Additive delivery device and methodology for irrigation systems

Abstract

One possible embodiment for the invention could be an additive delivery device for an irrigation system having at least one vacuum pressure breaker, whereby the additive delivery device can attach to the irrigation system without altering or otherwise changing the preexisting components of the vacuum pressure breaker. The attachment could occur at two pre-existing attachment points of the pressure vacuum breaker which were originally and substantially designed for other uses other than the introduction of additive(s) into the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker. The additive delivery device could comprise a container for holding and mixing additive with water from the irrigation system and a connector device for making container's interior and pressure vacuum breaker's interior substantially continuous. The connector device could utilize a passage restriction device to direct water from vacuum pressure breaker to the container and to direct water-additive solution from the container to the vacuum pressure breaker.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims priority of the non-provisional patent application filed on Mar. 5, 2005, Ser. No. 60/659,126.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of devices that deliver additive(s) into water being distributed by an irrigation system. More particularly, this invention generally pertains to additive delivery devices that may be attached to pipe-based irrigation systems.

2. Background

People located in arid or low rain fall areas have been known to generally use various watering techniques to substantially supplement, replace or otherwise conserve rain-based water, which may be used for watering for plants and the like. Such techniques include, but are generally not limited to irrigation systems which may use pipes and the like for the delivery of water to areas where plant life may be located.

As shown generally in FIG. 1, one such irrigation system, generally indicated by reference numerals 10, can generally be comprised of a pressurized water source 12 that is fed into a connected pipe network (e.g., a pipe system) 14. The connected pipe network 14 may having a water supply cutoff valve 16, an inlet drain valve 18, an inlet cutoff valve 20, a pressure vacuum breaker (e.g. also could be known as an anti-back flow valve or anti siphon valve) 50, an outlet cutoff valve 22, an outlet water distribution valve 24, an outlet drain valve 26, and at least one outlet water delivery device 28.

In such an irrigation system 10, the water from the pressurized water source or supply 12 generally enters the network of pipes 14 to generally pass through a water supply cutoff valve 16, which generally regulates the water supply to the connected pipe network 14. After passing through the open water supply cutoff valve 14, the pressurized water could generally continue into the inlet drain valve 18. Normally closed during regular operations of the irrigation system, the inlet drain valve 18, when open, may direct any pressurized water in the inlet portion 30 (e.g. from and including the inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 through the water supply cutoff valve 16) from the irrigation system 10 and into a drain. When the inlet drain valve 18 is closed, water may pass through the inlet drain valve 18 into the inlet cutoff valve 20.

When open, the inlet cutoff valve 18 generally allows the pressurized water to flow into the inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker valve 50. When closed, the inlet cutoff valve 18 may stop the water from generally entering into the vacuum pressure breaker 50 and the rest of the irrigation system 10.

Water present in the pipe network 14, from water supply cutoff valve 16 to the inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50, may be generally denoted as being inlet water. The piping and other irrigation system components of the piping network 14, which are located on the inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50, may be generally denoted as being a part of the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10.

When inlet water in the pipe network 14 that has generally passes from the inlet portion of inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10, the water may then be generally denoted as being outlet water. The piping and other components of the pipe network 14 through which the outlet water normally flows (e.g., the portion of the irrigation system 10 from the outlet side 54 of vacuum pressure breaker 50 through to the outlet water delivery device 28) could generally be seen as forming the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10.

During normal operations of the irrigation system 10, when pressurized water from the water source 12 is moving and reaches the pressure vacuum breaker 50, the pressurized water will generally be able to flow through the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 (e.g., anti-siphon means) onto the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10. Specifically, pressurized water will then generally flow from the vacuum pressure breaker 50 onto the outlet cutoff valve 22 of the outlet portion of the irrigation system 10.

If pressure of the water from the water source 12, should drop below a specified level or if the water source 12 to the irrigation system is otherwise disrupted, diverted or cutoff, then the vacuum pressure breaker 50 operates to generally seal the outlet portion 32 from the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10. This sealing action prevents any outlet water, which may contain containments from the area being watered, from reversing its original path or course of travel and flow backwards (e.g., backflow) to and though the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10. If this backflow were allowed to occur, it could possibly contaminate the water source 12. This possible tainting of the water source 12 (which may also provide drinking water for people) could lead to health issues. To prevent such backflow contamination of the water source 12, many municipalities and larger governmental organizations mandate the use of vacuum pressure breakers 50 with irrigation systems 10, especially those irrigation systems 10, which may be also linked to drinking water supply source.

A possible second action of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 (when sealing the outlet portion 32 from the inlet portion of the irrigation system 10) is generally to allow outside atmosphere to enter into the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10 to break any vacuum pressure (e.g. suction) in the outlet portion 32, which may cause the backflow of the outlet water in the first place.

During normal operations, when inlet water becomes outlet water by passing through and exiting the pressure vacuum breaker 50, the outlet water may generally flow into the outlet cutoff valve 22. If the outlet cutoff valve 22 is closed, it generally prevents the pressurized water from reaching the remainder of the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10. If outlet cutoff valve 22 is open, the pressurized water may generally continue into an outlet drain valve 26.

If the outlet drain valve 26 is substantially open, then any water present between outlet water distribution valve 24 and the outlet side 32 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 may be directed into the drain. If the outlet drain valve 26 is generally closed, the pressurized water may bypass the drain to generally continue onto an outlet water distribution valve 24.

Generally speaking, an outlet water distribution valve 24 (e.g., a solenoid-controlled water valve) may generally control (e.g., the amount of water to be distributed and when the distribution is to occur) the outlet water to a particular section of outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10. The particular section of outlet portion 32 could be used to deliver outlet water to a certain section of an area being serviced by the irrigation system 10 (e.g., a particular section could terminate at a front lawn to water a front lawn, while another particular section could terminate the backyard to water the backyard).

As the outlet water substantially passes though an open outlet water distribution valve 24 and onto connected piping, the connected piping could have attached to it a wide variety of outlet water delivery devices 28. Outlet water delivery devices 28 could include those devices such as popup water sprinklers, mini-sprinklers, drip emitters, perforated hoses and the like which may be used to direct the water out of the pipe system 14 to desired locations at a certain section of area being serviced by the irrigation system 10. Such outlet water delivery devices 28 could generally help control the amount and manner in which the outlet water reaches the desired locations.

One possible objective of an irrigation system 10 could be the adaptation of the irrigation system 10 to secondarily deliver additives such as fertilizer, insecticides, moldicides, ph buffers, specialized herbicides (weed killer), and the like to areas being serviced by the irrigation system 10. For example, it might be desirable to have a respective irrigation system 10 be adapted to substantially fertilize and water a selected area at the same time. This ability could then save the operator the cost, labor, and time to separately fertilize the same area being serviced by the irrigation system 10.

Various apparatuses and systems have been generally developed in the past to attempt to use the water delivered by an irrigation system 10 as a delivery means for non-water items (e.g., fertilizer) to areas being serviced by the irrigation system 10. However, these apparatuses and systems in order to be connected to the irrigation systems 10 generally require some modification or replacement of the one or more of the original components of the irrigation system 10. Such alteration may require the operator (or personnel employed by the operator) to possess or otherwise obtain tools, skills, knowledge, and training that are ordinarily not possessed by an operator (e.g. a home owner). Such requirements could be seen as dissuading an operator, from implementing such additive delivery apparatuses and methods in the first place.

What is needed therefore is an additive delivery apparatus and methodology, which can generally be universally, directly, and easily attached to wide variety of water irrigation systems (that have a vacuum pressure breaker 50) without the need of special training, knowledge, skills, tools, or the modification/replacement of the components of an irrigation system 10.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to attach an additive delivery device to the irrigation system without special training, knowledge, skills, tools.

the ability to attach an additive delivery device to the irrigation system without modifying, changing or removing the components of an established irrigation system;

provide an additive delivery device that can be attached irrigation system either during construction or post construction of the irrigation system; and

the ability to add the additive delivery device to an irrigation system using attachment points already present in the irrigation system.

the ability to use attachment points already present in the irrigation system, which were originally designed or used for other purposes besides adding additives to the irrigation system.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

Brief Description of One Embodiment of the Present Invention

One possible embodiment of the invention could be an additive delivery device for an irrigation system having a vacuum pressure breaker, comprising a container having an interior capable of holding one or more additives; and a connector device, can connect to a plurality of pre-existing attachment points of the vacuum pressure breaker without the removal of preexisting components of the vacuum pressure breaker, the pre-existing attachment points having access to the hollow interior of the vacuum pressure breaker.

The embodiment of the invention could further comprise a method of operating a fertilizer device comprising of providing a irrigation system with a vacuum pressure breaker having a plurality of pre-existing attachment points; connecting a container capable of holding at least one additive to the pre-existing attachment points; forming and transmitting a mixture of water and additive from the container to the vacuum pressure breaker.

An additive delivery device for use with an irrigation system comprising a container means capable of holding and mixing an additive with water; a connection means for transporting an additive and water mixture between the container to an anti-siphon means; a pre-existing attachment means for attaching connection means to the anti-siphon means; wherein the pre-existing attachment means were designed for purposes other than that of introducing additive to the anti-siphon means.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of one embodiment of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a partial cutaway elevation view of a possible irrigation system generally utilizing a vacuum pressure breaker.

FIG. 2 is substantially a cutaway elevation view showing a vacuum pressure breaker, wherein the breaker is generally closed to the outside atmosphere.

FIG. 3 is substantially a cutaway elevation view showing a vacuum pressure breaker valve wherein the breaker is generally partially opened to the outside atmosphere.

FIG. 4 is substantially a cutaway elevation view of one embodiment of a vacuum pressure breaker wherein the breaker is generally fully opened to the outside atmosphere.

FIG. 5 is substantially a cutaway elevation of one possible embodiment of the invention wherein water is being delivered by the irrigation system.

FIG. 6 is substantially a cutaway elevation of one possible embodiment of the invention wherein water is blocked at the outlet side of the vacuum pressure breaker.

FIG. 7 is substantially a cutaway elevation of one possible embodiment of the invention wherein water is blocked at the inlet side of the vacuum pressure breaker.

FIG. 8 is substantially a flow chart for one possible operation of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Vacuum Pressure Breaker

As shown generally in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a vacuum pressure breaker 50 (e.g. a backflow valve, anti-siphon valve and the like) may be comprised of a body 60, biasing device 62 (e.g., a conical spring 63), a poppet 66, a bonnet 68, pre-existing attachment points 127 and a canopy 72.

The body 60 may generally have a hollow interior 74 which is connected to the exterior 76 by several apertures 78: an inlet aperture 80, an outlet aperture 82, two test cock apertures 84, and a bonnet aperture 86. The inlet aperture 80 allows the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10 to connect to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The outlet aperture 82 similarly allows the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10 to connect to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. Each of the test cock apertures 84 connects interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 to a test cock (e.g. ball valve) 70. The bonnet aperture 86 allows the bonnet 68 to generally be reversibly received and attached to attach to the body 60 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

The bonnet 68 could be suitably sized (correspondingly with the bonnet aperture 86) to allow an operator access to the interior 75 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 for servicing (e.g., replacement) of internal components of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 such as the poppet 66, biasing device 62 and the like. The bonnet 68 generally has a top 90, a bottom 92, poppet aperture 94 and a corresponding threaded edge 96 (the bonnet aperture 86 could be threaded to correspondingly receive the threaded edge 96 of the bonnet 68). The bonnet 68 may also have a poppet aperture 94 or the like substantially located at the center of the bonnet 68 through which the outside atmosphere may enter into at least a portion of the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 (and hence the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10) when water pressure is insufficient to push the poppet 66 generally against the underside of the bonnet 68 to seal the poppet aperture 94 from the outside atmosphere.

The poppet 66 (e.g., a substantially cylindrically-shaped valve that generally moves within the interior of the pressure breaker valve) may be comprised of a multitude and variety of components and subassemblies. At least one possible version of the poppet 66 could comprise a body 100 having a bottom 104 and a top 102. At least one version of the poppet may have the top 102 further featuring an upright plug 106, which reversibly fits into and seals the poppet aperture 94 of the bonnet 68 when the pressure of the inlet water is sufficient to overcome the force of the biasing device 62 to push the poppet 66 against the underside of bonnet 68. To permit the sealing action between the inlet portion 30 and the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10, the bottom 104 of the poppet 66, may sit upon and seal a ridge 75 in the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 closing off at least portion of the interior 74 to the inlet aperture 80.

In one possible version of the vacuum pressure breaker 50, gravity is the biasing device 62, which forces the poppet 66 down upon the ridge 75 to seal the outlet portion 32 from the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10. In the version presently shown, the biasing device 62 is a spring 63 (e.g., conical), which is placed between the underside of the bonnet 68 and the top 102 of the poppet 66. The spring 63 projects an expanding force against the top 102 of the poppet 66 from the underside of the bonnet 68. When the pressure of the inlet water in the inlet aperture 80 is sufficient to overcome the force of the biasing device 62, the poppet 66 may be unseated from the ridge 75 and move towards (e.g., upwards and against) the underside of the bonnet 68. In this manner, water may then generally flow from the inlet aperture 80 into the remaining interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. At the same time, the upright plug 106 may substantially move up into and seal the poppet aperture 94 (and hence keeping the outside atmosphere from generally entering the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10).

The canopy 72 may be substantially located over the top of the bonnet 68 in such a manner as to allow the outside atmosphere free access to the poppet aperture 94 while substantially preventing debris and other matter from getting to and clogging the poppet aperture 94.

Pre-existing attachment points 127 may be considered to be interfaces and the like that may provide sealable access form the exterior 76 to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. Generally speaking, the pre-existing attachment points 127 were originally designed and constructed for other purposes than that of introducing of additives 208 into the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. In one version of the vacuum pressure breaker where the pre-existing attachment points 127 are test cocks 70, the test cocks may be designed and be used to reversibly connect testing equipment to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The test equipment could then be used to check the performance of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 in relation to its operation with an irrigation system 10.

The test cocks 70 may be ball valves, which comprise a body 110 with a movable valve 112 and two body apertures 114. The two body apertures 114 could comprise a first body aperture 116 and a second body aperture 118. The first body aperture could be a threaded male projection 120 that attaches the test cock 70 to vacuum pressure breaker 50 at the reciprocally threaded female test cock aperture 84 of the body 60 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The second body aperture 118 could generally be a threaded female receptacle 122 which may be generally used to reversibly connect the test cock 70 to a pressure-based testing equipment used to check the functioning of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

The test cocks 70 may constitute another means beside the poppet aperture 94 to introduce the atmosphere in the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The test cock may be manually opened to allow in the outside atmosphere when the irrigation system 10 is being drained of water (e.g., prior to winter to prevent low temperature from freezing any water in the irrigation system 10, which could expand and damage components of the irrigation system.) In this manner, an open inlet test cock 126 (during winterization) could allow outside atmosphere in an inlet portion 30 (when sealed from outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10) to any water in the inlet portion 30 to drain out the open inlet drain valve 18.

Although FIGS. 1-7 generally show the test cocks 70 (and hence test cock apertures 84) located generally on the side of the body 60 opposite (one hundred and eighty degrees-180°) to the outlet aperture 82, other models of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 could have the test cocks 70 (and hence test cock apertures 84) located on a side of the body that is approximately located only ninety (90°) degrees way from the outlet aperture 82.

One test cock 70, designated an outlet test cock 124, may be located so that it substantially connects with the outlet side 54 of the interior 74 (e.g. the area of the interior 74 generally found above the poppet 66 when the poppet 66 is seated in the ridge 75). The respective test cock aperture 84 for attaching the outlet test cock 124 to the body 60 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 could be respectively designated an outlet test cock aperture 128.

A second test cock 70, designated as an inlet test cock 126, may be located so that it substantially connects with the inlet side 52 of the interior 74 (e.g. the area of the interior 74 generally found below the poppet 66 when the poppet 66 is seated in the ridge 75). The respective test cock aperture 84 for the inlet test cock 126 could be respectively designated the inlet test cock aperture 130.

In operation, when the pressure of the inlet water coming through the inlet aperture 80 is generally insufficient to force the poppet 66 to rise (e.g., against the force of the biasing device 62), poppet 66 remains seated on the ridge 75 generally sealing the inlet aperture 80 (and the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10) from the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10. Further, because the upright plug 106 does not engage and seal the poppet aperture 94 of the outside atmosphere to substantially enter into the outlet portion 32 of irrigation system breaking any vacuum pressure (e.g., suction, siphoning force, etc.) causing the outlet water to backflow towards the inlet portion of the irrigation system 10.

Alternatively, when the pressure of the inlet water is sufficient to force the poppet 66 to rise against the force of the biasing device 62, to engage the bonnet 68 and seal (e.g., plug) the poppet aperture 94, the inlet aperture 80 is unsealed and inlet water passes through the vacuum pressure breaker 50 to substantially become outlet water generally passing onto the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10.

In such circumstances (where the irrigation system 10 is pressurized, but no water is being delivered to area[s] being serviced by the irrigation system 10), the inlet water does not constantly flow through the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. Rather, if there is sufficient pressure from the inlet water, this pressure, rather than the water flow will substantially keep the poppet 66 unseated, the bonnet's poppet aperture 94 sealed, and substantially allow the outlet side 54 and the inlet side 52 of the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 to be generally continuous. Generally speaking, one or more outlet water distribution valves 24 will substantially control the flow of water into and out of the vacuum pressure breaker valve 50 as these valves generally direct the flow of water going to a particular section of piping in the irrigation system 10.

Additive Delivery Device

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, an additive delivery device 150 can be reversibly attached to pre-existing attachment points 127 (e.g., the test cocks 70) of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 without generally requiring any modifications or alterations to vacuum pressure breaker 50 or its components either during or after the construction of the irrigation system 10. The additive delivery device 150 may comprise a container 200 having a generally hollow interior 206 and a connector device 300 wherein the connector device 300 may be seen as generally connecting the interior 206 of container 200 to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

Connector Device

The connector device can be seen as transporting liquid (e.g., water; water and additive 208 mixture; and the like) between the interior 206 of the container 200 and the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The connector device 300, in at least one embodiment, could generally comprise a plurality of connectors 302 at least one of which could utilize at least one passage restriction device 400. The plurality of connectors 302, in at least one embodiment, could be a set of hoses 304. One connector 302 (e.g., hose 304) could be an inlet hose 314 while another connector 302 could be an outlet hose 316. The outlet hose 316, via the outlet test cock 124, could substantially make the outlet side 54 of the interior 74 of the vacuum breaker generally continuous with interior 206 of the container 200. The outlet hose 316 could be seen as providing a liquid egress from the interior 206 of the container 200 to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

Similarly, the inlet hose 314, via the inlet test cock 126, could substantially make the inlet side 52 of the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 generally continuous with interior 206 of the container 200 (unless otherwise interrupted by a one-way valve 340.) The inlet hose 314 could be seen as providing a liquid ingress from the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 to the interior 206 of the container 200.

It is the inventors' belief, although the patentability of the invention does not rely upon this belief, that the passage restriction device 400 by inducing a venturi-type pressure differential via passage differentiation or the like between the connectors 302 (e.g., inlet hose 314 and outlet hose 316) could generally implement a hydraulic flow differentiation between the connectors 302, (e.g., the hoses 304). In this way, when water is passing through the vacuum pressure breaker 50, one connector 302 could have water bleed off from inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 and generally deliver it into the container 200. Another connector 302 could then generally take the water (or resulting water and additive 208 mixture) of the container 200 and feed in back under pressure into the outlet side 54 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 for distribution in the outlet portion 32 of the irrigation system 10.

The passage restriction device 400 could be generally implemented in a wide variety of manners, including having connectors 302 with interiors 320 with significantly differently sized diameters; having at least one connector with some flow rate impediment (e.g. an in-line filter) (not shown); and the like.

The connector 302, in addition to having a passage restriction device 400, could further comprise a front end 306, a container adapter 310, and back end 308. The front end 306 could be further comprised of vacuum pressure breaker attachment device 213, which could generally allow the connector 302 to appropriately connect (e.g., reversibly) to its respective pre-existing attachment point 127 (e.g., test cock 70). In at least one embodiment, the vacuum pressure breaker attachment device 213 could be a male threaded connector 322, which could generally securely attach (e.g., reversibly) to a threaded female receptacle 122 of a second body aperture 118 of the respective test cock 70. In this manner, the invention could generally be reversibly attached to pre-existing attachment points 127 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 without requiring the alteration or modification of preexisting components of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 or other parts of the irrigation system 10 and thereby preserving the preexisting components of the irrigation system 10.

The front end 306 of the outlet hose 316 could further comprise an additive indicator 318. In at least one embodiment, the additive indictor 318 could be a portion of the front end 306, which is translucent. In this manner, because many additives 208 are colored, the resulting water-additive 208 mixture could be colored as well and can be seen by the operator as it passes through the additive indictor 318. The operator, by examining the relevant portion of the outlet hose 316, can then tell if the water and additive 208 mixture is being properly formed delivered to the outlet side 54 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 during the operation of the irrigation system 10.

The container adapter 310, to which the front end 306 and the back end 308 of connector 302 (e.g., hose 304) are generally connected, allows the interiors of the front end 306 and the back end 308 to be substantially continuous. In this manner, the interior 320 of connectors 302 (e.g. hose 304) may connect to the interior 206 of the container 200 to the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 The container adapter 310 could be any one of several devices or setups known to the art. In one, embodiment, the container adapter 310 could be a hollow hose barb 324 having a barb(s) at each end to secure the front end 306 and the back end 308 to the container adapter. The container adapter 310 generally places the back end 308 of the connector 302 within the interior 206 of the container 200.

The inlet hose 314 could further comprise a one or more redundant, chemically-resistant, high pressure one-way valves 340, which could prevent a backflow of outlet water through the invention into the inlet portion 30 of the irrigation system 10. This backflow can happen since the invention is simultaneously attached (via the test cocks 70) to both the inlet side 52 and the outlet side 54 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50, thus potentially connecting both sides together (via the container 200) and potentially bypassing the poppet 66 and its sealing action. The one-way valve 340 could then take the place of the poppet 66 to seal the inlet side 54 from the outlet side 56 when the pressure of the inlet water would drop below a set standard for the poppet 66 to seal off the inlet side 52 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

Container

The container 200 may further be comprised of a body 22 with an exterior 204, which generally defines the interior 206 to be substantially capable of holding a definite quantity of one or more additives 208, which may be introduced to at least a portion of the water from the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The body 202 of the container 200 could generally be made in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and be made from any number of a wide variety of materials and still accomplish the purpose of the invention. In at least one embodiment, the body 202 could generally be made from a polymer and generally have a cylindrically-shaped side 210 generally enclosed by two ends 212, a top end 214 and a bottom end 216.

The top end 214 could comprise multiple apertures, including, but not limited to an inlet aperture 330, an outlet aperture 332, and an additive aperture 334. The additive aperture 334 could be used generally to introduce additive 208 (e.g., solid, liquid or other form) into the interior 206 of the container 200. In at least one embodiment, the additive aperture 334 could generally comprised of a collar 336 extending outward from the exterior 204, which could be generally reversibly sealed by a additive aperture cap 338. The additive aperture cap 338 could generally reversibly attach to (e.g., seal) the collar 336 in any wide varieties of manner to reversibly seal the additive aperture 334.

The inlet aperture 330 could be seen as allowing the passage of the container adapter 310 for the inlet hose 314 into the interior 206 of the container 200. In such an instance, the container adapter 310 could be seen as being securely received into the inlet aperture 330.

The outlet aperture 332 could allow the passage of the container adapter 310 for the inlet hose 314 into the interior 206 of the container 200. In such an instance, the container adapter 310 could be seen as being securely received into the outlet aperture 332.

In at least one embodiment, the container 200 could be further comprised of a body valve 342, which could be used to drain the container 200 or otherwise release water pressure of any aqueous solution or the like within the container 200 to substantially facilitate the loading (e.g., reloading) of additive(s) into the container 200. The body valve 342 could be attached to the cylindrically-shaped side 210 of the container 200 and located proximately to the bottom end 216. In the open position, the body valve 342 could connect the container 200 interior 206 to the outside environment. In the closed position, the body valve 342 could help isolate the container 200 interior 206 to the outside environment.

Additionally, the container 200 could further feature attachment mechanism(s) or device(s) (not shown) which could allow the container 200 to be secured to the vacuum pressure breaker 50 or possibly to the piping to which the vacuum pressure breaker 50 is connected. This could be seen as relieving any attachment strain that might be placed on the connector 302. Such an attachment mechanism (not shown) could be seen as comprising an open-ended strap with an appropriate hook and loop at each end, the strap being attached to the container (e.g. passing through a loop [not shown] on the exterior 204 of the container 200). The ends of the strap (not shown) could pass around a section of piping of the irrigation system 10 and be reversibly joined together to secure the container 200 to provide the appropriate support. Other attachment mechanisms may also include tried and true fastening methodologies such as wrapping duct tape, bailing wire, other securing materials, and the like around portions of the additive delivery device 150 and a relevant section or component of the irrigation system 10.

Operational Procedure

As shown in FIG. 8, one possible methodology or process 500 for operating the invention could commence with step 1, preparation of the irrigation system 10.

At step 1, preparing the irrigation system 10, could possibly include insuring that water is not flowing out of the tests cocks 70 (or other suitable pre-existing attachment points 127 for the additive delivery device 150). In a functioning (pressurized) irrigation system 10, this could be accomplished by at least shutting off (e.g., closing) the tests cocks 70 (or making sure they are shut off or cut off). If the test cocks 70 are going to remain open, then the vacuum pressure breaker 50 itself needs to be isolated from the water (inlet water, outlet water, or both). This isolation could be accomplished generally by shutting off (e.g., closing off) the inlet cutoff valve 20; generally shutting off (e.g., closing off) outlet cutoff valve 22; generally shutting off (e.g., closing off) the water supply cutoff valve 16; (or generally making sure they are closed), or various combinations of such actions as may be generally required.

It should be noted that it is generally not mandatory to generally isolate (or cutoff) the test cocks 70 from the water supply as generally suggested above. Rather, the additive delivery device 150 could be attached to the test cocks 70 when water is passing through them, the operator will just get generally noticeably wet, generally to the great amusement to passersby like the next door neighbor.

Once step 1 is generally completed, the process 500 could proceed to step 2, the attaching the additive delivery device 150.

At step 2, the attaching the additive delivery device 150, the connector device 300 is connected to the pre-existing attachment points 127 of the vacuum pressure valve 50. In at least one embodiment, wherein the pre-existing attachment points 127 are test cocks 70 (or the like), such as an inlet test cock 126 and outlet test cock 124, and the connector device 300 comprises of connectors 302 such as the inlet hose 314 and the outlet hose 316. Accordingly, then inlet hose 314 is connected to the inlet test cock 126, and the outlet hose 316 is connected to the outlet test cock 124.

In at least one embodiment, wherein the test cock 70 has a second body aperture 118, which could generally be a female threaded receptacle 127 and where the connector 302 has a front end 306 that is generally configured to have threaded male projection 120, the threaded male projection 120 could be generally reversibly received (e.g., threaded into) into the threaded female receptacle 122 for a generally sealing fit so that the interior 320 of the connector 302 maybe seen as being generally continuous with the interior of the test cock 70 and hence, the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50 (e.g., when the test cock 70 is opened). Other types of connectors 302 and other means of attaching the connector 302 to the preexisting attachment points 127 and the process for generally implementing same may be generally utilized and still be generally considered part of the invention. Once step 2, attachment of the additive delivery device 150, is generally completed, the process 500 could proceed to step 3, securing the additive delivery device 150.

At step 3, securing the additive delivery device 150, may be considered an optional step, which could be undertaken if, for instance, the additive delivery device 150 is generally equipped with an attachment mechanism(s) or device(s) (not shown). The attachment mechanism (not shown) could generally allow the container 200 to be otherwise generally secured to some structural element of the irrigation system 10 (e.g., the vacuum pressure breaker 50, the pipe network 14, and the like). In this manner, any strain on the connector 302 for holding the container 200 relative to the vacuum pressure breaker 50, could generally be relieved, possibly increasing the lifespan of the connector device 300.

In at least one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is comprised of a strap (not shown) having two open ends with each open end having an appropriate section of hook and loop material. The strap could pass through a loop (not shown) on the exterior 204 of the container 200. The ends could pass around a section of piping, the vacuum pressure breaker 50, or both, to be reversibly joined together, securing the container 200 to the appropriate section of piping, vacuum pressure breaker 50, or both.

If step 3 is not generally undertaken (for instance, the absence or the non-employment of an attachment mechanism) or after step 3 is generally completed, the process 500 can proceed to step 4, introducing additive(s) 208 into the container 200.

At step 4, introducing additive(s) 208 into the container 200, this could involve filling the container with an appropriate amount of additive(s) 208 (e.g., in a liquid, gas, or solid phase), such an insecticide, fertilizer, herbicide, and the like or combinations thereof. It is also foreseen that the invention could be sold or otherwise distributed with an additive(s) 208 already placed within the interior 320 of the container 200. In such an instance, step 4 could be seen as taking place, not when the additive delivery device 150 is being attached to the irrigation system 10, but rather after its attachment and initial operation to replenish the depleted additive(s) 208 as the invention is being used.

In at least one embodiment, the container 200 could have a top end 214 with an additive aperture 334 reversibly sealed by an additive aperture cap 338. Here, step 4 could possibly require the general unsealing of the additive aperture cap 338 from the additive aperture 334, and generally pouring the additive(s) 208 through a generally open additive aperture 334 into the interior 206 of the container 200. After the appropriate amount (measured and otherwise) of additive(s) 208 has been introduced into the container 200, the additive aperture 334 can be generally resealed by the attachment of the additive aperture cap 38.

After step 4, filling of the container 200, is generally completed, the process 500 could continue onto step 5, introducing water into the container 200. In this step, if water has not been supplied to the vacuum pressure breaker 50, then the water supply is turned on to pressurize the vacuum pressure breaker 50. This could be accomplished by turning on the water supply cut off valve 16 and turning on an inlet cutoff valve 20. At this time, the test cocks 70 (or other suitable pre-existing attachment points 127) are put in the open position to substantially connect the interior 206 of the container 200 with the interior 74 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

Due to the venturi pressure differential provided by the passage restriction device 400, water, as inlet water substantially flows through the vacuum pressure breaker 50, will enter the inlet test cock 126 and the inlet hose 314 to force open the one-way valve 340 and enter the interior 206 of the container 200. If additive(s) 208 are present in the interior 206 of the container 200, then the water coming in should mix with the additive(s) 208 to substantially form a water-additive 208 mixture or solution. The pressure of the incoming water should then force the mixture or solution into and through the outlet hose 316. The outlet hose's 316 interior 320 have a relatively smaller interior diameter 320 (e.g., than that the interior 320 of inlet hose 314) could also have a metering effect of how much and how fast the mixture or solution is transmitted to the outlet side 54 of the vacuum pressure breaker 50. The operator could check the additive indicator 318 for proper mixing and delivery of the additive(s) 208 to the vacuum pressure breaker 50.

The invention will continue to automatically add additive(s) 208 to the water whenever the irrigation system 10 is delivering water to one or more areas being serviced by the irrigation system 10 unless the invention runs out of additive(s) 208, the container is otherwise slated form the water supply and the like. If so desired, the operator, by closing the pre-existing attachment points 127 (e.g., check valves), can isolate the invention from the irrigation system 10. If the operator further deems it necessary, the invention can be now be disconnected from the irrigation system 10.

CONCLUSION

As demonstrated above, the invention may use pre-existing connection points of a vacuum pressure breaker, those connections points generally not being designed to introduce additives to an irrigation system to allow the irrigation system to distribute additives. The pre-existing connection points allow for easy, fast, uncomplicated, reversibly attachment of an additive delivery device to an irrigation system using such a vacuum pressure breaker device.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. An additive delivery device for an irrigation system having a vacuum pressure breaker, comprising:

(A) a container, the container having an interior, the interior capable of holding a definite quantity of one or more additives; and

(B) a connector device, the connector device further comprises of a plurality of connectors, which are connected to the container and can be connect to a plurality of pre-existing attachment points of the vacuum pressure breaker without requiring the removal of preexisting components of the vacuum pressure breaker, the pre-existing attachment points having access to the hollow interior of the vacuum pressure breaker to allow the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker to be connected to the interior of the container.

2. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pre-existing attachment points were originally designed for other purposes besides that of introducing an additive into the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker.

3. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein one connector provides for liquid ingress from the vacuum pressure breaker to the container while the second connector provides for liquid egress from the container to the vacuum pressure breaker.

4. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein the connector further comprises a male threaded connector, which is reversibly and securely received by a threaded female receptacle of the pre-existing attachment point.

5. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein the pre-existing attachment point is a valve which can connect the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker to the exterior of the vacuum pressure breaker.

6. An additive delivery device of claim 5 wherein the valve has a threaded aperture to allow attachment of the connector to the valve.

7. An additive delivery device of claim 5 wherein the valve is a test cock.

8. An additive delivery device of claim 5 wherein the valve can isolate the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker from the interior of the container

9. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein the connector device further comprises an additive indicator.

10. An additive delivery device of claim 11 wherein the additive indicator is a translucent portion of the connector device.

11. An additive delivery device of claim 1 wherein the additive indicator allows the operator to observe colored additive being transferred to the vacuums pressure breaker.

12. A method of operating fertilizer device comprising, but not necessarily listed in the order presented:

(A) providing a irrigation system with a vacuum pressure breaker having a plurality of pre-existing attachment points;

(B) providing a container capable of holding an additive;

(C) connecting the container to pre-existing attachment points;

(D) transmitting water from the vacuum pressure breaker to the container;

(E) forming a mixture of water and additive; and

(F) transmitting mixture to the vacuum pressure breaker.

13. A method of operating additive delivery device of claim 12 further comprising monitoring the mixture of water and additive as the mixture is transmitted to the vacuum pressure breaker.

14. A method of operating additive delivery device of claim 12 further comprising preserving the pre-existing components of the irrigation system.

15. A method of operating additive delivery device of claim 12 further comprising preventing the transmission of water and additive mixture from the container to the inlet side of the vacuum pressure breaker.

16. A method of operating additive delivery device of claim 12 further comprising closing the pre-existing attachment points.

17. A method of operating additive delivery device of claim 12 further comprising opening the pre-existing attachment points.

18. An additive delivery device for use with an irrigation system comprising:

(A) a container means capable of holding and mixing an additive with water;

(B) a connection means for transporting an additive and water mixture between the container to an anti-siphon means, the anti-siphon means is for preventing backflow from occurring in a irrigation system;

(C) a pre-existing attachment means for attaching connection means to the anti-siphon means without requiring the removal of the pre-existing components of the anti-siphon means;

wherein the pre-existing attachment means were designed for purposes other than that of introducing additive to the anti-siphon means.

19. An additive delivery device of claim 18 further comprising an additive indicator means for determining if additive is being properly introduced into the interior of the vacuum pressure breaker.

20. An additive delivery device of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of the additive indicator means is translucent.