Abstract:
The dispenser draws a concentrate fluid from a liquid container into an input fluid. There is an elongated channel having an input for the input fluid and dispensing nozzle at an exit end for dispensing the concentrate fluid in a diluted form. A transverse intersecting channel is intermediate the input end and the exit end. An insert is moveable in the transverse intersecting channel, apertures of the moveable insert being alignable with apertures in the transverse intersecting channel and the liquid container. The channels from the liquid container will have a plurality of various sized apertures to provide for the flow of differing amounts of concentrate fluid into the input fluid. By adjusting the moveable insert in the transverse intersecting channel and/or the input fluid flow rate the concentration of concentrate fluid in the input fluid is changed.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 61/465,056 filed Mar. 14, 2011 which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     This invention relates to dispensers for diluted liquid products where the dispenser can dispense the product in a plurality of different concentrations. More particularly the dispenser comprises an adjustable eductor where a concentrate liquid is drawn into a carrier input fluid at different set rates depending on the size of concentrate liquid apertures and the flow rate of the carrier input fluid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dispensers that utilize educators are well known in the dispensing art. An eductor utilizes a venturi to draw a concentrated liquid from a reservoir into a flowing carrier input fluid to form the product that is to be dispensed. Venturi&#39;s have been used for many purposes, including in the carburetors of various vehicles for many years. However, the usual eductor has a venturi arrangement that is set at a given aperture size for a given concentration of the liquid product. This decreases the utility of the dispenser and the eductor. It is preferred that the dispenser, and consequently the eductor be adjustable to provide for products of differing concentrations of a concentrate liquid for a given carrier input fluid flow rate. Such eductor systems have a wide area of utilization. One area is in products for the cleaning of surfaces, such as in buildings. These can include the cleaning of restaurant kitchens and dining rooms, hospital facilities, hotel rooms, offices, restrooms and various other areas. The dispenser can be a part of a continuous spray system for the direct cleaning of large spaces or it can be used in combination with individual containers to fill the containers which then are to be used in various other locations. In the former use the dispensers can be used to clean the floors and other surfaces of large food preparation areas. In the latter use the dispenser can be used to provide the diluted composition to refillable containers. The containers then are used to clean various surfaces in restaurants, hospitals, office buildings, schools and similar buildings. In this use the refillable containers can increase the efficiency of the operations by reducing the number of containers that are needed and which would have to be transported and stored until use. 
     The prior art dispensers include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,341,206; 7,370,813; and 6,708,901. These patents are directed to eductor dispensers that can vary the concentration of a concentrated chemical in a product stream. The concentrated chemical is a surface cleaning chemical and the product stream is this concentrated chemical in a diluted condition. The diluting substance is water. The eductor dispensers are comprised of a body member having an elongated channel. Within the elongated channel is an eductor that is moveable along the elongated channel. Associated with the eductor in the elongated channel is a valve that is moveable in the elongated channel along with the eductor. This structure provides for a different concentration of the concentrated chemical in the product stream. Located below the body member is a container that contains the concentrated chemical. The eductor functions as a venturi with the flow of the diluent water stream through the elongated channel drawing up the concentrated chemical into the diluent water stream. The now diluted concentrated chemical product exits the eductor dispenser through a nozzle and can be used directly or can be used to fill a plurality of containers. These eductor dispensers require several internal moving parts and exterior members to control these internal moving parts. Each of these exterior control members require seals and the maintenance of these seals. 
     The present invention is directed to simplifying eductor dispensers. An objective is to decrease the number of moving parts. Another is to decrease the need to control moving parts from the exterior of the eductor dispenser. This decreases the number of seals that are needed and lowers the cost of the eductor dispenser. In the eductor dispenser of the present invention the concentrated chemical can flow through two or more different sized venturi channels into the input fluid stream to give two or more different concentrations of the chemical concentrate in the input fluid and thus in the now diluted chemical product. Then by varying the flow rate of the diluent input fluid, usually water, the concentration of the concentrated chemical in the diluent input fluid can be further adjusted. A higher flow rate of the diluent input fluid through the venturi of the eductor will increase the amount of concentrated chemical drawn up into the diluent input fluid. The diluent input fluid flow rate, and the size of the venturi channel, will determine the concentration of concentrated chemical in the product stream emanating from a nozzle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a dispenser having an elongated channel with a dispensing nozzle at an exit end and an input for an input fluid at an input end, a transverse intersecting channel intermediate the input end and the exit end, the intersecting channel extending transversely through the elongated channel, the transverse intersecting channel containing a movable insert with a plurality of apertures. A liquid reservoir having at least one liquid reservoir channel with an aperture. The elongated channel adjacent the transverse intersecting channel has a liquid reservoir aperture for communication to a liquid reservoir channel, the liquid reservoir aperture and at least one of the plurality of apertures of the movable insert being alignable. A venturi is in at least one of the elongated channel, the transverse intersecting channel and the movable insert to cause a reduced pressure at the aligned liquid reservoir aperture and the at least one of the plurality of apertures of the movable insert whereby a liquid in the liquid reservoir is drawn up into the intersecting channel and into the input fluid. 
     The movable insert has a fluid flow aperture in alignment with the elongated channel for the flow of input fluid therethrough. 
     Each of the plurality of apertures of the movable insert is of a differing size whereby a different amount of liquid is drawn from the reservoir for a given flow of input fluid. 
     The movable insert is moveable in the transverse intersecting channel to align at least one of the plurality of apertures with a liquid reservoir channel aperture. 
     There is a valve in the elongated channel to control the flow of input fluid through the elongated channel, the valve being stationary in the elongated channel. 
     The liquid reservoir is optionally vented into the transverse intersecting channel whereby a gas is flowed into the liquid reservoir to replace liquid drawn from the liquid reservoir or directly to the atmosphere. 
     There is a valve prior to the input end of the dispenser to control the flow of input fluid from a source. 
     The plurality of apertures in the movable insert have a diameter of about 0.005 mm to about 0.1 mm and preferably about 0.01 to about 0.05. 
     The liquid reservoir is one of permanently or removeably attached to the dispenser. The permanent attachment can comprise a locking arrangement on the dispenser and/or on the container closure. 
     The invention also comprises a method of dispensing a concentrated liquid in a diluted form comprising providing the concentrated liquid in a liquid reservoir, the dispenser having an elongated channel with an input end and an exit end, and connecting the liquid reservoir to the elongated channel of the dispenser through at least one liquid reservoir channel having an aperture. An input fluid is flowed through the elongated channel from the input end to the outlet end. A transverse intersecting channel containing a movable insert intersects the elongated channel intermediate the input end and the exit end, the movable insert having a plurality of apertures. Aligning one of the plurality of apertures of the movable insert with a liquid channel aperture, and flowing input fluid through the elongated channel whereby a given amount of concentrated liquid is drawn from the liquid reservoir and diluted with the input fluid prior to being dispensed from the exit end of the dispenser. 
     The input fluid is flowed through the elongated channel at differing rates of flow to cause differing amounts of concentrated liquid to be drawn from the liquid reservoir. 
     An aperture on the movable insert is chosen, the chosen aperture is aligned with a liquid channel aperture, a flow rate for the input fluid is chosen, and the input fluid is flowed from the input end to the exit end of the elongated channel to provide a diluted concentrated chemical product fluid. 
     The liquid in the liquid reservoir is at a specific concentration and can be a liquid for cleaning surfaces and can contain a detergent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the product dispenser attached to a container. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side elevation view of the product dispenser and container of  FIG. 1  with the transverse intersecting channel movable insert being moveable and in a first position. 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the product dispenser and container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of the product dispenser and container of  FIG. 1  with the transverse intersecting channel movable insert in a second position. 
         FIG. 5  is an upward perspective view of the product dispenser of  FIG. 4  detached from the container and showing the inner structure of the container closure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a product dispenser of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the movable insert. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6  of the transverse intersecting channel and movable insert drawing concentrated chemical from the liquid reservoir container at a first chemical concentrate flow and a first input fluid flow. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view related to  FIG. 8  of the transverse intersecting channel and movable insert drawing concentrated chemical from the liquid reservoir container at a second chemical concentrate flow and a second input fluid flow. 
         FIGS. 10 to 14  are directed to a second embodiment where there is a rotatable insert in the transverse intersecting channel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be described in more detail in its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Various modifications can be made to the described preferred embodiments but all such modifications will be within the present concepts and thus within the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1  the dispenser  12  is attached to liquid reservoir container  10  at the neck  11  of the container. The closure  14 , that is an integral part of the dispenser  12 , attaches the dispenser to the container  10  as well as being the closure for the liquid reservoir container. The liquid reservoir container  10  can be removeably or permanently attached to the dispenser  12 . If removeably attached, the attachment can be via compatible threads. If permanently attached the attachment can be by any known prior art technique such as a prong fitting into a recess. The prong or the recess can be on either the closure attached to the dispenser  12  or on the liquid reservoir container  10 . The dispenser  12  has a dispenser body  13  which contains an elongated channel extending from the fluid input to an exit, comprised of a plurality of sections. The dispenser body  13  extends from the diluent input fluid inlet  16  to the outlet nozzle  20  which terminates at the nozzle outlet  23 . Brace  26  supports the nozzle  20  and protects it from damage during use of the liquid reservoir container  10  and dispenser  12 . There is a two part handle. An upper handle  22  carries diluents input fluid actuator switch  24 . There also is a view opening  28  to see within the eductor assembly  50  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the position of a movable insert  58 . The movable insert  58  is in the eductor assembly  50  and has a first end  54  and a second end  56 . The lower handle  21  functions as the place for a person&#39;s fingers to hold the dispenser  12  and in turn also the container  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the liquid reservoir container  10  and eductor assembly  50  of dispenser  12  in a front elevation view. The parts are the same as in  FIG. 1 . Here the movable insert  58  is shown as slideably positioned to the right.  FIG. 3  shows the dispenser  12  and liquid reservoir container  10  in a rear elevation view with the moveable insert remaining positioned to the right. In this position a movable insert aperture (see  FIG. 5 ) is in communication with a first channel from the liquid reservoir container  10 . The parts numbers are the same in the figures. 
       FIG. 4  is a view that is the same front elevation view as in that of  FIG. 2  except the moveable insert  58  of the eductor assembly  50  has been slideably positioned to the left. This will expose a different channel from the liquid reservoir container  10  to the eductor assembly  50 . This different channel from the liquid reservoir container usually will have an outlet diameter different from that of the first channel from the liquid reservoir container to assist in providing a different concentration of the concentrated chemical in the diluent input fluid. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser portion of the dispenser  12  of  FIG. 3  with the liquid reservoir container  10  removed. The liquid reservoir container closure  14  that is an integral part of the dispenser  12  is more clearly shown in this view. Most of the parts in this view also are shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 . In addition shown in this view are the threads  17  in the input fluid inlet  16  for the attachment of a source of a fluid, such as water. Further, there is shown threads  19  on the inner surface of the closure  14  for attachment to the liquid reservoir container  10 . These threads  19  mate with companion threads on the neck of container  10 . The closure  14  can also contain a gasket for sealing. Closure  14  has inner surface  15  from which extend concentrated chemical channels  34  and  36 . These concentrated chemical channels  34  and  36  extend from within liquid reservoir container  10  up into eductor assembly  50  and communicate with apertures in moveable insert  58 . These channels can be of the same of differing diameters. If of the same diameters they can have end apertures of different sizes. Housing  52  of eductor assembly  50  provides a channel for the moveable movement of moveable insert  58 . This allows the moveable insert  58  to be located over either concentrated chemical channel  34  or channel  36 . This will provide differing concentrations of the concentrated chemical in the diluent input fluid depending on the flow rate of the input fluid. Here the concentrated chemical channels  34  and  36  are shown to have varying diameters. If of the same diameters the apertures in the moveable insert  58  can vary to accommodate for the concentrated chemical channels being of the same diameters. 
       FIG. 6  is cross-section view of the dispenser of  FIG. 5  with lower a part of the exit nozzle  20  removed. This is the body  13  of dispenser  12 . Shown in this view is liquid inlet  16  with threads  17 . This leads into inlet conduit  40  which has stationary backflow preventer valve  44  which is supported by conduit wall  42 . This valve  44  prevents product liquid from flowing in a reverse direction and contaminating the source of input fluid. Input fluid that passes through backflow preventer valve  44  enters intermediate conduit  43  and passes to stationary valve  27 . This stationary valve  27  is primarily an on/off valve controlled by switch  24  mounted on handle  22 . Also shown on the handle is opening  28  revealing fitment  32  holding a transparent window  31  in place. This stationary valve  27  includes a valve spring  39  to bias the valve to a closed position. There can be some variation in the flow and pressure of input fluid via this stationary valve  27  but this is not a primary technique to control the flow of the input fluid. This usually will be accomplished prior to the input fluid entering the body  13  of dispenser  12 . The input fluid then enters decreased diameter conduit  25 ( b ) of eductor assembly  50  which contains moveable insert  58 . Conduit  25 ( b ) extends into moveable insert  58  and then to the region  38  adjacent to channel  35 ( b ) extending from chemical concentrate channel  36  of the container. Input fluid then enters fluid conduit  38 . This flow of input fluid from the narrow diameter conduit  25 ( b ) (see  FIG. 8 ) into the fluid conduit  38  causes a reduced pressure adjacent to channel  35 ( b ) which causes concentrated chemical in liquid reservoir container  10  to be drawn up through channel  36  and narrowed channel  35 ( b ) and into the input fluid in fluid conduit  38 . This now mixed input fluid and concentrated chemical enters product conduit  30  and thence into nozzle to exit  23  and subsequent use. There is a companion narrowed channel associated with channel  34  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). These narrowed channels,  35 ( b ) associated with channel  36  and that associated with channel  34 , have a diameter of about 0.005 mm to about 0.1 mm, and preferably about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm. The diameter used will depend on various factors, but primarily on the desired concentration of the chemical concentrate in the product. Also shown in this view is vent valve  41 . This valve is shown in more detail in the insert A. Any known commercially available vent valve can be used. In addition vent valves are available from W. L. Gore &amp; Associates in Newark, Del. based on its GORTEX technology. Gortex technology uses specially processed TEFLON materials. The function of this vent valve is to allow air to enter the container to replace liquid that has been withdrawn from the container. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the moveable insert  58 . This moveable insert  58  is comprised of a center tubular section and enlarged end areas  54  and  56 . Shown on an upper surface in this view is indicator area  57 . Shown are specific indicator areas  57 ( a ) and  57 ( b ) which are indicators as to the conduit passage that lies below the indicator. Fluid conduit  25 ( a ) lies below area  57 ( a ) and fluid conduit  25 ( b ) lies below indicator area  57 ( b ). Window  31  which is a part of dispenser body  13  is held in place by fixture  32 . As the moveable insert is moved there will be visible either the indicator area  57 ( a ) to indicate an alignment of fluid conduit  25 ( a ) with the passage through the dispenser body  13  or indicator  57 ( b ) to indicate alignment of fluid conduit  25 ( b ) with the passage through dispenser body  13 . Gasket  59  with openings  59 ( a ) and  59 ( b ) seals the input of diluent input fluid into the moveable insert  58  and gasket  53  with openings  53 ( a ) and  53 ( b ) seals flow of the diluent input fluid containing concentrated chemical into product channel  30  of the dispenser body  13 . This is a product stream. Gasket  61  with opening  61 ( a ) seals the flow of concentrated chemical from container channels  34  and  36  into the moveable insert  58 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section of dispenser  12  through the moveable insert housing  52 . There is shown closure  14  with threads  19 . Chemical concentrate channels  34  and  36  flow concentrated chemicals through narrowed channels  35 ( b ) and  35 ( a ) respectively up into fluid conduits  25 ( b ) and  25 ( a ) of the venturi of the dispenser body  13 . Gasket  61  seals chemical concentrate channels  34  and  36 . In this view chemical concentrate channel  36  is flowing the concentrated chemicals through narrowed channel  35 ( b ) and up into fluid conduit  25 ( b ) of the venturi. There is shown moveable insert housing  52  with moveable insert  58 . The housing  52  has a small gap  51  through which air can flow into channel  34  and then into the concentrated chemical container  10  to replace liquid drawn from this container. This moveable insert  58  comprises a center tubular section with enlarged end sections  54  and  56 . Also shown is switch  24  and opening  28 . In this view concentrated chemical channel  36  is in alignment with the fluid flow channel  25 ( b ) of the moveable insert  58 . This fluid conduit  25 ( b ) has a relatively narrow diameter in comparison to fluid conduit  25 ( a ). The diameter of the fluid conduits will control the input fluid to the venturi. In one option the housing  52  has a small gap  51  through which air can flow into channel  34  and then into the concentrated chemical container  10  to replace liquid drawn from the container. Another option is set out in  FIG. 6  is to have a vent valve  41  in the closure  14  of the concentrated chemical container. Prior  FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the dispenser body  13  incorporating the moveable insert housing  52  of either  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9  due to the alignment of concentrate channels  34  and  36 . Thus reference is made back to this  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  also is a cross-section of dispenser  12  through the moveable insert housing  52 . There is shown closure  14  with threads  19 . Chemical concentrate channel  34  is shown flowing concentrated chemicals through narrowed channel  35 ( a ) up into fluid conduit  25 ( a ) of the venturi of the dispenser body  13 . Gasket  61  seals chemical concentrate channel  34 . As in  FIG. 8  there is shown moveable insert housing  52  with moveable insert  58 . This moveable insert  58  has a center tubular section with enlarged end sections  54  and  56 . Also shown is switch  24  and opening  28 . In this view concentrated chemical concentrate channel  34  is in alignment with the fluid conduit  25 ( a ) of the moveable insert  58 . This fluid conduit  25 ( a ) has a relatively large diameter in comparison to fluid conduit  25 ( b ). This will allow for a larger volume of the input fluid to pass through the moveable insert  58  to fluid conduit  38 . In one option the housing  52  has a small gap  53  through which air can flow into channel  36  and then into the container to replace liquid drawn from the concentrated chemical container  10 . Another option is set out in  FIG. 6  is to have a vent valve  41  in the closure of the container. As noted prior  FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the dispenser body  13  incorporating the moveable insert housing  52  of  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9  depending on to the alignment of chemical concentrate channels  34  and  36  and the moveable insert  58 . 
       FIGS. 10 to 14  are directed to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment there is a base support  68  that holds an insert bore  74  which has an insert channel  72 . Rotatable insert  60  substantially surrounds insert bore  74 . The base support  68  is shown as broken away for greater clarity. There is a diluent input fluid channel  62  which flows input fluid to insert bore channel  72 . The input fluid from insert bore channel  72  then passes through expanding channel  64  which creates a venturi effect which in turn draws concentrate chemical through chemical concentrate channel  66  into expanding channel  64  to mix with input fluid. Gasket  70  seals chemical concentrate channel  66  and gasket  71  seals input fluid channel  62 . Rotatable insert channel  60  has a plurality of inlets for the input fluid. These are in increasing size inlets  61 ,  63 ,  65  and  67 . By adjusting the size of the inlet, the flow velocity and volume through input fluid channel  62  can be varied. This will affect the venturi and the amount of chemical concentrate drawn from container  10  into the input fluid and thus into the product stream. 
     In use the chemical concentrate can be an insecticide, bactericide, herbicide or a cleaning chemical concentrates such as soaps or detergents. The input fluid can be any liquid carrier, either organic or inorganic. However, a preferred low cost input fluid is water.