US3825154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid dispensing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A multiplicity of fluid conducting stoppers are inserted into and seal the open mouths of a plurality of containers. Each fluid conducting stopper has a first and second conduit communicating with the interior of the container into which it is inserted. The multiplicity of fluid conducting stoppers and containers are connected in tandem by attaching the second conduit of one to the first conduit of another. A variable displacement diaphragm pump with check valves is attached to the first conduit of the first fluid conducting stopper in the series of tandem connected stoppers and containers for removing the fluid product from the containers. The output of the pump is connected to a dispensing outlet from which fluid is dispensed by force of gravity when the fluid level rises above the outlet in response to the pumping action of the diaphragm pump. A plurality of individual modular systems of tandem containers and pumps can be utilized to simultaneously dispense a variety of fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 W Jaeger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:15
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/12; B67D1/1202; B67D1/1234; B67D1/1243; B67D1/10; F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/02; F04B43/04; F04B43/06; F04B43/073; F04B49/00; F04B49/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for dispensing fluid from at least one open-mouthed container comprising: a flexible diaphragm member having a central opening therein; first and second concave body members between which said flexible diaphRagm is clamped to form a first volume between said first concave body member and said diaphragm member and a second volume between the other side of said diaphragm and said second concave body member, said first concave body member having an opening therein oppositely disposed said central opening in said diaphragm member and said second concave body member having an opening therethrough; conduit means centrally connected to said diaphragm member to enclose said central opening therein, said conduit means passing through said first volume and being slideably engaged in said opening in said first body member to form a fluid path through said conduit means between said opening in said diaphragm member and said opening in said first body member which fluid path is independent from said first volume; a first check valve mounted in said opening in said diaphragm member to allow fluid to enter said conduit means from said second volume when said diaphragm is moved in a direction to decrease said second volume thereby dispensing fluid from said second volume through said conduit; a second check valve mounted in said opening in said second convave body member and connected to at least one fluid container, said second check valve allowing fluid to enter into said second volume from said fluid container when said diaphragm is moved to increase said second volume; means for moving said diaphragm; and means for controlling the magnitude of said diaphragm motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for dispensing fluid from at least one open-mouthed container comprising: a flexible diaphragm member having a central opening therein; first and second concave body members between which said flexible diaphRagm is clamped to form a first volume between said first concave body member and said diaphragm member and a second volume between the other side of said diaphragm and said second concave body member, said first concave body member having an opening therein oppositely disposed said central opening in said diaphragm member and said second concave body member having an opening therethrough; conduit means centrally connected to said diaphragm member to enclose said central opening therein, said conduit means passing through said first volume and being slideably engaged in said opening in said first body member to form a fluid path through said conduit means between said opening in said diaphragm member and said opening in said first body member which fluid path is independent from said first volume; a first check valve mounted in said opening in said diaphragm member to allow fluid to enter said conduit means from said second volume when said diaphragm is moved in a direction to decrease said second volume thereby dispensing fluid from said second volume through said conduit; a second check valve mounted in said opening in said second convave body member and connected to at least one fluid container, said second check valve allowing fluid to enter into said second volume from said fluid container when said diaphragm is moved to increase said second volume; means for moving said diaphragm; and means for controlling the magnitude of said diaphragm motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim 1 wherein said means for controlling the magnitude of said diaphragm motion comprises an adjustable fitting means having an opening therein to which a fluid conduit can be attached, said adjustable fitting means being threadably connected to said first concave body member to enclose said opening therein, said adjustable fitting means further having a shoulder therein which is engaged by said conduit means when said diaphragm is moved to increase said second volume thereby limiting the magnitude of said diaphragm motion which motion is adjustable by turning said adjustable fitting means on its threaded connection to said first concave body member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim 2 further comprising a dispensing outlet connected to said opening of said adjustable fitting means and having a capillary opening from which fluid is dispensed by the force of gravity in response to the pumping motion of said diaphragm, said capillary opening preventing the dripping of fluid from said dispensing outlet between dispensing operations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim 3 wherein said dispensing outlet is further included in a fluid dispensing outlet module comprising a push-button switch connected to activate said means for moving said diaphragm, a counter for recording and indicating the number of diaphragm pumping operations, an alarm light for connection to a liquid sensor to indicate the presence of liquid in the container attached to said second check valve and a light transmitting advertising panel covering said alarm light to identify the liquid being dispensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim 3 wherein said first check valve and capillary opening are replaced by an outlet check valve having a spring with sufficiently low force to prevent the fluid in said dispensing outlet from becoming pressurized thereby substantially maintaining the dispensing of fluid from said container by the force of gravity, said outlet check valve preventing the dripping of fluid from said dispensing outlet between dispensing operations.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
137 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim wherein said means for moving said diaphragm comprises; a solenoid actuated valve connected to said first volume and having an inlet for connection to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet, said inlet being connected through said valve to said first volume to apply pressure to said diaphragm when said solenoid is activated and said outlet being connected through said valve to said first volume to release the pressure on said diaphragm when said solenoid is deactivated; and means for biasing said diaphragm in a direction to increase said second volume when said solenoid is deactivated, said means for biasing being overcome by the pressurized gas connected to said first volume when said solenoid is activated to move said diaphragm in a direction to decrease said second volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus for dispensing fluid described in claim 5 wherein said means for moving said diaphragm comprises; means for biasing said diaphragm; and a solenoid having the armature thereof connected to said diaphragm, said solenoid overcoming said means for biasing when said solenoid is activated thereby displacing said diaphragm from a first position, said diaphragm being returned to said first position by said means for biasing when said solenoid is deactivated, the displacement and return of said diaphragm generating a pumping action by which fluid is forced into said second volume through said first check valve and out of said second volume through said second check valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |