초록 ▼

The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for metering and dispensing selected materials. Selected materials may correspond to liquids, suspensions, emulsions and solids, and in selected embodiments may correspond to treatment compositions directed to the treatment of poultry eggs.

The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for metering and dispensing selected materials. Selected materials may correspond to liquids, suspensions, emulsions and solids, and in selected embodiments may correspond to treatment compositions directed to the treatment of poultry eggs. Certain embodiments provide selective dispensing of selected metered material upon detection of the presence of an object to be treated.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser comprising: a fluid supply in communication with a treatment composition; a first piston in communication with the fluid supply, the first piston moving between a first position and a second position and wherein movement from the

What is claimed is: 1. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser comprising: a fluid supply in communication with a treatment composition; a first piston in communication with the fluid supply, the first piston moving between a first position and a second position and wherein movement from the first position to the second position causes a selected amount of treatment composition from the fluid supply to be drawn into a chamber within the dispenser, and movement of the piston from the second position to the first position causes the selected amount of the treatment composition to be forced out of the chamber; an injection device in communication with the chamber for receiving the treatment composition when the first piston moves from the second position to the first position; a second piston connected to the injection device, the second piston moving between a first position where the injection device is retracted and a second position where the injection device is extended; and a first gas inlet and a second gas inlet, the first and second gas inlets being in communication with the first piston and the second piston, wherein, by flowing a gas into the first gas inlet, the first piston moves from the first position to the second position and the second piston is forced toward the first position where the injection device is retracted, and wherein, by flowing a gas into the second gas inlet, the first piston moves from the second position to the first position and the second piston is forced towards the second position for dispensing the treatment composition while the injection device is extended. 2. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a housing and wherein the first piston and the second piston are contained in the housing. 3. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein a distance the first piston moves between the first position and the second position is adjustable for adjusting the selected amount of the treatment composition that is drawn into the chamber. 4. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 3, wherein the distance between the first position and the second position of the first piston is adjusted by placing a piston stop in between the first position and the second position. 5. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the treatment composition comprises a liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, or a solid. 6. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the injection device contains a lumen in communication with the chamber. 7. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the injection device pierces an object when extended for injecting the treatment composition into the object. 8. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the object comprises an egg. 9. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the treatment composition comprises a vaccine, an antibody, or a vitamin composition. 10. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a volume of from about 1 microliter to about 500 microliters, the volume of the chamber corresponding to the amount of the treatment composition that is drawn into the dispenser. 11. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a volume of from about 1 microliter to about 100 microliters, the volume of the chamber corresponding to the amount of the treatment composition that is drawn into the dispenser. 12. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sensor portion, the sensor portion detecting the presence of an object that is to receive the treatment composition and inhibiting the first piston from dispensing the treatment composition if an object is not present. 13. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 12, wherein the sensor portion comprises an object contact responsive pneumatic valve. 14. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 1, further comprising a locator head surrounding the injection device, the locator head contacting an object to be injected with the treatment composition when the dispenser is lowered onto an object. 15. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 14, further comprising a sensor that prevents gas flow from the second gas inlet to the first piston when the dispenser is lowered and the locator head fails to contact an object. 16. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 15, wherein the dispenser is releasably held by a plate. 17. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 16, wherein, during injection of the treatment composition into an object, the dispenser is lowered relative to the plate, the sensor comprising a foot that contacts the plate when an object is not present below the locator head, the locator head maintaining the foot above the plate when an object is present. 18. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser comprising: a fluid supply in communication with a treatment composition; a dispensing portion in communication with the fluid supply for dispensing selected amounts of the treatment composition from the fluid supply into an injection device, the dispensing portion comprising a pneumatic actuator in communication with a pressurized gas source, wherein, when the pressurized gas source supplies a pressurized gas to the pneumatic actuator, the pneumatic actuator dispenses the selected amount of the treatment composition into the injection device; a locator head surrounding the injection device for locating and contacting an object to be injected with the treatment composition when the dispenser is moved toward an object; and a sensor portion in communication with the dispensing portion, wherein, if the locator head fails to contact an object when the dispenser is moved, the sensor portion prevents gas flow to the pneumatic actuator for preventing the treatment composition from being dispensed. 19. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 18, wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises a first piston that moves between a first position and a second position and wherein movement from the first position to the second position causes a selected amount of the treatment composition from the fluid supply to be drawn into a chamber within the dispenser and movement of the first piston from the second position to the first position causes the selected amount of the treatment composition to be forced out of the chamber into the injection device. 20. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 19, further comprising a second piston connected to the injection device, the second piston moving between a first position where the injection device is retracted and a second position where the injection device is extended. 21. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 20, wherein the first piston and the second piston are in communication with the pressurized gas source and wherein, when the pressurized gas source supplies a pressurized gas to the first and second pistons, the first piston moves from the second position to the first position and the second piston is forced towards the second position for dispensing the treatment composition while the injection device is extended. 22. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 21, wherein the first piston and the second piston are also in communication with a second pressurized gas source, wherein, when pressurized gas is fed to the first and second pistons by the second pressurized gas source, the first piston moves from the first position to the second position and the second piston is forced towards the first position where the injection device is retracted. 23. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 22, wherein the sensor portion prevents gas flow from the pressurized gas source to the first piston if the locator head fails to contact an object when the dispenser is moved. 24. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 19, wherein the sensor portion prevents gas flow from the pressurized gas source to the first piston if the locator head fails to contact an object when the dispenser is moved. 25. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 18, wherein the dispenser is releasably held by a plate. 26. An integrated pneumatically operated dispenser as defined in claim 25, wherein, during injection of the treatment composition into an object, the dispenser is moved relative to the plate, the sensor portion comprising a foot that contacts the plate when an object is not present when the locator head is moved, the locator head maintaining the foot out of contact with the plate when an object is present.