Patents Assigned to Fluid Management
  • Patent number: 7360564
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of pumps, having a connector for releasably connecting, to the respective pump, a container, which holds a fluid and comprises a connector-counterpart, and at least one actuator for releasing a container from a connector, which the actuator is adapted to operatively engage the connector-counterpart and, upon engaging this counterpart, pull the same onto the connector and establish a fluid connection between the respective pump and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Hendrikus Petrus Engels, Bastiaan Albert Simon Peeters, Constantijn Thomas Papaikonomou
  • Patent number: 7347344
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprises a plurality of pumps, having a connector for releasably connecting, to the respective pump, a container, which holds a fluid and comprises a connector-counterpart, and at least one actuator for releasing a container from a connector, which the actuator is adapted to operatively engage the connector-counterpart and, upon engaging this counterpart, pull the same onto the connector and establish a fluid connection between the respective pump and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Management Operation LLC
    Inventors: Marcel Hendrikus Petrus Engels, Bastiaan Albert Simon Peeters, Constantijn Thomas Papaikonomou
  • Patent number: 7320416
    Abstract: An improved holder for pivotally supporting a flexible bag containing a liquid component is disclosed for use in a multiple fluid dispensing system. The holder supports the bag in an upright position for space efficiency as well as for dispensing efficiency. An improved shelving system for pivotally supporting a plurality of holders in a compact row and in an upright dispensing position is also disclosed. An improved dispensing system incorporating the disclosed shelving system and flexible bag holder is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Management Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Miller, Christopher Khoo
  • Patent number: 7311223
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of powders, such as colorants for paint, caulking or grout or components of cosmetics, comprising a plurality of containers for holding the powders, a plurality of metering powder pumps, connected to a container or having a connector for releasably connecting a container to the respective powder pump, wherein the capacity of the metering powder pump is selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan H. N. Post
  • Patent number: 7300198
    Abstract: A fluid mixer is disclosed which alters or changes the operation of the automatic clamping mechanism for different sizes, shapes and styles of containers. Removable and replaceable bottom plates are used on the lower base. These bottom plates have indicia on the resting surfaces thereof which provides the user with a clear indication as to which type of container is used with each plate surface. Typically, both surfaces of the replaceable/reversible bottom plates are used for different styles of containers. The bottom plate provides an identification to a sensor associated with a lower base for communicating a signal to the controller. By selecting the appropriate bottom plate and installing it on the lower base, a signal is generated and sent to the controller indicative of the type of container loaded into the mixing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Khoo, William A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20070211567
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism and method are disclosed for a mixing machine that detects when the upper clamping member engages the tops or lids of the containers loaded into the mixing machine. The disclosed clamping mechanism includes a lower base and an upper plate defining an adjustable clamping distance disposed therebetween. At least one of the lower base and upper plate is moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance. The upper plate is pivotally connected to a cross member so the upper plate is at least partially pivoted away from the cross member when nothing is clamped between the upper plate and lower base. At least one of the cross member and upper plate is associated with a sensor. The sensor is linked to a controller, which controls the movement of the upper plate or the lower base (or both) for clamping and unclamping articles disposed on the lower base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Fluid Management Operations, LLC
    Inventor: William Miller
  • Publication number: 20070211561
    Abstract: A bail retainer is provided for use with a fluid mixer having a clamping area adapted to receive at least one container having a pivoting bail. The bail retainer includes an elastic member having a first fixed portion retained by the fluid mixer and a first free portion. A fastener is coupled to the elastic member first free portion. The elastic member is sufficiently elastic to move from a retracted position, in which the elastic member first free portion is outside of the clamping area, and an extended position, in which the elastic member first free portion is disposed within the clamping area so that the fastener may be coupled to the at least one container bail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Fluid Management Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Page
  • Publication number: 20070211568
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for adequately securing the currently available metal and plastic containers for paint and other fluids as well as other foreseeable containers in an automated fashion without crushing or damaging the containers, without using any special adapters for particular container types and without operator intervention. To avoid crushing a plastic container, the disclosed system and method takes advantage of the compressibility of these less rigid plastic containers. It has been found that a plastic paint container can be safely clamped in place without structural damage if the clamp plate travel after engagement with the top of the container is limited to a certain value, for example, about 5/16?. When the compression amount if limited or controlled, the plastic container will not move or will move very little during a three minute violent shake cycle. Some conventional containers are not readily compressible, such a metal cans, drums or the larger (five gal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Fluid Management Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Margaret Lowan, Steven Page
  • Patent number: 7261131
    Abstract: A closure system for a fluid outlet is disclosed which includes a motor threadably connected to a hub which, in turn, is connected to a closure element or cup that provides a sealing cover beneath one or more nozzles. The action of the motor initially lowers the closure element vertically before pivoting the closure element away from the area directly beneath the nozzle or nozzles. After fluid is dispensed, a biasing element pivots the closure element back into place before it is raised vertically again to provide a seal or cover for the one or more nozzles. The hub is designed to pivot only a partial revolution and the pivoting action of the hub and closure element away from the nozzle area overcomes the bias of the biasing element contained within the hub. The biasing element then pivots the hub and closure element back into place before the biasing element raises the hub and closure element to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Cleveland, Tim Hogan
  • Publication number: 20070196223
    Abstract: A nutating pump is disclosed which has a modified piston and housing or casing that provides two distinct pump chambers or areas. Output from the first pump chamber is delivered during a first half of the dispense cycle or the piston movement cycle. A substantial portion of this output is held for delivery by the second chamber during a second part or half of the dispense cycle. Thus, the output generated by the pump is not altered or reduced, it is delivered over the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to prior art pumps which deliver all of the fluid during a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In this way, superior pulse modification is achieved as fluid is delivered across the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In additional embodiments disclosed, two distinct chambers are also provided but each chamber generates its own output as the piston includes two machined or flat sections for active pumping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Fluid Management Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Tim Hogan
  • Patent number: 7228879
    Abstract: An improved fluid dispenser specially adapted to provide sample-size amounts of a fluid mixture is shown and described. An automated closure and seal system is provided for the manifold that moves, on command from a controller, from a closed or sealed position thereby limiting exposure of the manifold and fluid outlet nozzles from the ambient atmosphere, to a dispense system where a sample-size container is held up against and engaging a lower end of the manifold for a sealing element disposed on a lower portion of the manifold. When the dispense is complete, the system automatically moves back toward a closed position where the filled container is held open and ready to be removed by a technician before it is capped and labeled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Miller, James A. Martin, Christopher K. Khoo, Jeffrey Mumford
  • Publication number: 20070095421
    Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where large quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Page
  • Patent number: 7147012
    Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where larger quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The larger containers or reservoirs of base material may be disposed at a remote location from the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Kaufhold, Steven R. Page, Donald A. Rummelhart
  • Patent number: 7134573
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of powders or flowable materials, such as colorants for paint, caulking or grout or components of cosmetics, comprising a plurality of containers for holding the powders or flowable materials, a plurality of metering pumps, connected to a container or having a connector for releasably connecting a container to the respective pump, wherein the capacity of the metering pump is selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan H. N. Post
  • Patent number: 7097348
    Abstract: A method of mixing customized cosmetic products at a point of sale is disclosed. The method includes a suspension free of colorant to a container, adding one or more suspensions containing one or more colorants on top of the non-colorant containing suspension and adding one or more suspensions containing additional non-colorant ingredients on top of the one or more suspensions including the colorants, closing the container and mixing the suspension using a gyroscopic-type or rotary-type mixing apparatus. The container sidewall and bottom surface are coated with suspensions not containing colorant which prevents colorant materials from adhering to the sidewall and bottom portion of the container thereby providing for a more effective mixing of a customized cosmetic product at the point of purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7059763
    Abstract: A gyroscopic mixer is disclosed which features a direct drive connection to a motor and a clamping mechanism which enables the mixer to accommodate containers of various sizes and configurations. The motor is connected to a drive shaft which is connected to a first bracket. The motor imparts rotation to the bracket about a first axis. An annular gear and single pulley belt is utilized to impart rotation about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis for a gyroscopic mixing motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: Fast & Fluid Management, S.R.I., Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Sordelli, Sergio Szabo Miszenti
  • Patent number: 6991004
    Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where larger quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The larger containers or reservoirs of base material may be disposed at a remote location from the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Kaufhold, Steven R. Page, Donald A. Rummelhart
  • Patent number: 6945431
    Abstract: A sanitizable piston pump for dispensing ingredients of cosmetic preparations and other sanitary mixtures is shown and described. The pump includes a valve block including an inlet port threadably connected to a nipple which is detachably connected to an outlet port of a flexible package. The valve block further includes a piston port threadably connected to cylinder and an outlet port that sealably receives a valve stem. The inlet port, the outlet port and the piston port are in fluid communication with one another upon removal of the valve stem from the valve block. The valve stem includes an intake passage and an output passage. The cylinder slidably receives a piston. Both the piston and valve stem are connected to separate actuators. The actuator connected to the valve stem moves the valve stem into one of either an intake position for withdrawing fluid into the cylinder or a dispense position for pumping fluid out of the cylinder and out the outlet of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6935386
    Abstract: An improved cosmetics dispensing system that includes a controller, a plurality of mutating pumps, a plurality of reservoirs of cosmetics ingredients, a plurality of nozzles, a manifold for concentrically supporting the nozzles, a turntable rotatably connected beneath the manifold wherein the turntable includes a through opening for permitting the passage of fluid from one of the nozzles through the turntable, a motor for rotating the turntable, and wherein the controller is linked to each of the mutating pumps and the motor and each pump is in fluid communication with one of the reservoirs and vice versa and each pump is connected to one of the nozzles and vice versa. The system is computer operated whereby the turntable can rotate in either of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions and the turntable is equipped with a container holder that can accommodate containers of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Miller, Sam Ford, Christopher Khoo, James R. Cleveland, Jeffrey Mumford, Donald A. Rummelhart, Anton Obrecht, Ryan Hanawalt, Marty Leider, Thomas J. Amsler
  • Patent number: D522854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Hendrikus Petrus Engels, Bastiaan Albert Simon Peeters