Solid Product Dispenser Housing With Venturi Mixing and Backflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior dispensers face challenges in maintaining the concentration of use solutions when dispensing solid products, often experiencing foaming issues that affect the concentration and require complex electronic controls, and struggle with the placement of vacuum breakers to prevent backflow while minimizing space.
Innovation Solution
A product housing with a product holder, overflow outlet, and flood plane configuration that includes a spray nozzle system with a diluent outlet creating a venturi effect to concurrently dispense a concentrated solution and diluent, while ensuring the vacuum breaker is positioned at least 8.89 cm from the flood plane to prevent backflow and reduce dispenser size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic controls are used to control water inlet valves, then the concentration of use solution can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical solution. The concentric funnel outlets utilize fluid dynamics principles where the inner outlet (concentrated solution) and outer outlet (diluent) are controlled by pressure differentials and flow rates without any electronic components. The venturi effect and pressure-based flow regulation eliminate the need for electronic sensors, controllers, and valves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining concentration control precision.
2Quantity of substance
If additional diluent is added to the use solution, then the concentration can be adjusted, but foaming occurs that interferes with spray and affects concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mixing process from the spray chamber by using separate concentric outlets. The concentrated solution and diluent are delivered through separate funnel-shaped outlets (inner and outer), allowing controlled mixing outside the spray area. This prevents foaming within the spray chamber while still achieving the desired dilution and concentration adjustment in the final use solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mixing zone between the outlets and the spray application point. The concentric funnel outlets create a controlled mixing environment where diluent and concentrated solution combine before reaching the application area, preventing direct foaming in the spray chamber while maintaining concentration control through the intermediary mixing process.
3Volume of stationary object
If the vacuum breaker is positioned close to the product holder, then the dispenser size is reduced, but backflow prevention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic and hydraulic principles through the vacuum breaker device positioned at the bottom of the product holder. The vacuum breaker creates a pressure differential that prevents backflow by allowing air to enter the system when negative pressure occurs, breaking the siphon effect. This mechanical pneumatic solution provides reliable backflow prevention while maintaining a compact dispenser design, as the vacuum breaker integrates into the existing structure without requiring additional space.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively maintains solution concentration, reduces foaming, and ensures efficient use solution dispensing while meeting backflow prevention codes, all while minimizing the dispenser's spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The diluent flowing through the diluent outlet at a relatively fast rate creates a venturi effect to draw the concentrated solution out of the concentrated solution outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a product housing for use with a solid product, a solid product dispenser, and a vacuum breaker, the solid product having a bottom surface and being dispensed in the solid product dispenser, comprising: a) a product holder having a bottom, the product holder being configured and arranged to receive the solid product with the bottom surface proximate the bottom, the product holder being positioned above the solid product dispenser and below the vacuum breaker; b) an overflow outlet proximate the bottom; and c) a flood plane proximate the overflow outlet, the vacuum breaker being at least 3.50 inches (0,0762m) from the flood plane.