FLUID OR SEMI-FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
A fluid or semi-fluid dispensing system comprises a fluid dispenser for outputting a fluid or semi-fluid, a fluid source, a dispensing line directing the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source to the fluid dispenser, a compressed air source, an air valve selectively controlling a flow of air from the compressed air source into the dispensing line, a pump selectively pumping the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source into the dispensing line, and a controller for alternatingly activating (a) the pump to pump the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source into the dispensing line and (b) the air valve to force the fluid or semi-fluid from the dispensing line via the fluid dispenser.
1 . A fluid or semi-fluid dispensing system comprising:
a fluid dispenser for outputting a fluid or a semi-fluid;
a fluid source;
a dispensing line directing the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source to the fluid dispenser;
a compressed air source;
an air valve selectively controlling a flow of air from the compressed air source into the dispensing line;
a pump selectively pumping the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source into the dispensing line; and
a controller for alternatingly activating (a) the pump to pump the fluid or semi-fluid from the fluid source into the dispensing line and (b) the air valve to force the fluid or semi-fluid from the dispensing line via the fluid dispenser.
2 . The fluid or semi-fluid dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a one-way valve downstream from the pump to prevent the fluid or semi-fluid from flowing upstream toward the pump.
3 . The fluid or semi-fluid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the pump at least until the dispensing line is filled with the fluid or semi-fluid.
4 . The fluid or semi-fluid dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the air valve at least until substantially all of the fluid or semi-fluid in the dispensing line is forced from the dispensing line via the fluid dispenser.
5 . A method for dispensing a fluid or a semi-fluid, comprising:
alternatingly (a) activating a pump to pump a fluid or a semi-fluid from a fluid source into a dispensing line, the dispensing line connected to a fluid dispenser, and (b) activating an air valve to allow a flow of air from a compressed air source into the dispensing line to force the fluid or semi-fluid from the dispensing line via the fluid dispenser.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein activating the pump comprises activating the pump at least until the dispensing line is filled with the fluid or semi-fluid.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein activating the air valve comprises activating the air valve at least until substantially all of the fluid or semi-fluid in the dispensing line is forced from the dispensing line via the fluid dispenser.