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US 2003/0210985 A1Published application
Fluid-handling system, components and method
Assigneefqubed
InventorsIlya Feygin, John M. Newsam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid-handling system capable, in various embodiments, of storing, mixing, and dispensing fluids, and also regulating the flow of fluids. The system includes a cartridge having a non-expandable housing, and a bladder within the housing. In some variations, a drive-liquid is introduced into a region between the housing and the bladder, which causes fluid contained within the bladder to dispense. In some other variations, the drive-liquid is introduced into the bladder, which causes the bladder to expand and expel fluid that is contained with the housing.
Claims30
An article comprising:
- a first cartridge, wherein said first cartridge comprises:
- a first housing, wherein said first housing has:
- a side-wall;
- a first opening passing through said side-wall;
- a first end;
- a second opening disposed at said first end;
- and
- a second end, wherein said second end is sealed;
- a first bladder, wherein said first bladder:
- is disposed within said first housing;
- and
- has an interior volume, an exterior surface and an opening;
- wherein:
- said interior volume of said first bladder is coupled to said second opening in said first housing through said opening in said first bladder;
- and
- said first bladder expels a first fluid contained in its interior volume in response to a pressure applied to said exterior surface by a drive-liquid that is introduced through said first opening.
13 more elements
An article comprising:
- a cartridge, said cartridge comprising:
- a housing, wherein said housing has a first opening and a second opening;
- and
- a bladder, wherein said bladder is disposed within said housing, and wherein said bladder has an interior volume, an exterior surface and an opening;
- wherein:
- said interior volume of said bladder is coupled to said second opening in said housing through said opening in said bladder;
- said bladder expels a fluid contained in its interior volume responsive to a pressure applied to said exterior surface by a drive-liquid that is introduced through said first opening.
4 more elements
An article comprising:
- a housing, wherein said housing has an interior surface and a first opening;
- a bladder, wherein said bladder is disposed within said housing, and wherein said bladder has an interior volume and an exterior surface;
- and
- a drive-liquid delivery device that is coupled to said first opening, wherein said drive-liquid delivery device delivers a drive-liquid through said first opening into a region between said interior surface of said housing and said exterior surface of said bladder.
1 more element
An article comprising:
- a cartridge, said cartridge comprising:
- a housing, wherein said housing has a first opening and a second opening;
- and
- a bladder, wherein:
- said bladder is disposed within said housing,
- said bladder has an interior volume, an exterior surface and an opening;
- said interior volume of said bladder is coupled to said second opening in said housing through said opening in said bladder;
- and
- a mixing device, wherein said mixing device is coupled to said second opening of said housing;
- wherein:
- said bladder expels a fluid contained within its interior volume responsive to a pressure applied to said exterior surface by a drive-liquid that is introduced through said first opening in said housing.
8 more elements
An article comprising:
- a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises:
- a housing, wherein said housing has:
- an interior;
- a first opening;
- a first end;
- and
- a second opening disposed at said first end;
- a bladder, wherein:
- said bladder is disposed within said housing;
- and
- said bladder has an interior volume and an opening;
- said interior volume of said bladder is coupled to said first opening in said first housing to receive a drive-fluid;
- and wherein:
- said bladder enlarges when it receives said drive-fluid, and, as it enlarges, said bladder expels a fluid contained in said interior of said housing through said second opening.
11 more elements
A method comprising:
- adding a first fluid ingredient to a bladder that is disposed within a non-expandable, confined space;
- completely filling said confined spaced by adding a drive-liquid thereto, but outside of said bladder;
- expelling said first fluid ingredient from said bladder by adding an incremental volume of said drive liquid to said confined space, wherein said first fluid ingredient is expelled in an amount that is equal to said incremental volume.
A method comprising:
- adding an amount of a drive liquid to a region between a bladder and a housing;
- sensing a value of a parameter that is indicative of a rate at which a fluid is expelled from said bladder;
- adjusting a cross-section for flow of said fluid through said bladder by changing said amount of said drive liquid that is in said region between said bladder and said housing, wherein the changed amount is based on said value of said parameter.
A method comprising:
- adding an amount of a drive liquid to a bladder;
- sensing a value of a parameter that is indicative of a rate at which a fluid is expelled from a housing that surrounds said bladder;
- adjusting a cross-section for flow of said fluid through said housing by changing said amount of said drive liquid that is in said bladder, wherein the changed amount is based on said value of said parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.