CA2204108A1 - Liquid dispensing pump - Google Patents
Liquid dispensing pumpInfo
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- CA2204108A1 CA2204108A1 CA 2204108 CA2204108A CA2204108A1 CA 2204108 A1 CA2204108 A1 CA 2204108A1 CA 2204108 CA2204108 CA 2204108 CA 2204108 A CA2204108 A CA 2204108A CA 2204108 A1 CA2204108 A1 CA 2204108A1
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Abstract
An apparatus and a process for dispensing viscous liquids which may contain particles or aggregate suspended therein, especially melted chocolate containing nuts, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a liquid to be dispensed, a one-cylinder liquid dispensing pump which comprises a single hollow cylindrical housing having end walls, a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of the housing for dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers, a piston in each of the two chmbers and a rigid rod linking the pistons, a system for supplying fluid under pressure alternately to opposite sides of the piston in the second of the two chambers to cause the pistons to reciprocate, a conduit for conveying liquid from the container to the first chamber of the dispensing pump when the pistons reciprocate in one direction, a second conduit for conveying a measured quantity of dispensed liquid from the first chamber when the pistons reciprocate in the opposite direction, and an adjustable limit stop for presetting the stroke of the piston and with it the quantity of liquid dispensed in each cycle as desired.
Description
LIQUID DISPENSING PUMP
Technical Field This invention relates to an apparatus for pumping and dispensing measured quantities of a liquid, especially a viscous liquid and in particular a viscous liquid containing suspended 5 solid particles or aggregate. More particularly, this invention relates to a liquid dispensing pump for dispensing liquid chocolate containing nuts suspended therein in uniform measured portions.
Background of the Invention Chocolate-nut food products have been popular for 10 generations. A box or package of such product will typically contain several bars or pieces of essentially uniform size; each bar comprises nuts spaced apart and suspended in a matrix of chocolate such that each nut is completely coated with chocolate.
Representative products include peanut cluster (chocolate-covered 15 peanuts) and almond bark (chocolate-covered almonds).
An apparatus presently used in the manufacture of chocolate-covered nuts includes a cyclically operating two-cylinder pump for dispensing uniform measured quantities of chocolate-covered nuts. Each cylinder has a reciprocating piston; the two 20 pistons are connected by a piston rod so that they reciprocate together. This arrangement provides in the first or "food" cylinder an expansible chamber for receiving or dispensing chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture in which the chocolate has been heated to above its melting point (about 80~F or 27~C). The second cylinder, 25 which is axially aligned with the first cylinder, is the operating cylinder of an air motor which drives the first cylinder.
At the beginning of an operating cycle, the pistons are in such position that the volume of the chocolate-receiving expansible chamber in the first cylinder is at a minimum. Air is admitted to a first side of the piston in the second cylinder, 5 causing the pistons in both cylinders to reciprocate, drawing melted chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture into the expansible chamber as it expands. This continues until the pistons reach a limit of travel, at which time the volume of the expansible chamber reaches a maximum. At this point a predetermined volume of chocolate 10 or chocolate-nut mixture has been drawn into the expansible chamber.
When the limit of travel is reached, the direction of travel of the pistons is reversed and the measured quantity of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture in the first cylinder is dispensed. An essentially uniform quantity of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture is dispensed 15 cycle after cycle.
The present two-cylinder arrangement has several problems. First, the space between the two cylinders includes "pinch points" which present a safety hazard, where someone (say an operator of the process) could be injured. Second, the apparatus 20 is not as easily cleaned, and therefore often not as clean, as one might desire. Third, opposing stresses between the two cylinders cause vibration and require rigid mounting of both cylinders.
Fourth, it is difficult to keep both cylinders precisely aligned,even when both cylinders are rigidly mounted; even a small misalignment 25 hinders operation and causes excessive wear.
Summary of the Invention This invention according to one aspect provides an apparatus which includes a single cylinder liquid dispensing pump.
The liquid dispensing pump comprises a single hollow cylinder whose interior is divided into two chambers by a stationary separation baffle in the mid-portion. One of these chambers is a "food" chamber in which uniform quantities of a viscous liquid are measured and S dispensed. The other chamber is a pneumatic or hydraulic chamber for a fluid motor.
Each of the chambers has a reciprocable piston. The two pistons are linked by a piston rod which passes through the separation baffle in a fluid tight manner so that the pistons reciprocate together. This arrangement forms on one side of the piston in the first or "food" chamber an expansible chamber which is capable of receiving and dispensing uniform quantities of liquid cycle after cycle .
The apparatus of this invention further includes a mechanism for admitting fluid under pressure alternately to the opposite sides of the piston in the second chamber, to drive the pistons in one direction to admit a measured quantity of liquid to the first chamber, and then in the opposite direction to dispense this measured quantity of liquid.
The apparatus of this invention further comprises a container for holding the liquid to be measured and dispensed, and conduits including a first conduit for conveying the liquid from the container to the first chamber of the liquid dispensing pump, and a second conduit for conveying the liquid from the dispensing pump to a receptacle.
This invention according to a second aspect provides a cyclic process for dispensing measured quantities of liquid using the above described apparatus. According to this process, a measured quantity of liquid is admitted to the expansible chamber of the apparatus by reciprocation of the pistons in one direction.
This measured quantity of liquid is then dispensed by reciprocation of the pistons in the opposite direction.
The apparatus of this invention is particularly useful for dispensing measured quantities of a viscous liquid, in particular a viscous liquid containing solid particles or aggregate suspended therein The apparatus of this invention is especially useful for dispensing uniform measured quantities of melted chocolate having nuts suspended therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a two cylinder liquid dispensing pump according to the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a dispensing apparatus including a one cylinder liquid dispensing pump according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred l S liquid dispensing pump and limit stop according to this invention .
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the liquid dispensing pump illustrated in Fig. 3, showing on an enlarged scale a separation baffle which divides the pump into two chambers.
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of preferred valve fro controlling liquid flow in an apparatus of this invention.
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the valve shown in Fig.
5.
Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a modified form of the invention, which includes an alternative feed and discharge arrangement for a liquid dispensing pump according to this invention.
CA 02204l08 l997-04-30 This invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanylng drawings.
First, a two cylinder liquid dispensing pump according 5 to the prior art, used in the manufacture of chocolate candy including chocolate-nut candy, and discussed earlier in this specification, will now be described further with reference to Fig. 1.
Referring now to Fig. 1. 10 is a two cylinder dispensing pump (or pumping system) which includes a first or "liquid" cylinder 10 12 which measures and dispenses a desired quantity of liquid chocolate containing solid nuts suspended therein (more simply, a chocolate-nut mixture), and a second or air cylinder 14. Air cylinder 14 is the operating cylinder of a double-acting air motor. The cylinders are axially aligned. Air cylinder 14 drives the "liquid" cylinder 12. Cylinders 12 and 14 have respective pistons 16 and 18 reciprocating therein. Pistons 16 and 18 are in sealing engagement with the inside walls of the respective cylinders 12 and 14. This creates on opposite sides of piston 16 in cylinder 12 an expansible chamber 20 for receiving, measuring and dispensing hot chocolate, which has been heated to above its melting point (about 80~F or 27~C).
and an air side 22. Cylinder 12 has an inlet port 24 for admitting hot chocolate, which may have nuts suspended therein, and an outlet port 26 for dispensing a measured quantity of hot chocolate.
The opposite sides of piston 18 in cylinder 14 alternately receive compressed air through respective ports 28 and 30. Pistons 16 and 18 are linked by a piston rod 32, which may be formed in two segments joined by a joint 34, so that the pistons reciprocate together .
Fig . 1 shows the pumping system 10 at the start of a cycle, with the pistons 16 and 18 at one limit of travel (to the left as seen in Fig .1) and the volume of expansible chamber 20 for hot chocolate at a minimum. Compressed air is admitted to the left side of piston 18 in air cylinder 14, driving both pistons 16 and 18 to the right and causing expansible chamber 20 to expand until the pistons reach their right end limit of travel. At this point the expansible chamber 20 reaches its maximum volume. The right end limit of travel, and with it the stroke and displacement 5 of each piston 16 and 18, may be set by a limit switch (not shown), which may be conventional. The limit switch and therefore the limit of travel of the pistons 16 and 18 may be ad justable.
Hot chocolate enters expansible chamber 20 as the pistons 16 and 18 move to the right. When the limit of travel 10 of the pistons 16 and 18 to the right is reached and the desired volume of chocolate is present in the expansible chamber 20, the direction of travel of pistons 16 and 18 is reversed. This is accomplished by stopping compressed air flow to the left side of piston 18 via port 28 and initiating compressed air flow to the right side of piston 18 through port 30. Pistons 16 and 18 now move to the left until the limit of travel in that direction is reached, i.e., until the pistons have returned to the position shown in Fig. 1.
As pistons 16 and 18 travel to the left, hot chocolate is dispensed from expansible chamber 20. In this manner a uniform volume of hot chocolate is dispensed cycle after cycle.
The problems accompanying a two cylinder arrangement such as that shown in Fig. 1 have been discussed earlier in this specification .
The present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. Referring now to Fig. 2, a liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus 100 according to this invention comprises a container 110 for holding liquid to be dispensed, a single cylinder liquid dispensing pump 120 for dispensing measured quantities of the liquid, and conduit means 180 for conveying liquid from the container 110 to liquid dispensing pump 120, and from the liquid dispensing pump 120 to a receptacle 190.
Receptacle 190, which does not form part of the present invention, may be any suitable container or device for receiving measured portions of liquid from liquid dispensing pump 120. When the liquid is heated chocolate, with or without nuts suspended 5 therein, the receptacle may be a moving belt conveyor, on which the chocolate may cool and solidify.
This invention is particularly useful for dispensing viscous liquids in uniform measured portions. The viscous liquid may contain solid particles or aggregate suspended therein. This 10 invention is most particularly useful in dispensing chocolate, which may have nuts suspended therein, in measured portions. This invention will be described with particular reference to handling and dispensing of a heated chocolate-nut mixture, i.e., chocolate having nuts in particle form suspended therein, which has been 15 heated to above the melting point of chocolate, i.e., about 80~F.
Representative chocolate-nut mixtures include peanut cluster and almond bark .
Returning now to Fig. 2., container 110 is a reservoir for heated chocolate-nut mixture or other liquid, with or without 20 solid particles suspended therein, to be dispensed. Container 110 comprises a funnel shaped hopper 112 having an outlet opening at the bottom and surrounded by a heating jacket 114. Heat may be supplied by conventional means, e.g., by hot water or steam circulating through the heating jacket, or electrically. A heating 25 jacket or other heat source is necessary for heating chocolate, since the melting point of chocolate (about 80~F) is above normal ambient temparature (which is taken as approximately 68-77~F
or 20-25~C). A heating jacket is useful when handling other liquids which are either solid or very viscous at normal ambient temperature, 30 and con be omitted when handling a liquid which is readily flowable at normal ambient temperature.
CA 02204l08 l997-04-30 The preferred liquid dispensing pump 120 of this invention will now be described with particular reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, 120 is a one-cylinder liquid dispensing pump comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical housing 122 and first and second (or left and right) end walls 124 and 126, respectively, which together define and enclose an interior space. Housing 122 serves two purposes, i.e., liquid measurement and air drive.
Housing 122 is supported on a level support surface 128, e.g., a floor, table or counter, by means of support rings 129 which encircle the housing 122 at periodic intervals.
The interior space of housing 122 is divided by a fixedly mounted fluid tight barrier or separation baffle 130 into first and second cylindrical chambers 132 and 134, respectively.
Baffle 130 is in a mid-portion of liquid dispensing pump 120, preferably at the longitudinal center, so that chambers 132 and 134 have essentially the same axial length and the same volume.
Pistons 136 and 138 reciprocate in chambers 132 and 134, respectively, in fluid tight engagement with the inside wall of cylindrical housing 122. This provides on the left side of the first piston 136 an expansible chamber 132a for receipt, measuring and dispensing of heated chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture (or other liquid, with or without particles of solid material or aggregate suspended therein). A port 140 in left end wall 124 is provided for admission and discharge of heated chocolate or other liquid.
On the right side of piston 136 is an air space 132b. This air space is maintained at atmospheric pressure by means of a vent port 144.
Chamber 134 is a compressed air chamber which receives compressed air alternately on opposite sides of piston 138, through ports 146 and 148, respectively. These ports extend through the cylindrical side wall of housing 122 just to the right of baffle 130 and at the right end of the housing 122, respectively .
A rigid rod 150, which extends longitudinally along the center axis of pump 120, extends through separation baffle 130 in fluid tight engagement therewith and links pistons 136 and 138 so that they reciprocate together . Thus, first chamber 132 and first piston 136 form part of a liquid dispensing pump (specifically a liquid measuring portion of the pump) and second chamber 134 and second piston 138 form part of a fluid motor for driving the first piston and thereby effecting pumping action.
Pistons 136 and 138 reciprocate between a left hand 10 limit of travel, in which piston 136 is in proximity with first or left end wall 124, piston 138 is in proximity with the separation baffle 130, and the volume of expansion chamber 132a is at a minimum, as shown in Fig. 3, and a right hand limit of travel in which piston 136 is in proximity with separation baffle 130, piston 138 is in 15 proximity with the second or right hand wall 126, and the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a maximum. The distance between the left hand and right hand limit positions of piston 136 is the stroke of the piston. The difference between the minimum and maximum volumes of expansible chamber 132a is the displacement 20 of piston 136 and is also the volume of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture dispensed in each operating cycle.
The stroke of piston 136 is determined by an adjustable limit stop mechanism shown in Fig . 3. Piston rod 150 extends through right end wall 126. A ring 152, affixed to the right end 25 of piston rod 150 outside housing 122, encircles the upper end of a horizontally reciprocable follower 154. Follower 154 has bores through which screw threaded guide 156 and guide rail 158 pass.
Follower 154 travels between a first or left end position (shown in Fig.3) atop base 160, which is bolted to support surface 128, 30 and a second or right hand position against limit stop 162. The position of limit stop 162 is adjustable by means of ad justing nut 164.
A compressed air supply system, not shown but which may be conventional, supplies compressed air alternately to opposite sides of piston 138 via ports 146 and 148. Pistons 136 and 138 travel to the right when compressed air enters port 146 to the left of piston 138, and travel to the left when compressed air enters port 148 to the right of piston 138. Then the follower 154 strikes limit stop 162, the direction of compressed air flow is reversed so that the pistons travel to the left. Similarly, when the follower 154 reaches base 160, the direction of air flow is reversed so that the pistons travel to the right.
Separation baffle 130 is shown in detail in Fig. 4.
Baffle 130 and pistons 136 and 138 are preferably made of nylon although other materials including stainless steel can be used.
Baffle 130 is an essentially cylindrical member of comparatively short axial length, comprising an axially longer center portion 170 and an axially shorter outer portion 172 which provides annular air spaces when either piston 136 or piston 138 is at an end of its stroke. Baffle 130 has grooves to receive a set screw 174 and O-rings 176. Set screw 174 extends through housing wall 122 and holds baffle 130 in place at the longitudinal center of pump 120. O-rings 176 provide a fluid thght seal between baffle 130 and the inside wall of housing 122. A second set of O-rings 178 provide a fluid tight seal between baffle 130 and piston rod 150.
Referring back to Fig. 2, the apparatus of this invention further comprises conduit means 180 for conveying liquid from container 110 to liquid dispensing pump 120 and specifically to expansible chamber 132a therein, and from liquid dispensing pump 120 to a receptacle 190. Conduit means 180 comprises a T-shaped connector 182 having hollow arms providing a first conduit 183 for liquid flowing from container 110 to dispensing pump 120, a second conduit 184 for liquid flowing from pump 120 to receptacle 190, and a third conduit 185 for fluid flowing in either direction.
Third conduit 185 communicates with the first two conduits 183 and 184 and with expansible chamber 132a of pump 120.
The three conduits intersect at a common point of intersection.
First and second conduits 183 and 184 respectively are axially aligned; third conduit 185 is perpendicular to the other two conduits.
A normally closed first valve 186 and a normally open second valve 188 control flow of liquid through first and second conduits 183 and 184 respectively. Valves 186 and 188 have a common actuator system so arranged that, when one valve is closed, the other is open, and both valves are actuated simultaneously.
A preferred valve 186 or 188 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The two valves may be structurally identical. Valve 186 (or 188) comprises a cylindrical casing 192, preferably of stainless steel, having end flanges 194. An elastomeric diaphragm or sheet 196, which extends longitudinally from one end to the other end of casing 192, defines inside casing 192 a central passageway for liquid, surrounded by an annular pressure chamber or control chamber . This diaphragm 196 is essentially cylindrical when the valve is open and essentially hourglass shaped when the valve is closed. Diaphragm 196 has flanges at either end. An air port 198 in casing 192 communicates with the pressure chamber and moves diaphragm 196 to closed position when air under pressure is supplied. The preferred valve shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is a pinch valve or peristaltic valve, is especially preferred for handling chocolate-nut mixtures, since it can shut off fluid (chocolate) flow without crushing nuts suspended in the chocolate medium.
It is highly desirable to avoid crushing nuts because nut surfaces which are formed by crushing or shearing are not easily coated with chocolate.
An alternate conduit means 200 for conveying liquid to or from liquid dispensing pump 120 is shown in Fig. 7. This conduit means or arrangement provides a first or inlet conduit 202, controlled by valve 186, for supplying liquid which may contain suspended solids, such as a chocolate-nut mixture, to liquid dispensing pump 120 from container 110, and a second or outlet conduit 204, controlled by valve 188, for delivering measured portions of liquid, which may contain suspended solids, from liquid dispensing pump 120 to receptacle 190.
While the apparatus of this invention has been described with particular reference to melted chocolate containing nuts suspended therein, such as peanut cluster (chocolate and peanuts) and almond bark (chocolate and almonds), this apparatus can be used to dispense 5 other liquids, with or without solid particles or aggregate suspended therein. This apparatus is particularly useful for dispensing af viscous liquids in measured portions. This apparatus is especially useful for dispensing foods in liquid form (particularly when the food is a viscous liquid, as is often the case~ because of the ease 10 with which this apparatus is cleaned and kept clean.
Other foods in liquid form which are advantageously measured and dispensed using the apparatus of this invention include ice cream, cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, hot butterscotch and hot caramel, which may contain pecans. Representative non-15 food liquids which can be dispensed using the apparatus hereininclude plastics, oils, greases, molten glass, liquid epoxy (for glue), and various chemicals.
The fluid motor which drives the apparatus of this invention can be either pneumatic or hydraulic. Correspondingly 20 the second chamber (or fluid motor chamber) 134 can be either a compressed air chamber or a chamber for hydraulic fluid. The apparatus of this invention does not require electricity. Either electricity or another power source, say a gasoline generator, can be used to compress air (in a pneumatic system) or to pressurize 25 hydraulic fluid (is a hydraulic system).
An air actuator system similar to that used for supplying compressed air alternately to opposite sides of piston 138 can also be used to supply compressed air alternately to valves 186 and 188. The same compressed air system can be used to perform 30 both functions if desired.
First valve 186 is open and second valve 188 is closed for filling expansible chamber 132a (when pistons 136 and 138 are moving to the right). First valve 186 is closed and second valve 188 is open for dispensing liquid from expansible chamber 132a (when pistons 136 and 138 are moving to the left). Therefore the air actuator for valves 186 and 188 may be combined with the air actuator system for piston 138 into a single system in which air flow to the piston 138 and to valve 186 or 188 is reversed when follower 154 reaches either limit stop 162 or base 160. Or the piston 138 and valves 186, 188 may have separate but similar air actuator systems, both of which are triggered to reverse the direction of air flow when follower 154 reaches either limit stop 162 or base 160.
Operation of the apparatus of this invention will now be described .
It will be assumed that air pressure in the air actuator system(s) is maintained, even when the apparatus is not in operation.
Maintenance of air pressure during overnight and weekend shutdowns is desirable. For longer shutdowns or when maintenance is required, air pressure in the air actuator system(s) is normally shut off.
When air pressure is shut off, both valves 186 and 188 are open, and pistons 136, 138 may be in any position. When air pressure is on but the apparatus is not in operation, valve 186 is closed, valve 188 is open, and pistons 136 and 138 are at the left hand limit of travel so that the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a minimum. The drawings herein illustrate the apparatus in non-operating condition with air pressure on.
At the beginning of an operating cycle, pistons 136 and 138 are at the left hand limits of travel, valve 186 is closed, valve 188 is open, and the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a minimum, all as shown in the drawings. To fill expansible chamber 132a, compressed air is supplied to the left hand side of piston 138 and to valve 188, so that valve 186 is open, valve 1~
188 is closed and the pistons 136 and 138 move to the right. An air pressure of about 30 psi is recommended. This is sufficient to maintain a tight seal in valve 188 (and in valve 186 when liquid is being dispensed) without crushing nuts. Filling of expansible 5 chamber 132a continues until the volume of expansible chamber 132a reaches a maximum. This occurs when pistons 136 and 138 reach their right hand limit of travel and follower 154 strikes limit stop 162. This causes the direction of air flow in the air actuator system(s) to reverse. Valve 186 closes, valve 188 opens, pistons 136 and 138 move to the left and a measured volume of liquid is dispensed. A new operating cycle now begins. This mode of operation is continued as long as the apparatus is maintained in operation .
The apparatus of this invention has a number of advantages 15 over presently known apparatus, and in particular an apparatus employing a tww-cylinder liquid dispensing pump. First, the apparatus of this invention has very little vibration, so that it is not necessary to bolt the single cylinder to a support surface. Second, proper alignment of the two pistons and their piston rod is assured. Third, 20 the single cylinder pump of the present invention requires less space than a two-cylinder arrangement. Fourth, airborne contaminants such as abrasive dust particles are kept completely out of the food dispensing portion (the first chamber 132) of the dispensing pump herein, since this portion has no rod or shaft opening similar 25 to that required in a two-cylinder arrangement. Fifth, the apparatus of this invention is cleaner than a two-cylinder arrangement and is easily cleaned. The present apparatus can be cleaned in place.
Sixth, the present apparatus is safe, safer than a two-cylinder arrangement. The present apparatus has no exposed "pinch points";
30 a two-cylinder arrangement has "pinch points" between the two cylinders where a person can be injured. The apparatus of the present invention is also capable of measuring chocolate-nut mixtures accurately without crushing the nuts in such mixtures.
While this invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments including the best mode and preferred embodiment, such description is by way of illustration and not limitation .
Technical Field This invention relates to an apparatus for pumping and dispensing measured quantities of a liquid, especially a viscous liquid and in particular a viscous liquid containing suspended 5 solid particles or aggregate. More particularly, this invention relates to a liquid dispensing pump for dispensing liquid chocolate containing nuts suspended therein in uniform measured portions.
Background of the Invention Chocolate-nut food products have been popular for 10 generations. A box or package of such product will typically contain several bars or pieces of essentially uniform size; each bar comprises nuts spaced apart and suspended in a matrix of chocolate such that each nut is completely coated with chocolate.
Representative products include peanut cluster (chocolate-covered 15 peanuts) and almond bark (chocolate-covered almonds).
An apparatus presently used in the manufacture of chocolate-covered nuts includes a cyclically operating two-cylinder pump for dispensing uniform measured quantities of chocolate-covered nuts. Each cylinder has a reciprocating piston; the two 20 pistons are connected by a piston rod so that they reciprocate together. This arrangement provides in the first or "food" cylinder an expansible chamber for receiving or dispensing chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture in which the chocolate has been heated to above its melting point (about 80~F or 27~C). The second cylinder, 25 which is axially aligned with the first cylinder, is the operating cylinder of an air motor which drives the first cylinder.
At the beginning of an operating cycle, the pistons are in such position that the volume of the chocolate-receiving expansible chamber in the first cylinder is at a minimum. Air is admitted to a first side of the piston in the second cylinder, 5 causing the pistons in both cylinders to reciprocate, drawing melted chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture into the expansible chamber as it expands. This continues until the pistons reach a limit of travel, at which time the volume of the expansible chamber reaches a maximum. At this point a predetermined volume of chocolate 10 or chocolate-nut mixture has been drawn into the expansible chamber.
When the limit of travel is reached, the direction of travel of the pistons is reversed and the measured quantity of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture in the first cylinder is dispensed. An essentially uniform quantity of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture is dispensed 15 cycle after cycle.
The present two-cylinder arrangement has several problems. First, the space between the two cylinders includes "pinch points" which present a safety hazard, where someone (say an operator of the process) could be injured. Second, the apparatus 20 is not as easily cleaned, and therefore often not as clean, as one might desire. Third, opposing stresses between the two cylinders cause vibration and require rigid mounting of both cylinders.
Fourth, it is difficult to keep both cylinders precisely aligned,even when both cylinders are rigidly mounted; even a small misalignment 25 hinders operation and causes excessive wear.
Summary of the Invention This invention according to one aspect provides an apparatus which includes a single cylinder liquid dispensing pump.
The liquid dispensing pump comprises a single hollow cylinder whose interior is divided into two chambers by a stationary separation baffle in the mid-portion. One of these chambers is a "food" chamber in which uniform quantities of a viscous liquid are measured and S dispensed. The other chamber is a pneumatic or hydraulic chamber for a fluid motor.
Each of the chambers has a reciprocable piston. The two pistons are linked by a piston rod which passes through the separation baffle in a fluid tight manner so that the pistons reciprocate together. This arrangement forms on one side of the piston in the first or "food" chamber an expansible chamber which is capable of receiving and dispensing uniform quantities of liquid cycle after cycle .
The apparatus of this invention further includes a mechanism for admitting fluid under pressure alternately to the opposite sides of the piston in the second chamber, to drive the pistons in one direction to admit a measured quantity of liquid to the first chamber, and then in the opposite direction to dispense this measured quantity of liquid.
The apparatus of this invention further comprises a container for holding the liquid to be measured and dispensed, and conduits including a first conduit for conveying the liquid from the container to the first chamber of the liquid dispensing pump, and a second conduit for conveying the liquid from the dispensing pump to a receptacle.
This invention according to a second aspect provides a cyclic process for dispensing measured quantities of liquid using the above described apparatus. According to this process, a measured quantity of liquid is admitted to the expansible chamber of the apparatus by reciprocation of the pistons in one direction.
This measured quantity of liquid is then dispensed by reciprocation of the pistons in the opposite direction.
The apparatus of this invention is particularly useful for dispensing measured quantities of a viscous liquid, in particular a viscous liquid containing solid particles or aggregate suspended therein The apparatus of this invention is especially useful for dispensing uniform measured quantities of melted chocolate having nuts suspended therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a two cylinder liquid dispensing pump according to the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a dispensing apparatus including a one cylinder liquid dispensing pump according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred l S liquid dispensing pump and limit stop according to this invention .
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the liquid dispensing pump illustrated in Fig. 3, showing on an enlarged scale a separation baffle which divides the pump into two chambers.
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of preferred valve fro controlling liquid flow in an apparatus of this invention.
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the valve shown in Fig.
5.
Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a modified form of the invention, which includes an alternative feed and discharge arrangement for a liquid dispensing pump according to this invention.
CA 02204l08 l997-04-30 This invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanylng drawings.
First, a two cylinder liquid dispensing pump according 5 to the prior art, used in the manufacture of chocolate candy including chocolate-nut candy, and discussed earlier in this specification, will now be described further with reference to Fig. 1.
Referring now to Fig. 1. 10 is a two cylinder dispensing pump (or pumping system) which includes a first or "liquid" cylinder 10 12 which measures and dispenses a desired quantity of liquid chocolate containing solid nuts suspended therein (more simply, a chocolate-nut mixture), and a second or air cylinder 14. Air cylinder 14 is the operating cylinder of a double-acting air motor. The cylinders are axially aligned. Air cylinder 14 drives the "liquid" cylinder 12. Cylinders 12 and 14 have respective pistons 16 and 18 reciprocating therein. Pistons 16 and 18 are in sealing engagement with the inside walls of the respective cylinders 12 and 14. This creates on opposite sides of piston 16 in cylinder 12 an expansible chamber 20 for receiving, measuring and dispensing hot chocolate, which has been heated to above its melting point (about 80~F or 27~C).
and an air side 22. Cylinder 12 has an inlet port 24 for admitting hot chocolate, which may have nuts suspended therein, and an outlet port 26 for dispensing a measured quantity of hot chocolate.
The opposite sides of piston 18 in cylinder 14 alternately receive compressed air through respective ports 28 and 30. Pistons 16 and 18 are linked by a piston rod 32, which may be formed in two segments joined by a joint 34, so that the pistons reciprocate together .
Fig . 1 shows the pumping system 10 at the start of a cycle, with the pistons 16 and 18 at one limit of travel (to the left as seen in Fig .1) and the volume of expansible chamber 20 for hot chocolate at a minimum. Compressed air is admitted to the left side of piston 18 in air cylinder 14, driving both pistons 16 and 18 to the right and causing expansible chamber 20 to expand until the pistons reach their right end limit of travel. At this point the expansible chamber 20 reaches its maximum volume. The right end limit of travel, and with it the stroke and displacement 5 of each piston 16 and 18, may be set by a limit switch (not shown), which may be conventional. The limit switch and therefore the limit of travel of the pistons 16 and 18 may be ad justable.
Hot chocolate enters expansible chamber 20 as the pistons 16 and 18 move to the right. When the limit of travel 10 of the pistons 16 and 18 to the right is reached and the desired volume of chocolate is present in the expansible chamber 20, the direction of travel of pistons 16 and 18 is reversed. This is accomplished by stopping compressed air flow to the left side of piston 18 via port 28 and initiating compressed air flow to the right side of piston 18 through port 30. Pistons 16 and 18 now move to the left until the limit of travel in that direction is reached, i.e., until the pistons have returned to the position shown in Fig. 1.
As pistons 16 and 18 travel to the left, hot chocolate is dispensed from expansible chamber 20. In this manner a uniform volume of hot chocolate is dispensed cycle after cycle.
The problems accompanying a two cylinder arrangement such as that shown in Fig. 1 have been discussed earlier in this specification .
The present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. Referring now to Fig. 2, a liquid measuring and dispensing apparatus 100 according to this invention comprises a container 110 for holding liquid to be dispensed, a single cylinder liquid dispensing pump 120 for dispensing measured quantities of the liquid, and conduit means 180 for conveying liquid from the container 110 to liquid dispensing pump 120, and from the liquid dispensing pump 120 to a receptacle 190.
Receptacle 190, which does not form part of the present invention, may be any suitable container or device for receiving measured portions of liquid from liquid dispensing pump 120. When the liquid is heated chocolate, with or without nuts suspended 5 therein, the receptacle may be a moving belt conveyor, on which the chocolate may cool and solidify.
This invention is particularly useful for dispensing viscous liquids in uniform measured portions. The viscous liquid may contain solid particles or aggregate suspended therein. This 10 invention is most particularly useful in dispensing chocolate, which may have nuts suspended therein, in measured portions. This invention will be described with particular reference to handling and dispensing of a heated chocolate-nut mixture, i.e., chocolate having nuts in particle form suspended therein, which has been 15 heated to above the melting point of chocolate, i.e., about 80~F.
Representative chocolate-nut mixtures include peanut cluster and almond bark .
Returning now to Fig. 2., container 110 is a reservoir for heated chocolate-nut mixture or other liquid, with or without 20 solid particles suspended therein, to be dispensed. Container 110 comprises a funnel shaped hopper 112 having an outlet opening at the bottom and surrounded by a heating jacket 114. Heat may be supplied by conventional means, e.g., by hot water or steam circulating through the heating jacket, or electrically. A heating 25 jacket or other heat source is necessary for heating chocolate, since the melting point of chocolate (about 80~F) is above normal ambient temparature (which is taken as approximately 68-77~F
or 20-25~C). A heating jacket is useful when handling other liquids which are either solid or very viscous at normal ambient temperature, 30 and con be omitted when handling a liquid which is readily flowable at normal ambient temperature.
CA 02204l08 l997-04-30 The preferred liquid dispensing pump 120 of this invention will now be described with particular reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, 120 is a one-cylinder liquid dispensing pump comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical housing 122 and first and second (or left and right) end walls 124 and 126, respectively, which together define and enclose an interior space. Housing 122 serves two purposes, i.e., liquid measurement and air drive.
Housing 122 is supported on a level support surface 128, e.g., a floor, table or counter, by means of support rings 129 which encircle the housing 122 at periodic intervals.
The interior space of housing 122 is divided by a fixedly mounted fluid tight barrier or separation baffle 130 into first and second cylindrical chambers 132 and 134, respectively.
Baffle 130 is in a mid-portion of liquid dispensing pump 120, preferably at the longitudinal center, so that chambers 132 and 134 have essentially the same axial length and the same volume.
Pistons 136 and 138 reciprocate in chambers 132 and 134, respectively, in fluid tight engagement with the inside wall of cylindrical housing 122. This provides on the left side of the first piston 136 an expansible chamber 132a for receipt, measuring and dispensing of heated chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture (or other liquid, with or without particles of solid material or aggregate suspended therein). A port 140 in left end wall 124 is provided for admission and discharge of heated chocolate or other liquid.
On the right side of piston 136 is an air space 132b. This air space is maintained at atmospheric pressure by means of a vent port 144.
Chamber 134 is a compressed air chamber which receives compressed air alternately on opposite sides of piston 138, through ports 146 and 148, respectively. These ports extend through the cylindrical side wall of housing 122 just to the right of baffle 130 and at the right end of the housing 122, respectively .
A rigid rod 150, which extends longitudinally along the center axis of pump 120, extends through separation baffle 130 in fluid tight engagement therewith and links pistons 136 and 138 so that they reciprocate together . Thus, first chamber 132 and first piston 136 form part of a liquid dispensing pump (specifically a liquid measuring portion of the pump) and second chamber 134 and second piston 138 form part of a fluid motor for driving the first piston and thereby effecting pumping action.
Pistons 136 and 138 reciprocate between a left hand 10 limit of travel, in which piston 136 is in proximity with first or left end wall 124, piston 138 is in proximity with the separation baffle 130, and the volume of expansion chamber 132a is at a minimum, as shown in Fig. 3, and a right hand limit of travel in which piston 136 is in proximity with separation baffle 130, piston 138 is in 15 proximity with the second or right hand wall 126, and the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a maximum. The distance between the left hand and right hand limit positions of piston 136 is the stroke of the piston. The difference between the minimum and maximum volumes of expansible chamber 132a is the displacement 20 of piston 136 and is also the volume of chocolate or chocolate-nut mixture dispensed in each operating cycle.
The stroke of piston 136 is determined by an adjustable limit stop mechanism shown in Fig . 3. Piston rod 150 extends through right end wall 126. A ring 152, affixed to the right end 25 of piston rod 150 outside housing 122, encircles the upper end of a horizontally reciprocable follower 154. Follower 154 has bores through which screw threaded guide 156 and guide rail 158 pass.
Follower 154 travels between a first or left end position (shown in Fig.3) atop base 160, which is bolted to support surface 128, 30 and a second or right hand position against limit stop 162. The position of limit stop 162 is adjustable by means of ad justing nut 164.
A compressed air supply system, not shown but which may be conventional, supplies compressed air alternately to opposite sides of piston 138 via ports 146 and 148. Pistons 136 and 138 travel to the right when compressed air enters port 146 to the left of piston 138, and travel to the left when compressed air enters port 148 to the right of piston 138. Then the follower 154 strikes limit stop 162, the direction of compressed air flow is reversed so that the pistons travel to the left. Similarly, when the follower 154 reaches base 160, the direction of air flow is reversed so that the pistons travel to the right.
Separation baffle 130 is shown in detail in Fig. 4.
Baffle 130 and pistons 136 and 138 are preferably made of nylon although other materials including stainless steel can be used.
Baffle 130 is an essentially cylindrical member of comparatively short axial length, comprising an axially longer center portion 170 and an axially shorter outer portion 172 which provides annular air spaces when either piston 136 or piston 138 is at an end of its stroke. Baffle 130 has grooves to receive a set screw 174 and O-rings 176. Set screw 174 extends through housing wall 122 and holds baffle 130 in place at the longitudinal center of pump 120. O-rings 176 provide a fluid thght seal between baffle 130 and the inside wall of housing 122. A second set of O-rings 178 provide a fluid tight seal between baffle 130 and piston rod 150.
Referring back to Fig. 2, the apparatus of this invention further comprises conduit means 180 for conveying liquid from container 110 to liquid dispensing pump 120 and specifically to expansible chamber 132a therein, and from liquid dispensing pump 120 to a receptacle 190. Conduit means 180 comprises a T-shaped connector 182 having hollow arms providing a first conduit 183 for liquid flowing from container 110 to dispensing pump 120, a second conduit 184 for liquid flowing from pump 120 to receptacle 190, and a third conduit 185 for fluid flowing in either direction.
Third conduit 185 communicates with the first two conduits 183 and 184 and with expansible chamber 132a of pump 120.
The three conduits intersect at a common point of intersection.
First and second conduits 183 and 184 respectively are axially aligned; third conduit 185 is perpendicular to the other two conduits.
A normally closed first valve 186 and a normally open second valve 188 control flow of liquid through first and second conduits 183 and 184 respectively. Valves 186 and 188 have a common actuator system so arranged that, when one valve is closed, the other is open, and both valves are actuated simultaneously.
A preferred valve 186 or 188 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The two valves may be structurally identical. Valve 186 (or 188) comprises a cylindrical casing 192, preferably of stainless steel, having end flanges 194. An elastomeric diaphragm or sheet 196, which extends longitudinally from one end to the other end of casing 192, defines inside casing 192 a central passageway for liquid, surrounded by an annular pressure chamber or control chamber . This diaphragm 196 is essentially cylindrical when the valve is open and essentially hourglass shaped when the valve is closed. Diaphragm 196 has flanges at either end. An air port 198 in casing 192 communicates with the pressure chamber and moves diaphragm 196 to closed position when air under pressure is supplied. The preferred valve shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is a pinch valve or peristaltic valve, is especially preferred for handling chocolate-nut mixtures, since it can shut off fluid (chocolate) flow without crushing nuts suspended in the chocolate medium.
It is highly desirable to avoid crushing nuts because nut surfaces which are formed by crushing or shearing are not easily coated with chocolate.
An alternate conduit means 200 for conveying liquid to or from liquid dispensing pump 120 is shown in Fig. 7. This conduit means or arrangement provides a first or inlet conduit 202, controlled by valve 186, for supplying liquid which may contain suspended solids, such as a chocolate-nut mixture, to liquid dispensing pump 120 from container 110, and a second or outlet conduit 204, controlled by valve 188, for delivering measured portions of liquid, which may contain suspended solids, from liquid dispensing pump 120 to receptacle 190.
While the apparatus of this invention has been described with particular reference to melted chocolate containing nuts suspended therein, such as peanut cluster (chocolate and peanuts) and almond bark (chocolate and almonds), this apparatus can be used to dispense 5 other liquids, with or without solid particles or aggregate suspended therein. This apparatus is particularly useful for dispensing af viscous liquids in measured portions. This apparatus is especially useful for dispensing foods in liquid form (particularly when the food is a viscous liquid, as is often the case~ because of the ease 10 with which this apparatus is cleaned and kept clean.
Other foods in liquid form which are advantageously measured and dispensed using the apparatus of this invention include ice cream, cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, hot butterscotch and hot caramel, which may contain pecans. Representative non-15 food liquids which can be dispensed using the apparatus hereininclude plastics, oils, greases, molten glass, liquid epoxy (for glue), and various chemicals.
The fluid motor which drives the apparatus of this invention can be either pneumatic or hydraulic. Correspondingly 20 the second chamber (or fluid motor chamber) 134 can be either a compressed air chamber or a chamber for hydraulic fluid. The apparatus of this invention does not require electricity. Either electricity or another power source, say a gasoline generator, can be used to compress air (in a pneumatic system) or to pressurize 25 hydraulic fluid (is a hydraulic system).
An air actuator system similar to that used for supplying compressed air alternately to opposite sides of piston 138 can also be used to supply compressed air alternately to valves 186 and 188. The same compressed air system can be used to perform 30 both functions if desired.
First valve 186 is open and second valve 188 is closed for filling expansible chamber 132a (when pistons 136 and 138 are moving to the right). First valve 186 is closed and second valve 188 is open for dispensing liquid from expansible chamber 132a (when pistons 136 and 138 are moving to the left). Therefore the air actuator for valves 186 and 188 may be combined with the air actuator system for piston 138 into a single system in which air flow to the piston 138 and to valve 186 or 188 is reversed when follower 154 reaches either limit stop 162 or base 160. Or the piston 138 and valves 186, 188 may have separate but similar air actuator systems, both of which are triggered to reverse the direction of air flow when follower 154 reaches either limit stop 162 or base 160.
Operation of the apparatus of this invention will now be described .
It will be assumed that air pressure in the air actuator system(s) is maintained, even when the apparatus is not in operation.
Maintenance of air pressure during overnight and weekend shutdowns is desirable. For longer shutdowns or when maintenance is required, air pressure in the air actuator system(s) is normally shut off.
When air pressure is shut off, both valves 186 and 188 are open, and pistons 136, 138 may be in any position. When air pressure is on but the apparatus is not in operation, valve 186 is closed, valve 188 is open, and pistons 136 and 138 are at the left hand limit of travel so that the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a minimum. The drawings herein illustrate the apparatus in non-operating condition with air pressure on.
At the beginning of an operating cycle, pistons 136 and 138 are at the left hand limits of travel, valve 186 is closed, valve 188 is open, and the volume of expansible chamber 132a is at a minimum, all as shown in the drawings. To fill expansible chamber 132a, compressed air is supplied to the left hand side of piston 138 and to valve 188, so that valve 186 is open, valve 1~
188 is closed and the pistons 136 and 138 move to the right. An air pressure of about 30 psi is recommended. This is sufficient to maintain a tight seal in valve 188 (and in valve 186 when liquid is being dispensed) without crushing nuts. Filling of expansible 5 chamber 132a continues until the volume of expansible chamber 132a reaches a maximum. This occurs when pistons 136 and 138 reach their right hand limit of travel and follower 154 strikes limit stop 162. This causes the direction of air flow in the air actuator system(s) to reverse. Valve 186 closes, valve 188 opens, pistons 136 and 138 move to the left and a measured volume of liquid is dispensed. A new operating cycle now begins. This mode of operation is continued as long as the apparatus is maintained in operation .
The apparatus of this invention has a number of advantages 15 over presently known apparatus, and in particular an apparatus employing a tww-cylinder liquid dispensing pump. First, the apparatus of this invention has very little vibration, so that it is not necessary to bolt the single cylinder to a support surface. Second, proper alignment of the two pistons and their piston rod is assured. Third, 20 the single cylinder pump of the present invention requires less space than a two-cylinder arrangement. Fourth, airborne contaminants such as abrasive dust particles are kept completely out of the food dispensing portion (the first chamber 132) of the dispensing pump herein, since this portion has no rod or shaft opening similar 25 to that required in a two-cylinder arrangement. Fifth, the apparatus of this invention is cleaner than a two-cylinder arrangement and is easily cleaned. The present apparatus can be cleaned in place.
Sixth, the present apparatus is safe, safer than a two-cylinder arrangement. The present apparatus has no exposed "pinch points";
30 a two-cylinder arrangement has "pinch points" between the two cylinders where a person can be injured. The apparatus of the present invention is also capable of measuring chocolate-nut mixtures accurately without crushing the nuts in such mixtures.
While this invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments including the best mode and preferred embodiment, such description is by way of illustration and not limitation .
Claims (12)
1. Apparatus for dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
(a) a container for holding a liquid:
(b) a liquid dispensing pump for receiving, measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid, said pump having a single hollow cylindrical housing which houses therein:
(1) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(2) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(3) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing;
and (4) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together;
(c) means for admitting a fluid under pressure alternately to opposite sides of said second piston to thereby reciprocably drive said pistons and said rod in a first direction to admit a measured quantity of said liquid to said first chamber and in a second direction to dispense said measured quantity of liquid from said first chamber; and d) conduit means including a first conduit for conveying said liquid from said container to said first chamber of said pump, and a second conduit for conveying said measured quantity of liquid dispensed from said first chamber of said pump.
(a) a container for holding a liquid:
(b) a liquid dispensing pump for receiving, measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid, said pump having a single hollow cylindrical housing which houses therein:
(1) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(2) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(3) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing;
and (4) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together;
(c) means for admitting a fluid under pressure alternately to opposite sides of said second piston to thereby reciprocably drive said pistons and said rod in a first direction to admit a measured quantity of said liquid to said first chamber and in a second direction to dispense said measured quantity of liquid from said first chamber; and d) conduit means including a first conduit for conveying said liquid from said container to said first chamber of said pump, and a second conduit for conveying said measured quantity of liquid dispensed from said first chamber of said pump.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said apparatus further including a first valve for controlling flow of liquid through said first conduit and a second valve for controlling flow of liquid through said second conduit, said first valve being open for conveying said liquid to said first chamber of said pump, said second valve being open for dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid from said first chamber of said pump, said first valve being open when said second valve is closed and closed when said second valve is open.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including a third conduit communicating with said first and second conduits and with said first chamber of said pump, said third conduit being adapted to handle liquid flowing in either direction.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first, second and third conduits are housed in a T-shaped connector.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a limit stop for adjusting the stroke of said pistons and correspondingly the measured quantity of liquid dispensed.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid under pressure is compressed air.
7. A cyclic process for dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid, said process comprising:
(a) providing a liquid dispensing pump for receiving, measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid, said pump having a single hollow cylindrical housing which houses therein:
(1) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(2) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(3) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing;
and (4) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together;
and (b) introducing fluid under pressure alternately to opposite sides of said second piston in said second chamber, thereby causing said first and second pistons to reciprocate and thereby alternately admit a measured quantity of said liquid into said first chamber and then dispense said measured quantity of liquid from said first chamber.
(a) providing a liquid dispensing pump for receiving, measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid, said pump having a single hollow cylindrical housing which houses therein:
(1) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(2) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(3) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing;
and (4) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together;
and (b) introducing fluid under pressure alternately to opposite sides of said second piston in said second chamber, thereby causing said first and second pistons to reciprocate and thereby alternately admit a measured quantity of said liquid into said first chamber and then dispense said measured quantity of liquid from said first chamber.
8. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said liquid is a viscous liquid.
9. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein said liquid has solid particles suspended therein.
10, A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein said liquid is melted chocolate.
11. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein said chocolate has nuts suspended therein.
12. A single cylinder liquid dispensing pump for receiving, measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of said liquid, said pump having a single hollow cylindrical housing which houses therein:
(a) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(b) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(c) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing; and (d) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together.
(a) a stationary separation baffle in a mid-portion of said housing for dividing the interior of said housing into first and second chambers;
(b) a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing, said first chamber being adapted to receive said liquid on one side of said piston;
(c) a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber in sealing engagement with an inside wall of said housing; and (d) a rigid rod extending through said separation baffle is fluid tight relationship and linking said pistons so that said pistons and said rod reciprocate together.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US65598996A | 1996-05-31 | 1996-05-31 | |
| US08/655,989 | 1996-05-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2204108A1 true CA2204108A1 (en) | 1997-11-30 |
Family
ID=24631202
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2204108 Abandoned CA2204108A1 (en) | 1996-05-31 | 1997-04-30 | Liquid dispensing pump |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2204108A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112520222A (en) * | 2020-10-12 | 2021-03-19 | 安徽双鹤药业有限责任公司 | Linkage interlocking device for filling and feeding port covers |
| US11828175B2 (en) | 2021-07-08 | 2023-11-28 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Systems and methods for measuring phase flow rates of a multiphase production fluid |
-
1997
- 1997-04-30 CA CA 2204108 patent/CA2204108A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112520222A (en) * | 2020-10-12 | 2021-03-19 | 安徽双鹤药业有限责任公司 | Linkage interlocking device for filling and feeding port covers |
| US11828175B2 (en) | 2021-07-08 | 2023-11-28 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Systems and methods for measuring phase flow rates of a multiphase production fluid |
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