Solid product dispenser

• US 7,988,929 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Limback, Scott R, Carlson, Brian P, Berg, Thomas P., Williams, Kristine J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JOYNER, KEVIN
• Application Number:
  US11/487,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20070253876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 422/264, 422/266, 137/268
• US Class Current: 422/264
• 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 21/22 using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
• 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 2101/24 Mixing of ingredients for cleaning compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/316 with containers for additional components fixed to the conduit
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained

Abstract

A solid product dispenser includes a housing and a product holder. The housing includes a concentrated solution outlet, a diluent outlet, and an outlet tube in which concentrated solution from the concentrated solution outlet and diluent from the diluent outlet are mixed to form a use solution. Proximate the housing and the product holder is an overflow outlet from which a vacuum breaker is at least 3.50 inches.

Claims

1. A solid product dispensing assembly for dispensing a solid product with a pressurized diluent, comprising:

a first housing having a top, a first cavity, and at least a portion of a manifold within the first cavity, the top adapted and configured to support the solid product, the manifold having a first passageway, a second passageway, and a second cavity;

a first diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the first passageway;

a second diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the second passageway and the second cavity;

a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the first passageway and the first cavity;

a concentrated solution outlet in fluid communication with the first cavity and being operatively connected to a use solution outlet;

a diluent outlet within the concentrated solution outlet and in fluid communication with the second cavity, the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet being in fluid communication with the use solution outlet;

wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet, the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet always being open, wherein a portion of the diluent flows through the first diluent inlet into the first passageway, into the spray nozzle which sprays the diluent onto the solid product to create a concentrated solution, and the concentrated solution flows through the first cavity into the concentrated solution outlet, and wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the second diluent inlet into the second passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet, the diluent flowing through the diluent outlet at a rate sufficient to create a venturi effect to draw the concentrated solution out of the concentrated solution outlet, the diluent and the concentrated solution flowing out of the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet respectively substantially concurrently and mixing outside of the respective outlets to create a use solution; and

the manifold having a third passageway and a third diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the third passageway and the second cavity, a valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, the valve having an open position allowing diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet and a closed position preventing diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet, wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the third diluent inlet into the third passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet when the valve is in the open position.

2. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the diluent flows through the first diluent inlet at a rate of up to 1.0 gpm and the diluent flows through the second diluent inlet at a rate of up to 4.0 gpm.

3. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the diluent flows out of the diluent outlet at a rate of up to 8.0 gpm, the concentrated use solution flows out of the concentrated solution outlet at a rate of up to 1.0 gpm, and the use solution flows at a rate of up to 9.0 gpm.

4. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the concentrated solution outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.54 to 0.60 inch and the diluent outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.35 to 0.41 inch and an outer diameter of approximately 0.45 to 0.50 inch thereby creating a space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet of approximately 0.03 and 0.07 inch.

5. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 4, wherein the diluent flows out of the diluent outlet at a rate of up to 8.0 gpm, the concentrated use solution flows out of the concentrated solution outlet through the space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet at a rate of up to 1.0 gpm, and the use solution flows at a rate of up to 9.0 gpm.

6. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve is a temperature control valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein the temperature control valve is in the open position and allows diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. and the temperature control valve is in the closed position and prevents diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet when the diluent is below approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent inlet and the second passageway being a first diluent line and the temperature control valve creating a second diluent line via the third diluent inlet and the third passageway when the temperature of the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent line opening only when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. to reduce a concentration of the use solution.

7. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the diluent flows through the second passageway at a rate of up to 4.0 gpm and the diluent flows through the third passageway at a rate of up to 4.0 gpm.

8. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a solid product having a first shape.

9. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 8, further comprising a product housing having a product holder, the product holder having a third cavity with a second shape corresponding with the first shape of the solid product, the first shape being a smaller scale than the second shape, the third cavity being configured and arranged to receive the solid product, the first and second shapes creating a lock-out to assist in preventing another solid product from being placed within the third cavity.

10. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first shape and the second shape are squares.

11. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 9, wherein the solid product is a floor care product.

12. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first shape and the second shape are pentagons.

13. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 9, wherein the solid product is an all purpose cleaner.

14. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first shape and the second shape are hexagons.

15. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 14, wherein the solid product is a sanitizer.

16. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a product housing including a product holder having a bottom and an overflow outlet proximate the bottom, the bottom and the overflow outlet being proximate a bottom surface of the solid product thereby lowering a flood plane of the solid product dispensing assembly.

17. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a) an extension flange extending downward from proximate the bottom of the product holder;

b) a base portion operatively connected to the bottom of the product holder;

c) a support flange supported by the top of the first housing;

d) a railing extending upward from proximate the support flange; and

e) an angled portion proximate the railing extending upward toward the product holder at an angle and creating an overflow outlet proximate the product holder, the extension flange and the angled portion preventing diluent sprayed onto the bottom surface of the solid product from exiting the overflow outlet.

18. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 17, wherein the angle is approximately 38 to 46°

.

19. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 17, wherein the overflow outlet is a slot having a width of 0.020 to 0.045 inch and a height of 0.100 to 0.130 inch.

20. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 17, further comprising a connector interconnecting the extension flange, the railing, and the support flange.

21. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 17, wherein the flood plane is proximate a height of the railing.

22. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 21, further comprising a vacuum breaker approximately 3.50 inches from the flood plane.

23. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 17, wherein the railing extends around the overflow outlet.

24. A solid product dispensing assembly for dispensing a solid product with a pressurized diluent, comprising:

a first housing having a top, a first cavity, and at least a portion of a manifold within the first cavity, the top adapted and configured to support the solid product, the manifold having a first passageway, a second passageway, and a second cavity;

a first diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the first passageway;

a second diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the second passageway and the second cavity;

a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the first passageway and the first cavity;

a concentrated solution outlet in fluid communication with the first cavity;

a diluent outlet within the concentrated solution outlet and in fluid communication with the second cavity, the concentrated solution outlet and the diluent outlet each including a conical portion;

wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet, the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet always being open, wherein a portion of the diluent flows through the first diluent inlet into the first passageway, into the spray nozzle which sprays the diluent onto the solid product to create a concentrated solution, and the concentrated solution flows through the first cavity into the concentrated solution outlet, and wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the second diluent inlet into the second passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet, the diluent flowing through the diluent outlet at a rate sufficient to create a venturi effect to draw the concentrated solution out of the concentrated solution outlet, the diluent and the concentrated solution flowing out of the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet respectively substantially concurrently and mixing outside of the respective outlets to create a use solution; and

the manifold having a third passageway and a third diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the third passageway and the second cavity, a valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, the valve having an open position allowing diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet and a closed position preventing diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet, wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the third diluent inlet into the third passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet when the valve is in the open position.

25. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 24, wherein the concentrated solution outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.54 to 0.60 inch and the diluent outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.35 to 0.41 inch and an outer diameter of approximately 0.45 to 0.50 inch thereby creating a space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet of approximately 0.03 and 0.07 inch.

26. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 25, wherein the diluent flows out of the diluent outlet at a rate of up to 8.0 gpm, the concentrated use solution flows out of the concentrated solution outlet through the space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet at a rate of up to 1.0 gpm, and the use solution flows at a rate of up to 9.0 gpm.

27. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 24, wherein the valve is a temperature control valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein the temperature control valve is in the open position and allows diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. and the temperature control valve is in the closed position and prevents diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet when the diluent is below approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent inlet and the second passageway being a first diluent line and the temperature control valve creating a second diluent line via the third diluent inlet and the third passageway when the temperature of the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent line opening only when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. to reduce a concentration of the use solution.

28. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

a solid product having a first shape; and

a product housing having a product holder, the product holder having a third cavity with a second shape corresponding with the first shape of the solid product, the first shape being a smaller scale than the second shape, the third cavity being configured and arranged to receive the solid product, the first and second shapes creating a lock-out to assist in preventing another solid product from being placed within the third cavity.

29. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

a product housing including a product holder having a bottom and an overflow outlet proximate the bottom, the bottom and the overflow outlet being proximate a bottom surface of the solid product thereby lowering a flood plane of the solid product dispensing assembly;

an extension flange extending downward from proximate the bottom of the product holder;

a base portion operatively connected to the bottom of the product holder;

a support flange supported by the top of the first housing;

a railing extending upward from proximate the support flange; and

an angled portion proximate the railing extending upward toward the product holder at an angle and creating an overflow outlet proximate the product holder, the extension flange and the angled portion preventing diluent sprayed onto the bottom surface of the solid product from exiting the overflow outlet.

30. A solid product dispensing assembly for dispensing a solid product with a pressurized diluent, comprising:

a first housing having a top, a first cavity, and at least a portion of a manifold within the first cavity, the top adapted and configured to support the solid product, the manifold having a first passageway, a second passageway, and a second cavity;

a first diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the first passageway;

a second diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the second passageway and the second cavity;

a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the first passageway and the first cavity;

a concentrated solution outlet in fluid communication with the first cavity;

a diluent outlet within the concentrated solution outlet and in fluid communication with the second cavity;

wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet, the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet always being open, wherein a portion of the diluent flows through the first diluent inlet into the first passageway, into the spray nozzle which sprays the diluent onto the solid product to create a concentrated solution, and the concentrated solution flows through the first cavity into the concentrated solution outlet, and wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the second diluent inlet into the second passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet, the diluent flowing through the diluent outlet at a rate sufficient to create a venturi effect to draw the concentrated solution out of the concentrated solution outlet, the diluent and the concentrated solution flowing out of the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet respectively substantially concurrently and mixing outside of the respective outlets to create a use solution; and

the manifold having a third passageway and a third diluent inlet adapted and configured to receive the pressurized diluent and in fluid communication with the third passageway and the second cavity, a valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, the valve having an open position allowing diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet and a closed position preventing diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet, wherein the pressurized diluent is in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein another portion of the diluent flows through the third diluent inlet into the third passageway, into the second cavity, and into the diluent outlet when the valve is in the open position, and wherein the closed position prevents diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet while diluent flows through the first diluent inlet and the second diluent inlet.

31. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 30, wherein the concentrated solution outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.54 to 0.60 inch and the diluent outlet has an inner diameter of approximately 0.35 to 0.41 inch and an outer diameter of approximately 0.45 to 0.50 inch thereby creating a space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet of approximately 0.03 and 0.07 inch.

32. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 31, wherein the diluent flows out of the diluent outlet at a rate of up to 8.0 gpm, the concentrated use solution flows out of the concentrated solution outlet through the space between the diluent outlet and the concentrated solution outlet at a rate of up to 1.0 gpm, and the use solution flows at a rate of up to 9.0 gpm.

33. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 30, wherein the valve is a temperature control valve in fluid communication with the third diluent inlet, wherein the temperature control valve is in the open position and allows diluent to flow through the third diluent inlet when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. and the temperature control valve is in the closed position and prevents diluent from flowing through the third diluent inlet when the diluent is below approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent inlet and the second passageway being a first diluent line and the temperature control valve creating a second diluent line via the third diluent inlet and the third passageway when the temperature of the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. the second diluent line opening only when the diluent reaches approximately 105 to 120°

F. to reduce a concentration of the use solution.

34. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 30, further comprising:

a solid product having a first shape; and

a product housing having a product holder, the product holder having a third cavity with a second shape corresponding with the first shape of the solid product, the first shape being a smaller scale than the second shape, the third cavity being configured and arranged to receive the solid product, the first and second shapes creating a lock-out to assist in preventing another solid product from being placed within the third cavity.

35. The solid product dispensing assembly of claim 30, further comprising:

a product housing including a product holder having a bottom and an overflow outlet proximate the bottom, the bottom and the overflow outlet being proximate a bottom surface of the solid product thereby lowering a flood plane of the solid product dispensing assembly;

an extension flange extending downward from proximate the bottom of the product holder;

a base portion operatively connected to the bottom of the product holder;

a support flange supported by the top of the first housing;

a railing extending upward from proximate the support flange; and

an angled portion proximate the railing extending upward toward the product holder at an angle and creating an overflow outlet proximate the product holder, the extension flange and the angled portion preventing diluent sprayed onto the bottom surface of the solid product from exiting the overflow outlet.