JOHANSSON, Assar (Backgatan 13, Habo, S-566 34, SE)
JANSSON, Jan-Olof (Södra vägen 22, Floda, S-448 32, SE)
JOHANSSON, Assar (Backgatan 13, Habo, S-566 34, SE)
CLAIMS
1. Liquid mixing device (10) for, by mixing of components, forming a product composed of the same, comprising a first container (11) for a first component (12), a connection (17) connectable with a source of a second component, a second container (14) for the product (15), and a pump (16) connecting the first container (11), the connection (17) and the second container (14) in order to transport and mix the components and transport the product (15) formed thereby to the second container (14), c h a ra c t e riz e d in that the second container (14) is embedded in the first container (11) while forming an assembly comprising the first container (11) and the second container (14).
2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the second container (14) is attached to an upper portion of the first container (11).
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the second container (14) is suspended from a cover (22) of the first container (11).
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein an upper portion of the second container (14) is provided in line with an upper portion of the first container
(11).
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container (11) supports the pump (16) while forming an assembly comprising the first container (11), the second container (14) and the pump (16).
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the pump (16) is supported by a cover (22) of the first container (11).
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump (16) is connected with an actuation device (21) for controlling the pump (16) depending on the level of the product (15) in the second container (14). 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the actuation device (21) comprises a float embedded in the second container (14).
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container (11) is provided with a filling device (24) for filling of the first component (12) into the first container (11), and said filling device (24) comprising a reception member (26) provided with a filling hole (25) and intended for the reception and partial enclosure of a filling container for the first component (12) in such a way that the filling container is introducible in the reception member (26) for filling of the first component (12).
10. Device according to 9, wherein the filling device (24) is supported by a cover (22) of the first container (11).
11. Liquid mixing method by means of which liquid components are mixed for the formation of a product, comprising the steps of, by means of a pump (16), transporting a first component (12) from a first container (11) and a second component from a source of the second component, combining and mixing the components and transporting a product (15) formed by the mixing to a second container (14) provided inside the first container (11) for temporary storage of the product (15). |
DEVICE AND METHOD TO MIX LIQUID COMPONENETS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device and a method to mix liquid components. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device and a method to mix at least one first component with a second component while forming a product. Devices of the type intended here are found in connection with mixing of two or more liquid components, such as mixing of chemical liquids, emulsions or dispersions with each other and/or with water for dilution of a concentrate or the like. This type of devices are often found in connection with machine cleaning, dishwashing and washing and particularly within the area of automatic vehicle washing wherein a cleaning agent in the form of a concentrate on-site is mixed with water and possibly additional components to a ready cleaning product or treatment product.
PRIOR ART
There are several different types of devices to mix different components in prior art. Such a type of device comprises a pump that is connected with a first container for a concentrate and a source of water, the pump mixing the concentrate with the water to a ready product and transports the ready product to a second container for storage thereof. Usually, the first container is provided on a first stand, the second container being provided on a second stand and the pump being mounted on a wall or placed on a floor or on a third stand. Lines connect the containers and the source of water with the pump. A line for tapping of the ready product is provided in the second container via a pump or the like in such a way that the ready product can be pumped from the second container to a supply station or the like.
A disadvantage of such devices for mixing different components of prior art is that they are bulky.
A problem with such devices for mixing different components of prior art is that they are laborious and consequently expensive, since they require extensive installation work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages and problems of prior art mentioned above. By the invention, it is accomplished a compact, easily handled and space-saving device to mix different components at the same time as it is easy to install on-site at the user.
The present invention relates to a device to mix liquid components while forming a product, comprising a first container for a first component, a connection connectable with a source of a second component, a second container for the product, and a pump connecting the first container, the connection and the second container in order to transport and mix the components and transport the product formed thereby to the second container, characterized in that the second container is embedded in the first container while forming an assembly comprising the first container and the second container. By embedding the second container in the first container, a compact device is accomplished that utilizes the space available in an effective way. A possible increased volume of the first container to compensate for the reception of the second container influences the required installation area marginally. At the same time as the invention results in a more compact and space-saving device, a device is accomplished that is easy to install, since the device according to the invention can be prefabricated at a high degree and, on-site at the user, only needs to be connected to a source of the second component as well as a source of current, such as a conventional water tap and/or a conventional wall outlet. This also entails that the device according to the invention is relatively easy to move. An additional advantage of the device according to the invention is that an increased security is obtained as a consequence of the second container being embedded in the first container, which results in a possible leakage from the second container being collected in the first container.
For instance, the first container is an outer container, the second container being an inner container. The second container may be enclosed by the first container, for instance, in such a way that the second container is entirely contained therein. The
second container may be attached to an upper portion of the first container and extend downward into the first container. In such a way, lines can be connected to the second container in an easy and reliable way. For instance, lines run to and from the second container through an upper portion or through a casing or cover of the second container. For instance, the second container is suspended from a cover of the first container. The second container may be attached to the cover, wherein the second container easily can be removed from the first container for inspection, maintenance and the like. An upper portion of the second container may be provided in line with an upper portion of the first container. Lines to and from the second container may run through one or more openings in the upper portion or cover of the first container.
Alternatively, the cover is formed with an opening corresponding to the upper portion of the second container, through which opening the upper portion of the second container may run.
In addition, the first container may support the pump while forming an assembly comprising the first container, the second container and the pump. In such a way, a very compact and easily handled assembly is accomplished that in an even greater extent can be mounted in advance for easy installation on-site at the user. Also the pump may be supported by the cover of the first container.
The pump may be connected to an actuation device for controlling the pump depending on the level of the product in the inner second container. The actuation device may be mechanical and may for instance comprise a float or the like cooperating with the contents of the second container. Alternatively, the actuation device is electrical. By the actuation device, the second container is filled with the product if required, wherein the volume of the second container may be considerably smaller than the volume of the first container without the supply of the product being impaired.
The first container may be provided with a filling device for filling of the first component into the first container, said filling device comprising a reception member provided with a filling hole and intended for the reception and partial enclosure of a
filling container for the first component in such a way that the filling container can be inserted into the reception member upon filling of the first component. In such a way, the first container can be filled with the first component in a reliable and easy way. For instance, the reception member is arranged for the reception and supporting of filling container in the form of a cardboard box having a bag provided therein containing the first component. The filling device may also comprise a knife or the like in order to automatically open the filling container when the same is inserted into the reception member. Alternatively, the filling device may be a conventional filling device or filling hole. Alternatively, the first container may be connected with a source of the first component in a conventional way. Alternatively, the first container is filled in advance with the first component. Also the filling device may be supported by an upper portion of the first container or the cover of the first container.
The invention also relates to a method to mix liquid components while forming a product, comprising the steps of, by means of a pump, transporting a first component from a first container and a second component from a source of the second component, combining and mixing the components and transporting a product formed by the mixing to a second container provided inside the first container for temporary storage of the product. Additional features and advantages of the present invention are seen in the description of embodiment examples below, accompanying figures and dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiment examples, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a device to mix different components according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows a second container provided in the first container by means of dashed lines,
Fig. 2 is a schematic section view of the device according to Fig. 1 , which in more detail shows the second container provided in the first container,
Fig. 3 is a schematic section view of a portion of the device according to Fig. 2, which shows the pump and lines connected thereto in more detail according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
Fig. 4 is a schematic section view of a portion of the device, which shows the pump and lines connected thereto in more detail according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
THE INVENTION
With a reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there is schematically illustrated a device 10 to mix different components. The device 10 is arranged for mixing two or more different liquids, such as chemical liquids, emulsions, dispersions or solutions, with each other and/or with water while forming a product. For instance, the device 10 is arranged for mixing a concentrate, such as cleaning agent, detergent, dishwashing liquid or the like, with water for dilution to a ready product for consumption. According to an embodiment of the invention, the device 10 is arranged for, on-site in a machine or manual cleaning arrangement, such as a vehicle washing, temporary storing a concentrate, mixing the concentrate with additional liquids and/or water into a product, and temporary storing the product until consumption.
The device 10 comprises a first container 11 for a first component 12, such as a first liquid or a concentrate. The first container 11 is arranged for temporary storing the first component 12. For instance, the first container 11 is made of a plastic material, metal or another suitable material. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the first container 11 is supported by an optional and dispensable stand 13. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first container 11 or the stand 13 is provided with wheels, not shown in the figures.
The first container 11 is connected with a second container 14 for the reception and temporary storage of a product 15. The second container 14 is embedded in the first container 11 and is shown by dashed line in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the second container 14 is entirely or partly provided inside the first container 11. For instance, the second container 14 is enclosed by the first container 11 in such a way that the entire volume of the second container 14 is received by the first container 11. The first container 11 supports, for instance, the second container 14 while forming an assembly that comprises both the first and the second container 11 , 14. Suitably, the second container 14 is smaller than the first container 11. According to an embodiment of the invention, the second container is 14 made of metal, such as stainless steel or the like. Alternatively, the second container is 14 made of plastic material.
The first container 11 is connected with the second container 14 via a pump 16 that is connected to a source of a second component, such as a second liquid or water, via a connection 17. The pump 16 is arranged for transporting the first component 12 and the second component to the pump 16, mixing the first component 12 with the second component, and conveying the product 15 formed thereby to the second container 14. Accordingly, the pump 16 is connected with the first container 11 via a first line 18 in such a way that the pump can draw the first component 12 from the first container 11 , which is shown by means of the arrow A in Fig. 2, at the same time as the second component is conveyed to the pump 16 via the connection 17, which is shown by means of the arrow B in Fig. 2. Next, the components are mixed, whereupon the resulting product 15 is conveyed to the second container 14 via a second line 19, which is shown by means of the arrow C in Fig. 2. Next, the product 15 can be conveyed from the second container 14 via a third line 20 in a conventional way, which is shown by means of the arrow D in Fig. 2. For instance, the product 15 is transported from the second container 14 by means of a pump or the like to a supply station. According to an embodiment of the invention, the second container is 14 provided with a casing, cover or the like, through which the second line 19 and the third line 20 run. Alternatively, the second container is 14 open at the top.
The pump 16 is, for instance, arranged in a conventional way. For instance, the desired mixing ratio is attained by means of nozzles of a predetermined size of the pump in such a way that the desired product is obtained or in such a way that the desired concentration of the first component in the product is obtained. For instance, the nozzles are replaceable or adjustable in a conventional way. According to an embodiment of the invention, the device 10 or the pump 16 is driven by liquid flowing from the source of the second component, such as flowing water from a tap or the like. Alternatively, the device 10 or the pump 16 is driven by electric current. Alternatively, the device 10 is driven by a combination of flowing liquid and electric current.
The first line 18 runs from a lower portion of the first container 11 to the pump 15 in such a way that the first component 12 can be transported from the first container 11 to the pump 16. The connection 17 connects the pump 16 with the source of the second component. For instance, the connection 17 comprises a conventional pipe and conventional couplings to connect the pump 16 with a conventional water tap or water dispenser, not shown in the figures. The second line 19 connects the pump 16 and the second container 14 in order to transport the product from the pump 16 to the second container 14.
In the embodiment shown, the pump 16 is connected with an actuation device 21 that turns on or off the pump 16 depending on the level of the product 15 in the second container 14. For instance, the actuation device 21 comprises a float or a similar mechanical construction that is connected with a power switch or the like of the pump 16. Alternatively, the actuation device 21 comprises an electric sensor for reading the level in the second container 14, which sensor is connected with a power switch or the like of the pump 16. The connection may be electrical or mechanical and may extend through the upper portion or casing of the second container 14. Alternatively, the connection is a wireless connection. Accordingly, the device 10 is arranged in such a way that filling of the second container 14 with the product 15 is made when the level of the first product 15 is below a predetermined level in the second container
14 and proceeds until the level of the first product 15 reaches a predetermined level in the second container 14, wherein the pump 16 is turned off.
In the embodiment shown, the first container 11 supports the pump 16 while forming an assembly comprising the first container 11 , the second container 14 and the pump 16. For instance, the pump 16 is attached in or on the first container 11. Alternatively, the pump 16 is provided on a floor or a wall by the side of the first container 11.
In the shown embodiment of the invention, the first container 11 is provided with a cover 22. For instance, the cover is 22 removable. Alternatively, the first container 11 comprises the cover 22. For instance, the second container is 14 suspended from the cover 22, an upper portion of the second container 14 being attached to the cover 22 and the second container 14 extending from the cover 22 and downward into the first container 11 in such a way that the second container 14 is provided essentially inside or entirely inside the first container 14. According to an embodiment of the invention, the second container 14 runs through an opening in the cover 22. For instance, an upper portion or a border of the second container 14 is provided in line with an upper portion of the first container 11 or in line with the cover 22 or in line with a border of an opening in the cover 22. Alternatively, the second container is 14 provided on bottom 23 of the first container 11 or on a stand that rests on the bottom 23 of the first container 11. Alternatively, the second container is 14 attached to an inner side or an inner envelope surface of the first container 11. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cover 22 also supports the pump 16, the pump 16 suitably being provided on top of the cover 22.
The device 10 comprises a filling device 24 for filling of the first component 12 into the first container 11. For instance, the cover 22 supports the filling device 24. The filling device 24 comprises a reception member 26 provided with a filling hole 25 and intended for the reception and partial enclosure of a filling container for the first component 12 in such a way that the filling container can be inserted into the reception member 26 upon filling of the first component 12. For instance, the reception member is 26 arranged for the reception of a package in the form of a
cardboard box having a plastic bag provided therein, the cardboard box partly being enclosed by the reception member 26 in such a way that the cardboard box having the plastic bag provided therein can be placed in and be supported by the reception member 26. For instance, the filling device 24 is provided with an opening device in the form of a knife or the like in order to automatically open the package when the same is placed in the reception member 26, the contents in the form of the first component 12 flowing down into the first container 11 via the filling hole 25, which is shown by means of the arrow E in Fig. 2. The opening device is not shown in the figures.
With a reference to Fig. 3, there is schematically shown a portion of the device 10 in more detail according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the pump 16 is connected with the arranged first line 18 for the supply of the first component 12 and the arranged connection 17 for the supply of the second component, the first component 12 being introduced in the direction of the arrow F and the second component being introduced in the direction of the arrow G. The first and second component are combined and mixed, which is schematically illustrated by means of the arrows H, whereupon the formed product 15 is transported to the second container 14 via the second line 19, as is shown by means of the arrow I. The product 15 can be conveyed from the second container 14 via the third line 20 as is shown by means of the arrow J in Fig. 3.
With a reference to Fig. 4, there is schematically shown a portion of the device 10 in more detail according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the pump 16 is connected with the arranged first line 18 for the supply of the first component 12 and the arranged connection 17 for the supply of the second component such as is described with a reference to Fig. 3 as well as in addition an arranged pipe line 27 for the supply of a third component and an arranged pipe connection 28 for the supply of a fourth component, the four components being combined and mixed, whereupon the resulting product is transported to the second container 14. Accordingly, the first component is introduced in the direction of the arrow F, the second component is introduced in the direction of the arrow G, the third
component is introduced in the direction of the arrow K and the fourth component is introduced in the direction of the arrow L, whereupon the product is conveyed to the second container 14 in the direction of the arrow I. Accordingly, the device 10 is arranged for mixing at least two components and, for instance, more than two, such as three, four, five or more components, which is accomplished by connection of the pump 16 to additional lines or connections.
Next Patent: WO/2009/142591