Dispensing system

Claim 2

A dispensing system for dispensing semibulk foodstuff material, said system comprising: a dispensing cylinder having a floating piston self-contained therewith and having an opening proximate a first end thereof for ingress and egress of a dispensed substance, tubular conduit means coupled to said opening, a pilot-operated spool valve for directing a substance to be dispensed into said dispensing cylinder through said conduit means in a first position of said spool valve while providing an exit for dispensed material from said dispensing cylinder through said conduit means in a second position of said spool valve, a pneumatic control valve for receiving a supply of compressed air and alternatively directing the same to respective ends of said spool valve for pilot operation of said spool valve, and a pneumatic coupling means from said control valve to said dispensing cylinder for also directing compressed air from said control valve into the second end of said dispensing cylinder behind said piston for moving said piston in a direction for dispensing said Substance at the same time said control valve operates said pilot-operated valve to provide an exit for dispensed material, said spool valve including a cylinder and a spool having a central shaft and a pair of lands joined thereby, the interior of said spool valve cylinder having a straight cylindrical wall interrupted by coupling ports for providing ingresS and egress as well as shearing of dispensed material, said spool providing alternative coupling of said ports in first and second positions of said spool, said pneumatic control valve comprising a spring-biased control valve having an operating actuator, said control valve having a position wherein said operating actuator is depreSsed against spring bias to direct compressed air into said second end of said dispensing cylinder behind said floating piston to operate the same as well as to a first end of said spool valve for operating said spool valve to provide said exit for dispensed material, said control valve in its normal unoperated position directing compressed air to a second end of said spool valve for operating sad spool valve to direct said substance into said dispensing cylinder, an additional fluid connection to said first end of said dispensing cylinder for flushing said system in the alternative to dispensing foodstuff material with said system, and valve means in said fluid connection.

Claim 3

The system according to claim 1 wherein said spool valve lands each have a diameter at least twice that of said central shaft.

Claim 4

The system according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing cylinder and said floating piston are of substantially uniform inner and outer diameter respectively, said system further including an adjustable stop within said dispensing cylinder and extending from the end of said dispensing cylinder behind said piston for limiting the movement of said piston within said dispensing cylinder.

Claim 5

The system according to claim 1 wherein: said ports of said spool valve have a diameter of at least approximately three-eighths inch, and wherein said lands are cylindrical with the difference between the diameter of said central shaft and the diameter of said lands being also at least approximately three-eighths inch in diameter.

Claim 6

The system according to claim 1 wherein said pneumatic control valve is provided with exit ports to vent air from cylinders not operated.

Claim 7

A dispensing system for dispensing semibulk foodstuff material, said system comprising: a dispensing cylinder having a substantially uniform inside diameter throughout and provided with first and second end caps, a floating piston slidable within said dispensing cylinder and being self-contained within said dispensing cylinder, said first end cap having a single exit and entrance conduit, and said second end cap having a pneumatic line connection as well as an adjustable stop positionable externally from said second end cap, a pilot-operated spool valve comprising a cylinder and having first and second ends, a spool slidable within said spool valve, said spool having a central shaft and a pair of lands joined thereby each having a diameter at least twice that of said central shaft, the difference between the diameter of said central shaft and the diameter of said lands being at least three-eighths inch, the interior of said cylinder having a straight cylindrical wall interrupted by first, second and third circular coupling ports for providing ingress and egress of dispensed material, said ports each having a diameter of at least three-eighths inch, first conduit means connected to the first coupling port, second conduit means connected to the second coupling port, and third and dispensing conduit means connected to the third coupling port, said coupling ports being spaced along said cylinder from one another such that the spacing between said lands connects the first port to the second port in a first position of said spool, while connecting the second port to the third port in a second position of said spool, a closed supply tank for the substance to be dispensed, tubing having one end connected to said first conduit means of said spool valve and having a sEcond end disposed below the level of said substance in said supply tank, and means for providing air pressure above the level of material in said supply tank, tubular means connecting said second conduit means of said spool valve to the conduit at the first end cap of said dispensing cylinder, and a pneumatic control valve for receiving a supply of compressed air and directing the same between a pair of outlets, said control valve having a bias spring at one end thereof, a manually operable actuator at the opposite end thereof and valving means therebetween for alternatively supplying air to one of two outlets, a first line connecting one outlet of said control valve to a second end of said spool valve and a second line connecting a second outlet of said control valve to a first end of said spool valve as well as to said line connection on the second end cap of said dispensing cylinder, wherein the control valve in the nonactuated position provides air to said first line, said system further including an additional connection in the first end cap of said dispensing cylinder, and means including a control valve for providing flushing fluid to said additional connection.

Claim 8

A dispensing system for dispensing semibulk foodstuff material, said system comprising: a dispensing cylinder having a substantially uniform inside diameter throughout and provided with first and second end caps, a floating piston slidable within said dispensing cylinder and being self-contained within said dispensing cylinder, said first end cap having a single exit and entrance conduit, and said second end cap having a pneumatic line connection as well as an adjustable stop positionable externally from said second end cap, a pilot-operated spool valve comprising a cylinder and having first and second ends, a spool slidable within said spool valve, said spool having a central shaft and a pair of lands joined thereby each having a diameter at least twice that of said central shaft, the difference between the diameter of said central shaft and the diameter of said lands being at least three-eighths inch, the interior of said cylinder having a straight cylindrical wall interrupted by first, second and third circular coupling ports for providing ingress and egress of dispensed material, said ports each having a diameter of at least three-eighths inch, first conduit means connected to the first coupling port, second conduit means connected to the second coupling port, and third and dispensing conduit means connected to the third coupling port, said coupling ports being spaced along said cylinder from one another such that the spacing between said lands connects the first port to the second port in a first position of said spool, while connecting the second port to the third port in a second position of said spool, a closed supply tank for the substance to be dispensed, tubing having one end connected to said first conduit means of said spool valve and having a sEcond end disposed below the level of said substance in said supply tank, and means for providing air pressure above the level of material in said supply tank, tubular means connecting said second conduit means of said spool valve to the conduit at the first end cap of said dispensing cylinder, and a pneumatic control valve for receiving a supply of compressed air and directing the same between a pair of outlets, said control valve having a bias spring at one end thereof, a manually operable actuator at the opposite end thereof and valving means therebetween for alternatively supplying air to one of two outlets, a first line connecting one outlet of said control valve to a second end of said spool valve and a second line connecting a second outlet of said control valve to a first end of said spool valve as well as to said line connection on the second end cap of said dispensing cylinder, wherein the control valve in the nonactuated position provides air to said first line, said system further including an additional connection in the first end cap of said dispensing cylinder, and means including a control valve for providing flushing fluid to said additional connection.