Abstract: An automatic container detection and fill control device includes a number of transmitter and receiver pairs arranged generally in parallel such that a transmission from a given transmitter is directed downwardly toward an interior of a container when present in a dispensing station. At least a portion of the transmission is capable of reflection toward a given receiver. A control circuit is connected to the transmitter and receiver pairs to periodically activate a given transmitter and monitor a corresponding receiver. Preferably, the control circuit includes a microprocessor programmed and capable of determining both container presence and a product Fill level by detecting and differentiating signal strengths of reflected transmissions, and activating and deactivating a dispenser in response thereto. The control is capable of detecting the size of a container and dispensing product until the container is considered full.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2001
Date of Patent:
May 28, 2002
Assignee:
Electro-Pro, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel G. Skell, Eric D. Skell, Thomas D. Tagliapietra, Michael A. Manthei