Patent Description:
Known spraying devices for spraying fluids such as paint, cleaning products, insecticides, oils, degreasing fluids etc., have a motor and a pump to convey the fluid from a reservoir and out of a fluid nozzle at a predetermined flow rate or pressure. After use, the spraying devices are required to be cleaned thoroughly in order that they may be used in the future with either the same type or a different type of fluid. However, it is often difficult to thoroughly clean the nozzle, fluid reservoir and interconnecting tubes of such devices. Other spraying devices use a pressurised reservoir where the gas pressure is introduced by a hand pump or the reservoir is pre-filled with a fluid under pressure which keeps the fluid in a liquid state at ambient temperature.

It is also known to provide different fluid packs for use with a motor, for example, in the commercial catering industry, where a concentrate, such as apple juice concentrate, cola flavouring etc., may be provided in a pack with an attached radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. A RFID reader identifies the RFID tag within the pack and also communicates data such as the product type, its dilution ratio, i.e., the ratio at which the concentrate is to be mixed with water, and the flow rate for dispensing the fluid. The RFID reader is read by the motor controller of the motor of a fluid dispenser, which pumps the concentrate, mixed with water, at the appropriate flow rate. However, RFID tags and readers are expensive and therefore are not desirable for use in smaller spraying devices, such as for the domestic markets.

<CIT> discloses a postmix juice dispenser for use with a disposable juice concentrate package that includes an integral progressive cavity pump and a mixing nozzle. The dispenser can read a product I. label on the package to automatically change ratios as packages are switched and a low liquid level indicator in the package to both warn the operator and to then provide automatic shut-off. A controller adjusts the pump motor speed in response to signals from a water flow meter to provide excellent control of ratio, even as water pressure changes.

According to the invention, there is provided a disposable fluid pack for use with a reusable fluid dispenser. The disposable fluid pack comprises: a fluid reservoir configured to be filled with a fluid; a pump comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, an outlet and a rotor, the rotor configured to form a power transmission coupling with a motor drive shaft, the pump configured to pump the fluid in a first direction from the fluid reservoir and out of the outlet; and an encoder comprising encoded data, the encoded data defining at least one stop position of the rotor and a rotation speed of the rotor for pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir, wherein the encoder is coupled to the rotor at a predefined position and is configured to rotate with the rotor.

According to another embodiment, the encoder data defines the rotation speed as a plurality of spaced markings.

According to another embodiment, the at least one stop position comprises two or more equally spaced stop positions.

According to another embodiment, the at least one stop position comprises two or more equally spaced stop positions, and the plurality of spaced markings are repeated between each of the two or more equally spaced stop positions.

According to another embodiment, each of the two or more equally spaced stop positions are aligned with a corresponding feature of the rotor.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of spaced markings defines an angular velocity and/or an acceleration profile and a deceleration profile.

According to another embodiment, the encoder data further defines pack information.

According to another embodiment, the encoder data further defines the direction of rotation.

According to another embodiment, the encoder is printed onto, or etched onto, or attached to the rotor.

According to another embodiment, the pump is further configured to pump the fluid in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

According to another embodiment, the outlet is coupled to a nozzle.

According to another embodiment, the outlet is coupled to an infusion line.

According to another embodiment, the outlet is coupled to a medical device or medical equipment.

According to another embodiment, the pump comprises a diluant pump and the disposable fluid pack further comprises a diluant inlet coupled to the diluant pump, the diluant inlet configured to receive a diluant, wherein the diluant pump is configured to mix the diluant with the fluid from the fluid reservoir and pump the mix out of the outlet.

According to another embodiment, the disposable fluid pack is configured to be used in an item of enduring equipment.

According to another embodiment, the encoder comprises an encoder disc attached to the rotor.

According to another embodiment, the encoder comprises an encoder sleeve or an encoder drum attached to the rotor.

According to another embodiment, the pump comprises a <NUM>-bolus rotary pump and further comprises a pump housing, wherein the rotor is disposed within the pump housing to form two chambers between the rotor and the pump housing.

According to another embodiment, the pump comprises a <NUM>-bolus rotary pump and further comprises a pump housing, wherein the rotor is disposed within the pump housing to form three chambers between the rotor and the pump housing.

According to another embodiment, the pump comprises a <NUM>-bolus rotary pump and further comprises a pump housing, wherein the rotor is disposed within the pump housing to form four chambers between the rotor and the pump housing.

According to another embodiment, the pump comprises a <NUM>-bolus rotary pump and further comprises a pump housing, wherein the rotor is disposed within the pump housing to form five chambers between the rotor and the pump housing.

According to another embodiment, the nozzle comprises a plurality of exit holes. According to another embodiment, the nozzle comprises a plurality of different sized exit holes.

According to another embodiment, the disposable fluid pack further comprises a removable hollow wand configured to be attached at a first end to the pump outlet, the wand comprising a nozzle at its second end through which the fluid exits.

According to another embodiment, the rotor forms the power transmission coupling with the motor drive shaft of a motor of a reusable fluid dispenser when the disposable fluid pack is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser, and wherein the motor drive shaft is configured to drive the rotor to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir and out of the outlet.

According to another embodiment, the outlet comprises a foaming nozzle.

According to another embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprises a concentrated fluid. According to another embodiment, the rotation speed is selected in dependence on the fluid within the fluid reservoir.

According to another embodiment, the disposable fluid pack further comprises a tube connecting the outlet of the pump to a nozzle.

According to another embodiment, the disposable fluid pack further comprises a tube connecting the inlet of the pump to the fluid reservoir.

According to the invention, there is provided a reusable fluid dispenser for use with a disposable fluid pack for dispensing fluids. The reusable fluid dispenser comprises: a motor comprising a drive shaft, the drive shaft configured to form a power transmission coupling with a rotor of a pump of the disposable fluid pack; a decoder and a lens array configured to retrieve encoder data from an encoder of the disposable fluid pack; a controller configured to receive the encoder data from the decoder and to instruct the motor to rotate the drive shaft at a rotation speed and to stop the drive shaft at any one of one or more predetermined stop positions defined by the encoder data; a power supply coupled to the controller, the motor and the decoder; and a housing, the motor, the decoder, the lens array and the controller being disposed within the housing.

According to another embodiment, the decoder comprises a light emitter configured to emit light at the encoder and a light sensor configured to receive light reflected from the encoder.

According to another embodiment, the lens array is configured to focus the light emitted from the light emitter onto the encoder and to focus the light reflected from the encoder onto the light sensor.

According to another embodiment, the light sensor is configured to detects the light reflected from a plurality of spaced markings provided at the encoder when the encoder is rotating, the plurality of spaced markings defining the rotation speed of the drive shaft and the one or more predetermined stop positions of the drive shaft.

According to another embodiment, the decoder is configured to count the number of detected one or more predetermined stop positions per use and the controller is configured to determine an amount of fluid delivered by the reusable fluid dispenser per use based on the counted number of detected one or more predetermined stop positions.

According to another embodiment, the reusable fluid dispenser further comprises releasable attachment means for releasably attaching the pump of the disposable fluid pack to the reusable fluid dispenser and to counter torque created when the motor is activated.

According to another embodiment, the motor comprises a stepper motor or a direct current motor, the stepper or direct current motor comprising a shaft encoder and a decoder, the decoder configured to measure the speed of rotation of the motor shaft during use, and wherein the controller is further configured to compare the rotation speed defined by the encoder of the disposable fluid pack with the measured rotation speed.

According to another embodiment, the reusable fluid dispenser further comprises a diluant inlet, the diluant inlet comprising a first end configured to be connected to a diluant source and a second end configured to be connected to a diluant inlet provided at the pump of the disposable fluid pack.

According to another embodiment, the reusable fluid dispenser further comprises an actuator, wherein activation of the actuator provides power from the power supply to the controller, the motor and the decoder.

According to another embodiment, the power supply comprises a mains power supply.

According to another embodiment, the power supply comprises a battery.

According to another embodiment, the power supply is also disposed within the housing.

According to another embodiment, the reusable fluid dispenser comprises a hand-held reusable fluid dispenser.

According to another embodiment, the motor comprises a stepper motor comprising a shaft encoder and a second decoder or a direct current motor comprising a shaft encoder and a second decoder, the shaft encoder defining a rotation speed of the drive shaft; the controller configured to rotate the drive shaft at the rotation speed defined by the shaft encoder and to compare the rotation speed with a rotation speed measured by the encoder data.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures of which:.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without these specific details, to the extent that the resulting embodiments fall within the scope of the claims.

A device for dispensing fluids comprising a reusable fluid dispenser and a disposable fluid pack for use with the reusable fluid dispenser is provided. Multiple different disposable fluid packs may be used with the same reusable fluid dispenser such that multiple different fluids may be dispensed at the same or at multiple different flow rates, without contaminating the reusable fluid dispenser or cross contamination between the different disposable fluid packs. The reusable fluid dispenser comprises a housing, a motor, a power supply, a controller, such as a motor controller printed circuit board (PCB), a decoder and a lens array. The disposable fluid pack comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump and an encoder. When in use, the motor of the reusable fluid dispenser is coupled to the pump of the disposable fluid pack to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir out through an outlet of the pump. The fluid does not contact the components of the reusable fluid dispenser, preventing cross contamination between different fluids. The encoder of each disposable fluid reservoir comprises encoder data defining at least one stop position and a dispensing flow rate for the fluid within the reservoir. The decoder of the reusable fluid dispenser retrieves the encoder data from the encoder when a disposable fluid pack is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser and instructs the motor to rotate the pump of the disposable fluid pack at the rotation speed defined in the encoder data to deliver a target flow rate. Since no expensive RFID or similar components are used, the device is suitable for sale on the domestic market as well as being a low-cost alternative to RFID based systems in the commercial market.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate alternative exploded views of a device <NUM> for dispensing fluids. The device <NUM> comprises a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and a disposable fluid pack <NUM>. The reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, such as a motor controller PCB, a decoder <NUM> and a lens array <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured such that the motor <NUM>, controller <NUM>, the decoder <NUM> and the lens array <NUM> are disposed within the housing <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the power supply <NUM> is also disposed within the housing <NUM>. However, the power supply <NUM> is not limited to being disposed within the housing <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the power supply <NUM> is a battery. However, a mains power supply may be utilised in which case a suitable connection to the mains power supply is provided in the housing <NUM>, as opposed to a battery. Alternatively, the power supply <NUM> may be configured to be removably attached to but project out of the housing <NUM>, similar to rechargeable batteries as known in the art of electric power hand tools. Alternatively, the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> may be configured to utilise either or both a battery power supply and a mains power supply.

The motor <NUM>, which is powered by the power supply <NUM> and controlled by the controller <NUM>, comprises a drive shaft <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> projects out of the housing <NUM> and is configured to be removably connected to a pump <NUM> of a disposable fluid pack <NUM> and to form a power transmission coupling with the rotor of the pump <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the motor drive shaft <NUM> has a non-circular profile and the rotor of the pump <NUM> has a corresponding non-circular profile, such that the motor <NUM> may transmit rotational torque to drive the pump <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. In one embodiment, the motor drive shaft <NUM> profile comprises a plurality of splines/grooves and the pump <NUM> has a corresponding projection/lobe profile, such that the spline/grooves align with the projection/lobes when the motor drive shaft <NUM> is connected to a pump <NUM>. However, other corresponding profiles may be utilised which form a power transmission coupling between the motor drive shaft <NUM> and the pump <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a lens array <NUM> provided between the decoder <NUM> and an encoder <NUM> of a disposable fluid pack <NUM>. The lens array <NUM> comprises one or more lenses and preferably comprises two lenses as illustrated in <FIG>. The lens array <NUM> may be moulded from a plastic material transparent to the wavelength of the light emitted by the decoder <NUM> and preferably is moulded from red tinted Polycarbonate. In <FIG> and <FIG> the lens array <NUM> is integrated into an optically clear bulkhead <NUM> and the decoder <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM>. The bulkhead <NUM> is optically clear when the lens array <NUM> is unitary with the bulkhead. However, in other arrangements, the bulkhead may be opaque. In other arrangements, the decoder <NUM> may also be attached to the bulkhead <NUM> and/or the lens array <NUM> may be provided in the housing <NUM>. The bulkhead <NUM> may be connected to the motor in the proximity of the drive shaft <NUM>. A bulkhead <NUM> is just one known way of locating the decoder <NUM> and/or the lens array <NUM> and other means of attaching the decoder <NUM> and/or the lens array <NUM> to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> may also be utilised.

Although not illustrated, the decoder <NUM> is connected to the power supply <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the decoder <NUM> and the controller <NUM> may share the same PCB. As illustrated in <FIG>, the decoder <NUM> is provided at a fixed position relative to the axis of the motor drive shaft <NUM> such that the geometric relationship between the axis of the motor drive shaft <NUM>, the decoder <NUM> and the lens array <NUM> is fixed. In addition, the encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid reservoir <NUM> is coupled to and permanently aligned with a feature on the rotor, such as one of the projections/lobes on the pump <NUM>, or some other predefined feature. Therefore, when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, the splines on drive shaft <NUM> align with the projections/lobes on the pump <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, such that the radial and axial position of the rotor to the drive shaft <NUM> is aligned. The decoder <NUM>, the lens array <NUM> and the encoder <NUM> become similarly aligned. The axial position of the encoder <NUM> is preserved by alignment of the rotor onto the motor drive shaft <NUM>.

The decoder <NUM> is configured to retrieve encoder data from the encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> and instruct the motor to rotate the drive shaft <NUM> at a rotation speed defined by the encoder data. The decoder <NUM> reads the encoder <NUM> when the encoder <NUM> is rotating. When power is transmitted to the motor <NUM>, it begins to rotate the drive shaft <NUM>, resulting in the encoder <NUM> rotating. The decoder <NUM> is then able to retrieve the encoder data from the rotating encoder <NUM> and transmits it to the controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> instructs the motor to rotate the drive shaft <NUM> at the defined rotation speed. When the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is deactivated, the motor <NUM> does not immediately stop, instead the controller <NUM> stops the motor at the next or nearest stop position. The controller <NUM> may process the signals received from the decoder to determine the speed, number of rotations etc..

<FIG> illustrates a close up of one embodiment of the encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> and the decoder <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. The decoder <NUM> comprises a light emitter 110B and a light sensor 110A. The lens array <NUM> is positioned between the decoder <NUM> and the encoder <NUM>. In order to retrieve encoder data from the encoder <NUM>, a first lens of the lens array <NUM> is configured to focus light from the light emitter 110B and direct the focused light onto the encoder <NUM>. Light reflected from the encoder <NUM> is gathered by a second lens of the lens array <NUM> and focused on to the light sensor 110A. The decoder <NUM> transmits the encoder data to the motor controller <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the decoder <NUM> is aligned to view only a portion of the encoder <NUM> at any one time. The encoder <NUM> is coupled to the rotor and configured to rotate with the rotor, so that the portion of the encoder <NUM> which is viewed by decoder <NUM> changes during rotation. This is in contrast to known RFID systems where the RFID does not have a physical connection to the rotor.

The controller <NUM> may determine whether a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is/is not connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. The light emitter 110B emits modulated light. Consequently, even if light is detected by the light sensor 110A when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is not present, the controller <NUM> is able to determine whether the sensed light is below a predetermined threshold. Sunlight or light from another source detected when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is not connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> will be below the predetermined threshold. Therefore, the controller <NUM> can determine that a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is not connected and can prevent the motor from being activated.

In addition, the light sensor 110A may detect some light reflected from the light emitter 110B even by the black markings provided on the encoder <NUM>. However, since the light is modulated, the controller <NUM> can determine that this light is reflected light and not sunlight or light from another source, confirming that a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>.

The reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is designed to be used multiple times with different disposable fluid packs <NUM>. Consequently, the more "expensive" and less "recyclable" components, such as the motor <NUM>, controller <NUM> and decoder <NUM> are provided in the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, whilst the "cheaper" components, such as the encoder <NUM>, which is a relatively cheap component, when compared to the known RFID systems are provided in the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. In addition, since the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is designed to be used with different disposable fluid packs <NUM>, the orifice <NUM> through which the fluid exits and the pump <NUM> is provided as part of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>. Therefore, the fluid does not flow through the components of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and there is no cross contamination when different disposable fluid packs <NUM> are used with the same reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. In addition, there is no need to clean the orifice <NUM> and fluid reservoir <NUM> between uses since the disposable fluid packs <NUM> may be discarded once the fluid reservoir <NUM> is empty.

The disposable fluid pack <NUM> comprises a fluid reservoir <NUM> which is prefilled with a fluid. An orifice <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> as a nozzle) is connected to an outlet of the pump <NUM>, such that the orifice <NUM> is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM>. In addition, a pump <NUM> comprising a rotor is configured to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM>, in a first direction, out of the orifice <NUM> when the disposable fluid pack <NUM> is attached to a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. The pump may be a uni-directional pump <NUM>. Alternatively, the pump may be a bi-directional pump and may also be able to pump the fluid in a second direction, the second direction being the opposite direction to the first direction. The ability to run the pump in reverse i.e., from the pump outlet to the pump inlet may be used to clean the nozzle after each use.

In <FIG>, the fluid reservoir <NUM> is directly connected to an inlet of the pump <NUM>, such that an opening of the fluid reservoir <NUM> is closed by the pump <NUM> and the inlet of the pump <NUM> is in direct fluid communication with the fluid in the fluid reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the outlet of the pump <NUM> is directly connected to the orifice <NUM>. However, a supply tube may be provided to connect the fluid reservoir <NUM> to the inlet of the pump <NUM>. Alternatively, or in addition, a supply tube may be provided to connect the outlet of the pump <NUM> to the orifice <NUM>. Consequently, the fluid reservoir <NUM> may be provided remote from the pump <NUM> and/or the orifice <NUM> may be provided remote from the pump <NUM>.

The fluid reservoir <NUM> may be a collapsible fluid reservoir <NUM> such as a pouch, bag, airless bottle or bellows, which enables a pump <NUM>, having a high vacuum capability, to draw all of, or substantially all of, the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM>. In addition, a collapsible reservoir fluid reservoir <NUM>, which collapses as the fluid is extracted, may prevent the ingress of air and may prolong the life of many fluid types. The fluid reservoir <NUM> may comprise a rigid outer casing having a non-rigid liner within the rigid outer casing, the non-rigid liner configured to collapse as liquid is drawn out. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir <NUM> may comprise a rigid outer casing where a bung is drawn in as the liquid is sucked out, such as a syringe/vial format.

It is possible to use different sized disposable fluid packs <NUM>, having different volumes of fluid within each reservoir <NUM>, with the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> may be a Quantex™ single use pump, such as one of the pumps described in <CIT> or <CIT>. <FIG> illustrates schematically an exemplary <NUM>-bolus rotary pump. The pump of <FIG> comprises a rotor <NUM> which is interference fit in a pump housing <NUM>. Two chambers <NUM> are formed between the rotor <NUM> and the pump housing <NUM>, each chamber <NUM> creating a bolus which is constrained by the walls of the pump housing <NUM> as the rotor <NUM> rotates within the pump housing <NUM>. As the rotor <NUM> rotates within the pump housing <NUM>, a vacuum is created causing fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM> to be sucked into the chamber <NUM> (via the inlet <NUM>) and fluid in the chamber to be transported to the orifice <NUM> (via the outlet <NUM>). As the rotor continues to rotate, each bolus of fluid is transported around the pump from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>.

The pump may be a <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>-bolus pump having <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> chambers respectively.

<FIG> illustrates schematically a <NUM>-bolus rotary pump. The pump of <FIG> also comprises a rotor <NUM> which is interference fit in a pump housing <NUM>. However, the rotor <NUM> of <FIG> is a curved triangular shape, such that three chambers 51a, 51c are formed between the rotor <NUM> and the pump housing <NUM>, each chamber 51a, 51c creating a bolus which is constrained by the walls of the pump housing <NUM> as the rotor <NUM> rotates within the pump housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the rotor <NUM> in a top dead centre (TDC) positions where the spring means <NUM> is at its most compressed. A pump <NUM> having a <NUM>-bolus rotor is to be stopped in any one of two bottom dead centre (BDC) positions. With reference to <FIG>, BDC is a further rotation of the rotor <NUM> by <NUM>°, where the spring means <NUM> is least compressed. BDC is desirable because the spring means <NUM>, being made of rubber, takes a compression set over time and the less compressed it is whilst not in use the better.

A pump <NUM> having a <NUM>-bolus rotor is to be stopped in any one of three BDC positions. With reference to <FIG>, BDC is a further rotation of the rotor <NUM> by <NUM>°, where the spring means <NUM> is least compressed. A pump <NUM> having a <NUM>-bolus rotor is to be stopped in any one of four BDC positions. A pump <NUM> having a <NUM>-bolus rotor is to be stopped in any one of five BDC positions. A pump having a bolus rotor having more than <NUM> bolus' may also be utilised if appropriate.

Preferably, the pump <NUM> has high vacuum capability enabling it to draw all of, or substantially all of, the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM>, when the fluid reservoir <NUM> is a collapsible fluid reservoir <NUM>, whilst maintaining a consistent output flow rate. Consequently, there is less waste since substantially all of the fluid can be drawn from the fluid reservoir by the pump <NUM>.

The encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> comprises encoder data which defines: <NUM>) at least one stop position of the rotor; and <NUM>) a speed of rotation of the rotor. The position and number of stop positions is selected in dependence on the type of pump <NUM> used in the disposable fluid pack <NUM>. When the pump <NUM> comprises one or more BDC positions, then the stop position should be aligned with one of the BDC positions. For example, if the pump comprises a <NUM>-bolus rotor, then <NUM> stop position may be defined (i.e., any one of BDC positions) or <NUM> stop positions may be defined (i.e., at each of the BDC positions), such that the rotor may be stopped at any one of the <NUM> stop positions. The TDC may be used as the stop positions instead of the BDC if required. When more than one stop position is defined, then the stop positions must be equally spaced apart.

At least one stop position is required so that the rotor may be stopped at (and started from) a known position. If the rotor was not stopped at a known position, then it would be difficult to connect another disposable fluid pack <NUM>, since the splines and lobes would not be aligned. In particular, the high torque required to back-drive the gear box of the motor <NUM> may prevent the drive shaft <NUM> from being rotated unless the motor is being powered and the pump is axially and angularly constrained by the housing <NUM>. Consequently, the pumps <NUM> of each new disposable fluid pack <NUM> are provided with at least one stop position in a known, consistent, position.

Since the pump <NUM> is started from a known position, the number of revolutions performed each use may be determined by the controller <NUM>, which correlates to the dispensed volume of fluid.

The rotation speed defined at the encoder <NUM> sets the flow rate at which the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM> is supplied to and dispensed from the orifice <NUM>. The rotation speed is set in dependence on the type of fluid within the fluid reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the type of orifice <NUM> may be selected in dependence on the type of fluid within the fluid reservoir <NUM>. As is well known, different types of fluids have different viscosities and rheologies and therefore, may require different dispensing flow rates. Consequently, each disposable fluid pack <NUM> may comprise a different fluid, an orifice <NUM> selected in dependence on the type of fluid within the fluid reservoir <NUM> and an encoder <NUM> defining a flow rate required to dispense the fluid through the orifice <NUM>. The flow rate together with the size and type of orifice <NUM> and rheology of the fluid dictates the dispensing pressure, as known in the art.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the orifice <NUM> as a nozzle. However, other types of orifices may be used, for example, the orifice <NUM> may comprise an infusion line coupled to the outlet of the pump when the device <NUM> is to be used in the medical field. In addition, the outlet of the pump may be coupled to a medical device/equipment. In one embodiment, when the device <NUM> is to be used in the medical field, information from the decoder may be communicated from the decoder <NUM> or the controller <NUM> to the medical device/equipment.

Since the orifice <NUM> is provided as part of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, a different type of orifice <NUM> may be provided dependant on the fluid within the reservoir <NUM>. The orifice <NUM> may comprise a plurality of the same or different sized orifice exit holes. A plurality comprises one or more. The size and/or number and/or position of exit holes in the orifice may be altered in dependence on the fluid within the reservoir <NUM>. For example, it may be desirable to dispense some fluids as a fine mist, in which case, the orifice may have many small exit holes or as a foam, in which case the orifice may introduce air into the fluid flow. The size and/or number and/or position of exit holes in the orifice may be selected dependent on the spray pattern which is required. Furthermore, the size and/or number and/or position of exit holes in the orifice may be selected dependent on the viscosity of the fluid within the reservoir <NUM>. Consequently, the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> may be used with numerous different disposable fluid packs <NUM> to dispense different types of fluids at different flow rates and with different spray patterns.

The disposable fluid pack <NUM> is configurable dependant on the type of fluid to be dispensed. A disposable fluid pack <NUM> may be constructed having a fluid reservoir <NUM> of a material and size selected to be suitable for the fluid, and an orifice <NUM> selected based on the viscosity of the fluid and the flow rate and/or spray pattern required. The pump <NUM> may be a single use pump or single use dilution pump (discussed in further detail below).

The device <NUM> may be used with a removable wand, such as a rigid tube or flexible hose which is attached at its first end to the outlet of the pump. The wand may comprise a nozzle at its second end through which the fluid exits. The wand provides a user of the device greater reach and flexibility when directing the exiting fluid, such that the device <NUM> is positioned at a distance from the exiting fluid. In addition, as discussed above, a supply tube may be provided to connect the fluid reservoir <NUM> to the inlet of the pump <NUM>, such that the fluid reservoir <NUM> may be provided remote from the pump <NUM> and/or such that large/heavy fluid reservoirs <NUM> may be used.

The encoder <NUM> may be an encoder disc or an encoder sleeve or an encoder drum, which is attached to the rotor of the pump <NUM>. The encoder is coupled to the rotor of the pump <NUM> at a predefined position and is configured to rotate with the rotor of the pump <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate encoder discs whilst <FIG> illustrates an encoder sleeve or drum. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, an encoder disc comprises marking arranged on the same plane as the surface of the disc, in contrast, as illustrated in <FIG>, an encoder sleeve or drum comprises markings arranged radially around the periphery of the sleeve or drum. An encoder drum is a separate element that attaches to the rotor of the pump <NUM>, whereas an encoder sleeve is a printed wrapper that wraps around an extended portion of the rotor of the pump <NUM>. Alternatively, the encoder sleeve may comprise markings printed or etched radially around the extended portion of the rotor of the pump <NUM>. The encoder disc may be a separate disc which is attached the rotor or may be printed or etched directly onto the rotor. The encoder <NUM> may be attached to or printed or etched onto the rotor at the time of manufacture of the pump <NUM>, or at the time of attaching the pump <NUM> to the fluid reservoir <NUM>, or at the time of filling the fluid reservoir <NUM> with a particular fluid. The encoder <NUM> may be attached to the rotor shaft on the pump <NUM>.

As discussed above, when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> aligns with the pump <NUM>, such that the radial and axial position of the rotor to drive shaft <NUM> is aligned, for example the splines of a drive shaft <NUM> align with lobes of a pump <NUM>. Since the encoder <NUM> is attached to the rotor of the pump <NUM> at a predefined position, when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, the encoder <NUM> is aligned with the decoder <NUM> and the lens array <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a plurality of exemplary encoder discs. Each encoder disc has printed or etched markings (also referred to as the encoder data). The markings define segments of a specific width that indicate the bottom dead centre (BDC)/stop positions of the rotor of the pump <NUM>. The encoder discs of <FIG> are designed for a <NUM>-bolus rotor and the lines <NUM> indicate <NUM> stop positions. The BDC positions of the <NUM>-bolus rotor are the stop positions provided so that the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is able to stop the pump <NUM> at the nearest BDC position on the rotor. Additional markings are provided on each encoder disc (i.e., the contrasting lines) between the stop position(s) which define the speed of rotation of the rotor. The frequency of the markings between the stop positions (i.e., the BDC positions in <FIG>) affects the resolution: the more markings, the higher the resolution as the loop response is faster and thereby improves the accuracy of the speed regulation. The markings are repeated between each stop position. The markings between each stop position have different widths and pitches, when compared to the width of the stop position markings, which allows information to be encoded such as speed of rotation, direction of rotation, angular velocity, acceleration, deceleration, and angular distance. Angular distance instructs the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> to dose X number of revolutions in a first direction (i.e., forward) and Y number of revolutions in a second direction (i.e., reverse) for each actuation of the actuator. Operation in the reverse direction causes a reverse direction of flow of fluid from the outlet back towards the reservoir <NUM>. This may prevent the nozzle <NUM> from becoming clogged and/or may reduce oxidation of the fluid at the end of each use. These markings may also provide additional information such as pack information. The pack information may comprise any desirable information as required, such as the type of fluid within the reservoir, the volume of fluid within the reservoir, a use by date for the fluid within the reservoir, a manufacturing date etc. The stop position markings together with the intermediary markings are used for motor loop control to maintain a constant motor speed independent of torque and supply voltage changes. Alternatively, to the segments of a specific width that indicate the one or more stop positions, a projection or recess on the encoder <NUM> may define the one or more stop positions.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the encoder discs are all different, each defining a different speed of rotation. As mentioned above, the speed of rotation may be selected dependant on the fluid within the fluid reservoir <NUM>. Thus, the appropriate encoder <NUM> is used dependent on the fluid within the reservoir <NUM>, the orifice <NUM> and the type of pump <NUM> used. Moreover, because at least one stop position and the speed of rotation is defined by the encoder <NUM>, the controller <NUM> can determine the number of revolutions and thereby calculate the dose volume delivered per use. Although known RFID's can provide information about a pack and pump type (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM> bolus rotor), known RFID's do not know the position of the rotor during use and cannot count the number of revolutions that have been executed.

As an alternative to attaching an encoder disc or sleeve to the pump <NUM>, the encoder <NUM> may be applied directly to the pump <NUM> at the time of manufacture of the pump, for example the encoder markings may be etched by a laser directly onto the rotor of pump <NUM> or may be printed directly onto the rotor of pump <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> is not limited to being a pump as described above having <NUM> or more boluses and other types of pumps may be used. When such an alternative pump is used, the encoder <NUM> may define only one stop position that is detected every full revolution of the rotor for determining the number of revolutions performed each use. Markings are also provided on each encoder disc which define the speed of rotation of the rotor, acceleration, deacceleration and pack information.

When a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, the decoder <NUM> reads the encoder data and operates the pump <NUM> at the speed of rotation defined by the encoder <NUM> and stops the pump at the nearest stop position defined by the encoder <NUM>. As discussed above, the decoder <NUM> directs light, from a light emitter 110B, at the encoder <NUM>, such as illustrated in <FIG>, and uses a light sensor 110A to measure the reflected light. The light sensor 110A measures the reflected light received from the markings of the encoder <NUM> and transmits a signal to the controller <NUM>. The signal from the decoder <NUM> is processed by the controller <NUM> to extract the encoder data which includes the at least one stop position. This encoder data may be used to set a defined motor speed which may include an acceleration/deacceleration profile, as well as identifying information about the disposable fluid pack <NUM>. The lines may be black and white or another contrasting colour combination of wavelengths compatible with the light sensor 110A.

When a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, the encoder <NUM> is provided within a cavity of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The cavity is a close dimensional fit to prevent ambient light reaching the lens array <NUM> and in particular the light sensor 110A, which may otherwise reduce the performance of the device <NUM>.

The reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is able to deliver the correct flow rate for any liquid provided in a disposable fluid pack <NUM> which is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. Each disposable fluid packs <NUM> instructs the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> as to which speed the motor <NUM> is to rotate. This is in contrast to conventional dispenser devices, where it is the dispenser device which instructs the pump as to which speed to rotate.

The pump <NUM>, encoder <NUM> and orifice <NUM> are integrated with the fluid reservoir <NUM>, such that the pump <NUM>, encoder <NUM> and orifice <NUM> are all discarded as part of the disposable fluid packs <NUM> once the fluid reservoir <NUM> is empty.

The reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> is configured to connect to the disposable fluid pack <NUM>. In addition to the motor drive shaft <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> connecting to the rotor of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected by an end user to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, a releasable attachment means may also be provided. The releasable attachment means may be any releasable attachment device configured to connect the pump <NUM> and encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and to counter the torque created when the motor <NUM> is activated and thus keep the pump <NUM> in position. The releasable attachment device is releasable in that it is also configured to disconnect the pump <NUM> from the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, such that the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> may be used with another disposable fluid pack <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the motor drive shaft <NUM> is connected to the rotor of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, the pump <NUM> is located in a cavity of the fluid dispenser <NUM> and the forked slots 450A, 450B of the fluid dispenser <NUM> clip around the inlet 204A or outlet 204B or both of the pump <NUM>. In addition, since the encoder <NUM> is attached to the rotor at a predefined position, it is also provided within the cavity of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>.

The releasable attachment means may be provided at the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and/or at the disposable fluid pack <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates an attachment means comprising a forked slot <NUM> provided at the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> into which the complimentary bracket <NUM> provided at the disposable fluid pack <NUM> slots. As illustrated in <FIG>, both the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and the disposable fluid pack <NUM> are guided into axial alignment by features on the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and the disposable fluid pack <NUM>. When the drive shaft <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> engages with the rotor of the pump <NUM> of a disposable fluid pack <NUM>, such that a power transmission connection is made, the bracket <NUM> connects to the forked slot <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> and the forked slot <NUM> are provided to hold the fluid reservoir <NUM>. As described above, the fluid reservoir <NUM> may be connected to the pump via a supply tube, such that the fluid reservoir <NUM> is some distance away, in this arrangement the forked slot <NUM> is not utilised.

The reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> also comprises an actuator, such as a lever, switch or button, provided on the housing. The actuator, when activated, such as pushed, pulled or flipped, provides power from the power supply to the controller <NUM> and in turn to the motor <NUM>, which activates the motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> in turn rotates the rotor of the pump <NUM>, to dispense the fluid from the reservoir <NUM>. Activation of the actuator also provides power from the power supply to the controller <NUM> and in turn to the decoder <NUM>, such that the decoder <NUM> can read the encoder <NUM>. Signals from the decoder <NUM> are sent to the motor controller <NUM> and in turn to the motor <NUM> to control the speed of rotation and thus fluid flow rate. The actuator may be required to be held by a user in the active position during use of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, such that when a user removes their finger/hand from the actuator the motor stops. According to one embodiment, the motor may only be activated when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> to prevent the motor stopping in an arbitrary position rather than an encoder informing the controller <NUM> of the nearest stop position. According to one embodiment the de-activation of the actuator causes the controller to inform the motor to stop at the nearest stop position before powering down. According to one embodiment, de-activation of the actuator causes the controller <NUM> to inform the motor to operate in the reverse direction of rotation for a defined period (such as a number of cavities on the rotor) before powering down causing a reverse direction of flow of fluid from the outlet back towards the reservoir <NUM>. This may prevent the nozzle <NUM> from becoming clogged and/or may reduce oxidation of the fluid.

The fluid reservoir <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> may contain a concentrate which is to be mixed with a diluant, such as water, at the device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> further comprising a diluant inlet <NUM>. A pipe, such as a hose pipe, for delivering the diluant, is connected to a first end 400A of the diluant inlet <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. The other end 400B of the diluant inlet <NUM> is connected to a diluant inlet 204A provided at the pump <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, when a disposable fluid pack <NUM> is connected to the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the diluant inlet 204A as a tube which is part of the pump <NUM>. The diluant inlet 204A is in fluid connection with the pipe which delivers the diluant. When the pump <NUM> is mounted onto the motor drive shaft <NUM> to make a power transmission connection, a fluid connection is made at the same time, between the diluant inlet <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> and the diluant inlet 204A of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, both axes being parallel.

In use, the diluant passes through the pump <NUM>, mixes with the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM> in the outlet of the pump <NUM> and exits out of the orifice <NUM>. Consequently, the diluant is mixed with the fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM> in the pump <NUM>, during use of the device <NUM>, and the mixed fluid does not contact the components of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, preventing cross contamination. Examples of a concentrate that may be provided in the fluid reservoir <NUM> are car shampoo or insecticide which is to be mixed with water prior to application. By only providing a concentrate in the fluid reservoir <NUM>, the size of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> is reduced, reducing packaging and weight.

<FIG> illustrates schematically an exemplary dilution rotary pump which may be used in the disposable fluid pack <NUM> described herein. The dilution rotary pump has the same external geometry as the previously described pumps. <CIT> describes dilution rotary pumps in more detail. The dilution rotary pump illustrated in <FIG> is a four-bolus pump comprising a rotor <NUM> provided within a housing <NUM>. The pump also comprises a seal <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> connected to the fluid reservoir <NUM>, an outlet <NUM> connected to the orifice <NUM> and a second inlet <NUM> which is the diluant inlet. As discussed above with reference to <FIG>, a pipe for delivering the diluant is connected to the diluant inlet <NUM> of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, which is in turn connected to the second inlet <NUM> (diluant inlet 204A of <FIG>) of the dilution pump. The dilution pump is configured to pass the diluant to the outlet <NUM> of the pump, via the orifice <NUM>, where it meets the flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir <NUM>. The ratio of diluant to concentrate (from the fluid reservoir <NUM>) is a function of pump rotation speed as known in the art.

The device <NUM> is configured to function when the diluant is fed to the dilutant inlet <NUM> at a known pressure, such as a pressure of 1½ bar. The pressure of the diluant may be set using a regulator provided at the diluant source. In some embodiments, such as for use in a domestic setting, the device <NUM> is configured to be attached to a standard hose pipe at the diluant inlet <NUM>. The hose pipe is turned on delivering water (diluant) to the diluant inlet <NUM> and then the device <NUM> is activated. When configured for use in an industrial setting, the device <NUM> may be configured for use with a different pressure if required and the controller may operate a solenoid valve to start/stop the flow of diluant in conjunction with the starting and stopping of the pump.

Since the diluant is delivered at a known pressure, passes through an orifice of known diameter, and the pump <NUM> is controlled at a known rotation speed (defined by the encoder <NUM>), the flow rate is known, so the mix ratio of diluant and concentrate (from the reservoir <NUM>) can be accurately controlled leading to precision dilution. This precision mixing may allow higher concentrations of fluid to be used in the reservoir to reduce weight and packaging cost.

According to one embodiment, the disposable fluid pack <NUM> is configured to dispense a foam. In this embodiment, a foaming orifice <NUM> is provided to dispense the foam and the pump may be a diluant pump. Foaming is achieved by mixing a diluant with a fluid, such as concentrate from the fluid reservoir <NUM> and then pumping the mixture through a foam orifice which sucks in air to aerate the fluid and create the foam.

The device <NUM> described herein may be a hand-held unit, although it is not limited to such an arrangement.

The device <NUM> described herein for dispensing fluids may be used in various different applications, which include:.

In medical care settings, it is vitally important that the fluid dispenser dispenses the correct amount of fluid. Therefore, according to another embodiment, the motor of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> comprises a stepper motor with a shaft encoder and a decoder or a direct current (DC) motor with a shaft encoder and a decoder. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the shaft encoder of the stepper motor or DC motor defines the speed of rotation. When the stepper or DC motor is activated, it begins to rotate the drive shaft. The decoder is then able to read the shaft encoder and transmits a signal to the motor controller <NUM> defining the speed of rotation of the motor. The disposable fluid pack <NUM> also comprises an encoder <NUM> as described above. The encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> is used as a feedback device which is read by the decoder <NUM> during rotation of the drive shaft <NUM>, to measure the speed of rotation. The controller <NUM> counts the number of rotations detected by the decoder <NUM> within a known period of time and determines the actual speed of rotation. The controller <NUM> compares the actual speed of rotation detected by the decoder <NUM> with the speed of rotation defined by the shaft encoder, independently verifying that the stepper motor or DC motor <NUM> is rotating the pump at the correct rate, and thus the correct amount of fluid has been dispensed. This mitigates a failure mode where the pump has not engaged with the motor drive shaft to transmit power from the shaft to the pump rotor.

In a further embodiment, the motor of the reusable fluid dispenser <NUM> comprises a stepper motor with a shaft encoder and a decoder or a DC motor with a shaft encoder and a decoder. According to this embodiment, the encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM> defines the rotation speed as described above. The stepper motor or DC motor is rotated at the speed defined by the encoder <NUM> of the disposable fluid pack <NUM>, whilst the shaft encoder sends a signal to the decoder to measure the speed of rotation. The controller is configured to compare the rotation speed defined by the encoder <NUM> with the rotation speed determined by the shaft decoder to provide independent feedback that the rotation speed defined by the encoder <NUM> is being achieved. The shaft encoder and decoder on the motor drive shaft independently verifies that the motor <NUM> is rotating the pump at the correct rate (as defined by the encoder <NUM>). This mitigates a decimal point failure mode where the administrator has incorrectly set an infusion rate substantially incompatible with the drug type.

In a further embodiment, the pump <NUM> is controlled at a defined rotation speed, and thus a defined flow rate, and the operating time is measured. The dose volume may then be calculated from the flow rate and measured time or alternatively by counting the number of pump cavities (boluses) delivered by the rotor.

Washing machines and dishwashers are required to accurately add a dose of detergent concentrate during the fill cycle. In order to supply the correct amount of detergent during a wash cycle, a detergent capsule is provided. <FIG> illustrate a plurality of detergent capsules and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary washing machine. Each detergent capsule <NUM> is a disposable fluid pack <NUM> such as described herein for use with a diluant. As illustrated in <FIG>, the detergent capsules <NUM> each comprise a fluid reservoir <NUM> (comprising detergent concentrate), an inlet 520A and an outlet 520B, a dilution pump and an encoder <NUM> arranged at one end of the capsule. Although the encoder <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as a sleeve or drum encoder, a disc encoder could be used. The inlet 520A is a diluant (i.e., water) inlet to the pump and the outlet 520B is an outlet from the pump, through which the diluant and concentrate exit the capsules <NUM>. The inlet from the reservoir <NUM> to the pump is not illustrated. The pump is arranged with the rotor axis parallel to the inlet and outlet 520A, 520B such that the drive shaft of a motor passes through the hole <NUM> in the centre of the encoder <NUM> to make a power transmission connection to the rotor of the pump at the same time that fluid connections are made to the washing machine inlet and outlet ports. The washing machine outlet port connects to the diluant inlet 520A to provide water to the capsule <NUM> and the washing machine inlet port connects to the outlet 520B of the capsule <NUM>, through which the diluant and concentrate exit the capsule <NUM> into the washing machine. The detergent capsule <NUM> is configured to fit into a corresponding aperture <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) provided in a washing machine <NUM> or dishwasher. When a detergent capsule <NUM> is provided in the aperture <NUM>, the drive shaft of a motor provided in the washing machine <NUM> or dishwasher projects into the hole <NUM>, such that the washing machine <NUM> or dishwasher may be considered to be a reusable fluid dispenser. According to one embodiment, each capsule contains detergent concentrate at <NUM>:<NUM>. Such an arrangement allows the diluant to rinse the outlet of the pump presenting a clean capsule upon removal. In addition, with high concentrations of detergent in the reservoir <NUM>, the volume of detergent concentrate per dose is very small - much smaller than the volume of any supply tube from the pump to the washing chamber. Therefore, it is important to flush through the outlet of the pump so that all the concentrate ends up in the chamber of the washing machine or dishwasher.

Alternatively, the detergent capsule <NUM> may comprise a pump as opposed to a diluant pump. In this embodiment, the inlet 520A is a water inlet into the capsule <NUM> leading to a mixing chamber and the outlet 520B is a water outlet from the capsule leading from the mixing chamber. The pump outlet is in communication with the mixing chamber.

In another alternative, the detergent capsule <NUM> may comprise a pump as opposed to a diluant pump and only an outlet 520B through which the detergent exits the capsules <NUM>. However, when such a capsule is removed there is a chance of concentrated detergent coming into contact with a user's hand which is not desirable.

Washing machines and/or dishwashers are items of enduring equipment which may be considered to be a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>. Other items of enduring equipment may also be considered to be a reusable fluid dispenser <NUM>, for example, equipment such as a drinks dispenser, or a cocktail or smoothie dispenser.

In order to use the device <NUM> described herein, a disposable fluid pack is connected to a reusable fluid dispenser, such that the drive shaft of the motor of the reusable fluid dispenser is connected to the rotor of the pump of the disposable fluid pack. Attachment means may also be used to attach the pump of the disposable fluid pack to the reusable fluid dispenser, so that the disposable fluid pack does not disconnect from the reusable fluid dispenser during use. Following connection, the button (actuator) of the reusable fluid dispenser is activated by a user which starts the motor of the reusable fluid dispenser. The drive shaft of the motor rotates the rotor of the pump and the encoder attached thereto which begins pumping the fluid from the reservoir and out of the orifice of the disposable fluid pack at a flow rate determined by the encoder. Following deactivation (of the actuator) the motor stops the pump at a stop position determined by the encoder. The disposable fluid pack may be disconnected from the reusable fluid dispenser and a different disposable fluid pack connected, either when the first disposable fluid pack is empty or when a different fluid is required.

Claim 1:
A disposable fluid pack (<NUM>) for use with a reusable fluid dispenser (<NUM>), the disposable fluid pack (<NUM>) comprising:
a fluid reservoir (<NUM>) configured to be filled with a fluid;
a pump (<NUM>) comprising an inlet (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir (<NUM>), an outlet (<NUM>) and
a rotor (<NUM>), the rotor (<NUM>) configured to form a power transmission coupling with a motor drive shaft (<NUM>), the pump (<NUM>) configured to pump the fluid in a first direction from the fluid reservoir (<NUM>) and out of the outlet (<NUM>); and
an encoder (<NUM>) comprising encoded data, the encoded data defining at least one stop position (<NUM>) of the rotor and a rotation speed of the rotor for pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir (<NUM>), wherein the encoder (<NUM>) is coupled to the rotor (<NUM>) at a predefined position and is configured to rotate with the rotor (<NUM>).