Abstract:
A docking station for use with a liquid container which supports the container in a convenient fixed location. The docking station is designed to accept a liquid container having a predetermined height and diameter. The docking station includes a cam operated actuator which is movable between an upper “open” position to a lower “closed” position. When the actuator is moved to its lower closed position, the actuator opens a valve in the liquid container to permit liquid to be drawn from the container. When the actuator is in its upper position, the valve in the container is closed. A manually controlled dispenser is mounted on the upper end of the docking station which is in communication with a source of water under pressure and the liquid being drawn from the container so as to mix the same and to dispense the same.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/451,215, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,783 filed Jun. 12, 2006 entitled DOCKING STATION FOR A LIQUID CONTAINER. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a docking station for a liquid container and more particularly to a docking station for a liquid container which is adapted to receive a liquid container such as a bottle or the like containing liquids with the docking station being adapted to accept only bottles of a particular height and diameter to ensure that the proper liquid will be dispensed to a mixing machine, spray nozzle, etc. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a hand-operated liquid dispenser which is mounted on the upper end of the docking station to enable a person to dispense liquid from the liquid container and mix the same with water and dispense the mixture into a bucket, spray bottle, etc. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Corrosive liquid chemicals are typically contained in a container such as a bottle or the like and are frequently dispensed therefrom to a mixing machine, spray nozzle, etc. Normally, a cap is placed on the bottle with a dip tube extending therefrom downwardly into the interior of the bottle for drawing the liquid upwardly thereinto. Normally, a dispensing tube extends from the cap to a mixing machine or to some other piece of equipment which creates suction in the dispensing tube to draw the liquid from the interior of the bottle. 
     Applicant has previously provided several liquid dispensing systems wherein a throat plug assembly including a valve is positioned in the throat of the bottle with the valve normally being closed but which is opened upon the attachment of a dispensing cap mounted on the upper end of the bottle. Normally, a dispensing tube extends from the dispensing cap to the spray nozzle or to an on-off valve to enable the contents from the bottle to be introduced into a spray bottle or the like. Heretofore, there has not been a convenient means for supporting the bottle during the use thereof. Further, in some cases, the wrong bottle was connected to the spray nozzle or on-off valve which resulted in the wrong chemicals being supplied thereto. Although the docking station of the co-pending application works extremely well, it requires that the liquid chemical being dispensed from the docking station must be mixed with water in a separate step to obtain the proper chemical/water mixture. When the liquid chemical from the container is dispensed into a spray bottle for example, the proper amount of water must be placed in the spray bottle before the liquid chemical is dispensed thereunto or the proper amount of water must be placed in the spray bottle after the liquid chemical is dispensed thereunto. 
     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 docking station is provided for a liquid container which normally has corrosive liquids therein which may be used for cleaning purposes or the like. The liquid container has upper and lower ends and has a hollow throat extending upwardly therefrom which has interior and exterior surfaces. A throat plug assembly, having upper and lower ends, is positioned in the throat of the container to selectively close the hollow throat. The throat plug assembly includes a movable valve, having inlet and discharge sides, which is movable between an upper closed position to a lower open position. The valve, when in its lower open position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough. The valve, when its upper closed position, prevents the flow of liquid therethrough. A dip tube extends downwardly from the inlet side of the valve into the liquid container. The liquid container is placed in the docking station of this invention with the docking station adapted to receive a bottle of a particular height and diameter to ensure that only the proper bottle is received thereby. The docking station has a manually movable actuator mounted at the upper end thereof which is movable between an upper position to a lower position. The actuator has a lower liquid inlet end and an upper liquid discharge end. The upper liquid discharge end has a discharge tube extending therefrom. The lower liquid inlet end of the actuator is in physical engagement with the discharge side of the valve and is in fluid communication therewith, when the actuator is in its lower open position to open the valve so that liquid in the container may pass upwardly through the dip tube, through the valve, through the actuator and outwardly through the discharge tube. The valve is closed when the actuator is in its upper position. The actuator is moved between its upper and lower positions by means of a cam assembly. 
     The instant invention comprises a manually operable dispenser which is rotatably positioned on the upper end of the docking station. The manually operable dispenser includes a body member including a generally horizontally disposed first body portion having first and second sides, a water inlet end and a discharge end. The body member also includes a generally vertically disposed second body portion extending downwardly from the first body portion. The lower end of the second body portion is selectively rotatably secure, about a vertical axis, to the upper end of the docking station. A first passageway extends from the inlet end of the body member to the discharge end of the body member. The first passageway has an inlet end adopted to be in communication with a source of water under pressure. A selectively first valve is imposed in the first passageway for controlling the flow of water therethrough. The body member has a second passageway formed therein having a lower end which is in communication with the discharge tube of the docking station and having an upper end which is in communication with the first passageway downstream of the first valve whereby passage of water through the first passageway downstream of the first valve will draw liquid from the liquid container upwardly through the second passageway into the first passageway for mixing with the water passing therethrough. A second valve is imposed in the second passageway for controlling the flow of liquid from the container therethrough. A dispensing tube is connected to the discharge end of the first passageway for dispensing the liquid chemical-water mixture into a spray bottle, bucket, etc. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a docking station for a liquid container with the docking station having a manually operable dispenser mounted on the upper end thereof. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a docking station for a liquid container which is adapted to receive a liquid container of a predetermined height and diameter. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a docking station for a liquid container which is convenient and safe to use and which conveniently dispenses a liquid chemical-water mixture into a container such as a spray bottle, bucket, etc. 
     These and other objects will be obvious 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 perspective view of the docking station of the invention of the co-pending application having a bottle or liquid container positioned therein; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the docking station and liquid container of the co-pending application; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial vertical sectional view of the upper end of the docking station and the liquid container of the co-pending application; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the throat plug assembly positioned in the upper end of the liquid container of the co-pending application; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of the upper end of the docking station of the co-pending application illustrating the valve actuator thereof in its upper open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  except that the valve actuator of the co-pending application has been moved downwardly from its upper open position to its lower closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the docking station and liquid container of the co-pending application having a dispenser mounted on the upper end thereof; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the liquid container being removed from the docking station with the valve actuator of the docking station being in its “off” position; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial front view which illustrates the liquid container in place in the docking station with the valve actuator of the docking station being in its “on” position so that the throat plug assembly in the upper end of the liquid container is in its “open” or dispensing position; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view illustrating the docking station with the liquid container removed therefrom and with the valve actuator thereof in its “off” position; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial sectional view illustrating the valve actuator in its “off” position; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a bank of the docking stations of this invention. 
     
    
    
     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 structure of the co-pending application is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . In the drawings of the co-pending application, the numeral  10  refers to a liquid container having a hollow throat  12  extending upwardly therefrom which has an externally threaded surface  14  and an interior surface  16 . A throat plug assembly  18  is press-fitted into throat  12  and is closely similar to the throat plug assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,456 which issued Nov. 23, 1999. Assembly  18  includes a tapered cup-shaped plug  20  which is inserted into the throat  12 . Assembly  18  also includes a valve stem  22  having a normally closed valve  24  vertically movably mounted therein. Valve  24  is normally maintained in its upper closed position of  FIG. 3  by a spring (not shown). When valve  24  is moved to its lower open position, liquid may pass upwardly therethrough in the manner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,456. Dip tube  26  extends downwardly from plug  20  into container  10  to supply liquid to the inlet side of valve  24  as in the &#39;456 patent. 
     The numeral  28  refers to the docking station of this invention which is adapted to receive a liquid container having a predetermined height and outside diameter. Docking station  28  includes a bracket or support  30  having a lower end  32 , upper end  34 , back side  36  and an open front side  38  defined by side walls  40  and  42 . Bracket  30  may be secured to a wall or the like by extending screws or the like through the openings  44  formed in back side  36 . 
     An actuator assembly  46  is positioned at the upper end of support  30  and is partially enclosed in a hollow hood  48 . The front wall  50  of hood  48  is provided with a cam surface  52  including a horizontally disposed portion  54  at the upper end thereof, an inclined portion  56  extending downwardly from portion  54 , and a horizontally disposed portion  58 . The word “OPEN” is provided on front wall  50  of hood  48  as is the word “CLOSED”. 
     Actuator assembly  46  includes a cam block  60  positioned on top of upper end  34  of support  30 . Cam block  60  is provided with a semi-circular wall member  62  having a cam surface  64  at its upper end which has an upper end  66  and a lower end  68 . An upstanding stop  70  is positioned at the lower end  68  of cam surface  64 . A rotatable actuator support  72  is mounted within hood  48 , as seen in the drawings. Actuator support  72  includes an outer cylindrical wall  74  having a cut-out portion  76  formed therein at the lower end thereof which extends approximately half way around the support  72 . The interior of support  72  has a cam surface  78  formed therein which rides upon the cam surface  64 . Actuator lever  80  extends outwardly from actuator support  72  and includes a horizontal portion  82  which engages the underside of cam surface  52 . 
     Actuator  84  has its upper end rotatably received by the central opening  86  in actuator support  72  and is maintained therein by a hollow connector  88  having a nipple  90  extending upwardly therefrom. Actuator  84  includes a hollow tubular member  92  positioned therein, the lower end of which is adapted to engage the upper end of valve  24 , as will be described hereinafter. The upper end of tubular member  92  is in fluid communication with the interior of connector  88  and nipple  90 . Support  94  is secured to the upper end of hood  48  at the inside thereof to aid in attaching hood  48  to actuator support  72  which is attached to cam block  60  which is secured to bracket  30  by screws or the like. The upper end of hood  48  is provided with an opening  96  through which extends a discharge hose or tube  98  which is mounted on nipple  90 . Preferably, a disc-shaped support  100  is positioned on the interior lower end  32  of bracket  30  to support the container  10  thereon. 
     The distance between the upper end of support  100  and the lower end of the actuator  84  is predetermined so that only a bottle or container having a predetermined height may be positioned therebetween to ensure that a bottle or container having the proper liquid therein may be utilized in the docking station. Further, the distance between the edges of side walls  40  and  42  is such that a bottle or container having a predetermined diameter will be received therebetween. Additionally, it is preferred that a conventional cabinet lock (not shown) be positioned in hood  48  so that the cam mechanism may be selectively locked in its upper open position. 
     The normal method of using the docking station  28  will now be described. The station  28  is secured to a vertical supporting surface such as a wall by screws, as previously described. Actuator lever  80  is moved to its open position ( FIG. 5 ) so that horizontal portion  82  engages the portion  54  of cam surface  52  so that lever  80  yieldably remains in the open position. With the lever  80  in its open position, the actuator  84  is in its upper position ( FIG. 5 ). 
     A bottle  10  of predetermined height and diameter is placed in the docking station with the valve  24  being in its closed position. When it is desired to dispense liquid from the bottle  10 , the lever  80  is moved from its “open” position of  FIG. 5  to its “closed” position of  FIG. 6 . As lever  80  is moved as described, the interaction of cam surfaces  64  and  78  causes tubular member  92  of actuator  84  to be moved downwardly into engagement with valve  24  to move valve  24  downwardly to its open position. The liquid in the bottle  10  may then be drawn upwardly through the dip tube  26 , through valve  24 , through tubular member  92 , through nipple  90 , and outwardly through tube  98  to a mixing machine, spray nozzle, on-off valve or the like. 
     When it is desired to close the valve  24 , the lever  80  is moved from its “closed” position of  FIG. 6  to its “open” position of  FIG. 5  thereby causing tubular member  92  to move upwardly so that valve  24  closes. Thus, it can be seen that a unique docking station has been provided to provide a convenient means for supporting a liquid container therein. 
     The docking station of this invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-12 . The docking station  28  of  FIGS. 7-12  is identical to the docking station  28  of  FIGS. 1-6  except that a dispenser  100  is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the docking station  28 . Dispenser  100  is substantially identical to the dispenser disclosed in the co-pending application of applicant which was filed on Feb. 20, 2009 entitled HAND-HELD DISPENSER, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     Dispenser  100  includes a body member  102  including a horizontally disposed first body portion  104  and a vertically disposed body portion  106 . The water inlet end  108  of dispenser  100  is operatively connected to a water hose or conduit  110  which is in communication with a source of water under pressure. As in the application filed on Feb. 20, 2009, the body member  102  has a first passageway extending between its inlet end  108  and its discharge end. A selectively rotatable valve  114  is mounted in body  102  for controlling the flow rate of water passing through the first passageway. Body  102  also has a second passageway formed therein which extends downwardly from the first passageway on the downstream side of valve  114 , the lower end of which is in communication with the discharge side of the docking station  28 . Valve  116  is rotatably mounted in body portion  106  for controlling the flow of liquid from the discharge side of the docking station. Dispenser  100  also includes an “on-off” lever  107  pivotally mounted thereon for opening and closing the first passageway. 
     The lower end of body portion  106  has a cylindrical hollow mount  118  extending downwardly therefrom which is rotatably received by the upper end of the docking station to permit the dispenser  100  to be rotated, about a vertical axis, with respect to docking station  28 . 
     The docking station  28  is adapted to have the liquid container  10  mounted therein. Container  10  has a throat plug assembly  18  mounted in the throat of the container. Throat plug assembly includes a normally closed valve  24  therein. 
     Thus, when the lever  80  is in its upper “open” position, the valve  24  is closed. When it is desired to dispense a mixture of the liquid chemical with the water passing through the dispenser, lever  80  is moved downwardly from its “open” position to its “closed” position so that valve  24  is opened. 
     Valve  116  is adjusted to control the rate of liquid chemical through the passageway in body portion  106 . Valve  114  is adjusted to control the rate of water flow passing through the first passageway. A discharge nozzle assembly  120  will be mounted on the discharge end of dispenser  100 , if not previously positioned thereon. The operator will then place a spray bottle, bucket, etc. at the discharge end of the assembly  120 . The operator will then depress the lever  107  to cause water to flow through the dispenser. The juncture of the first and second passageway form a venturi action as water passes thereby so that liquid is drawn from the container  10  into the water so that the liquid chemical is mixed in the proper ratio with the water. The mixture is then discharged from the dispenser into the spray bottle, bucket, etc. 
     Thus, it can be seen that a novel docking system/dispenser has been provided which enables a person to dispense a liquid chemical/water mixture into a suitable receptacle. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.