IES20050248A2 - An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid - Google Patents
An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquidInfo
- Publication number
- IES20050248A2 IES20050248A2 IES20050248A IES20050248A2 IE S20050248 A2 IES20050248 A2 IE S20050248A2 IE S20050248 A IES20050248 A IE S20050248A IE S20050248 A2 IES20050248 A2 IE S20050248A2
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- cylinder
- piston
- scale
- liquid
- fine adjustment
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 76
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
- G01F11/023—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type with provision for varying the stroke of the piston
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides an apparatus (1) for drawing in a measured quality of a liquid. The apparatus (1) comprises a cylinder (2) for holding the liquid and a piston (3). The piston (3) is arranged for travelling within the cylinder (2) so as to draw a volume of liquid into the cylinder (2), with the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder (2) being proportional to the distance travelled by the piston (3) The apparatus (1) provides a coarse adjustment mechanism (4) for setting the volume of liquid drawn into the piston (3) to any incremental value on a first incremental scale, and a fine adjustment mechanism (5) for setting the volume of liquid to be drawn into the cylinder (2) to those values between the increments of the first incremental scale. The fine adjustment mechanism (5) comprises an adjustable stop (41) mounted on the piston rod (7) for travel with the piston rod (7) for setting the distance of travel of the piston head (8) along a second adjustment scale. Alternatively, the fine adjustment mechanism (5) comprises an adjustable stop (41) mounted about the piston rod (7) so that the piston rod (7) is free to move relative thereto and for setting the distance of travel of the piston head (8) along a second adjustment scale. <Figure 1>
Description
The present invention relates to an apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of liquid. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a user definable volume of liquid, in particular concentrated colorant or paste.
Background to the Invention
There exist a number of apparatus quantity of a liquid to be dispensed. One such apparatus is described in US Patent No. 5,511,695. A paint colourant dispenser is disclosed which comprises a paint colourant reservoir coupled to a measuring cylinder through a valve.
A piston is slidably mounted inside the measuring cylinder at a lower end of a piston rod. The upper end of the piston rod is attached to a plunger handle. A user can move the piston within the cylinder to vary the volume of colourant which the cylinder can hold by pulling on the handle. The travel of the piston is limited by a stop assembly. The plunger handle is arranged so that it may only be lifted until the upper surface of the plunger handle hits a stop located on the stop assembly. The stop is mounted at the top end of a stop support member. The stroke of the piston, and therefore the quantity of paint colourant dispensed in a single stroke of the piston, can by adjusted by moving
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8 the stop up and down. The position of the stop is limited to settings at multiples of a predetermined spacing, L.
The apparatus additionally provides a fine adjustment means. The fine adjustment means provides for a further adjustment of the position of the stop by means of the stop assembly by at least the distance L. The fine adjustment means comprises a rod located at one end of the stop. The rod is threaded and projects through a threaded aperture located in the stop. The position of the stop can therefore be adjusted by turning the rod with respect to the aperture as the rod itself acts as a stop. The pitch of the threads on the rod and the aperture are such that one full rotation of the rod in the aperture causes the rod to move axially at least the distance L. Turning the rod thus allows fine adjustment of the coarse scale.
One of the problems associated with this arrangement is that it is not possible for a user to see the variation in the distance which the piston will travel in a stroke when adjusting the fine adjustment means. Furthermore the fine adjustment must be pre-set before liquid is drawn in. For an inexperienced user it is not immediately apparent how the fine adjustment works or how to ensure it is correctly set.
Object of the Invention
The present invention overcomes this problem by providing an apparatus for drawing in a measured quantity of liquid and having a fine adjustment mechanism which a user can easily see and which further allows for a visual
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8 representation of the amount of fine adjustment which is being made. The movement seen by the user is proportional to the volume which will be drawn into the cylinder for a particular (coarse and) fine adjustment scale setting.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention therefore provides an apparatus for drawing in a measured quantity of a liquid comprising:
(i) a cylinder for holding the liquid;
(ii) a piston having a piston rod and piston head located within and moveable within the cylinder; the piston arranged for travelling within the cylinder so as to draw a volume of liquid into the cylinder by movement of the piston head along the cylinder, the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder being proportional to the distance travelled by the piston, (iii) a coarse adjustment mechanism for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a first adjustment scale; and (iv) a fine adjustment mechanism comprising (a) an adjustable stop mounted on the piston rod for travel with the piston rod for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a second adjustment scale; or (b) an adjustable stop mounted about the piston rod so that the piston rod is free to move relative thereto and for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a second adjustment scale.
The mounting of the fine adjustment mechanism onto or about the piston rod in this way provides a user with a visual representation proportional to the volume which will be
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 β drawn into the cylinder for a fine adjustment scale setting (in addition to any representation along the coarse scale).
Preferably, the first adjustment scale is an incremental scale for setting the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder to any of the incremental values. Imperial or SI units of measure may be used.
Desirably, the second adjustment scale is a (nonincremented) gradated scale. Continuous adjustment is available on this second scale as distinct from a series of set positions. In this way the second adjustment scale will allow the volume of liquid to be drawn into the cylinder to be further adjusted to any value between the increments on the first adjustment scale. Usually the first scale will be in unit volumes of a first volume unit and the second scale will allow adjustment to an accuracy of at least the next lowest divisions of the first volume unit.
In one arrangement the travel distance of the piston head is determined by the relative position of two stops. One (fixed) stop may be provided as part of the coarse adjustment mechanism, while the other stop is the adjustable stop referred to above. It is to be noted that the fixed stop is fixed in the sense of being non-adjusted by the fine adjustment mechanism. However it will be appreciated that the fixed stop may be provided with an additional adjustment mechanism, which for example may allow for calibration of the coarse adjustment mechanism. Once calibrated however it is not adjusted in any way during the dispense process.
Generally, the distance of travel of the piston head may be determined by the distance between the fixed stop and the
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8 adjustable stop. Setting the distance between those stops will thus allow a pre-determined (measured) quantity of liquid to be drawn into the apparatus.
In one arrangement the coarse adjustment mechanism comprises a gauge, for example a gauge in the form of a sliding rail, which is moveable for setting a distance between the fixed and adjustable stops. In this way the rail sets the coarse scale distance of travel of the piston head. The gauge or rail may have a bottom end which is slidably mounted relative to the piston head, for example on or within the cylinder, and a top (free or unattached) end which is on a portion of the gauge or rail which extends a distance beyond the cylinder. In such an arrangement it is desirable that the fixed stop is provided on that portion which extends a distance beyond the cylinder for example at the top end thereof. It will be appreciated that the portion of the rail which extends beyond the cylinder may vary with varied coarse volume settings. It is of course desired that the zero value on the coarse scale is set on the rail to allow adjustment on the fine scale such as between the zero and one unit values.
The adjustment of the fine adjustment mechanism will desirably provide a proportional variation in the distance between the adjustable stop and the fixed stop.
This in turn, results in a variation in the distance set for the piston head to travel along the length of the cylinder when moved to draw liquid in the cylinder.
The first adjustment scale will desirably be marked in increments along the rail.
IE 05 0 24 9 in this way, the height of the rail above the cylinder may substantially determine the volume of liquid which may be drawn into the cylinder.
The rail may be locked at those extended (height) positions which correspond to the locations of the increments on the scale. The rail thus has a series of fixed positions, each generally a scale unit apart from the next.
The locking of the rail may be provided by engagement with a locking mechanism for example a locking mechanism provided on the cylinder.
Preferably, the piston rod has a first end attached to the piston head (within the cylinder) and a second opposing (free) end (which extends outside the cylinder). Desirably the apparatus further comprises a handle for moving the piston head within the cylinder. The handle will be provided externally to the cylinder and. generally at the second end thereof. Generally the handle will be attached to the piston rod. The handle moves the piston head within the cylinder from an instroke end stop to an outstroke end stop, the outstroke end stop corresponding to the point at which the handle abuts the fixed end stop.
The highest vertical end of the rail may provide an outstroke end stop position (e.g. at the fixed stop) for the piston head. Desirably also there is provided an instroke end stop position. The instroke end stop position is desirably provided by an instroke end stop for the piston head.
IE 0 5 0 2 4 8
The instroke end stop may be a fixed stop, for example a stop provided on the cylinder.
Alternatively, the adjustable stop of the fine adjustment mechanism forms the instroke stop. This represents one way in which the adjustable stop may be mounted about the piston rod (for example attached to the cylinder) so that the piston rod is free to move relative thereto, while the adjustable stop sets the distance of travel of the piston head along the second adjustment scale by forming an adjustable instroke end stop.
Alternatively the adjustable stop is mounted on the piston rod for travel with the piston rod for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a second adjustment scale .
It is desirable that the handle can be moved between the instroke end stop and the outstroke end stop to draw liquid into the cylinder. To dispense liquid from the cylinder, the handle may be moved in reverse (the opposite direction).
Suitably, the adjustable stop comprises a rotatable fine adjustment nut which is mounted to a fine adjustment bushing. The nut and bushing are reciprocally (screw) threaded at a desired pitch so as to provide the desired degree of fine adjustment. The lower the pitch of the screw threads, the finer the adjustment possible.
In various embodiments of the invention the bushing may be fixed relative to the cylinder (and the piston) - in this way forming part of an adjustable instroke stop (for the
IE 050248 piston). The nut will provide another part of the adjustable instroke stop. In this arrangement it is desirable that the piston rod extends through the bushing. The piston rod can move freely relative to the bushing. Additionally the rail can extend through the bushing and move freely relative to the bushing.
Alternatively the bushing/nut assembly can be fixed to the piston rod (for example at the second end thereof) for travel therewith. The adjustable stop thus provided on the piston rod will generally be arranged relative to the outstroke end stop so that the distance of travel of the piston head is adjusted by relative movement of the adjustable stop and the piston rod.
Desirably, rotation of the fine adjustment nut varies the distance the piston travels when moved from the instroke end stop to the outstroke end stop (by adjusting the position of a stop portion).
The second adjustment scale therefore provides finer control of the volume dispensed, as it enables the volume of liquid which the piston head can draw into the cylinder to be set to any amount falling between the increments of the first adjustment scale (as a subdivided unit thereof).
The degree of rotation of the fine adjustment nut may be correlated to (and thus measured against) the second adjustment scale.
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8
In general the cylinder can be considered to have a first (intake/dispense) end and a second (upper)end. An end cap housing may be provided on the upper end of the cylinder.
The adjustable stop may be integrally formed with the piston rod or the end cap housing. In this arrangement the instroke end stop may be provided by the end cap housing of the cylinder.
In one embodiment, rotation of the fine adjustment nut varies the distance between the handle and the instroke end stop .
The fine adjustment mechanism may incorporate at least one fine adjustment (scale) window, within which at least a portion of the second adjustment scale is available for view. The portion of the second (fine) adjustment scale on view will usually be determined by the degree of rotation of the nut relative to the bushing. Generally, the volume reading along the scale will be provided by an indicator within the window. Desirably the window is fixed relative to the nut and the second scale is provided on the nut. It will thus be appreciated that this embodiment utilises two potential functions of the nut: as the nut is rotated it may be utilised for two functions - the first being to adjust a stop portion position - the second being to indicate on the second scale the fine adjustment volume.
Preferably, the fine adjustment mechanism incorporates a grip which may be used to manually rotate the nut.
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8
The fine adjustment nut may be housed within a fine adj us tment hous ing.
The fine adjustment housing may comprise a top wall and a cylindrically shaped side wall. An aperture is provided in the top wall to enable the piston rod to pass through.
The fine adjustment scale window may be provided in the fine adjustment housing.
The instroke end stop may correspond to the point at which the bottom surface of the piston handle makes contact with the end cap housing.
Desirably, rotation of the fine adjustment nut varies the distance between the outstroke end stop the instroke end stop.
The rail may be provided with apertures or grooves at the position of the increments on the scale for locking the rail at a desired position on the first adjustment scale. The locking mechanism may be located on the end cap housing of the cylinder.
The locking mechanism may comprise at least one locking pin for engagement with any of the grooves/apertures provided on the rail.
The locking mechanism will generally comprise a release mechanism for disengaging the at least one locking pin.
The locking pin may be biased towards the engaged position, with the release mechanism disengaging the at least one locking pin by acting against the bias.
« 05 0 2 4 8
The piston head may be coupled to a piston plunger bumper provided with a seal.
The seal prevents any liquid from passing above the piston head.
The apparatus may further comprise a valve which controls the flow of liquid into and out of the cylinder.
The valve may be connected to a liquid reservoir such as colorant canister.
The position of the valve may be controlled by a valve handle.
When the valve is in the open position, there is an open path for the flow of liquid from the reservoir into the cylinder. When the valve is in the closed position, there is an open path for liquid to flow out of the cylinder.
The closing of the valve handle may be provided by a release button.
The connection from the valve to the reservoir may be via a reservoir port.
The present invention also provides a dispense machine for dispensing a measured quantity of liquid comprising:
(i) at least one apparatus of the present invention:
(ii) at least one reservoir for from which the apparatus can draw in a measured quantity of a liquid;
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8 (iii) a dispense mechanism for dispensing the measured volume .
The present invention also provides a dispense machine with a plurality of apparatus and reservoirs which can be used to mix liquids in measured quantities (defined ratios).
These embodiments will now be described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a top sectional view of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a bottom sectional view of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2a shows a sectional view of the locking mechanism of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus when connected to a reservoir;
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 6 is a sectional view from the top of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8
The apparatus will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 6.
Figures 1 and 2 show top and bottom side sectional views of a portion of an apparatus 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It comprises a cylinder 2 for holding liquid to be dispensed. A piston 3 moveable within the cylinder enables liquid to be drawn into and dispensed from the cylinder 2. A (first) coarse adjustment mechanism 4 coupled to the cylinder 2 is an incremental scale of increments D and substantially controls the amount of liquid dispensed from the apparatus, while a (second)fine adjustment mechanism 5 (which in this embodiment is mounted on the piston 3) provides finer control of the volume dispensed. A valve 6 is provided in a valve housing 35 at one end of the cylinder 2 to control liquid flow into and out of the cylinder 2. An upper (free) end 39 of the cylinder is coupled to an end cap housing 31.
The piston 3 comprises a piston rod 7 and a piston head 8. The head 8 is coupled to a piston plunger bumper 23 provided with a seal 24.
In accordance with one embodiment, the upper (free) end 40 of the piston rod 7 is surrounded by the fine adjustment mechanism 5. The fine adjustment mechanism 5 comprises an adjustable stop 41 fixed to the free end 40 of the piston rod 7 for travel with the piston. The adjustable stop 41 sets the distance of travel of the piston head 8 along a second gradated adjustment scale 17.
The adjustable stop 41 comprises a rotatable fine adjustment nut 20 coupled to a fine adjustment bushing 19 which is connected adjacent to the free end 40 of the
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8 piston rod 7. The fine adjustment nut 20 is mounted to the fine adjustment bushing 19 by means of external screw threads 21 provided on the fine adjustment bushing 19, which engage with corresponding screw threads 22 on the fine adjustment nut 20.
The nut 20 and bushing 19 are threaded at a desired pitch so as to provide the desired degree of fine adjustment. The lower the pitch of the screw threads, the finer the adjustment possible. The adjustment nut 20 is provided with an adjustment grip 16 for rotation of the adjustment nut 20 about the adjustment bushing 19.
The second gradated scale 17 is positioned adjacent to the adjustment nut 20. This scale 17 provides a visual means of measuring the variation in volume of liquid which the cylinder 2 can hold corresponding to an amount of rotation of the adjustment nut 20 relative to the adjustment bushing 19.
The main body of the adjustable stop 41 is surrounded by a piston handle housing assembly 30 which incorporates a handle 9 for moving the piston. The bottom surface 43 of the fine adjustment bushing 19 protrudes through the bottom end 50 of the piston handle housing assembly 30. The piston handle housing assembly 30 is provided with two windows.
The first window is a fine adjustment window 15, for enabling a portion of the second gradated scale 17 to be viewed. The second window 42 provides a means through which the grip on the fine adjustment mechanism 5 can be passed through, to enable adjustment of the fine adjustment nut .
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 β
Rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20 in one direction causes the fine adjustment nut 20 to move in a direction on the fine adjustment bushing 19 towards the piston handle 9, and consequently reduce the distance between the top of the piston handle 9 and the piston bumper 23. Conversely, rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20 in the opposite direction causes the fine adjustment nut 20 to moved in a direction away from the piston handle 9. This therefore increases the distance between the top of the piston handle 9 and the piston bumper 23. The adjustment nut 20 is adapted to provide a range of rotation equal to or greater than the incremental spacing of the coarse adjustment mechanism 4.
The piston handle 9 is moveable between an instroke end stop, which is the location at which the bottom surface 43 of the fine adjustment bushing 19 makes contact with the top surface 44 of the end cap housing 31, and the point at which the handle 9 makes contact with a fixed outstroke end stop 12 provided on the course adjustment mechanism 4.
The adjustable stop thus provided on the piston rod will generally be arranged relative to the outstroke end stop 12 so that the distance to travel of the piston head is adjusted by relative movement of the adjustable stop and the piston rod.
The distance travelled by the piston when it is moved by the piston handle 9 between these two end stops determines the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder 2. This distance is controlled/set by the coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms.
IE 0 5 0 2 4 β
The coarse adjustment mechanism 4 comprises a rail 10 with a volume scale 11 of equal increments D along its vertical axis. The rail has an upper end 45 and a lower end 46. It comprises two side walls 47, 48 joined together by an adjoining wall, 49. The volume scale 11 is located on one side wall, 47. The outstroke end stop 12 is provided at the upper end 45 of the rail 10. The rail 10 is arranged on the outer wall of the cylinder 2 so that the lower end 46 of the rail 10 is slideably moveable in a vertical direction between the cylinder ends. This enables the height of the rail 10 protruding above the end cap housing 31 to be adjusted to that height which sets the reading on the scale 11 to the incremental value closest to the volume which it is desired the cylinder 2 is to hold and dispense. In this way, the first adjustment scale provides an incremental scale for setting the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder 2 to a multiple of the incremental scale value.
Figure 3 an enlarged view of the locking mechanism of the present invention, while Figure 6 shows a sectional view from the top of the apparatus including the locking mechanism. A plurality of pairs locking grooves 25 are provided along both sides of the length of the side wall 48 of the rail 10 substantially aligned with the positions of the increments Don the scale 11. Each pair of locking grooves 25 are adapted to engage with a locking mechanism 14 located on the end cap housing 31. The rail 10 is locked to a desired height by engaging the locking mechanism 14 with the pair of locking grooves 25 located at the point in the rail 10 which corresponds to the desired reading of volume on the incremental scale 11.
IE 05 0248
The locking mechanism 14 is affixed to the end cap housing 31. It comprises two locking pins 13 in communication with a release button 26. The locking pins 13 are adapted to engage with one pair of the corresponding locking grooves 25 located in the rail 10 of the coarse adjustment mechanism 4. The pins 13 are biased towards the engaged position by means of biasing means in the form of springs 27. The release button 26 is adapted so that, when activated, it acts against the springs 27 to enable the locking pins 13 to be released from engagement with a pair of grooves 25 in order to adjust the height of the rail 10 of the coarse locking mechanism 4.
It will be appreciated from the above that the fine adjustment mechanism 5 enables the distance travelled by the piston 3 when moved by the handle 9 between the instroke end stop and the outstroke end stop to be varied by an amount equal to or greater than the increment D, which in turn enables the volume of liquid which the cylinder 2 can hold to be set to any amount falling between the incremental spacing D of the scale 11 of the coarse adjustment mechanism 4.
Figure 4 illustrates the apparatus 1 when connected for use with a liquid reservoir which may be part of a paint dispensing system. The valve 6 is connected to a liquid reservoir 28 via a reservoir port 33. The position of the valve 6 is controlled by a valve handle 29. When the valve 6 is in the open position, there is an open path for the flow of liquid from the reservoir 28 into the cylinder 2. When the valve is in the closed position, there is an open path for liquid to flow out of the cylinder 2. The closing of the valve handle 29 is provided by a release button.
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8
When the release button is depressed, the valve 6 is spring returned to the closed position. It will be appreciated that the exact valve operating mechanism is well known in the art and therefore is not described in detail here.
In use, in order for the apparatus to dispense liquid of the desired volume, the coarse adjustment mechanism 4 must first be set, followed by the setting of the fine adjustment mechanism 5.
The coarse adjustment mechanism 4 must be set at the height at which the incremental reading of volume on the scale 11 is closest to that value which it is desired the apparatus to dispense. This involves a number of steps. Firstly, the piston handle should be moved to the instroke end stop. Then, the release button 26 must be depressed in order to disengaged the locking pins 13 from engagement with a particular pair of locking grooves 25. Keeping the release button 26 depressed, the rail 10 should be slidably varied in height until the incremental reading on the scale 11 is closest to the volume of liquid which is desired the apparatus to hold and dispense. Once the rail 10 is positioned at the required height, it is locked in place at the desired vertical height by releasing the release button 26. This causes the pair of locking grooves 25 at the position corresponding to the desired height to engage with the locking pins 13.
It will be appreciated that the coarse adjustment mechanism only enables the volume of liquid in the cylinder 2 to be set equal to values corresponding to multiples of the scale increments D. In cases where it is required to hold and
IE 0 5 0 2 4 8 dispense volumes of liquid falling between each incremental value, the fine adjustment mechanism may then be set.
Once the coarse adjustment mechanism 4 has been locked at the required height, the fine adjustment mechanism 5 can be used to vary the set value of volume by up to an amount equal to the distance between the incremental spacings, D. This is achieved by rotating the fine adjustment nut 20 by its grip 16. The handle 16 is rotated until the reading on the second fine adjustment scale 17 through the fine adjustment window 15 corresponds to the exact volume of liquid which is desired to be held and dispensed by the apparatus. The effect of rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20 in one direction is to move the fine adjustment bushing 19 vertically deeper into the piston handle 9, hence reducing the distance between the top of the piston handle 9 and the piston bumper 23. This has the effect of increasing the distance which the piston 3 will travel when moved by the piston handle 9 between the instroke end stop 31 and the coarse adjustment end stop 12, and consequently the volume of liquid which will be drawn into the cylinder 2 when the piston 3 is moved. It will be appreciated that rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20 in the opposition direction will have the opposite effect.
Once the coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms have been set, the apparatus is ready for drawing in the volume of liquid to be dispensed. At this point, the valve 6 should be placed in its closed position by means of the valve handle 29, at which position liquid is enabled to flow from the reservoir 28 into the valve housing 35. By lifting the piston handle 9 with the valve 6 in this position, a vacuum is created in the cylinder 2, causing liquid to be drawn from the reservoir 28 into the cylinder 2. The volume of
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8 liquid drawn into the cylinder is controlled by the distance travelled by the piston 3 when the handle is moved from the instroke end stop 31 to the stop member 12. It will therefore be appreciated that the exact distance travelled by the piston 6 during this time is not only determined by the height of the rail 10 of the coarse adjustment mechanism 4, but also by the distance between the handle 9 and the piston bumper 23 which is determined by the fine adjustment mechanism setting.
Once the piston handle 9 reaches the stop member 12, the required volume of liquid should be located within the cylinder 2. To dispense this volume, the valve handle 29 should be turned to rotate a disc within the valve housing 35, closing off the port 33 to the reservoir 28 and opening the port to the outlet nozzle. Once the valve is set to this position, the piston handle 9 may be pressed vertically downwards until it reaches the instroke end stop 31. This downward movement of the piston in the cylinder 2 forces the liquid out of the cylinder 2, and in turn out of the outlet nozzle. Once all of the liquid is dispensed from the cylinder 2, the valve handle 29 is closed by pressing the release button. This causes the valve 6 to be spring returned to the closed position. This in turn turns the disc, closing the outlet nozzle port and opening the reservoir port 33.
Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used for like features. In accordance with this embodiment, the fine adjustment mechanism 5 is coupled to the end cap housing 31, rather than to the piston handle housing 30, as was the case in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the fine
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8 adjustment nut 20 is now surrounded by a fine adjustment housing 32, the housing 32 being provided with a fine adjustment window 42 through which the handle 16 of the fine adjustment nut 20 passes and a fine adjustment window 15 through which the scale 11 can be viewed. The fine adjustment housing comprises a top wall 36 and a cylindrically shaped side wall 37. An aperture 38 is provided in the top wall 36 to enable the piston rod to pass through. In this embodiment, the instroke end stop of the piston handle 9 corresponds to the point at which the bottom surface of the piston handle 9 makes contact with the end cap housing 31. The outstroke stop member 12 is the same as the first embodiment.
In both embodiments, the adjustment of the fine adjustment mechanism 5 varies the volume of liquid which the cylinder 2 can hold by an amount equal to or greater than the distance D. However, there is a functional difference in operation of the fine adjustment mechanism 5 between the first and second embodiments of the invention. In the second embodiment, a rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20 causes the fine adjustment housing 32 to move either vertically higher or lower by up to an amount equal to or greater than the distance D, the direction of vertical movement determined by the direction of rotation of the fine adjustment nut 20. This results in a variation in the distance between the fine adjustment housing 32 and the stop member 12 of the course adjustment mechanism, which consequently varies the distance travelled by the piston handle 9 when moved between the instroke end stop, now located at the fine adjustment housing 32, and the stop member 12, and accordingly, the distance travelled by the piston 3 itself .
ΙΕ ο 5 0 2 4 8
This apparatus is not confined to use with any particular liquid. However one field of technology where such an apparatus has found to be particularly useful is the paint manufacturing industry, where the apparatus may be used to dispense colorant. This apparatus enables paint of virtually any colour to be made by beginning with a white base and adding precisely measured amounts of paint colorant of specific colours.
The present invention has a number of advantages when compared to prior art apparatus. The mounting of the fine adjustment mechanism onto the piston rod provides a user with an accurate visual representation proportional to the volume which will be drawn into the cylinder for a particular coarse and fine adjustment scale setting. The mounting position of the fine adjustment mechanism provides the user with a more intuitive operational process.
The words comprises/comprising and the words having/including when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment.
Conversely, various
ΙΕ ο 5 Ο 2 4 8 features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
Claims (5)
1. An apparatus for drawing in a measured quantity of a liquid comprising: (i) a cylinder for holding the liquid; (ii) a piston having a piston rod and piston head located within and moveable within the cylinder; the piston arranged for travelling within the cylinder so as to draw a volume of liquid into the cylinder by movement of the piston head along the cylinder, the volume of liquid drawn into the cylinder being proportional to the distance travelled by the piston, (iii) a coarse adjustment mechanism for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a first adjustment scale? and (iv) a fine adjustment mechanism comprising (a) an adjustable stop mounted on the piston rod for travel with the piston rod for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a second adjustment scale; or (b) an adjustable stop mounted about the piston rod so that the piston rod is free to move relative thereto and for setting the distance of travel of the piston head along a second adjustment scale.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first adjustment scale is an incremental scale for setting the volume of liquid to be drawn into the cylinder to any of the incremental values.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second adjustment scale is a scale for setting the volume of liquid to be drawn into the cylinder to those values between the incremental values. IE 05 Ο2 4 β
4. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the coarse adjustment mechanism comprises a gauge having a fixed end stop, the gauge moveable to adjust the 5 distance between the fixed end stop and the adjustable stop.
5. An apparatus as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 6 and/or substantially as herein described.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20050248 IES20050248A2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-04-25 | An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid |
| PCT/IE2006/000039 WO2006114779A1 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2006-04-21 | An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20050248 IES20050248A2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-04-25 | An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IES20050248A2 true IES20050248A2 (en) | 2006-11-01 |
Family
ID=36599105
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20050248 IES20050248A2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-04-25 | An apparatus for drawing in and dispensing a measured quantity of a liquid |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IE (1) | IES20050248A2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006114779A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4074831A (en) * | 1976-02-12 | 1978-02-21 | William John Roach | Liquid metering device with adjustable stops |
| US4273257A (en) * | 1977-07-18 | 1981-06-16 | Sherwood Medical Industries Inc. | Jar mounted pipettor |
| DE3208436C2 (en) * | 1982-02-22 | 1985-09-26 | Glasgerätebau Hirschmann, 7101 Eberstadt | Bottle dispenser |
| DE4334750C2 (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1995-08-17 | Graf & Co Gmbh Walter | Device for dosing liquids from a storage container |
-
2005
- 2005-04-25 IE IES20050248 patent/IES20050248A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2006
- 2006-04-21 WO PCT/IE2006/000039 patent/WO2006114779A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2006114779A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM4A | Patent lapsed |