Automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow to a dispensing apparatus

• US 10,279,942 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2017
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnett, Nicolas A
• Application Number:
  US15/443,106
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/12 mechanically, e.g. by pistons or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/18 causing operation of audible or visible alarm signals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/565 for indicating end of flow, e.g. by optical or audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/62 power operated
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/187 Machine fault alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

An automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow of liquid from one more liquid containers to a dispensing apparatus. If the system detects an interruption of the flow of liquid to the dispensing apparatus, a visual alarm, an audio alarm, or a data alarm is activated. Three embodiments of the system are disclosed.

Claims

1. An automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow to a dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a valve module;

said valve module having a first liquid inlet port, a first liquid outlet port, an outlet port, and an electrically operated first valve positioned between said first liquid intake port and said first liquid outlet port of said valve module;

said first valve being movable between open and closed positions;

a first liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said first liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said first liquid container being in fluid communication with said first liquid intake port of said valve module;

an alarm module positioned remotely from said valve module;

said outlet port of said valve module being in communication with said alarm module;

said alarm module including at least one of a visual alarm, a data alarm and an audible alarm;

at least one of said visual alarm, said data alarm and said audible alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said first liquid container to said valve module being disrupted;

means spaced from said valve module for selectively supplying liquid from said first liquid container through said first valve, when said first valve is moved from its closed position to its open position, and through said first liquid output port of said valve module and supplying the liquid to a remote receptacle;

and a computer driven controller which controls the operation of said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container, said first valve, and said alarm module.

2. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a pump means.

3. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a Venturi means.

4. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a radial piston pump.

5. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a gear pump.

6. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a vane pump.

7. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a peristaltic hose pump.

8. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a lobe pump.

9. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first liquid container comprises a piston pump.

10. The automatic detection system of claim 1 wherein said alarm module includes a reset button.

11. An automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow to a dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a valve module;

said valve module having a first liquid outlet port, a first liquid intake port, a second liquid intake port, an outlet port, a normally closed electrically operated first valve positioned between said first liquid intake port and said first liquid outlet port and a normally closed electrically operated second valve positioned between said second liquid intake port and said first liquid outlet port;

each of said first and second valves being movable between open and closed positions;

a first liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said first liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said first liquid container being in fluid communication with said first liquid intake port of said valve module;

a second liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said second liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said second liquid container being in fluid communication with said second liquid intake port of said valve module;

an alarm module positioned remotely from said valve module;

said outlet port of said valve module being in communication with said alarm module;

said alarm module including at least one of a visual alarm, a data alarm and an audible alarm;

said at least one of said visual alarm, said data alarm and said audible alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said first liquid container to said valve module being disrupted;

said at least one of said visual alarm, said audible alarm and said data alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said liquid outlet of said second liquid container to said second liquid inlet port of said valve module being disrupted;

means for selectively supplying liquid from said first liquid container through said first valve, when said first valve is moved from its closed position to its open position, and through said first liquid output port of said valve module and supplying the liquid to a remote receptacle;

said means for selectively supplying liquid from said first liquid container also being configured to selectively supply liquid from said second liquid container through said second valve, when said second valve is moved from its closed position to its open position, and through said first liquid output port of said valve module and supplying the liquid to a remote receptacle;

and a computer driven controller which controls the operation of said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers, said first and second valves, and said alarm module.

12. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a pump means.

13. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a Venturi means.

14. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a radial piston pump.

15. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying g liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a gear pump.

16. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a vane pump.

17. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a peristaltic hose pump.

18. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a lobe pump.

19. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said means for supplying liquid from said first and second liquid containers comprises a piston pump.

20. The automatic detection system of claim 11 wherein said alarm module includes a reset button.

21. An automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow to a dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a valve module positioned on a vertically disposed support;

said valve module having a first liquid outlet port, a first liquid intake port, an outlet port, and an electrically operated first valve positioned between said first liquid intake port and said first liquid outlet port of said valve module;

said first valve being movable between open and closed positions;

a first liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said first liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said first liquid container being in fluid communication with said first liquid intake port of said valve module;

an alarm module positioned remotely from said valve module;

said outlet port of said valve module being in communication with said alarm module;

said alarm module including at least one of a visual alarm, a data alarm and an audible alarm;

at least one of said visual alarm, said data alarm and said audible alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said first liquid container to said valve module being disrupted;

a Venturi module spaced from said valve module which has a water inlet port which is in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure, a Venturi in said Venturi module which is in communication with the water coming into said Venturi module, and a water discharge opening which is in fluid communication with said valve module;

said Venturi of said Venturi module being in communication with said first liquid container whereby said water passing into and through said Venturi of said Venturi module will create suction therein to draw liquid from said first liquid container through said first valve, when said first valve is moved from its closed position to its open position, and through said first liquid output port of said valve module and supplying the water and liquid mixture to a remote receptacle;

and a computer driven controller which controls the operation of said Venturi module, said first valve, and said alarm module.

22. An automatic detection system for detecting disruptions in the flow to a dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a valve module;

said valve module having a first liquid outlet port, a first liquid intake port, a second liquid intake port, an outlet port, a normally closed electrically operated first valve positioned between said first liquid intake port and said first liquid outlet port and a normally closed electrically operated second valve positioned between said second liquid intake port and said liquid outlet port;

each of said first and second valves being movable between open and closed positions;

a first liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said first liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said first liquid container being in fluid communication with said first liquid intake port of said valve module;

a second liquid container having a liquid outlet;

said second liquid container being spaced from said valve module;

said liquid outlet of said second liquid container being in fluid communication with said second liquid intake port of said valve module;

an alarm module positioned remotely from said valve module;

said outlet port of said valve module being in communication with said alarm module;

said alarm module including at least one of a visual alarm, a data alarm and an audible alarm;

at least one of said visual alarm, said data alarm and said audible alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said first liquid container to said valve module being disrupted;

at least one of said visual alarm, said audible alarm and said data alarm being activated upon the flow of liquid from said liquid outlet of said second liquid container to said second liquid inlet port of said valve module being disrupted;

a Venturi means having an inlet side and a discharge side;

said inlet side of said Venturi means being in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure;

said Venturi means selectively drawing liquid from said first container through said first valve, when said first valve is moved to its said open position thereby mixing the liquid from said first container with the water passing through said Venturi means and through said first liquid outlet port of said valve module as water passes through said Venturi means and supplying the water and liquid mixture to a remote receptacle;

said Venturi means also selectively drawing liquid from said second container through said second valve, when said second valve is moved from its closed position to its open position thereby mixing the liquid from said container with the water passing through said Venturi means and through said second liquid outlet port of said valve module as water passes through said Venturi means and supplying the water liquid mixture to a remote receptacle;

and a computer driven controller which controls the operation of said Venturi means, said first valve, said second valve, and said alarm module.