Patent ID: 6811059
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: B05B,B29B,B29C,B31D,B65B

Abstract:
A self-cleaning fluid dispenser, comprising:a. a housing defining an internal chamber bounded by an interior surface within said housing, said housing comprising: (1) an inlet for receiving a fluid product into said housing and being in fluid communication with said internal chamber, and (2) a discharge port through which fluid product may exit said housing, said discharge port being in fluid communication with said internal chamber; b. a valving rod disposed in said housing and being movable within said internal chamber between an open position, in which fluid product may flow through said internal chamber and exit said housing via said discharge port, and a closed position, in which fluid product is substantially prevented from flowing through said internal chamber, said valving rod comprising: (1) a central bore, (2) at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid, said inlet being in fluid communication with said bore, and (3) one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with said bore, said outlet ports being capable of directing cleaning fluid radially outwards from said bore and against one or more select portions of the interior surface bounding said internal chamber in order to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with said interior surface; and c. a delivery system adapted to supply a cleaning fluid comprising a solvent and a gas to said valving rod inlet.