WO1996012398A1

WO1996012398A1 - Mixing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996012398A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter John Nicol; Geoffrey Stewart Nicol
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-19
Filing date: 1995-10-18
Publication date: 1996-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1997-04-19

Abstract

A mixing apparatus (10) for distribution of a concentrate in a diluted form. The apparatus (10) includes a container (14) for holding the concentrate, an inlet (36) at or adjacent the base (34) of the container (14), an outlet (54) at or adjacent the top of the container (14). Inlet (36) is adapted to be coupled to a pressure liquid source whereby concentrate is dissolved in liquid entering inlet (36) and is distributed from said outlet (54), the outlet (54) being in the form of a perforated pipe or grill. The base (34) has a tapered bottom to ensure all fertiliser gravitates to opening (36) whereby no undissolved fertiliser residue remains in the container.

Description

MIXING APPARATUS The present invention relates to a mixing apparatus for distribution of a concentrate in a diluted form and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a fertiliser mixing apparatus for distributing fertiliser to bowling or golfing greens.

In Australian Patent Application No. 521 54/79 there is disclosed a fertilising dispersion and distribution apparatus. This apparatus consists of a container containing the dry fertiliser and a cap to close the top of the container. The cap includes a water inlet with a pipe depending to the bottom of the container and an outlet at the top of the cap. The inlet is connected to a water hose which is attached to a water tap. The problems with this device are numerous. Firstly, the pipe has to be forced through the dry fertiliser. This may be a difficult action and damage can occur to the open end of the pipe. Secondly, the mixture is too rich and there is no mixture control. Thirdly, undissolved fertiliser tends to gather at the bottom of the container around the sides of the container. Accordingly, the dosage of fertiliser will be inaccurate as all the fertiliser is not dispensed. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems of the prior art.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fertiliser distribution apparatus which allows a better control of fertiliser distribution whereby all fertiliser is dispensed. A still further object of the invention is to provide a mixing apparatus which dispenses fertiliser at a desired rate to give an even distribution over any area.

With these objects in view the invention provides a mixing apparatus for distribution of a concentrate in a diluted form, said apparatus including a container for holding the concentrate, an inlet at or adjacent the base of the container, an outlet at or adjacent the top of the container, said inlet adapted to be coupled to a pressure liquid source whereby concentrate is dissolved in liquid entering said inlet and is distributed from said outlet.

Preferably said container has a tapered base, preferably conical, and said inlet is located at the apex of said taper. In a preferred embodiment a flow control valve is provided to allow adjustment of liquid flow pressure to said inlet. A mixture valve is preferably coupled between said inlet and said outlet to allow variation of the mixture richness of the diluted concentrate. The outlet may include a filter which is preferably in the form of a perforated pipe.

These and other objects and aspects of the present invention will be more fully described with reference to the preferred non-limitative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mixing apparatus for distribution of a concentrate made in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mixing apparatus of Fig. 1 with the lid removed; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a mixing apparatus, showing the base of the mixing apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a mixing apparatus; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the mixing apparatus of Fig. 5.

In Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown a mixing apparatus 10 which comprises a base 12 and a container 14. Base 12 comprises a rectangular housing supported on a skid 16 which allows the apparatus to be easily moved along the ground. Skid 16 could be replaced by a wheeled chassis (not shown) or may be omitted; if desired. Container 14 comprises a tube 18, preferably transparent, which sealingly engages base 12 by seal 20. Tube 18 has a capping member 22 at the top thereof to which tube 1 8 is sealingly engaged by seal 24. Capping member 22 has a lid 26 which again sealingly engages capping member 22. Lid 26 can be readily removed from capping member 22 by releasable catches 28. For providing strength to container 14, rods 30 having threaded ends are secured to bosses 32 on capping member 22 at the top; and bolted to base 12 at the bottom thereof. Container 14 has a tapered bottom, preferably a conical section 34, with an opening 36 at the apex thereof. Opening 36 has a filter or grill 38 thereacross to prevent solids from falling through opening 36. Opening 36 is coupled to a branch pipe 40 which may include a direction and pressure relief valve 42, if required. Branch pipe 40 opens into main pipe 44 which has an inlet 46 and mixing outlet 48. Inlet 46 is connected to a hose 50 for supplying water under mains pressure. For additional flow control other than from the mains pressure water tap or faucet (not shown), a flow valve 52 may be inserted in pipe 44 between inlet 46 and branch pipe 40.

Container 14 has an outlet 54 in the form of a perforated pipe or grill 56 secured to capping member 22. Perforated pipe or grill 56 will act as a filter for any liquid entering the perforations. A connecting pipe 58 opens into outlet 54 of perforated pipe or grill 56 to deliver the liquid from container 14 to main pipe 44. If required, a stop valve 60 may be inserted in connecting pipe 58. A mixture valve 62 can be inserted in pipe 44 between branch pipe 40 and connecting pipe 58.

In use, hose 50 is attached to inlet 46 and a hose (not shown) is attached to mixing outlet 48. Lid 26 is removed and a concentrate placed in container 14. Lid 26 is then securely fastened to container 14 by catches 28. The concentrate is typically fertiliser in powdered or granular form. Water enters inlet 46 and its pressure is regulated, either from the tap, or through optional flow valve 52. Water enters branch pipe 40 and enters container 14 through opening 36. The water will cause the fertiliser to dissolve and the fertiliser mixture will enter perforated pipe or grill 56. The mixture will exit through outlet 54 into connecting pipe 58. The mixture will then be distributed through mixing outlet 48 via pipe 44. Mixture valve 62 will allow additional water, if required, to further dilute the mixture leaving mixture outlet 48. Mixture valve 62 will provide control on the richness/leanness of the mixture. As mixture valve 62 also controls the volume of water entering container 1 4 to allow flexibility to the operator of delivering a small quantity of fertiliser over a large area or vice versa. As container 14 has a tapered bottom 34 there is no undissolved fertiliser residue left in the container as all fertiliser gravitates to opening 36. The use of mixture valve 62 and flow valve 52 allows an accurate strength and uniformity of mixture to be delivered. This combination provides a very practical solution to the undissolved residue problem. In Fig. 4 a second embodiment of the mixing apparatus is illustrated. As this embodiment is a variation of the embodiment depicted in Figs. 1 to 3 identical reference numerals have been used to avoid duplication of description. The difference between the embodiments is that stop valve 60 and mixture valve 62 have been replaced by a three-way mixture valve 64. Valve 64 is preferably a three-way "L port" ball valve. Such a valve allows the mixture in connecting pipe 58 to be mixed with the water in main pipe 44. As one inlet of valve 64 opens the other inlet thereof closes and vice versa, without affecting the flow rate at mixing outlet 48. Such a valve simplifies the operation of the mixing apparatus. In Figs. 5 and 6 a third embodiment of the mixing apparatus is shown. Again, as this embodiment is a further variation of the mixing apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3 identical references, where applicable, have been used to avoid duplication of description. In this embodiment lid 26 is replaced by a lid 66 which has a central boss 68 protruding therefrom. Boss 68 is threaded to receive the thread 70 of screw wheel 72. Thread 70 is threadably received in a boss 74 of pivotable handle 76. By turning screw wheel 72 cap 66 will sealingly engage capping member 22. This arrangement will allow pivotal handle 76 to swing down when container 14 is being filled with fertiliser to allow removal of lid 66.

In the valving arrangement for this embodiment mixture valve 62 in Fig. 1 has again been replaced by valve 78, preferably a three-way "L port" ball valve as in Fig. 4. Valve 78 links directly to main pipe 44 and branch pipe 40. The operation of valve 78 is identical to that of valve 64 in the embodiment of Fig. 4.

It is clear from the above that variations in construction of the apparatus 10 can be undertaken. Valves may be changed along with their positioning. A pressure limiting valve (not shown) may be inserted at or near inlet 46 to protect against high pressure. A one way flow direction valve (not shown) may be inserted in connecting pipe 58 to avoid back pressure into container 14. Container 14 could be a one piece moulded body with a screw fitted cap. Perforated pipe could be replaced by an outlet with a filter similar to opening 36 and filter 38. Other changes could be made for aesthetic appearance or simplification of design. Although the invention has been described with reference to its use with distribution of fertiliser the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The invention can be adapted for use with any desired concentrate.

It is believed that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts and that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the mixing apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:-

1 . A mixing apparatus for distribution of a concentrate in a diluted form, said apparatus including a container for holding the concentrate, an inlet at or adjacent the base of the container, an outlet at or adjacent the top of the container, said inlet adapted to be coupled to a pressure liquid source whereby concentrate is dissolved in liquid entering said inlet and is distributed from said outlet.

2. The mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said container has a tapered base, preferably conical, and said inlet is located at the apex of said taper.

3. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein a flow control valve is provided to allow adjustment of liquid flow pressure to said inlet.

4. The mixing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a mixture valve coupled between said inlet and said outlet to allow variation of the mixture richness of the diluted concentrate.

5. The mixing apparatus of claim 4, further including a main pipe adapted to be coupled to said pressure liquid source at one end and to a mixing outlet at the other end and said container outlet opens into said mixing outlet.

6. The mixing apparatus of claim 5, further including a branch pipe linking said main pipe to said inlet.

7. The mixing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said mixture valve is located downstream of said branch pipe but upstream of said container outlet.

8. The mixing apparatus of claim 7 wherein flow from said mixture valve and flow from said container outlet are mixed to exit through said mixing outlet.

9. The mixing apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said mixture valve is a three-way valve with a first input coupled to said main pipe downstream of said branch pipe, a second input coupled to said container outlet and an output to said mixing outlet.

10. The mixing apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said mixture valve is a three-way valve with an input coupled to said main pipe upstream of said container inlet, a first output coupled to said container inlet and a second output coupled to said main pipe downstream of said container inlet.

1 1 . The mixing apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container outlet includes a filter means.

1 2. The mixing apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container includes a resealable lid to allow filling of said container with said concentrate.

1 3. A mixing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.