Method and apparatus for dispensing a use solution
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus provides for dispensing a liquid concentrate. The source pressure of a liquid diluent is changed by a boost pump ( 52 ) to bring the pressure of the diluent to an elevated pressure. The diluent then enters an aspirator assembly ( 10 ) wherein the concentrate and diluent are mixed to form a use solution. The dynamic pressure of the diluent entering the aspirator assembly ( 10 ) is sufficient so that the amount of concentrate delivered over time is more constant.
1. A method of dispensing a liquid concentrate from a dispenser for a laundry based application, comprising:
(a) providing a supply of liquid diluent at a source pressure;
(b) increasing the source pressure to an elevated pressure, the elevated pressure is a differential pressure of 50 psig or more;
(c) passing the liquid diluent at the elevated pressure through a diluent inlet port of an aspirator;
(d) placing a first liquid product in fluid communication with a first product inlet port; and
(e) dispensing a first use solution from a mixture of the liquid diluent and the first liquid product, wherein the first use solution has a given concentration independent of the source pressure.
2. The method of claim 1 , the dispenser having a first controllable valve to control flow through the first product inlet port, the method further comprising opening the first controllable valve for a predetermined time, wherein an amount of liquid product dispensed is independent of the source pressure.
3. The method of claim 2 , the dispenser having an adjustable aspirator nozzle, the method further comprising adjusting the adjustable nozzle to control flow of the first liquid product.
4. The method of claim 2 , the dispenser further having a second product inlet port, the method comprising:
(a) placing a second product in fluid communication with the second product inlet port;
(b) activating a second controllable valve to control flow through the second product inlet port; and
(c) dispensing a second use solution from a mixture of the liquid diluent and the second liquid product.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a boost pump is used to obtain the elevated pressure.
6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
(a) the first liquid product is chlorine delivered through a first passageway;
(b) the second liquid product is an acid delivered through a second passageway;
(c) the liquid diluent is water;
(d) sizing the first and second passageway so as to have a combined use solution having a pH of 5.0 or greater when both the liquid products are being dispensed, since the first and second liquid products are dispensed at a constant rate independent of the source pressure.
7. A method of dispensing a liquid concentrate from a dispenser for a warewashing based application, comprising:
(a) providing a supply of liquid diluent at a source pressure;
(b) increasing the source pressure to an elevated pressure, the elevated pressure is a differential pressure of 50 psig or more;
(c) passing the liquid diluent at the elevated pressure through a diluent inlet port of an aspirator;
(f) placing a first liquid product in fluid communication with a first product inlet port; and
(g) dispensing a first use solution from a mixture of the liquid diluent and the first liquid product, wherein the first use solution has a given concentration independent of the source pressure.
8. The method of claim 7 , the dispenser having a first controllable valve to control flow through the first product inlet port, the method further comprising opening the first controllable valve for a predetermined time, wherein an amount of liquid product dispensed is independent of the source pressure.
9. The method of claim 8 , the dispenser having an adjustable aspirator nozzle, the method further comprising adjusting the adjustable nozzle to control flow of the first liquid product.
10. The method of claim 7 , the dispenser further having a second product inlet port, the method comprising:
(a) placing a second product in fluid communication with the second product inlet port;
(b) activating a second controllable valve to control flow through the second product inlet port; and
(c) dispensing a second use solution from a mixture of the liquid diluent and the second liquid product.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein a boost pump is used to obtain the elevated pressure.