Fluid measuring and dispensing system

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 including coupling means effective after said free piston has driven substantially all of said selected quantity of fluid through said chamber means for effectively opening said output line means to the flow of said purge gas which drove said free piston.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein said chamber means includes surface means against which said free piston is driven by said purge gas, output port means connecting said output line means to said chamber means at a location adjacent said surface means, and said coupling means includes a gas passageway means formed in said free piston to open said output port means through said chamber means to said purge gas means when said free piston is driven against said surface means.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3 wherein said chamber means includes an input port means for receiving fluid from said fill means, said surface means comprises a movable valve piston located in said chamber means, and said control means includes means for moving said valve piston to close said input port means and locate said valve piston spaced from said output port means.

Claim 6

The system of claim 3 wherein said free piston comprises a fluid tight portion for forcing said fluid through said chamber means and a head portion spaced therefrom and facing said purge gas means, said gas passageway means includes slot means formed in said head portion for passing purge gas to cavity means located between said fluid tight portion and said head portion, said cavity means being located adjacent said output port means when said free piston is driven against said surface means.

Claim 9

The system of claim 6 wherein said selector means enables said control means immediately upon terminating the supply of fluid to said chamber means.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7 including valve piston means movable within said chamber means, said chamber means includes an input port for opening said chamber means to the supply of fluid and an output port for opening said chamber means to said output line means, and means enabled by said selector means for moving said valve piston means from a position blocking said output port to a position blocking said input port.

Claim 11

A liquid measuring and dispensing system, comprising: fluid container means including a fluid outlet port for alternately dispensing liquids and gases, a gas inlet port spaced from said fluid outlet port for admitting gas, and a measurement chamber located between said spaced ports for holding selectable volumes of liquids; gas means for supplying a pressurized gas to said gas inlet port; discharge means coupled to said fluid outlet port and passing pressurized gas flowing through said measurement chamber when empty of liquid; a liquid inlet port in said container for admitting liquid to said measurement chamber; fill means connected to said liquid inlet port for filling said measurement chamber with a selected volume of liquid under pressure; and control means including valve means having a first state effective to open said liquid inlet port and block said fluid outlet port to supply said liquid to said measurement chamber while said pressurized gas is supplied to said measurement chamber from said gas inlet port, and a second state effective to block said liquid inlet port and open said fluid outlet port to permit said pressurized gas to drive said selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber through said outlet port and said discharge means until the measurement chamber is empty of liquid and allow the pressurized gas to pass through the discharge means, and cycle means for selecting the first and second states of said valve means.

Claim 12

A liquid measuring and dispensing system, comprising: fluid container means including a fluid outlet port for alternately dispensing liquids and gases, a gas inlet port spaced from said fluid outlet port for admitting gas, and a measurement chamber located between said spaced ports for holding selectable volumes of liquids; gas means for supplying a pressurized gas to said gas inlet port; discharge means coupled to said fluid outlet port and passing pressurized gas flowing through said measurement chamber when empty of liquid; a liquid inlet port in said container for admitting liquid to said measurement chamber; fill means connected to said liquid inlet port for filling said measurement chamber with a selected volume of liquid under pressure; and control means including valve means having a first state effective to open said liquid inlet port and block said fluid outlet port to supply said liquid to said measurement chamber while said pressurized gas is supplied to said measurement chamber from said gas inlet port, and a second state effective to block said liquid inlet port and open said fluid outlet port to permit said pressurized gas to drive said selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber through said outlet port and said discharge means until the measurement chamber is empty of liquid and allow the pressurized gas to pass through the discharge means, and cycle means for selecting the first and second states of said valve means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 9 wherein said fluid container means comprises an elongated tube having between a pair of end tube portions a hollow interior defining said measurement chamber, said gas inlet port being located at one end tube portion, said fluid outlet port and said liquid inlet port being located at the other end tube portion, said valve means comprises a piston movable within said hollow interior to alternately block and open the ports at said other end tube portion.

Claim 14

A liquid measuring and dispensing system, comprising: fluid container means including a fluid outlet port for alternately dispensing liquids and gases, a gas inlet port spaced from said fluid outlet port for admitting gas, and a measurement chamber located between said spaced ports for holding selectable volumes of liquids; gas means for supplying a pressurized gas to said gas inlet port; discharge means coupled to said fluid outlet port and passing pressurized gas flowing through said measurement chamber when empty of liquid; fill means for filling said measurement chamber with a selected volume of liquid; said fluid container means including a piston movable within said measurement chamber and in sealing engagement therewith for positively displacing the selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber under control of said pressurized gas, and control means for permitting said pressurized gas to drive said selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber through said fluid outlet port and said discharge means until said measurement chamber is empty of liquid and allowing the pressurized gas to pass through said discharge means.

Claim 15

A liquid measuring and dispensing system, comprising: fluid container means including a fluid outlet port for alternately dispensing liquids and gases, a gas inlet port spaced from said fluid outlet port for admitting gas, and a measurement chamber located between said spaced ports for holding selectable volumes of liquids; gas means for supplying a pressurized gas to said gas inlet port; discharge means coupled to said fluid outlet port and passing pressurized gas flowing through said measurement chamber when empty of liquid; fill means for filling said measurement chamber with a selected volume of liquid; said fluid container means including a piston movable within said measurement chamber and in sealing engagement therewith for positively displacing the selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber under control of said pressurized gas, and control means for permitting said pressurized gas to drive said selected volume of liquid in said measurement chamber through said fluid outlet port and said discharge means until said measurement chamber is empty of liquid and allowing the pressurized gas to pass through said discharge means.

Claim 16

The system of claim 11 wherein said fluid container means includes bypass means for passing pressurized gas around at least a portion of said piston when said measurement chamber is empty of liquid.

Claim 17

The system of claim 12 wherein said piston comprises a slidable member having a fluid tight element facing the fluid outlet port and a pressure head element facing the gas inlet port, and said bypass means includes a gas passageway from said pressure head element to a gas opening means located intermediate said elements, said gas opening means being adjacent said fluid outlet port when said measurement chamber is empty of liquid.

Claim 18

The system of claim 13 wherein said fluid container means includes surface means against which said fluid tight element is driven when said measurement chamber is empty, said fluid outlet port being located adjacent said surface means, and said gas opening means comprises a recess in said slidable member.