Abstract A cleaning system is disclosed for pumping compressed air and cleaning solvent to the injection cartridge of a foam-in-place packaging system. The cleaning system comprises a solvent tank for containing a stock supply of solvent; a source of compressed air; and an air-activated submersible solvent pump in air flow communication with the compressed air source. The system also includes an injection cartridge of a foam-in-place packaging system in liquid communication with the solvent pump; and a regulator in air flow communication with the compressed air source, the pump, and the injection cartridge. The regulator distributes compressed air to operate the pump and to travel with solvent to the injection cartridge to provide a cleaning mixture of solvent and air to the cartridge.
A tip for a foam-in-place injection cartridge for directing a frothing mixture of cleaning solvent and air to the exit portions of the cartridge and comprising: a generally cylindrical body formed if a material that is porous to gases and liquids, but that is impermeable to the foaming compositions which otherwise exit the injection cartridge; a cylindrical core in said body that defines a mixing chamber for foamable compositions and through which a valving rod can pass to valve the dispensing of foamable compositions from the cartridge; and at least one circular face of said body forming a frusto-conical surface directed inwardly toward said body so that when a mixture of cleaning solvent and air is directed through said body, a frothing mixture of air and solvent will exit said frusto-conical surface to provide cleaning action over a linear dimension at least as great as the distance said frusto-conical surface faces inwardly in said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A tip for a foam-in-place injection cartridge for directing a frothing mixture of cleaning solvent and air to the exit portions of the cartridge and comprising: a generally cylindrical body formed if a material that is porous to gases and liquids, but that is impermeable to the foaming compositions which otherwise exit the injection cartridge; a cylindrical core in said body that defines a mixing chamber for foamable compositions and through which a valving rod can pass to valve the dispensing of foamable compositions from the cartridge; and at least one circular face of said body forming a frusto-conical surface directed inwardly toward said body so that when a mixture of cleaning solvent and air is directed through said body, a frothing mixture of air and solvent will exit said frusto-conical surface to provide cleaning action over a linear dimension at least as great as the distance said frusto-conical surface faces inwardly in said body.