Systems, methods, and software program products for detecting an out-of-product condition in a chemical dispensing system. An optical sensor includes a photodetector and a light source configured to generate a beam of light. The light source is positioned such that the beam of light is incident on a supply line at an oblique angle. The supply line displaces the beam of light in dependence on the refractive index of a medium in the supply line. The photodetector is positioned so that it is in the optical path of the displaced beam of light when the refractive index of the of the medium in the supply line is indicative of one of a wet state or a dry state. A detection module receives an electrical signal from the photodetector and determines if the out-of-product conditions exists base thereon.

A mixing apparatus, puncturing mechanism, and cartridge are disclosed. The mixing apparatus has a housing and a drawer with a recess. Corresponding cartridges may be inserted into the drawer and slid into the housing to facilitate mixing a liquid with contents of the cartridge. The liquid may originate from a reservoir in the mixing apparatus or a direct line. Also inside the housing of the mixing apparatus is the puncturing mechanism. The puncturing mechanism has a nozzle configured to puncture a lid of a cartridge and inject liquid to mix with the contents of the cartridge. The puncturing mechanism is further configured to drive an internal puncturing unit inside of the cartridge through a lower portion of the cartridge to allow liquid from the nozzle and contents of the cartridge to be dispensed into a receptacle.

The Drain Free Applicator is an invention that prevents the buildup of mold and algae in pipes that drain condensation produced by evaporation coils within an air conditioning unit. This invention does so by holding treating tablets that are dissolved by the draining condensation and swept into the draining pipelines. This invention prevents the drain pan from filling up and overflowing with subsequent water damage to floors and ceilings. In newer units, it prevents triggering the water level sensor and shutting down the air conditioning unit.

An AC drain line, anti-contaminant device includes a housing unit comprising a volume to receive an anti-contaminant agent, a housing inlet coupled to a drain line to allow a flow of a drained fluid to enter the housing unit, and a housing outlet to allow the drained fluid to exit the housing unit upon conditioning by the anti-contaminant agent. The drain line couples to and extends from a drip pan of an AC system, and subsequently couples to the device. The anti-contaminant agent comprises anti-algae, anti-mold, or other anti-deleterious material agent comprising a high concentration of [OH.sup.] dissociative ions wherein the pOH is less than or about 5. The housing may include an internal support to space the anti-contaminant agent apart from the bottom. The anti-contaminant agent may comprise a solid form for placement in the housing, or as part of a removable and replaceable cartridge assembly for the device.

A method and apparatus for obtaining a product chemistry from a slid block of caustic material is provided. The product is housed within a capsule which is positioned inside a turbulent flow dispenser, which utilizes fluid to erode the block and produce a concentrated solution. The fluid characteristics can be adjusted in the field to achieve a predetermined concentrate level of the solution. The capsule provides a safe and convenient means for handling, storing and shipping the caustic block without exposing the operator or handler to the hazardous material. The capsule includes nested components which can be rotated between a closed or sealed position and an open use position.

A filter well mountable dispenser holder securable within a hot tub filter well with the dispenser holder supporting replaceable dispersant containing dispensing cartridges positionable within a circulating flow of water through the filter well to thereby release dispersants therefrom without preventing the circulating flow of water from passing through the filter media proximate the dispensing cartridges.

A floating chemical dispenser is provided, which includes: a body portion having a first chamber for receiving solid chemicals, a second chamber for receiving a floating member, and at least one first hole for communicating the first chamber with an external environment, an opening is disposed at one end of the body portion, and the opening is communicated with the first chamber; and a cover, configured to close the opening of the body portion; wherein the cover is detachably connected with the body portion via a first locking mechanism, and the first locking mechanism has a locking position and an unlocking position, and is configured to move between the locking position and the unlocking position via pressing and rotating the cover by a user, so as to control locking or unlocking of the cover and the body portion. Therefore, safety performance of the floating chemical dispenser can be improved.

A sewage treatment chlorinator for use at a site not connected to a municipal sewer system and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the sewage treatment chlorinator, a housing includes an external conduit coupled in a t-connection to a flow tube. An inner canister is sized to be selectively inserted and removed from the external conduit and includes a perforated end cap having a flow deck sized to suspend a chlorine tablet within a contact chamber of the flow tube. The flow tube receives effluent form an aerobic tank and discharge treated effluent to a post-treatment tank. At least a portion of the discharge from the flow tube is gravity-based discharge into the post-treatment tank.

An indexable cartridge and method that is useable in either a stagnant fluid environment or in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge floatable in a stagnant fluid environment and securable in a moving fluid environment with the indexable cartridge having a housing having one or more diffusion ports and a sleeve having one or more diffusion ports indexable to a diffusion port alignment through resilient yielding of the sleeve while a set of ribs inhibit lateral flow therebetween.

A chemical feeder includes a housing having a housing chamber, a sieve plate within the housing chamber, and a cartridge on an upper surface of the sieve plate. The cartridge includes a tubular member with a sidewall outer surface and a plurality of partitions extending from the sidewall outer surface to define a plurality of pockets, at least one of which contains a solid chemical material. The sieve plate includes a plurality of sieve plate inlet apertures, at least a portion of which are in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of pockets. During operation, a feed liquid passes up through at least a portion of the sieve inlet plate apertures and into at least one pocket where it contacts a solid chemical material, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material, at least a portion of which is removed through an outlet.