Apparatus and method for dispensing user-specified fixed volumes of liquids
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for dispensing user-specified volumes of liquid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
- a computer operatively connected to an electrically-actuable pinch valve, the computer causes the electrically-actuable pinch valve to open for a length of time required to dispense a user-specified volume of liquid from the container, which is coupled to a container discharge tube, the container discharge tube being opened and closed by operation of the pinch valve, the volume of liquid to be dispensed being selectable by a user from a. plurality of different volumes of liquid to dispense, the length of time required to open the pinch valve for a user-selected volume being determined by the computer evaluating a polynomial having coefficients, the coefficients of the polynomial operating on a value representative of a signal obtained by the computer from a sensor coupled to the container, wherein the container has weight and wherein the signal from the sensor represents only a portion of the weight of the container and its contents.
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Abstract
Fixed-volumes of liquid are measured and dispensed from a container by empirically determining the liquid surface height and opening a dispensing valve for a time period that is calculated using a volume of liquid specified to be dispensed and the empirically-determined liquid surface height. The liquid surface height in the container is determined empirically for initial and subsequent volumes of liquid that are dispensed. Dispensing accuracy is maintained whether the container is full or nearly empty.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing user-specified volumes of liquid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
a computer operatively connected to an electrically-actuable pinch valve, the computer causes the electrically-actuable pinch valve to open for a length of time required to dispense a user-specified volume of liquid from the container, which is coupled to a container discharge tube, the container discharge tube being opened and closed by operation of the pinch valve, the volume of liquid to be dispensed being selectable by a user from a. plurality of different volumes of liquid to dispense, the length of time required to open the pinch valve for a user-selected volume being determined by the computer evaluating a polynomial having coefficients, the coefficients of the polynomial operating on a value representative of a signal obtained by the computer from a sensor coupled to the container, wherein the container has weight and wherein the signal from the sensor represents only a portion of the weight of the container and its contents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Withdrawn) An apparatus for dispensing user-specified volumes of liquid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
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a load cell coupled to the container and configured to provide a signal representing a partial weight of the container and its contents; an electrically operable pinch valve, operable to dispense liquid from the container; a user interface configured to enable selection of a first volume of liquid, to dispense, from a plurality of different volumes of liquids to dispense; a computer, operatively coupled to the load cell, operatively coupled to the electrically actuated pinch valve and operatively coupled to the user interface, the computer operates the pinch valve to open for a length of time required to dispense a volume of liquid selected from the plurality of different volumes, the length of time being determined by the computer evaluating a polynomial having, coefficients, coefficients of the polynomial operating on a value, which is representative of the signal obtained by the computer from the load cell. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of dispensing user-specified volumes of liquid from a dispenser comprising:
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a container that contains 1iquid to be dispensed; a load cell coupled to the container; an electrically operable pinch valve, operable to dispense liquid form the container; a user interface configured to enable selection of a first volume of liquid to dispense, from a plurality of different volumes of liquids to dispense; and a computer operatively coupled to the load cell, operatively coupled to the electrically actuated pinch valve and operatively coupled to the user interface; the method comprising; providing, a first signal from the user interface to the computer, the first signal identifying a first volume of liquid to dispense; providing a second signal from the load cell to the computer, the second signal from the load cell representing a partial weight of the container and its contents; evaluating a polynomial having coefficients with the computer, at least one coefficient of the polynomial operating on a value representative of the second signal; and opening the electrically operable pinch valve connected to the container responsive to a third signal from the computer for a length of time determined by the evaluation of the polynomial. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification