Liquid dispenser and method for preventing liquid segregation

An apparatus for selectively dispensing one or more of a plurality of liquids, the apparatus comprising a plurality of container assemblies, wherein each of the container assemblies comprises:

• a container;
• a pump operatively connected to the container;
• a valve assembly;
• a pump conduit connecting the pump to the valve assembly;
• a recirculation conduit connecting the container to the valve assembly bypassing the bump;
• and
• a dispense conduit connected to the valve assembly;
• wherein each of the valve assemblies of each of the container assemblies is configured to be switched between a dispensing position and a recirculation position by a common actuator thereby closing off the respective dispense conduits;
• and
• wherein at least some of the valve assemblies are configured to actuate an adjacent valve assembly.

An apparatus for selectively dispensing one or more of a plurality of liquids, the apparatus comprising a plurality of container assemblies, wherein each of the container assemblies comprises:

• a container;
• a pump operatively connected to the container;
• a valve assembly;
• a pump conduit connecting the pump to the valve assembly;
• a recirculation conduit connecting the container to the valve assembly bypassing the bump;
• and
• a dispense conduit connected to the valve assembly;
• wherein each of the valve assemblies of each of the container assemblies is configured to be switched between a dispensing position and a recirculation position by a common actuator thereby closing off the respective dispense conduits;
• and
• wherein the dispense conduits are connected to a common manifold for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of liquids.

A method of preventing segregation of multiphase liquids in pump conduits, each of which are disposed between a separate container and a separate dispense conduit, the method comprising:

• providing a valve assembly between each pump conduit and each dispense conduit;
• providing a recirculation conduit between each valve assembly and each container;
• coupling a common actuator to each valve assembly, wherein the common actuator is a driving axle extending through the valve assemblies;
• isolating each dispense conduit and providing communication between each pump conduit and each recirculation conduit by shifting each valve assembly to a recirculation position with the common actuator;
• pumping the liquids to recirculate the liquids via circuits formed by each container, pump conduit, valve assembly and recirculation conduit.