Ecolab Inc.

Ecolab USA Inc.

Bruce W Weber

Richard Jondall Mehus

Ben J Wiltsie

Clyde A Bailey

Ronald D Jungmann

Jun Wu

Julio Rey Panama

Robert Eugene May

Mihnea A Popa

Henry J McCarrick

Nicholas Donald Parent

James M Zell

Gregory B Laughland

James M Zoll

A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature, humidity, and/or dryer on/off information concerning the dryers. The dryer monitoring system may analyze the dryer information and generate reports communicating the dryer information, identify possible maintenance issues with the dryers, identify ambient environmental conditions that may lead to inefficient drying, identify possible operator errors, and/or diagnose other dryer conditions that may be determined based on the dryer information.

Dryer monitoring

A mass-based dispensing system includes a set of interchangeable load cell assemblies. The load cell assemblies are sized to be interchangeably received into a mass-based product dispenser. Each of the interchangeable load cell assemblies has a maximum rated load that is different from the maximum rated load of the other load cell assemblies. The interchangeable load cell assemblies are substantially modular (i.e., have substantially similar external geometries), thus enabling the product dispenser to interchangeably receive the load cells. The interchangeable load cell assemblies enable a single product dispenser to accommodate a broad range of differently weighted products and/or product containers.

Interchangeable load cell assemblies

A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket. The system may generate an out-of-product notification when the amount of product dispensed is substantially equal to zero, a low product notification when the amount of the product remaining is less than a threshold weight or a proof-of-delivery notification.

Low and empty product detection using load cell and load cell bracket

A system for controlling and monitoring operations of a chemical dispense system from a remote location is disclosed. The chemical dispense system includes a formulator for preparing a chemical product using one or more component chemical concentrates. The chemical dispense system also includes an allocator for managing the distribution of formulated chemical products to a point-of-use such that the formulated products are distributed to the point-of-use by a specified plan or sequence. The allocator may also be used to manage the formulation of chemical products such that the chemical products are formulated based on a plan or sequence. The chemical dispense system includes a communications system that enables system operators to control and monitor allocation and/or formulation operations from a remote location. A method for remotely monitoring and controlling operations of the chemical dispense system is also disclosed.

Remote access to chemical dispense system

A method and system for formulating and dispensing a chemical product to a dispense location is disclosed. The chemical product is formulated using one or more chemical concentrates. The chemical concentrates may be stored in concentrate containers and provided to a formulator by associated concentrate pumps. The concentrates are pulled from the containers through a manifold and to the formulator. The formulator discharges the chemical concentrates through a dispense hose having an outlet valve to the dispense location. The dispense location may be a jug or a drum. A flow meter connected between the formulator and the dispense hose. The flow meter monitors the component chemical concentrates flowing through the dispense hose and measures volumetric information associated with each component chemical concentrate. A flow controller analyzes the volumetric information generated by the flow meter and controls the volume of each component chemical concentrate dispensed to the dispense location.

Flow-based chemical dispense system

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Bruce W Weber