CA1066676A - Multiple fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

MULTIPLE FLUID DISPENSER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus particularly adapted for use in the concurrent dispensing of, preferably, viscous material in a predetermined ratio comprising at least two container means, each of which contains a separate material, first means associated with each of said container means and being actuatable for enabling flow discharge of the material from each of said container means in a predetermined ratio and second means operatively interconnected to said first means for actuating said first means and thereby enabling the simultaneous discharge and control of the material from said container means.

Description

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,.,;' 61 , 81 10 ~ ~ 6 '; 91 . ~., , 10 1 11¦ Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a metering 13¦ apparatus and, more specifically, a novel and improved metering 141 apparatus which safely provides for positively controlling and 15¦ ensuring that a predetermined ratio of flowable material may 16¦ be dispensed from a plurality of discrete material sources.
7¦ Descript~on of t!le Prior Art ~ --~8 In the particular field of automobile body repair work, 191 known viscosity fluid materials such as, for example, automobile 201 body solder, automobile body filler and other filler compositions 11 are normally mixed to provide a material which may be applied -221 to a damaged auto body so as to enable the repair thereof. ~-231 Ordinarly, these ingredients are somewhat difficult to handle æ I and, preferably, are required to be admixed in a predetermined 51 ratio so as to provide for optimum results. Typically, however, 26¦ it is common practice in the field to have a worker approximate 271 the quantity of the various materials which are desired to be æ8 ¦ mixed at any particular instance.
29 ¦ In other situations, the removal of materials from the 30 ¦ container is accomplished by scooping with a spatula or the like.

~. I -1-:- . - . ` ' ' ' ' : . , -1 ¦ Such procedure, however, has several drawbacks, among which is 2 ¦ that the material might get on the hands and considering the 3 ¦ corrosive effects of such materials the skin may be adversely ¦ affected. In addition, the dispensing of approximate amounts 5 ¦ is somewhat disadvantageous in the sense that in many circum-6 ¦ stances, especially with relatively unskilled workers; the 71 correct ratio of materials dispensed is not always achieved.
81 The consequent result is that the final hardened product may 91 not be entirely suitable for the purposes intended.
10¦ Aside from the foregoing disadvantages, the dispensing 11¦ of inaccurate quantities often results in the uneconomical 12¦ usage of the materials involved. Accordingly, there is a 31 correspondingly higher likelihood of increased costs for such 14 materials. Since the viscosity of the viscous material is a function of temperature, difficulty in the dispensing frequentl~
16 occurs at colder temperatures. This drawback is further 17 compounded by the fact that with several different materials ~ which are to be admixed in a predetermined ratio, the degree to which they are affected by the temperature will, of course, vary. Consequently, ensuring the correct intermixture of 21 several high viscous materials is even more difficult to success-22 fully achieve. It will, of course, be recognized that should 23 such predetermined ratios be inconsistently dispensed in 24 repeated usages, the final products will correspondingly vary.
With relatively more experienced workers in auto body 26 repair shops, there might exist a desire to vary somewhat from ;
27 the recommended mixing proportions for the various high 2~ viscous materials based on such worker's personal preference as 29 to the type of consistency which would perform adequately in certain circumstances. Heretofore, however, known techniques .' . ;~
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~066676 1 and devices through which this variance could be provided for 2 did not allow such to be accomplished in a simple, convenient 3 and yet highly versatile manner.

4 Another disadvantage generally associated with the discharge of high viscosity solutions in many automobile repair _ 6 shops is the fact that the material containers are often located r in inconvenient areas and are not capable of being moved to a ~-8 variety of positions.
9 In general, there are known devices which serve to dispense material from a container through the application of 11 fluid pressure. Such devices, however, might give rise to a 12 relatively dangerous situation should excess pressure build up 13 within the container to the extent that the container and the 14 cylinder heads associated therewith would rupture and/or be ;
propelled outwardly. As a consequence thereof, personal and 16 property damage might ensue. Normally, such situations may be 17 avoided through the use of a fluid pressure relief valve that -8 typically serves to vent excess pressure within a confined area, 19 such as a container. Although the foregoing valve arrangement is suitable under ordinary circumstances, nevertheless, it 21 might occur that the pressure relief valve itself would fail.
22 In such eventuality, a similar unsafe condition would prevail 23 in the container. -SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it becomes an object of the present 26 invention to overcome the aforedescribed disadvantages associated -27 with dispensing materials, especially high viscous materials in 28 an auto body repair shop.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for safely and selectively dispensing _3_ .,", . ',~' ~ ..
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~ 106667G
predetermined ratios of viscous fluid from a plurality of discrete sources comprising at least two separate container means, 3 each containing a different type of material to be dispensed, 4 one of the container means having a first outlet opening means S with a cross-sectional area which is at a predetermined ratio 6 with respect to a second outlet opening means in the other of the container means, such that the ratio of material dispensed 8 from the first opening means, in comparison to the material 9 dispensed from the second opening means will correspond to the desired ratio intended to be mixed from the materials~in said 11 container means, valve means associated with each of the first 12 and second outlet opening means and being actuatable to selec-13 tively open and close the valve means for enabling the simultaneo~ S
14 and uniform opening and closing of the first and second outlet opening means. In a preferred embodlment, the novel and 16 improved dispenser apparatus includes heating means associated 17 with the container means for selectively relatively decreasing ~8 viscosity of the fluid materials in the container means. In ~9 addition, such dispensing apparatus may comprise adjustment 20 means associated with at least one of the valve means for enabling 21 the independent selective adjustment of the fluid material flowing 22 from one of the container-means which includes a rotatable 23 dispensing plate having a plurality of different dimensioned 24 dispensing apertures circumferentially spaced from each other, 25 and detent means for selectively locking each of the dispensing 26 apertures adjacent one of the first means for enabling adjustment 27 of the flow rate from the one container means. Moreover the 28 dispensing apparatus may include a pressure or propelling means 29 which ensures that equal fluid pressure is in each of the 30 containers. It will, of course, be appreciated that the force _4_ 1~ 1066676 ; 1 acting on such fluid materials will vary in accordance with the 2 cross-sectional area of the containers. The present invention 3 further contemplates a mounting bracket which supports both of the containers for pivotal movement about an upstanding support

5 for the dispensing apparatus.

6 Additionally, the present invention contemplates

7 arranging the removable cylinder heads which are associated with

8 the containers of material b,y vertical su~port rods in a manner , such that should excessive pressure exist within the container , fji 10 these cylinder heads would be enabled to generally tilt upwardly 11 so as to allow the excess pressure to exhaust, while simultan-12 eously being prevented from being propelled from the containers.

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14 The above, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent upon 16 a detailed reading ~ a description of a preferred embodiment i~ 17 when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein ~ 8 likeJreference numerals indicate like structure throug;hout .9 the several views.

20 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the dual metering -21 apparatus of the present invention pivotally mounted on an 22 upright support member;

23 FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the dual metering apparatus ,~ 24 of the present invention; ~;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmented front elevational view of 26 the present inv~ntion illustrating in somewhat greater detail 27 the interconnection means of the present invention;

28 FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view partly in section 29 of the dual metering apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmented bottom view of the novel and 3 improved dlspensing adjustment device of the present invention;
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'.`' , . , ' . , :~ 1066676 1 FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the 2 dispensing device illustrated in FIGURE 5 and showing greater detail thereof; and, FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmented view illustrating a welded loop of a pivotal rod made in accordance with the 6 present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIO~
8 Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to

9 FIGURE 1 there isdepicted a metering apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention and generally designated 11 by reference numeral 10. In the particular embodiment being 12 illustrated, such metering apparatus 10 is pivotally mounted 13 on an upright support column 12 by support means 14 for purposes 14 subsequently made evident. Although the succeeding description is directed to a dual metering apparatus 10 i~ should, of 16 course, be understood that the principles of the present .
17 invention envision several separate and distinct material sources 18 which are all designed to be conjointly operated in a.manner ~9 which enables metering of a plurality of such materials in a predetermined mixing ratio.
21 With continued reference to FIGURE 1 taken in 22 conjunction-with FIGURE 4 there are shown container means 16 23 and 18. Essentially, both container means 16 and 18 are 24 similarly constructed. Container means 16 may take any convenien configuration and in the embodiment being shown is defined by 26 a generally cylindrical member 20 having an open ended portio~
27 22 and opposite thereto a closed end portion 24. Closed end 28¦ portion 24 may have a centrally formed opening 26 therethroug~
291 with a flange portion 28. ;.: :
Removably fitted to open end portion 22 is a generally ;~

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1 ¦ circular cylinder head member 30. A conventional fluid inlet 2 ¦ fitting means 32 is detachably connected, in a known fashion, to cylinder head member 30 for purposes of enablin~ a pressurized 4 ¦ fluid to enter container means 16 from a fluid pressure source ~ , ¦ (not shown). Also operatively connected to the cylinder head ¦ member and in fluid communication with the interior of th~ ~("l-7 ¦ tainer means 16 is any suitable type of one-way pressure relief ~' 8 ¦ valve 34. Relief valve 34 serves to prevent excess fluid 9 ¦ pressure from accumulating within container 16 by enabling such ¦ excess pressure to escape upon a predetermined pressure value 11¦ being reached. To enable the removable connection of cylinder , ,~
12¦ head member 30 from the cylinder, the former includes a pair of -13¦ diametrically opposed slots 36. Such slots 36 are adapted to 14¦ receive the threaded free ends of support rods 38. One of the 151 rods 38, as'best shown in FIGURE 3, has its end threadedly or 16¦ otherwise fixedly connected at 39 to,support means 14. As '' 17¦ perhaps best viewed in FIGURE 1, the other of the support rods 38 ~81 is pivotally mounted as at 40 to the support means 14. The 19¦ particular significance of the relationship of the support rods 201 38 to the support means 14 will be subsequently described. ,;
21¦ Threaded knobs 42 threadedly cooperate with the threaded ends ~ -22¦ of support rods 38 whenever the latter are in their assembled 23 condition, such as shown in FIGURE 1. It will be understood, 24 of course, that whenever the'cylinder head member 30 is desired 25 to be removed, the knobs 42 are unfastened to the extent that ,, 26 they permit the head member 30 to be moved outwardly. As a 27 consequence thereof, the head member 30 and container may be 28 removed so as to enable a new container to be placed in operation.
29 In connection with the support means 14 reference is 30 made to FIGURES 1, 3 and 4. As depicted therein, the support _7_ . . :
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1 ¦ means may include a generally horizontal bracket means 44 and 2 ¦ a generally horizontal support member 46 appropriately fastened 5 ¦ to the bracket means by suitable fasteners 47 or the like.
4 ¦ Regarding the support member 46, it is formed with a generally ¦ vertical opening 48 which is aligned with opening 26 in closed 6 ¦ end portion 24. As noted, the flange 28 may protrude into 71 opening 48. In communication with vertical opening 48 is barrel-¦ shaped opening 50 within which is suitably rotatably housed an 91 outlet valve member 52. Such valve member has a passage 54 which 101 has an inlet that is selectively placed in communication with 11¦ opening 48. Whenever valve member 52 is in such position, such 12¦ as shown in FIGURE 4, the material 56 in the container 16 is 13¦ able to flow through passageway 54 and be dispensed through the 14¦ outlet opening 58 formed in support member 46. As clearly shown -15¦ in FIGURE 4, located adjacent outlet 58 is the adjustable metering 16¦ means 60. Such metering means 60 will be afterwards more fully 17¦ described. Connected to the tapered forward part of the valve l8¦ member, in a manner to be presently described, is the inter-19 connection means 62 of the preferred embodiment. The valve member 52 is selectively rotatable, in a well-known manner, in 21 responseto direct displacement of the interconnection means 62 22 such that the valve member 52 may block outlet opening 58, to 23 thereby inhibit the flow of material 56. The cylinder 16 may have also disposed therein a follower piston 64. Such follower 25 piston 64 is essentially arranged to be placed on the top of 26 the column of material 56 and may be of a reusable or throw-away 27 type. An eyebolt 65 or other similar device threadedly cooperates 2~ with an opening in the follower piston.I:t enabl~sventing of air 29 from beneath the piston 64 whenever such piston is inserted in 50 the container and placed over the column of material and such '' , . '::''"'' ,' -8- --~
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1~66676 1 eyebolt is removed from the opening. After the piston is at 2 rest on top of material 56 the eyebolt 65 is connected to the 3 piston. Basically, the piston 64 whenever in this position 4 serves to facilitate the propelling of material from the con-tainer and to evenly distribute the fluid force which is 6 directed on the material 56 from fluid pressure means 66 so that 7 all the material 56 may be dispensed evenly instead of having 8 the pressurized fluid only act on portions of the material 9 housed in the container 16, with the consequent result of incomplete dispensing.
11 With reference to container 18 of the instant invention, 12 it too, may have a generally cylindrical configuration with 13 opposed open and closed end portions 68 and 70, respectively.
14 Such closed end portion 70 is, as with closed end portion 24 of cylinder means 16, formed with an opening (not shown). The 16 closed end portion 70 is supported on the bracket means 44. The 17 bracket means 44 of the present invention may include a bracket 18 plate portion 72 and a generally horizontal bracket support portion 74. The bracket plate portion 72 suitably supports the closed end portion 70 of the container means 18. Such bracket 21 plate portion 72 will likewise have an opening (not shown) which 22 registers with the opening in closed end portion 70 for permit-23 ting the material contained in container means 18 to flow 24 outwardly. It will be appreciated that such openings are arranged similarly as in container means 16. A valve member 76 26 is rotatably disposed within a barrel-shaped opening 78 formed 27 in the bracket plate portion 72 of bracket member 44. Since 28 valve member 76 is substantially similar in structure and function to that of valve member 52, a detailed description 3 thereof has not been provided. An outlet opening 79 for passage .
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~ . 1~66676 1 of material is formed in the bracket plate portion 72 with a 2 cross-sectional area which is in a corresponding ratio to the 3 cross-sectional area of opening 58 so that it corresponds to 4 the ratio of materials which are desired to be admixed. It 5 will also be understood, of course, that the outlet 79 in the bracket portion 72 is located and formed such that it communicatec 7 with the passageway (not shown) in valve member 76, whenever the 8 valve member 76 is suitably situated in an open position. For 9 purposes of illustration and not limitation if, for example, the material in container 18 is desired to be mixed in a ratio 11 of 5 to 1 with respect to the material 56 in container means 16, 12 then the cross-sectional area of outlet 79 in bracket portion 13 72 would be fivè times greater than outlet opening 58.
14 As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the open end portion 68 of container 18 may have removably connected therewith a 16 generally dome-shaped cylinder head member 80 having an opening 17 81 which, in a conventional m~nner, is suitably fit within open 18 end portion 68. Such opening 81 is operatively connected to pres~ ur means 66. Pressure means 66 may include a standard type of fluid fitting 82 connected to opening 81 in the top portion of 21 cylinder head 80 and a conventional type of pressure regulator 22 means 84 that serves to supply and limit the fluid pressure 23 being aoplied to the materials in containers 16 and 18. Inlet 24 pipe 86 communicates with the pressure regulator means 84 to supply a fluid pressure from an aporopriate source (not shown).
26 A branch pipe 88 fluidically interconnects pressure regulator 27 means 84 and fluid fitting means 32 so as to establish communica- ~-28 tion between the container means 18 and 16, respectively. In 29 this particular manner, the materials in both containers 16 and 18 are subjected to the same fluid pressure. Likewise, container - : . . . , . . .. .: . . - . . . , - ~

1 means 18 may have a follower plate (not shown) which is similar ; 2 to follower plate 64 described as being used in association with 3 cylinder 16. Since the fluid pressure in both containers is the same, it will be appreciated that the force acting on the materials in each of the containers 16 and 18 is a function of ~; -6 the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the respective 7 containers. Accordingly, greater force will be applied in container 18 than in container 16 by virtue of the former having a larger cross-sectional area. A pressure reliefvalve 90 : 10 similar to relief valve 34 is also operatively connected to the 11 dome-shaped cylinder head 80 for purposes of exhausting excess 12 pressure within container 18. By the aforenoted constructional 13 arrangement of components immediate and uniform dispensing of 14 the materials in the containers is significantly enhanced. At 15 this time, mention should be made that the spirit and scope of `:-16 the present invention envisions that if, for example, the ratio ., .. , ., . ., ., ., .
17 of the mixture of the two materials is 5 to 1 then the amount ~8 of material of the respective containers 16 and 18 correspondingl~
~9 has the same ratio. In this particular manner, both containers 16 and 18 will empty at approximately the same time.
21 Dome-shaped cylinder head 80 is likewise formed with 22 slots 92. Such slots 92 receive the threaded free ends of 23 pivotal support rods 94 which are pivoted at 96 to the bracket ~; 24 plate 74. Xnobs 98 are appropriately fastened to the support rods 94 and cooperate with slots 92. By virtue of this r. 26 arrangement, the cylinder head 80 can be easily removed so as to 27 allow for replacement with another container 18.
28 It will be noted in FIGURES 3 and 7, that each of the 29 support rods 94 has a looped end 97. As clearly depicted in ` 30 FIG~RE 3, the end 97a of the loop 97 is spaced from the vertical -11- '., . ' . ~,'' ' .
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1 ~066676 1 ¦segment of the rod 94, whereas the end 97b of the loop 97 in 2 ¦ FIGURE 7 is welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the 3 Ivertical portion of rod 94. The general purpose served by this 4 ¦ particular type of arrangement is that it estahlishes an additiona 1 5 ¦ safety back-up fluid pressure mechanism in the event both the 6 I pressure regulator means and safety valve fail. In particular, ; 7 I should both the fluid regulator and relief valve fail to perform 8 I their intended functions, excessive fluidic pressure would 9 ¦ build up within container means 18. Conseguently, there will 1~¦ be a tendency for the resulting pressure forces to expel dome-11 ¦ shaped member 80 and ur~e support rods 94 upwardly from the conta 12¦ 18. By reason of open loop end 97a being spaced from the 13¦ remainder of one of the rods 94, and the force which is exerted 14¦ on this Particular rod, there is a tendency for this particular . 15¦ loop 97 to straighten or elongate. Accordingly, open loop end :~ 16¦ 97a becomes farther separated from the vertical portion of the -~
;~ 17¦ rod 94. As this occurs, that portion of dome member 80 adjacent -~81 rod 94 with open loop end 97a will be able to rise such that the ~9¦ underneath surface is situated above the top of container 18.
20¦ However, since loop end 97b of the other rod 94 is welded to the 21¦ vertical portion, as shown in FIGURE 7, such loop 97 will not `22¦ tend to straighten out under the excessive built-up fluid 23 ¦ pressure. The result of!the foregoing relationship of welded 24 ¦ loop end 97b and spaced or open loop end 97a is that the dome 25 ¦ member 80 will tilt to the extent that the underneath surface 26 ¦ thereof is exposed to atmosphere while dome member 80 adjacent 27 I rod 94 with closed 100D end 97b will remain substantially 28 ¦ connected to the container 18, since the welded loop 97 did not 29 ¦ tend to straighten out.
30 ¦ Referring to container 16, it will be understood that 3 ¦ rods 38 also enable cylinder head 30 to tilt upwardly should ,.' l .. '~ "

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I ~.~66676 1 excessive pressure build-~p within container 16. Such tilting 2 action is allowed by reason of the fact that one of the rods 3 38, as clearly indicated in FIGURE 1, has anopen loop 38a with 4 an end spaced from the vertical portion of rod 38; whereas the -5 diametrically opposed rod is threadedly connected as at ~9 to : 6 support bracket 46. Accordingly, whenever the pressure within 7 container 16 builds to an impermissible degree the rod 38 with open loop 38a will tend to straighten out in response to the 9 upwardly directed forces exerted on cylinder head 30, while the rod 38 threadedly attached as at 39 will not elongate. The end 11 result of the foregoing is that cylinder head 30 tends to tilt 12 such that the portion thereof adjacent the rod 38 having open 13 loop 38a will rise above the top end of the cylinder, while -: 14 correspondingly permitting the pressure within the cylinder 16 to exhaust to the atmosphere. As can be fully appreciated the i~' 16 portion of cylinder head 30 adjacent rod 38 with threaded end 17 39 will substantially remain in the same position. Thus, the cylinder head 30 will not be propelled from cylinder 16. The ;
foregoing constructional arrangement provides a simple yet ~; 20 reliable safety back-up feature should the pressure regulator i~ 21 and relief valve fail.
22 As earlier indicated, the support means 14 includes . 23 a bracket support portion 74. ~racket support portio~ 74 serves ' 24 to support the bracket plate portion 72 and is also fixedly connected to the support member 46. The bracket support portion 26 74 has a raised portion 100 with an aperture 102. The aperture 27 102 is fit over the upper portion of the support column 12 and -2~ the raised portion 100 rests on a support flange 104. This 29 arrangement of components facilitates greater versatility of 30 movement for metering apparatus lO in a workshop or the like.

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,L ' 1 I Additionally, the present invention envisions within its scope th 2 bracket support portion 7~ may be constructed in,other types of 3 configurations. In fact, it need not have a portion which provid s for a pivotal movcment. For instance, brac~et support portion 74 could merely be a ~enerally L-shaped mounting bracket ~hich could 6 fixedly support both container means 16 and 1~ to a wall or other 7 suitable fixture.
8 Specifically referring to FIGURES 1 to 3, the intercon-9 nection means 62 which is made in accordance with the present inv~ n-tion is perhaps best shown. The present invention includes a pai$
11 of generally elongated handle members 106 and link means 108. Each 12 handle 106 extends in gencrally parallel directions and is secured 13 at one end to the valve members 52 and 76 in any appropriate mann~r. I -14 Link means 108 interconnects the free ends of the handle members iO6 and includes clevis members 110 and interconnecting link 112. Each 16 of the clevis members llO are removably attached to the handle men;_ 17 bers 106 by a bolt 11~ or the like in any suitable fashion. The ~8 present invention envisions that either of the bolts 11~ may be 19 unfastened, thereby permitting withdrawal of handle members 106 f oln 2 the clevis members 110. By this arrangement, an operator may be 2 able to selectively actuate individual handle members 106 and th eb valve members 52 and 76. Normally, though, the interconnecting 1 nk 23 112 is pivotally connected to each of the clevis members 110. As 2 a consequence of the foregoinq, it will be readily appreciated th t 2 displacement of either of the handle members 106 or interconnecti~g 26 ¦ lin~s 112 results in the conjoint movement of the respective valv~
27 ¦ members 52 and 76. Accordingly, the valve members 52 and 76 can 28 ¦ simultaneously opened or closed and correspondingly, therefore, 29 ¦ dispense or cease dispensing materials. This particular arrange-30 I ment in combination with both the outlet 58 and 79 having cross-31 I sectional areas in a predetermined proportion will serve to pro-32 ¦ vide for the dispensing of the materials in the intended ratio.
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: ~066676 The present embodiment also includes heater means 116 2 which essentially serve to heat the material within the container 16 and 18 to a sufficient ma~nitude that allows free flow of 4 material, especially if such material should be relatively viscou Normally, the heater means 116 ~ill be used in an environment 6 wherein it i5 relatively cold. The heater means 116 may include standard types of heater rods 118 which are electrically connecte to a power source (not shown) and may be inserted into the 9 support means 14 and bracket portion plate 72, such that it is adjacent each of the valve members 52 and 76~ Of course, other 11 well-known forms of heater devices may be employed, such as, ~or 12 example, industrial heat pads which would be inserted beneath the 13 bottom of both the containers.
14 As o~served earlier, the present em~odiment of the mete _ ing apparatus 10 includes ~djustable metering means 60. Such 16 metering means 60 i5 perhaps best illustrated in FIGURES S and 6 17 and is shown to include a support plate 120, detent means 122 and ~8 metering plate 12~. The support plate 120 i5 fastened to the 19 bottom o~ the support means 14 through conventional bolt3 or the like which are, prefera~ly, rece~sed within the support plate 120 21 for roasons Oe facilitating easy rotation of the metering plate 22 124 in close relation to the support plate 120. The support plat 23 120 has a centrally formed opening 126 which should be of the 24 same size as opening 58 or should at least have an area which is equal to that needed for the desired ratio if opening 58 does not 26 The meterinq plate 124 is adapted to be rotatably connected to the support plate 120 by a bolt 128 or the like whic 28 passes through opening 130 and is threadedly received into a suit 29 able opening 132. The metering plate 124 has formed therein a plurality of circumferentially spaced metering orifices 134, threc 31 of which have been depicted in the illustrated embodiment. As wiLl 32 be noted each has a size which varies from the other. Of course, ''' . . . ' ' .

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- . 1066.6'76 2 other nu~ers of orifices 13~ may be provided with other sizes.
Such orifices 134 can, of course, be made in predetermined sizes 3 and such orifices should not exceed the orifice area of opening 126, otherwise no mctering can be attained. Whenever the meterin plate 12~ i5 in the assembled condition it may be rotated to selectively position individual ones of the metering orifices 134 in vertical registry with the opening 126. Since-the plate 124 i 9 in relatively close contact with the support plate 120 lea~age is virtually avoided. To ensure that each of the orifices 134 are -~
properly registered with openin~ 126 the detent means 122 acts to hold the metering plate 124 in proper position.

Detent means 122 includes coil spring 136, detent ball' -~' 13 element 13~ and detent recesses 1~0. The coil spring 136 and 14 element'l38 are received within an opening 142 formed in the sup-port plate 120 and the former yieldingly biases the element 138 16 outwardly such that it contacts the metering plate 124. Whenever 17 the element 138 is in a recess 1~0 it will frictionally lock the ~8 metering plate 12~ in proper position. As can be appreciated, th~

metering adjustment means 60 enables an operator to vary the out-flow of material to the desired preference of an operator. Con- '' sequently, the operator has the option to appropriately vary the 22 output of material. Although the preferred embodiment discloses the metering adjustment mean3 in association with one of tl-e con-24 tainer means, it is certainly within the spirit and scope of this invention to have an adjustment means also associated with 26 ¦ container means 18.
2r . Having described the aforenoted constructional arrange-28 ment of components it is believed that the operation of the novel ' and improved metering apparatus of the present invention is readi Y
evident. It will be appreciated that such metering apparatus 31 provides for the dispensing of a plurality of materials, 32 particularly viscous, in a predetermined ratio and yet in a . 1 simple and reliable manner which promotes efficient utilization 51 of the materials dispensed.
4¦ While the invention has been described in connection 51 with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the ¦ invention to the particular form set forth above, but to the . 7 contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modification ~ :
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope . ¦ of the invention as defined by the appended claims. :
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Claims (2)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for dispensing material comprising means for containing material; pressure means connected to said means for containing material for supplying fluid under pressure thereto;
said means for containing material including a generally hollow means with at least one open end portion, a removable head member detachably connected to said open end portion, and at least a pair of circumferentially spaced generally vertical support rods, each of said support rods having one end which is detachably connected to said head member, at least one of said support rods having an opposite end which has a generally open loop end operatively pivotally connected to said hollow means, and the other of said support rods having an opposite end which is operatively secured to said hollow means such that whenever excessive pressure develops in said means for containing material such pressure forces tending to expel said head member will tend to generally elongate said one rod having said open loop end such that said head member adjacent said one rod will tilt above said open end portion to thereby vent said excessive pressure to atmosphere, and said other support rod will serve to maintain a portion of said head member adjacent said other support rod in substantial contact with said open end portion.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said opposite end of said other support rod is a closed loop end operatively pivotally connected to said hollow means.