Dispenser

{
  "publication_number": "US3693841A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Dispenser",
  "abstract": "A sleeve valve structure for accurately dispensing particulate material which comprises a unique arrangement of a plurality of concentric tubes. Each tube is lined with an elastomeric web and is so associated with the other tubes that when pressurized air is selectively introduced behind each web, the web is inflated, thereby blocking that tube. By successively blocking the tubes, the flow rate through the valve is very accurately regulated.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A dispenser for particulate material comprising a hopper, a sleeve valve structure communicating with said hopper, said sleeve valve structure comprising an elongated outer sleeve valve conduit having a first conduit means at least partially concentrically disposed in the upper portion thereof, said first conduit means having a first elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said first conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said first conduit means and said first elastomeric web whereby said first elastomeric web will expand and decrease the opening of said first conduit means, a second conduit having a second elastomeric web attached in sealing relationship thereto, said second conduit being axially aligned and fixedly held within said first conduit means whereby said first elastomeric web will expand against said second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said second conduit means and said second elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said second web will decrease the opening of said second conduit means and a third conduit means concentrically disposed within the lower portion of said sleeve valve conduit, said third conduit means having a third elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said third conduit means, said third conduit means being axially aligned and located below said first and second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said third conduit means and said third elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said third elastomeric web will decrease the opening of said third conduit means, such that the flow rate of material from said hopper is selectively varied with the expansion and contraction of said first, second and third elastomeric webs.",
    "2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the inlet of said first conduit means is defined by a first annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said first conduit means and the outlet of said first conduit means is defined by a second annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said first conduit means; and wherein the inlet of said third conduit means is defined by said second annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said third conduit means and the outlet of said third conduit means is defined by a third annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said third conduit means.",
    "3. The dispenser of claim 2 further including a first plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly From said first annular flange and terminating on the upper portion of said second conduit means to break-up the flow of particulate material and a second plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly from said annular flange and terminating on the upper portion of a rigid axially aligned elongated abutment which is concentrically disposed within said third conduit means and extends substantially the length thereof such that particulate flowing downward through said first and second conduit means is broken up and distributed evenly over the cross-section of said third conduit means and whereby upon inflation of said third elastomeric web, said web will restrict against said elongated abutment thereby closing third conduit means.",
    "4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein said abutment is encapsulated with a soft resilient material.",
    "5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said conduit means are tubes.",
    "6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper has a porous bottom adapted to receive and transmit fluid under pressure whereby said material near the bottom of said hopper will be fluidized and will more easily flow through said sleeve valve structure.",
    "7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said sleeve valve structure has a slotted radially extending flange on its lower end with a plurality of peripheral notches, said notches adapted to receive support bolts which are attached to the bottom of said hopper whereby said sleeve valve structure is detachably held upon said hopper.",
    "8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper is provided with an anti-bridging uniform hopper outlet pressure means comprising an independently supported cone located near the outlet of said hopper with vibrating means for said cone.",
    "9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein means are provided to selectively expand each of said elastomeric webs independent of the remaining said elastomeric webs whereby said flow rate is selectively varied over a wide range."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B65D 90/56"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HENRY H HANSEN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1970-06-01",
  "publication_date": "1972-09-26",
  "grant_date": "1972-09-26",
  "priority_date": "1970-06-01",
  "application_number": "US-3693841D-A",
  "family_id": "21920742",
  "citations": [
    "US1068153A",
    "US1873138A",
    "US2167416A",
    "US2174348A",
    "US2210086A",
    "US2687145A",
    "US3143124A"
  ]
}