Patents Assigned to Fluid Management
  • Patent number: 5785510
    Abstract: An improved gear pump having members with different hardnesses includes a housing defining an internal bore with inlet and outlet passageways. A head member includes a wall between the inlet and outlet passageways and extends toward a toothed rotor. A toothed idler gear meshes with the rotor. The head member and idler gear are made of materials having a hardness greater than that of the rotor material. In one embodiment the idler gear is made of ceramic material whereas the head member and rotor are made of cast iron, with the head member treated to have a hardness greater than that of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Anthony Altieri, Jr., John Lewis Fortin, Richard David Bothmann, Sandra Jean Liakus, Philip DiGangi, Dietrich M. E. Heyde
  • Patent number: 5711458
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus includes canisters mounted on a turntable, the canisters including dispense pumps and valves. Actuators for operating the dispense pumps and valves are located on a service door mounted alongside the turntable. The dispense apparatus is mounted on modular framework to improve serviceability of the components employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Michiel Jacobus Johannes Langeveld, Johannes Hermanus Nicholaas Post
  • Patent number: 5711601
    Abstract: Mixing apparatus develops a clamping pressure on a container to be mixed by bringing a pair of pressure plates together through the application of driving force developed by cranking a crank arm. A pawl and rachet arrangement prevents rotation of the crank arm in a direction which would loosen clamping pressure, unless a pawl unlocking knob is activated. Clamping pressure is limited by a clutch plate arrangement. Mixing apparatus is enclosed within a cabinet having a door interlock system which also automatically activates a brake for positively stopping further movement of the mixing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward George Thomas, William Albert Miller, Margaret Mary Lowan
  • Patent number: 5697527
    Abstract: A machine for dispensing a plurality of ingredients includes stepped arrays of canisters providing a source of materials. The bottom ends of the canisters are generally coplanar, and are positioned immediately above a low profile drive train mounted on a tray. A drive train includes two spaced arrays of pumps with a motor providing a common drive for the pumps, mounted between the arrays. A valve tray is located above the canisters and includes a low profile dispense head, an array of tubing members arranged side-by-side in a common, generally horizontal plane, and an array of dispense valves attached at the back of the valve tray. The dispense valves are coupled to the pumps by pairs of fluid lines, so as to circulate materials between the pumps and dispense valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Altieri, Jr., John Lewis Fortin, Richard David Bothmann, Sandra Jean Liakus, Philip DiGangi, Dietrich M.E. Heyde, John Petersen, James M. Mayer, Errol Olsen, Robert Stewart, deceased
  • Patent number: 5690252
    Abstract: A dispensing system utilizes a nozzle assembly including a nozzle block defining a series of recesses for receiving dispense nozzles. A resilient clamp is inserted between the nozzles and compressed so as to expand, clamping the nozzles in position. A fill control is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Beata Maria Oleksiewicz, Michael J. Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 5647411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering highly viscous, paste-like material, in particular printing ink, e.g. offset printing ink, from a metering valve. The metering valve in dependence upon the determined quantity of material delivered into a container is closed and then the residual material left suspended at the outlet side of the metering valve is removed by a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Koppe, Michael Krapalis
  • Patent number: 5632314
    Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials includes a plurality of dispense valves arranged in two concentric circles. An actuator arm mounted for rotation about the center of the circles glides over the tops of the valves. A pair of channel-like passageways are formed in the arm, one for the valves arranged in the outer circle, the other for the valves arranged in the inner circle. The valves of the inner and outer circles are radially offset from one another, and accordingly a valve from only one of the two circles is engaged at any given time. The arm is mounted for lifting and lowering movements to accomplish a dispense operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Koppe, Michael Krapalis
  • Patent number: 5524656
    Abstract: A cleaning nozzle directs a spray of cleaning solution against a dispense valve or other object to be cleaned. The cleaning nozzle is evacuated to draw away cleaning solution, establishing a flow of cleaning solution through the cleaning nozzle. The cleaning nozzle is mounted on an "X-Y table" to follow similarly mounted dispense valves in order to reduce down time for valve cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jan Konarski, Klaus-Dieter Koppe, Michael Krapalis
  • Patent number: 5480288
    Abstract: A pumping module is provided for use with an external dispensing machine, for dispensing pumped material. The pumping module has multiple motor driven pumps in modular cabinets which may be coupled together in various directions and three-dimensional space. Pumping modules located remote from the dispensing apparatus are directly coupled to the dispensing apparatus with continuous conduits which pass through intervening modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Leendert Hellenberg, Johannes H. Mink
  • Patent number: 5407100
    Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials such as liquids includes a pair of stationary plates, with a movable plate therebetween. Pumps are mounted between the movable plate and at least one of the stationary plates. A drive system moves the middle plate toward and away from the stationary plates to provide a pumping action. The pumps are mounted to a stationary plate with an adapter, which extends through the plate. A valve assembly is mounted on the reverse side of the stationary plate in registry with the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Carl A. Tracy, Elizabeth A. Ellinger
  • Patent number: 5368196
    Abstract: A dispenser for liquid and pulverulent materials provides a cabinet with a pressurized chamber for electrical control equipment. Materials to be dispensed are controlled by a pilot valve and a dispense valve, for each different material to be dispensed. A dispense head is cantilevered from the cabinet, so as to overhang a container receiving the dispensed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Leendert Hellenberg, Johannes H. Mink
  • Patent number: 5361812
    Abstract: An automated dispenser for liquid and pulverulent materials dispenses the materials into a container located below a dispense head. The container is supported by a shelf extending in front of the dispenser. The shelf is divided into sections, with the section located below the dispense head being mounted for raising and lowering toward and away from the dispense head. A scissors lift mechanism supports the center shelf portion, and a locking arrangement at the bottom of the scissors lift mechanism locks the lift mechanism at a desired height. A foot pedal releases the locking arrangement, permitting the shelf portion to be moved to a different height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Theodore R. Arneson, William A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5356041
    Abstract: A sealing valve arrangement for dispensing apparatus having a turntable rotatably mounted on a support includes a valve with an outwardly protruding operator member with a free end remote from the valve, and a valve mount for mounting the valve to the turntable mount for travel with the turntable. A cam block mounted stationary on the turntable support defines a channel for receiving the free end of the operator member and, with rotation of the turntable, moves the operator member so that the valves move from one position to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Leendert Hellenberg, Mark Voskiul
  • Patent number: 5328057
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided with motor driven pumps and their drive motors mounted on modular skids which are easily removed for servicing or upgrade. An improved dispense head arrangement is provided with dispense valves located close to a common dispense head. The dispensing apparatus may also be readily reconfigured for use with remotely located tanks in which materials to be dispensed are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Leendert Hellenberg, Johannes H. Mink
  • Patent number: 5310257
    Abstract: A clamping fixture slides between a pair of guide rails and includes a pressure plate between the guide rails. Lock plates with internal openings for receiving the guide rails are held captive on the pressure plate. An operating bar with stepped ends, one adjacent each locking plate, is deflected by a cam mechanism to incline the lock plates relative to the guide rails, thus wedging the lock plates to prevent further sliding along the guide rails. Return springs are provided to urge the lock plates to an unlocked position when pressure on the operating bar is released. A mixing apparatus using the clamping fixture is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Anthony Altieri, Jr., Melvin F. Sass
  • Patent number: 5305917
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for simultaneously dispensing metered quantities of a plurality of materials into a common receptacle. Pump modules each containing a plurality of individual pump members are arranged in a rectangular pattern, between a base plate and a drive plate. The drive plate is raised and lowered, toward and away from the base plate, by a pair of drive screws. The plurality of individual pump members are thus simultaneously operated to dispense different materials into a common receptacle, at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: William A. Miller, Theodore R. Arneson, Andrew V. Platacis, Jeffrey D. Krull
  • Patent number: D347645
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventor: William A. Miller
  • Patent number: D347646
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Charles C. Mayberry
  • Patent number: D349506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: James F. Caruso, Kim D. Vollendorf, Gregory W. Lantz, Walter B. Herbst
  • Patent number: D374677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Fluid Management Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Price R. Hodson, Edward G. Thomas