Membrane attached to a cartridge by seals with differing strengths
AssigneeCana Technology, Inc.
InventorAaron Wehls
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems related to membrane attached to a cartridge of a fluid dispensing device are disclosed. A disclosed cartridge includes a membrane that is attached to the cartridge by a first seal and a second seal, wherein the first seal is stronger than the second seal, before the cartridge is installed into the dispensing device. The second seal is broken during the installation of the cartridge into the dispensing device by applying a pressure from a pneumatic system external to the cartridge, but the first seal remains intact at the applied pressure. A method for installing the cartridge into the dispensing device and breaking the second seal as part of the installation of the cartridge into the device is disclosed.
Claims35
A cartridge shaped for installation into a fluid dispensing device, the cartridge comprising:
- at least one ingredient reservoir containing a liquid ingredient, the at least one ingredient reservoir having an orifice;
- and
- a membrane attached to the cartridge by a first seal and a second seal, wherein the first seal is stronger than the second seal;
- wherein the second seal is broken as part of the installation of the cartridge into the fluid dispensing device;
- wherein the first seal remains intact throughout the installation of the cartridge into the fluid dispensing device and during operation of the fluid dispensing device;
- and
- wherein the liquid ingredient is dispensed from the at least one ingredient reservoir through the orifice during the operation of the fluid dispensing device.
A fluid dispensing device comprising:
- a cartridge shaped for installation into a fluid dispensing device and comprising:
- at least one ingredient reservoir containing a liquid ingredient, the at least one ingredient reservoir having an orifice;
- an inlet;
- a membrane attached to the cartridge by a first seal and a second seal, wherein the first seal is stronger than the second seal;
- a pneumatic system;
- and
- a controller storing instructions that, when executed, cause the fluid dispensing device to supply, using the pneumatic system, one or more valves, and the inlet, pressurized air to the cartridge;
- wherein a pressure from the pressurized air breaks the second seal as part of the installation of the cartridge into the fluid dispensing device;
- wherein the first seal remains intact throughout the installation of the cartridge into the fluid dispensing device and during operation of the fluid dispensing device;
- and
- wherein the liquid ingredient is dispensed from the at least one ingredient reservoir through the orifice during the operation of the fluid dispensing device.
A method for installing a cartridge into a fluid dispensing device, wherein the cartridge is shaped for installation into the fluid dispensing device and has a membrane attached to the cartridge by a first seal and a second seal, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the cartridge into fluid dispensing device;
- and
- supplying, from a pressure source of the fluid dispensing device, pressurized air to the cartridge through an inlet of the cartridge;
- wherein the first seal is stronger than the second seal;
- wherein the second seal breaks at a pressure from the pressurized air;
- and
- wherein the first seal remains intact at the pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.