Patent US3765568A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3765568A
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Method and apparatus for automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-10-07
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid by arranging the liquid within an airtight enclosure and controlling, in a dispensing operation, the outlet valve by the resulting mechanical deformation of a diaphragm that is in communication with the enclosure and deformable by air pressure variations of the air entrapped within the system. The apparatus essentially comprises a sealed reservoir with an outlet valve, a diaphragm in communication with the reservoir and a sensing device for sensing deformations of the diaphragm to control the outlet valve. An optional timer may provide a no-liquid condition signal.
Inventors
- 👤 W Leifermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F11/00; G01F11/02; G01F11/08; A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/40; A47J31/402; A47J31/44; A47J31/54; A47J31/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid, comprising the steps of forming a closed system including a reservoir for dispensing the liquid, charging the liquid to be dispensed into the reservoir, filling the remainder of the system including the reservoir with air at atmospheric pressure, closing the system, discharging liquid from the reservoir, checking the variation in air pressure within the closed system and closing off the flow of liquid from the reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure variation, with the flow of liquid from the reservoir closed, opening the system and filling the system with air at atmospheric pressure and closing the system, repeating these steps for automatically discharging predetermined volumina of liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid, comprising the steps of forming a closed system including a reservoir for dispensing the liquid, charging the liquid to be dispensed into the reservoir, filling the remainder of the system including the reservoir with air at atmospheric pressure, closing the system, discharging liquid from the reservoir, checking the variation in air pressure within the closed system and closing off the flow of liquid from the reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure variation, with the flow of liquid from the reservoir closed, opening the system and filling the system with air at atmospheric pressure and closing the system, repeating these steps for automatically discharging predetermined volumina of liquid.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid, comprising a reservoir for receiving the liquid to be metered and having the form of an enclosure; an outlet pipe with an outlet valve connected to the reservoir; an air tube in communication with the air entrapped above the liquid contained in the reservoir and provided with a vent valve; a branch line connected to the air tube, the free end of the branch line connected to a support plate; a diaphragm sealingly fixed to the support plate at the side opposite to the free end of the branch line, the diaphragm hanging by its own weight downwardly from the support plate; an opening in the support plate communicating with a chamber defined by the diaphragm and the support plate and with the branch line; a light barrier into the path of which protrudes the suspending portion of the diaphragm, the light barrier operatively connected through a controller to an actuator switch, the controller controlling the vent valve in the air tube and the outlet valve in accordance with mechanical variations or deformations of the diaphragm caused by any minor air pressure variations of the air entrapped within the reservoir above the liquid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for automatically metering predetermined volumina of a liquid, comprising a reservoir for receiving the liquid to be metered and having the form of an enclosure; an outlet pipe with an outlet valve connected to the reservoir; an air tube in communication with the air entrapped above the liquid contained in the reservoir and provided with a vent valve; a branch line connected to the air tube, the free end of the branch line connected to a support plate; a diaphragm sealingly fixed to the support plate at the side opposite to the free end of the branch line, the diaphragm hanging by its own weight downwardly from the support plate; an opening in the support plate communicating with a chamber defined by the diaphragm and the support plate and with the branch line; a light barrier into the path of which protrudes the suspending portion of the diaphragm, the light barrier operatively connected through a controller to an actuator switch, the controller controlling the vent valve in the air tube and the outlet valve in accordance with mechanical variations or deformations of the diaphragm caused by any minor air pressure variations of the air entrapped within the reservoir above the liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the vent valve and the outlet valve each consist of a solenoid operated control valve, and in the deenergized initial condition of the apparatus the vent valve is in its open position and the outlet valve is in its closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the actuator switch is connected to a timer adapted to indicate an empty reservoir condition in dependence upon a variation or deformation of the diaphragm within a predetermined maximum interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein is provided a second light barrier for monitoring the normal position of the diaphragm in the region of the diaphragm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the spacing of said mentioned light barrier from the diaphragm is adjustable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the diaphragm is made of an airtight thin foil material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the reservoir for the liquid consists of a lost container adapted to be connected to the outlet pipe with the outlet valve, and to the dispensing device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the reservoir for receiving the liquid is made of an elastic material and is adapted to be inserted into an airtight enclosure adapted to take over the function of the reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3526276A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |