Patent ID: 6491974
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B05C

Abstract:
A device for the dispensing of a fluid dispensable material in ribbon form to a substrate comprising:a) a robot arm programmable to move about the substrate in a plane substantially parallel to the substrate, b) at least one dispensing nozzle having at least one inner conduit leading to exit port and adaptable to be in fluid communication with a supply source for the fluid dispensable material, the nozzle having an end portion defining the exit port such that a ribbon of dispensed fluid material can be applied to the substrate, c) means for mounting the nozzle for substantially perpendicular free movement relative to the substrate such that at least part of the end portion of the nozzle maintains contact with the fluid material applied to the substrate, movement towards the substrate being effected by an applied force and movement away from the substrate being effected by a thrust exerted by the dispensed fluid material against said end portion of the nozzle and the dispensable material in the exit port, d) a slide mounting means for mounting the nozzle relative to the robot arm, the slide mounting means allowing free movement of the nozzle to and relative to the robot arm in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the robot arm, e) a spring component acting on the slide mounting means, and f) adjustment means acting on the spring component so that an applied force on the nozzle is modulated to maintain equilibrium between movement of the nozzle towards the substrate and away from substrate during the dispensing procedure.