US 6,283,330 B1Granted

Cleaning solution dilution and dispensing system

AssigneeThe Butcher Company

InventorsDaniel C. Gillespie, Glenn Szabo, John H. Grimes, Jr., William R. Rebh, Jr.

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Abstract

A dilution control system for diluting a first fluid with a second fluid and dispensing diluted fluid is disclosed. The dilution control system includes a bottle that is adapted for receiving a quantity of the first fluid. A valve insert is disposed in the opening of the bottle and includes at least one valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid from the bottle and an air vent. The dilution control system further includes a dispenser assembly having a body with at least one mixing chamber for receiving quantities of the first and second fluids and dispensing the diluted fluid, a platform for engaging and supporting the bottle on the body while dispensing the first fluid into the chamber, and a manifold assembly for dispensing the second fluid into the chamber and for actuating the valve and the air vent of the valve insert. The manifold assembly actuates the valve and the air vent for allowing the first fluid to flow into the mixing chamber only while dispensing the second fluid into the chamber. The dilution control system is especially useful for diluting and dispensing concentrated chemical cleaning fluids.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A system for diluting and dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a bottle adapted for receiving a quantity of the fluid, the bottle having at least one first valve disposed in an opening thereof for controlling the flow of the fluid from the bottle, the first valve being biased to a closed position;
and
dilution and dispenser assembly for supporting the bottle while diluting and dispensing the fluid, the assembly including
a body having at least one chamber with a receiving opening and a dispensing opening,
a platform for engaging and supporting the bottle on the body with the opening of the bottle being directed downward in registration with the receiving opening of the chamber, and
a manifold assembly including
at least one inlet for receiving a second fluid,
at least one outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet being directed downward in registration with the receiving opening of the chamber,
at least one actuator in fluid communication with the inlet for moving the first valve disposed in the opening of the bottle to an open position, the actuator being triggered by the second fluid flowing through the manifold assembly, and
at least one second valve for controlling the flow of the second fluid from the inlet to both the outlet and the actuator, the second valve being biased to a closed position and shiftable to an open position,
whereby when the second valve is shifted to the open position, the second fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet and into the chamber and triggers the actuator, thereby causing the fluid in the bottle to flow into the chamber and be mixed with the second fluid for subsequent dispensing of diluted fluid through the dispensing opening of the chamber.

8 more elements

A dilution and dispenser assembly for use with a system for diluting and dispensing a fluid, the system including a bottle adapted for receiving a quantity of the fluid, the bottle having at least one first valve disposed in an opening thereof for controlling the flow of the fluid from the bottle, the first valve being biased to a closed position, wherein the dilution and dispenser assembly supports the bottle while diluting and dispensing the fluid, the dilution and dispenser assembly comprising:

a body having at least one chamber with a receiving opening and a dispensing opening;
a platform for engaging and supporting the bottle on the body with the opening of the bottle being directed downward in registration with the receiving opening of the chamber;
and
a manifold assembly including
at least one inlet for receiving a second fluid,
at least one outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet being directed downward in registration with the receiving opening of the chamber,
at least one actuator for moving the first valve disposed in the opening of the bottle to an open position, the actuator being triggered by the second fluid flowing through the manifold assembly, and
at least one second valve for controlling the flow of the second fluid from the inlet to both the outlet and the actuator, the second valve being biased to a closed position and shiftable to an open position,
whereby when the second valve is shifted to the open position, the second fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet and into the chamber and triggers the actuator, thereby causing the fluid in the bottle to flow into the chamber and be mixed with the second fluid for subsequent dispensing of diluted fluid through the dispensing opening of the chamber.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.