Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Hollow work – internal surface treatment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-11-13
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Hollow work, internal surface treatment
C134S16900A, C134S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314970
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the art of tips or nozzles in apparatus for dispensing liquids such as adhesives, and more particularly to a new and improved cleaning system for such nozzles or tips.
Due to the miniaturization increase in electronic technology, various viscous and non-viscous adhesives were developed to adhere component assemblies (i.e. circuit boards, connectors, chips). Positive displacement pumps and the like were designed to apply the electronic adhesives. Some pumps interface with programmable controllers enabling accurate, multi-positioning, and rapid dispensing of the adhesives. Positioning and dispensing accuracies are vital to this electronic technology.
Micro dispensing of the electronic adhesive has been accomplished by means of disposable, hypodermic needle, dispensing tips. An example of a dispensing tip is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,103 issued Feb. 25, 1986, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The dispensing tips fasten to the dispensing pump using a “Leur” thread lock. These tips are very precise which translates to high costs. Currently, all dispensing tips are very difficult to clean of the electronic adhesive during and between application processes. Thus, the tips are disposed of, adding to the cost of such electronic component assembly processes.
A quick change micro dispensing tip with disposable liner for dispensing liquid such as viscous and non-viscous adhesives in electronic component assembling is shown and described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/360,972 filed Jul. 27, 1999 entitled “Quick Change Micro Dispensing Tip With Disposable Liner,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The dispensing tips described hereinabove require ultra clean, non contaminated surfaces for adhesive passage. Due to the fact that while in production a single, micro dispensing tip may be utilized for different adhesives or a single adhesive may become a source for contamination, a rapid, positive, and user friendly method and apparatus for cleaning the dispensing tip is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a recycling, pressure cleaning system for micro dispensing tips wherein the cleaning fluid is drawn into a plunger assembly from around the submerged, micro dispensing tip, and then, under high pressure created by pressing down on the plunger, the cleaning fluid is pressurized to move rapidly through the micro dispensing tip. This pressurized fluid moving rapidly through the tip and hypo combination, forces the removal of contaminants. The procedure is repeatable. The cleaning fluid(s) remain contained within the unit. The operator and surrounding environment are protected from release of the cleaning fluid(s) and/or contaminants. The entire top section of the cleaning unit is easily removed by rotating the top section a small amount from the bottom. This allows the operator ease in access to the micro dispensing tip during attachment, removal, and inspection. In addition, removal of the contaminated waste fluid and cleaning efficiency of the cleaning apparatus is increased.
The following detailed description of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views, is in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is mostly nearly connected, to make and use the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4525220 (1985-06-01), Sasa et al.
Hodgson & Russ LLP
Stinson Frankie L.
Wilkins Yolanda E.
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