Systems, methods, and devices for dispensing fluid
AssigneeStarbucks Corporation
InventorsJeffrey Lynn Jessie, Lucas Sano Abrahamsen, Paul Stack, Joanne Lombard, Brian Byrne, Peter Treston, John Kelly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dispenser may dispense a predetermined amount of fluid from a fluid container. The dispenser may include an actuator that applies a force to a nozzle of the fluid container to open the nozzle for a period of time based. The period of time may be based on the predetermined amount of fluid. The dispenser may include a weight sensor, wherein the weight sensor detects a weight of the fluid in a fluid container. The period of time may be based on the weight of the fluid in the fluid container.
Claims20
A fluid dispenser, comprising:
- a first actuator;
- a second actuator;
- and
- a sensor, wherein the sensor provides a signal that relates to a fluid in a fluid container,
- wherein when a user engages the first actuator, the second actuator is configured to actuate a manual actuator of a mechanical nozzle of the fluid container to open the mechanical nozzle for a period of time to dispense, through a hole in the fluid dispenser, a predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid container, wherein the period of time is based on the signal from the sensor.
A fluid dispensing system, comprising:
- a housing configured to receive a fluid container comprising a mechanical nozzle, the housing comprising:
- a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is a mechanical actuator;
- a base comprising a hole;
- a cover coupled to the base,
- wherein when the housing receives the fluid container, the mechanical nozzle is substantially aligned with the hole;
- an actuation system comprising:
- a controller;
- a second actuator;
- and
- a sensor, wherein the sensor provides a signal that relates to a fluid in the fluid container;
- wherein when a user engages the first actuator, the controller is configured to instruct the second actuator to apply a force to the mechanical nozzle for a period of time, wherein the force opens the mechanical nozzle to dispense a predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid container, wherein the controller is configured to determine the period of time based the signal from the sensor.
A method of dispensing a predetermined amount of a fluid, comprising:
- placing, by a user, a fluid container on a weight sensor coupled to a base of a dispenser, wherein the fluid container comprises a mechanical nozzle, and the base comprises a hole;
- aligning, by the user, the mechanical nozzle with the hole and an electronic actuator of the dispenser;
- closing, by the user, a clamp configured to secure the mechanical nozzle in place;
- engaging, by the user, a mechanical actuator of the dispenser;
- determining, by a controller, a period of time, wherein the period of time is based on a weight of the fluid in the fluid container detected by the weight sensor, and the predetermined amount of the fluid;
- instructing, by the controller, the electronic actuator to apply a force to the mechanical nozzle to open the mechanical nozzle and dispense the fluid;
- and
- after the period of time, instructing, by the controller, the electronic actuator to stop applying the force to the mechanical nozzle to close the mechanical nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.