Abstract: A method of determining an operational parameter of a washing system having a wash tank to which water and material are added. In some embodiments, the method includes establishing a communication link between a sensor and a controller. The sensor is positioned in the wash tank and transmits a signal indicative of a material concentration. The controller receives the signal. Additionally, the method includes adding material to water in the wash tank, monitoring the material concentration while material is being added, and stopping the material addition upon the material concentration reaching a predetermined material concentration. The controller then determines an operational parameter indicative of the amount of material that is needed to reach the predetermined material concentration.

Abstract: A dilution control device and method of operating the same. The dilution control device can include a structure for dispensing concentrate and diluent fluid in a desired dilution ratio utilizing volumetric dosing. In some embodiments, diluent fluid drives a wheel or compresses a pliable concentrate bag in order to dispense concentrate in the desired ratio with the diluent fluid. In some embodiments, one or more floats can be used to drive a pump or actuate a valve to dispense concentrate at a particular rate proportional with the flow rate of the diluent fluid. In some embodiments, a rocker is responsive to the flow of diluent fluid to pump concentrate. In some embodiments, the dilution control device can be operable to automatically modulate the dispense rate of concentrate when the diluent fluid flow rate is varied in order to maintain a predetermined dilution ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning carcasses is described and illustrated, as is a device for mixing a cleaning substance that can be used in such applications. In some embodiments, the apparatus and method utilize a multi-phase cleaning substance spraying procedure in which the cleaning substance has desired levels of chlorine dioxide and is delivered to the carcasses at desired flow rates, both of which can vary between phases of the procedure and/or at different locations of the carcasses being cleaned.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and sensing device capable of determining a temperature of a liquid and an electrical conductivity of said liquid at said temperature. The sensing device comprises at least one temperature sensor for providing temperature measurement data arranged such that said temperature sensor is physically isolated from said liquid when said sensing device is immersed in said liquid. The device further comprises an electrical conductivity sensor, storage means containing temperature characteristics and a processor. The processor is arranged for instantly measuring an electrical conductivity of a liquid and for evaluating temperature measurement data for determining the temperature of the liquid on the basis of the temperature characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides coating systems for surfaces and methods for coating and repairing surfaces.

Abstract: Animal carcasses are disinfected by applying to the surface of the animal carcass an acidified solution of chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide solution should have a pH of about 2-3 and a concentration of 1-100 ppm. The contact time for the solution onto the carcass surface should be from about 5 seconds to about 60 seconds.

Abstract: The chemical distribution system (100) includes at least a first chamber that is fluidly coupled to a second chamber below it, which is in turn fluidly coupled to a manifold below it. In use, water and a powdered chemical are introduced into the first chamber. Liquid chemicals, however, are injected into the second chamber through multiple chemicals inlets in the second chamber. A pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the first chamber is used to accurately measure dosages of the liquid chemical. Once the accurate dosages have been determined, the powdered and/or liquid chemicals are distributed through one of multiple manifold outlets and along a single line (116(a), 116(b)) to one of multiple washing machines (102(a), 102(b)).

Abstract: A method of washing ware in an automatic ware washing machine, is disclosed, using a rinse aid composition containing a polysaccharide. The polysaccharide adsorbs on the ware resulting in a sheeting action of the rinse solution leading to improved drying of the ware.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a mel amine sponge is employed for use in a floor scrubbing machine for cleaning uncoated, stone floors. A backing material is secured to the melamine sponge and a non-woven fabric is secured to the backing material which in turn is engaged by the driver block of the machine. The cleaning device in conjunction with the floor scrubbing machine is capable of removing dirt and scuff marks from stone floors using only water as the cleaning agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a cleaning solution. Specifically, the apparatus of some embodiments includes a reservoir for containing sodium chlorite. A disposable ion exchange cartridge is placed in fluid communication with the sodium chlorite reservoir via a conduit. The ion exchange cartridge is selectively disconnectable from fluid communication with the sodium chlorite reservoir or from the conduit. Generally, the ion exchange cartridge will be disconnected and replaced when the ion exchange materials in the cartridge are depleted or exhausted. A catalyst can also be placed in fluid communication with the sodium chlorite reservoir. The catalyst can be contained in disposable or selectively disconnectable cartridge that can be easily replaced when depleted. In another aspect of the invention, a color comparison chart is positioned adjacent a conduit to allow one to compare the color of the solution to the chart and determine the concentration of the solution.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser contains and dispenses metered amounts of fluid, and in some embodiments comprises a reservoir for containing fluid; a chamber positioned substantially within the reservoir for containing a quantity of fluid; and a piston moveable within the chamber in a first direction to draw fluid into the chamber from the reservoir, and movable in a second direction to discharge a metered amount of fluid from the chamber. A user-manipulatable control can be coupled to the piston to move the piston with respect to the chamber, and in some cases to select the desired metered amount of fluid to be dispensed. Also, a pawl can be used to selectively permit and inhibit movement of the piston in the first and/or second directions to prevent partial doses from being dispensed from the fluid dispenser.

Abstract: An improved container and closure. Some embodiments are directed toward a pressurized container adapted to be utilized is any orientation. In one particular embodiment, a bladder separates a dispensable fluid in the container from a pressurizing fluid. Movement of the bladder via force from the pressuring fluid keeping the dispensable fluid in fluid communication with an outlet of the container regardless of orientation of the container. Some embodiments provide an improved sealing arrangement for a pressurized container and closure, wherein a bladder is utilized as a seal between the container and the closure.

Abstract: A resealable closure and valve assembly adapted to be coupled to a container to selectively control the dispensing of liquid from the container. The resealable closure and valve assembly includes a non-mechanically biased stop selectively engageable with a passageway to selectively seal the passageway from a dispensable product, such as a liquid contained within a container. In some embodiments, the stop is adapted to reseal the passageway by the force of weight applied to the stop by fluid in the container. In some embodiments, the stop is adapted to reseal the passageway via a suction force.

Abstract: A method of washing ware, in particular in an automatic institutional ware washing machine, is disclosed, using a detergent composition containing a polysaccharide, which eliminates the need for a surfactant in the rinse step. The polysaccharide provides a layer of polysaccharide on the ware so as to afford a sheeting action in an aqueous rinse step without any added rinse agent.

Abstract: A method and device to insure that a particular dispensing package (18) can only be engaged into an appropriate dispensing location (14). Specifically, the package and the dispenser have mating concentric rings (24, 30) (or portions thereof) to prevent engagement and dispensing of an inappropriate product. In one embodiment, the package (18) is provided with one or more concentric ring projections (24) (or portions thereof) and the dispenser (10) is provided with one or more matching concentric ring recesses (30). The projections and the recesses have similar diameters to define a mating set. In some embodiments, the concentric ring projections are placed on a closure (20), such as a cap, of the package. In alternative embodiments, the projections are placed on the dispenser and the recesses are placed on the package.

Abstract: A selector valve assembly for use in conjunction with an eductor dispensing system which reduces the incidence of product carry-over when the valve is moved from one position to another. The selector valve assembly also reduces the incidence of improper dispensing. In a preferred manner, the selector valve assembly has a single valve member and accommodates four product inlet lines for selectively passing chemical concentrate to two eductors. The selector valve assembly is composed of a minimum of ports, thereby reducing maintenance and cost.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention are related to a mop and/or mop head that allows larger debris to pass over at least a portion of the mop head and into a receptacle of the mop head. In some embodiments, the mop head and the receptacle are integrally formed. The mop has debris collecting material coupled to the mop head to collect dust, dirt, and other relatively small debris as the mop moves over a floor. In one particular embodiment, the debris collecting material is a non-woven material. The debris collecting material of the mop can be connected to the mop many different ways. However, in some embodiments, the material is connected via several projections extending from a top surface of the mop head. The projections pass through apertures in the dust collecting material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubricant concentrate containing the following components (i) at least one amine, (ii) at least one phosphate according to the general formula (I), (iii) at least one acid, (iv) optionally at least one ether carboxylic acid compounds with the general formula (II) R20—(O(CH2)m)nOCH2COO?M+??(II), (v) optionally at least one further aid or additive.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser and method of operating the same. The fluid dispenser can include a wheel driven by diluent passing along a flow path in the fluid dispenser. The wheel can be connected to a pump to pump fluid from a reservoir for dispense into the diluent. In some embodiments, the ratio of wheel rotations to pump cycles is selected to provide a desired and repeatable dilution ratio of concentrated fluid to diluent. The fluid dispenser can be portable and/or disposable, and in some embodiments is adapted for installation on an upper rim of a reservoir wall. Also, the fluid dispenser can be provided with a baffle limiting the velocity and impact of incoming diluent to the wheel driving the pump, thereby improving dosing accuracy of the dispenser in some embodiments.