MXPA97001556A - Modular supplier for multiples flui - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine [10] for supplying a plurality of ingredients includes a stepped array of containers [56,58] that provide the materials. The bottoms of the containers are generally coplanar, and are placed immediately above a low profile drive train [50] mounted on a tray [52]. The drive train includes two separate pumping arrangements [66] with a motor [68] that provides a common drive to the pumps mounted between the arrays. A valve tray [90] is located above the containers and includes a low profile dispenser head [44], an arrangement of pipe members [240] placed side by side in a generally horizontal plane, and an arrangement of stock valves [60] attached to the back of the valve tray. The dispensing valves are coupled to the pumps in pairs of fluid lines [260, 262] to circulate the materials between the pumps and the spout valves

Description

MODULAR SUPPLIER FOR MULTIPLE FLUIDS DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus, and in particular to apparatus for supplying fluids and other fluid materials. For years, the owner of the present invention has developed spouts for liquid dyes and other commercially important materials. Examples of automatic dispensers are given in U.S. Pat. 3,851,798 and the US design patent document. 262,628 and 262,229. Such dispensers typically have the ability to receive instructions designating a selected formulation, and to supply the ingredients required in the formulation. The assortment is carried out by means of pumping assemblies that are located in the bottom of the assortment machine, behind the arrangement of containers. A fluid coupling pipe extends from the pump assembly to the passages formed in a nozzle member, where the ingredients leave the spout. In other types of dispensing machines developed afterwards, the dispensing valves are located far from the pumping units, in the general vicinity of an assortment head and for this reason and for other factors, different assortment characteristics are observed between the different systems.

Stores are always under pressure to increase the density of products displayed and made available to consumers to be transported in a review area. The paint department of the retail stores, for example, look for more compact dispensing machines, and in particular compact machines that have a reduced footprint, which require less floor space than the previous models. Due to the assembly costs and the impact on the location of the components on the assortment, great care must be taken when reducing the overall size of the assortment machine. As will be readily appreciated by the experts, the dispensing machines employ a substantial number of components that must be maintained, and sometimes adjusted during the life of the machines. It is important that the field service person have easy access to all parts of the machine and especially to critical components, such as dispensing valves and components associated with the dispensing valves to measure the material required by the user of the machine. The pumps used for the dispensing machines are typically driven by one or more electric motors through some type of intermediate mechanical transmission system. Moving parts are subject to disaster during the life of the machine and care must be taken to provide them service.

During the construction of a complicated machine such as jets of the aforementioned type, several components are assembled in a frame in which an external "skin" is applied [frequently formed by metal sheet panels]. Alternatively, the outer skin can be applied to the frame to form a cabinet within which the components are installed. As the machine is built, several components are accumulated and installed in a sequence that minimizes the investment of labor in the machine. Due to the nature of a commercial sorting machine, many of the components of the machine comprise duplicates of the same part. For example, the dispensing machines, especially those used in the coatings industry, supply multiple materials, up to sixteen different coloring materials, and frequently up to nine or twelve different coloring materials. Each coloring material has its own "fluid circuit" typically originating in a container in which the fluid material is stored and which ends in the dispensing head in which the fluid material leaves the dispenser. Fluid circuits typically include, in addition to the aforementioned vessels, pumps, valves and intermediate fluid lines. Certain advantages can be obtained if similar components are associated with each other in sub-assembly that can be tested all at once.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing machine in which similar type components are added in functional subassemblies, which can be remotely tested before being installed in a sorting machine. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the space required for the components in a subassembly that employs the advantages of a bench assembly whenever possible. Another object in accordance with the principles of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus having a reduced "footprint", requiring less floor space, without sacrificing the functionality of the machine. Another object in accordance with the principles of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus having an improved construction that facilitates service and field adjustments. Still another object in accordance with the principles of the present invention is to provide a dispensing machine that can accommodate store personnel who must manually place containers of substantial size and weight under a dispensing head. For example, the coating industry, dyeing materials are added to base coatings for the manufacturer in sizes of 5 gallons. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing machine having a shelf arrangement that requires the minimum elevation of those and other containers that receive the materials to be dispensed. These and other objects that are principles of the present invention are provided in a dispensing apparatus comprising: a frame; a drive assembly including a base plate and a plurality of pumps mounted on the base plate; a first plurality of containers having upper and lower ends and shortest preselected length, coupled to the first pumps; a second plurality of containers of a longer preselected length and having upper and lower ends and coupled to the second of the pumps; the lower ends of the first and second plurality of containers placed generally coplanar immediately above the drive assembly; a lower shelf mounted to the frame above the first plurality of containers and hinged to allow access to the first plurality of containers; a dispenser head coupled to the pumps and located above the containers for hanging on the lower shelf; an access door above the second plurality of containers and hinged to allow access to the second plurality of containers; an upper shelf that extends from the access door to interpose between the lower shelf and the dispensing head. Brief Description > Pipe of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the spout apparatus according to the principles of the present, D!; Figure 2 is a front elevation view thereof; Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of selected components placed within the outer cabinet; Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the spout apparatus; Figure 6 is an exploded side view in elevation of sub-assemblies of the spout apparatus; Figure 7 is a top plan view of a pump subassembly thereof; Figure 8 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 9 is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 8, but before the pumps are installed; Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the pump sub-assembly; Figure 11 is a top plan view of one of the pumps; Figure 12 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 13 is a rear elevation view thereof; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the valve tray assembly; Figure 16 is a top floor view of the same; Figure 17 is a front elevation view thereof; Figure 18 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 19 is a rear elevation view thereof; Figure 20 is a top plan view of an assortment head assembly thereof; Figure 21 is a front elevation view thereof; and Figure 22 is a bottom plan view thereof. Referring now to the drawings, and initially to Figures 1-3, a dispenser is generally indicated at 10 illustrating the principles of the present invention. The supplier has found immediate commercial acceptance in the field of detail and industrial coatings, the particular coatings that are mixed on request using liquid components. As will be appreciated from consideration of the following, the dispenser 10 and the associated apparatus can be readily adapted for use with other fluid materials including relatively thick pastes (such as ink pastes), balm ointments, foodstuffs and food supplements, as well as lotions and creams for topical applications for example. The dispenser 10 includes a cabinet comprising an outer covering or skin, preferably made of a tubular metal construction. The cabinet 12 includes a lower portion 14 that includes side panels 16 and a front panel 18 with access doors 20 formed in the side panel 16. As will be noted here, the lower cabinet portion 14 includes most of the storage containers that contain the ingredients to be supplied, the pumps and pump delivery systems that carry the material to a dispensing head located at the bottom of the upper cabinet portion 24. The dispenser 10 has a significantly reduced size. In particular, the "footprint" or base of the cabinet 12 is substantially smaller than the previous ones that generally provide the same functionality. As noted, the space saving is the result of the innovative assembly techniques that also provide a substantial reduction of the installation and service work of the supplier. The reduction in space is also a result of the use of containers of different sizes, and in particular containers of different lengths. A middle section 26 of the cabinet 12 houses the tops of the taller containers and also houses the coupling of the dispensing nozzle pipe to the pumps located in the lower portion of the cabinet 14. The middle portion of the cabinet 26 includes a door articulated access 30 that can be opened to serve the taller containers. A lower shelf 32 also serves a second access door to serve the shorter containers placed below. The shelf 32 provides a convenient supporting surface for larger containers, allowing the containers to be conveniently placed below the dispenser nozzle, located in the lower hanging portion of the upper part of the cabinet 24. A record has been found particularly when They supply paint materials in smaller containers, so that smaller containers are placed as close to the dispensing nozzle as possible. Accordingly, an upper shelf 34 extends from the access door 30 to hold the smaller containers above the lower shelf 32. When larger containers are dispensed, the shelf 34 is hinged to move against a front surface 36. The upper serving portion 24 wraps most of the control equipment indicated generally with 72 dispenser, including a digital control, a dashboard for entering data, a visual display and a printer for data output, and memory units for the storage of programs and formulas. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper cabinet portion 24 also includes an assortment head assembly 44. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a pumping assembly generally indicated with 50 is mounted on a base plate 40, which includes casters 54 for convenient movement of the spout 10. As mentioned, the pumping assembly 50 is located in the lower portion of the cabinet 14, and as can be seen from figure 4, it is located in the lowermost portion of the spout. In the preferred embodiment, two pluralities of containers are used, having a respective uniform size. An arrangement of shorter containers 56 is located below the lower shelf 32 while an array of higher containers 58 is located below the access door 30. As indicated in Fig. 4, the containers and the pumping assembly are connected through tubes to a plurality of dispenser valves 60, preferably located in the lower portion of the upper portion of the cabinet 24. As noted herein, the dispensing valves 60 and the dispenser head assembly are assembled together in an assembly of modular valve. Referring again to Figure 4, the pump assembly 50 includes a plurality of pumps 66 coupled to an electric motor 68. The pumps 66 are preferably located in a common horizontal plane that is close to the horizontal center line of the motor 68. provide a flat or low profile package. As can be seen in Figure 4, the bottom ends of shorter containers 56 and longer 58 generally end at the same point, to lie in a common horizontal plane placed immediately above the horizontal low profile assembly 50. As can be seen in figure 4, the preferred embodiment of the dispenser 10 includes three rows of containers, two of short containers and one of longer containers. In the preferred embodiment, each row has a depth of three containers, the dispenser having a total of nine containers. If desired each row of container could have up to four depth containers to provide a total of twelve containers, requiring only a small increase in dimensions for additional containers. Referring now to Figure 6, the electronic control components indicated generally with 72 are installed in the upper part 24 of the dispensing cabinet. The electronic components include a microprocessor control and associated circuits for receiving commands from the keyboard 74 mounted on the front portion of the cabinet portion 24. The control circuits are coupled to axis encoders 102 in pumps 66 (see FIG. 7) for monitor the quantities of materials that are being supplied during a controlled operation. In the preferred embodiment, the pumps are operated in addition to the controlled assortment cycles for circulating materials between the pumps, the assortment valve 60 and the containers 56, 58. The control circuits are also coupled to the assortment valve 60 to initiate and terminate a assortment operation, preferably by dividing the circulating flow through the dispensing valves to the assortment head assembly 44. The control circuit includes the memory necessary to store a variety of control operations. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations for a particular family of material being supplied are stored in a separate formula storage device 78, which also includes a visual display 80 for presenting the data to an operator. The data is also given in the form of a tangible copy by means of a printer 82 mounted on the front of the upper portion of the cabinet, along the storage device of the formula 78, and is also shown by means of the screen 83. In the preferred embodiment, the dispenser valves 60 and the assortment head assembly 44 are mounted on a common valve tray assembly generally indicated at 90. As will be seen here, the valve tray subassembly 90 can be manufactured externally at a bank or in an assembly line. The electronic components 72 are manufactured remotely in the same way and are brought to the assembly site, together with the storage device of formula 78, the keyboard 74 and the printer 82. The containers are preferably placed in two arrangements, a first arrangement for six short containers 56 and a second arrangement for the three longer containers 58. The advantages Significant constructions have been achieved by manufacturing the pump assembly 50 separately, as separate subassembly units. The cabinet with the aforementioned components is preferably constructed separately and brought to the assembly site of the dispenser in the form of a complete unit where it is combined with the pumping assembly 50 to form the spout 10 [see figure 6]. Substantial advantages can be achieved with the modular constructions identified above. For example, a basic sorting machine can be designed in advance, waiting for a particular order from a consumer. Depending on the materials that are going to supply several basic design components can be replaced. For example, large-volume assortment operations can be performed better by means of an assortment system that has higher yields. For example, if a larger capacity dispenser head is required, a special valve tray assembly can be manufactured in a bank and tested as a work unit prior to installation in the dispensing cabinet. Similarly, higher capacity pumps and / or higher capacity motors or an engine running at a faster speed for a particular installation may be required. It is a simpler matter to replace the desired components of the pumping assembly in a test bench. If desired, several different versions of sub-assemblies can be stored to meet customer requirements, and the time required to deliver the machines built to the customer's taste can be drastically reduced with the modular construction of the present invention. Additionally, the machine designers can fix the elements of the pump assembly more densely than would otherwise be practically possible.

Referring now to Figures 7-10, the pump assembly 50 will be described in greater detail. As mentioned before, the motor 68 and the pumps 66 are coupled together (that is, connected directly or indirectly) to a common base plate 52. If desired, one motor could be provided for each pump, connected directly. As can be seen in Figures 7 and 10, for example, the pumps 66 are indirectly connected to the motor by means of intermediate elements, including a series of coupling chain circuits 96. The pumps are preferably placed in two separate series arrangements, one on each side of the motor 68. Except for pumps located at the ends of the array in series, the pumps 66 are connected to pairs of sprockets to form a drive system in each array in series, driven by a point in the array (preferably in the drive shafts coupled to the end pumps shown in the bottom of figure 7). Connector members 98 connect the drive shaft of sprockets to a transmission member, preferably a gearbox 100. A pulse encoder 102 informs the control circuit of the rotation of the pumps 66. Referring to FIG. 10, the pumps 66 they are mounted by means of sleeves 106 to mounting walls 110 which are preferably C-shaped in cross section. As can be seen in Figure 10, the pumps 66 are flown from the mounting walls 110. Referring further to Figures 11 and 12 the pumps include an inlet port 112 and an outlet port 114. The pumps 66 have an outer box 120 with a first end 122 away from the sleeves 106, and a second end 124 that includes a mounting hub 126 with an annular recess 128. The mounting hub 126 fits within a first end 180 of the mounting sleeve 106 and is it holds in place by means of a set screw (not shown), the inner tip of which is received in the recess 128. The sleeves 106 include a second end 134 which is stepped having a large diameter outer surface portion 136, one externally threaded surface portion of smaller diameter 138 and a stepped wall 140 therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the stepped wall 140 comprises a reference surface for positioning the pump sleeve in mounting walls 110. Figure 9 shows the mounting walls 110 before installation of the pumping sleeves. In the preferred embodiment, weldable nuts 144 are welded to an inner surface of the mounting channel 110, in register with the openings 146 formed in the mounting wall. The pump sleeves are screwed into the mounting wall as if they were a bolt. The pump mounting head is installed on the open free end of the mounting sleeve and fixed with the aforementioned screw. As can be seen in figures 11 and 12, the axis of the pump 150 extends into the inner bore 152 of the mounting sleeve. The couplings 154 (see Figure 10) join the pump shaft 150 to the drive shaft 156 of the sprockets 160, thus completing the connection with the drive motor. As can be seen in Figure 11 for example an inspection port 164 facilitates the assembly of the coupling 154. As can be seen in the side elevation view of Figure 8, the pump assembly 50 is of a low profile design with centerlines of the pumps and the motor that is in slightly separated horizontal planes. The pumping arrangements are oriented horizontally as in the drive shaft and the outer body of the motor 68. The construction of the pump 66, the mounting sleeve 106 and the welded nuts arrangement 144 and mounting channels 110 cooperate to provide the reduction hitherto unattainable in the bomb disaster. The pump and mounting arrangements described here are believed to more precisely align the pump's rotation axes and the associated mounting systems when they are brought together to form the pump assemblies 15. Reduced wear and better alignment, however , they do not need to be used with multiple pulse pumps, as shown in pumping assembly 50, but could be employed when a single pump is driven by a power source, such as an electric motor.

The pump 66 shown in Fig. 14 includes the aforementioned outer case 120 with a first end 122, a second end 124 and an internal bore 170. As can be seen in Fig. 14, the drive shaft 150 extends beyond the hub Assembly 126. The shaft 150 has an enlarged diameter portion 174 supported by sleeve bearings mounted within the internal bore 170. The sleeve bearings 176 are located immediately adjacent a rotor 178 that is formed on the inside of the end of the shaft. 150. The rotor 178 has a L-shaped cross section since it is not symmetrical about a midplane passing through the center of the axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the rotor 178 has nine drive teeth 180 (visible in FIG. 14 as a leg of the L). A loco gear 182 is mounted to rotate a head member 184 by means of a pin 186. The idler gear 182 is also preferably non-symmetric when viewed in cross section. In Fig. 14, the idler gear includes gear teeth 190. In Fig. 14, a gear tooth cut by the cross section appears above the pin 186, while a valley between adjacent teeth is located below the pin. 186. The head 184 is fixed to the box 120 by means of a series of bolts 194. The inlet and outlet passages are formed in the box 120, in diametrically opposed side portions of the idle gear 182. An inlet passage 196 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14. The pump 66 includes a second sleeve bearing 200 adjacent the exposed free end of the pump shaft 150. The head 184 maintains a fluid tight seal of the internal bore 170 at the first end of the pump 66. In order to maintain a fluid-tight seal at the second end of the pump, a pair of seals is used. Figure 14 shows the seals 204, 206 having coupling faces. Typically a broken seal with the drive shaft 150, while the other seal remains fixed, although other arrangements are possible as well. For example, both seals could be allowed to rotate with the drive shaft 150 under the proper conditions of rotational mounting for the seal located adjacent to the bearing 200. A seal 206 is mounted on a support 210 that preferably engages the outer surface of the shaft. of the rotor. A spring 212 is positioned between the sleeve 176 and the support 210 to urge the seals 204, 206 between them, in engagement. A sheave 214 is located between the spring 212 and the sleeve 176 to reduce wear. Initially, there is little or no play on the drive shaft 150. However, with prolonged use some play can be formed and the spring 212 presses the rotor head so that it engages with the idler gear, and also presses the free ends of the teeth of the rotor 180 so that they engage the corresponding face of the head 122. In the preferred embodiment, the idler gear 182 and the mounting pin 186 have a hardened construction, preferably hardened cast iron, and more preferably ceramic. The rotor and especially the teeth 180 are also of a hardened construction, preferably hardened cast iron with a greater hardness than the rotor, to provide continuous adjustments during prolonged use of the pump (with wear on the rotor 178 and head 122), to maintain a constant output of the pump during the life of the pump. In the preferred embodiment, the idler gear 182 is made of ceramic material and has a hardness greater than that of the head and the rotor. The head member is manufactured to have an intermediate hardness of the three parts, this is a lower hardness than the crazy gear 182 but a greater hardness than the rotor 178. After prolonged use the free ends of the rotor 180 will wear out to have a reduced length in the axial direction. The idler gear 182 sees a higher pressure applied by the rotor 178 and being harder than the rotor pierces the face 222 of the rotor effectively extending the length of the teeth of the rotor 180 in the axial direction, as well as the grooves between adjacent rotor teeth, preserving the pumped volume for a given amount of rotation. Because the head member 122 is harder than the rotor, compensating wear develops on the face of the rotor 22 and not on the head member 122. Referring now to Figures 15-22, the sub-assembly of valve trays includes a mounting plate 230 in the form of a tray having a horizontal plate-shaped portion 232 and a rear wall 234. The suction head assembly 44 is mounted on the front end of the tray, and is attached to the valves assortments 60 by means of a plurality of pipe segments 240. Referring further to Figure 21, the assortment head assembly 44 includes a nozzle portion 244 downwardly depending on a body portion 246 that is preferably formed from a worked plastic block to form flow channels, one for each conduit 240 that extends to the nozzle 244. In the preferred embodiment, three flow channels emerge from each side wall and from the rear wall of the vessel. to body portion 246. The pipe segments are arranged next to one another and are generally positioned following the horizontal plate portion 232 of the tray 230. As can be seen in Figure 16, the pipe segments protrude from the side walls and the rear wall of the body member 246. The pipe segments are connected to the dispensing ports 250 of the valves 60. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing valves 60 are mounted directly to the rear wall 234 of the tray 230.

However, as indicated in Figure 16, the dispensing valves 60 could be mounted to an intermediate plate 254 which in turn is mounted to the rear wall 234. The mounting plate 254 has elongated mounting holes [not shown] to receive threaded fasteners [not shown] received in the rear wall 234. The mounting plate 254 may be moved in small distances in a vertical direction to control the slope, if any of the pipe segments 240. In the alternative embodiment shown in the figure 16, the mounting plate 254 can be repositioned to introduce or alternatively remove a small downward slope of the pipe segments, if desired. The pipe segments must have a flexible construction to allow these adjustments. Referring further to FIG. 4, the pump outputs are connected through conduits 260 to the inlet ports of the dispenser valves 60. The conduits 262 couple the outlet ports 264 to containers 58, coupling the containers to the ports of pump input. In the preferred embodiment, the material to be dispensed is stored in containers 56, 58 and pumped through conduits 260 to the dispensing valves 60. The dispensing valves 60 are configured in such a way that the material circulates through the dispensing valves, exiting through outlet ports 264 to return to vessels 56, 58 via conduit 262. When an assortment cycle is initiated control circuit 72 initiates commands to the manifold valves through conductors 270 and the flow is diverted through outlet ports 250, to pass through segments of pipe 240 and the supply head 268 to the dispensing nozzle 244. The recirculation prevents settling in several conduit lines and prevents settlement in the containers. , increasing the agitators 280, driven by the electric motor 282 (see figure 4). A lamp 290 is mounted on the printed circuit board 292 which is fixed to the inner surface of the dispenser head 246. The lamp 290 is received in a passage 294 formed in the center of the dispenser head 246 and the dispenser nozzle 244, in such a way that the illumination of the lamp 290 indicates the desired placement of a container to receive materials to be supplied. Referring now to Figure 21, stainless steel nozzle extensions 298 are positioned at the lower end of the dispenser nozzle 244, the nozzle extensions projecting in small dimensions beyond the bottom surface 300 of the dispenser nozzle. The flow passages in the dispensing nozzle 244 and the dispensing head 246 are indicated in phantom lines in Figure 21. The drawings and the foregoing description are not intended to represent the only forms of the invention in relation to the details of their construction and way of operation. Changes in the form and proportion of parties, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or become expedients; and although specific terms have been used, they are intended to have only a generic and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes, the scope of the invention is outlined by means of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1.- In a dispensing apparatus that includes: a plurality of pumps; a plurality of containers for administering the material to be dispensed, coupled to the pump; a plurality of valves coupled to respective pumps; a dispensing head coupled to the valves; the improvement consists in that the pumps each have a mounting hub extending along an axis and a drive shaft extending along the axis beyond the mounting hub; a mounting wall defining a mounting opening; a plurality of tubular sleeves that mount the pump to the mounting wall, the sleeve has opposite first and second ends, the first ends receive the mounting hubs and the drive shafts and the second ends have an outer surface with a first surface portion of a predetermined diameter, a second surface portion of reduced diameter and a step extending radially therebetween to engage the wall so that the axes of the pumps are aligned with predefined angles to the mounting wall; and fixing means for fixing the second end of the sleeve to the wall.
2. 2. The dispensing device according to the claim 1 in which the second ends of the sleeve are threaded, the fastening means comprise nut fasteners for engaging the second sleeve ends to engage the mounting wall.
3. 3. The dispensing device according to the claim 2 in which the nut fastener is permanently fixed to the wall, the dispenser apparatus further comprising a plurality of drive shafts extending through the mounting wall and towards the first ends of the sleeves, and means for coupling the Drive shafts to the pumps.
4. 4. The dispensing apparatus according to the claim 3 in which the drive shaft is fixed to a chain sprocket.
5. 5. The dispensing apparatus according to the claim 4 which further comprises a plurality of sprockets and the coupling means comprise pairs of interengaging coupling members within the sleeves for coupling drive shafts to the sprockets.
6. 6. The dispensing device according to the claim 5 further comprising: a frame for supporting the mounting wall; a motor mounted on the frame to be aligned in a pre-selected manner with the mounting wall; and coupling means for coupling the motor to the pumps in driving coupling with the, keeping the sleeves in alignment between the coupling means and the drive shaft of the pump.
7. 7. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a valve tray assembly having a front and a rear end with the dispenser head mounted on the front end of the tray.
8. 8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 in which the valves are placed in a series arrangement and mounted at the trailing end of the tray, and the dispensing apparatus further comprises a plurality of pipe segments that join the Assortment head with the valves, the pipe segments aligned side by side in a generally horizontal common plane extending generally parallel to the tray.
9. 9. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which: The pumps are placed in two separate series arrangements with the motor disposed between two separate series arrangements and coupled to the pumps in engagement with them; each series arrangement comprises at least one drive chain that couples the pumps to the motor; and in which the apparatus further comprises a pair of mounting walls, the motor being located between the mounting walls, and the mounting walls located between the motor and the pumps.
10. 10. A pump assembly for use in a fluid dispenser, comprising: a base plate; a pair of mounting walls that emerge from the base plate; a plurality of pumps placed in two separate serial arrays, each array mounted to a respective mounting wall; and at least one electric motor placed between two separate series arrangements and coupled to the pumps in drive coupling.
11. 11. The pump assembly according to claim 10, wherein the motor is located between the mounting walls, the mounting walls being between the motor and the pumps.
12. 12. The pump assembly according to claim 10, wherein: the apparatus further comprises a plurality of joining means having first ends fixed to the mounting walls and second ends receiving the pumps; the joining means comprise hollow sleeves having first ends extending through the mounting walls and the second ends engaging the respective pumps; and the first ends of the sleeves are threaded and the pump assembly further comprises nut fasteners for engaging the first ends of the sleeve to secure the mounting walls.
13. 13. The pump assembly according to claim 10 further comprising drive shafts extending through the mounting walls and at the first ends of the sleeves and coupling means for coupling the drive shafts to the pumps respective.
14. 14. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each series arrangement comprises at least one drive chain coupling the pumps to the motor.
15. 15. The pump assembly according to claim 10 further comprising pairs of bearing supports within the sleeves for rotationally supporting the drive shafts, the bearing supports are located at opposite ends of the mounting walls. BES & It. A machine [10] for supplying a plurality of ingredients includes a staggered array of containers [56,58] that provide the materials. The bottoms of the containers are generally coplanar, and are placed immediately above a low profile drive train [50] mounted on a tray [52]. The drive train includes two separate pumping arrangements [66] with a motor [68] that provides a common drive to the pumps mounted between the arrays. A valve tray [90] is located above the containers and includes a low profile dispenser head [44], an arrangement of pipe members [240] placed side by side in a generally horizontal plane, and a valve arrangement Assortments [60] attached to the back of the valve tray. The dispensing valves are coupled to the pumps in pairs of fluid lines [260, 262] to circulate the materials between the pumps and the dispensing valves.