Industrial solid detergent dispenser and cleaning system

A dispenser, comprising:

• (a) a reservoir for an aqueous solution;
• (b) means for retaining at least one solid block of dissolvable material above the reservoir the sides and upper surface of the solid block being exposed;
• (c) means for measuring the volume of aqueous solution in the reservoir and adding fresh water to the reservoir when the volume of aqueous solution is below a predetermined minimum value;
• the fresh water being added until the volume of aqueous solution in the reservoir reaches a predetermined maximum value;
• (d) means for measuring the concentration of material in the aqueous solution in the reservoir and generating a first signal when the concentration is above a preset value and a second signal when the concentration is below said preset value, the concentration measurement means being located so as to take measurements of the solution in the reservoir;
• (e) means for spraying aqueous solution from the reservoir onto the top of the block of dissolvable material so as to dissolve a portion of the material with minimal foaming and form a recycled aqueous solution having a concentration of material greater than the aqueous solution in the reservoir;
• (f) means for conveying the recycled aqueous solution to the reservoir wherein the recirculated aqueous solution forms part of the aqueous solution retained therein;
• (g) control means in communication with the concentration measuring means and the spraying means for receiving the first and second signals from the concentration measuring means and causing the spraying means to spray aqueous solution onto the solid block of dissolvable material only when the second signal is generated;
• and
• (h) means for dispensing aqueous solution from the reservoir to a use point.

A method of dispensing a solid block of dissolvable material, comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing at least one solid block of dissolvable material into a dispenser, which comprises at least:
• (i) a reservoir capable of holding a dispensable aqueous solution;
• (ii) means for retaining at least one solid block of dissolvable material above the reservoir;
• (iii) means for measuring the volume of aqueous solution in the reservoir;
• (iv) means for measuring the concentration of material in the aqueous solution in the reservoir;
• and
• (v) means for spraying aqueous solution from the reservoir onto the top of the block of dissolvable material;
• (b) removing aqueous solution from the reservoir;
• (c) automatically adding water to the reservoir in response to a signal from the volume measuring means that the volume of aqueous solution in the reservoir is below a predetermined minimum value;
• (d) spraying aqueous solution from the reservoir onto the top of the solid block of dissolvable material in response to a signal from the concentration measuring means that the concentration of material in the aqueous solution in the reservoir is below a preset value, so as to dissolve a portion of the material and form a recycled aqueous solution having a concentration of material greater than the aqueous solution in the reservoir;
• and
• (e) conveying the recycled aqueous solution to the reservoir;
• and
• (f) dispensing aqueous solution from the reservoir to a use point.