Fluid dispensers wherein various fluids such as paint colorants have been mixed to obtain a desired color have been available for a number of years. These have regularly required laborious arrangements to insure that a desired color is arrived at from a paint card listing the ingredients that have to be combined in prescribed amounts. The available machines have been very costly, slow acting, relatively difficult to operate and their construction has made repair and/or replacement cumbersome and complicated.
In the case of hair dye coloring, while there have been some types of dispensing systems available, they have for the most part been relatively primitive and not very effective or efficient.
There has been long the desire of retail paint sellers to have fast acting, relatively inexpensive, automatic or manually operated fluid dispensers that can readily and efficiently mix a variety of colorants to obtain and reproduce whatever paint color the customer desires. There has also been a need for beauty shops to have available fast, efficient and inexpensive hair dye dispensers so that a customer can have available a wide variety of colors to quickly select from.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided novel and unique automatic and manual colorant and hair dye dispensers that are easy to operate and provides precision mixing of a large number of colorants and hair dye to make an almost infinite number of colors. The machines are relatively light in weight, easy to operate and maintain and the various components can be readily and easily replaced. In the colorant dispenser this is principally due to the fact that the colorant canisters are supported by a central column and the conventional use of a massive turntable supporting the canisters have been eliminated. In both the automatic and manual illustrated embodiments there is shown six (6) pie-shaped triangular canister units (dispensing units) each including three (3) separate colorant receptacles. There can be more or less dispensing units as desired.
The pump means preferably comprises a valve mechanism, said valve mechanism comprising a rotatable valve element with a sealing surface, said sealing surface lying in a substantially flat plane. Due to such flat sealing surface a small deviation in the fabrication of the rotating valve element, for instance in the thickness of the valve discs does not lead to difficulties in keeping the valve sealed.
In a preferred embodiment the valve mechanism is designed so that the pressure obtained by pressurizing the liquid in the pump promotes the sealing between the two valve elements, i.e. the pressure of the fluid presses the flat sealing surface of the valve element on a corresponding sealing surface of another part of the valve mechanism (e.g. another valve element).
Preferably the valve mechanism comprises two discs as valve elements which provides for a small dispensing path which prevents clogging of the path and a smaller height of the total pump means.
In a preferred embodiment the sealing surface of the rotatable valve element and/or the corresponding sealing surface of another part of the valve mechanism (e.g. another valve element) are made out of ceramic material.
Each of the canister units include passageways leading from each of the separate colorant receptacles to individual pumps connected to the front of its respective canister. The triangular canister units are supported on a central movable column that is located in a support secured to a fixed base plate about which the canisters rotate. This simple constructions allows the canister units to be removed and replaced with ease.
In the fully automatic colorant and hair dye dispensing systems the individual pump systems secured to the front of their respective canisters are programmed to extract the required amount of a given colorant or tint from its respective receptacle. Then by means of an automatic valve control system the prescribed quantity of fluid from the receptacles is directed into a receiving container located below an outlet orifice.
At the dispensing station where the container collecting the colorant and hair dye is located the automatic or manual valve control systems are located to control the flow of colorant or hair dye from the pumps to the container.
In the automatic colorant versions the system for rotating the canister assemblies into position for emptying the contents of the individual pumps consists of a simple motor driven worm drive mechanism that rotates a canister unit and thus the movable column that carries with it all of the canister assemblies connected thereto. To accomplish this the bottom of each canister unit includes a pin that engages and is driven by the worm to accurately move the canister units through a predetermined angle along with the other canisters secured to the central column to which they are connected about a column support secured to a stationary base plate. The travel of the worm is programmed to sequentially move a complete canister assembly through 3 separate increments to place each of the receptacles of a single canister assembly into the dispensing station position where its respective pump and automatic valve control means are actuated to dispense its contents.
The worm and containers are designed so that a pin depending from its respective canister unit engages the worm so the complete canister assembly is moved to place the pumps connected to a second canister assembly into position to be actuated by the automatic valve control system, etc. until the colorants selected to provide a specific color that has been dispensed. By way of example, if there are six (6) canisters each providing three (3) colorants to be mixed, the worm, when driven, will move the entire canister assembly 20.degree. each time it is actuated. The program for operating the various motors for the worm, pumps and valve control mechanism will be set to operate the canisters, pumps and valve control mechanism for the requisite time periods.
There remains to be described two (2) additional major assemblies that are essential to fluid dispenser systems. These include a stirring mechanism and a cleaning system. A cleaning system for a colorant dispenser is generally conventional in nature and thus has only generally been illustrated in the colorant dispenser device forming the subject of applicant's new and novel designs.
Stirring systems for mixing the colorants to maintain a readily flowable consistent mixture are employed in the systems to insure uniformity.
It remains to note that the automatic and manual operated colorant dispensers forming applicant's invention are identical in many respects and mainly differ in that (a) in the automatic version the dispenser actuator system for dispensing the colorant is automatically controlled by a program and in the manual system a handle is operated to regulate the flow from the pump which has been filled by a motor operated filling system and (b) the worm drive has been eliminated and the canisters are turned by hand.
In the automatic hair dye dispensing system the valve operating and actuation control systems are identical to those found in the automatic colorant dispenser. However, in the hair dye system the adaptors containing the hair dye containers are, preferably via a dispensing unit, mounted on a turntable driven by a worm drive mounted on a support plate. The adaptors include pins that are engaged by the worm drive to rotate the adaptors and the turntable to which they are connected. The dispenser also includes peroxide containers that are fixed in position and are motor operated to dispense the requisite amount of peroxide along with the hair dye at the dispensing station.
There is also provided a semi-automatic hair dye system that is essentially identical to the fully automatic system except (1) that the worm drive has been eliminated and the turntable is turned by hand, and (2) in the area of the dispenser actuator system the automatic version of the dispenser actuating system has been replaced by the same semi-automatic manually operated system used with the semi-automatic/manual colorant dispenser system.
It remains to note that in a third hair dye version the dispenser actuating system is similar to that used in the semi-automatic system except that whereas in the semi-automatic/manual system the setting of the dye quantity to be dispensed is manually determined by the weight of the dye dispensed instead of a programmed stepping motor adjusting a limit control plate.
Other features and advantages will be clear from the following drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings there is shown in
Each of the aforementioned components will be described in detail hereinafter beginning with the basic support and canister supply portion of the novel automatic fluid dispensing apparatus.
The basic support structure includes as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, there are provided a total of six canister-segments 14, to thus provide a total of six interior canister-receptacles 15, and a total of twelve exterior canister-receptacles 16A, 16B. The three canister-receptacles 15, 16A, 16B of each canister-segment 14 form a triangular pattern or layout when viewed from the top. As seen in
Referring again to
Referring now to
In another embodiment the canister-segment 14 is made up of five separate parts: A top, one-piece molded main body part 17, three separate canister-receptacles 15, 16A, 16B, best seen in
Referring to
Also projecting upwardly through the bottom wall 46 are the above-mentioned three tubes 28, which pass through the bottom wall 46 via holes formed at the center points of the circular raised ribs. The bottom ends of the tubes 28 project downwardly beyond the lower surface of the bottom wall 46, whereby a stirring rod may be inserted therethrough, to which stirring rod is secured a stirring mechanism for stirring the contents of a canister-receptacle, as discussed below in detail when discussing the stirring procedure. The exterior edge-surface of the main body portion 40 is also provided with three channels or grooves 58 that are in alignment with the three channels 32′ of the upper part 17 in which are mounted the piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34A, 34B and 34C. One of the vertical-oriented holes 50′, 52′ and 54′ is located centrally of a respective channel 58.
Referring to
Referring to
For simplicity a single pump connected to an individual receptacle will be described. The lower end of the dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangement 34 is provided with the novel valve mechanism of the present invention indicated generally by reference numeral 70. The valve mechanism 70 comprises a main housing or hollow-interior sleeve 72 best seen in
The rearwardly-extending box-shaped section 74 is appropriately shaped with horizontally-projecting side flanges 75 that are received in a snap-fit type of connection between a pair of vertical retaining camming elements 77 associated with a respective channel 58 of a bottom part 18 of a canister-segment 14 described above, and as best seen in
Mounted to and below the main housing or hollow-interior sleeve 72 is a two-way rotatable valve indicated generally by reference numeral 90. The valve 90 includes a main housing 92 defining an interior hollow volume and an open circular bottom opening 92′. Mounted within the hollow volume of housing 92 are two circular ceramic valve-plates, an upper one 94 and a lower one 96. The interior annular surface of the main housing 92 is provided with a suitable circular ridge for mounting the plates with o-ring 108 sealing the lower ceramic plate 96 therein. The lower ceramic plate 96 is rotatable relative to the upper ceramic plate 94, as described herein. The housing 92 is mounted to the lower end of the main housing 72 by telescoping the main housing 92 over the lower end of the main housing 72 and securing them tightly in place via an o-ring 100 between the interior annular surface of the main housing 92 and the exterior annular surface of the juxtapositioned main housing 72. The upper and lower ceramic plates are resiliently held in abutting relationship by the spring 101. The upper ceramic plate 94 is provided with a first raised opening or hole 102 and a second lower opening or hole 104. Another O-ring 106 sealingly connects the raised opening 102 with the bottom hole of the interior vertical passageway or orifice in the lower end of the main cylinder 65, as described above, whereby fluid communication is established between the raised opening or hole 102 and the dispensing orifice of the respective canister-receptacle 16A and whereby rotation of the upper disc or plate 94 is prevented relative to the main housing 72. The second opening or hole 104 is in fluid communication with an opening or orifice formed in the bottom of main cylinder 65 which provides fluid communication with the interior of the main cylinder.
The bottom plate 96 is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed holes or openings 110, 112 interconnected by an arcuate, or banana-shaped, trough or depressed channel 114. Another, triangular-shaped hole or opening 118 is provided arcuately between the holes 110, 112 and opposite the arcuate channel 114; this triangular-shaped hole or opening 118 is used to actually dispense the liquid colorant to a container there below when this triangular-shaped hole or opening 118 is rotated into alignment with the unraised or unelevated opening or hole 104 formed in the upper plate 94, as discussed below.
In using the two ceramic valve plates or discs, one first rotates the lower plate 96 such that the opening 112 is in alignment and fluid communication with the opening 102 of the upper plate which simultaneously aligns opening 110 of the lower plate with opening 104 of the upper plate. This positioning means that the output orifice of the respective canister-receptacle 16A is in fluid communication with the interior of the main cylinder 65, openings 102 and 112, arcuate trough 114, opening 110 in the lower valve disc 86, and finally opening 104 in the upper valve disc 94. In this position, the actuator mechanism described hereinbelow may then lift the piston rod 66 the requisite distance to suck up the desired or metered amount of colorant into the interior of the main cylinder 65. After the proper amount has been metered, the lower disc 96 is then rotated in an opposite direction by the below-discussed actuator mechanism via exteriorly-projecting handle 119 of the lower housing 92, where the opening 110 of the lower valve disc is brought out of alignment with the opening 104 in the upper valve disc, thereby disconnecting the fluid communication between the interior of the main cylinder 65 with the exit orifice of the respective canister-receptacle 16A. Further rotation of the lower valve plate 96 aligns the triangular-shaped hole or opening 118 thereof with the opening 104 of the upper valve plate, whereupon the actuator mechanism lowers the piston rod 66 to force out the stored, metered volume of liquid through aligned openings 104, 118, for dispensing into a container.
The disc valve as described has a number of advantages. The disc shaped valve element provides for a flat sealing surface so that small deviation in the fabrication of the valve discs, for instance in the thickness of the valve discs does not lead to difficulties in keeping the valve sealed. Further, the pressure obtained by pressurizing the liquid in the pump promotes the sealing between the two valve elements. Further the use of discs provides for a small dispensing path which prevents clogging of the path and provides for a smaller height of the total pump means.
Referring to
The base plate 12 is made of a one-piece, cast aluminum, and includes a main mounting frame 120 from which projects centrally thereof the above-mentioned hub 20 used for mounting the upstanding, vertical mounting column assembly 11, as described above in detail. The main mounting frame 120 is provided with a number of cutouts and brackets in which various structural and operational components are mounted. Cutout 122 is used for mounting the stirring actuating mechanism described in detail hereinbelow, which stirring actuating mechanism is used to rotate a selected a stirring rod 30 of a respective canister-receptacle 15, 16A and 16B positioned thereat. Mounting bracket 124 is used for the worm-drive assembly, also discussed in detail hereinbelow, which worm-drive assembly is used to rotate or index the carousel-type canister-segments arrangement by engaging with the downwardly-projecting guide pins or cams 62, which pins 62 are formed on the underside of the four convex-shaped protuberances 64 between which are formed the above-mentioned channels 58, as described above with reference to
Referring now to
Referring now
The mounting column or bridge 150 has a substantially-cylindrical, main body portion 162 in which is mounted a piston-lifting device 164, which includes a cylindrical member or housing 168 which is telescopingly received in cylindrical opening 162′ of main body portion 162. The cylindrical member 168 interiorly mounts a rotatable threaded screw rod 181 by which a gripper 182 is reciprocated in a vertical direction, which gripper protrudes outwardly from the cylinder 168 through an elongated vertical channel or slot 181′. The gripper 182 is mounted to the threaded rod 181 via a nut in a conventional manner. As shown in
This relative, rotational orientation between the two ceramic valve-disc plates 94, 96 is controlled by a valve-actuating device 170, for dispensing the metered or measured fluid contained in the dispensing cylinder of the piston-cylinder arrangement 34, as described in detail hereinbelow. Referring to
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment the arms of the lever arm 202 are arranged at an angle smaller than 180 degrees, preferably 120-130 degrees, for instance 126 degrees so that the rotation angle needed between opening and closing the valve is smaller, resulting in a reduction of time needed for opening and closing the valve and therewith a reduction in total dispensing time. The angle should be big enough, typically larger than 45 degrees, preferably larger than 90 degrees to allow a free rotational movement of the respective cylinder piston arrangements 34.
Projecting radially inwardly from the lever arm 202 is a ball bearing construction 203 which is used for a tight-fitting, sliding or riding in the space in between the two stops or flanges 80, 82 of a dispensing cylinder of the piston-cylinder arrangement 34. The ball bearing 203 slides in a respective pair of flanges 80, 82 as the carousel of canister-segments 14 is rotated or indexed. This arrangement is necessary owing to the above-mentioned and above-described cantilever-type, suspended mounting of each canister-segment 14. The ball bearing structure 203 in conjunction with its contact between stops or flanges 80, 82 of a dispensing cylinder of the piston-cylinder arrangement 34 (see
Mounted within the main housing 190 is a disc 205 having a plurality of notches 205′. The disc 205 is used for stopping the rotation of the lever arm 200 at the two precise locations of the valve-discs described above for first filling the dispensing cylinder with liquid to be dispensed and then for dispensing it, as described above in detail. The notches 205′ are used to allow an IR beam to pass through, which infrared beam is part of a conventional IR sensing system 207 well-known in the art. At the dispensing station the motor 201 is operated to rotate the lever arm to operate the valve to the correct location for proper alignment of the holes of the two ceramic valve plates for dispensing to take place. When the lever arm 200 breaks the beam the drive motor 201 rotating the lever 200 stops. The motor is then reversed to return the lever arm to its original position. Other conventional sensing structure besides IR may be used.
The disk 205 preferably comprises three notches 205′ and two sensors, whereby each of the two sensors can sense each of the three notches 205′ so that at least four positions of the disk 205 can be identified by the sensing system 207, namely “valve opened”, “valve closed”, “canister-segments free to rotate”, and “undefined position”. The position of the notches 205′ is dependent on the shape of the lever arm 202 and the position of the sensors. In the embodiment shown in
As mentioned above, each receptacle of each canister-segment 14 must be periodically stirred or agitated in order to properly mix the contents. Unlike prior-art colorant dispensing machines, the apparatus 10 utilizes just one stirring or agitating device to which are brought the selected canister segments to be mixed. The agitating device 220 (see
Referring to
Instead of the camming pin 233 mounted on the eccentric arm 232 there also may be provided an extension on the projecting end 221′ which extension directly cooperates with the eccentric arm 232. This extension extends preferably in a downward direction and may be an integral part of the stirring rod 221.
In a variation of the stirring process of a canister-receptacle there is shown in
As discussed above, each dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34 associated with a respective canister-receptacle 15, 16A or 16B is removably attached, so that it may removed for cleaning and/or repair. When such canister-receptacle 15, 16A or 16B is removed, it is necessary to prevent leakage of the colorant from the respective, associated canister-receptacle through the thus-exposed, respective exit or discharge tube or opening 50′, 52′ or 54′ seen in
Toward this end, a manually movable, vertically-reciprocal, closure lever or plate 270 is mounted between exit or discharge tube or opening 50′ for a representative canister receptacle and the ceramic valve-plate assembly 94, 96. This manually movable, vertically-reciprocal, closure lever or plate 270 is seen in
Referring now to
We now turn to the automatic hair dye dispensing machine illustrated in
The function of this machine is to automatically dispense selected amounts of various hair dye colors into a container to provide the desired color. The illustrated automatic machine 310 contains 30 different colors of hair dye that can be automatically dispensed by a program controller including a digital read-out viewing screen 312, possibly a touch-screen which can also be used for input of data. Mixed with the selected amounts of hair dye is peroxide located in containers 314 in the center of the machine the amounts of which are similarly automatically controlled and dispensed by a program controller.
The automatic hair dye machine 310 is identical in many respects to the automatic colorant dispenser and to avoid unnecessary duplication the components of the hair dye machine that are identical to the colorant dispenser will be so indicated. When it is necessary to the understanding of the hair dye system to identify certain parts, the numbers and figures from the colorant dispensing machine will be referred to. Thus, attention in this portion of this application will be directed to those components that are different to those in the automatic colorant dispenser. For the details of the hair dye machine that are identical to the automatic colorant dispenser reference is made to the detailed description thereof described with respect to the automatic fluid dispenser 10.
The differences between the automatic colorant dispensing system and the hair dye systems mainly lie in the container construction for the hair dye, the support therefore and the drive system for the adaptors holding the hair dye containers.
Referring first to the support system it is to be noted that the containers 316 for the hair dye are located in canister units/adapters 318 (see
In an alternative, preferred embodiment of the hair-dye dispenser apparatus, the dispenser apparatus comprises one or more canister units/adaptors, each canister unit/adaptor being designed to hold two or more containers 316 containing the hair-dye components. Such canister unit/adaptor is releasably attached to the turntable. Preferably a pump is releasably connected to the canister unit/adaptor for each container being placeable on said canister unit/adaptor.
Referring now to
Referring to
Located in the adaptors 318 are the containers 316 filled with the hair dye that is to be dispensed at the dispensing station 27. As illustrated the containers are box-shaped to fit the adaptors and contain dye in vacuum packed bags 329 (see
This is but one type of container that can be used and other arrangements can be used, several of which will be illustrated in detail hereinafter.
With the dispenser filled as illustrated in
The adaptors 318 are designed with upper cylindrical front portions 319 having an opening 319′ extending the length thereof. Located in these openings 319′ are the main cylinder of the piston and valve assembly identical to that illustrated in
It remains to note that the turntable is operated by a worm drive 332 connected to the support plate 12 that engages the pins 326 of the adaptor and rotates the adaptors 318 and the turntable relative to the plate 12 (see
In summation, the hair dye machine in the support and drive areas mainly differs from the colorant dispenser in that the adaptor and the identical piston-valve assemblies are mounted on a turntable 320 and the turntable, when rotated, places an adaptor at a dispensing and valve actuating station identical to the one in the colorant dispenser. The operation of the hair dye machine is suitably controlled by a program controller to accomplish the requisite dispensing in a pre-selected manner.
Another main feature of the hair dye machine is the necessity to supply the requisite quantities of peroxide in the receiving container along with the hair dye components. There is illustrated in
As an alternative embodiment the peroxide may be dispensed on the basis of gravity, whereby the amount dispensed is measured with a weighing device or a scale.
In another embodiment the peroxide may be dispensed from a container which is in principle the same as one of the container embodiments hereinafter described holding a hair dye. Such container may be placed in the dispenser apparatus instead of a container containing hair-dye. In such embodiment the peroxide may be dispensed in the same way as hair-dye as described in this application and the four peroxide containers in the center of the turntable may be left out.
As illustrated in the drawings the hair dyes are disposed in generally trapezoidal containers 316 shaped to fit into adaptors 318. The containers in one embodiment are boxes filled with flexible air-permeable bags 329 as shown in
Another type of container system for hair dye or other liquids that are degradable by air, in particular oxygen, or may dry out due to evaporation, can be in the form of a generally cylindrical shape filled with hair dye and the adaptor 318 would be suitably designed to accommodate such a container. Two embodiments that can be used are shown in
The liquid container comprises an air-impermeable outer shell and defines a space for holding said liquid, said liquid container having a liquid outlet for dispensing the liquid and a vent hold for admitting air into the liquid container, the liquid container further comprises an expandable air-receiving element placed within the outer shell and defines an expandable air-receiving space for receiving air entering the liquid container via the vent hold, said air receiving element having an air-impermeable wall, said air-impermeable wall being air-tightly connected to the outer shell and separating the air-receiving space for holding said liquid.
When dispensing liquid from such liquid container the outer shape of the container remains substantially the same, due to the admittance of air into the container. The air entering the container is received in the air-receiving space which is separated by the air-impermeable wall from the space wherein the liquid is container. The air-impermeable wall of the expandable air-receiving element thereby guarantees that the liquid does not come into contact with the air which has entered the container, so that the liquid does not degrade and/or the liquid will be protected against drying out. The air-receiving element will expand upon dispensing of the liquid as a result of the air entering into the liquid container. Preferably, the air receiving element is an expandable air-impermeable bag or an expandable bellows-like element.
Advantageously, the outer shell is substantially made from a rigid material, so that the liquid container is well protected against mechanical impact, in particular of sharp or pointed objects. The outer shell may for example be made of (hard) cardboard with an aluminum layer or a plastics material comprising nylon.
In a preferred embodiment the liquid container comprises a follower piston which is placed between the expandable air-receiving element and the space in which liquid is held in the container. Due to the presence of the follower piston the expandable air-receiving element will not contact the liquid. As a consequence, the choice of the material of the air-receiving element is not influenced by the characteristics of the liquid.
Further, the follower piston has the advantage that liquid which will stick to the inner walls of the outer shell will be scraped off by the follower piston which will move along the walls of the outer shell when liquid is dispensed from the liquid container.
The outer shell 351 comprises a liquid outlet 352 through which the liquid contained in the liquid container can be dispensed. The liquid outlet 352 may have any suitable design, but can preferably be connected to a pump or such in an air-tight manner. Before use the liquid outlet 352 is preferably sealed, for instance by an aluminum foil, which can be removed or punctured in order to open the liquid outlet 352.
In the outer shell a vent hold 358 is present for admitting air into the liquid container 350 to take the place of dispensed liquid. Before use, the vent hole 358 may be sealed, for instance by an aluminum foil layer, which seal can be removed or punctured to open the vent hole 358. It is also possible that the cylindrical end of the rigid outer shell 351, where the vent hold 358 is situated, is not closed but open, whereby this open end is sealed by an air-impermeable foil, for instance an aluminum foil. The vent hole 358 may then be formed by puncturing the circular foil.
The liquid container 350 further comprises an expandable air-receiving element in the form of an air-receiving bag 356 having an air-impermeable wall, which air-receiving bag 356 is placed within the outer shell 351 and air-tightly sealed to the outer shell 351. The vent hold 358 is in communication with the space within the air-receiving bag 356 so that air coming into the container 350 via the vent hold 358 during dispensing of the liquid will enter into the air-receiving bag 356.
In the present embodiment the air-receiving bag is made of a flexible air-impermeable material, which may comprise nylon or an aluminum layer in order to obtain the air-impermeability. The air-receiving bag 356 may also comprise rigid parts. For example, the air-receiving bag 356 may be formed from a flexible sleeve with two open ends, whereby one of the open ends is sealed to the rigid outer shell 351 and the other open end is sealed to a follower piston 354, which will be discussed hereinafter. It is also possible to provide the vent hole 358 in the wall of the air-receiving element, in which case a part of the air-receiving element may also form a part of the outside of the liquid container.
The expandable air-receiving bag 356 comprises folded segments which will be unfolded when the air-receiving bag 356 fills with air. The air-receiving bag 356 is designed in such a way that the bag, when fully expanded, may take in a volume which is at least substantially equal to the internal volume of the liquid container 350. As a consequence, all liquid contained in the container 350 may be dispensed therefrom, whereby the air-receiving bag 356 expands due to entering air to take in the space of the dispensed liquid, without at any time the liquid being in contact with the air that enters the liquid container.
In the liquid container 350 a follower piston 354 is provided which follower piston 354 is placed between the space 353 in which the liquid is contained and the air-receiving bag 356. This follower piston 354 will move during dispensing of the liquid in the space 353 towards the liquid outlet 352. During this movement the follower piston 354 will scrape off any liquid that sticks to the inner walls of the rigid outer shell 351.
Further, the follower piston 354 separates the space 353 wherein the liquid is contained from the air-receiving bag 356 so that the choice of the material of the air-receiving bag 356 is not influenced by the liquid which provides a wider choice of materials. Although not shown, the follower piston may be formed complementary to the end of the cylindrical outer shell 351, i.e., in the present case with a dome, in order to make it possible that all liquid can be dispensed from the liquid container 354.
In order to improve the expanding of the expandable bag 356 a part of the air-receiving bag 356 may be connected to the follower piston 354.
An advantage of the liquid container shown in
The above described liquid container is suitable to be used for any liquids, pastes or such that are degradable by air, in particular oxygen, such as hair dye, or liquids that may dry out due to evaporation.
Some of the several containers described herein, for paint or hair-dye, may be disconnectable from the dispenser apparatus, in particular the receptacle. For the disconnecting of the container at least one disconnecting device (not shown) is provided. It is possible to provide for each of the disconnectable container a separate disconnecting device which may be mounted on the movable in particular rotatable structure, i.e. the support structure or the canister units.
In a preferred embodiment one stationary disconnecting device is provided for disconnecting, per actuation, one of the containers being coupled to the dispenser apparatus. Such stationary disconnecting device may be designed as a lever which is pivotably mounted on a stationary structure. The stationary disconnecting device may at least be pivoted between a first position wherein the movable/rotatable structure is free to move/rotate about its axis and a second position in which a container coupled to the dispenser apparatus and placed in front of the disconnecting device is disconnected from the dispenser apparatus.
The lever may comprise an actuation end which is actuable by hand or an actuator and a disconnecting end which cooperates with the respective container.
When the dispenser apparatus comprises two or more concentric rings wherein containers may be coupled to the dispenser apparatus, the stationary disconnecting device may be designed to disconnect each container being positioned in front of the stationary disconnecting device independent of in which concentric ring the container to be disconnected is present. For this reason the lever may comprise two disconnecting ends, one for each concentric ring and both being capable of disconnecting a container when positioned in the second position.
As an alternative embodiment the lever may be pivotable in a third position, so that in the second position a container in a first concentric ring is disconnected and in the third position a container in a second concentric ring is disconnected. In such embodiment the second and third position may be on opposite sides of a central first position of the lever. In yet another embodiment a stationary disconnecting device is provided for each concentric ring of containers.
As mentioned above, the apparatus 10 is a fully-automatic colorant dispenser and the apparatus 310 is a fully automatic hair dye dispenser. In these machines all indexing, dispensing and stirring being controlled automatically by a microprocessor controlled by software modules. In this version, the operator of the dispensing machine need only input the desired color to be dispensed and the amount, and the software control logic will perform all of the necessary functions and steps. Also, as discussed above, the software control logic also determines when to stir each canister-receptacle, if at all, for how long, at what rate, whether such rate be constant over the entire stirring cycle, or variable thereover. It is understood that all the software logic functions can be performed by a stand along microprocessor or a computer directly wired or wirelessly controlled to the dispenser or the logic may be hardwired with discrete devices. Display devices may also be provided either coupled directly to or wirelessly coupled to the dispenser to input formulations and other variables required as described herein.
In a modification of the dispenser 10, there is provided what may be termed a semi-automatic or enhanced manual version where all steps, rather than being controlled by control software, all but the piston-actuation metering or measuring steps, are performed manually. Thus, under this modification, rotation or indexing of the carousel of canister-segments 14 is done manually, with the above-described worm-gear drive assembly 140 being obviated and absent from this modification. Moreover, the camming pins 62 associated with each canister-receptacle 15, 16A and 16B that ride in the worm-gear assembly may or may not be included with a canister-segment 14. In this enhanced manual modification, all other parts are identical to those of the above-described automatic dispenser 10 except for the dispensing actuator assembly, as described in detail hereinbelow.
Referring to
In
The dispensing actuator assembly 402 is mounted at the dispensing station 404, to mounting bridge 406 which is substantially identical to the mounting column or bridge 150 of the above-described apparatus 10. The dispensing actuator assembly 402 includes a stationary, vertical, cylindrical tube 410 which is mounted in the upper or top opening of the mounting bridge 406. Mounted within the tube 410 is a stationary guide rod 414, and a rotatably mounted threaded traversing rod 416. The traversing rod 416 is drivingly rotated by drive motor assembly 420 that is mounted on the top or upper portion of the cylindrical tube 410. A bracket 422 connected to the drive motor assembly and housing helps to mount the upper end of the guide rod 414. Threading connected to the threaded traverse rod 416 is a circular plate or member 430, which plate 430 is reciprocal in the vertical direction along traverse rod 416 depending upon the direction of rotation of the traverse rod 416. The circular plate 430 serves as an upper limit stop by which a precise and measured amount of color tint is dispensed from a canister-receptacle that is being dispensed, as described hereinbelow.
The drive motor assembly 420 includes a stepping motor 421 that rotates the traverse rod 416, and which is automatically controlled by software control of the apparatus 400. The software control determines how much of a specific color tint must be dispensed from the canister-receptacle located at the dispensing station 404, and then controls the stepping motor 421 to rotate the traverse rod 416 the desired amount, in order to position the limit stop plate 430 at the desired height with respect to the respective enlarged head 68 of the piston rod 66 of a dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34 that is to be dispensed, as described above with reference to apparatus 10. The limit stop 430 limits the vertical distance the piston of the dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34 is lifted up via a gripper 432 similar to the above-described gripper 182 of apparatus 10, and has a notch or catch 434, like notch or catch 184 of apparatus 10, in which is received a respective enlarged head or flange 68 of a respective piston of a respective canister-receptacle positioned at the dispensing station, whereby the preselected amount of color tint is drawn up. The circular plate 430 also has another, radially offset hole or opening 431 in which is received the upper end of the guide rod 414, whereby the limit stop 430 is adequately and firmly mounted for serving as a limit stop. It is also noted that the guide rod 414 is preferably hollow in order to serve as an electrical conduit for the electrical leads for the stepping motor 421 of the drive motor assembly 420 and a stepping motor that drives a rotatable lever actuator or arm similar to above-described lever arm of the rotatable valve actuating mechanism 200 of apparatus 10 illustrated in
The gripper 432 forms part of an overall actuating and dispensing handle structure 440. The actuating and dispensing handle structure 440 includes a tubular sliding mounting sleeve 442 that is vertically slidable along the cylindrical tube 410, and also has a handle portion 444 rotatably mounted to the mounting sleeve 442. The handle portion 444 is positioned diametrically opposite to the gripper 432, and both handle portion 444 and gripper 432 are moved vertically along the cylindrical tube 410 as the tubular sliding mounting sleeve 442 is moved vertically. The entire assembly is moved vertically along the cylindrical tube 410 by manually gripping the handle portion 444, and moving the assembly in the upward direction until the upper, annular rim or lip 442′ abuts against the limit stop 430 as previously positioned by the drive motor assembly 420.
It is noted that the stationary, vertical, cylindrical tube 410 is provided with a partial, arcuate, vertical cutout or channel 410′ through which outwardly projects the above-mentioned gripper 432 for receiving the enlarged head or flange 68 of a respective piston of a respective canister-receptacle positioned at the dispensing station.
On the opposite side of the channel 410′ is a partial vertical window through which projects the handle portion 444, and which window section not only allows for the vertical travel of the handle portion 444, but is wide enough so as to allow enough freedom of motion to the handle portion 444 so that the handle structure 440, excluding the gripper 432, may be turned or rotated in a horizontal plane, as described in detail below. Thus, after the respective flange 68 of a respective canister-receptacle to be dispensed is received in the notch or catch 434, and after the limit stop 430 has been appropriately and automatically located via the drive motor assembly 420 and traverse rod 416 to the required height, one then manually lifts the actuating and dispensing handle structure 440 via the handle portion 444 thereof until further movement is prevented by contact with the limit stop 430. Consequently, as the actuating and dispensing handle structure 440 is lifted up until the limit stop 430, the piston rod 62 with piston head of the dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34 being dispensed is also lifted up to create a vacuum to draw up the desired color tint contained in the associated canister-receptacle. It is noted that the valve plates 94, 96 of the valve mechanism 90, described above in detail, is controlled to first allow drawing in and then to allow dispensing, as above-described, which valve mechanism 90 is controlled or actuated by a rotatable lever actuator or arm similar to above-described lever arm of the rotatable valve actuating mechanism 200 in a manner to be described below. The connection between the gripper 432 and the rest of the handle structure 440 is by a conventional slide connection that allows the gripper 432 to be moved vertically along with the handle section 432, but which also allows the rest of the handle structure to rotate relative to the gripper 432, whereby the gripper 432 does not rotate with the rest of the handle structure 440, which rotation of the handle structure is done in order to actuate the valve mechanism for dispensing, as described below.
As mentioned above, as the actuating and dispensing handle structure 440 is moved upwardly, the gripper pulls up the actuating piston head of the respective dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34 being dispensed. After the upper limit stop 430 is reached, the desired color tint has been drawn into the dispensing cylinder of the dispensing piston/cylinder pump arrangements 34. At this juncture, it is necessary to actuate the valve mechanism 90 by rotating the lower ceramic disk 96, as described in detail above with reference to the automated colorant dispenser 10. However, in the automated colorant dispenser 10 such actuation is accomplished automatically by using software control logic. In the manual apparatus 400 the valve mechanism 90 is actuated or controlled manually via the actuating and dispensing handle structure 440. Specifically, after the actuating and dispensing handle structure 440 has reached its upper limit of travel by contact with the limit stop 430, the handle structure 440, exclusive of the gripper 432, is rotated in a horizontal plane by means of the handle portion 444 in order to actuate the valve mechanism 90 in the manner described below. After the rotation or turning of the handle structure 440 in the counterclockwise direction when viewing
The mechanism for actuating or controlling the valve mechanism 90 is best seen in
After the handle structure 440 has been lowered for dispensing, it is rotated in the opposite direction to its initial position, which also will rotate the rotary actuator shaft 460 in the opposite direction, to thereby rotate the lower ceramic disc of the valve mechanism in the opposite direction, to close the valve mechanism, in the manner described in detail above with respect to the valve mechanism 90 of the automatic colorant dispenser 10.
It is to be understood that other, conventional mechanical converters may be employed for converting the rotation of the handle structure 440 about a vertical axis into the rotation about the horizontal axis of the pivot shaft that rotatably mounts the rotatable lever actuator or arm 452. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other conventional mechanical structures may be used for accomplishing the connection or coupling of the gripper 432 to the rest of the handle structure in order to allow only conjoint vertical movement but which excludes rotation of the gripper 432 with the rest of the handle structure 340, as well as for providing for the coupling of the handle structure 440 to the central square-shaped or rectilinear-cross-sectioned middle section 462 in which is formed vertical channel or slot 462′ of the rotary actuator shaft 460 which allows relative vertical movement therebetween but for conjoint rotation.
Consideration will now be given to the enhanced manual or semi-automatic hair dye dispenser. In this modification all steps rather than being controlled by software, all but the piston actuation metering or measuring steps are performed manually. The rotation or indexing of the turntable is done manually and does not use the worm drive. All other parts are identical to those of the above-described automatic hair dye dispenser 310. This semi-automatic or enhanced manual embodiment 500 illustrated in
There remains to describe a third version of a hair dye dispenser which is similar to the enhanced manual/semi-automatic version illustrated in
There is thus described above novel automatic and enhanced manual/semi-automatic colorant dispensers and automatic enhanced manual/semi-automatic and essentially manual hair dye dispensers.
In
The support construction 600 comprises four stationary supporting means in the form of legs 601. One or more of the legs 601 may be adjustable by a set screw to optimally place the support construction 600 on a supporting surface such as a floor. A support construction with the stationary legs 601 are well-known in prior art.
A disadvantage of these known legs 601 is that when a device has to be accessible on the sides or backside, for instance for servicing or maintenance, the device has to be moved which is due to the stationary supporting legs hard to do. Also the placing back and possibly new adjusting of the set screws of the device is difficult and/or time-consuming, whereby it is a further disadvantage that the set-screws at the backside of the device are difficult to reach.
In contrast, the support construction 600 as disclosed herein comprises four supporting wheels 602 which may be moved in a vertical direction with respect to the legs 601 so that selectively the support construction is supported on the floor or ground by the legs 601 or the wheels 602. For moving the wheels 602 moving means are provided. In general is meant with moving with respect to that the wheels may be movable with respect to the device or that, as an alternative, the stationary supporting means are movable with respect to the device and the wheels are stationary mounted on the frame supported. Also both the stationary supporting means and the wheels may be movable with respect to the device to selectively bring the stationary supporting means or the wheels lower than the other.
The support construction 600 comprises a first frame element 603 on which the supporting legs 601 are mounted, and a second frame element 604. The first and second frame elements are movable with respect to each other in the direction indicated in the drawings by an arrow A.
The first frame element 603 comprises two vertical slots 605 and the second frame element 604 comprises two corresponding slanting slots 606 which partially overlap with the vertical slots 605 in the first frame element 603. Through the opening which is provided by an overlapping pair of a vertical slot 605 and a slanting slot 606, an axle of a supporting wheel 602 is placed. When now the first frame element 603 is moved with respect to the second frame element 604 the opening provided by the two slots will move in a vertical direction and, as a consequence, the wheels placed in the slots 605, 606 will be moved in a vertical direction.
The moving means for actuation of the movement between the first and second frame element comprise a bolt-nut assembly comprising a nut 607 being mounted on the second frame element 604 and a bolt 608 which is rotation-free connected with the first frame element 603. By rotating the head 608a of the bolt 608 which head 608a is easily accessible at the front end of the support construction 600 the nut and therewith the second frame element 604 may be moved in the direction indicated by arrow A. As explained above the movement of the frames with respect to each other will result in a movement of the wheels with respect to the stationary supporting means.
The two wheels 603 in front of the drawing of the
This application is a Divisional of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/065,915 filed Feb. 25, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,430, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/548,682 filed Feb. 27, 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference.
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20060283889 A1 | Dec 2006 | US |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11065915 | Feb 2005 | US |
Child | 11427988 | US |