Constant force material delivery system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for dispensing a material from a container, the method comprising:
- providing a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second configuration;
executing a first actuation of an actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force; and
executing a second actuation of the actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force;
wherein the first force is greater than the second force.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for dispensing material from a container. Devices can include driving arrangement for providing one or more forces, and actuator for activating the driving arrangement whereby the driving arrangement causes material to be dispensed from the container.
34 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for dispensing a material from a container, the method comprising:
-
providing a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second configuration; executing a first actuation of an actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force; and executing a second actuation of the actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the first force is greater than the second force. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. A method for dispensing a material from a container, the method comprising:
-
providing a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second configuration; executing a first actuation of an actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force; and executing a second actuation of the actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the driving arrangement comprises a first force generation element and a second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the first configuration, both the first and the second force generation elements cause the driving arrangement to force material from the container under the first force, and when the driving arrangement is in the second configuration, only the first force generation element causes the driving arrangement to force material from the container under the second force. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for dispensing a material from a container, the method comprising:
-
providing a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second configuration; executing a first actuation of an actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force; and executing a second actuation of the actuator assembly to cause the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the step of executing a first actuation of the actuator assembly comprises actuation of a first portion of the actuator assembly, and the step of executing a second actuation of the actuator comprises actuation of a second portion of the actuator assembly; wherein the step of executing a first actuation of the first portion of the actuator assembly comprises activation of a first force generation element and a second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the first configuration, both the first and the second force generation elements cause the driving arrangement to force material from the container at a first controlled flow rate, and the step of executing a second actuation of the second portion of the actuator assembly comprises deactivation of the second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the second configuration only the first force generation element causes the driving arrangement to force material from the container at a second controlled flow rate.
-
-
7. A device that dispenses material from a container, the device comprising:
-
a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second figuration; and an actuator assembly coupled with the driving arrangement; wherein a first actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force, and a second actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the first force is greater than the second force. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A device that dispenses material from a container, the device comprising:
-
a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second figuration; and an actuator assembly coupled with the driving arrangement; wherein a first actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force, and a second actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the driving arrangement comprises a first force generation element and a second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the first configuration, both the first and the second force generation elements cause the driving arrangement to force material from the container under the first force, and when the driving arrangement is in the second configuration, only the first force generation element causes the driving arrangement to force material from the container under the second force. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
12. A device that dispenses material from a container, the device comprising:
-
a driving arrangement that is adaptable between a first configuration and a second figuration; and an actuator assembly coupled with the driving arrangement; wherein a first actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the first configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a first force, and a second actuation of the actuator assembly causes the driving arrangement to assume the second configuration such that the driving arrangement forces material from the container under a second force; wherein the first actuation of the actuator assembly comprises actuation of a first portion of the actuator assembly, and the second actuation of the actuator comprises actuation of a second portion of the actuator assembly; wherein actuation of the first portion of the actuator assembly comprises activation of a first force generation element and a second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the first configuration, both the first and the second force generation elements cause the driving arrangement to force material from the container at a first controlled flow rate, and actuation of the second portion of the actuator assembly comprises deactivation of the second force generation element such that when the driving arrangement is in the second configuration only the first force generation element causes the driving arrangement to force material from the container at a second controlled flow rate.
-
-
13. A device that dispenses fluid from a syringe, the device comprising:
- a body that removably receives a syringe;
a driving arrangement coupled with the body, where the driving arrangement is adaptable between a constrained configuration, a first active configuration, and a second active configuration, the driving arrangement comprising; a carriage comprising a spring support and a ram; a first spring coupled with the spring support, the first spring providing a first spring force; and a second spring coupled with the spring support, the second spring providing a second spring force; a first actuator coupled with the driving arrangement; and a second actuator coupled with the driving arrangement; wherein actuation of the first actuator releases the driving arrangement from the constrained configuration to assume the first active configuration such that the first spring and the second spring transmit the first spring force and the second spring force, respectively, from the carriage ram to the syringe plunger to dispense material from a syringe chamber; and wherein actuation of the second actuator causes the driving arrangement to assume the second active configuration such that only the first spring transmits the first spring force from the carriage ram to the syringe plunger to dispense material from the syringe chamber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a body that removably receives a syringe;
Specification