초록 ▼

A liquid dispensing system is provided for automated dispensing of a plurality of liquid reagents into a recreational body of water. The liquid dispensing system includes a cartridge apparatus housing a plurality of liquid reagent containers, each containing a respective liquid reagent. A docking as

A liquid dispensing system is provided for automated dispensing of a plurality of liquid reagents into a recreational body of water. The liquid dispensing system includes a cartridge apparatus housing a plurality of liquid reagent containers, each containing a respective liquid reagent. A docking assembly is provided having a dock manifold device, and is releasably coupled to the cartridge apparatus between a first condition and a second condition. In a first condition, the cartridge apparatus can be removably coupled to the docking assembly, while in the second condition, the cartridge apparatus is lockably mounted to the docking assembly in a manner permitting fluid communication from the respective reagent container to respective fluid passages of the manifold device. The dispensing system further includes a dosing engine having a valve manifold device to selectively dispense the liquid reagents into the recreational body of water through a dispensing port.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A liquid dispensing system for automated dispensing of liquid reagents into a recreational body of water, each liquid reagent of which is contained in a respective liquid reagent container of a plurality of liquid reagent containers each having container connectors, said liquid dispensing system

1. A liquid dispensing system for automated dispensing of liquid reagents into a recreational body of water, each liquid reagent of which is contained in a respective liquid reagent container of a plurality of liquid reagent containers each having container connectors, said liquid dispensing system comprising: a docking assembly having a dock manifold device configured to distribute liquids through a plurality of fluid passages thereof;a removable cartridge apparatus hingeably mounted to the docking assembly, and configured to contain the one or more liquid reagent containers therein, each said respective liquid reagent container being fluidly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of fluid passages of the dock manifold device when mounted to the docking assembly; anda dosing device configured for remote placement relative the docking assembly, said dosing device being fluidly coupled to the manifold device for selective dispensing of the respective liquid reagents through said respective one of the plurality of fluid passages and into the recreational body of water. 2. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 1, wherein: said dosing device includes a valve manifold device and a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the said plurality of fluid passages of the dock manifold device. 3. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 2, wherein: said dosing device further includes a pump device in fluid communication with the manifold device to pump the liquid reagents out of a dispensing port thereof. 4. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 3, further including: a control system operably coupled between the valve assembly and the pump device for automated control thereof. 5. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 2, wherein said valve assembly includes a rotary valve. 6. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 3, further including: a fluid containment reservoir, having a discrete volume, in fluid communication with the valve assembly and the pump device for the containment of liquid reagent therein. 7. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 5, wherein, said pump device includes a pump barrel defining a cavity, and containing a reciprocating piston therein, said cavity and said reciprocating piston cooperating to define a substantial portion of the fluid containment reservoir. 8. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 7, wherein said pump barrel is angled during operation thereof in a manner creating an apex portion in said cavity, said pump barrel containing an offset pump port extending into said apex portion to facilitate purging thereof. 9. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 1, wherein, said docking assembly includes mounting structure and a plurality of dock connectors each in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid passage of the plurality of fluid passages of said manifold device, andsaid cartridge apparatus including: a body member defining said central cavity therein, and having a front wall defining a plurality of connector supports each formed and dimensioned to support corresponding container connectors when the corresponding liquid reagent container is contained in said central cavity, anda mounting device coupled to the body member, and configured to cooperate with the docking assembly mounting structure for movement of the cartridge apparatus between the first condition and a second condition,wherein during movement of the cartridge apparatus from said first condition to said second condition, the respective container connectors of the reagent containers are aligned and engaged with the respective dock connector of the docking assembly for fluid-tight mating therebetween. 10. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 9, wherein said mounting device and said mounting structure cooperate for hinged movement of the cartridge apparatus relative the manifold device, between the first condition and the second condition, such that an engagement between the respective container connectors of the associated reagent container and the respective dock connectors is a curvilinear motion. 11. A liquid dispensing system for automated dispensing of liquid reagents from corresponding reagent reservoirs into a recreational body of water, said system comprising: a valve manifold device having a plurality of intake fluid passages, each of which is fluidly coupled to a respective reagent reservoir, and a dispensing passage;a valve assembly configured for selective fluid communication between a respective intake fluid passage of the plurality of intake fluid passages and the corresponding dispensing passage for selective dispensing of the liquid reagents through the dispensing passage and to the recreational body of water;a docking assembly having a dock manifold device including a plurality of dock fluid passages each in fluid communication with a corresponding intake fluid passage of the valve manifold device; anda removable cartridge apparatus hingeably mounted to the docking assembly, and configured to contain the corresponding reagent reservoirs therein, each said liquid reagent reservoir pivotally engaging a respective dock fluid passage, for fluid coupling, when pivotally mounted to the docking assembly. 12. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 11, further including: a pump device in fluid communication with the valve manifold device to pump the liquid reagents out of said dispensing passage. 13. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 12, further including: a control system operably coupled between the valve assembly and the pump device for automated control thereof. 14. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 12, wherein said valve manifold device includes a stator element defining a portion of said plurality of intake fluid passages each fluidly coupled to a corresponding reagent reservoir and having a corresponding intake port terminating at a stator face, said stator element further defining a portion of said dispensing passage having a dispensing port which terminates at the stator face, and a central passage having one portion fluidly coupled to the pump device and another portion fluidly coupled to a drive port that terminates at the stator face; andsaid valve assembly including a rotor element defining a rotor face oriented in opposed relationship to and contacting said stator face in a fluid-tight manner, said rotor element being rotatably movable relative to said stator face between at least a discrete first aspirate, fluidly coupling a selected one of the plurality of intake fluid ports and the drive port, and a dispense position, fluidly coupling the dispensing port and the drive port. 15. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 14, further including: a fluid containment reservoir, having a discrete volume, in fluid communication with the drive port and the pump device for the containment of liquid reagent therein. 16. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 11, wherein: said docking assembly including mounting structure; andeach respective reagent reservoir including a collared connector enabling access to the respective reagent contained therein, said cartridge apparatus including: a body member defining a central cavity therein, and having a front wall;a plurality of connector supports each coupled to said front wall for communication with the central cavity, and each connector support being formed and dimensioned for sliding engagement with a respective collared connector therebetween to enable receipt and support of the respective reagent reservoir in the central cavity, each said connector support cooperating with the respective collared connecter to provide a predetermined amount of sliding longitudinal movement therebetween; anda mounting device coupled to the cartridge apparatus, and configured to cooperate with the docking assembly mounting structure for movement of the cartridge apparatus between a first condition and a second condition, removably mounting the cartridge apparatus to the docking assembly,wherein during movement of the cartridge apparatus from said first condition to said second condition, the respective collared connectors of the reagent reservoirs, slideably mounted to the respective connector support, are aligned and engaged with the respective dock connector of the docking assembly for fluid-tight mating therebetween. 17. The liquid dispensing system as defined by claim 16, wherein said mounting device and said mounting structure cooperate for hinged movement of the cartridge apparatus relative the manifold device, between the first condition and the second condition, such that an engagement between the respective collared connectors of the associated reagent reservoir and the respective dock connectors is a curvilinear motion.