Fluid dispenser
First Claim
1. A dispenser for dispensing fluid that, integrated into one hand piece, comprises:
- a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet, the inlet and outlet communicating directly with a common chamber volume, wherein the plunger is configured to translate linearly relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis;
a power source and a motor configured to drive translation movement of the plunger via a threaded shaft thereby causing a change in volume in the chamber;
a trigger; and
a controller in communication with the power source, the motor, and the trigger, the controller being configured to, in response to actuation of the trigger, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to expel fluid from the chamber (expel stroke), wherein the controller is further configured to receive a first and a second variable input based on a first and a second subject to which the fluid is to be applied, respectively, and automatically vary the volume of fluid expelled from the chamber during a first expel stroke such that a first volume that is less than the entire volume of fluid in the chamber is expelled from the chamber by directing the threaded shaft to rotate a first predetermined number of revolutions based on the first variable input to adjust a position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis and, following the first expel stroke, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to draw fluid into the chamber (draw stroke), the fluid drawn into the chamber having the same volume as the first volume, and following the draw stroke, automatically vary the volume of the fluid expelled from the chamber during a second expel stroke such that a second volume that is less the entire volume of fluid in the chamber is expelled from the chamber by directing the threaded shaft to rotate a second predetermined number of revolutions based on the second variable input to adjust the position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first volume is different than the second volume.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein is a dispenser for dispensing fluid that, integrated into one hand piece, comprises a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet. The inlet and outlet communicate directly with a common chamber volume and the plunger translates in a linear direction relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis to expel fluid from the chamber (expel stroke) and/or draw fluid into the chamber (drawing stroke). The plunger is linked to a controller, a power source and a motor that drives translation movement of the plunger. The dispenser described herein offers a variety of advantages over the art including accurate dosing without the user having to manually regulate the dose amount—the amount to be dosed is related to the volume of fluid in the chamber which can be pre-set or varied automatically using sensors and controllers.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dispenser for dispensing fluid that, integrated into one hand piece, comprises:
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a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet, the inlet and outlet communicating directly with a common chamber volume, wherein the plunger is configured to translate linearly relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis; a power source and a motor configured to drive translation movement of the plunger via a threaded shaft thereby causing a change in volume in the chamber; a trigger; and a controller in communication with the power source, the motor, and the trigger, the controller being configured to, in response to actuation of the trigger, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to expel fluid from the chamber (expel stroke), wherein the controller is further configured to receive a first and a second variable input based on a first and a second subject to which the fluid is to be applied, respectively, and automatically vary the volume of fluid expelled from the chamber during a first expel stroke such that a first volume that is less than the entire volume of fluid in the chamber is expelled from the chamber by directing the threaded shaft to rotate a first predetermined number of revolutions based on the first variable input to adjust a position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis and, following the first expel stroke, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to draw fluid into the chamber (draw stroke), the fluid drawn into the chamber having the same volume as the first volume, and following the draw stroke, automatically vary the volume of the fluid expelled from the chamber during a second expel stroke such that a second volume that is less the entire volume of fluid in the chamber is expelled from the chamber by directing the threaded shaft to rotate a second predetermined number of revolutions based on the second variable input to adjust the position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first volume is different than the second volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16)
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4. A dispenser for dispensing fluid that, integrated into one hand piece, comprises:
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a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber, wherein the plunger is configured to translate linearly relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis, the chamber being configured to; draw a volume of fluid into the chamber (drawing stroke) via a chamber inlet in communication with the chamber; retain the drawn fluid volume inside the chamber; and expel at least a portion of the fluid from the chamber (expel stroke) via a chamber outlet, the outlet being in communication with the chamber and wherein the outlet conveys fluid via an at least partly different pathway to the chamber inlet; and wherein the inlet and outlet communicate with the same chamber volume; a power source and a motor configured to drive translation movement of the plunger thereby causing a change in volume in the chamber; a trigger; a controller in communication with the power source, the motor, and the trigger, the controller being configured to; receive at least one variable input based on a subject to which the fluid is to be applied; automatically adjust a position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis based on the at least one variable input to vary the volume of fluid expelled from the chamber during an expel stroke; in response to activation of the trigger, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to cause less than the entire volume of fluid to be expelled from the chamber; and following the expel stroke, direct the motor to drive translation movement of the plunger to draw fluid into the chamber, the fluid drawn into the chamber having the same volume as the less than the entire volume of fluid expelled from the chamber in the preceding expel stroke; and a hand piece casing that is configured to; at least partly enclose the power source, motor, and trigger; and retain the chamber, plunger, and chamber inlet and outlet integral to the hand piece. - View Dependent Claims (5, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification