[0001] The present invention relates to fluid dispensers for example to high pressure dispensers
for introducing a fluid, such as soap, from a reservoir into a main stream of fluid
passing through the dispenser.
[0002] Dispensers are known which introduce and dispense in a main stream of high pressure
fluid a second fluid, such as soap or detergent, or other chemicals mixed in a liquid
solution. Soap dispensers are commonly used for introducing soap into a stream of
water which is dispensed by a nozzle or is used by drive a water wheel in a rotary
scrub brush.
[0003] Existing soap dispensers of this type suffer from a number of disadvantages including
relatively high costs of manufacture, difficulty of cleaning the parts and a relatively
large number of parts.
[0004] To reduce the cost of manufacturing, attempts have been made to make the dispensers
of all, or virtually all, plastic moulded parts. By way of example, US Patents 3,447,753
and 3,770,205 provide for the injection moulding of four separate parts and the assembly
of ten parts.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispenser. With the
ever-increasing costs for manufacture and labour, providing fewer parts in the ultimate
assembly will have a direct effect on the cost of production for the product. Succh
efficiency enables the manufacturer to provide the product at a lower price. By wayof
contrast, the devices in the above patents involve a housing, a ball valve rotatable
in the housing and a main passage through the housing and the ball valve. As auxiliary
passage extends from an upstream portion of the main passage through the housing,
to a secondary fluid reservoir at the bottom of the housing, then through the housing,
back to a downstream portion of the main passage. A disc held on the end of the ball
valve by a fragile plastic clip, closes and opens the openings to the reservoir in
the auxiliary passage. O-rings, two in all, are required; one placed around each of
the openings so that the valve member can close off the auxiliary passage. Also, due
to the fragileness of the clip, repeated or improper use of the clip may break it.
Additionally, two O-rings are required; one above and one below the main passage,
for sealing between the top ball valve and the housing in which it rotates.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a fluid disperser connected
to a source of high pressure fluid. The dispenser housing contains a valve cavity
wherein a rotatable valve is fitted. A main passage extends through the housing and
the cylindrical vlave. The upstream portion of the main passageway is connected to
the source of high pressure fluid. A fluid container is connected to the bottom of
the housing to form a reservoir for a soapy solution. At the opposite side of the
housing is a control knob which is used for rotation of the cylindrical valve. An
auxiliary passage extends from the upstream portion of the main passage in the cylindrical
valve, to a groove between the cylindrical valve and housing to a groove in the reservoir.
From the reservoir the auxiliary passage extends through a groove in the reservoir
through a groove between the cylindrical valve and the housing and through the cylindrical
valve back to the downstream side of the main passage. The cylindrical valve has three
positions for adjustment of the main and auxiliary passages. In the first rotational
position of the cylindrical valve, the flow of high pressure fluid passing through
the main passage is blocked. In a second rotational position of the cylindrical valve,
the high pressure fluid passes through the main passage in the housing and through
the cylindrical valve. In this position, a secondary flow of high pressure fluid is
shunted from the main passage and passes high pressure fluid through the auxiliary
passage. Lastly, in a third rotational position of th e cylindrical
valve, the high pressure fluid passes through the main passage in the housing and
cylindrical valve, with fluid flow blocked from the auxiliary passage by a disc-shaped
valve member at the bottom of the cylindrical valve.
[0007] Significantly, the present invention allows the grooves within the reservoir to be
closed off without the need for gaskets or O-rings as discussed in US Patents 3,447,753
and 3,770,205. To this end, grooves are placed down the valve cavity between the cylindrical
valve and housing to allow the openings to the reservoir to be positioned at the minimum
radial distance from the centre of rotation of the cylindrical valve and closely adjacent
the outer edge of the valve cavity. As a result, the force required on the cylindrical
valve to ensure a good, tight seal between the bottom side of the housing and the
valve member is minimised. Thus, the closing of the auxiliary passage may be accomplished
by the valve member sliding against the bottom surface of the housing itself, without
the need for O-rings. This construction also minimises the structural strength needed
and therefore the amount of material needed for the valve member. Additionally, structural
strength is enhanced by moulding the cylindrical valve and valve member as an integral
plastic part without the need for clips.
[0008] Broadly, the fluid dispenser has a housing having a top side and a bottom side. The
bottom side is for a coupling to a container forming a fluid reservoir. A valve cavity
extends through the housing from top to bottom sides. The cylindrical valve is insertable
into the valve cavity from the bottom side. A valve member is formed integrally as
a unit with the cylindrical valve and extends outwardly beyond the valve cavity into
closely spaced opposed relation with the housing bottom side. A main passage extends
through the housing and cylindrical valve substantially transverse to the valve cavity.
Means is provided for coupling the upstream portion of the main passage to a high
pressure fluid source. An exposed conrol knob is connected to the cylindrical valve
at the top side of the housing for manually rotating the cylindrical valve and for
securing the cylindrical valve, relative to the housing, so that the substantially
opposed relation between the housing bottom side and valve member is maintained. A
groove is provided around the cylindrical valve in the valve cavity. An O-ring is
provided in the groove forming a fluid seal between the housing and cylindrical valve
toward the housing top side from the main passage. An auxiliary passageway extends
from the upstream main flow passage, through the reservoir, to the downstream flow
passage. The first, second and third rotational positions discussed above block the
flow of high pressure fluid through the main passage, passes the high pressure fluid
through the cylindrical valve and in addition shunts a secondary flow of high pressure
fluid through the auxiliary passage including the reservoir and passes the high pressure
fluid through the main passage while blocking the secondary flow of fluid through
the auxiliary passage block by the valve member.
[0009] Preferably, the auxiliary passageway comprises an upstream passage extending through
the housing in a direction transverse to the main passageway, through a passage in
the valve member into the soap reservoir; and a downstream passage extending from
the soap reservoir through another passage in the valve member, through a passage
in the housing, transverse to and ending in the downstream main passageway downstream
of the valve cavity.
[0010] The alternate embodiment with the addition of O-rings around the upstream and downstream
passages through the main housing has the advantage of requiring less exacting tolerances
for valve and housing construction. Additionally, because the auxiliary passageway
is less complicated, manufacture of the ball valve is easier.
[0011] In various embodiments to be described, the number of parts can be minimised and
performance improved over the prior devices. For example, the total number of parts
can be reduced to only three injection moulded parts and a total assembly of eight
parts as compared with four and ten, respectively, in the above prior art devices.
[0012] Lastly, placing an O-ring in a groove around the cylindrical valve above the main
passage, allows the O-ring to rotate with the O-ring reducing the frictional forces
between the knob and O-ring which otherwise occur if the O-ring did not rotate with
the knob. Also, placing an O-ring around the main passage at the upstream side of
the cylindrical valve, between the housing and cylindrical valve, reduce pressure
build-up in the reservoir when the valve is turned off.
[0013] A soap dispenser embodying the present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of a soap dispenser and embodies
the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the control knob, illustrating the control knob at the
"soap" position, and showing the indicia for the "rinse" and the "off" positions;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the cylindrical
valve in the "soap" position;
Fig. 4 is a left side elevation view of the soap dispenser, partially in section,
taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a bottom elevation view of the soap dispenser, showing the cylindrical valve
in the "soap" position;
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the soap dispenser similar to Fig. 3, except, the cylindrical
valve is shown in the "rinse" position;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the soap dispenser similar to Fig. 5, except, the cylindrical
valve is shown in the "rinse" position;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the soap dispenser similar to Fig. 3, except the cylindrical
valve is shown in the "off position";
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the soap dispenser similar to Fig. 5, except the cylindrical
valve is shown in the "off" position;
Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevation view of the soap dispenser similar to Fig. 1
showing an alternative embodiment of the auxiliary passageway; and
Fig. 11 is a bottom elevation view of the soap dispenser of Fig. 10, similar to Fig.
5.
[0014] Referring more particularly to the drawings, soap dispenser 10 has a handle in the
form of a conduit 12 connectable to the discharge end of a standard hose (e.g. garden
hose), which provides a high pressure flow of water or fluid through the soap dispenser.
A male threaded connector (not shown) on the hose is connected to an internal threaded
connector 14 at the left end of conduit 12. The right end 16 of the conduit 12 is
slipped into and locked by detentes on the intake end 28 of housing 18, which is detachably
connected to a reservoir 20.
[0015] Conduit 12 leads to the intake end of a main passageway 22 which extends through
the housing 18 and a cylindrical valve 24, located in the valve cavity 26 portion
of the housing. The passageway 22 will not extend through the housing and cylindrical
valve 24 unless the cylindrical valve 24 is properly positioned. Although the conduit
12 may be glued or moulded into the intake tube 28, detente loading reduces assembly
time and cost of manufacture. An O-ring 31, made of rubber or like material, is positioned
at the end portion 16 of the conduit 12, and ensures against leakage of water between
the intake tube 28 and the conduit 12. The discharge end 30 of the main passageway
23 is sized to snugly receive the extension of an intake tube (not shown) of a water
wheel driven, rotary scrub brush. In the preferred embodiment, the discharge end 30
has external threads 33 for threading into internal threads of a connector (not shown).
[0016] The housing has a ring-shaped flange 32 at its underside, for connection to a co
ntainer 20, which together form a reservoir for a fluid or other material to be dispensed.
The container 20 will be connected in such a manner as to ensure easy disconnection,
as for refilling in the "off" position, and a leakproof fit when connected to the
flange 32. In the preferred embodiment, the container has external threads 38 to receive
internal threads 39 on the flange 32, at the bottom side of the housing 18. The container
20 is moulded to receive and hold an O-ring 19 of rubber or like material, and ensures
against leakage of water between the container and flange 32 when the container 20
is fastened to the flange 32.
[0017] A control knob 40 enables an operator of the soap dispenser 10 to directly effect
the positioning of the cylindrical valve and thus control the main passageway 52,
through the cylindrical valve (Fig. 1), and an auxiliary passageway 65 (Fig. 4). The
control knob 40 is a circular disc-member which has conveniently placed on the top
side markings which indicate "off", "soap" and "rinse" positions, as illustrated in
Fig. 2. The control knob 40 is mounted in any conventional manner to the top side
of the cylindrical valve 24. Preferably, a standard screw 42 is used to secure the
control knob 40 to the top end of the cylindrical valve. Splines 51, on the bottom
side of the control knob, fit into a spline hole 53, in the top side of the cylindrical
valve 24 to ensure that the cylindrical valve 24 is mechanically positioned with respect
to the control knob 40. Referring to Fig. 4, the control knob 40 is preferably large
in diameter and extends past the edge of the housing 18, in order for the operator
to get better leverage and grip for positioning the control knob 40 and cylindrical
valve. In addition, a detente is provided in the upper part of the housing, below
the control knob, to provide a slight resistance in the "off" position, for a mechanical
indication of the "off" position.
[0018] Referring to Fig. 1 from left to right, high pressure fluid, such as water, flows
through the main passageway 22, which extends through the upstream portion of the
housing 18, to an orifice 46 leading into the valve cavity 26. This cavity is cylindrical
in shape, and contains the cylindrical valve 24. O-ring 50, preferably made of rubber
or like material, seals tightly against and conforms to the outer side of the cylinrical
valve in the valve cavity. The O-ring 50 helps to seal off intake water from the valve
cavity 26 and the main passageway 22, when the cylindrical valve 24 is in the "off"
position.
[0019] The main passageway 22 extends diametrically through a central portion 52 of the
cylindrical valve 24, so that the main passageway 22 allows flow therethrough when
the control knob 40 is in either the "rinse" position (Figs. 1, 3) or the "soap" position
(Figs. 6, 7).
[0020] In Fig. 1, when the control knob 40 is in the "soap" position, an upstream portion
54 of the main passageway 52, through the cylindrical valve, has a large diameter;
for example, of 3/8 inch, and a downstream portion 56, for example, of 1/4 inch. Accordingly,
in Fig. 6, when the control knob is rotated 180° to the "rinse" position, the upstream
portion 54 and downstream portion 56 are reserved.
[0021] Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the cylindrical valve 24 has a smooth, cylindrical, wall
surface 43, which is about the same size as, but slightly smaller than, the cylindrical-shaped
valve cavity 26 and freely rotates within cylindrical valve cavity 26. A substantially
watertight seal is formed between the O-ring 50 and the surface of the cylindrical
shaped valve. The cylindrical valve 24 has two orifices 64 and 66 at the ends of two
passageways 58 and 60 that extend from the upstream and downstream portions 54 and
56, respectively, of the main passageway 52 through the cylindrical valve 24.
[0022] As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, a disc-shaped valve member 63 extends from the cylindrical
valve outwardly beyond the valve cavity 26 abutting with the flat side 41 of the housing.
The valve member together with the cylindrical portion 49 of the cylindrical
valve 24 are integrally moulded together as a unit, so that, when the control knob
40 is rotated, the valve member 63 rotates as well. Provided through the valve member
63 are two ports 74 and 76 which control passage of fluid through the auxiliary passageway
65 extending from the main passageway 52 (Fig. 3). The auxiliary passage 65 includes
grooves 68 and 67 extending longitudinally along the wall surface 43 of the valve
cavity 26, radial grooves 72 and 70 on the bottom side 41 of the housing and upstream
and downstream passages 58 and 60. Rotation of the valve member 63 and the control
knob 40 are limited by a circular stop wall 80 protruding from the bottom side of
the housing 41. The circular stop wall 80 circumferentially surrounds the valve member
63 for, preferably, 90°. In addition, the valve member 63 is provided with an abutment
81 extending diametrically beyond the stop wall 80, and circumferentially around the
valve member for, preferably, 90°. Together, the abutment and stop wall limit rotation
of the valve member and cylindrical valve to only 180° rotations from the "soap" and
"rinse" positions.
[0023] In the "soap" position (Figs. 3, 4 and 6), the two ports 74 and 76 register with
two reservoir grooves 70 and 72, respectively, of the auxiliary passageway 65 at the
bottom of the housing 41. The top side of valve member 63 is forced up against the
bottom side 41 of the housing 41 by a spring in the form of a wavy washer 61 located
between the bottom surface of the control knob 40 and the top side of the housing
26. By forcing the valve member 63 tightly against the bottom side of the housing
41, leakage of fluid from the main valve passageway 52 through auxiliary passageway
65 is minimised when in the "rinse" or "off" positions.
[0024] When the control knob 40 is in the "soap" position, valve orifices 64 and 66 align
with upstream housing groove 68 and a downstream housing groove 67, respectively (Fig.
4). These grooves are located between the valve cavity 26 and the cylindrical valve.
Preferably, the grooves are moulded entirely within the wall surface 48 of the valve
cavity 26. Each groove extends down to separate openings or reservoir grooves 70 and
72, respectively, in the surface of the bottom side 41 of the housing 18 (Fig. 5).
When the control knob is in the "soap" position, the upstream and downstream portions
of main passageway 52 through the cylindrical valve 24 are remotely connected to the
reservoir 20 by the auxiliary passageway 65.
[0025] Significantly, the present invention allows the opening or reservoir grooves 70 and
72 into the reservoir 20 to be closed off without the need for gaskets or O-rings
to be attached to the grooves. To accomplish this, grooves 68 and 67 are placed down
the surface of the valve cavity to allow the grooves 70 and 72 to the reservoir 20
to be positioned at the minimum radial distance from the centre of rotation of the
cylindrical valve and closely adjacent the outer edge of the valve cavity. As a result,
the force required on the cylindrical valve to ensure a good, tight seal between the
bottom of the housing 41 and the valve member 63 can be minimised.
[0026] In addition, O-ring 47 is positioned in a groove in the cylindrical valve between
the top end of the cylindrical valve and the knob 40. As a result, pressure in the
main passage will tend to lift the knob and cylindrical valve and enhance the seal
between the upper surface of disc 63 and the bottom surface 41. In this way, the seal
between the openings or grooves 70 and 72 are enhanced. The positionng of the O-ring
47 between the knob and cylindrical valve has a significant advantage over placing
the O-ring in a groove at the top side of the housing. Here, the control knob 40 would
have difficulty sliding against the O-ring when the O-ring is under pressure. In order
to avoid this problem, in the preferred embodiment, the O-ring is placed in a groove
at the top side of the cylindr ical valve so that the control knob, the
cylindrical valve and the O-ring rotate together, even under pressure.
[0027] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, when the control knob 40 is rotated to the "rinse" position,
the auxiliary passageway 65 is closed, since the reservoir grooves 70 and 72 are preferably
sealed by valve member 63 and ports 74 and 76 no longer register with them. Thus,
the flow of water passes through the main passageway 52 unaffected by the contents
of the reservoir 20. Although only one of the two reservoir grooves 70 and 72 need
be blocked in order to stop the dispensing of fluid from the reservoir, preferably,
both grooves are blocked by one valve member 63 to avoid any leakage of fluid from
the reservoir.
[0028] When the control knob is turned to the "soap" position, the high pressure in the
upstream portion 54 of the cylindrical valve 52 and low pressure at the downstream
portion 56 are effective to shunt a stream of water through the auxiliary passageway
65. The diverted water leaves the main passageway 22 at an upstream high pressure
location and re-enters the main passageway 23 at a downstream low pressure location.
To this end, the diverted fluid flows in the auxiliary passage 65 through passage
58, port 64, housing groove 68, reservoir groove 72 and through port 76 to the reservoir
20 in the auxiliary passage 65 through port 74, reservoir groove 70, housing groove
67, port 66, passageway 60 and into the downstream portion 56 of the cylindrical valve
24.
[0029] The soap dispenser may be used with or without soap. If depletion of the reservoir
occurs, the reservoir can be refilled with soap by turning the control knob 40 to
the "off" position, disconnecting the reservoir from the housing, refilling it with
soap, and reconnecting it back into the housing.
[0030] Although the above description of the invention relates to the use of a soap dispenser,
the invention is also expected to be useful with other materials such as waxes detergents
or insecticides and the like.
[0031] Preferably, the housing, including its cavity, passages, grooves, control knob detentes
assembly, detentes and the cylindrical valve, including its valve member, passages,
ports, splines and O-ring grooves, control knob including its spline, and container
are all individually injection moulded as a unit to form individual, easily assembled,
plastic parts, as described. Assembly is achieved by placing O-rings 50 and 47 in
their respective grooves in the housing and cylindrical valve 24, by inserting the
cylindrical valve 24 with O-ring 47 through the valve cavity from the bottom side
41, until the valve member surface 63 abuts the bottom side 41, by placing the wavy
spring washer 61 around the cylindrical valve 24 on the top of the housing 18, by
inserting the control knob 40 on the top end of the cylindrical valve 74, and wavy
spring washer 61, by theading the screws through the control knob 40 into the upper
end of the cylindrical valve 24, and by connecting the container 20 with O-ring 19
into the bottom side of the housing 18.
[0032] Figs. 10 and 11 depict an alternative embodiment of the invention. Identical reference
numerals indicate identical elements disclosed in Figs. 1-9. New reference numerals
are used to indicate additional components. Referring to Figs. 10 and 11 this embodiment
invention also has a cylindricl valve 24ʹ insertable from the bottom side into the
valve cavity 26 for mounting and rotation in the valve cavity. The cylindrical valve
has a valve member of disc 63ʹ extending outwardly beyond the valve cavity into closely
spaced opposed relation with the housing bottom side at 110. The exposed control knob
40 is again connected to the cylindrical valve at the top side of the housing for
manually rotating the cylindrical valve and for securing a cylindrical valve, in and
relative to the housing, so that the substantially opposed relation between the housing
bottom side and the valve member is maintained.
[0033] The au xiliary passageway extends from an upstream position
in the main flow passage, through the reservoir, to the main flow passage at a position
which is downstream from the upstream position. As discussed above, the first rotational
position of the central knob causes the cylindrical valve to block the flow of fluid
through the main passageway of the housing, a second rotation position of the control
knob and cylindrical valve provides communication of the fluid through the main passage
of both the housing and the cylindrical valve, and communication of fluid through
the auxiliary passageway and reservoir between the upstream and downstream positions,
and a third rotation position of the control knob and cylindrical valve provide fluid
communication through the main passageway of both the housing and the cylindrical
valve and an obstruction by the valve member of the flow fluid through the auxiliary
passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes an upstream passage 95 which extends
from the main passage to a position between the bottom side of the housing and the
valve member, downstream passage 74 which is alignable with passage 95 and passes
through the valve member 63ʹ, downstream passage 96 which passes from the main passage
to a position between the housing bottom side and valve member 63ʹ and a downstream
passage 76, alignable with passage 96 through valve member 63ʹ. We noted that the
upstream passages 95 and 74 extend from the upstream side of the main passage to the
reservoir whereas the downstream passages 96 and 76 extend from a position in the
main passage which is downstream with respect to passages 95 and 74.
[0034] In the "soap" position (Figs. 10 and 11), the two passages 74 and 76 in the valve
member 63 register with the two passages 95 and 96, respectively, thereby forming
the auxiliary passageway. Two O-rings 97 and 98, respectively, are positioned in grooves
in the bottom side of the housing 41, around passages 95 and 96. A substantially watertight
seal is formed between the O-rings 97 and 98 and the disc-shaped valve member 63ʹ,
thereby minimising the leakage of fluid from the main valve passageway 52 through
the auxiliary passageway when the cylindrical valve 24 is in the "rinse" and "off"
positions.
[0035] Additionally, the bottom side of the housing 41 may be equipped with a groove, essentially
concentric about the valve cavity 26, with an O-ring 100 placed in the groove to provide
additional seal between the cylindrical valve 24ʹ and the bottom side of the housing
41.
[0036] When the control knob 40 is rotated to the "rinse" position, the auxiliary passageway
is closed, since passages 95 and 96 are sealed by the valve member 63ʹ. Thus, the
flow of water passes through the main passageway 52 only, unaffected by the contents
of reservoir 20.
1. A fluid dispenser comprising:
a housing having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side comprising means
for coupling to a container to form a fluid reservoir;
a valve cavity through the housing from the top side to the bottom side;
a cylindrical valve insertable from the bottom side into the valve cavity and
mounted and rotatable in the valve cavity, the cylindrical valve comprising a valve
member extending outwardly beyond the valve cavity into closely spaced opposed relation
with the housing bottom side, the cylindrical valve and valve member being integrally
formed as a unit;
a main passage through the housing and cylindrical valve substantially transverse
to the valve cavity;
means for coupling an upstream portion of the main passage to a high pressure
fluid source;
an exposed control knob connected to the cylindrical valve at the top side of
the housing for manually rotating the cylindrical valve and for securing the cylindrical
valve, relative to the housing, so that the substantially opposed relation between
the housing bottom side and the valve member is mainta ined;
a groove around the cylindrical valve in the valve cavity having an O-ring in
the groove forming a fluid seal between the housing and cylindrical valve toward the
housing top side from the main passage;
an auxiliary passageway extending from an upstream position in the main flow
passage, through the reservoir, to the main flow passage at a position which is downstream
from the upstream position;
a first rotational position of the control knob and cylindrical valve causing
the cylindrical valve to block the flow of fluid through the main passageway of the
housing;
a second rotational position of the control knob and cylindrical valve providing
communication of fluid through the main passage of both the housing and the cylindrical
valve, and communication of fluid through the auxiliary passageway and the reservoir
between the upstream and the downstream positions; and
a thid rotational position of the control knob and cylindrical valve providing
fluid communication through the main passageway of both the housing and the cylindrical
valve, and an obstruction by the valve member of the flow of fluid through the auxiliary
passageway.
2. The fluid dispenser defined in Claim 1, wherein the auxiliary passageway comprises:
an upstream passage and a downstream passage extending from the main flow passage
to the valve member at locations between the valve member and the housing bottom side;
further upstream passage and downstream passage in the valve member alignable
with, respectively, the upstream passage and the downstream passage first named above.
3. The fluid dispenser defined in Claim 1, further comprising an O-ring between the
housing and cylindrical valve, around the main passageway on the upstream side of
the cylindrical valve.
4. The fluid dispenser of Claim 1 wherein the valve member comprises a disk shape.
5. The fluid dispenser of Claim 1 further comprising a further groove provided in
the bottom side of the housing around valve cavity having an O-ring in the further
groove forming a fluid seal between the bottom side of the housing and the valve member.
6. A fluid dispenser comprising:
a housing having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side comprising means
for coupling to a container to form a fluid reservoir;
a valve cavity through the housing from the top side to the bottom side;
a cylindrical valve mounted and rotatable in the valve cavity, the cylindrical
valve comprising a valve member extending outwardly beyond the valve cavity into abutting
relation with the bottom side;
a main passage through the housing and cylindrical valve substantially transverse
to the valve cavity;
means for coupling an upstream portion of the main passage to a high pressure
fluid source;
an exposed control knob connected at the top side of the housing for manually
rotating the cylindrical valve;
separate upstream and downstream housing grooves in the valve cavity, each of
the grooves extending to a different position on the bottom side of the housing;
an upstream valve passage extending from an upstream portion of the main passage
through the cylindrical valve to the upstream housing groove;
a downstream valve passage extending from a downstream portion of the main passage
through the cylindrical valve to the downstream housing groove;
a first rotational position of the knob and cylindrical valve causing the cylindrical
valve to block the flow of fluid through the main passageway of the housing;
a second rotational position of the control knob and cylindrical valve providing
communication of fluid through the main passage of the housing and the cylindrical
valve, and communication of fluid through the upstream valve passage and groove, through
the reservoir and through the downstream groove and valve
passage and back to the main passageway; and
a third rotational position of the control knob and cylindrical groove providing
fluid communication through the main passageway of both the housing and cylindrical
valve and the valve member obstructing the opening of at least one of the grooves
to the reservoir.
7. A unitary cylindrical valve member comprising:
a cylindrical valve body having a top side and a bottom side;
a main passageway diametrically through the central portion of the cylindrical
valve having upstream and downstream portions and the diameter of the upstream portion
substantially larger than the diameter of the downstream portion, whereby flow in
the main passageway produces a positive pressure differential between the upstream
portion and the downstream portion;
a first passageway from the upstream portion of the main passageway extending
substantially transversely through the cylindrical valve;
a second passageway from the downstream portion of the main passageway extending
substantially transversely through the cylindrical valve;
a valve member at the bottom side of the cylindrical valve body extending outwardly
beyond the cylindrical valve body; and
at least two spaced apart openings through the disc.
8. A fluid dispenser for a source of high pressure fluid and a further fluid comprising:
a housing having a top side and a bottom side;
a valve cavity through the housing from the top side to the bottom side;
a rotatable cylindrical valve rotatable in the valve cavity and comprising an
integral valve member extending outward into opposed rotation with the housing bottom
side around the valve housing;
a main passage through the housing and the cylindrical valve having upstream
and downstream portions;
connector means for connecting the upstream portion of the main passage to such
a source of high pressure fluid;
means for connecting the bottom side of the housing to a fluid container to
form a reservoir for such further fluid;
an exposed control knob at the top side of the housing connected for rotation
of the cylindrical valve;
an auxiliary passage extending from the upstream cylindrical portion of the
main passage, through the cylindrical valve, between the cylindrical valve and housing
to the reservoir, then from the reservoir between the cylindrical valve and the housing
and through the cylindrical valve back to a downstream side of the main passage; and
a first rotational position of the cylindrical valve blocking the flow of high
pressure fluid through the main passage, a second rotational position of the cylindrical
valve passing the high pressure fluid through the main passage in the housing and
cylindrical valve while passing a secondary flow of such high pressure fluid through
the auxiliary passage to thereby dispense the further fluid into the fluid flowing
through the main passage and a third rotational position of the cylindrical valve
for passing the high pressure fluid through the main passage in the housing and cylindrical
valve while blocking any flow of fluid through the auxiliary passage.
9. The fluid dispenser of Claim 8 wherein the auxiliary passage comprises a groove
between the housing and cylindrical valve.
10. The fluid dispenser of Claim 9 wherein the groove comprises first and second spaced
apart grooves extending to the reservoir.