# US 2013/0153602 A1 · Solid concentrate dispensing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153602 A1 - Document ID: US20130153602A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/328,664 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Ecolab USA Inc. - Inventors: John E. Thomas; Gregory G. Griese - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153602A1 ## CPC - B05B 7/2462: {using a carrying liquid flowing through the container for dissolving a block of solid material} - B05B 11/0081: {and for mixing the components in a common container as a mixture ready for use before discharging the latter} - B05B 11/1011: {without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract Dispensing systems facilitates formation and dispensation of a use solution from a solid concentrate. The dispensing system may include a cartridge attached to a spray bottle or other dispensing apparatus. The cartridge defines a reservoir configured to store a solid product concentrate. A diluent, such as water, is placed in a fluid reservoir of the dispensing apparatus. Activation of a dispensing mechanism, such as a trigger, creates a vacuum in the cartridge reservoir, opening a valve and drawing diluent from the fluid reservoir into the cartridge reservoir and onto the solid product. The flow of diluent onto the solid product causes a portion of the solid product to be dissolved, eroded, and/or otherwise mixed with the diluent to form a use solution. Actuation of the dispense mechanism may further draw the use solution from the cartridge reservoir and dispense the use solution through the nozzle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a fluid pump including a nozzle, a trigger, and a fluid tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the nozzle; a bottle defining a first reservoir configured to store a diluent; and a cartridge coupled to the bottle, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a second reservoir configured to store a solid concentrate; and a valve positioned within a surface of the housing, wherein the surface of the housing is positioned between the first reservoir and the second reservoir when the cartridge is coupled to the bottle, the valve further configured to open upon actuation of the trigger and allow flow of the diluent from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to at least partially dissolve or erode the solid concentrate and form a use solution in the second reservoir; wherein upon actuation of the trigger the use solution is drawn from the second reservoir into a distal end of the fluid tube and delivered to the nozzle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the valve is a one-way valve configured to permit flow of the diluent from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the cartridge is removably coupled to the bottle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a coupling mechanism configured to removably connect the cartridge and the bottle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of a threading mechanism, a snap mechanism, a quick-connect fitting, or a bayonet connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a platform configured to support the solid concentrate positioned within the cartridge reservoir. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the solid concentrate comprises at least one of a detergent, a disinfectant, a sanitizer, a degreaser, or a bleach. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the diluent comprises one of water or electrolyzed water. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the use solution comprises at least one of a detergent solution, a disinfectant solution, a sanitizing solution, a degreasing solution, or a bleach solution. ### Claim 10 A cartridge comprising: a housing defining a reservoir; a valve positioned within a surface of the housing; and a solid concentrate positioned within the reservoir, wherein the valve is configured, in response to actuation of a dispense mechanism, to allow one-way flow of a diluent into the reservoir to at least partially dissolve the solid concentrate and form a use solution in the reservoir. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the solid concentrate comprises at least one of a detergent, a disinfectant, a sanitizer, a degreaser, or a bleach. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The cartridge of claim 10 further comprising a coupling mechanism configured to couple the housing to a dispensing apparatus including a container for storing the diluent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cartridge of claim 12 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of a screw thread mechanism or a snap mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The cartridge of claim 10 wherein the first surface of the housing comprises a top surface of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises: a bottom surface; and a platform positioned between the bottom surface and the first, top surface, the platform configured to support the solid concentrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the first surface of the housing comprises a top surface of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises: a bottom surface configured to support the solid concentrate; and a diffuser positioned between the bottom surface and the first, top surface, the diffuser configured to spread the one-way flow of the aqueous diluent from the valve into a relatively wider cross-sectional area and onto the solid concentrate. ### Claim 16 A system comprising: a dispense mechanism that when actuated dispenses a use solution; a container defining a first reservoir configured to store a diluent; and a cartridge coupled to the container, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a reservoir configured to store a solid product concentrate; and a valve positioned within a surface of the housing, the valve configured, in response to actuation of the dispense mechanism, to allow one-way flow of diluent from the container into the reservoir to at least partially dissolve the solid product concentrate and form the use solution in the reservoir. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the cartridge is removably coupled to the bottle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the use solution comprises at least one of a detergent solution, a disinfectant solution, a sanitizing solution, a degreasing solution, or a bleach solution. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the surface of the housing comprises a top surface of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises: a bottom surface; and a platform positioned between the bottom surface and the first, top surface, the platform configured to support the solid concentrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the surface of the housing comprises a top surface of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises: a bottom surface configured to support the solid concentrate; and a diffuser positioned between the bottom surface and the first, top surface, the diffuser configured to spread the one-way flow of the aqueous diluent from the valve into a relatively wider cross-sectional area and onto the solid concentrate.