Pneumatically driven fluid dispenser
First Claim
1. A dispenser comprising:
- a housing defining a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal, and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal directions, the housing including—
a base configured to provide stability for the dispenser relative to a support surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction; and
a top portion positioned above the base along the vertical direction, the top portion and the base defining a gap, the top portion defining a cavity having a stop surface and an aperture extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion directly above the gap, the aperture facing the base;
a receptacle within the cavity in the top portion that is configured to removably receive a reservoir, such that when the reservoir is received by the receptacle, an outlet port of the reservoir is exposed through the aperture; and
a pneumatically driven actuator configured to drive a piston in an actuation direction perpendicular to the stop surface such that the piston provides a dispensing force that induces a flow of a predetermined volume of fluid within the reservoir through the exposed outlet port of the reservoir and dispenses the predetermined volume through the aperture, wherein the aperture is positioned between the stop surface and the pneumatically driven actuator along the actuation direction;
wherein the piston is slidable between a start position and an end position along the actuator direction, the actuator direction being within 20 degrees from parallel to the longitudinal direction, the end position being closer to the stop surface than the start position, the stop surface being positioned to engage a second side of the reservoir opposite the first side, the stop surface being within 10 degrees of perpendicular to the actuation direction, the aperture being positioned between the stop surface and the piston along the actuator direction and being closer to the stop surface than the piston along the actuator direction when the piston is in the start position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispenser includes a housing, an aperture within the housing, a receptacle within the housing, and a pneumatically driven actuator. The receptacle removably receives a reservoir, such that when the reservoir is received by the receptacle, an outlet port of the reservoir is exposed through the aperture. When the pneumatically driven actuator is actuated, the pneumatically driven actuator provides a dispensing force that induces a flow of a predetermined volume of fluid within the reservoir through the exposed outlet port of the reservoir and dispenses the predetermined volume through the aperture. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal pneumatic source. The internal pneumatic source may include an air compressor. The dispenser may include a pneumatic input port that receives a pneumatic hose. The dispensing force translates a piston in the reservoir a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may be linearly proportional to the predetermined volume of dispensed fluid.
90 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dispenser comprising:
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a housing defining a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal, and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal directions, the housing including— a base configured to provide stability for the dispenser relative to a support surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction; and a top portion positioned above the base along the vertical direction, the top portion and the base defining a gap, the top portion defining a cavity having a stop surface and an aperture extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion directly above the gap, the aperture facing the base; a receptacle within the cavity in the top portion that is configured to removably receive a reservoir, such that when the reservoir is received by the receptacle, an outlet port of the reservoir is exposed through the aperture; and a pneumatically driven actuator configured to drive a piston in an actuation direction perpendicular to the stop surface such that the piston provides a dispensing force that induces a flow of a predetermined volume of fluid within the reservoir through the exposed outlet port of the reservoir and dispenses the predetermined volume through the aperture, wherein the aperture is positioned between the stop surface and the pneumatically driven actuator along the actuation direction; wherein the piston is slidable between a start position and an end position along the actuator direction, the actuator direction being within 20 degrees from parallel to the longitudinal direction, the end position being closer to the stop surface than the start position, the stop surface being positioned to engage a second side of the reservoir opposite the first side, the stop surface being within 10 degrees of perpendicular to the actuation direction, the aperture being positioned between the stop surface and the piston along the actuator direction and being closer to the stop surface than the piston along the actuator direction when the piston is in the start position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dispenser comprising:
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a fluid reservoir defining a cylindrical wall and having an outlet extending through the cylindrical wall; a housing defining a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal, and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal directions, the housing including a base configured to stably rest on a support surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction; and a top portion positioned above the base and separated therefrom by a gap, the top portion defining a cavity for receiving the fluid reservoir and an opening extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion to the cavity and facing the base, the outlet positioned over the opening; a pressing member positioned within the fluid reservoir and slidable along the cylindrical wall in an actuation direction, the actuation direction between a start position and an end position, the actuation direction being within 20 degrees of parallel to the longitudinal direction, the opening being positioned between the pressing member and the stop face along the actuation direction and being closer to the stop face than to the pressing member along the actuation direction when the pressing member is in the start position; and an actuator coupled to the pressing member and configured to translate the pressing member along the actuation direction when exposed to a pneumatic source and wherein the actuator urges the pressing member either toward or away from the opening of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification