Fluid Management Operations, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140271231 | Apparatus and Method for Processing Coating Compositions - A method and apparatus for processing coating compositions. The apparatus comprises:
| 09-18-2014 |
20120250451 | Method of Homogenizing a Liquid - Method of homogenizing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, in a container, comprising the steps of withdrawing liquid from the container at a first flow speed (S | 10-04-2012 |
20120248147 | Apparatus for Dispensing a Plurality of Liquids - An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus. | 10-04-2012 |
20120248137 | Liquid Dispenser and Method for Preventing Liquid Segregation - An apparatus for selectively dispensing liquids, such as paint colorants. The apparatus comprises container assemblies with a container and a pump. A pump conduit connects the pump to a valve assembly. A recirculation conduit connects the container to the valve assembly bypassing the pump. The valve assembly is configured to be switched between a dispensing position and a recirculation position closing off the dispense conduit. Method of preventing segregation of a multiphase liquid in a pump conduit between a container and a dispense conduit. A valve assembly between the pump conduit and the dispense conduit closes off the dispense conduit while it opens a recirculation conduit between the container and the valve assembly. The liquid is circulated via a circuit formed by the container, the pump conduit, the valve assembly and the recirculation unit. | 10-04-2012 |
20120175385 | Valve Assembly for a Dispenser for Fluids - A valve assembly for a dispenser for fluids includes a housing having at least an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a further opening connected or connectable to a fluid displacement mechanism, and a valve member comprising two parts translatably disposed within the housing, a first part for closing and opening the inlet and a second part for opening and closing the outlet. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175383 | Apparatus for Dispensing a Plurality of Fluids - An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, includes a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for holding a fluid and mounted on the support, pumps and valves connected to respective containers, at least one common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and valves to dispense fluid and a drive mechanism for moving the support, and thus the containers, pumps, and valves on the one hand and the actuator on the other relative to each other. The common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and valves and the drive mechanism for relative motion of the support are integrated in a module, the module is releasably mounted in the apparatus. | 07-12-2012 |
20120055582 | Manually Operable Manifold/Nozzle Closure for Fluid Dispensers - A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser manifold is disclosed. The manifold includes at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally coupled to the sidewall and a distal end coupled to a push plate. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a spring-biased seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and slidably coupled the sidewall by a pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall. | 03-08-2012 |
20120037666 | Anti-Drip Valve for Fluid Dispensers - An anti-drip valve assembly for a fluid dispenser is disclosed that includes a valve block and a cylindrical valve body disposed within the valve block. The cylindrical valve body includes a recess for accommodating a valve element. The recess is in communication with the chamber for accommodating a biasing element for biasing the valve element outward and away from the valve body or towards the valve block or dispense port, depending upon the position of the valve body. When the valve body is in a closed position, the valve element is biased against the dispense port. When the valve body is in a dispense position, and there may be a plurality of dispense positions, the dispense port is selectively in communication with a fluid passageway or one of a plurality of fluid passageways for dispensing fluid through the dispense port. The valve assembly is particularly useful for fluid dispensers employing more than one pump for dispensing a common fluid in different amounts. | 02-16-2012 |
20110122196 | Manifold and Nozzle Closure/Seal System - A combination manifold and nozzle closure system is disclosed. The closure system limits exposure of the nozzle outlets to air between dispenses or between uses. Manifold accommodates a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a nozzle outlet extending beyond an end of the manifold. An actuator shaft passes through the manifold and is connected to a plate at its distal end with a film disposed between the plate and the nozzle outlets. An actuator moves the actuator shaft from a closed position where the film engages the nozzle outlets and the plate is disposed just below the nozzles to an open position where the film and plate have been pulled upward beyond the nozzle outlets. The plate includes a plurality of openings and the film includes a plurality of valves each opening in the plate is in alignment with a valve and each valve is in alignment with one of the nozzle outlets. By moving the plate and film upward past the nozzle outlets, the valves and the film open and the nozzle outlets extend through the openings in the plate and are therefore free to dispense. To close the system, the actuator moves the shaft, plate and film downward where the valves and the film close and engage the nozzle outlets to keep the nozzle outlets relatively isolated from air between dispenses. | 05-26-2011 |
20100206902 | Valve Assembly for Dispensing Flowable Materials - A valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of flowable materials, such as viscous fluids or powders, comprising a valve member having a plurality of inlets for the plurality of flowable materials and dispense outlets communicating with the inlets and a closure having one or more openings in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of at least some of the outlets. The valve member and the closure are movable relative to each other between a closed position in which the outlets are closed and at least one dispensing position in which one or more openings in the closure are at least partially in register with the dispense outlets thus clearing the latter. | 08-19-2010 |
20100143161 | Quad Chamber Mixing Pump - A pair of dual chamber mixing pumps are combined which allow for a constant dispense rate profile using motor speed modulation. Each pump is divided into two chambers, the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of fluids with reduced pulsations. Each fluid enters through its own pump inlet and outlet. The pumps are operated 90° out of phase with respect to each other. | 06-10-2010 |
20100062128 | POINT OF SALE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AND DISPENSING AERATED FROZEN FOOD PRODUCTS - An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate. The scraper further includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel above the scraper blade that extends radially above the freeze plate for the collection of scraped, frozen and aerated mix. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup-lifter mechanism disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop. | 03-11-2010 |
20100058773 | POINT OF SALE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AND DISPENSING AERATED FROZEN FOOD PRODUCTS - An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate. The scraper further includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel above the scraper blade that extends radially above the freeze plate for the collection of scraped, frozen and aerated mix. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup-lifter mechanism disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop. | 03-11-2010 |
20090285966 | Modular Flavor Dispenser for Use with Food or Beverage Machines - An improved modular flavor dispenser for dispensing a plurality of different flavors is shown and described. One disclosed modular flavor dispenser includes a controller that is linked to a coordinator or interface with a controller associated with the food or beverage dispenser. For example, an automated coffee machine may include its own controller. The controller of the coffee machine communicates with the coordinator or interface of the modular flavor dispenser which, in turn, communicates with the motor control board or controller of the flavor dispenser. The flavor coordinator board may have a memory with a plurality of recipes stored therein or that information may be communicated from the controller of the coffee machine. The flavor coordinator board is linked to the motor control board which, in turn, is linked in parallel with the plurality of pumps used to dispense the variety of flavors. In the example of gourmet coffee, four or more pumps may be used: vanilla, hazelnut, cinnamon, caramel, chocolate as well as other flavors. Improved techniques for pumping chocolate syrup are also disclosed that involve the use of nutating piston-type pumps. | 11-19-2009 |
20090236367 | Pistonpump in Pistonpump - A dispenser for dispensing liquids comprising an inner displacement member nested in an outer displacement member. The inner member is moveable between two end positions within the outer member by an actuator. The actuator is arranged to move the outer displacement member into a dispensing position when the inner displacement member is in one of its end positions. The displacement members can be pistons and/or bellows. | 09-24-2009 |
20090005247 | Dispenser and Methods for Dispensing Custom Garden Products - An apparatus for diagnosing a plant ailment and providing a formulation to address the plant ailment is shown and described along with a method of identifying a plant ailment, dispensing a formulation for the ailment and for applying the formulation to the plant are disclosed. The formulation dispenser is a multiple-component liquid and powder material dispenser with multiple pump types and reservoirs or canisters. All of the pumps are controlled by a central controller which also preferably includes substantial memory for a database containing a library of formulations associated with particular plant ailments. Samples of the sick plants may be scanned or digital photographs downloaded into the memory for diagnosis. Experts can be consulted over the internet or telephone for assistance in identifying an appropriate formulation. A limited quantity of the formulation is prepared for a single application and deposited in a recyclable container. The entire formulation is intended to be applied and the container disposed of thereby eliminating the presence of hazardous materials in the consumer's garage or garden shed. The dispensed formulations may be in granular, liquid or concentrate form. | 01-01-2009 |
20080310969 | DUAL CHAMBER MIXING PUMP - A dual chamber mixing pump design is disclosed which allows two different sources of fluid to be combined into one mixed product fluid. The pump is divided into two chambers, the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of fluids with reduced pulsations. Each fluid enters through its own pump inlet and outlet. For mixing applications, the outlets are joined together. The flow volume per stroke of each chamber is determined by the lateral stroke of the entire piston assembly and also by the annular areas of the proximal and distal ends of the piston. The flow volume per stroke may be altered by varying the piston and shaft diameters for each chamber. This allows mixing of two fluids in any ratio or proportion desired. Alternating pulses of the two chambers provide a stream which has small segments of alternating fluid from each inlet. Such segmented streams can become more thoroughly mixed through normal flow characteristics of the downstream flow path, providing more effective mixing. | 12-18-2008 |