Method and apparatus for mass based dispensing

• US 20070154370A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Batcher, Thomas, Mehus, Richard, Thomas, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/257
• 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 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2117 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2211 Amount of delivered fluid during a period
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/881 by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/688 Devices in which the water progressively dissolves a solid compound
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/024 by gravity

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing of a product based on weight as a load cell (22) which supports a structure holding the product (20a) to be dispensed. The weight of the product (20a) that is dispensed is determined by use of a controller (23).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

adding a diluent to a concentrate to dispense the concentrate;

determining a weight loss of the concentrate as the concentrate is dispensed;

determining when a requested amount of the concentrate has been dispsened based on the weight loss of the concentrate; and

stopping addition of the diluent to the concentrate when the requested amount of the concentrate has been dispensed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adding a diluent comprises adding the diluent to a solid block of the concentrate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the diluent comprises spraying the diluent onto the concentrate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the diluent comprises spraying the diluent on an underside of a solid block of the concentrate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when a requested amount of the concentrate has been dispensed comprises:

searching for a maximum weight of the concentrate;

determining a current weight of the concentrate;

determining the weight loss of the concentrate by comparing the maximum weight with the current weight; and

comparing the weight loss to the requested amount to determine whether the requested amount of the concentrate has been dispensed.

6. The method of claim 5, further including recording the maximum weight.

7. The method of claim 1, further including storing the concentrate in a product holder within a cavity of a housing.

8. The method of claim 7, further including:

searching for a maximum combined weight of the concentrate, the product holder and any diluent in the cavity of the housing;

determining a current combined weight of the concentrate, the product holder and any diluent in the cavity of the housing;

determining a current weight loss of the concentrate based on the maximum combined weight and the current combined weight; and

comparing the current weight loss of the concentrate with the requested amount to determine whether the requested amount of the concentrate has been dispensed.

9. The method of claim 7, further including:

waiting for a minimum combined weight of the concentrate, the product holder and any diluent in the cavity of the housing; and

waiting for an increase from the minimum combined weight.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the weight loss of the concentrate comprises determining the combined weight of the concentrate, the product holder and any diluent in the cavity of the housing.

11. The method of claim 1, further including recording the weight loss of the concentrate.

12. The method of claim 1, further including setting the requested amount.

13. A method comprising:

dispensing an active ingredient from a concentrate;

determining a weight loss of the concentrate as the active ingredient is dispensed;

determining when a requested amount of the active ingredient has been dispensed based on the weight loss of the concentrate; and

stopping the dispensing of the ingredient when the requested amount of the ingredient has been dispensed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein dispensing the active ingredient includes eroding and/or dissolving a solid block of the concentrate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein eroding and/or dissolving a solid block of the concentrate includes spraying a diluent on the solid block of concentrate.

16. A method, comprising:

spraying a diluent on a solid product to dispense an active ingredient;

continuously determining, as the diluent is sprayed, a combined weight of the solid product, a solid product holder and any accumulated diluent;

determining when a requested amount of the active ingredient has been dispensed based on the combined weight; and

discontinuing the spray of diluent when the requested amount of the active ingredient has been dispensed.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising setting the requested amount of the active ingredient.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining when a requested amount of the active ingredient has been dispensed comprises:

searching for a maximum weight of the solid product;

determining a current weight loss by comparing the maximum weight of the solid product with a current weight of the solid product; and

comparing the current weight loss to the requested amount to determine whether the requested amount of the active ingredient has been dispensed.

19. The method of claim 18, further including:

searching for a minimum weight; and

waiting for an increase from the minimum weight.

20. The method of claim 18, further including adjusting a time when the spray of diluent is discontinued based on an amount of ingredient dispensed during at least one of a time before the maximum weight is reached and a time after which the spray of diluent is discontinued.