Fluid dispensing apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of fluids, comprising: a. a plurality of means for supplying a corresponding plurality of fluids, b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said supply means, c. separate operating means for each of said valve means movable between an operating position wherein the associated said valve means are closed and a release position effecting opening of said valve means, d. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from said operating position to said release position, e. a control card having a leading edge and having actuating means for said selected said trigger means located thereon in predetermined spaced relations with said leading edge, f. means defining a path for movement for said card in actuating relation with said trigger means, g. drive means for moving said card along said path at a predetermined rate to cause said actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means sequentially in accordance with said spaced relations of said actuating means with said leading edge of said card and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve means at corresponding predetermined stages of the movement of said card along said path, and h.means responsive to a predetermined extent of movement of said card along said path for restoring all of said operating means to operating position effecting closing of all open said valve means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said operating means includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom adjacent the path of said movement of said card, wherein said actuating means on said card comprise projections for tripping said operating means by engaging selected said trigger levers to move corresponding selected said over-center locking means over center from said locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said resetting means is operative to move said over-center locking means back over center from said unlocked position.

Claim 4

The apparatUs of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means comprises a plurality of fluid containers and fluid conduction means separately conducting the fluid from each said container to a corresponding said dispensing control valve.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said fluid conduction means includes a trap to eliminate air within said means subsequent to connection with a corresponding said container.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising air pressure supply means for pressurizing the contents of each said container, and an air check valve within each of said containers to prevent back flow of the contents thereof into said air pressure supply system.

Claim 7

Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of fluids, comprising: a. a plurality of means for supply a corresponding plurality of fluids, b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said fluid supply means, c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member, d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing members in said apparatus, e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a valve pin having an end movable against the corresponding said supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting opening of the associated said valve means, g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from said operating position to said release position, h. a control card having trigger actuating means thereon, i. means for moving said card along a path causing said trigger actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means in predetermined sequence and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve means for dispensing predetermined quantities of fluid through said valve means, and j. means for restoring all of said operating means to operating position effecting closing of all open said valve means following dispensing of predetermined quantities of said fluids.

Claim 8

Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of fluids, comprising: a. a plurality of means for supply a corresponding plurality of fluids, b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said fluid supply means, c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member, d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing members in said apparatus, e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a valve pin having an end movable against the corresponding said supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting opening of the associated said valve means, g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from said operating position to said release position, h. a control card having trigger actuating means thereon, i. means for moving said card along a path causing said trigger actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means in predetermined sequence and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve means for dispensing predetermined quantities of fluid through said valve means, and j. means for restoring all of said operating means to operating position effecting closing of all open said valve means following dispensing of predetermined quantities of said fluids.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said valve pin has a radius of curvature on said tubing closing end which is substantially the same as that of the tubing outer wall rest diameter minus approximately two tubing wall thicknesses, to pinch said tubing closed by reversing the pressed portion thereof to complement the configuration of the portion opposite said pin.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said operating means includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom for engagement by said card actuating means when brought into said engaging relation therewith, wherein said actuating means on said card comprises projections for tripping said operating means by engaging selected said trigger levers to move corresponding selected said over-center locking means over center from said locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said resetting means is operative to move said over-center locking means back over center from said unlocked position.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fluid supply means comprises a plurality of fluid containers and fluid conduction means separately conducting the fluid from each said container to a corresponding said dispensing control valve.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each said fluid conduction means includes a trap to eliminate air within said means subsequent to connection with a corresponding said container.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising air pressure supply means for pressurizing the contenTs of each said container, and an air check valve within each of said containers to prevent back flow of the contents thereof into said air pressure supply system.

Claim 14

Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of fluids, comprising: a. a plurality of means for supplying a corresponding plurality of fluids, b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said fluid supply means, c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member, d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing members in said apparatus, e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a valve pin movable lengthwise against the corresponding said supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting opening of the associated said valve means, g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from said operating position to said release position, h. a control card having a leading edge and having actuating means for said selected said trigger means located thereon in predetermined spaced relations with said leading edge, i. means defining a path for movement for said card in actuating relation with said trigger means, j. means for moving said card along said path at a predetermined rate to cause said actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means sequentially in accordance with said spaced relations of said actuating means with said leading edge of said card and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve means at corresponding predetermined stages of the movement of said card along said path, and k. means responsive to a predetermined extent of movement of said card along said path for restoring all of said operating means to operating position effecting closing of all open said valve means.

Claim 15

Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of fluids, comprising: a. a plurality of means for supplying a corresponding plurality of fluids, b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said fluid supply means, c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member, d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing members in said apparatus, e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a valve pin movable lengthwise against the corresponding said supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting opening of the associated said valve means, g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from said operating position to said release position, h. a control card having a leading edge and having actuating means for said selected said trigger means located thereon in predetermined spaced relations with said leading edge, i. means defining a path for movement for said card in actuating relation with said trigger means, j. means for moving said card along said path at a predetermined rate to cause said actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means sequentially in accordance with said spaced relations of said actuating means with said leading edge of said card and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve means at corresponding predetermined stages of the movement of said card along said path, and k. means responsive to a predetermined extent of movement of said card along said path for restoring all of said operating means to operating position effecting closing of all open said valve means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of said operating means includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom adjacent the path of said movement of said card, wherein said actuating means on said card comprises projections for tripping said operating means by engaging selected said trigger levers to move corresponding selected said over-center locking means over center from said locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said resetting means is operative to move said over-center locking means back over center from said unlocked position.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising subassembly mounting means mounting at least said tubing support means, pin means, and over-center locking means as an easily removable and replaceable unitary subassembly in said fluid dispensing apparatus.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising comb means having said tubing support means therein, pin channel means mounting said valve pins for movement therein, and slot means for said over-center locking means movably receiving and supporting said over-center locking means therein.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said fluid supply means includes trap means to eliminate air from the fluid supplied by said fluid means.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising: a. a common dispenser head for said fluids including means defining a separate discharge outlet for each of said fluids, and b. means connecting each said dispenser head outlet to a respective said valve means for dispensing fluid received therefrom.

Claim 21

In a fluid dispensing apparatus including a plurality of containers containinG various fluids, and means for supporting a receptacle for receiving fluids dispensed from the containers, the combination comprising: a plurality of individual flexible valve tubing members, b. first fluid conducting means sepaately connected between individual containers and corresponding said valve tubing members for conducting the respective fluids from the containers to the corresponding valve tubing members, c. trap means on each of said first fluid conducting means to eliminate air within said first fluid conducting means subsequent to connection thereof with a corresponding container. d. comb means, e. means supporting at least a portion of each of said valve tubing members in said comb means, f. first guide means in said comb means defining a pin channel opening adjacent and substantially perpendicularly to said supported portion of each of said valve tubing members, g. valve pin means in each said pin channel having an end movable against said valve tubing member to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, h. over-center operating means for each said valve pin including interconnected arms movable generally in one plane over center between locked and unlocked positions, and connected to said valve pin means to move said pins means simultaneously in substantially the same said plane to close said valve means by pinching said tubing against said comb means when said operating means is in said locked position and to open said valve means by releasing said tubing pinch when said operating means is in said unlocked position, i. second guide means in said comb defining a channel receiving each said operating means in laterally guided relation limiting movement of said operating means to said plane, j. a dispenser controlling card, k. valve trip means on said card, l. trigger arm means engageable by said card trip means and connected to each operating means to move each said operating means independently over center from said locked position to said unlocked position upon engagement and movement of the respective said trigger arm by a corresponding said trip means on said card, m. card guide means mounted adjacent said comb for guiding said card past said trigger arms to bring said trip means into engagement therewith, n. constant speed drive means for driving said card in timed relation through said card guides and past said trigger arms to cause each said trip means thereon to trip a corresponding one of said trigger arms at a predetermined stage of the movement of said card through said card guides to open each corresponding selected said valve for a predetermined interval causing a correspondingly timed dispensing operation for each such selected valve, o. reset means for said valves mounted adjacent said operating means to engage and move unlocked said operating means back over center to said locked positions, closing the previously opened valves, p. means responsive to predetermined elapsed time and movement of said card past said trigger arms for actuating said reset means, g. substantially constant pressure air supply means, r. an air pressure supply manifold connected to the output of said air supply means, s. means connecting the contents of each of the fluid containers to said air pressure manifold to pressurize the container contents, t. check valve means on each said air pressure connecting means to prevent reverse flow of the fluid contents of the respective containers back into said air pressure supply means, u. separate fluid discharge means connected to each of said valve means to conduct the fluid released thereby to a receptacle on the receptacle supporting means, and v. a common dispense head for the ends of said fluid discharge means adjacent the receptacle causing each fluid separately issuing into the receptacle to be discharged from a corresponding separate opening in said common dispenser head.

Claim 22

In a fluid dispensing apparatus including a plurality of containers containinG various fluids, and means for supporting a receptacle for receiving fluids dispensed from the containers, the combination comprising: a plurality of individual flexible valve tubing members, b. first fluid conducting means sepaately connected between individual containers and corresponding said valve tubing members for conducting the respective fluids from the containers to the corresponding valve tubing members, c. trap means on each of said first fluid conducting means to eliminate air within said first fluid conducting means subsequent to connection thereof with a corresponding container. d. comb means, e. means supporting at least a portion of each of said valve tubing members in said comb means, f. first guide means in said comb means defining a pin channel opening adjacent and substantially perpendicularly to said supported portion of each of said valve tubing members, g. valve pin means in each said pin channel having an end movable against said valve tubing member to close said tubing by pinching said tubing against said supporting means, h. over-center operating means for each said valve pin including interconnected arms movable generally in one plane over center between locked and unlocked positions, and connected to said valve pin means to move said pins means simultaneously in substantially the same said plane to close said valve means by pinching said tubing against said comb means when said operating means is in said locked position and to open said valve means by releasing said tubing pinch when said operating means is in said unlocked position, i. second guide means in said comb defining a channel receiving each said operating means in laterally guided relation limiting movement of said operating means to said plane, j. a dispenser controlling card, k. valve trip means on said card, l. trigger arm means engageable by said card trip means and connected to each operating means to move each said operating means independently over center from said locked position to said unlocked position upon engagement and movement of the respective said trigger arm by a corresponding said trip means on said card, m. card guide means mounted adjacent said comb for guiding said card past said trigger arms to bring said trip means into engagement therewith, n. constant speed drive means for driving said card in timed relation through said card guides and past said trigger arms to cause each said trip means thereon to trip a corresponding one of said trigger arms at a predetermined stage of the movement of said card through said card guides to open each corresponding selected said valve for a predetermined interval causing a correspondingly timed dispensing operation for each such selected valve, o. reset means for said valves mounted adjacent said operating means to engage and move unlocked said operating means back over center to said locked positions, closing the previously opened valves, p. means responsive to predetermined elapsed time and movement of said card past said trigger arms for actuating said reset means, g. substantially constant pressure air supply means, r. an air pressure supply manifold connected to the output of said air supply means, s. means connecting the contents of each of the fluid containers to said air pressure manifold to pressurize the container contents, t. check valve means on each said air pressure connecting means to prevent reverse flow of the fluid contents of the respective containers back into said air pressure supply means, u. separate fluid discharge means connected to each of said valve means to conduct the fluid released thereby to a receptacle on the receptacle supporting means, and v. a common dispense head for the ends of said fluid discharge means adjacent the receptacle causing each fluid separately issuing into the receptacle to be discharged from a corresponding separate opening in said common dispenser head.

Claim 23

The aPparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of the containers is an inverted bottle, and further comprising bottle cap means having an outlet opening therethrough connecting with said first fluid conducting means to supply the fluid contents from said container to said conducting means for conduction to said valve means, said air check valve being within said bottle, and said bottle cap means also including connection means therethrough connecting said air pressure supply means to said check valve means within said bottle.