US3132771A

US3132771A - Measuring and mixing device

Info

Publication number: US3132771A
Application number: US155625A
Authority: US
Inventors: John M Truby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-11-29
Filing date: 1961-11-29
Publication date: 1964-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1981-05-12
Also published as: GB946183A

Description

May 12, 1964 J. M. TRUBY MEASURING AND MIXING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1961 FIG. I

INVENTOR. JOHN M. TRU BY ATTORNEYS y 12, 1964 J. M. TRUBY 3,132,771

MEASURING AND MIXING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29, 1961 1- 22 L 28 so 44 j 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y so as i I 1 4 4i s2 F|G.6

INVENTOR. 4 4 JOHN M. TRUBY ATTORNEYS 3,132,771 MEASURING AND MEXING DEVICE Iohn M. Truby, 36220 Tirnherlane Drive, Solon, Ohio Fiied Nov. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 155,625 8 Claims. ((31. 222--145) This invention concerns a device for mixing measured amounts of fluid materials and is adapted particularly for use in the mixing or dissolving of a specific quantity of one or more solutes into a specific quantity of compatible solvents and automatically funneling the resulting solution into a desired container.

In its broadest sense the device compreses a reservoir, a controlled flow passageway in communication with the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, and a receptacle having a buoyant bottom portion pivotally suspended in a normal material-retaining position within the reservoir in such a manner that when the reservoir is filled with fluid material the receptacle is pivotally displaced thereby to dispense fluid material from the receptacle into the fluid material in the reservoir from which the mixed fluid materials may be dispensed through the passageway. Suitable means, such as a siphon tube, provides the controlled flow of fluid materials from the reservoir.

A device manufactured according to the principles of this invention finds use in the mixing of correct gasolineto-oil ratios for two cycle engines, diluting household laundry bleach prior to adding the same to wash water; diluting fabric finishes, mothproofing preparations, bluing and soap strippers; diluting harmful liquids prior to their admission to baths, such as in metal cleaning, plating, etc.; and in the measuring and mixing of two or more fluid materials where the end solution is extremely unstable, as in photo-processing.

The use of the word fluid in this description is intended to include granular materials which will flow when poured, as well as liquid materials.

The mixing device of this invention includes a pivoted inner receptable of a specific size which is filled with a first material to be mixed. A second material of the mixture then is introduced into the reservoir and as the fluid level in the reservoir rises, the buoyant portion of the receptacle causes the bottom to float, thus pivoting the receptacle and upsetting it around the pivot approximately 135 At this point a latching device engages the receptacle and maintains it in an upset position throughout the remainder of the cycle so as to empty the receptacle completely and assure proper mixing of the materials. As the fluid level in the reservoir reaches a predetermined point above the upset receptacle, the siphon tube becomes completely submerged and the siphon action is initiated automatically and continued until all of the mixed fluid material has been siphoned out of the reservoir. The receptacle then is unlatched and reset in fluid material-retaining position and the device is ready for mixing another batch of exactly the same proportions of materials.

- The idea of providing fluid material mixing and meas tiring devices is not new. Many elaborate structures for this purpose have been proposed and used, particularly in chemical laboratories. luting device has gained wide acceptance, however, because of the complicated, unwieldy nature of the devices heretofore proposed.

A device constructed according to the principles of this invention is capable of versatile home use. For instance, in the operation of two-cycle internal combustion engines, such as will be found on many home lawn mowers, it is necessary to add oil to the gasoline in very critical ratios if one is to get optimum performance from the engine. The life and performance of the engine can be impaired greatly as a result of incorrect ratios and stale mixtures.

No one form of mixing and di- United States Patent Thus, using the convenient mixing device of this invention, a simple and accurate method of mixing and measuring the proper ratio of gasoline and oil is provided in a device which funnels the mixture directly into the gas chamber. Used in this manner, the messy oil measuring cup is eliminated and the gas and oil may be mixed conveniently immediately prior to use. The possibility of motor damage due to changing fuel ratios by gasoline evaporation and oil and gasoline separation by settling is eliminated. Settling is a particular problem in providing fuel for two-cycle engines of lawn mowers and outboard motors, since, normally, is is not convenient to take these engines directly to a service station and they must be filled from portable gasoline cans. Oil being approximately 20 percent heavier than gasoline usually will sink to the bottom of a gasoline can either when poured directly into the gasoline without proper mixing or when stored for a period of time. Thus, the use of a device constructed according to the principles of this invention will provide a consistent and constant ratio of oil to gas for use in two cycle engines, and thereby prevent the improper performance of the engine.

With the foregoing discussion in mind, it is a general object of the invention to provide an improved device useful in measuring and mixing fluid materials.

It is a further object to provide an apparatus for measuring and mixing one or more solutes into a compatible solvent and tunneling the end solution into the desired container.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an accurate and automatic means of measuring and mixingfluid materials, such as oil and gasoline for two-cycle engines in the home.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cross-section illustrating a device constructed according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, with certain of the parts shown in full for clars;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the mixing device just after completion of the reservoir filling;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the mixing device of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross-section of an alternative receptacle designed for use in the mixing device;

FIG. 7 is a view in cross-section of still another alternative receptacle for use in the mixing device.

The mixing device is designated generally by the numeral 10 and comprises a reservoir 20, a receptacle 30, a controlled flow passageway or siphon tube 40, and a latching mechanism 50. The illustrated device may be constructed of either metal or plastic, or a combination thereof. A particular advantage in manufacture of the devce with a plastic material is that transparent plastics commercially available may be used to simplify greatly the filling operation by increasing the visibility of the fluid materials during pouring, thus preventing, to a large degree, the risk of inadvertent spilling during pouring.

The reservoir 20 is shown as being generally funnelshaped with a flared splash shield 22 around its top edge. The area of the reservoir 20 in horizontal cross-section is as small as possible in order to minimize any overfilling errors since as this area increases so increases the volume per inch of height of fluid in the reservoir. Thus, filling the reservoir to a level other than at the fluid level The inner receptacle 30 is divided into two portions,

a top fluid material-retaining portion 32 of precise volume determined by the desired ratio and quantity of mixed fluid materials to be produced and a buoyant bottom portion 34. If the device is for use with a two-cycle engine with a fuel tank having a capacity of 40 fluid ounces, for instance, the proper ratio of gasoline to oil is approximately 16 to 1. The fluid retaining portion 32 of receptacle 30 then may be made to hold 1 /8 fluid ounces and the reservoir made to hold 30 fluid ounces, plus the amount of fluid which would be displaced by all of the inner components; i.e. the receptacle 39, the latch means 59, and the portion of the tube 40 within the reservoir. The bottom section 34 of the receptacle 30 is a sealed air pocket which provides buoyancy for the lower end of the receptacle. Of course, it should be realized that in place of the air pocket 34, materials inherently buoyant might be attached to the bottom of the receptacle, if so desired, to perform the function of buoying up the bottom end as the reservoir is filled.

The receptacle 30 is pivoted slightly above its center of gravity about a shaft 35 which is suitably secured to the wall of the reservoir by means of headed bushings and washers generally designated 38. The ends of the shaft 36 may be peened over or bonded in place on the reservoir since it need not rotate. It is clear that many arrangements for pivoting the receptacle can be used and the illustrated shaft and bushing arrangement is merely by way of example.

The controlled-flow passageway or siphon tube li) is arranged such that one end 4 2 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the reservoir 26 and a bight portion 44 of the tube extends above the receptacle to a point just short of the fluid level line 28 on the reservoir 2%. The other end of the tube 4-6 projects through the reservoir opening 24 in sealing engagement therewith and into the exterior protective portion 26. 'By thus disposing the tube 41 relative to the receptacle 3d and reservoir 2% a siphoning action will begin when the fluid level reaches a point above the bight 44 and continue until the reservoir is drained substantially completely.-

It is desirable in some instances to use the device in automatic systems and to replace the siphon tube with a power operated valve at the bottom of the apparatus. The valve in this instance is operated by a float switch which closes a supply line valve and thereby stops the flow of fluid from a supply source to the reservoir. Also, a valve may be installed on the discharge end of the siphon tube to permit the solution to be dis: charged only when needed.

Control of the rate of flow of the mixed fluid materials is provided by using smaller diameter siphon tubes to slow the siphoning action and larger diameter tubes to speed it up. it has been found advisable to use as large a tube as possible in the device since greater swirling action and eddies are created thereby which greatly facilitate the complete mixing of the fluids during the siphoning cycle.

The latch mechanism 543 includes a magnet mounted on the side of the reservoir wall positioned so that the receptacle in pivoting due to the buoyant action of the air pocket 34 just clears the magnet except for a metal flange portion 52 disposed on the outside of the bottom of the receptacle. This flange portion is positioned so that upon rotation of the receptacle through approximately in either direction, the flange is engaged with and thereby secured to the magnet to retain the receptacle in inverted fluid-dispensing position. While retained in this position the fluid materials mix and are siphoned from the reservoir simultaneously. This arrangement results in excellent dispersing of the receptacle contents through through the contents of the reservoir.

Dispersant characteristics of the device were checked visually in the following manner and found to be excellent. Two 1,000 ml. graduates were used, one being filled with a completely agitated and dispersed mixture of 30 fluid ounces of gasoline and 1% fluid ounces of oil. The protective portion 26 was placed in the other graduate and the receptacle filled with 1% fluid ounces of oil and then the outer reservoir filled with 30 fluid ounces of gasoline. The solution from the mixing device both as it entered the empty graduate and when the graduate was filled was observed to be of uniform color throughout the siphoning cycle and of the same color as the completely agitated and dispensed mixture in the first graduate. Also observed was a complete absence of undissolved globules of oil, showing that the oil which is 20 percent heavier than the gasoline was mixed thoroughly and dispersed throughout the gasoline.

it will be noted that the receptacle may be so constructed as to upset in one direction only by providing the portion 32 with a slanted bottom as shown in FIG. 6. Another method of insuring upsetting in only one direction is to move the pivot point on the receptacle 30 ofl-center to give the receptacle a slight bias in one direction. In these cases a filling line is provided in the receptacle at the proper angle on'the inner surface (not shown) to prevent the biased receptacle from spilling prematurely. An advantage of providing for upsetting.

in a predetermined direction is that it simplifies the latching mechanism.

Another receptacle which has been tried and found satisfactory, and which eliminates the need for a latching mechanism, involves a sliding weight on the inner container in the air pocket 34. 'When the receptacle is upset the weight slides to the top of the air pocket causing it, to be top-heavy and thereby remain inverted throughout the siphoning cycle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a receptacle which may be used when two fluid materials are to be held separately for mixture with a third fluid in the reservoir. As will be seen a flange means. 52 also is incorporated inthis receptacle design to provide for displacement and latching of the receptacle in either direction around the pivot point.

When using the apparatus for dissolving granular solids in a compatible solvent, a fine mesh screen installed just above the partition of the receptacle greatly aids the dissolving action in that the solvent is better distributed around the grains, and few if any of the grains stick to the receptacle.

In constructing the device according to the principles of this invention, the general arrangement of parts may be variedfrom that illustrated. However, the placing of the siphon tube against the side of the reservoir greatly simplifies construction and hinging of the reeptacle. Furthermore, it has been found desirable to have the discharge end of the siphon tube exit as nearly as possible to the center of the protective portion 26 of the structure. Forming the tube in the illustrated shape accomplishes both of these advantages.

For ease of description, the principles of the invention have been set forth in connection with but a single illustrated embodiment showing a preferred form of the mixing device. It is not my intention that the illustrated embodiment nor the terminology employed in describingit be limiting inasmuch as variations in these may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Rather, I desire to be restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a reservoir, a controlled flow passageway in communication with said reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, and a receptacle having a buoyant bottom portion pivotally suspended for free rotation in normal fluid material retaining position within said reservoir, whereby filling said reservoir with liquid material pivotally displaces the receptacle thereby to dispense and mix substantially all of the fluid material from the receptacle into the liquid material in the reservoir from which the mixed fluid materials may be dispensed through said passageway.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said controlled flow passageway is a siphon.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said buoyant bottom portion is an air pocket.

4. The device of claim 1 in which latching means for retaining the receptacle in upset position are provided.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said latching means is magnetic.

6. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid material reservoir, a siphon passageway having one end within said reservoir adjacent the reservoir bottom, another end extending through said bottom, and an intermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent the top thereof, a receptacle having a buoyant lower portion pivotally suspended for free rotation above its center of gravity in normal fluid retaining position within said reservoir, and latching means for retaining the receptacle in upset position.

7. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid material reservoir, a siphon passageway having one end within said reservoir adjacent the reservoir bottom, another end extending through said bottom, and an intermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent the top thereof, a receptacle having a buoyant lower portion pivotally suspended for free rotation above its center of gravity in normal fluid retaining position within said reservoir, latching means for retaining the receptacle in upset position, whereby filling said reservoir with liquid material to a level above the siphon tube pivotally displaces the receptacle into secured engagement with the latching means thereby to dispense and mix substantially all of the fluid material from the receptacle into the liquid material in the reservoir and automatically siphons the mixed fluids from said reservoir.

8. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid reservoir, a siphon passageway having one end within said reservoir adjacent the reservoir bottom, another end extending through said bottom, and an intermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent the top thereof, a receptacle pivotally suspended for free rotation slightly above its center of gravity in normal fluid material retaining position within said reservoir, said receptacle having a ferromagnetic portion and an air pocket adjacent its lower end, magnetic latching means in the pivotal path of said ferromagnetic portion spaced above said pivot point for retaining the receptacle in upset position, whereby filling said liquid reservoir with fluid material to a level above the siphon tube pivotally displaces the receptacle into secured engagement with the latching means thereby to mix substantially all of the fluid material from the receptacle with liquid material in the reservoir and automatically to siphon the mixed fluids from said displaced receptacle and said reservoir.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 915,629 Shipp et al. Mar. 16, 1909 2,328,005 Green Aug. 31, 1943 2,644,167 Gordon July 7, 1953 2,991,911 Spain July 11, 1961