MODULAR DUAL-PURPOSE CHEMICAL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LAUNDRY OR WAREWASH

• US 20100018991A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knight LLC
• Original Assignee: Knight LLC
• Inventors: Whiting, Michael T., Walker, Stephen A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/133 with discontinuous action
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/138 by sensing the concentration of the mixture, e.g. measuring pH value
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A modular chemical delivery system is designed to be readily convertible from use with a warewashing system to use with a laundry system, or vice-versa, merely by the replacement of one chip in the controller of the system. The dispensing system is also readily expandable by adding additional satellite pumps in order to inject additional chemicals into a single washing unit, and/or to supply chemicals to additional washing units. Plug and play technology is used so that control intelligence can be distributed from the main system controller to satellite controllers, and so that additional satellite units may be readily added, identified, and properly integrated into the dispensing system.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method of converting a chemical dispensing system from usage with a first type of wash system to usage in a second type of wash system, wherein the dispensing system comprises a main controller and at least one pump connected to the main controller, the method comprising:

removing a first integrated circuit chip from said main controller; and

inserting a second integrated circuit chip into said main controller.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the first type of wash system is a warewashing system and the second type of wash system is a laundry washing system.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the first type of wash system is a laundry washing system and the second type of wash system is a warewashing system.

19. A method of modifying a modular chemical dispensing system for use in a wash system, the dispensing system comprising a main controller and a smart interface for connecting peripheral units to the main controller, the method comprising:

connecting a peripheral unit to the smart interface;

initiating an interrogation sequence between the main controller and the newly connected peripheral unit for the purpose of identifying the newly connected peripheral unit; and

applying software programmed into the main controller suitable for the newly identified peripheral unit in order to begin controlling the newly identified peripheral unit.