Patent ID: 7143778

Claim:
A feeder device for introducing one or more chemicals to a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet through which the fluid flows into the feeder device at an inlet flow rate and an outlet through which the fluid flows out of the feeder device at an outlet flow rate; a hopper having sidewalls and at least an open bottom, said hopper defining a top portion of said housing; a grid at least partially closing said open bottom, said grid having a top surface and a bottom surface, said grid and said hopper adapted to hold the one or more chemicals so that the one or more chemicals are supported by said top surface and are contained by said hopper sidewalls; a dissolving cup at least partially containing said hopper and said bottom surface of said grid, said dissolving cup having a bottom surface and sidewalls joined thereto, said sidewalls extending upwardly above said top surface of said grid, said bottom surface including a center nozzle in fluid communication with said inlet and oriented vertically toward said grid, said bottom surface positioned a predetermined distance from said top surface of said grid, said sidewalls having an opening formed therein, said opening having a predetermined cross-sectional area; a spout fluidly connected with said opening, said spout defining a horizontal channel having channel walls and a channel floor, said channel floor positioned a predetermined distance above said bottom surface of said dissolving cup; and an outlet chamber in fluid communication with said spout and said outlet, said outlet chamber defining a bottom portion of said housing.