Abstract:
Dispensers, principally of water-treatment chemicals, are detailed. The floating dispensers may be inherently unstable in use, rotating approximately ninety degrees (from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal one) over the useful lifespan of the chemicals initially contained within. Movement of the dispensers to horizontal positions signals users to replace the depleted chemicals. The dispensers also may be stacked into smaller volumes for transit and storage and need not include a separate component for flow adjustment. Rotation of its components additionally may create a “dial-a-dosage” feature of the dispenser, effectively varying depletion rate of the chemicals contained therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/248,941 entitled “Dispensers Especially Adapted For Use In Vessels Such As Swimming Pools And Spas” filed on Oct. 6, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to dispensers and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to free-floating dispensers of chemicals used to treat water in vessels such as, but not limited to, swimming pools and spas. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,551 to Powell illustrates a floating chemical dispenser for use in pools. The device exemplifies those having “mushroom” shapes, in that “a float member having a larger diameter than the floating dispenser is attached to the top end [of] the container.” See Powell, col. 4, 11. 45-47 (numerals omitted). A principal function of the larger-diameter float member is to stabilize the device. As noted in the Powell patent, “[t]he float member and the floating dispenser . . . are cooperatively defined to keep the floating dispenser erect and upright in the pool water . . . irrespective of the quantity of the contents in the container.” See id., 11. 49-54 (numerals omitted). 
     Another example of a floating chemical dispenser is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,533 to Davey. Although not of mushroom shape, the dispenser of the Davey patent likewise is designed to remain stable and upright in the pool water. According to the Davey patent, “[b]y experience, the user will know [when] the container [rises] above the surface of the water to greater than a predetermined height, that the quantity of [the chemical] has been substantially depleted and must be replaced.” See Davey, col. 2, 1. 65 to col. 3, 1. 2 (numerals omitted). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,881 to Alexander, et al. discloses an example of a chemical dispenser which floats only when the chemical is depleted. In normal use, the dispenser rests vertically upright on a support shelf well below the water surface within the pool. As substantially all of the chemical within the dispenser dissolves, the dispenser begins to rise toward the water surface, inverting (i.e. rotating one hundred eighty degrees) as it rises. The result is that the dispenser remains in a vertical position following the inversion, albeit with its bottom floating above the water surface to alert a user that the chemical is depleted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Unlike the dispensers discussed above, those of the present invention are not intended to remain vertically oriented at all times. Instead, they are inherently unstable, tending to rotate approximately ninety degrees (moving from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal one) as chemicals are depleted from within. The dispensers are immediately identifiable as needing replacement chemicals whenever they appear on their sides (i.e. in horizontal positions). 
     At least some embodiments of the dispensers include interlocking upper and lower members. A float may be positioned in the uppermost part of the upper member, while chemicals to be dispensed may be positioned in the remainder of the upper member or in the lower member (or in both areas). In these embodiments, the chemicals preferably are solid and vertically aligned with the floats within the dispensers. The chemicals need not necessarily be solid or be positioned in this manner, however. 
     Both the upper member and the lower member may be elongated. The lower member preferably is generally cylindrical in shape with a solid bottom. By contrast, the upper member preferably may be somewhat conical in shape. Furthermore, the cross-sectional diameter of much of the upper member beneficially may be less than the cross-sectional diameter of the lower member, so that much of the upper member may fit within the lower member prior to use. This “stacking” of the upper and lower members significantly reduces the amount of space required to transport, store, and display the dispensers both prior to purchase and otherwise when not in use. 
     The interlock, or interface, between the upper and lower members additionally may function as a flow adjustment mechanism for the dispensers of the present invention. Unlike many other dispensers, which utilize a separate (additional) component to adjust flow, those of the present invention may operate without such a component. Instead, interfacing portions of both the upper and lower members may contain openings. As the members engage, one may be rotated relative to the other to align (or misalign) various of the openings as desired. Depending on the number of aligned openings of the upper and lower members, fluid flow through a dispenser may be increased or decreased. 
     It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide dispensers. 
     It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide dispensers principally intended to supply water-treatment chemicals to bodies of water within, for example, pools and spas. 
     It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers that are inherently unstable in use. 
     It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers that rotate approximately ninety degrees in use, from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position, as chemicals within the dispensers are depleted. 
     It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers in which one member may fit within another when not in use. 
     It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers in which an upper member is somewhat conical in shape and a lower member is generally cylindrical in shape with a solid bottom. 
     It is, furthermore, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers with upper and lower members and in which no additional component is required to adjust flow therethrough. 
     It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers in which interfacing portions of the upper and lower members contain openings which may be aligned (or misaligned) in use to provide flow adjustment. 
     It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide floating dispensers incorporating thermometers thereon or therein. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant field with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of an exemplary dispenser consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an upper member of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lower member of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the upper member fitted within the lower member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  6  is exemplary dispenser  10  consistent with the present invention. Dispenser  10  preferably is used as part of a water-treatment system for recreational or therapeutic bodies of water within swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs. Use of dispenser  10  is not limited to these bodies, however, nor is use of dispenser  10  limited to water-treatment activities. Nevertheless, at least some versions of dispenser  10  are configured to contain solid forms of one or more chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, or other mineral-, metal-, or non-mineral water-sanitizing agents. In particular, some versions of dispenser  10  are especially suited to contain chlorine or bromine tablets. 
     Dispenser  10  may comprise as few as two components—upper member  14  and lower member  18 . Members  14  and  18  preferably may attach (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) for use. Otherwise, members  14  and  18  may be detached (see  FIGS. 4-6 ) for transport, storage, display, when replacing depleted chemicals, or otherwise as desired. Although not presently preferred by applicants, dispenser  10  may comprise additional components if or as necessary. As an example, a thermometer may be incorporated onto, into, or within dispenser  10 . 
     Upper member  14  may be elongated and comprise first and second portions  22  and  26 . Second portion  26 , in particular, may assume a generally conical external shape, tapering in diameter from first end  30  (adjacent first portion  22 ) to second end, or top,  34 , which may be rounded if desired. One or more ribs  38  may (but need not necessarily) be present in second portion  26  for strength, to facilitate molding, or as gripping surfaces when attaching or detaching members  14  and  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , second portion  26  may define interior volumes V 1  and V 2  separated by divider  42 . Float  46  may be inserted into second portion  26  so as to fill part or all of interior volume V 1 ; thereafter, divider  42  may be glued, welded, or otherwise connected to second portion  26  to retain float  46  within the volume V 1 . Alternatively, float  46  may itself be directly attached to second portion  26 . If present, divider  42  may in some cases be removable, although presently preferred by applicants is that divider  42  be permanently affixed (so that float  46  is inaccessible to a user and isolated from the fluid in which dispenser  10  is placed). In either circumstance, float  46  beneficially may be any object or material more buoyant than the fluid in which dispenser  10  is placed, so that at least part of dispenser  10  floats on the surface of the fluid. Indeed, float  46  need not necessarily be solid, but rather may be gaseous (e.g. air) or liquid if appropriate or desired. 
     First portion  22  may be double walled, with first wall  50  extending from second portion  26  and second wall  54  protruding outward therefrom. Annular space S between first and second walls  50  and  54  thus forms an interfacing region in which lower member  18  may be received in use. Present in each of first and second walls  50  and  54  are openings, with those in first wall  50  denoted openings  58  and those in second wall  54  denoted openings  62 . Each opening  58  preferably is aligned with a corresponding opening  62  to create a potential fluid entrance to, or exit from, upper member  14 . 
     Presently-preferred versions of dispenser  10  include two sets of three openings  58  (totaling six openings  58 ), with the sets spaced approximately one-hundred eighty degrees about the circumference of first wall  50 . These versions of dispenser  10  likewise include two corresponding sets of three openings  62  (totaling six openings  62 ), with the sets spaced approximately one-hundred eighty degrees about the circumference of second wall  54 . Persons skilled in the appropriate art will, however, recognize that more or fewer openings  58  and  62  may be utilized instead. 
     Protruding (inward) from second wall  54  into space S beneath openings  62  may be one or more locking flanges  66  (see  FIG. 4 ). Protruding (outward) from the second wall  54  may be ribs  70 . Ribs  70  are not required, however, and other locking mechanisms may substitute for flanges  66 . 
     Lower member  18  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  5 - 6 ) too may be elongated and preferably is generally cylindrical in shape, terminating in floor  72 . Defined by member  18  is volume V 3 . Chemical tablets T or other water-treatment chemicals may be positioned within volume V 3  as well as in volume V 2  of second portion  26 . Thus, when dispenser  10  is upright (vertical) as shown in  FIG. 1 , tablets T are beneath, and generally vertically aligned with, float  46 . Floor  72  may include one or more (small) holes  73  preferably open at all times, allowing water to fill and drain from member  18 . 
     The diameter of lower member  18  preferably is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of second portion  26 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , upper member  14  may be inverted and inserted into volume V 3  when dispenser  10  is not in use. This insertion significantly reduces the overall size of dispenser  10  for, e.g., transport and storage and otherwise when not in use. 
     In presently-preferred versions of dispenser  10 , lower member  18  includes two sets of three openings  74  (totaling six openings  74 ), again with the sets spaced approximately one-hundred eighty degrees about its circumference. More or fewer openings  74  may exist; however, it may be advantageous for the total number of openings  74  to equal each of the total number of openings  58  and the total number of openings  62 . 
     Extending outward from lower member  18  beneath each set of openings  74  is flange  78 , which may comprise first part  82  and second part  86 . First part  82  may be horizontal when dispenser  10  is upright, whereas second part  86  may be vertical when dispenser  10  is upright. Extending downward from first part  82  is bulge  90 . 
     To attach upper and lower members  14  and  18 , edge  94  of lower member  18  may be slid upward into space S with locking flanges  66  disengaged from flanges  78 . In this position, openings  74  are not aligned with openings  58  and  62 , effectively preventing any fluid flow through dispenser  10 . Lower member  18  may then be rotated relative to upper member  14 , so that locking flanges  66  pass beneath first parts  82 , until a locking flange  66  contacts bulge  90 . To this point openings  74  remain misaligned with openings  58  and  62  in preferred versions of dispenser  10 . 
     Application of manual force may then cause a locking flange  66  to bear against and pass by bulge  90 . At this point, one of each set of openings  74  is aligned with corresponding openings  58  and  62 . Stated differently, an opening  74  is aligned with an opening  58  and an opening  62  on each side of dispenser  10 , so that a total of two aligned sets of openings  74 ,  58 , and  62  exist. 
     Further rotation causes another locking flange  66  to encounter, and then pass by, bulge  90 . At this point, four aligned sets of openings  74 ,  58 , and  62  exist. This greater number of sets of openings allows for greater flow into and from the dispenser  10 . Yet further rotation causes a third locking flange  66  to encounter, and then pass by, bulge  90 , creating six aligned sets of openings  74 ,  58 , and  62  to exist. This rotation also may cause a locking flange  66  to contact each second part  86 , which operates to stop further rotation. The rotation also, in essence, provides dispenser  10  with a “dial-a-dosage” feature, as the depletion rate of tablets T or other chemicals will, at least in general, be a function of the number of aligned sets of openings. 
     Once a locking flange  66  has passed by bulge  90 , upper and lower members  14  and  18  are interlocked for use. However, members  14  and  18  may be separated again by counter-rotation, with manual force again necessary to cause locking flanges  66  to bear against and pass by bulges  90 . After rotation sufficient to disengage locking flanges  66  from flanges  78 , lower member  18  may be pulled away from upper member  14  (or vice-versa). 
     With upper and lower members  14  and  18  separated, objects such as chlorine or bromine tablets may be placed into volumes including V 2  and V 3 . Substantially filling volumes V 2  and V 3  will result in dispenser  10  floating upright (substantially vertically) in a pool or spa, with at least top  34  above the waterline. Assuming at least some of openings  74 ,  58 , and  62  are aligned, water may flow into dispenser  10 , contact the tablets, and flow from dispenser  10  back into the pool or spa. 
     Most typically, the chemicals initially within dispenser  10  will dissolve, abrade, or otherwise be removed from dispenser  10  over a period of time. As this activity occurs, lower member  18  (in particular) becomes lighter, with its buoyancy increasing toward that of upper member  14  (in which float  46  is positioned). The result is that dispenser  10  begins to rotate in the water through approximately ninety degrees to a more horizontal position, with portions of both upper and lower members  14  and  18  visible above the water surface. This visibility signals the likely need to remove dispenser  10  from the water and insert new tablets (or other chemical forms) therein. 
     Members  14  and  18  preferably are made of plastics such as, but not limited to, polypropylene. Float  46  preferably is either air or a foam material such as, but again not limited to, expanded polystyrene. Further, directional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” and “bottom” are not intended necessarily to be absolute, as in some circumstances dispenser  10  could be oriented with a “bottom” above a “top,” for example, or a “lower” member above an “upper” one. The foregoing is thus provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Additionally, the contents of the Powell, Davey, and Alexander patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.