurality offluid passages 46 permit ingress of fluid therethrough sinceflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 are automatically deactivated when dispensing cartridges are inserted into a dispensing valve carrying theconverter 30. Therefore, in normal operation of the dispensingvalve 10 theflow limiters converter 30 is in the flow limiting condition theflow limiters 41 and 42 form an obstruction tofluid ports - In order to appreciate the operable and deactivated condition of
flow limiters FIGS. 5-7 .FIG. 5 shows a side view ofconverter 30 with the flow limiters concealed within theconverter 30. In order to reveal the flow limiting position of the flow limiters and non flow limiting position of the flow limiters reference should be made toFIG. 6 andFIG. 7 , which show a sectional view taken alonglines 6,7 ofFIG. 4 to reveal the position of the flow limiters under different conditions. -
FIG. 6 shows theflow limiters condition flange 81 obstructs the fluid flow throughports 45 and flange 81 a obstructs the fluid flow throughports 46. In contrast,FIG. 7 shows theflow limiters past flange 81 and throughports 45 as well as past flange 81 a and throughports 46. In the flow limiting condition, as shown inFIG. 6 , theflange 81 offlow limiter 40, has been axially displaceable insocket 50 to block theapertures 45 and limit or prevent flow therethrough since theflow limiter 40 has aflange 81 having a diameter larger than a diameter of the set of fluid ports in theend cap 50 b. Similarly, theflow limiter 41 has been axially displaceable insocket 51 to block theapertures 46 and limit or prevent flow therethrough since it has a flange having a diameter larger than the diameter of the set of fluid ports in the end cap 51 b. -
FIG. 6C is a perspective-isolated view of a one-piece flow limiter 40 for limiting or obstructing the fluid flow through a dispensing valve in response to a fluid condition within the dispensing valve. Asflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 are identical only flowlimiter 40 is described herein.Flow limiter 40 includes a flat circular flange ordisk 81 with a centralcylindrical stem 83 extending vertically upward from the center offlange 81. Thestem 83 allows theflow limiter 40 to move up and down in a hole in the socket bottom while the stem is radially restrained by the sidewalls 50 f of ahole 50 d in an the end cap orsocket web 50 b of socket 50 (FIG. 6D ).Stem 83 contains asplit head first split head 84 a having a retainingbarb 84 a and asecond split head 85 having a retainingbarb 85 a.Split head 84 and splithead 85 are resilient and can be pinched together to facilitate insertion of thestem 83 into anopening 50 d in web orend cap 50 b. Once inserted the split head ends 84 and 85 are allowed to expand causingbarb 84 a andbarb 85 a to act as a top stop to thereby retain theflow limiter 40 in the socket of theconverter 30. Similarly,disk 81 functions as a bottom stop to retain theflow limiter 40 in the socket of theconverter 30. While the purpose of the split stem is to facilitate insertion of the stem into an opening in the socket bottom other means or methods may be used to insert or restrain axial displacement of a flow limiter. - A feature of the
converter 30 is that during operation of dispensingvalve 10 the dispensing cartridges within the dispenser mechanically maintain theflow limiter 40 and theflow limiter 41 in a deactivated condition to allow fluid from the dispensingvalve 10 to flow into and out of the dispensing cartridges, which are located inchamber 20 in the dispensingvalve 10 and mate with the converter. However, removal of the mateable dispenser cartridges from the dispensingvalve 10 automatically activates theflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 through utilization of the water pressure in the dispensing valve which urges theflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 to a closed condition that limits or prevents backflow into an open chamber of the dispensing valve. A benefit of the integral activation and deactivation feature is that if a consumer should accidentally remove a dispensing cartridge from the dispensing valve without shutting off the water pressure the flow limiters automatically limit or prevent backflow of water into the chamber of the dispensing valve thus minimizing chances of a water spill or injury to the person. -
FIG. 6A shows a partial sectionalview showing converter 30 bridged across thechamber 20 to reveal the frictional cooperation between thedispenser housing sidewall 10 a andconverter 30. That is, the peripheral frictional engagement of the edge ofradial fins 31 a with theinner sidewall 10 a limits lateral and axial displacement of theconverter 30. Inaddition converter socket 35 extends intodispenser socket 19 a on dispensingvalve 10 so thatouter sidewall 35 a ofconverter socket 35 is in mating engagement withinner sidewall 19 c a of dispensingvalve socket 19 a which extends vertically upward from the bottom ofdispenser 10. Similarly,converter socket 36 extends into dispenser so thatouter sidewall 36 a ofsocket 36 is in mating engagement withinner sidewall 19 d ofsocket 19 b to limit or prevent flow leakage therebetween. The mating engagement between sockets of the converter and the sockets of the dispensing valve is preferably a frictional fit along the entire peripheral region of the sockets to provide a flow path for water to flow through the dispenser sockets and the converter sockets before enteringchamber 20 which contains a set of dispensing cartridges. - A feature of
converter 30 is that it can be hand mounted in an existing dispensing valve without the aid of tools and without having to alter the internal structure of the dispensing valve solely through frictional engagement between the dispensing valve and the converter although other methods may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A reference toFIG. 6B shows a detail of aradial fin 31 revealing an angledperipheral edge 31 b ofradial fin 31 a in biting engagement withsidewall 10 a. Theradial fin 31 a is cantilevered fromhub 31 ofconverter 30 with theperipheral edge 31 b of the radial fins engaging the sidewall at an acute angle Θ. The radial fin is also an acute angle ϕ with respect to plane 37 which extends through anedge 31 a of theradial fins 31 of the converter (FIG. 5 ) so that theend face 31 b (FIG. 6B ) is located at an acute angle to the sidewall with a sharp corner or anglededge 31 b in contact with the side wall. The use of anangled edge 31 b for engaging thesidewall 10 a increases the frictional resistance to removal of the converter from the inline dispenser. In addition the location of thefin 31 at an acute angle Θ with respect to thesidewall 10 a allows thefin 31 a to flex with respect to thehub 31 as the hub is forced downward into the dispenser. The flexing allows thefins 31 a to accommodate aninside housing 10 where the diameter of the housing may vary since thefin 31 a can flex to cause thefin edge 31 c to bite into thesidewall 10 a. While theperipheral edge 31 a is shown as comprising a set of radial fins 32 the radial fins may be omitted as illustrated in theconverter 210. In the example shown inFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 theend face 31 c of the fins is perpendicular tofin 31 a so that the slight upward acute angle offin 31 a with respect toplane 37, as illustrated inFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 andFIG. 6B causesedge 31 b to engage thewall 10 a. A feature of theangled fin 31 a is that it inhibits or prevents removal ofconverter 30 since upward force onconverter 30 increases the friction forces since the upward force to increase in diameter thus increasing the binding of the converter to the housing. - While a frictional mating engagement between the dispensing
valve 10 and theconverter 30 generates sufficient frictional resistant to maintain theconverter 30 within a dispensing valve one may want to taper the sidewalls of the sockets of either the dispenser or the dispensing cartridges to facilitate starting engagement between the sockets as the converter is inserted into the inline dispenser. Still in other cases one may want the mating engagement between the converter and the dispensing valve to be the result of an interference fit between the sockets in the converter and the sockets in the inline dispenser. - A reference to
FIG. 6 shows an isolated view of theconverter 30 withflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 in the flow limiting condition andFIG. 7 shows and isolated view of theconverter 30 with theflow limiter 40 andflow limiter 41 in the non-flow limiting condition. - A reference to
FIGS. 8-12 reveals the converter and the converter mateable dispensing cartridges for insertion in a dispensing valve and the steps of an operator in first inserting a converter into a dispensing valve and then inserting mateable dispensing cartridges into the dispensing valve as well as the effect of the step of inserting or removing a mateable dispenser cartridge from the dispensing valve. The conventional step of inserting mateable dispensing cartridges into the converter automatically changes the flow limiters in the converter from a flow limiting condition to a non flow limiting condition while the conventional step of removing the mateable dispenser cartridges from the converter automatically changes the flow limiters in the converter from a non flow limiting condition to a flow limiting condition. In both instance the operation of changing the flow limiter condition from one state to another is seamless and requires no special action by the pool owner. -
FIG. 8 shows the first step (indicated by the arrows) of mounting aconverter 30 with flow limiters in a dispensingvalve 10 through frictionally engagement between theconverter fins 31 a and thesidewall 10 a as well the engagement of theconverter socket 35 with afirst extension socket 19 b of the dispensingvalve 10 and thesecond extension 19 a (located behindextension 19 b). -
FIG. 9 is a side view partially in section showing the second step where theconverter 30 has been frictionally engaged withsidewall 10 a as well as mateingly engaged with the dispensing valveextension water socket 19 b andextension water socket 19 a (FIG. 3 ). -
FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section showing the third step where a set of nested dispensingcartridges converter 30, are in the process of being inserted into the top sockets of theconverter 30, which is mounted on the extension sockets of the dispensingvalve 10.FIG. 11 andFIG. 11A show isolated views of nested dispensingcartridges flow limiters converter 30. -
FIG. 11 is a pictorial end view of anannular dispensing cartridge 60 for insertion intodispenser 10. To facilitate correct insertion, the dispensingcartridge 60 includes analignment slot 60 e for rotational alignment of thedispenser cartridge 60 with respect to the dispensing valve housing as well as alignment of afirst socket 60 a having a set offluid ports 60 f with a first dispensing valve socket and asecond socket 60 b having a set offluid ports 60 g for alignment with a second dispensing valve socket. Located incartridge socket 60 b is adeactivator cam 60 c. In thisexample cam 60 c comprises a rigid, rectangular shaped, rib that extends axially outward fromend cap 60 d ofcartridge socket 60 b.FIG. 12B shows that the height h ofcam 60 c is less than the height L of a portion ofsidewall 60 b that extends belowsocket 60. Thedeactivator cam 60 c extends in a same direction as the axis of insertion of theflow limiter 40 in theconverter 30. Consequently, the step of axially inserting thecartridge 60 into thedispenser 10 can be used to deactivate theflow limiter 40 ascam 60 c forces theflow limiter 40 from the flow limiting condition shown inFIG. 12A into the non-flow limiting condition shown inFIG. 12 andFIG. 12B . On the other hand the action of removing the dispensingcartridge 60 from the dispensing valve activates theflow limiter 40 sincecam 60 c is removed from contact with theflow limiter 40 thus allowing the water pressure within the dispensing valve to bring theflow limiter 40 into the flow limiting position illustrated inFIG. 12A . - Through the insertion of a
dispenser cartridge 60 with acam 60 c having atop cam face 60 r into a dispensing valve one simultaneously and automatically deactivates theflow limiter 40 as thedispenser cartridge 60 is installed in an inline dispenser. A benefit of this feature is that a pool maintainer need not change his or her procedure for replacing dispensing cartridges since the act of replacing the dispensing cartridge automatically deactivates or activates theflow limiter 40. Consequently, opportunity for errors in replacing a dispensing cartridge are not affected by the operator. In fact the pool maintainer need not be aware of thedeactivator cam 60 c as the flow limiter is positioned so that the alignment of the socket of the dispensing valve with the socket in either of the converter or the dispensing valve automatically aligns thecam face 60 r ofdeactivator cam 60 c with the end offlow limiter 40 as illustrated inFIG. 12B . Consequently, the primary action of insertion or removal of a dispensing cartridge from a dispensing valve seamlessly controls the operation of the flow limiter. Consequently, the pool maintainer need not take any additional action to activate the flow limiter since the axial removal of thedispenser cartridge 60 automatically activates theflow limiter 40 as thedeactivator cam 60 c is withdrawn from contact with thestem head flow limiter 40, which frees theflow limiter 40 to respond to fluid conditions within the system. Thus, a pool maintainer automatically activates or deactivates a flow limiter through the action of replacing a dispensing cartridge in the dispenser. - When the dispensing
cartridge 60 is removed from a dispensingvalve cam 60 c activates theflow limiter 40 and when thedispenser cartridge 60 is inserted into the dispensingvalve 10cam 60 c deactivates the flow limiter. In the example shown thedeactivator cam 60 c is fitted withindispenser socket 60 b and is positioned so that deactivator cam face 60 r (FIG. 12B ) contacts the end of theflow limiter 40 to hold the flow limiter in an out of the way condition when thedispensers cartridge 60 is located in an operable condition in the dispensing valve. In this example thedeactivator cam 60 c comprises a rigid rectangular shaped extension or rib that extends outward from the bottom ofsocket 60 d having acam face 60 r with thecam side 60 h andcam side 60 c alignable with flow therepast. -
FIG. 11A is a pictorial end view of a canister orcylindrical dispensing cartridge 70 having achamber 70L for holding adispersant 70 m, for example chlorine or bromine or other types of water treatment materials containable in a dispensing cartridge.Dispensing cartridge 70 has acentral axis 9 with dispensingcartridge 70 nestable within dispensingcartridge 60 as illustrated inFIG. 10 .Dispensing cartridge 70 also includes a deactivator cam orrib 70 c for deactivating a flow limiter, which may be located in either a converter or a dispensing valve, when the dispensingcartridge 70 is inserted into the dispensing valve and activating the flow limiter when the dispensingcartridge 70 is removed from the dispensing valve. In thisexample dispensing cartridge 70 includes analignment slot 70 i and 70 d for rotational alignment with dispensingcartridge 60 so that bothdispenser cartridges Dispensing cartridge 70 includes afirst socket 70 a having a bottom orend cap 70 e with a set offluid ports 70 f therein for ingress water into thecartridge 70 and asecond socket 70 b having a bottom orend cap 70 h with a set offluid ports 70 f for egress of water fromcartridge 70. In this example thedeactivator cam 70 c also comprises a rectangular shaped extension or rib, which is permanently mounted to theend cap 70 e with therib 70 c extending axially outward fromend cap 70 e ofsocket 70 a and having acam face 70 g for engaging and deactivating a flow limiter. -
FIG. 11B is an isolated pictorial view of an example of a low profile deactivator 81 a, which is located insocket 80 a on adispenser cartridge 80. In thisexample socket 80 a has atop edge 80 b for engaging an end cap of a socket in either a converter or a dispensing valve and an externalmateable side 80 c for engaging a sidewall of a socket in either a converter or a socket in a dispensing valve. Anend cap 80 e extends across the bottom ofsocket 80 a with one end ofend cap 80 e including a set of fluid ports 80 d for flow of fluid therethrough. Extending outward fromend cap 80 e is the deactivator 81 a, which comprises a cylindrical post having a cylindrical sidewall 81 a and a top circular cam face 81 b having ageometric center 83. In this example cam face 81 b can be used to deactivate a flow limiter when the dispensingcartridge 80 is inserted into a socket in either a dispensing valve or a converter. Thedeactivator 81 has a height y which is less than the height y, of thesidewall 80 c, which allows one to align the socket of the dispensing cartridge with either the socket of a converter or a dispensing valve before the deactivator 81 contacts the flow limiter which is carried in a socket of either the converter or the dispensing valve. In this example thedeactivator 81 is positioned with respect to thesocket sidewall 80 b as noted by the dimensions x and z that are measured from acentral axis 83 ofdeactivator 81. In order to provide for cam engagement during and after insertion of the dispensing cartridge into the dispensing valve the flow limiter in the converter or the dispensing valve is also positioned with respect to a sidewall socket of the converter or the dispensing valve that mates with the socket of the dispensing cartridge. Although the dispensing cartridges and the dispensing valve are separate components the referencing of the position of the deactivator 81 b with respect to a socket sidewall which forms mating engagement with a socket sidewall on a converter or the inline dispenser, allows one to locate thedeactivator 81 so that the insertion of the dispensingcartridge 60 into the socket of a dispensing valve or a converter automatically brings thedeactivator 81 into alignment and engagement with the flow limiter since the flow limiter is dimensionally positioned with respect to the socket sidewall carrying the flow limiter. - A reference to
FIG. 12A showsconverter 30 located in dispensingvalve 10 with the dispensing cartridges having been removed from the dispensingvalve 10. In this example theinlet water socket 19 a connects to a source of pressurized water (not shown). During replacement of a dispenser cartridge the source of pressurized water in the dispensingvalve 10 an operator normally closes the rotor valve 15 (FIG. 1 ) to stop flow into the chamber of the dispensing valve, however, in the event an operator fails to close therotor valve 15 the invention described herein provides a safety feature that automatically limits or prevents backflow of water into the dispensing chamber in the dispensingvalve 10 when the dispensing cartridges are removed from the dispensing valve. - As can be seen in
FIG. 12 the sockets ofconverter 30 mate to the sockets of the dispensingvalve 10. That is, the dispensingvalve water socket 19 a is in mating engagement withbottom converter socket 35 and dispensingvalve water socket 19 b is in mating engagement withbottom converter socket 36. In the mated condition and without the presence of a canister or dispenser cartridge the fluid pressure insocket 19 a generates an upward force onflow limiter 40 causing theflow limiter 40 to move axially upwards and block the ports 45 (FIG. 12A ) withflange 81 thus limiting or preventing fluid flow into the dispensingchamber 20. Similarly, fluid pressure insocket 19 b generates an upward force onflow limiter 41 causing the flow limiter to move axially upward and block the ports 46 (FIG. 12A ) with flange 81 a thus limiting or preventing fluid flow into the dispensingchamber 20. Through utilization of the internal fluid pressure within the dispenser one can urge theflow limiters - Thus, in normal operation of the
dispenser 10 a dispensing cartridge or cartridges are located in thechamber 20 of the dispensing valve. A set of deactivator's 60 c and 70 c on the dispensers normally hold theflow limiter 40 and theflow limiter 41 in an open or non-flow limiting condition. However, if a cartridge should be removed to be replaced when the dispensing valve contains fluid under pressure the flow limiters are automatically displaced axially upward to block the ports in the sockets of the converter (FIG. 12A ). - To retain the flow limiter in an operative condition within the
converter 30 theopening 50 d (FIG. 6D ) in thebottom socket member 50 is larger than the diameter of thestem 83 but less than the diameter of the stem at the barb which enables theflow limiter 40 to move axially up and down within sidewall 50 f in response to a water condition in the dispensingvalve 10. Typically, theflow limiter 40 is made from a polymer plastic or the like with the weight of the flow limiter such that the water pressure forces theflow limiter 40 to move upward withflange 81 sealingly abutting against the underside ofend cap 50 b (FIG. 12A ) thereby shutting off or limiting flow through theopenings 45 insocket end cap 50 b. Similarly, theflow limiter 41 is made from a polymer plastic or the like with the weight of the flow limiter such that the water pressure forces theflow limiter 41 with flange 81 a to move upward to sealingly abut against the underside of end cap 51 a (FIG. 12A ) thereby shutting off or limiting flow through theopenings 46 in socket end cap 51 b. Thus in the flow limiting condition theflow limiter - Typically,
converter 30 can be quickly installed into the sockets at the bottom of an existing inline non-flow limiting dispensing valve to provide an on-the-go conversion to a flow-limiting dispensing valve. In the installed condition aninner side wall 50 a of atop converter socket 50 and an inner sidewall 51 a oftop converter socket 51 engage the outer side wall of mating sockets which are located on dispensing cartridges that are installed in the dispensing valve. In addition theradial fins 31 a on theconverter 30 engage theinner surface 10 a to frictional maintain theconverter 30 in an operative condition within the dispensingvalve 10. -
FIG. 12 shows thedeactivator 60 c holding theflow limiter 40 in a deactivated condition withdeactivator 70 c holdingflow limiter 41 in a deactivated condition to allow fluid to bypass the flow limiters and flow into the dispensingcartridges - Reference to
FIG. 12B shows an isolated view of a portion of a dispensingcartridge 60 having acam face end 60 r of adeactivator 60 c in contact with anend flow limiter 40 to maintain theflow limiter 40 in a bypass condition where the flow of water into and out of the dispensingcartridge 60 can be maintained. The dispensingcartridge socket 60 b is in mating engagement with thetop converter socket 50 with the web orend cap 50 b ofsocket 50 in engagement withedge 60 p of dispensingcartridge 60. In this condition thedeactivator 60 c, which extends a distance h from the socket bottom 60 d, holds theflow limiter 40 in a non-flow limiting position i.e. a deactivated condition. The height h of the deactivator is such that in a condition where the cartridges are present in the dispenser thedeactivator 60 c abuts thehead stem 83 to hold theflow limiter 40 in a condition that permits flow around thedisk seal 81 and through theports 45. The axial alignment of thedeactivator 60 c and thestem 83 allows the action of inserting the dispensingcartridge 60 into theconverter 30 to automatically deactivate theflow limiter 40. That is, thedeactivator 60 c contacts thetop end stem 83 as one pushes the dispensing cartridge into a dispensing position in the inline dispenser. More specifically, thecam face 60 r ofdeactivator 60 c pushes thestem 83 of theflow limiter 40 downward to the position shown inFIG. 12B . Once in position thedeactivator 60 c holds theflow limiter 40 in a deactivated condition i.e.disk 81 in a spaced condition from the web orend cap 50 b ofsocket 50 thereby allowing flow intocanister 60 throughports FIG. 12B the fluid flows around thedisk 81 and through theopenings 45 and the openings orports 60 g and into thedispenser cartridge 60 where the water can come into contact with the dispersant therein. Thus when theflow limiter 40 is in a passive or deactivated condition water bypasses theflow limiter 40 allowing water to come into contact with the dispersant in the dispensingcartridge 60. -
FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention whereinflow limiters inline dispensing valve 100 and become an integral part of the dispensing valve.Flow limiters limiter 40 shown inFIG. 6C however, in this example the flow limiters are located in sockets of the dispensing valve rather than sockets in the converter. In this example the dispensingvalve 100 includes inlet housing 111 to direct water into thedispenser 100 and anoutlet housing 112 that directs water out of thedispenser 100. Arotor valve 115 allows one to select the amount of water to flow through the dispenser and consequently the dispensing rate of the dispersant in the dispensing canisters, which would be located inchamber 220 ofdispenser 100. In the example shown the dispensingvalve socket 120 includes a bottom member orend cap 127 having areturn port 126 and a dispenser cartridge inlet port comprised of a set ofopenings 121 that are circumferentially positioned around theflow limiter 125. Similarly, the dispensingvalve socket 130 includes a bottom member orend cap 131 having areturn port 136 and a dispenser cartridge inlet port comprised of a set of openings 137 that are circumferentially positioned around theflow limiter 138. Theflow limiters limiters dispenser chamber 220 when either or both of the dispensing cartridge are removed from the dispensingchamber 220 and are deactivated when dispensing cartridges are present in dispensingchamber 220 to thereby let water flow into the dispensing cartridges. A benefit of the invention ofFIG. 13 is that it eliminates the need for an insertable converter since the flow limiters can be incorporated directly in the dispensingvalve sockets - A feature of the invention is that the flow limiters can block the flow upstream of the dispenser cartridges with the deactivation and activation of the flow limiters determined by the location of the dispensing cartridges with respect to a dispensing valve.
- A feature of the invention described herein includes a pool operators ability to on-the-go resize a dispensing valve such as an inline dispenser shown in
FIG. 3 , to enable the dispensing valve to operably receive one or more different size dispensing cartridge without having to alter or modify the internal structure of the inline dispenser. To operably receive is understood to mean that the dispenser cartridges within the dispensing valve function in a normal dispensing manner whereby water flows into and out of the dispenser cartridge during the delivery of a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water. - Thus the invention of resizing as illustrated in
FIG. 12 andFIG. 3 includes the method of on-the-go reconfiguring a dispensingvalve 10 that operably receives a first dispenser cartridge to operably receive asecond dispenser cartridge 60 where awater socket 50 of the first dispensing cartridge is a different size than a water socket of thesecond dispensing cartridge 60. The on-the-go resizing comprises the step of removing a first dispensing cartridge from engagement with a water socket in the dispensing valve (not shown) followed by inserting aconverter 30 having atop socket 50, a top socket 51 abottom socket 35 and abottom socket 36 into achamber 20 in the dispensingvalve 10. - Next, one frictionally engages a
bottom socket 35 and abottom socket 36 of theconverter 30 with thewater socket 19 a and thewater socket 19 b of the dispensingvalve 10. One can then insert thesecond dispensing cartridge 60 into the dispensingvalve 10 and frictionally engagesockets - Additional features may include the step of resiliently engaging a set of
radial fins 31 a on theconverter 30 with asidewall 10 a of the dispensingvalve 10 to maintain theconverter 30 within the dispensing valve through frictional engagement therebetween. While the method has been described in relation to insertion of a single dispenser cartridge into the dispensing valve, the drawing illustrates that two dispenser cartridges each having separate water sockets can be mated with additional sockets in the converter and the dispensing valve. - In the example shown in
FIG. 3 theconverter 30 was mounted in the dispenser housing followed by the insertion of the dispensing cartridges into theconverter 30. A feature of the invention described herein is that theconverter 30 may be first attached to the dispensingcartridges FIG. 14 andFIG. 15 .FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view showing a set of dispensingcartridges converter 30 attached to thesockets cartridges converter 30 is taken alonglines 6,7 as shown inFIG. 4 so as to reveal both of the flow limiters in theconverter 30. By attaching theconverter 30 to the inline dispensing cartridges one can further facilitate an upgrade of the dispensing system. That is, ifcartridges converter 30 the user need only take one step to upgrade the dispenser since the insertion of the dispensingcartridges converter 30 into the dispensing valve will also bring theconverter 30 into an operative condition within the inline dispenser. - A further feature of this embodiment is that the peripheral edge of the converter can securely fasten the
converter 30 to the dispensing valve through frictional engagement therebetween while the axial removal of one or both of the dispensingcartridges cartridges converter 30. That is, the force of attachment of the dispensingvalve cartridges converter 30 is less than the force required to remove theconverter 30 from an inline dispersal valve. Consequently, one may remove spent cartridges while leaving the converter in place to receive a set of fresh cartridges. - While
FIGS. 1-15 show a converter for use in dispensing valves such as inline dispensing valve that contain a set of nested containersFIGS. 16-24 show a bulk feeder converter and a set of dispensing cartridges for on the go converting a dispensing valve such as bulk feeder into a cartridge feeder. While the term inline dispensing valves includes both bulk feeders and inline dispersal valves that deliver dispersants through fluid action the existing bulk feeders generally lack sockets for direct engagement to a dispenser cartridge since the bulk feeders are intended to receive a dispersant in a bulk or loose condition without a cartridge supporting the dispersant. The dispensing valve used in conjunction as described herein may be either an inline dispensing valve, an off line dispensing valve a bulk feeder dispensing valve although other types of dispensing valves may benefit from the inventions described herein. -
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a dispensing system with a set ofnesting dispensing cartridges bulk feeder converter 210, a set offlow limiters conical chamber 202 for receiving the cartridges, the converter and the flow limiters. A cover, not shown, is secured to the top of the bulk feeder to contain the cartridges, converter and flow limiters within thechamber 202.Dispensing cartridge 221 ofFIG. 16 and dispensingcartridge 70 ofFIG. 11 are identical as well as dispensingcartridge 220 ofFIG. 16 and dispensingcartridge 60 ofFIG. 11 . The dispensing cartridges are normally mounted in a nested relationship in a dispensing valve as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,566. -
FIG. 17 is an isolated view showingbulk feeder converter 210 about to be axially inserted into a frustoconical chamber 202 ofbulk feeder 200, which has a larger diameter D2 at the top of the bulk feeder than the diameter D1 at the bottom of the bulk feeder as illustrated inFIG. 16 . Once the converter is inserted the converging diameter of thechamber 202 allows thebulk feeder converter 210 to be pushed downward until the circularperipheral edge 210 a frictionally engages the circular inner frustoconical wall 200 a ofbulk feeder 200 and the underside of the converter mates with thecurvilinear lip 204 andcurvilinear lip 205 on the bottom of the bulk feeder. In this example, the diametrical dimension ofconverter 210 is selected so that frictional engagement between theconverter 210 and thesidewall 200 a occurs when the curved undersides of theconverter 210 mates with thecurvilinear lip 204 andcurvilinear lip 205 at the bottom of the bulk feeder with thecurvilinear lip 204 andcurvilinear lip 205 each defining regions of flow into and out of thechamber 202 of the bulk feeder. Consequently, through coordination of the diameter of the converter with the vertical height where the underside of the converter mates with the bottom of the bulk feeder one can simultaneously secure the converter in the bulk feeder and form a fluid pathway between the bulk feeder and the converter. In this example the sole action of axially forcing thebulk feeder converter 210 into the bottom of thebulk feeder chamber 202 frictionally retains the converter in the bulk feeder. -
FIG. 17 illustrates the method of on the go reconfiguring a bulk feeder usable in either an industrial water treatment application or a nonindustrial water treatment application to abulk feeder 200 for receiving a water dispersant contained in a dispenser cartridge comprising the steps of inserting aconverter 210 having aperipheral edge 210 a, a firsttop cartridge socket 210 d and a first bottom socket 214 (FIG. 19 ) and a secondtop cartridge socket 210 e and a second bottom socket 245 (FIG. 19 ) into achamber 202 in thebulk feeder 200 and securing theconverter 210 to thebulk feeder 200 through methods as illustrated inFIGS. 17b and 17c although other methods may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. -
FIG. 17A showsconverter 210 mounted in the bottom ofbulk feeder 200 in a condition to receive a set of dispensing cartridges and engage the ports on the dispensing cartridge andFIG. 17B shows a detail of the frictional engagement of the circularperipheral edge 210 a ofconverter 210 with the with the frustoconical sidewall 200 a. In this example the combination of a slight taper of the frustoconical sidewall 200 allows the converter to be inserted into the chamber until theperipheral edge 210 a of the converter contacts thesidewall 200 a. Once contacted, a further downward axial force on theconverter 210 causes theperipheral edge 210 a of the converter to bite into thewall 200 a as shown inFIG. 17b to thereby securely hold the converter in position to receive a cartridge. The frictional engagement betweenconverter 210 andsidewall 200 a is sufficient to permanently retain theconverter 210 in thebulk dispenser 200. However, if desired an alternate method, which is shown inFIG. 17C , may be used. In this example of an alternate method anannular member 250 is adhesively secured to the portion of thesidewall 200 a above theconverter 210 to prevent withdrawal of theconverter 210 from the bulk feeder.Bulk feeder 200 is typically used in the pool or spa industry. Other use of bulk feeders and bulk feeder converters are in within the scope of the present invention including feeders for treating industrial water, for example water used in cooling towers or the like. Thus the invention may be used in feeders useable in both industrial and nonindustrial water treatment applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. -
FIG. 18 is a sectional perspective view of thebulk feeder 200 showing the interior bottom portion ofbulk feeder 200.Bulk feeder 200 is similar to dispensingvalve 10 shown inFIG. 3 but instead of having a set of sockets for engaging an inlet and an outlet in a set of canisters thebulk feeder 20 includes abottom member 207 having a firstcurvilinear lip 204 encompassing acurvilinear web 208 with afluid port 208 a and a secondcurvilinear lip 205 encompassing a secondcurvilinear web 209 with afluid port 209 a therein. In one mode of operation water enters inlet fitting 255 and flows throughinlet port 209 a into thechamber 202 and then flows back into outlet fitting 206 throughport 208 a. The curvilinear webs with the ports therein prevent a solid dispersant such as halogen pucks or tablets of chlorine or bromine from falling into the fluid stream flowing from theinlet port 209 a to theoutlet port 208 a of thebulk feeder 200. Since the pucks or tablets are larger than the ports the water has an opportunity to flow around and through the pucks or tablets before being discharged through outlet fitting 256. For purpose of clarity a rotary valve which would normally be located incircular housing 260 of thebulk feeder 200 has been left out. The purpose of the rotary valve is to increase or decrease the flow of water through thechamber 202 of thebulk feeder 200. - The set of
curvilinear lips chamber 202, are suitable for forming mating engagement with features on the underside ofconverter 210. -
FIG. 19 shows a bottom view ofbulk feeder converter 210 revealing acutout 210 b for pressure relief valve 230 (FIG. 18 ) as well as a firstcurvilinear lip 214 with aweb 212 therein and acurvilinear lip 245 with aweb 213 therein. Located inweb 213 is a first set ofports 213 e and a second set ofports 213 d which surround anopening 240 a for receiving the stem of a first flow limiter. Similarly, located onweb 212 is a first set ofports 212 e and a second set ofports 212 d which surround anopening 241 for receiving the stem of a second flow limiter. When the converter is positioned in the bulk feeder the convertercurvilinear lip 214 mates with the curvilinearbulk feeder lip 204 and thecurvilinear converter lip 245 mates with the curvilinearbulk feeder lip 205. In this example theperipheral edge 210 a can be brought into mating frictional engagement with asidewall 200 a while thecurvilinear converter lip 214 is brought into mating face-to-face engagement with curvilinearbulk feeder lip 204 and thecurvilinear converter lip 205 is brought into mating face-to-face engagement with curvilinearbulk feeder lip 214. - While
FIG. 19 shows thebulk feeder converter 210 without the flow limitersFIG. 20 andFIG. 21 show thebulk feeder converter 210 withflow limiter 230 andflow limiter 231.FIG. 22 shows flowlimiter 230 comprises aplanar flange member 231 having afirst ear 230 a and asecond ear 230 b. Located on one end offlow limiter 230 is astud 234 having asplit head 235 with a retainingshoulder 235 a.Flow limiter 230 functions in the same manner asflow limiter 40 in that in one mode theflow limiter 230 can block flow through the ports in the web supporting the flow limiter and in a second mode the flow limiter is deactivated through engagement with a cam on dispensing cartridge. -
Flow limiter 230 is shown in an isolated view inFIG. 22 revealing astem 234 extending perpendicularly from theflat flange base 230 c of theflow limiter 230. In this example the flow limiter comprises an elliptical shaped flange formed from a polymer plastic or the like with the flow limiter containing afirst ear 230 a on one side offlow limiter 230 and asecond ear 230 b on the opposite side offlow limiter 230 to maintain theflow limiter 230 properly positioned in the bulk converter. That is, as shown inFIG. 21 theear 230 a engages one side ofcurvilinear lip 214 and theear 230 b engages the other side of membercurvilinear lip 214 to maintain the flow limiter in the proper orientation to cover the openings inweb 213.Flow limiters FIG. 21 to prevent or limit flow into the chamber of thedispenser valve 200 when there are no cartridges present in thebulk feeder 210. - However, when the
flow limiter 230 is axially displaced fromweb 212 water can flow through the ports inweb 212 and whenflow limiter 231 is axially displaced fromweb 213 water can flow through the ports inweb 213. -
FIG. 20 is a top view of thebulk feeder converter 210 revealing afirst socket 211 having aweb 213 with a set ofports end 247 of a stem of aflow limiter 230 extends through an opening inweb 213 to permit axial displacement offlow limiter 230 in response to a cartridge placement in the bulk feeder. Similarly, asecond socket 209 includes aweb 212 with a set ofports stem end 235 of aflow limiter 231 extends through an opening inweb 212 to permit axial displacement offlow limiter 231 in response to a cartridge placement in the bulk feeder. -
FIG. 23 is a perspective partially cutaway view of a dispenser cartridge orcanister 300 having ahousing 309 with adispenser chamber 310.Canister 300, which is axially insertable intobulk feeder 200, includes ahalogen 295 such as chlorine or bromine although materials may be used without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention. Located on the bottom ofcanister 300 is afirst leg 301 that terminates in a firstelongated socket 303 and asecond leg 302 that terminates in a secondelongated socket 321. -
FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view revealing that the firstelongated socket 303 includes aninside wall 304 that encompass aweb 308.Web 308 may include a key slot for engagement with a mating key on a converter to prevent thecanister 300 from being inserted improperly.Web 308 contains a set ofopenings 307 for passage of water into and out of thechamber 310 incanister 300. Secured to the bottom ofweb 308 is across-shaped deactivator cam 306 that is laterally offset from asocket sidewall 304 and the set of openings orports 307 inweb 308 with the cam extending axially outward fromweb 308 and terminated in acam face 306 a that can engage and deactivate a flow limiter in theconverter 210 when theconverter 210 and thecanister 300 are in socket-to-socket engagement. Similarly,FIG. 24a shows anidentical socket 302 with the deactivator comprisingcylindrical post 343 having a top cam surface 343 a andsocket 31 with acylindrical post 336 having atop cam surface 336 a. In the example shown inFIG. 24A theopenings FIG. 24 although other shape fluid openings may be used to provide for a fluid passage therethrough. - In the example shown the
sidewall 304 around theweb 308 extends a greater distance from theweb 308 than thecam 306 to enable socket-to-socket engagement between the canister and the converter before the cam engages the flow limiter in the converter. Thecam 306 is similar tocam 60 c in that thecam 306 axially engages one of the flow limiters inconverter 210 to permit water flow into the dispensingchamber 310 through the web supporting the flow limiter when thesocket 303 ofcanister 300 is placed in a top socket of theconverter 210.Canister 300 also includes asecond socket 320 that includes aninside sidewall 326 that encompass aweb 325.Web 325 may include a key slot for engagement with a mating key on a converter to prevent thecanister 300 improper installation of thecanister 300.Web 325 also contains a set ofopenings 322 for passage of water into and out of thechamber 310 incanister 300. Secured to the bottom ofweb 325 is across-shaped cam deactivator 323 that is laterally offset fromsidewall 326 withcam 323 extending axially outward fromweb 325 so that axial insertion of thecanister 300 into a converter in a bulk feeder engages and deactivates the flow limiter. In the example shown thesidewall 326 aroundweb 325 extends a greater distance from theweb 305 than thecam 323 to enable socket-to-socket engagement between the canister and the converter before the cam engages a flow limiter in the converter. In the example shown inFIG. 24 thecam face 306 a insocket 303 and thecam face 323 in thesocket 302 extend equal distance from the webs supporting them for simultaneously deactivation of converter flow limiters when thedispenser 300 and theconverter 210 are brought into socket-to-socket engagement. Preferably, thefirst cam face 306 a and thesecond cam face 323 a are orthogonal positioned with respect to thecentral axis 9 of thedispenser 30 to enable the cam face to axially displace the flow limiters to minimize lateral forces on the stem of the flow limiters that may cause the flow limiters to bind as they are deactivated. In the example shown thecam 323 and thecam 306 are molded into the canister during the formation of thecanister housing 309 and become an integral part of the canister housing. - In this embodiment the
canister 300 includes two cams while thecanister 60 andcanister 70, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 11A , each contains a single cam for separately deactivating the flow limiters in theconverter 30. - In this example both the flow limiters in the converter are deactivated by the cams so that water can flow through the converter and into and out of the dispenser cartridge.
Claims (15)
1-19. (canceled)
20. A dispenser cartridge having a central axis for insertion into a dispensing valve comprising:
an annular housing having an annular chamber therein;
an outlet socket located on said housing for directing a fluid stream out of the annular chamber in said housing;
an inlet socket located on said housing for directing a fluid stream into the annular chamber in said housing;
an end cap on said inlet socket;
a rib located in said inlet socket, said rib extending axially outward from said end cap with said rib having a cam face for disengaging a flow limiter located upstream of the inlet socket when the inlet socket of the dispenser cartridge is engagement with a socket of either a converter or a socket of an inline dispersal valve.
21. The dispenser cartridge of claim 20 wherein the end cap has a set of fluid ports therein with the rib centrally positioned with respect to the set of fluid ports.
22.-27. (canceled)
28. The dispenser cartridge of claim 21 wherein the rib extends outward from a socket end cap of the dispenser cartridge.
29. The dispenser cartridge of claim 21 wherein the rib has a rectangular shape with a top surface extending transverse to a central axis through the dispenser cartridge.
30. An inline dispenser comprising:
a housing having a chamber;
an inlet on said housing for directing water into the chamber;
an outlet on said housing for directing water out of the chamber;
an inline dispenser socket located in said housing with said inline dispenser socket engageable with a dispensing cartridge socket, said inline dispenser socket having an end cap with a fluid port therein; and
a flow limiter located in said end cap, said flow limiter displaceable in response to insertion or removal of a dispenser cartridge from the inline dispenser to thereby impede or block flow through the end cap in one mode and to permit fluid flow through the end cap in a second mode.
31. The inline dispenser of claim 30 including a second flow limiter located on a second end cap, said second flow limiter displaceable in response to insertion or removal of a further dispenser cartridge from the inline dispenser to impede or block flow through the fluid port in the second end cap in one mode and to allow fluid flow through the second end cap in a second mode.
32. The inline dispenser of claim 30 wherein the flow limiter includes a stem having a retaining head on one end and a flange on the opposite end with the stem axially displaceable with respect to the end cap when the dispensing cartridge is inserted into the dispenser.
33. The inline dispenser of claim 30 wherein the flow limiter includes a flange located on an upstream side of the end cap with said flange blocking or impeding flow through the end cap when the flange is proximate an upstream side of the end cap.
34. The inline dispenser of claim 30 wherein a sidewall of the inline dispenser socket extends parallel to a central axis of the inline dispenser.
35. The inline dispenser of claim 30 including a dispensing cartridge located in the chamber, said dispensing cartridge having a deactivator cam for rendering the flow limiter inoperative when the dispensing cartridge is present in the chamber.
36. The inline dispenser of claim 35 wherein the dispensing cartridge is frictionally mated to said inline dispenser socket with a deactivator cam on the dispensing cartridge in engagement with the flow limiter in the end cap when the dispensing cartridge is located in the chamber.
37. The inline dispenser of claim 31 wherein a further dispenser cartridge includes a further deactivator cam for engaging the second flow limiter.
38.-56. (canceled)
Priority Applications (1)
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US16/974,217 US20210071437A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-11-17 | Dispensing systems |
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US201461999099P | 2014-07-16 | 2014-07-16 | |
US14/545,413 US9725920B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-05-01 | Dispensing systems |
US15/330,533 US10060148B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2016-10-04 | Dispensing systems |
US15/932,889 US10883288B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2018-05-15 | Dispensing systems |
US16/974,217 US20210071437A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-11-17 | Dispensing systems |
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US15/932,889 Division US10883288B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2018-05-15 | Dispensing systems |
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US15/330,533 Active - Reinstated US10060148B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2016-10-04 | Dispensing systems |
US15/731,337 Active - Reinstated US10030401B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2017-05-30 | Dispensing systems |
US15/932,889 Active 2035-07-25 US10883288B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2018-05-15 | Dispensing systems |
US16/974,167 Active US11365553B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-10-28 | Dispensing systems |
US16/974,217 Abandoned US20210071437A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-11-17 | Dispensing systems |
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US14/545,413 Active 2035-07-16 US9725920B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-05-01 | Dispensing systems |
US15/330,533 Active - Reinstated US10060148B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2016-10-04 | Dispensing systems |
US15/731,337 Active - Reinstated US10030401B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2017-05-30 | Dispensing systems |
US15/932,889 Active 2035-07-25 US10883288B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2018-05-15 | Dispensing systems |
US16/974,167 Active US11365553B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-10-28 | Dispensing systems |
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US (6) | US9725920B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3169426B1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU2015290242B2 (en) |
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ES (1) | ES2774387T3 (en) |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CA2951837C (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2022-02-01 | King Technology | Dispensing systems |
US10286365B2 (en) * | 2016-02-01 | 2019-05-14 | King Technology Inc | Dispensing system for cakeable materials |
USD883058S1 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-05-05 | King Technology Inc. | Spa filter well dispenser cartridge holder |
WO2020185989A1 (en) * | 2019-03-13 | 2020-09-17 | Dettorre Ross David | Compound dispenser |
CA3122112A1 (en) * | 2019-03-15 | 2020-09-24 | King Technology Inc. | Filterwell cartridge holder |
US11833517B2 (en) | 2019-11-15 | 2023-12-05 | Sundance Spas, Inc. | Water testing systems and devices |
US20230083720A1 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2023-03-16 | King Technology Inc. | Inline end engaging system |
ES2937068B2 (en) * | 2021-09-22 | 2023-07-26 | Inquide Sau | Device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas |
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US2604446A (en) * | 1949-09-19 | 1952-07-22 | Bruner Corp | Water conditioning device |
US3406870A (en) * | 1966-04-18 | 1968-10-22 | Arneson Prod Inc | Swimming pool chlorinator |
US3502442A (en) * | 1968-12-19 | 1970-03-24 | Union Tank Car Co | Salt platform and seal arrangement |
US4293425A (en) * | 1976-10-27 | 1981-10-06 | Kenneth E. Price | Method of chlorinating swimming pools and the like |
US4199001A (en) | 1978-04-24 | 1980-04-22 | Kratz David W | Chemical feeder |
US4662387A (en) * | 1985-10-03 | 1987-05-05 | King Lloyd H Sr | Inline dispersal valve |
US5053206A (en) * | 1987-12-31 | 1991-10-01 | Universal Chemical Feeder, Inc. | Chemical dispensing device |
US5041219A (en) * | 1990-02-12 | 1991-08-20 | Strand Charles D | Dual chamber water filter |
US5218983A (en) * | 1990-07-23 | 1993-06-15 | King Joseph A | Dispersal valve and canister |
US5076315A (en) * | 1990-07-23 | 1991-12-31 | King Joseph A | Dispersal valve and canister |
US5251656A (en) * | 1993-02-19 | 1993-10-12 | Sexton Sr Wilson B | Multiple chemical feeder for swimming pools |
US6210646B1 (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 2001-04-03 | Ecowater Systems, Inc. | Permanganate feeder for iron filter |
US6210566B1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 2001-04-03 | Joseph A. King | Nestable containers and improved water treatment materials |
US6190547B1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 2001-02-20 | King Technology, Inc | Water treatment system |
US5855777A (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 1999-01-05 | Fountainhead Technologies, Inc. | Multi-chamber water purification device and method of using the same |
US5993753A (en) | 1997-02-12 | 1999-11-30 | H-Tech, Inc. | Chlorinator/sanitizer and method of using same |
US5914037A (en) * | 1997-11-24 | 1999-06-22 | Yen; Chiu-Sen | Filter device for a water filter |
US6138703A (en) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-10-31 | Ppg Industries, Ohio | Chemical feeder |
US6500334B1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-12-31 | Joseph A. King | Stand alone water purifier |
US20020153043A1 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2002-10-24 | Hillyard William C. | Pool Chlorinator |
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US7604018B2 (en) | 2005-05-12 | 2009-10-20 | King Technology Inc. | Dispensers |
WO2013062606A1 (en) * | 2011-10-24 | 2013-05-02 | King Technology, Inc. | Cartridges for bulk feeders |
US8636962B2 (en) | 2011-10-24 | 2014-01-28 | King Technology, Inc. | Stackable cartridges for bulk feeders |
CA2951837C (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2022-02-01 | King Technology | Dispensing systems |
-
2015
- 2015-05-01 CA CA2951837A patent/CA2951837C/en active Active
- 2015-05-01 ES ES15821593T patent/ES2774387T3/en active Active
- 2015-05-01 AU AU2015290242A patent/AU2015290242B2/en active Active
- 2015-05-01 WO PCT/US2015/000054 patent/WO2016010582A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-05-01 EP EP15821593.9A patent/EP3169426B1/en active Active
- 2015-05-01 US US14/545,413 patent/US9725920B2/en active Active
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2016
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- 2020-10-28 US US16/974,167 patent/US11365553B2/en active Active
- 2020-11-17 US US16/974,217 patent/US20210071437A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20170268248A1 (en) | 2017-09-21 |
US10060148B2 (en) | 2018-08-28 |
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US11365553B2 (en) | 2022-06-21 |
US20190203488A1 (en) | 2019-07-04 |
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AU2015290242B2 (en) | 2019-05-23 |
CA2951837A1 (en) | 2016-01-21 |
US20210047852A1 (en) | 2021-02-18 |
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