# US 8,770,446 B2 · System and method for dispensing a predetermined amount of a fluid

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- Number: US 8,770,446 B2
- Document ID: US8770446B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/013,171
- Filed: 2013-08-29
- Published: 2013-12-26
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-09
- Assignees: Cornelius, Inc.
- Applicants: Cornelius, Inc.
- Inventors: Scott E. Sevcik; Andrew Tobler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770446B2

## CPC

- B67D 7/36: Arrangements of flow- or pressure-control valves (associated with nozzles B67D7/42)
- B67D 1/0006: {based on the timed opening of a valve}
- B67D 1/0036: {based on the timed opening of valves}
- B67D 1/0044: {for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle}
- B67D 1/0086: {Hand-held gun type valves}
- B67D 1/1277: {Flow control valves}
- B67D 7/50: and provided with an additional hand lever
- F16K 31/088: {the movement of the first magnet being a rotating or pivoting movement}
- B67D 1/0082: {entirely mechanical}
- B67D 7/52: and provided with additional flow-controlling valve means
- B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F)
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}

## Abstract

A system and method for dispensing a predetermined portion of a beverage or drink additive using a cost effective portion control valve that replaces electrical components with mechanical components. The present invention dispenses a controlled portion of a beverage when a lever is activated. A magnetically coupled linkage system can control the exact amount of fluid dispensed. A valve block contains a beverage input, a beverage outlet, and a valve seal. A lever arm is connected to the valve seal and connected to a magnetic housing containing a valve magnet. A yoke pivots about the valve block where the yoke contains a yoke magnet aligned to interface with the valve magnet. A lever arm return spring is connected to the lever arm and the valve block to bias the lever arm return spring to a resting position. As the yoke pivots beyond a predetermined distance, the yoke magnet separates from the valve magnet allowing the lever arm to return to the resting position closing the valve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid dispensing apparatus comprising:
a base member defining at least one fluid passageway;
a valve member mounted to the base member and configured to seal the fluid passageway;
a valve lever configured to open and close the valve member, the valve lever having a protruding stop tab and a first magnet;
a return spring configured to bias the valve lever to a closed position;
an activation handle having a second magnet configured to interface with the first magnet; and
a permanent stop configured to receive the stop tab at a predetermined depression distance.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said predetermined depression distance is defined by a set screw.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said set screw is configured to adjust the predetermined depression distance when the screw is rotated.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activation handle is configured to return to a starting position by engaging a spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said spring is an elongated metal strip.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said return spring is a tension spring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said return spring has a first end attached to the base member and a second end attached to the valve lever.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base member defined two fluid passageways.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said permanent stop is attached to the base member.

### Claim 10

A method for dispensing a particular amount of a fluid comprising:
attaching a first member to a fluid dispensing valve, wherein when said first member is moved from a first position toward a second position, said valve opens;
biasing said first member so that said valve is normally closed;
using two magnets, operationally coupling a second member to the first member over a predetermined distance so that when the second member is moved, the first member follows opening said valve until the second member has moved over said predetermined distance, wherein the second member separates from the first member at the predetermined distance, and the first member returns to said first position closing said valve after separating from the second member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 further comprising allowing adjustment of said predetermined distance.