The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2000
Antonio J. Jepson, Dixon, CA (US);
Juha K. Salmela, Citrus Heights, CA (US);
Automatic Bar Controls, Inc., Vacaville, CA (US);
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus includes a chamber cavity having an inlet with an inlet check valve and an outlet with an outlet check valve. The outlet check valve is openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction from the chamber cavity out through the outlet check valve. The inlet check valve is openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction through the inlet check valve into the chamber cavity. A plunger is movable in the chamber. When the plunger is moved from a dispense position to a fill position away from the outlet and inlet check valves, it opens the inlet check valve and closes the outlet check valve and draw fluid through the inlet check valve into the chamber cavity. When the plunger is moved from the fill position to the dispense position toward the outlet and inlet check valves, it closes the inlet check valve and opens the outlet check valve and dispense fluid from the chamber cavity out through the outlet check valve. The outlet check valve is configured to close in a delayed fashion when the plunger moves from the dispense position to the fill position to allow a drawback flow from the outlet into the chamber cavity to prevent leakage and buildup of fluid at the dispensing outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is self-contained, and is operable upon coupling to a BIB fluid source. The apparatus is easy to use and clean, and can be quickly adapted for dispensing another fluid by cleaning the pump channels and changing the BIB. No pump disassembly is required.