The present invention relates generally to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluid from a container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a peristaltic pump for dispensing adhesive from a rigid container.
In certain applications, it is often necessary to apply an accurate amount of an adhesive to bond a part to a workpiece. Many adhesive containers are designed so that a relatively accurate amount of adhesive can be dispensed from the container under manual squeeze pressure. A variety of dispensing apparatuses such as pumps and guns, which are designed to easily and accurately dispense a measured amount of adhesive.
In certain situations, due to the nature of the adhesive employed, it is necessary to design the dispensing mechanism to assure that the components of the mechanism do not come in contact with the adhesive itself. Depending upon the adhesive, such contact may either adversely effect the adhesive, adversely effect the components of the dispensing apparatus, or both. Such a situation is particularly evident with the use of cyanoacrylate (“CA”) adhesives.
In such situations, it has been common to use a peristaltic pump to dispense the adhesive from a container. A peristaltic pump is a positive displacement pump used to dispense fluid from a container through a flexible tube. Peristaltic pumps are typically used to pump various fluids, such a clean or sterile fluid, where there is a desire for the pump not to contaminate the fluid, or to pump aggressive fluids, such as adhesives so that the fluid cannot contaminate the pump. However, as the peristaltic pump operates under closed conditions, the container for the fluid must be a collapsible container so that as the fluid is pumped from the container the container will collapse around the remaining contents thereof.
In situations where fluid is provided in a rigid non-collapsible container, the use of a peristaltic pump becomes difficult inasmuch as air cannot enter the rigid container to replace the volume of fluid dispensed. Venting the rigid container directly to atmosphere is not a viable option where the fluid is an adhesive such as a CA adhesive which cures in the presence of air. This has resulted in the inability to dispense such adhesives from a sealed rigid container using a peristaltic pump.
The present invention provides a fluid dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes an operatable peristaltic pump. The pump supports a rigid container which includes a fluid which is to be dispensed. A separate dispensing tube as well as a vent tube extends from the container through the pump. Operation of the pump causes fluid to be pumped out from the container through the dispensing tube and air is pumped into the container through the vent tube so as to equalize pressure in the container. The present invention is particularly useful in dispensing a fluid adhesive.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the peristaltic pump is rotational pump having a circumferential surface in rotational engagement with the dispensing tube and the vent tube. A dispensing nozzle affixed to the end of the dispensing tube provides for dispensing a measured amount of adhesive fluid.
In order to dispense a measured amount of fluid product, particularly when the fluid product is an adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive, the present invention provides a peristaltic pump. As is known, peristaltic pumps may be used to pump various fluids where there is a desire to prevent contact between the fluid itself and the moving components of the pump. Such a need is particularly evident with aggressive fluids, such as adhesives, where contact between the working components of the pump and the adhesive can adversely effect both the operation of the pump as well as the effectiveness of the adhesive. As most peristaltic pumps operate under closed conditions, the use of peristaltic pumps to dispense fluids have been limited to fluids contained in a collapsible container, as air within the container cannot be expelled. The present invention provides a peristaltic pump which operates to dispense fluids from a rigid container.
Referring to the drawings, pump assembly 10 of the present invention includes a peristaltic pump which may be used to dispense a measured amount of fluid such as an aggressive adhesive fluid, more particularly, cyanoacrylate (CA) from a rigid container 12. The pump assembly 10 includes a base 14 and an upstanding member 16 which supports the working components thereof. Base 14 is designed so that the pump assembly 10 may be supported on a level surface and used in a stationary position. In the alternative, the pump assembly 10 may be used as a hand-held dispenser. Base 14 and the upstanding member support the rigid container 12 in a fixed position therebetween.
An upper portion 18 of the upstanding member 16 supports the components of a rotary peristaltic pump 20. The pump 20 includes a rototable wheel 22 which is actuated by a trigger 24. The trigger 24 serves to effect rotation of wheel 22 (
Container 12 is a rigid plastic container having a closure cap 30 which encloses the upper end of the open ended container 12. A pair of tubes 32, 34 extend outwardly from cap 30. A dispensing tube 32 extends from the interior of container 12 up through cap 30 and around wheel 22 through arm 26 where its distal end 26a is attached to nozzle 28. A vent tube 34 also extends from the interior of container 12 around the opposite side of wheel 22 and extends externally of an upper surface 18a of upper extent 18. The vent tube 34 may be fixedly supported at an end thereof by a holding mechanism 35. The tubes 32 and 34 may be supported against the bearing surface 27 of rotational wheel 22 by a pair of displaceable clamps 40 and 42. As shown in
Referring to
In a similar manner, dispensing tube 32 extends upwardly around the opposite side of wheel 22 against bearing surface 27. The dispensing tube 32 is fixed in cap 30 by an interface fit then extends laterally along a channel 26b in arm 26 and the end 32a of tube 32 is attached to a dispensing nozzle 28 which fixes the position of the vent tube 32 thereat. This also prevents the dispensing tube 32 from moving upon rotation of wheel 22.
Once the tubes 32 and 34 are fixedly positioned, clamps 40 and 42 may be brought up into position against the tubes to place the tubes in engagement with the bearing surface 27 of wheel 22. The position of the clamps are fixed by latches 44 and 46 to hold the tubes against the bearing surface 27 of wheel 22.
Actuation of trigger 24 causes rotation of wheel 22 (
During the dispensing of the product, the pins 45 of bearing surface 27 also bear against vent tube 34 to force the air from the vent tube 34 into the interior of container 12. Thus, as fluid is being dispensed through dispensing tube 32, an equivalent amount of air is being introduced back into container 12. This helps maintain pressure within the rigid container 12 allowing fluid to be dispensed from dispensing tube 32.
The ability to vent air out of rigid container 12 during the dispensing of fluid therefrom allows the peristaltic pump assembly 10 to be used in combination with the sealed non-collapsible container. Moreover, as may be appreciated, the use of the peristaltic pump allows dispensing of the fluid from the rigid container without the fluid itself coming in contact with the operational components of the pump thereby preventing contamination of the pump components and the fluid itself.
While the invention has been described in relationship to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without deviating from the fundamental nature and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2009/000723 | Feb 2009 | US |
Child | 12850132 | US |