US2032524A - Liquid soap converter - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1936. A. BOBRICK v LIQUID SOAP CONVERTER Filed NOV. 1'7, 1954 oz? gVENT OR.

Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention contemplates the provision of an improved method and means of producing liquid soap from a concentrated soap base, whereby a Volume of the liquid soap of uniform character and grade may be made at a single operation within the capacity of the apparatus.

To this end I have provided an apparatus which is practically. automatic in character and embodies a water softening receptacle connected with a soap conversion receptacle in which a quantity of soap base in concentrated form may be held in suspension upon a suitable pervious carrier, or screen whereby a substantial quantity of the soap may be maintained in the receptacle below said screen at all times, and means for feeding the treated water from the softening receptacle, under control, to the bottom of the conversion receptacle.

My invention contemplates the provision of means for elevating the soap carrying screen as the level of the liquid rises in the conversion receptacle so as to constantly present the concentrate to the lighter water, and means for withdrawing quantities of the liquid soap for use while still retaining a substantial volume of the soap in the receptacle.

It is another object to provide suitable means for mixing a suitable water softening element, or elements, with the water as it is delivered to the water receptacle, whereby said elements may be thoroughly mixed with the water for precipitating the insoluble salts such as calcium and magnesium, and thereafter, when the water is thoroughly softened, drawing off the water in measured volume and delivering the same to the soap mixing receptacle.

A further object is to provide a gauge on the water receptacle which will not only indicate the level of the water therein but additionally, the quantity of concentrate, or base, necessary to produce given grades of liquid soap and the volume of water necessary to be softened for such quantities. Other and more detailed objects of invention will appear as the description progresses.

In general, it may be understood that in the liquefication of soap it is primarily necessary to use either distilled or specially treated water in order to eliminate the calcium and magnesium salts resident in the water and which, when they come into contact with soap form insoluble soaps and curds and necessarily use up some of the soap base.

When even distilled water is mixed with soap if the anhydrous content of the solution falls below a given point the soap will be cloudy, and even though the anhydrous content of the solution is subsequently raised, it is impossible to eliminate the cloud without a substantial amount of processing and filtering. After prolonged fil- 5 tering the cloud may reappear.

I have discovered that by introducing the treated water into the bottom of the conversion receptacle and through a substantial quantity of soap in the bottom of the receptacle, the gradual passage of the water upwardly through the soap will gradually raise the level of the solution as the soap base is dissolved and the anhydrous content of the solution never falls to a point at which the solution will cloud.

The soap base being carried on a movable pervious element such as a screen constantly maintains the soap in the lighter solution above the dissolved soap which naturally settles to the bottom of the soap receptacle, thereby facilitating go the liquefication process.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown a preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the above and other objects of invention, subject to modification and elaboration within the scope 25 of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an assembled liquid soap converter embodying my invention, and partly broken away to show the interior;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is a sectional plan on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of a connection between the soitening receptacle and the water receptacle.

In its preferred and simplest form the apparatus is arranged as a composite unit with a water receptacle W at the top and a soap conversion receptacle S at the bottom. Said receptacles are separated by a horizontal partition I forming the bottom of the water receptacle. Distilled water may be supplied to the receptacle W, or said receptacle may receive a supply of water from a service system through a pipe 2 adapted to be connected with said system and having a control valve 3 from which a pipe 4 extends upwardly through partition I and connects with a T fitting 5 within the water receptacle W at a point near the bottom of said receptacle.

An outlet pipe 6 extends horizontally from the fitting 5 for directing the current of water from pipe 2 into receptacle W, and a pipe 1 extends upwardly in the receptacle from fitting 5 to and connects with a passage 8 in a bracket 9 attached to the exterior of receptacle W, as shown in Fig. 1.

Bracket 9 has a depending internally threaded neck I0 adapted to detachably support a transparent bottle I I and said bottle is adapted to contain a suitable water softening or treating element, or elements, for admission to the receptacle W. Passage 8 in bracket 9 connects with a depending tube I2, the lower end of which is disposed at a point slightly above the bottom of bottle II. Bracket 9 also has a vent passage I3 which is connected with a short tube I4 extended into the receptacle W for establishing communication between the interior of the bottle I I and the water receptacle at a point substantially above the bottom of the receptacle. 7

Thus, as water enters receptacle W through pipes 4 and 6 and fitting 5 a partial vacuum is created in tube Twhich induces a flow of the contents of the bottle II through tube "I, fitting 5 and pipe 6 into receptacle W for mixture with the water which enters the receptacle. When the level of the water in receptacle W reaches a point above the level of the vent tube I4 the contents of the bottle II will have been completely exhausted from the bottle into the receptacle and water will be caused to freely circulate through the bottle, thereby flushing the bottle. In such case the bottle will be filled with the treated water from the receptacle W and the character and extent of the treatment may be observed through the transparent walls of the bottle for indicating the results of the treament. Usually a water treating operation requires about 24 hours. The precipitated salts resulting from the softening treatment may be observed in the bottom of the bottle. 7 V

A predetermined soap mixture'having been desired,'the water is allowed to raise in the receptacle W until the level thereof reaches a point on a gauge G fixed to the exterior of the receptacle W above the bottle II which corresponds to the desired mixture'as indicated on said gauge. Said gauge may be of any suitable type, but, as shown, comprises a simple glass tube having a connection I6 at its bottom with the interior of receptacle W and a vent at its upper extremity so that water may rise in the tube to the level of the water in the receptacle W. Beneaththe gauge tube is a block or plate I6 having suitable indicia thereon. For instance, on one side of the tube graduations may be provided with legends indicating different percentages of soap to water, and on the other side of the tube may be provided graduations and legends indicating different quantities of the soap base required to produce liquid soap corresponding to the percentages shown on said first mentioned side of the tube G.

Obviously, when the required volume of water has been admitted to receptacle W the valve 3 is closed and the contents of said receptacle are allowed to stand for such a period of time as may be required tocompletely precipitate the hard salts resident in the water and which are collected in the bottom of the receptacle and also in the bottom of the bottle II. Thus, the bottle serves as an indicator for determining the results of the water softening operation.

The soap base is deposited in the conversion receptacle S through a hopper H which is hingedly supported at the top and on the front of the soap receptacle. and the soap falls downwardly into the receptacle and upon a screen B which normally rests upon an internal peripheral support I! and in a plane substantially above the bottom I8 of the receptacle S.

Screen B has a plurality of floats I9, I9, etc. attached to its upper side and preferably near the corners of the receptacle so that as water, in the manner hereinafter described, enters the receptacle S, the screen will be gradually elevated in the receptacle with the deposit of soap base thereon.

' The softened water is delivered, under control, from the receptacle W to receptacle S through a pipe 20 having an inlet 2| elevated above the bottom I of receptacle W, thence through a needle type valve 22 and a pipe 23-which terminates in a coil 24 resting upon the bottom of receptacle S and provided with a series of perforations 25, 25,

etc. in its uppermost side, for directing the water upwardly into the receptacle and through the soap base held on the screen B.

Valve 22 has an operating member 22 externally of and in front of the receptacle S which may be provided with an indicator for indicating the extent to which the valve is opened and the volume and flow of water from receptacle W to receptacle S. A faucet 26 is provided on the front of' receptacle S at a level, approximately, of the screen B, for drawing off the contents of the receptacle S at will, but so positioned as to always assure a substantial quantity of liquid soap in the bottom of said receptacle below the lowermost level of the screen B and the faucet.

A drain pipe 21 leads from the bottom of receptacle W to a valve 28 and thence downwardly through receptacle S, thence rearwardly thereof, or otherwise, to a point below said receptacle, for draining-off the contents of receptacle W.

It will be understood that if the concentrated soap base is deposited in the receptacle S and water is poured into the receptacle the soap base will not dissolve unless it is thoroughly agitated for the reason that liquid soap is heavier than water, and as the base dissolves the heavier liquid soap naturally sinks to the bottom of the receptacle, and a point will be reached where at the bottom of the receptacle a saturated solution will accumulate and no more of the soap will dissolve.

In the converter herein shown and described, as the water rises in the receptacle S the floats I 9 raise the screen B with the soap base thereon, thus supporting the base always in the lighter fiuid and, by actual observation, as by means of a miniature converter made of glass, it has been determined that a very perceptible circulation is set up.

The light water issuing from the apertures 25 in the coil 24 rises in the center and the heavier liquid soap dissolving from the base descends in the outer portions of receptacle S. The soap base dissolves rapidly without agitation so that there is very little, if any, difference in the anhydrous content of the solution taken from the bottom, top or intermediate portions of the receptacle.

I may attach to the receptacle W a commercial water softener of any suitable type arranged so that the treated water may be delivered to the receptacle and, in the manner hereinbefore stated, delivered under control of the valve 3 to receptacle S.

My apparatus and method overcomes many difliculties heretofore encountered in the production of a liquid soap from a concentrate, some of which are noted as follows:

When'the concentrate is placed in the bottom of the receptacle S and water is poured thereinto a heavy paste is formed which adheres to the bottom and sides of the receptacle, thereby preventing the water from getting under the mass and in complete contact with the soap base. The suspension of the soap base above the bottom of the receptacle overcomes the said difficulty. As the water dissolves the soap, the heavy liquid soap settles to the bottom and there is finally a saturated solution which will not dissolve any more soap without agitation.

Liquid soap made under any conditions with ordinary water from service systems produces a very cloudy liquid soap which must be left to stand for protracted periods of time in order that it may be clarified for use, hence it has been customary to use distilled Water, only, distilled water not being always obtainable and requiring unnecessary handling and inconvenience, is troublesome, expensive and requires unnecessary manual effort in the production of liquid soap, as compared with the automatic method and means herein described.

My apparatus is provided with a cleanout valve 29 on the bottom of the conversion receptacle S by means of which the receptacle may be thoroughly flushed and cleaned at intervals.

For the precipitate in the water treating solution, I incorporate certain materials which, when they come in contact with soap purposely form a cloud, or precipitate. It is different, though, from the cloud formed when soap is dissolved in water in a dilute solution. This precipitate is quite heavy, and inside of 24 hours settles into the bottom of the lower tank. In settling, it attaches and adheres to any other very fine precipitate that may be in the soap solution and takes it down with it. This method of clarifying solutions by using colloidal clays, etc., is an old one. I do not use any colloidal clay, but actually form the precipitate in the soap.

When soap base is dissolved in plain softened water, by the ordinary methods, and with agitators, it is cloudy even though the solution is concentrated. The cloud, I believe, is formed when the solution is in a dilute form. At any rate, after a sufficient lapse of time, usually about six weeks, it will clear. When left standing in a bottle, the solution has a very cloudy appearance for occasionally as long as two weeks without any perceptible change, then suddenly the small particles that are in suspension seem to come together, forming larger flakes. When these flakes get large enough, they begin to settle, and eventually a very clear solution results.

I, therefore incorporate the treating solution material that tends to hasten this action, then leave this precipitate in the bottom of the dissolving chamber so that when the water is introduced into the chamber the circulation tends to raise these flakes off of the bottom and disperse them through the solution. They being heavy, attach themselves to any very fine particles in the soap solution and drag them down, clearing the solution in short time.

Ifind that the longer the converter is used and the more precipitate that forms on the bottom, the clearer the liquid will be and the quicker the solution will clear.

After the converter has been used three or four times the solution will clarify crystal clear in 48 hours.

What I claim, is:

1. A liquid soap converter comprising a water receptacle and a soap conversion receptacle, a

buoyant carrier in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base in concentrated form, float means associated with and for raising and lowering said carrier as the level of the water is raised and lowered, and means for feeding water from said Water receptacle to a point below said carrier in said conversion receptacle, for gradually dissolving the soap base.

3. A liquid soap converter comprising a conversion receptacle, means for feeding Water thereto under control, a buoyant carrier mounted in said receptacle for supporting a quantity of concentrated soap base, float means in said receptacle for gradually elevating the carrier and soap base in said receptacle as the level of the water is raised therein, and means for drawing off the converted soap at a point above the lowermost level of said carrier.

4. A liquid soap converter comprising a conversion receptacle, means for feeding water thereto under control, a vertically movable carrier in said receptacle for supporting a quantity of concentrated soap base for dissolution in the water, means for elevating said carrier as the water level in the receptacle is raised, means for limiting the a downward movement of said carrier so as to provide a space therebelow for containing a substantial volume of liquid soap, and means approximately at the lowermost level of said carrier for withdrawing the liquid soap from the receptacle for use.

5. A liquid soap converter comprising a conversion receptacle, means for feeding water thereto, a floating carrier said receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base above the bottom of the receptacle, means for limiting the downward movement of said carrier to a plane substantially above the bottom of the receptacle, and means for Withdrawing the liquid soap from the receptacle at a point approximately at the lowermost level of said carrier.

6. A liquid soap converter comprising a water receptacle, a soap conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base to be dissolved, means for supplying Water to said water receptacle, means for feeding water from said water receptacle to said conversion receptacle, and a water treating apparatus connected with said water receptacle and including a receptacle for holding a quantity of softening material and connected with said water supply means whereby said materials Will be introduced into said water receptacle with the water from said supply means.

'7. A liquid soap converter comprising a water receptacle, a soap conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base to be dissolved, means for supplying water to said water receptacle, means for feeding water from said water receptacle to said conversion receptacle, and a water treating apparatus connected with said water receptacle and including a receptacle for holding a quantity of softening material and connected with said water supply means whereby said materials Will be introduced into said water receptacle with the Water from said supply means,

said apparatus having an additional connection with said water receptacle whereby when the level of water in said water receptacle reaches a point above said additional connection the water will be caused to circulate through said softening receptacle, for flushing the same.

8. A liquid soap converter comprising a water receptacle, a soap conversion receptacle, means for supplying water from a source of supply to said water receptacle, means for feeding water from said water receptacle to said conversion receptacle, and a water treating apparatus separately connected with said water supply means and with said water receptacle at different elevations, whereby a water softening material may be introduced into said water receptacle with the water from said supply means and water from the water receptacle. circulated through said apparatus when the water attains a predetermined levelin the water receptacle.

9. A liquid soap converter comprising a soap conversion receptacle and a water receptacle, means for supplying water under pressure to said water receptacle, means for supplying water from said water receptacle to said conversion receptacle, a transparent receptacle connected with said water receptacle for supporting a quantity of water softening material, said transparent receptacle being connected with said water supply means whereby the softening material may be introduced into said water receptacle with the water from said supply means, and means above the level of said water supply connection for afiording communication with said water receptacle, whereby when the level of water in the water receptacle attains a predetermined point, water will be caused to circulate through said transparent receptacle, for indicating the condition of the water in the water receptacle.

10. A liquid soap converter comprising a soap conversion receptacle, a water receptacle sup-- ported thereon, float supported means in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base above the bottom of said receptacle, means for feeding water from the water receptacle to a point in the conversion receptacle below the soap base and including an inlet substantially at the bottom of said water receptacle, an outlet at the bottom of said conversion receptacle, and a valve for controlling the flow of water to the conversion receptacle.

11. A liquid soap converter comprising a soap conversion receptacle, a water receptacle supported thereon, float supported means in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity 7 of soap base above the bottom of said receptacle,

means for feeding water from the water receptacle to a point in the conversion receptacle below the soap base and including a valve for controlling the flow of water to the conversion receptacle, said water feeding means including a coil adjacent the bottom of the conversion receptacle provided with a plurality of outlets on the upper side thereof for directing the water upwardly.

12. A liquid soap converter comprising a soap conversion receptacle, a water receptacle supported thereon, float supported means in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base above the bottom of said receptacle including a pervious carrier, means for feeding water from the water receptacle to a point in the conversion receptacle below the soap base and including an outlet in said conversion receptacle below said float means and a Valve for controlling the flow of water to the conversion receptacle,

and a drain leading from the bottom of said water receptacle and provided with a valve for opening and closing said drain.

13. A liquid soap converter comprising a soap conversion receptacle, a water receptacle, a floating pervious carrier in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base above the bottom of said receptacle, means for feeding water from the water receptacle to a point in the conversion receptacle below the soap base and including an inlet substantially at the bottom'of said water receptacle, an outlet at the bottom of said conversion receptacle, and a valve for controlling the flow of water to the conversionreceptacle, and a faucet disposed approximately at the lowermost level of the soap base, for withdrawing the liquid soap from the conversion receptacle.

14. A liquid soap converter comprising a water softening receptacle and a soap conversion receptacle, a movable carrier in said conversion receptacle for supporting a quantity of soap base in concentrated form, and means for feeding water from said water receptacle to said conversion receptacle and having an outlet at a point below said carrier, and a hopper near the top of said conversion receptacle through which the soap basev may be deposited in said conversion receptacle.

15. A liquid soap'converter comprising separate water and conversion receptacles, a pervious carrier vertically movable in said conversion receptacle for holding a quantity of soap base, means for feeding water from said water receptacle into said conversion receptacle to points below said carrier, means for limiting the downward movement of said carrier to a plane substantially above the bottom of the receptacle, and floats attached to said carrier for gradually elevating the carrier as the water level in the receptacle is raised.

16. A liquid soap converter comprising separate Water and conversion receptacles, a pervious'carrier vertically movable in said conversion receptacle for holding a quantity of soap base, means forfeeding water from said water receptacle into said conversion receptacle to points below said carrier, means-for limiting the downward movement of said carrier to a plane substantially above the bottom of-the receptacle, and floats attached to said carrier for gradually elevating the carrier as the water level in the receptacle is raised, and a hopper at the top of said receptacle through which a quantity of soap base may be deposited on said carrier.

17. A liquid soap converter comprising separate water and conversion receptacles,,a pervious carrier vertically movable in said conversion receptacle for holding a quantity of soap base, means for feeding water from said water receptacle into said conversion receptacle to points below said carrier, means for limiting the downward movement of said carrier to a plane substantially above the bottom of the receptacle, and floats attached to said carrier for gradually elevating the carrier as the water level in the receptacle is raised and a faucet on said receptacle and disposed approximately at the lowermost level of said carrier, for Withdrawing the liquid soap from said receptacle.

18. The process of producing liquid soap from a concentrated soap base which consists in gradually feeding a solvent into the bottom of a conversion receptacle, and suspending a concentrate on a floating pervious carrier in said receptacle,

for gradually subjecting the concentrate to dissolution by the solvent as the level of the solvent rises in the receptacle.

19. The process of producing liquid soap from a concentrated soap base which consists in gradually feeding a solvent into the bottom of a conversion receptacle, and suspending a concentrate on a floating pervious carrier in said receptacle, for gradually subjecting the concentrate to dissolution by the solvent as the level of the solvent rises in the receptacle, and drawing off the solution at a point corresponding to the lowermost level of said carrier.

20. The process of producing liquid soap from a concentrated soap base which consists in feeding water to a receptacle, introducing a softening element into the Water as it is so fed, allowing the treated water to stand for a sustained period of time for precipitating the insoluble salts contained in the water, feeding the treated water gradually in regulated volume to a conversion receptacle, supporting a quantity of soap base on a floating carrier in said conversion receptacle, for subjecting the soap base ,to gradual dissolution as the water level is raised in the conversion receptacle, and withdrawing the liquid soap at a point substantially above the bottom of said conversion receptacle, whereby the heavier settlings will be retained in the conversion receptacle.

21. The process of producing liquid soap from a concentrated soap base which consists in treating water with elements which, when they come into contact with soap, form a solution with a cloudy precipitate, settling the insoluble salts resident therein, feeding the treated water to the bottom of a conversion receptacle and beneath a suspended quantity of so'ap base whereby the water is forced upwardly in contact with the soap base, allowing the solution thus treated to stand for a period of time during which the cloudy precipitate of the Water merges with suspended detached particles of soap in the solution and causes such particles to settle to the bottom of the receptacle, thereby providing a clarified solution for use.

ARTHUR L. BOBRICK.

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