Patent ID: 8950442
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: B65B,G01F

Abstract:
1. A system for accurately delivering controlled amounts of viscous fluid from a fluid reservoir to one or more fluid delivery devices, comprising: a variable-volume fill chamber that defines a cavity that is adapted to contain the fluid; a movable plunger in the fill chamber cavity that can be moved within the cavity to vary the effective volume of the cavity; structure fluidly interconnecting the reservoir to the fill chamber; a device that automatically moves the plunger so as to dispense fluid from the fill chamber; structure fluidly interconnecting fluid flowing from the fill chamber to one or more fluid delivery devices; and a controller that automatically controls operation of the device that moves the plunger, to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid from the fill chamber to the fluid delivery devices; wherein the plunger defines a plunger body that carries a seal proximate its distal end that is located in the fill chamber cavity, and further defines a passageway in the plunger body that begins distally of the seal and terminates proximally of the seal, and further defines a selectively-operable valve in the passageway, wherein the valve can be opened to allow air to be bled from the cavity.