Apparatus and methods for producing and dispensing automobile appearance care products charged to a customer on a selected bases

• US 6,978,911 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Auto Wax Company Incorporated (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Floyd, Timothy H., Miller, Paul David III
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/646,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/2, 222/64, 222/129, 222/135, 222/145.1, 222/145.5, 222/145.7, 222/145.8, 222/156, 222/383.1, 222/527, 222/529, 222/608, 222/626
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31 in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/84 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/846 using stored recipes for determining the composition of the mixture to be produced, i.e. for determining the amounts of the basic components to be dispensed from the component receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/883 using flow rate controls for feeding the substances
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/741 mechanically operated

Abstract

An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce product fluids. The product fluids may be stored in storage vessels. A plurality of pumps may be used to produce a flow of one or more product fluids. The product fluids may be dispensed through one or more dispensing conduits. In certain embodiments, a user of the apparatus may be charged a fee based on a selected basis. The selected basis may be, but is not limited to, a per vehicle basis, a per application basis, a per use basis, a per refilling basis, or a per time basis.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids, comprising:

a plurality of storage containers comprising one or more raw materials, wherein each storage container is configured to contain at least one raw material;

a plurality of mixing systems coupled to the plurality of storage containers, wherein the mixing systems are configured to combine one or more of the raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

a plurality of storage vessels coupled to the plurality of mixing systems, wherein each automotive appearance care product fluid is stored in one storage vessel;

a plurality of pumps coupled to the plurality of storage vessels, wherein each pump is coupled to at least one storage vessel, and wherein the plurality of pumps are configured to produce a flow of automotive appearance care product fluids from the storage vessels during use; and

a plurality of dispensing conduits coupled to the plurality of pumps, wherein each of the dispensing conduits is coupled to at least one pump, and wherein the dispensing conduits are configured to dispense automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that a user of the apparatus is charged a fee based on a number of automobiles the user treats using the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a counting system configured to count the number of automobiles treated using the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the counting system is further configured to report the number of automobiles treated using the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a counting system configured to automatically count the number of automobiles treated using the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a system for counting and reporting the number of automobiles treated using the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a system configured to report the fee charged to the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each mixing system comprises a mixing valve, and wherein a dilution tip in at least one of the mixing valves is selected to correspond to the raw material that will flow through the mixing valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each mixing system comprises a mixing valve, and wherein a dilution tip in at least one of the mixing valves is selected by a distributor of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each pump is configured to be turned on by a user of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fluid applicator coupled to an end of each dispensing conduit, wherein the fluid applicator is interlocked to turn on at least one associated pump of the plurality of pumps when the fluid applicator is used.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the fluid applicator comprises an adjustable spray nozzle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional dispensing conduits coupled to a dispensing conduit.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet, wherein at least the plurality of mixing systems, the plurality of storage vessels, and the plurality of pumps are located in the cabinet.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cabinet is transportable while containing automotive appearance care product fluids.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a horizontal width in at least one direction of less than about 18 inches.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is enclosed such that a user of the apparatus cannot access the pumps and the mixing systems.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is enclosed such that a distributor of the apparatus can access the pumps and the mixing systems but a user of the apparatus cannot access the pumps and the mixing systems.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is locked such that a distributor of the apparatus can access the pumps and the mixing systems but a user of the apparatus cannot access the pumps and the mixing systems.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the plurality of storage containers, the plurality of mixing systems, the plurality of storage vessels, and the plurality of pumps are located in the housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a user of the apparatus is only allowed to operate the dispensing conduits.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a quick coupling device to couple the apparatus to a supply of carrier fluid.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a check valve to inhibit backflow of fluid into a supply of carrier fluid.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a quick coupling device to couple the pumps to a supply of air.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the storage vessels comprise optically transparent walls to allow a user of the system to view the interior of the storage vessel.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a unique identification number.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier fluid comprises water.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one raw material comprises a concentrated form of an automotive appearance care product fluid.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage containers is refillable.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to dispense an amount of automotive appearance care product fluids sufficient for treatment of at least about 200 automobiles before at least one storage container has to be refilled with raw material or replaced with a new storage container.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to produce at least about 40 gallons of at least one automotive appearance care product fluid before at least one 5 gallon storage container has to be refilled with raw material or replaced with a new storage container.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically combine the raw materials with the carrier fluid, automatically store the automobile appearance care product fluids in the storage vessels, and automatically provide a flow of automobile appearance care product fluids.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically combine the raw materials with the carrier fluid, automatically store the automobile appearance care product fluids in the storage vessels, automatically provide a flow of automobile appearance care product fluids, and, when prompted by a user of the apparatus, to automatically dispense the automobile appearance care product fluids.

33. A method for providing automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, comprising:

providing an apparatus for dispensing a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, wherein the apparatus comprises;

a plurality of storage containers comprising one or more raw materials, wherein each storage container is configured to contain at least one raw material;

a plurality of mixing systems coupled to the plurality of storage containers, wherein the mixing systems are configured to combine one or more of the raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

a plurality of storage vessels coupled to the plurality of mixing systems, wherein each automotive appearance care product fluid is stored in one storage vessel;

a plurality of pumps coupled to the plurality of storage vessels, wherein each pump is coupled to at least one storage vessel, and wherein the plurality of pumps are configured to produce a flow of automotive appearance care product fluids from the storage vessels during use; and

a plurality of dispensing conduits coupled to the plurality of pumps, wherein each of the dispensing conduits is coupled to at least one pump, and wherein the dispensing conduits are configured to dispense automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

allowing the user of the apparatus to dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids; and

assessing a fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids based on a number of automobiles the user treats using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid in the apparatus to produce the plurality of product fluids.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid to produce the plurality of product fluids by the plurality of mixing systems in the apparatus.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid and automatically provided to the plurality of storage vessels in the apparatus.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein each of the plurality of storage vessels is automatically refilled with product fluid when a level of fluid in each storage vessel is below a selected value.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising automatically dispensing at least one automotive appearance care product fluid when prompted by the user of the apparatus.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the user of the apparatus treats the one or more automobiles using the dispensed automotive appearance care product fluids.

40. The method of claim 33, further comprising allowing the user of the apparatus to only dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids.

41. The method of claim 33, further comprising inhibiting the user of the apparatus from affecting the combining of the raw materials with the carrier fluid.

42. The method of claim 33, further comprising allowing each of the automotive appearance care product fluids to be dispensed individually.

43. The method of claim 33, further comprising allowing the flow of at least one automotive appearance care product fluid to be varied using an adjustable fluid applicator.

44. The method of claim 33, further comprising moving the apparatus such that the apparatus is located proximate the automobiles to be treated using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

45. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of storage containers are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

46. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of raw materials are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

47. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing a statement of the fee to be charged for use of the apparatus to the user of the apparatus.

48. The method of claim 33, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of applications using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

49. The method of claim 33, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of uses of the apparatus.

50. The method of claim 33, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of times the apparatus is refilled with raw materials.

51. The method of claim 33, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a specified period of time the apparatus is used.

52. A method for providing automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, comprising:

providing an apparatus for dispensing a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, wherein the apparatus comprises;

a plurality of storage containers comprising one or more raw materials, wherein each storage container is configured to contain at least one raw material;

a plurality of mixing systems coupled to the plurality of storage containers, wherein the mixing systems are configured to combine one or more of the raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

a plurality of storage vessels coupled to the plurality of mixing systems, wherein each automotive appearance care product fluid is stored in one storage vessel;

a plurality of pumps coupled to the plurality of storage vessels, wherein each pump is coupled to at least one storage vessel, and wherein the plurality of pumps are configured to produce a flow of automotive appearance care product fluids from the storage vessels during use; and

a plurality of dispensing conduits coupled to the plurality of pumps, wherein each of the dispensing conduits is coupled to at least one pump, and wherein the dispensing conduits are configured to dispense automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

allowing the user of the apparatus to dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids; and

assessing a fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids based on a number of uses of the apparatus.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid in the apparatus to produce the plurality of product fluids.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid to produce the plurality of product fluids by the plurality of mixing systems in the apparatus.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid and automatically provided to the plurality of storage vessels in the apparatus.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein each of the plurality of storage vessels is automatically refilled with product fluid when a level of fluid in each storage vessel is below a selected value.

57. The method of claim 52, further comprising automatically dispensing at least one automotive appearance care product fluid when prompted by the user of the apparatus.

58. The method of claim 52, wherein the user of the apparatus treats the one or more automobiles using the dispensed automotive appearance care product fluids.

59. The method of claim 52, further comprising allowing the user of the apparatus to only dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids.

60. The method of claim 52, further comprising inhibiting the user of the apparatus from affecting the combining of the raw materials with the carrier fluid.

61. The method of claim 52, further comprising allowing each of the automotive appearance care product fluids to be dispensed individually.

62. The method of claim 52, further comprising allowing the flow of at least one automotive appearance care product fluid to be varied using an adjustable fluid applicator.

63. The method of claim 52, further comprising moving the apparatus such that the apparatus is located proximate the automobiles to be treated using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

64. The method of claim 52, wherein the plurality of storage containers are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

65. The method of claim 52, wherein the plurality of raw materials are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

66. The method of claim 52, further comprising providing a statement of the fee to be charged for use of the apparatus to the user of the apparatus.

67. The method of claim 52, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of applications using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

68. The method of claim 52, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of times the apparatus is refilled with raw materials.

69. The method of claim 52, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a specified period of time the apparatus is used.

70. A method for providing automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, comprising:

providing an apparatus for dispensing a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids to a user, wherein the apparatus comprises;

a plurality of storage containers comprising one or more raw materials, wherein each storage container is configured to contain at least one raw material;

a plurality of mixing systems coupled to the plurality of storage containers, wherein the mixing systems are configured to combine one or more of the raw materials with a carrier fluid to produce a plurality of automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

a plurality of storage vessels coupled to the plurality of mixing systems, wherein each automotive appearance care product fluid is stored in one storage vessel;

a plurality of pumps coupled to the plurality of storage vessels, wherein each pump is coupled to at least one storage vessel, and wherein the plurality of pumps are configured to produce a flow of automotive appearance care product fluids from the storage vessels during use; and

a plurality of dispensing conduits coupled to the plurality of pumps, wherein each of the dispensing conduits is coupled to at least one pump, and wherein the dispensing conduits are configured to dispense automotive appearance care product fluids during use;

allowing the user of the apparatus to dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids; and

assessing a fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids based on a specified period of time the apparatus is used.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid in the apparatus to produce the plurality of product fluids.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the plurality of raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid to produce the plurality of product fluids by the plurality of mixing systems in the apparatus.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein the plurality of the raw materials are automatically combined with the carrier fluid and automatically provided to the plurality of storage vessels in the apparatus.

74. The method of claim 70, wherein each of the plurality of storage vessels is automatically refilled with product fluid when a level of fluid in each storage vessel is below a selected value.

75. The method of claim 70, further comprising automatically dispensing at least one automotive appearance care product fluid when prompted by the user of the apparatus.

76. The method of claim 70, wherein the user of the apparatus treats the one or more automobiles using the dispensed automotive appearance care product fluids.

77. The method of claim 70, further comprising allowing the user of the apparatus to only dispense the automotive appearance care product fluids.

78. The method of claim 70, further comprising inhibiting the user of the apparatus from affecting the combining of the raw materials with the carrier fluid.

79. The method of claim 70, further comprising allowing each of the automotive appearance care product fluids to be dispensed individually.

80. The method of claim 70, further comprising allowing the flow of at least one automotive appearance care product fluid to be varied using an adjustable fluid applicator.

81. The method of claim 70, further comprising moving the apparatus such that the apparatus is located proximate the automobiles to be treated using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

82. The method of claim 70, wherein the plurality of storage containers are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

83. The method of claim 70, wherein the plurality of raw materials are provided by a distributor of the apparatus.

84. The method of claim 70, further comprising providing a statement of the fee to be charged for use of the apparatus to the user of the apparatus.

85. The method of claim 70, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of applications using the automotive appearance care product fluids.

86. The method of claim 70, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of uses of the apparatus.

87. The method of claim 70, wherein the fee to be charged to the user of the apparatus for using the automotive appearance care product fluids is based on a number of times the apparatus is refilled with raw materials.