The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 18, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 14, 1995
Richard Paul Triassi, Walworth, NY (US);
Roger Ellsworth, Rochester, NY (US);
Dennis Earl Sneddon, Hilton, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for mixing a containerized concentrate with diluent from a supply system. In the method, a container of concentrate is placed within a container station. The container is opened. A flowable portion of the concentrate from the container is drained into a mixing volume. A first portion of diluent is introduced into the mixing volume. A residual portion of the concentrate is washed from the container with a second portion of the diluent to produce a volume of wash diluent. The wash diluent is added to the mixing volume. The first and second portions of diluent have a total volume proportional to the total volume of concentrate. The draining is at least substantially completed prior to the washing. The apparatus has a mixing tank and a container that retains the container and delivers the concentrate, through a concentrate outlet, to a mixing tank. An opener is disposed to open the container within the container station. A diluent source receives diluent from the diluent supply system and delivering an aloquot of diluent to the mixing tank. The diluent source is directly coupled to the supply system. The diluent source is separated from the mixing tank by an air gap. A washer receives diluent from the diluent source. The washer delivers diluent to the container station through the concentrate outlet to rinse the container. A controller actuates the washer at least substantially after the delivering of the concentrate to the mixing tank.