Low product alarm for solid products
First Claim
1. A dispenser of the type which forms and dispenses a solution, the solution formed by dissolving a solid wash chemical in a diluent, comprising:
- a) a container for holding a predetermined amount of a solid wash chemical;
b) diluent application means for impinging a diluent onto the solid wash chemical within said container, wherein a solution is formed for subsequent use by a utilization vehicle;
c) solution collection means for collecting said solution; and
d) light detector means operatively located proximate said container, said detector means including;
i) an emitter for emitting a beam of light through said container;
whereby the beam of light is blocked by the solid wash chemical when at least a predetermined approximate amount of the solid wash chemical is present in said container; and
ii) a receiver for receiving the beam of light from said emitter and automatically determining when the solid wash chemical needs replenishment based on whether the beam of light reaches said receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low product level detector is disclosed which utilizes a sensor comprised of an infrared emitter and receiver to project a beam of light across a cavity/enclosure which contains a solid product. When the product reaches a level at which more solid product should be added, an alarm indicia means is triggered. The alarm indicia means is comprised of an audible horn and a visually perceptible light. The low product alarm is utilized in a dispenser for dispensing a wash chemical solution which has been created by dissolving a solid wash chemical in a diluent. By maintaining a predetermined amount of solid wash chemical in the dispenser, the wash chemical solution maintains a more constant concentration.
76 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A dispenser of the type which forms and dispenses a solution, the solution formed by dissolving a solid wash chemical in a diluent, comprising:
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a) a container for holding a predetermined amount of a solid wash chemical; b) diluent application means for impinging a diluent onto the solid wash chemical within said container, wherein a solution is formed for subsequent use by a utilization vehicle; c) solution collection means for collecting said solution; and d) light detector means operatively located proximate said container, said detector means including; i) an emitter for emitting a beam of light through said container;
whereby the beam of light is blocked by the solid wash chemical when at least a predetermined approximate amount of the solid wash chemical is present in said container; andii) a receiver for receiving the beam of light from said emitter and automatically determining when the solid wash chemical needs replenishment based on whether the beam of light reaches said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A low product alarm for use in a dispenser, the dispenser being of the type which forms and dispenses a solution formed by dissolving a solid wash chemical located in a container with a diluent over a number of dispensing cycles, the low product alarm comprising:
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i) an emitter for emitting a beam through the container at a predetermined point, whereby the beam is blocked by the solid wash chemical when at least a predetermined approximate amount of the solid wash chemical is present in the container, and whereby when the solid wash chemical is dissolved it exits from the container over a number of dispensing cycles so that the solid wash chemical is reduced during use to a point below said predetermined point; b) a receiver for receiving the beam from said emitter when the solid wash chemical does not block the beam; and c) determining means for automatically determining when the solid wash chemical needs replenishment based on whether the beam reaches said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A combination low product alarm and dispenser, the dispenser being of the type which dispenses a solution formed by dissolving a solid wash chemical with a diluent, comprising:
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a) a frame; b) a container attached to said frame for holding a predetermined amount of a solid wash chemical; c) diluent application means for impinging a diluent onto the solid wash chemical within said container, wherein a solution is formed for subsequent use by a utilization vehicle; d) solution collection means for collecting said solution; e) a detector flange, cooperatively connected to said frame and located proximate said container; and f) detector means, operatively mounted to said detector flange, said detector means including; i) an emitter for emitting a beam through said container at a predetermined point, whereby when the solid wash chemical is dissolved it exits from said container over a number of dispensing cycles so that the solid wash chemical is reduced to a point at or below said predetermined point; ii) a receiver for receiving said beam from said emitter when the solid wash chemical does not block said beam; and iii) determining means for determining when the solid wash chemical needs replenishment based on whether said beam reaches said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A dispenser of the type which forms and dispenses a solution, the solution formed by dissolving a solid wash chemical in a diluent, comprising:
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a) a container for holding a predetermined amount of a solid wash chemical; b) diluent application means for impinging a diluent onto the solid wash chemical within said container, wherein a solution is formed for subsequent use by a utilization vehicle; c) solution collection means for collecting said solution; d) detector means operatively located proximate said container, said detector means including; i) an emitter for emitting a beam through said container; and ii) a receiver for receiving the beam from said emitter and determining when the solid wash chemical needs replenishment based on whether the beam reaches said receiver, wherein said receiver is operative only when the utilization vehicle is operative; and e) wherein said utilization vehicle is a ware washer having a rinsing mode, wherein the solid wash chemical is a rinse additive, and wherein the beam is generated by said emitter only when the ware washer is in said rinsing mode.
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Specification