US20030062095A1 - Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology - Google Patents
Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology Download PDFInfo
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- US20030062095A1 US20030062095A1 US10/235,386 US23538602A US2003062095A1 US 20030062095 A1 US20030062095 A1 US 20030062095A1 US 23538602 A US23538602 A US 23538602A US 2003062095 A1 US2003062095 A1 US 2003062095A1
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- Prior art keywords
- container
- dispensing
- control system
- weight
- product
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
- B65B3/28—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by weighing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/20—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups
- B67C3/202—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups by weighing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
- B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
- B67D1/0005—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
- B67D1/0008—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed based on weighing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G13/00—Weighing apparatus with automatic feed or discharge for weighing-out batches of material
- G01G13/24—Weighing mechanism control arrangements for automatic feed or discharge
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G17/00—Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property
- G01G17/04—Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes
Definitions
- the present invention relates, generally, to automatic portion control systems, including apparatus and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology.
- Automatic portion control problems include: (1) determining the volume of a substance that should be automatically dispensed into a container that already contains an undetermined volume of another substance, and (2) providing automatic portion control using dispensing equipment that has a varying flow rate.
- the state of the art includes various apparatus and methods for providing automatic portion control. Where, for example, beverages are automatically dispensed into containers or cups that have a varying amount of pre-dispensed ice, ice cream, cream, or other substance, or are dispensed at an inconsistent rate due to varying line pressures, the beverages are dispensed using timed portion control or overflow conductivity methods.
- Ultrasonic technology has been used to automatically control portion, wherein the level of a substance is determined by transmitting a signal downward into a receptacle and then receiving the reflected signal off of the surface of the substance.
- External conductive probes also have been used to automatically control portion.
- the probes are positioned to detect when a container has filled or overfilled.
- the dispenser is deactivated when the overfill from the container forms a conductive path.
- Time-based portion control technology dispenses a substance into a container for a pre-programmed sequence of one or more fill times for a given container size.
- a sequence may be programmed, for example, by recording the time on, time off, time on, etc. during a manual fill cycle.
- the present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control which is believed to constitute an improvement over the known art.
- the present invention allows for more accurate automatic portion control regardless of the amount of substance that has already been placed into the container, provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates, and provides accurate fill capacity without requiring an overflow to deactivate dispensing.
- Other advantages include the elimination of a path for product contamination, the minimization of product scrap, and the minimization of fill inaccuracies and messes that cause customer complaints.
- the present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology which provides a means to measure and control the portion of a dispensed product by measuring weight. Electronic circuitry deactivates the dispensing process upon reaching a desired weight.
- strain gauge technology allows multiple substances to be dispensed in an accurate, combined total portion without having to accurately measure the previous portions.
- the present invention allows liquid to be accurately dispensed into a cup or pitcher that already has ice, regardless of the amount of ice that has already been placed into the container. It also provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates and accurate fill capacity without having to overflow to deactivate dispensing.
- the automatic portion control system generally comprises a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container, a scale adapted for weighing the container, and control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from the scale and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly.
- the scale preferably includes at least one strain gauge load cell.
- the control circuitry preferably includes a strain gauge amplifier portion and an A/D converter portion adapted for converting a voltage differential caused by a deflection of the strain gauge load cell into usable digital data. This A/D converter may be included as one of the features of a microcontroller unit or implemented as a stand-alone integrated circuit, which is integrated with the microcontroller.
- the control circuitry also includes a microprocessor adapted for reading a container weight from the scale and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly.
- a microprocessor adapted for reading a container weight from the scale and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly.
- a variety of controls may be used to operate and program the microprocessor.
- the weight detected by the microprocessor may be “zeroed” through a tare control, and multiple fill weights and foam delay times, or fill sequence, for a variety of containers may be pre-programmed.
- the automatic portion control system may be used with small, medium, large, etc. selection switches, used with an auto-dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing a substance upon detecting a container weight to indicate the container's presence.
- the present invention may also be used with the “Apparatus and Method for Detecting An Object Using Digitally Encoded Optical Data,” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/289,902 and herein incorporated by reference as Exhibit A and B, to detect the presence of a container and the container size and to initiate dispensing.
- the present invention also includes a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of weighing a container and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.
- the method may further comprise the steps of detecting the presence of a container, detecting the type of container to determine the known empty weight and the known volume of an empty container, and/or performing a preprogrammed fill sequence.
- the step of dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container may include the steps of subtracting the known empty weight from the current weight to determine the volume of a known substance in the container, and subtracting the volume of the substance in the container with the known volume of an empty container to determine the volume of product to dispense into the container.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a load cell that may be used in the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the load cell of FIG. 2 detailing the position of the drilled and tapped holes.
- FIG. 4 a is a top/side perspective view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 b is a bottom/side perspective view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 5 a is an illustration of a load cell strain gauge assembly.
- FIG. 5 b is an illustration of an alternative load cell strain gauge assembly positioned between two plates.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the load cell assembly.
- FIG. 7 a is an electrical schematic view of the full bridge resistive load cell.
- FIG. 7 b is an electrical schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the full bridge resistive load cell.
- FIG. 8 a is a block diagram illustrating the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 8 b is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 9 a is an electrical schematic of the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 9 b is an electrical schematic of an alternative embodiment the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of a display circuitry.
- FIGS. 1 - 10 an examplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated.
- the present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology which provides a means to measure and control the portion of a substance being dispensed by measuring weight. Upon reaching a desired weight, via possibly multiple fills/foam delays, the electronic circuitry deactivates the dispensing process.
- strain gauge technology allows multiple substances to be dispensed in an accurate, combined total portion without having to accurately measure the previous portions.
- the present invention allows liquid to be accurately dispensed into a cup or pitcher that already has a volume of ice.
- the present invention provides more accurate automatic portion control regardless of the amount of substance that has already been placed into the container. It also provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates and provides accurate fill capacity without having to overflow to deactivate dispensing.
- the automatic portion control system generally comprises a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container, a scale 12 adapted for weighing the container, and control circuitry 14 adapted for reading a container weight from the scale 12 and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly.
- the scale 12 preferably includes at least one strain gauge load cell 16 (see FIGS. 1 - 6 ).
- the control circuitry 14 preferably includes a strain gauge amplifier portion 18 a - b and an A/D converter portion 20 adapted for converting a small voltage differential, i.e. 500 mV to 200 mV across nodes W and G in FIG. 7, caused by a deflection of the strain gauge load cell into usable digital data (0-5 V at the input of the A/D converter portion 20 ).
- the control circuitry 14 also includes a microprocessor 22 adapted for reading a container weight from the scale 12 and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly. A variety of controls 24 may be used to operate and program the microprocessor 22 .
- the weight detected by the microprocessor 22 may be “zeroed” through a tare control, and the possibly multiple fill weights and foam delay times, or fill sequence, for a variety of containers may be pre-programmed.
- the automatic portion control system may include a “top-off” feature, may be used with small, medium, large, etc. selection switches, used with an auto-dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing a substance upon detecting a container weight to indicate the container's presence.
- the present invention may also be used with the “Apparatus and Method for Detecting an Object Using Digitally Encoded Optical Data” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/289,902, herein incorporated by reference as Exhibit A and B to detect the presence of a container and the container size and to initiate dispensing.
- the microprocessor 22 can then be used to control the dispensing process through relays 26 .
- the present invention also includes a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of weighing a container and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.
- the method may further comprise the steps of detecting the presence of a container, detecting the type of container to determine the known empty weight and the known volume of an empty container, and/or performing a preprogrammed fill sequence.
- the step of dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container may include the steps of subtracting the known empty weight from the current weight to determine the volume of a known substance in the container, and subtracting the volume of the substance in the container with the known volume of an empty container to determine the volume of product to dispense into the container.
Abstract
An automatic portion control system, comprising: a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container; a scale adapted for weighing said container; and control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism accordingly. The invention further comprises a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of: weighing a container; and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.
Description
- Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY
- Not applicable.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates, generally, to automatic portion control systems, including apparatus and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology.
- 2. Background Information
- Automatic portion control problems include: (1) determining the volume of a substance that should be automatically dispensed into a container that already contains an undetermined volume of another substance, and (2) providing automatic portion control using dispensing equipment that has a varying flow rate.
- The state of the art includes various apparatus and methods for providing automatic portion control. Where, for example, beverages are automatically dispensed into containers or cups that have a varying amount of pre-dispensed ice, ice cream, cream, or other substance, or are dispensed at an inconsistent rate due to varying line pressures, the beverages are dispensed using timed portion control or overflow conductivity methods.
- Ultrasonic technology has been used to automatically control portion, wherein the level of a substance is determined by transmitting a signal downward into a receptacle and then receiving the reflected signal off of the surface of the substance.
- External conductive probes also have been used to automatically control portion. The probes are positioned to detect when a container has filled or overfilled. The dispenser is deactivated when the overfill from the container forms a conductive path.
- Time-based portion control technology dispenses a substance into a container for a pre-programmed sequence of one or more fill times for a given container size. A sequence may be programmed, for example, by recording the time on, time off, time on, etc. during a manual fill cycle.
- These known apparatus and methods are believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings. Specifically, they may be inaccurate, waste product, cause a mess, and/or pose a contamination hazard.
- The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control which is believed to constitute an improvement over the known art. The present invention allows for more accurate automatic portion control regardless of the amount of substance that has already been placed into the container, provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates, and provides accurate fill capacity without requiring an overflow to deactivate dispensing. Other advantages include the elimination of a path for product contamination, the minimization of product scrap, and the minimization of fill inaccuracies and messes that cause customer complaints.
- The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology which provides a means to measure and control the portion of a dispensed product by measuring weight. Electronic circuitry deactivates the dispensing process upon reaching a desired weight. Using strain gauge technology allows multiple substances to be dispensed in an accurate, combined total portion without having to accurately measure the previous portions. For example, the present invention allows liquid to be accurately dispensed into a cup or pitcher that already has ice, regardless of the amount of ice that has already been placed into the container. It also provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates and accurate fill capacity without having to overflow to deactivate dispensing.
- The automatic portion control system generally comprises a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container, a scale adapted for weighing the container, and control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from the scale and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly. The scale preferably includes at least one strain gauge load cell. The control circuitry preferably includes a strain gauge amplifier portion and an A/D converter portion adapted for converting a voltage differential caused by a deflection of the strain gauge load cell into usable digital data. This A/D converter may be included as one of the features of a microcontroller unit or implemented as a stand-alone integrated circuit, which is integrated with the microcontroller. The control circuitry also includes a microprocessor adapted for reading a container weight from the scale and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly. A variety of controls may be used to operate and program the microprocessor. The weight detected by the microprocessor may be “zeroed” through a tare control, and multiple fill weights and foam delay times, or fill sequence, for a variety of containers may be pre-programmed. Additionally, the automatic portion control system may be used with small, medium, large, etc. selection switches, used with an auto-dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing a substance upon detecting a container weight to indicate the container's presence. The present invention may also be used with the “Apparatus and Method for Detecting An Object Using Digitally Encoded Optical Data,” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/289,902 and herein incorporated by reference as Exhibit A and B, to detect the presence of a container and the container size and to initiate dispensing.
- The present invention also includes a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of weighing a container and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container. The method may further comprise the steps of detecting the presence of a container, detecting the type of container to determine the known empty weight and the known volume of an empty container, and/or performing a preprogrammed fill sequence. If the container contains an undetermined amount of a substance with a specific volume that is substantially different from that of the product, the step of dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container may include the steps of subtracting the known empty weight from the current weight to determine the volume of a known substance in the container, and subtracting the volume of the substance in the container with the known volume of an empty container to determine the volume of product to dispense into the container.
- The features, benefits and objects of this invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, if any, and drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a load cell that may be used in the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the load cell of FIG. 2 detailing the position of the drilled and tapped holes.
- FIG. 4a is a top/side perspective view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4b is a bottom/side perspective view of the load cell of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 5a is an illustration of a load cell strain gauge assembly.
- FIG. 5b is an illustration of an alternative load cell strain gauge assembly positioned between two plates.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the load cell assembly.
- FIG. 7a is an electrical schematic view of the full bridge resistive load cell.
- FIG. 7b is an electrical schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the full bridge resistive load cell.
- FIG. 8a is a block diagram illustrating the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 8b is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 9a is an electrical schematic of the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 9b is an electrical schematic of an alternative embodiment the circuitry for the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of a display circuitry.
- Referring to FIGS.1-10, an examplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated.
- The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing automatic portion control using strain gauge technology which provides a means to measure and control the portion of a substance being dispensed by measuring weight. Upon reaching a desired weight, via possibly multiple fills/foam delays, the electronic circuitry deactivates the dispensing process. Using strain gauge technology allows multiple substances to be dispensed in an accurate, combined total portion without having to accurately measure the previous portions. For example, the present invention allows liquid to be accurately dispensed into a cup or pitcher that already has a volume of ice. The present invention provides more accurate automatic portion control regardless of the amount of substance that has already been placed into the container. It also provides accurate automatic portion control at varying flow rates and provides accurate fill capacity without having to overflow to deactivate dispensing.
- The automatic portion control system generally comprises a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container, a
scale 12 adapted for weighing the container, andcontrol circuitry 14 adapted for reading a container weight from thescale 12 and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly. Thescale 12 preferably includes at least one strain gauge load cell 16 (see FIGS. 1-6). - The
control circuitry 14 preferably includes a straingauge amplifier portion 18 a-b and an A/D converter portion 20 adapted for converting a small voltage differential, i.e. 500 mV to 200 mV across nodes W and G in FIG. 7, caused by a deflection of the strain gauge load cell into usable digital data (0-5 V at the input of the A/D converter portion 20). Thecontrol circuitry 14 also includes amicroprocessor 22 adapted for reading a container weight from thescale 12 and controlling the dispensing mechanism accordingly. A variety ofcontrols 24 may be used to operate and program themicroprocessor 22. The weight detected by themicroprocessor 22 may be “zeroed” through a tare control, and the possibly multiple fill weights and foam delay times, or fill sequence, for a variety of containers may be pre-programmed. For example, the automatic portion control system may include a “top-off” feature, may be used with small, medium, large, etc. selection switches, used with an auto-dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing a substance upon detecting a container weight to indicate the container's presence. The present invention may also be used with the “Apparatus and Method for Detecting an Object Using Digitally Encoded Optical Data” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/289,902, herein incorporated by reference as Exhibit A and B to detect the presence of a container and the container size and to initiate dispensing. Themicroprocessor 22 can then be used to control the dispensing process through relays 26. - The present invention also includes a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of weighing a container and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container. The method may further comprise the steps of detecting the presence of a container, detecting the type of container to determine the known empty weight and the known volume of an empty container, and/or performing a preprogrammed fill sequence. If the container contains an undetermined amount of a substance with a specific volume that is substantially different from that of the product, the step of dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container may include the steps of subtracting the known empty weight from the current weight to determine the volume of a known substance in the container, and subtracting the volume of the substance in the container with the known volume of an empty container to determine the volume of product to dispense into the container.
- The descriptions above and the accompanying materials should be interpreted in the illustrative and not the limited sense. While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment or embodiments thereof, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims (15)
1. An automatic portion control system, comprising:
(a) a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container;
(b) a scale adapted for weighing said container; and
(c) control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism accordingly.
2. The automatic portion control system of claim 1 , wherein said container holds an undetermined volume of a second substance.
3. The automatic portion control system of claim 1 , wherein said scale includes strain gauge load cells.
4. The automatic portion control system of claim 3 , wherein said control circuitry comprises a strain gauge amplifier portion and an A/D converter portion adapted for converting a voltage differential caused by a deflection of said strain gauge load cell into usable digital data.
5. The automatic portion control system of claim 1 , wherein said control circuitry comprises a microprocessor adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism accordingly.
6. The automatic portion control system of claim 5 , further comprising controls for programming said microprocessor.
7. The automatic portion control system of claim 6 , wherein said controls for programming said microprocessor are adapted for programming a fill sequence.
8. The automatic portion control system of claim 1 , further comprising a tare control.
9. The automatic portion control system of claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor adapted for sensing the presence of a container.
10. The automatic portion control system of claim 9 , further comprising a container size sensor adapted for detecting two or more container types, each of said container types having a predetermined volume, wherein said control circuitry comprises a microprocessor adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism according to a detected container type, its known empty weight and volume, and its present weight.
11. A method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of:
(a) weighing a container; and
(b) dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.
12. The method for dispensing a product into a container, wherein said container contains an undetermined amount of a substance with a specific volume that is substantially different from that of the product, and wherein said step dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container includes the steps of:
(a) subtracting the known empty weight from the current weight to determine the volume of a known substance in the container; and
(b) subtracting the volume of the substance in the container with the known volume of an empty container to determine the volume of product to dispense into the container.
13. The method for dispensing a product in a container of claim 11 , further comprising the step of detecting the presence of a container.
14. The method for dispensing a product in a container of claim 12 , further comprising the step of detecting the type of container to determine the known empty weight and the known volume of an empty container.
15. The method for dispensing a product in a container og claim 11 , further comprising the step of performing a pre-programmed fill sequence.
Priority Applications (2)
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US10/235,386 US20030062095A1 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2002-09-05 | Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology |
US10/774,953 US7013932B2 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2004-02-09 | Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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US15958199P | 1999-10-18 | 1999-10-18 | |
US69136600A | 2000-10-18 | 2000-10-18 | |
US10/235,386 US20030062095A1 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2002-09-05 | Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology |
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US69136600A Continuation | 1999-10-18 | 2000-10-18 |
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US10/774,953 Continuation US7013932B2 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2004-02-09 | Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology |
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US20030062095A1 true US20030062095A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
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US10/774,953 Expired - Fee Related US7013932B2 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2004-02-09 | Automatic portion control system using strain gauge technology |
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US20040200260A1 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2004-10-14 | Klosterman Kurt M. | Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism |
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US20060076078A1 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2006-04-13 | Marchesini Group S.P.A. | Method for statistic weighing of a product introduced into containers in a filling machine |
US20070151621A1 (en) * | 2006-01-05 | 2007-07-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Automatic shutoff and metering device |
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US9789986B2 (en) | 2009-02-26 | 2017-10-17 | Vanrx Pharmasystems Inc. | Robotic filling systems and methods |
US20090223592A1 (en) | 2008-03-04 | 2009-09-10 | Vanrx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Robotic filling systems and methods |
US20110079249A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-04-07 | Manitowoc Fsg Operations, Llc. | Beverage dispenser |
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US9635874B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-05-02 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Automatic frozen food product vending machine |
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CL2014003469A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2016-09-16 | Algramo Spa | Dynamic weighing system in motion for weighing and dispensing in multiple directions specific quantities of products comprising a transport car which contains a load cell for weighing the products; product dispenser a dynamic weighing system; and method to dispense products. |
USD834092S1 (en) | 2016-01-07 | 2018-11-20 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Frozen food product vending machine |
US11127241B2 (en) | 2018-03-05 | 2021-09-21 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Delivery door for automatic frozen food product vending machine |
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US4621664A (en) * | 1984-10-03 | 1986-11-11 | Diffracto Ltd. | Filling machines |
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EP1606214A2 (en) * | 2002-08-13 | 2005-12-21 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Liquid beverage conductivity detecting system |
EP1606214A4 (en) * | 2002-08-13 | 2008-08-27 | Bunn O Matic Corp | Liquid beverage conductivity detecting system |
US8434345B2 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2013-05-07 | Abbott Laboratories | Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism |
US7114368B2 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2006-10-03 | Abbott Laboratories | Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism |
US20060272387A1 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2006-12-07 | Klosterman Kurt M | Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism |
US20040200260A1 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2004-10-14 | Klosterman Kurt M. | Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism |
US20060076078A1 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2006-04-13 | Marchesini Group S.P.A. | Method for statistic weighing of a product introduced into containers in a filling machine |
US7503353B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2009-03-17 | Marchesini Group S.P.A. | Method for statistic weighing of a product introduced into containers in a filling machine |
US20070151621A1 (en) * | 2006-01-05 | 2007-07-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Automatic shutoff and metering device |
US20130043337A1 (en) * | 2011-08-15 | 2013-02-21 | Steve Rukavina | Apparatus for controlling the blending of drinks |
US20150233756A1 (en) * | 2014-02-20 | 2015-08-20 | Stephen B. Maguire | Cart and method for dispensing liquid color |
US10077764B2 (en) * | 2014-02-20 | 2018-09-18 | Stephen B. Maguire | Cart and method for dispensing liquid color |
WO2016183631A1 (en) * | 2015-05-19 | 2016-11-24 | Avalon Green Energy Pty Ltd | A system and method for dispensing a substance |
DE102019105342A1 (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2020-09-10 | Khs Gmbh | Container treatment system, container carrier and method for filling containers |
WO2020178011A1 (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2020-09-10 | Khs Gmbh | Container handling system, container carrier and method for filling containers |
CN113544082A (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2021-10-22 | Khs有限责任公司 | Container treatment system, container carrier and method for filling containers |
GB2583546A (en) * | 2019-05-01 | 2020-11-04 | The Boiling Tap Company Ltd | Smart beverage dispenser system and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US7013932B2 (en) | 2006-03-21 |
US20040256022A1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
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Legal Events
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