Portable unit and wall unit dispensers and method of dispensing with timer

• US 6,279,836 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Dawson, Mary M., Toetschinger, Mark J., Pedersen, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US09/576,722
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 239/304, 239/305, 239/312, 239/318, 239/335, 239/443, 239/722, 239/67, 239/70, 239/71, 239/72, 239/74
• US Class Current: 239/70
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2443 the carried liquid and the main stream of carrying liquid being brought together downstream of the container before discharge B05B7/2454 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2472 comprising several containers
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/344 by checking a correct coupling or coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/74 Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred coin-freed apparatus G07F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/66 Non-ionic compounds C11D1/002, C11D1/004, C11D1/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/041 Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/046 Insoluble free body dispenser

Abstract

The invention includes a first dispenser for providing a first dilute concentrate of a use solution in a bottle. This bottle is then used in a portable delivery/dilution device which provides for a second level of concentration of the use solution. The bottles in which the solution is placed has both a vertical and horizontal lockout. The horizontal lockout is useful in making certain the right bottles are utilized with each dispenser and the vertical lockouts are useful in guiding the bottle upwards as the first concentration of liquid is placed in the bottle. The portable delivery/dilution system is easily portable, easily filled with water which can be easily poured from a system after use. The battery is rechargeable and can be used in most any application where spraying is desired. First and second timers activate first and second indicators to notify the user sufficient use solution has been dispensed.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a cleaning solution from a delivery apparatus having first and second timers and first and second indicators, the method comprising:

a) dispensing a cleaning solution;

b) energizing the first and second timers upon the dispensing of the cleaning solution;

c) continuing to dispense the cleaning solution at least until the first indicator operated by the first timer, is activated, thereby indicating sufficient cleaning solution has been dispensed,

wherein the second indicator will be operated, after the first indicator is operated, thereby giving another indication that sufficient cleaning solution has been dispensed.

2. A system for dispensing a final concentration of product dispensed by multiple delivery units, comprising:

a) a first dispenser, comprising;

i) an aspirator having a liquid diluent inlet, an inlet for liquid concentrate and an outlet for a first dilute solution, the aspirator being readily modified for varying the concentration of the first dilute solution;

ii) a valve operably connected to the aspirator for controlling flow of liquid diluent from a source of liquid diluent to the aspirator inlet; and

iii) a first bottle to receive the first dilute solution from the aspirator outlet;

b) a portable self-contained delivery/dilution unit, the unit comprising;

i) the first bottle of the first dilute solution;

ii) a fillable and emptiable reservoir containing liquid diluent;

iii) an aspirator, having a setting for delivering out its outlet a second dilute solution;

iv) pump to control flow into and out of the aspirator;

v) a spray member in fluid communication with the outlet of the aspirator, wherein the second dilute solution is dispensed by a user; and

c) the unit is useable by a respective user and wherein a concentration of the second dilute solution in each portable unit is controllable by a concentration of the first dilute solution which is readily modified, thereby allowing different concentrates to be used by the portable units without modifying the multiple portable units.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a) a first timer energized by activation of the portable unit; and

b) a first indicator operatively connected to the first timer, wherein when the first timer has expired, the first indicator will notify the user sufficient second dilute solution has been dispensed.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a) a second timer energized by activation of the portable unit; and

b) a second indicator operatively connected to the second timer, wherein when the second timer has expired, the second indicator will again notify the user sufficient second dilute solution has been dispensed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the aspirator has a fixed setting.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a metering device operatively connected to the inlet of the aspirator of the first dispenser, wherein the metering device is readily replaceable.

8. A portable self-contained dispensing system, that can contact surfaces with a first liquid spray followed by a second spray, the system comprising:

a) a fillable and emptiable container, for a volume of an aqueous diluent of less than 10 liters;

b) a dilution section, having a dry portion and a wet portion;

i) the wet portion comprising a venturi and a wet portion of a pump, wherein a pump intake is in liquid communication between the container and a pump inlet, a pump outlet is in liquid communication between the pump and the venturi, the venturi comprising a concentrate inlet and the venturi in liquid communication with an outlet; and

ii) the dry portion of the station comprising a battery, a dry portion of the pump and sufficient wiring to power the pump;

c) a source of concentrate in liquid communication with the concentrate inlet of the venturi;

d) spray means in separate liquid communication with the venturi outlet and another outlet, comprising a valve that can select either a first liquid spray or a second liquid spray;

wherein the pump has a pumping capacity of up to about 2000 to 3000 mL/min and the system, with the container filled with an effective amount of diluent, weighs less than 7 kg;

e) a first timer energized by activation of the portable system; and

f) a first indicator operatively connected to the first timer, wherein when the first timer has expired, the first indicator will notify the user sufficient second dilution solution has been dispensed.

9. The dispensing system of claim 8, further comprising:

a) a second timer energized by activation of the portable system; and

b) a second indicator operatively connected to the second timer, wherein when the second timer has expired, the second indicator will notify the user sufficient second dilute solution has been dispensed.

10. The dispensing system of claim 9 wherein the reservoir is in liquid communication with the spray means to provide for a rinse with the aqueous diluent, the aqueous diluent providing the second liquid spray.

11. The dispenser system of claim 9, further comprising a second source of liquid concentrate in liquid communication with a second concentrate inlet of a second venturi;

the second source of concentrate providing for the second liquid spray.

12. A portable self-contained dispensing system, comprising:

a) a fillable and emptiable container for holding an aqueous diluent;

b) a dilution section operatively connected to the container, the dilution section comprising;

i) a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the container and an outlet in fluid communication with first and second aspirators, each aspirator having an inlet and an outlet;

ii) a power source operatively connected to the pump;

iii) a first source of concentrate in fluid communication with the inlet of the first aspirator;

iv) a second source of concentrate in fluid communication with the inlet of the second aspirator;

c) a spray member in fluid communication with the first and second aspirator outlets;

d) a first bottle for holding the first concentrate and a second bottle for holding the second concentrate;

e) a valve to control fluid flow from the first and second aspirators, wherein the pump pressurizes flow from both aspirators and the valve blocks flow through one of the aspirators as the other of the aspirators operates;

f) a first timer energized by activation of the portable system; and

g) a first indicator operatively connected to the first timer, wherein when the first timer has expired, the first indicator will notify the user sufficient second dilution solution has been dispensed.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a) a second timer energized by activation of the portable system; and

b) a second indicator operatively connected to the second timer, wherein when the second timer has expired, the second indicator will notify the user sufficient second dilute solution has been dispensed.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a dip tube positioned in the bottle, the dip tube in position when the bottle is filled and also used to dispense liquid from the bottle.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a float switch positioned in the reservoir, wherein the pump is shut off when the level of diluent in the reservoir is low.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a handle to carry the system and a wire hook having a first end attached to the handle and a second end adapted to be hung on an elongate member.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a lockout member allowing general horizontal movement of at least one of the bottles into the system.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a secondary lockout mechanism, the secondary lockout mechanism having a shape matching a shape of at least one of the bottle'"'"'s lower portion to allow access to only bottles with a correct shape.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising a fitment for insertion into the bottle for removing liquid from the bottle, the fitment comprising:

a) a sealing head for positioning next to an opening in the bottle;

b) a sealing head to seal off vent holes in the bottle; and

c) a vent hole in the sealing head to allow the bottle to vent during emptying.