Apparatus for dispensing flowable material

Claim 1

An apparatus for dispensing a non-homogeneous flowable material containing interspersed solids from a flowable material source comprising: dispensing means for receiving the material from the material source and for dispensing the material under pressure; conduit means comprising a generally cylindrical manifold pipe in communication with the dispensing means for receiving the dispensed material, the manifold pipe including a groove extending around the outer surface thereof and an outwardly projecting annular shoulder extending around at least a portion of the outer surface thereof; a self-closing, elastomeric flap valve having a generally cylindrical body portion which surrounds and is sealed against the manifold pipe, before being installed around the manifold pipe, the body portion having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the manifold pipe, the body portion being stressed when installed around the manifold pipe to provide a tight seal, the body portion including an outwardly extending annular flange, the annular flange abutting the annular shoulder when the flap valve is installed on the manifold pipe, the flap valve having a closure portion which is prestressed to remain closed to prevent leakage of the material when no pressure is applied to the dispensed material and which opens to substantially the same dimension as the manifold pipe to permit unobstructed flow of material therethrough upon the application of sufficient pressure upon the dispensed material to force the dispensed material through the closure portion, the closure portion including a pair of generally flat elongated lips which are prestressed to remain in abutting engagement with each other when no pressure is applied to the dispensed material, the length of the lips being such that if any solids remain in the closure portion when no pressure is applied, the lips surround and conform to the shape of the solids to contain the solids and to form a tight seal to prevent leakage of the material; and clamping means extending around the flap valve body portion axially aligned with the groove for securing the flap valve to the manifold pipe.

Claim 2

An apparatus for dispensing a non-homogeneous flowable material containing interspersed solids from a flowable material source comprising: dispensing means for receiving the material from the material source and for dispensing the material under pressure; conduit means comprising a generally cylindrical manifold pipe in communication with the dispensing means for receiving the dispensed material, the manifold pipe including a groove extending around the outer surface thereof and an outwardly projecting annular shoulder extending around at least a portion of the outer surface thereof; a self-closing, elastomeric flap valve having a generally cylindrical body portion which surrounds and is sealed against the manifold pipe, before being installed around the manifold pipe, the body portion having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the manifold pipe, the body portion being stressed when installed around the manifold pipe to provide a tight seal, the body portion including an outwardly extending annular flange, the annular flange abutting the annular shoulder when the flap valve is installed on the manifold pipe, the flap valve having a closure portion which is prestressed to remain closed to prevent leakage of the material when no pressure is applied to the dispensed material and which opens to substantially the same dimension as the manifold pipe to permit unobstructed flow of material therethrough upon the application of sufficient pressure upon the dispensed material to force the dispensed material through the closure portion, the closure portion including a pair of generally flat elongated lips which are prestressed to remain in abutting engagement with each other when no pressure is applied to the dispensed material, the length of the lips being such that if any solids remain in the closure portion when no pressure is applied, the lips surround and conform to the shape of the solids to contain the solids and to form a tight seal to prevent leakage of the material; and clamping means extending around the flap valve body portion axially aligned with the groove for securing the flap valve to the manifold pipe.