US 12,391,538 B1
Systems and methods for dispensing substances
Robert Bruce Yacko, Toledo, OH (US); Benjamin Chase Yacko, Toledo, OH (US); Felicia R. Yacko, Toledo, OH (US); Robert Lawson-Shanks, Reston, VA (US); Mark Lyons, Leesburg, VA (US); and Todd Schimmoeller, Ottawa, OH (US)
Assigned to iDispense, LLC, Toledo, OH (US)
Filed by iDispense, LLC, Toledo, OH (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/096,863.
Application 18/096,863 is a continuation of application No. 18/079,309, filed on Dec. 12, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/414,887, filed on Oct. 10, 2022.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B67D 7/14 (2010.01); B67D 7/02 (2010.01); B67D 7/74 (2010.01); B67D 7/78 (2010.01); G05D 11/13 (2006.01)
CPC B67D 7/145 (2013.01) [B67D 7/0277 (2013.01); B67D 7/743 (2013.01); B67D 7/78 (2013.01); G05D 11/13 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A container filling apparatus comprising:
a source container containing a substance;
a controller, the controller being programmed to determine that a dispensing condition is satisfied and to generate a signal when the dispensing condition is satisfied, and
the controller including a computer processor and a memory portion, and instructions stored on a non-transitory computer medium disposed in the memory portion, and the computer processor performing processing, based on the instructions, including monitoring pressure observed by a pressure sensor;
a dispenser for discharging the substance into a receiving container in response to the signal from the controller, the dispenser including:
an additive valve for controlling flow of the substance out of the source container, and the additive valve controlled by the controller;
a vacuum manifold, the substance flowing through the vacuum manifold downstream of the additive valve;
the pressure sensor that measures flow pressure of the substance in the vacuum manifold, and the pressure sensor in data communication with the controller so as to output pressure data over time, based on the pressure observed by the pressure sensor, to the controller;
a tee pipe including:
a high pressure inlet that is connected to a source of base ingredient;
a low pressure inlet that is connected to the vacuum manifold; and
a dispense outlet.