US3785525A

US3785525A - Chemical tablet dispensing device for wells

Info

Publication number: US3785525A
Application number: US00221920A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Handeland
Original assignee: SAFE WELL Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: SAFE WELL Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1972-01-31
Filing date: 1972-01-31
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15

Abstract

A chemical tablet dispensing device for wells is disclosed herein and generally comprises a housing positioned over the well. A sealed tablet hopper is provided at the upper end of the housing for supplying chemical tablets to a metering device which is detachably mounted on the lower end of the hopper. The metering device includes a rotatable metering plate adapted to supply a chemical tablet to a communicating tube after predetermined periods of pump operation. Means is also provided to cause the metering device to supply the tablets to the well at predetermined times even if the pump is not being used. The communicating tube deposits the chemical tablet into the well to treat the water therein. Electrical control means is provided for controlling the rotation of the metering plate so that the metering plate is rotated at a predetermined rate during actual pump operation. Means is also provided for preventing moist air from the well from damaging the componenets of the device.

Description

United States Patent [191 Handeland 1 CHEMICAL TABLET DISPENSING DEVICE FOR WELLS [75] Inventor: George A. llandeland, Ringsted,

Iowa

[73] Assignee: Safe Well Manufacturing Company, Albert City, Iowa 221 Filed: Jan. 31, 1972- 211 App1.No.: 221,920

[52] US. Cl...'.' 221/265, 221/15 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 59/06 [58] Field of Search 221/12, 13,203,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,022,247 2/1962 Selby et al. 210/170 X 3,253,738 5/1966 Bromley 221/265 X 1,523,118 1/1925 Green ..l 210/59 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,086,632 8/1954 France 221/15 1- .Ian. 15, 1974 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte [5 7] ABSTRACT A chemical tablet dispensing device for wells is disclosed herein and generally comprises a housing positioned over the well. A sealed tablet hopper is provided at the upper end of the housing for supplying chemical tablets to a metering device which is detachably mounted .on the lower end of the hopper. The metering device includes a rotatable metering plate adapted to supply a chemical tablet to a communicating tube after predetermined periods of pump operation. Means is also provided to cause the metering device to supply the tablets to the well at predetermined times even if the pump is not being used. The communicating tube deposits the chemical tablet into the well to treat the water therein. Electrical control means is provided for controlling the rotation of the metering plate so that the metering plate is rotated at a predetermined rate during actual pump operation. Means is also provided for preventing moist air from the well from damaging the componenets of the device.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 1 m 3'. 785525 I I SHEEIIUFB PATENIED 3,785,525

saw 2 OF 3 Nov.

CHEMICAL TABLET DISPENSING DEVICE FOR WELLS Many homes are not connected to water supply lines but are connected to water wells including pump means for furnishing water under pressure to the home. It is frequently desirable or necessary to treat the well water to purify the same. The problems ordinarily associated with the treatment of the water are: (l) expense; (2) convenience; and (3) accuracy.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this-invention to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells.

A furtherobject of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells which is inexpensive to manufacture and inexpensive to operate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells which is convenient.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells which accurately meters the proper amount of chemical tablets into the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells which meters chemical tablets into the well proportionately to the amount of water being pumped from the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells including means to prevent moisture from accumulating therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device 'for wells including means for preventing overheating of the metering deyice motor and gear box.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells including a metering device having a clutch means thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells including a metering device having means thereonfor preventing the tablets from becoming stuck therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells including a removable metering device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chemical tablet dispensing device for wells which is durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination ofthe various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of this invention mounted over a well with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate .the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional viewof the metering device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2: i

FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen along lines 44 of FIG. 2:

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 5-5 with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention:

FIG. 6 is a sectional view seen along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5:

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuitry of the device;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of a modified form of the invention with portionsthereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 10-l0 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.

The numeral 10 designates a water well having a conventional water pump means 12 associated therewith for pumping water from the well asdesired. Pump means 12 is operated by an electrical pump motor 14 which is preferably controlled by conventional automatic control means including a pressure tank 15. In FIGS. 1-7, the numeral 16 refers to the chemical tablet dispensing device of this invention.

Device 16 includes a housing positioned over the well as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7. Housing 18 should be air tight to prevent moist air from collecting therein. A tablet hopper 20 is positioned in the upper end of the housing 18 and chemical tablets or pellets 22, such as chlorine, are deposited in the hopper 20 through the sealed cap 24. y

The lower end of hopper 20 terminates in a cylindrical collar portion 26 having an open lower end. The metering device 28 of this invention is removably mounted on collar portion 26 by means of connecting element 30. Connecting element 30 is best illustrated in FIG. 3 and includes a cylinder 32 welded to collar portion 26. Cylinder 32 has a plurality of spaced apart openings 34 formed therein adapted to receive pin 36 to permit the selective tensioning of spring 38 which yieldably urges plunger 40 through opening 42 in collar portion 26 into engagement with recess 44 to suspend the metering device 28 from the hopper 20. The metering device 28 is easily removed from the hopper 20 by simply removing pin 36 so that plunger 40 can be moved out of engagement with recess 44.

Metering device 28 is comprised of base plate 46 and a cylindrical collar 48 secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom into collar portion 26. Bond 49 limits the upward movement of device 28 with respect to collar portion 26. A secondary base plate 50 is suspended below base plate 46 by bolts 52. Motor 108 and gear box 56 are supported by base plate 50 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Gear box 56 is spaced below base plate 50 to permit air to surround the gearbox to keep it cool during operation thereof. Output shaft 58 extends upwardly from gear box 56 through plate 50 as shown' in FIG. 5. A clutch element 60 rotatably embraces shaft 56 and generally comprises a collar 62 rigidly secured to clutchelement 60 by means of set screw 64. Clutch element 60 and collar 62 are releasably secured to shaft 58 by means of ball and spring assembly 66. Ball 68 of assembly 66 is normally urged into engagement with the V-shaped notch 70 formed in shaft 58. Clutch element 60 is provided with teeth 72 at its upper end which loosely mesh with teeth 74 of clutch element 76. Clutch element 76 is secured to shaft 78 by pin 80. Shaft 78 rotatably extends upwardly through plate 46 and through metering plate 82. Shaft 78 has a pair of spaced apart baffles 84 and 86 secured thereto which have a diameter substantially identical to the top opening 88 in element 48. A cone 90 is rigidly secured to shaft 78 and has a drive-shear pin 92 extending downwardly therefrom which engages metering plate 82. Thus, rotation of the shaft 58 causes the cone 90 and metering plate 82 to be rotated due to the pin 92 connecting the same. The pin 92 also acts as a shear pin in the metering plate 82 should become stuck. The pin 92 also permits quick and easy replacement of the metering plate 82.

A metering port or cell 94 is provided in metering plate 82 to permit tablets or pellets to drop therethrough into communicating tube 96 which extends downwardly from the metering device. An elbow 98 extends downwardly and laterally from the lower end of tube 96 to enable the pellets or tablets to drop into the funnel 100 which communicates with the well 10. It can be seen that the elbow 98 permits the metering device to be offset with respect to the well so that moist air rising from the well will not pass directly upwardly into contact with the metering device. The elbow also permits the device to be installed over the well without the need for great accuracy in alignment.

With respect to the circuit shown in FIG. 8, the

numerals

102, 104, 106 and 108 refer to a pressure switch on pressure tank 15, fan motor, clock motor and meter motor respectively which are operatively electrically connected to a source of 110 Volt current generally referred to by the reference numeral 110. The clock motor 106 drives the clock 112 having a stop 114 thereon adapted to close the switch 116 for a predetermined portion of its rotation as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. A clock 113 is also'provided with its operation being cumulative on clock 106 as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Fan motor 104 drives a fan 118 to draw air inwardly through the air inlet opening 120 formed in housing 16 and outwardly through air discharge opening 122 formed on the opposite side of housing 16 so that outside air is drawn through the housing to pull the moist air outwardly therefrom. The arrangement of the

openings

120 and 122 is such that the air is drawn through and around the metering device to keep it cool and to prevent moist air from accumulating thereon.

As seen in FIG. 7, a pipe 124 extends downwardly from funnel 100. An optional trap door 176 is pivotally mounted in pipe 124 to selectively close the same. A solenoid 128 is operatively connected to door 126 and is electrically connected to the meter motor 108 so that the door 126 will only be open when the motor 108 is activated. Door 126 in its closed condition prevents moisture passing upwardly from the well. An optional trap door 130 is also provided on pipe 96 for selectively closing the same at times. Door 130 is controlled by solenoid 132 which is electrically connected to the meter motor 108 so that the door 130 will only be open when the meter motor 108 is activated. Door 130 in its closed condition prevents moisture from moving upwardly through pipe 96.

With respect to the device illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the normal method of operation is as follows. The chlorine tablets or pellets 22 are inserted into the hopper through the sealed cap 24. The tablets 22 fall downwardly into the hopper as illustrated in FIG. 2 with the

baffles

84 and 86 preventing the tablets from becoming jammed at the lower end thereof. The ledge 124 in collar 48 prevents more than one pellet from dropping downwardly through the port 94 into tube 96 when port 94 is positioned over tube 96. Metering plate 82 is shown to have only one port or cell 94 but could has as many as desired depending upon the requirements of the well. The pressure switch 102 causes the pump motor 14 to be actuated when the water pressure in tank 15 drops to a predetermined level so that additional water is pumped from the well into the tank 15. The clock 112 is a half hour clock and runs every time the pump motor 14 is operated. The fan motor 104 also operates each time the pump motor operates to draw air through the housing as previously described. The meter motor 108 makes one complete revolution every 45 seconds. The clock 112 is a conventional clock and closes micro-switch 116 once each revolution as stop element 114 engages the switch 116. The switch 116 is closed for 15 seconds each time the stop element 114 comes into engagement therewith. More than one stop element 114 could be used if desired. With one stop element 114 in use, the switch 116 will be closed for 15 seconds once every half-hour of operation of the pump. Fifteen seconds of energy through switch 1 16 will operate meter motor 108 only one-third of a revolution.

Thus, metering plate 82 will require one and one-half hours of operation of the pump before metering port 94 will deposit a tablet into tube 96. If three ports 94 were used, they would deposit a pellet or tablet each halfhour of operation of the pump. If more stops 114 were utilized on the clock 112, further combinations could be utilized.

Clock 113 operates at all times and causes a given number of tablets to be dropped into the well if the pump is not being operated. The operation of clock 113 is cumulative on clock 106 so that duplicate tablets will not be dropped. The purpose of clock 113 is to deposit tablets into the well even if water is not being used, as when the owner is on vacation.

It is important to note that tube 96 is not directly connected to the well since the moisture would accumulate in the tube 96 thereby causing difficulties in the metering device.

Optional doors

126 and 130 are also provided for the purpose.

The loose fitting arrangement of the

teeth

72 and 74 of the

clutch elements

60 and 76 respectively creates some snap action between the components if the device becomes jammed. The snap action between the loosely fitting teeth tends to eliminate the jamming problem. The assembly 66 also permits the shaft 58 to rotate without rotation of the metering plate 82 if the metering plate should become jammed since the ball 68 may move out of the notch if sufficient resistance is encountered.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely unique dispensing device has been provided for wells which automatically deposits chemical tablets or pellets such as chlorine into the well at a rate which is directly proportional to the amount of water being pumped from the well. The device also meters tablets into the well if the pump is not being used such as when the owner is on vacation or the like. The device of this invention accurately meters the proper amount of chemical into the well in an efficient manner which does not require constant maintenance and attention.

A modified form of the dispensing device is illustrated in FIGS. 911 and is referred to by the reference numeral 134. Device 134 includes a cylindrical housing 136 having an annular flange 138 extending outwardly therefrom. The device is maintained on the hopper 20 by a plurality of spring clips 140 which extend downwardly therefrom and which engage the flange 138 as seen in FIG. 9. An optional ring 142 may be provided at the upper end of housing 136 if desired to keep the weight of the tablets or pellets in the hopper from directly bearing on the components therebelow.

A base plate 144 is secured to the lower end of the housing 136 by any convenient means such as welding or the like. A secondary base plate 146 is suspended below base plate 144 by bolts 148 having collars 150 mounted thereon. Motor 108 is secured to the secondary base plate 146 and has a drive shaft 152 extending upwardly therefrom. A clutch element 154 is secured to the shaft 152 by set screw 156 as illustrated in FIG. 11. A drive pin 158 extends upwardly from clutch element 154 and is received by a registering hole formed in clutch element 160. Clutch element 160 is mounted on shaft 162 which extends upwardly through base plate 144. Clutch element 160 is provided with a bore 164 formed therein as illustrated in FIG. 11. A rubber pin 166 is maintained in frictional .engagement with the shaft 162 by a set screw' 168 to provide clutch arrangement. Thus, under normal operation, rotation of the shaft 152 will cause rotation of the clutch element 54, clutch element 160 and shaft 162 due to the frictional engagement of the inner end of the rubber pin 166 and the shaft 162. If the device should become jammed, the pin 166 will slip or slide along the exterior surface of the shaft 162 without causing rotation of the same.

A pipe 96 is secured to the

plates

144 and 146 and extends downwardly therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 9. The pipe 96 in FIG. 9 is identical to the pipe 96 in FIG. 7 and has a trap door 130 provided on the lower end thereof. A solenoid 132 is provided for opening and closing the trap door 130 as described in the operation of the device 16.- The only difference in the pipe and funnel arrangement of FIG. 9 andthat shown in FIG.

7 is that the elbow 98 has been omitted from FIG. 9.

As previously stated, shaft 162 extends upwardly through base plate 144. A metering plate 170 is secured to shaft 162 above plate 144 for rotation therewith. A plurality of metering ports or cells 172 are provided in plate 170 and are adapted to receive one of the pellets or tablets 22 therein as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The numeral 174 refers to a tablet baffle means comprising a plate 176 which rests upon stops 178 extending inwardly from housing 134 as depicted in FIG. 9. A cylindrical collar like member 180 extends downwardly from plate 176 and has a door area 182 formed therein. Plate 176 has a central opening 184 formed therein which communicates with the interior of the member 182 to permit the pellets or tablets 122 to drop downwardly therethrough to permit them to exit out through the door area 182 onto the upper surface of the metering plate 170. A guide 186 is provided on the metering plate 170 below the member 180 for guiding the tablets 122 into the cells 172.

A plurality of resilient rods 188 extend downwardly from plate 176 adjacent the door area 182 with their lower ends terminating just above the upper surface of the metering plate 170. Likewise, a pair of resilient rods 190 extend downwardly from plate 176 as seen in FIG. with the lower ends thereof terminating just above the upper surface of the metering plate 170. The rods I90 serve to maintain the pellets or tablets 122 in thearea between the rods 188 and the rods 190 so that the tablets cannot pass downwardly through the pipe 96 unless a cell 172 moves the same into position.

The pellets flow downwardly through the opening 184 and onto the upper surface of the metering plate between the

rods

188 and 190. Rotation of the metering plate 170 by the motor 108 causes the tablets to fall in one of the cells 172 as it is moved passed the door" area 182. The tablets are dropped into the pipe 96 as the individual cell or port 172 registers with the open upper end thereof.

The resilient rods 188 permit jammed tablets to pass therebeneath without jamming the mechanism. If the tablet was only partially received by the cell 172 and if the rods 188 were rigid, the engagement of the jammed tablet with the rods 188 would cause the mechanism to jam. The resiliency of the rods 188 prevents such a ma]- function.

Thus it can be seen that both of the embodiments disclosed herein provide a metering device for wells or the like which will accurately meter chemical pellets or tablets into the well as required without constant attention or maintenance. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. In combination with a water well,

a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening,

a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, I

said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating said container having an open lower end, said metering device being secured to said container at the lower end thereof and normally closing the same, said metering device comprising a rotatable metering plate means having at least one tablet metering opening formed therein, a tube means on said me tering device for conveying metered tablets to said well, said control means comprising a power means for rotating said metering plate means at a predetermined rate whereby a tablet will pass downwardly through said, metering opening into said tube when said metering opening registers with said tube,

said lower end of said container comprising a vertically disposed cylindrical collar, said device comprising a cylindrical member received by said collar, a base plate means secured to the lower end of said cylindrical member, said power means comprising a meter motor operatively secured to said base plate means and having a drive shaft extending upwardly therefrom into said cylindrical member, said metering plate means being rotatably mounted in said cylindrical member and connected to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, said base plate means having an opening formed therein which registers with said metering opening at times, said tube means being in communication with said opening in said base plate means,

a slip clutch means mounted on said drive shaft means,

said drive shaft means comprising first and second shaft portions, said first shaft portion being connected to said meter motor, said slip clutch means operatively interconnecting said shaft portions.

2. in combination with a water well,

a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening,

a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well,

and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device,

said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating,

said metering device being powered by a meter motor, said pump means comprising a pressure tank means having an electrical pressure switch thereon which is operatively connected to one side of a source of electrical energy and which is electrically connected to said pump means so that said pump means is actuated when the pressure in said tank means drops to a predetermined level, a first electrical clock means operatively electrically connected to said pump means whereby said clock means is actuated only when said pump means is actuated, a second electrical clock means electrically connected to said first clock means for actuating said first clock means, a normally open microswitch means electrically connected to said meter motor whereby said meter motor will only be actuated when said micro-switch means is closed, said clock means having at least one actuating element thereon which is adapted to engage and close said micro-switch means for a predetermined length of time during the operation of said clock means.

3. ln combination with a water well,

a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening,

and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device,

said container having an open lower end, said metering device being secured to said container at the lower end thereof and normally closing the same, said metering device comprising a rotatable metering plate means having at least one tablet metering opening formed therein, a tube means on said metering device for conveying metered tablets to said well, said control means comprising a power means for rotating said metering plate means at a predetermined rate whereby a tablet will pass downwardly through said metering opening into said tube when said metering opening registers with said tube,

a first pivotal trap door being provdied on said tube means for selectively closing said tube means adjacent the lower end thereof, a first solenoid operatively connected to said first trap door for opening and closing the same, said first solenoid means being electrically connected to said power means so that said first trap door will be opened when said power means is rotating said metering plate.

4. In combination with a water well,

a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent to well opening,

and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device.

said metering device having a cylindrical housing extending downwardly from said container, said metering plate being positioned in said cylindrical housing, a tablet baffle means in said cylindrical housing above said metering plate, said tablet baffle means comprising a horizontally disposed plate having a central opening formed therein and a cylindrical member extending downwardly therefrom, said cylindrical member having a door area formed therein for permitting the tablets to be deposited on a portion of the metering plate.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said slip clutch means comprises a first clutch element rotatably mounted on said first shaft portion, said first shaft por tion having a detent groove formed therein, a detent ball normally in engagement with said detent groove, a spring means yieldably urging said detent ball into engagement with said detent groove, a collar element secured to said first clutch element for rotation therewith, said collar element having a bore formed therein, said spring means being positioned in said bore so that rotation of said first shaft portion'will normally cause the rotation of said collar element and said first clutch element, and a second clutch element secured to said second shaft portion, said second clutch element being in mesh with said first clutch element.

6. The combination of claim I wherein said clutch elements have teeth extending therefrom which loosely mesh with each other whereby a predetermined amount of play exists between said clutch elements.

7. In combination with a water well,

a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening,

control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, 1 l

said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said container and said metering device being enclosed by a housing positioned over said well, and an exhaust fan means mounted on said housing for exhausting air from the interior of said housing. 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein an air inlet opening is formed in said housing opposite to said exhaust fan means, said metering device being positioned between said air inlet opening and said exhaust fan means so that air will be passed around said metering tube means, a second trap door on said second tube means for selectively closing the same to prevent well moisture from passing upwardly therethrough, a second solenoid means operatively connected to said second trap door for opening and closing the same, said second solenoid means being electrically connected to said power means so that said second trap door will be opened when said power means is rotating said metering plate.

1 1. The combination of claim 4 wherein resilient rod members are secured to and extend downwardly from said horizontally disposed plate, the lower ends of said resilient rods terminating above the upper surface of said metering plate, said resilient rod members yieldably maintaining the tablets on a predetermined portion of the metering plate.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein a plurality of the rod members are positioned between the door area of said tablet baffle means and the upper end of said tube.

Claims

1. In combination with a water well, a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening, a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, And control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said container having an open lower end, said metering device being secured to said container at the lower end thereof and normally closing the same, said metering device comprising a rotatable metering plate means having at least one tablet metering opening formed therein, a tube means on said metering device for conveying metered tablets to said well, said control means comprising a power means for rotating said metering plate means at a predetermined rate whereby a tablet will pass downwardly through said metering opening into said tube when said metering opening registers with said tube, said lower end of said container comprising a vertically disposed cylindrical collar, said device comprising a cylindrical member received by said collar, a base plate means secured to the lower end of said cylindrical member, said power means comprising a meter motor operatively secured to said base plate means and having a drive shaft extending upwardly therefrom into said cylindrical member, said metering plate means being rotatably mounted in said cylindrical member and connected to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, said base plate means having an opening formed therein which registers with said metering opening at times, said tube means being in communication with said opening in said base plate means, a slip clutch means mounted on said drive shaft means, said drive shaft means comprising first and second shaft portions, said first shaft portion being connected to said meter motor, said slip clutch means operatively interconnecting said shaft portions.

2. In combination with a water well, a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening, a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said metering device being powered by a meter motor, said pump means comprising a pressure tank means having an electrical pressure switch thereon which is operatively connected to one side of a source of electrical energy and which is electrically connected to said pump means so that said pump means is actuated when the pressure in said tank means drops to a predetermined level, a first electrical clock means operatively electrically connected to said pump means whereby said clock means is actuated only when said pump means is actuated, a second electrical clock means electrically connected to said first clock means for actuating said first clock means, a normally open micro-switch means electrically connected to said meter motor whereby said meter motor will only be actuated when said micro-switch means is closed, said clock means having at least one actuating element thereon which is adapted to engage and close said micro-switch means for a predetermined length of time during the operation of said clock means.

3. In combination with a water well, a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening, a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said container having an open lower end, said metering device being secured to said container at the lower end thereof and normally closing the same, said metering device comprising a rotatable metering plate means having at least one tablet metering opening formed therein, a tube means on said metering device for conveying metered tablets to said well, said control means comprising a power means for rotating said metering plate means at a predetermined rate whereby a tablet will pass downwardly through said metering opening into said tube when said metering opening registers with said tube, a first pivotal trap door being provided on said tube means for selectively closing said tube means adjacent the lower end thereof, a first solenoid operatively connected to said first trap door for opening and closing the same, said first solenoid means being electrically connected to said power means so that said first trap door will be opened when said power means is rotating said metering plate.

4. In combination with a water well, a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent to well opening, a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, and control means for controlling the operation of said metering device. said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said container having an open lower end, said metering device being secured to said container at the lower end thereof and normally closing the same, said metering device comprising a rotatable metering plate means having at least one tablet metering opening formed therein, a tube means on said metering device for conveying metered tablets to said well, said control means comprising a power means for rotating said metering plate means at a predetermined rate whereby a tablet will pass downwardly through said metering opening into said tube when said metering opening registers with said tube, said metering device having a cylindrical housing extending downwardly from said container, said metering plate being positioned in said cylindrical housing, a tablet baffle means in said cylindrical housing above said metering plate, said tablet baffle means comprising a horizontally disposed plate having a central opening formed therein and a cylindrical member extending downwardly therefrom, said cylindrical member having a door area formed therein for permitting the tablets to be deposited on a portion of the metering plate.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said slip clutch means comprises a first clutch element rotatably mounted on said first shaft portion, said first shaft portion having a detent groove formed therein, a detent ball normally in engagement with said detent groove, a spring means yieldably urging said detent ball into engagement with said detent groove, a collar element secured to said first clutch element for rotation therewith, said collar element having a bore formed therein, said spring means being positioned in said bore so that rotation of said first shaft portion will normally cause the rotation of said collar element and said first clutch element, and a second clutch element secured to said second shaft portion, said second clutch element being in mesh with said first clutch element.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said clutch elements have teeth extending therefrom which loosely mesh with each other whereby a predetermined amount of play exists between said clutch elements.

7. In combination with a water well, a chemical tablet container positioned adjacent the well opening, a metering device in communication with said container adapted to receive tablets therefrom and to meter tablets into said well, control means for controlling the operation of said metering device, said water well having a pump means associated therewith for pumping water from said well, said metering device being activated by said control means when said pump means is operating, said container and said metering device being enclosed by a housing positioned over said well, and an exhaust fan means mounted on said housing for exhausting air from the interior of said housing.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein an air inlet opening is formed in said housing opposite to said exhaust fan means, said metering device being positioned between said air inlet opening and said exhaust fan means so that air will be passed around said metering device.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said exhaust fan means is electrically connected to said central means whereby said exhaust fan means will be actuated only when said pump means is actuated.

10. The combination of claim 3 wherein a second tube means communicates with the well, said tube means being spaced from said second tube means and being adapted to convey metered tablets to said second tube means, a second trap door on said second tube means for selectively closing the same to prevent well moisture from passing upwardly therethrough, a second solenoid means operatively connected to said second trap door for opening and closing the same, said second solenoid means being electrically connected to said power means so that said second trap door will be opened when said power means is rotating said metering plate.

11. The combination of claim 4 wherein resilient rod members are secured to and extend downwardly from said horizontally disposed plate, the lower ends of said resilient rods terminating above the upper surface of said metering plate, said resilient rod members yieldably maintaining the tablets on a predetermined portion of the metering plate.