Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-03
2004-04-20
Bomberg, Kenneth (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S129000, C222S630000, C239S310000, C239S318000, C137S268000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722527
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fluid dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to an irrigation fluid dispenser for dispensing landscape maintenance fluids and the like.
There exist different ways of dispensing landscape maintenance products, such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. In some cases, the uneven distribution may result in hot spots in certain areas. Some systems require the use of external power such as electrical power to dispense landscape maintenance fluids containing such products.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fluid dispenser for dispensing landscape maintenance fluids or the like which contain products such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. The fluid dispenser injects the fluids directly into the mainstream of an irrigation system. The dispensing system operates by shunting a portion of the main irrigation water stream through a bypass to the dispenser containing the product to be dispensed. The water dilutes the product to be applied, and is injected back into the main irrigation stream by the back pressure of the irrigation system and the venturi action caused by the restriction in the main irrigation stream adjacent to the orifice from the dispenser outlet back into the main irrigation channel.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a fluid dispensing apparatus comprises a primary flow member having a primary flow line disposed between an inlet port and an outlet port. The primary flow line is configured to be placed in fluid communication with an irrigation fluid flow stream. The primary flow member includes a first orifice disposed near the inlet port and a second orifice disposed near the outlet port. The first and second orifices are in fluid communication with the primary flow line. A container has a container fluid inlet and a container fluid outlet. The container fluid inlet is disposed near a top of the container and is fluidicly coupled with the first orifice of the primary flow member. The container fluid outlet is disposed near a bottom of the container and is fluidicly coupled with the second orifice of the primary flow member via an outlet channel which extends from the container fluid outlet up toward the top of the container and back down toward the second orifice of the primary flow member.
In some embodiments, the container includes a removable container cap. The removable container cap is threadingly coupled to the top of the container. A seal is placed between the removable container cap and the top of the container. The seal may comprise an O-ring. A flow restriction is disposed in the primary flow member, and is adjacent to and upstream of the second orifice of the primary flow member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a fluid dispensing apparatus comprises a primary flow member having a primary flow line disposed between an inlet port and an outlet port. The primary flow line is configured to be placed in fluid communication with an irrigation fluid flow stream. The primary flow member includes a first orifice disposed near the inlet port and a second orifice disposed near the outlet port. The first and second orifices are in fluid communication with the primary flow line. A container has a container fluid inlet and a container fluid outlet. The container fluid inlet is fluidicly coupled with the first orifice of the primary flow member. The container fluid outlet is fluidicly coupled with the second orifice of the primary flow member. The container includes a check valve disposed at a top above the container fluid inlet and the container fluid outlet. The check valve is closed to block air flow through a vent in the container during filling of the container by the irrigation fluid from the irrigation fluid flow stream via the primary flow line, the first orifice, and the container fluid inlet. The check valve is open to permit air flow through the vent into the container during draining of the fluid from the container into the irrigation fluid flow stream via the container fluid outlet, the second orifice, and the primary flow line.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing fluid from a container comprises flowing a fluid through a primary fluid flow tube to form a primary fluid flow stream. A portion of the fluid is diverted from the primary fluid flow stream through a first orifice of the primary fluid flow tube into the container via a container fluid inlet of the container to fill the container with the fluid and dilute a product in the container with the fluid. The fluid from the container is returned through a container fluid outlet of the container to the primary fluid flow stream via a second orifice of the primary fluid flow tube. The method further comprises stopping diverting the fluid into the container, and siphoning the fluid in the container through the container fluid outlet of the container into the primary fluid flow tube via the second orifice.
In some embodiments, siphoning the fluid in the container comprises permitting air flow into the container when stopping diverting the fluid into the container. The air flow into the container is controlled by a check valve disposed above the container fluid inlet and the container fluid outlet. The check valve is closed to block air flow through a vent in the container during filling of the container by the fluid from the primary fluid flow stream. The check valve is open to permit air flow through the vent into the container and siphon the fluid in the container through the container fluid outlet of the container into the primary fluid flow tube via the second orifice when stopping diverting the fluid into the container.
In specific embodiments, stopping diverting the fluid into the container comprises reducing or terminating the fluid flow through the primary fluid flow tube. The method further comprises placing inside the container the product to be diluted by the fluid. The product may be introduced into the container manually or automatically.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1497271 (1924-06-01), Harrison
patent: 3195985 (1965-07-01), Elkin
patent: 5364030 (1994-11-01), Murdock et al.
patent: 5823430 (1998-10-01), Clark et al.
Automatic Bar Controls Inc.
Bomberg Kenneth
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