Automated dispensing apparatus
AssigneeFluid Management, Inc.
InventorsKlaus-Dieter Koppe, Michael Krapalis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispenser for flowable materials includes a plurality of dispense valves arranged in two concentric circles. An actuator arm mounted for rotation about the center of the circles glides over the tops of the valves. A pair of channel-like passageways are formed in the arm, one for the valves arranged in the outer circle, the other for the valves arranged in the inner circle. The valves of the inner and outer circles are radially offset from one another, and accordingly a valve from only one of the two circles is engaged at any given time. The arm is mounted for lifting and lowering movements to accomplish a dispense operation.
Claims23
Dispensing apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of valves arranged along multiple nested curved lines, the valves having housings with upper ends and coupling means at the upper ends for releasably engaging an arm, the coupling means operating the valves between open and closed positions when moved with respect to the valve housing;
- an arm releasably engageable with the valve's coupling means;
- and
- mounting means for mounting the arm for movement across the valves, passing the arm into and out of engagement with the valves it crosses, and said mounting means mounting the arm for movement toward and away from the valves to open and close the valves so as to dispense material from the valves.
Dispensing apparatus for dispensing a plurality of different materials, comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a plurality of valves arranged within the cabinet along first and second nested curved lines, the valves having housings with upper ends and coupling means at the upper ends for releasably engaging an arm, the coupling means operating the valves between open and closed positions when moved with respect to the valve housing;
- conduit means extending outside the cabinet from the valves, for carrying materials to the valves from materials sources located outside the cabinet;
- the cabinet including container supporting means for supporting a container underneath the valves, to receive material dispensed from the valves;
- an arm releasably engageable with the valve's coupling means;
- and
- mounting means for mounting the arm for movement across the valves, passing the arm into and out of engagement with the valves it crosses, and said mounting means mounting the arm for movement toward and away from the valves to open and close the valves so as to dispense material from the valves.
Dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of different materials, comprising:
- a dispense cabinet;
- a plurality of storage tanks outside of the dispense cabinet containing at least some of the materials to be dispensed;
- a plurality of valves arranged within the cabinet along first and second nested curved lines, the valves having housings with upper ends and coupling means at the upper ends for releasably engaging an arm, the coupling means operating the valves between open and closed positions when moved with respect to the valve housing;
- conduit means coupling the tanks to the valves;
- plurality of pumps for pumping the materials to the valves;
- the cabinet including container supporting means for supporting a container underneath the valves, to receive material dispensed from the valves;
- an arm releasably engageable with the valve's coupling means;
- and
- mounting means for mounting the arm for movement across the valves, passing the arm into and out of engagement with the valves it crosses, and said mounting means mounting the arm for movement toward and away from the valves to open and close the valves so as to dispense material from the valves.
Dispensing apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of valves arranged along first and second concentric circles, the valves having housings with upper ends and coupling means at the upper ends for releasably engaging an arm, the coupling means operating the valves between open and closed positions when moved with respect to the valve housing;
- an arm releasably engageable with the valve's coupling means;
- and
- mounting means for mounting the arm for rotation about the center of the concentric circles, across the valves, passing the arm into and out of engagement with the valves it crosses, and said mounting means mounting the arm for movement toward and away from the valves to open and close the valves so as to dispense material from the valves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.