Patent Description:
There is a need in the medical field for mixing various acidic solutions for a wide variety of medical clinical uses. Many of these solutions are prepared on site by mixing a predetermined dry acid powder with a predetermined volume of water to produce a desired pH acid solution. Most of these prior art acid solution mixing systems require a great deal of laborious and time-consuming handling. For example, a dry powder bag must be opened and a volume of powder must be measured and placed into a suitable mixing container. Then a volume of water must be carefully measured and poured into the container for mixing, either by hand or by a motorized paddle or other mixing instrument.

Once the solution is mixed a portion thereof must be tested to determine that the proper pH or solution concentration has been achieved. If the pH or concentration of the solution is incorrect by even a small amount, the portions must be adjusted and re-mixed, since in medical applications such as hemodialysis even a small variation in pH can have catastrophic results. In these prior art mixing systems, even where some portion of the process is automated, there is a great deal of user-intensive labor required in the mixing process.

Additionally, great care must be taken to avoid storing a mixed solution of a specified concentration in a storage tank that matches that concentration. When transfers of mismatched batches occur, both solution batches are ruined. Even worse, if the error is not caught before the solution is used the results can be catastrophic, particularly in medical system applications.

Thus there is a need in the art for a dry powder and fluid solution mixing system, for example an acid solution mixing system, that minimizes user labor while assuring consistent mixing, quality control, and accurate pH in each batch of solution being prepared.

A system in accordance with the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

Various embodiments and aspects of the invention overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art by providing generally a system for mixing a solution and more particularly a system for automatically mixing and testing an acid solution to produce a solution having a desired pH or concentration. It should be noted that while the various implementations and embodiments discussed in this specification refer mainly to a system for mixing an acid solution, one of ordinary skill will recognize that the instant system may be utilized to mix any of a wide variety of powders with any of a wide variety of fluids without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the system described herein is not limited to the mixing of acid solutions, but rather may be implemented to mix any solution utilizing a powder or dry material and a liquid or fluid.

Before explaining exemplary embodiments consistent with the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of constructions and to the arrangements set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

In various aspects and embodiments a system for mixing a solution of a dry powder and a fluid includes a hopper having a powder outlet that is in fluid communication with a mix pump line, so that powder may be deposited into the mix pump line and then distributed into a mix tank. The hopper powder outlet may be in fluid communication with a control valve that meters or drops powder into mix pump line.

In some aspects and embodiments the mix tank provides an enclosed area in which the solution is mixed and includes a liquid supply inlet, a recirculation line, and a mix solution outlet. The solution outlet and recirculation line are also in fluid communication with the mix pump to provide continuous mixing of the liquid and powder as the pump recirculates fluid. In further aspects of the invention the mix tank may include a level sensor capable of sensing a level of solution in the mix tank, for example a predetermined volume based on a desired batch. In various aspects and embodiments of the invention a processor or controller is provided, having signal and/or data inputs and signal and/or data outputs for accepting and supplying various electrical signals to and from components of the invention. The controller may include a data memory for storing instructions to operate the various invention components as well as an operator interface or equivalent user input to allow an operator to receive data from the system as well as provide user commands.

In accordance with the invention a bar code scanner is operatively coupled to the controller via an input, to permit an operator to scan a bar code provided on a powder bag or case, thereby inputting data related to that specific powder bag (or batch) for tracking and verification purposes. In some embodiments this feature is useful when mixing solutions for medical uses such as hemodialysis, wherein each quantity of powder input -for example a bag or case of dry acid mix - is tracked by a bar code or similar identifier. In some aspects and embodiments controller stores the information provided so that each batch that is mixed can be tracked by the powder batch number, manufacturer, sale date, and size, to mention some exemplary but non-limiting data that may be stored and tracked.

In various embodiments a batch transfer/recirculation line is provided having an RFID interrogator secured proximate a coupling. The interrogator is operatively coupled to the controller and interrogates a concomitant RFID tag mounted near the inlet of a storage tank where the transfer coupling is secured when transferring a batch to the storage tank. When the RFID interrogator reads data from the RFID tag that indicates the solution in the mix tank is the same as that stored in the storage tank, the system permits the transfer. When the RFID interrogator reads data from the RFID tag that indicates the solution in the mix tank is not the same as that stored in the storage tank, the system prohibits the transfer of the solution and provides an alarm through an operator interface to alert an operator to the error.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and form a part of the specification illustrate exemplary but non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive concepts and principles upon which the disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for implementing the purposes of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawing Figures, and in particular <FIG>, and in accordance with a several aspects and exemplary embodiments of the present invention a mixing system <NUM> for mixing a powder <NUM> or dry material and a liquid <NUM> or fluid into a solution <NUM> includes a hopper <NUM> into which the powder <NUM> may be deposited. The hopper <NUM> includes a powder outlet <NUM> that is in fluid communication with a mix pump <NUM> line <NUM>, such that powder may be deposited in to the mix pump <NUM> line and then distributed into a mix tank <NUM>. Hopper <NUM> powder outlet <NUM> may be in fluid communication with a control valve <NUM> that meters or drops powder into mix pump line <NUM>, thereby providing for measured powder input to mix tank <NUM> by operation of pump <NUM>.

Mix tank <NUM> provides an enclosed area in which the solution <NUM> is mixed and includes a liquid supply inlet <NUM>, a recirculation line <NUM>, and a mix solution outlet <NUM>. The solution outlet <NUM> and recirculation line <NUM> are also in fluid communication with mix pump <NUM>, so that mix pump <NUM> may provide continuous mixing of the liquid <NUM> and powder <NUM> as pump <NUM> recirculates fluid through pump line <NUM> and recirculation line <NUM>. In further aspects of the invention mix tank <NUM> also includes a level sensor <NUM>, or a plurality thereof, capable of sensing a level of solution <NUM> in mix tank <NUM> representative of a predetermined volume of solution. Level sensors <NUM> have an output representative of a fluid level detected that is operatively coupled to an input <NUM> of controller <NUM>. Thus controller <NUM> can be provided with instructions to fill mix tank <NUM> to a specific volume by monitoring level sensors <NUM>, as will be discussed further herein below.

In various aspects and embodiments of the invention as depicted in <FIG> a processor <NUM> or controller is provided, having signal and/or data inputs <NUM> and signal and/or data outputs <NUM> for accepting and supplying various electrical signals to and from components of the invention. Controller <NUM> includes of a data memory <NUM> for storing instructions to operate the various invention components as well as an operator interface <NUM> or equivalent user input to allow an operator to receive and view data and various system <NUM> operating parameters as well as provide user commands thereto. Furthermore, a bar code scanner <NUM> is operatively coupled to controller <NUM> via an input <NUM> thereto, to permit an operator to scan a bar code provided on a powder <NUM> bag, thereby inputting data related to that specific powder <NUM> bag (or batch) for tracking and verification purposes. In some embodiments this feature is useful where mixing solutions <NUM> for medical uses, wherein each quantity of powder <NUM> input is tracked by a bar code or similar identifier. In some aspects and embodiments controller <NUM> stores the information provided in each powder <NUM> bag bar code scanned such that each tank <NUM> that is mixed can be tracked by the powder <NUM> batch number, manufacturer, sale date, and size, to mention some exemplary but non-limiting data that may be stored and tracked.

As best seen in <FIG> processor <NUM> inputs <NUM> and outputs <NUM> are in some embodiments operatively coupled to various valves disposed throughout system <NUM>. For example a hopper <NUM> outlet valve <NUM> is disposed below powder hopper <NUM> to release powder <NUM> into mix pump line <NUM>. Hopper outlet valve <NUM> is operatively coupled to an output <NUM> of controller <NUM> to actuate valve <NUM>, and further may include a plurality of operatively coupled signal inputs <NUM> to controller <NUM> to indicate an open and/or closed valve <NUM> position, or a signal input that is indicative of valve <NUM> position. Each valve herein described may be operatively coupled to controller <NUM> inputs <NUM> and outputs <NUM> so that system <NUM> may operate each valve individually, and monitor the position of each valve through system <NUM> operation.

In some aspects and embodiments a mixing jets valve <NUM> is provided in fluid communication with mix pump line <NUM> to siphon a portion of the fluid <NUM> circulated through pump <NUM> into hopper <NUM>, thereby assuring that all powder <NUM> placed in hopper <NUM> is ultimately distributed into mix tank <NUM> by operation of pump <NUM>. Mixing jets valve <NUM> is operatively coupled to controller <NUM> inputs <NUM> and outputs <NUM>. In some aspects and embodiments of the invention, a water supply inlet valve <NUM> is operatively coupled to an output <NUM> of controller <NUM>, such that controller <NUM> can automatically control the amount of fluid <NUM> supplied to mix tank <NUM> according to the programming instructions supplied to the controller <NUM>, as will be discussed further herein below. In other embodiments water supply valve <NUM> may be a three-way valve that permits process water <NUM> (or fluid) to enter mix tank <NUM> or provides a fluid communication path for recirculation line <NUM> from mix pump <NUM>, depending upon valve <NUM> position.

In some further aspects and embodiments an input water valve <NUM> is operatively coupled to controller <NUM> and is disposed proximate mix tank <NUM> to regulate fluid <NUM> flow into tank <NUM> when required. Additionally, water supply <NUM> is also in fluid communication with a spray/rinse valve <NUM> that supplies water to a spray head <NUM> for rinsing and cleaning mix tank <NUM> when desired. Spray/rinse valve <NUM> is also operatively connected to an output <NUM> of controller <NUM> so that a rinse cycle may be initiated through user interface <NUM> when necessary or alternatively automatically performed after each batch of solution is produced and transferred from mix tank <NUM>, as will be discussed further herein below.

In other aspects and embodiments a shutoff valve <NUM> operatively coupled to controller <NUM> may be disposed in fluid communication with mix tank <NUM> and mix pump <NUM> to prevent the flow of solution <NUM> from pump <NUM> into mix tank <NUM>. Additionally, in further aspects and embodiments a three-way drain/transfer valve <NUM> is disposed in fluid communication with both recirculation line <NUM> and mix pump line <NUM>. When shut-off valve <NUM> is closed and drain/transfer valve is in the "transfer" position, solution <NUM> is routed into recirculation line <NUM>, thence through water supply valve <NUM> and into tank <NUM>. Drain/transfer valve <NUM> may also be placed in a "drain" position to drain mix tank <NUM> and the contents of system <NUM> through a drain line <NUM> by operation of pump <NUM>.

In some aspects and embodiments the system <NUM> may include a pressure sensor <NUM> provided in fluid communication with mix tank <NUM>, having an output <NUM> operatively coupled to an input <NUM> of controller <NUM>, said output being representative of the pressure of the solution being mixed in tank <NUM> at the point where the sensor is disposed. In some embodiments pressure sensor <NUM> is disposed proximate a bottom surface of mix tank <NUM>, so that the pressure sensor <NUM> detects the pressure of a column of water within tank <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> input <NUM> to controller <NUM> may then continuously or periodically monitor solution <NUM> pressure, which thereby provides an accurate indication of whether sufficient powder <NUM> and water <NUM> have been added to mix tank <NUM> to produce a predetermined solution concentration for a given volume of fluid supplied. In some exemplary embodiments a hydrostatic pressure sensor <NUM> may be employed to monitor solution <NUM> pressure, although a wide variety of pressure sensors may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In some aspects and embodiments pressure sensor <NUM> output <NUM> is converted by controller <NUM> to a specific gravity indication based upon the constituent powder <NUM> ingredients and the fluid <NUM> supplied for a given batch. In these embodiments pressure is readily converted to specific gravity so that controller <NUM> can readily verify that a specified batch of solution <NUM> is properly mixed to the correct concentration.

In some exemplary embodiments system <NUM> may be used to produce acid concentrate solutions for use in hemodialysis machines. In these aspects a dry acid concentrate powder <NUM> is typically mixed with purified water <NUM> to produce the desired concentrate solution. Often a batch of dry acid concentrate powder is purchased or otherwise obtained in a box or case containing, in some embodiments, two blend bags of acid powder and one bag of dextrose. In some embodiments a box or case may contain two blend bags of acid powder, one bag of dextrose, and one bag of a citric acid type powder concentrate, such as Citrasate. In either embodiment the case or box may include a bar code containing manufacturer and batch information that is scanned into controller <NUM> by a user using scanner <NUM> prior to being opened to verify the batch number and other manufacturer information. This feature of the invention is desirable for medical system products. Each bag of dry powder <NUM> within the case also includes a bar code, each of which is also scanned by a user using bar code scanner <NUM> when the bag is loaded into hopper <NUM> so that all bags in a batch are accounted for during the mixing process. Controller <NUM> is provided with specific instructions to prohibit transfer of solution <NUM> to a final use tank or storage tank where each bag in a batch has not been scanned by system <NUM>. All data scanned into controller <NUM> is stored for purposes of verifying each batch of solution <NUM> mixed by system <NUM>.

In some further aspects and embodiments output signal <NUM> from pressure sensor <NUM> is monitored by controller <NUM> throughout the mixing process. When each bag of powder <NUM> is scanned and placed in hopper <NUM>, controller <NUM> begins filling mix tank <NUM> with a predetermined volume of fluid <NUM>, in this example purified water. The controller then monitors level sensor <NUM> to determine when a predetermined batch volume is reached in mix tank <NUM>, and then turns off input water valve <NUM>. Controller <NUM> then also monitors pressure sensor <NUM> to determine the exact pressure of the solution <NUM> in tank <NUM>. For a predetermined volume of solution <NUM> containing a predetermined volume of water <NUM> and dry powder <NUM>, the hydrostatic pressure as detected by sensor <NUM> will be within a very narrow pressure range. Solution pressure is used by controller <NUM> as a proxy for solution concentration, since a solution <NUM> having a proper concentration will be at a specific pressure for a given volume of solution <NUM>. Controller <NUM> confirms that the pressure range is correct for a batch of solution prior to permitting a user to transfer the batch from mix tank <NUM>. Furthermore, when a pressure that is outside the predetermined range is detected, controller <NUM> provides an indication to a user through operator interface <NUM> of an incorrect batch. By monitoring the pressure for a predetermined batch volume, controller <NUM> can provide an indication of a missing powder bag, and further can prompt the operator that the missing bag was dextrose, dry acid blend, or Citrisate simply by noting the differences in pressure.

Additionally, and in further embodiments, where controller <NUM> has detected via bar code scanner <NUM> that all powder <NUM> bags (or cases etc.) have been placed in hopper <NUM> and pumped into mix tank <NUM>, controller <NUM> may monitor solution <NUM> pressure via pressure sensor <NUM> output <NUM>. Where solution <NUM> pressure for a predetermined volume is out of a predetermined range, controller <NUM> may actuate water supply <NUM> inlet valve <NUM> to provide additional fluid <NUM> to tank <NUM>. In this embodiment, the inlet valve <NUM> is only actuated to provide additional water <NUM> when solution <NUM> pressure indicates the concentration of solution <NUM> is too high.

In further aspects and embodiments, controller <NUM> may monitor pressure sensor <NUM> to determine if solution <NUM> pressure is out of a predetermined range, either high or low, and then provide a user an indication of improper solution <NUM> concentration by providing a "concentration high", "concentration low", or "concentration out of range" alarm indication through user interface <NUM>. Controller <NUM> may be provided with predetermined acceptable solution <NUM> pressure ranges for a plurality of solution <NUM> concentrations by volume of solution <NUM> mixed in tank <NUM>. In these embodiments of the invention where an out-of-range solution <NUM> pressure is detected by sensor <NUM>, the user or operator will be prompted to take corrective action, either by correcting the concentration of solution <NUM> or by "dumping" the mix tank <NUM> solution <NUM> by opening drain/transfer valve <NUM> to the drain position and operating pump <NUM> to remove the contents of mix tank <NUM> through drain <NUM>.

In some alternative aspects and embodiments of the invention a conductivity sensor <NUM> may be provided in place of pressure sensor <NUM>, said sensor <NUM> being disposed in the mix tank <NUM>. Conductivity sensor <NUM> includes an output that is operatively coupled to an input <NUM> of controller <NUM> that provides a signal representative of the conductivity of the solution <NUM> in tank <NUM>. This conductivity measurement is accordingly treated as a proxy for solution <NUM> concentration, and thus by continuously monitoring the conductivity of solution <NUM> controller <NUM> may then continuously adjust powder <NUM> and/or fluid <NUM> provided to mix tank <NUM> to maintain solution conductivity at a predetermined set point. In these embodiments, conductivity sensor <NUM> operates in an analogous fashion to pressure sensor <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is provided with predetermined conductivity ranges for solution <NUM> concentrations by volume of solution <NUM> mixed in tank <NUM>, rather than pressure ranges.

In yet further aspects of the invention the user interface <NUM> may provide indications of solution pressure, concentration, specific gravity, and conductivity visible to a user. Furthermore, controller <NUM> may be provided with instructions to provide an audible or visual alarm if the solution being mixed is outside of a predetermined range of pressure, concentration, specific gravity, or conductivity as determined by the sensors. In this case an operator or user can be prompted to take corrective action or "dump" the solution batch and mix a new batch as desired.

In some aspects and embodiments of the system <NUM> and as best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, a bag opening system <NUM> may be provided, wherein a plastic powder <NUM> bag <NUM> or equivalent container of powder <NUM> is placed in bag <NUM> opening system <NUM> and is then automatically opened and dispensed into hopper <NUM>. Bag opening system <NUM> may include a bag cutter for opening powder bags <NUM> and has a bottom portion <NUM> in fluid communication with hopper <NUM>. In some aspects and embodiments bag opening system <NUM> may include a bag holder <NUM> that secures each powder bag <NUM> in a fixed position so that the bag cutter can make a consistent opening in each bag <NUM> and empty substantially all bag <NUM> contents into powder hopper <NUM>.

In operation system <NUM> performs a solution <NUM> mixing process when a user initiates the process using interface <NUM> to specify what type of solution <NUM> is being mixed by ingredients, concentration and volume. Controller <NUM> begins filling mix tank <NUM> with fluid <NUM>, in many cases purified water, by opening valves <NUM> and <NUM> and operating pump <NUM>. A user or operator then scans a barcode on an acid powder <NUM> case (or other dry powder case) and then sequentially scans the barcodes of each powder <NUM> bag in the case and empties the bags into hopper <NUM>. Controller <NUM> then opens powder control valve <NUM> to begin supplying powder through recirculation line <NUM> and into tank <NUM>. Once the fluid <NUM> level in tank <NUM> is detected by level sensor <NUM> to be sufficient for the batch specified water supply valve <NUM> is shut off and pump <NUM> simply recirculates fluid <NUM> through system <NUM> until all powder <NUM> is emptied from hopper <NUM> into tank <NUM>. The recirculation and mixing process then continues for a predetermined time period as provided by instructions to controller <NUM> to ensure complete mixing of solution <NUM>.

Pressure sensor <NUM> (or alternatively conductivity sensor <NUM>) is continuously monitored during the mixing process to ensure that the pressure (or conductivity, or specific gravity) sensed thereby is within a predetermined acceptable range for the specified solution <NUM> batch being mixed. Once the mix time provided by controller <NUM> is finished and the pressure, specific gravity, and/or conductivity is within an acceptable range, user interface <NUM> prompts an operator that the batch is ready to be transferred from system <NUM>, as discussed further below. If the pressure or conductivity of solution <NUM> as sensed by sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is out of a predetermined acceptable range, the operator is prompted to take corrective action or drain the solution <NUM> batch to waste through drain <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, and in accordance with various embodiments, recirculation line <NUM> may be provided with a coupling <NUM> or disconnect, or a plurality thereof, that permits it to be separated from system <NUM>. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) interrogator <NUM> is disposed on line <NUM> or coupling <NUM> for interrogating passive RFID tags <NUM>. Interrogator <NUM> is operatively coupled to controller <NUM> inputs <NUM> and outputs <NUM> to transfer data from a concomitant RFID tag <NUM>. In some aspects and embodiments an RFID tag <NUM> is disposed on a solution storage tank <NUM>, proximate a coupling <NUM> that mates with and engages coupling <NUM> of line <NUM>. RFID tag <NUM> may include information that is unique to the type of solution <NUM> stored in a specific storage tank <NUM>. In some exemplary embodiments solution <NUM> concentration, solution <NUM> formula, batch numbers, manufacturer identifiers, powder <NUM> expiration dataes, and mixing dates may be stored as pertinent data in RFID tag <NUM>. Any data desired to track and verify proper preparation and supply chain information may be stored in RFID tag <NUM> without departing from the scope of the invention.

In operation, when solution <NUM> mix process is completed, recirculation line <NUM> is decoupled from system <NUM> and coupled to storage tank <NUM>. RFID interrogator <NUM> is then disposed proximate RFlD tag <NUM>, and reads the data stored in the RFID tag <NUM> and supplies the tag <NUM> data to controller <NUM>, to verify that the type of solution <NUM> in mix tank <NUM> is the same as that being stored in storage tank <NUM>. Where controller <NUM> determines that the solution <NUM> in mix tank <NUM> and storage tank <NUM> are the same, it permits the transfer of solution <NUM> by operation of mix pump <NUM>. A user input transfer button or indication may be provided via operator interface <NUM> to facilitate the operation. Where controller <NUM> determines that the solution <NUM> in mix tank <NUM> and storage tank <NUM> are not the same, operator interface <NUM> provides an audible and/or visual alarm to a user and prohibits the transfer of solution <NUM> into storage tank <NUM> until the user resolves the mismatch. This feature of the invention prohibits the transfer of incorrect solution <NUM> batches into a storage tank <NUM> and is thus useful for medical applications such as hemodialysis where acid solutions <NUM> must be produced and stored in very specific concentrations for use. Once solution <NUM> is properly transferred to storage tank <NUM> and mix tank <NUM> is completely evacuated, controller <NUM> shuts off pump <NUM> and provides an indication to a user that the transfer process is complete. The user is then free to re-couple line <NUM> into system <NUM>, and begin a new solution <NUM> batch.

Once the batch mixing and transfer processes are complete, and in accordance with some aspects and embodiments, controller <NUM> may initiate a rinse process to clean system <NUM> after batch transfer. In these embodiments fluid <NUM> is provided through controller <NUM> operating rinse valve <NUM> and spray head <NUM> for a specified time period or volume. Pump <NUM> may be run to circulate rinse fluid <NUM> through system <NUM>. Once the rinse cycle is completed controller <NUM> removes the rinse fluid <NUM> by operation of pump <NUM> through drain <NUM>. In some alternative embodiments a user or operator may manually initiate and control the rinse cycle through operator interface <NUM>.

The term "processor" or alternatively "controller" is used herein generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A "processor" is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode or machine instructions) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as "memory," e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms "program" or "computer program" are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

The term "user interface" as used herein refers to an interface between a user or operator and one or more devices that enables interaction between the user and the device(s). Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementations of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse, keyboards, keypads, various types of game controllers (e.g., joysticks), track balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), smartphones, watches, tablets, personal computing platforms, touch screens, microphones and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response thereto.

The terms "valve" or "control valve" used herein may refer to any device used to regulate the flow of fluid through a line or system. The valves referred to in the various embodiments can be actuated electrically or hydraulically, and may include analog or digital position feedback outputs operatively coupled to controller inputs that are indicative of valve position. Additionally, valves may be multiple position valves, e.g. two, three or four-way valves as necessary without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for mixing a liquid (<NUM>) with a powder (<NUM>) into a solution (<NUM>) batch wherein said powder (<NUM>) is provided in a plurality of preselected containers (<NUM>) each having data identification thereon comprising:
a hopper (<NUM>) into which said powder (<NUM>) is deposited having a powder outlet (<NUM>) therein;
a mix tank (<NUM>) having a liquid supply inlet (<NUM>), a recirculation inlet, and a solution outlet (<NUM>);
a mix pump (<NUM>) in fluid communication with said solution outlet (<NUM>), said powder outlet (<NUM>), and said recirculation inlet;
a controller (<NUM>) having a data memory (<NUM>) and a plurality of inputs (<NUM>) and outputs (<NUM>) for supplying and receiving signals, and an operator interface (<NUM>) operatively coupled to said controller (<NUM>) for receiving user commands;
characterized in that the system further comprises:
a bar code scanner (<NUM>) operatively coupled to an input (<NUM>) of said controller (<NUM>) for inputting data related to said batch; and
a set of instructions provided to said controller (<NUM>) whereby said bar code scanner (<NUM>) reads data provided on each container (<NUM>) of powder (<NUM>) supplied to said hopper (<NUM>) for a specified solution (<NUM>) batch, and wherein said controller (<NUM>) provides an indication through said operator interface (<NUM>) when said specified solution (<NUM>) batch is missing a container (<NUM>) of powder (<NUM>).