Patent Publication Number: US-11656641-B2

Title: System for detecting and indicating container volume variations

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/379,003, filed Apr. 9, 2019, and is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system for supplying chemicals to a washing device, and, more particularly, to a system that can detect a volume of chemicals in a container during operation of a washing device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Washing devices of a central services department (CSD) of a hospital are generally connected to chemical containers located next to the washing devices or in another room that is near the washing devices. Due to safety standards, these chemical containers are located on retention basins. 
     When a cycle of a washing device requires an injection of chemicals from a container, a dosing system of the washing device transfers the chemicals from the container to the washing device. The dosing system can either be embedded in the washing device or positioned outside the washing device. The dosing system may include a variety of components, such as, but not limited to, perylstatic pumps, piping, and flow sensors. 
     The dosing system is designed to guarantee that the volume of the chemicals injected into the washing device corresponds to the volume of chemicals required for the specific operation inside the washing device. Conventionally, this volume is verified through a variety of methods. In one example, pumps in charge of pumping chemicals from the container to the washing device are calibrated so that a given amount of pump operation time corresponds with a specific volume of chemicals that is transferred to the washing device. In another example, a flow sensor placed inside the piping of the dosing system detects several pulses when the chemicals are being transferred through the piping. Depending on the calibration of the transfer system, a number of pulses detected corresponds to a given volume of chemical delivered to the washing device. Specifically, in the cleaning of medical devices, it is common to find dosing systems employing both of the above-referenced examples to confirm the volume of the chemicals delivered to the washing device for regulatory purposes. 
     However, the ultra-concentrated chemicals transported to the washing device are in direct contact with the flow sensors disposed within the piping, thereby subjecting the flow sensors to damage. 
     Further, the pressure on CSDs to respect regulatory standards increases on a consistent basis. Time-based verification and verification through flow sensors provide no method by which control of chemical delivery can be verified visually. As a result, it has become necessary for CSDs to even further verify the amount of chemicals transferred into the washing device through visual and primitive means, such as, for example, drawing a line on a container and routinely checking the container to see if the amount of chemicals in the container has lessened since the line was drawn. This requires extra resources and can make the volume confirmation susceptible to human error. 
     The present invention provides an improved system for determining the volume of a liquid within a container. Specifically, the present invention addresses situations in which accurate determination and verification of an amount of chemicals in a container are required for regulatory purposes. The present invention addressed such situations in a way to eliminate manual confirmations of volume and avoid the use of instrumentation in a way that require exposure of the instrumentation to ultra-concentrated chemicals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for detecting and indicating variations in volume of chemicals in a container. The system includes a retention basin configured to retain the container. The retention basin includes a pressure cell, a basin input interfaces, and a basin controller. The pressure cell is configured to measure a weight of the container. The container is placed on the pressure cell. The basin input interface is configured to allow specification of properties of the chemicals in the container. The basin controller is configured to calculate the volume of the chemicals in the container based on the measured weight of the container and the specified properties of the chemicals in the container. The basin controller includes a basin display configured to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for detecting and indicating variations in volume of chemicals in a container. The system includes a retention basin and a system controller. The retention basin is configured to retain the container. The retention basin includes a pressure cell, a basin communication interface, and a basin display. The pressure cell is configured to measure a weight of the container, the container being placed on the pressure cell. The basin communication interface is configured to wirelessly communicate the measured weight of the container and receive a calculation of the volume of the chemicals in the container. The basin display is configured to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container. The system controller includes a central processing unit, a controller communication interface, a controller input interface, and a controller display. The central processing unit is configured to calculate the volume of the chemicals in the container based on the measured weight of the container and properties of the chemicals in the container. The controller communication interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with the basin communication interface to receive, from the basin communication interface, the measured weight of the container and send, to the basin communication interface, the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container for display by the basin display. The controller display is configured to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container. The controller input interface is further configured to allow management of the controller display. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that wireless communication can be used to transfer data from the retention basin on which the container is positioned to a washing device or a controller. This makes chemical supply adjustments easier and enables remote monitoring of the volume of chemicals in the container. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that a pressure cell can be used in a retention basin mounted to a wall. This enables easier maintenance and administration of the container, the retention basin on which the container sits, and the components of the retention basin. 
     An additional advantage of the present invention is that, in at least one embodiment, a retention basin includes one or more basin displays that correspond with measurements taken by a respective pressure cells. This improves the methods by which local monitoring on container volume can be performed. 
     These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of illustrated embodiments taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view illustrating a detergent supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view across a section 2-2 of a retention basin illustrated in  FIG.  1    according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a sectional view across a section 2-2 of a retention basin illustrated in  FIG.  1    according to a modified first embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  4    is a front view illustrating a retention basin according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view illustrating a detergent supply system according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating an embodiment of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting same,  FIGS.  1 - 5    illustrate various examples of first and second embodiments of detergent supply system  2 . Among various different functions, system  2  detects and indicates variations in volume of chemicals in one or more containers  4 . Types of containers  4  may include, but are not limited to, plastic jugs or other plastic and portable chemical media storage. 
     In a first embodiment, system  2  includes retention basin  6 . Retention basin  6  is designed to retain container  4 . Retention basin  6  may be plastic or another lightweight material, but is not limited thereto. Retention basin  6  may be configured to retain various different types or brands of containers  4 . Retention basin  6  may also be configured to exclusive retain a specific type or brand or container  4 . 
     Retention basin  6  includes pressure cell  14 , basin input interface  40 , and basin controller  16 . Pressure cell  14  is designed to measure a weight of container  4 , which is placed on pressure cell  16  when retained by retention basin  6 . Retention basin  6  is further used to protect pressure cell  14  from being overloaded by the weight of container  4 . Basin input interface  40  is liquid-proof and is used to allow a user to specify the properties of the chemicals in container  4 . Basin controller  16  is also liquid-proof and is used to calculate the volume of the chemicals in container  4  based on the measured weight of container  4  and the specified properties of the chemicals in container  4 . Basin controller  16  includes basin display  17 , which is also liquid-proof and used to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 . Basin display  17  may be electronic, such as an LCD or LED display, or mechanical, such as a dial reading. 
     It is noted that the electronic devices of retention basin  6  are powered through power supply  8 . Power supply  8  is illustrated in  FIG.  2    as being a battery. Power supply  8  is illustrated in  FIG.  3    as requiring an AC voltage source. However, embodiments described herein are not limited to either type of power supply. 
     In one example, system  2  may further include washing device  26  and pick-up tubes  21 . Washing device  26  is used to apply the chemicals in container  4  to contents disposed in washing device  26 , such as, but not limited to, medical devices or medical instruments. Washing device  26  may include washing device communication interface  30 . Washing device communication interface  30  is used to wirelessly communicate via basin/washer communication connection  20  with retention basin  6 . 
     In the above-referenced example, pick-up tubes  21  are used to transfer the chemicals in container  4  to washing device  26 . Retention basin  6  may further include basin communication interface  18 . Basin communication interface  18  is used to wirelessly communicate with washing device communication interface  30  of washing device  26  via basin/washer communication connection  20  regarding the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 , withdrawal of the chemicals in container  4  through pick-up tubes  21 , and application of the withdrawn chemicals to the contents disposed in washing device  26 . Basin communication interface  18  may include, but is not limited to, a wireless modem or a wireless router. 
     In another example, pick-up tubes  21  optionally include one or more level sensors  38  positioned therein. Level sensors  38  are used to detect an amount of the chemicals remaining in container  4  and communicate the detected amount to basin controller  16 . 
     It is noted that level sensors  38  are not required for operation of system  2 , as use of level sensors  38  in applications in which system  2  is employed still possesses the drawbacks previously mentioned with respect to conventional art. System  2  is designed to provide accurate volume levels without any assistance from level sensors  38  or the like. However, in view of the aforementioned increase in regulatory accountability, level sensors  38  may provide an extra sense of security and confirmation for the CSDs. Level sensors  38  may be powered by power supply  8  or other means independent from retention basin  6 . 
     In an additional example, system  2  may include mounting bracket  44  mounted to wall  46 . Mounting bracket  44  may include hook  45  that is used to secure retention basin  6  to mounting bracket  44 . It is noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to retention basin  6  being mounted to wall  46 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , retention basin  6  may be positioned on support surface  48 . An example of support surface  48  may include, but is not limited to, a floor or a table. 
     In a further example, basin input interface  40  is further used to allow a user to specify a desired operation of basin display  17 . Basin controller  16  is used to control basin display  17  according to the desired operation of basin display  17  specified by the user through basin input interface  40 . For example, in addition to allowing a user to specify the properties of the chemicals in container  2 , basin input interface  40  may allow the user to switch between Imperial and Metric volume units in an electronic or a mechanical implementation of basin display  17 . 
     In another example, system  2  may further include system controller  24 . System controller  24  is powered by controller power supply  36  using any means known to those having ordinary skill in the art. System controller  24  is used to remotely monitor the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 . System controller  24  may include controller communication interface  28  and controller display  34 . Controller communication interface  28  is used to wirelessly communicate with basin communication interface  18  of retention basin  6  via basin/controller communication connection  22  to acquire the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 . Controller communication interface  28  may include, but is not limited to, a wireless modem or a wireless router. Controller display  34  is used to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4  acquired by controller communication interface  28 . It is anticipated that controller display  34  may be an electronic display, but controller display  34  is not limited thereto. 
     In this example, system controller  24  may further include controller input interface  42  and central processing unit  32 . Controller input interface  42  is used to allow a user to specify a desired operation of controller display  34 . For example, controller input interface  42  may allow the user to switch between Imperial and Metric volume units. Central processing unit  32  is used to control controller display  34  according to the desired operation specified by the user through controller input interface  42 . Controller input interface  42  may resemble any input device known to one having ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, a mechanical or capacitive touch pad, a keyboard, or a video display input device. 
     It is noted that basin input interface  40  and controller input interface  42  are not limited to specific forms and orientations. For example, basin input interface  40  is illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  4    as being a single push button. However, multiple inputs may conceivably integrated into the button illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  4   . Further, basin input interface  40  and controller input interface  42  may have the capability of being remotely controlled through wired means or wireless means. Wired means of remote control may include, but is not limited to, corded input devices. Wireless means of remote control may include, but is not limited to, infrared communication between an input device and interfaces  40  and  42  or wireless communication between an input device, e.g. a mobile phone, and interfaces  40  and  42 . 
     In another example, container  4  may be one of many containers retained by retention basin  6 . Pressure cell  14  of retention basin  6  may be one of many pressure cells  14  of retention basin  6 . In such cases, pressure cells  14  are used to respectively measure weights of containers  4  placed thereon. Moreover, basin controller  16  is used to calculate a volume of chemicals for each of containers  4  based on the measured weight thereof. 
     In the example above, basin input interface  40  is further used to allow a user to specify properties of chemicals in each of containers  4 . In addition, in lieu of basin displays  17  for each pressure cell  14 , as will be described below, centralized basin display  3  can be used to selectively display the volumes related to each of containers  4  on pressure cells  14  in retention basin  6 . In such a case, a single basin input interface  40  is further used to allow selection by a user of the calculated volume of the chemicals in one of containers  4  to be displayed by centralized basin display  3 . It is anticipated that centralized basin display  3  may be an electronic display, but centralized basin display  3  is not limited thereto. 
     In another aspect of the example above, which was referred to above, basin input interface  40  may be one of a plurality of basin input interfaces  40 . Each of basin input interfaces  40  correspond with one of pressure cells  14 . Further, basin controller  16  that has basin display  17  may be one of many basin controllers  16 . Each of basin controllers  16  may include basin displays  17  and correspond with one of pressure cells  14 . As is illustrated in  FIG.  1   , it is also contemplated that a similar configuration could be accomplished through multiple applications of separate retention basins  6 . 
     In the second embodiment, which was referred to above, system  2  may include retention basin  6  and system controller  24 . Retention basin  6  may be used to retain container  4 . In the second embodiment, retention basin  6  may include pressure cell  14 , basin communication interface  18 , and basin display  17 . Pressure cell  14  is used to measure a weight of container  4  that is placed thereon. Basin communication interface  18  is used to wirelessly communicate, via basin/controller communication connection  22 , the measured weight of container  4  and receive a calculation of the volume of the chemicals in container  4 . Basin communication interface  18  may include, but is not limited to, a wireless modem or a wireless router. Basin display  17  is used to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 . Again, basin display  17  may be electronic, such as an LCD or LED display, or mechanical, such as a dial reading. 
     In addition, system controller  24  is powered by controller power supply  36  using any means known to those having ordinary skill in the art. System controller  24  further includes central processing unit  32 , controller communication interface  28 , controller input interface  42 , and controller display  34 . Central processing unit  32  is used to calculate the volume of the chemicals in container  4  based on the measured weight of container  4  and properties of the chemicals in container  4 . Controller communication interface  28  is used to wirelessly communicate with basin communication interface  18  via basin/controller communication connection  22  to receive, from basin communication interface  18 , the measured weight of container  4  and send, to basin communication interface  18 , the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4  for display by basin display  17 . Controller communication interface  28  may include, but is not limited to, a wireless modem or a wireless router. Controller input interface  42  is used to allow a user to specify the properties of the chemicals in container  4 . Controller display  34  is used to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container  4 . It is anticipated that controller display  34  may be an electronic display, but controller display  34  is not limited thereto. Controller input interface  42  is further used to allow a user to manage controller display  34 . 
     In an example of the second embodiment, retention basin  6  may further include basin input interface  40  that is used to allow a user to specify the properties of the chemicals in container  4  to system controller  24  wirelessly between basin and controller communication interfaces  18  and  28  via basin/controller communication connection  22 . Container  4  may be one of many containers  4  retained by retention basin  6 . Pressure cell  14  may be one of many pressure cells  14 . Pressure cells  14  are used to respectively measure weights of containers  4  placed thereon. Central processing unit  32  is further used to calculate a volume of chemicals for each of containers  4  based on the measure weight thereof. 
     In one aspect of the above-referenced example, basin and controller input interfaces  40  and  42  are further used to allow a user to specify properties of chemicals in each of containers  4 . Basin display  17  is further used to display the calculated volumes of the chemicals in each of containers  4 . Basin input interface  40  is further used to allow a user to select the calculated volume of the chemicals in one of containers  4  to be displayed by basin display  17 . 
     In another aspect of the above-referenced example, basin input interface  40  may be one of many basin input interfaces  40 . Each of basin input interfaces  40  may correspond with one of pressure cells  14 . Basin display  17  may be one of many basin displays  17 . Each of basin displays  17  may correspond with one of pressure cells  14  and a corresponding one of basin input interfaces  40 . 
     In another example of the second embodiment, system  2  may further include washing device  26  and pick-up tubes  21 . Washing device  26  is used to apply the chemicals in container  4  to contents disposed in washing device  26 , such as, but not limited to, medical devices or medical instruments. Washing device  26  may include washing device communication interface  30 . Washing device communication interface  30  is used to wirelessly communicate via basin/washer communication connection  20  with basin communication interface  18 . 
     In the above-referenced example, pick-up tubes  21  are used to transfer the chemicals in container  4  to washing device  26 . Also, basin communication interface  18  is used to wirelessly communicate with washing device communication interface  30  of washing device  26  via basin/washer communication connection  20  regarding the calculated volume of the chemicals in container  4 , withdrawal of the chemicals in container  4  through pick-up tubes  21 , and application of the withdrawn chemicals to the contents disposed in washing device  26 . 
     In an additional example of the second embodiment, pick-up tubes  21  optionally include one or more level sensors  38  positioned therein. Level sensors  38  are used to detect an amount of the chemicals remaining in container  4  and communicate the detected amount to system controller  24  wirelessly through basin/controller communication connection  22  between washer c  28  and basin communication interface  18 . 
     In a further example of the second embodiment, central processing unit  32  is further used to establish basin/controller communication connection  22  between controller communication interface  28  and basin communication interface  18  to enable controller communication interface  28  to wirelessly communicate with basin communication interface  18 . 
     As noted above and illustrated in the drawings, system  2  may be embodied in several different ways. For example, system  2  could largely consist of retention basin  6 . In such a case, retention basin  6  would not include basin communication interface  18  or would not use basin communication interface  18  if included therein. In addition, many features of the first embodiment can be easily and harmlessly incorporated into the second embodiment. These features may include, but are not limited, centralized basin display  3 . 
     In another example, when both retention basin  6  and system controller  24  are implemented in system  2 , software updates to basin controller  16  could be transmitted wirelessly from controller communication interface  28  to basin communication interface  18  over basin/controller communication connection  22 . In addition, system controller  24  could be hardware component of a computer system or a software component administered by an overarching central processing unit. Moreover, system controller  24  could be supplied with data storage means in which data regarding the volumes of container  4  could be recorded. Various data ports, such as USB or USB-C compatible ports (not shown), could also be integrated into system controller  24 , retention basin  6 , and washing device  26  for wired communication therebetween or connection to a printing device (not shown) for paper printing of recorded data or other external data recording devices. 
     System  2  can be designed to operate in many different ways. One example of an initiation of such a basic operation would involve an initial reset of basin controller  16  and basin display  17  through operation of basin input interface  40 . Basin input interface  40  would then be used to specific the type and concentration of chemical being housed within container  4 . This may include the specification of a density of the chemical in container  4 . 
     After this, container  4  could be placed on retention basin  6  and, more specifically, on pressure cell  14 . Pick-up tubes  21  could then be placed directly into container  4  or into container  4  via shelf mount (not shown) that would assist pick-up tubes  21  in avoiding contact with container  4 . After this, a user could again operate basin input interface  40  to indicate the starting volume of the chemicals in container  4  or, if system  2  is programmed to do so, the type of container  4  placed on pressure cell  14 , thereby assuming such container  4  would be full. After operation of washing device  26  begins, if washing device  26  uses pick-up tubes  21  to remove chemical from container  4 , basin display  17  would display the volume of container  4  when full minus the volume of chemicals removed from container  4 . 
     The foregoing descriptions are example embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated that these embodiments are described for purposes of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.