Automated dispensing apparatus
AssigneeFluid Management Limited Partnership
InventorsWilliam Miller, Leen Hellenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dispenser actuating apparatus includes guide rails carrying a valve actuator at one end. A pump actuator is mounted for sliding along the guide rails, and the guide rails are mounted for sliding along their central axes. Separate motors and drive belts reciprocate the valve and pump actuators with independent movements.
Claims16
Dispenser actuating apparatus for actuating a dispenser pump and a shut off valve of an automated dispensing machine, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
- elongated guide rail means having a longitudinal axis and a first end;
- guide rail mounting means for slidably mounting the guide rail means on the support structure for movement along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail means;
- valve engaging means carried at the first end of the guide rail means;
- means for securing the valve engaging means to the guide rail means;
- a drive block for axially displacing the guide rail means;
- means for fixedly attaching the drive block to the guide rail means;
- a pump engaging means for actuating a pump of the dispenser machine;
- means for slidably mounting the pump engaging means on the guide rail means for sliding movement therealong;
- means for moving the drive block in opposite directions generally parallel to the axis of the guide rail means to thereby reciprocate the guide rail means and the valve engaging means carried thereon for valve actuating movement without displacing the pump engaging means;
- and
- means for moving the pump engaging means in opposite directions along the guide rail means to thereby reciprocate the pump engaging means for pump actuating movement without displacing the valve engaging means.
Dispenser actuating apparatus for actuating a dispenser pump and a shut off valve of an automated dispensing machine, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure including a frame;
- slide means mounted in the frame including guide rail means elongated along an axis and having a first end, and the slide means further including a slide element mounted for sliding along the guide rail means;
- guide rail mounting means for slidably mounting the guide rail means on the frame for movement along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail means;
- a first actuator mounted on the guide rail means adjacent the first end thereof, for movement therewith;
- means for fixedly attaching the first actuator to the guide rail means;
- a drive block for axially displacing the guide rail means;
- means for fixedly attaching the drive block to the guide rail means;
- a second actuator mounted on the slide element;
- means for moving the drive block in opposite directions generally parallel to the axis of the guide rail means to thereby reciprocate the guide rail means and the first actuator carried thereon without displacing the second actuator;
- and
- means for moving the sliding element in opposite directions along the guide rail means to thereby reciprocate the second actuator for independent actuating movement without displacing the guide rail means or the first actuator mounted thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.