Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing cleaning chemicals such as toilet bowl cleaners. It has a dosing chamber containing therein a floating shuttle that seals a lower opening in the dosing chamber and floats up there from as an aliquot of chemical is prepared for release during the next cycle. There is also a float controlled external valve head at a lower end of the dispenser for alternately opening and closing a lower opening in the dosing chamber. The level of water in the toilet tank controls the movement of the valve head, and dispensing of the cleaner chemical controls movement of the floating shuttle. A grommet provides a valve seat for both the floating shuttle and valve head.

Abstract: An automatic fill system for a beverage dispenser includes a sensor system for monitoring the beverage level in the dispenser. The sensors are wired in series with a level control board mounted inside the frame of the beverage dispenser. Sensing points are connected in an electrical circuit for maintaining the proper water to beverage concentrate ratio in the mixing hopper of the beverage dispenser. Resistance in the circuit is monitored so that when the resistance in the circuit reaches a predetermined value, a relay and solenoid open to divert water to the mixing hopper for mixing with the beverage concentrate. Sensors in the hopper shut off the dispenser when the beverage level in the hopper exceeds maximum and minimum levels.

Abstract: What is proposed here is a pipette system comprising a pipette capillary tube (1) and an actuator (9), with the actuator serving to set the position of a phase boundary (13) between a system medium (3) and a second medium in the pipette capillary and with a sensor element (18) being provided for measuring the position of the phase boundary, in such a way that the actuator is controlled by a regulating element (12) in response to an output signal from the sensor element.

Abstract: A bottle used to dispense a fluid for cleaning a toilet bowl is configured to provide for refilling the bottle. Such a bottle includes a reservoir, a metering portion, and a cover, which is removable to expose an opening within the reservoir for refilling. The cover may include the metering portion, or it may be formed as a cap at an end of the reservoir opposite the metering portion.

Abstract: A remote access and control system having two pc's, a first of which receives information concerning a condition to be controlled, a controller for controlling the condition, information concerning the condition being supplied to the second pc, said second pc develops further information for controlling the condition, such further information is supplied to the first pc and this information is applied to the controller to have the controller maintain the desired conditions.

Abstract: A microvolume liquid handling system includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating transfer liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. Dispensing of a single sub-nanoliter drop can be detected in real time. As the result of dispensing the liquid in sub-nanoliter droplets, the dispensed volume can be precisely controlled. The dispenser automatically detects the liquid surface of the transfer liquid, automatically aspirate, analyze desired volume of the transfer liquid, dispense the transfer liquid without contacting the destination vessel or its contents, and automatically wash off the transfer liquid from dispensing system after each transfer.

Abstract: A soap dispensing system includes a soap dispensing fixture and first and second sources of soap connected to the fixture. Each of the sources of soap includes a closed container and a collapsible soap container positioned within the closed container. Each of the collapsible soap containers is connected to the fixture. There is a source of fluid pressure and control elements connected between the source of fluid pressure and each of the first and second closed containers. The application of pressure, from the source, as controlled by the control elements, will apply fluid pressure to either the first or second collapsible soap container to cause it to dispense soap to the soap dispensing fixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for proportion metering multiple fluids together that are output from different pumps. The invention further provides a system and method for batch signal metering that provides feedback on the amount of fluid that has been dispensed. The invention has applications in numerous technologies, including metering together pest control fluids, such as those used for termite control; metering lawn care fluids such as herbicide and fertilizer; blending colors used in dyes, paints and the like; personal care products such as lotions; water treatment; and other technologies in which different fluids are pumped by separate pumps and thereafter mixed together downstream of the pumps prior to being dispensed.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle is used to deliver oil with or without a marker and is provided with apparatus which includes a reservoir of marker and an injector pump for adding marker to the oil. A controller records the occurrence of an event associated with the depletion of the reservoir which has an upper section, a lower section and a marker level sensor located at a narrow constriction between the two sections. The apparatus includes a blender which causes fluid flow to occur at different rates and is operable so that the slugging effect of marker injection is reduced. The injector pump is arranged to provide a delay prior to each forward or reverse stroke. The memory devices of the controller are locked or sealed so as to deny access to reprogram the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying raw materials at constant amounts has a raw material tank for storing and feeding raw materials, a belt for transferring raw materials, a level control guide for defining a thickness of raw materials on the belt, and a belt cover. The apparatus further includes a reversible belt drive motor for controlling a rotation direction of the belt forward and backward and a device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt. In the case of supplying the raw materials at constant amounts, a normal operation of supplying the raw materials is performed by rotating the belt in a forward direction. In the case of removing the raw materials arranged on the belt and in the raw material tank, the raw materials are transferred to the device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt by rotating the belt in a backward direction so as to remove the raw materials from the belt and the raw material tank.

Abstract: A gravity flow sludge load-out system for rapid and accurate loading-out of large volumes of treated biosolids from a wastewater dewatering plant, said system includes a plurality of hoppers 12, 14 supported by a main structure 16 having a plurality of vertical support members 20, each resting on a load cell 28, a sludge inlet at the tip of each hopper, and hydraulically controlled metering gates 40 at the bottom. A PLC 70 controls delivery of sludge from a dewatering facility, including e.g. a dewatering centrifuge 56, into the hoppers and then controls load-out of the sludge to a container truck by providing real-time monitoring of net sludge load-out and tight control of metering gates.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for providing a beverage from a plurality of beverage concentrate sources. The beverage dispensing system includes a nozzle, a modular diluent valve for supplying diluent to the nozzle, a plurality of modular volumetric concentrate valves each in fluid communication with one of the beverage concentrate sources, and an electronic control board. The electronic control board determines the diluent flow rate through the modular diluent valve and instructs one of the modular volumetric concentrate valves to supply a predetermined volume of a beverage concentrate to the nozzle based upon the diluent flow rate.

Abstract: A flow regulator is provided in a liquid delivery line. The flow regulator includes flow regulation a body having an inflow port through which liquids different from each other in a property such as density, viscosity, etc flow in the body, and an outflow port through which the liquids flow out from the body. A set of rotators, which are rotated within the body in respective directions opposite to each other is provided to move the liquid by given volumes along the internal wall of the body. And a drive unit for driving the set of rotators is also provided. This construction provides an apparatus which can be used for delivering a liquid, which, in delivering liquids different from each other in viscosity, a given volume of the liquid can be accurately delivered to a liquid delivery line in a continuous manner even though the viscosity of the liquids have varied.

Abstract: In practice it is desirable to enrich feedstuff pellets with various additives in quite small amounts, e.g. only 100 g per ton, preferably that they are sprayed in a dissolved or suspended state on a flat stream of the pellets in cold condition. It is known to arrange this by using a falling stream of the pellets along an inclined chute. However, it is difficult hereby to achieve any particularly good dosing precision of the sprayed materials, some of which can be quite expensive. Moreover, the associated plants are difficult to install in normal premises. With the invention, a flat stream is produced by using an ejector wheel, whereby the chute can be quite short for reducing the construction height and, at the same time that this in itself improves the dosing accuracy, use is made of a continuous mass flow measurement which is used for the regulation of the dosing or the ejector capacity in achieving extra good liquid-dosing precision.

Abstract: A microvolume liquid handling system includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating transfer liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The pressure signal is used to verify and quantify the microvolume of transfer liquid dispensed and is used to perform automated calibration and diagnostics on the microdispenser. In another embodiment of the microvolume liquid handling system, a system reservoir is connected with tubing to a pressure control system for controlling the liquid system pressure in the system reservoir. The system reservoir is coupled to one or more microdispensers through a distribution tube having a branched section for each microdispenser.

Abstract: In a microvolume liquid handling system, a system reservoir is connected with tubing to a pressure control system for controlling the liquid system pressure in the system reservoir. The system reservoir is coupled to one or more microdispensers through a distribution tube having a branched section for each microdispenser. In this embodiment, each microdispenser is coupled to its own flow sensor and to enable a system controller to respectively measure and control the flow of liquid in the each microdispenser.

Abstract: A method for weight blending of granular materials comprises at a remote site generating a command for desired operation of granular material weight blending apparatus; encoding said command into transportable time-stable machine readable tangible storage media; transporting said media to a bar code reader operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus; scanning the tangible media having the command encoded thereon to read the command; and providing the read command as input to a in microprocessor operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus for regulating operation of the same.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing a soft-serve product comprises a freezer barrel (12), a mix hopper (14) for containing soft-serve mix (16) and being in flow communication with the freezer barrel so that soft-serve mix can flow from the mix hopper into the freezer barrel, a flow passage (42, 42.1) leading from the freezer barrel to a draw spout (64), and a beater assembly (20) for expelling frozen product from the freezer barrel via the flow passage to the draw spout. A solids hopper (52) for containing a flowable solid topping is further provided, and an archimedes screw (56) for feeding the solid topping from the solids hopper into the flow stream of soft-serve product as it passes through the flow passage. A vaned rotor (44) and a rotation sensor (80) meter the flow of soft-serve product through the flow passage and control the speed of a topping motor (60) driving the archimedes screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding an additive, such as a marker, to a base fluid, such as oil, includes a blender having a receptacle or diffusion chamber in which mixing of the additive and the base fluid occurs. The additive is injected in discrete amounts. Resistances to fluid flow in the receptacle or chamber cause fluid flow to occur at different rates in order to reduce the slugging effect caused by additive injection in discrete amounts.

Abstract: An automated control system for a dual-fuel boiler, engine, or other apparatus continuously monitors the consumption of a primary fuel source and automatically switches from the primary fuel source to a secondary fuel source when a predetermined amount of the primary fuel is used in a measured time period, the object of the system being to automatically maintain a 100% load factor of the primary fuel source. A meter continuously monitors consumption of the primary fuel and outputs an electronic flow signal representing consumption of primary fuel. The flow signal is received by a programmable logic controller having a real-time clock whereby consumption of the primary fuel is measured against time. Remote control actuated ball valves mounted in the primary and secondary fuel lines selectively control the flow of primary and secondary fuels to the dual-fuel apparatus.

Abstract: A binder system component metering apparatus for use in core sand mixing equipment comprising an elongate hollow vessel of substantially greater length than width and having upper and lower end portions, valves located in a lower end portion of the elongate vessel for introducing via hydrostatic pressure, liquid binder system components into the vessel so that as the vessel is filled the liquid presents an upper surface that rises vertically, and sensor located in the upper end portion of the elongate vessel to continuously sense the position of the liquid surface at infinite locations along the length of elongate vessel whereby the upper surface rises with minimum turbulence.

Abstract: A low volume liquid handling system is described which includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The pressure signal is used to verify and quantify the microvolume dispensed and is used to perform automated calibration and diagnostics on the microdispenser.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispenser for use with a disposable juice concentrate package that includes an integral progressive cavity pump and a mixing nozzle. The dispenser can read a product I.D. label on the package to automatically change ratios as packages are switched and a low liquid level indicator in the package to both warn the operator and to then provide automatic shut-off. A controller adjusts the pump motor speed in response to signals from a water flow meter to provide excellent control of ratio, even as water pressure changes. An easy lift-out refrigeration deck is located over an ice-water bath tank capable of holding 27 pounds of ice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing chemicals from a multiplexed group of chemicals and delivering the chemicals to a multiplexed set of industrial washers. An input multiplexer operatively couples a selected system input tube to a chemical pump, thereby permitting a selected liquid chemical to be pumped from a chemical container through the chemical delivery system to a selected washer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for gravimetric dosing and mixing of at least two components (K1, K2), wherein the parts by weight of the components (K1, K2) are calculated by weighing and both components (K1, K2) are mixed together in a container (21).

Abstract: A method for controlling an additive blending process includes determining the volume of main product and blending an amount of additive thereto to obtain a predefined ratio of additive to main product. The method includes the step of creating a non-volatile record of each significant event which occurs during blending operations and includes an extensive error checking and safety regime. A controller for accomplishing this method includes the ability to blend multiple additives simultaneously and with different types of blending systems such as piston injectors and streaming. The controller monitors status signals from the system and removes enabling signals from various components to effect a safe shut down in the event of an error condition being detected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for accurately and efficiently metering at least one compressible fluid and at least one incompressible fluid for mixing, whereby pressure and therefore density is regulated with regard to each compressible fluid, and volume is regulated with regard to each compressible fluid as well as each incompressible fluid. Compressible fluids in particular are metered more accurately because the mass of each fluid is used as the variable measurement standard, both the density and the volume of each fluid being maintained at controlled and predictable levels.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser is disclosed which controls of the delivery and mix of a liquid from its source with an ingredient. The dispenser comprises a mixer which mixes the liquid and the ingredient, the mixer being in electrical isolation from the source of the liquid. The liquid is delivered from the source to the mixer thereby providing electrical continuity between the source and the mixer. A sensor in electrical communication with a control board detects the electrical continuity between the source and the mixer. The ingredient is delivered to the mixer upon activation by the control board after the sensor detects the electrical continuity.

Abstract: A gravimetric control system for supplying fuel and sorbent to a circulating fluidized bed boiler which includes a loop shaped continuous belt for moving materials in a generally horizontal direction. The apparatus includes first and second belt scales disposed at spaced axial points along the belt and apparatus for continuously moving the belt sequentially past the first belt scale and then past the second belt second belt scale and then dumping all material on the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for combining two components to form a coating material formulation in which one of the components is a "high volume" component comprising a resin including supercritical fluid as a diluent, and the other of the components is a "low volume" component, such as a catalyst. The relative ratio of resin to catalyst is controlled by adjusting the catalyst pressure as a function of the pressure at which the resin is supplied to ,one or more coating dispensers and by adjusting the duty cycle of a catalyst valve within the catalyst flow path.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for weighing particulate material, in which the particles are delivered onto a dish which is rotated to throw off the particles into a collector (7), the dish having an electric drive means powered from a controlled current source (1), and a circuit responsive to variations in the controlled drive current which produces an output signal representative of variations in said drive current due to transit of particles via the dish, thereby signalling meas flow.

Abstract: An injection system and method for blending an additive into a main fluid flow stream at a controlled ratio, characterized by a controller wherein the electrical circuitry thereof is contained in an explosion-proof housing having a window through which electromagnetic energy, such as an infrared command signal, can be transmitted. The circuitry contained within the explosion-proof housing includes a receiver for receiving the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the window and a processor or processors for decoding information included in the electromagnetic energy and for carrying out one or more functions based on such information. Also disclosed is an additive injection correction technique, a clean line technique and related and other features of the system and method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby livestock and poultry are administered feed additives in their feed ration. The apparatus stores additive concentrates separately until just prior to use, then on demand dispenses the additive concentrates into one or more weigh hoppers for weighing therein. The weighed contents of the weigh hoppers are discharged into a liquid carrier within a mixing vessel where the dispensed additives are diluted, suspended, and dispersed by mixing. The resulting carrier-and-additive slurry is pumped to a receiving station for mixing with a feed ration. The weighing components are isolated from movements that would affect additive weight determinations during the weighing process so that accurate measurements of additive weights are obtained. Dispensing and weighing of multiple additives within a single weigh hopper are sequential. Each additive may be weighed and discharged from the hopper individually or cumulatively with other additives.

Abstract: The process for continuous control of cell number in the production of polyurethane foams from polyols, isocyanates and water, where mixing the components is effected in a mixing head with adjustable injection pressure and adjustable mixing chamber pressure, consists in that immediately prior to entering the mixing head the gas content of the isocyanate is continuously increased or reduced.

Abstract: Programmable additive controllers control flow of fluid additives from a fluid supply line. A flowmeter is connected to the solenoid control valve for measuring flow of fluid. A controller opens and closes the control valve. The control valve is positioned downstream from the flowmeter, leaving the meter full upon shut off. A settable input controls cyclic operation of the controller. The controller further incorporates an input for required quantities of additive to be added on each cycle. A comparator in the controller compares a required quantity with signal output indicating flow through the flowmeter. The difference, if any, between actual flow and target flow is continuously sent, and the target flow is continuously adjusted up or down when necessary to compensate for the previous difference. The comparator connects to a closing control for closing the control valve and preventing further flow of additive when the cumulative flowmeter output signal approaches the requirement.

Abstract: An injection system and method for blending an additive into a main fluid flow stream at a controlled ratio, characterized by a controller wherein the electrical circuitry thereof is contained in an explosion-proof housing having a window through which electromagnetic energy, such as an infrared command signal, can be transmitted. The circuitry contained within the explosion-proof housing includes a receiver for receiving the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the window and a processor or processors for decoding information included in the electromagnetic energy and for carrying out one or more functions based on such information. Also disclosed in an additive injection correction technique, a clean line technique and related and other features of the system and method.

Abstract: A device for automatic dilution of chemical additives and water utilizing a single pump (20) drawing water and other chemical additives through a dilution manifold (24). The chemicals are fed through adjustable orifices and valves, and a microprocessor based controller oversees and controls system operation. Two digital flow meters are arranged wherein the controller compares the difference between the flow meters and delivers a desired volume of the chemical additive and water.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one-to-one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly. Check valves are strategically located to prevent back flow of either of the gases being mixed when the device is being operated in the low-flow mode, thereby eliminating the requirement for time consuming balancing of the gas flow pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a programmable additive controller that provides remote accounting and control of additive injectors. The invention enables remote monitoring and controlling of additive injectors from a host computer. It has statistical performance chart generation for individual additive controllers and correlates additives, products, product loadings and additive used for each injector, terminal lane and product by remote access. It remotely resets alarms and generates files for use on other systems as well as stores data for the entire company, providing company-wide information and control from a single host computer. Communications between each additive controller and the host computer is made through a modem.

Abstract: A plurality of individual plastic material ingredients are metered from respective individual material hoppers at controllable individual discharge rates, blended, and delivered to a common hopper. The blend of plastic material ingredients in the common hopper is discharged to an extruder or other material processing machine. The material processing rate of the processing machine is determined based on the sum of the discharge rates of the individual ingredients to the common hopper plus or minus the discharge rate of the blend from the common hopper to the processing machine. The discharge rates of the individual material ingredients from the individual hoppers to the common hopper is controlled as needed to maintain a preset recipe of the blend at the determined material processing rate of the processing machine.

Abstract: A system for proportional liquid dispensing of two liquids, the first of which can comprise the main flow drinking water supplied to livestock or poultry and the second of which can comprise controlled quantities of medication or nutrient to be introduced into the drinking water. Comprising the system is a solenoid operated pump for discharging controlled quantities of the second liquid into the main flow. A flow meter emits an electrical signal of the main flow rate at any given time while an optical pressure sensor emits an electrical signal indicative of the static pressure of the main flow. Logic circuits combine the flow rate and pressure signals for varying pump operation to controllably maintain a predetermined mixture ratio of the two liquids.

Abstract: Programmable additive controllers control flow of fluid additives from a fluid supply line. A flowmeter is connected to the solenoid control valve for measuring flow of fluid. A controller opens and closes the control valve. A settable input controls cyclic operation of the controller. The controller further incorporates an input for required quantities of additive to be added on each cycle. A comparator in the controller compares a required quantity with signal output indicating flow through the flowmeter. The comparator is connected to a valve closing control for closing the control valve and preventing further flow of additive when the cumulative flowmeter output signal approaches the requirement. A three-way valve is connected to the flowmeter for selectively flowing fluid additive to a test and to an outlet for ejection into a mixing tank. The controller has an input for a local panel factor and reads out mixing ratio volume per cycle and total volume of additive.

Abstract: A blender for plastic materials weighs a charge of virgin plastic pellets as they are added to a hopper, similarly weighs plastics regrind material as it is added to the hopper, calculates the weight of color material (or other additive) on the basis of the actual virgin material weight and the desired color percentage, calculates from the weight of color material and a calibration of a volumetric feeder the volumetric amount of color material needed and then dispenses the calculated volume of color material. The apparatus is hybrid, using weight ratio measuring devices for the primary components and a volumetric feeder for dispensing the additives.

Abstract: The flow rate of fluid components, typically water and syrup, is sensed by a flowmeter that is substantially insensitive to variations in fluid pressure and/or viscosity. A feedback circuit which may be either analog or digital permits the regulation of fluid flows to be in a precisely prescribed relative proportion. This proportion may be changed by varying the amplification gain of the feedback circuit in the analog configurations, or by programming a new ratio quantity in the digital configuration of the control circuit. The digital control circuit integrates the total fluid flow, and maintains historical records of the total fluid volume and portions dispensed. The dispensed volume of any particular portion may be predetermined by manually demarking the time interval over which such volume is flowed.

Abstract: A dispenser for delivering different grades of gasoline through a single nozzle at each fueling position, includes a pair of hoses connected to the nozzle, one of which hoses is used for selectively delivering high octane gasoline, and the other of which hoses is for selectively delivering either low octane or mid octane gasoline through the nozzle, whereby a control system is programmed for monitoring the dispensing of low octane gasoline relative to the dispensing of mid octane gasoline, for injecting a sufficient quantity of high octane gasoline through the nozzle at the initiator of a mid octane dispensing cycle for compensating for low octane fuel remaining in the other hose from an immediately prior low octane dispensing cycle relative to a mid octane dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A system for metering a fuel additive into a flow of fuel into a fuel tank includes a mixing unit coupled to the filler neck of the fuel tank. The mixing unit has a body with an axial main flow passage, having a fuel inlet and a mixture outlet. The fuel inlet is dimensioned to receive the standard nozzle found on conventional service station pumps for motor fuel. The body also has an additive inlet that communicates with the main flow passage through a metering passage controlled by a metering valve. The metering valve is actuated by a pivot arm having a first end that is in the flow path of fuel flowing through the main flow passage and a second end that engages one end of a pushrod, the other end of which engages a valving element in the metering valve. The flow of fuel against the first end of the pivot arm causes the pivot arm to pivot so as to push the pushrod against the valving element to move the valving element away from its seat, against the force of a biasing spring, to open the metering valve.

Abstract: An injection mixing apparatus is provided for use with a spraying system carried on a mobile vehicle of the type including a spray bar, a carrier reservoir for holding a supply of a liquid carrier medium, a main pump interposed between the carrier reservoir and the spray bar, a flow control valve interposed between the main pump and the spray bar, a ground speed sensor for developing a ground speed signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure across the spray bar and developing a corresponding pressure signal and a supply of chemical agent to be mixed with the carrier at a desired concentration for delivery at the spray bar. The injection mixing apparatus comprises at least one injection control loop with an injection pump coupled intermediate the supply and the main pump for injecting the chemical agent into the carrier ahead of the main pump, and an injection controller for controlling the injection pump.

Abstract: A lime feeder includes a metering driving vessel divided into two chambers arranged below a water inlet so that, alternatively one and the other chamber is filled with water and tilts between two end positions. The tilting movement is conducted by a carrier bar fastened in the metering vessel, to carriers that, in turn, drive a disk back and forth. The disk, in turn, feeds lime from a lime hopper with a movement back and forth. The lime powder is thereby brought to fall into the chamber of the metering vessel that has already been emptied. In this way, the lime will be wetted so that when it arrives in the stream of water, it is already suspended, which results in a more efficient dissolving of the lime.

Abstract: An orange juice dispensing system including a pump driven by a d.c. motor for pumping concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a mixing chamber of a dispensing valve, a water line for feeding water to the mixing chamber and including a flow meter and a motorized control valve therein, sensors connected to the pump for sensing concentrate flow rate, and a microcontroller receiving signals from the pump sensors and the water flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and flow rate by controlling the motorized control valve in the water line and the d.c. motor connected to the concentrate pump. The concentrate is preferably contained in a nonreturnable, plastic, semi-rigid container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby livestock and poultry are administered feed additives in their feed ration. The apparatus stores additive concentrates separately until just prior to use, then on demand dispenses the additive concentrates into one or more weigh hoppers for weighing therein. The weighed contents of the weigh hoppers are discharged into a liquid carrier within a mixing vessel where the dispensed additives are diluted, suspended, and dispersed by mixing. The resulting carrier-and-additive slurry is pumped to a receiving station for mixing with a feed ration. The weighing components are isolated from movements that would affect additive weight determinations during the weighing process so that accurate measurements of additive weights are obtained. Dispensing and weighing of multiple additives within a single weigh hopper are sequential. Each additive may be weighed and discharged from the hopper individually or cumulatively with other additives.