Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6733252
-
Patent Number
6,733,252
-
Date Filed
Friday, May 10, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 11, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Yu; Justine R.
- Solak; Timothy P.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 417 394
- 417 46
- 417 43
- 417 383
- 417 385
- 417 389
- 417 478
- 417 53
- 222 1455
- 222 1456
- 222 459
- 222 95
- 222 3865
- 141 9
- 141 100
- 141 105
- 141 106
- 141 107
- 141 18
- 141 25
- 141 26
- 141 21
- 366 190
-
International Classifications
- F04B4310
- F04B4900
- F04B908
- F04B4308
- F04B1924
-
Abstract
A fluid-handling system capable, in various embodiments, of storing, mixing, and dispensing fluids, and also regulating the flow of fluids. The system includes a cartridge having a non-expandable housing, and a bladder within the housing. In some variations, a drive-liquid is introduced into a region between the housing and the bladder, which causes fluid contained within the bladder to dispense. In some other variations, the drive-liquid is introduced into the bladder, which causes the bladder to expand and expel fluid that is contained with the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fluid-handling systems, and more particularly to devices or systems that are capable of formulating, storing, dispensing, or regulating the flow of fluids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The development, production and sales of countless industrial and consumer products involve fluid-handling operations (e.g., flow regulation, dispensing fluids, storing fluids, mixing fluids, etc.). Fluid-handling systems are used to perform these operations.
One application for fluid-handling systems is in the production of “formulations.” Formulations are produced by the physical combination of two or more fluids or fluidized ingredients. Formulation ingredients are often liquid, or otherwise liquefied, so that they flow under appropriate conditions.
To create a formulation, the ingredients are usually transported (e.g., pumped, etc.) to a receiver, where they are physically (and sometimes chemically) combined, typically in precise amounts. For some formulations, this “combining” operation occurs in a production facility; for others, it occurs at the point of sale by a retailer, etc. Once a formulation is produced, it is typically packaged and then, at an appropriate time, dispensed for use. For some applications, an ability to dispense a precise amount of the formulation is required; for some others, it's not.
Many different products are properly characterized as “formulations” under the definition provided above. Examples include personal-care products (e.g., shampoo, perfume, etc.), household cleaning products ((e.g., liquid dishwashing detergents and clothes-cleaning detergents, etc.), foods (e.g., cream cheese, ice cream, margarine, etc.), industrial products (e.g., engine oil, lubricants, industrial cleaners, etc.), adhesives (e.g. glues, resins, etc.), paints and coatings, pharmaceutical products, and electronics “chemicals” (e.g., solder masks, etch resist masks, etc.), to name but a few.
The products listed above, which are but a small subset of the universe of formulated products, vary widely as to their rheological properties. Furthermore, formulation applications present substantial application-to-application differences in the relative amounts of ingredients and in the amount of product being formulated. Compare, for example, commercial-scale production of a food (e.g., mayonnaise, etc.) versus a point-of-sale apparatus for formulating paints in one-quart to five-gallon batches (e.g., for home-owners, etc.). Additionally, the specific fluid-handling operations being performed will vary (e.g., transporting vs. mixing vs. dispensing, etc.). Consequently, fluid-handling systems and components that are used for the production of formulations are implemented in a wide variety of application-specific designs and configurations.
By way of example, for some formulation applications, fluid-handling systems include special pumps that are used to pressurize liquid for transport or dispensing. In some other applications, syringes are used to deliver product. In yet further applications, pipettes are coupled to systems capable of pressurizing fluids for dispensing. Often, fluid-handling requires emulsification or mixing of ingredients. Some fluid-handling systems are available as “bottle-top” dispensers that directly couple to a bottle of liquid to dispense the liquid contained therein. But some other systems are quite complicated and include their own fluid reservoirs, control systems, etc.
Some formulation ingredients and formulated products present special difficulties for fluid-handling systems. For example, formulation ingredients (or formulated products) that are high-viscosity liquids, high-solids-concentration liquid suspensions, non-Newtonian fluids, and the like cause problems for rotating equipment, such as pumps. Among other problems, it is difficult to control the flow rate of such materials. Consequently, special pumps are required.
Furthermore, as implied above, some prior-art fluid-handling systems are equipment-intensive. In particular, these systems typically include one fully-controllable pump for each ingredient in the formulation. Such systems are often relatively expensive. And prior-art fluid-handling systems often require substantial maintenance. This maintenance includes servicing the rotating equipment (e.g. pumps, etc.) to keep it operational and cleaning the system regularly to prevent clogging. Clogging is particularly likely when the formulation ingredients are high-viscosity liquids, polymerizable materials, and high-solids-concentration suspensions. Additionally, to avoid contamination, these systems must be cleaned whenever the formulation is changed.
The art would therefore benefit from a fluid-handling system that, among another attributes, has a configuration or structure that is less application-sensitive than prior-art systems. In particular, the fluid-handling system should possess at least some of the following attributes:
Suitable for use with products over a wide range of rheological properties (e.g., low viscosity to high viscosity, etc).
Suitable for use over a wide range of capacity (e.g., flow rate, amount of ingredients, etc).
Not as maintenance-intensive as prior-art fluid-handling systems.
Suitable for use in a variety of applications (e.g., storage, mixing, dispensing, etc.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fluid-handling system that avoids some of the problems of the prior art is disclosed. Some fluid-handling systems in accordance with the present invention are generally suitable for use with products over a wide range of rheological properties, can accommodate wide variations in the amount of fluid being handled, are less maintenance-intensive than some prior art systems, and are capable of performing a variety of fluid-handling functions.
In various embodiments, a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention is capable of performing one or more of the following functions, among any others: receiving and storing one or more fluids, keeping stored fluids separate from one another, mixing two or more fluids to formulate a product, accurately dispensing fluid, and regulating a flow of fluid.
The specific configuration of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment is dependent, to some extent, on its intended use. More particularly, certain features or elements are included in some variations of the system but not in some others, as a function of the intended use of the system. Certain elements are, however, basic to all variations of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the present invention. In particular, basic to all variations is a cartridge that has a bladder and a substantially non-expandable housing. The bladder is disposed within the housing.
A fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment optionally includes a drive-liquid delivery device. This device is capable, in accordance the illustrative embodiment, of delivering liquid (“drive-liquid”) to a region that is within the housing but outside of the bladder. When sufficiently pressurized, the drive-liquid exerts a force against the bladder that results in the expulsion any fluids that are contained within the bladder. In other words, the fluid is indirectly “pumped” such that it does flow through the drive-liquid delivery device. Consequently, if a change is made in the fluid (e.g., new ingredients, etc.), it is accommodated, in some embodiments, by changing the bladder. Generally far less cleaning is required to accommodate a change in fluid than for most prior-art liquid handling systems.
In a variation of the illustrative embodiment, drive-liquid is delivered to the interior of the bladder, rather than outside of the bladder. As the bladder expands, it expels any fluids that are contained with the housing (but outside of the bladder). While this variation might entail more maintenance than the illustrative embodiment, it has certain advantages, as described later in this specification.
In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, fluid-handling systems include multiple (i.e., two or more) cartridges that are coupled to one another. In some of those variations, the bladders are also coupled to one another so that fluid can pass from one bladder to the next. Multi-cartridge arrangements are particularly well suited for conducting experimentation, such as, for example, permuting the order in which ingredients are combined to produce a formulation. Multi-cartridge arrangements are also well adapted to mixing fluids by moving them back and forth between adjacent cartridges, possibly through an orifice structured to promote mixing. As suits the requirements of a particular application, multiple cartridges can be configured in serial or parallel fashion, etc.
In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, an optional control system is coupled to a cartridge, enabling the cartridge to be used as a flow regulator. In such variations, a sensor (e.g., a force sensor, etc.) senses a flow rate, pressure, etc., of a fluid that is flowing out of the cartridge. The sensor generates and outputs, to a controller, a signal that is representative of the flow rate (or pressure, etc.) of the fluid. The controller compares that signal to a set point. Based on a deviation between the sensor output signal and the set point, the controller generates and outputs a control signal. The control signal is output to a final control element, such as the drive-liquid delivery device. The control signal alters the operation of the drive-liquid delivery device, etc., as appropriate, to adjust the flow of fluid from the cartridge to a desired rate.
Large changes in the amount of fluid being handled are accommodated, in some variations of the illustrative embodiment, by changing bladder size. In some other variations, the cartridge itself (i.e., housing and bladder) is replaced by a different cartridge (more suitably sized for the changed quantity of fluid).
These and other variations of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention are illustrated in the Drawings and described further in the Detailed Description section of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
depicts a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The fluid-handling system includes a cartridge having a housing, and a bladder in the housing.
FIG. 2
depicts a fluid-handling system having a cartridge as in
FIG. 1
, wherein the bladder of the cartridge contains fluid.
FIG. 3
depicts the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 2
after fluid is dispensed from the bladder.
FIG. 4A
depicts the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 1
with tubes that deliver fluid to the bladder.
FIG. 4B
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 1
, wherein the bladder is pre-filled with fluid and then placed in the housing.
FIG. 5
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 4A
wherein the tubes are sealed at one end or both ends and retain their fluid ingredients until the bladder is collapsed.
FIG. 6
depicts a cross-section of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 5
before the bladder is collapsed.
FIG. 7
depicts a cross-section of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 5
after the bladder is collapsed.
FIGS. 8A-8C
depict, in various stages of collapse, a cross-section of a collapsible tube, wherein the tube has two notches that run in an axial direction at diametrically-opposed locations on the tube, in accordance with a variation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9A
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 1
wherein open-cell sponges containing fluid are disposed in the bladder.
FIG. 9B
depicts an end view cross section of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 9A
as fluid is squeezed out of the sponges.
FIG. 10
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 1
wherein the system includes two cartridges, each with a bladder contained within a housing. The system also includes tubes that deliver fluid into the bladder within one or the other of the two housings.
FIG. 11
depicts the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 10
but without tubes and with at least one drive-liquid delivery device.
FIG. 12
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 11
wherein the system includes a plurality of dual-cartridge arrangements for regulating the flow of fluid into a common receiver.
FIG. 13
depicts a method for dispensing fluid in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14A
depicts a variation of the illustrative fluid-handling system, wherein the housing, not the bladder, receives fluid.
FIG. 14A
depicts the bladder in a collapsed state.
FIG. 14B
depicts the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 14A
as drive liquid is added to the bladder, thereby forcing the fluid that is within the housing but outside of the bladder to be expelled from the housing.
FIG. 15A
depicts a variation of the fluid-handling system shown in FIG.
14
A.
FIG. 15B
depicts the fluid-handling system of
FIG. 15A
as drive liquid is added to the bladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The terms listed below are given the following definitions for use in this specification.
“Fluid” means: gases, vapors, material(s) that are liquid at room temperature, materials that are liquefied by various physical processes, liquid suspensions (e.g., material(s) that are suspended in a liquid carrier, etc.), slurries, even solids that have properties that allow them to “flow,” (e.g., fluidized solids, etc.). In essence, the term “fluid” means a gas, liquid or solid that is “naturally” flowable or rendered flowable using appropriate operations (e.g., processing, etc.) or appropriate conditions (e.g., temperature, etc.), etc.
“Coupled” means that (coupled) elements communicate with one another, either fluidically (i.e., fluid can flow between the two coupled elements), mechanically (i.e., a force, etc., exerted or experienced by a coupled element can affect other elements that are coupled to it), optically, etc. Coupled elements can be physically attached to one another, but this is not necessary. For example, in some instances, two coupled elements will be attached to a third element, but not directly to one another.
Some of the fluid-handling systems that are described in this specification are multifunctional. That is, they are capable of providing a variety of fluid-handling functions. In particular, fluid-handling systems in accordance with the illustrative embodiment are capable of providing one or more of the following functions, in addition to any others:
Receiving and storing one or more fluids.
Mixing two or more fluids.
Accurately dispensing fluid.
Regulating a flow of fluid.
The configuration of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment is dependent, to some extent, on its intended use and on the Theological properties of the fluid being handled. In other words, certain features are included in some variations of the illustrative embodiment but not in some others, as a function of the intended use of the fluid-handling system and the nature of the fluid(s). Yet, all fluid-handling systems described herein have certain common elements, as described below.
FIG. 1
depicts fluid-handling system
100
in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Basic to all embodiments of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the present invention is cartridge
102
. Cartridge
102
consists of housing
104
and bladder
106
. In the illustrative embodiment, bladder
106
and housing
104
are coaxial with respect to one another, with bladder
106
disposed within housing
104
.
Housing
104
is advantageously substantially non-expandable. In a typical implementation, housing
104
is a section of rigid plastic pipe or metal pipe. In some alternative implementations, housing
104
is flexible along the axial direction (i.e., along its length), while remaining substantially non-expandable in the radial direction. One example of a material that is flexible in the axial direction but non-expandable in the radial direction is braided Tygon™ tubing. Those skilled in the art will be able to select material that is suitable for use as housing
104
.
Bladder
106
has interior volume
108
and exterior surface
110
. In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, bladder
106
is elastic and resilient (i.e., like a balloon). Those skilled in the art will know how to make or otherwise obtain an elastic and resilient bladder, such as by using elastomers (e.g., silicone, Kalrez™ available from Dupont, etc.). In some other variations, bladder
106
is not elastic nor resilient (i.e., like a thin-wall propylene bag, etc.). Regardless of its elasticity and resilience, it is important that bladder
106
is chemically resistant to all fluids to which it is exposed. Bladder
106
is attached to housing
104
in well-known fashion, such as, for example, using adhesives, thermal fusion, compression, etc. In some variations, bladder
106
is not attached to housing
104
; it is removable (see, FIG.
4
B and accompanying description).
Although cartridge
102
is, as previously noted, basic to all embodiments of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the illustrative physical configuration or arrangement of cartridge
102
depicted in the Figures (i.e., cylindrical bladder
106
in a cylindrical housing
104
) is merely illustrative. In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, other housing/bladder geometries (e.g., spherical, etc.) and, as described in further detail later in this specification, other specific implementations of a housing, are used.
With continuing reference to the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1
, flanges
120
and
124
are attached to respective ends
116
and
118
of housing
104
. Flanges
120
and
124
each have a centered opening, which is advantageously about equal in size to the outside diameter of bladder
106
. Flanges
120
and
124
facilitate attaching cartridge
102
to other devices (e.g., reservoirs, conduits, valves, additional cartridges, auxiliary housings, etc.). The openings in flanges
120
and
124
also enable fluid to flow, under appropriate conditions, from bladder
106
to these other devices. As appropriate, flanges
120
and/or
124
can be capped (i.e., plugged). For example, in fluid-handling system
100
depicted in
FIG. 1
, flange
120
(disposed at end
116
of housing
104
) is capped by end cap
122
. Alternatively, flanges
120
and/or
124
can be connected to a flange that has an opening to enable fluid to flow out of interior volume
108
of bladder
106
. In
FIG. 1
, flange
126
, which has an opening to enable fluid to pass, is attached to flange
124
(at end
118
of housing
104
).
Fluid-handling system
100
depicted in
FIG. 1
includes some optional elements. As previously mentioned, the inclusion of these optional elements in any particular variation of the illustrative embodiment is primarily dependent upon the intended use of the fluid-handling system and the rheological properties of the fluid. The optional elements depicted in
FIG. 1
are mixing device
128
(e.g., static mixer, diffuser, membrane emulsifier, etc.), drive-liquid delivery device
140
, and control system
152
. Some additional optional elements are described later in this specification. Further optional elements that are known to those skilled in the art, but that are not explicitly mentioned herein, can suitably be used in conjunction with the illustrative embodiment, as desirable.
In the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1
, optional mixing device
128
is a membrane emulsifier that emulsifies fluids expelled from bladder
106
. Membrane emulsifier
128
is disposed in a short segment of an auxiliary housing
132
. Flange
134
, which includes an opening to pass fluid, is attached to auxiliary housing
132
. Resilient tube
136
couples to emulsifier
128
and the opening in flange
134
to dispense fluid from bladder
106
.
Optional drive-liquid delivery device
140
is coupled to fitting
138
, which, in turn, is coupled to the interior of housing
104
via hole
114
. In the illustrative embodiment, the drive-liquid is primarily used for expelling fluid from interior volume
108
of bladder
106
.
Drive-liquid delivery device
140
can be any type of system that is suitable for introducing liquid (hereinafter “drive-liquid”) into housing
104
. Drive-liquid delivery device
140
is advantageously capable of pressurizing the drive-liquid. In some embodiments, drive-liquid delivery device
140
is a pump, such as a positive-displacement pump. One type of pumping system that is particularly well suited for this service is an infusion pump, as is well known in the art. Infusion pumps are typically microprocessor controlled and use an actuator to actuate a piston-, roller- or peristaltic-type pumping mechanism. A common implementation of a piston-type pumping mechanism is a syringe. The use of drive-liquid delivery device
140
is described in more detail later in this specification.
Optional control system
152
enables cartridge
102
to be used as a flow regulator. In the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1
, control system
152
includes sensor
142
and controller
146
. Sensor
142
senses a parameter that is indicative of the rate of flow or pressure of fluid that is flowing through tube
136
. Sensor
142
outputs signal
144
, which is representative of the magnitude of the parameter, to controller
146
. Controller
146
also receives set-point signal
148
. The set point signal is compared to sensor output signal
144
and a deviation is determined. Controller
146
generates control signal
150
, as a function of this deviation, and outputs it to drive-liquid delivery device
140
(i.e., the final control element). The operation of drive-liquid delivery device
138
is automatically adjusted to increase or decrease the pressure/flow of drive-liquid into housing
104
responsive to control signal
150
. Those skilled in the art will how to make and use control system
152
.
Further description of some of the capabilities of a fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, and variations thereof, is now provided.
FIGS. 2 and 3
depict a variation of fluid-handling system
100
that is physically adapted for dispensing a fluid from interior volume
108
of bladder
106
.
FIG. 13
depicts a method
1300
for accurate dispensing of fluid in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
In the variation of the illustrative embodiment that is depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, fluid-handling system
100
includes cartridge
102
, which consists of housing
104
and bladder
106
, mixing device
128
, and drive-liquid delivery system
140
. For pedagogical purposes, and to focus the description on features that are germane to an understanding of the present invention, drive-liquid delivery system
140
is depicted simply as syringe
256
, having body
258
and plunger
260
. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this is an oversimplification; drive-liquid delivery system
140
will typically include additional equipment, such as an actuator, microprocessor, etc. Those skilled in the art will know how to make and use drive-liquid delivery system
140
.
According to operation
1302
of method
1300
(see FIG.
13
), and as depicted in
FIG. 2
, interior volume
108
of bladder
106
is filled with fluid
254
. Fluid
254
is composed of one or more fluid ingredients. The manner in which bladder
106
is filled is described later in this specification.
Fluids that are suitable for use in conjunction with the illustrative embodiment include, in addition to easily-handled liquids (e.g., low viscosity, Newtonian, etc.) and gases, very high viscosity liquids (e.g., viscosities greater than about 20,000 centistokes), high-solids-concentration liquid suspensions and slurries, non-Newtonian fluids, polymerizable materials, etc. Examples of some liquids that might be problematic for use in prior art fluid-handling systems, but that are suitable for use with the fluid-handling systems described herein include, without limitation, formulations or formulation ingredients for:
personal-care products (e.g., shampoo, perfume, etc.);
household cleaning products (e.g., liquid dishwashing detergents and clothes-cleaning detergents, etc.);
foods (e.g., cream cheese, ice cream, margarine, mustard, etc.);
industrial lubricants and cleaning products;
adhesives (e.g., glues, resins, etc.);
paints and coatings;
pharmaceutical products; and
electronic “chemicals” (e.g., solder masks, etch resist masks, etc.).
In preparation for expelling fluid
254
from bladder
106
, drive-liquid
262
is added to region
112
(see, FIGS.
1
and
2
), which is defined as the region between the interior surface of housing
104
and exterior surface
110
of bladder
106
. Drive-liquid
262
, which is advantageously water or other “clean” and inert liquid that is easy to pump, etc., is stored in body
258
of syringe
256
. Drive liquid
262
is added to region
112
by depressing plunger
260
of syringe
256
, which displaces drive-liquid
262
from syringe body
258
and through hole
114
(see,
FIG. 1
) via fitting
138
. Drive-liquid
262
is added to region
112
until the interior volume of housing
104
is fluid full (i.e., full of fluid
254
within bladder
106
and drive-liquid
262
in region
112
) in accordance with operation
1304
of method
1300
(see, FIG.
13
). Advantageously, fluid
254
is not expelled from bladder
106
until drive-liquid
262
is pressurized.
FIG. 3
depicts the dispensing operation. To dispense fluid
254
, plunger
260
is depressed further to force drive-liquid
262
into region
112
. As a force is applied to depress plunger
260
, drive-liquid
262
in syringe body
258
and in region
112
is pressurized. As the pressure of drive-liquid
262
overcomes the resistance of fluid
254
to flow, the fluid is expelled from bladder
106
. As fluid
254
is expelled, bladder
106
collapses and drive-liquid
262
flows into region
112
. Continued force on plunger
260
maintains the pressure on bladder
106
. The expulsion of fluid
254
continues, thereby causing the continued collapse of bladder
106
. Drive-liquid
262
continues to flow into region
112
. See,
FIG. 13
, operation
1306
of method
1300
.
In preparation for re-filling bladder
106
with additional fluid, drive-liquid
262
is withdrawn from housing
104
. This can be done, for example, by drawing a vacuum (e.g., withdrawing plunger
260
from syringe body
258
, etc.) on housing
104
.
Fluid-handling system
100
and method
1300
, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, provide several important advantages over the prior art. One advantage is that since housing
104
is non-expandable and, in some variations, fluid full (in preparation for dispensing), and since drive-liquid
262
is incompressible, each volumetric increment of drive-liquid
262
that is added to region
112
results in an equal volume of fluid
254
being dispensed. Consequently, in accordance with method
1300
, a desired volume of fluid can be accurately dispensed from cartridge
102
when the cartridge is incorporated in fluid-handling system
100
having drive-liquid delivery device
140
, as depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. It should be understood, however, that dispensing can begin before region
112
is fluid full (e.g., with air present, etc.) but there will not be a one-to-one volumetric ratio of drive-liquid
262
“in” to fluid
254
“out.”
A second advantage of fluid-handling system
100
for dispensing fluid is that the fluid being dispensed (e.g., fluid
254
), which might present problems for a pump, etc., due to its Theological properties, etc., is indirectly “pumped” during the dispensing operation. That is, it is drive-liquid
262
, rather than fluid
254
, that passes through drive-liquid delivery system
140
. Since drive-liquid
262
is typically water or another clean, inert (to the structures that it contacts), low-viscosity liquid, the maintenance requirements of the pressurizing system (e.g., pump, etc.) are decreased, the life of the system is extended, and the need for repeated cleaning after successive runs is alleviated. To change the fluid (i.e., fluid
254
) that is being dispensed, cartridge
102
is simply disconnected from drive-liquid delivery device
140
(e.g., syringe
256
) and a replacement cartridge is attached or a replacement bladder is inserted into housing
104
. The disconnected cartridge can be discarded, or bladder
106
can be removed from it and replaced with a new bladder.
Cartridge
102
is an improvement of an earlier device that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,406. The device disclosed in that patent is a pressure-actuated, valve-less, peristaltic pump. The pump consists of a plurality of segments that are coupled to one another. The segments are similar in structure to the cartridges that are disclosed herein. In particular, the segments include a bladder that is disposed within a rigid or non-expandable housing. According to the patent, each segment is actuated by supplying pressurized air into the region between the housing and the bladder. Due to the applied air pressure, the bladder collapses forcing fluid into an adjacent segment. Actuation is continued segment-by-segment to sequentially move a fluid through the pump in a fashion that closely resembles human peristalsis.
Using pressurized air to drive the segments, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,406, results in a sluggish response (e.g., time delay, non-proportional response due to the compressibility of air, etc.) It has since been discovered that by pre-filling the segments with drive-liquid between the bladder and the housing, the response of the segments is improved (as to accuracy as well as repeatability). Furthermore, the addition of elements such as valves (the use of which was specifically avoided in the peristaltic pump), feed tubes and a control system creates a liquid-handling system having far greater capabilities, better accuracy, and repeatability than the peristaltic pump. Additionally, the drive-liquid method prevents “back-flow,” such that the check valves that were required in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,406 are optional in many applications (e.g., single-cartridge systems, non-flow-through cartridges, etc.) for the present invention.
FIG. 4A
depicts a variation of fluid-handling system
100
that is suitable for formulating products from a plurality of fluid ingredients. In the variation that is depicted in
FIG. 4A
, fluid is added to bladder
106
using tubes, such as tubes
464
,
466
, and
468
. While three tubes are used in the variation that is depicted in
FIG. 4A
, fewer tubes or a greater number of tubes can be used, as appropriate as a function of application-specifics.
In the variation of the illustrative embodiment that is depicted in
FIG. 4A
, tubes
464
,
466
, and
468
are inserted through end cap
122
and flange
120
. In a previous embodiment, end cap
122
completely plugged flange
120
. In this variation, end cap
122
has holes that enable tubes
464
,
466
, and
468
to be inserted into bladder
106
. Also, whereas flange
126
formerly contained an opening for fluid to pass, in this variation, flange
126
completely plugs end
118
of cartridge
102
.
The end (of each tube) that is outside of cartridge
102
is coupled to ingredient-delivery device(s)
463
for urging fluid through the tubes and into bladder
106
. The ingredient-delivery device can be, for example, a positive-displacement device, or other means (e.g., pressure supply, etc.). In appropriate situations, the fluid can be gravity fed to bladder
106
. Tubes
464
,
466
, and
468
advantageously deliver three different fluid ingredients
470
,
472
, and
474
, respectively, to bladder
106
.
The tubes, which are depicted as simple cylindrical segments in
FIG. 4A
, can be tapered or have any other suitable shape, as desired, and can also be terminated by reducing nozzles or vortexing nozzles, etc., for better mixing. In some variations, such as the one depicted in
FIG. 4A
, the tubes terminate at different positions (i.e., protrude a different distance) within bladder
106
. In some other variations, the tubes terminate at substantially the same position (i.e., protrude substantially the same distance) within bladder
106
. In yet a further variation, rather than filling bladder
106
via tubes, cartridge
102
receives a pre-filled bladder
106
, as depicted in FIG.
4
B. More particularly, bladder
106
having only one open end
475
is pre-filled with one or more fluid ingredients and then inserted in housing
104
.
As mentioned above, the variation of the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 4A
is particularly advantageous for use in producing fluid formulations. Once produced, the formulation can be stored in bladder
106
. In other variations of the illustrative embodiment, cartridge
102
is used to store the fluid ingredients in an unmixed state. This can be implemented in a variety of ways, a few of which are described below.
For example, in one configuration (not shown) that is suitable for storing and transporting ingredients in an un-mixed state, bladder
106
is compartmentalized using spaced “iris diaphragms” (analogous to an iris diaphragm such as is used in a camera to regulate the amount of light admitted). The iris diaphragms can be formed, for example, by overlapping appropriately-shaped pieces of polymer that depend from the interior of bladder
106
. Tubes (e.g., tubes
464
,
466
, and
468
, etc.) are admitted through the hole in each “iris” and are used to deliver fluid ingredients to the appropriate compartment in bladder
106
.
FIGS. 5 and 9
depict two additional illustrative variations of fluid-handling system
100
that are capable of storing and transporting fluid ingredients in an un-mixed state.
In the variation depicted in
FIGS. 5
(side-view cross section) and
6
(end-view cross section), fluid-handling system
100
includes cartridge
102
having four collapsible tubes
576
,
578
,
580
, and
582
that are located within bladder
106
. The tubes each contain a fluid ingredient. In other embodiments, cartridge
102
can contain more tubes or fewer tubes as required. The tubes are advantageously, but not necessarily, affixed to one of the flanges (e.g., flange
120
). The length and diameter of each tube determines the amount of fluid that it can contain. The tubes (e.g., tubes
576
,
578
,
580
, and
582
) can be sealed at both ends, or, as might be appropriate as a function of tube diameter, a free end (i.e., the end that is not affixed to a flange) can be left unsealed relying on capillary forces to retain the fluid. It is advantageous for an air pocket to be provided behind the fluid ingredient in the tube. The air pocket facilitates discharge of fluid from the tube. Region
584
is advantageously devoid of tubes.
To mix the fluid ingredients (e.g., formulate a product, etc.) that are present in tubes
576
,
578
,
580
, and
582
, the fluid is ejected from the tubes. This can be done in the manner previously described. That is, as depicted in
FIG. 7
, a drive-liquid delivery device is coupled to housing
104
so that drive-liquid
262
is delivered to region
112
between the interior surface of housing
104
and the exterior of bladder
106
. As drive-liquid
262
enters region
112
and causes bladder
106
to collapse, the tubes collapse. As a consequence, fluid is expelled from tubes
576
,
578
,
580
, and
582
. Fluid from the tubes is delivered to open region
584
(see, FIG.
5
), which is devoid of tubes to facilitate receipt of the fluid.
In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, the tubes have a physical adaptation to aid their collapse.
FIGS. 8A through 8C
illustrate one such physical adaptation, and show a sequential collapse of a tube as a consequence of an applied pressure.
FIG. 8A
depicts, before collapse, tube
886
having two notches
888
A and
888
B at diametrically-opposed locations. Notches
888
A and
888
B run axially along the full length of tube
886
(this attribute is not visible from the cross-sectional views that are shown in FIGS.
8
A through
8
C). Notches
888
A and
888
B reduce the amount of pressure that is required to fully collapse and discharge tube
886
. Furthermore, the notches result in an improvement in the linearity of response between the applied pressure (i.e., as applied by drive fluid
262
, etc.) and the reduction in volume of tube
886
. Additionally, notches
888
A and
888
B determine the folding pattern of tube
886
as it collapses, thereby enabling proper positioning of various tubes in bladder
106
.
As depicted in
FIG. 8B
, when pressure, P, is applied to the exterior of tube
886
, it begins to collapse, as facilitated by notches
888
A and
888
B. Collapsing tube
886
has an ellipsoidal shape, wherein notches
888
A and
888
B align with the long axis.
FIG. 8C
depicts an extreme state of collapse, wherein tube
886
is substantially flattened. In this state, most of the fluid that was contained in tube
886
will have been expelled.
Notched tubes having notches with a depth that is about fifty percent of the wall thickness are suitable for this use. For example, a tube having a one inch inside diameter, with ⅛ inch wall thickness and {fraction (1/16)} inch notch thickness has been found to be suitable.
FIG. 9A
depicts another variation of fluid-handling system
100
that is capable of storing and transporting fluid ingredients in an un-mixed state. In the variation depicted in
FIG. 9A
, fluid-handling system
100
includes cartridge
102
having three open-cell sponges
990
,
992
, and
994
that are located within bladder
106
. Each open-cell sponge retains one (or more) fluid ingredient(s). In other embodiments, cartridge
102
can contain more sponges or fewer sponges as desired.
To mix the fluid ingredients (e.g., formulate a product, etc.) that are present in open-cell sponges
990
,
992
, and
994
, the fluid ingredients must be removed from the sponges. This can be done in the manner previously described. That is, a drive-liquid delivery device is coupled to housing
104
so that drive-liquid
262
is delivered to region
112
between the interior surface of housing
104
and the exterior of bladder
106
. As drive-liquid
262
enters region
112
and causes bladder
106
to collapse, sponges
990
,
992
, and
994
are squeezed, and fluid is expelled. Fluid expulsion is depicted in FIG.
9
B.
In a further variation of fluid-handling system
100
that is capable of storing and transporting fluid ingredients in an un-mixed state, cartridge
102
contains small spheres (not depicted). The spheres, which typically have a diameter in the range of about 10 mm to 25 mm, have an interior void for retaining one or more fluid ingredients. In some variations, the spheres release their contents when bladder
106
collapses. In some other variations, the spheres release their contents as they are expelled from cartridge
102
(i.e., through a nozzle, etc., that causes the spheres to rupture). Furthermore, some variations include a mixture of spheres that release their contents within bladder
106
and those that release their contents when they are expelled from the bladder. The integrity of the spheres is advantageously easily disrupted so that the fluid ingredients can be released as desired. This can be accomplished, in one variation, by forming the sphere such that a small hole remains in the surface of the sphere.
The variations of fluid-handling system
100
that have been described thus far have had a single cartridge
102
. In some additional variations of the illustrative embodiment, fluid-handling system
100
has two or more cartridges
102
that are attached to one another. Such embodiments are particularly useful for mixing fluid ingredients and for conducting product development studies.
FIG. 10
depicts multi-cartridge fluid-handling system
100
in accordance with a variation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Fluid-handling system
100
depicted in
FIG. 10
has two cartridges
102
A and
102
B that are coupled together. It will be appreciated that in other variations, more than two cartridges can be coupled together.
Tube
1096
enters bladder
106
of cartridge
102
A. Tube
1098
passes through cartridge
102
B into bladder
106
cartridge
102
B. Tube
1096
delivers a first fluid ingredient into bladder
106
of cartridge
102
A. Similarly, tube
1098
delivers a second fluid ingredient into bladder
106
of cartridge
102
B. A third tube (not depicted), can be used to add a third fluid ingredient to cartridge
102
A or to
102
B.
In some cases, the order in which fluid ingredients are combined might effect the quality (e.g., color, taste, efficacy, etc.) of a formulated product. Multi-cartridge fluid-handling system
100
can be used to permute the order, for example, in which ingredients are added to one another. As an example, assume that in a first experiment, a third fluid ingredient is added to a first fluid ingredient in cartridge
102
A. Assume that this mixture is then added to a second fluid ingredient that is in cartridge
102
B. (Inter-cartridge mixing can be accomplished using the system depicted in
FIG. 11
, for example.) In a second experiment, the third fluid ingredient is first added to a second fluid ingredient, which is in cartridge
102
B. That mixture is then added to the first fluid ingredient in cartridge
102
A. The formulations that result from the first experiment and the second experiment can be appropriately analyzed to determine if there is any preference for one of the mixing orders (i.e., if one of the orders results in a better product).
It will be appreciated that the configuration depicted in
FIG. 10
is scalable to include many more tubes for delivering more fluid ingredients, or to include many more cartridges, or both. Furthermore, it is notable that in
FIG. 10
, tube
1098
is depicted as passing through first cartridge
102
A. In some other variations, tube
1098
is inserted directly into second cartridge
102
A (i.e., without passing through first cartridge
102
A). This can be accomplished, for example, by positioning an auxiliary housing (e.g., see,
FIG. 1
, auxiliary housing
132
) between cartridges
102
A and
102
B.
FIG. 11
depicts a further variation of a multi-cartridge fluid-handling system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This variation is particularly useful for mixing fluids that have been delivered to the cartridges. Like the variation that is depicted in
FIG. 10
, system
100
that is depicted in
FIG. 111
includes two cartridges
102
A and
102
B that are coupled to one another. In some other variations, more than two cartridges are coupled together.
With continuing reference to
FIG. 11
, bladder
106
of cartridge
102
A contains a first fluid ingredient
1100
. Similarly, bladder
106
of cartridge
102
B contains a second fluid ingredient
1102
. These ingredients can be delivered to bladders
106
by tubes, for example, such as tubes
1096
and
1098
that are depicted in FIG.
10
. In the variation that is depicted in
FIG. 11
, at least one of the cartridges—in this case cartridge
102
A—is coupled to drive-liquid delivery device
140
.
As drive-liquid delivery device
140
forces liquid
262
into region
112
of cartridge
102
A, bladder
106
collapses in the manner previously described. The collapse of bladder
106
forces fluid
1100
into cartridge
102
B to mix with fluid
1102
. In variations in which a drive-liquid delivery device is also coupled to cartridge
102
B, the formulation consisting of fluids
1100
and
1102
can be moved back and forth between cartridges
102
A and
102
B, increasing mixing action.
In yet some further variations, mixing action is enhanced by positioning a mixing device (e.g., dynamic mixer, static mixer, diffuser, membrane emulsifier, etc.) between two cartridges, such as cartridges
102
A and
102
B.
The variation of fluid-handling system
100
that is depicted in
FIG. 111
can, therefore, be used to mix fluid ingredients after they have been delivered to the various cartridges (such as by the configuration of system
100
that is depicted in FIG.
10
).
It is desirable, in some applications, to prevent back-flow of fluid from a downstream cartridge (e.g., cartridge
102
B) to an upstream cartridge (e.g., cartridge
102
A). A “check valve,” which is disposed between the two cartridges (in an auxiliary housing, etc.), is advantageously used for this purpose. The check valve can be implemented as two resilient flaps of material (e.g., rubber, etc.) that depend from the inside walls of the auxiliary housing. The flaps readily part when subjected to the pressure of a fluid flowing from the upstream cartridge to a downstream cartridge. But any pressure against the flaps in the upstream direction causes the flaps to press more tightly together, preventing back-flow. Alternatively, various other configurations suitable for providing the functionality of a check valve, as will occur to those skilled in the art in view of this description, can suitably be used.
In yet additional variations of the illustrative embodiment, fluid-handling system
100
is physically adapted to regulate a flow of fluid. Such a system can have a variety of configurations, one of which is depicted in FIG.
12
.
The system depicted in
FIG. 12
includes four cartridges
102
A,
102
B,
102
C, and
102
D, and respective associated control systems
1206
A,
1206
B,
1206
C, and
1206
D that operate in parallel with one another to control the flow of four fluid ingredients to a common receiver. In fluid-handling system
100
that is depicted in
FIG. 12
, each of the four cartridges and their associated control systems are identical to one other and function in the same fashion. Consequently, the operation of only one of the cartridges (i.e.,
102
A) and its associate control system (i.e.,
1206
A) is described here.
Cartridge
102
A regulates a flow of fluid
254
A into a common receiver (not depicted). Cartridge
102
A receives fluid
254
A from conduit
1204
A. In some applications, conduit
1204
A is fed by a reservoir (not depicted), which can be implemented in any convenient form. For example, in some variations, another cartridge
102
, which is typically far larger (i.e., has a greater volumetric capacity) than cartridge
102
A, can serve as a reservoir.
Control system
1206
A, which in this embodiments includes sensor
142
A and controller
146
, generates a control signal that regulates the area for flow through cartridge
102
A, thereby dictating the flow rate of fluid
254
A into the common receiver. In further detail, as fluid
254
A exits cartridge
102
A, it passes through resilient conduit
136
A. Sensor
142
A senses a parameter that is indicative of the flow or pressure of fluid
254
A in conduit
136
A. Sensor
142
A generates signal
144
A that is a function of the sensed parameter, and outputs it to a common controller
146
, which serves all four control systems
1206
A,
1206
B,
1206
C, and
1206
D. In some other variations of the illustrative embodiment, each control system has its own controller.
Controller
146
receives sensor signal
144
A and it also receives set-point signal
148
A. Set-point signal
148
A is indicative of a desired value of sensor signal
144
A (i.e., the value that sensor signal
144
A would have if the flow of fluid
254
A through conduit
136
A were at a desired rate). The controller compares sensor signal
144
A with set-point signal
148
A and calculates a deviation. Control signal
150
A is generated by controller
146
as a function of the calculated deviation, and is then output to drive-liquid delivery device
140
B (i.e., the final control element). The operation of drive-liquid delivery device
140
B is altered to increase or decrease the area for flow through cartridge
102
A, based on control signal
150
A. The rate of flow of fluid
254
A changes consistent with the change of flow area.
In some embodiments, sensor
142
A is a force sensor, such as “FSL low profile” series force sensor “FSL05N2C” available from Honeywell of Freeport, Ill. Force sensors operate on the principle that the resistance of silicon-implanted piezo-resistors will increase when the resistors flex under any applied force. In the present context, the sensor “senses” force imparted by the fluid against elastic tube
136
A. More particularly, the force is transferred to a silicon sensing element by a plunger or gel-filled membrane. The change in resistance is proportional to the applied force, and the force is proportional to the internal pressure. This change in circuit resistance results in a corresponding change in a output voltage signal from the sensor (e.g., signal
144
A from sensor
142
A).
This process of flow regulation occurs for each cartridge
102
A,
102
B,
102
C, and
102
D. In this fashion, a product is formulated as fluid ingredients
254
A,
254
B,
254
C, and
254
D flow, in desired proportions as a function of their controlled flow rates, into a common receiver (not depicted). In some other variations of the illustrative embodiment, cartridges deliver the fluid to destinations other than a common receiver.
In some further variations, rather than using fluid-handling system
100
as a flow regulator, it is used as a choke or accumulator to smooth out up-stream variations in flow. In such variations, the flow area through bladder
106
is typically set by introducing an amount of drive-liquid into region
112
between bladder
106
and housing
104
. Although a control system (e.g., control system
1206
A, etc.) can be used for such applications, in many such cases, the control system is not required.
Further variations of a fluid-handling system
100
in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of present invention are depicted in
FIGS. 14A
,
14
B,
15
A and
15
B. Fluid-handling system
100
depicted in these figures includes housing
104
, bladder
106
, drive-liquid delivery device
140
, and static mixer
128
, inter-related as shown.
In these variations, bladder
106
is coupled to drive-liquid delivery device
140
(via nozzle
138
). Consequently, rather than delivering drive-liquid
262
to region
112
(see, e.g., FIGS.
1
-
3
), drive-liquid is delivered to bladder
106
. And rather than being delivered to bladder
106
, fluid ingredients
254
are delivered (via tubes, etc.), in the manner previously described, to the interior of housing
104
but outside of bladder
106
.
FIGS. 14A and 15A
depict housing
104
substantially full of fluid ingredients
254
, while bladder
106
is empty. In the variation depicted in
FIG. 14A
, empty bladder
106
is near closed end
1406
of cartridge
102
. In the variation depicted in
FIG. 15A
, empty bladder
106
resides at the “bottom” of cartridge
102
. To expel fluid ingredients
254
from housing
104
, bladder
106
is expanded, such as by filling it with drive-liquid
262
.
FIGS. 14B and 15B
depicts bladder
106
filling with drive-liquid
262
.
In the variations depicted in these figures, fluid ingredients
254
enter static mixer
128
after being expelled from housing
104
. Static mixers, which are well known in the art, produce mixing in the absence of moving parts. Static mixers that are suitable for use in conjunction with fluid-handling system
100
are commercially available from Chemineer, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio and others.
Formulation
255
results from the mixing of fluid ingredients
254
in static mixer
128
. Formulation
255
is dispensed or otherwise delivered to other equipment for additional processing, etc., through tube
136
.
This variation (i.e., admitting drive-liquid
262
into bladder
106
) has certain advantages over the illustrative embodiment (admitting fluid ingredients into bladder
106
). In particular, it relatively easier to completely displace fluid
254
from housing
104
(in the variation) than from bladder
106
(in the illustrative embodiment) for fluids with low solids concentrations. Also, in the variation of the illustrative embodiment, when bladder
106
is made from non-elastic and non-resilient material, the expulsion of fluid
254
from housing
104
is proportional to the pressure flow of drive-liquid
262
into bladder
106
. In other words, the applied driving force is linear. This is might not true for the illustrative embodiment, wherein the applied pressure might need to be increased as fluid
254
is expelled from bladder
106
. Furthermore, for the same conditions, the force required to completely expel fluid
254
from housing
104
(in the variation) will be less than is required to completely expel fluid
254
from bladder
106
(in the illustrative embodiment).
On the other hand, it is more likely that low-flow or no-flow regions (i.e., “dead spots”) will develop (in housing
104
) when drive-liquid is admitted to bladder
106
than when it is admitted to region
112
. The presence of such low-flow regions will be particularly problematic when handling relatively higher-solids-concentration fluids. Consequently, if fluid
254
is a high-solids-concentration liquid, it will be advantageous to use the illustrative embodiment rather than the variation described above.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments and variations are merely illustrative of the invention and that many other variations can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and from the principles disclosed herein. Some further illustrative variations are described below.
In the illustrative embodiment, cartridge
102
is depicted, simply, as bladder
106
in a cylindrical housing
104
. But in some variations of the illustrative embodiment, cartridge
102
is implemented such that it has the appearance of conventional packaging for a consumer product. In one such variation, cartridge
102
is implemented as a bladder in a tube, wherein the tube is configured in the manner of a tube that is used for toothpaste. In another variation, cartridge
102
is implemented as a flexible bladder in a tube, wherein the tube is configured as a shampoo container. In this manner, cartridge
102
is utilized as final packaging as well as a dispenser for consumer products. Thus, cartridge
102
might have a substantially different physical “look” as a function of the intended application (e.g. formulating products in a company's laboratory versus retail sales of a consumer product, etc.).
In the illustrative embodiment, drive-liquid delivery device
140
is described as any type of system that is suitable for introducing drive-liquid into housing
104
and that is advantageously capable of pressurizing the drive liquid. But other arrangements of a drive-liquid delivery device can suitably be used. For example, in an environment in which fluid is dispensed as a function of temperature, region
112
between housing
104
and bladder
106
can be pre-filled with liquid. As the temperature of the environment increases, cartridge
102
, and the drive-liquid within it, warms. This increase in temperature will cause the drive-liquid to expand and a small amount of fluid that is within bladder
106
to dispense. Alternatively, in this embodiment wherein cartridge
102
is pre-filled and temperature is used as a driving force to expel fluid, a drive-gas can be used.
These examples are provided as an illustration of a few of the many variations that fall within the contemplated scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that such variations be included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
- 1. An article comprising:a first cartridge, wherein said first cartridge comprises: a first housing, wherein said first housing has: a side-wall; a first opening passing through said side-wall; a first end; a second opening disposed at said first end; and a second end, wherein said second end is sealed; a first bladder, wherein said first bladder: is disposed within said first housing; and has an interior volume, an exterior surface and an opening; wherein: said interior volume of said first bladder is coupled to said second opening in said first housing through said opening in said first bladder; and said first bladder expels a first fluid contained in its interior volume in response to a pressure applied to said exterior surface by a drive-liquid that is introduced through said first opening; a first tube, wherein said first tube extends a first distance into said interior volume of said first bladder; and a second tube that extends a second distance into said interior volume of said first bladder.
- 2. The article of claim 1 further comprising a mixing device, wherein said mixing device is coupled to said second opening of first housing.
- 3. The article of claim 1 wherein said second distance is different than said first distance.
- 4. The article of claim 1 wherein said second distance is equal to said first distance.
- 5. The article of claim 4 wherein:said first tube delivers a first fluid ingredient into said interior volume of said first bladder; said second tube delivers a second fluid ingredient to said interior volume of said first bladder; and said first fluid ingredient and said second fluid ingredient compose said first fluid.
- 6. The article of claim 1 further comprising a control system, wherein:said control system controls a flow parameter of said drive liquid; said flow parameter of said drive liquid is selected from the group consisting of rate, pressure and amount; said control system controls said flow parameter of said drive liquid as a function of a flow parameter of said first fluid; said flow parameter of said first fluid is selected from the group consisting of rate and pressure at which said first fluid is expelled.
- 7. The article of claim 6 wherein said control system comprises:a sensor, wherein said sensor senses said flow parameter of said first fluid and generates a signal indicative thereof; and a controller, wherein said controller receives said signal from said sensor, compares it to a set point, generates a control signal based on the comparison, and outputs said control signal to said drive-liquid delivery device.
- 8. The article of claim 1 further comprising at least one storage element that is disposed within said first bladder, wherein said storage element contains a first ingredient, and wherein said first fluid comprises said first ingredient.
- 9. The article of claim 8 wherein said storage element comprises a collapsible tube.
- 10. The article of claim 9 wherein said collapsible tube has two notches extending the length thereof, wherein said notches are disposed at diametrically-opposed locations on said collapsible tube.
- 11. The article of claim 1 further comprising a second cartridge, id second cartridge is coupled to said second opening of said first housing.
- 12. The article of claim 11 wherein said second cartridge comprises:a second housing, wherein said second housing has a first opening and a second opening, and wherein said second opening of said second housing is coupled to said second opening of first housing; and a second bladder, wherein: said second bladder is disposed within said second housing; said second bladder has an interior volume and an exterior surface; and said interior volume of said second bladder is coupled to said second opening of said second housing.
- 13. The article of claim 12 further comprising:a first tube that extends a first distance into said interior volume of said first bladder; and a second tube that extends a second distance into said interior volume of said second bladder.
- 14. A method comprising:adding a first fluid ingredient and a second fluid ingredient to a bladder that is disposed within a non-expandable, confined space; completely filling said confined spaced by adding a drive-liquid thereto, but outside of said bladder; expelling said first fluid ingredient and said second fluid ingredient together from said bladder by adding an incremental volume of said drive liquid to said confined space, wherein said first fluid ingredient and said second fluid ingredient are expelled in an amount that is collectively equal to said incremental volume.
- 15. The method of claim 14 wherein;adding said first fluid ingredient further comprises adding said first fluid ingredient to said bladder via a first tube; and adding said second fluid ingredient further comprises adding said second fluid ingredient to said bladder via a second tube.
US Referenced Citations (15)