US 8,757,188 B2 · Dispenser for controlling fluid flow and a method of controlling fluid flow

Abstract

An inline dispersal valve that can be used with or without a base. One embodiment includes a rotatable member that is rotatable from a fluid stream obstructing condition to an out-of-the-way condition to prevent fluid diversion into the dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes a lever handle for quickly setting the amount of fluid being diverted into the inline dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes an indicator that can be viewed from a position above the inline dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes a cap that can be secured or removed without the aid of tools. Another embodiment includes a clip that allows one to disassemble the inline dispersal valve for servicing. Another embodiment includes a dispensing valve that can be reversed and still properly divert fluid into a dispersant chamber. Another embodiment includes an inline dispersal valve with a bleed valve positioned to allow one to bring the air volume in the dispersant chamber to the proper level.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A dispenser for controlling a fluid flow therein comprising:

a housing;
a fluid port located in the housing;
a rotatable member for opening and closing the fluid port, said rotatable member includes a fluid deflecting surface located thereon, the fluid deflecting surface displaceable into a lumen of a conduit of the housing to divert at least a portion of a fluid flowing in the conduit to flow through a chamber of the housing before returning to the conduit and displaceable out of the lumen in the conduit to form a portion of the conduit to direct fluid flowing through the conduit without diverting fluid into the chamber in the housing to thereby create a no flow condition through the chamber;
and
a lever arm handle extending radially outward from the rotatable member to facilitate ease in rotation of the rotatable member, said lever arm handle extending radially outward so a force for moving the rotatable member in a direction to close the fluid port requires a circumferential force on the lever arm handle and a force for moving the rotatable member in an opposite direction to open the fluid port requires a circumferential force on the lever arm handle.

2 more elements

A method for controlling a fluid flow through a dispenser comprising the steps of:

directing a fluid stream through a fluid conduit of an inline dispersal valve housing;
moving a rotatable member in a direction to open a fluid port of inline dispersal valve housing by moving the rotatable member having a fluid deflecting surface in a direction to open the fluid port of inline dispersal valve housing while simultaneously displacing the fluid deflecting surface into a lumen of the conduit of the inline dispersal valve housing to divert at least the portion of the fluid stream flowing through the conduit to flow through a chamber of the housing before returning to the conduit to allow for at least a portion of the fluid stream flowing through the conduit to flow through the fluid port into a chamber of the inline dispersal valve housing before returning to the conduit to thereby dispense a portion of the dispersant supported by the chamber into the conduit;
and
moving the rotatable member in an opposite direction to close the fluid port to thereby create a no flow condition through the chamber.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dispenser for controlling fluid flow and a method of controlling fluid flow

Life of this patent

Dispenser for controlling fluid flow and a method of controlling fluid flow

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12