Abstract: A microingredient dispenser for delivering a continual supply of feed additives from supply cartridges to animal feed. The dispenser includes a frame, first and second hoppers, first and second dispensing stations, a plunger drive mechanism, first and second ingredient receiver couplings, first and second cartridge retainer mechanisms, and control means for coordinating the movement of bar-coded cartridges and a drive mechanism. The hoppers hold multiple cartridges for feeding into the dispensing stations. The ingredients from the cartridges are delivered from the cartridges at the dispensing stations beneath the hoppers. The ingredients are dispensed from the cartridges as the plunger drive mechanism pushes the plungers within the cartridges. The cartridge at one dispensing station is emptied while the cartridge at the other station is being readied for dispensing when the first is empty. In this manner, a continual flow of ingredient can be maintained.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus is adapted to accurately dispense known volumes of liquid onto the receiving surface a workpiece, and comprises a cartridge having a reservoir for containing an amount of liquid. The cartridge has an outlet of known cross sectional area, and a piston adapted for longitudinal translational movement. There is a driving means for effecting movement of the piston, control means for operating said driving means, and means having a threaded portion for mechanically interconnecting the piston and driving means, so as to drive the piston within the cartridge. One of a first and second retaining means is securely connected to the piston and the other of said first and second retaining means is securely connected to said cartridge; and the interconnection means is longitudinally rigid between the first and said second retaining means so as to preclude unwanted relative movement of the piston with respect to the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic liquid soap dispenser includes a liquid soap container which receives liquid soap therein and which has a bottom wall that is formed with an outlet port. A flow control unit includes a plunger and a tubular body secured to a bottom surface of the bottom wall such that a through-hole at a closed rear portion of the tubular body is aligned with the outlet port. The closed rear portion of the tubular body is further formed with an upright soap outlet adjacent to the through-hole. A ball valve unit controls the flow of liquid soap through the soap outlet. The plunger has a piston which extends fittingly and movably into the tubular body via an open front portion of the latter, and a flexible shaft portion connected to the piston. An actuating unit includes an infrared unit for detecting a target, a driving unit activated by the infrared unit upon detection of the target, and a driving gear driven rotatably by the driving unit.

Abstract: Caulking tool having a holder for receiving a tube of caulking material or the like, an elongated threaded shaft movable axially of the holder and adapted for driving engagement with the piston-like member which expels the material from the tube, and an electrically actuated drive motor operably connected to the shaft for advancing the shaft axially of the holder to drive the piston-like member toward the nozzle to expel the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing and dispensing two different polymeric materials which react chemically with one another when combined by supplying each material to a common dispenser where the materials are mixed and dispensed, which method and apparatus is operative to maintain substantially steady state flow pressures of the materials at the inlets to the dispenser when flow is terminated such that upon restarting of the flow, the steady state volumetric ratio of materials is immediately reestablished and maintained. The method and apparatus includes two metering pumps for individually supplying the liquid materials to the dispenser and means for varying the speeds of the pumps in response to changes in temperature of the materials so as to maintain a fixed mass ratio of the materials to the dispenser.

Abstract: A line leak test probe for use in a liquid storage and dispensing system which includes a pump. A pressure transducer provides a pressure signal to a microprocessor-based test circuit. Various conditions descriptive of the pressure versus time curve while the pump is running, such as the pressure will rise above 20 psi when the pump is turned on, drop when the liquid is dispensed, and rise again when the dispenser is turned off, are stored within a software program in the microprocessor memory. The microprocessor calculates an average pressure to average out noise and artifacts in the pressure, and waits for the pressure to drop 2 psi below the average pressure after the pump has been turned off before performing leak tests in order to give the noise and artifacts time to die down.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for beverage dispensing control and monitoring. A bottle control cap is attached to a bottle and a micro processor positioned in the bottle control cap is programmed with data to identify that control cap from others in a system of programmable control caps. The micro processor controls an electric motor which opens and closes a flow passage in the control cap on command in response to a signal from a system control processor located at a remote location. The micro processor is also programmed to request the signal.

Abstract: A system for automatically identifying the desired concentrate to water ratio of a juice product in a concentrate container inserted into a juice dispenser and for automatically switching the ratio control system to the desired ratio. The system includes a product ratio I.D. member having ratio indicia on the fill plug of the container and a sensor in the dispenser. The sensed information is used by the ratio control system in the dispenser to change the pump motor speed to provide the desired ratio.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for simultaneously dispensing metered quantities of a plurality of materials into a common receptacle. Pump modules each containing a plurality of individual pump members are arranged in a rectangular pattern, between a base plate and a drive plate. The drive plate is raised and lowered, toward and away from the base plate, by a pair of drive screws. The plurality of individual pump members are thus simultaneously operated to dispense different materials into a common receptacle, at the same time.

Abstract: A soap dispenser utilizes an infrared sensor for detecting the presence of an object upon which soap will be dispensed. There is a source of soap and a pump connected thereto. A voltage regulator having an adjustable output voltage to control the force at which soap is dispensed, and which may be considered a method of accommodating viscosity of soap, is connected to the pump. The sensor controls operation of the pump and there is an adjustable timing circuit to control the amount of time the pump operates and hence the volume of soap dispensed. A prime circuit is included to prime the pump as conditions require.

Abstract: An automatic liquid soap supply device is formed of: a plurality of sub-units each having a use detection circuit for detecting the use of a liquid soap supply tap and a pump driving circuit connected with the use detection circuit, pumps each disposed to each of the sub-units, connected to each of the pump driving circuits for supplying a liquid soap to each of the supply taps and a main unit having a single power source circuit connected with each of the use detection circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing the feeding of particles includes a hopper having a central axis, walls of the hopper being concentric with the hopper axis above an outlet of the hopper; a sensor for sensing a desired flow of particles from the hopper; a shaft rotatably mounted on the hopper axis; a paddle connected to the shaft and extending from approximately 0.125 inch to approximately 0.250 inch from at least a lower portion of an inside surface wall of the hopper, the shaft being rotated at approximately 1 radian per second in response to a drive signal; the drive signal being momentarily activated in the presence of an external activate signal when the flow of particles falls below the desired rate, the drive signal being active for a period of time sufficient to cause the paddle to move through an angle of about 90.degree. about the hopper axis. The paddle is mechanically agitated during feeding of the particles, the paddle vibrating only during activation of the external signal, with a displacement of from 0.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system incorporates an insulated python for delivering a plurality of beverages from sources thereof to remotely located dispensing valves. A coolant line extends through the python for cooling the beverages. A pump provides for pumping of a coolant through the coolant line from a refrigerated source thereof, through the python and back to the refrigerated source. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the circulating coolant for regulating the operation of the pump in accordance with the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A two-component mixing and dispensing system for mixing and dispensing two-component polymeric materials which react chemically with one another when combined to form a mixture includes a controller for adjusting the pressure at which at least one of the components is supplied to a dispenser dependent upon variations in the parameters which affect the cure time of the mixture.

Abstract: An automatic grease dispenser using a motor to drive a rotary shaft via a reduction gear set for displacing a pusher downward to squeezing a grease out of a grease pack through an outlet in constant quantity at fixed intervals, and having a positioning element inserted to an longitudinal groove on a piston rod of the pusher to permit only vertical movement but prevent from rotation of the pusher following rotation of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing plastic materials having different densities to supply a substantially uniform quantity of the mixture of such materials to an extruder or other processing machine. The mixture of materials is fed forcibly from the mixer to the processing machine by a variable speed auger. The mixture exerts a reactive force on the auger commensurate with the bulk density of the mixture. A sensor detects variations in the reactive force and produces signals which adjust the rate of rotation of the auger in inverse relation to the variations in the bulk density of the mixture to maintain the quantity of the mixture discharged from the mixer per unit of time within a selected range.

Abstract: The dosing method and apparatus meters predeterminate quantities of fiber flocks per unit of time by means of two feed devices arranged at the lower end of a flock chute and which form therebetween a conveying gap and an opening roll is preferably arranged beneath the feed devices.

Abstract: An automatically operated soap dispenser for use in washing the hands of a user is provided in a housing. Enclosed in an intermediate portion of the housing is a horizontally disposed transparent cylindrical chamber having an open front end and an opening in the upper wall thereof. Residing in the upper portion of the housing is a disposable liquid soap container having extending from the bottom thereof a resilient elongated tubular member with a self-sealing nipple valve on the lower end thereof which is positioned in the opening on the upper wall of the cylindrical chamber. A cyclically operated actuating means located in the housing above the cylindrical chamber is controlled to automatically squeeze the tubular member and supply a single quantity of liquid soap through the nipple valve in response to an upturned palm of a hand of the user being inserted into the open front of the cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: A dispenser for liquids having an insulated cool chamber to receive a liquid container with a flexible tube for flow of liquid, a heat exchanger or pump in the chamber to pump liquid along the tube, a shut-off valve in the chamber below the pump with an opening for the tube to pass to a dispensing point outside the chamber, a motor and shaft for driving the pump, and gears connected between the motor shaft and the pump, a revolution counter coupled to the motor shaft, and connected to a counter logic circuit to count each revolution of the motor shaft, and manual controls mounted on the chamber and connected to the shut-off valve and to the motor, and to the counter logic circuit so that the shut-off valve opens within the chamber and the motor is started thereby driving the pump within the chamber, and automatically stopping the motor shaft when the predetermined count is reached, thereby maximizing the accuracy of the volume of liquid pumped by the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing flowable material which automatically ensures a substantially constant and even supply of flowable material from a source of the flowable material to some destination at which the flowable material needed or is used. The flowable material may be any material that can be extruded from a collapsible tube upon the exertion of pressure on the tube and includes liquids or gels. The apparatus comprises a collapsible tube having a nozzle end and a sealed end and containing a flowable material; a tube squeezer; a rotatable drum for pulling the collapsible tube through the tube squeezer as the drum rotates; a motor for rotating the drum; and an electronic feedback mechanism for disengaging the motor so as to maintain pressure of the flowable material within a selected pressure range and the supply of flowable material to a destination is substantially even and constant.

Abstract: A pressure washer having a motor and a dispensing handle for dispensing a fluid. The handle has a frame and a portion of a control system having two controls connected to the frame. The two controls need to be actuated in order for the pressure washer to operate and, are suitably located on the frame such that a user can actuate both controls with a single hand while holding the frame with the same hand. The controls comprise a part of a pneumatic safety system extending between the handle and motor to prevent unintentional dispensing of fluid from the pressure washer. The control system for the pressure washer can be used to control a throttle on the motor.

Abstract: A molding compound metering system meters a molding compound in supplying the molding compound from a molding compound stocker into the injection chamber of an injection barrel by detecting the backward stroke of the injection plunger of an injection cylinder, axially slidably fitted in the injection chamber and detecting the pressure of the molding compound in the injection chamber of the injection barrel. When the injection plunger is moved backward by the pressure of the molding compound supplied into the injection chamber, the discharge of the working fluid from the back working chamber of the injection cylinder is regulated to apply back pressure to the injection plunger by an adjustable-pressure relief valve, and a regulated pressure is applied to the front working chamber of the injection cylinder.

Abstract: A material spreader consisting of a hopper, attached to a motor vehicle, which receives and dispenses an aggregate material in predetermined quantities and in a layer having substantial uniformity in thickness. The rate of dispensing the aggregate material is controlled by a computer which receives the desired weight of aggregate per area data input from the operator, senses the velocity of the motor vehicle, and adjusts the release rate of the aggregate from the hopper. The hopper is laterally expansible to accommodate varying road widths, and dispenses the aggregate material through gate openings in the bottom of the hopper. The aggregate is dispensed from the hopper without the aid of any operational parts exposed to the aggregate material within the interior area of the hopper.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system utilizes a microprocessor based electronic control and a positive displacement gear pump to accurately meter predetermined batches of liquid pumped from a supply tank. The gear pump is driven by a reversible motor through a gear reducer, and is operative to pump a predetermined fixed volume of liquid for each revolution or fraction of revolution of the pump drive shaft. A passive magnetic sensor is positioned adjacent the toothed periphery of a target wheel, which is mounted on the motor shaft, and generates a signal representative of the amount of rotation of the pump drive shaft. The electronic control is responsive to this signal for calculating the total volume of liquid dispaced by the pump. The electronic control includes a keyboard which enables a user to preprogram the precise amount of liquid to be dispensed.

Abstract: A spray apparatus includes a spray device which indirectly controls the activation and deactivation of a pump in a remote pumping mechanism. The spray device includes a control assembly which is adapted to control the fluid flow through the device. The control assembly includes a button which is normally biased into engagement with a fluid passage and can be manually manipulated to allow fluid to flow through the passage. The fluid passage in the spray device is connected by a conduit to the pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a pressure sensitive switch mounted within a housing. When activated, the pump draws fluid from the reservoir and forces the fluid through the pressure sensitive switch and the conduit to the fluid passage in the spray device. The button in the control assembly can be manually manipulated to selectively allow fluid to flow through the fluid passage and out through a nozzle in the spray device in the form of a stream or spray.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system for a soft drink dispenser employs a microphone adjacent a cup into which ice and soft drink are to be dispensed. The microphone senses sounds made by ice pieces dropping into the cup and converts the sounds to electrical signals. These electrical signals, characteristic of the masses of the pieces of ice dropping into the cup, are tallied during the dispensing cycle and the dispensing cycle is then terminated when the tally reaches a predetermined level, indicating that an appropriate compliment of ice has been dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved toothpaste dispensing apparatus which includes a housing having a grasping assembly for holding the toothpaste container, a guide and brace assembly for supporting the toothpaste container and a nozzle assembly including a capping mechanism for dispensing the toothpaste. A drive assembly is mounted within the housing and drives a carriage assembly for squeezing the toothpaste container. A control system is also included for activating the drive assembly and for automatic reversal of the drive assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a pump for coffee machines which simultaneously carries out the functions of water measurer and heater.The pump consists of a cylinder with a piston inside which sucks the water from a tank and directs it towards the devices it serves, and in which there are electronic devices for the control of the run of the piston and the consequent measurement of the water. The piston is moved by a piston rod which is externally threaded and forms part of a circulating ball actuator.Heating takes place by way of a resistance coiled around the cylinder jacket with the whole in turn enveloped by an insulating covering.

Abstract: An automatic ratio control system for a single or multiflavor post-mix beverage dispensing valve of a beverage dispenser including a flow meter in each syrup and water conduit, a temperature sensor in each syrup conduit, an adjustable flow control in each syrup and water conduit, an automatic flow control adjuster, and an electronic control system including a microprocessor and appropriate software for adjusting a particular flow control when a measured flow rate falls outside of a range of preferred flow rates.

Abstract: A caulking device uses a long flexible tube (40) to connect a belt-worn cartridge housing (50), which accepts standard caulking cartridges, to a hand-held gun (20). The housing contains an electric motor and drive mechanism to force a piston into the cartridge. Caulking is pushed from the cartridge into the flexible tube, through the tube to the gun. The gun contains a trigger-actuated valve which allows caulking to pass into a disposable nozzle from which it is dispensed to the workpiece. A pressure sensor in the housing activates a switching circuit to maintain pressure in the tube.

Abstract: An automatically operated soap dispenser and hand dryer are provided in a single housing. The housing encloses a horizontally disposed transparent cylindrical chamber having an open front end and an opening in the upper wall thereof opposite which a self-sealing nipple valve on the end of a tubular member of a disposable liquid soap container resides. A cyclically operated actuating means located in the housing above the cylindrical chamber is controlled to automatically squeeze the tubular member and supply a single quantity of soap through the nipple valve in response to an upturned palm of a hand of the user being inserted into the cylindrical chamber The automatic hand dryer located in the housing below the cylindrical chamber provides for automatically discharging warm air through an outlet thereof in response to the hands of the user being positioned adjacent thereto.

Abstract: In a coating apparatus for applying a coating composition to substantially flat baked pieces, particularly cookies or the like, which apparatus includes a supply container (15) and a metering device (14) succeeding that container, it is proposed to provide between the supply container (15) and the metering device (14) a substantially horizontal screw conveyor (13), which serves to transpsort the coating composition to the metering device (14) and which at its discharge end opens into the metering device (14), which includes a cylindrical coating head (14) having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis. The metering body of the coating head (14) consists of a cylindrical drum (21), which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the coating head (14). That drum (21) is provided with radial discharge nozzle passages (28). A pressure sensor (36) for controlling the velocity of conveyance of the screw conveyor (13) is provided in a stationary part of the coating head (14).

Abstract: To insure a continuous supply of ice pieces to a drink dispensing machine having an upwardly open ice piece dispensing compartment, a storage bin is provided in vertical alignment with the ice piece compartment and an ice making machine is mounted on top of the storage bin. A discharge auger is mounted in a discharge opening in the bottom of the ice piece storage bin and is energized by switch means responsive to the level of ice pieces in the ice dispensing compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed device for bulk material, comprising a more particularly funnel-shaped storage tank 4, which is borne freely movable by measuring members 3 as a weighing tank of a mass throughput weighing system and is disposed with its outlet 11 over a conveyor system 6 for the removal of the bulk material. Disposed below the outlet 11 is a conical or pyramidal damming and supporting member 14 for the bulk material which is borne by the storage tank 4 and whose conical or pyramidal apex faces the outlet 11. The conical or pyramidal surfaces 29 cooperate with the edge 28 of the outlet 11 to form a gap on all sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to portable liquid dispensers for transporting large quantities of liquid to a predetermined location and for dispensing the drinking liquid on demand. The liquid dispensing unit provides for the use of a hand truck which supports and carries an insulated hollow container suitable for retaining the drinking liquid. A rechargeable battery is positioned in a housing, the latter being detachably secured to the frame of the hand truck. A pump, electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, has a pressure switch which is activated when a drop of pressure in the fluid line is detected. The intake side of the pump is connected by a flexible hose to the interior of the container and the discharge side of the pump is connected to a manifold carried by the frame of the hand truck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spin coating apparatus for feeding a clean liquid at a fixed rate. In any of the feeding apparatus in the prior art, no constituent other than a filter has the function of eliminating foreign matter, and the operation of feeding a liquid under precise control is not attained. This results in the problem of the mixing of the foreign matter (and air bubbles) in the feed liquid, and the problem of nonuniformity in a feed speed as well as a feed amount. As expedients for solving these problems, the present invention provides the functions of automatically sensing and excluding factors for the appearances of the foreign matters, and devices for automatically and precisely controlling feed control elements such as a pump, thereby feeding the clean liquid in a constant amount and at a constant speed.

Abstract: A metering and dispensing machine that operates in accordance with the position of a cross-bar. The cross-bar is powered by a pneumatic cylinder and reciprocates two piston pumps that draw liquid from storage vessels during a back stroke. The liquid is expelled during a forward stroke through a valve and an outlet opening. The amount of liquid dispensed is determined by the pump chamber volume and pump piston draw distance. Each pump is removably secured directly to a valve block. To vary the ratio of liquids expelled from the pumps, at least one of the pumps is replaced with a larger or smaller pump. Each valve head includes a plug valve which is rotated from a fill position to a dispense position by an independent valve drive mechanism. The mechanism is actuated by sensor switches which are activated by predetermined positions of the cross-bar.

Abstract: A metering method or a metering apparatus for dispensing predeterminable quantities of fiber flocks per unit time by two feed rollers (18, 20; 18.1, 18.2, 170, 172) which are arranged at the lower end of a flock shaft (14, 14.1, 14.2), which are rotatable in opposite directions and which form a conveying gap between them, with an opening roll (22; 22.1, 180) preferably being arranged beneath the feed rollers, is characterized in that at least one of the feed rollers is biased in the direction of the other feed roller (18; 20.1; 170) and is movable away from the latter under the pressure of the flocks; in that the spacing (x) between the two feed rollers, or a value proportional to this distance is measured; and in that the speed of rotation of at least one of the feed rollers is so regulated that the product (n.multidot.x) of the speed and of the spacing remains constant, at least on average.

Abstract: An inverted water bottle, extending upwardly from a water dispenser, refills a container within the water dispenser, which container provides a source of water to a tap. Water from a source periodically refills both the water bottle and the container in response to upper and lower head pressure thresholds. A water processing system may be housed within the water dispenser to purify the water inflowing from the source of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively controlling a plurality of electric motors for driving individual work objects, the apparatus including an electrical switch which is adapted to produce predetermined speed signals for the electric motor selected, a programmable controller disposed in signal receiving relation relative to the electrical switch and which is adapted to generate a predetermined signalling sequence in response to the signal received from the electrical switch, a variable speed motor drive electrically coupled with the programmable controller, and with the electric motor selected, the variable speed motor drive selectively driving the selected electric motor at a predetermined speed in response to the signalling sequence received from the programmable controller, and a sensor adapted to indicate the work performed by the electric motor whereby the electric switch may be selectively adjusted to control the operation of the electric motor selected.

Abstract: A system for dispensing hazardous fluid particular suitable for gasoline service stations utilizing an electrical impact sensing switch mounted upon each dispenser wherein the contacts of the normally open switch close upon impact occurring at the dispenser and the switch controls a primary electrical circuit energizing the pumps providing pressurized fluid to the dispenser whereby impact forces de-energizes the pumps minimizing to actuate alarms and alert personnel of the impact.

Abstract: A product feeding device for use in a combination weigher which includes a plurality of conveyor troughs arranged radially for feeding product to corresponding weighing units and a central product feeder for distributively feeding product to the respective conveyer troughs. The device comprises a product detecting device which revolves around the central feeder for sequentially detecting the amount of product carried by each conveyer trough in order to control the amount of product fed to each conveyer trough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothpaste dispensing apparatus which includes a housing having an adaptable nozzle at the top of the housing and two adaptable grasping assemblies located within the housing for holding the toothpaste container. A drive assembly is mounted within the housing and drives a carriage for squeezing along the length of the toothpaste container. A control system is also included for activating the drive assembly and for automatic reversal of the drive assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the operation of a rotary extruder, including using a pressure transducer (38, 40, 42) communicating with the annular space (50) between the barrel (12) and rotor (14) to monitor the hydraulic pressure of the melted polymer, using a microprocessor-based controller (62) to compare the measured pressure with a predetermined set point, and thereafter selectively controlling the speed of a feed drive motor (56) or melt drive motor (60) to maintain the melt pressure within a desired range while holding the extruder rotor speed constant.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger and a piercing pin are movably mounted within a housing and are movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. A force generating mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to forcibly move the plunger and the piercing pin to pierce the canister to release the pressurized gas therefrom through the housing to an inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes mounted in the housing provide a signal to a control device indicating that the housing is immersed in water. The control device activates a release mechanism which rotates a cam to release a spring-biased ram in the force generating mechanism from a first, retracted position such that the ram engages the plunger and urges the plunger and the piercing pin under force into the sealed end of the gas canister.

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 pump/dispenser, ratioing/mixer dispenser apparatus and a method and apparatus for precision vacuum degassed dispensing of work liquids are presented. The pump/dispenser is a positive displacement high precision piston/cylinder constant flush type with a piston smaller than the chamber. The piston is advanced along its stroke in tiny repeatable adjustably programmable steps, the infinitely adjustable precision ratioing programmable mixing being provided when two such pumps are used. The vacuum degassed work liquids dispensing system features the creation and maintenance of a positive absolute pressure on the work liquid(s) when exiting the degassing chamber(s) to the dispensing outlet(s) whether moved along the flow path through the precision dispensing pump(s) or other types of pump(s). Available software and adjustable programmable precision hardware of the system may be provided for use in a widely available personal computer. Further degassing is provided by dispensing in a vacuum.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a grain drill or similar seeding implement includes a plurality of transversely spaced seed meters having fluted feed wheels fixed to and transversely movable with a drive shaft which is controlled by an actuator to vary seeding rate in response to an indication provided by a sensor or sensors associated with one or more of the meters. An electronic controller includes a desired seeding rate input and provides an indication of the actual seeding rate. In one embodiment of the invention, an error signal indicative of the difference between the actual and desired seeding rates is utilized in a closed-loop system to move the shaft to automatically maintain the desired seeding rate. In a wider implement with more than one shaft, a switching circuit is utilized to permit a single control circuit to provide individual section seeding rates and to automatically operate the actuator associated with the given drive shaft in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: A programmable volume dispensing apparatus having a positive displacement metering pump for dispensing varying amounts of high viscosity fluids such as soldering paste. The metering pump comprises a positive displacement metering pump and a digitally driven drive motor under programmable control. The drive motor is connected to the volume adjustment of the pump via a chain and sprocket mechanism. The chain and sprocket mechanism adjusts a stop which controls the stroke of the pump and the volume of fluid dispensed. In an alternate embodiment a flexible rotary drive shaft controls the stroke of the pump and the volume of fluid dispensed. Different volumes of solder can be dispensed to different areas and shapes of pads on a circuit board in accordance with preprogrammed dispensing commands.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser valve system in which the mixture ratio is controlled by continuous modulation of the solenoid valves. The solenoid valves have a movable stop (or push rod) that controls the travel of the armature, which in turn controls the position of a needle valve with respect to the valve seat to gradually change the flow opening and thus the syrup and water flow rates. A microprocessor uses the movable stop to adjust the syrup and/or water flow rate to deliver the proper ratio of syrup to water based on the flow of water and syrup as measured by flow meters. In addition, the total flow rate from the nozzle can be controlled and varied in relation to the distance the cup lever arm is depressed, thus, the flow rate can be made slow at the beginning and end, and fast in-between.