Abstract: A multiple nozzle fluid dispenser, such as a glue gun, having some of its nozzle valves selectively and jointly actuable by a common operating element and at least one of its nozzle valves actuable independently of the jointly actuable valves, for controlling fluid flow through the dispenser nozzles in complex delivery patterns.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser and a support shoe are mounted to bear on opposite sides of a box blank passing therebetween. A normally closed valve of a nozzle of the dispenser has means yieldably biasing the nozzle to a normal position to intercept a leading edge of a box blank to open the valve upon deflection of the nozzle. A predetermined longitudinally spaced-apart gap relationship of the nozzle and support shoe effects return of the nozzle to normal position and closing of the valve, in response to the nozzle biasing means, concurrently with a trailing edge of the box blank leaving the support shoe, to wipe the closed nozzle clean on a deflected trailing end portion of the box blank. Alternatively, the support shoe may be rockably mounted for movement to a retracted position providing clearance for deflection of the trailing end portion of the box blank by the nozzle biasing means.

Abstract: A power unit, comprising a telescopically joined plunger assembly and barrel assembly, is internally configured to define a pair of separate fluid chambers, each of which is alternately communicated to a common source of fluid energy. The plunger and barrel assemblies are coaxially mounted on a common support shaft along which the power unit travels in incremental steps. The external end of each of the plunger and barrel assemblies is internally fitted with a set of unidirectionally acting locking rings, each set being normally biased against an associated locking wedge and into canted positions frictionally locked onto the supporting shaft. Alternate pressurization and venting of the pair of fluid chambers alternately unlocks one set of rings and effects a limited increment of inboard movement of either the plunger assembly or barrel assembly, the other assembly remaining locked to the support shaft.

Abstract: A holder for a pair of reversible fluid dispensers comprises a prismatic body that is symmetrical about three mutually perpendicular axes. A holder and pair of dispensers can thus be assembled to serve as a fluid dispensing assembly for either the left or right margins of sheet material passed adjacent thereto in a plane to intercept and actuate the dispenser nozzles. As embodied in a hot glue dispenser, the holder body includes two sets of fluid passages and of heating element and heat sensor and control mounting cavities that are symmetrically disposed about the three axes. Each multiple dispenser assembly is supported by a bracket assembly that incorporates a means to adjust the dispenser assembly angularly relative to the direction of the materials being passed through the machine whereby to vary, as desired, the spacing between the pair of applicator nozzles.

Abstract: One end of a resiliently flexible valve stem is supported in a coaxially aligned, axially adjustable, socket means and mounts a ball at its other end for normally closing the seat of an outlet orifice of a nozzle. A portion of the valve stem intermediate its ends is operatively associated with a laterally reciprocable operator bar for selectively effecting flexure of the valve stem to displace the valve ball on its seat to open the orifice to release a fluid to be dispensed through the nozzle. A plurality of such valve assemblies are actuable by a common operator bar and the adjustment means of each valve can be selectively manipulated to render one or more of the valves inoperable to establish a desired pattern of flow of fluids from the valves which remain operable, or to vary the time sequence of operation of the valves proportionally to the degree of adjustment of the individual valves, or to vary flow rates.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to fluid dispenser valves.

Abstract: Preformed tray blanks, e.g., of an expanded foam thermoplastic material, are individually transported from a supply hopper into registration with a die cavity through which a mandrel forces the blank. In passing through the die, the blank is sequentially moved through sidewall-erecting, radiant heating, and corner tab folding stations by the extension stroke of the mandrel. A fluid power and control system moves the mandrel through these stations at desired different velocities to maximize the rate of sidewall erection, to optimize the rate of heat transfer to those surface areas of the blank to be welded together, and to minimize the open time between the heating and welding phases. The control system also optimizes the dwell time of the mandrel in a fourth station at which the heat plasticized, mutually contacting surfaces are pressed together to solidify or vulcanize, after which the mandrel is retracted, the formed tray being stripped therefrom by a means at the exit end of the die cavity.