Fluid dispensing apparatus having means for measuring fluid volume continuously
AssigneeMillipore Corporation
InventorAnthony DiLeo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid dispensing apparatus is described, the operation of which involves installation thereinto of a single-use fluid dispenser cartridge. The cartridge itself comprises a pliable fluid reservoir and a fill tube assembly. The fill tube assembly—the component which most immediately acquires and delivers a definable volume of fluid into a vial or other container—is characterized by its incorporation of means for continuously measuring fluid volume therein, particularly, as a function of electrical capacitance. Accuracy, precision, and reliability are improved. The apparatus can be used to dispense a broad range of fluids, including viscous fluids. No moving mechanical parts are required in the measurement of capacitance.
Claims10
A fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid comprising:
- (a) a fluid reservoir with a fluid inlet for the introduction of the fluid into said fluid reservoir, and a fluid outlet for the release of said fluid from said fluid reservoir;
- (b) a fill tube assembly connected to said fluid outlet, the fill tube assembly comprising
- (i) a fill valve capable of controlling the flow of fluid released from said fluid reservoir into the fill tube assembly, and
- (ii) a drain line provided with a discharge valve for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid from said fill tube assembly;
- (c) a pair of electroconductive terminals proximate either said fill tube assembly or said fluid reservoir and means for connecting said terminals to an energy source so that a current can be passed from one terminal to the other terminal;
- and
- (d) control means responsive to the capacitance of said current for selectively controlling said dispensing of fluid from said tube assembly, or said introduction of fluid from said reservoir, or said release of fluid from said reservoir.
A single-use fluid dispensing cartridge, suitable for installation into a fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a pliable fluid reservoir having an upper opening, a fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the pliable fluid reservoir, and a fluid outlet for releasing fluid from said pliable fluid reservoir;
- (b) a fill tube assembly connected to said upper opening, at one end, and to said fluid outlet, at another end, forming a loop with said fluid reservoir, the fill tube assembly comprising
- (i) a first area suitable for provision of a fill valve in said closed loop for controlling the flow of fluid released from said pliable fluid reservoir into the fill tube assembly, and
- (ii) a drain line with a second area suitable for provision of a discharge valve for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid from said fill tube assembly;
- and
- (c) a pair of electroconductive terminals affixed to either said fill tube assembly or said pliable fluid reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.