US3853481A

US3853481A - Balance beam feeder

Info

Publication number: US3853481A
Application number: US00416384A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Murray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-11-16
Filing date: 1973-11-16
Publication date: 1974-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-10

Abstract

A balance beam feeder and method of using the same to automatically dissolve first and second compounds in a moving stream of a liquid in which they are soluble to provide a stream of a solution of said compounds in which they are present in a desired weight ratio, for reaction purposes.

Description

Umted States Patent 1191 [111 3,853,481

Murray Dec. 10, 1974 BALANCE BEAM FEEDER 3,107,156 10/1953 Fredericks 23/267 A [76] Inventor: William Bruce Murray, 12022 g 'zifffjjj Montecito Dr., Los Alamitos, Calif. 3,385,474 5/1968 Roby n 90720 3,677,711 7/1972 Bond Fixed: Nov. 1973 3,710,817 l/l973 Lorenzen 23/267 E [21] Appl. No.: 416,384 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 688,128 2/l953 Great Britain 222/57 [52] U.S. Cl. 23/267 A, 23/26 7 E, 23/272.7, primary Examiner Norman Yudkoff 23/272.8, 23/272.5, 137/268, 222/190, Assistant J Emery 222/57 222/58 210/169 Attorney, Agent,'0r Firm-WilliamC. Babcock [51] Int. Cl B01d 11/02, BOlf 5/10 [58] Field of Search 23/267 A, 267 E, 272.7,

23/272.8, 272.5; 137/268; 222/190, 77, 57, [57] ABSTRACT 210/167, 169 A balance beam feeder and method of using the same to automatically dissolve first and second compounds [56] References Cited in a movingstream of a liquid in which they are solu- UNITED STATES PATENTS ble to provlde a stream of a solut10n of sa1d compounds 1n wh1ch they are present 1n a deslred we1ght 2,546,317 3 1951 Prizer 23/267 A ratio for reaction purposes 2,626,482 l/l953 Munday 137/268 2,761,562 9/1956 Moody 23/267 E 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEB BEE 1 01974 3,853 .481

. sum 10F 2 PATENTEU SEC] 0 I974 sum 2 OF 2 2646750 .S'OUT/ON (r0 pom r a; APPL ICAT/O/V) BALANCE BEAM FEEDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the feeder apparatus that includes a container through which a stream of liquid moves at constant velocity to dissolve first and sec- Balance m Feeder l Method of Using Same' 5 ond rates clue to the action of a balance beam from 2. Description of the P110! Art Prior to the r sent invention it has b n difficult whlch they are Supported p e ee without complicated and expensive equipment to auto- 2 1S a.dlagramman.c vlew of i apparatus shown matically dissolve two compounds into a moving m 1 bemg to dlscharge Sald and Seulnd stream of liquid in a desired weight ratio to obtain a socompounds. at.sald and.secon.d limes mm a moving lution containing the reaction products of said comstream Of.hqmd i m a plpe pounds FIG. 3 1s a perspectlve view of one of the first or second compounds 1n cake form; The pnmary purpose m devlsmg the present Inven- FIG 4 is a side elevational view of a support for one tion is to provide a simple balance beam feeder, which f th cakes from the balance beam. without external power sources, automatically and con- 0 5 is a erg ective View of twocakes of Said first tinuously dissolves first and seems comgounds lF and second d omgounds that are to be dissolved in a m vin stream of li uid in a desire wei t ratio. e bdlanc e beam feed r is particularly adaited for pro- 22:23: 3931: z g gt gg gg gi g fs ggzgsg g g: of dium chloride, or a mixture of sodium chloride and sogr-eater.than the weight of S? 1d Second compqund and dium bisulphate, or by the reaction of calcium hypowith Sald S-econd cake hav-mg a finer mammal addeid chlorite with a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium gg gg l increase the weight thereof to that of sald blsulphate 25 FIG. 6 is a combined side elevational and vertical SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION cross sectional view of an alternate form of the balance A container in which a first moving stream of liquid g gg View of the alternate form of the having a constant liquid level is transformed into a secinvent'ion ond stream of a solution in which first and second compounds are dissolved in a ratio that is proportional to predetermined first and second weights of said first and DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED second compounds. EMBODIMENTS A balance beam is Supported on a fulcrum above the A balance beam feeder assembly Y is shown in FIG. Container First and Second Weights of said first and 1 that is useful in continuously forming a stream of a Second Compounds depend from first and Second ends solution in which first and second compounds are dis- Of Said beam, with equal Surface Portions of said first solved in a weight ratio that is proportional to the ratio and Second Weights being initially exposed to Said first between first and second predetermined weights of the stream when said balance beam is in a horizontal posifi t and second compounds The f d Y permits a tion. stream of a solution as above described to be formed AS Said first and Second Weights are exposed to Said when the solubility and density of the first and second fi Stream, the One thergof a t lf at f g compounds renders it most difficult to dissolve them in ra id rate becomes lig ter t an e outer o sai a 1 uid i combination wdights. The lighter of the weights, due to the action'of q the balance beam, is raised to expose less surface A first example of first and second compounds that thereof to said first stream, and the other of said are preferably fed into a moving stream of water by the weights is lowered to expose a greater area thereof to balance beam feeder Y are trichloroisocyanuric acid said first stream. The rates at which said first and secand sodium chloride. The first and second compounds 0nd weights dissolve in said first stream are proporreact to form an aqueous solution containing unstable tional to the surface areas of said first and second hypochlorous acid, that is useful for bleaching, oxidizweights exposed to said first stream. ing and sterilization purposes. The first and second As the first stream of liquid contacts said first and compounds react in the following manner:

Cl (CO) 3NaCl 311,0 NanNco), 3HOCl 3HCL 232.44 175.38 54.00 195.06 157.41 109.41

second weights, the first and second weights will alternately rise and fall relative to said first stream as said balance beam seeks a balanced position. This alternate rising and falling of said first and second weights results A second example of first and second compounds that may be advantageously fed into a moving stream of water by use of the balance beam feeder Y is sodium hypochlorite and a mixture of sodium chloride and soin transformation of said first stream of liquid into a dium bisulphate. The first and second compounds react second stream of solution wherein. said first and second in the following manner when dissolved in water.

ZNaCl l 16.92

3Na SO 426.15

ZHOCI l04.94

2HCl 72.94

compounds are dissolved in a ratio proportional to the ratio existing between said first and second weights.

down into free chlorine and water as shown equation below:

HOCl l-IC] Clg H O The balance beam feeder Y, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an open topped container or tray A comprising a flat bottom from which a pair of side walls 12 extend upwardly, as well as first and second end walls 14 and 16. A valve 18 that opens and closes in response to the pivotal movement of a lever 20 having a float 22 secured thereto is mounted on the left hand side of end wall 14, as viewed in FIG. 1. As the valve 18 moves between the open and closed positions, it serves to throttle the rate at which liquid is discharged therethrough. Valve 18 is connected to a first conduit 23 that extends to a source of liquid under pressure. A liquid outlet 24 is supported on the right hand side of first end wall 18 and is connected to a second conduit 26. A vertical baffie 28 projects forwardly from first end wall 14, but terminates prior to reaching second end wall 16. The baffle 28 serves to divide the interior of container A into first and second compartments 30 and 32 that are connected by a passage 34.

A tubular upright 36 is secured to the bottom 10, and is disposed within second compartment 32. A rod 38 is slidably mounted in upright 36, and may be held at a desired elevation relative thereto by tightening a first thumb screw 40. The upper end of rod 38 develops into a bifurcated portion 42 that supports a fulcrumdefining pin 44 on which a block 46 is pivotally supported.

A second thumb screw 48 is mounted on block 46 and engages a longitudinal slot 50 formed in an elongate balance beam 52. First and

second bails

54 and 56 are pivotally supported in openings 54a and 56a in depending positions from first and second end portions of the balance beam 52. First and

second bails

54 and 56 removably engage pairs of opposed openings 54b and 56b formed in the upper portions of first and second open-topped

cylindrical receptacles

58 and 60. The

receptacles

58 and 60 are of equal weight, height, and transverse cross section.

The first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 are formed from a perforated or porous sheet material that permits first and second weights of first and second compounds B and C to be contained therein and contacted by a stream of liquid flowing in second compartment 32.

A ring 62 is slidably mounted on rod 38 and may be held at a desired elevation thereon by a third thumb screw 64. Ring 62 supports two inverted L-shaped stops 66 that can engage the underside of beam 52 to hold it in a stationary position.

The method of using the feeder assembly Y to first prepare first and second weights of the first and second compounds B and C in the weight ratio in which it is desired to have them dissolved in a second stream of liquid discharging from the outlet 24. The weights of first and second compounds B and C are placed in first and

second receptacles

58 and 60, with the receptacles then being secured to the first and

second bails

54 and 56, as shown in FIG. 1. The beam 52 is then balanced by loosening second thumb screw 48 and longitudinally adjusting the beam relative thereto until the beam remains in a horizontal position. Thereafter, the second thumb screw 46Ts t igh terie d to loclt the beam 52 in a fixed position.

in the The third thumb screw 64 may then be loosened to move stops 66 into contact with beam 52. After the stops 66 have contacted beam 52, the third thumb screw is tightened and the first thumb screw 40 loosened. The first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 supported by the balance beam 52 may then be lowered concurrently to place equal surface portions of the receptacles and the first and second compounds B and C therein in contact with the first stream of liquid L that flows through the first compartment 30 to second compartment 32. First thumb screw 40 is thereafter tightened, and the third screw 64 loosened to separate stops 66 from out of contact with the beam 52.

As the first stream of liquid L contacts the first and second compounds B and C in compartment 32 it concurrently dissolves both compounds, but at different rates. The receptacle containing the compound B or C that dissolves the fastest will become lighter than the other receptacle, and the beam 52 will move this lighter receptacle upwardly to expose less of the surface of compound B or C therein to the action of first stream of liquid L. Concurrently, the beam 52 will lower the other of the receptacles to expose more of the surface of the compound B or C therein to the action of first stream of liquid L. When this lowered receptacle containing the compound B or C becomes lighter than the other receptacle the beam 52 will pivot to reverse the positions of the

receptacles

58 and 60.

Thus, the beam 52 will alternately pivot first in one direction and then in the opposite to raise and lower the first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 in such a manner as to dissolve first and second compounds B and C in the first stream L in a weight ratio that is the same ratio as the weights of first and second compounds B and C in the first and second receptacles. Due to the above described mode of operation of the feeder assembly Y, the first stream of liquid L is transformed into a first stream of solution L in second compartment prior to discharge of the first stream L through outlet 24 and second conduit 26.

In FIG. 3 the first compound B is shown molded into a cylindrical block B that has a longitudinal bore 70 formed therein. The second compound C would be molded into a block C of the same cylindrical transverse cross section as that of block B. When blocks of the first and second compounds B and C are used as above described, the first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 may be eliminated, with the blocks being removably supported from the beam 52 by two identical wire members 72 (FIG. 4) that include hooks 74 which engage openings 54a and 56a, and vertically extending legs 76 that removably engage bores 70, as shown in FIG. 4.

Should it be desired to use first and second blocks B and C of the first and second compounds that are of different weights with a beam 52 that is not longitudinally adjustable, the lighter block C can have an inert material 78 added thereto, as shown in phantom line in FIG. 5, to increase the weight thereof to that of block B. The inert material 78 so chosen may be placed above the block C, as shown in FIG. 5, but it is preferable to mix the inert material with the second compound to obtain a block C that is not only of the same weight as block B, but one that has substantially the same dimensions. If the last procedure is followed, both blocks B and C will be completely dissolved in the first stream of liquid L at approximately the same time.

The assembly Y may be used to inject a metered quantity of the first stream of solution L into a second stream of liquid 80 flowing in a channel or conduit 82, as shown in FIG. 2.

A power-driven pump 84 is provided that has the suction thereof connected to a conduit 86 that is in communication with the second stream of liquid 80. The discharge of liquid from the pump 84 is connected to a conduit 88 that extends to a first side 90 of an eductor 92, with the second side 94 of the eductor being connected to a conduit 96 that returns liquid discharged through the eductor back to the second stream of liquid 80. Conduit 88 is connected to conduit 23. Conduit 26 is connected to a tubular connection on eductor 92 that is at all times at a negative pressure.

The opening characteristics of the pump 84 and eductor 92 are such that a first quantity 0-1 of liquid is discharged into conduit 23 and an equal quantity of liquid Q-2 is withdrawn is the second stream of solution L previously described, and which is returned to the second stream of liquid 80.

The alternate form G of the invention as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes the balance beam assembly elements 36 to 60 inclusive, that are mounted on the closed upper end 100 of a vertically disposed cylinder 102 that has first and

second tubes

104 and 106 extending in opposite directions from the lower portion thereof. The numerals 36 to 60 inclusive in FIGS. 6 and 7 identify the same elements shown in FIG. 1. Cylinder 102 has a bottom 107.

The first and

second tubes

104 and 106 are telescopically and sealingly engaged by first and second

tubular members

108 and 110 that are on their outer ends connected to the lower interior portions of first and second.

containers

112 and 114 that have open upper ends 112a and 114a respectively. The lower interior portion of cylinder 102 is connected to a conduit 116 through which a liquid L that dissolves the first and second compounds B and C may flow at a desired rate. The rate of flow of liquid L into cylinder 102 is regulated by a control valve 118 that is situated in conduit 116. Flow of liquid through conduit 116 is from a source (not shown).

A vertically disposed siphon tube 120 extends upwardly through the bottom 108 and terminates in cylinder 102 below the closed upper end 100 thereof. Siphon tube 120 has an internal bore 122 of such transverse cross section that liquid L will drain downwardly therethrough by gravity at a more rapid rate than liquid L flows into cylinder 102 through conduit 116.

In using the alternate form G of the invention the first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 have weights of first and second compounds B and C placed therein in the ratio in which it is desired to have them dissolved in the liquid L. The beam 52 is then longitudinally adjusted as previously described in connection with beam 52 to have the

receptacles

58 and 60 and first and second compounds B and C in balance with the

receptacles

58 and 60 extending downwardly into first and

second containers

112 and 114. The first and

second containers

112 and 114 due to the telescopic engagement of first and

second tubes

104 and 106 with first and second

tubular members

108 and 110 may be so moved relative to cylinder 102 that the

receptacles

58 and 60 are freely movable in the first and second containers.

The.use and operation of the alternate form G of the invention is extremely simple. After the first and second compounds B and C have been placed in the first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 and the beam 52 adjusted to a balanced condition, the valve 118 is adjusted to allow liquid L to flow into cylinder 102 at a slower rate than the liquid will drain downwardly by gravity through siphon tube 120.

As such flow of liquid L starts the first and

second containers

112 and 114 are in communication with the ambient atmosphere as the interior of cylinder 102 due to the siphon tube 120. Liquid L will rise in the first and

second containers

112 and 114 and cylinder 102 until it reaches a horizontal level 122 above the upper end of siphon tube and air in the confined space 102a in cylinder 102 starts to be compressed, with liquid L being forced downwardly in siphon tube 120 as a result thereof. the liquid L so forced into siphon tube 120 immediately forms a siphon due to the force of gravity thereon.

The water level 122 is so chosen that the lower portions of the perforated receptacles are immersed therein, and the first and second compounds B and C dissolving therein in the desired ratio as the balance beam 52 oscillates to accomplish this result in the manner previously described in connection with the balance beam 52. Liquid L having the first and second compounds B and C dissolved therein in the desired weight ratio will continue to discharge downwardly through siphon tube 120 until the liquid L is lowered to the level 124 in first and

second containers

112 and 114 and cylinder 102. At level 124 air may flow through the upper portions of first and

second tubes

104 and 106 and first and second tubular members 108 and from first and

second containers

112 and 114 and the siphon in the tube is broken. It will be particularly noted that as the liquid L has the level thereof lowered from level 122 to level 124 it is out of contact with first and second compounds B and C for a portion of time, and the first and second compounds do not become mushy as would occur if they were in constant contact with the liquid L. After the siphon has been broken in tube 120 as above described the operation is again repeated to bring additional quantities of the first and second compounds into solution in liquid L in the desired weight ratio. The operation will continue intermittently and without attention until the first and second compounds B and C are depleted, whereupon the control valve 118 is closed by the operator (not shown) and the first and

second receptacles

58 and 60 are refilled with the first and second compounds in the desired weight ratio.

It will of course, be apparent that a balance beam similar to the beam 52 may be provided, that has a fixed fulcrum and supports two

receptacles

58 and 60 of equal weight and in which equal weights of first and second compounds B and C are contained. In such a situation the first and second compounds B and C will dissolve in the liquid L in a substantially equal weight ratio.

The solution formed from dissolving the first and second compounds B and C in liquid L discharges from siphon tube 120 into a container (not shown) for ultimate use.

The structures of the inventions and methods of using the same have been described previously in detail and need not be repeated.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for use in automatically dissolving first and second compounds in a first moving stream of a liquid in which they are soluble to provide a second moving stream of a solution in which said first and second compounds are dissolved in a weight ratio that is proportional to first and second weights of said first and second compounds, said apparatus including:

a. first means for defining a first moving stream of said liquid of substantially constant velocity; and

b. elongate balance beam means pivotally supported by a fulcrum means intermediate the ends thereof and having first and second ends that initially support first and second containers having perforate lower ends holding first and second weights of said first and second compounds respectively in said first stream in such relative vertical positions that said first stream contacts equal surfaces of said first and second compounds thereof, with said balance beam means moving the one of said containers holding the weight of said one compound that dissolves most rapidly upwardly to expose less of said surface thereof to said first stream and lowering the other of said containers that holds the weight of said other compound further into said first stream to expose more of said surface thereof to said first stream until said weight of said other compound has been so decreased by dissolving in said first stream that it is lighter than the weight of the said one compound in said upwardly moved container, whereupon the movement of said first and second containers is reversed, with the cycle of upward and downward movement of said first and second containers continuing and transforming said first stream into said second stream of solution.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes:

c. a container having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet spaced therefrom, and with said first stream of liquid moving in said container from said inlet to said outlet;

(1. second means for discharging said liquid to said inlet at a first rate;

e. third means for withdrawing said liquid from said container at a second rate that is less than said first rate effected by said second means; and

f. fourth means for controlling the rate at which liquid discharges into said container through said inlet to that of said second rate at which said third means discharges liquid through said outlet to maintain said liquid at a predetermined constant surface level in said container.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said fourth means is a float-controlled valve operatively associated with said inlet, and the float of said valve disposed within said container.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said second means is a power-driven pump, the suction side of which is in communication with a second moving stream of said liquid into which it is desired to discharge said second stream of solution, said pump having a discharge that is in communication with said inlet of said container, with said third means being an eductor that receives a portion of said discharge of said liquid from said pump and returns the same to said second stream of liquid, which eductor includes a tubular portion that is at a negative pressure and in communication with said outlet in said container, with said portion of said liquid discharged to said eductor by said pump being such as to cuase said eductor to withdraw said second stream of solution from said container and discharge the same into said second moving stream of liquid concurrently with said liquid that has passed through said eductor from said pump being discharged thereinto.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

means for longitudinally adjusting said beam relative to said fulcrum means to permit said first and second weights of said first and second compounds to be supported in any desired ratio from said beam, and with said beam being in a horizontal position.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

means for raising and lowering said balance means relative to said first means to permit the magnitude of the surfaces of said first and second weights of said first and second compounds in contact with said first stream of liquid to be varied when said first and second weights are in balance on said balance means.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second compounds are in particled form.

8. An apparatus for use in automatically dissolving first and second compounds in a first moving stream of a liquid in which they are soluble to provide a second moving stream of a solution in which said first and second compounds are dissolved in a weight ratio that is proportional to first and second weights of said first and second compounds, said apparatus including:

b. elongate balance means pivotably supported by a fulcrum means intermediate the ends thereof and having first and second ends that initially support first and second means holding means which hold first and second weights of said first and second compounds, respectively, in said first stream in such relative vertical positions that said first stream contacts equal surfaces of said first and second compounds, with said balance beam means moving the one of said holding means holding the weight of said one compound that dissolves most rapidly upwardly to expose less of said surface thereof to said first stream and lowering the other of said holding means holding the weight of said other compound into said first stream to expose more of said surface thereof to said first stream until the weight of said other compound in said lowered holding means has been so decreased by dissolving in said first stream that is is lighter than the weight of said one compound. in said upwardly moved holding means, whereupon the movement of said first and second holding means is reversed, with the cycle of upward and downward movement of said first and second holding means continuing and transforming said first stream into said second stream of solution, said first and second weights of said first and second compounds being in the form of solid cakes thereof, and the holding means being adapted for removable engaging said cakes to support said cakes from the first and second ends of the balance beam means.

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN AUTOMATICALLY DISSOLVING FIRST AND SECOND COMPOUNDS IN A FIRST MOVING STREAM OF A LIQUID IN WHICH THEY ARE SOLUBLE TO PROVIDE A SECOND MOVING STREAM OF A SOLUTION IN WHICH SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPOUNDS ARE DISSOLVED IN A WEIGHT RATIO THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO FIRST AND SECOND WEIGHTS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPOUNDS, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING: A. FIRST MEANS FOR DEFINING A FIRST MOVING STREAM OF SAID LIQUID OF SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT VELOCITY; AND B. ELONGATE BALANCE BEAM MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY A FULCRUM MEANS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS THAT INITIALLY SUPPORT FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERS HAVING PERFORATE LOWER ENDS HOLDING FIRST AND SECOND WEIGHTS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPOUNDS RESPECTIVELY IN SAID FIRST STREAM IN SUCH RELATIVE VERTICAL POSITIONS THAT SAID FIRST STREAM CONTACTS EQUAL SURFACES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPOUNDS THEREOF, WITH SAID BALANCE BEAM MEANS MOVING THE ONE OF SAID CONTAINERS HOLDING THE WEIGHT OF SAID ONE COMPOUND THAT DISSOLVES MOST RAPIDLY UPWARDLY TO EXPOSE LESS OF SAID SURFACE THEREOF TO SAID FIRST STREAM AND LOWERING THE OTHER OF SAID CONTAINERS THAT HOLDS THE WEIGHT OF SAID OTHER COMPOUND FURTHER INTO SAID FIRST STREAM TO EXPOSE MORE OF SAID SURFACE THEREOF TO SAID FIRST STREAM UNTIL SAID WEIGHT OF SAID OTHER COMPOUND HAS BEEN SO DECREASED BY DISSOLVING IN SAID FIRST STREAM THAT IT IS LIGHTER THAN THE WEIGHT OF THE SAID ONE COMPOUND IN SAID UPWARDLY MOVED CONTAINER, WHEREUPON THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMTAINERS IS REVERSED, WITH THE CYCLE OF UPWARD AND DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERS CONTINUING AND TRANSFORMING SAID FIRST STREAM INTO SAID SECOND STREAM OF SOLUTION.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes: c. a container having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet spaced therefrom, and with said first stream of liquid moving in said container from said inlet to said outlet; d. second means for discharging said liquid to said inlet at a first rate; e. third means for withdrawing said liquid from said container at a second rate that is less than said first rate effected by said second means; and f. fourth means for controlling the rate at which liquid discharges into said container through said inlet to that of said second rate at which said third means discharges liquid through said outlet to maintain said liquid at a predetermined constant surface level in said container.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes: means for longitudinally adjusting said beam relative to said fulcrum means to permit said first and second weights of said first and second compounds to be supported in any desired ratio from said beam, and with said beam being in a horizontal position.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes: means for raising and lowering said balance means relative to said first means to permit the magnitude of the surfaces of said first and second weights of said first and second compounds in contact with said first stream of liquid to be varied when said first and second weights are in balance on said balance means.

8. An apparatus for use in automatically dissolving first and second compounds in a first moving stream of a liquid in which they are soluble to provide a second moving stream of a solution in which said first and second compounds are dissolved in a weight ratio that is proportional to first and second weights of said first and second compounds, said apparatus including: a. first means for defining a first moving stream of said liquid of substantially constant velocity; and b. elongate balance means pivotably supported by a fulcrum means intermediate the ends thereof and having first and second ends that initially support first and second means holding means which hold first and second weights of said first and second compounds, respectively, in said first stream in such relative vertical positions that said first stream contacts equal surfaces of said first and second compounds, with said balance beam means moving the one of said holding means holding the weight of said one compound that dissolves most rapidly upwardly to expose less of said surface thereof to said first stream and lowering the other of said holding means holding the weight of said other compound into said first stream to expose more of said surface thereof to said first stream until the weight of said other compound in said lowered holding means has been so decreased by dissolving in said first stream that is is lighter than the weight of said one compound in said upwardly moved holding means, whereupon the movement of said first and second holding means is reversed, with the cycle of upward and downward movement of said first and second holding means continuing and transforming said first stream into said second stream of solution, said first and second weights of said first and second compounds being in the form of solid cakes thereof, and the holding means being adapted for removable engaging said cakes to support said cakes from the first and second ends of the balance beam means.