Granted Patent B2

US 7,282,101 · App. 10/642,668 · Granted Oct 16, 2007

Abstract

Claims (46)

1. A method for dissolving a measured quantity of a solute in a solvent comprising the steps of:

combining a tracer with a solute in known proportions to form a mixture, the tracer being capable of increasing the turbidity of a solvent in proportion to the concentration of the solute dissolved in the solvent;

providing a container for receiving the mixture and a solvent;

introducing the solvent and the mixture into the container;

stirring the solvent until the turbidity thereof reaches a predetermined level to produce a liquid detergent; and,

employing the detergent in a car wash.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tracer and the solute are finely divided solids both being capable of dissolving in the solvent.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tracer is selected from the group consisting of: insoluble metaphosphate, zeolite, sodium sulfate, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic phosphate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: water, ethanol, methanol, isoproponol, and glycol ether.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amount of the mixture introduced to the container is sufficient to saturate the solvent.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stirring step further includes:

directing a beam of light through the solvent to a photodetector; and,

converting the light received by the photodetector into a turbidity level.

7. A method for dissolving a measured quantity of a solute in a solvent comprising the steps of:

combining a tracer with a solute in known proportions to form a mixture, the tracer being

capable of increasing the turbidity of a solvent in proportion to the concentration of

the solute dissolved in the solvent;

providing a container for receiving the mixture and a solvent;

providing a turbidimeter coupled with the container;

introducing the solvent and the mixture into the container;

exposing the turbidimeter to said solvent so as to measure the turbidity of the solvent;

stirring the solvent until the turbidity thereof, as measured by the turbidimeter, reaches a

predetermined level to produce a liquid detergent; and,

employing the detergent in a car wash.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the exposing step further includes:

directing a beam of light through the solvent to a photodetector being part of the

turbidimeter; and,

converting the light received by the photodetector into a turbidity level.

9. A method for producing a liquid detergent comprising the steps of:

combining a tracer with an inorganic alkaline builder in known proportions to form a

mixture, the tracer being capable of increasing the turbidity of water in proportion to

the concentration of the inorganic alkaline builder dissolved in the water;

providing a container for receiving the mixture and water;

providing a turbidimeter coupled with the container;

introducing water and the mixture into the container;

exposing the turbidimeter to the water in the container so as to measure the turbidity of the

water in the container;

stirring the water in the container until the turbidity thereof, as measured by the

turbidimeter, reaches a predetermined level;

drawing turbid water from the container and combining the turbid water with a surfactant to

produce a liquid detergent; and, employing the detergent in a car wash.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the exposing step further includes:

directing a beam of light through the solvent to a photodetector being part of the

turbidimeter; and,

convening the light received by the photodetector into a turbidity level.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the tracer is selected from the group consisting of: insoluble metaphosphate, zeolite, sodium sulfate, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic phosphate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate.

Assignments (18)