초록 ▼

Disclosed is an apparatus for diluting and dispensing fluid concentrates which comprises a frame having a least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container. Mounted within the frame is a water valve housing which is adapted to interface with a venturi housing affixed to the l

Disclosed is an apparatus for diluting and dispensing fluid concentrates which comprises a frame having a least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container. Mounted within the frame is a water valve housing which is adapted to interface with a venturi housing affixed to the liquid holding container. The water valve housing has affixed thereto a solenoid valve which is manually actuated by moving a magnet into and out of close proximity with the stem of the solenoid valve. The water valve housing includes locking means for preventing the solenoid valve from being operated by the manual actuation means when the liquid holding container is not properly inserted into the dilution station. The refill modules of the present invention include the venturi housing and liquid holding container mentioned above. The venturi housing has an unlocking means extending therefrom which engages and unlocks the locking means of the water valve housing when the refill is properly installed in the dilution station. Insertion of the refill makes a sealed connection to the water valve, vents the refill, locks the refill into position and releases the operation of the manual valve actuation. The discharge tube is "D" shaped to prevent spraying solution on to the operator in the event of over filling the bottle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dilution station apparatus for diluting concentrates comprising: (a) a frame having at least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container; (b) a water valve housing connected to said frame and adapted to interface with a venturi housing including an unlocking means, s

1. A dilution station apparatus for diluting concentrates comprising: (a) a frame having at least one compartment therein for insertion of a liquid holding container; (b) a water valve housing connected to said frame and adapted to interface with a venturi housing including an unlocking means, said venturi housing affixed to said liquid holding container; (c) valve means connected to said water valve housing; (d) manual actuation means for opening and closing said valve means; (e) locking means for preventing said valve means from being opened by said manual actuation means when said liquid holding container is not properly inserted into said compartment. 2. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve means is a solenoid valve. 3. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said manual actuation means includes: (a) a piston supported within said frame; (b) a rod extending from said piston; (c) a magnet engagable with said rod, said piston and said rod operable to move said magnet into adjacent proximity with said solenoid valve. 4. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: (a) a funnelled female connector slidably affixed to said frame; (b) a dispensing tube having a proximal end connected to said container and a distal end which is free, said funnelled female connector adapted to receive said distal end; (c) a hose connected to said funnelled female connector. 5. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said manual actuation means comprises: (a) piston means; (b) a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end connected to said piston means, said distal end having a spring retaining means affixed thereto; (c) a retaining member projecting from said water valve housing; (d) a spring positioned between said spring retaining means and said retaining member; (e) a bracket means having a bore through a surface thereof, said surface of said bracket means being located between said spring and said spring retaining means; (f) a magnet affixed to said bracket means. 6. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claims 5 wherein said locking means comprises: (a) a pivot bar pivotally connected to said water valve housing; (b) a locking bar extending from said pivot bar, said locking bar adapted to be received in at least one notch in said bracket means. 7. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said venturi housing comprises: (a) an inlet nozzle; (b) a venturi shell connected to said inlet nozzle; (c) a discharge nozzle connected to said venturi shell. 8. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said venturi shell and said discharge nozzle are substantially cylindrical with a slight taper. 9. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising: (a) a venturi tube contained within said venturi housing, said venturi tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end sealingly engaging said discharge nozzle; (b) an annular member radially extending from said venturi housing for sealingly engaging said venturi shell. 10. A dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein: said outlet end of said venturi tube is slightly tapered. 11. A dilution station as recited in claim 10 wherein the degree of taper of said outlet end of said venturi tube differs from the degree of taper of said discharge nozzle. 12. A refill for use with a dilution station for diluting chemical concentrates, the dilution station having at least one manually actuated valve, said refill comprising: (a) a container; (b) a venturi housing connected to said container; (c) unlocking means extending from said venturi housing for unlocking said manually actuated valve when said refill is properly installed in the dilution station. 13. A refill for use with a dilution station as recited in claim 12 further comprising: (a) a venturi tube within said venturi housing, said venturi tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; (b) a draw tube connected to said venturi tube and extending into said container, said inlet end of said venturi tube connecting to said manually actuated valve when said refill is inserted into the dilution station. 14. A refill for use with a dilution station as recited in claim 13 further comprising: a dispensing tube affixed to said outlet end of said venturi tube, said dispensing tube being substantially cylindrical in shape with a flat surface on that side of said dispensing tube nearest said container. 15. A disposable refill module for use with a dilution station having a water valve housing with a solenoid valve and manual actuation means for operating the solenoid valve, said disposable refill comprising: (a) a container; (b) a venturi housing connected to said container; (c) a venturi tube contained within said venturi housing; (d) key means extending from said venturi housing for unlocking the manual actuation means when said refill module is fully inserted into the dilution station. 16. A disposable refill module for use with a dilution station as recited in claim 15 further comprising: (a) a handle affixed to said venturi housing; (b) a ramp extending up from said handle for locking said refill module in the dilution station. 17. A disposable refill for use with a dilution station apparatus, the dilution station apparatus having at least one valve with manual actuation means connected thereto, said disposable refill comprising: (a) a container; (b) a venturi housing integrally formed with a mounting bracket for mounting said venturi housing to said container; (c) a venturi tube affixed within said venturi housing by means of a plurality of struts extending from said venturi tube, each of said struts engaging a port in said venturi housing. 18. A disposable refill for use with a dilution station apparatus as recited in claim 17 further comprising: unlocking means extending from said venturi housing for unlocking said manual actuation means when said disposable refill is fully inserted into the dilution station apparatus.