Method and apparatus for mass based dispensing

• US 20050072793A1
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Batcher, Thomas J., Mehus, Richard J., McCarrick, Henry J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,198 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 using a diluent to form a use solution. The dispenser (200) includes a housing (201) having a cavity. A product holder (210) is positioned to support the concentrate in the cavity of the housing (201). A load cell housing (207) is operatively supported by the housing. More than one load cell (240) is positioned in the load cell housing (207). The product holder (210) is supported on the more than one load cell (240), wherein weight of the concentrate is determined.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate 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 concentrate in the cavity of the housing;

e) a load cell housing operatively supported by the housing; and

f) more than one load cell positioned in the load cell housing, the product holder supported on the more than one load cell, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the more than one load cell are supported in a circular configuration.

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

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein there are at least three load cells.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, the load cell housing further comprising:

a) a base member having a receiving area in which one of the more than one load cell is positioned, wherein a first end of the one of the more than one load cell is moveable in response to a load from the product holder; and

b) a first stop member positioned under the first end to limit compression deflection of the first end.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, further comprising:

a) the one of the more than one load cell having a length; and

b) the receiving area is sized and configured to limit rotation of the one of the more than one load cell.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, further comprising a second stop member positioned above the first end to limit tension deflection of the first end.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, further comprising a printed circuit board secured to the base and the one of the more than one load cells positioned between the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is the second stop member

9. A load cell housing for use with a dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution, the load cell housing comprising:

a) a first load cell having a first end and a second end;

b) a base member;

c) a receiving area operatively connected to the base member in which the first load cell is positioned;

d) the first end of the first load cell secured to the base member;

e) a top member positioned on the base member, the top member for carrying the concentrate;

f) the second end of the first load cell secured to the top member;

g) a stop member positioned under the first end of the first load cell to limit compression deflection; and

h) a printed circuit board above the first end of the first load cell to limit tension deflection of the first end.

10. The cell hosing of claim 9, further comprising the printed circuit board secured to the base member.

11. The cell housing of claim 10, further comprising the receiving area is sized and configured to limit rotation of the first load cell.

12. The housing of claim 9, further comprising a second load cell and a second receiving area.

13. The housing of claim 12, further comprising a third load cell and a third receiving area.

14. The housing of claim 13, wherein the housing is generally circular, the printed circuit board is in the shape of a ring and the load cells are spaced generally 120 degrees from each other.