Dispensing apparatus with coding means
View Patent ↗A liquid flow restrictor in the supply line of an eductor or other dilution or dispensing device has a rotatably mounted disc with opposite faces and a plurality of apertures or holes, which provide different flow restrictions between the faces, and a pair of flow conduits sealingly engaging against the faces, whereby on rotation of the member the zones are selectively brought into communication with the conduits to provide a desired flow restriction.
1. A dispensing apparatus for delivering fluid to a container, the apparatus comprising:
container holding means for receiving in use a container having a fill port and a container identifier key, the container holding means including mechanical keying means arranged to permit a container with a predetermined identifier key to be completely inserted to a refill position in the container holding means,
a dispensing outlet for delivering fluid to the fill port of a container at said refill position,
fluid delivery means for delivering fluid to the dispensing outlet ( 18 ),
an actuation member movable from a start position and operatively linked to the fluid delivery means to cause the fluid delivery means to deliver fluid in response to movement of the actuation member from said start position, characterized by
a dispensing lock having a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuation member from said start position, and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuation member, and
release means for releasing the dispensing lock including a movable release member which is moved by a container, during its insertion into the refill position in the container holding means, so as to release the dispensing lock by bringing the dispensing lock to said second position, thus enabling fluid to be delivered.
2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said dispensing lock has at least one movable locking member which, in a first position, is capable of blocking movement of the actuation member, and in a second position, permits the actuation member to move.
3. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the or each said movable locking member is a pivotally mounted rocking arm which is arranged to rotate between said first and second positions in response to movement of the release means.
4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the movable release means is a pivotally mounted bar member having a first portion arranged for interaction with an inserted container and a second portion arranged for interaction with the dispensing lock.
5. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the fluid delivery means includes a working chamber and a piston, the working chamber being communicable with a fluid supply means and the dispensing passage.
6. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the actuation member is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the apparatus for direct manual operation by an operator.
7. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the movable release means is a pivotally mounted bar member having a first portion arranged for interaction with an inserted container and a second portion arranged for interaction with the dispensing lock.
8. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the fluid delivery means includes a working chamber and a piston, the working chamber being communicable with a fluid supply means and the dispensing passage.
9. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the actuation member is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the apparatus for direct manual operation by an operator.
10. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the movable release means is a pivotally mounted bar member having a first portion arranged for interaction with an inserted container and a second portion arranged for interaction with the dispensing lock.
11. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the fluid delivery means includes a working chamber and a piston, the working chamber being communicable with a fluid supply means and the dispensing passage.
12. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the actuation member is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the apparatus for direct manual operation by an operator.
13. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery means includes a working chamber and a piston, the working chamber being communicable with a fluid supply means and the dispensing passage.
14. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the actuation member is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the apparatus for direct manual operation by an operator.
15. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation member is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the apparatus for direct manual operation by an operator.