Improvements in drip-feed dispensing devices

Abstract

Abstract 817,387. Regulating fluid flow. FLETCHER, R. L., LANDI, M., BURR, H. C., POCOCK, A. G., and KIRK, C. R. Nov. 1, 1955 [Nov. 5, 1954; Oct. 18, 1955], Nos. 32110/54 and 29745/55. Class 135. Construction.-The reservoir 1, Fig. 1, is open to the vessel 2 by a connector 3 embodying large and small diameter bores 6, 7 respectively, whilst a bore 8 leading to a pipe 9 puts the vessel 2 in communication with atmosphere; the bores 6, 7 and 8 open into the reservoir 1 and/or vessel 2 at different levels, as shown, through orifices 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 8a. A dispensing faucet 10, which depends from the vessel 2, comprises a plug 13, Fig. 2, that passes through the base of the vessel and incorporates axial and radial bores 13a, 13b which open into the coned base 19b of a body 19 threaded on to the plug 13. The base 19b leads to a handcontrolled screw 15 with blunted thread crests via a restricted bore 19c and leaves the screw by an axial bore 16 that opens into a cup 18 having a nozzle 18a; an air vent 17 is provided in the cup 18. The reservoir 1, plug 13, screw 15, body 19 and cup 18 are made of transparent thermo-plastic material. Operation.-The cap 1a of the reservoir 1 is removed and the latter is filled with liquid, such as sodium hypochlorite; the vessel 2 also fills up and liquid rises in the pipe 9 to the same level as that in the reservoir 1; the cap is then replaced to effect an air-tight seal. When the faucet 10 is opened liquid drips therefrom at a rate determined by the setting of the screw 15 relative to the bore 16. Liquid from the reservoir 1 replaces that draining from the vessel 2, but since the reservoir 1 is sealed from atmosphere a partial vacuum is created therein as liquid level falls, until a balanced pressure point is reached whereupon liquid ceases to flow from the reservoir 1 but since the vessel 2 is open to atmosphere through the pipe 9 the liquid in the latter flows into the vessel 2. The liquid level in the vessel 2 continues to fall until the orifice 7a is uncovered so that air from above the liquid in the vessel 2 enters the reservoir 1 producing an increase in the air pressure therein and enabling more liquid to flow into the vessel 2 through the bore 6 until the orifice 7a is covered whereupon transference of air between the containers again ceases. This interchange of liquid and air between the containers recurs at intervals and since the difference in level between orifices 6a and 7a may be small the head of liquid in the vessel 2 is kept substantially constant.

Inventors

No inventors recorded.

Bibliographic Details