Dispensing system and method for dispensing a concentrated product and container for use therewith
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsMaitland R. Edwards, Dale W. Groth, Eric R. Balz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispensing system and method of dispensing utilize a container housing a concentrated product which is filled with a diluent to form a use dilution, then is subsequently installed into a dispenser having means for automatically opening the container to (give the dispenser access to the use dilution. The container includes a cap disposed thereon with a pierceable member that permits access to the interior cavity of the container when pierced. The cap is removable to permit the container to be filled with a diluent prior to installation in the dispenser.
Claims19
A dispensing system comprising:
- (a) a container housing a quantity of concentrated product and being sized to permit a quantity of diluent to be added to the concentrated product to form a use dilution, the concentrated product being an additive for treating water in a heating system;
- and
- (b) a dispenser including:
- (1) a housing forming a sump for retaining a quantity of the use dilution, the housing including an opening for supporting the container;
- (2) opening means for automatically forming an aperture in the container when the container is installed into the dispenser;
- and
- (3) dispensing means comprising a pump, in fluid communication with the housing, or dispensing the use dilution from the container to a point of use, wherein the container forms an atmospheric head to automatically maintain the level of use dilution housed in the sump at a predetermined level so long as a quantity of use dilution is retained in the container.
A method of dispensing a concentrated product for treatment of heating water the concentrated product housed within an interior cavity of a container, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) filling the interior cavity of the container with a diluent to dilute the concentrated product;
- (b) installing the container into a dispenser having a housing forming a sump for retaining a quantity of the diluted concentrate and an opening means for automatically forming an aperture in the container when the container is installed into the dispenser to place the interior cavity of the container in fluid communication with the dispenser;
- (c) forming an atmospheric head in the container to maintain the level of diluted concentrate in the housing at a predetermined level;
- and
- (d) dispensing a quantity of the concentrated product into a source of heating water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.