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Method and apparatus for mass based dispensing

  • US 7,410,623 B2
  • Filed: 05/11/2004
  • Issued: 08/12/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A dispenser comprising:

  • an outer housing having a cam surface extending from a top edge therefrom;

    a container holder that receives a product capsule containing a product concentrate to be dispensed and including a bottom surface having an opening through which a neck of the product capsule extends, the container holder slidably moveable within the outer housing to lift the product capsule from a first, lowered position to a second, raised position;

    an inlet fluidly connected the outer housing through which diluent enters the outer housing and erodes the concentrate to create a use solution;

    an outlet fluidly connected to the outer housing through which the use solution exits the outer housing;

    a product holder that receives the neck of the product capsule such that the product holder fully supports the weight of the product capsule when the product capsule is in the first lowered position;

    a cover pivotally mounted to the container holder and including a cam that rotates against the cam surface when the cover is opened to slidably lift the container holder within the outer housing to raise the product capsule from the first lowered position in which the weight of the product capsule is fully supported by the product holder to the second raised position in which the neck of the product capsule is raised off of the product holder and the weight of the product capsule is fully supported by the container holder; and

    a scale that supports the product holder and that provides an output corresponding to the weight of the product capsule when the product capsule is in the first lowered position and is isolated from shock due to loading of the product capsule in the container holder when the product capsule is in the second raised position.

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