Method and apparatus to control dispensing rate of a solid product with changing temperature

• US 7,597,861 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, John E., Berg, Thomas P., Plantikow, Robert J., Russell, Scott T., Everson, Terrence P., Brady, Daniel F., Batcher, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): McKane; Elizabeth L
• Application Number:
  US11/152,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20060083669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/282
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4436 in the form of a detergent solution made by gradually dissolving a powder detergent cake or a solid detergent block
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/221 comprising constructions for blocking or redispersing undissolved solids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/4021 in the form of tablets stored in containers, canisters or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2115 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2211 Amount of delivered fluid during a period
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/718051 being adjustable

Abstract

A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution'"'"'s concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution'"'"'s concentration.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a use solution, comprising:

a) supplying a diluent, having a temperature, to act on a solid chemical to form a use solution, the diluent being divided into a first diluent stream in fluid communication with the solid chemical, a second diluent stream in fluid communication with a thermal motor, and a third diluent stream in fluid communication with a by-pass valve;

b) sensing the temperature of the diluent; and

c) activating the by-pass valve with the thermal motor when the temperature of the diluent reaches a predetermined temperature, and allowing the third diluent stream to mix with the use solution, thereby reducing the use solution'"'"'s concentration and maintaining the concentration below an upper limit.

2. A method of dispensing a use solution, comprising:

a) supplying a diluent having a temperature, the diluent being divided into a first diluent stream in fluid communication with a solid chemical, a second diluent stream in fluid communication with a thermal motor and a dispenser outlet, and a third diluent stream in fluid communication with a by-pass valve;

b) spraying the first stream of diluent on the solid chemical to form a use solution;

c) sensing the temperature of the diluent; and

d) providing the third diluent stream via the by-pass valve to mix with the use solution when the temperature of the diluent reaches a predetermined temperature to activate the thermal motor, thereby reducing the use solution'"'"'s concentration and maintaining the concentration below an upper limit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the thermal motor, upon sensing increased temperature, expands in size from a first size to a second size, the second size activating the by-pass valve to allow the third diluent stream to mix with the use solution.

4. A dispenser for supplying a diluent to a solid and creating a use solution, the dispenser comprising:

a housing for holding a solid;

a spray nozzle for use in impinging the diluent to form the use solution;

an incoming diluent passageway operatively connected to the spray nozzle;

a dispenser outlet passageway, having a dispenser outlet, positioned below the spray nozzle for providing a pathway for the use solution;

a bypass valve operatively connected to the diluent passageway, the bypass valve having a temperature control valve, the temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, the bypass passageway operatively connecting the diluent passageway to the dispenser outlet, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution'"'"'s concentration;

a first manifold having an inlet in fluid communication with the incoming diluent passageway and first, second and third outlets in fluid communication with the inlet;

the first outlet in fluid communication with the spray nozzle;

the second outlet in fluid communication with the dispenser outlet; and

the third outlet in fluid communication with the bypass valve.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, further comprising:

a) a second manifold, the manifold having a bore, the bore forming a portion of the dispenser outlet passageway for the use solution;

b) first, second and third openings formed in the manifold;

c) the first opening in fluid communication with the first outlet;

d) the second opening in fluid communication with the second outlet and the dispenser outlet; and

e) the third opening in fluid communication with the third outlet.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, further comprising a foam control member, the foam control member comprising:

a) a chamber;

b) an exit conduit, having an opening in fluid communication with the chamber, the exit conduit extending generally downward in the dispenser outlet passageway; and

c) the second and third outlets in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein diluent exiting from the exit conduit mixes with the use solution, when both the use solution and diluent are moving generally downward.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of fins operatively connected to the chamber, the fins extending outward from the chamber, the fins sized and configured to form a friction fit within the bore, thereby holding the foam control member in position.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the fins provide a flow path for the use solution around the flow control member.

9. The dispenser of claim 7, further comprising flow control members positioned in the first, second and third openings.

10. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the second outlet is in fluid communication with a thermal motor and the dispenser outlet.

11. A dispenser for spraying a diluent onto a solid to create a use solution, the dispenser comprising:

a) a housing for holding the solid;

b) a spray nozzle for use in impinging a diluent on a solid to form a use solution;

c) a first incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the spray nozzle;

d) a first flow control, positioned in the first incoming diluent passageway, for maintaining a first flow rate range independent of the diluent'"'"'s pressure within a pressure range;

e) a second incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the use solution;

f) a second flow control, positioned in the second incoming diluent passageway, for maintaining a second flow rate range independent of the diluent'"'"'s pressure within the pressure range, wherein the use solution'"'"'s concentration is maintained over the pressure range;

g) a dispenser outlet passageway, having a dispenser outlet, positioned below the spray nozzle for providing a pathway for the use solution;

h) a third incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the use solution;

i) a third flow control, positioned in the third diluent passageway, for maintaining a third flow rate range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range; and

j) a bypass valve operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway, the bypass valve having a temperature control valve, the temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, the bypass passageway operatively connecting the third incoming diluent passageway to the dispenser outlet, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution'"'"'s concentration.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising the flow controls constructed from an elastomeric product.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising the flow controls having a variable orifice that changes in size in response to pressure changes wherein the flow ranges are maintained.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of fins operatively connected to the chamber, the fins extending outward from the chamber, the fins sized and configured to form a friction fit within the bore, thereby holding the foam control member in position.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the fins provide a flow path for the use solution around the flow control member.