Abstract:
A cartridge holder and a floating dispenser system for dispensing materials into a fluid with the floating dispenser system including a cartridge holder with receptacles for removably attaching or detaching at least two cartridge dispensers therein to allow one to simultaneously dispense materials into a fluid system by placing the floating dispensing system in a body of fluids and to replenish the system by merely removing and replacing a cartridge in the holder.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of provisional patent application 60/450,095 filed Feb. 27, 2003 titled Floating Dispensing System. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to fluid dispensing systems and, more specifically, to a dispensing system for a body of fluid which is maintained at least partially above the fluid line and at least partially below the fluid line to permit dispensing of material into the body of fluid. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION. 
     The concept of a single floating dispenser for use in dispensing materials is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,270 discloses a floating dispenser having materials therein for treatment of water. The present invention provides a floating dispensing system including a separable holder that when secured to at least two cartridge dispensers floats with a portion above the fluid line and a further portion including the dispenser cartridges below the fluid line to permit the simultaneous dispensing of two or more materials into the body of fluid. The present invention allows one to quickly change one or both of the cartridge dispensers and maintain each of the cartridge dispensers in one location in the body of fluid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A floating dispenser system for dispensing materials into a fluid with the floating dispenser system including a holder with receptacles for removably attaching or detaching at least two cartridge dispensers therein to allow one to dispense materials into a fluid system by placing the floating dispensing system in a body of fluids and to replenish the system by merely removing and replacing a cartridge in the holder. If desired a color coded system permits quick visually identification of the contents of the dispenser cartridges. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of the floating dispenser system with two cartridge dispensers removable secured therein; 
         FIG. 2  is an isolated view of the cartridges dispensers for use in the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating the assembly of the cartridge dispensers and the cartridge holder; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the cartridge holder for holding two cartridge dispensers in a side by side condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the cartridge holder of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the cartridge holder of  FIG. 4  taken-along lines  6 — 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the cartridge container of the cartridge dispenser; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the dispersant fate selector of the cartridge dispenser; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a float cover and a float base for a cartridge dispenser; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the float cover for the cartridge dispenser; 
         FIG. 10A  is a detail view of a set of inter-engaging rings that hold the float cover and the float base in a leak-proof condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view, partially in section, showing an assembled cartridge dispenser; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross sectional view of a container with the floating dispenser system located in a first orientation therein; and 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross sectional view of a container of  FIG. 12  with the floating dispenser system of  FIG. 12  located in a second orientation. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows a floating dispenser system  10  comprising an elongated cartridge holder  11 , which is preferable a buoyant member, having a top side la and a bottom side  11   b  with the top side normally located at least partially above a water surface and the bottom side  11   b  normally located below the water surface when the system is placed in a body of water. Removably attached to the bottom side  11   b  is a first cartridge dispenser  12  containing a first fluid dispensable material (not shown). The first cartridge dispenser  12  can be temporarily securable to the bottom side  11   b  of holder  11  through a friction fit, threads or other engaging members to enable one to both secure and remove the cartridge dispenser from the holder  11 . Similarly, attached to holder  11  is a second cartridge dispenser, containing a second fluid dispensable material (not shown) with the second cartridge dispenser also temporarily securable to the bottom side  11   b  of cartridge holder  11  to enable dispensing of fluid treatment material therefrom. Thus the floating dispensing system enables one to have either or both of cartridge dispensers in a condition to dispense fluid treatment material therefrom as the floating dispensing system floats in a body of fluid. While the present system is suitable for dispensing materials in any type of fluid the present invention is ideally suited for use in recreational liquids such as the water systems found in spas, hot tubs and the like. 
       FIG. 2  shows the two cartridge dispensers  12  and  13  in a side by side condition. As the two cartridge dispensers are identical only one is described herein. Cartridge dispenser  13  includes a cap  17 ,that connects to a cartridge dispenser container  19  having a set of openings  16  therein. A sleeve like member or dispersant rate selector  13  circumferentially encompasses the dispenser container  19  and has a first elongated slot  14  and a second elongated slot  15  which is shown in alignment with the holes or openings  16  in the dispenser container  19 . Dispenser container  17  is rotateable with respect to dispersant rate selector  13  to permit more or less openings  16  to be visible in the elongated slots  14  and  15  and thus provide a fluid path from the interior of the cartridge dispenser container  17  to the exterior fluid surrounding the cartridge dispenser container  17 . With more of the openings  16  visible in elongated slots  14  and  15  more fluid can get access to the contents of the cartridge dispenser container  17  and with less openings visible in elongated slots  14  and  15  less fluid can get access to the contents of the cartridge dispenser container. As the dispenser cartridges  12  and  13  are identical only one is described herein; however, the present system is suitable for use with cartridges dispensers that may not be identical. 
       FIG. 3  shows the elongated cartridge holder  11  with a first cylindrical cartridge recess  20  extending upward in the bottom of holder  11  and a second cartridge recess  20   a  extending upward into holder  11 . Located in a recess  20  in holder  11  is a fastening device for temporarily securing the cartridge dispenser  12  to the holder  11  and similarly located in the opposite end of holder  11  is the second recess  20   a . Located within the second recess  20   a  of holder  11  is a second fastening device for temporarily securing the cartridg e dispensers  13  to the holder  11 . An advantage of having a removable cartridge is allows one to provide for interchanging cartridge dispensers or to allow one remove and replace a spent cartridge dispenser. This feature is particularly beneficially when one of the materials within the cartridge dispenser has a longer dispensing life than the other. Consequently, only the spent cartridge dispenser needs to be replaced rather than the entire system. 
     In the preferred embodiment, when used in water treatment, the floating dispenser system  10  can hold two different dispensing materials. To aid the user in identifying the cartridges containing the different dispensing materials, when the cartridge dispensers have the identical shape and size one can color code the cartridge dispensers, for example, one cartridge could be a blue mineral cartridge  12 , which yields ions, and the second cartridge could be a yellow bromine cartridge  13  which yields bromine. The color coding permits a user to quickly identify the contents of the cartridge and the purpose of the cartridge. dispenser. To replace a spent cartridge the user merely removes the spent dispenser cartridge out of the holder and secures a fresh cartridge into position. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view of the cartridge holder  11  illustrating that the holder  11  has an elongated shape. A top region  11   b  can carry product identifying information or instructions on the use of the holder with cartridge dispensers. Preferably, holder  11  made of a lightweight material and includes rounded corners so as not be injurious to the occupants if allowed to float in a spa or hot tub containing the holder and the occupants. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of cartridge holder  11  showing the side by side location of recess  20  for holding a first cartridge dispenser and recess  20   a  for holding a second cartridge dispenser. As the recess  20  and  20   a  and the cartridge engaging members therein are identical only one is described herein. Cartridge holder  11  is hollow and includes a set of four holes  11   c  allow for fluid to flow in or out of cartridge holder  11 . 
     Located in cylindrical recess  20  is an annular stop  21  for engaging the top of a dispenser cartridge, which can be centrally located in recess  20 . Shown projecting radially inward in recess  20  are a set of stops  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 . In the embodiment shown stop  22  is a fixed stop that projects radially inward to engage and support one side of a cartridge dispenser. In contrast, the stops  23 ,  24 ,  25 , which are located diametrically opposite to support the opposite side of a dispenser cartridge, are retractable stops that move radially inward to permit engagement with a cartridge dispenser and radially outward to permit disengagement with a dispenser cartridge. 
       FIG. 6  shows a sectional view showing the retractable stop  23  mounted on a resilient cantilevered member  26  that has been formed as part of the cylindrical sidewall  30  of holder  11  by forming a U-shaped slot in sidewall  30 . Similarly, retractable stop  24  is mounted on a resilient cantilevered member  27  that has also been formed in the cylindrical sidewall  30  by forming a U-shaped slot in sidewall  30 . The retractable stop  25  is also mounted on a resilient cantilevered member  28  that likewise has been formed in the cylindrical sidewall  30  by forming a U-shaped slot in sidewall  30 . The purpose of having retractable stops is to permit insertion of and securement of a dispenser cartridge to the holder  11  as well as to permit removal of a dispenser cartridge from holder  11 , and at the same time maintain a resistance to removal of the cartridge dispenser so as to ensure that when the holder  11  is in use in an environment that can jostle the holder and cartridges the holder  10  will maintain the two cartridge dispensers in the holder  11  in a side-by-side condition. 
     In order to illustrate the interactive component parts of the cartridge dispenser for use with the holder  11  as well as the component parts that permit engagement of the cartridge dispenser with the holder  11  reference should be made to  FIGS. 7–11  which show the four components of a cartridge dispenser in a disassembled condition as well as an assembled condition. 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the dispersant container  40  of a cartridge dispenser. Dispenser container  40  has a chamber therein that allows one to contain and hold the dispersant material in a dispersible condition therein. In the embodiments shown the open top cup-like dispersant container  40  comprises a tapered outer sidewall surface  40   a . Sidewall surface  40   a  is sufficiently smooth so as to permit sliding engagement with a surface on another component part of the cartridge dispenser. Located vertically along a longitudinal surface element of dispersant container  40  is a set of openings  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e ,  44   f ,  44   g , and  44   h . In the embodiment shown each of the openings contain a grid and each are of different length but all are of the same width. The openings each have the right edge located along a vertical line that extends in an axial direction. The set of openings permit the dispersant in a dispersant chamber in dispersant container  40  to be dispersed through the set of opening therein. The top of dispersant container  40  includes an annular band  41  having raised ribs or gripping members  40   b  thereon that encompasses the peripheral region of the dispersant container  40  to provide a grasping region for a user. Located on band  41  is an elongated slot  42  for forming mating engagement with a protrusion on one side of a float and similarly located on the oppose side of band  41  is a second elongated slot (not shown) for forming supporting engagement with a protrusion on the opposite side of the float. 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the dispersant rate selector  45  of the cartridge dispenser. Dispersant rate selector  45  comprises a tapered container having an inner smooth surface sidewall  45   a  that slidingly mates with the exterior surface  40   a  of dispersant container  40  and a bottom  45   a . Dispersant rate selector  45  is slightly larger than dispersant container  40  to allow dispersant container  40  to nest within dispersant selector  45 . Dispersant selector  45  includes a first elongated opening  47  and a second elongated opening  46  that extend in an axial direction along the tapered dispersant rate selector  45 . As dispersant container  40  and dispersant rate selector  45  nestable mate with each other one can rotate the selector  45  with respect to the container  40 . As a result one can align more or less of the set of openings  40   a – 40   g  with the elongated openings  46  and  47  thus controlling the size of the dispersant path from interior of container  45  to the exterior of selector  45 . 
     A feature of the present invention is that afloat is included that not only provides sufficient buoyancy to maintain the cartridge dispenser and the contents in a buoyant condition but provides a cover for the dispenser container  40  to retain the contents in dispenser container  40 . The float  50  comprises a two-part float that can be assembled without the need for welding, adhesives or the like. The dispenser container  40  is shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 9  comprising a cylindrical cover or cap  51  having an empty chamber therein and a cylindrical base  52  having an empty chamber  53  therein. Float base  52  includes an outer annular lip  54  that abuts against bottom edge  51   a  of cover  51  and a top tapered lip  55  that forms locking engagement with an interior latching member in cover  51  to provide a leak-proof junction therebetween. Cover  51  comprises a general cylindrical shaped container with a domed top and sidewall with a first radial protrusion  58  and a second radial protrusion  58   a  that are located diametrically opposite from each other. First radial protrusion  58  is for forming locking engagement with first elongated slot  42  on one side of dispersant container  40  and second radial protrusion  58   a  forms locking engagement with a second elongated slot (not shown) on the opposite side of dispersant container  40 . 
     A leak-proof mechanical locking engagement between the float cover  51  and the float base  52  permits one to form a float without the aid of adhesives, welding or the like. When float cover  51  is assembled to the float base  52 , one forms a float that can buoyantly support the dispersant container  40  and the contents therein. Float base  52  and float cover  51  are preferably made of a polymer plastic with the side walls of sufficient thickness to withstand fluid pressure thereon without collapsing and sufficiently thin so as to flex to enable one to slide the protrusion  58  and  58   a  on cover  51  into interlocking engagement with the mating elongated slots on dispersant container  40 . 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the cover  51  of the float showing that an annular top lip  60  and an annular bottom lip  61  are concentricity positioned and extend around the inner peripheral top surface of float cover  51  with top lip  60  having a smaller diameter than bottom lip  61 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a detail view of the inter-engaging lips or rings  60  and  61  of float cover  51  in engagement with annular lip  55  of float body  52  to form a leak-proof condition between the float cover  51  and the float base  52 . As can be seen in  FIG. 10A  the float  50  need not be welded but can be formed from a cup-shaped float cover  51  and a cup-shaped float base  52  that can be snapped in place much like one seals a food storage container. Once snapped in place the outward angled projection of lip  55  prevents separation of the cover  51  from the base  52  since the lip  55  and lips  60  and  61  form mechanical engagement with each other. 
     Thus the present invention includes the method of making a float for a cartridge dispenser buy forming a float base  52  with a top lip  55  and a float cover  52  with inter-engaging lips  60  and  61  and then snapping the top lip  55  of the base into engagement,with the inter-engaging lips  60  and  61  of the float cover  52  to form a leak-proof junction therebetween which allows one to form a float without the use of welding, gluing or other material joining methods. Once the float  50  is assembled one can insert the float onto the dispensing container  40  and the float becomes a cover to dispenser container  40  to retain the contents of the dispenser container therein. That is, one can place the dispersant material in container  40  and then insert and lock the float  50  on the top of container  40  to retain the dispersant material in container  40 . That is, the float  50  forms a lockable cover for the dispersant container  40  through the engagement of protrusions  58  and  58   a  with the elongated transverse slots in dispersant container  40 . After the dispenser container  40  is capped one can nest the dispersant container  40  with the float  50  in the dispersant rate selector  45  and slip the transvere protrusion  43  on dispersant container  40  into the transverse elongated slot  48  on one side of dispenser selector  45  and an identical transverse protrusion located on the opposite side of container  40  and an identical transverse elongated slot located on the other side dispersant rate selector  45 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an assembled view of cartridge dispenser  12  partially in section to reveal the location and interaction of the four component parts of the snap together cartridge dispenser  12 . As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the domed top portion of float cover  51  is located at the top of cartridge dispenser  12  and protrudes therefrom. The protrusion  58  on float cover  58  is engaged with the transverse slot  42  on dispenser container  40  to interlock the two together on one side and the protrusion  58   a  on float cover  51  and an identical transverse slot on other side interlock with each other so that the buoyancy of the float  50  can support the dispersant container  41  and the contents therein. 
     The dispersant rate selector member  45  is shown rotationally retained on dispersant container  40  by the inter-engagement of radial protrusion  43  into elongated slot  48 . Similarly, a radial protrusion and elongated slot is located on the other side of dispenser cartridge  12  to permit the partial rotational displacement of dispersant rate selector  45  with respect to dispersant container  40 . That is the length of the protrusion  43  in relation to the length of the slot  48  is such that one can partially rotate the rate selector  45  with respect to container  40  to bring more or less of the set of openings in container  40  into alignment with each other.  FIG. 11  shows that the set of openings s  44   d ,  44   c  and  44   b  have been rotatinally positioned inline with slot  46  to permit fluid access to the dispersant material  58  in chamber  60  of dispersant container  40 . 
     In the present invention the dispenser container  40  and in rate selector  45  have top portions that coact with each other to provide an annular recessed band  61 . That is, member  41  has a first annular lip  62  on the lower side and selector  45  has a top annular lip  63 . The annular recess formed between lip  62  on and lip  63  provides a space for positioning the stops  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 , which are shown in  FIG. 6 , therein. That is, the height of stops  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  is such that the stops fit into the recess formed on band  61  so that the top edges of the stops engage the top lip  62  and the bottom edge of the stops engage the lower lip  63  to thereby hold the dispenser cartridge  12  in holder  11 . 
     The stops  23 ,  24  and  25 , which are mounted on a resilient cantilevered member are integrally formed from the material of holder  11  to provide for quick engagement and disengagement with the lips  62  and  63  thereby providing a latch to secure the holder  11  to the cartridge dispensers. This allows one to snap the dispenser cartridge  12  into holder  11  by merely forcing the cartridge  12  axially upward in the recess in the holder until the resilient members  26 ,  27  and  28  flex radially outward to allow stops  23 ,  24  and  25  and stop  22  on the opposite side to slip therepast until the stops can engage the lip  62 . Once the stops are in the recesses of the band  61  the resilient members  26 ,  27  and  28  bend inward to bring the stops  23 ,  24  and  25  into position so that lips  62  and  63  prevent axial displacement. The use of resilient members  26 ,  27  and  28 , which bend inward in response to an external force allows one to axially force the dispenser cartridge  12  into engagement with holder  11  through hand pressure alone or remove dispersant cartridge  12  from engagement with holder  11  by hand pressure alone by axially pulling on dispersant cartridge  12  with respect to holder  10 . On the other hand, since an external force is required to remove the dispersant cartridge  12  from the holder  10 , the dispersant cartridge  12  remains in holder  10  until such time as a user wishes to remove and replace the dispenser cartridge  12 . This ensures that the holder  11  can maintain the cartridge  12  in position on the holder while the dispersant therein is made available to-the surrounding fluid. 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial cross section view of a spa or hot tub  70  having the floating dispenser system  10  floating in a condition with a portion of the floating dispenser located above the water surface or water line  21  and a further portion below the water line. The dispenser cartridges  12  and  13 , which are secured to the bottom side of holder  11 , are located below the water line  21  in condition to provide a fluid port to enable ingress and egress of the dispersant from the cartridge dispensers. 
       FIG. 13  shows the condition of the floating dispenser  10  when one of the cartridges contains a dissoluble material and the other contains a non-dissoluble material. For example, container  12  can contain the minerals which are used to purify the water. Typically, the minerals remain as the ions from the minerals are released into the water to kill the bacteria. The other dispenser  13  can contain a stick of bromine. When the floating dispenser  10  with full dispersant cartridges is placed in the tub the dispenser system  10  floats in a first orientation as shown in  FIG. 12 . Once the bromine dissolve the floating dispenser  10  becomes empty and reorients to a-second ordination as shown in  FIG. 13 . That is, the minerals remain at substantially the same weight since only the ions are being removed from the minerals while the entire bromine stick is being dissolved into the water. The result is that the dispersant container  13 , which held the bromine, becomes lighter causing the floating dispenser  10  to list and float at a second orientation and thus alerts a user to the fact that the dissoluble dispersant has been spent and needs to be replenished. 
     While the floating dispenser system  10  has been shown with two dispenser cartridges it is envisioned that in certain instance additional cartridge dispensers can be used in the floating dispensing system, for example one may want to introduce another dispensing material or one may wish to merely have additional dispensing material available.