Device and method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsTerry James Klos, Scott A. Johansen, Paul J. Mattia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent is provided. The device includes a solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, a stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution, and a hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water used to generate the stock solution from the solid detergent. A method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle are provided.
Claims24
A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent comprising:
- (a) solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, and including a stock solution generating region for generating stock solution from solid detergent provided within the solid detergent reservoir;
- (b) water inlet for directing water onto solid detergent provided within the solid stock solution generating region for generating stock solution;
- (c) stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution generated in the stock solution generating region, the stock solution reservoir comprising:
- (i) stock solution inlet for receiving stock solution from the stock solution generating region;
- (ii) stock solution outlet for removal of stock solution;
- and
- (iii) stock solution level sensor for sensing the level of stock solution provided within the stock solution reservoir and for generating a first signal and a second signal, the first signal indicating when the stock solution reservoir requires additional stock solution and the second signal indicating when the stock solution reservoir has a sufficient amount of stock solution;
- and
- (d) hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water provided to the water inlet.
A method of generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) applying water against a solid detergent in a solid detergent reservoir to provide a liquid detergent concentrate, wherein the water is provided at a relatively constant temperature as a result of heating in a water heater and the relatively constant temperature is provided within a range of about 40° F. and about 150° F.;
- (b) collecting the Liquid detergent concentrate in a liquid detergent concentrate reservoir;
- (c) monitoring the amount of liquid detergent concentrate within the liquid detergent concentrate reservoir and providing a first signal and a second signal, the first signal indicating when sufficient liquid detergent concentrate is provided within the liquid detergent concentrate reservoir and the second signal indicating when mare liquid detergent concentrate is needed within the liquid detergent concentrate reservoir;
- (d) controlling the flow of water against the solid detergent provided within the solid detergent reservoir based on the first signal and the second signal;
- and
- (e) wherein the solid detergent reservoir, the water heater, and the liquid detergent concentrate reservoir are components of a device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.