Water softener monitoring device
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring the level of a solid substance in a container, the system comprising:
- (a) a rod having a lower end positionable within the container in engagement with an uppermost surface of the solid substance in the container, an upper end positionable outside of the container and a central, rigid member connecting the lower end and the upper end and slidably positioned with regard to the container; and
(b) a sensor positionable on the container and capable of initiating an alarm signal in response to the upper end of the rod engaging the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for monitoring the level or amount of a material within a container is provided. The device includes a detection mechanism that can be a direct detection mechanism or an indirect detection mechanism. When the detection mechanism senses an upper level of the substance in the container that is below a predetermined lower limit for the substance, the mechanism operates an alarm mechanism to emit an audible and/or visible alarm to alert an individual to the low level of the substance within the container. The alarm mechanism can be integrally formed with the detection mechanism, or can be spaced from the detection mechanism in order to provide a more accessible point for the viewing or hearing of the alarm emitted by the alarm mechanism.
142 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring the level of a solid substance in a container, the system comprising:
(a) a rod having a lower end positionable within the container in engagement with an uppermost surface of the solid substance in the container, an upper end positionable outside of the container and a central, rigid member connecting the lower end and the upper end and slidably positioned with regard to the container; and
(b) a sensor positionable on the container and capable of initiating an alarm signal in response to the upper end of the rod engaging the sensor.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- 8. A device for monitoring the level of a substance through a wall of a container, the device comprising a first sensing member postionable on the container adjacent a lower end of the container, the first sensing member including a means for sensing through the wall of a container without physically penetrating the container wall and a first housing securable to the container, a first detecting mechanism positioned within the housing, an alarm mechanism operably connected to the first detecting mechanism, and a first power source operably connected to the first detecting mechanism and the alarm mechanism, wherein the first detecting mechanism is at least one of an induction-based detecting mechanism that senses the inductance of the substance and a capacitance-based detecting mechanism that senses the capacitance of the substance.
Specification