Cast solid product dispenser

• US 8,815,171 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wagner, Christopher C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, SEAN EVERETT
• Application Number:
  US13/228,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20130064732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 422/261, 422/255, 422/266, 222/77
• US Class Current: 422/255
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0049 Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention arrangements to prevent clogging of filters A47L15/4208; safety arrangements for preventing water damage A47L15/421
• 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: A47L 2401/09 Water level
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/01 Water supply, e.g. opening or closure of the water inlet valve
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A cast solid product dispenser for controlling the inputs and operating parameters of dissolution of a cast solid product is disclosed. The dispenser (10) includes a housing (12) having a cavity (18) for removably receiving a container (14) holding a cast solid product. The dispenser (10) includes means for controlling the temperature and pressure of liquid used for dissolution of the cast solid product. The dispenser (10) also includes a pedestal (20) for maintaining a constant distance between the surface of the product and a nozzle (48) during dissolution. The dissolution cycle includes a pulse of spray generally followed by a delay to allow liquid used in the dissolution process to adjust to a desired temperature. A pressure regulator (42) adjusts the pressure variation between various liquid sources so both the pressure and temperature of liquid used in the dissolution process is generally constant.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dissolving and dispensing of solid product comprising:

a vertically movable container having a single piece solid product;

a housing having;

a. a liquid inlet adapted for connection to a liquid source providing liquid having a source pressure and temperature, and

b. a solution outlet adapted for connection to an end-use appliance;

a section of the housing adapted for removably receiving the vertically movable container housing solid product;

a fixed nozzle connected in fluid communication with the liquid inlet;

a constant distance of separation maintained between the nozzle and product in the container for controlling concentration of the solution; and

a sump having an inlet in solution receiving communication with the nozzle and solid product container.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprises means for adjusting the temperature of the source liquid to a preferred dissolution temperature.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein the temperature adjusting means comprises at least one section of conduit having a heat transfer coefficient greater than other sections of conduit.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprises means for adjusting the pressure of the source liquid to a preferred dissolution pressure.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the section of the housing for receiving the solid product container further comprises a generally vertically oriented cavity having an opening in a top side of the housing.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a pedestal having a top and opposite bottom portion, the top portion positioned above the nozzle and adapted for supporting product within the container.

7. The dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a dissolution cycle having at least a pair of pulses of liquid from the nozzle separated by a time delay for adjusting the temperature of liquid from the source temperature to the preferred dissolution temperature.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the end use appliance comprises a dump and fill warewashing machine.

9. A dispenser for dissolving and dispensing of solid product comprising:

a movable container housing said solid product;

a housing having a liquid inlet adapted for connection to a liquid source and a solution outlet adapted for connection to an end-use appliance;

a cavity in a section of the housing adapted for removably receiving the movable container housing solid product;

a fixed nozzle within the cavity connected in fluid communication with the liquid inlet; and

a pedestal extending into the container, the pedestal having a top and opposite bottom portion, the top portion positioned above the nozzle and adapted for supporting product within the container.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the bottom portion of the pedestal is positioned below the nozzle.

11. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the cavity further comprises a collector basin connected in fluid communication with a sump.

12. The dispenser of claim 9 further comprises a dissolution cycle wherein the container iterates downward toward the bottom portion of the pedestal.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein a constant distance of separation is maintained between the nozzle and product in the container for controlling concentration of the solution.

14. The dispenser of claim 9 further comprises at least one section of tubing connected in fluid communication with the nozzle, the tube having a heat transfer coefficient of at least 2.0 Btu/(ft²*hr*°

F.).

15. A dispenser dissolving solid product into a liquid, the dispenser comprising:

a vertically movable container, at least a portion of which is in the cavity, the container housing the solid product;

a housing having;

a liquid inlet;

a cavity;

a fixed nozzle within the cavity in fluid communication with the liquid inlet;

a pedestal extending within the container, the pedestal having a top portion positioned above the fixed nozzle;

a sump located below the cavity; and

a solution outlet in fluid communication with the sump.

16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the pedestal includes a bottom portion positioned below the nozzle.

17. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the cavity further comprises a collector basin below the nozzle, the collector basin being in fluid communication with the sump.

18. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the container iterates downward toward the nozzle as solid product is dissolved.

19. The dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a constant distance of separation between the nozzle and the solid product in the container.

20. The dispenser of claim 15 further comprising at least one section of tubing in fluid communication between the liquid inlet and the nozzle, the tubing having a heat transfer coefficient of at least 2.0 Btu/(ft²*hr*°

F.).