US4285445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concentrate metering apparatus
Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc
•
Filing: 1979-05-01
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Granted: 1981-08-25
•
Expires: 1999-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for removing toxic liquid concentrates from their shipping and/or storage containers, mixing selected amounts of such concentrates with water, and rinsing the containers when they are empty, in a manner that avoids exposure of users to such concentrates.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Vander Molen
- 👤 Timothy A. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M7/00; A01M7/0089; A01M7/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube being connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube being connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said piercing tube has lateral openings intermediate the end walls thereof for the discharge of rinsing fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which at least some of said openings are arranged in a circumferentially-spaced series adjacent the end wall of said piercing tube nearest said tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The appartaus of claim 4 in which said openings adjacent said end wall nearest said tip are positioned and arranged to introduce air into a container as concentrate is removed therefrom, and air inlet means for inletting air into said chamber and thence into a concentrate container during a concentrate-removal operation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud having an upper end affixed to said tube and a free lower end adapted to engage a concentrate container supported by said support frame, said tubular shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movably mounted on said support frame for movement between raised and lowered positions, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is moved from its raised to its lowered positions, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud having an upper end affixed to said tube and a free lower end adapted to engage a concentrate container supported by said support frame, said tubular shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said tubular shroud has a diameter substantially larger than said piercing tube.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for removing toxic liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member hingedly connected to said support frame for pivotal movement between a raised position and a substantially horizontal lowered position, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is pivoted into its lowered position, an elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said suction tube having indicia means associated therewith for indicating the position of adjustment of said suction tube relative to said piercing tube, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and having a lower end extending below the tip of said piercing tube when said shroud is expanded, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for removing toxic liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, such containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member hingedly connected to said support frame for pivotal movement between a raised position and a substantially horizontal lowered position, a piercing tube mounted upon said top member having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member is pivoted into its lowered position, an elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said suction tube having indicia means associated therewith for indicating the position of adjustment of said suction tube relative to said piercing tube, and a resilient tubular shroud surrounding a lower portion of said piercing tube, said shroud being longitudinally expandable and contractable, and having a lower end extending below the tip of said piercing tube when said shroud is expanded, and spring means urging said shroud into its expanded condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which conduit means is connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said support frame to a water supply line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which a water supply line communicates with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and suction tube when water flows through said line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said piercing tube includes spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said piercing tube has an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which a rinsing tube is connected to said piercing tube and communicates with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said piercing tube has lateral openings intermediate the end walls thereof for the discharge of rinsing liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which at least some of said openings are arranged in a circumferentially-spaced series adjacent the end wall of said piercing tube nearest said piercing tip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which said openings adjacent said end wall nearest said tip are positioned and arranged to introduce air into a container as liquid concentrate is removed therefrom, and air inlet means for inletting air into said chamber and thence into a pesticide container during a concentrate-removal operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said end walls of said piercing tube include resilient sealing rings slidably and sealingly engaging the outer surface of said suction tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which a concentrate container having side and end walls is supported upon said support frame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said top member and said support frame are provided with locking means for releasably securing said hinged top member in said substantially horizontal lowered position.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, and a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, and a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 20 in which said suction tube has indicia means associated therewith for visually indicating the position of adjustment thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which said indicia means includes calibration marks upon the outer surface of said suction tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 20 in which conduit means is connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, conduit means connected to the upper end of said suction tube for carrying the contents of a container supported by said frame to a water supply line, and a water supply line communicating with said conduit, said supply line including suction means for creating a suction in said conduit means and in said suction tube when water flows through said line.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for removing liquid concentrates from their shipping/storage containers and for mixing such concentrates with water, said containers having side and end walls, comprising a support frame for supporting a concentrate container with one end wall thereof facing upwardly, a top member movable relative to said support frame and equipped with a piercing tube having a piercing tip adapted to engage an upwardly facing end wall of a concentrate container supported by said frame for piercing a hole in such end wall as said member and support frame are moved towards each other, a rigid elongated suction tube having upper and lower ends and being telescopingly carried by said piercing tube for movement between a retracted position wherein said lower end is disposed within said piercing tube and any of a plurality of extended positions wherein said lower end is spaced selected distances below said piercing tip, said piercing tube including spaced annular end walls sealingly but slidably engaging said suction tube, said piercing tube having an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of said suction tube to define an annular chamber therebetween, and a rinsing tube connected to said piercing tube and communicating with said annular chamber for conducting rinsing fluid thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 25 in which said piercing tube has lateral openings intermediate the end walls thereof for the discharge of rinsing fluid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-24 | 1985-02-23 | 1985-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-24 | 1989-02-23 | 1989-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-24 | 1993-02-23 | 1993-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |