U.S. patent application number 15/581960 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for connective outlet fitting for liquid color dispensing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stephen B. Maguire. Invention is credited to Stephen B. Maguire.
Application Number | 20170234470 15/581960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53270410 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170234470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maguire; Stephen B. |
August 17, 2017 |
CONNECTIVE OUTLET FITTING FOR LIQUID COLOR DISPENSING
Abstract
Apparatus for quick connection and disconnection of conduits and
other components to a liquid color pump.
Inventors: |
Maguire; Stephen B.; (West
Chester, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maguire; Stephen B. |
West Chester |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53270410 |
Appl. No.: |
15/581960 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14617035 |
Feb 9, 2015 |
9637283 |
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15581960 |
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14886442 |
Oct 19, 2015 |
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14617035 |
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13913375 |
Jun 7, 2013 |
9188118 |
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14886442 |
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14700911 |
Apr 30, 2015 |
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13913375 |
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15298802 |
Oct 20, 2016 |
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14700911 |
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14168731 |
Jan 30, 2014 |
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15298802 |
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15420762 |
Jan 31, 2017 |
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14168731 |
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14587921 |
Dec 31, 2014 |
9599265 |
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15420762 |
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61940712 |
Feb 17, 2014 |
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61660326 |
Jun 15, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/315.33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 37/252 20130101;
F04B 53/10 20130101; Y10T 137/7837 20150401; B65D 47/24 20130101;
F04B 53/16 20130101; F04B 53/1087 20130101; F04B 15/02 20130101;
F16K 15/044 20130101; F04B 49/06 20130101; F04B 43/02 20130101;
F16L 37/38 20130101; F04B 53/1002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 37/252 20060101
F16L037/252; F16L 37/38 20060101 F16L037/38; F16K 15/04 20060101
F16K015/04 |
Claims
1. A fitting for controlled delivery of liquid color therethrough,
comprising: a. an housing having a pair of outwardly extending
arcuate lugs formed on a first end thereof; b. a valve within the
housing; c. an undercut-shaped annular recess defining an inset
pocket at a first end of the fitting for receiving an external
O-ring therein for sealing the fitting against a liquid color
supply.
2. A fitting for delivery of liquid color in one direction only
therethrough, comprising: a. a housing having a passageway
therethrough; b. a check valve residing in the passageway; c. a lug
extending laterally from the housing for engaging with and
disengaging from a receptacle upon a manually applied turn of the
fitting.
3. The fitting of claim 2 further comprising an undercut-shaped
annular recess defining an inset pocket at a first end of the
fitting for receiving an external O-ring therein for sealing the
fitting against a liquid color source upon a manually applied
quarter turn of the fitting.
4. The fitting of claim 2 wherein the housing has inner and outer
portions facingly contacting one another, with the passageway
passing through the inner and outer portions and being axial with
respect to the housing through the outer portion.
5. The fitting of claim 4 wherein there are a plurality of
lugs.
6. The fitting of claim 5 wherein the lugs subtend angles of
between 30 and 150 degrees.
7. The fitting of claim 6 wherein the lugs have rectangular cross
sections.
8. The fitting of claim 6 wherein the lugs have square cross
sections.
9. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the lugs subtend angles of
between 15 and 150 degrees.
10. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the lugs have rectangular cross
sections.
11. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the lugs have square cross
sections.
12. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the lugs subtend an angle of 30
degrees
13. An outlet fitting for delivery of liquid color therethrough
from a supply, comprising: a. an outer portion, having i. outwardly
extending lugs formed on a first end thereof, lower surfaces of the
lugs being co-planar with a first end surface of the outer portion.
ii. an axial passageway extending through the outer portion, the
axial passageway having annular internal shoulders formed therein
intermediate first and second ends of the outer portion. b. an
inner portion having i. an outer surface extending axially
lengthwise partway along the inner portion; ii. an annular
protrusion extending from terminus of the inner portion outer
surface to define a first end of the inner portion, the annular
protrusion having a greater diameter at juncture with the inner
portion cylindrical outer surface and a lesser diameter remote from
juncture with the inner portion cylindrical outer surface, the
juncture defining a shoulder relative to the inner portion outer
surface; iii. a second axial passageway extending from the first
end towards the second end, the second axial passageway having an
opening in the annular protrusion proximate the first end of the
inner portion, the second axial passageway having a surface between
the first end and a second end defining a valve seat; c. a first
O-ring within the inner portion, positioned at juncture of a
minimum diameter part of the valve seat surface and the second
axial passageway; d. a ball residing on the valve seat surface
contacting the first O-ring; e. a spring between the ball and the
annular internal shoulder proximate thereto, for biasing the ball
against the first O-ring; f. the outer surface of the inner portion
being in facing complemental contact with the central portion of
the first axial passageway, a first end of the inner portion
abutting the proximate shoulder of the first axial passageway.
14. The fitting of claim 13 wherein an undercut-shaped annular
recess in the outer portion and a perpendicular shoulder of the
inner portion form an inset pocket at an inlet end of the fitting
for receiving an O-ring therein for sealing the fitting against a
supply.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a 35 USC 120 division and claims
the priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/617,035 filed 9 Feb.
2015 in the name of Stephen B. Maguire, entitled "Quarter Turn
Adapter Connective Outlet Fitting for Liquid Color Dispensing",
published 11 Jun. 2015 as US 2015/0158638 A1 and issued 2 May 2017
as U.S. Pat. No. 9,637,283. Application Ser. No. 14/617,035 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. Nos. 14/587,921;
14/168,731; and 13/913,375 and claims the benefit of the priority
of each of these applications directly or indirectly; application
Ser. No. 14/617,035 also similarly claims the benefit of the
priority of applications 61/940,712 and 61/660,326, all as
addressed herein
[0002] This patent application is also a continuation-in-part of
and claims the priority of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
14/886,442 filed 19 Oct. 2015 in the name of Stephen B. Maguire,
entitled "Molded Diaphragm Liquid Color Pump" and published 11 Feb.
2016 as US 2016/0040061 A1. The '442 application is a 35 USC 102
continuation-in-part of application Ser. Nos. 13/913,375;
14/700,911; 14/617,035; 14/587,921; and 14/168,731 and claims the
benefit of the priority of each of these applications directly or
indirectly and also claims priority from provisional application
61/660,326, all as addressed herein; applicant hereby claims the
benefit of all these applications under 35 USC 120.
[0003] This patent application is also a continuation-in-part of
and claims the priority of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
14/700,911 filed 30 Apr. 2015 in the name of Stephen B. Maguire,
entitled "Pulsed Pneumatic Control of Liquid Color Pumps" and
published on 20 Aug. 2015 as US 2015/0233365 A1. The '911
application is a 35 USC 120 continuation-in-part and claims the
benefit of the priority of application Ser. Nos.
14/617,035;14/587,921; 14/168,731 and 13/913,375 and also claims
priority from provisional applications 61/986,293 and 61/660,326,
all as addressed herein; applicant hereby claims the benefit of all
these applications under 35 USC 120.
[0004] This patent application is also a 35 USC 120
continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of the priority of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/298,802 filed 20
Oct. 2016 in the name of Stephen B. Maguire and entitled "Pump
Actuator and Method for Pump Operation", published 9 Feb. 2017 as
US 2017/0037839 A1. Application Ser. No. 15/298,802 is a 35 USC 120
continuation and claims the benefit of the priority of application
Ser. No. 14/168,731; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/298,802 is also a
35 USC 120 continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of the
priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/913,375; U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/298,802 also claims priority from provisional
application 61/660,326; applicant hereby claims the benefit of all
these applications under 35 USC 120.
[0005] This patent application is also a continuation-in-part and
claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/420,762 filed 31 Jan. 2017 in the name of Stephen B. Maguire
and entitled "Quick Disconnect for Liquid Color". Application Ser.
No. 15/420,762 is a 35 USC 120 continuation of and claims the
benefit of the priority of application Ser. No. 15/298,802 and of
application Ser. No. 14/168,731; application Ser. No. 15/420,762 is
also a 35 USC continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of the
priority of application Ser. Nos. 14/886,442; 14/700,911;
14/617,035 and 14/587,921; application Ser. No. 15/420,762 also
claims priority from provisional application 61/660,326; applicant
hereby claims the benefit of all these applications under 35 USC
120.
[0006] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/587,921,filed 31 Dec. 2014 in the
name of Stephen B. Maguire, entitled "Multiple Plate Quick
Disconnect Sandwich Fitting", published 23 Apr. 2015 as US
2015/0108748 A1, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,599,265 on 21 Mar.
2017.
[0007] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/913,375, filed 7 Jun. 2013 in the
name of Stephen B. Maguire, entitled "Injection Molded Diaphragm
Pump for Liquid Color with Quick Release", published 19 Dec. 2013
as US 2013/0334258 A1 and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,188,118
on 17 Nov. 2015.
[0008] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
provisional patent application 61/660,326, filed 15 Jun. 2012 in
the name of Stephen B. Maguire and entitled "Molded Diaphragm
Pump".
[0009] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
provisional patent application 61/986,293 filed 30 Apr. 2014 in the
name of Stephen B. Maguire and entitled "Volumetric Control of
Liquid Color Pumps".
[0010] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
provisional patent application 61/940,712, filed 17 Feb. 2014 in
the name of Stephen B. Maguire and entitled "Quarter Turn
Adaptor/Delivery Tube Assembly for Liquid Color".
[0011] This patent application further claims the priority, through
the intervening applications noted herein, under 35 USC 120 of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/168,731, filed 30 Jan. 2014 in the
name of Stephen B. Maguire, entitled "Pump Actuator and Method for
Pump Operation", published 29 May 2014 as US 2014/0147288 A1, and
abandoned on 20 Dec. 2016.
[0012] This patent application further specifically claims the
priority under 35 USC 120 of all of the co-pending and intervening
applications noted above.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Field of the Invention
[0014] This invention pertains to the use of liquid color in
plastic molding and extrusion. The patent application even more
specifically pertains to a quarter turn adapter connector
preferably, but not necessarily, utilized with a liquid color pump
which may be installed on or form a part of the lid of a liquid
color container.
[0015] Description of the Prior Art
[0016] Pumps for liquid color are known, with one such pump being
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,096, with another being disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,834, and yet another being disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 8,800,821. The disclosures of the '096, '834, and '821
patents are incorporated by reference.
[0017] The '096 patent discloses a container of liquid color
material having a diaphragm liquid color pump located in the
container for providing liquid color from the container. The
diaphragm liquid color pump is located in the container at the
container bottom, where the pump can collect liquid color as the
container empties. The pump is driven by a pneumatic
piston-cylinder combination located outside the container, with a
shaft extending downwardly from the pneumatic piston-cylinder
combination to the diaphragm pump, to reciprocate the diaphragm
back and forth to effectuate pumping action.
[0018] The apparatus disclosed in the '096 patent is relatively low
in cost. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight fitting allowing the
liquid color output from the pump to be supplied directly to a
plastics material processing machine, for the liquid color to
impart color directly to plastic parts as they are
manufactured.
[0019] The apparatus disclosed in the '834 patent provides pressure
boosting, permitting liquid color to be injected into an extruder
screw or a molding machine screw barrel at a position downstream
from the throat, closer to the position at which the finished
plastic parts are molded or extruded.
[0020] The '821 patent discloses a disposable low-cost pump in a
container for liquid color, where the pump is fabricated from a
plurality of PVC tubular members connected in a way to provide a
pumping chamber. A piston is displaceable into the pumping chamber.
A spring biases the piston outwardly from the chamber, in
opposition to force applied by an air cylinder.
[0021] While these devices have merit and have proved commercially
successful, there is a continuing need for lower cost, higher
reliability apparatus to provide liquid color from liquid color
containers to injection and compression molding machines and to
extruders, to color plastic parts in the course of manufacture
thereof.
[0022] While disposable pumps for liquid color are known in the
sense that those pumps can be removed from the liquid color
containers and discarded, there is a need for a pump that fits
integrally with a liquid color container in a manner to be a part
of the container so that the complete assembled pump cannot be
removed without compromising the container and leaving an open
hole. This is to discourage pump scavenging. There is a further
need in practice, which is somewhat inconsistent with the foregoing
in practice, for the relatively high cost portions of the pump to
be easily and quickly removable once the container has been
emptied, so that those high cost portions of the pump may be used
with a new, full container of liquid color, while low cost portions
of the pump remain with an empty container to prevent flow of any
remaining liquid color out of the container, so that these low cost
portions of the pump may be used when the container is refilled and
the pump is reassembled to pump liquid color from the new
container. Many but not all of these needs are satisfied by the
apparatus disclosed in the '375 application, of which this
application is a continuation-in-part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In one of its aspects, this invention provides a quarter
turn adapter connective fitting for connecting two liquid color
conduits for liquid color flow therebetween. This fitting includes
a male portion adapted for connection to a first liquid color
conduit, having a tubular interior portion for conveyance
therethrough of liquid color, with the tubular portion having an
annular exterior. The quarter turn adapter connective outlet
fitting further includes a female portion adapted for connection to
a second liquid color conduit such as the outlet conduit portion of
a liquid color pump. The female member has an arcuate passageway
therethrough for slidable engaging receipt of an annular exterior
section of the male portion and preferably includes lugs for
engaging a quick disconnect fitting that is preferably of the
sandwich type.
[0024] In another one of its aspects, this invention provides a
quarter turn adapter outlet fitting for controlled delivery of
liquid color therethrough from a supply. The fitting preferably
includes a generally cylindrical outer portion having a pair of
outwardly extending arcuate lugs formed on a first end thereof.
Lower surfaces of the lugs are preferably co-planar with the first
end surface of the outer portion. Outwardly facing surfaces of the
lugs preferably are curved and preferably parallel with the curved
cylindrical outer surface of the outer portion. The lugs most
desirably subtend angles of less than 90.degree. .
[0025] The generally cylindrical outer portion preferably further
has a first axial passageway extending through the outer portion.
The first axial passageway preferably has first and second annular
internal shoulders formed therein, located intermediate of the
first and second ends of the outer portion. A second shoulder
preferably defines an end of a cylindrical central portion of the
first axial passageway. The second shoulder is preferably of larger
diameter than the first shoulder and is the more proximate to the
first end of the outer portion. The first axial passageway
preferably has an undercut-shaped annular recess at the first end
of the cylindrical outer portion.
[0026] The adapter outlet fitting preferably further includes an
inner portion having a cylindrical outer surface extending axially
length-wise, partway along the length of the inner portion. The
inner portion preferably further includes an annular protrusion
extending from terminus of the inner portion cylindrical outer
surface to define a first end of the inner portion. The annular
protrusion desirably is of a greater diameter at juncture with the
inner portion cylindrical outer surface and is of lesser diameter
remote from juncture with the inner portion cylindrical outer
surface. The juncture preferably defines a perpendicular shoulder
relative to the inner portion cylindrical outer surface.
[0027] The inner portion preferably further includes a second axial
passageway extending from the first end towards the second end of
the inner portion, with the second axial passageway preferably
having a lateral opening of lesser diameter in the annular
protrusion proximate the first end of the inner portion. The second
axial passageway has a preferably conical surface between the first
end and a second end thereof to define a valve seat.
[0028] The adapter fitting preferably further includes a first
O-ring within the inner portion, positioned at juncture of a
minimum diameter part of the conical surface and a tubular part of
the second axial passageway. The adapter outlet fitting further
includes a ball preferably residing on the conical surface and
contacting the first O-ring and a spring preferably between the
ball and the first annular internal shoulder, for biasing the ball
against the first O-ring.
[0029] The cylindrical outer surface of the inner portion is
preferably in facing complemental contact with the cylindrical
central portion of the first axial passageway. A first end of the
inner portion preferably abuts the second shoulder of the first
axial passageway. The undercut shaped annular recess in the outer
portion and the perpendicular shoulder of the annular protrusion of
the inner portion preferably form an inset pocket at the first end
of the fitting. This pocket preferably receives a second O-ring for
sealing the fitting against the supply. The first and second axial
passageways are preferably coaxial and communicate one with
another.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a quarter turn adapter
connector fitting manifesting aspects on the invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the quarter turn adapter
connector fitting taken at lines and arrows A-A in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a top view of a retainer plate, a spacer plate,
and a base plate portions of a quick disconnect fitting of the
sandwich type, as disclosed and claimed in co-pending application
Ser. No. 14/587,921 filed 31 Dec. 2014 as "Multiple Plate Quick
Disconnect Fitting."
[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric schematic view of a multiple
plate quick disconnect fitting of the type illustrated in FIG. 3
showing, from top to bottom, a retainer plate, a spacer plate, and
a base plate as disclosed and claimed in co-pending application
Ser. No. 14/587,921 filed 31 Dec. 2014 as "Multiple Plate Quick
Disconnect Fitting."
[0034] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the multiple plate quick
disconnect sandwich, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 in assembled form
as disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Ser. No.
14/587,921 filed 31 Dec. 2014 as "Multiple Plate Quick Disconnect
Fitting."
[0035] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the assembled multiple plate
quick disconnect sandwich taken at lines and arrows B-B in FIG. 5
as disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Ser. No.
14/587,921 filed 31 Dec. 2014 as "Multiple Plate Quick Disconnect
Fitting."
[0036] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a molded liquid color pump of
the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 13/913,375,
filed 7 Jun. 2013 as "Injection Molded Diaphragm Pump for Liquid
Color with Quick Release", published 19 Dec. 2013 as U.S.
2013/0334258 A1, incorporating a quarter turn adapter outlet
fitting in accordance with this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE KNOWN FOR
PRACTICE OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 7, a liquid
color pump 14 is mounted on a liquid color drum or pail lid 16, and
sits essentially flush with the lid forming the top of the drum.
When pump 14 and the associated drum are placed in service, an
actuator designated generally 22 is connected to pump 14. One
suitable actuator 22 is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/168,731.
[0038] A quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 and is adapted to matingly connect with a
quick-disconnect assembly, preferably of the sandwich type
disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 14/587,921 and as
disclosed hereinbelow. When so-connected, quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly connects the output port of pump 14 to a delivery
line or other receptacle or receiver for the liquid color coming
from pump 14. One end of such a delivery line fits into an upper
recess 46, which defines a liquid color conduit outlet, of quarter
turn adapter outlet assembly. The other end of such a delivery line
(the delivery line is not shown in the drawing as fitting into the
upper recess 46 of quarter turn adapter 23) desirably connects to a
process machine, namely either an injection molding machine or an
extruder or perhaps to a gravimetric blender. Upper recess 46 may
be equipped with internal threads or otherwise modified from the
straight-line tubular form illustrated in FIG. 2 so as to provide
connection for a delivery line to fit tightly into or with quarter
turn adapter 23 to receive liquid color coming through quarter turn
adapter 23 and out of upper recess 46.
[0039] A second adapter, namely inlet assembly 22, which also
includes a quick-disconnect connection, connects an air supply to
pump 14. Inlet assembly 22 has specific applicably to liquid color
diaphragm pumps; inlet assembly 22 may also be used with
piston-type pumps.
[0040] The first and second adapters, namely quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly 23 and inlet assembly 22, are removable from pump
14.
[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the quarter turn
adapter outlet assembly 23. The outlet assembly 23 includes,
generally, an outer portion 308 and an inner portion 114. Outer
portion 308 has pumped liquid color outlet aperture 46 defining one
end of an axial passageway 402 extending through outer portion 308.
Inner portion 114 includes an interior tubular passageway 278. Lugs
262B extend radially from an annular exterior recess surface 280 of
outer portion 308 and have outwardly facing curved annular surfaces
400, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, and which exhibit the same
curvature as annular exterior surface 280 of outer portion 308.
Preferably, the lower surfaces 310B of lugs 262B are coplanar with
a lower planar surface 306 of outer portion 308 of quarter turn
adapter outlet assembly 23.
[0042] Quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 includes as a part
of inner portion 114 a liquid color outlet shutoff valve designated
generally 54, a liquid color outlet shutoff valve ball 56, a first
O-ring 51 and a liquid color outlet shutoff valve spring 58. Outlet
shutoff valve 54 has a seat 316, formed as an upwardly facing
conical surface of inner portion 114.
[0043] Inner portion 114 is preferably press-fit into a hollow
interior of outer portion 308 of the quarter turn adapter outlet
assembly 23. Inner portion 114 includes a lower annular protrusion
116 extending beyond the lower planar surface 306 of outer portion
308 and below annular exterior recessed surface 280 of outer
portion 308 of quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23.
[0044] Passageway 278 extends axially part way down the axial
length of inner portion 114, from the surface defining valve seat
116. However, passageway 278 does not exit inner portion 114
axially, but turns and extends laterally, having a lateral opening
304 formed in lower annular extension 116, for intake of pumped
liquid color thereinto.
[0045] The connection resulting from use of quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly 23 is preferably air tight. Accordingly, it is
preferable that a second O-ring 52 is provided with the quarter
turn adapter outlet assembly so that in combination with lugs 262B
and the multiple plate quick disconnect sandwich fitting described
below, quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23, upon a quarter
turn, is in tight facing connection with the frame or mouth portion
of an associated structure such that an air tight seal is created
between the lower surface 310B of lugs 262B and the lower surface
306 of outer portion 308 of the quarter turn adapter outlet
assembly 23, and the frame or mouth of the associated
structure.
[0046] Still referring principally to FIG. 1 and to FIG. 2, outer
portion 308 is of generally cylindrical configuration with
outwardly extending arcuate lugs 262B formed on a first end of
generally cylindrical outer portion 308. The "first end" for
purposes of this description is the lower end of quarter turn
adapter outlet fitting 23 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0047] Lower surfaces 310B of lugs 262B are coplanar with lower
surface 306 of generally cylindrical outer portion 308; lower
surface 306 is a planar surface. Outwardly facing surfaces 400 of
lugs 262 are curved and parallel with the curved cylindrical outer
surface of outer portion 308 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Lugs 262B
most preferably subtend angles of less than 90.degree.; however
lugs 262B may subtend angles from as small as 20.degree. to as
great as 150.degree., depending upon the geometry of the fitting
with which lugs 262B matingly engage.
[0048] A first axially oriented passageway 402 extends through
outer portion 308. First and second annular internal shoulders 404,
406 are formed in first axial passageway 402 and are positioned
intermediate the first and second ends of outer portion 308.
[0049] Second annular internal shoulder 406 defines an end of a
central cylindrical portion 408 of first axial passageway 402 when
inner portion 114 is positioned within outer portion 308 as
illustrated in FIG. 2 with an upper extremity of inner portion 114
abutting second annular shoulder 406. Second annular internal
shoulder 406 is of smaller diameter than first annular internal
shoulder 404. Additionally, second annular internal shoulder 406 is
more proximate to first end of outer portion 308 than is first
annular internal shoulder 404.
[0050] First axial passageway 402 in outer portion 308 houses inner
portion 114 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes an undercut
annular recess 410 located at the first end of cylindrical outer
portion 308.
[0051] Inner portion 114 has a cylindrical outer surface 413
extending axially lengthwise partway along the length of inner
portion 114; cylindrical outer surface 413 of inner portion 114 is
in tight fitting facing complemental contact with a corresponding
interior cylindrical surface of outer portion 308. An annular
protrusion 116 extends from the end of the inner portion annular
outer surface 412 to define a first end of inner portion 114.
Annular protrusion 116 has a greater diameter at the position of
juncture with inner portion lower annular outer surface 412 and a
lesser diameter remote from juncture with inner portion lower
annular outer surface 412. The juncture defines a perpendicular
shoulder 414 relative to inner portion cylindrical outer surface
413. Annular protrusion 116 defines a first end of inner portion
114. Annular protrusion 116 has a greater diameter at juncture with
inner portion lower annular outer surface 412 and a lesser diameter
remote from juncture with inner portion lower annular outer surface
412. The juncture defines a perpendicular shoulder 414 relative to
the inner portion cylindrical outer surface 413.
[0052] Axial passageway 278 extends from the first end of inner
portion 114 towards the second end. Axial passageway 278 has a
lateral opening 304 in the lesser diameter portion of annular
protrusion 116 proximate the first end of inner portion 114.
[0053] Note that when assembled with a pump, such as pump 14 shown
in FIG. 7, quarter turn adapter 23 is desirably rotated 180.degree.
from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated
in FIG. 7, at which lateral opening 304 in protrusion 116 (neither
of which are numbered in FIG. 7) faces to the right in FIG. 7. This
facilitates receipt of liquid color pumped by pump 14 as the liquid
color flows from a pumping section of pump 14 through a channel,
defined by a recess formed in the upper surface of the molded
one-piece pump lower body portion, to an outlet section of the
pump, which is defined generally by the structure underlying
quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23, and into lateral opening
304 in protrusion 116 for liquid color flow upwardly through
quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23.
[0054] During operation, liquid color pumped by a pump, such as the
pump illustrated in FIG. 7, enters passageway 278 as indicated by
the arrow labeled "In" in FIG. 2. If pump pressure is substantial
enough, liquid color pushes against ball 56, lifting ball 56 from
seat 316 against the downward force exerted by spring 58 on ball
56. As the liquid color raises ball 56, ball 56 loses contact with
first O-ring 53. This results in liquid color flowing, as pumped by
pump 14, upwardly through interior passageway 278 of inner portion
114, through interior passageway 402 of outer portion 308, and out
of outlet 46 as indicated by the arrow "Out" in FIG. 2.
[0055] Spring 404 may be selected to provide a desired level of
resistance to opening of valve 54 such that the pressure of liquid
color entering at the "In" arrow, into passageway 278 via lateral
opening 304 may be regulated according to design parameters and
desires. Similarly, the dimensions of ball 56 and passageways 278,
402 may be varied along with the spring constant of spring 404 to
require greater or less pressure of the liquid color as it is
pumped for the liquid color to flow through quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly 23.
[0056] With reference to FIGS. 3 through 6, a multiple plate quick
disconnect sandwich 63 includes a retainer plate 65, a spacer plate
66, and a base plate 67. Each of plates 65, 66, 67 desirably
includes generally circular openings that correspond to generally
cylindrical connections of a pump inlet assembly and a pump outlet
assembly or to conduits that are to be connected together, and/or
to protrusion 116 of inner portion 114 of quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly 23.
[0057] Retainer plate 65 includes a larger generally circular
passageway 284 and a smaller generally circular passageway 292;
spacer plate 66 includes a larger circular passageway 286 and a
smaller circular passageway 294; base plate 67 includes a larger
circular passageway 288 and a smaller circular passageway 296.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respective plates 65, 66, 67 are
desirably placed on one another in facing disposition to create the
multiple plate quick disconnect sandwich 63. In this configuration,
the respective associated larger and smaller passageways in each
plate collectively define what may be either an inlet or an outlet
passageway 282 and what may be either an inlet or outlet passageway
290. Most desirably the smaller passageways in each plate are sized
to accept and to mate with quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23
or a similar structure. The respective generally circular, and
circular, larger passageways 284, 286 respectively of retainer
plate 65 and spacer plate 66 are preferably formed on a radius such
that they have essentially the same diameters D1 and their
respective smaller generally circular, and circular, passageways
292, 294 respectively have essentially the same diameters D2. Of
course the diameters of the passageways of the retainer plate 65 in
the area of their retaining guides differ, as discussed below.
[0059] Larger circular passageway 288 and smaller circular
passageway 296 of base plate 67 are each preferably formed with
smaller radii than that of associated larger arcuate passageways
284, 286 and associated smaller arcuate passageways 292, 294, and
have diameters D3 and D4, respectively.
[0060] Diameters D1, D2, D3, and D4 are determined by the
dimensions of the inlets and outlets being connected.
[0061] Diameter D1 is preferably substantially equivalent to the
diameter of an associated assembly, for example, from the outer
edge of one lug to the outer edge of an opposing lug, for example
again, such as lug 262B. Similarly, diameter D2 is preferably
substantially equivalent to the cross-sectional width of an
associated assembly from the outer edge of one lug to the outer
edge of an opposing lug, such as lug 262B. Diameter D3 and diameter
D4 are chosen according to the inlets and outlets being connected
using the multiple plate quick disconnect sandwich.
[0062] Retainer plate 65 preferably includes pairs of arcuate
retaining guides 298, 298A with the guides extending slightly into
retainer plate generally circular passageway 284 and into the
retainer plate generally circular passageway 292 on opposite sides
thereof to form regions of reduced diameter in passageway 282 and
in passageway 290. Retaining guides 298, 298A preferably have an
arc length of 80.degree., but it should be understood that the arc
length of retaining guides 298, 298A may range from about as little
as 30.degree. to as much as 150.degree..
[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, each retaining guide
298, 298A extends angularly from an upwardly sloped leading tab 300
to a trailing edge 312, with leading tab 300 and trailing edge 312
defining the angular extremities of arcuate retaining guides 298,
298A. Each sloped leading tab 300 is angled upwardly, away from
spacer plate 66, preferably about ten degrees with respect to the
planar surface of retainer plate 65, which is opposite from the
surface of retainer plate 65 that facingly contacts spacer plate
66.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, spacer plate 66 includes
preferably generally rectangular stops 302 extending from the inner
periphery of the circular passageways 286, 294 of spacer plate 66.
As shown in FIG. 6, when plates 65, 66, 67 are placed on each other
to form the quick disconnect sandwich 63, stops 302 are preferably
both axially and angularly aligned with trailing edges 312 of
guides 298, 298A of retainer plate 65.
[0065] Each plate 65, 66, 67 of quick disconnect sandwich 63
includes openings 314 that align with the with openings in a
structure, such as the liquid color pump illustrated in FIG. 7, to
allow for mounting quick disconnect sandwich 63 to a structure such
as liquid color pump 14 illustrated in FIG. 7, to which rapid
connection/disconnection of quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23
is desired. Nut and bolt combinations are preferably used for this
where the nut and bolt combination are designated 88 in FIG. 7,
with the nuts designated 90 and the bolts designed 92. The heads of
bolts 92 are not depicted, to enhance drawing clarity.
[0066] As respecting operation, after quick disconnect sandwich 63
is assembled as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is attached to a
structure such as liquid color pump 14 illustrated in FIG. 7, the
quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 to be quickly
connected/disconnected may be centered over the generally circular
passageway 290 of quick disconnect plate assembly 63 in a position
such that the lower annular protrusion 116 of quarter turn adapter
outlet assembly 23 extends through generally circular passageway
296 of the quick disconnect base plate 67 and lugs 262B are
adjacent the sloped leadings tabs 300 of the retaining guides 298
while a lower planar surface 306 of lugs 262B rests on the upper
surface of the quick disconnect retainer plate 65.
[0067] As quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 is rotated, lugs
262B slip under sloped leading tabs 300 and then continue to
moveably slide under the remainder of retaining guide 298 along the
surface of quick disconnect base plate 67 until lugs 262B abut
stops 302 on quick disconnect spacer plate 66. Due to the upwardly
angular configuration of sloped leading tabs 300, quarter turn
adapter outlet assembly 23 is increasingly pressed against the
outwardly facing surface of quick disconnect base plate 67 as
quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 is rotated into place. The
overhang of retaining guides 298 in retainer plate 65 over
corresponding space in space plate 66, which is occupied by lugs
262B, with guides 298 contacting upper surfaces of lugs 262B as
lugs 262B rest on and facingly contact spacer late 66, prevents
displacement of lugs 262B in the vertical direction thereby
retaining quarter turn adapter outlet assembly in place.
[0068] Most desirably the underside of each retaining guide 298,
298A and/or the corresponding underlying surfaces of retainer plate
66 lying under retaining guides 298, 298A and which lugs 262B
facingly contact when quarter turn adapter outlet assembly is
matingly engaged with quick disconnect sandwich 63, are desirably
contoured or machined so that the space, between the underside of
each retaining guide 298, 298A and the corresponding underlying
surfaces of spacer plate 66, diminishes as one proceeds from the
leading tabs 300 to the trailing edges 312 and the rectangular
stops 302. This diminishing space, amounting to a taper, assures
that quarter turn outlet assembly 23 will be securely and liquid
color tightly engaged with quick disconnect sandwich 63 when lugs
262B are inserted under retaining guides 298, 298A at tabs 300 and
quarter turn adapter assembly 23 is manually rotated in the
neighborhood of 90.degree. degrees.
[0069] Because stops 302 are preferably located nearly or directly
below trailing edge 312 of retaining guide 298, quarter turn
adapter outlet assembly 23 only requires a manually applied quarter
turn to transition from an unlocked position, in which lugs 262B
are located outside leading tabs 300 of retaining guide 298, to a
locked position, in which lugs 262B are adjacent stops 302. To
disconnect, the quarter turn adapter outlet assembly 23 is manually
rotated a quarter turn in the opposite direction such that lugs
262B slide out from under leading tabs 300 of guides 298.
[0070] While assembly 23 has been characterized herein as a
"quarter turn" outlet assembly, it is to be understood that the
sizes of lugs 262B and the corresponding quick release structure
with which quarter turn outlet assembly mates, such as the multiple
plate disconnect sandwich 63 illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, can
be selected so that less than a quarter turn is required or that
more than a quarter turn is required to engage and disengage outlet
assembly 23 from the structure with which it matingly connects and
disconnects. However, a quarter turn is desirable since it
facilitates manual connection and disconnection of assembly 23 with
such manual connection and disconnection being performed facilely
and quickly. This allows quick changeover from one outlet assembly
23 to another, thereby facilitating change of the spring constant,
and/or a switch to a different or alternate geometry of the through
passageway and hence the pressure at which liquid color will be
discharged from outlet 46, and allows regulation of the amount of
liquid color discharged by outlet assembly 23 through pumped liquid
color outlet 46. This also facilitates changeover from one color
liquid to another.
[0071] As discussed above and from the foregoing description of the
exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that
the principles and particularly the structures disclosed herein and
the methods of use thereof can be used for applications other than
those specifically mentioned. All such applications of the
invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless
expressly excluded therefrom.
[0072] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of
the invention. The disclosed embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive with
the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
[0073] As used in the claims herein, the term "comprising" means
"including" while the term "consisting of" means "including so much
and no more" and the term "consisting essentially of" means
including the recited elements and those minor accessories required
and known to be used in the art to facilitate the invention as
claimed. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all
changes which come within the range of equivalency of the claims
are to be considered to be embraced within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *