Non-pressurized fluid transfer system
First Claim
1. An automatic changeover fluid dispensing system for continuously dispensing fluid comprising:
- first and second fluid supply means, each having an output tube and including at least one replaceable container for containing the fluid to be dispensed;
pump means for drawing said fluid out of one of said liquid supply means when in fluid connection thereto;
selector valve means in fluid connection with said pump means for switching fluid connection from one of said fluid supply means to the other, said selector valve means being actuated in response to a lack of fluid in the containers of the previously selected one of said fluid supply means; and
purge valve means for filling the output tube of the previously selected one of said fluid supply means after the empty containers are replaced with full containers, said purge valve means causing air present in said output tube to be displaced by said fluid to thereby maintain a continuous supply of fluid to the output of said pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-pressurized fluid transfer system for stock rotation of liquids packaged in large non-pressurized containers such as 55 gallon drums is described. Two drums or sets of drums are used and the system automatically changes over from a first drum to a second drum when the first drum no longer contains liquid. Automatic change-over between the first drum and second drum is effected in response to a signal created by a float switch in the drum'"'"'s fluid line. This float switch detects the absence of liquid in the first drum and the system automatically switches to the second drum in order to maintain continuity of the dispensing process. When the first drum is replaced with a new drum, the operator pushes a purge button and the fluid line connected to that drum is purged of any air. Thus, the dispensing of fluid may be continuously maintained without any interruption from changing drums, and without introducing air into the dispensing line.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An automatic changeover fluid dispensing system for continuously dispensing fluid comprising:
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first and second fluid supply means, each having an output tube and including at least one replaceable container for containing the fluid to be dispensed; pump means for drawing said fluid out of one of said liquid supply means when in fluid connection thereto; selector valve means in fluid connection with said pump means for switching fluid connection from one of said fluid supply means to the other, said selector valve means being actuated in response to a lack of fluid in the containers of the previously selected one of said fluid supply means; and purge valve means for filling the output tube of the previously selected one of said fluid supply means after the empty containers are replaced with full containers, said purge valve means causing air present in said output tube to be displaced by said fluid to thereby maintain a continuous supply of fluid to the output of said pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of automatically dispensing liquid without interruption, from a plurality of containers, including the steps of:
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pumping liquid from a first container using an output tube; sensing when said first container is empty; actuating a selector valve in response to the emptying of the first container to select a second container; pumping from the second container using a second output tube; replacing the first empty container with a full new first container; and purging the air from the system by routing some of the fluid pumped from the second container into the output tubes connected to said new first container which has replaced said first container. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification