Ecolab Inc.

Economics Laboratory, Inc.

Richard H Johnson

Charles Allen Hodge

James L Copeland

Spencer B Larson

Richard E Steindorf

Carleton J Parker

Thomas L Hennemann, Jr

An apparatus for diluting and dispensing a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution wherein the use solution has a higher viscosity than either the concentrate or the diluent is provided. The apparatus includes an aspirator, a liquid diluent conducting path, a liquid concentrate conducting path, and a liquid conducting outlet path. The aspirator has a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and an outlet port. The first inlet port is connected to the liquid diluent conducting path for receiving a stream of the liquid diluent and the second inlet port is connected to the liquid concentrate conducting path for receiving a stream of the liquid concentrate at atmospheric pressure. The liquid conducting outlet is connected to the outlet port for dispensing the use solution from the apparatus. The geometry of the aspirator nozzle and the fluid passageways in the dispenser are adapted to a high viscosity dilute product.

Dispensing a viscous use solution by diluting a less viscous concentrate

A dispenser (10) for a detergent (13) is disclosed. A housing (10) defining an inner cavity (12) holds the detergent (13). The cavity (12) has a circular opening. An insert (14) of a substance not chemically compatible with the detergent (13) is retained in the opening of the inner cavity (12). The insert (14) is retained by retaining ring (20) and a cover (26). In a preferred embodiment, the retaining ring (20) defines an inner aperture (21a) and has a plurality of generally upwardly extending resilient fingers (24) cooperatively connected to the retaining ring (20) proximate the inner aperture (21b). A cover (26) is cooperatively connected to and secured by the fingers (24), wherein said insert (14) is placed over said fingers (24) and said cover (26) over said insert (14), whereby said fingers (24) and said cover (26) control the dissolving of the insert (14 ) by controlling the surface area of the insert (14) exposed to the detergent solution. A spray forming nozzle (15) is mounted to and extends into the cavity (12) through the opening for directing a pressurized spray of liquid at the detergent. The hydraulic action of the nozzle directed spray (16) dissolves a portion of the detergent (13), forming a detergent solution which passes by gravity over the insert (14) and dissolves a portion of the insert (14), and the detergent solution and dissolved insert are discharged through the opening.

Solid cast detergent dispenser with insert for holding noncompatible

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West St. Paul, MN, United States of America

Richard H Johnson