Dispensing – Cutoff operated by selectively preset volume or rate of...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-20
2002-04-09
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3724)
Dispensing
Cutoff operated by selectively preset volume or rate of...
C222S071000, C222S183000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06367658
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to coin and credit card operated dispensers, specifically to a coin, credit card, and/or debit card activated windshield washer fluid dispensing system that can be manufactured as a stand-alone unit or combined into a single housing with one or more independent systems providing motor vehicle related services, such as air/vacuum services. The present invention has a compact configuration, a minimum number of parts, and electrical components that operate on standard current to make it particularly suited for low cost retrofit into existing housings built for other dispensing purposes. Activation of the present invention provides prompt, gentle operation for spill-free windshield washer fluid dispensing without the use of a funnel. In a first preferred embodiment, upon payment receipt, a timer simultaneously activates an electric pump and opens a solenoid to draw windshield washer fluid from a tank and continually supply such fluid to an adjustable fluid flow regulator for a pre-determined period of time so that a fixed maximum amount windshield washer fluid can be made to flow under low pressure through a connected dispensing hose and thereafter into the windshield fluid reservoir of a motorized vehicle. The dispensing hose comprises a nozzle having an easily operator-controlled fluid cut-off valve to prevent reservoir overfill. (A second preferred embodiment is simpler in construction and lower in cost to manufacture than the first preferred embodiment since it has no pump. In the second preferred embodiment, upon payment receipt, a timer opens a solenoid to allow windshield washer fluid in an elevated tank to be gravity-fed through the opened solenoid, through an adjustable fluid flow regulator, and into a dispensing hose. Applications would include, but not be limited to, use in association with car washes, convenience stores, gas stations, rental car facilities, and maintenance garages for buses and other fleet vehicles.
2. Description of Prior Art
Windshield visibility is critical to safe driving and a readily available supply of windshield washer fluid in a vehicle's reservoir is crucial to maintaining optimum windshield visibility. A previous invention by the same inventors herein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,329 to Kenney (1999), provides units for windshield washer fluid dispensing at facilities where motorists regularly service their vehicles, thus prompting motorists to regularly check the fluid level in their windshield washer reservoirs and keep them filled to optimum levels for good windshield washing system performance. The previous Kenney invention provided wall-mounted, standalone, gravity-fed, and combination windshield washer fluid dispensers that were easy to operate by the public, promptly delivered windshield washer fluid in a reasonable amount of time, were able to neatly dispense windshield washer fluid directly into the vehicle's reservoir without splashing and without the use of a funnel, and had provisions for steady and even fluid flow which the operator could promptly cut-off as needed to prevent reservoir overfill. The previous Kenney invention used readily available 24-volt components and required a step-down transformer. The present invention provides a more simplified dispensing system having fewer parts that is cheaper to construct. In addition to eliminating the need for an air compressor, the present invention also eliminates the need for a step-down transformer to supply power to its timer and coin/credit-card/debit-card acceptor, and either provides for simultaneous electrical activation of a pump and a solenoid, or elimination of the pump wherein the windshield washer fluid is gravity-fed through an opened solenoid and an adjustable fluid flow regulator to the dispensing hose.
Another fluid vending machine that can be used to dispense windshield cleaning fluid is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,366 to Cason (1999). However, the Cason invention can also be distinguished from the present invention. Windshield washer fluid in the Cason invention is gravity-fed from an elevated primary reservoir into a measuring reservoir, and then subsequently into a dispensing tube. There is no direct fluid communication between the primary reservoir and the dispensing tube. Fluid from the primary reservoir reaches the dispensing tube as a crank is moved by an operator between starting and activation positions, and back again to sequentially close and open a pair of crank actuated poppet valves that are biased by springs into closed positions when the crank is midway between the starting and activation positions. Non-stretchable tethers attached between the crank and the poppet valves are used to alternatively open and close them. In the crank's starting position, the first poppet valve is closed and the measuring reservoir is isolated from the primary reservoir, while the second poppet valve is open to allow fluid communication between the measuring reservoir and the dispensing tube. As the crank is moved into its activation position, midway between the starting and actuation positions, the second poppet valve closes to isolate the measuring reservoir from the dispensing tube. When the crank is further moved toward the actuation position, the first poppet valve opens to allow fluid from the primary reservoir to be gravity-fed into the measuring reservoir. When the measuring reservoir is full, an operator would move the crank back toward the starting position. Midway between the actuation and starting positions, the first poppet valve closes to isolate the measuring reservoir from the primary reservoir. When the crank is further moved toward the starting position, the second poppet valve opens to allow fluid from the measuring reservoir to be gravity-fed through the dispensing tube.
Fluid measurement in the Cason invention is the result of a mechanical operation, while fluid measurement in the present invention is controlled in combination by an electrical timer and a low pressure fluid regulator. While the amount of fluid dispensed by the present invention for a given cost is adjustable and easily calibrated, the amount of fluid dispensed by the Cason invention depends on the size of the measuring reservoir and is not as easily altered. Further, the present invention has a safety advantage over the Cason invention in that the present invention allows the operator to control the amount of fluid leaving its dispensing hose. In the Cason invention, all of the fluid allowed to enter the measuring reservoir is gravity-fed through the dispensing tube, even if that amount of fluid would cause an automobile windshield fluid reservoir to overflow. In contrast, an operator of the present invention pays for dispensing time during which a calibrated flow of fluid is available for dispensing. As a result, an operator can prevent motor vehicle windshield fluid reservoir overfill by simply closing the fluid cut-off valve in the dispensing hose nozzle to cut off flow of excess fluid from the dispensing hose. Once the light in the present invention ceases to be lit, the operator will know that the dispensing period is complete and the cut-off valve can be safely released without fluid spills and waste. Further, the present invention is easier and faster to operate than the Cason invention, and the Cason invention would not be as easily retrofitted as the present invention to existing housings built to provide other automobile related services. In the present invention, after payment receipt, fluid flow is immediate, calibrated to flow under low pressure, and can be stopped at any time. In contrast, after payment receipt, an operator of the Cason invention must move a crank between a starting position and an activation, wait until the measuring reservoir is filled, and then move the crank again back to the starting position for fluid flow to occur. Also, all of the fluid in the measuring reservoir is dispensed, and any excess fluid is either wasted or if left in the dispensing tube becomes a safety hazard for c
Kenney David Joseph
Kenney Rebecca Beauregard
Bui Thach H
Derakshani Philippe
Morse Dorothy S.
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