Apparatus and method for dispensing user-specified fixed volumes of liquids
AssigneePrince Castle LLC
InventorsLoren Veltrop, Christopher Lyons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims28
A method of dispensing a user-specified volume of liquid from a container, the method comprising:
- opening a valve connected to the container to dispense the user-requested volume of liquid through the valve, the time that the valve is required to be open being determined from a sensor capable of determining a level of liquid in the container.
A method of dispensing liquid from a container coupled to an electrically-controlled dispensing valve, the dispensing valve operable to control fluid flow from the container, the dispensing method comprising the steps of:
- determining the height of the liquid surface above the dispensing valve;
- opening the dispensing valve for a time period, the time period being calculated using:
- a volume of liquid specified to be dispensed;
- and
- the height of the liquid surface about the dispensing valve;
- wherein the height of the liquid surface is determined for subsequent volumes of liquid to be dispensed.
An apparatus comprising:
- an electrically actuated pinch valve;
- a computer, operatively coupled to, and controlling operation of the valve;
- a user interface, operatively coupled to the computer;
- a measuring means operatively coupled to the computer, the measuring means capable of determining a depth of a liquid in a container.
A method of dispensing a user-specified volume of liquid from a container, the container being coupled to a pinch valve that is both manually operable and computer operable, the method comprising:
- manually opening the pinch valve to dispense a first volume of liquid;
- and
- after the first volume of liquid is dispensed, opening the pinch valve by a computer to dispense a second, user-requested volume of liquid, the time that the valve is required to be open to dispense the second volume of liquid being determined after the first volume of liquid is dispensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.