Contact type liquid applicator

Claim 1

Liquid applicator apparatus comprising: a body having a plurality of parallel bores therein opening onto one face of said body to provide a plurality of orifices, said bores each having a frusto-conical valve seat surface immediately adjacent the face of said body defining the associated one of said orifices, a plurality of needle valve elements mounted for axial movement in said bores and each having a frusto-conical valve surface complimentary to the associated one of said valve seat surfaces, the distal ends of said needle valve elements being substantially flush with said one face of said body when said valve elements are in sealing engagement with said seat surfaces, passageway means opening onto said bores rearwardly of said valve seat surfaces for carrying liquid to said bores, spring means mounted in said body for biasing each of said needle valves toward the associated one of said orifices to press said valve surfaces against said valve seat surfaces, valve actuator means connected to all of said needle valves for simultaneously retracting said valve surfaces away from said valve seat surfaces, means defining a first cavity in said body, said spring means being disposed in said first cavity, means defining a second cavity in said body, said valve seat surfaces opening into said second cavity, a plurality of guide bushings mounted in said body between said first and second cavities, said needle valve elements slidably extending through said guide bushings, said passageway means being interconnected between said first and second cavities, and a liquid inlet opening into one of said cavities.