Tablet dispenser with isolated delivery sensor

• US 7,097,068 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Limback, Scott R., Holzman, Louis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US10/863,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20050269348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/155, 221/258, 221/277, 221/7, 221/265, 221/52, 221/263, 15/35, 15/74, 134/93, 134/56.D, 134/57.D, 134/58.D, 222/52, 222/129, 222/651, 422/266, 68/17.A
• US Class Current: 221/2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4409 by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer

Abstract

A preferred embodiment proof of delivery system for use with a solid product dispenser includes an outlet conduit and a sensor mechanism. The outlet conduit is light transmissive and includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is exposed to humid conditions. The sensor mechanism is proximate the exterior surface of the outlet conduit, and the sensor mechanism senses delivery of a solid product through the outlet conduit. The outlet conduit provides a barrier to the humid conditions thereby protecting the sensor mechanism from exposure to the humid conditions.

Claims

1. A proof of delivery system for use with a solid product dispenser, comprising:

a) an outlet conduit being light transmissive and including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface being exposed to humid conditions;

b) a sensor mechanism proximate the exterior surface of the outlet conduit, the sensor mechanism sensing delivery of a solid product through the outlet conduit

c) a mounting surface; and

d) a seal interconnecting the outlet conduit and the mounting surface, the seal providing a barrier to the humid conditions thereby preventing the humid conditions from escaping the interior surface to the exterior surface of the outlet conduit proximate the seal and protecting the sensor mechanism from exposure to the humid conditions.

2. The proof of delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a product tablet, wherein the product tablet and the humid conditions create a residue within the outlet conduit, the outlet conduit protecting the sensor mechanism from contamination by the residue.

3. The proof of delivery system of claim 2, wherein the residue is selected from the group consisting of condensation, portions of the product tablet, and residual product.

4. The proof of delivery system of claim 1, wherein the sensor mechanism includes an emitter emitting a beam and a receiver receiving the beam, the emitter being positioned on one side of the outlet conduit and the receiver being positioned on an opposite side of the outlet conduit, the emitter emitting the beam and the receiver receiving the beam through the outlet conduit.

5. The proof of delivery system of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface is a dishwashing machine and the outlet conduit is operatively connected to the dishwashing machine.

6. The proof of delivery system of claim 5, wherein a sanitizing agent is dispensed through the outlet conduit into the dishwashing machine.

7. A proof of delivery system for use with a solid product dispenser, comprising:

a) an outlet conduit being light transmissive and including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface being exposed to humid conditions;

b) a light sensor mechanism including an emitter emitting a beam and a receiver receiving the beam, the emitter being positioned on one side of the outlet conduit and the receiver being positioned on an opposite side of the outlet conduit, the emitter emitting the beam and the receiver receiving the beam through the outlet conduit, the outlet conduit protecting the light sensor mechanism from contamination by residue within the outlet conduit

c) a mounting surface; and

d) a seal interconnecting the outlet conduit and the mounting surface, the seal providing a barrier to the humid conditions thereby preventing the humid conditions from escaping the interior surface to the exterior surface of the outlet conduit proximate the seal and protecting the light sensor mechanism from exposure to the humid conditions.

8. The proof of delivery system of claim 7, wherein the residue is selected from the group consisting of condensation, portions of a product tablet, and residual product.

9. The proof of delivery system of claim 7, further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface of the outlet conduit, the inner surface being exposed to humid conditions, the outlet conduit providing a barrier to the humid conditions for the light sensor mechanism.

10. The proof of delivery system of claim 7, wherein the mounting surface is a dishwashing machine and the outlet conduit is operatively connected to the dishwashing machine.

11. The proof of delivery system of claim 10, wherein a sanitizing agent is dispensed through the outlet conduit into the dishwashing machine.

12. The proof of delivery system of claim 7, further comprising a housing through which the outlet conduit is positioned and to which the light sensor mechanism is mounted proximate the outlet conduit.

13. The proof of delivery system of claim 12, wherein the housing is mounted to a dishwashing machine thereby operatively connecting the outlet conduit to the dishwashing machine.

14. The proof of deliver system of claim 7, wherein the light sensor mechanism is an infrared sensor mechanism.

15. A proof of delivery system for use with a solid product tablet dispenser, comprising:

a) a product tablet;

b) an outlet conduit through which the product tablet is dispensed, the outlet conduit being light transmissive and including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface being exposed to humid conditions;

c) an infrared sensor mechanism including an emitter emitting a beam and a receiver receiving the beam, the emitter being positioned on one side of the outlet conduit and the receiver being positioned on an opposite side of the outlet conduit, the emitter emitting the beam and the receiver receiving the beam through the outlet conduit, the outlet conduit protecting the infrared sensor mechanism from contamination by residue within the outlet conduit, wherein as the product tablet is dispensed through the outlet conduit, the product tablet interrupts the beam within the outlet conduit, and the infrared sensor mechanism provides indication that the product tablet has been dispensed

d) a mounting surface; and

e) a seal interconnecting the outlet conduit and the mounting surface, the seal providing a barrier to the humid conditions thereby preventing the humid conditions from escaping the interior surface to the exterior surface of the outlet conduit proximate the seal and protecting the infrared sensor mechanism from exposure to the humid conditions.

16. The proof of delivery system of claim 15, wherein the residue is selected from the group consisting of condensation, portions of the product tablet, and residual product.

17. The proof of delivery system of claim 15, further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface of the outlet conduit, the inner surface being exposed to humid conditions, the outlet conduit providing a barrier to the humid conditions for the infrared sensor mechanism.

18. The proof of delivery system of claim 15, wherein the mounting surface is a dishwashing machine and the outlet conduit is operatively connected to the dishwashing machine.

19. The proof of delivery system of claim 18, wherein the product tablet is a sanitizing agent.

20. The proof of delivery system of claim 15, further comprising a housing through which the outlet conduit is positioned and to which the infrared sensor mechanism is mounted proximate the outlet conduit.

21. The proof of delivery system of claim 20, wherein the housing is mounted to a dishwashing machine thereby operatively connecting the outlet conduit to the dishwashing machine.