EP0005374A2 — Automatic liquid mixing system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 193 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), inlet and outlet means (18, 20) for the entry of liquid into the reservoir and the removal of liquid therefrom, means (14) for supporting a container (16) above the reservoir, opening means (42) for opening a container supported by the supporting means to discharge its contents into the reservoir and control means for controlling the entry of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means to achieve a desired mix of that liquid with the container liquid, characterised in that the control means are operable to measure the attainment of a desired specific gravity to discontinue the flow of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means, the control means comprising a member (56) having a density bearing a predetermined relationship with the desired specific gravity and arranged to be at least partially immersed in the liquid in the reservoir and means responsive to the position of the member in the liquid to produce a control signal signifying the attainment of the desired specific gravity to discontinue the ingress of liquid via the inlet means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 193 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), inlet and outlet means (18, 20) for the entry of liquid into the reservoir and the removal of liquid therefrom, means (14) for supporting a container (16) above the reservoir, opening means (42) for opening a container supported by the supporting means to discharge its contents into the reservoir and control means for controlling the entry of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means to achieve a desired mix of that liquid with the container liquid, characterised in that the control means are operable to measure the attainment of a desired specific gravity to discontinue the flow of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means, the control means comprising a member (56) having a density bearing a predetermined relationship with the desired specific gravity and arranged to be at least partially immersed in the liquid in the reservoir and means responsive to the position of the member in the liquid to produce a control signal signifying the attainment of the desired specific gravity to discontinue the ingress of liquid via the inlet means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 72 words

A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the responsive means comprises a magnetically responsive switch isolated from contact with the solution, and wherein the member (56) contains magnetically responsive material, at least one of the member material and switch being magnetic so that the switch undergoes a state transition in response to the rising and falling of the member with change in specific gravity of the liquid in the reservoir.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by a generally vertical tubular shaft (32) enclosing at least a portion of the responsive means and wherein the member (56) is mounted for vertical movement along the shaft.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 105 words

A system according to claim 3, characterised by level sensing means (30) for sensing when the level of liquid in the reservoir falls to a given level to produce a control signal to commence the flow of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means (18) the liquid level sensing means comprising a float (30) mounted about the shaft (32) for movement therealong in response to changes in liquid level in the reservoir, magnetically responsive switch means mounted within the shaft, and magnetic means attached to the float to actuate the switch means when the float attains a predetermined height or heights in the reservoir.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 201 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), inlet and outlet means (18, 19) for the entry of liquid into the reservoir and the removal of liquid therefrom, means (14) for supporting a container above the reservoir, opening means (42) for opening a container supported by the supporting means to discharge its contents into the reservoir, and control means for controlling the entry of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means to achieve a desired mix of that liquid with the container liquid or liquids in dependence upon liquid level sensing means (30), characterised in that the liquid level sensing means comprises a shaft (32) extending upwardly in the reservoir, a float (30) mounted about the shaft for movement therealong in response to the liquid level in the reservoir, and sensing means for sensing the height of the float in the reservoir, the sensing means comprising first and second parts, the first part (50, 52, 54) being a member or members attached to the shaft, the second part being provided by the float, and one of the parts being magnetically-responsive switch means actuable by magnetic field coupling between said parts.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 201 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), inlet and outlet means (18, 19) for the entry of liquid into the reservoir and the removal of liquid therefrom, means (14) for supporting a container above the reservoir, opening means (42) for opening a container supported by the supporting means to discharge its contents into the reservoir, and control means for controlling the entry of liquid into the reservoir via the inlet means to achieve a desired mix of that liquid with the container liquid or liquids in dependence upon liquid level sensing means (30), characterised in that the liquid level sensing means comprises a shaft (32) extending upwardly in the reservoir, a float (30) mounted about the shaft for movement therealong in response to the liquid level in the reservoir, and sensing means for sensing the height of the float in the reservoir, the sensing means comprising first and second parts, the first part (50, 52, 54) being a member or members attached to the shaft, the second part being provided by the float, and one of the parts being magnetically-responsive switch means actuable by magnetic field coupling between said parts.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the switch means comprises a plurality of magnetically responsive switches (50, 52, 54) vertically spaced along the shaft so as to undergo respective state changes at different liquid levels.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 78 words

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means (14) is arranged to support a container arrangement (16) defining distinct compartments (A, B, C) containing respective liquids, characterised in that the opening means comprises a blade arrangement (60, 62) having cutting edges arranged to be displaced to cut wall portions of said compartments in succession thereby to discharge one of the respective liquids into the reservoir followed by another of the respective liquids.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 115 words

A system according to claim 7, characterised in that the supporting means is displaceably mounted so as to support the container arrangement in a position which varies in dependence upon the weight of liquid in the compartments, the blade arrangement being mounted for movement with the supporting means, and there is a blocking surface (80) positioned to engage a contact surface (82) of the opening means to halt the movement of the blade arrangement subsequent to the opening of one compartment, the blocking surface being dimensioned to allow for the movement of the blade arrangement to open another compartment when the supporting arrangement moves in consequence of release of liquid from the one container compartment.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 217 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), means (14) for supporting over the reservoir a multi-compartmented container arrangement (16), means (42) for opening the arrangement to discharge the contents into the reservoir, inlet and outlet means (18, 20) communicating with the reservoir for respectively permitting the ingress and egress of liquid, liquid level sensing means (30) for producing an enabling signal when the liquid level in the reservoir falls below a preselected level, and means responsive to the enabling signal for permitting liquid to flow into the reservoir through the inlet means (18), characterised in that the supporting means are arranged to support the container arrangement in a position which varies in dependence upon the weight of the arrangement, and the opening means (42) respond to the enabling signal to commence movement along the container arrangement to-sequentially open the compartments, there being a blocking surface (80) positioned to engage the opening means to halt the continued movement of the opening means subsequent to the opening of one of the compartments, the blocking surface being dimensioned to enable the opening means to bypass the blocking surface as the supporting means moves the container arrangement in response to its decreasing weight consequent upon opening of said one compartment.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 217 words

An automatic liquid mixing system for effecting a controlled mixing of flows of liquids, comprising a reservoir (12), means (14) for supporting over the reservoir a multi-compartmented container arrangement (16), means (42) for opening the arrangement to discharge the contents into the reservoir, inlet and outlet means (18, 20) communicating with the reservoir for respectively permitting the ingress and egress of liquid, liquid level sensing means (30) for producing an enabling signal when the liquid level in the reservoir falls below a preselected level, and means responsive to the enabling signal for permitting liquid to flow into the reservoir through the inlet means (18), characterised in that the supporting means are arranged to support the container arrangement in a position which varies in dependence upon the weight of the arrangement, and the opening means (42) respond to the enabling signal to commence movement along the container arrangement to-sequentially open the compartments, there being a blocking surface (80) positioned to engage the opening means to halt the continued movement of the opening means subsequent to the opening of one of the compartments, the blocking surface being dimensioned to enable the opening means to bypass the blocking surface as the supporting means moves the container arrangement in response to its decreasing weight consequent upon opening of said one compartment.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 50 words

A mixing system according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the container supporting means includes a frame-like member mounted for tilting about an axis of pivoting, and bias means (88) for exerting a rotational force on the frame member in opposition to the weight of the container arrangement.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 59 words

A system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the compartment opening means includes .a plurality of cutting edges (60, 62, 64) positioned for piercing contact with the container arrangement, and means (72) for moving the cutting edges relative to the container arrangement destructively to open compartment walls to release the contents of the compartments sequentially.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

A mixing system according to claim 11, characterised in that one of the cutting edges is formed by the edge of a generally planar member (60a) formed with at least one through-hole (90) to enhance the drainage of the compartment arrangement.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 50 words

A system according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the compartment-opening means includes nozzle means (84) oriented with respect to one of the cutting edges to introduce a quantity of flushing liquid into the exposed compartment interior during or immediately subsequent to the release of the contents thereof.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 36 words

A system according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterised by a disposable multi-compartmented container arrangement (16) whose exterior surface adjacent the arrangement includes wall portions protruding into the path of the blade arrangement.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 55 words

A system according to claim 14, characterised in that the compartment-opening means includes a member (42) mounted for movement adjacent the container arrangement in a direction generally transverse to the protruding wall portions, and a pair of laterally spaced cutting edges (62a, 62b) mounted on the movable member for slitting contact with the protruding portions.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 146 words

An automatic chemical mixing system comprising a housing including means defining a reservoir (12) and means (14) for supporting a container (16) above the reservoir, inlet and outlet conduit means (18, 19) communicating with the reservoir for respectively permitting the ingress and egress of liquids, liquid level sensing means (30) for producing an enabling signal when the liquid level of the reservoir falls below a preselected level, means responsive to the enabling signal for permitting base liquid to flow into the reservoir through the inlet conduit means, a disposable multi-compartmented container supported by the supporting means, and means (42) responsive to the enabling signal for opening the compartments of the container, characterised in that the opening means,responsive to the enabling signal,are operable to slit compartments at a pair of laterally spaced regions to destructively open the compartments of the container and permit egress of the contents.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 146 words

An automatic chemical mixing system comprising a housing including means defining a reservoir (12) and means (14) for supporting a container (16) above the reservoir, inlet and outlet conduit means (18, 19) communicating with the reservoir for respectively permitting the ingress and egress of liquids, liquid level sensing means (30) for producing an enabling signal when the liquid level of the reservoir falls below a preselected level, means responsive to the enabling signal for permitting base liquid to flow into the reservoir through the inlet conduit means, a disposable multi-compartmented container supported by the supporting means, and means (42) responsive to the enabling signal for opening the compartments of the container, characterised in that the opening means,responsive to the enabling signal,are operable to slit compartments at a pair of laterally spaced regions to destructively open the compartments of the container and permit egress of the contents.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 59 words

A system according to claim 16, characterised in that the opening means comprises a cutting edge formed at the rearwardly extending edge of a generally forward-moving blade member, the blade member having a leading point adapted to initially contact a container wall for initial piercing thereof, continuation of the forward movement producing the slicing action at the pierced region.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system according to claim 15 or 17, characterised by a protrusion-deflecting member (45) mounted on the movable member for deflecting the portion of the protrusion which lies between the slits formed by the cutting edges.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 94 words

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening means includes a pair of blade members obliquely- oriented with respect to each other to define a pair of laterally spaced cutting edges and mounted on a movable member so as to be moved for slitting contact with the container arrangement along a pair of generally wedge-defining paths,and a container-deflecting member mounted on the movable member for deflecting the portion of the container which lies between the slits so that the deflected portion is wedged within the resulting opening.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 72 words

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a container arrangement (16) comprising a multi-compartmented module comprising a plurality of mating, compartment-defining, containers (16a, b and c) arranged in a cluster and having respective face-engaging faces which are uniquely complementary so as to restrict their interchangeability within the cluster, and means for securing the containers in their mating relationship to permit movement of the cluster as a unit.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 71 words

For use in an automatic liquid mixing system according to any one of the preceding claims a multi-compartmented module comprising a plurality of mating, compartment-defining, containers (16a, b and c) arranged in a cluster and having respective face-engaging faces which are uniquely complementary so as to restrict their interchangeability within the cluster, and means for securing the containers in their mating relationship to permit movement of the cluster as a unit.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 61 words

A system according.to claim 20 or a module according to claim 21, characterised in that the module includes a first container having a first face adapted to function as a portion of the module base during use, the first face having a generally lip-shaped protrusion forming a complementary recess in the compartment and positioned for opening contact by the compartment-opening means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 85 words

A system or module according to claim 22, characterised in that the first face additionally includes a recessed portion, between the lip-shaped protrusion and an unrecessed base portion, in which container-opening members can be positioned with the lip-shaped protrusion extending into the path of the container-opening members, and a channel-defining protrusion extending from the unrecessed base portion to the lip-shaped protrusion to define a channel in the corresponding compartment wall having a level approximately no higher than the wall defined by the unrecessed base portion.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 90 words

A system or module according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterised in that there are second and third compartment-defining containers disposed side-by-side and engaging a second face of the first container, the second face being generally upward extending from the module base during use, and at least a portion of the second and third container bases extending downwards to the level of the lip-shaped protrusion, whereby the second and third compartments can be each serially opened relative to the first compartment by respective laterally spaced container-opening members.

Automatic liquid mixing system

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag