Additive alert system

Abstract

An apparatus and system for detecting the delivery or nondelivery of a cleaning and sanitizing agent or chemical in automated dishwashers, warewashers, and laundry machines. A detector comprising one or more sensors or two or more electrical electrodes are positioned outside the ends of the delivery tube or tubes for the sanitizing agent or chemical. As the sanitizing agent or chemical liquid is released from the delivery tube or tubes, the liquid forms a stream of flow through the air. The flow passes within sensing range of the sensor or sensors, or encompasses the electrical electrodes thereby completing an electrical circuit. When the sensor detects the flow and the sensor is activated, or the circuit completes, a control unit prevents an alarm from sounding.

1 . An apparatus for detecting the delivery of a chemical sanitizing agent or other liquid in a dishwashing or warewashing machine, comprising:
 one or more delivery tubes for discharging a flow of a sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid from an open end of said delivery tube or tubes;   a detector positioned outside the open ends of said delivery tubes or tubes so as to detect the flow of said sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid before mixing with any washing solution or solutions;   a control unit to determine whether or not the detector has detected said flow.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises one or more sensors positioned so that said flow is within the sensing range of said sensor or sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises two or more electrodes positioned to be encompassed by the flow, wherein said electrodes are part of the same electric circuit, and the control unit detects when the electric circuit is completed by the sensors or electrodes being encompassed by said flow. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the control unit provides an alert or signal when the electric circuit is not completed at a time a chemical sanitizing agent or other liquid should be discharged. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the electrodes have a length sufficient to extend across the area where the delivery tube or tubes discharge. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the electrodes are positioned in an alignment perpendicular to the flow. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the electrodes are positioned in an alignment at an angle to the flow. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors or electrodes are positioned in an alignment parallel to the flow. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the sensors or electrodes are offset from each other. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube or tubes point downwards so gravity causes or assists in the flow. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a separate water spray or flow directed onto the electrodes to clean the electrodes of any sanitizing agent or other chemical or liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the control unit is programmed to detect if the circuit is broken. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein if the control unit detects the circuit is broken, the control unit causes a separate water spray or flow to be directed onto the electrodes to clean the sensors or electrodes.