IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0975229
(2004-10-28)
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등록번호 |
US-7617955
(2009-11-27)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
27 |
초록
▼
A dispensing module for dispensing liquid includes a dispensing body having an inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel therebetween having a valve seat. A needle having a valve element is mounted to the body and reciprocates therein between an open position, in which the valve element is disen
A dispensing module for dispensing liquid includes a dispensing body having an inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel therebetween having a valve seat. A needle having a valve element is mounted to the body and reciprocates therein between an open position, in which the valve element is disengaged from the valve seat thereby allowing liquid flow, and a closed position, in which the valve element is engaged with the valve seat thereby preventing liquid flow. A needle guide is mounted to the dispenser body and includes a passage for receiving a portion of the needle. A flexible seal includes a first end coupled to the needle guide and a second end coupled to the needle and moving therewith. An actuator is operatively coupled to the needle and moves the needle between the open and closed positions. The seal includes a central portion with an interior cavity that stretches and compresses as the needle reciprocates.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A liquid dispensing module for dispensing a viscous hot melt adhesive comprising: a dispenser body having a liquid inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel capable of directing a flow of the hot melt adhesive from said liquid inlet to said discharge outlet, said fl
The invention claimed is: 1. A liquid dispensing module for dispensing a viscous hot melt adhesive comprising: a dispenser body having a liquid inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel capable of directing a flow of the hot melt adhesive from said liquid inlet to said discharge outlet, said flow channel including a valve seat between said liquid inlet and said discharge outlet; a needle defining a central axis and having a valve element mounted for reciprocating movement in said dispenser body between an open position in which said valve element is disengaged with said valve seat allowing hot melt adhesive flow from said discharge outlet and a closed position in which said valve element is engaged with said valve seat preventing hot melt adhesive flow from said discharge outlet; a needle guide mounted to said dispenser body and having a passage for receiving a portion of said needle, said needle adapted to move axially relative to said needle guide; a flexible seal having first and second opposed ends and a bulbous central portion disposed between said first and second ends, said first end coupled to said needle guide, said second end coupled to said needle and adapted to move with said needle, said central portion located a greater radial distance from said needle axis than said first and second ends to define an unfilled annular cavity between said seal and said needle, and said seal having a thickness along the central portion that is greater than a thickness of the seal along the first and second ends, said seal adapted to prevent hot melt adhesive from leaking out of said flow channel; and an actuator operatively coupled to said needle, said actuator capable of actuating said needle between the open and closed positions to selectively dispense hot melt adhesive from said discharge outlet. 2. The module of claim 1, wherein said actuator further comprises: a piston coupled with said needle and communicating with a pressurized air inlet port for moving said valve element out of engagement with said valve seat. 3. The module of claim 1, wherein said actuator further comprises: a spring-return mechanism coupled with said needle for urging said valve element into engagement with said valve seat. 4. The module of claim 1, wherein said seal is made from a fluoroelastomer. 5. The module of claim 1, wherein said needle guide includes a cylindrical extension portion, said first end of said seal coupled to said extension portion. 6. The module of claim 5, wherein said extension portion includes at least one groove formed therein, said groove adapted to enhance the securement of the seal to the extension portion. 7. The module of claim 1, wherein said needle includes at least one groove formed in a portion interfacing with said second end of said seal, said groove adapted to enhance the securement of the seal to the needle. 8. The module of claim 1, wherein said first end of said seal is integrally molded to said needle guide. 9. The module of claim 1, wherein the seal generates a restoring force on the needle when in the open position that opposes the force of a pressurized fluid on the needle to hydraulically balance the needle. 10. The module of claim 1, wherein said seal includes a single bulbous portion. 11. A method for sealing a reciprocating needle in a hot melt adhesive dispensing module, comprising: arranging the reciprocating needle within a needle guide such that the reciprocating needle moves axially relative thereto along a central axis; rigidly securing a first end of an annular seal to the needle guide and a second end of the seal to the needle, the seal having a bulbous central portion located a greater radial distance from the central axis than the first and second ends to define an unfilled annular cavity between the seal and the needle, and the seal having a thickness along the central portion that is greater than a thickness of the seal along the first and second ends; and reciprocating the needle relative to the needle guide. 12. The method of 11, wherein the reciprocating needle moves between an open position, allowing hot melt adhesive flow from the module, and a closed position, preventing hot melt adhesive flow from the module, the method further comprising: compressing the seal along the central portion when the needle moves toward the open position; and stretching the seal along the central portion when the needle moves toward the closed position. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: generating a restoring force on the needle using the seal, the restoring force opposing a force on the needle from a pressurized fluid to hydraulically balance the needle. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the seal includes a single bulbous portion. 15. An assembly for use in a hot melt adhesive dispensing module for dispensing a viscous hot melt adhesive comprising: a needle defining a central axis and having a valve element adapted for reciprocating movement in the dispensing module between an open position and a closed position; a needle guide adapted for mounting within the dispensing module and having a passage for receiving a portion of said needle, said needle adapted to move axially relative to said needle guide; and a flexible seal having first and second opposed ends and a bulbous central portion disposed between said first and second ends, said first end coupled to said needle guide, said second end coupled to said needle and adapted to move with said needle, said central portion located a greater radial distance from said needle axis than said first and second ends to define an unfilled annular cavity between said seal and said needle, and the seal having a thickness along the central portion that is greater than a thickness of the seal along the first and second ends. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said seal is made from a fluoroelastomer. 17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said needle includes at least one groove formed in a portion interfacing with said second end of said seal, said groove adapted to enhance the securement of said seal to said needle. 18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said first end of said seal is integrally molded to said needle guide. 19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the seal is adapted to generate a restoring force on the needle when in the open position that opposes a force of a pressurized fluid on the needle to hydraulically balance the needle. 20. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said seal includes a single bulbous portion.
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