Bruce D Weber

US Patent:

6763860, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188714

Inventors:

Ronald D. Jungmann - Maplewood MN
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN
James M. Zell - Northfield MN
Clyde A. Bailey - Hastings MN
Jun Wu - Vadnais Heights MN
Gregory B. Laughland - Rochester MN

Assignee:

Ecolab, Inc. - Mendota Heights MN

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141104, 141 83, 141 94, 141192, 436 43, 422105

Abstract:

A method and system for formulating and dispensing a chemical product to a dispense location is disclosed. The chemical product is formulated using one or more chemical concentrates. The chemical concentrates may be stored in concentrate containers and provided to a formulator by associated concentrate pumps. The concentrates are pulled from the containers through a manifold and to the formulator. The formulator discharges the chemical concentrates through a dispense hose having an outlet valve to the dispense location. The dispense location may be a jug or a drum. A flow meter connected between the formulator and the dispense hose. The flow meter monitors the component chemical concentrates flowing through the dispense hose and measures volumetric information associated with each component chemical concentrate. A flow controller analyzes the volumetric information generated by the flow meter and controls the volume of each component chemical concentrate dispensed to the dispense location.

US Patent:

7292914, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188620

Inventors:

Ronald D. Jungmann - Maplewood MN, US
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN, US
James M. Zoll - Northfield MN, US
Clyde A. Bailey - Hastings MN, US
Jun Wu - Vadnais Heights MN, US

Assignee:

Ecolab Inc. - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G05D 11/02

US Classification:

700285, 700231, 700283, 222 71

Abstract:

A system for controlling and monitoring operations of a chemical dispense system from a remote location is disclosed. The chemical dispense system includes a formulator for preparing a chemical product using one or more component chemical concentrates. The chemical dispense system also includes an allocator for managing the distribution of formulated chemical products to a point-of-use such that the formulated products are distributed to the point-of-use by a specified plan or sequence. The allocator may also be used to manage the formulation of chemical products such that the chemical products are formulated based on a plan or sequence. The chemical dispense system includes a communications system that enables system operators to control and monitor allocation and/or formulation operations from a remote location. A method for remotely monitoring and controlling operations of the chemical dispense system is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7694589, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/954425

Inventors:

Richard J. Mehus - Richfield MN, US
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN, US
Ben J. Wiltsie - Eagan MN, US

Assignee:

Ecolab Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01L 1/26
G01G 19/30
G07F 11/00

US Classification:

7386252, 222 77, 177 2511, 221 6

Abstract:

A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket. The system may generate an out-of-product notification when the amount of product dispensed is substantially equal to zero, a low product notification when the amount of the product remaining is less than a threshold weight or a proof-of-delivery notification.

US Patent:

7954668, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Feb 24, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/711892

Inventors:

Richard J. Mehus - Richfield MN, US
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN, US
Ben J. Wiltsie - Eagan MN, US

Assignee:

Ecolab Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01G 17/04
B65B 59/00

US Classification:

222 77, 222 52, 222 64, 221 6, 221 17

Abstract:

A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket. The system may generate an out-of-product notification when the amount of product dispensed is substantially equal to zero, a low product notification when the amount of the product remaining is less than a threshold weight or a proof-of-delivery notification.

US Patent:

8277745, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

May 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/799692

Inventors:

Richard J. Mehus - Richfield MN, US
Henry J. McCarrick - Valley Center CA, US
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN, US
Ben J. Wiltsie - Eagan MN, US

Assignee:

Ecolab Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B01D 11/02
G01G 19/00

US Classification:

422264, 177199

Abstract:

A mass-based dispensing system includes a set of interchangeable load cell assemblies. The load cell assemblies are sized to be interchangeably received into a mass-based product dispenser. Each of the interchangeable load cell assemblies has a maximum rated load that is different from the maximum rated load of the other load cell assemblies. The interchangeable load cell assemblies are substantially modular (i. e. , have substantially similar external geometries), thus enabling the product dispenser to interchangeably receive the load cells. The interchangeable load cell assemblies enable a single product dispenser to accommodate a broad range of differently weighted products and/or product containers.

US Patent:

20120124859, May 24, 2012

Filed:

Nov 24, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/954006

Inventors:

Robert E. May - Lakeville MN, US
Julio R. Panama - Blaine MN, US
Nicholas D. Parent - Saint Paul MN, US
Mihnea A. Popa - Inver Grove Heights MN, US
Bruce W. Weber - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

Ecolab USA Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F26B 19/00

US Classification:

34572

Abstract:

A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature, humidity, and/or dryer on/off information concerning the dryers. The dryer monitoring system may analyze the dryer information and generate reports communicating the dryer information, identify possible maintenance issues with the dryers, identify ambient environmental conditions that may lead to inefficient drying, identify possible operator errors, and/or diagnose other dryer conditions that may be determined based on the dryer information.