초록 ▼

The apparatus includes a plurality of colorant reservoirs passing colorants and other ingredients through feed lines to a peristaltic pump which pumps the colorants into the input of three-way valves which are each movable between a dispensing mode and a recirculating made. In the recirculating mode

The apparatus includes a plurality of colorant reservoirs passing colorants and other ingredients through feed lines to a peristaltic pump which pumps the colorants into the input of three-way valves which are each movable between a dispensing mode and a recirculating made. In the recirculating mode the colorants pumped by the peristaltic pump will travel through the three-way valves and through return lines to the reservoirs from which the material originally emanated. If the three-way valve is in the dispensing mode the colorant will be discharged into a sample container for receiving the colorant mix. The peristaltic pump is driven by a drive motor such as a variable drive DC motor. The system is controlled by a system controller which receives input from a device such as a microprocessor which evaluates the required volume or weight of each particular colorant necessary to make a specific colorant mix. In order to carefully dispense such low volume of fluids the output curve of the peristaltic pump is divided into known segments and evaluated by the microprocessor input device and a segment of the output curve is utilized which positively displaces a known volume and is very repeatable. A position sensing device located adjacent to the pump emits a signal to the control whenever one of the rollers passes thereby. A counting device is positioned adjacent to the drive shaft of the drive motor and emits counts during rotation of the shaft.

대표청구항 ▼

A low volume dispensing apparatus, particularly usable for the dispensing of various colorant mixes which are thixotropic or which have a wide range of material viscosities, which comprises: (a) colorant reservoir means for holding a plurality of fluid colorants and other fluid ingredients; (b) feed

A low volume dispensing apparatus, particularly usable for the dispensing of various colorant mixes which are thixotropic or which have a wide range of material viscosities, which comprises: (a) colorant reservoir means for holding a plurality of fluid colorants and other fluid ingredients; (b) feed line means in fluid flow communication with respect to said colorant reservoir means for delivering fluid colorants therefrom; (c) peristaltic pump means in fluid flow communication with respect to said feed line means to receive fluid colorants therefrom for pumping; (d) pump line means in fluid flow communication with respect to the output of said peristaltic pump means for receiving colorants pumped therefrom; (e) three-way valve means defining an inlet port means in fluid flow communication with respect to said pump line means to receive colorant therefrom, said three-way valve means including a return outlet means and a dispensing outlet means, said three-way valve means being selectively movable between a dispensing mode, with all fluid colorant passing directly from said inlet port means to said dispensing outlet means, and a recirculating mode with all fluid colorant passing directly from said inlet port means to said return outlet means; (f) return line means in fluid flow communication with respect to said return outlet means of said three-way valve means and with respect to said colorant reservoir means to return fluid colorant from said outlet means to said colorant reservoir means; (g) drive means for selectively driving of said peristaltic pump means; (h) system control means for controlling dispensing of colorant including: (1) a position sensing means for determining instantaneous orientation of said peristaltic pump means; (2) drive control means for selectively controlling operation of said drive means; (3) valve control means for controlling movement of said three-way valve means between the recirculating mode and the dispensing mode; (4) counting means positioned adjacent to said drive means and said pump means for emitting electrical signals responsive to rotation thereof; and (i) input means to evaluate the non-linear positive displacement output curve of said peristaltic pump means and to determine which segments thereof will most accurately dispense the desired amount and mix of colorants, said input means being operatively connected to actuate said system control means for dispensing during the desired segments.