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Mass-based dispensing using optical displacement measurement

  • US 8,944,286 B2
  • Filed: 11/27/2012
  • Issued: 02/03/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:

  • a load beam that supports a vessel containing a product to be dispensed, wherein the load beam includes a beam extension adapted to support the vessel containing the product to be dispensed, and a hook portion adapted to permit hanging of the vessel containing the product to be dispensed;

    a product dispenser that dispenses the product based on a weight of the product remaining in the vessel;

    an emitter that emits an optical signal toward the load beam, wherein the optical signal is reflected from the load beam at an angle determined by a distance between the emitter and the load beam;

    a detector that receives the reflected signal at a location based at least in part on the reflected angle of the optical signal and generates a detector signal corresponding to the location; and

    a controller that initiates dispensation of the product dispensed by the product dispenser;

    periodically, during dispensation of the product, receives the detector signal and determines therefrom a current displacement of the load beam from a reference position;

    calculates a current amount of product dispensed based on the current displacement of the load beam;

    compares the current amount of product dispensed with a target amount; and

    stops dispensation of the product if the current amount of product dispensed is within a predetermined threshold of the target amount.

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