Method and apparatus for mass based dispensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution, comprising:
- a) a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to receive a concentrate;
b) the housing having an inlet, whereby diluent enters the cavity and erodes the concentrate to create a use solution;
c) the housing having an outlet, whereby the use solution exits the cavity;
d) a product holder positioned to support the concentrate in the cavity of the housing;
e) a scale;
f) a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the scale and a second end operatively connected to the product holder, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing of a product based on weight as a load cell (22) which supports a structure holding the product (20a) to be dispensed. The weight of the product (20a) that is dispensed is determined by use of a controller (23).
136 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution, comprising:
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a) a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to receive a concentrate;
b) the housing having an inlet, whereby diluent enters the cavity and erodes the concentrate to create a use solution;
c) the housing having an outlet, whereby the use solution exits the cavity;
d) a product holder positioned to support the concentrate in the cavity of the housing;
e) a scale;
f) a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the scale and a second end operatively connected to the product holder, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A dispensing system for dispensing an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution, comprising:
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a) a container for holding a concentrate, the container having an opening;
b) a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to receive the container;
c) the housing having an inlet and an outlet;
d) a nozzle positioned proximate the inlet;
e) an inlet conduit operatively connected to the nozzle, whereby diluent is sprayed on the concentrate, through the opening in the container, eroding the concentrate and forming a use solution;
f) a product holder positioned in the cavity of the housing;
g) a scale;
h) a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the scale and a second end operatively connected to the product holder, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined; and
i) an outlet conduit operatively connected to the outlet of the housing, wherein the use solution exits the cavity of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of dispensing an amount of concentrate into a use solution using a diluent to erode the concentrate, comprising:
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a) adding the diluent to the concentrate;
b) determining the weight of the concentrate as the concentrate is being eroded by the diluent;
c) determining when the amount of concentrate has been eroded to create the use solution based on the weight of the concentrate;
d) stopping the adding of the diluent to the concentrate; and
e) dispensing the use solution.
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15. A method of dispensing an amount of an ingredient from a dispenser having a holding device for holding the ingredient, comprising:
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a) dispensing the ingredient from the dispenser;
b) weighing the holding device, ingredient and any diluent on the ingredient as the ingredient is dispensed from the dispenser;
c) determining when the amount of the ingredient has been dispensed from the dispenser based on the weight of the holding device, the ingredient and any diluent on the ingredient; and
d) stopping the dispensing of the ingredient. - View Dependent Claims (16, 18, 19, 20)
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17. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution, comprising:
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a) an inlet conduit for providing the diluent to the concentrate to erode the concentrate and form a use solution;
b) a scale for weighing the concentrate as the concentrate is being eroded by the diluent; and
c) a controller for determining when the amount of concentrate has been dispensed in the use solution by the diluent, based upon the weight of the concentrate.
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21. A dispenser for dispensing an amount of concentrate to form a dilute solution, comprising:
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a) a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to receive a concentrate;
b) the housing having an outlet, whereby concentrate that has been eroded exits the cavity;
c) a product holder positioned to support the concentrate in the cavity of the housing;
d) a scale; and
e) a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the scale and a second end operatively connected to the product holder, wherein weight of the concentrate is determined. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of dispensing an amount of ingredient from a dispenser having a holding device for holding the ingredient, comprising:
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a) eroding the ingredient to dispense that portion of the eroded ingredient from the dispenser;
b) weighing the holding device and ingredient after eroding; and
c) determining the amount of ingredient has been dispensed from the dispenser based on the weight of the holding device and ingredient. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification