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US 2015/0021360 A1Published application
Dispenser for 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.
Claims21
1-14. (canceled)
A pinch valve comprising:
- a valve surface;
- and
- a pinch bar having a first leg and a second leg substantially orthogonal to the tint leg, the first leg having a length and an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the length of the first leg;
- wherein the pinch bar is movable between a first position and a second position by rotation of the pinch bar about the axis of rotation, wherein in the first position the pinch valve is configured to collapse a flexible tube between the second leg and the valve surface, and in the second position, the pinch valve is configured such that the flexible tube is free of the second leg.
1 more element
A liquid dispenser comprising:
- a refrigerated cabinet;
- a container configured to hold a liquid to be dispensed, the refrigerated cabinet configured to receive the container therein;
- a flexible tube extending from the container;
- and
- a pinch valve comprising:
- a valve surface configured to engage the flexible tube;
- and
- a pinch bar having a first leg and a second leg substantially orthogonal to the first leg, the first leg having a length and an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the length of the first leg;
- wherein the pinch bar is movable between as first position and a second position by rotation of the pinch bar about the axis of rotation, wherein in the first position the pinch valve is configured to collapse the flexible tube between the second leg and the valve surface, and in the second position, the second leg is configured to be positioned free from obstruction of the flexible tube.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.