Claims
- 1. Apparatus for dispensing precise quantities of a fluid product comprising:
- dispensing means for dispensing the fluid product when in any one of a plurality of open configurations and for stopping or prohibiting the dispensing thereof when in a closed configuration;
- actuator means for effecting said dispensing means between the open and closed configurations comprising an operative mechanism and an actuator body; and
- adjustment means for selectively adjusting operation of said actuator means enabling it to effect said dispensing means between any one of a plurality of open configurations and the closed configuration, said adjustment means comprising a threaded shank integral with said operative mechanism, a tubular stud internally threaded and threadedly engaged with said shank, said stud also being externally threaded, said external threads being coarser than said internal threads, a stroke adjuster nut threadedly received on said stud and keyed to said actuator body to prevent relative rotation therebetween about an actuating axis, said adjuster nut being movable along said actuating axis coincidental with the rotation of the stud about said actuating axis to a plurality of positions between and inclusive of a first position, relative to the terminal surface of said actuator body, wherein said operative mechanism is rendered inoperative and said dispensing means is in the closed configuration and a second position distant from said first position wherein said operative mechanism is operative to its greatest extent, thus enabling said dispensing means to open to its fully open position.
- 2. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjustment means includes calibration means for setting in discrete incremental steps each of said plurality of open positions.
- 3. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including manual means for rotating said stud to thereby move said adjuster nut between said first and second positions.
- 4. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including manual means for rotating said stud in discrete incremental steps to thereby move said adjuster nut in similar discrete incremental steps between said first and second positions.
- 5. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 4
- wherein said manual means includes:
- a crown member fixed to said stud, said crown member including an integral annular skirt overlying said actuator body and having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves generally parallel to said actuating axis;
- a spring biased detent ball mounted in said adjuster nut and successively engageable with each of said grooves;
- whereby rotation of said crown member about said actuating axis results in a predetermined movement of said adjuster nut along said actuating axis.
- 6. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5
- wherein said crown member is threadedly engaged with said stud; and
- including:
- set screw means for fixedly joining said crown member to said stud.
- 7. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dispensing means includes:
- a housing defining a reservoir for containing the fluid product under pressure;
- valve means comprising a valve seat on said housing defining an outlet for dispensing the fluid product from said reservoir and a valve gate movable along said actuating axis between an open position away from the valve seat for dispensing said fluid product and a closed position in contact engagement with said valve seat for inhibiting or stopping the dispensing of the fluid product from said reservoir; and
- wherein said operative mechanism comprises a piston movable along said actuating axis between a first position at which said valve gate is closed and a second position at which said valve gate is open.
- 8. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said adjustment means includes calibration means for setting in discrete incremental steps each of the plurality of open positions.
- 9. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said calibration means includes:
- a crown member fixed to said stud, said crown member including an integral annular skirt overlying said actuator body and having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves generally parallel to said actuating axis; and
- a spring biased detent ball mounted in said adjuster nut and successively engageable with each of said grooves;
- whereby rotation of said crown member about said actuating axis results in a predetermined movement of said adjuster nut along said actuating axis.
- 10. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said housing further includes an inlet for delivery of pressurized fluid product to said reservoir.
- 11. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further including a valve stem, intermediate said piston and said valve gate, whose axis is coincident with said actuating axis and which is movable along said actuating axis for transferring the movement of said operative mechanism to said valve gate.
- 12. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve gate is integral with said valve stem.
- 13. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve gate is releaseably attached to said valve stem.
- 14. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve stem is integral with said operative mechanism.
- 15. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said operative mechanism includes an actuator shaft integral with said piston and intermediate said piston and said valve stem and releaseably attached to said valve stem in an end-to-end relationship.
- 16. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including a deformable diaphragm, for isolating said reservoir from said operative mechanism, extending transversely of said actuating axis and sealingly fixed at spaced regions to said housing and to said valve stem.
- 17. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve stem extends through said outlet in said valve seat and through said reservoir.
- 18. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said valve stem extends through said outlet in said valve seat and through said reservoir.
- 19. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said adjustment means includes calibration means for setting in discrete incremental steps each of the plurality of open positions.
- 20. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said calibration means includes:
- a crown member fixed to said stud, said crown member including an integral annular skirt overlying said actuator body and having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves generally parallel to said actuating axis; and
- a spring biased detent ball mounted in said adjuster nut and successively engageable with each of said grooves;
- whereby rotation of said crown member about said actuating axis results in a predetermined movement of said adjuster nut along said actuating axis.
- 21. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said adjustment means includes calibration means for setting in discrete incremental steps each of the plurality of open positions.
- 22. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said calibration means includes:
- a crown member fixed to said stud, said crown member including an integral annular skirt overlying said actuator body and having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves generally parallel to said actuating axis; and
- a spring biased detent ball mounted in said adjuster nut and successively engageable with each of said grooves;
- whereby rotation of said crown member about said actuating axis results in a predetermined movement of said adjuster nut along said actuating axis.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation in part of application of Ewald Dickau, Ser. No. 57,614 filed June 3, 1987 now abandoned entitled Sealless Dispensing Mechanism.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
"Operating Instructions-725D Diaphragm Valve", 16 pages Copyrighted 1983 by Electron Fushion Devices, Inc. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
57614 |
Jun 1987 |
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