Automatic solution dispenser

• US 6,698,462 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Schneider, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/843,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/18, 141/21, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 141/96, 141/99, 141/100, 141/102-104, 141/129, 141/130, 141/192, 141/198, 141/234, 141/237, 141/392, 222/146.6, 222/152, 222/504, 222/509
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/85 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles or mixing tools that can be indexed into different working positions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2206 Use of stored recipes for controlling the computer programs, e.g. for manipulation, handling, production or composition in mixing plants B01F33/846 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/714 for feeding predetermined amounts B01F35/88 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2601 Dispense machine glue, paste, flow

Abstract

Assemblies and methods for automatically and electronically controlling and directing the input of solutions into solution receptacles are disclosed. An assembly may deliver an electronic, computer-generated signal having a specific address via hardwires or using wireless methods. One assembly includes a solution reservoir, a solution receptacle feeder and a computer to control the delivery of solution to a solution receptacle. The assembly may also include a number of transmitters, receivers, or transceivers for delivering the computer-generated signals. The assembly may also include any of variety of mechanisms for use in mobilizing the solution delivery assembly or the solution receptacles or both. Each of the solution receptacles for use of the assembly may have its own identifier.

Claims

1. An assembly for automatically controlling the input of a liquid to a liquid receptacle, the assembly comprising:

a liquid receptacle feeder for receiving and reacting to an electronic signal and including a self-identification component that identifies the liquid receptacle feeder; and

a computer capable of sending an electronic signal to control the delivery of solution by the liquid receptacle feeder, wherein said signal indicates the volume of liquid to be delivered to the liquid receptacle and includes identification information corresponding to the self-identification component.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the computer is capable of sending an electronic signal to the solution receptacle feeder to deliver solution to a solution receptacle and the assembly further comprises:

a solution reservoir attached to the solution receptacle feeder; and

a solution receptacle.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a transceiver working in connection with the computer; and

a second transceiver working in connection with each solution receptacle feeder such that each solution receptacle feeder will only follow directions addressed to a particular solution receptacle feeder.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the computer includes a transmitter to send a wireless signal to the solution receptacle feeder, and the solution receptacle feeder includes a receiver to receive a wireless signal.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the solution receptacle feeder includes hardware to control the amount of liquid released into the solution receptacle.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the solution receptacle feeder includes a warning device to indicate malfunction.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the computer includes software to control the timing of the solution delivery to the solution receptacle feeder.

8. A method of automatically delivering liquid to a liquid receptacle comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic signal representing an instruction for a liquid receptacle feeder, wherein the electronic signal includes identification information associated with a particular liquid receptacle feeder;

transmitting the electronic signal to one or more liquid receptacle feeders;

receiving and processing the electronic signal by the liquid receptacle feeders, wherein processing includes determining whether the signal includes identification information corresponding to a particular liquid receptacle feeder; and

delivering liquid from a liquid reservoir to a liquid receptacle through the liquid receptacle feeder.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of transmitting the electronic signal transmits a wireless signal.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

including an address component with the electronic signal;

determining whether the address in a received signal matches that of a liquid receptacle feeder; and

delivering liquid to a liquid receptacle whenever the address in a received signal matches that of a liquid receptacle feeder.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic signal and including an address components and solution delivery instructions with the signal;

transmitting the electronic signal to one or more mechanisms for moving solution receptacle feeders;

receiving and processing the electronic signal by the one or more mechanisms;

moving the addressed solution receptacle feeder to an appropriate position in accordance with the delivery instructions using the appropriate mechanism; and

delivering the solution to a solution receptacle.