Apparatus and method for dispensing products

Abstract

A product dispensing system is disclosed. Methods for using the product dispensing system are also disclosed.

1 . A product dispensing system comprising: 
 (a) a product dispenser;    (b) a product mix tank;    (c) a dispenser conduit from the product dispenser into the product mix tank; and    (d) a pump for transporting fluid from the product mix tank to the product dispenser.    
   
   
       2 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the product dispenser comprises: 
 (i) a housing constructed to withstand up to about 30 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure, and having a cavity bounded by a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall;    (ii) a water inlet for providing water into the housing;    (iii) an outlet for allowing water to exit the housing; and    (iv) an optional support member positioned within the housing.    
   
   
       3 . The product dispensing system of  claim 2 , wherein the product dispenser further comprises: 
 (v) one or more product spray nozzles positioned within the housing, wherein the fluid from the product mix tank passes through the one or more product spray nozzles.    
   
   
       4 . The product dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more product spray nozzles are positioned below a support member within the housing.  
   
   
       5 . The product dispensing system of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more pieces of solid product on the support member.  
   
   
       6 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the product mix tank comprises: 
 (i) at least one water inlet;    (ii) at least one fluid level indicators;    (iii) a drain outlet;    (iv) an overflow outlet; and    (v) a pump outlet.    
   
   
       7 . The product dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one water inlet comprises one or more water fill nozzles positioned within an upper portion of the product mix tank.  
   
   
       8 . The product dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the product mix tank comprises a low fluid level indicator and a high fluid level indicator.  
   
   
       9 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the product mix tank comprises an inductive probe positioned within the product mix tank.  
   
   
       10 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the product mix tank comprises at least one circulation nozzle positioned within the product mix tank, wherein at least a portion of the fluid from the product mix tank circulates through the at least one circulation nozzle.  
   
   
       11 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor for controlling one or more controllable parameters of the product dispensing system.  
   
   
       12 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pieces of solid product within the product dispenser.  
   
   
       13 . The product dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more pieces of solid product comprise a caustic cleaning composition.  
   
   
       14 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein a cavity of the product dispenser has a first cross-sectional configuration as measured within a horizontal plane within the cavity; in combination with one or more pieces of solid product having a second cross-sectional configuration substantially similar to the first cross-sectional configuration of the cavity.  
   
   
       15 . A rotary fryer cooking system comprising the product dispensing system of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       16 . The product dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the product dispenser comprises a plastic material, which allows a visual inspection of an interior area within the product dispenser.  
   
   
       17 . A method of making a liquid use solution comprising: 
 (a) positioning the product dispensing system of  claim 1  relative to a water source;    (b) placing one or more pieces of solid product in the product dispenser; and    (c) providing water into the product dispenser such that water comes into contact with the solid product to form a liquid use solution.    
   
   
       18 . A method of making a liquid use solution, said method comprising: 
 (a) positioning a product dispensing system relative to a water source;    (b) placing one or more pieces of solid product in a product dispenser of the product dispensing system;    (c) filling a product mix tank of the product dispensing system with a desired amount of water; and    (d) pumping water from the product mix tank into the product dispenser so that the water comes into contact with the one or more pieces of solid product to form the liquid use solution;    wherein the liquid use solution drains from the product dispenser into the product mix tank.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the product dispensing system comprises: 
 (a) the product dispenser;    (b) the product mix tank;    (c) a dispenser conduit from the product dispenser into the product mix tank; and    (d) a pump for transporting fluid from the product mix tank to the product dispenser.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of filling the product mix tank of the product dispensing system with a desired amount of water comprises spraying water into the product mix tank through one or more water spray nozzles.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising circulating fluid within the product mix tank through a pump, a circulation valve, and one or more circulation nozzles positioned within the product mix tank.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising controlling a fluid level within the product mix tank with one or more fluid level indicators.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising monitoring at least one property of fluid within the product mix tank with a monitoring device.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the monitoring device comprises an inductive probe.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising monitoring or controlling at least one parameter of the product dispensing system with a microprocessor.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising spraying water onto the solid product via one or more product spray nozzles.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising distributing the liquid use solution into a receiving reservoir.