Method of using a thermo-chromatic detergent level indicator
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the level of a solid block of chemical which is positioned within an upper portion of an opaque container and which includes an eroding surface within said container, said container being made of a plastic material and having an internal surface and an external surface, said container including a thermo-chromatic substance, said thermo-chromatic substance being an additive to the plastic material from which said container is formed, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) spraying warm water within said container onto said eroding surface of said solid block of chemical and onto said internal surface, said thermo-chromatic substance being selected so as to exhibit a color change of said container at the level of said eroding surface responsive to said step of spraying with warm water; and
(b) observing said color change of said container to determine the level of said eroding surface and thereby determine when said container is substantially empty.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an indicator (15, 35) for determining the level of contents in an opaque, plastic container (10). The container (11) is filled with a solid chemical (11), such as a detergent. A spray of warm or hot water (19) impinges upon the eroding surface (16) of the solid chemical (11) to produce a chemical solution. The container (10) is provided with a thermo-chromatic strip (15, 35) for detecting the level of solid chemical (11) within the plastic capsule (10). A method of dispensing a solid chemical (11) and a dispensing container (10) are also disclosed.
41 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the level of a solid block of chemical which is positioned within an upper portion of an opaque container and which includes an eroding surface within said container, said container being made of a plastic material and having an internal surface and an external surface, said container including a thermo-chromatic substance, said thermo-chromatic substance being an additive to the plastic material from which said container is formed, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) spraying warm water within said container onto said eroding surface of said solid block of chemical and onto said internal surface, said thermo-chromatic substance being selected so as to exhibit a color change of said container at the level of said eroding surface responsive to said step of spraying with warm water; and (b) observing said color change of said container to determine the level of said eroding surface and thereby determine when said container is substantially empty. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification