US2288791A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

July 7 1942- w. J. -cuLLl'roN y 2,288,791

DISPENSER Filed July 29, 1940 m INVENTOR.'

[SY/MMM ATTORNEY.

Patented July 7, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a dispenser for continuously melting or dissolving a finly divided or powdered material by subjecting a limited area or portion of it to a flowing liquid and more particularly described as a soap feeder for dish washing machines.

An important object of the invention is in the provision of a visible hopper for confining a material such as soap powder, for subjecting it to the melting action of a liquid by exposing a limited area or volume thereof for contact with the liquid.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a screen forming a bottom or support for a quantity of soap powder or the like, which is immersed to a predetermined level so that a portion thereof is continuously subjected to the melting action of the liquid, and is carried away in the solution therewith.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a dispenser for soap powder and the like, having a visible container with a removable bottom supporting screen which shields a central overflow for normally maintaining a predetermining height of liquid in contact with the screen, and with a bleed or discharge opening at the bottom of the overflow within the container for draining liquid from contact with the hopper screen when the normal supply of melting liquid is cut oif.

A still further object of the invention is in the provision of a removable hopper screen for a container which fits closely therein, having an upwardly extending hollow stem for supplying liquid to the underside of the screen and affording a handle by means of which the screen may be removed.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the specification and will he apparent from the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view illustrating this invention as a soap dispenser applied to a dish washing machine; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the dispenser in detail.

In dish washing machines, it is customary to wash or rinse the dishes with a cleansing liquid having a suitable content of soap or other cleansing liquid in solution. For continuous operation, or for a long continued run, more liquid and consequently more soap must be used. Heretofore, it has been the practice to supply soap or other cleansing material in liquid form or in batches when in powder form. The present invention relates more particularly to the method and apparatus for continuously supplying the soapy or cleansing content from a powdered or nely divided material by subjecting the lower portion of such material in a screen hopper to a liquid which melts and carries oif the material at a predetermined rate from the bottoni of the hopper or container.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a feeder 0r dispenser of this kind may be mounted at the top of a dish washing or other apparatus 4, in which water or other liquid is circulated for cleansing or other purposes as by means of a pump 5 having a pipe 6 connecting it with a drip pan 1, anda discharge pipe 8 extending to the top of the casing of the apparatus 4.

The dispenser comprises a container l, open at the top and preferably composed of glass or other transparent material with a fixed mounting on top of the casing or cabinet to which it is applied and in that opening at one side connected with the liquid supply pipe 8. The container is preferably made of heat treated glass so that it is tough and strong and will withstand rough usage without breaking, but still is transparent so that the contents may be easily observed therethrough. To support the container, an overflow pipe is inserted through a central hole I2 at the bottom having gaskets I3 of rubber or the like at the inside and outside, and metal washers |4 pressed in by engagement therewith by an outer nut l5 and an inner xed collar I6, which positions the top of the pipe at the right height for an overflow. The lower end of the overflow pipe is connected through an upper wall of the apparatus by a fastening nut I8, having a spray or distributing pipe |9 connected to the bottom therewith.

At one side of the contained just above the top of the overflow pipe is an opening 20 through which an inlet stem 3l at the end of pipe 2| is inserted, connected through a valve or faucet 22 with the pump discharge pipe 8. A uid type connection is made about the pipe 2| by means of rubber gaskets 23, washers 24 and fastening nuts 25, threaded on the inserted end of the pipe.

Within the container is a screen hopper or support 26, having an upper rim 2l to t closely but removably within the container above the height of the inlet pipe 2|, and having a side wall 28 curving inwardly and downwardly therefrom, free from the wall of the container and the end of pipe 2|, a bottom ring 29 and a central bottom dome 30. Extending downwardly from the ring 29 are supporting legs 3|, which raise the ring portion above the bottom of the container and support the upper portion of the dome above the upper end of the overflow pipe Il, substantially covering it. Secured to the upper portion of the dome 3i] and extending upwardly in the container is a hollow stem 32 which communicates with the underside of the dome, directly over the top of the overflow pipe for preventing a vacuum below the screen. This stem also provides an engageable handle for raising the screen outwardly from the container. At the top oi the container is a removable lid 33 which fits loosely thereon, allowing air to pass to the interior of the container at all times and having a central handle or knob 34 for moving it.

At the lower end of the overflow pipe Il but within the container, is a bleed opening 35 1ocated close to the bottom of the container below the bottom of the screen 28, to drain any liquid remaining in the container through the discharge pipe IS when the water supply to the container is cut off, and thus to prevent wastage of material within the screen.

In operation, a quantity of powdered soap 36 or other finely divided material is placed Within the container upon the screen to any desired height therein, the container forming a feeding hopper which may be replenished whenever necessary, the quantity therein being observed through the wall of the container which is made of glass, without removing the top or cover there from. In practice, the amount of liquid which enters the container is controlled and set by means of a valve of faucet 22, depending upon the material within the hopper, the service for which it is intended, and the quantity of material desired.

The water or other liquid is intended to rise to the height of the overflow from which it will be evident that the circular ring at the bottom of the screen by which the overiiow pipe is enclosed, is immersed to the top of the overflow pipe and therefore this portion of material 36 is subjected to a melting or dissolving action, the screen preventing the passage of any large particles of the material which would tend to clog the overflow. The amount of liquid admitted, determines the rate of discharge which may be regulated as desired.

When the supply of liquid is cut off, the liquid at the bottom of the container will gradually flow out through the bleed opening 35 until none of the material 3S is subjected to a free dissolving action, and there is no waste of material.

Although this dispenser is thus designed and adapted for continuously dissolving powdered soap, it may also be used in a similar manner for continuously dissolving other powdered or nely divided materials for other purposes. Sugar, salt and other materials may be similarly treated for continuously dissolving them in the same way. As the material within the screen is dissolved at the bottom and passes in solution through the screen, the material above takes the place thereof in the screen, and the action is continuous as long as liquid is admitted through the inlet in suicient volume to immerse the bottom portion of the screen.

In order to prevent incoming liquid from contacting directly with the soluble material Within the screen at the end of the inlet stem 3l, the inner end 38 of the stem is closed and a lateral discharge opening 39 is provided near the end which discharges the liquid downwardly into the bottom of the container I0 away from the screen 26.

To remove the screen for repair, replacement or cleaning, it is simply grasped by the stem 3| and raised out of the receptacle. If the material tends to pack in the container about the upper edge thereof, thereby tending to shut ofi the air supply, the upper end of the stem 3i is left uncovered, and the lid 33 may even be removed for allowing air to pass freely through the stem to the under side ofthe dome Sil.

I claim:

1. In a solution dispenser, a container having an inlet and a central pipe extending upwardly in the bottom :forming an outlet, a hopper screen having an upper rim'tting within the container, the bottom of the screen extending downwardly and inwardly free from the container Wall and having a bottom recess extending upwardly over the top of the pipe, and means forming an air inlet through the screen to the top of the recess.

2. In a dispenser, a transparent container, a screen tting therein and forming a hopper bottom, a uid inlet and an overflow outlet at the center, the screen having a central domed recess overlying the upper end 0I" the outlet, and a hollow stem secured to the center of the screen and extending upwardly to provide an air inlet di) to the underside of the screen.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, in which the hollow stem projects upwardly in the container above any soluble material in the hopper to provide a hand hold for moving the screen, and a loose cover for the top of the container, the amount of material in the hopper being visible through the side of the container with the cover in place thereon.

4. In a dispenser, a container, a screen fitting therein having a hopper bottom with the central domed recess, a iluid inlet, an overow pipe extending upwardly in the recess, a hollow stem secured to the domed portion of the screen and extending upwardly therethrough to provide an air inlet to the said recess, and a bleed opening at the bottom of `the overflow pipe in the container.

'WILLIAM J. CULLIT'ON.

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