Method of dispensing chemicals

• US 6,035,472 A
• Filed: 07/13/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: U.N.X., Inc.
• Original Assignee: U.N.X., Inc.
• Inventors: Barbe, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/253,978
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12.18, 68/17 R, 68/207, 134/57 D, 134/99.2, 134/18, 222/55, 222/63, 222/651, 222/255, 222/132, 222/135, 222/144.5, 222/145.5, 137/557, 137/566, 137/897, 8/158
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8766 With selectively operated flow control means

Abstract

A fluid delivery system and method of transferring fluids from a set of containers each of which holds a different type fluid to a group of apparatus, such as washing machines, each of which requires that certain types of fluid be delivered to the apparatus in a certain sequence. The system operates under program control both with regard to sequence in which particular fluids are drawn from the containers and with regard to the apparatus to which the selected fluids are delivered. Fluid pressure in the fluid lines leading to the apparatus is sensed by pressure sensors located along these fluid lines in a manner enabling the operator of the system to immediately know which of several containers are empty.

Claims

1. A method of controlling delivery of water and a plurality of chemical products to washers comprising the steps of:

a) coupling a water supply from a reservoir to an input end of a distribution means;

b) coupling a plurality of chemical product containers to said distribution means through corresponding distribution pumps;

c) operating said distribution pumps to distribute specified chemical products from said containers into said distribution means;

d) coupling transfer pumping means to said distribution means;

e) operating said transfer pumping means to pump water from said reservoir into said distribution means wherein water is mixed with said chemical products and wherein each such chemical product is diluted;

f) selecting a specified machine washer and connecting an input line for said specified washer to an output end for said transfer pumping means;

g) operating said transfer pumping means to transfer fluids from said distribution means to said specified washer;

h) connecting a controller means to said output end for said transfer pumping means for controlling delivery of water and chemical products to said specified washer by providing a fluid pressure sensor at the output end of said transfer pumping means for monitoring and detecting a high or low pressure in said input line for said specified washer; and

i) transmitting an interrupt signal to said controller means whenever a corresponding chemical product or water is needed for said specified washer.