Liquid dispensing and recirculating system with sensor
First Claim
1. A liquid dispensing and recirculating system comprising:
- a container having a mouth;
a cap for coupling with the mouth;
a connector for coupling with the cap, the connector further comprising;
a connector head; and
a probe extending from the connector head and insertable through the cap and into the mouth, the probe having a flow passage therein which terminates near a probe tip;
pump means coupled with the probe and with the flow passage for pumping fluid in the container through the probe and the flow passage; and
fluid return means formed on the probe for returning recirculated fluid to the fluid in the container such that air in the fluid is released above the fluid in the container to prevent injection of air into the fluid in the container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid dispensing and recirculating system is disclosed. The system includes a container having a mouth and a cap coupled with the mouth. The system further includes a connector for coupling with the cap. The connector includes a connector head and a probe extending from the connector head. The probe is insertable through the cap and into the mouth, and has a flow passage therein which terminates near a probe tip. A pump pumps fluid in the container through the probe and the flow passage. A fluid return channel is formed on the probe for returning recirculated fluid to the fluid in the container. As fluid is returned along the fluid return channel, air in the fluid is released above the fluid in the container to prevent injection of air into the fluid in the container.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A liquid dispensing and recirculating system comprising:
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a container having a mouth;
a cap for coupling with the mouth;
a connector for coupling with the cap, the connector further comprising;
a connector head; and
a probe extending from the connector head and insertable through the cap and into the mouth, the probe having a flow passage therein which terminates near a probe tip;
pump means coupled with the probe and with the flow passage for pumping fluid in the container through the probe and the flow passage; and
fluid return means formed on the probe for returning recirculated fluid to the fluid in the container such that air in the fluid is released above the fluid in the container to prevent injection of air into the fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A probe for dispensing liquid from and returning liquid to a container comprising:
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a flow passage extending through the probe from a first end of the probe to a second end of the probe;
a fluid return port; and
a fluid return channel in fluid communication with the fluid return port via a bore, the fluid return channel extending longitudinally along an exterior of the probe substantially parallel to the flow passage from the bore to about the second end of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of dispensing and recirculating liquids comprising:
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providing a container having a mouth which communicates with an interior of the container;
attaching a cap over the mouth;
coupling a connector to the cap, wherein the connector includes a probe defining a fluid passage terminating within the interior of the container at a tip of the probe;
defining a fluid return channel on the probe;
dispensing fluid from the container through the fluid passage; and
refilling fluid into the container through the fluid return channel such that air in the fluid is released above the fluid in the container to prevent injection of air into the fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification