Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately dosing and dispensing mercury. The apparatus includes a reservoir containing mercury and a capillary tube extending from the reservoir of mercury to a dispensing needle and having an inlet located intermediate a pair of remotely located ends. The apparatus adjusts the height of a column of the mercury within the capillary tube and measures the height of the mercury column. In one embodiment, a digital vision system comprising a TV camera and monitor digitizes the image of the mercury column within the capillary tube and automatically determines the height of the column. A source of gas is supplied to the inlet in the capillary tube such that a predetrmined amount of mercury is separated from the mercury column and dispensed from the other one of the remotely located ends of the capillary tube.

Abstract: A spray head attachment adapted for use with a flow metering device such as a metering gear head is effective to discharge a plurality of spiral spray patterns of hot melt adhesive, in elongated strands or fibers, onto the backing sheet of a hygienic article. The spray head attachment includes a manifold having adhesive passageways connected to outlets of the metering gear head, air passageways connected to a source of pressurized air and recirculation passageways connected to a source of hot melt adhesive. Outlets of the adhesive and air passageways, and inlets of the recirculation passageways, are formed on a discharge surface of the manifold in groups or arrays, so that nozzles mounted to the manifold are each connected to one array of adhesive, air and recirculation passageways.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing system in which a pump is actuated at a preset clock rate under a fixed pressure head. The clock rate and pressure head are tailored to accommodate the lowest operating temperature for the system and, accordingly, the thickest syrup. A preset amount of syrup is dispensed on each clock cycle such that a constant rate of syrup flow is attained.

Abstract: A gun is provided for repeatedly dispensing precisely metered quantities of liquid from a pressurized source. The gun includes a valve spool axially slidable within a valve chamber and having at least first and second blocking members for blocking the inlet and outlet ports of the valve chamber. An actuating member associated with the gun is responsive to a unidirectional force to impart relative axial sliding movement of the blocking members in the valve chamber.

Abstract: An improved mixing and spraying system comprises: one or more pairs of material mixing tanks wherein both tanks of each pair selectively and alternately exhaust into a single common material exhaust assembly and discharge through a single spray nozzle whereby continuous mixing and spraying procedures can be simultaneously maintained; a unique, combination, materials grating and filtering system associated with each tank; remote control apparatus for remotely controlling the rate of material flow from the spray nozzle; method and apparatus for operating numerous hydraulic motors at the same time; and method and apparatus for maximizing the use of hydraulics and hydraulic motors while eliminating the use of gears and pulleys for driving motors.

Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple discrete streams of a high viscosity liquid material, and particularly, systems such as those for applying sealants to the seams of an automobile body on a production line. The system is provided with a multi-speed pump for supplying the viscous liquid from a reservoir at high pressure to a distribution manifold from which it is distributed at regulated rates to a plurality of extrusion guns through drop lines from the manifold. A motor speed control which is settable to a number of predetermined motor operating speeds which selects the speed of the multi-speed pump in response to the combination of guns which is activated, so that the dispensing rate can remain the same regardless of which other guns are activated. Regulators which include volumetric metering pumps are included in the drop lines at each of the guns, with controls coordinated with the motor speed control.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing gun for repeatedly dispensing precisely metered quantities of liquid from a pressurized source. The gun comprises a hollow body having a valve chamber and a metering chamber connected thereto by a control orifice. An axially slidable valve spool in the valve chamber and a trigger operated actuating plunger serve to govern the reciprocation of a metering piston in the metering chamber and the admission and discharge of metered quantities of liquid to and from the metering chamber.

Abstract: This relates to a dispenser for a hot melt material which is supplied in rod-like form from a spool and which is heated to the required semi-liquid dispensing state. The dispensing head is provided with a heating passage which provides for uniform heating of the rod-like hot melt material and there is further provided a special piston having a throughbore through which hot melt material is fed into a pumping cylinder as the piston retracts after a pumping stroke so as to eliminate in the dispensing head downstream of the piston any momentary voids. There is also a feed mechanism which will feed the hot melt material in accordance with the demand of the dispensing head and which will urge the rod-like hot melt material into the heating passage of the dispensing head under a preselected pressure so as to assure flow not only through the heating passage, but also through the piston.

Abstract: A precision fluid dilution device intended primarily for handling precisely sized fluid samples and diluting such samples with preset volumes of a diluent, such as a chemical reagent, in which the diluent is contained in a removable valveless fluid cartridge that normally uses separate piston cylinders and pistons therein disposed for sampling and for diluent delivery. Sample pickup and diluent delivery is preferably accomplished in a tubular fluid passageway attached to the cartridge, such tubular passageway terminating in an open end after passing through a hand probe in most instances. Sample pickup is accomplished by inserting the tubular passageway open end into a sample fluid, withdrawing the sample piston a precise distance thereby aspirating a known amount of sample fluid into the tubular passageway. An accurate amount of diluent is then dispensed along with the sample.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for simultaneously providing predetermined equal volumes of liquid to each of a plurality of wells. The apparatus includes a disposable multiple chamber dispenser module having a top surface and a plurality of dependent walls each defining a lower chamber for alignment with a corresponding well. Each chamber has an open lower nozzle end and extends upwardly to an opening in the top surface. A die plate having a plurality of concavities is provided with each concavity having an equal volume and a mouth. Each concavity is defined by an inner surface and corresponds to one of the chambers. The apparatus further comprises diaphragm means having a portion extending across the mouth of each concavity. Each diaphragm portion is movable from a first position across the mouth of its concavity to a second position in surface contact with the inner surface defining that concavity.

Abstract: The liquid transfer device includes a one-piece molded barrel plate having a plurality of syringe-type barrels extending downwardly therefrom and support flange extending downwardly about the perimeter of the barrel plate. An elastic membrane rests on and is substantially coextensive with the upper surface of the barrel plate. A retaining plate having a plurality of apertures in alignment with the respective barrels is detachably mounted on the barrel plate in either a first position wherein annular projections about each aperture lightly engage the membrane to hold it in place or a second position wherein the projections extend into each barrel to seal the membrane about the upper edge of each barrel. A plunger having a plurality of pins is placed on the retaining plate with the pins extending through the apertures to engage the membrane. Depressing and releasing the plunger will draw a predetermined amount of liquid into each barrel.

Abstract: A dispensing pump of the pressure accumulating type includes an assembly of a pump body and a separate piston member, the body including a closure cap for securing the assembly in fluid tight communication with the opening of a container of flowable product to be dispensed, a plunger/accumulator forming a variable volume pump chamber together with the piston and being reciprocable relative thereto, and a plunger head surrounding the plunger. The plunger has a vent seal for opening and closing a vent chamber defined around the piston. The closure cap is of a hard and durable material, while the separate piston is softer and more compliant which gives its lip seal good definition which avoids pump chamber leakage as it precisely conforms to the inner diameter of the plunger and to any irregularities thereof.

Abstract: A system for metered dispensing of a product comprising a hermetically-sealed package containing sealed therein product to be dispensed, together with a pressurizing agent and a pump for dispensing the product. The pump discharge pressure of which is substantially independent of the internal pressure of said package.

Abstract: A coin-operated purified water dispensing machine. A pair of vertically stacked transparent fill tubes are mounted in a cabinet in visually exposed relation to a consumer operating the machine. A water dispensing nozzle is associated with each fill tube and is protected by a shroud that is specifically configured to engage the upper portion of a container to aid the consumer in properly positioning the container to be filled. The consumer activates the machine by placing the required coins in a coin chute. Acceptance of the coins effects rotation of a rotatably mounted cam that is fixedly secured to and in axial alignment with a four-way valve that in turn controls the flow of water into and out of the machine. The fill tubes are capped by end plug members having specific sealing and a piston is slidably mounted for reciprocating movement within each fill tube to effect vending of a precise volume of purified water.

Abstract: For the controllable removal of bulk materials from containers, a device is provided with a gas-permeable lining facing the bulk material, which lining is mounted on a support under the container outlet, with a gas connection mounted on the support, and with a shut-off device or valve element. To achieve uniform material flow from the outlet without high expense for mechanical devices with the smallest possible structural dimensions, even for bulk materials with poor ability to flow, according to the invention, the support (7) with the gas-permeable lining (9) attached to it is designed at least partly as a valve element (5) for the container outlet (3), and that the valve element (5) is movable while clearing the container outlet (3) at least partially.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a liquid efficiently and completely, and in a manner which prevents direct contact with potentially deleterious propellents. The liquid to be dispensed is placed within a collapsible bag having flexible walls and the bag is supported within a container having relatively rigid walls. A source of vacuum pressure is connected to the bag through a flexible conduit and through a weighted connector. The connector defines a port in communication with the conduit and in engagement with and floating in the liquid within the bag. The connector and conduit thereby keep the liquid in constant communication with the vacuum source. Vacuum withdraws the liquid from the bag through the conduit and the port while the connector is maintained in fluid communication with the liquid as the bag collapses as a result of the action of the vacuum force and the weighted connector.

Abstract: An agricultural particulate feeder controls the rate of particulate distribution to a surface being worked. The particlate feeder comprises a hopper with a sliding door over a discharge outlet at a lower end of the hopper. A frame supports the particulate feeder and has an elongated tube extending longitudinally under the discharge outlet of the hopper, the tube forming an element of the frame. A particulate metering cylinder is positioned between the outlet and door of the hopper and a particulate inlet in the elongated tube and is rotatably mounted on a drive shaft. A housing encases the cylinder and forms an enclosure connecting the hopper outlet and the tube inlet. One side of the housing is removable to allow lateral access to the metering cylinder inside the housing. In addition, longitudinal removal of the drive shaft permits lateral removal of the metering cylinder from the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly dispensing measured portions of viscous substances is disclosed. The invention includes a body defining a bore within which is a sleeve defined floating measuring chamber. In the chamber is a sliding piston. Material to be dispensed is forced into the floating measuring chamber under pressure. A three-way, two-position air valve actuates the dispensing apparatus. Shifting of the air valve applies air pressure to one end of the floating measuring chamber, causing it to shift. This closes a material supply port and opens a material discharge port. The floating measuring chamber meters the flow of air to the floating piston so that the discharge velocity of the material being dispensed is controlled. At the end of the dispensing cycle, air under pressure is directed out through the material discharge port clearing it of residual material.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a container having an upper section and a lower section. A perforated plate separates the upper section from the lower section. A first product is within the lower section with an air space existing between the first product and the plate. A deformable membrane or pliable bag overlies the plate. A second product is in the upper section with the membrane or bag separating the second product from the plate. A lower delivery tube section is connected to the lower section of the container, an upper delivery tube section being connected to said upper section of the container. There is a nozzle communicating with the delivery tube sections, and a pump on the container for introducing air under pressure into the air space for simultaneously forcing the first and second products through the nozzle.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for mixing and dispensing interactive liquid components (such as epoxy resins and catalysts) which utilizes reciprocable positive displacement pumps which are mechanically connected for simultaneous pumping and filling movement, there being a common single acting selectively adjustable drive for effecting only output pumping movement at preselected output pressure, and the pressure exerted by the liquid components themselves are required to hydraulically effect the filling movement, with the amount of hydraulic filling pressure which can be exerted by one of the component liquids being specifically regulated to be less than that required to effect filling movement. This insures maintenance of precise ratio mixing since the filling movement requires exertion of hydraulic filling pressure by both of the component liquids thus assuring precision ratio pump filling at all parts of the filling cycle independent of varying temperature dependent viscosity of the liquids.

Abstract: A fuel feed pump arrangement which includes a housing serving for accommodating both an electric motor and a feed pump system coupled to the electric motor. A diaphragm is provided in the housing with the diaphragm maintaining a system pressure for a predetermined period of time after the drive motor of the pump system has been turned off.

Abstract: The metering cup assembly is disclosed for use in combination with a pneumatic seeding or fertilizing device. The assembly includes a casing which is secured to the underside of a hopper carrying seed, fertilizing or other granular material and the assembly is connected into a conduit in the pneumatic system. A metering component is journalled for rotation in the casing and provides a metering passageway for seed or other granular material therefrom the hopper into the pneumatic passageway. The metering device is adjustable to control the quantity of the material being transferred from the hopper into the conduit.

Abstract: A portable device for accurately metering a liquid for intravenous or enteric infusion into a patient's body in which the pressure from a pressure source is utilized to pressurize the liquid and the pressurized liquid becomes the sole driving force to meter and to infuse the liquid into the body. The pressurized liquid is applied alternately to one of a pair of flexible liquid bladders the other one being connected to a discharge device such as a tube so that, as one liquid bladder is filled with pressurized liquid, the other bladder is emptied into the patient. The expanding liquid bladder and the contracting liquid bladder cooperate with a teeter totter type control which applies pressure to the contracting liquid bladder and is damped to control the rate of expansion and contraction. The position of the teeter totter controls the valving for applying pressurized fluid from one side to the opposite by alternatively selecting channels of fluid flow to each liquid bladder.

Abstract: A particle spacing and metering device having a supply hopper above a pair of contra-rotating rollers. An aperture in the floor of the hopper is provided with a regulator which controls the flow of particles to the rollers. The regulator has a body fixed to a shaft rotatably mounted in the aperture. A cam-type metering face has a groove of increasing depth and width to enable selected variation of a throat through which the particles flow.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for repeatedly metering out quantities of a predetermined volume of fluid freshly mixed from a plurality of component sources. A mixing member (which may comprise simply a duct) is coupled to receive a plurality of component fluids through positive control valves. Reciprocating metering structures (cylinder-piston), connected to the valves, are driven in a controlled fashion by pressurized fluid and a reciprocating actuator. The control system incorporates sensors for detecting the positions of the metering structures as well as the valves to provide timely signals which change the valve positions and reverse the stroke. With the valves in one position, and upon movement of the actuator in one direction, fluid flows under pressure from a component source to an associated metering structure, then with the valves in another position, the actuator is reversed and the fluid is discharged from the metering structure to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A manure spreader having an upwardly opening box-like structure with a beater mechanism at its open rear end through which material may be reduced and thrown from that end. The conveying mechanism provided in the box-like structure for moving materials to the rear beater mechanism is composed of a fore-and-aft shiftable floor extension that is supported on a fixed floor of the box-like structure. The floor extension carries a transverse vertical push-off wall supported to shift fore-and-aft on the extension. In a fully extended position, the floor extension is at the front end of the spreader box and the push-off wall is on the front end of the extension. Manure or material in the box is pushed into the beater mechanism through hydraulic power which first shifts the floor extension rearwardly and in overlying rear position with respect to the fixed floor so that the rear edge of the floor extension is closely adjacent the beater mechanism.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprising a housing and a plurality of tubes mounted on the housing. The housing has a manifold chamber and a plurality of passages leading from the tubes, respectively, to the manifold chamber. A flexible impervious membrane extends across the passages to divide each of the passages into a first passage section and a second passage section. The first passage sections provide communication between the tubes and one side of the membrane, and the second passage sections provide communication from the other side of the membrane to the manifold chamber. A substantially incompressible flowable material, such as a liquid, fills the second passage sections and the manifold chamber. A mechanism is provided for moving the flowable material to deflect the membrane in opposite directions whereby liquid can be drawn into, and expelled from, the tubes.

Abstract: A grease gun comprising a hollow piston rod driven by a pressure fluid upon an annular drive piston at one end of the rod, compressing a supply of grease by an annular plunger at the other end of the rod into a receiving chamber within the piston rod, which chamber cooperates with a stationary surface, upon reversely driving the piston rod, to expel the grease through a conduit from the chamber at a higher pressure than the driving fluid.

Abstract: Staple depressions formed in a panel by the operation of a pneumatic staple driver are automatically filled with putty from a disposable cartridge. Delivery of the putty from the cartridge is automatically sequenced by the operation of the staple driver trigger. Actuation and release of the staple driver trigger causes a measured quantity of putty to be forced into a putty delivery port. The putty is then pressed into the staple depression.

Abstract: Discharge of a high-pressure gas-occluding liquid from a pressureproof container holding therein said liquid in a compressed state is effected by a method which comprises connecting said pressureproof container through the medium of a valve to a pressureproof receptacle, allowing the liquid to transfer into said pressureproof receptacle, diminishing the pressure within said pressureproof receptacle for thereby separating the occluded high-pressure gas from the liquid and subsequently releasing the liquid alone from the receptacle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel dispensing unit and system for the controlled, metered dispensing of one or more liquid products. The unit which serves to provide an important part of the system is designed for use with an arrangement wherein pressurized liquid products are delivered to the unit for controlled, metered dispensing. The unit is characterized primarily by the employment of metering chambers defined partially by flexible diaphragms. In conjunction with each said chamber, there are provided an inlet and outlet passage arrangement and a valve arrangement for controlling the supply and discharge of liquid product from said metering chamber. The unit includes a selectively operable control arrangement provided for opening and closing the valving arrangement, and also alternately pressurizing and venting the metering chamber diaphram with respect to a pressurized medium.

Abstract: A portable self-contained lubricating apparatus having a closed filling and dispensing system includes a wheeled frame member, a vertical lubricant container having an inlet and a bottom discharge outlet, and a flexible bladder carried within the container for pressurizing the lubricant with compressed air. A gear pump dispenses the lubricant from the container through a dispensing outlet at an elevated pressure. A rechargeable power source and a power drive is carried on the frame member for energizing and de-energizing the pump in response to respective low and high pressures at the dispensing outlet. A valve coupling member is connected to the container inlet having a pressure coupling for receiving a tubular connector to connect the container to a closed source of lubricant and a valve member for opening and closing a passageway between the inlet and pressure coupling providing a closed automatic filling system avoiding contact with outside contaminants and minimizing any exterior residue of lubricant.

Abstract: A power-retractable feeder for an injection molding machine in which an actuator is adapted to forcibly seal a button-type outlet nozzle of the feeder against a side inlet port of a charging cylinder without developing an unbalanced lateral load on the cylinder. As disclosed, the reaction force developed on the actuator is transmitted to the side of the cylinder opposite the inlet. The actuator is selectively operable to retract the feeder nozzle from the cylinder for inspection, removal, maintenance, or the like. The disclosed feeder is of the screw type driven by a rotary motor through a coupler which isolates an axial reaction force on the screw from the motor. Also disclosed is a remote actuator and associated linkage for operating a shut-off valve in the feeder nozzle at either the extended or retracted position of the nozzle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and dispensing unit for the controlled and metered dispensing of a liquid product, or of two or more liquid products, which should be combined in the right proportions only shortly before ultimate usage. The basic system, as disclosed, employs a single pressure source for pressurization of the liquid product and the pressurized dispensing of the liquid product from the dispensing unit, per se. In addition to the basic illustrated system, there are disclosed novel dispensing units which enables the dispensing of a uniform or proportioned amount of liquid upon each operation thereof. Further, these units are constructed so as to permit the dispensing of several different liquids simultaneously from the same unit, or the selected dispensing of the individual liquid.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for viscous substances includes a unitary plastic block housing provided with a vertical bore forming a dispensing cylinder and a horizontal three way spool valve operable for controlling a dispensing piston located in the aforementioned dispensing cylinder. The dispensing piston is attached to a shaft extending centrally upwardly of the dispensing cylinder and is adjustable for controlling the stroke of the dispensing piston and thereby the quantity of material dispensed. A common source of air pressure is applied to the minor area on the shaft side of the dispensing piston as well as to the material to be dispensed. The material under pressure is normally applied to the major side of the dispensing piston via the spool valve. When the spool valve is operated the supply of material is cut off and the dispensing cylinder is connected to an exit port, whereby the air pressure behind the dispensing piston is sufficient to force a predetermined quantity of material through the exit port.