US2971825A

US2971825A - Mixing and dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US2971825A
Application number: US688297A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald C Kersh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-10-04
Filing date: 1957-10-04
Publication date: 1961-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1978-02-14

Description

Feb. 14, 1961 /A////1/7"0R Rom/110 C hi es/1 5y United States Patent ,0

MIXING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Ronald C. Kersh, 11 La Campana, Orinda, Calif.

Filed Oct. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 688,297

4 Claims. (Cl. 23-272.7)

The present invention relates to a device for controllably interjecting liquids or soluble solids into a stream of liquid for dispensation thereby.

There have been developed innumerable devices designed to dispense such as fertilizers, weed killers, soaps and the like, however, all attempts therein to provide control over the dispensing operation has been accompanied by such complexity of structure as to seriously limit the applicability of the resultant device. This invention relates to the type of devices employing a moving stream of liquid, generally water, to pick up and deliver some other liquid or soluble solid. One of the prime requisites of devices of this nature is the ability thereof to vary the proportion of material picked up by the moving stream for clearly related applications or any such device calls for different proportions of material. For example, in the fertilization of a garden one type of plant should receive a certain strength dosage while another possibly adjacent plant should be fed an entirely different dosage. A like situation is found in the dispensing of weed killers which are employed in different strengths upon different weeds quite possibly growing in proximity to each other.

The present invention provides a substantially instantaneous mixing control directly available to the user of the device and readily accessible during use. Furthermore, the above noted control feature is accomplished with no multiplication of parts and a simplicity of structure not found even in many dispensing devices having no control means. No small parts are employed in the device and only a small total number of parts, so that not only are original expense and assembly difficulties minimized but also a materially enhanced dependability and longevity is provided. The relative size and simplicity of parts is of particular advantage in those applications wherein materials to be mixed tend to deposit within the device, for

the clogging, sticking and the like normally encountered is herein substantially eliminated.

A further feature of the present invention is the facility thereof of improved material pick up for provision is made for creating turbulence in the area of material pick up. .This causes improved dissolving of solids to be carried by the fluid stream with a consequent improved delivery thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device employing a stream of fluid and having controllable amounts of material dispensation with a constant volume fiuid flow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplified and improved control means for fluid fiow dispenseis.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing soluble solids in a fluid stream having controllable amounts of solid in the emergent stream and improved dissolving action.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of 2,971,825 Patented Feb. 14, 1961 2 the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope or" the invention as set forth in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal center section through the device.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken at 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken at 33 of Figure 2. s v

Figure 4 is 'a plan view of the deviceshowing the. exterior control.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken in the same plane as Figure 3 and illustrating an intermediate position of the control means.

Figure 6 is a projected view of the valve member of the control means.

Considering now the invention in some detail and referring to the drawing. there is provided a body 11 having a first cylindrical extension 12 defining an inlet passage 13 and a second cylindrical extension 14 defining an outlet passage 16. Within the central portion of the body 11 there is formed a generally circular opening 17 with the confi uration of a truncated cone and freely communicating with both inlet and outlet passages disposed radially thereof. The

cylindrical extensions

12 and 14 of the body 11 are adapted for connection to fluid conducting means such as garden hoses, and to this end internalthreads may be formed within the first extension 12 andexternal threads about the exterior of the second extension 14.

The central body opening 17 extendsthrough the body and at the large end of the opening 17 there is disposed araised hollow boss 18 upon the body having threads formed thereabout to receive a cup-shaped closure 19 de fining with the body a mixing chamber 21. Suitable an nular gasket means 22 are disposed upon the body within" the box 18 thereof to receive the closure 19 in bearing relation for sealing the mixing chamber21and limiting communication thereof to the body opening 17.

Within the body opening 17 thereis disposed a valve member 23 which may be formed as a single element of suitable material such as plastic and defining a longitudinal bore 24 through a cylindrical portion 25 thereof. The valve member includes in addition to the "cylinder 25 a circular bottom flange 26 having conically shaped edges mating with the inclined wall of the body opening 7 and resting upon a shoulder 27 formed at the opposite end of the body opening from the mixing chamber 21. Further regarding the valve member 23, the cylinder 25 thereof is disposed for alignment with the inlet and outlet passages of the body 11 and the sides of the valve cylinder 25 at the end of the bore 24 are formed on a conical surface to mate withthe sides .of'the body opening 17 so that the valve member which is rotatable uponthe shoulder 27 is movable to place thebore thereof in controlled registry with the inlet andoutlet passages. With the valve member disposed to-align the bore 24 thereof with the body passages, the ends of the valve cylinder 25 seal against the side of the body opening 17 to prevent communication between the opening 17 and the inlet and

outlet passages

13 and 16. It is here noted that the valve member 23 does not fill the opening 17 but only extends thereacross generally as a cylinder so as to leave room thereabout within the opening 17 for fluid flow under controlled conditions.

Provisionis made for controllablyrotating the valve' member 23 to misalign'the cylinder 25 thereof with the inlet and outlet passages .of the body I land w this end,

' thereaboutbearing upon the dial 311.

'tionst34 upon the exterior thereon.

ems-e V a cylindrical projection 28 formed in extension from the valve flange 26 normal to the bore and disposed wanna circularopening in thebodyll at the opposite side thereof from the mixing, chamber} ing; means are provided about this valve member projecnan 28 and a square stub 29 is appended to the outer end of theprojection. A generally circular dialor control plate 31 having a central square openingfits upon thevalve member stub 29 and is secured theretoas by a screw 32 threaded into the stub and having a washer 33 Lateral displaceriient of the dial 31 from the axisthereof is prohibited by off-setting the mating surfaces of the dial and body, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Radially disposed projecsurface of the dial provide for ready turning thereof by hand and a scale 36 of markings scribedor otherwise formed upon the dial are adapted to register with an index mark 37 upon the body 11'. The scale markings are oriented so that a zero mark aligns with the index mark 37 when the bore 24- of the valve member is aligned with the inlet and outlet passages in the body. The'other marks of the scale extend, for example, clockwise-from the zero mark for somewhat less than ninety degrees for the purpose of indicating, when in alignment with the index mark, the degree of registry of the valve member cylinder with the inlet and outlet ports. It will be appreciated that as the valve member is rotated, the cylinder 25 thereof moves across the inlet-and outlet ports so as to place the latter in greater communication with the body opening 17 and communicating mixing chamber 21 so that the scale setting also indicates the proportion of fluid flowing through the device that is directed through the mixing chamber. A further element of the invention is a screen 38 secured as by screws 39 to the valve member 23 on the side thereof adjacent the mixing chamber 21. This screen has a generally circular configuration of such an extent as to overlay the gasket22, however, one side of the screen is cut off on a chord along the top of the valve member cylinder 25. The screen 38 is oriented with respect to the direction of rotation of the valve member that it is disposed only between the mixing chamber and the portion of the body opening 17 opened to the outlet passage 16, for reasons set forth below.

7 As regards operation of'the present invention it is intended that materialto be dispensed, such as ,afsolid' soluble fertilizer, shall be placed in themixing'chamber 21. To this end the cap 19'is removable and the matenal may be placed uponthe screen 38 with the cup removed and the "cup then threaded into the boss 18 to bear upon the gasket 22 for sealing the mixing chamber.

It is also ntended that a fluid source shall be connected to the first body cylinder-12 as by means of a garden hose or pipe, not shown, threaded therein to communi oate Wlthlh inletpassage 13. Likewise, fluid outlet means, not shown, are adapted for threaded connection 7 V to the second body cylinder 1 4'to communicate with the outlet passage and carry fluidto a dispensing point, as for example, some type of nozzle. In normal position, the valve member 23is orientedwithin'the body to align the bore 24 with the inlet and, outlet passages in the body. In this position the valve member, or more specifically the cylinder 25 thereof, entirely seals the inletand outlet passagesfrom the body opening 17 and an uninterrupted fluid path is provided through the device, this normally corresponding to registry of the zero position on the scale 36 with the index 37.,

v Dispensing of materials from the invention is accomphshed by turning the dial 3,1, as by the projections iia This rotates the valve; member 23 to turn'the cylinder thereof out offull. alignment with the inlet and outlet passages: In an intermediate dial position the valve rnember eylinder25; is oriented to p'artially cove'r both inlet and outlet passage so that fluid, such as water,

. flowing in throughthe inlet; passage pass'es partially Suitable seal-.

through the valve member bore 24 directly into the outlet passage. In this position some of the inlet fluid passes into the body opening 17 and thus fills same and flows upwards into the mixing chamber 21. Fluid in the mixing chamber 21 picks up material disposed therein, as by dissolving same, and fldws back down into the body opening 17 on the outletside of the valve member cylinder. The fluid carrying material to be dispensed from the mixing chamber 21 then flows into the outlet passage to mix with fluid flowing therein from the valve member bore and ultimately reaches a distribution point. i

As the fluid flows through the mixing chamber 21 it will be seen that its progress is unimpeded in entering same for no screen or other obstruction exists between the mixing chamber 21 and the inlet side of the body opening 17. However, as the fluid leaves the mixing chamber 21 it must pass through the screen 38 and this serves the double purpose of preventing large particles of material from being carried from the mixing chamber and of creating turbulence in the mixing chamber. As to the creation of fluid turbulence, a much greater dissolving action re sults therefrom, however, turbulence occurs generally behind an obstruction such as a screen and thus the outgoing fluid is obstructed for maximized mixing and dissolving in the mixing chamber and the incoming fluid is not obstructed for only an undesirable flow limitation would result therefrom. The particular flu-id flow produced herein is highly advantageous in that no unnecessary flow obstructions are placed in the path of fluid entering the mixing chamber and yet the outlet screen 38 prevents a direct fluid flow path, through the mixing chamber and thus enhances the dissolving action of the fluid upon material therein. As the screen 38 is aflix'ed to the valve member 2.3,the foregoing fluid flow condition through the mixing chamber remains substantially the same as regards turbulence for the various valve member settings or positions;

Very good control is provided over the amount of ma terial picked up by any constant fluid flow through the invention for the rotary displacement of the valve member from zero position determines the proportion of fluid flowing directly throughthe device via the bore 24 to the fluid flowing through the mixing chamber. In this manner no variation in fluid flow is required to change the amount of material dispensed nor are any previously prepared mixtures or settings required, for only a simple dial setting will produce a desired change in the amount of material dispensed].

What is claimed is: l v V I l y 1. A mixing and dispensing device comprising a body defining a circular fcentral opening communicating with spaced inlet and outlet passages and adapted for connection in a fluid flow line, means defining a mixing chamber communicating ,with said central body opening and adapted to contain a soluble solid to be dispensed by fluid flow through the body, a single cylindrical member movably disposed diametrically Within said circular body opening in substantially sealingrelation with a portion of the walls thereof and defining a single bore adapted tocommunicate between said inlet and outlet passages, said cylindrical member being spaced .rrom the walls of the circular opening, andicontrol means exteriorly of said body engaging said member'fortangularly dispiacingsame within said body to controllably misalign said bore and inlet andoutlet passages to vary the relative communion .tion between said passages'andisaid bore and said passages and said mixing chamber 'for controlling the relative amount of material in said mixing chamber carried away ,by fluid, a screen carried by the upper portion of said movable member and disposed only'betw'een said mixing chamber and the portion ofisaidtbody openingcommunieating with said outlet passage for creating turbulent fluid flowin said mixing. chamber to minimize dissolving jot materialTtlzierein and provideuninterrupted flowi into said mixing chamber from said inlet passage.

2.. A dispensing device comprising a body defining a conical opening and spaced inlet and outlet passages communicating with said opening in radial relation thereto, a valve member having partial sides formed on conical surfaces and mating within said opening for rotation therein with a bore between said sides in position for alignment between said inlet and outlet passages, the upper portion of said valve member being spaced from the walls of said conical opening, the portions of said valve member adjacent opposite ends of said bore being sealingly engaged with the adjacent walls of said conical opening, means defining a mixing chamber communicating with the opening in said body at the large end of said opening, and means engaging said valve member and extending exteriorly of said body for rotationally positioning said valve member whereby a controllable communication is provided between said bore and passages and thus also between said passages and said mixing chamber, a screen carried by the upper portion of said valve member and spanning the space between said opening and said mixing chamber on one side only of said valve member for interposition between said mixing chamber and the portion of said opening communicating with said outlet passage for creating turbulent flow in the mixing chamber and providing uninterrupted flow into the mixing chamber.

3. A mixing and dispensing device comprising a body means including inlet and outlet passages adapted for connection to fluid supply and distribution means respectively, an opening formed in said body means in communication with said inlet and outlet passages, means defining a mixing chamber in communication with said opening, a valve member rotatably mounted within said body means and comprising a single element rotatably mounted within said opening and including an upper portion of less dimension than said opening such that the valve member does not fill the opening, said valve member including a substantially cylindrical portion having a bore formed therethrough, the sides of said cylindrical portion at the opposite ends of said bore being sealingly engaged with the sides of said body opening and being adapted to be aligned with said inlet and outlet passages, and a screen means secured to the upper portion of said valve member, said screen means overlying the space between one side of the cylindrical portion of the valve member and the adjacent portion of the body means, the screen means terminating short of the body means adjacent the opposite side of the cylindrical portion of said valve member, the screen means being oriented with respect to the direction of rotation of the valve member such that the screen means is disposed only between the mixing cham- 6 her and that portion of the opening which is in communication with the outlet passage for providing uninterrupted flow into the mixing chamber and for creating turbulent flow in the mixing chamber.

4. A mixing and dispensing device comprising a body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein, said body means including an opening formed therein in communication with said inlet and outlet passages, means defining a mixing chamber in communication with said opening and adapted to contain a soluble substance to be dispensed by fluid flow through the body means, a unitary valve member rotatably mounted by said body means within said opening, said valve member including a lower portion in sealing relationship to said opening and an upper portion of less dimension than the opening such that the valve member does not fill the opening, said valve member including a substantially cylindrical portion extending laterally thereof and having a bore formed therethrough, said inlet and outlet passages being axially aligned with one another and the bore in said cylindrical portion being adapted to be aligned with said inlet and outlet passages, the sides of said cylindrical portion adjacent the ends of said bore being adapted to sealingly engage the side of the body opening, said valve member including an inlet side which is normally in communication with said inlet passage when the valve member is rotated such that the bore through the cylindrical portion is out of alignment with the inlet and outlet portions, said valve member also including an outlet side which is normally in communication with said outlet passage when the valve member is rotated such that the bore in the cylindrical portion is out of alignment with said inlet and outlet passages, and screen means secured to the upper portion of said valve member, said screen means overlying the space between the outlet side of said valve member and the adjacent portion of the body means, and the screen means only partially covering the space between the inlet side of said valve member and the adjacent sides of the body means whereby uninterrupted flow is provided into the mixing chamber and a turbulent flow is provided in the mixing chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,126 Benedict Mar. 21, 1916 1,858,054 Miller May 10, 1932 2,345,275 Marvin Mar. 28, 1944 2,507,410 Kemp May 9, 1950

Claims

1. A MIXING AND DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY DEFINING A CIRCULAR CENTRAL OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH SPACED INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES AND ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION IN A FLUID FLOW LINE, MEANS DEFINING A MIXING CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CENTRAL BODY OPENING AND ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A SOLUBLE SOLID TO BE DISPENSED BY FLUID FLOW THROUGH THE BODY, A SINGLE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER MOVABLY DISPOSED DIAMETRICALLY WITHIN SAID CIRCULAR BODY OPENING IN SUBSTANTIALLY SEALING RELATION WITH A PORTION OF THE WALLS THEREOF AND DEFINING A SINGLE BORE ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE BETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES, SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER BEING SPACED FROM THE WALLS OF THE CIRCULAR OPENING, AND CONTROL MEANS EXTERIORLY OF SAID BODY ENGAGING SAID MEMBER FOR ANGULARLY DISPLACING SAME WITHIN SAID BODY TO CONTROLLABLY MISALIGN SAID BORE AND INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES TO VARY THE RELATIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID PASSAGES AND SAID BORE AND SAID PASSAGES AND SAID MIXING CHAMBER FOR CONTROLLING THE RELATIVE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL IN SAID MIXING CHAMBER CARRIED AWAY BY FLUID, A SCREEN CARRIED BY THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER AND DISPOSED ONLY BETWEEN SAID MIXING CHAMBER AND THE PORTION OF SAID BODY OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE FOR CREATING TURBULENT FLUID FLOW IN SAID MIXING CHAMBER TO MINIMIZE DISSOLVING OF MATERIAL THEREIN AND PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW INTO SAID MIXING CHAMBER FROM SAID INLET PASSAGE.