Visually color coded water treatment chemicals

Abstract

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a desired chemical solution that maintains the desired water chemistry of the pool or spa, the chemical solution being color coded with a water soluble colorant or dye which serves as an indicia to the pool or spa owner of the depletion of the chemical solution from the dispensing unit and the need for replacement.

1 . A dispenser and solution for dispensing the solution into a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to maintain the chemistry and aesthetics of the water, the dispenser and solution comprising:
 a dispensing container being generally spherical in shape, having a neutral buoyancy dependent upon water velocity flow causing said dispensing container to randomly move about freely and rotate, said dispensing container defining a chamber of sufficient size to accommodate a solution to be dispensed, said solution comprising a chemical from the group consisting of flocculants, coagulants, microbiocides, disinfectants, disinfectant enhancers, oxidizers, sequestrants, chelating agents, defoamers, germicides and evaporation retarders, said solution also including a visually observable dye indicative of the efficacy of the solution remaining within said dispenser.   
   
   
       2 . The dispenser and solution in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said dye comprises a water soluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye. 
   
   
       3 . The dispenser and solution in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said water soluble colorant or dye comprises a food grade, biodegradable, non-toxic dye. 
   
   
       4 . The dispenser and solution in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said food grade, biodegradable, non-toxic dye comprises a food coloring. 
   
   
       5 . The dispenser and solution in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said water soluble colorant or dye is present in said dispenser in a range of .07% to 10.0% by volume. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A solution for maintaining the chemistry and aesthetics of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond, the solution comprising a chemical from the group consisting of flocculants, coagulants, microbiocides, disinfectants, disinfectant enhancers, oxidizers, sequestrants, chelating agents, defoamers, germicides, and evaporation retarders, said solution also including a visually observable dye indicative of the efficacy of said solution remaining. 
   
   
       8 . The solution in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said dye comprises a water soluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye. 
   
   
       9 . The solution in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said water soluble colorant or dye comprises a food grade, biodegradable, non-toxic water soluble dye. 
   
   
       10 . The solution in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said food grade, biodegradable, non-toxic dye comprises a food coloring. 
   
   
       11 . The solution in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said food grade, biodegradable, nontoxic dye is present in said solution in a range of from .07% to 10.0% by volume. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled)