Title:
PRECISION DISPENSER FOR LIQUIDS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/054724
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A precision dispenser for liquids consisting of: a first pump (2) fed by a flask (1) containing liquid, connected thereto via an attachment (13) provided with a suction tube (16); an intermediate reservoir (3) fed by the first pump (2) and provided with one or more level probes (31-33); a second, high-precision, pump (4) downstream of said reservoir (3); a three-way solenoid valve (5) set downstream of the pump (4), from which it receives the liquid at input, and having two output ways, one output leading to the reservoir (3) and the other leading to a final receptacle (6) for collecting the liquid delivered; and a microprocessor unit for control and management of the pumps (2, 4), probes (31-33) and maintenance functions.
Inventors:
ANGELI ROBERTO
Application Number:
PCT/EP2000/002222
Publication Date:
September 21, 2000
Filing Date:
March 14, 2000
Assignee:
MOLTENI L E C DEI FRATELLI ALI (IT)
International Classes:
B01L3/08; A61J3/00; B65D1/02; B67D7/08; B67D7/30; B67D7/36; B67D7/64; B67D7/70; B67D7/78; G01F13/00; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G07F13/02; A61J3/00; (IPC1-7): A61J3/00
Foreign References:
| CH456885A | 1968-05-31 | | | |
| EP0763728A1 | 1997-03-19 | | | |
| US3887110A | 1975-06-03 | | | |
Other References:
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 057 (C-0684), 2 February 1990 (1990-02-02) & JP 01 284327 A (KANEBO LTD), 15 November 1989 (1989-11-15)
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Gervasi, Gemma (9 Milan, IT)
Claims:
CLAIMS
| 1. |
A precision dispenser for liquids consisting of: a first pump (2), fed by a flask (1) containing liquid, connected by means of an attachment (13) provided with a suction tube (16); an intermediate reservoir (3) fed by the first pump (2) and provided with one or more level probes (3133); a second, highprecision, pump (4) downstream of said reservoir 3; a threeway solenoid valve (5), set downstream of the pump (4), from which it receives the liquid at input, and having two output ways, one output leading to the reservoir (3), and the other leading to a final receptacle (6) for collecting the liquid to be delivered; and a microprocessor unit for control and management of the pumps (2,4), of the probes (3134) and of the maintenance functions. |
| 2. |
A dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that the part of the hydraulic circuit between the reservoir (3) and the solenoid valve (5) forms a circulation circuit H in which the liquid can be circulated by means of the pump (4) and the threeway valve (5). |
| 3. |
A dispenser according to Claim 2, characterized in that the pump (4) is of the type with one or more pistons, operated by a stepper motor. |
| 4. |
A dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for seeking a zero point of start of each delivery of the pump (4). |
| 5. |
A dispenser according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said means are constituted by a proximity sensor capable of detecting the position of the pistons of the pump and controlling advance of the stepper motor. |
| 6. |
A dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (14) for identifying the flask of liquid used. |
| 7. |
A dispenser according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said means are RFID sensors. |
| 8. |
A dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a temperature probe (34). |
| 9. |
A dispenser according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said suction tube (16) is integral with the said attachment (13). |
| 10. |
A flask for liquids, for use in dispensers according to at least one of Claims 1 9, characterized in that it consists of a main body (1) provided with a threaded neck (8) equipped with means (81) for the pressblock coupling of an attachment (13) of a dispenser, in which the bottom of the flask consists of a pair of surfaces (9,91), which are inclined and which converge centrally into a cup (93) forming the lowest point of storage of the liquid in the flask (1). |
| 11. |
A flask according to Claim 10, characterized in that the said means (81) consists of a bayonet coupling. |
| 12. |
A flask according to Claim 10, characterized in that a fin (92) is provided underneath the surface (9) to guarantee horizontal support for the flask in its housing on the dispenser. |
| 13. |
A flask according to Claim 10, characterized in that it is equipped with means of identification (12), which may be read by appropriate means (14) of the dispenser. |
| 14. |
A flask according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said means (12) are of the RFID type. |
| 15. |
A flask according to Claim 10, characterized in that it is made of plastic material. |
| 16. |
A method for dosing liquids, comprising the following steps: check of the control probes and sensors of the dispenser; <BR> <BR> <BR> charging, for example by means of peristaltic pump fed by a flask containing the liquid to be delivered, of an intermediate reservoir S2 up to a maximum level M2 (routine 01) detected by a level probe; charging of a circulation circuit operated by a main pump P2 (routine 02), for example of the piston type, the circuit extending from the reservoir S2 up to a multiway delivery valve EV; <BR> <BR> <BR> in the case of a command for first delivery, charging of the spout of the flask for feeding the liquid, and search for a zero point of the pump; for subsequent deliveries with the same flask, search for the zero point of the pump; <BR> <BR> <BR> opening of the delivery valve EV and operation of the pump P2;<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> execution of routine 01 for check on level of the reservoir S2; check on the amount delivered : if it corresponds to the amount envisaged, interruption of delivery and closing of the delivery valve EV; and waiting for new command for delivery. |
| 17. |
Method according to Claim 16, in which in the event of prolonged inactivity between successive deliveries, the circulation routine 02 is carried out to prevent any possible modifications in the state of the liquid present in the circuit of the pump 4. |
Description:
INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT untelonaiApplication No PCT/EP00/02222 C.(Continuation)DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT CategoryCitationofdocument,withindication,whereappropriate,o
ftherelevantpassagesRelevanttoclaimNo. AUS3887110A(PORTERLAWRENCEC)1,3 3June1975(1975-06-03) column3,line59-column4,line6 ; figure2 3 InternationalapplicationINo. INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORTPCT/EP00/02222 Box IObservationswherecertainclaimswerefoundunsearchable(Continu
ationofitem1offirstsheet) ThisInternationalSearchReporthasnotbeenestablishedinrespecto
fcertainclaimsunderArticle17(2)(a)forthefollowingreasons: 1.Claims Nos.: becausetheyrelatetosubjectmatternotrequiredtobesearchedbythi
sAuthority,namely: 2.ClaimsNos.: becausetheyrelatetopartsoftheInternationalApplicationthatdon
otcomplywiththeprescribedrequirementstosuch anextentthatnomeaningfulInternationalSearchcanbecarriedout,s
pecificaily: 3.Claims Nos.: becausetheyaredependentclaimsandarenotdraftedinaccordancewit
hthesecondandthirdsentencesofRule6.4(a). BoxliObservationswhereunityofinventionislacking(Continuation
ofitem2offirstsheet) ThisInternationalSearchingAuthorityfoundmultipleinventionsin
thisinternational application,asfollows: 1.As allrequiredadditionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidbytheapplicant,
thisInternationalSearchReportcoversall searchableclaims. 2.7 As all searchable claims could besearchedwithouteffortjustifyinganadditionalfee,thisAuthori
tydidnotinvitepayment ofanyadditionalfee. 3. Asonlysomeoftherequiredadditionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidbyt
heapplicant,thisInternationalSearchReport covers oniythoseclaimsforwhichfeeswerepaid,specificallyclaimsNos.: 4.2Norequiredadditionalsearchfeesweretimelypaidbytheapplican
t.Consequently,thisinternationalSearchReportis restrictedtotheinventionfirstmentionedintheclaims;itiscovere
dbyclaimsNos.: 1-9,16,17 RemarkonProtestThe additionalsearchfeeswereaccompaniedbytheapplicant'sprotest. n Noprotestaccompaniedthepaymentofadditionalsearchfees. u FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCT/ISA/210 1. Claims: 1-9,16,17 precision dispenser for liquids and method for dosing liquids 2. Claims: 10-15 flask for liquids INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT' Inter.onal Applicabon No Informationonpatent1amilymembers PCT/EP 00/02222 PCT/EP00/02222 PatentdocumentPublicationPatentfamilyPublication citedinsearchreportdatemember(s)date CH456885ANONE JP01284327A15-11-1989NONE EP0763728A19-03-1997US5900136A04-05-1999 US5762769A09-06-1998 WO9630749A03-10-1996 US3887110A03-06-1975NONE
