Patent Abstract:
A peristaltic depositing machine includes a hopper to store viscous material. A flexibly deformable tubing section is connected to the hopper for receiving the viscous material. A pair of rollers cooperate to compress tubing section and thereafter move forwardly along the tubing section such that the viscous material is forwardly propagated. A manifold is connected between the hopper and the tubing section to transmit the viscous material there between. A flow control unit is connected to a portion of the tubing section forward of the pair of rollers. The flow control unit alternately constricts and unconstricts the portion of the tubing section in synchronism with the forward movement by the pair of rollers. A nozzle is connected to an output end of said tubing section to shape the viscous material upon output. A carriage is also connected to an output end of the tubing section and moves about a predetermined travel path to thereby direct an output location of the viscous material.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/264,906, and co-pending International Application No. PCT/US02/02425. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to the art of machines for high speed depositing of viscous flowable food materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to depositing machines having a peristaltic device for depositing viscous materials in repetitive singular quantities.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Many prior devices have been developed for the transportation and control of viscous flowable materials. For example, Beshaw, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,195 sets forth a dough and batter dispenser having a hopper and rotatable valve unit to dispense dough and batter in a controlled manner. According to Beshaw, the dough maintains direct contact with a number of intricate moving parts. The direct contact with moving parts presents a significant burden, inter alia, for cleaning of the machine and for maintaining sanitary conditions.  
           [0006]    A number of additional devices have been developed to control flowable materials through the elastic deformation of a flexible tube. Malbec, U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,679 relates to a peristaltic pump wherein a plurality of rollers cooperate to continuously and repetitively deform sections of a flexible tube. The rollers rotate about a fixed shaft to alternately deform sections of the flexible tube to and provide a pumping action to the interior liquid. The action of Malbec provides a continuous pumping action for non-viscous liquids, such as windshield wiper fluid. Ledebuhr, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,061 relates to a peristaltic metering pump for dispensing liquid materials. A flexible tube encircles a rotor assembly having three rollers. As the rollers rotate about a fixed pin, the tube flexes to provide a pumping action to the liquid. Penstermacher, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,696 relates to a peristaltic pump having a plurality of flexible tubes that are repetitively deformed by six rotating rollers. Each of the rollers rotates with respect to a central stationary axis point. Huegerich, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,935 relates to a viscous food dispensing assembly incorporating a rotating pump head. A deformable tube encircles a portion of the rotating pump head and is repetitively deformed during rotation of the pump head.  
           [0007]    As set forth above, prior peristaltic pumps incorporating rollers and flexible tubes generally deform the tubes through rotation of a plurality of rollers about an arcuate surface. However, the rotating action of the rollers is generally directed to a pumping action to force output of a material or a so-called metering action to control a rate of streaming output.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    These and other features, objects, and benefits of the invention will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, from the specification, the claims, and the drawing figures.  
           [0009]    A peristaltic depositing machine sequentially and repetitively outputs individual quantities of viscous material onto a movable sheet. The peristaltic depositing machine is also adjustable to vary an output quantity of viscous material. Reverse motion of viscous material within the depositing machine is produced at the end of each deposit cycle to break off individual deposits of material. The peristaltic machine is easily disassembled to facilitate cleaning.  
           [0010]    A peristaltic machine includes a hopper to store viscous material. A flexibly deformable tubing section is connected to the hopper for receiving the viscous material. A pair of rollers then cooperating to compress the tubing section and, thereafter, move forwardly along the tubing section such that the viscous material is forwardly propagated. A manifold is connected between the hopper and the tubing section to transmit the viscous material there between. A flow control unit is also connected to a portion of the tubing section forward of the pair of rollers. The flow control unit alternately constricts and unconstricts the portion of the tubing section in synchronism with the forward movement by the pair of rollers. A nozzle is connected to an output end of said tubing section to shape the viscous material upon output. A carriage is connected to an output end of the tubing section, wherein the carriage is controlled to move about a predetermined travel path to thereby direct an output location of the viscous material. The predetermined travel path of the carriage is executed in synchronism with the forward movement by the plurality of rollers. A plurality of additional flexibly deformable tubing sections are connected to the manifold for receiving the viscous material. The pair of rollers cooperate to simultaneously compress all tubing sections and, thereafter to move forwardly along each of the tubing sections to propagate the viscous material. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine incorporating a backflow constriction unit.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine incorporating a backflow constriction unit in combination with a pump assembly.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is side sectional view of a viscous material depositing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of a viscous material depositing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the viscous material depositing machine of FIG. 7.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is another side sectional view of the viscous material depositing machine of FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    A preferred embodiment of a peristaltic machine for depositing viscous materials according to the invention is generally shown in the drawing figures and discussed below. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine  20  according to an embodiment of the present invention. A viscous material  22  is continuously placed into hopper  24  and is thereby fed into flexible tubing  26 . Roller  28  follows travel path  30  to continuously deform flexible tubing  26  with respect to travel platen  32 . Viscous material  22  is then output from nozzle  34  as individual deposits  36  onto movable sheet  38  in accordance with travel path  30 .  
         [0021]    During a peristaltic cycle of depositing machine  20 , roller  28  provides a number of operations on the viscous material  22 . At the beginning of the peristaltic cycle of travel path  30 , peristaltic unit  27  compresses flexible tubing  26  by way of downward contact of roller  28  with travel platen  32 . Material  22  in tubing  26  then exerts pressure in both forward and rearward directions such that a small portion of material begins to be output from nozzle  34 . Roller  28  next begins to travel forward in a direction toward nozzle  34 , while deforming the tubing  26  with respect to travel platen  32 . This action forces a deposit of material out of nozzle  34  and onto movable sheet  38 . Roller  28  then continues in a forward direction toward nozzle  34  along travel path  30 . At the end of forward travel, roller  28  is moved upwardly with respect to travel platen  32 . Tubing  26  then elastically returns to its original, non-deformed state. As tubing  26  returns to its non-deformed state, the enclosed material  22  within the tubing is subjected to a suction force, which thereby draws more material from hoper  24  and also draws some material in a reverse direction from nozzle  24 . The reverse movement of material at nozzle  24  provides a break in the material, which thereby separates the material into individual deposits  36 .  
         [0022]    Hopper  24  is an open, gravity type hopper having vertical or slanted sides, thereby encouraging material flow downward into connected tubing  26 . Tubing  26  is flexible to allow repeated compression to the point of closure of the inner tubing passage. Tubing materials include PVC, vinyl, silicone, and polyurethane. A preferred tubing material is norprene A60F, manufactured by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics of Wayne, N.J. Nozzle  34  provides an orifice of a size and shape appropriate for a desired material deposit. As discussed in further detail below, a plurality of different nozzle sizes may be used and the amount of travel of roller  28  may be adjusted depending upon the type of material and the quantity of a desired deposit.  
         [0023]    Peristaltic unit  27  provides a traveling constriction of tubing  26  by way of roller  28 . At the beginning of a peristaltic cycle, roller  28  is pressed towards a centerline of tubing  26  such that the tubing is constricted towards platen  32 . In this position, which by adjustment can provide a constriction or a complete closure of an interior tubing passage, the roller  28  is then made to travel in a direction toward nozzle  34 . This forces material  22  to flow in wave-like fashion towards the nozzle  34 . At the same time, natural expansion of the tubing  26  behind roller  28  causes suction, thereby resulting in more material being drawn from hopper  24 . At or near the end of the forward stroke of roller  28 , roller  28  is released from compression of tubing  26 , and returned to its original position along illustrated travel path  30 . During return of roller  28  in the peristaltic cycle, material  22  rests inside tubing  26 . According to an alternative embodiment, roller  28  remains stationary while the platen  32  follows a contoured travel path (not shown).  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine  40  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Viscous material  42  is first input into hopper  44  and travels through flexible tubing  46 . Peristaltic unit  47  then compresses flexible tubing  46  to thereby exert pressure on the enclosed material. As illustrated, a pair of rollers  48  and  50  cooperate to simultaneously compress tubing  46 . Roller  48  then travels forward along travel path  52  toward nozzle  56 . Roller  50  also travels forward along travel path  54  toward nozzle  56 . The simultaneous compression and forward movement of rollers  48  and  50  force material  42  along tubing  46  and out through nozzle  56 . As rollers  48  and  50  travel forward toward nozzle  46 , the tubing immediately rearward of the rollers tends to expand, thereby causing suction of additional viscous material  42  from hopper  44  into the tubing  46 . Rollers  48  and  50  are then removed from constriction of tubing  46  and return to their original position along respective travel paths  52  and  54 . The action of the rollers along the respective travel paths forces output of individual material deposits  58  out from nozzle  56 .  
         [0025]    According to an alternate embodiment, roller  50  does not follow travel path  54 , but merely moves forward toward nozzle  56  and rearward away from nozzle  56 . In this embodiment, peristaltic action on the tubing  46  is provided by motion of roller  48  along travel path  52 . This embodiment is preferable because the assembly required to move roller  50  in the forward and rearward directions is less complicated than the assembly required to move roller  50  along the illustrated travel path  54 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a viscous material depositing machine  50  according to yet another embodiment. Viscous material  52  is deposited into hopper  54  and travels into flexible tubing  56 . According to this embodiment, peristaltic unit  57  is formed from swing lever  58 , roller  60 , and curved travel platen  62 . In response to peristaltic action of peristaltic unit  57 , material deposits  68  are sequentially ejected from nozzle  70 . Swing lever  58  rotates with respect to pivot point  64  such that roller  60  travels about travel path  66 . According to one embodiment of the invention, roller  60  moves upwardly with respect to swing lever  58  to complete a peristaltic cycle along travel path  66 . According to an alternate embodiment, swing arm  58  itself is raised and lowered to effectuate movement of roller  60  along travel path  66 .  
         [0027]    The above embodiments are appropriate for use with flowable materials that are of a viscosity low enough to allow suction action from a hopper, while high enough to prevent gravity flow out from the nozzle during a roller return cycle. However, for materials having a lower viscosity, a second constriction unit placed between the peristaltic unit and the nozzle is preferably employed.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of viscous material depositing machine  72  for depositing individual material deposits  90 . As illustrated, depositing machine  72  includes hopper  74  for receiving viscous material  76 . Material  76  travels through flexible tubing  78  to peristaltic unit  80 , for repetitive peristaltic action in a direction towards nozzle  82 . Flow control unit  84  provides secondary constriction to tubing  78  to control output of lower viscosity materials. Flow control unit  84  includes flow bar  86 , which is controlled to repetitively compress and decompress tubing  78  in response to actuation by cylinder  88 . As illustrated, flow bar  86  compresses tubing  78  with respect to compression platen  87 .  
         [0029]    According to an embodiment, flow control unit  84  maintains partial constriction of tubing  78  while peristaltic unit  80  propagates material  76  out of nozzle  82 . Natural expansion of tubing  78  during the peristaltic action draws material  76  into the tubing. When peristaltic unit  80  completes forward propagation of the material, flow control unit  84  also releases compression of tubing  78 , thereby permitting elastic expansion of tubing  78 . This elastic expansion of tubing  78 , while material is not being propagated forward by peristaltic unit  80 , draws material  76  backwards within tubing  78  in a reverse direction from nozzle  82 . Accordingly, viscous material  76  cleanly breaks from the tip of nozzle  82  to define individual material deposits  90 .  
         [0030]    According to an alternate embodiment, flow control unit  84  complete constricts tubing  78  at the end of forward material motion by peristaltic unit  80 , thereby halting primary and/or secondary flow of material  76  through flexible tubing  78 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of material depositing machine  94  for depositing individual material deposits  106 . Depositing machine  94  includes a main pump assembly  96  instead of a hopper to push pressurized material toward manifold unit  98 . Manifold unit  98  supplies material to a plurality of separate pieces of flexible tubing. By way of example, flexible tubing  100  is connected to manifold unit  98 , and is then fed through peristaltic unit  102  and flow control unit  104 . Each piece of flexible tubing, exemplified by tubing  100 , outputs individual material deposits  106  onto movable sheet  108 . According to this embodiment, peristaltic unit  102  controls movement of the material within tubing  100 . The pressure provided by pump assembly  96  is not high enough to force the material through the tubing until initiation of a subsequent peristaltic cycle by peristaltic unit  102 . According to an embodiment of the invention, main pump assembly  96  cooperates with a hopper to provide pressurized material to tubing  100 . Pump assembly  96  provides continuous pressure, by way of feed or forcing rolls, as commonly used in dough extruding machines. By way of example, an open hopper is mounted directly above one or a pair of feed rolls. The feed rolls then force dough into individual tubes through pressurized manifold  98 . Alternatively, augers may be used to draw material from a hopper into pressurized manifold  98 .  
         [0032]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the roller or rollers in the above peristaltic units revolve as a consequence of friction contact with flexible tubing. In a more preferred embodiment, the rollers are driven by a motor at a rotational speed that results in a speed corresponding to the linear travel speed of the roller or rollers along the tubing in a direction of the nozzle. External drive of the rollers results in lowered stress on the tubing.  
         [0033]    Operation of the above flow control units may seek to constrict the tubing by way of a roller. In a more preferred embodiment, the flow control units constrict the tubing by way of a rigid bar. The flow control units are preferably operated by an air or hydraulic cylinder. According to an alternate embodiment, the flow control units are operated by way of a servo motor.  
         [0034]    The above schematic figures illustrate a single flexible tubing section to deliver viscous flowable material through a single nozzle. However, a single hopper or pump assembly is preferably connected to a plurality of flexible tubing sections through a manifold. A common peristaltic unit and common flow control unit simultaneously provide peristaltic action and constriction to all flexible tubing sections to control material flow with respect to a plurality of separate and corresponding nozzles. The peristaltic rollers, platen, and flow control unit members are of sufficient width to allow the plurality of flexible tubing sections to be disposed side by side, as set forth in greater detail below.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 is side sectional view of a viscous material depositing machine  110  according to an embodiment of the invention. Depositing machine  110  includes a body structure  111  supporting a hopper  112  for receiving viscous material and supporting a plurality of machine plates  113  for supporting machine components. Hopper  112  connects to manifold assembly  114 , which in turn connects to a plurality of flexible tubing sections  116 . Each of the plurality of tubing sections  116  are simultaneously constricted and released by peristaltic unit  118 . After the viscous material is pushed through tubing sections  116  by peristaltic unit  118 , the material flows through flow control unit  120 . The material is finally discharged through a plurality of nozzles  122  that respectively connect to each of the flexible tubing sections  116 . As illustrated, nozzles  122  and flow control unit  120  move simultaneously in the horizontal and vertical directions by way of movable carriage  123  about travel path  141 .  
         [0036]    Peristaltic unit  118  is powered by a servo motor (not shown) connected to rollers  124  and  126  by way of a plurality of belts (not shown). Peristaltic unit  118  includes primary roller  124  that travels along oval travel path  125  and secondary roller  126  that travels along linear travel path  127 . Each of the rollers  124  and  126  are powered to rotate with a rotational speed synchronous with a linear travel speed along the respective travel paths. Primary roller  124  and secondary roller  126  cooperate to compress tubing sections  116  in a direction toward nozzles  122 .  
         [0037]    Primary roller  124  and secondary roller  126  follow linear slide shaft  135  in horizontal directions toward and away from nozzles  122 . Movement of the rollers  124  and  126  along linear slide shaft  135  is controlled by a belt and pulley attachment to a servo motor (not shown). The servo motor sequentially changes direction to thereby effect motion of the rollers  124  and  126  in both linear directions with respect to linear slide shaft  135 . However, primary roller  124  is further connected to dogleg member  128 , such that primary roller  124  is controlled to follow the arcuate portions of travel path  125  by actuation of compression cylinder  129  about pivot points  131  and  133 . Thus, primary roller  124  cooperates with secondary roller  126  to compresses tubing sections  116  in a direction toward nozzles  122 . Then, primary roller  124  is lifted by dogleg member  128 , and rollers  124  and  126  move in a reverse direction away from nozzles  122  with respect to linear slide shaft  135 . The lifting of primary roller  124  allows elastic expansion of tubing sections  116  thereby drawing additional material from hopper  112 . For the next peristaltic cycle, primary roller  124  compresses tubing  116  with respect to secondary roller  126  in response to actuation of compression cylinder  129 . The amount of compression applied to tubing sections  116  is controlled by adjusting primary roller  124  with adjusting unit  130 . Quick release knob  115  is provided to easily remove primary roller  124  for servicing and cleaning of the machine.  
         [0038]    According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, flow control unit  120  includes a first pair of constriction arms,  132  and  134 , which function as a flow control gate. Constriction arms  132  and  134  completely constrict tubing sections  116  to stop material flow in synchronism with the end of a forward peristaltic cycle. A second pair of constriction arms  136  and  138  function as a draw back control unit. Constriction arms  136  and  138  maintain partial constriction of tubing sections  116  during forward movement of the viscous material. Once forward movement is stopped by way of the flow control gate (constriction arms  132  and  134 ), the draw back control unit (constriction arms  136  and  138 ) functions to unconstrict tubing sections  116 . The unconstriction permits elastic expansion of tubing sections  116  to thereby draw the viscous material in a reverse direction from nozzles  122 . Accordingly, clean deposits of material are output from each of the nozzles  122 .  
         [0039]    Movable carriage  123  supports flow control unit  120 , and is controlled to move horizontally and vertically about travel path  141  by way of carriage control assembly  140 . The movement of carriage  123  is timed to coincide with material deposit from the plurality of nozzles  122  onto a movable sheet (not shown). The carriage  123  moves away from body structure  111  along travel path  141  during material release, and the speed of carriage  123  is set to coincide with the speed of the movable sheet. Thus, the material output from each of the nozzles  122  does not slide on the movable sheet during the depositing operation. After the material is ejected from the nozzles  122 , the carriage  123  is lifted by carriage control assembly  140  along travel path  141  and returned towards body structure  111  for the next depositing operation. The closeness of the nozzles  122  to the movable sheet during deposition of the material is important for proper product formation. Accordingly, adjusting wheel  142  is provided to fine tune the distance between the lowest point of nozzles  122  and the movable sheet.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of a viscous material depositing machine  150  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Depositing machine  150  is configured as a plurality of components attached to body structure  152 . The body structure  152  includes machine mounting plate  151  and machine mounting plate  153 . In practice, body structure  152  resides above a movable sheet (not shown). Depositing machine  150  is illustrated without a hopper or pressurized pump assembly to enhance visualization of interior components.  
         [0041]    During operation, viscous material is supplied in a continuous fashion to manifold assembly  154 . Material is then divided by manifold assembly  154  into a plurality of flexible tubing sections  156 . The tubing sections  156  are elastically deformable and may be made from a variety of materials set forth above. Tubing sections  156  are preferably made from food grade norprene A60F, manufactured by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics of Wayne, N.J.  
         [0042]    Peristaltic unit  158  is formed by way of a combination of primary roller  160 , secondary roller  161  and connecting hardware. Each roller follows a respective travel path, as set forth in greater detail above, to provide peristaltic action to tubing sections  156 . At the beginning of the travel path, primary roller  160  is moved in a direction toward secondary roller  161  by way of a pivoting rotation of dogleg member  163 . Rollers  160  and  161  cooperate to simultaneously constrict all tubing sections  156 . Both rollers  160  and  161  are then moved in a forward direction away from manifold assembly  154 . At the end of forward travel, dogleg member  163  pivots upwardly to move primary roller  160  in a direction away from secondary roller  161 . This allows tubing sections  156  to elastically return to their original shape. Rollers  160  and  161  then move in a reverse direction toward manifold assembly  154  to begin a subsequent peristaltic cycle.  
         [0043]    According to the illustrated embodiment, flow control gate  162  is embodied as a bar that completely constricts tubing sections  156  to halt the flow of material. Flow control gate  162  is pivotally attached to machine plates  151  and  153 , and control of flow control gate  162  is provided by way of pneumatic actuators (not shown). According to this embodiment, flow control gate  162  is configured as part of body structure  152  and provides an advantage over the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that movable carriage  166  supports less weight.  
         [0044]    During forward motion of the viscous material through tubing sections  156 , the material flows through draw back control unit  164  and out through a plurality of nozzles (not shown). Draw back control unit  164  includes a pair of constricting arms, which function in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6. However, for ease of illustration in FIG. 7, only a single constricting arm  165  is shown. The constricting arms of draw back control unit  164  are operated by way of pneumatic cylinders (not shown).  
         [0045]    Control of peristaltic unit  158  is provided by way of peristaltic transmission unit  170 . The peristaltic transmission unit  170  includes servo motor  172 , sprocket  175 , exterior belt  174  and exterior belt  176 . Exterior belt  174  drives sprocket  175  and in turn drives a drive shaft that traverses the interior of body structure  152 . Linear drive of peristaltic unit  158  is described in greater detail below with regard to FIGS. 8 and 9. Primary roller  160  and secondary roller  161  not only contact tubing sections  156  during forward linear travel, but are also forced to rotate in synchronism with the forward linear travel.  
         [0046]    Primary roller  160  is driven for rotation by a corresponding primary drive belt, set forth in greater detail below. Secondary roller  161  is driven for rotation by secondary drive belt  165 . The secondary drive belt  165  is non-continuous and functions as a flexible rack in a rack and pinion system. Secondary drive belt  165  wraps around secondary roller  161  at a first end thereof and is attached at a second end to body structure  152  by way of a tensioner sprocket (not shown). This tensioner sprocket maintains friction contact of secondary drive belt  165  with secondary roller  161 . Accordingly, as the peristaltic unit  158  is forced to move linearly in the forward direction, secondary drive belt  165  forces rotation of secondary roller  161 . Moreover, the rotational speed of secondary roller  161  is controlled to be in synchronism with the linear travel speed of peristaltic unit  158 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of viscous material depositing machine  150  of FIG. 7. The operation of peristaltic unit  158  is controlled by way of servo motor  172 . The servo motor is directly connected to primary belt transmission unit  190 , which includes primary sprocket  192 , belt  194  and secondary sprocket  196 . Primary belt transmission unit  190  connects servo motor  172  to peristaltic unit  158 . The primary belt transmission unit  190  rotates secondary sprocket  196  in a back and forth fashion, that is, forward then reverse in accordance with each peristaltic deposit cycle. Belt  200  is a continuous belt that wraps around secondary sprocket  196  and support sprocket  201 . Belt  200 , in turn, is connected to peristaltic unit  158  by way of first travel member  216  and second travel member  218 . Accordingly, linear motion of peristaltic unit  158  is controlled along slide shaft  220  during each peristaltic cycle.  
         [0048]    Forced rotation of primary roller  160  presents additional considerations over and above the forced rotation of secondary roller  161  because primary roller  160  pivots. Primary roller  160  is connected to idler sprocket  199  by way of a continuous belt (not shown). Idler sprocket  199  itself is connected to a fixed stud within the peristaltic unit  158 . Idler sprocket  199  therefore moves along linear slide rack  220  along with primary roller  160  and secondary roller  161 . Idler sprocket  199  is forced to rotate by way of friction contact with belt  198 . Belt  198  is non-continuous and is connected at both ends to body structure  152 . Belt  198  is in friction contact with idler sprocket  199  to provide rotation thereof during movement of peristaltic unit  158 . Belt  198  therefore functions as a flexible rack in a rack and pinion system. As peristaltic unit  158  is forced to linearly travel with respect to linear slide rack  220 , idler sprocket  199  also linearly travels and is forced to rotated by way of friction contact with belt  198 . As set forth above, idler sprocket  199  applies rotational drive to primary roller  160  by way of a continuous belt (not shown).  
         [0049]    Carriage  166  moves in horizontal forward and reverse directions by way of linear carriage assembly  180 . The linear carriage assembly  180  is controlled by servo motor  182 , which is connected to carriage  166  by way of pulley  184 , belt  186  and pulley  188  (FIG. 7). Servo motor  182  is operated to control forward motion of carriage  166  in synchronism with deposit of viscous material onto a movable sheet (not shown). At the end of the depositing cycle, carriage  166  is moved rearwardly by servo motor  182  into position for the next depositing operation. FIGS. 7, 8 and  9  particularly illustrates linear carriage assembly  180  for controlling movable carriage  166 . Movable carriage  166  is controlled to move in forward and reverse horizontal directions by way of linear carriage assembly  180  and servo motor  182 . Moveable carriage  166  moves with respect to linear slide shaft  212 .  
         [0050]    Nozzles  214  follow travel path  210  by way of horizontal travel of movable carriage  166 . Vertical travel of nozzles  214  is provided on carriage  166  itself in response to movement of a pair of pneumatic actuators (not shown). The lowest point of nozzles  214  about travel path  210  is fine tuned by way of adjustment wheel  168 . Thus, the fixed vertical height of carriage  166  with respect to the body structure  152  is finely adjusted by adjustment wheel  168 . Adjustment is required to accommodate materials of differing viscosities and nozzles of differing sizes. Moreover, adjustment may also be fine tuned during operation of depositing machine  150  once the product depositing operation has begun.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 9 is another side sectional view of viscous material depositing machine  150  of FIG. 7. As particularly illustrated, manifold assembly  154  is fed viscous material by way of pressurized supply tube  220 . Compression cylinder  230  is connected to dogleg member  232  by way of pivot points  234  and  236 . Primary roller  160  cooperates with secondary roller  161  to form peristaltic unit  158  and to compresses tubing sections  156  during each peristaltic cycle. Peristaltic unit  158  then travels in a forward direction with respect to linear slide shaft  220 . At the end of forward linear travel, primary roller  160  is lifted from tubing sections  156  by dogleg member  232 . Peristaltic unit  158 , including rollers  160  and  161 , then moves in a reverse direction with respect to linear slide shaft  220 . The lifting of primary roller  160  allows elastic expansion of tubing sections  156  thereby drawing additional material from manifold assembly  154 . For the next peristaltic cycle, primary roller  160  compresses tubing sections  156  with respect to secondary roller  161  in response to actuation of compression cylinder  230 . The amount of constriction applied to tubing sections  156  is controlled by adjusting primary roller  160  with adjusting unit  240 . Quick release knob  241  is provided for manual removal of primary roller  160  for removal and cleaning of tubing sections  156 .  
         [0052]    It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art and by those who practice the invention, that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. Various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, and bottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning of various elements of the claimed invention. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0