Abstract:
A fill station for filling various sizes of containers from a liquid dispensing system includes a first stationary platform and second rotatable platform positioned above the first platform. The second platform is hinged to move between a horizontal loading position and a stowed position to provide access to the first platform. A third platform may be positioned above the second platform, wherein the third platform is hinged at an opposite end from the second platform to move between a horizontal load position and a stowed position. Sensors may be used to detect whether a container is positioned on one of the platforms and to detect the positions of the different rotatable platforms.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/304,587, entitled “Flow-Based Chemical Dispense Control System,” filed Jul. 10, 2001, and U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/312,587, entitled “Fill Station And Application-Based Allocator And Formulator For A Chemical Dispense Control System,” filed Aug. 15, 2001. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to apparatus for dispensing a chemical product and, more particularly, to a fill station for filling containers of various sizes with the chemical product. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Chemical dispensing systems are widely used to provide for proper mixtures and allocations of a specific chemical formula. Such systems typically direct a predetermined amount of a chemical formula to a fill station where a container is positioned to receive the chemical mixture. The fill station provides a base for supporting the container during the filling operation and further provides a drain for the removal of accidental spills that occur while filling the container. 
     In order to accommodate a plurality of different container sizes, prior art fill stations have utilized various techniques to ensure that the container opening is properly positioned relative to a chemical product discharge tube. One previous technique utilizes a height-adjustable platform or lift upon which each container would sit. The lift could be raised or lowered to the proper position prior to the filling operation. For safety reasons, a sliding gate would typically be used in conjunction with the lift to help prevent movement of the container during the filling operation. However, due to the time required to raise and lower the lift to the proper position, it is known that fill station operators would occasionally attempt to fill a container while the lift is improperly positioned. For example, an operator may attempt to fill a small container while the lift is set at lower level that is more appropriate for a larger container. This type of operation often results in chemical spillage, such as when the operator has not perfectly aligned the small container directly under the chemical discharge tube. Additionally, due to the time required to raise and lower the sliding gate between each filling operation, it is not uncommon for fill station operators to forego the requirement of lowering the sliding gate during the filling operation, thereby compromising safety while filling the container. 
     The above types of fill station operator “errors,” as well as other errors such as forgetting to place a container under the product discharge tube, can be costly in a large scale chemical dispensing operation. Thus, an improved fill station is needed that will reduce or prevent chemical spillage as multiple containers of different sizes are filled at the fill station. It is with respect to these and other background considerations, limitations and problems that the present invention has evolved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other problems are solved by a fill station that utilizes one or more rotatable platforms to accommodate filling containers of varying sizes while maintaining a top or spout of each container at a specified location below a product discharge tube of a liquid dispensing system. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fill station includes a first platform positioned above a drain outlet for holding a first container and a second platform positioned above the first platform for holding a second container smaller in size than the first container. The second platform is hinged to move between a horizontal loading position for holding the second container and a stowed position to provide access to the first platform for loading the first container on the first platform. A sensor is preferably used to detect whether a container is positioned on one of the platforms to receive product from a discharge tube of the liquid dispensing system. Additionally, a position sensor may be used to determine whether the second platform is in the horizontal loading position. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the fill station includes a third platform positioned above the second platform for holding a third container smaller in size than the second container. The third platform is also hinged to move between a horizontal loading position for holding the third container and a stowed position to provide access to the first and second platforms. Preferably, the second and third platforms are hinged at opposite ends so that the second and third platforms open in opposite directions and are stowed on opposite sides of the fill station when access to the first platform is desired. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a fill station includes a frame having a bottom wall, a rear wall, left and right side walls, and a lower front wall. The walls combine to form a drain pan, and the bottom wall includes a drain outlet. The fill station includes a bottom platform positioned above the drain outlet wherein the bottom platform is adapted to position a large-sized container beneath a product discharge tube of the liquid dispensing system. The fill station also includes a middle platform positioned above the bottom platform, wherein the middle platform is adapted to properly position a medium-sized container beneath the product discharge tube of the liquid dispensing system. The middle platform is hinged at one end to move between a horizontal loading position for holding the medium-sized container and a substantially vertical stowed position for providing access to the bottom platform. A top platform is positioned above the middle platform and is adapted to properly position a small-sized container beneath the product discharge tube of the liquid dispensing system. The top platform is hinged at one end opposite the hinged end of the middle platform to move between a horizontal loading position and a substantially vertical stowed position for providing access to the middle platform. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the fill station includes a sensor for detecting whether a container is positioned on one of the platforms in proximity to the product discharge tube of the liquid dispensing system. In further preferred embodiments, the fill station includes position sensors for determining the position of each of the middle and top platforms. These sensors can, in turn, be used to determine the size of the container positioned within the fill station. 
     The great utility of the invention is the ability to place containers of varying sizes within the fill station so that each container is properly positioned relative to a product discharge tube of a liquid dispensing system. The fill station achieves this end through the use of a plurality of stationary and rotatable platforms to accommodate the different sized containers. The present invention further verifies the presence of a container in the fill station and may also determine the position of the different rotatable platforms, thereby determining the size of the container present in the fill station. These and various other features as well as advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary chemical dispensing system incorporating a fill station in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the fill station shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a relatively small container positioned on a top platform beneath a product discharge tube of the chemical dispensing system shown in FIG. 1, where both the container and a formulator above the container are shown in phantom as they represent external environmental features. 
     FIG. 3 is a section view of the fill station taken substantially along the line  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a section view of the fill station taken substantially along the line  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the fill station similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a medium sized container (shown in phantom) positioned on a middle platform of the fill station beneath the product discharge tube after the top platform has been raised to the left of the container as shown by the arrow. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of the fill station similar to FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrating a large sized container (shown in phantom) positioned on a bottom platform of the fill station beneath the product discharge tube after the middle platform has been raised to the right of the container as shown by the arrow. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary chemical dispensing system  100  for formulating and ultimately dispensing a chemical product to a container such as a jug  200  (FIG.  2 ). The exemplary chemical dispensing system  100  shown in FIG. 1 includes a formulator  102  that mixes a particular chemical product according to a specialized formula. The formulator  102  preferably accesses a plurality of concentrate containers  106  (three are shown in FIG. 1) by controlling concentrate pumps  108  attached to each container  106 . The chemical concentrate is preferably transferred through individual lines  110  to the formulator  102 . A water inlet  112  on the formulator  102  allows the formulator to mix the chemical concentrates with water prior to transferring the final chemical product to a fill station  114 . Any excess chemical product is passed from the formulator  102  to the fill station  114  (as described below) where it is disposed of through a drain line  116  to a suitable drain  118  or other holding area. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of the fill station  114  separately from the remainder of the chemical dispensing system  100 . FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate section views of the fill station  114 , and each of the FIGS. 2-4 includes an illustration (in phantom) of a small-sized container  200  (e.g. 1.5 gallons) positioned in the fill station  114  to be filled from a product discharge tube  202  extending down from the formulator  102 . 
     The fill station  114  is preferably substantially rectangular in shape with a rear wall  210 , left and right side walls  212  and  214 , respectively, and a bottom wall  216 . The bottom wall  216  forms a drain pan and is preferably angled in the direction of the left side wall  212  as shown in FIG. 3. A drain outlet  220  (FIGS. 2 and 3) is preferably formed at the low point of the bottom wall  216  for connection to the drain line  116  (FIG.  1 ). A lower front wall or shroud  222  forms the final portion of the watertight drain pan, and two partial front walls  224  and  226  extend upward from the shroud  222  along each of the left and right side walls  212  and  214 , respectively. 
     The two partial front walls  224  and  226  define an interior volume with the rear and side walls having a large open front extending between the two partial walls  224  and  226 . The opening between the walls  224  and  226  provides access to a plurality of horizontal platforms arranged at different heights within the fill station  114 . In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention described below, there are three different platforms  230 ,  232  and  234  that are used to support three different sizes of containers. Specifically, the top platform  230  preferably holds a 1.5 gallon container  200 , while the middle platform  232  preferably holds a 2.5 gallon container  236  (FIG. 5) and the bottom platform  234  preferably holds a 5 gallon container  238  (FIG.  6 ). However, it is understood that the present invention may be used with either greater than or fewer than three different platforms. 
     The three platforms  230 ,  232  and  234  are positioned vertically atop one another and are separated from each other by predetermined distances according to the size of the container that each respective platform is designed to hold. Additionally, the top platform  230  and the middle platform  232  are hinged so that each platform can be raised to provide access to the platform immediately below as shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates that the top platform  230  includes a hinge  240  attached to a left end of the platform  230  to allow the platform  230  to be raised against the left side wall  212  as shown in FIG.  5 . Specifically, a fixed portion  242  of the hinge  240  is secured to a hinge angle or a horizontal mounting plate  244  that extends from the left side wall  212  between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  224  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this manner, the hinge  240  allows the top platform  230  to pivot about the hinge axis so that the free right end is lifted upward to a stowed position. In the horizontal loading position of the top platform  230  shown in FIGS. 2-4, the free right end of the platform  230  is supported by a horizontal stop  248  attached to the right side wall  214  and extending between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  226 . 
     To provide added support for the top platform  230  (and specifically to keep the platform from sagging in the middle region where the container  200  is supported), an offset edge piece  250  is preferably attached along the rear wall  210  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The offset edge piece  250  preferably comprises a double angle bracket having a first vertical segment  252  attached to the rear wall  210 , a horizontal segment  254  extending laterally away from the rear wall  210 , and a second vertical segment  256  extending upward from the horizontal segment  254 . The second vertical segment  256  defines a horizontally extending edge that is offset from the rear wall  210  by the length of the horizontal segment  254 . In this manner, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  256  supports a bottom surface of the top platform  230  when the platform  230  is in a horizontal loading position. Specifically, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  256  is preferably coplanar with a top surface of the horizontal stop  248  (and a top surface of the hinge  240 ) to provide a substantially horizontal support surface for the top platform  230  when the platform  230  is in the horizontal loading position. Additionally, a rear edge of the top platform  230  preferably includes a down-turned extension  260  which overlaps the second vertical segment  256  of the offset edge piece  250  as shown in FIG.  4 . The downward extension  260  of the platform  230  preferably fits within the offset region between the rear wall  210  and the second vertical segment  256  and provides lateral stability to the platform  230  when the platform is supporting the container  200 . Additional lateral support for the platform  230  is provided by the two partial front walls  224  and  226  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
     A top surface of the top platform  230  preferably includes a vertically extending container stop  264  that extends across a majority of the width of the platform  230  between the rear wall  210  and the open front of the fill station  114  between the two partial front walls  224  and  226  (best shown in FIG.  4 ). The container stop  264  is positioned to support a rear edge of the container  200  when the container  200  is properly positioned on the platform  230  below the product discharge tube  202 . As best shown in FIG. 2, the top platform  230  further defines a central slot  268  extending from the right edge of the platform  230  to a point just to the right of the container stop  264 . The slot  268  is wider than the diameter of the discharge tube  202  and provides for clearance with respect to the tube  202  when the top platform  230  is raised as shown in FIG.  5 . Specifically, the end of the discharge tube  202  passes through the slot  268  as the platform  230  is raised from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 to the stowed position shown in FIG.  5 . In this manner, the slot  268  allows the product discharge tube  202  to remain fixed in place, even as the top platform  230  is raised and lowered, thereby helping to prevent spills during use of the fill station  114 . 
     The middle platform  232  is similar to the top platform  230  except that the middle platform is hinged on its right end so that the left end of the platform is raised upward (to provide access to the bottom platform  234 ) as shown in FIG.  6 . FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate a hinge  270  having a fixed portion  272  secured to a hinge angle or horizontal mounting plate  274  that extends from the right side wall  214  between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  226  as shown in FIGS. 2,  3  and  5 . In this manner, the hinge  270  allows a left end of the middle platform  232  to be pivoted about the hinge axis so that the free end is lifted upward to a stowed position. In the horizontal loading position of the middle platform  232  shown in FIG. 3, the free left end of the platform  232  is supported by a horizontal stop  278  attached to the left side wall  212  and extending between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  224 . 
     To provide added support for the middle platform  232  (and specifically to keep the platform from sagging in the middle region where the container  236  is supported), an offset edge piece  280  is preferably attached along the rear wall  210  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The offset edge piece  280  preferably comprises a double angle bracket having a first vertical segment  282  attached to the rear wall  210 , a horizontal segment  284  extending laterally away from the rear wall  210 , and a second vertical segment  286  extending upward from the horizontal segment  284 . The second vertical segment  286  defines a horizontally extending edge that is offset from the rear wall  210  by the length of the horizontal segment  284 . In this manner, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  286  supports a bottom surface of the middle platform  232  when the platform  232  is in a horizontal loading position. Specifically, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  286  is preferably coplanar with a top surface of the horizontal stop  278  (and a top surface of the hinge  270 ) to provide a substantially horizontal support surface for the middle platform  232  when the platform  232  is in the horizontal loading position. Additionally, a rear edge of the middle platform  232  preferably includes a down-turned extension  290  which overlaps the second vertical segment  286  of the offset edge piece  280  as shown in FIG.  4 . The downward extension  290  of the platform  232  preferably fits within the offset region between the rear wall  210  and the second vertical segment  286  and provides lateral stability to the platform  232  when the platform is supporting the medium-sized (e.g., 2.5 gallon) container  236  as shown in FIG.  5 . Additional lateral support for the platform  232  is provided by the two partial front walls  224  and  226  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     A top surface of the middle platform  232  preferably includes a vertically extending container stop  294  that extends across a majority of the width of the platform  232  between the rear wall  210  and the open front of the fill station  114  between the two partial front walls  224  and  226  (best shown in FIG.  4 ). The container stop  294  is positioned to support a rear edge of the medium-sized container  236  when the container  236  is properly positioned on the platform  232  below the product discharge tube  202 . As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the container stop  294  is necessarily smaller than the vertical distance between the middle platform  232  and the top platform  230  to provide clearance for the container stop  294  when the top platform  230  is in the horizontal loading position. Additionally, while not shown in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the left end of the middle platform  232  may define a central slot similar to the slot  268  defined in the top platform  230  if necessary to provide clearance for the discharge tube  202 . Because the discharge tube  202  is positioned to the left side of the fill station  114  in the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, no such slot is necessary for the middle platform  232  of the preferred embodiment since the left end of the platform  232  will clear the bottom of the discharge tube  202 . However, if the discharge tube  202  were to extend lower, or if the tube  202  was positioned to the right side of the fill station  114 , a slot could be formed in the left end of the middle platform  232  to provide clearance for the discharge tube  202 . 
     The bottom platform  234  differs from the top and middle platforms  230  and  232  in that the bottom platform  234  is not hinged. Specifically, because the bottom platform  234  is adapted to hold the largest container  238  (e.g. 5 gallons) used with the fill station  114 , there is no need to hinge the bottom platform  234 . However, the bottom platform is preferably removable from the fill station to allow for access to the drain pan below the platform  234  (e.g., for cleaning the bottom wall  216  and for accessing the drain outlet  220 ). FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the right end of the bottom platform  234  is supported by a horizontal support or base  304  that extends from the right side wall  214  between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  226 . Similarly, the left end of the bottom platform  234  is supported by a horizontal base  306  that extends from the left side wall  212  between the rear wall  210  and the partial front wall  224 . 
     To provide added support for the middle platform  232  (and specifically to keep the platform from sagging in the middle region where the large-sized container  238  is supported), an offset edge piece  310  is preferably attached along the rear wall  210  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The offset edge piece  310  preferably comprises a double angle bracket having a first vertical segment  312  attached to the rear wall  210 , a horizontal segment  314  extending laterally away from the rear wall  210 , and a second vertical segment  316  extending upward from the horizontal segment  314 . The second vertical segment  316  defines a horizontally extending edge that is offset from the rear wall  210  by the length of the horizontal segment  314 . In this manner, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  316  supports a bottom surface of the bottom platform  234  when the platform  234  is fixed in place above the drain pan. Specifically, the horizontally extending edge of the second vertical segment  316  is preferably coplanar with a top surface of the right and left horizontal bases  304  and  306 , respectively, to provide a substantially horizontal support surface for the bottom platform  234 . Additionally, a rear edge of the bottom platform  234  preferably includes a down-turned extension  320  which overlaps the second vertical segment  316  of the offset edge piece  310  as shown in FIG.  4 . The downward extension  320  of the platform  234  preferably fits within the offset region between the rear wall  210  and the second vertical segment  316  and provides lateral stability to the platform  234  when the platform is supporting a large-sized container  238  (FIG.  6 ). Additional lateral support for the platform  234  is provided by the two partial front walls  224  and  226  as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     A top surface of the bottom platform  234  preferably includes a vertically extending container stop  324  that extends across a majority of the width of the platform  234  between the rear wall  210  and the open front of the fill station  114  between the two partial front walls  224  and  226  (best shown in FIG.  4 ). The container stop  324  is positioned to support a rear edge of the large-sized container  238  when the container  238  is properly positioned on the platform  234  below the product discharge tube  202 . As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the container stop  324  is necessarily smaller than the vertical distance between the bottom platform  234  and the middle platform  232  to provide clearance for the container stop  324  when the middle platform  232  is in the horizontal loading position. 
     The system of pivoting platforms  230  and  232  works in conjunction with the formulator  102  to ensure that each of the three different sized containers ( 200 ,  236  and  238 ) are matched with their respective platforms ( 230 ,  232  and  234 ) prior to the initiation of the container filling procedure. Additionally, to ensure that a fill station operator does not accidentally (or intentionally) place an improper container on one of the lower platforms (e.g., a small container  200  on the middle platform  232  or a medium container  236  on the bottom platform  234 ), the fill station  114  preferably employs a sensor  350  to detect the presence of a properly sized container. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor  350  comprises an infrared sensor positioned in above the container handle  352 . In the specific preferred embodiment of the chemical dispensing system  100  shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6 , the sensor  350  is mounted in a bottom surface of the formulator  102  (shown in phantom in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6 ) so that the sensor  350  is positioned approximately six inches above the container handle  352 . However, other types of known proximity sensors, such as optical sensors and mechanical sensors, may be used in place of the infrared sensor  350 . Additionally, alternative means for mounting the sensor above the container may be used (e.g., when the fill station  114  is used separately from the formulator  102 ). Furthermore, while the sensor  350  is preferably positioned above the handle  352 , other positions for the sensor  350  may be used provided that the sensor  350  can accurately detect the presence and proper position of a container. In one example shown in FIG. 3, an alternative sensor  350 ′ is positioned within the rear wall  210  of the fill station  114  so that the sensor  350 ′ is pointing at a top portion of the container immediately below the handle  352 . 
     The three different sized containers ( 200 ,  236  and  238 ) are preferably selected so that the handles  352  of each container are properly positioned (e.g., approximately six inches) below the sensor  350  when the container ( 200 ,  236  or  238 ) is in on the proper platform ( 230 ,  232  and  234 , respectively). In this manner, the sensor  350  detects the presence of a container near the end of the discharge tube  202  so that a container that is too small cannot be filled from one of the lower platforms. For example, if a fill station operator attempts to fill a small-sized container  200  while one or both of the top and middle platforms  230  and  232  are raised, the handle  352  of the container  200  will not be detected by the sensor  350 . Specifically, the sensor  350  may only have a detection zone of eight inches extending downward from the level of the sensor  350 , and the handle  352  of the small container  200  would be more than eight inches below the sensor  350  when the container  200  is not on the top platform  230 . In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the formulator  102  is programmed to disable delivery of the chemical product to the discharge tube  202  when the sensor  350  does not detect the presence of a properly sized container. 
     Thus, the sensor  350  is used to detect and prevent improper usage of the fill station  114  by checking to see if the proper sized container is being used with the appropriate platform. The sensor  350  also acts as a safety check to ensure that the operator has not forgotten to place a container in the fill station  114  prior to delivering the requested chemical formulation. Specifically, if the operator selects the proper platform (e.g., the middle platform  232 ) for the requested amount of the chemical mixture (e.g., 2.5 gallons), but the operator simply forgets to place the container  236  on the platform, the sensor  350  will detect the omission and instruct the formulator  102  not to dispense the requested amount until a properly sized container is detected on the platform. 
     In sum, the combination of the sensor  350  with the container stops ( 264 ,  294  and  324 ) for each of the platforms ( 230 ,  232  and  234 ) ensures that a container is properly positioned beneath the product discharge tube  202 . The fill station  114  thus reduces or eliminates the types of operator errors that can lead to excess spillage of the chemical formulations, such as when an operator might attempt to fill a small-sized container from one of the lower platforms. Indeed, one of the few remaining possibilities for operator error would be a miscommunication such as when an operator properly sets up a small-sized container  200  on the top platform  230  and then requests the formulator to supply more than 1.5 gallons of the chemical substance. The sensor  350 , by itself, could not prevent such a mistake since the sensor  350  correctly detects the presence of the container  200 . However, an alternative embodiment of the present invention addresses this particular problem through the inclusion of sensors to detect the position of each of the movable platforms (e.g., the top and middle platforms  230  and  232 ). 
     For example, mechanical contact sensors (not shown) may be placed on the horizontal stops  248  and  278  to detect when the respective platforms  230  and  232  are lowered. By using both the platform position sensors and the sensor  350 , the formulator  102  could be programmed to detect not only the presence of a container but also the size of the container. For example, if the platform position sensors detect that the top platform  230  is up and that the middle platform  232  is down, and the optical sensor  350  further detects the presence of a container, the formulator would be programmed to determine that a medium-sized container  236  is present in the fill station  114 . The formulator  102  could then be programmed to check the requested chemical formula delivery amount against the size of the detected container (e.g., 2.5 gallons) and could be programmed to disable product delivery if a discrepancy is noted. 
     Specifically, in one embodiment of the invention, the formulator  102  is programmed to refuse to initiate the filling procedure if the requested product amount could not be accommodated within the detected container. For example, if the fill station sensors detect that a medium-sized (e.g., 2.5 gallon) container is present in the fill station  114 , and the operator requests that 5 gallons of a certain chemical formulation be delivered to the container, the formulator would alert the operator to the discrepancy and disable delivery of the chemical product until either the requested volume or the detected container is changed to match the other. 
     The design of the fill station  114  shown in FIGS. 1-6 preferably matches the design of the formulator  102  as shown in FIG.  1 . Specifically, the fill station  114  is preferably wall mounted directly below the formulator  102  through the use of keyed slots  360  formed at the top of the rear wall  210 . Additionally, a bottom mounting plate  362  is preferably formed to depend from a bottom portion of the rear wall  210  (FIG. 4) so that the mounting plate  362  extends down beyond the slanting bottom wall  216  as shown in FIG.  3 . The bottom mounting plate  362  also includes a number of holes  364  for securing the rear wall  210  of the fill station  114  to the wall below the formulator  102 . Positioned in this manner, the fill station  114  is able to receive not only the product discharge tube  202  from the formulator  102 , but also a drain line  370  that extends from the bottom of the formulator  102 . The drain line  370  is best shown in FIG. 3 where it extends vertically along the junction of the rear wall  210  and the left side wall  212 . A drain hose shield  372  attached to the top of the left side wall  212  includes an opening for receiving the drain line  370 . Additionally, each of the fixed horizontal mounting plates/stops  244 ,  278  and  306  (FIG. 3) on the left side of the fill station  114  includes an opening (not shown) in a corner thereof to allow passage of the drain line  370  down into the drain pan of the fill station  114 . A terminal end  374  (FIG. 3) of the drain line  370  preferably extends to the bottom of the drain pan and, in one embodiment, extends into the drain outlet  220  itself. The drain line  370  thus allows the formulator  102  to drain excess chemicals to the drain pan of the fill station  114  so that an additional external drain line from the formulator  102  to the floor drain  118  (FIG. 1) is not required. The drain hose shield  372  is preferably positioned sufficiently high on the left side wall  212  to avoid contact with the right end of the top platform  230  when the top platform  230  is in a raised position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     While the fill station  114  provides a drainage area for the formulator  102  via the drain line  370 , it is important to note that the drain pan of the fill station  114  also collects any chemicals spilled during the container filling process. While the present invention is designed to prevent or at least minimize such spills by ensuring proper positioning of the containers  200 ,  236  and  238 , some spillage is inevitable with repeated use of the fill station. For this reason, each of the platforms  230 ,  232  and  234  includes a plurality of perforations  380  (FIG. 2) that allow for passage of any spilled chemicals to the platform below and ultimately to the bottom wall  216  of the fill station  114 . The slanted surface of the bottom wall  216  ensures that spilled chemicals will be directed to the drain outlet  220  and then through the drain line  116  (FIG. 1) to the floor drain  118  or other specified receptacle. In this manner, each of the platforms  230 ,  232  and  234  are essentially formed as grates or screens which may be easily cleaned by spraying water on the platforms and allowing the water to drain downward to the drain pan of the fill station  114 . 
     Furthermore, the drain pan of the fill station  114  preferably includes an auxiliary drain inlet  390  formed in the left side wall  212  below the level of the bottom platform  234 , as best shown in FIG.  3 . The drain inlet  390  can receive a drain hose from another component of the chemical dispensing system  100  other than the formulator  102 , such as a discharge hose from an alkaline station (not shown). 
     It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. Specifically, the fill station  114  is adapted to reduce product spillage when containers of varying sizes are filled from a formulator or allocator of a chemical dispensing system  100 . While a presently preferred embodiment of the fill station  114  has been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.