US2527848A - Liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AL E. PRACK Oct. 3l, 1950 LIQUD MIXING Dls'iENs'IN APPARATUS v Filed Apri; 2o, "1949 k INvENToRJ ALBERT E PRAcK A TTORNE Y aten'ted Oct. 31, 1950 LIQUID MIXING AND DISPENSING APPARATUSA Albert E. Prack, St. Louis, Mo., assigner to Prack, Incorporated, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application April 2l), 1949, Serial No. 88,641 2 claims. (o1. 299-84.)

My invention relates to liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus, and has particular reference to a plumbing fixture' or faucet attachment for introducing soap or other chemical in liquid form into the stream of water flowing through the fixture. l f

The extensive use of liquid detergents in the home and in commercial establishments has increased the need for a practical mixing and dispensing device that operates automatically to effect the most satisfactory and economical proportioning of the liquids. The provision of an improvedv device of this character is the chief object of the present invention. o

In dispensing devices of this kind it is desirable to provide means for controlling the introduction of the liquid soap, so Vthat either pure water or soap solution may be selectively obtained. An important object of my invention is achieved in a` novel method of and means for controlling the introduction of soap into the water stream. Whereas in former mixing and dispensing apparatus for a similar purpose the admission of soap into the stream of water is controlled by a valve in the soap supply line, inmy improved device the introduction of the soap is controlled at the discharge or outlet end of the fixture. A valve in the soap line may be and preferably is provided, but such a valve need be used only for regulating the rate of flow of the soap solution, as for obtaining the most satisfactory proportioning .of the liquids, and not for completely closing oif the soap supply. In the present Vdevice the valve in the soap line may be maintained in a predetermined condition of adjustment, with the valve handle removed to prevent tampering, since the valve in the soap supply line is not relied upon for changing the character of the discharge flow from pure water to soap water solution.

Another object of the invention is achieved in provisions of a faucet attachment .of the character described, embodying means for effecting the discharge of the combined liquids in the form o f a spray in order to obtain thorough intermixing thereof and the production of rich suds, or alternatively, for dischargingl pure water in a single, concentrated stream.

With these and other objects'and advantages in view, the invention resides in the novel method employed for controlling the induction of soap or other liquid into the mixing chamber of a dis-l pensing device, and in the combination and arrangement of parts for carrying out this and other purposes as set forth in the following description and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevational view showing an embodiment of my invention, parts of the apparatus appearing in section, and

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the mixing chamber and discharge head.

Referring now by numerals of reference tothe drawings, I0 designates generally a common type of faucet, representative of any water outlet fixture. The device of my invention comprises a pipe member I I externally threaded at its upper end for connection as by a nipple I2 to the spout I 3 of the outlet fixture. The pipe II affords an induction passage for any liquid to be introduced into and combined with the Water received from the faucet IU. Since the present invention is especially useful as a mixing and dispensing device for liquid soap,` that material will be referred to herein. The liquid soap is adapted to be drawn from a vented supply receptacle I4 through Va so-called inductor tube I5 the upper end of which is in lateral communication with the passage in pipe II at a point spaced a short distance below lits upper end. The inductor tube is preferably provided with a ow regulating valve I6 which may be conveniently located near the junction of the tube with pipe II. Valve I6 is intended chiefly as a means for accurately regulating the flow rate of the liquid soap so that the most efficient and economical use of the soap may be had. The setting of valve I6 for optimum conditions will depend upon a numberof different factors, as, for example, the specific gravity and viscosity of the particular soap, and the pressure of the water in the supply system. After valve I6 has been adjusted to a setting found to rgive the best results with the particular soap and the water pressure involved, the valve may be locked' or otherwise maintained in its adjusted position, since other means to be hereinafter explained are employed for controlling the admission of the soap into the water stream.

The lower end of inductor tube I5 is provided with an automatic check valve II for preventing liquid in the tube from flowing back into the soap 3 stance the check valve l1 serves to maintain the inductor tube I'5 lled with liquid soap, in readiness for instant delivery into the jet passage in pipe I I, and further prevents water from flowing through the inductor tube and into the soap supply receptacle .14.,

Upward movement of the liquid soap through tube I5 is induced by the movement of the Water flowing through pipe I I under certain conditions to be subsequently explained. Pipe I I is provided at its upper end with a jet or nozzle member I8 j that terminates downwardly at approximately the level of the inductor tube opening I9 and is adapted to direct a jet or stream of Water through the open lower end of the pipe. Pipe I I projects downwardly into the hollow interior of a bellshaped member 2l that -constitutes a mixing chamber and spray discharge head for the liquids, the lower end of pipe I I being spaced a short distance'above the bottom wall of the said chamber. Spaced concentrically within` pipe II by means of a spacer sleeve 23 is a tube 20, the upper end 0f which is spaced below the nozzle I8 and the lower end terminates Vwithin the pipe II and is provided with openings 22 as shown. The inner tube 29 is not an indispensable member of the organization and such member may be eliminated.

The member 2l has a bottom Wall or plate 24 characterized by a multiplicity of small perforations or discharge orifices 25, and a relatively large, centrally located discharge opening 26 in axial alignment with the jet nozzle I8. A gate or bailie plate 21 on the inner surface of the orice plate 25 is pivoted` thereto by a pintle 28, for movement to and from a covering position over the central discharge opening 2E in the orifice plate. The baiiie 21 is desirably provided with a number of small orifice perforations, and is adapted to be shifted by'means of an extension 29 thereon', constituting a control lever.

The jet nozzle I8 is designed to discharge water in a concentrated stream of lesser diameter or sectional area than that of the passageway formedby pipe Il and tube 2D. The water stream is discharged outwardly through the central opening 26 in the orifice plate 25 when the baiiie 2'I is disposed in an open position. Under the conditions noted, the opening I9 at the upper end of the inductor tube is at atmospheric pressure and hence the soap will not be drawn into the stream of water. Under such conditions, then, with the baffle plate in open position, pure water in a concentrated stream may be obtained from the apparatus by operating the handle oi the water faucet in the normal manner.

Now when it is desired to obtain soap solution from the apparatus the user manipulates lever 29 to shift the baille 2'I to a position over the central opening 26. discharge flow, causing the liquids to pass through the perforations in the plates and discharge in the form of a spray. By reason of the somewhat restricted outlet openings the liquid accumulates in the member 2l and occupies the air space in pipes Il and 29 that previously surrounded the jet. Under these conditions the liquid soap is The baille tends to obstruct direct i' 4 caused to be drawn into moving stream of Water. During passage through the induction pipe, the spray head chamber and the spray oriiices the liquids become thoroughly intermixed. The spray action is especially conducive to the formationV of rich, dense'suds.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the character of the discharge now, both in a physical and a chemical sense, is under the control of the lever 29 at the discharge end of the apparatus.

I have described my invention with reference to a practical, operable device of presently preferred form. It is known that certain changes may be made in the structure herein described without departing from the spirit and full intendment of the invention.

' I claim:

l. Liquid mixing and dispensing apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow body member having a relatively large opening and a plurality of small openingsin an end wall thereof, a pipe projecting into the opposite end of said body in alignment with the said large opening, said pipe having lateral openings at its discharge end, a tube for liquid soap connected to said pipe, a nozzle in said pipe for projecting water therethrough in a stream of lesser diameter than the smallest diameter ofthe passage through said pipe, and an adjustable gate at said large opening, adapted to restrict discharge flow therethrough to an extent to cause the discharging liquid to fdl said pipe, whereby to eiiect induction of soap from said tube.

` 2. A plumbing iixture for mixing and dispensing liquid soap, comprising a pipe adapted at one end for attachment to a faucet, a hollow body member at the discharge end of said pipe, said member having an apertured wall providing spray orices and an enlarged opening in alignment with said pipe, means for inducing liquid soap into said pipe including a soap tube connected to said pipe, and a nozzle in said pipe adapted normally to project Water outwardly through the passage formed by said pipe and said enlarged opening in an attenuated stream of lesser diameter than the smallest diameter of said passage, whereby to avoid induction of soap into:y

operable to interrupt said flow through said enlarged opening, whereby to cause liquid soap to flow from said tube into the pipe, and to cause the, combined liquids to discharge through said sprayorifices.

ALBERT E. PRACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Kotches et al Feb. 22, 1949

Images