Novus International, Inc.

Joseph R Read

Richard E Etling

Robert J Hantak

Kevin M Mowery

Michael S Windham

John P Bartley

The system and method include a fleet of vehicles to provide material to a plurality of tanks at various customer locations. An inventory indicator associated with each of the tanks provides a quantity signal to the central station indicating the quantity and temperature of each of the tanks. A processor at the central station monitors the quantity signals of each of the tanks to determine past usage rates of the contents of each of the tanks. The processor projects future tank quantities based on the past usage pattern and determines possible routes for each of the vehicles to each of the tanks. The processor optimizes the routes, delivery amounts, and delivery schedule to minimize total delivered cost for the products based on the projected future tank levels and the possible routes to dispatch each of the vehicles.

Integrated system monitoring use of materials, controlling and

A system for monitoring use of a liquid, such as a liquid animal feed ingredient, including at least two storage and dispensing systems, a central station remotely located from the storage and dispensing systems and a communications link interconnecting the storage and dispensing systems and the central station. Each of the storage and dispensing systems comprises: an enclosure formed at least in part by a liquid containment structure; an opening in the enclosure providing access to the interior of the enclosure; a closure for the opening movable between open and closed positions; a tank inside the enclosure for holding a supply of liquid; an infeed line for flow of liquid into the tank; an outfeed line for discharge of liquid from the tank; a pump inside the enclosure at a side of the tank for pumping liquid from the tank via the outfeed line; a heater inside the enclosure for heating the interior of the enclosure; a level sensor within the tank for sensing the level of liquid in the tank, the level sensor generating a level signal indicative of the level of liquid; and at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of the liquid in the tank. The level of liquid and the operation of the heater are monitored by the central station so that operators at the central station can respond to a low level of liquid or a malfunctioning heater in any of the storage and dispensing systems.

Growing community of inventors

Chesterfield, MO, United States of America

Joseph R Read