Methods of dispensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient, comprising the steps of:
- dispensing said ingredient based on a factor affecting a dispensed amount of said ingredient;
determining said dispensed amount of said ingredient; and
adjusting said factor for a subsequent dispense cycle using a comparison between said requested amount and said dispensed amount.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of dispensing an ingredient and measuring an amount of the ingredient dispensed, e.g., at a customer'"'"'s location usually as the ingredient is used by the customer, in order to improve the dispensing process by adjusting future dispense cycles, accurately dispensing the ingredient, predicting an amount of ingredient to be dispensed.
131 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient, comprising the steps of:
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dispensing said ingredient based on a factor affecting a dispensed amount of said ingredient;
determining said dispensed amount of said ingredient; and
adjusting said factor for a subsequent dispense cycle using a comparison between said requested amount and said dispensed amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient from a container, comprising the steps of:
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measuring an initial weight of said ingredient in said container;
dispensing said ingredient from said container for a predetermined period of time;
measuring a final weight of said ingredient in said container;
determining a dispensed amount of said ingredient dispensed during said predetermined period of time by comparing said final weight with said initial weight; and
adjusting said predetermined period of time for a subsequent dispense cycle using a comparison between said requested amount and said dispensed amount. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient from a container by eroding said ingredient with a diluent, comprising the steps of:
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measuring an initial weight of said ingredient in said container;
dispensing said ingredient from said container for a predetermined period of time;
waiting for a lag time to allow said diluent to drain from said ingredient;
measuring a final weight of said ingredient in said container;
determining a dispensed amount of said ingredient dispensed during said predetermined period of time by comparing said final weight with said initial weight;
comparing said dispensed weight with said requested weight; and
adjusting said predetermined period of time for a subsequent dispense cycle as a function of said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient in each of a plurality of cycles, comprising the steps of:
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dispensing said ingredient in each of said plurality of cycles based on a factor affecting a dispensed amount of said ingredient;
determining said dispensed amount of said ingredient over said plurality of cycles; and
adjusting said predetermined factor for a subsequent dispense cycle using a comparison between said requested amount over said plurality of cycles and said dispensed amount. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient from a container by eroding said ingredient with a diluent, comprising the steps of:
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weighing said ingredient;
activating said diluent to erode said ingredient;
determining a measured weight loss from a maximum weight of said ingredient; and
deactivating said diluent when said measured weight loss indicates that said requested amount will be dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of dispensing a requested amount of an ingredient, comprising the steps of:
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weighing said ingredient;
activating a dispenser to dispense said ingredient;
determining a weight loss of said ingredient at least in part by measuring a rate at which said ingredient is being dispensed; and
deactivating said dispenser when said weight loss indicates that said requested amount will be dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A method of dispensing an ingredient for use in an apparatus, said ingredient having an effectiveness in use in said apparatus in which said effectiveness is dependent upon a measurable factor, comprising the steps of:
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measuring said factor;
predicting an amount of said ingredient to be dispensed based at least in part on said factor; and
dispensing said amount of said ingredient. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method of dispensing a concentrate into an apparatus having a sump containing a solution of said concentrate and a diluent in which an effectiveness of said concentrate declines in use, said effectiveness dependent upon a measurable factor, comprising the steps of:
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measuring said factor; and
determining whether an additional amount of said concentrate should be added to said sump in order to increase said effectiveness; and
dispensing said additional amount of said concentrate. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A method of dispensing a concentrate in each of a plurality of cycles into an apparatus having a sump containing a diluent in which an effectiveness of said concentrate declines in use, said effectiveness dependent upon a measurable factor, comprising the steps of:
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measuring said factor in each of said plurality of cycles; and
dispensing an amount of said concentrate in each of said plurality of cycles based at least in part on said factor. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification