Liquid colorant tube assembly

Details Liquid colorant tube assembly Liquid colorant tube assembly

2000-01-20

2001-07-03

Fox, John (Department: 3753)

Pumps

Including separate port on noncyclic valve for venting or...

C417S477100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06254363

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the process of adding liquid colorant to plastic material in a plastic molding machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid colorant is typically conveyed to a plastic molding machine by a peristaltic pump and a plurality of interconnected tubes. During operation, the pump tends to wear out one of the tubes. When the worn tube is replaced, the replacement tube contains air. The air in the replacement tube is purged from the system by forcing liquid colorant through the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for use with a source of fluid, a fluid processing machine, and a pump. The apparatus comprises a plurality of interconnectable tube structures configured to convey the fluid from the source to the machine. The tube structures include a first tube structure configured to draw the fluid from the source, a second tube structure configured to discharge the fluid to the machine, and a third tube structure configured to convey the fluid from the first tube structure to the second tube structure under the influence of the pump. A valve is operative to divert the fluid from the third tube structure to a fourth tube structure so as to bypass the second tube structure.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the machine is a plastic molding machine and the fluid is a liquid colorant that tints the uncolored plastic material in the machine. The third tube structure comprises a peristaltic tube engageable directly by a peristaltic pump. The fourth tube structure comprises a purge tube for purging air from the system when the peristaltic tube is replaced.


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