Dispenser which incrementally heats fluids with substantial non-volatile constituent parts
AssigneeNew Sensations, L.L.C.
InventorsRickie F. Krietemeier, Albert W. Gebhard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for quickly heating a predetermined volume of viscous fluid and dispensing it efficiently at one or more selected temperatures. The viscous fluid includes substantial non-volatile constituent parts. In one embodiment, the predetermined volume of viscous fluid is partially housed in a predelivery chamber separate from the main fluid reservoir. A heater assembly heats the viscous fluid in the predelivery chamber in a short time period and in small volumes to prevent overheating and adversely effecting the composition of the viscous fluid. To avoid continually heating the viscous liquid, a timer circuit is used in one embodiment.
Claims22
A fluid pump and delivery apparatus adapted for dispensing a viscous lotion at either ambient or elevated temperatures, comprising:
- a main fluid reservoir which is substantially unheated;
- a pumping assembly;
- a predelivery chamber;
- a heating assembly having a heating element positioned within an internal diameter of said predelivery chamber and which controls an exit temperature of the viscous lotion by heating the heating element for a predetermined period of time;
- a dispensing spout which dispenses the viscous lotion;
- and
- a power button in operative communication with said heating and said pumping assemblies which activates said heating and said pumping assemblies upon demand, wherein the viscous lotion stored in said main fluid reservoir is transferred to said dispensing spout after receiving heat energy from said heating element positioned within said predelivery chamber.
A method for heating and dispensing a viscous fluid which includes substantial non-volatile constituent parts, comprising the steps of:
- storing the viscous fluid in a main fluid reservoir at an ambient temperature;
- pumping a portion of the viscous fluid into a predelivery chamber;
- heating the portion of the viscous fluid located in the predelivery chamber above the ambient temperature for a predetermined time period with a heating assembly positioned within the predelivery chamber;
- and
- dispensing the portion of the heated viscous fluid stored in the predelivery chamber through a dispensing spout upon depression of a power button which is in operative communication with a pumping assembly.
A pump and delivery system for dispensing and/or heating a viscous lotion, comprising:
- a main fluid reservoir which is substantially unheated;
- a pumping assembly;
- a predelivery chamber;
- a heating assembly having a heating element positioned within an internal diameter of said predelivery chamber;
- a timer which controls the time said heating assembly is activated in the predelivery chamber to control an exit temperature of the dispensed viscous lotion;
- an overheat sensor which powers-down the heating assembly if a temperature reaches a predetermined temperature;
- a dispensing spout which dispenses the viscous lotion;
- and
- a power button coupled to said heating and said pumping assembly which activates the heating and pumping assembly upon demand, wherein the viscous fluid stored in the main fluid reservoir is transferred to the dispensing spout after receiving heat energy within said predelivery chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.