Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Container with follower
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-20
2001-10-30
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Container with follower
C222S334000, C222S153010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308868
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention is generally related to dispensing devices and, more particularly, to a cartridge dispensing system that facilitates higher material feed pressures than those in the prior art. Specifically, the present invention uses a cartridge retainer having a containment bore that substantially matches the cartridge so that the walls forming the containment bore support the cartridge when high pressure is applied by a pneumatic piston that seals the end of the cartridge.
2. Background Information
Various types of liquids, pastes, lubricants, sealants, gasketing compounds, and potting compounds, as well as other materials are sold in standard cartridges that are used in cooperation with dispensing devices to allow the user to dispense the material from the cartridge. These cartridges are typically plastic and are substantially cylindrical in shape with a threaded outlet port on one end and an open end on the opposite end. These cartridges include 2.5, 6, 12, 20, and 32 ounce sizes; 300 and 500 ml sizes; as well as {fraction (1/10)} gallon sizes. The cartridges typically include a plunger that seals the open end of the cartridge. In the past, a ram is placed in the open end of the cartridge against the plunger to form a seal within the bore of the cartridge to push the material toward the outlet port. The pressure from the ram pressurizes the contents of the cartridge causing the material to flow from the outlet port. An outlet fitting is typically threaded onto the cartridge at the outlet port to allow the material to be routed to the necessary location.
There are two standard methods for generating pressure within known cartridges. Each of these methods hold the cartridge statically while force is generated on the ram. Force is generated in the first method by using a compressed gas. The second method uses a drive rod that is mechanically moved by an actuator.
The major limitation in current cartridge and dispensing device design is that they cannot reliably generate material pressures within the cartridge of greater than approximately 100 pounds per square inch. This limitation often causes problems when a cartridge contains a material with a high viscosity. Examples of these materials are heavy bodied greases and paste adhesives. The problem with the low pressure is that the flow rate of the material from the cartridge is too low to be desired in the art. It is thus desired in the art to provide a cartridge dispensing system that allows higher viscosity materials to be dispensed at a greater flow rate by providing higher pressure within the cartridge.
Simply applying a higher pressure to the cartridges in past dispensing devices resulted in two problems. First, the cartridge plunger formed a relatively loose seal with the cartridge allowing the material to leak back out around the plunger and the ram. Second, the cartridge was held in the dispensing device with a relatively loose fit. A sufficiently high enough pressure would cause the sidewall of the cartridge to fail because of the loose fit.
Another problem with current dispensing systems is that there is a relatively large amount of time and effort required to change a cartridge. Cartridges are typically loaded into a containment bore from one end requiring a sealed end cap to be removed or the drive rod to be completely retracted from the cartridge. Another problem is that the outlet port fitting must be unthreaded from the old cartridge and threaded into the new cartridge. These steps result in downtime and can contribute to material spillage and air entrapment in the material. It is thus desired in the art to provide a dispensing device that allows cartridges to be changed in and out of the device relatively easily. Another problem with the prior art is that a partially-used cartridge may need to be refrigerated between uses. The art desires a dispensing mechanism that allows a partially-used cartridge to be readily removed and stored in a different location without unsealing the contents of the cartridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a cartridge dispensing system having the ability to use high pressure used to create a high dispensing flow rate.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system that has a split containment bore that can be longitudinally opened to allow the cartridges to be easily inserted and removed.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a split containment bore having first and second longitudinal halves connected by a hinge that allows the halves to be pivoted from an opened position to a closed position.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cartridge feed system that includes a clamp that positively holds the halves together to create pressure on the cartridge within the system.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a containment bore that encircles a cartridge to provide a support force about the periphery of the cartridge.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cartridge feed system having an interlock that prevents dispensing unless the cartridge is locked in place.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system having a push rod with a ram head that seals the bore of the cartridge to prevent leaking.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system that includes an outlet port fitting that is not threaded to the cartridge so that it may be readily removed and replaced on a new cartridge.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system having a base that pivots down to pivot the old cartridge toward horizontal to allow for easy removal.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system having a rigid outlet fitting connection to prevent the cartridge from cracking or failing at the outlet port.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system having a material level sensor so that the user can determine when the cartridge is almost empty.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a outlet fitting that does not have to be threaded to the cartridge so that the cartridge may be installed and removed quickly.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a high pressure cartridge feed system that is of simple construction, that achieves the stated objectives in a simple, effective, and inexpensive manner, that solves the problems and that satisfies the needs existing in the art.
These and other objectives and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the a cartridge dispensing system for dispensing material out of a cartridge, the system including a base; a ram assembly including at least one linear actuator and a ram head; a cradle carried by the base; the cradle adapted to hold the cartridge; and the linear actuator adapted to cause the ram head to engage the cartridge and push material out of the cartridge.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention are achieved by a cartridge dispensing system for dispensing material out of a cartridge, the cartridge including a cylindrical wall having an open end; the system including a base; a ram assembly including a ram head adapted to fit within the open end of the cartridge; the ram head including an annular seal adapted to seal the open end of the cartridge; the ram head including a ram base that carries the annular seal and a ram nose that is movable between engaged and disengaged positions; a cradle carried by the base; the cradle adapted to hold the cartridge; and the ram assembly adapted to cause the ram head to engage the cartridge and push material out of the cartridge.
Further objectives and advantages of the invention are achieved by a cartridge dispensing system for dispensing material out of a cartridge, the system including a base;
Hoffman Alexander M.
Miller Kenneth L.
Bui Thach H
Derakshani Philippe
Liquid Control Corporation
Sand & Sebolt
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