Article and method for flow control in liquid dispensing devices

• US 20010032863A1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techelan LLC
• Original Assignee: Pharmacopeia LLC (Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feygin, Ilya
• Granted Patent: US 6,357,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/63
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0007 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1231 Metering pumps

Abstract

Flow-regulation means for improving the operation of a liquid dispenser, and liquid dispensers incorporating the same, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the flow-regulation means includes a conduit for receiving a pressurized fluid, wherein a flow restriction restricts the flow of the pressurized fluid into the conduit. The flow restriction has a smaller flow area than the outlet of the dispensing valve. As a result, fluid is re-supplied to the conduit more slowly than it is dispensed through the dispensing valve. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the conduit is elastic. A dynamic pressure sensor is used to sense pressure in the elastic region. In an additional embodiment, the flow-regulation means includes a resilience-adjustment means operable to adjust the resilience or elasticity of an elastic portion of the conduit. Such adjustable resilience provides an additional measure of control over the dispensing process. In additional embodiments, the present flow-regulation means incorporates various combinations of the above-described features.

Claims

1. An article comprising a flow-regulation means, said flow-regulation means comprising:

a conduit for receiving liquid, wherein said conduit is in fluid communication with a dispensing valve; and

a flow restriction that restricts flow of said liquid into said conduit, wherein;

said flow restriction has a first orifice;

said dispensing valve has a second orifice; and

wherein

said first orifice is smaller than said second orifice.

2. The article of

claim 1

, wherein at least a portion of said conduit is elastic.

3. The article of

claim 2

, further comprising:

a dynamic pressure sensor operable to sense pressure within the elastic portion of said conduit.

4. The article of

claim 3

, further comprising:

a resilience-adjusting means operable to adjust a resilience of said elastic portion of said conduit.

5. The article of

claim 4

, said resilience-adjusting means comprising:

an enclosure that surrounds at least a part of said elastic portion, said enclosure and said part of said elastic portion defining a pressure-tight chamber;

and pressure-adjustment means operable to adjust pressure within said enclosure.

6. The article of

claim 5

, wherein said pressure-adjustment means comprises:

a gas-supply conduit in fluid communication with said pressure-tight chamber;

and means for regulating pressure within said pressure-tight chamber.

7. The article of

claim 6

, further comprising:

a vacuum flow line in fluid communication with said pressure-tight chamber.

8. The article of

claim 2

, further comprising:

a resilience-adjusting means operable to adjust a resilience of said elastic portion of said conduit.

9. The article of

claim 1

, wherein the article is a liquid dispenser, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing fluid, said reservoir in fluid communication with said conduit; and

said dispensing valve.

10. The article of

claim 9

, further comprising:

means for maintaining said reservoir under constant elevated pressure, said constant elevated pressure providing energy by which said liquid is dispensed through said dispensing valve.

11. The article of

claim 3

, wherein the article is a liquid dispenser, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing fluid, said reservoir in fluid communication with said conduit; and

said dispensing valve.

12. The article of

claim 4

, wherein the article is a liquid dispenser, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing liquid, said reservoir in fluid communication with said conduit; and

said dispensing valve.

13. The article of

claim 8

, wherein the article is a liquid dispenser, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing liquid, said reservoir in fluid communication with said conduit; and

said dispensing valve.

17. The article of

claim 10

, wherein said pressure adjustment means comprises:

a gas-supply conduit in fluid communication with said pressure-tight chamber;

and means for regulating pressure within said pressure-tight chamber.

14. An article comprising flow-regulation means, said flow-regulation means comprising:

a conduit for receiving liquid, wherein;

said conduit is in fluid communication with a dispensing valve;

at least a portion of said conduit is elastic; and

a resilience-adjusting means operable to adjust a resilience of said elastic portion of said conduit.

15. The article of

claim 14

, further comprising:

a dynamic pressure sensor operable to sense pressure within the elastic portion of said conduit.

16. The article of

claim 14

, wherein said resilience-adjusting means comprises:

an enclosure that surrounds at least a part of said elastic portion, said enclosure and said part of said elastic portion defining a pressure-tight chamber;

and pressure-adjustment means operable to adjust pressure within said enclosure.

18. An article comprising flow-regulation means, said flow-regulation means comprising:

a conduit for receiving liquid, wherein;

said conduit is in fluid communication with a dispensing valve;

at least a portion of said conduit is elastic; and

a dynamic pressure sensor operable to sense pressure within the elastic portion of said conduit.

19. A method for flow regulation in a liquid dispenser, comprising:

restricting flow of a pressurized liquid into a conduit leading to a dispensing valve, said flow restricted to a first rate; and

dispensing a portion of said pressurized liquid through said dispensing valve at a second rate;

wherein said second rate is greater than said first rate.

20. The method of

claim 19

, further comprising:

controlling a resilience of at least a first portion of said conduit.

21. The method of

claim 19

, further comprising:

sensing a dynamic pressure within at least a first portion of said conduit.

22. The method of

claim 20

, further comprising:

sensing a dynamic pressure within at least one of either said first portion of said conduit and a second portion of said conduit.

23. A method for flow regulation in a liquid dispenser, comprising:

flowing a pressurized liquid into a conduit leading to a dispensing valve; and

controlling a resilience of at least a first portion of said conduit, thereby affecting flow of said pressurized liquid.

24. The method of

claim 23

, further comprising:

sensing a dynamic pressure within at least one of either said first portion of said conduit and a second portion of said conduit.

25. The method of

claim 23

, wherein controlling said resilience further comprises:

maintaining an amount of liquid dispensed from said liquid dispenser at substantially a baseline condition by controlling said resilience of said first portion of said conduit.

26. A method for flow regulation in a liquid dispenser, comprising:

flowing a pressurized liquid into a conduit leading to a dispensing valve; and

sensing a dynamic pressure within a first portion of said conduit.