Abstract:
A hand-held dispenser is provided for controlling the flow of water therethrough and for injecting a liquid chemical into the water passing through the apparatus. The dispenser also includes an air-gap backflow preventer which prevents the water source being contaminated should the dispenser be subjected to a backflow problem.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a hand-held dispenser and more particularly to a hand-held dispenser for mixing water passing therethrough with a liquid chemical. Further, this invention relates to a hand-held dispenser which includes a backflow preventer should the dispenser be subjected to a backflow problem. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of dispensers have been previously provided which may be connected to the end of a water hose or the like wherein the dispenser introduces chemicals into the water flow so that a lawn or the like may be sprayed. Further, the dispensers of the prior art are also able to inject liquid chemicals into a water stream so that a mop bucket, etc., may be filled with water, detergent or other chemicals. In Applicant&#39;s earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,237,728; 7,296,761; and 8,177,143 hand-held dispensers are disclosed which are able to conveniently and economically precisely control the rate of waterflow through the dispenser and to precisely control the metering of liquid chemicals in the precisely controlled flow of water. 
     Although the dispensers of Applicant&#39;s earlier patents have met with considerable success, Applicant has developed an improved hand-held dispenser which is convenient to use and which includes a backflow preventer which prevents the source of water from being contaminated should the dispenser be subjected to a backflow problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A hand-held dispenser is described for controlling the flow of water therethrough so that a liquid chemical or the like may be mixed with the water passing therethrough. The dispenser of this invention comprises a generally horizontally disposed first body portion having an inlet end and a discharge end, and a generally vertically disposed second body portion, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from the first body portion. The first body portion comprises a pair of body portions which are secured together. The lower end of the second body portion is configured to be secured to a liquid chemical container. 
     The first body portion includes a generally horizontally disposed first body member which extends from the inlet end of the first body portion towards the discharge end thereof. The first body member has an inlet end and a discharge end. The first body member has a horizontally disposed first fluid passageway formed therein which extends from the inlet end thereof towards the discharge end thereof. The first fluid passageway has an inlet end and a discharge end. The inlet end of the first fluid passageway is adapted to be placed in communication with a source of water under pressure. The first body portion has a generally vertically disposed second body member positioned at the discharge end thereof with the second body member having upper and lower ends. The second body member has a cylindrical chamber formed therein which has an inlet end and a discharge end. The second body member has an annular first valve seat provided in the chamber thereof above the inlet end thereof. The first valve seat has an inlet side and a discharge side. The inlet side of the first valve seat is in communication with the first passageway of the first body member. The discharge side of the first valve seat is in communication with the chamber. A first valve is selectively vertically movably mounted in the chamber. The first valve includes a valve member positioned below the valve seat and a valve stem, having upper and lower ends, secured to the valve member which extends upwardly therefrom through the valve seat and the chamber. The first valve is selectively vertically movable between a lower position to an upper position. The valve member of the first valve closes the first valve seat when the first valve is in its upper position. The valve member of the first valve, when the first valve is in its lower position, permitting the flow of water from the first passageway through the first valve seat and upwardly into the chamber. A valve actuating lever is pivotally secured to the first body portion which is operatively connected to the upper end of the valve stem of the first valve. The valve actuating lever is pivotally movable from an upper “off” position wherein said first valve is in its upper position to a lower “on” position wherein the valve member of the first valve is unseated from the first valve seat. 
     The first body portion has a horizontally disposed second passageway, having inlet and discharge ends, formed therein which extends from the chamber, above the valve seat, towards the discharge end of the first body portion. The first body portion also includes a horizontally disposed third body member, having inlet and discharge ends, extending from the second body member towards the discharge end of the first body portion. The inlet end of the third body member is in fluid communication with the second passageway. 
     The first body portion also includes a fourth body member having an inlet end and a discharge end. The discharge end of the third body member is received by the inlet end of the fourth body member. The fourth body member has a tapered second valve seat formed therein which is spaced from the discharge end of the fourth body member. The fourth body member has a backflow exhaust opening formed therein adjacent the discharge end thereof which is in communication with the atmosphere. 
     A shuttle valve is provided having an inlet end and a discharge end a tapered valve at its discharge end. The shuttle valve has a first passageway formed therein which has an inlet end and a discharge end. The tapered valve has a central opening extending therethrough which is in communication with the first passageway thereof. A normally closed flexible duck-bill valve or flap valve is provided having an inlet end and a discharge end. The duck-bill valve is positioned in the first passageway of the shuttle valve. The discharge end of the duck-bill valve is in communication with the central opening in the tapered valve. The shuttle valve is movably positioned in the third and fourth body members. The shuttle valve is movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the third and fourth body members. A spring is mounted in the fourth body member which yieldably urges the shuttle valve to its retracted position. The tapered valve, when the shuttle valve is in its extended position, seats into the second valve seat of the fourth body member whereby water passing from the discharge end of the duck-bill valve will pass through the discharge end of the fourth body member. The tapered valve, when the shuttle valve is in its retracted position, which is caused by the spring and/or backflow pressure, is unseated from the second valve seat whereby the interior of the fourth body member is in communication with the atmosphere by way of the backflow opening in the fourth body member. 
     The first body portion has a discharge passageway formed therein which extends from the discharge end of the second valve seat to the discharge end of the first body portion. The second body portion has a suction passageway, having upper and lower ends, extending upwardly therethrough. The lower end of the suction passageway is in communication with the interior of the chemical container. The upper end of the suction passageway is in communication with the discharge passageway of the first body portion whereby water passing through the discharge passageway will draw liquid from the container by way of the suction passageway into the water being discharged from the dispenser. 
     When it is desired to mix liquid chemical to the water being discharged from the dispenser, a chemical container is secured to the connector at the lower end of the second body portion. Prior to the actuating lever being moved from its upper “off” position, to its lower “on” position, the spring will yieldably urge the shuttle valve to its retracted position. With the shuttle valve being in the retracted position, and the actuating lever being in the “off” position, the duck-bill will be closed and the discharge tube at the discharge end of the dispenser will be in communication with the atmosphere by way of the slot or opening in the fourth body member. 
     When the actuating lever is pivotally moved from its “off” position to its “on” position, the pressurized water will open the discharge end of the duck-bill valve and will move the shuttle valve to its extended position against the yieldable force of the spring whereby the valve thereof will seat upon the valve seat in the fourth body member so that the water will flow therethrough. As the water passes the upper end of the suction passageway in the second body portion, a venturi will be created to draw the liquid chemical in the liquid container into the dispenser. Should the discharge end of the dispenser be subjected to a backflow problem, the spring in the fourth body member will move the shuttle valve from its extended position and the duck-bill valve will be closed so to its retracted position so that the backflow will be exhausted to the atmosphere by way of the slot or opening formed in the fourth body member. If the source of water should be interrupted by a water line break, a suction is created at the inlet end of the shuttle valve which will cause the shuttle valve to move to its retracted position. One suction will also cause the duck-bill valve to close. The spring also urges the shuttle valve to move to its retracted position. Thus, even if the spring should fail, the suction will move the shuttle valve to its retracted position and the duck-bill valve will be closed. Therefore, any chemical in the discharge end of the first body portion will be exhausted the same to the atmosphere. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved hand-held dispenser having a backflow preventer incorporated therein. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hand-held dispenser which will prevent the source of water being supplied to the dispenser from being contaminated if the inlet end of the dispenser or the discharge end of the dispenser is subjected to a backflow problem. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hand-held dispenser which includes a shuttle valve with a duck-bill valve therein which closes a backflow exhaust opening when the shuttle valve is in an extended position and which opens the backflow exhaust opening when in a retracted position. 
     A modified form of the invention is also disclosed in  FIGS. 7 and 8  wherein a spool valve is imposed in the first body portion to provide a means for varying the flow of water therethrough. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial exploded perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a modified form of the hand-held dispenser of this invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial exploded perspective view of the hand-held dispenser of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The hand-held dispenser of this invention, as seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10  and includes a dispenser body  12  which is generally T-shaped in configuration and which includes a generally horizontally disposed body portion  14  and a generally vertically disposed body portion  16 . Obviously, body portion  14  will not always be horizontally disposed when being used nor will body portion  16  always be substantially vertically disposed when in use. 
     Body portion  14  Includes body portions  14 A and  14 B which are joined together as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Body portion  14 A includes an inlet end  18  ( FIG. 5 ) which preferably has a rotatable dispenser nut or connector  20  mounted thereon so that a water hose  22  ( FIG. 2 ) may be secured thereto with the water hose  22  being in communication with a source of water under pressure. It is preferred that a backflow preventer of conventional design be imposed between the water hose  22  and the inlet end  18 . An elongated hollow discharge tube  24  is provided at the discharge end  26  of the body portion  14 B. Tube  24  may have any type of discharge nozzle selectively removably mounted thereon. A seal ring  28  is mounted on tube  24  as seen in  FIG. 4 . A pair of oppositely disposed locking lugs  30  and  32  project from tube  24  adjacent the inner end thereof as seen in  FIG. 5 . Tube  24  has a bore or passageway  34  extending therethrough. 
     Body portion  14 A includes a horizontally disposed cylindrical body member  36  at its inlet end  18  which has a bore or passageway  38  ( FIG. 5 ) extending therethrough. The inner end of body member  36  joins a vertically disposed hollow cylindrical body member  40  having a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber or passageway  42  formed therein. The inner end of bore  38  of body member  36  communicates with a small opening  44  formed in the side wall of body member  40  so that water may flow through passageway  38 , through opening  44  and into chamber  42  above the lower end of body member  40 . A generally cylindrical valve guide or insert  46  is selectively removably positioned in chamber  42  above the lower end thereof. Valve guide  46  has an annular valve seat  48  formed therein at the lower end thereof which communicates with bore  50  formed in valve guide  46 . 
     The numeral  54  refers to a valve which is designed to seat upon valve seat  48  to close the same. Valve stem  56  extends upwardly through passageway or bore  50  so that the upper end of valve stem  56  is positioned above valve guide  46 . Cap  57  is screwed onto the upper end of body member  40 . Valve stem  56  extends through an opening in cap  57 . Spring  58  yieldably urges valve stem  56  and valve  54  to an upper position so that valve  54  seats upon and closes valve seat  48 . 
     A passageway  60  in body member  40  extends from chamber  42  above valve seat  48 . Thus, when valve  54  is seated upon valve seat  48 , water cannot pass from chamber  42  into passageway  60 . When valve stem  56  and valve  54  are in the lower position, water is free to pass from the chamber  42  into the passageway  60 . 
     Body portion  14 A also includes a cylindrical body member  62  which extends transversely from body member  40  and which has a chamber  64  formed therein. The inlet end of chamber  64  communicates with passageway  60  to permit water to pass from chamber  42  into chamber  64  when valve  54  is unseated from valve seat  48 . Body member  62  has a pair of spaced-apart mounting plates  66  and  68  positioned on the underside of body member  62  for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. 
     The numeral  70  refers to a shuttle valve which is slidably mounted in chamber  64  between retracted and extended positions. Shuttle valve  70  includes an outer cylindrical wall portion  72 , a cylindrical recessed wall portion  74  and a tapered valve  76  at the discharge end thereof. O-rings  78  and  80  embrace the wall portion  72  as seen in  FIG. 6  and an O-ring  82  embraces valve  76  as also seen in  FIG. 6 . Passageway or bore  84  extends into the inlet end of shuttle valve  70  ( FIG. 6 ). Passageway or bore  86  extends from passageway  84  and has a smaller diameter than passageway  84  to define a shoulder  88  therebetween. The discharge end of passageway  86  tapers inwardly to communicate with the inlet end of a passageway or bore  90  which extends through valve  76 . 
     The numeral  92  refers to a flexible duck-bill cross slot valve having intersecting cross slots  94  at its discharge end. Valve  92  is positioned in passageways  84  and  86  as seen in  FIG. 6  and engages shoulder  88  as also seen in  FIG. 6 . Valve  92  is normally closed but permits pressurized water to pass therethrough from its inlet to discharge ends. 
     Body member  36 , body member  40 , body member  62  and plates  68  are integrally molded together to form body portion  14 A of body portion  14 . Body portion  14 A is secured to body portion  14 B, as will now be described. A vertically disposed mounting plate  96  extends upwardly from handle  98  of body portion  14 B and has a screw opening  100  formed therein. A horizontally disposed cylindrical body member or shroud  102  is secured to the upper end of plate  96 . Body member  102  has a central bore or opening  104  extending therethrough which includes a shoulder  106 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . The discharge end of bore  104  has a tapered valve seat  107  which projects towards the inlet end of bore  104 . As seen, valve seat  107  has an outside diameter which is less than the inside diameter of body member  102 . Body member  102  has a backflow exhaust slot or opening  108  formed therein which communicates with the bore  104 . Spring  110  is positioned between the discharge end of body member  102  and shuttle valve  70  ( FIG. 6 ) to yieldably urge shuttle valve  70  to its retracted position. A bore or passageway  112  extends from the discharge side of valve seat  107  to passageway  34  of tube  24 . A “blind” socket  114  may be positioned between the discharge end of body member  102  and discharge tube  34 . 
     Socket  114  is only provided by the mold producing body portion  14 B so that the socket  114  may be opened to position or spool valve therein if so desired as will be explained hereinafter. The discharge end of passageway  86  is in communication with passageway  112  which is in communication with passageway  34  in tube  24 . 
     A bucket clip  116  is detachably mounted on tube  24  and has a discharge tube  118  mounted thereon which is in communication with tube  24 . Body portion  14 B is secured to body portion  14 A by a screw  120  extending through mounting plate  66 , through screw opening  100  and through mounting plate  68 . The method of securing body portions  14 A and  14 B is purely provided for ease of molding. 
     A valve actuator lever  122  is pivotally secured to body portion  14 B at  124  and is in engagement with the upper end of valve stem  56 . When lever  122  is depressed to its down or lower “on” position, valve stem  56  will be moved downwardly to unseat valve  54  from valve seat  48 . When lever  122  is in its upper or “off” position, spring  58  will urge valve stem  56  and valve  54  upwardly to seat valve  54  onto valve seat  48 . 
     When it is desired to mix liquid chemicals to the water to be discharged from dispenser  10 , a chemical container  126  is secured to the connector  128  at the lower end of body portion  16 . Prior to lever  122  being moved from its upper “off” position, to its lower “on” position, spring  110  will yieldably urge shuttle valve  70  to its retracted position. With shuttle valve  70  being in its retracted position, the duck-bill valve  92  will be closed and the discharge tube  24  will be in communication with the atmosphere by way of the slot or opening  108  since valve  76  will be unseated from valve seat  107  so that any backflow into discharge  24  will be exhausted to the atmosphere by way of the opening  108 . 
     When lever  122  is pivotally moved from its “off” position to its “on” position, the pressurized water will open the discharge end of the duck-bill valve  92  and will move shuttle valve  70  to its extended position against the yieldable force of spring  58  whereby valve  76  will seat upon valve seat  107  so that the water will flow through passageway  112  into passageway  34  of tube  24 . As the water passes the upper end of passageway  130  in body portion  16 , a venturi will be created at  132  to draw the liquid chemical in container  120  into passageway  34  of tube  24  to mix with the water. Should the discharge end of the dispenser  10  be subjected to a backflow problem, the backflow pressure will close valve  92  and the spring  110  will move the shuttle valve  70  from its extended position to its retracted position so that the backflow will be exhausted to the atmosphere by way of the slot or opening  108 . If the source of water should be interrupted by a water line break, etc., a suction is created at the inlet end of the shuttle valve  70  which will close duck-bill valve  92  and also will cause shuttle valve  70  to move to its retracted position. The spring  110  also urges the shuttle valve  92  to move to its retracted position. With duck-bill valve  92  closed and shuttle valve  70  is in its retracted position, any chemical in the discharge end of the dispenser will be exhausted to the atmosphere by way of the opening  108 . Thus, even if the spring  110  should somehow fail, the duck-bill valve  92  will be closed and the shuttle valve  92  will be in its retracted “exhaust” position. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a slight modification of the dispenser of this invention and which is designated by the reference numeral  10 ′. The only difference between dispenser  10  and the dispenser  10 ′ is that a spool valve  134  is rotatably mounted in the modified socket  114 ′ to permit the rate of water flow therethrough to be controlled. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.