US4014010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid-dispensing apparatus having level control and alarm means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-01
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1995-08-01
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus comprises a flexible tube through which fluid flows from a supply, and a opaque ball which is adjustably disposed within the tube. When fluid is first fed through the tube, an air bubble forms, and the location of this bubble is set by squeezng the tube and forcing the air bubble to an upper portion of the tube. The opaque ball rests on the top surface of the fluid in the air bubble. A photoelectric detector assembly comprising a source of light and a light detector is mounted on the tube, with the beam of light interrupted by the opaque ball. The light detector is connected to an electronic circuit which is arranged to perform no function so long as the beam of light from the source is interrupted by the ball. When all of the fluid has been fed through the tube from the source, and the level begins to drop in the tube, the opaque ball drops below the light beam and permits the light detector to receive light from the light source, and the resultant current flow operates the electronic circuit to provide a warning that the fluid has dropped below the set level and that the tube itself will be empty in a known period of time thereafter.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Joseph Jinotti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/64; G01F23/68; G01F23/70; G01F23/706; A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16831; A61M5/1684; A61M5/1685; G01F11/00; G01F23/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
365 words
Liquid level sensing and alarm apparatus comprising a container of fluid to be dispensed disposed generally vertically and having an outlet, through which fluid can flow, a deformable tube disposed generally vertically and having an inlet at its upper end and an outlet at its lower end, said inlet at said upper end of said tube being coupled directly, and in open communication, to said outlet of said container, an outlet pipe connected to said outlet of said tube and having valve means for opening and closing said outlet pipe to fluid flow from said tube and said container, said tube having indicia display means denoting different final quantities of fluid therein and different times for dispensing such different final quantities of fluids therefrom, an opaque float present in said tube and positionable at different levels therein depending on the quantity of fluid present therein, first photoelectric detector means coupled to said tube and adjustably positionable at the level of said opaque float member and thus settable to detect the upper level of a quantity of fluid therein, a second side tube connected to said outlet pipe and having a vertical tube portion in which fluid is present when fluid is flowing from said container, a second opaque float in said second tube through which light will not pass, and second photoelectric detector means in operative relation with said second tube and said second opaque float for sensing a change in an established liquid level in said second tube, said deformable tube being deformable so that, with said valve closed, air can be squeezed out of said tube into said container of fluid and then a selected quantity of fluid can flow into said tube from said container to a desired level beneath said opaque member, said desired level representing one of said different final quantities of fluid and representing to an operator of the apparatus, the last quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the tube and the time period for said last quantity of the fluid to be dispensed, said first photoelectric detector means including means for providing an alarm when said last quantity of fluid begins to be dispensed from said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
365 words
Liquid level sensing and alarm apparatus comprising a container of fluid to be dispensed disposed generally vertically and having an outlet, through which fluid can flow, a deformable tube disposed generally vertically and having an inlet at its upper end and an outlet at its lower end, said inlet at said upper end of said tube being coupled directly, and in open communication, to said outlet of said container, an outlet pipe connected to said outlet of said tube and having valve means for opening and closing said outlet pipe to fluid flow from said tube and said container, said tube having indicia display means denoting different final quantities of fluid therein and different times for dispensing such different final quantities of fluids therefrom, an opaque float present in said tube and positionable at different levels therein depending on the quantity of fluid present therein, first photoelectric detector means coupled to said tube and adjustably positionable at the level of said opaque float member and thus settable to detect the upper level of a quantity of fluid therein, a second side tube connected to said outlet pipe and having a vertical tube portion in which fluid is present when fluid is flowing from said container, a second opaque float in said second tube through which light will not pass, and second photoelectric detector means in operative relation with said second tube and said second opaque float for sensing a change in an established liquid level in said second tube, said deformable tube being deformable so that, with said valve closed, air can be squeezed out of said tube into said container of fluid and then a selected quantity of fluid can flow into said tube from said container to a desired level beneath said opaque member, said desired level representing one of said different final quantities of fluid and representing to an operator of the apparatus, the last quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the tube and the time period for said last quantity of the fluid to be dispensed, said first photoelectric detector means including means for providing an alarm when said last quantity of fluid begins to be dispensed from said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said indicia display means associated with said tube comprises calibration markings in its wall, each marking denoting a different quantity of fluid and dispensing time therefor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said opaque float is a ball which is supported by fluid in said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said photoelectric detector means is a source of light and a photocell positioned to receive said light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said second opaque float is a ball which is supported by fluid in said second tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 and including an alarm means coupled to said photoelectric detector means and responsive to changes in fluid level in said second tube detected by said photoelectric detector means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |