Precision dispensing

An automatic hybrid volumetric fluid ingredient dispensing apparatus, for dispensing for a mixture, according to pre-selected formulations, utilizing multiple supply containers of the fluid ingredients, and ingredient containers, the apparatus comprising:

• multiple power-driven plungers in the ingredient containers, the ingredient containers connected to the supply containers for passage of ingredients from the supply containers to the ingredient containers, the plungers movable to expel fluid from the ingredient containers;
• a mixture container to receive ingredients expelled from the ingredient containers by movement of the plungers;
• a calibration weight scale;
• and
• means for controlling the plungers for cylinder movement according to inputs of selected quantities of ingredients according to the formulations;
• whereby the apparatus is calibrated by powering each plunger to move in its associated ingredient container a controlled distance, to expel an ingredient to the mixture container, while weighing the increase in the weight of the mixture container, resulting in a calculated rate of weight dispensed per increment of movement of each plunger;
• and
• whereby dispensing of the ingredients required by the formulations in the weight amounts required by the formulations from the supply through the ingredient containers to the mixture container is provided through calibrated movements of the plungers in the ingredient containers.

An automatic hybrid volumetric method of fluid ingredient dispensing for a mixture, according to pre-selected formulations, utilizing a supply of the fluid ingredients, ingredient containers, power-driven plungers in the ingredient containers, the plungers movable to expel fluid from the ingredient containers, a mixture container, and a calibration weight scale, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the ingredient containers to the supply to receive first ingredients in the ingredient containers;
• connecting the ingredient containers to the mixture container for the mixture container to receive ingredients expelled from the ingredient containers by movement of the plungers;
• calibrating the method by powering each plunger to move in its associated ingredient container a controlled distance, to expel an ingredient to the mixture container, while weighing the increase in the weight of the mixture container, resulting in a calculated rate of weight dispensed per increment of movement of each plunger;
• and
• dispensing the ingredients required by the formulations in the weight amounts required by the formulations from the supply through the ingredient containers to the mixture container, through calibrated movements of the plungers.