Pipe joints or couplings – Detachable hinge
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-15
2002-06-18
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Detachable hinge
C222S164000, C222S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06406069
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a polymer processing machine, and particulary relates to an apparatus for feeding colorant to the machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Some types of polymer processing machines, such as molding or extrusion machines, use colorant in the form of small pellets which are fed to the machine through a hopper. The colorant is poured into the hopper from a container. The pellets can be accidently spilled from the container or the hopper onto the floor or adjacent machinery.
For example, as shown schematically in
FIG. 1
, a known colorant feeding system
10
includes a hopper
12
with an open upper end
14
for receiving colorant. An outlet in the form of a tubular neck
16
at the bottom of the hopper
12
delivers the colorant to a feeder block
18
. An auger
20
with a stepper motor
22
drives the colorant along an axis
23
from left to right, as viewed in
FIG. 1
, from the feeder block
18
through an adapter
24
which couples the feeder block
18
to the polymer processing machine (not shown). An operator controls this colorant feeding process by the use of a controller
26
with an instrument panel
28
. As noted above, the colorant can be spilled onto the floor or adjacent machinery when it is being poured into the open upper end
14
of the hopper
12
.
In an alternative arrangement, as shown schematically in
FIG. 2
, the hopper
12
is omitted and a coupler
30
is used to couple a container
32
of colorant to the feeder block
18
. The coupler
30
comprises a tubular structure through which the colorant can flow from the container
32
to the feeder block
18
under the force of gravity. A neck
34
at the lower end of the coupler
30
is configured as an outlet which is substantially the same as the outlet
16
at the bottom of the hopper
12
. A rotatable cap
36
at the upper end of the coupler
30
receives the neck
38
of the container
32
. The coupler
30
is thus configured to receive and support the container
32
above the feeder block
18
in an overturned position such that the colorant can flow from the container
32
into the feeder block
18
through the coupler
30
.
A slide gate
40
on the coupler
30
operates in a known manner to open and close the flow path through the coupler
30
, and thereby to control the flow of colorant from the container
32
into the feeder block
18
. However, the colorant can be spilled from the container
32
when it is being mounted on, or removed from, the cap
36
at the upper end of the coupler
30
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for coupling a container of colorant to a feeder structure for a polymer processing machine. The coupling apparatus includes a tubular structure defining a passage through which the colorant can flow from the container to the feeder structure. An outlet portion of the tubular structure is configured to engage the feeder structure. An inlet portion of the tubular structure is configured to receive and support the container above the outlet portion.
In accordance with the invention, the coupling apparatus further includes a joint which supports the inlet portion of the tubular structure for movement relative to the outlet portion between an upright position and an overturned position when the outlet portion is engaged with the feeder structure. When the inlet portion is in its upright position, it is oriented to support the container in an overturned position from which the colorant can flow out of the container under the force of gravity. When the inlet portion is in its overturned position, it is oriented to receive the container in an upright position from which the colorant will not spill from the container.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling apparatus includes a releaseable locking device which interacts with the joint to retain the inlet portion of the tubular structure releaseably in its upright position. The joint in the preferred embodiment is a hinge supporting the inlet portion of the tubular structure for movement relative to the outlet portion pivotally about a horizontal axis.
Further in accordance with the invention, the inlet portion of the tubular structure in the preferred embodiment is moveable relative to the output portion rotationally about a vertical axis when the inlet portion is in its upright position. This enables the container to swivel to a convenient position relative to the other parts of the colorant feeding system. A clamp retains the container releaseably in a selected position about the vertical axis by blocking such rotational movement of the inlet portion of the tubular structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3258848 (1966-07-01), Watlington
patent: 3345092 (1967-10-01), Athman et al.
patent: 3815941 (1974-06-01), Snyder
patent: 4048267 (1977-09-01), Walker et al.
patent: 4167382 (1979-09-01), Freedman et al.
patent: 4418844 (1983-12-01), Hehl
patent: 4423774 (1984-01-01), Mefford
patent: 4715404 (1987-12-01), Fusy
patent: 4756855 (1988-07-01), Mathis et al.
patent: 4773168 (1988-09-01), Lamos et al.
patent: 4850304 (1989-07-01), Nicholson
patent: 4874569 (1989-10-01), Kuszyk et al.
patent: 5232751 (1993-08-01), Cameron et al.
patent: 5637326 (1997-06-01), Bogue et al.
patent: 406776 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 5057750 (1993-03-01), None
Photograph of a prior art coupler described by applicant in the Background of the Invention section of the application.
Jones Day Reavis & Pogue
Nicholson Eric K.
PolyOne Corporation
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