Patent Publication Number: US-11027309-B2

Title: Disposable sealant fluid path assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application and claims priority to U.S Patent Application, entitled “DISPOSABLE SEALANT FLUID PATH ASSEMBLY” Ser. No. 16/000,633, filed Jun. 5, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/515,371, filed Jun. 5, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The discussion below is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Aspects of the invention relate to liquid dispensers such as dispensers for applying viscous liquid such as but not limited to adhesives and the like. Liquid dispenser assemblies used in automation such as in the production of parts must provide accurate and repeatable delivery of the liquid. When dispensing liquid such as adhesive it is necessary to service the dispenser assembly such as to clean the dispenser particularly when, for instance, there is a delay in operation which would allow the adhesive in dispenser to begin to solidify. Hence, there is a need for an improved liquid dispenser assembly that allows easy cleaning. Apart from this need, there is also a continuing need to provide a dispenser assembly that improves accuracy and repeatability of the amount of liquid dispensed. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary and the Abstract herein are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the Background. 
     One general aspect includes a liquid dispenser, including: a mount having a mount aperture. The liquid dispenser also includes a liquid flow path assembly removably secured to the mount, the liquid flow path assembly having an inlet configured to receive liquid and an outlet configured to dispense liquid and a passageway fluidly coupling the inlet to the outlet, the liquid flow path assembly including a third aperture apart from the inlet and the outlet fluidly coupled to the passageway and forming a valve guide, the liquid flow path assembly disposed on the mount to align the third aperture with the mount aperture. The liquid dispenser also includes an elongated valve having a valve stem guided by the valve guide and extending through the third aperture and the mount aperture. A latch assembly is configured to secure the liquid flow path assembly to the mount, the latch assembly mounted on one component of the mount or the liquid flow path assembly. The latch assembly includes a movable latch member to releasably engage a securing member on a second component of the mount or the liquid flow path assembly. 
     Another general aspect includes a liquid dispenser, including: a mount having detachable portions forming an aperture when connected together. The liquid dispenser also includes a liquid flow path assembly removably secured to the mount, the liquid flow path assembly having an inlet configured to receive liquid and an outlet configured to dispense liquid and a passageway fluidly coupling the inlet to the outlet. The inlet is disposed in the aperture where portions of the liquid flow path assembly are engaged by the portions of the detachable portions to secure the liquid flow path assembly to the mount. The liquid dispenser also includes at least one displacement assembly to control movement of at least one of the detachable portions of the mount toward and away from the other detachable portion. 
     Implementations of the above aspects may include one or more of the following features. The displacement assembly can include an elongated rod joined to one of the detachable portions. Various mechanisms can be used to control movement of the rod such as nut that threadably engages the elongated rod, or in a preferred embodiment, a pivoting lever controls movement of the elongated rod. This allows the detachable portions to be conveniently separated from each other without the use of tools. If desired, a second displacement assembly can be disposed on the mount on an opposite side of the inlet from the displacement assembly so as to have symmetrical mounting forces upon the liquid flow path assembly. 
     In addition, Implementations may include one or more of the following features if not already provided. In one embodiment, the latch assembly is secured to the mount and the securing member is disposed on the liquid flow path assembly, although in an alternative embodiment the location of these elements can be reversed. The securing member can be detachably coupled to the mount or the liquid flow path assembly. In one embodiment, the liquid flow path assembly includes two separable and mateable portions where a first mateable portion includes the inlet and a second mateable portion includes the outlet. The first mateable portion and the second mateable portion can be joined together to form a portion of the passageway into which the valve stem extends. The securing member can be disposed, for example, on the second mateable portion in this manner, the securing member can secure the second mateable portion to the first mateable portion as well as help secure the liquid flow path assembly to the mount. If desired, securing member includes an elongated portion forming a shield covering at least a portion of the liquid flow path assembly. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the passageway includes a first portion through which the valve stem extends and a second portion fluidly coupled directly to the first portion and extending away from the first portion toward the inlet. A second longitudinal axis about which liquid flows toward the first portion can form an oblique angle with a longitudinal axis of the valve stem so as to allow easy liquid flow through the liquid flow path assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the second longitudinal axis extends though the inlet. Such an angle forms a fluid path that has an angle of flow greater than 90 degrees. The oblique angle can be an acute angle in a range of about 40 to 85 degrees, or in a further preferable range of about 40 to 60 degrees. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a liquid dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the liquid dispenser. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the liquid dispenser. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the liquid dispenser taken along lines  1 - 1  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a second exploded view of the liquid dispenser. 
         FIG. 6  is rear perspective view of the liquid dispenser with parts removed. 
         FIG. 7  is front perspective view of a second embodiment of a liquid dispenser. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the liquid dispenser taken along lines  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the liquid dispenser of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     A liquid dispenser  10  is illustrated in the figures. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the liquid dispenser  10  includes a mount  12  having a mount aperture  14 . A liquid flow path assembly  16  is removably secured to the mount  12 . The liquid flow path assembly  16  includes an inlet  18  configured to receive liquid and an outlet  20  configured to dispense liquid. A passageway  22  fluidly couples the inlet  18  to the outlet  20 . The liquid flow path assembly  16  includes a third aperture  24  apart from the inlet  18  and the outlet  20 . The third aperture  24  is fluidly coupled to the passageway  22  and includes a valve guide  26  on an inner surface thereof. The liquid flow path assembly  16  is disposed on the mount  12  to align the third aperture  24  with the mount aperture  14 . 
     An elongated valve  30  controls liquid flow through the liquid flow path assembly  16 . The elongated valve  30  includes a valve stem  32  guided by the valve guide  26 . The valve stem  32  extends through the third aperture  24  and the mount aperture  14 . 
     A latch assembly  40  is configured to secure the liquid flow path assembly  16  to the mount  12 . The latch assembly  40  is mounted on one component comprising the mount  12  or the liquid flow path assembly  16 . The latch assembly  40  includes a movable latch member  42  to releasably engage a securing member  44  on a second component of the mount  12  or the liquid flow path assembly  16 . In one embodiment as illustrated, the latch assembly  40  with the movable latch member  42  is secured to the mount  12 , while the securing member  44  is disposed on the liquid flow path assembly  16 . However, it should be understood in an alternative embodiment the latch assembly  40  can be mounted to the liquid flow path assembly  16  where the securing member  44  is then mounted upon on the mount  12 . 
     As indicated above, the third aperture  24  is aligned with the mount aperture  14 . Referring to FIG,  4  if desired cooperating aligning components can be provided between the liquid flow path assembly  16  and the mount  12  so as to easily align the third aperture  24  with the mount aperture  14 . In the embodiment illustrated, a projecting member and cooperating recess are provided between the liquid flow path assembly  16  and the mount  12 . In particular, the projecting member is disposed on the liquid flow path assembly  16 , and in the embodiment illustrated comprises a cylindrical ring  50  that cooperates with a corresponding cylindrical recess  52  provided in the mount  12 . A seal  54  is provided between the liquid flow path assembly  16 , and the mount  12 . In one embodiment, a two-part seal is provided comprising a mount  56  and a ring insert  58 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the liquid flow path assembly  16  comprises two separable and mateable portions. A first mateable portion  70  includes the inlet  18 , while a second mateable portion  72  includes the outlet  20 . The first mateable portion  70  and the second mateable portion  72  include cooperating stepped flanges with aligning members formed therebetween to align the first mateable portion  70  to the second mateable portion  72 . A seal  76  is provided and the embodiment illustrated includes a mount  78  and a ring insert  80 . The first mateable portion  70  and the second mateable portion  72  are joined together to form a portion of the passageway  22  into which the valve stem  32  extends. 
     The latch assembly  40  is operable as to pull the liquid flow path assembly  16  toward the mount  12 , thereby sealing the liquid flow path assembly  16  to the mount  12  about the third aperture  24 . In a preferred embodiment, at least two latch assemblies  40  are provided, preferably disposed on opposite sides, or approximately 180 degrees relative to each other about a longitudinal axis  43  extending through the valve stem  32  and the outlet  20 . When embodied as a two-part assembly, the latch member  42  is operable upon the second mateable portion  72  so as to pull the second mateable portion  72  against the first mateable portion  70  to effectuate a seal there between, and also to effectuate the seal between the first mateable portion  70  and the mount  12 . Being operable on the second mateable portion  72 , the securing member  44  is present on the second mateable portion  72 , for example, integrally formed thereon as a single unitary body. In another embodiment though, the securing member  44  is detachably coupled to the liquid flow path assembly  16  (or the second mateable portion  72  if provided as a two-part assembly). In the embodiment illustrated, the securing member  44  includes ears  84  configured so as to align with the movable latch member  42  or each of the latch assemblies  40 . In the embodiment illustrated, the securing member  44  includes a recess  90  with an opening  92  of size to receive the liquid flow path assembly  16  therein. In this matter, the securing member  44  can be easily decoupled from the liquid flow path assembly  16 . The liquid flow path assembly  16  includes an outwardly extending flange  94  (herein provided on the second mateable portion  72 ) that the securing member  44  can butt against when the movable latch members  42  engage each corresponding ear  84  and the latch assemblies  40  are operated so as to pull the liquid flow path assembly  16  against the mount  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , one or more alignment pins  100  can be provided on the mount  12 . The alignment pin(s)  100  engage one or more corresponding recesses  102  provided on the liquid flow path assembly  16 . In the embodiment illustrated where the liquid flow path assembly  16  includes portions  70  and  72 , each of the portions  70  and  72  include recesses that align with each other to form each recess  102 . Thus, in such a two-part assembly, the alignment pins  100  and recesses  102  align the first mateable portion  70  with the second mateable portion  72 , and also align the combined assembly with the mount  12 . Ends  104  of the alignment pins  100  can engage recesses or apertures  106  provided in the securing member  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the passageway  22  comprises a first portion  110  through which the valve stem  32  extends and a second portion  112  fluidly coupled directly to the first portion  110  and extending away from the first portion  110  toward the inlet  18 . In an advantageous embodiment, the second portion  112  that is directly adjacent to the first portion  110  is arranged so that a second longitudinal axis  112 A of the second portion  112  about which liquid flows toward the first portion  110  forms an oblique angle  45 with the longitudinal axis  43  of the valve stem  32 . The oblique angle allows liquid flow between the second portion  112  and the first portion  110  to flow easily. In a preferred embodiment, the oblique angle is an angle in the range of about 40 to 85 degrees, while in yet a further preferred embodiment, the oblique angle is an acute in the range of about 40 to 60 degrees. Preferably, the second portion  112  extends from the first portion  110  along a straight or substantially straight flow path. In a preferred embodiment, the second longitudinal axis  112 A extends through the inlet  18 . 
     An actuator  140  is operably coupled to the valve  30  to cause control displacement in at least one direction. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuator  140  is pneumatic having a movable piston  142  secured to the valve  30 . The piston  142  is slidably disposed in a cylinder  144 . Selective pressurization of one or more chambers on opposite sides of the piston  142 , controls movement of the piston  142  relative to the cylinder  144  and thus movement of the valve  30 . If desired, one or more springs can be provided and coupled to the piston  142  and or valve  30  to aid in the movement in at least one direction. 
     Using the latch assembly  40 , the liquid flow path assembly  16  can be easily removed from the mount  12  when desired allowing quick disassembly and cleaning, if necessary of the valve  30  and/or the liquid flow path assembly  16 . In one embodiment, the liquid flow path assembly  16  is replaceable when necessary. When embodied as a two-part assembly, the second portion  72  can be replaced as necessary when different size outlet openings  20  are needed. 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate a second embodiment of a liquid dispenser  10 ′. Many of the components are similar if not the same as the liquid dispenser  10  where some of the like components have been identified with the same reference numbers. The liquid dispenser  10 ′ includes a securing member  44 ′ that includes an elongated portion  44 A that can function as a shield if needed to protect a portion of the liquid flow path assembly. In this embodiment, the ears  84  of which the latch assemblies  40 , are secured to the elongated portion  44 A. 
     This embodiment also illustrates that the mount  12 ′ can also include a detachable assembly  150  that is used to removably secure a portion of the liquid fluid path assembly  16 , and in particular, that portion proximate the inlet  18  so as to be fixedly secured to the mount  12 ′. In the embodiment illustrated, the detachable assembly  150  includes a first portion  162  of the mount  12 ′ forming a base member. A second portion  164  is movable away from the first portion  162 . Together the first portion  162  and the second portion  164  collectively comprise detachable portions and form an aperture  166  that receives a portion of the liquid flow path assembly proximate the inlet  18 . A fastening mechanism  168  releasably secures the second portion  164  to the first portion  162 . The fastening mechanism  168  can take a number of forms including bolts, clamps, latches and the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the fastening mechanism  168  comprises a slidable rod  170  that is joined at one end to the second portion  164  and controls movement of the second portion  164  to and away from the first portion  162 . A displacement assembly or mechanism  172  controls movement of the rod  170 . The displacement assembly  172  can take any number of forms such as a nut if the elongated rod  170  includes a threaded portion to receive the rod  170 . In the embodiment illustrated an end of the rod remote from the second portion  164  includes a pivoting lever  178 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates connection of the pivoting lever  178  to the rod  170 . The rod  170  extends through a bore  180  having an enlarged recess  182 . The rod  170  is inserted through the recess  182  so that an enlarged end  184  abuts the inner wall of the recess  182 . An end  184  of the rod  170  threadably engages a control member  188  that is pivotally connected to the lever  178 . The pivoting lever  178  is also pivotally connected to a support  190 . In a preferred embodiment, the support  190  is adjustably secured to the mount  12 ′ herein using a threaded coupler  192  that is threaded into mount  12 ′. Adjusting the depth of the coupler  192  in the mount  12 ′ and/or the threaded engagement of the rod  170  with control member  188  allows the travel of the rod  170  to be adjustable, thus allowing adjustment of the extent of movement of the second portion  164  from the first portion  162 . In a preferred embodiment, a displacement assembly  172  is provided on opposite sides of the inlet  18 . 
     To remove the liquid flow path assembly  16  from the mount  12 ′ the latch assemblies  40  are operated so as to release and allow removal of the securing member  44  or  44 ′. Before or after operation of the latch assemblies  40 , the displacement assembly(s)  172  are operated so as to allow the second portion  164  to separate from the first portion  162 , thereby allowing removal of the portion of the liquid flow path assembly  16  having the inlet  18  to be removed easily from the mount  12 ′. Reinstallation of the liquid flow path assembly  16  is accomplished in reverse order that being after positioning the liquid flow path assembly  16  in the mount  12 ′ so that the inlet is aligned with the portions  162  and  164 , the displacement assemblys  172  and the latch assemblies are operated so as to displace the second portion  164  and the securing member  44  or  44 ′, respectively. It should be noted projections and complimentary recesses formed on the first portion  162  and the second portion  164  can be provided so as to maintain proper alignment between the portions  162  and  164 . Herein by way of example, projections  196  are provided on the second portion  164 , while complementary recesses  198  are provided on the first portion  162 . Of course, location of the projection and the recess on the portions  162  and  164  for one or both of each complimentary pair can be reversed if desired. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above as has been held by the courts. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.