Automated solution dispenser

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and systems of the invention that include the use of an automated solution dispenser to form a solution according to at least one target characteristic. A controller may be operatively connected to the automated solution dispenser, wherein the controller is programmed to direct mixing of one or more solids and one or more liquids to produce the solution. At least a portion of the solution can be dispensed into one or more containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for preparing a solution, comprising:
 a mixing chamber;   an automated solution dispenser that directs at least one solid selected from a plurality of solids and at least one liquid selected from a plurality of liquids to the mixing chamber to form the solution;   a plurality of containers;   a bottle handling sub-system, wherein the bottle handling sub-system is configured to manipulate the one or more containers;   a plurality of container caps, each said container cap in communication with a respective one of said plurality of containers and transportable within the bottle handling sub-system with the respective one of said plurality of containers, wherein each container cap in the plurality of container caps is configured to direct said solution into the respective one of said plurality of containers, wherein at least one said container cap in the plurality of container caps is a vacuum filter cap;   a sensor configured to detect a presence or absence of said vacuum filter cap in communication with a container;   a vacuum source; and   a controller that is operably coupled to the automated solution dispenser, the bottle handling subsystem, and the sensor, and the vacuum source, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 (i) direct the sensor to detect said presence or absence of said vacuum filter cap in communication with a container; and 
 (ii) selectively control the vacuum source to produce a vacuum operable to draw said solution through the vacuum filter cap when the presence of said vacuum filter cap is detected. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of container caps further includes at least one bottle adapter; and
 wherein said sensor is configured to detect a presence or absence of said at least one bottle adapter in communication with a respective said container.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to cause said solution to be dispensed into the respective vacuum filter cap prior to the controller selectively controlling the vacuum source to produce the vacuum operable to draw said solution through the vacuum filter cap. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is programmed to cause the respective vacuum filter cap to be refilled with said solution prior to the controller selectively controlling the vacuum source to produce the vacuum operable to draw said solution through the vacuum filter cap. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is programmed to cause the respective vacuum filter cap to be refilled with said solution based on an input from a detector. 
     
     
         6 . A system for preparing a solution, comprising:
 a mixing chamber;   an automated solution dispenser that directs at least one solid material and at least one liquid material into the mixing chamber to form a solution;   a bottle handling sub-system configured to contain and positionally manipulate a plurality of containers, each container coupled with a container cap that is configured to direct said solution into a respective one of said plurality of containers, wherein at least one said container cap is a vacuum filter cap;   a sensor configured to detect a presence or absence of said vacuum filter cap in communication with a said container;   a vacuum source; and   a controller in communication with the automated solution dispenser, the bottle handling subsystem, the sensor, the vacuum source, and stored instructions, which stored instructions when executed cause the controller to:
 direct the sensor to detect said presence or absence of said vacuum filter cap in communication with a container; 
 control dispensing of said solution into the vacuum filter cap and selectively control the vacuum source to produce a vacuum operable to draw said solution through the vacuum filter cap when the presence of said vacuum filter cap is detected. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a presence or absence of a bottle adapter in communication with a respective said container. 
     
     
         8 . A method of preparing a solution, comprising:
 providing a system having:
 a mixing chamber; 
 a bottle handling sub-system, wherein the bottle handling sub-system is configured to position a plurality of containers, each respective container coupled with a removable container cap, wherein each said removable container cap is configured to direct the solution into the respective container, and wherein at least one of said container caps is a vacuum filter cap; 
   directing at least one solid selected from a plurality of solids and at least one liquid selected from a plurality of liquids into the mixing chamber to form the solution;   sensing the presence or absence of said vacuum filter cap in communication with a respective container within the bottle handling system;   dispensing said solution from the mixing chamber to the bottle handling sub-system; and   controlling a vacuum source to produce a vacuum operable to draw said solution through the vacuum filter cap and into the respective container when the presence of said vacuum filter cap is detected.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said container caps is a bottle adapter; and
 wherein the sensing step includes detecting whether the respective container cap is a said vacuum filter cap or a said bottle adapter.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing step includes refilling the vacuum filter cap with said solution at least once, and the controlling said vacuum step is repeated each time the respective the vacuum filter cap is refilled with said solution. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of refilling the vacuum filter cap with said solution is based on an input from a detector. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , the method further comprising loading the plurality of containers into the bottle handling sub-system, wherein each respective container loaded into the bottle handling sub-system is coupled with a one of said removable container caps.