US3625404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for dispensing particulate material
Assignee: Ransburg Corp
•
Filing: 1969-06-02
•
Granted: 1971-12-07
•
Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus capable of dispensing particulate material and a method for accomplishing the dispensing of the material. The apparatus includes a fluid-activated means capable of causing particulate material to be withdrawn from a reservoir at a rate which is substantially proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means. A means for dispensing the particulate material toward an article to be coated is connected to the fluid-activated means through a conduit. A fluid divider has an inlet port connected to a source of compressed fluid. The fluid divider also includes a plurality of outlet ports. One of the outlet ports of the fluid divider is connected to the reservoir to thereby provide the fluid flow which activates the fluidactivated means. Another of the outlet ports of the fluid divider is connected to the conduit to provide a fluid flow in the conduit which assists in the movement of the particulate material in the conduit toward the means which dispenses the material. The fluid divider may be a device which includes a fluid-splitting member which divides the fluid flow at the inlet port among the several outlet ports. The sum of the fluid flows at the outlet ports of the fluid divider is substantially proportional to the fluid flow at the inlet port.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard O Probst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:23
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B7/00; B05B7/14; B05B7/1404; B05B12/00; B05B12/08; B05B7/1472; B05B12/12; B05B12/126; B05B5/00; B05B5/16; B05B5/1683; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86509; Y10T137/86517; Y10T137/86525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus capable of dispensing particulate material comprising, a bed containing particulate material, a fluid-activated means capable of causing the particulate material to be drawn from the bed at a rate substantially proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, means for dispensing the particulate material drawn from the bed, a conduit connecting the fluid-activated means to the means for dispensing the particulate material, and a fluid divider having an inlet port connected to a source of fluid under an elevated pressure and having a plurality of outlet ports, one of the outlet ports cOnnected to the fluidactivated means providing the fluid flow in the fluid-activated means, another of the outlet ports connected to the conduit to provide a fluid flow in the conduit which assists in the movement of the particulate material in the conduit toward the means for dispensing the particulate material, and the fluid divider including means activated by a fluid control signal thereby regulating the flow of fluid from at least one of the outlet ports of the fluid divider so that the sum of the fluid flows at the outlet ports of the fluid divider is substantially proportional to the fluid flow at the inlet port of the fluid divider.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus capable of dispensing particulate material comprising, a bed containing particulate material, a fluid-activated means capable of causing the particulate material to be drawn from the bed at a rate substantially proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, means for dispensing the particulate material drawn from the bed, a conduit connecting the fluid-activated means to the means for dispensing the particulate material, and a fluid divider having an inlet port connected to a source of fluid under an elevated pressure and having a plurality of outlet ports, one of the outlet ports cOnnected to the fluidactivated means providing the fluid flow in the fluid-activated means, another of the outlet ports connected to the conduit to provide a fluid flow in the conduit which assists in the movement of the particulate material in the conduit toward the means for dispensing the particulate material, and the fluid divider including means activated by a fluid control signal thereby regulating the flow of fluid from at least one of the outlet ports of the fluid divider so that the sum of the fluid flows at the outlet ports of the fluid divider is substantially proportional to the fluid flow at the inlet port of the fluid divider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid divider includes a plurality of fluid regulators capable of adjustably regulating the fluid flow rate supplied to the fluid-activated means and to the other outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of the fluid regulators is activated by the control signal to thereby adjustably regulate the fluid flow rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particulate material includes a powdery substance capable of being electrostatically charged and wherein the dispensing means includes an electrostatic spray gun capable of electrostatically charging the powdery substance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid-activated means includes a fluidized bed containing the powdery substance and a fluid-actuated pump which draws the powdery substances from the fluidized bed at a rate proportional to the fluid flow rate through the pump.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for dispensing particulate material comprising dividing a fluid flow into a plurality of fluid flow outputs by means of a fluid divider activated by a fluid control signal thereby regulating the flow of fluid from the fluid divider, supplying one of the fluid flow outputs to a fluid-actuated means capable of drawing particulate material from a bed at a rate proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, and combining the fluid flow rates from the fluid-activated means and from another of the fluid flow outputs in a conduit connected to a dispensing means whereby the fluid flow rate supplied to the dispensing means is substantially constant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for dispensing particulate material comprising dividing a fluid flow into a plurality of fluid flow outputs by means of a fluid divider activated by a fluid control signal thereby regulating the flow of fluid from the fluid divider, supplying one of the fluid flow outputs to a fluid-actuated means capable of drawing particulate material from a bed at a rate proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, and combining the fluid flow rates from the fluid-activated means and from another of the fluid flow outputs in a conduit connected to a dispensing means whereby the fluid flow rate supplied to the dispensing means is substantially constant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus for dispensing particulate material, means for dividing a gaseous input into a plurality of gaseous outputs the sum of which is substantially equal to the gaseous input to the means, one of the gaseous outputs is connected to a particulate material-dispensing means and other of the gaseous outputs is connected to the dispensing means through a source of particulate material, the dispensing means having a substantially constant gaseous flow therethrough that is substantially independent of the particulate material dispensed whereby accumulation of particulate material in the apparatus is discouraged, the means for dividing the gaseous flow comprising a body including an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports connected by a bore, the inlet port adapted to be connected to a gaseous medium source, the outlet ports connected to the particulate material dispensing means, and a displaceable gaseous flow-splitting member in the bore of the body adjacent the outlet ports, the gaseous flow-splitting member displaceable toward one of the outlet ports and away from the remaining outlet ports thereby providing gaseous outputs the sum of which is substantially equal to the gaseous input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus for dispensing particulate material, means for dividing a gaseous input into a plurality of gaseous outputs the sum of which is substantially equal to the gaseous input to the means, one of the gaseous outputs is connected to a particulate material-dispensing means and other of the gaseous outputs is connected to the dispensing means through a source of particulate material, the dispensing means having a substantially constant gaseous flow therethrough that is substantially independent of the particulate material dispensed whereby accumulation of particulate material in the apparatus is discouraged, the means for dividing the gaseous flow comprising a body including an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports connected by a bore, the inlet port adapted to be connected to a gaseous medium source, the outlet ports connected to the particulate material dispensing means, and a displaceable gaseous flow-splitting member in the bore of the body adjacent the outlet ports, the gaseous flow-splitting member displaceable toward one of the outlet ports and away from the remaining outlet ports thereby providing gaseous outputs the sum of which is substantially equal to the gaseous input.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The means as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gaseous flow-splitting member includes surfaces which encourage fluid flow toward the outlet ports.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The means as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gaseous fluid-splitting member includes a plurality of frustoconical members having adjacent bases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The means as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the frustoconical members have substantially the same dimensions and substantially the same taper angle and each of the outlet ports have substantially eqUal area openings adjacent the frustoconical members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The means as claimed in claim 10, wherein the outlet ports are two outlet ports spaced from each other and the openings thereof are substantially coaxial.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means as claimed in claim 11, wherein the axis of the inlet port is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the outlet ports.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for dispensing particulate material comprising a bed containing particulate material, a fluid-activated means in the bed for causing the particulate material to be drawn from the bed at a rate substantially proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, means for dispensing the particulate material drawn from the bed, a conduit connecting the fluid-activated means to the means for dispensing the particulate material, and a fluid divider including an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure, at least two outlet ports and a fluid impedance means adjacent the outlet ports, one of the outlet ports connected to the fluid-activated means so as to provide fluid flow to the fluid-activated means from the fluid source, another of the outlet ports connected to the conduit so as to provide a fluid flow in the conduit assisting in the movement of the particulate material in the conduit toward the means for dispensing the particulate material, the fluid impedance means displaceable toward one of the outlet ports and away from the other outlet port for predeterminately dividing the fluid flow at the inlet port between the outlet ports whereby the fluid flow rate to the fluid activated is adjustable so as to withdraw variable amounts of particulate material from the bed without effecting the flow rate of fluid in the conduit
Claim 17
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for dispensing particulate material comprising a bed containing particulate material, a fluid-activated means in the bed for causing the particulate material to be drawn from the bed at a rate substantially proportional to the fluid flow rate in the fluid-activated means, means for dispensing the particulate material drawn from the bed, a conduit connecting the fluid-activated means to the means for dispensing the particulate material, and a fluid divider including an inlet port adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure, at least two outlet ports and a fluid impedance means adjacent the outlet ports, one of the outlet ports connected to the fluid-activated means so as to provide fluid flow to the fluid-activated means from the fluid source, another of the outlet ports connected to the conduit so as to provide a fluid flow in the conduit assisting in the movement of the particulate material in the conduit toward the means for dispensing the particulate material, the fluid impedance means displaceable toward one of the outlet ports and away from the other outlet port for predeterminately dividing the fluid flow at the inlet port between the outlet ports whereby the fluid flow rate to the fluid activated is adjustable so as to withdraw variable amounts of particulate material from the bed without effecting the flow rate of fluid in the conduit
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fluid flow rate to the dispensing means is substantially constant and independent of the adjustment of the fluid divider.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the particulate material includes a powdery substance capable of being electrostatically charged and wherein the dispensing means includes an electrostatic spray gun capable of electrostatically charging the powdery substance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fluid-activated means includes a fluidized bed containing the powdery substance and a fluid-actuated pump which draws the powdery substance from the fluidized bed at a rate proportional to the fluid flow rate through the pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |