Abstract: An adhesive applicator has a nozzle through which adhesive can be dispensed to sheets of a set as the sheets are driven seriatim past the nozzle. Adhesive is furnished in a cartridge which is pressurized so that the adhesive is delivered from the cartridge to the nozzle under pressure. A valve controls the flow of adhesive from the nozzle, and the valve is under control of a logic and control unit. The logic and control unit receives signals from various sensors or detectors indicating, inter alia, the presence of an adhesive cartridge, the level of adhesive in the cartridge, the flow of adhesive from the nozzle, and the amount of adhesive in a collection bottle which receives surplus adhesive dispensed from the nozzle but not applied onto a sheet. The logic and control unit is capable of operating the valve that controls flow of adhesive from the nozzle so that adhesive is selectively dispensed from the nozzle to all but one sheet of a set of sheets.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly depositing equal volumes of liquid from a pressurized source of the latter into a series of drums. The liquid is metered through a flow control facility, and thence into a dispenser which is adapted to introduce the liquid to a drum in a manner to avoid foaming action within the latter.

Abstract: An overflow preventing valve apparatus comprises a valve main body provided at a terminal end of a fluid supplying system passage, a main valve fixed to a separating membrane stretched within the valve main body to separate an upper chamber and a lower chamber, when the main valve is displaced upwards and downwards accompanied by deformation of the separating membrane and closing a fluid supplying passage upon moving downwards, a pilot valve for opening and closing the main valve in response to the opening and closing of the pilot valve itself, where the pilot valve is opened by a fluid supply starting operation, a lock mechanism for locking the pilot valve in an open state, a first lock releasing mechanism responsive to the detection of a dangerous fluid level which could lead to an overflow, for releasing the locking operation by the lock mechanism to close the pilot valve, and a second lock releasing mechanism responsive to the closing operation of the main valve at the time when the supply of fluid is sto

Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers with an accurately predetermined amount of a fluid product in which a flow meter for accurately measuring the flow rate of a fluid product fed to a filling nozzle is provided in the feed line leading to such nozzle which generates signals in its output indicative of the amount of flow; the signals are counted in a counter which causes the feed line to be shut off when a predetermined programmed number of pulses has been reached. The counter is reset automatically by an indexing device which indicates that the filled container has left the filling position and a new container has arrived in the filling position; resetting of the counter causes the vavle to reopen, thereby restarting the filling operation.

Abstract: Fuel dispensing apparatus having a high-flow valve downstream of the fuel delivery hose and a solenoid operated pilot valve for the high-flow valve and a solenoid operated low-flow valve upstream of the fuel delivery hose. Flexible tubes within the fuel delivery hose connect the pilot valve to the high-flow valve and connect both pilot and low-flow valves for conducting fuel to downstream of the high-flow valve.

Abstract: A parenteral solution administration system having a conduit for communication with a source of parenteral solution, a drip chamber carried by the conduit, drop detector circuit for detecting drops falling through the drip chamber and flow control circuit including an occlusion device moving between first and second positions for opening and closing the conduit. Feedback circuit is provided for controlling the flow control circuit to cause the rate of drops falling through the drip chamber, as sensed by the drop detector circuit, to correspond to a predetermined drop rate. The occlusion device is preferably operated by a stepper motor, and the system is disengagable so that at the occurrence of a predetermined circumstance, the occlusion device can be disengaged from the motor circuit and can be moved without corresponding action of the motor circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying fluid of predetermined quantity comprises a supplying passage for supplying fluid, an opening and closing valve provided within the supplying passage, mechanism for opening the opening and closing valve, locking mechanism for locking the opening and closing valve in an open state, negative pressure generating mechanism for generating negative pressure upon supply of the fluid outside through the supplying passage, lock releasing mechanism for releasing the lock of the locking mechanism by the introduction of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating mechanism atmosphere introducing mechanism for introducing atmosphere into the lock releasing mechanism to neutralize the negative pressure, solenoid valve for interrupting the atmosphere introduction by the atmosphere introducing mechanism, measuring device for measuring the flow rate of the fluid supplied through the supplying passage, and control signal transmitting device for transmitting and supplying the c

Abstract: A refueling system adapted to a gasoline service station. The system comprises a refueling machine unit for feeding fuel, a flowmeter for measuring the amount of fed fuel and a controller for setting the amount of fuel to be fed. The controller also reads out the amount of fuel being fed so as to control the refueling machine unit, whereby fuel can be sold automatically and accurately corresponding to an amount ordered or a price offered by the customer.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser pumps fluid in increments. The dispenser includes a computer which, on command, determines the volume of fluid dispensed per increment, the determined value constituting a calibration value which is stored in the memory of the computer. A controller which may include the computer as a component provides for dispensing a selected number of doses, each of a selected volume. The controller can also specify a time interval between the delivery of successive doses. The dispenser is particularly useful in combination with apparatus for charging petri dishes with agar.

Abstract: A static metering pump includes a pair of tanks, electrically operated inlet and outlet valves, liquid level sensors and controls which permit the alternate filling of a first of the tanks while permitting the discharging of liquid from a second of the tanks and then permitting the discharging of liquid from the first tank while filling the second tank. The cycle of filling and discharging of the tanks is repeated until a preselected volume of liquid is dispensed with precise metering. The two tanks are adapted to dispense the same volume of liquid in normal operation. Where the total volume of dispensed liquid called for includes a fraction of the normal volume of the tanks, one of the tanks is provided with a fractional liquid level sensor which may be preset to fill this tank initially to the fractional volume and to commence the metering operation by the discharge of this tank.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized syringe to dispense a predetermined drug dosage comprises, according to one aspect of this invention, a combination of a trigger, a first signal monitor, a first timer, a second signal monitor and a second timer. The trigger is operable by the patient to initiate a demand signal indicative of a demand for an individual drug dose. The first signal monitor serves to record the total number of occasions on which a demand signal is initiated by operation of the trigger. The first timer receives the demand signal and selectively rejects the demand signal or emits the demand signal as an inject signal. The second signal monitor records the total number of occasions on which the first timer emits a demand signal. The second timer receives the inject signal and is operable upon receipt of the inject signal to activate a motorized syringe for a preselected time period to dispense a predetermined individual dose of drug.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a preset monetary amount of product, such as fuel, sold by volume and for use with a dispenser which calculates and displays a continuously increasing cost of the delivery has a number of selector buttons which relate to units of cost and which when selected set an appropriate number into a counter. The counter is coupled to the display, and the count is decremented by one for each unit cost of product actually delivered. During delivery of the first unit a store calculates the difference between a unit cost and the cost of a small predetermined volume, which volume is required to be delivered slowly to end the delivery and avoid under- or over-delivery due to mechanical or fluid inertia of the dispenser. When the counter indicates the final unit preselected is being delivered, a comparator compares continuously the cost displayed for that unit and the stored difference and when they are equal the delivery rate is slowed for the final predetermined volume.

Abstract: The timer controls a dispensing machine and in particular controls the dispensing cycle for a product such as instant potatoes by temporally regulating the water portion of the cycle in conjunction with the solid or powder (potato granules or pearls) portion of the cycle. The water flow is usually controlled using a solenoid or the like while the quantity of potato is regulated by an auger and associated drive motor. The dispensing cycle is initiated by a pre-rinse period wherein only water flows. During the main part of the cycle both water and product flow into a mixing area. The cycle ends with a post rinse period that is either positive or negative; positive when the product flow stops first and negative when the water flow stops first. For multiple portions, rather than extending the length of the main part of the cycle, the timer provides for repeating the basic cycle a number of times that relates to the desired portion.

Abstract: A peristaltic batcher comprises an elastic hose with a movable portion and immovable portions, passed between a roller and the shaft of an electric drive motor and carrying a squeezing means on one of its immovable portions. The roller and the shaft are connected by a means for transmitting counter-rotation from the shaft to the roller and permitting the distance between them to be changed. Connected to the drive for moving the roller and the squeezing means by a batching direction reversing switch, to the electric drive motor and to two transmitters indicating the terminal positions of the movable portion of the elastic hose is a reversing device of the control unit which also comprises a pulse-controlled cut-in switch connected with the reversing device, and a pulse-controlled cut-out switch. The peristaltic batching system is comprised of at least two tandem-connected peristaltic batchers.

Abstract: A system for infusing fluids into the human body includes a peristaltic-type metering apparatus which controls the flow of fluid through a disposable administration set. The metering apparatus includes a control system which allows the volume and rate of flow of the fluid to be infused to be accurately preset by the operator. The control system provides an alarm function in the event of malfunction of the pump or occlusion of the tubing of the administration set, and a minimum pumping rate for maintaining fluid flow through the system after the desired volume of fluid has been infused. Novel power supply circuitry within the control system renders the system immune to power line transients, and a novel bubble detector circuit provides for more reliable detection of air bubbles in the tubing.

Abstract: A storage circuit receives signals representative of voltage pulse trains. A generator of voltage pulse trains feeds a predetermined number of voltage pulses into the first circuit for storage. The first circuit generates a signal to stop the generation of the first pulse train. A second train of pulses is generated by the flow of fluid to make up a batch of the fluid. The first circuit is arranged to generate a signal to a control valve for the fluid supply when the circuit has received a number of pulses in a train which equals the total required for a batch minus the predetermined number of voltage pulses manually established in storage. The circuit then establishes a second signal to the control valve when the second train of pulses equals the total number of pulses for each batch.

Abstract: A viscous products pumping machine meters the volume of product that it dispenses by simultaneously displacing a proportionate amount of fluid through a separate metering circuit. The fluid of the metering circuit also serves as the medium for driving the pumping pistons of the machine, and provision is made for obtaining an accurate measurement notwithstanding any product of fluid leakage that might occur between the pistons during operation. A pneumatic logic control system governs sequencing of the machine operations, including control of a shut-off valve in the product discharge line that can be used to portion the pumped product according to the amount of fluid that has been displaced in the metering circuit.

Abstract: A circuit and system is presented for controlling operation of a cell or hopper for dispensing controlled quantities of similarly shaped but different small articles. Copending patent application Ser. No. 533,255 filed on Dec. 16, 1974, by Hurst et al., discloses an article dispensing system providing a plurality of rotatable dispensing hoppers or cells each for dispensing during rotation a different article, specifically a drug tablet or capsule; the number to be dispensed being freely selectable. The present invention provides a modification of such system permitting a single cell to dispense several different items without fear of intermixing items. Pursuant thereto, a cell is filled with more articles than required and the system put into operation. The circuitry for each cell terminates dispensing of an article when the selected number of articles have been delivered to a dispensing chute.

Abstract: A system for and a method of providing an eluent composed of two different kinds of liquids being mixed at a set concentration and further a time varying concentration or mixing ratio, comprising (a) a step for transferring each of the two liquids by sucking under low-pulsation to on-off valves; (b) a step for periodically controlling the operation of the on-off valves; (c) a step for controlling the amount of each liquid supplied to the mixing region during each period of valve operation; (d) a step for substantially sucking the eluent formed by the above steps in the mixing region for discharging or supplying the same under the same low-pulsation, whereby a mixing of the two liquids under an atmospheric or a low constant pressure, can be effected and a supply of an eluent having a precisely controlled time varying concentration of each liquid can also be effected, and a system for providing such an eluent.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide control signals to a line containing a regulating valve for metering predetermined amounts of liquid in which the output of a flow meter is converted to a frequency, the frequency counted in two counters, one of which has been preset with a lead, and the outputs of the counters compared in comparators with a predetermined desired liquid volume, the comparator outputs being used respectively to reduce the flow and then eventually terminate the flow, the reduction and final termination giving a fine metering at the end of the cycle of operation.

Abstract: A metering pump for dispensing liquid having a pair of bellows type positive displacement pump chambers having different displacement volumes and interconnected in parallel to common inlet and outlet passages and a pair of independently controllable drive mechanisms for selectively interconnecting said pumps with a common power source for reciprocally activating each pumping chamber for a selected number of displacement cycles.

Abstract: A digital system wherein a wide variety of different electromechanical output control devices, e.g., stepping motor pump or solenoid actuated I.V. tube pincher, is driven by electrical output pulses of varible frequency and pulse width from a digital pulse generation and control system, the frequency and pulse width of the output pulses being selected and controlled by the system to establish drop flow rates with digital precision over an extremely wide dynamic range. Pulse width is determined by the relative states of a pair of digital counters in a digital memory, frequency being determined by a high, preferably non-integral, multiple of the desired drop flow rate. The equivalent of negative pulse width in the digital memory can be effectively utilized to expand the effective dynamic range of the memory for specified types of electromechanical output devices. A start up subsystem temporarily presets the initial pulse rate and speeds up early regulation.

Abstract: A plurality of refrigeration units are successively charged with a liquid refrigerant which is dispensed by a positive displacement pump including a hydraulically actuated ram or piston slidably supported within a dispensing cylinder. An elongated tension coil spring extends parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and the piston carries a photosensing device which senses the helical turns of the spring when the piston is actuated to provide corresponding electrical pulses which are counted for precisely controlling the axial movement of the piston and the displacement of the refrigerant into each refrigeration unit. The length of the spring and the uniform spacing or pitch of the helical turns is automatically changed in response to changes in temperature of the refrigerant being dispensed to assure that each refrigeration unit is charged with precisely the desired weight of refrigerant regardless of changes in temperature of the refrigerant.

Abstract: A portable transferring and metering apparatus is provided which permits quick and easy transfer of chemical fluids from one container to another without unnecessary exposure of the operator to chemicals being transferred. An adjustable metering device controls the transfer of a desired volume of chemicals and shuts down the transfer pump upon completed transfer of that volume of chemicals.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hydrant coupling device including a pressure control valve which, due to its portability, may be connected to any one of a plurality of hydrants to regulate the flow of liquid therefrom, and additionally including a pit valve which is interlocked with the pressure control valve body to prevent the spilling of liquid if the control valve is accidentally forced loose from the pit valve.

Abstract: A measuring and dispensing device includes a cylinder divided by radial vanes into a plurality of passages. At the top of the cylinder is arranged a disc segment which is capable of closing off a plurality of the aforesaid passages. A disc segment is also arranged at the bottom of the cylinder to close off a greater number of the passages. The upper disc segment is staggered relative to the lower disc segment with which it overlaps so that no clear and direct passage is afforded through any of the passages in the cylinder. A bin of material such as rice, flour, metal parts or the like is superposed over the cylinder. The aforesaid disc segments are driven by a manually operated spring loaded belt such that the belt can be displaced for the discharge of a selectable number of passages. Upon displacement of the belt, a spring is loaded to return the belt for driving the disc segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a fluid metering system that employs a high resolution position sensor and electronics to very accurately control the amount of fluid dispensed. This sensor may be an optical sensor which translates the movement of a positive displacement pump into electrical signal pulses that are serially fed into a counter which converts them to parallel binary or binary-coded decimal form. The optical sensor uses a light-sensitive transducer to convert light rays to electrical pulses, a light source, and two graticule frames therebetween. One graticule frame moves relative to the other graticule. Each of the graticules has a large number of equally-spaced light-transmitting areas. Preset counts in the counter compensate for time lags in the system operation such as the lag due to the movement of the dispensing valve and the solenoid valve in an actuating piston.