Ecolab Inc.

Daniel K Boche

James L Copeland

Elizabeth J Gladfelter

Jeff W Peterson

Tina O Outlaw

John Ellwood Thomas

Rhonda Kay Schulz

John Ross Spriggs

Ronald Bruce Howes, Jr

Douglas Sherwin Hoerning

Loleta T Tolliver-Rogers

Eric Richard Balz

James D Decker

John E McCall

Terry James Klos

Daniel E Pedersen

Daniel F Brady

John J Rolando

John E McCall, Jr

Katsumi Maeda

Richard E Steindorf

Bruce Henry

John M Lavorata

Greg M Grandprey

Matthew D PeKarna

Yoichi Satoh

The invention is a solid chemical concentrate system of at least two cooperative shapes. The first shape is an inwardly curved bar having an inner opening. The second shape is an insert which is capable of interlocking with the bar by insertion into the bar inner opening. The solid chemical concentrate provides chemical systems having active constituents which may be the same, different but compatible or functionally and chemically incompatible combined within one matrix to provide at least one substantially continuous surface. The system may also comprise an aqueous soluble or dispersible polymeric film cover.

Solid, two part chemical concentrate

Two part chemical concentrate

A dispenser 100 for dispensing a chemical product that is dissolved by diluent. The dispenser includes a package 170 having a diaphragm, or fingered collar 180 attached to its opening. The diaphragm 180 has a plurality of flexible members or flexible fingers 185. The dispenser may utilize an injection manifold 109 that is sized and configured to be positioned on a washing machine top proximate the gap between the washing machine's top and lid. Still further, the invention includes a low level chemical product indicator. The indicator includes a focused light source 98a and 98a. The focused light source is a high intensity light emitting diode having a viewing angle of less than 6.degree. and an intensity of above 10,000 mcd. The dispenser also includes an apparatus and method in which a dispensing time of a dispenser is dynamically varied in response to diluent temperature during operation of the dispenser.

Dispenser

Disclosed is a fitment for insertion into the neck of a container for liquid concentrate that can be opened by insertion of the container into a reservoir. The fitment comprises a substantially cylindrical body comprising an exterior mating surface that can sealingly engage the container and an internal web within the cylindrical body closing the fitment having a fracture zone permitting opening the fitment. The web also comprises a hinged fracture zone defined by a straight hinge portion and a partially circular recess in the web.

Dilution system for filling spray bottles

A dispenser 100 for dispensing a chemical product that is dissolved by diluent. The dispenser includes a package 170 having a diaphragm, or fingered collar 180 attached to its opening. The diaphragm 180 has a plurality of flexible members or flexible fingers 185. The dispenser may utilize an injection manifold 109 that is sized and configured to be positioned on a washing machine top proximate the gap between the washing machine's top and lid. Still further, the invention includes a low level chemical product indicator. The indicator includes a focused light source 98a and 99a. The focused light source is a high intensity light emitting diode having a viewing angle of less than 6.degree. and an intensity of above 10,000 mcd. The dispenser also includes an apparatus and method in which a dispensing time of a dispenser is dynamically varied in response to diluent temperature during operation of the dispenser.

An apparatus and method for dispensing a dilute liquid concentrate with a diluent to form a dilute use solution for dispensing into a bottle. The dispensing apparatus 10 includes an aspirator 60 and a controller 50. The controller 50 includes an activation switch that is operable by being depressed in a first direction. A slide actuator 80 is mounted relative to the controller for movement in a second direction. The dispensing apparatus 10 also includes a lock-out member 100 to prevent the inadvertent use of an incorrect bottle while dispensing the use solution.

Dilution dispensing system with product lock-out

Dispenser for liquid cleaning solutions

A multiple product dispensing system includes a plurality of use solution dispensers and a controller for selecting one of the dispensers according to a preset regimen, e.g., selecting different dispensers on different days of the week. Each dispenser dispenses a controlled concentration of use solution using a diluent delivery apparatus that delivers a diluent to form a liquid concentrate from a solid chemical composition, and to form make-up diluent for diluting the liquid concentrate and forming a use solution of controlled concentration. A foam reducer reduces the kinetic energy of the make-up diluent prior to mixing with the liquid concentrate to reduce foaming. An unskilled operator may operate the dispensing system to dispense a use solution of carefully controlled concentration, and the controller will automatically select the proper dispenser according to the preset regimen, without any additional input on the part of the operator. Therefore, the likelihood of operator error occurring is greatly reduced by the automatic selection of the proper dispenser and the control over use solution concentration.

Multiple product dispensing system including dispenser for forming use

An apparatus for diluting liquid concentrate materials to liquid use solutions. Liquid concentrates comprise common household cleaning and sanitizing materials such as window cleaners, hard surface cleaners, floor cleaners, sink cleaners, tile cleaners, drain cleaners and openers, glass cleaners, food preparation units, sanitizers, disinfectants, floor finishes and other similar institutional or industrial aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic cleaning solutions. The aspirator system is adapted to receive a container of liquid concentrate in a reservoir. The reservoir contains device to open the liquid concentrate. Additionally the reservoir contains device to support the liquid concentrate during addition of concentrate to the reservoir. When empty, the liquid concentrate bottle can be placed in a receiver for the empty container. The receiver has filling device for the container that can deliver dilute use solution to the container. As should be apparent, the liquid concentrate container and the dilute use solution container are substantially identical.

A solution storage and dispensing apparatus and method of operation therefor are disclosed. The solution storage and dispensing apparatus includes a selector valve and a control valve which selectively output a liquid such as water to one of a plurality of storage containers. Each container has an aspirator mounted therein which receives the water and a chemical concentrate to form a solution therein. A container is filled by selecting the container using the selector valve and actuating the control valve to dispense water to the selected container.

Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing chemical solutions

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Eagan, MN, United States of America

Daniel K Boche