WO1999028045A2

WO1999028045A2 - Gravity feed fluid dispensing system including shut-off assembly and lock assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1999028045A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/006598
Authority: WO
Inventors: John J. Dyer
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
Priority date: 1997-12-03
Filing date: 1998-04-03
Publication date: 1999-06-10
Also published as: AU6948998A; WO1999028045A3

Abstract

A dispenser assembly for use with a bottle having a dispensing valve cap and a projection on a dilutant valve camming flange is provided with a bottle shut-off system and a locking system. Both the bottle shut-off system and the locking system are positioned on a platform extending from a front of the dispenser assembly to cooperate with the projection of the flange of the bottle. The bottle shut-off system moves the bottle to close the valve cap automatically when the bottle is released by the user. The lock system selectively traps the projection of the flange and prevents removal of the bottle from the dispenser assembly until the lock is released.

Description

GRAVITY FEED FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING SHUT-OFF ASSEMBLY AND LOCK ASSEMBLY

This invention relates generally to systems for dispensing fluids, and more particularly to dispenser assemblies for use in gravity feed fluid dispensing systems.

Gravity feed fluid dispensing systems are known for dispensing a concentrated fluid for mixing with a dilutant. An example of such a system is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404 issued June 20, 1995 to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, entitled, "Gravity Feed Fluid Dispensing System." U.S. Patent No. 5,435,451 issued July 25, 1995, and U.S. Patent No. Des. 369,110 issued April 23, 1996, both to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company relate to a bottle for use in the gravity feed fluid dispensing system of U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404. Generally, the gravity feed fluid dispensing system of U.S. Patent

No. 5,425,404 includes an inverted bottle containing concentrated fluid, with an opening closed off by a valve cap. The system further includes a dispenser assembly which cooperates with the bottle and the valve cap during use. The valve cap controls the flow of the concentrated fluid from the bottle into the dispenser assembly for mixing with dilutant, such as water. The concentrate may be any of a wide variety of material, such as cleaning fluids, solvents, disinfectants, insecticides, herbicides, or the like. The diluted fluid exits the dispenser assembly into a container, such as a bucket or spray bottle, for use as desired.

In the system of U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404, the bottle is manually inserted into the dispenser assembly and rotated by the user to open the valve cap to permit dispensing of the concentrated fluid from the bottle. The bottle also includes a camming flange which operates a dilutant valve of the dispenser assembly when the bottle is rotated to open the valve cap. The bottle is removable from the dispenser assembly after use. Several needs have arisen in connection with the gravity feed fluid dispensing system of U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404. One need is for a shut-off system so that the dispensing system not dispense concentrated fluid in the circumstance when the dilutant supply is shut off, but the valve cap is inadvertently left in the open position. For example, if the user removes the user's hand from the bottle, while the valve cap is in the open position, concentrated fluid may continue to dispense from the bottle. If the user also turns off the dilutant supply at a point upstream from the dispenser assembly, the user may think that the dispensing system is "off", and not realize that concentrated fluid might continue to dispense from the bottle, possibly onto the floor. A further need is for a security system so that the bottle with any remaining concentrate may not be removed from the dispenser assembly except by authorized persons. The present invention relates to a dispenser assembly for use with an inverted and rotatable bottle having a rotatable dispensing valve cap for controlling the flow of concentrated fluid from the bottle. A dispenser body cooperates with the bottle to open and close the valve cap to control mixing of the concentrated fluid with dilutant. In one embodiment of the dispenser assembly, a shut-off assembly engages a projection of a camming flange of the bottle to provide an automatic shut-off system for rotating the bottle and the valve cap to a closed position. Preferably, the shut-off assembly includes a compressible helical coil spring positioned within a housing where one end of the spring engages the projection during rotation of the bottle. In another embodiment of the dispenser assembly, a lock assembly secures the projection, and the bottle, to the dispenser body to provide a security system. The security system allows for rotation of the bottle to permit fluid dispensing, but prevents removal of the bottle from the dispenser body. Preferably, the lock assembly includes a lockable slider plate positionable to secure the projection to the dispenser body. A further embodiment of the dispenser assembly includes both the shut-off assembly and the lock assembly.

The present invention also provides a shut-off assembly for automatic shut-off and/or a lock assembly for security as an accessory to be added as desired to dispenser bodies. One mounting mechanism includes two snaps. The present invention also relates to a method of using a dispenser assembly where a flange on the bottle is engaged by a shut-off assembly to rotate the bottle and the valve cap to a closed position. The present invention also relates to a method of use where the flange of the bottle is locked to the dispenser assembly to allow for rotation during use, but removal from the dispenser assembly is prevented. Preferably, the method of use includes both the automatic rotation step to shut off the system, and the locking step to secure the bottle to the dispenser body. The present invention also relates to a method of use where a shut-off assembly and/or a lock assembly as part of an accessory platform is added to the dispenser assembly, such as by snaps.

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a gravity feed fluid dispensing system including an accessory platform according to the present invention, and showing the bottle prior to it being mounted to the dispenser assembly;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the dispenser assembly of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2, and showing the accessory platform of the present invention in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing system of FIG. 1, and showing the bottle in position ready for rotation for dispensing fluid;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottle in an upright position;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the bottle of FIG. 4 without the valve cap;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the dispenser assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the accessory platform including the shut-off assembly, and showing a portion of the bottle;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the accessory platform and bottle portions shown in FIG. 7, with portions of the accessory platform shown in cross-section;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the accessory platform including the lock assembly, and showing a portion of the bottle; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the accessory platform including both the shut-off assembly and the lock assembly, and showing a portion of the bottle;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the accessory platform, and showing the attachment screws for attaching the shut-off assembly and the lock assembly to the accessory platform;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the accessory platform;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the accessory platform;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional front view of the accessory platform, taken along lines 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the accessory platform;

FIG. 16 is a back view of the accessory platform;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spring housing of the shut-off assembly; FIG. 18 is an end view of the spring housing;

FIG. 19 is a back view of the spring housing;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional top view of the spring housing, taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 21 is an exploded top view of the lock housing and the slider plate of the lock assembly.

In FIGS. 1-21, there are shown preferred embodiments of a fluid dispensing system 10 including a fluid dispenser assembly 12 and a bottle 14 containing a quantity of a fluid that is to be dispensed. Typically, the fluid is provided in a concentrated form with the intention that the concentrate will be diluted with at least one other diluting fluid prior to being dispensed and used. The concentrate in bottle 14 may be any of a wide variety of material, such as cleaning fluids, solvents, disinfectants, insecticides, herbicides, or the like. The dilutant may be water or any other suitable fluid. Generally, dispenser assembly 12 is constructed in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Bottle 14 includes a valve cap 16 for controlling dispensing of concentrate from bottle 14. Generally, valve cap 16 is constructed in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 5,425,404, noted above. Bottle 14 with valve cap 16 cooperates with dispenser assembly 12 during use to dispense and dilute the concentrate. Specifically, bottle 14 is inverted from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 1, and valve cap 16 is inserted into a chamber 30 of dispenser assembly 12. Chamber 30 has a generally cylindrically-shaped side wall 32. Valve cap 16 generally includes a first valve part 18 which mounts to a bottle body 15 at opening 15a of bottle 14 for rotation with bottle body 15 during use. Valve cap 16 also includes a second valve part 20 mounted to first valve part 18 for relative movement so as to open and close valve cap 16. During use of bottle 14 with dispenser assembly 12, a side projection or tab 28 on second valve part 20 resides in a notch 34 of dispenser assembly 12.

To operate valve cap 16 between closed and open positions, bottle 14 is rotated, preferably by the user grasping bottle body 15 as shown in FIG. 3 and rotating bottle body 15 in the direction of arrow 60 (FIGS. 3 and 6) about a longitudinal axis 64 through bottle 14. Rotation of bottle body 14 rotates first valve part 18 about longitudinal axis 64 relative to second valve part 20 which is prevented from rotating by tab 28 positioned within notch 34 of dispenser assembly 12. Second valve part 20 also moves longitudinally relative to first valve part 18 during opening and closing of valve cap 16. In the open position, fluid exits bottle 14 at aperture 22 of valve cap 16, and air enters bottle 14 from the atmosphere through central opening 24 of valve cap 16. Rotation of bottle body 15 also rotates a camming flange 26 extending from bottle body 15 which selectively operates a dilutant valve 36 of dispenser assembly 12 to control the flow of dilutant from an inlet 38 to a mixing chamber 39 of dispenser assembly 12. Dispenser assembly 12 includes a second dilutant valve 37, which is also linked to dilutant inlet 38 of dispenser assembly 12. In the embodiment shown, camming flange 26 is configured to operate both dilutant valve 36, 37. In some embodiments, only one valve may be operated. Concentrate flows from within bottle 14 to valve cap 16 and out aperture 22 into mixing chamber 39 of dispenser assembly 12 when second valve part 20 is moved relative to first valve part 18 thereby opening valve cap 16. Air from the atmosphere enters bottle 14 through valve cap 16 through central opening 24 of valve cap 16 as concentrate is dispensed. The concentrate and the dilutant are mixed within mixing chamber 39 and exit dispenser assembly 12 together at an outlet 40. Rotation of bottle body 15 in the direction of arrow 62 (FIGS. 3 and 6) returns valve cap 16 to the closed position, and releases camming flange 26 from engagement with dilutant valves 36, 37. Each dilutant valve 36, 37 is spring loaded such that each valve automatically closes when bottle 14 is rotated back to the closed position. It is to be appreciated that other dispenser assemblies are possible for use with bottle 14 where the dispenser assembly holds second valve part 20 during rotation of bottle body 15, first valve part 18, and camming flange 26. Other bottles and valve caps are possible, too, including the bottle and valve caps disclosed in pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/946,759, filed October 8, 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Dispenser assembly 12 includes a dispenser body 41 having a front 42, opposite sides 44, 46 and two vertical side edges 48, 50. Each of the sides 44, 46 defines a gap 52, 54 adjacent to edges 48, 50. A top surface 56 of dispenser body 41 defines chamber 30 and notch 34 for receipt of valve cap 16. In use, camming flange 26 rests on top surface 56 at section 57 where camming portions 26a, 26b are positioned adjacent to dilutant valves 36, 37, respectively.

As will be described below, dispenser assembly 12 can be provided with an automatic shut-off system for rotating bottle 14 and valve cap 16 from the open, fluid dispensing position, to a closed position upon removal of the user's hand from the bottle. Dispenser assembly 12 can also be provided with a lock system for securing bottle 14 to dispenser assembly 12. Preferably, both systems are provided; however, each one is separately advantageous. In the preferred embodiments illustrated, both the lock system and the shut-off system are add-on features for dispenser body 41. In the case of existing dispenser bodies 41, they can be retrofit with one or both of the systems. Preferably, each system is part of a device which securely attaches to the dispenser body 41. In the embodiments shown, a snap-fit accessory platform 70 serves this purpose. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate just accessory platform 70 without either the lock system or the shut-off system features, which are illustrated in FIGS. 7-21. Dispenser body 41 can also be constructed to include the desired systems, where accessory platform 70 is not constructed as an add-on part, but as a portion of the assembly formed during initial manufacture.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, accessory platform 70 mounts to dispenser assembly 12 so that a top surface 72 is generally adjacent to a front projection 27 of camming flange 26. Front projection 27 is preferably integrally formed with the remainder of camming flange 26. As will be described below, accessory platform 70 includes a first area 74 used for forming a portion of a shut-off assembly 100 (FIG. 7), and a second area 76 used for forming a portion of a lock assembly 200 (FIG. 9). Accessory platform 70 snaps to dispenser body 41 wherein a back face 78 of accessory platform 70 faces front 42 of dispenser body 41. Sides 80, 82 of accessory platform 70 extend along a portion of sides 44, 46 of dispenser body 41. Flexible locking tabs 84, 86, including locking lips 88, 90, of accessory platform 70 permit outward flexing of lips 88, 90 during mounting of accessory platform 70 to dispenser body 41, and further locking of lips 88, 90 around edges 48, 50. Preferably, accessory platform 70 is constructed where mounting of accessory platform 70 to dispenser body 41 is handled with relative ease, and removal of accessory platform 70 by prying lips 88, 90 away from edges 48, 50 is difficult. Preferably, accessory platform is made from molded plastic. Instead of snaps, accessory platform 70 could be attached with other methods including fasteners, such as screws. Also, as noted above, accessory platform 70 can be integrally formed with dispenser body 41.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 , and 11-20, a shut-off assembly 100 is shown. Shut-off assembly 100 includes a spring mechanism 101 including a compressible helical coil spring 102 positioned in first area 74 of accessory platform 70 to engage projection 27 of camming flange 26. During rotation of bottle 14, spring 102 will compress in the direction of arrow 103 from its at rest position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and to bias bottle 14 (and valve cap 16) back toward the closed position, shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8. End 106 of spring 102 engages projection 27 during use, and opposite end 104 of spring 102 is positioned within a spring housing 110 open at end 111. Spring housing 110 of spring mechanism 101 is mounted to accessory platform 70 with a lower portion of spring housing 110 and spring 102 positioned within a recess 75 as shown in FIG. 7, so that spring 102 is generally centered to engage projection 27. Spring housing 110 further defines an inner chamber 115 for enclosing spring 102. A spring recess region 116 defines a smaller chamber for more closely capturing end 104 of spring 102, as shown in FIG. 8. Spring housing 110 preferably mounts to accessory platform 70 with at least one screw 112 passing through a hole 130 of accessory platform 70, and residing in a threaded hole 131 of spring housing 110. For added strength, two screws 112 can be used to mount spring housing 110 to accessory platform 70. Recess 75 of accessory platform 70 further includes two drain holes 132, 134 to permit any fluid falling within recess 75 to drain out.

Spring housing 110 of spring mechanism 101 includes a slot 118 through a sidewall 115 configured for receipt of projection 27 during rotation of bottle 14. Spring housing 110 further includes a space 117 of chamber 115 for receipt of end 106 of spring 102 caused by rotation of projection 27 during use. Preferably, spring 102 is a metal coil spring, and spring housing 110 is made from molded plastic. Upon compression of spring 102 of spring mechanism 101, as during fluid dispensing, and then subsequent release of bottle 14 by the user, spring 102 will urge bottle 14 back to the position shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, thereby closing valve cap 16 and preventing undesired fluid dispensing. Other shut-off assemblies besides spring mechanism 101 are possible for automatically moving projection 27 to close valve cap 16 during use.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 11-16, and 21, a lock assembly 200 is shown. Two holes 202, 204 in second area 76 of accessory platform 70 are provided for securing a lock housing 206 to accessory platform 70 via two screws 208, 210. Lock housing 206 includes a top plate 212, and a bottom plate 214. Screw holes 216, 218 in bottom plate 214 receive screws 208, 210, respectively, to mount lock housing 206 to accessory platform 70. Top plate 212 includes larger holes 216a, 218a for screws 208, 210 to pass through during mounting of bottom plate 214 to accessory platform 70. Lock housing 206 is generally U-shaped with a connecting section 215. Lock housing 206 also includes a lock hole 220 through both top plate 212 and bottom plate 214 at overhang portion 221 for receipt of a bail arm 242 of a padlock 240 in the locked state. Lock assembly 200 also includes a slider plate 224 including a first plate portion 226 residing between top plate 212 and bottom plate 214 of lock housing 206. A second plate portion 228 projects over projection 27 to prevent bottle 14 from being removed from dispenser assembly 12 when slider plate 224 is locked in position by padlock 240. Other locks besides padlock 240 and holes 220 are possible for locking slider plate 224 in position.

Slider plate 224 further includes a flange 230 useable to manually move slider plate 224 during the locking or unlocking operation. During mounting of bottle 14 to dispenser assembly 12, or removal of bottle 14 from dispenser assembly 12, slider plate 224 is positioned so that second plate portion 228 is out of the way and between top and bottom plates 212, 214 of lock housing 206. The components of lock assembly 200 are made from suitable material, such as metal, not susceptible to easily being destroyed by an unauthorized person trying to circumvent the security features. In the locked state, lock assembly 200 traps projection 27 between slider plate 224 and top surface 72 of accessory platform 70, and prevents bottle 14 from being lifted off dispenser assembly 12 by unauthorized persons. However, lock assembly 200 allows projection 27 to rotate between positions as valve cap 16 is moved between the closed and open positions.

As seen by the variations described above, accessory platform 70 can be configured in different manners depending on the needs of the user. FIGS. 7 and 8 show accessory platform 70 configured as a shut-off device only. FIG. 9 show accessory platform 70 configured as a locking device only. FIG. 10 shows accessory platform 70 with both shut-off assembly 100 and lock assembly 200. The above specification provides a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dispenser assembly for use with an inverted and rotatable bottle having a bottle body and a dispensing valve cap including first and second valve parts for controlling fluid flow from within the bottle, the first valve part mounted to the bottle body, the second valve part rotatably mounted to the first valve part, a tab extending from the second valve part, a camming flange positioned for rotation with the bottle body, and the camming flange including a projection, the dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser body including a top surface configured to receive the dispensing valve cap, the top surface defining a notch for receiving the tab of the dispensing valve cap, the dispenser body including a dilutant inlet and a dilutant valve in fluid communication with the dilutant inlet, the dilutant valve positioned to engage the camming flange of the bottle upon rotation of the bottle relative to the dispenser body from an original position in which the valve cap is closed to a rotated position in which the valve cap is open, the dispenser body including a fluid outlet for the dilutant and the fluid from the bottle; and a shut-off assembly positioned to engage the projection of the camming flange, the shut-off assembly positioned to move the projection toward an original position after the projection is placed in a rotated position upon rotation of the bottle to open the valve cap, whereby the shut-off assembly urges the projection toward the original position to close the valve cap.

2. The dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the shut-off assembly includes a compressible spring mechanism to bias the projection toward the original position to close the valve cap.

3. The dispenser assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lock selectively locking the projection to the dispenser body, the projection being rotatably moveable relative to the dispenser body when the lock locks the projection to the dispenser body.

4. A dispenser assembly for use with an inverted and rotatable bottle having a bottle body and a dispensing valve cap including first and second valve parts for controlling fluid flow from within the bottle, the first valve part mounted to the bottle body, the second valve part rotatably mounted to the first valve part, a tab extending from the second valve part, a camming flange positioned for rotation with the bottle body, and the camming flange including a projection, the dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser body including a top surface configured to receive the dispensing valve cap, the top surface defining a notch for receiving the tab of the dispensing valve cap, the dispenser body including a dilutant inlet and a dilutant valve in fluid communication with the dilutant inlet, the dilutant valve positioned to engage the camming flange of the bottle upon rotation of the bottle relative to the dispenser body from an original position in which the valve cap is closed to a rotated position in which the valve cap is open, the dispenser body including a fluid outlet for the dilutant and the fluid from the bottle; and a lock selectively locking the projection of the camming flange to the dispenser body, the projection being rotatably moveable relative to the dispenser body when the lock locks the projection to the dispenser body.

5. An accessory for a dispenser assembly, the dispenser assembly having a front, and two opposed sides, each side including an edge, comprising: a body including a back portion and a top surface, the body including a mounting arrangement for mounting the body to the dispenser assembly wherein the back portion is adjacent to the front of the dispenser assembly; and a spring mechanism positioned adjacent to the top surface.

6. The accessory of claim 5, further comprising a lock positioned adjacent to the top surface.

7. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the top surface defines a recess, wherein the spring mechanism includes a helical coil spring positioned in the recess, and a spring housing over the spring, the spring housing includes a slot through a sidewall of the spring housing, the spring housing further including a first chamber for closely surrounding an end of the spring, the spring housing further defining a second chamber adjacent to the slot for receiving an opposite end of the spring, the first chamber sized smaller than the second chamber.

8. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the body includes two opposed sides connected to the top surface, each side defining a flexible tab, and a lip extending inwardly from the tab, each tab configured for snap fitting receipt of a portion of the dispenser assembly wherein the lips engage the edges to mount the body to the dispenser assembly.

9. An accessory for a dispenser assembly, the dispenser assembly having a front, and two opposed sides, each side including an edge, comprising: a body including a back portion and a top surface, the body including a mounting arrangement for mounting the body to the dispenser assembly wherein the back portion is adjacent to the front of the dispenser assembly; and a lock positioned adjacent to the top surface.

10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein the body includes two opposed sides connected to the top surface, each side defining a flexible tab, and a lip extending inwardly from the tab, each tab configured for snap fitting receipt of a portion of the dispenser assembly wherein the lips engage the edges to mount the body to the dispenser assembly.