Dispenser and fluid-driven proportioning pump

Abstract

A fluid dispenser includes a diluent fluid inlet; a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with a diluent fluid inlet, the air pump being driven by fluid from the diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from the diluent fluid inlet; a fluid container having first and second openings, the first opening in fluid communication with the pump air outlet; and wherein the pump creates air pressure and flow to evacuate the container of fluid through the second opening. An associated method of evacuating fluid from a container includes supplying a diluent fluid to the proportioning air pump through the pump fluid inlet; delivering a volume of air from the pump air outlet to the container in order to displace a similar volume of fluid and evacuate that volume of fluid from the container; and diluting the evacuated fluid with diluent fluid from the pump fluid outlet.

1 . A fluid dispenser, comprising:
 a diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said air pump being driven by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from said diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid container having first and second openings therein, said first opening in fluid communication with said air outlet of said air pump; and   wherein said air pump creates air pressure and flow to evacuate said fluid container of fluid through said second opening.   
   
   
       2 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid-driven proportioning air pump further comprises a positive displacement pump that creates translational or rotational motion to drive said air pump. 
   
   
       3 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid-driven proportioning air pump further comprises an axial flow pump that creates translational or rotational motion to drive said air pump. 
   
   
       4 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fluid-driven proportioning air pump further comprises a centrifugal pump that creates translational or rotational motion to drive said air pump. 
   
   
       5 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mixing chamber, said second opening in of said fluid container in fluid communication with said mixing chamber; and   wherein said diluent fluid inlet is in fluid communication with said mixing chamber and wherein fluid from said fluid container travels to said mixing chamber and is therein diluted by diluent fluid from said diluent fluid inlet.   
   
   
       6 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said fluid-driven proportioning air pump further comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said diluent fluid inlet being in fluid communication with said air pump fluid inlet; and
 wherein said mixing chamber is in fluid communication with said air pump fluid outlet and wherein fluid from said diluent fluid inlet travels to said mixing chamber by first passing through said air pump fluid inlet and said air pump fluid outlet.   
   
   
       7 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first metering outlet in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said first metering outlet allowing diluent fluid from said diluent fluid inlet to flow from said dispenser at a first flow rate;   at least a second metering outlet in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said second metering outlet allowing diluent fluid from said diluent fluid inlet to flow from said dispenser at a second flow rate; and   a diverting mechanism operatively connected with said first and second metering outlets and operable to direct flow of diluent fluid through either of said first and second metering outlets.   
   
   
       8 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a mixing chamber, said second opening in of said chemical container in fluid communication with said mixing chamber; and   wherein said first and second metering outlets are each selectively in fluid communication with said mixing chamber and wherein fluid from said chemical container travels to said mixing chamber and is therein diluted by diluent fluid from said first or second metering outlet.   
   
   
       9 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said fluid-driven proportioning air pump further comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said diluent fluid inlet being in fluid communication with said air pump fluid inlet; and
 wherein said first and second metering outlets are in fluid communication with said air pump fluid outlet and wherein fluid from said diluent fluid inlet travels to said first and second metering outlets by first passing through said air pump fluid inlet and said air pump fluid outlet.   
   
   
       10 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first and second metering outlets further comprises a screen and a nozzle. 
   
   
       11 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first and second metering outlets further comprises a check valve, the opening and closing of said check valve being controlled by said diverting mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said diverting mechanism provides for selection of at least three positions including no flow of diluent fluid from either of said first and second metering outlets, flow of diluent fluid from said first metering outlet only, and flow of diluent fluid from said second metering outlet only. 
   
   
       13 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said diverting mechanism further comprises means for maintaining one of said positions once selected. 
   
   
       14 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said diverting mechanism is biased to remain in said no flow of diluent fluid position in the absence of a different selection. 
   
   
       15 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said diverting mechanism further comprises means for holding said diverting mechanism in one of said positions. 
   
   
       16 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a connection between said air outlet of said proportioning air pump and said fluid container further comprising:
 a generally vertical wall associated with said dispenser and a generally horizontal support surface connected to said wall;   at least one rail mounted to said wall at an angle relative to said support surface;   a carriage slideably mounted to said rail;   a docking cap mounted within said docking cap; and   wherein said docking cap engages a neck of said fluid container as said fluid container is slid across said support surface, resulting in said docking cap and said carriage sliding at a downward angle relative to said support surface along said rail and compressing said docking seal onto a top surface of said fluid container.   
   
   
       17 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said docking cap is mounted for generally vertical movement within said carriage and further comprising a spring associated with said docking cap and said carriage which exerts a downward force on said docking cap relative to said carriage. 
   
   
       18 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said rail comprises a lower end and a higher end and further comprising a spring acting on said carriage as said carriage approaches said lower end of said rail to exert a force on said carriage in a direction toward said higher end of said rail. 
   
   
       19 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said docking cap further comprises an elastomer sealing element that engages said top surface of said fluid container. 
   
   
       20 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said first opening of said fluid container further comprises a first normally-closed check valve and said second opening of said fluid container further comprises a second normally-closed check valve and wherein said docking cap further comprises first and second protrusions to engage and open said first and second check valves when said docking cap engages said top surface of said fluid container. 
   
   
       21 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said second opening of said fluid container further comprises a metering orifice. 
   
   
       22 . A fluid dispenser for use with a fluid container having an air inlet and fluid outlet therein, comprising:
 a diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said air pump being driven by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from said diluent fluid inlet;   a connection between said air outlet of said proportioning air pump and said air inlet of said fluid container; and   wherein said proportioning air pump creates air pressure and flow into said fluid resulting in the evacuation of fluid through said fluid outlet of said fluid container.   
   
   
       23 . A fluid dispenser for use with a fluid container, comprising:
 a diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said air pump being driven by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from said diluent fluid inlet;   a connection between said air outlet of said proportioning air pump and said fluid container further comprising;
 a generally vertical wall associated with said dispenser and a generally horizontal support surface connected to said wall; 
 at least one rail mounted to said wall at an angle relative to said support surface; 
 a carriage slideably mounted to said rail; 
 a docking cap mounting within said docking cap; and 
 wherein said docking cap engages a neck of said fluid container as said fluid container is slid across said support surface, resulting in said docking cap and said carriage sliding at a downward angle relative to said support surface along said rail and compressing said docking cap onto a top surface of said fluid container. 
   
   
   
       24 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said docking cap is mounted for generally vertical movement within said carriage and further comprising a spring associated with said docking cap and said carriage which exerts a downward force on said docking cap relative to said carriage. 
   
   
       25 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said rail comprises a lower end and a higher end and further comprising a spring acting on said carriage as said carriage approaches said lower end of said rail to exert a force on said carriage in a direction toward said higher end of said rail. 
   
   
       26 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said docking cap further comprises an elastomer sealing element that engages said top surface of said fluid container. 
   
   
       27 . The fluid dispenser as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said first opening of said fluid container further comprises a first normally-closed check valve and said second opening of said fluid container further comprises a second normally-closed check valve and wherein said docking cap further comprises first and second protrusions to engage and open said first and second check valves when said docking cap engages said top surface of said fluid container. 
   
   
       28 . A fluid dispenser, comprising:
 a diluent fluid inlet;   a mixing chamber;   a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said air pump being driven by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from said diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid container having first and second openings therein, said first opening in fluid communication with said air outlet of said air pump, said second opening in fluid communication with said mixing chamber; and   wherein said diluent fluid inlet is also in fluid communication with said mixing chamber and wherein fluid from said fluid container travels to said mixing chamber is therein diluted by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet.   
   
   
       29 . A fluid dispenser, comprising:
 a diluent fluid inlet;   a mixing chamber;   a fluid-driven proportioning air pump in fluid communication with said diluent fluid inlet, said air pump being driven by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet and having an air outlet isolated from said diluent fluid inlet;   a fluid container having first and second openings therein, said first opening in fluid communication with said air outlet of said air pump, said second opening in fluid communication with said mixing chamber;   a connection between said air outlet of said proportioning air pump and said first opening of said fluid container further comprising;
 a generally vertical wall associated with said dispenser and a generally horizontal support surface connected to said wall; 
 at least one rail mounted to said wall at an angle relative to said support surface; 
 a carriage slideably mounted to said rail; 
 a docking cap mounting within said docking cap; and 
 wherein said docking cap engages a neck of said fluid container as said fluid container is slid across said support surface, resulting in said docking cap and said carriage sliding at a downward angle relative to said support surface along said rail and compressing said docking cap onto a top surface of said fluid container; and 
   wherein said diluent fluid inlet is also in fluid communication with said mixing chamber and wherein fluid from said fluid container travels to said mixing chamber and is therein diluted by fluid from said diluent fluid inlet.   
   
   
       30 . A method of evacuating fluid from a fluid container, comprising the steps of:
 providing a fluid-driven proportioning air pump having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an air outlet;   supplying a diluent fluid to said proportioning air pump through said fluid inlet of said air pump;   delivering a volume of pressurized air from said air outlet of said air pump to an interior of said fluid container through a first opening in said fluid container in order to displace a similar volume of fluid from said container and evacuate said volume of fluid from said container through a second opening in said container; and   diluting said volume of fluid displaced from said container with diluent fluid from said fluid outlet of said air pump.   
   
   
       31 . The method of evacuating fluid as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein said step of diluting said volume of fluid further comprises the steps of:
 delivering said volume of fluid displaced from said container to a mixing chamber; and   delivering diluent fluid from said fluid outlet of said air pump to said mixing chamber.   
   
   
       32 . The method of evacuating fluid as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said step of delivering diluent fluid to said mixing chamber further comprises the step of routing said diluent fluid through a metering outlet before said diluent fluid reaches said mixing chamber. 
   
   
       33 . The method evacuating fluid as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said step of delivering diluent fluid to said mixing chamber further comprises the steps of:
 selecting one of at least first and second metering outlets, each of said at least first and second metering outlets providing a different flow rate; and   routing said diluent fluid through said selected metering outlet before said diluent fluid reaches said mixing chamber.