GB2329693A - Nozzle array for dispensing fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles 4 each closed by member 13 whereby each of the nozzles can be individually closed or opened. The valve member passes through a fluid reservoir 16 and is maintained in the closed position by pressurised air from air cap 11. The nozzle is opened when the air pressure is decreased and the spring 9 moves member end 13a away from outlet 21, pressure is simultaneously applied to the fluid in reservoir 16 and the fluid is dispensed. The device may be used for filing baked goods such as doughnuts.

Description

"Apparatus for dispensing fluid" The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing fluid and especially but not exclusively to apparatus for dispensing fluid onto a surface.

There are myriad reasons for applying fluid to surfaces of every size and shape. Apparatus which may be easily modified to dispense fluid onto a variety of surfaces is therefore invaluable. Known dispensing apparatus is of dedicated purpose, and additionally may become blocked, or drip when not in use.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing fluid comprising a plurality of nozzles each having an outlet adapted to be closable; and a plurality of closure members corresponding to said nozzles; wherein each closure member is adapted for movement between a first, closed, position and a second, open, position; and wherein each nozzle is separately operable.

Preferably any combination of nozzles can be selected to operate simultaneously.

The closure member may be configured substantially to fill a cross section of the outlet of a corresponding nozzle, and to occlude said outlet in said first position.

Preferably said closure member is adapted to be held in said first position by pressure of air.

The closure member may include mechanical biasing means to bias said closure member towards said second position.

Preferably said mechanical biasing means is operated by reduction of air pressure.

The apparatus preferably comprises a reservoir adapted to contain fluid.

Preferably fluid stored in said reservoir is at atmospheric pressure when said closure member is in said first position.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted to supply pressure to the reservoir when said mechanical biasing means is operated.

When said mechanical biasing means is operated, fluid from the reservoir may be ejected through said outlet.

Preferably the operation of said closure member is cyclic. At the end of a cycle said closure member may return to said first, closed, position.

Preferably the apparatus comprises a piston to which the closure member is attached. The closure member may be integral with the piston.

Preferably the nozzles are mounted on a mounting plate.

The nozzles may be arranged on the mounting plate in any preferred pattern.

Preferably said mounting plate is removable for access to the reservoir.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provides a nozzle having: an internal bore; and a fluid outlet.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of an embodiment of an aspect of an apparatus in accordance with the Figure 1; Figure 2 is a cross-section of a seal retaining bolt of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3a is a cross-section of a seal retainer of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3b is a detail of the groove of the apparatus of Figure 3a; Figure 4 is a cross-section of a seal spacer of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5a is a cross-section of the nozzle of Figure 1; Figure Sb is a detail of the groove of the apparatus of Figure 5a; Figure Sc is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 5a; Figure 6a is a side elevation of the seal retainer locking nut of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6b is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 6a; Figure 7 is a cross-section of the cylindrical collar of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side view of the needle of the piston of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 9a is a cross-section of the air cap of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 9b is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 9a; Figure 10 is a side view of apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention which includes a plurality of nozzles; Figure 11 is a plan view of the outside of the mounting plate of Figure 10 showing nozzles in a honeycomb pattern; Figure 12 is a plan view of the inside of the mounting plate; Figure 13 is a plan view showing the fluid chamber with the nozzle mounting plate removed, illustrating the pistons corresponding to the nozzles; and Figure 14 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 10 showing the air caps corresponding to the nozzles.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a crosssection of a pneumatic mechanical apparatus for applying a fluid to a surface.

The apparatus has a fluid reservoir 16 to which fluid to be applied is pumped. This reservoir 16 is not a pressure vessel and, when the apparatus is not in use, merely acts as a container for the fluid.

A wall of the fluid reservoir 16 is formed by a mounting plate 17. A number of nozzles 4 are located on the mounting plate 17. These nozzles 4 are configured in any desirable pattern.

In a preferred embodiment, a number of pistons 19 corresponding with respective nozzles 4 extend through the opposite wall 18 of the fluid reservoir 16. Each piston 19 comprises a needle 13 which extends through the along axis X through the wall 18. A first end of the needle 13a is adapted to act as a closure member and a second end of the needle 13b is retained in the side of the opposite wall 18 which is distal from the nozzle 4.

The a second end of the needle 13b is retained in an air cap 11 mounted on the opposite wall 18. The air cap 11 includes a cylindrical bore which extends in the direction of axis X and in which the a second end of the needle 13b is axially movable. The second end of the needle 13b is fixed to a cylindrical collar 10, which is slidable in the bore of the air cap 11, by an hex head bolt 8. A stainless steel washer 6 and a cup washer 7 are provided between the hex head bolt 8 and the cylindrical collar 10.

Where the needle 13 passes through the opposite wall 18, the fluid reservoir 16 is sealed by means of rubber seals 12 and a seal spacer 3, and a seal retainer 2, retained by a seal retaining bolt 1 and a seal retainer locking nut 5. The seal retainer 2 has a groove 24 for a rubber O-ring 14.

A stainless steel spring 9 is provided between the seal retaining bolt 1 and the cylindrical collar 10 to bias the collar 10 away from the nozzle 4 and thus to bias the second end of the needle 13b away from the nozzle 4.

Air pressure can be applied by the air cap 11 in order to force the needle 13, against the bias force of the spring 9, into a position corresponding to a closed position of the nozzle 4.

The fluid reservoir 16 and the mounting plate 17 can be of any size. The size of the reservoir 16 in a particular embodiment is designed to accommodate the volume of fluid to be stored, and the area or nature of the surface to which the fluid will be applied.

Similarly the number and configuration of nozzles 4 mounted on the mounting plate 17 depends upon the purpose of a particular embodiment of the apparatus.

The possible number of nozzles 4 is limited only by the surface area of the mounting plate 17. A nozzle 4 has a groove 25 to accommodate a rubber O-ring 15 to seal the aperture and retain the integrity of the fluid reservoir 16.

The nozzle 4 has an internal bore 20 with a larger diameter connected to an outlet 21 with a smaller diameter. The first end of the needle 13a is adapted to fill the outlet 21 in order to preclude fluid flow through the outlet 21. The needle 13 is normally held by air pressure in a position which occludes the outlet 21.

A nozzle 4 is operated by decreasing the pressure of air. As pressure is decreased the spring 9 withdraws the piston 19 and opens the outlet 21. This allows fluid to flow from the reservoir 16 through the nozzle 4 onto the surface. That is, the opening of the nozzles is simultaneous with the pumping of the fluid.

The duration for which a nozzle 4 remains open may be controlled by a timer. The volume of fluid discharged is also controlled. This may be done using a metering pump, or by controlling the length of time for which an application surface is in contact with the apparatus.

Once the desired amount of fluid is discharged, the needle 13 is returned to the position in which the first end of the needle 13a occludes the outlet 21.

Since, in this position, the first end of the needle 13a fills the outlet 21, this ensures that any residue of fluid is ejected upon closure of the nozzle 4. This prevents any subsequent dripping of fluid from the nozzle 4. In addition this ensures that a nozzle 4 is self cleaning.

Each nozzle 4 is controlled separately. Thus, since each nozzle 4 is activated separately it is possible to select the pattern of nozzles to be fired. It is therefore possible to selectively operate a pattern of nozzles to distribute fluid as required in a particular application.

A user of the apparatus selects the desired array of nozzles 4. The volume of fluid applied and the duration of fluid flow can precisely be controlled.

Figures 10 - 14 show an arrangement of an array of nozzles 4.

The apparatus is of use even for liquids of low viscosity which normally drip out of an open ended tube.

It is envisaged that this apparatus has particular application in the food industry. Baked goods and the like often require to have a filling inserted. This apparatus permits the user to ensure that the filling is reliably and repeatably delivered to the required location. It is thus possible for example to ensure that every doughnut in a batch of jam doughnuts has an equal amount of jam, and that the jam is in the centre of the doughnut.

Improvements and modifications can be made to the above without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for dispensing fluid comprising: a plurality of nozzles each having an outlet adapted to be closable; and a plurality of closure members corresponding to said nozzles; wherein each closure member is adapted for movement between a first, closed, position and a second, open, position; and wherein each nozzle is separately operable.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein any combination of nozzles is simultaneously operable.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the closure member is configured substantially to fill a cross section of the outlet of said corresponding nozzle and to occlude said outlet when in said first position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said closure member is adapted to be held in said first position by pressure of air.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising mechanical biasing means to bias said closure member towards said second position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said mechanical biasing means is operated by reduction of air pressure.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a reservoir adapted to contain fluid.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 adapted to store fluid in said reservoir at atmospheric pressure when said closure member is in said first position.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 adapted to supply pressure to the reservoir when said mechanical biasing means is operated.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 adapted to eject fluid from the reservoir through said outlet when said mechanical biasing means is operated.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein operation of said closure member is cyclic.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 adapted for return of said closure member to said first, closed, position at the end of a cycle.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a piston to which the closure member is attached.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the nozzles are mounted on a mounting plate.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the nozzles are arranged in a purpose-specific pattern.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the mounting plate is removable for access to the reservoir.

17. A nozzle for use in the apparatus of any preceding claim having: an internal bore; and a fluid outlet.