US3385479A

US3385479A - Anti-drip attachment for viscous material dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3385479A
Application number: US575039A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Clarence G Austin; Howard R Garrett
Original assignee: PRE O FORM CORP
Current assignee: PRE O FORM CORP
Priority date: 1966-08-25
Filing date: 1966-08-25
Publication date: 1968-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 1985-05-28

Description

y 1968 c. a. AUSTIN, JR.. ETAL 3,385,479

ANTI-DRIP ATTACHMENT FOR VIS COUS MATERIAL DISPENSER Filed Aug. 25, 1966 2 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR. mamas fAvs'nmJe Homzo Z 6422:

United States Patent 3,385,479 ANTI-DRIP ATTACHMENT FOR VISCOUS MATERIAL DISPENSER Clarence G. Austin, Jr., and Howard R. Garrett, Woodstock, Ill., assignors to The Pre-O-Form Corporation, Warsaw, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Aug. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 575,039 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-309) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A filling and dispensing mechanism for viscous materials which includes a constant-volume measuring device associated through a diverting valve with a storage hopper and an antidrip valve in the outlet of the diverting valve to control dispensing and prevent drip of the material after the dispensing operation is completed. The diverting valve in one position controls a flow passage from the hopper to the constant-volume measuring mechanism and in a second position provides an outlet from the constant volume measuring position through an outlet spout which includes the antidrip valve. The latter is opened Whenever the diverting valve connects the constant volume measuring chamber to the outlet spout and closes the passage to the hopper. The structure includes a single means for operating the same and the antidrip valve is formed to be a deformable spout and the pivoted roller mechanism which rolls on the deformable spout to seal the same.

This invention relates to a filling or dispensing mechanism for viscous materials and more particularly to an im-.

. of varying viscosity are known and in use. Such structures do not lend themselves to accuracy in dispensing, ease in maintenance, and permit dripping of the material being dispensed on the containers being filled. This results in additional handling and permits the possibility of bacteria growth on the dispensing mechanism to create health problems. The improved dispensing mechanism or filler of the present invention includes in combination with a dispensing mechanism an anti-drip valve having no moving parts in contact with the material being dispensed, which valve will move the material in the outlet portion of the dispenser out of the same to insure that such material will be placed inside a container. The improved dispensing mechanism in combination with the anti-drip valve provides a structure which is readily maintained and cleaned to meet sanitation code requirements.

The improved dispensing mechanism or filler is of the constant volume type with a veneer type adjustment to insure accuracy in the measuring portion of the dispenser. The actuating motors for the dispensing mechanism are readily connectable and disconnectable thereto for cleaning purposes. The particular arrangement of the actuating motor to the constant volume dispenser which utilizes a chamber with a piston therein insures adjustability of the dispenser for varying volume sizes, minor adjustment for accuracy in volume measurement and a simplified arrangement of parts for ease in assembly and disassembly. The improved dispenser includes an anti-drip valve of the deformable tube type with an actuating or deforming mechanism positioned outside of possible contact with the material being dispensed and which will operate to move the material in the dispensing spout out of the same positively sealing the spout to prevent drip therefrom.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an improved filling mechanism for viscous or similar fluid materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a filling mechanism of this type an arrangement of parts which permits adjustment in volume and accuracy in measurement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved filling mechanism which is readily assembled and disassembled for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a filling mechanism a combination of a dispensing mechanism and an anti-drip valve with the valve of the dispensing mechanism operated simultaneously with the anti-drip valve from a single actuator.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a filling mechanism of this type an improved anti-drip valve having a deformable spout which will positively seal and remove the material being dispensed therefrom.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view of the improved filling mechanism shown in conjunction with a filling and sealing machine,

FIGURE .2 is a sectional view of the filling mechanism taken along the lines 2-2 in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the improved filling mechanism taken along the lines 33 in FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the improved filling mechanism showing the anti-drip valve and taken along the lines 44 in FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the improved filling mechanism showing the improved anti-drip valve in an open position,

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of a portion of the improved filling mechanism showing the improved anti-drip valve in a closed position and,

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the diverting valve of the filling mechanism taken along the lines 7-7 in FIGURE 1.

Our invention relates to a filler device or machine particularly adapted for use with viscous material of a semifluid nature which has a tendency to stick to filling apparatus and raise problems of maintenance and cleaning in the filling operation. This invention is shown in conjunction with a conventional filler and sealing machine, shown in part in elevation View in FIGURE 1 for the purpose of explaining generally the overall operation of the structure. It will be recognized that the particular form of the overall filling machine may vary and the present invention relates particularly to the filling mechanism. Thus in FIGURE 1, a conventional filling and sealing machine is shown generally at 10 as including a base or frame 12 having mounted on it a suitable guide structure 14 for the purpose of guiding preformed paper cartons, such as is indicated at 15, along a table or top portion 18 of the same. An upright supporting structure 20 mounted on the table part mounts and journals in part suitable conveying apparatus shown at arms 22 operated through suitable linkage and actuating mechanisms (not shown) for the purpose of moving the cartons to be filled along the conveying line on the tabletop as evidenced by the guide structure 14. A filling device is shown generally at 30 at one side of the table with details of the structure for positioning the cartons on the table being omitted for simplicity. After the cartons are moved beneath the filling mechanism and are filled, they are directed underneath a heater, indicated generally at 32, wherein the top foldable flaps of the same are heated and deflected toward a closed position as indicated by the deflecting rails 34 to be clamped or sealed together by means of a sealing or clamping mechanism 35. The additional structure for removing the cartons from the table surface and conveying line is also omitted. This structure is controlled through suitable control circuitry, indicated by the control box 40, which includes a suitable timing mechanism. It will be recognized that the filling mechanism will be operated in sequence with the conveying mechanism or arms 22 and the clamping jaws in a pulsed or stepped sequence of operation as dictated by the control circuit and particularly by the timer therein. Such structure may be found in our Patent No. 3,307,325, dated Mar. 7, 1967, and entitled Carton Forming and Filling Machine.

The filling device or mechanism will best be seen in FIGURES 2 and 7. The filling device or dispensing mechanism includes basically a hopper 42 in which material to be dispensed is stored in bulk form with a diverting valve 44 connected thereto which is adapted to divert material from the hopper to a measuring mechanism, to be hereinafter identified. The hopper 42 is physically mounted on the body 44 of the diverting valve which body has a cylindrical recess 45 therein with a rotating cylindrical valve element 46 having a port passage 47 therein. The body 44 of the diverting valve has an inlet passage 50 shown in phantom with a first outlet passage 51 leading to the measuring portion of the dispensing mechanism and a second outlet passage 52 leading to a second outlet of the dispensing valve. The body 44 of the dispensing valve is generally rectangular in form and includes a cover plate 55 secured to the body by screws 56 which are readily removable to remove the plate 55 and hence the rotating element 46 thereof for maintenance purposes. Attached to the body 44 of the diverting valve at the outlet passage 51 is a measuring cylinder 60 having a port at one extremity of the same, as indicated at 62 which is connected in common with the outlet passage 51. Cylinder 60 is secured to the body 41 of the diverting valve at a flange section 63 through suitable means such as screws (not shown). The cylinder 60 at its opposite extremity is open, as indicated at 65, and a piston 66 is positioned within the confines of the cylinder and sealed to the walls thereof through suitable 0 rings or sealing members 68. The piston 66 is movable within the confines of the cylinder for the purpose of drawing material from the hopper 42 through the dispensing valve into the same and urging such material out of the confines of the cylinder and through the outlet passages 51, 52 and the port 47 in the rotating element 46 of the diverting valve with opposite movement of the piston for the purpose of dispensing the material. This measuring device is of the constant volume type with the piston element being movable between the port end of the cylinder to a predetermined position along the extent of the cylinder to define a constant volume within the cylinder which is adapted to be filled with the material to be dispensed with each dispensing operation for the purpose of measuring a constant volume. Piston 66 is operated by means of a hydraulic actuator which includes a cylinder 70 and a piston 72 therein attached to a hollow shaft 73 and extending through one end of the cylinder. Cylinder 70 of the hydraulic actuator has a clevis type flange 74 at one extremity which is connected to the piston 66 at a flange portion 75 thereof and seceured thereto by a pin 76 which is readily removable for the purpose of disconnecting the actuator from the piston for maintenance purposes. The hollow shaft 73 communicates with a passage 78 in the piston 72 for the purpose of providing a fluid inlet to one end of the piston with the shaft being threaded at one extremity remote from the piston 76, as at 80, and mounted in an upstanding frame portion 82 of a supporting frame 85 upon which the dispensing mechanism is mounted. Suitable lock nuts 86 positioned on the threaded portion of the shaft secure the same to the upstanding bracket 82 which is in itself adjustably mounted on the remaining frame through slots and apertures permitting the bracket 82 to be slidably positioned on the frame or bed 85 of the dispensing mechanism and secured thereto by nuts and bolts 88. The extremity of the cylinder 70 opposite the flange 74 has a fluid inlet port 90 with a flexible tube 92 connected thereto at one extremity and leading to an outlet coupling member 94 in the upstanding frame 82. T his arrangement permits the cylinder 7 0 of the hydraulic actuator to move and displace the piston 66 in the measuring chamber 60 or cylinder of the dispensing mechanism during the filling and dispensing operation. The free extremity of the shaft 73 includes a coupling 95 to which suitable hydraulic lines are connected along with the coupling member 94 to direct hydraulic fluid into and out of the extremities of the cylinder on either side of the piston 72 for the purpose of displacing the cylinder relative to the fixed shaft and piston 72 to urge the piston member 66 of the dispensing mechanism in opposite directions within the measuring chamber or cylinder 60. Also mounted on the shaft 73 is a stop collar 98 having a guide pin 99 projecting therefrom and through an aperture 100 in the flange 82. The pin is adapted to engage adjusting nuts 1G2 mounted on the threaded portion 80 of the shaft 73 and this arrangement provides vernier adjustment for the stop collar 98 to limit movement of the cylinder 70 of the actuator in the direction of the upstanding flange 82 to limit movement of the piston 66 in the direction of filling of the cylinder or measuring chamber 60. Inserts may be positioned between the adjusting nuts 102 for quick change to smaller fill volumes, if desired. Thus, the bracket portion 82 will be mounted on the frame 85 to fix movement of the actuator and hence the piston 66 in the measuring chamber 60 for given desired volumes. A vernier adjustment for the given volumes is provided through adjustment of the nuts 102 on the shaft 80 to adjust the position of the stop collar 98 on the upstanding bracket 82 to limit movement of the actuator or cylinder 70 thereof and hence piston 66 in the measuring chamber for the fine adjustment of these volumes.

This constant volume measuring arrangement permits bulk material, such as foods in a semi-fluid form, to be removed from the hopper 42 through the port 50 of the diverting valve and passage 47 thereof to the port 51 and the interior of the measuring cylinder as the piston 66 is moved from the limit position against the closed end of the cylinder to the left. The seal ring 68 will create a partial vacuum in the cylinder 60 of the measuring chamber to draw the fluid or semi-fluid material into the measuring chamber as the piston 66 is moved a given distance. Pressure from the fluid in the hopper will aid this flow of material and the hopper is normally kept filled or substantially filled through automatic or manual means. In this mode of operation, the diverting valve connects the measuring chamber 60 with the hopper and seals the outlet passage 52 of the diverting valve. The dispensing mode of operation is accomplished by rotating the valve element 46 of the diverting valve to a position where the ports 51 and 52 thereof are connected and the port 50 is closed. This will connect the measuring chamber 60 with the outlet passage or port 52 in the diverting valve. With such a connection, the material within the measuring chamber may be dispensed by movement of the piston 66 in the measuring chamber or cylinder 60 toward the closed end of the cylinder as indicated in FIGURE 2, forcing the material in the measuring chamber out through the passage defined by ports 62 in the measuring chamber, ports 51 and 52 in the diverting valve and the passage 47 in the rotating element 46 thereof.

The outlet port 52 has a cylindrical flange projecting beyond the body 44 of a diverting valve and mounted thercon is a tubular discharge spout which is made of a deformable material, such as soft rubber. This tubular spout is connected to the flange of port 52 by means of a securing bracket 112 which is clamped together by a suitable screw and bolt, indicated generally at 114. The

tubular spout forms part of an anti-drip valve, indicated generally at 115, which is mounted directly below the diverting valve and operated in conjunction therewith by the same actuator, as will be hereinafter defined. This tubular spout is adapted to be engaged by a pair of roller members 120, 121 (see FIGURES 3-6) which are mounted in roller supports 122, 123 respectively and adapted to be pivoted toward and away from the tubular spout to deform the same opening and closing the antidrip valve. The roller supports 122, 123 are generally C-shaped in form with the

rollers

120, 121 being pivotally mounted therein through stub shafts journaled in the roller supports as indicated at 130. This structure is pivoted on a pair of

rods

134, 135 which in turn are mounted on a supporting structure formed in part by a pair of

plates

136, 137 having apertures therein through which the

rods

134, 135 extend and are journaled. The

plates

136, 137 are in turn mounted on a pair of crossbars or

plates

140, 141 which are positioned across and secured to the top rails of the upstanding frame 20 on the table of the filling machine. Each of the

rods

134, 135 have a downwardly extending or bent portion as indicated at 147, 148 between which is connected to a return spring 150, if used, as best seen in FIGURE 5. The anti-drip valve is operated from a hydraulic actuator 160 which is pivotally mounted at one extremity on a fiange 162 positioned on the base or frame 85 for the dispensing mechanism. The actuator has an operating" shaft 163 carrying a pivot coupling member 164 at the extremity thereof which coupling member is connected to a platelike crank 165 mounted on the shaft of the diverting valve or its rotating element 46, as indicated at 170, through a recess or split therein and secured thereto by means of a clamping bolt 172 in a conventional manner. The actuator 160 operates the diverting valve and the anti-drip valve simultaneously, the anti-drip valve being operated through a pivotally connected crank member 175 which is pivoted on the plate 165 as at 176, and is pivotally connected to a second plate 180 as at 181 which moves vertically with the crank 175 upon rotation of the plate 165. The upper extremity of the plate 180 has a slot 182 therein and the plate 180 is so positioned that the slot 180 is positioned around the shaft 170 of the diverting valve to be guided thereon. The opposite extremity of the plate 180 has a translationally extending slot 185 therein across the width of the same, as will be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 and a pair of slidably mounted dogs or guides 186 and 187 connected respectively to the roller supports 122, 123 and pivoted therein ride in the slot 185 so that as the plate 180 is moved vertically, the dogs or guides 186, 187 of the roller supports 122, 123 will slide therein.

This sliding movement of the dogs or guides 186, 187 in the slot 185 will cause pivotal movement of the C- shaped roller supports 122, 123 about the axis of pivot defined by the

rods

134, 135 extending through the

plates

136, 137 and causing the

rollers

120, 121 thereon to be directed toward and away from the tubular spout 110 to deform the same. The diverting valve body 44 and hence the cylinder 60 of the measuring chamber are supported on the base through a plate 190 attached to the side of the same remote from the shaft 170. Thus the tubular spout 110 secured to the diverting valve is fixed in space. The pivoted

roller members

122, 123 are supported on the frame formed of the

plates

136, 137 and 140, 141 which are mounted so as to be supported by the upstanding frame 20 on the table of the machine with the plates being pivotally operated through the

linkages

165, 175 and the plate 180 operating to slide the dogs or guide

flanges

187, 186 therein. The plates are limited in their displacement in the opening direction by virtue of stop pins 195 and 196 respectively mounted in the plate 136 as will be seen in FIGURE 4. Downward movement of the plate 180 will cause the

dogs

186, 187 to slide in the slot 185 toward one another pivoting the roller supports 122, 123 toward one another with the rollers engaging the tubular spout and rolling down on the same to deform the tubular spout and urge any material therein out of the spout as it clamps the tubular spout to a deformed position. Thus, as will be seen in FIGURE 5, the tubular spout is shown open with the roller supports 122, 123 in their maximum raised position against the

stops

195, 196 and with the tubular outlet spout open. As the plate 180 is moved downward, the

roller support members

122, 123 slide or pivot toward one another causing the rollers to deform the tubular spout such as will be seen from the bottom view in FIGURE 6. This will roll out any material in the same and positively clamp the same closed so that no semi-viscous material will be left on the end of the spout to drip. As the plate 180 is moved in the opposite direction due to extension of the shaft 163 and pivoting of the plate in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 2, plate will be raised and the bias of the spring 150, if used, together with the operation of actuator 160 will rotate the roller supports 122, 123 causing the dogs to follow in the slot of plate 180. This will open the spout by moving the roller supports against the

stops

195, 196.

This improved dispensing structure has its valves operated from a single actuator 160 which will selectively connect the hopper 42 and the measuring chamber 60 with retraction of the shaft 163 of the actuator which will similarly cause the plate 180 to close the anti-drip valve. The diverting valve will provide a passage from the inlet port 50 through the passage 47 in the rotor or rotating element 46 of the diverting valve to the passages 52 and 62 leading to the interior of the measuring chamber. Simultaneously with this operation but slightly delayed therefrom the piston 66 will be moved to the left from the closed end of the cylinder or chamber 60' drawing material from the hopper into the measuring chamber. The relative size of the actuators 160 and 70 operating respectively from four-way control valves (not shown) and the piston of the measuring chamber is such that the smaller actuator will operate the diverting and anti-drip valves substantially simultaneously and considerably ahead of the movement of the piston 66. Thus, for filling the measuring chamber, the diverting valve will be open from the hopper to the measuring chamber with the anti-drip valve closed closing the spout from the dispenser. The hydraulic actuator operating the piston 66 of the measuring chamber will cause the piston to be moved to the left and create a drop in pressure within the measuring chamber which will aid or cause the semi-viscous material in the hopper to pass into the measuring chamber substantially filling the same for the given displacement of the piston 66. This displacement is adjustable by virtue of moving the upstanding support bracket 82 on the base 85 which will position the fixed tubular shaft 73 of the actuator operating the piston 66 to any desired position. The smaller Vernier type adjustment obtained by adjusting or moving the nut 122 on the threaded portion of the shaft or tube 80 will adjust the position at which the collar 98 will be positioned thereon to limit the movement of the cylinder 70 as fluid is directed to the side of the control actuator remote from the piston 66. The portion of the actuator 70 on the other side of the control piston 72 will be open through the passage 78 and hollow tubular shaft 73 to allow fluid previously therein to flow therefrom permitting movement of the cylinder on the shaft 73. A conventional four-way reversing valve will affect this control. The physical size or volume of the portions of the control cylinder of the control actuator operating the piston will be such that actual movement will not take place until after the actuator 160 has operated the diverting and anti-drip valves. Once the measuring chamber 60 is filled to a desired volume by movement of the piston 66 relative thereto, switch-over of the valving will take place in accord with the overall control timing mechanism. This switch-over will close the port 50 and connect the ports 51 and 52 of the diverting valve allowing the interior of the measuring chamber or cylinder 60 to communicate with the outlet spout 110. This movement will also have opened the anti-drip valve to the position shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5 allowing material in the measuring chamher to be discharged therefrom through the outlet spout 116. Such movement of the semi-viscous material will be affected by a reversal in direction of operation of the actuator 7t and movement of the piston 66 toward the closed end of the cylinder forcing the material in the measuring chamber out through the passages defined by the ports 51, 52 and the passage 47 in the rotary element 46 of the diverting valve.

This improved filling mechanism or dispenser will normally be operated in conjunction with other parts of a filling and sealing machine, such as is shown schematically in FIGURE 1. Thus, the filling of the measuring chamber will normally take place as the cartons, such as is indicated at 15, are moved on the bed 18 of the filling machine. The actual dispensing of the semi-viscous fluid material from the measuring chamber into the carton below the discharge spout 110 will normally take place in a period of time when the conveying mechanism of the filling machine is idle or resetting itself and the sealing jaws 35 are simultaneously operating to seal a previously filled carton. Such timing sequence will be controlled by the overall control circuit 40 including its timer in a manner previously described in our co-pending application Ser. No. 405,530 referred to above. It will be recognized that any type of filling and sealing machine may be employed with this dispensing mechanism and that varying types of cartons and closures may be applied thereto. The details of the overall filler form no part of the present invention and are omitted for simplicity. This improved filling mcchanism will handle bulk material of a semi-viscous nature having particles therein which would have a tendency to stick to the dispensing spout intermittently falling on the machine or on the cartons at times other than the filling operation to create a maintenance problem. This is particularly true in the case of semiviscous fluids such as chocolate in fluid form. The maintenance problem of drip on cartons to present a saleable item requires that the exterior of the carton show no evidence of the material included therein. Thus, positive sealoff of the discharge spout through an anti-drip valve is essential and required. Further, in semi-viscous fluids having particles therein, such as coleslaw or potato salad, particles that are apt to lodge in the discharge spout after the dispensing operation. A positive close-off discharge spout with a mechanism for insuring removal of such particles is essential for dispensing mechanisms for such materials. In addition, the overall dispensing mechanism must be readily demountable for cleaning and inspection purposes. Therefore the measuring chamber may be readily removed from the actuator by disconnection of the pin 75 from the flange 74 of the piston and the parts disassembled for cleaning. This is also true of the diverting valve. In the improved anti-drip valve, no moving part of the valve is in contact with the material being dispensed except for the interior of the tubular member 110 which is readily removable and cleaned by the release of the same from the dispensing valve.

In considering this invention it should be remembered that the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and that variations in the shape of parts and materials may be made within the scope of the same. Therefore we wish to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing device for bulk material comprising, a hopper for holding the material to be dispensed, a constant-volume measuring mechanism including a chamber adapted to be filled from the hopper and piston means for moving material into and out of the chamber, said piston means being effective to draw material from the hopper into the chamber of the constant-volume measuring mechanism through a vacuum created when the piston means moves in one direction and force material from the chamber to the outlet spout as the piston means is moved in the opposite direction, a diverting valve connecting the chamber with the hopper to permit passage of material therebetween in one position of the diverting valve, an outlet spout connected to the diverting valve and adapted to receive material from the chamber of the measuring mechanism in another position of the diverting valve, said outlet spout being made of a deformable material, an antidrip valve formed in part by the deformable outlet spout and in part by a mechanism for deforming the same to close said valve and prevent passage of material therethrough said mechanism of the antidrip valve including a pair of pivoted roller members which are pivotally displaced to roll on the deformable outlet spout toward the free extremity of the same to close the same forcing material therein out of the outlet spout, and single means for operating the diverting valve and the antidrip valve simultaneously such that the diverting valve connects the chamber with the hopper whenever the outlet spout is deformed and connects the chamber and the outlet spout whenever the spout is open.

2. The dispensing device for bulk material of claim 1 in which the means for moving material into an out of the chamber also includes a hydraulic actuator with a cylinder portion connected to the piston of the measuring chamber and with a shaft and piston portion connected to a frame supporting the measuring chamber, and including means on the shaft of the hydraulic actuator for adjustably limiting movement of the cylinder portion of the hydraulic actuator in the measuring chamber to adjust the volume of material dispensed from the measuring chamber.

3. The dispensing device for bulk material of claim 2 in which the means included on the shaft for adjustably limiting movement of the piston in the measuring chamber includes an adjustable stop member positioned on the shaft of the hydraulic actuator and cooperating stop part positioned on the frame mounting the measuring chamber.

4. The dispensing device for bulk material of claim 3 in which the hydraulic actuator connected to the piston of the measuring chamber includes a first fluid supply passage through the shaft and piston portion of the hydraulic actuator to move the cylinder portion of the hydraulic actuator and hence the piston of the measuring chamber in one direction with a second fluid passage including flexible conduit means connected to the extremity of the cylinder portion of the hydraulic actuator remote from the piston to move the piston of the measuring chamber in the opposite direction.

5. A dispensing device for bulk material comprising, a hopper for holding the material to be dispensed, a constant-volume measuring mechanism including a chamber adapted to be filled from the hopper and means for moving material into and out of the chamber, a diverting valve connecting the chamber with the hopper to permit passage of material therebetween in one position of the diverting valve, an outlet spout connected to the diverting valve and adapted to receive material from the chamber of the measuring mechanism in another position of the diverting valve, said outlet spout being made of a deformable material, an antidrip valve formed in part by the deformable outlet spout and in part by a mechanism for deforming the same to close said valve and prevent passage of material therethrough, said antidrip valve including a cylindrical and deformable tubular member which forms the deformable outlet spout attached to a cylindrical outlet port of the diverting valve, said mechanism for deforming the deformable outlet spout including a pair of pivoted roller members pivotally mounted on a frame and disposed beneath the outlet spout with a portion thereof slidably mounted in a slot of a slidable plate connected through a linkage to the diverted valve, and single means for operating the diverting valve and the antidrip valve simultaneously such that the diverting valve connects the chamber with the hopper whenever the outlet for spout is deformed and connects the chamber with the outlet spout Whenever the outlet spout is open, said single means being effective to pivot the roller members toward one another engaging the deformable outlet spout and moving the material therein out of the outlet spout as it is deformed.

6. A dispensing device comprising, a container for holding a material to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism having an outlet spout thereon through which material is to be dispensed, a first valve including in said dispensing mechanism and controlling in part the material to be dispensed through the outlet spout in a measured quantity, an antidrip valve formed in part by a deformable tube mounted on the outlet spout of the dispensing valve and in part by a deforming mechanism mounted in part on the first valve, and a single means for operating the first valve and the antidrip valve simultaneously such that the first valve will be open to dispense the material through the outlet spout when the antidrip ,valve is open and will be closed when the deforming mechanism of the antidrip valve is operated to deform the flexible tube to seal the same, said deforming mechanism having a pair of pivoted roller members mounted on a frame which includes a slidably mounted plate with a slot therein and with guide flanges located on the pivoted roller members and positioned in the slot of the slidably mounted plate to pivot the roller members as the plate is moved in conjunction with operation of the first valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,388 3/1931 Mojonnier et a1. 222-380 2,107,987 2/1938 Johnson 222-375 2,113,022 4/1938 Hefti 251-6 X 2,681,751 6/1954 Stone et a1. 251-6 X 2,761,605 9/1956 Pahl et a1. 222-380 X 3,096,914 7/1963 Kerr '222-380 X 3,231,136 1/1966 Rotter et a1. 222-380 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner.