Apparatus, method and system for providing an auxiliary flush to a central chemical dispensing system
First Claim
1. A central dispensing system comprising:
- an inlet manifold configured to receive at least a first product;
an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said inlet manifold through a connecting line;
a first delivery line extending from the outlet manifold and connected to a first washer;
a second delivery line extending from the outlet manifold and connected to a second washer; and
an auxiliary flush line connected to at least one of said first delivery line and second delivery line,wherein the outlet manifold comprises;
a first control valve configured to control flow of product from said outlet manifold through the first delivery line to the first washer, anda second control valve configured to control flow of product from said outlet manifold through the second delivery line to the second washer, andwherein the auxiliary flush line is configured to provide a liquid to at least one of said first delivery line and second delivery line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for supplying a variety of chemical products to a plurality of utilization points such as to washer extractors or washing machines includes utilizing an auxiliary flush mechanism that operates independently of a product supplying manifold so that the wash machines may be flushed in order to free the manifold to supply product to an otherwise waiting washing machine. The flush mechanism includes flush lines associated with respective washing machines and each line having an auxiliary flush valve and associated flow sensor which are configured to flush water through delivery lines leading to respective washing machines. The systems are configured such that a flushing of a washing machine or machines may occur while product is being supplied to a different washing machine via the central supplying manifold. A programmable controller is included with the system to control the various functions including receiving data from sensors and operating valves and pumps in accordance with the disclosed methods.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A central dispensing system comprising:
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an inlet manifold configured to receive at least a first product; an outlet manifold in fluid communication with said inlet manifold through a connecting line; a first delivery line extending from the outlet manifold and connected to a first washer; a second delivery line extending from the outlet manifold and connected to a second washer; and an auxiliary flush line connected to at least one of said first delivery line and second delivery line, wherein the outlet manifold comprises; a first control valve configured to control flow of product from said outlet manifold through the first delivery line to the first washer, and a second control valve configured to control flow of product from said outlet manifold through the second delivery line to the second washer, and wherein the auxiliary flush line is configured to provide a liquid to at least one of said first delivery line and second delivery line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A central dispensing system comprising:
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a manifold configured to receive an input supply and a first product, said manifold having a first product control valve configured to allow flow of product from said manifold through a first delivery line to a first utilization device, and at least a second product control valve configured to allow flow of product from said manifold through at least a second delivery line to at least a second utilization device; and a first auxiliary flush line in fluid communication with said first delivery line and a second auxiliary flush line in fluid communication with said second delivery line. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A central dispensing system comprising:
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an inlet manifold configured to receive at least one product and to provide the product through a connecting line to an outlet manifold for delivery through at least a first delivery line to a first washer and through a second delivery line to a second washer, a product control valve associated with each of said first and second delivery lines and configured to allow flow of product from said outlet manifold to the first washer and the second washer; and each of said first delivery line and said second delivery line in fluid communication with a respective auxiliary flush line, each respective auxiliary flush line having an auxiliary flush valve configured to allow flow of water from said respective auxiliary flush line to the first delivery line or the second delivery line, said first delivery line configured to receive flush water from a respective said auxiliary flush line while said second delivery line simultaneously receives product from said outlet manifold. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for use with a central dispensing system which includes a manifold for providing a variety of products to multiple washers, said method comprising:
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dosing a first washer of the central dispensing system with a product received from the manifold; and after said step of dosing the first washer, flushing the first washer with a liquid through an auxiliary flush line bypassing the manifold while simultaneously dosing a second washer of the central dispensing system with a product received from the manifold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification