Apparatus and methods for dispensing a flowable medium
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing a flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, in preselected quantities and at preselected temperatures, using an apparatus which includes storing means for storing a flowable medium to be dispensed, dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means, and agitating means for agitating the flowable medium in said storing means to thereby enhance the dispensing of the flowable medium from said storing means, said agitating means including heating means for heating said agitating means and hence the flowable medium in said storing means and sensing means for sensing the temperature of the flowable medium in said storing means, said method comprising the step of detecting large instantaneous fluctuations in temperatures sensed by said sensing means to thereby provide an indication of the level of the flowable medium in said storing means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, can be automatically dispensed in a premeasured amount or in a continuous stream. When the flowable medium is being dispensed in a premeasured amount, such amount is isolated from the remainder of the flowable medium during the dispensing operation so that it can be dispensed independently of any head pressure created by the remainder of the flowable medium. By using a temperature sensor in combination with a microcomputer system for the purpose of detecting large fluctuations in the temperature of the flowable medium, it is also possible to determine when the remainder of the flowable medium reaches a low level condition.
121 Citations
50 Claims
- 1. A method for dispensing a flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, in preselected quantities and at preselected temperatures, using an apparatus which includes storing means for storing a flowable medium to be dispensed, dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means, and agitating means for agitating the flowable medium in said storing means to thereby enhance the dispensing of the flowable medium from said storing means, said agitating means including heating means for heating said agitating means and hence the flowable medium in said storing means and sensing means for sensing the temperature of the flowable medium in said storing means, said method comprising the step of detecting large instantaneous fluctuations in temperatures sensed by said sensing means to thereby provide an indication of the level of the flowable medium in said storing means.
-
8. Apparatus for dispensing a flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, in preselected quantities and at preselected temperatures, comprising storing means for storing a flowable medium to be dispensed;
- dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means;
agitating means for agitating the flowable medium in said storing means to thereby enhance the dispensing of the flowable medium from said storing means, said agitating means including heating means for heating said agitating means and hence the flowable medium in said storing means and sensing means for sensing the temperature of the flowable medium in said storing means; and
detecting means for detecting large instantaneous fluctuations in temperatures sensed by said sensing means, said detecting means thereby cooperating with said sensing means to function as a level indicator for the flowable medium in said storing means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means;
-
17. Apparatus for dispensing a flowable medium, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, comprising sorting means for storing a flowable medium to be dispensed;
- dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means;
first regulating means for regulating the flow of the flowable medium into said dispensing means from said storing means, said first regulating means being movable between a first position in which said first regulating means prevents the flow of the flowable medium and a second position in which said first regulating means permits the flow of the flowable medium;
second regulating means for regulating the flow of the flowable medium from said dispensing means, said second regulating means being movable between a first position in which said second regulating means prevents the flow of the flowable medium and a second position in which said second regulating means permits the flow of the flowable medium; and
controlling means for controlling the operation of said first and second regulating means in at least two modes at operation, including a first mode of operating such that said second regulating means can be moved to its said second position when said first regulating means is in its said second position, whereby the flowable medium can flow continuously to and from said dispensing means, and a second mode of operation such that said first regulating means can be moved to its said second position while said second regulating means remains in its said first position, whereby the flowable medium can flow into said dispensing means from said storing means, and such that said second regulating means can be moved from its said first position to its said second position after said first regulating means is moved from tis said second position to its said first position, whereby the flowable medium contained in said dispensing means can be dispensed therefrom in a predetermined quantity independently of any head pressure created by the flowable medium sorted in said storing means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50)
- dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storing means;
- 43. A method for dispensing a flowable meidum, such as a liquid, a semi-liquid, or a liquid containing particulate matter, from a storage facility using apparatus which includes dispensing means for dispensing the flowable medium from said storage facility, first regulating means for regulating the flow of the flowable medium into said dispensing means from said storage facility, said first regulating means being movable between a first position in which said first regulating means prevents the flow of the flowable medium and a second position in which said first regulating means permits the flow of the flowable medium, and second regulating means for regulating the flow of the flowable medium from said dispensing means, said second regulating means being movable between a first position in which said second regulating means prevents the flow of the flowable medium and a second position in which said second regulating means permits the flow of the flowable medium, said method comprising the steps of controlling the operation of said first and second regulating means in at least two modes of operation, including a first mode of operation such that said second regulating means is moved to its said second position when said first regulating means is in its said second position, whereby the flowable medium can flow continuously to and from said dispensing means, and a second mode of operation such that said first regulating means is moved to its said second position while said second regulating means remains in its said first position, whereby the flowable medium can flow into said dispensing means from said storage facility, and such that said second regulating means is moved from its said first position to its said second position after said first regulating means is moved from its said second position to its said first position, whereby the flowable medium contained in said dispensing means can be dispensed therefrom in a predetermined quantity independently of any head pressure created by the flowable medium stored in said storage facility.
Specification