Method and apparatus for mass based dispensing

• US 20040245284A1
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mehus, Richard J., Johnson, Royce D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,410,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/77
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/22 using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2117 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2211 Amount of delivered fluid during a period
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/881 by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/688 Devices in which the water progressively dissolves a solid compound
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/024 by gravity

Abstract

A dispenser (200) dispenses an amount of concentrate in a container (204) using a diluent to form a use solution. A dispenser includes a housing (201). A product holder (210) is positioned to support the container (204) with the concentrate in the cavity of the housing. The product holder (210) carried by a scale (240), wherein weight of the concentrate is concerned. A moveable container holder (215) is moveable between a first position and a second position. The container holder is positioned between the housing (201) and the container (204). A cover (216) is operatively connected to the container holder (215) at a connection. A cam surface is adjacent the housing (201). The cover (216) has a cam (216d) for contacting the cam surface (201a), wherein when the cover (216) is moved from a closed position to an open position, the connection moves upward, thereby carrying the container holder (215) and the container (204) which are moved upward lifting the container (204) off of the product holder (210).

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate in a container using a diluent to form a use solution, comprising:

a) a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to receive a concentrate;

b) the housing having an inlet, whereby diluent enters the cavity and erodes the concentrate to create a use solution;

c) the housing having an outlet, whereby the use solution exits the cavity;

d) a product holder positioned to support the container with the concentrate in the cavity of the housing, the product holder carried by a scale, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined;

e) the housing having a container entrance;

f) a moveable container holder, the holder moveable between a first position and a second position, the container holder positioned between the housing and the container;

g) a cover for the container entrance, the container holder operatively connected to the cover at a connection;

h) a cam surface adjacent the housing; and

i) the cover having a cam for contacting the cam surface, wherein when the cover is moved from a closed position to an open position, the connection moves upward, thereby carrying the container holder and container which are moved upward lifting the container off of the product holder.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the scale is a load cell.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a controller operatively connected to the load cell, wherein weight of the concentrate during a dispensing cycle is determined.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, further comprising:

a) a mounting member operatively connected to the housing, the housing having a mounting bore;

b) an elastomeric member positioned in the mounting bore; and

c) a mounting screw positioned in the mounting bore for securing the mounting member to a mounting surface.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, further comprising a hard plastic insert having an insert bore, the insert positioned in the mounting bore.

6. A method of loading a container of concentrate into a dispenser, the dispenser having a housing having a cavity for receiving the container, a product holder carried by a scale, a moveable container holder and a cover operatively connected to the moveable container holder, the method comprising:

a) raising the cover, wherein movement of the cover raises the container holder off of the product holder;

b) inserting the container onto the moveable container holder; and

c) lowering the cover, wherein the container holder is lowered onto the product holder, wherein excessive shock to the scale is prevented during loading.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the cover raises and lowers by a pivoting motion on a cam and cam surface.