التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
| العنوان: |
Programmable Dispensing Apparatus |
| Document Number: |
20070295755 |
| تاريخ النشر: |
December 27, 2007 |
| Appl. No: |
11/575624 |
| Application Filed: |
September 26, 2005 |
| مستخلص: |
An apparatus for dispensing a flowable material in a predetermined amount includes a metering wheel member (22) for delivery of the flowable material from a supply reservoir (12) to a dispensing port (28). The apparatus includes an agitator assembly (52) mounted within the supply reservoir (12) to maintain and promote flow of the material to be dispensed. A motive power source (30) is provided to effect rotation of the metering wheel member (22) and agitator assembly (52) within the supply reservoir (12). Another embodiment further provides a liquid supply system (84) for introducing liquid for rinsing or mixing. The apparatus may be further contained within a cabinet (68) for security and maintenance. |
| Inventors: |
Kinzie, Robert (Shreveport, LA, US); Reprogle, Layton J. (Wentzville, MO, US); Reprogle III, Layton T. (O'Fallon, MO, US); Reprogle, Stephen M. (Wentzville, MO, US) |
| Claim: |
1. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of a flowable material, the apparatus comprising: a supply reservoir; a measuring conveyor; a measuring conveyor closing member; a dispensing port; and a motive power source, the supply reservoir being adapted to store a quantity of flowable material, the supply reservoir being further adapted for communication with the measuring conveyor for introduction of flowable material thereto, the measuring conveyor comprising a dimension and volume corresponding to a predetermined amount of flowable material, the measuring conveyor and measuring conveyor closing member being movable relative to the other, the measuring conveyor being adapted to be cut off from communication with the supply reservoir by effecting a change of relative position between the measuring conveyor and the measuring conveyor closing member, the motive power source being adapted to effect relative movement between the measuring conveyor and the measuring conveyor closing member, the measuring conveyor being further adapted for communication with the dispensing port through which flowable material is dispensed from the apparatus. |
| Claim: |
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the measuring conveyor is comprised of a carrier member having multiple measuring compartments, the carrier member being moveable relative to the dispensing port, the motive power source being adapted to effect relative movement between the carrier member and the dispensing port to sequentially bring each measuring compartment into communication with the dispensing port. |
| Claim: |
3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the supply reservoir is comprised of a cylindrical supply reservoir, the carrier member comprising a wheel member rotatably disposed within the cylindrical supply reservoir, the multiple measuring compartments being disposed around a periphery of the wheel member, each measuring compartment having an internal area defining a volume corresponding to the predetermined amount of flowable material, the motive power source effecting rotational movement of the wheel member to sequentially bring each measuring compartment into communication with the dispensing port. |
| Claim: |
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which an agitator member is disposed within the supply reservoir, the agitator member being adapted to stir the flowable material stored in the supply reservoir. |
| Claim: |
5. The apparatus of claim 2 in which an agitator member is disposed within the supply reservoir, the agitator member being adapted to stir the flowable material stored in the supply reservoir, the motive power source being adapted to actuate the agitator member. |
| Claim: |
6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a base portion, the dispensing port being disposed in the base portion, the wheel member being disposed above the base portion, the wheel member being rotatable relative to the base portion, the measuring conveyor closing member comprising a plate member, the plate member being disposed above the wheel member, the wheel member being rotatable relative to the plate member, the base portion, wheel member and plate member each having a dimension approximating the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical supply reservoir to effectively seal off the flowable material from passing through the supply reservoir to the dispensing port other than through the wheel member, at least one opening being formed in the plate member at a position remote from the dispensing port, the volume corresponding to the predetermined amount of flowable material being defined by the internal area of any one wheel member measuring compartment as bounded on its lower edge by the base portion and its upper edge by the plate member, the flowable material being adapted for flow into the wheel member measuring compartment by passing through the plate member by way of the at least one opening therein, the motive power source having a rotatable shaft for translating motive power, the power source being positioned in proximity to the base portion such that the rotatable shaft passes through the base portion to operatively engage the wheel member, the apparatus being adapted for multiple, sequential dispensing of predetermined amounts of flowable materials by effecting rotation of the wheel member by the power source to bring the measuring compartments into communication with the at least one opening in the plate member, permitting flowable material from the supply reservoir to be deposited in the measuring compartment, and further effecting rotation of the wheel member by the power source to bring the measuring compartments into communication with the dispensing port, permitting flowable material to be dispensed from the apparatus. |
| Claim: |
7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which an agitator member is operatively engaged with the rotatable shaft of the power source, the agitator member being thereby adapted to stir the flowable material stored in the supply reservoir upon operation of the power source. |
| Claim: |
8. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of a flowable material over a predetermined time interval, the apparatus comprising: a supply reservoir; a metering wheel member; a separator plate member; a dispensing port; and a motive power source, the supply reservoir comprising a cylindrical container adapted to store a quantity of flowable material, the metering wheel member being horizontally disposed within the supply reservoir towards a lower end thereof and being operatively engaged with the motive power source for rotation at a predetermined rate, a circumferential edge of the metering wheel abutting an interior wall of the supply reservoir in rotational relationship, the metering wheel defining at least one aperture adapted to receive therein a quantity of the flowable material, the metering wheel being disposed above a base surface, the metering wheel lying in close proximity to the base surface and being rotatable with respect thereto, the separator plate member being fixedly disposed above the metering wheel member and defining an opening through which flowable material may flow from the supply reservoir, the dispensing port being disposed below the metering wheel at a location remote from the opening in the separator plate member, whereby an amount of flowable material is able to pass from the supply reservoir through the opening of the separator plate member to fill the aperture in the metering wheel member, the metering wheel member being adapted to be rotated to move the filled aperture out of registry with the opening in the separator plate member whereby a closed space chamber of specific dimension corresponding to a volume of the predetermined amount of the flowable material may be created, the specific dimension comprising the volume being defined by the edges of the aperture in the metering wheel member, the base surface below the metering wheel member, and the separator plate member above the metering wheel member, the predetermined volume of material being adapted to be conveyed to the dispensing port by rotation of the metering wheel member. |
| Claim: |
9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the metering wheel member defines a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a quantity of flowable material, the plurality of apertures being radially arranged around the metering wheel member. |
| Claim: |
10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the plurality of apertures defined in the metering wheel member open into a perimeter of the metering wheel member, the specific dimension comprising the volume being further defined by a boundary formed by a wall of the supply reservoir against which the plurality of apertures abut, the dispensing port being defined within the base surface and being disposed at a perimeter thereof, the dispensing port being open at a lateral edge of the base surface, a portion of the wall of the supply reservoir defining an opening in alignment with the dispensing port, the opening in the wall of the supply reservoir being below the separator plate member, the opening being adapted to facilitate discharge of the flowable material through the dispensing port. |
| Claim: |
11. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the predetermined amount of flowable material to be dispensed is adjusted by varying a thickness of the metering wheel member. |
| Claim: |
12. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the predetermined amount of flowable material to be dispensed is varied by adjusting a rate of rotation of the metering wheel member. |
| Claim: |
13. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the predetermined amount of flowable material to be dispensed is adjusted by varying a thickness of the metering wheel member and adjusting a speed of rotation of the metering wheel member. |
| Claim: |
14. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of a flowable material over a predetermined time interval, the apparatus comprising: a supply reservoir; a metering wheel member; a separator plate member; an agitator assembly; a dispensing port; and a motive power source, the supply reservoir comprising a cylindrical container adapted to store a quantity of flowable material, the metering wheel member being horizontally disposed within the supply reservoir towards a lower end thereof and being operatively engaged with the motive power source for rotation at a predetermined rate, a circumferential edge of the metering wheel abutting an interior wall of the supply reservoir in rotational relationship, the metering wheel defining at least one aperture adapted to receive therein a quantity of the flowable material, the metering wheel being disposed above a base surface, the metering wheel lying in close proximity to the base surface and being rotatable with respect thereto, the separator plate being fixedly disposed above the metering wheel member and defining an opening through which flowable material may flow from the supply reservoir, the agitator assembly being disposed above the separator plate member and operatively engaged with the motive power source, the dispensing port being disposed below the metering wheel at a location remote from the opening in the separator plate, whereby an amount of flowable material is able to pass from the supply reservoir through the opening of the separator plate member to fill the aperture in the metering wheel member, the metering wheel member being adapted to be rotated to move the filled aperture out of registry with the opening in the separator plate member whereby a closed space chamber of specific dimension corresponding to a volume of the predetermined volume of the flowable material may be created, the specific dimension comprising the volume defined by the edges of the aperture in the metering wheel member, the base surface below the metering wheel member, and the separator plate above the metering wheel member, the predetermined volume of material being adapted to be conveyed to the dispensing port by rotation of the metering wheel member, the agitator member being adapted to be rotated to stir the flowable material stored in the supply reservoir. |
| Claim: |
15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the aperture defined in the metering wheel member is unbounded by the metering wheel member at a perimeter thereof, the specific dimension comprising the volume being further defined by a boundary formed by the wall of the supply reservoir against which the aperture abuts, the dispensing port being defined within the base surface and being disposed at a perimeter thereof, the dispensing port being open at a lateral edge of the base surface, a portion of the wall of the supply reservoir defining an opening in alignment with the dispensing port, the opening in the wall of the supply reservoir being below the separator plate member, the opening being adapted to facilitate discharge of the flowable material through the dispensing port. |
| Claim: |
16. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the agitator assembly is comprised of a mixing arm member and a stripper bar member, the mixing arm member being spaced apart from the separator plate member, and the stripper bar member being positioned adjacent to the separator plate member. |
| Claim: |
17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which the motive power source has a rotatable shaft for translating motive power, the power source being positioned in proximity to the base surface such that the rotatable shaft passes through the base surface to operatively engage the wheel member and the agitator assembly. |
| Claim: |
18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which the mixing arm member and the stripper bar member are mounted at offset positions with respect to each other on the rotatable shaft whereby effective mixing of the flowable material within the supply reservoir is promoted. |
| Claim: |
19. An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of a flowable material over a predetermined time interval, the apparatus comprising: a supply reservoir; a measuring conveyor; a measuring conveyor closing member; a dispensing port; a post-dispensing vessel; a liquid supply source; and a motive power source, the supply reservoir being adapted to store a quantity of flowable material, the supply reservoir being further adapted for communication with the measuring conveyor for introduction of flowable material thereto, the measuring conveyor comprising a dimension and volume corresponding to a predetermined amount of flowable material, at least one of the measuring conveyor and measuring conveyor closing member being movable relative to the other, the measuring conveyor being adapted to be cut off from communication with the supply reservoir by effecting a change of relative position between the measuring conveyor and the measuring conveyor closing member, the motive power source being adapted to effect relative movement between the measuring conveyor and the measuring conveyor closing member at a predetermined rate, the measuring conveyor being further adapted for communication with the dispensing port through which flowable material is dispersed, the flowable material first passing through the post-dispensing vessel prior to being dispensed from the apparatus, the liquid supply source being operatively connected to the post-dispensing vessel. |
| Claim: |
20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the post-dispensing vessel comprises a rinsing chamber, the stream of liquid injected from the liquid supply source being adapted to rinse residual particles of said flowable material from said post-dispensing vessel. |
| Claim: |
21. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the post-dispensing vessel comprises a mixing chamber, the injected liquid being adapted to mix with the flowable material as it is introduced into the mixing chamber. |
| Claim: |
22. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the liquid supply source is adapted to relieve an accumulation of vacuum pressure, whereby reverse aspiration of liquid back to the liquid supply source is avoided. |
| Claim: |
23. A system for dispensing a predetermined amount of flowable material over a predetermined time interval into a dispensing destination, said system comprising: a system cabinet; at least one dispensing unit, each dispensing unit comprising: a supply reservoir for storing a quantity of flowable material; a metering wheel member for conveying predetermined amounts of flowable material, an agitator assembly for stirring flowable material within the supply reservoir, a dispensing port through which flowable material carried by the metering wheel is dispensed from the dispensing unit, and a motive power source for rotating the metering wheel at a predetermined rate and actuating the agitator assembly; a post-dispensing vessel; and a liquid supply source, the dispensing port being in communication with the post-dispensing vessel to convey dispensed flowable material thereto, whereby the flowable material is adapted to be dispensed by the system to the dispensing destination, the liquid supply source being operatively connected to the post-dispensing vessel, the liquid supply source being adapted to inject a stream of liquid into the post-dispensing vessel, the at least one dispensing unit, post-dispensing vessel and liquid supply source all being housed in the system cabinet. |
| Claim: |
24. The system of claim 23 in which the post-dispensing vessel comprises a rinsing chamber, the stream of liquid injected from the liquid supply source being adapted to rinse residual particles of said flowable material from said post-dispensing vessel. |
| Claim: |
25. The system of claim 23 in which the post-dispensing vessel comprises a mixing chamber, the injected liquid being adapted to mix with the flowable material as it is introduced into the mixing chamber. |
| Claim: |
26. The system of claim 23 in which the liquid supply source is adapted to relieve an accumulation of vacuum pressure, whereby reverse aspiration of liquid back to the liquid supply source is avoided. |
| Claim: |
27. The system of claim 23 in which the system cabinet is provided with lockable shutter members, whereby unauthorized access to the system is prevented. |
| Claim: |
28. A system for dispensing a predetermined amount of flowable material over a predetermined time interval into a dispensing destination, said system comprising: a plurality of dispensing units, each dispensing unit comprising: a supply reservoir for storing a quantity of flowable material; a metering wheel member for conveying predetermined amounts of flowable material, an agitator assembly for stirring flowable material within the supply reservoir, a dispensing port through which flowable material carried by the metering wheel is dispensed from the dispensing unit, and a motive power source for rotating the metering wheel at a predetermined rate and actuating the agitator assembly; and a post-dispensing vessel; the dispensing port of each dispensing unit being in communication with the post-dispensing vessel to convey dispensed flowable material thereto, the post-dispensing vessel comprising a mixing chamber for mixing the flowable material dispensed by each dispensing unit, whereby the flowable material is adapted to be dispensed by the system to the dispensing destination. |
| Claim: |
29. The system of claim 28 in which the supply reservoir in each dispensing unit contains a different flowable material. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
222239/000 |
| Current International Class: |
01; 01 |
| رقم الانضمام: |
edspap.20070295755 |
| قاعدة البيانات: |
USPTO Patent Applications |