Method and apparatus for dispensing solutions
First Claim
1. A laundry washing system chemical dispenser suitable for dispensing a plurality of chemical solutions to a plurality of utilization points comprising:
- (a) a fluid handling system comprising;
(i) a plurality of chemical solution sources;
(ii) a single fluidly common means for placing the chemical solution sources in fluid communication with each utilization point, the fluidly common means extending from proximate the chemical solution sources to proximate the utilization points; and
(iii) means for selectively flushing the fluidly common means; and
(b) a control system in operative contact with the fluid handling system suitable for activating the fluid handling system to selectively dispense the chemical solutions to the utilization points during dispensing periods and for selectively activating the flushing means to flush the fluidly common means between dispensing periods, whereby mixing of incompatible chemical solutions within the fluidly common means is prevented.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispenser suitable for dispensing multiple solutions to, preferably, multiple utilization points. A laundry washing system (18) according to the invention includes a dispenser (20) which dispenses a plurality of cleaning solution to a plurality of washing machines (72) through a single common conduit (25). Conduit (25) is flushed after dispensing one solution but before dispensing a second chemically incompatible solution. A preferred dispenser (20) is capable of servicing multiple laundry machines (72) using a first-in first-out approach wherein the machines request service from a control system (74) which temporarily disables any "late-comers" until the appropriate solution can be dispensed to the machine (72) making the first, or highest priority, request.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A laundry washing system chemical dispenser suitable for dispensing a plurality of chemical solutions to a plurality of utilization points comprising:
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(a) a fluid handling system comprising; (i) a plurality of chemical solution sources; (ii) a single fluidly common means for placing the chemical solution sources in fluid communication with each utilization point, the fluidly common means extending from proximate the chemical solution sources to proximate the utilization points; and (iii) means for selectively flushing the fluidly common means; and (b) a control system in operative contact with the fluid handling system suitable for activating the fluid handling system to selectively dispense the chemical solutions to the utilization points during dispensing periods and for selectively activating the flushing means to flush the fluidly common means between dispensing periods, whereby mixing of incompatible chemical solutions within the fluidly common means is prevented. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A chemical dispenser suitable for dispensing a detergent, a laundry softener, and a bleach to a plurality of laundry machines, comprising:
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(a) a source of solid detergent; (b) a source of solid softener; (c) a source of liquid bleach; (d) a valve system having an inlet and a plurality of selectable outlets, wherein each outlet of the valve system is connected to one of the laundry machines; (e) a source of water; (f) a sump having an inlet in fluid communication with the detergent, softener, bleach and water sources and an outlet in fluid communication with the valve system inlet; (g) a delivery pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the sump and an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve system; and (h) a control system in operative contact with the source of water, the delivery pump, and the valve system, wherein when the machines need detergent, softener or bleach they signal the control system, and wherein the control system responds to such signals in first-in, first-out fashion by; (i) controlling the valve system to place the inlet thereof in fluid communication with the appropriate outlet; (ii) if a solid product is requested, placing the water source in fluid communication with the solid product source for a predetermined dispensing period to produce an aqueous solution, and directing the aqueous solution to the inlet of the sump;
or if bleach is requested, pumping the bleach to the inlet of the sump and placing the water source in fluid communication with the sump inlet to dilute the bleach for a predetermined dispensing period;(iii) activating the delivery pump to deliver the product to the requesting machine; and (iv) subsequently flushing the sump, delivery pump, and the valve system with water, whereby the detergent, softener and bleach can be alternately delivered to the laundry machines in spite of their chemical incompatibility.
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11. A laundry washing system comprising:
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(a) a laundry machine of the type which utilizes a plurality of chemical solutions; (b) a fluid handling system comprising; (i) a plurality of chemical solution sources at least two of which sources are incompatible with one another; (ii) a single fluidly common means for placing the chemical solution sources in fluid communication with the laundry machine, the single fluidly common means being located mainly external to the laundry machine; and (iii) means for flushing the fluidly common means; and (c) a control system, in operative contact with the fluid handling system and cooperatively connected to the laundry machine, suitable for activating the fluid handling system upon receiving a request from the laundry machine for a chemical solution to alternately dispense the chemical solutions to the laundry machine during dispensing periods and for activating the flushing means to flush the fluidly common means between dispensing periods whereby incompatible chemical solutions may be successively dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A laundry washing system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of laundry machines; (b) a source of solid detergent; (c) a source of solid softener; (d) a source of liquid bleach; (e) a valve system having an inlet and a plurality of selectable outlets, wherein each outlet of the valve system is connected to one of the laundry machines; (f) a source of water; (g) a sump having an inlet in fluid communication with the detergent, softener, bleach and water sources and an outlet in fluid communication with the valve system inlet; (h) a delivery pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the sump and an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve system; and (i) a control system in operative contact with the source of water, the delivery pump, and the valve system, wherein when the machines need detergent, softener or bleach they signal the control system, and wherein the control system responds to such signals in first-in, first-out fashion by; (i) controlling the valve system to place the inlet thereof in fluid communication with the appropriate outlet; (ii) if a solid product is requested, placing the water source in fluid communication with the solid product source for a predetermined dispensing period to produce an aqueous solution, and directing the aqueous solution to the inlet of the sump;
or if bleach is requested, pumping the bleach to the inlet of the sump and placing the water source in fluid communication with the sump inlet to dilute the bleach for a predetermined dispensing period;(iii) activating the delivery pump to deliver the product to the requesting machine; and (iv) subsequently flushing the sump, delivery pump, and the valve system with water, whereby the detergent, softener and bleach can be alternately delivered to the laundry machines in spite of their chemical incompatibility.
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21. A laundry washing system chemical dispenser suitable for dispensing a plurality of chemical solutions to a plurality of laundry machines comprising:
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(a) a fluid handling system comprising; (i) a plurality of chemical solution sources; (ii) a single first fluidly common means for collecting the chemical solutions from the chemical solutions sources; (iii) a plurality of second fluidly common means for placing the chemical solutions in fluid communication with the laundry machines, whereby there is a second fluidly common means corresponding to each laundry machine; and (iv) switchable means, in fluid communication with the first and second fluidly common means, for directing the chemical solutions to a selected second fluidly common means corresponding to a selected laundry machine; (v) means for selectively flushing the first fluidly common means, switchable means and second fluidly common means. (b) control system means, in operative contact with the fluid handling system, for activating the fluid handling system to selectively dispense the chemical solutions to the utilization point during dispensing periods and for selectively activating the flushing means to flush the switchable means and first and second fluidly common means between dispensing periods so as to prevent mixing of incompatible chemical solutions within the switchable means and first and second fluidly common means.
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Specification