U.S. patent number 3,781,142 [Application Number 05/217,746] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-25 for peristalic pump with adjustable tensioning means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Flow Technology Corp.. Invention is credited to Leon A. Zweig.
United States Patent |
3,781,142 |
Zweig |
December 25, 1973 |
PERISTALIC PUMP WITH ADJUSTABLE TENSIONING MEANS
Abstract
The construction of a pumping system adapted for utilization in
transfering fluids primarily in the graphic art. The pumping system
includes housing means having an inlet opening and an outlet
opening extending therethrough with pumping means mounted within
the housing means and operatively connected with the inlet and
outlet openings to receive a fluid in the inlet opening and pumping
same through the pumping means to exit through the outlet opening,
the said pumping means including, a rotary structure rotatably
mounted within the housing means and having a plurality of spaced
rotary members mounted thereupon for rotation therewith and
independent rotation thereto and a fluid conducting tube positioned
in relationship to said rollers as to be sequencially engaged, and
rotating means coupled to said rotary structure. Coupling means are
provided at each end of the fluid conducting tube for operatively
connecting to the inlet and outlet openings, with regulating means
associated with the fluid and movement relative to the rotary
members wherein the tension in the conducting tube may be
regulated. Guide means is associated with the regulating means to
control the direction of movement thereof during adjustment, the
guide means includes a pair of spaced apart supports secured to the
housing means and confining the regulating means so that the latter
may ride freely with respect thereto.
Inventors: |
Zweig; Leon A. (North Bellmore,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Flow Technology Corp.
(Farmingdale, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22812342 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/217,746 |
Filed: |
January 14, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/477.12;
417/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B
43/1215 (20130101); F04B 53/00 (20130101); F04B
43/0072 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F04B
43/12 (20060101); F04B 53/00 (20060101); F04B
43/00 (20060101); F04b 043/08 (); F04b 043/12 ();
F04b 045/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;417/475,476,477,412,413,234 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Croyle; Carlton R.
Assistant Examiner: Gluck; Richard E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A pumping system comprising:
A. housing means having an inlet opening and an outlet opening
extending therethrough,
B. pumping means mounted within said housing means and operatively
connected with said inlet and outlet openings to receive a fluid in
said inlet opening and pumping same through said puming means to
exit through said outlet opening, said pumping means including:
1. a rotary structure rotatably mounted within said housing means
and having a plurality of spaced rotary members mounted thereupon
for rotation therewith and independent rotation relative
thereto,
2. a fluid conducting tube positioned and relationship to said
rollers as to be sequencially engaged, and
3. rotating means coupled to said rotary structure,
C. coupling means at each end of said fluid conducting tube for
operatively connecting to said inlet and outlet openings,
D. regulating means associated with said fluid conducting tube at
substantially one end thereof for movement relative to said rotary
members wherein the tension in the conducting tube may be
regulated,
E. said regulating means further including guide means associated
therewith to control the direction of movement thereof during
adjustment, said guide means includes means to continuously and
linearly adjust said regulating means, said guide means further
includes a pair of spaced apart supports secured to the housing
means and confining the regulating means so the latter may ride
freely thereon,
F. draining means associated with said housing means to permit the
dispensing of any fluid therefrom, said draining means being
provided on the bottom of said housing means, and
G. supporting means coupled to said housing means.
H. said housing means further including an access opening to visual
inspection thereof.
2. A pumping system comprising:
A. housing means having an inlet opening and an outlet opening
extending therethrough,
B. pumping means mounted within said housing means and operatively
connected with said inlet and outlet openings to receive a fluid in
said inlet opening and pumping same through said pumping means to
exit through said outlet opening, said pumping means including:
1. a rotary structure rotatably mounted within said housing means
and having a plurality of spaced rotary members mounted thereupon
for rotation therewith and independent rotation thereto,
2. a fluid conducting tube positioned in relationship to said
rollers as to be sequencially engaged, and
3. rotating means coupled to said rotary structure
C. coupling means at each end of said fluid conducting tube for
operatively connecting to said inlet and outlet openings,
D. regulating means associated with said fluid conducting tube at
substantially one end thereof for movement relative to said rotary
members wherein the tension in the conducting tube may be
regulated,
E. said regulating means further includes guide means associated
therewith to control the direction of movement thereof during
adjustment, said guide means includes means to continuously and
linearly adjust said regulating means, said guide means further
includes a pair of spaced apart supports secured to the housing
means and confining the regulating means so that the latter may
ride freely with respect thereto.
3. A pumping system comprising:
A. housing means having an inlet opening and an outlet opening
extending therethrough,
B. pumping means mounted within said housing means and operatively
connected with said inlet and outlet openings to receive a fluid in
said inlet opening and pumping same through said pumping means to
exit through said outlet opening, said pumping means including:
1. a rotary structure rotatably mounted within said housing means
and having a plurality of spaced rotary members mounted thereupon
for rotation therewith and independent rotation relative
thereto,
2. a fluid conducting tube positioned in relationship to said
rotary members as to be sequencially engaged, and
3. rotating means coupled to said rotary structure,
C. coupling means at each end of said fluid conducting tube for
operatively connecting to said inlet and outlet openings, and
D. regulating means associated with said fluid conducting tube at
substantially one end thereof for movement relative to said rotary
members wherein the tension in the conducting tube may be
regulated, and wherein said regulating means includes:
a. a support body to which one end of said fluid conducting tube is
connected,
b. a shaft extending from said support body and rotatably mounted
with respect thereof, and said shaft extending at its opposite end
in rotatable manner relative to the housing, wherein rotation of
said shaft relative to the housing effects linear movement of said
support body and controls the tension in said conducting tube.
4. A pumping system as defined in claim 3,
a. wherein said shaft extends exteriorly of said housing means and
has a threaded portion thereon and said housing means has a
complimentary threaded portion for receiving said shaft, and
b. and further including a control knob mounted on said shaft at
its free end.
5. A pumping system as defined in claim 3, wherein said fluid
conducting tube is comprised of an inner and outer concentric
tube.
6. A pumping system as defined in claim 3, and further including
supporting means coupled to said housing means.
7. A pumping system as defined in claim 6, wherein said supporting
means has casters thereon for movement of said pumping system.
8. A pumping system as defined in claim 3, wherein said fluid
conducting tube is comprised of:
a. a plastic tube, and
b. an inner coating formed thereon having a resistance to the fluid
pumped therethrough.
9. A pumping system as defined in claim 8, wherein said tube is of
poly vinyl alcohol.
10. A pumping system as defined in claim 8, wherein said inner
coating is a polymerizing material.
11. A pumping system as defined in claim 10, wherein said
polymerizing material is tri allyl iso cyanurate.
12. A pumping system as defined in claim 3, wherein said housing
means further includes an access opening to facilitate visual
inspection therein.
13. A pumping system comprising:
A. housing means having an inlet opening and an outlet opening
extending therethrough,
B. pumping means mounted within said housing means and operatively
connected with said inlet and outlet openings to receive a fluid in
said inlet opening and pumping same through said pumping means to
exit through said outlet opening, said pumping means including:
1. a rotary structure rotatably mounted within said housing means
and having a plurality of spaced rotary members mounted thereupon
for rotation therewith and independent rotation relative
thereto,
2. a fluid conducting tube positioned in relationship to said
members as to be sequencially engaged, and
3. rotating means coupled to said rotary structure and including a
rotary motor,
C. coupling means at each end of said fluid conducting tube for
operatively connecting to said inlet and outlet openings,
D. regulating means associated with said fluid conducting tube at
substantially one end thereof for movement relative to said rotary
members wherein the tension in the conducting tube may be
regulated, said regulating means including:
1. a support body to which one end of said fluid conducting tube is
connected,
2. a shaft extending from said supporting body and rotatably
mounted with respect thereto at one end thereof, and said shaft
extending at its opposite end in rotatable manner relative to the
housing, wherein rotation of said shaft relative to said housing
effects linear movement of said support body and controls the
tension in said conducting tube, and
E. guide means associated with such regulating means to control the
direction of movement thereof during adjustment, and including at
least one column secured to the housing means and extending through
the regulating means so that the latter may ride freely
thereon,
F. positioning means to adjust the position of said rotary motor
relative to said rotary structure, and
G. supporting means coupled to said housing means.
14. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, and further including
draining means provided on the bottom of said housing means to
permit the dispensing of any fluid therefrom.
15. A pumping system as defined in claim 13,
a. wherein said shaft extends exteriorly of said housing means and
has a threaded portion thereon and said housing means has a
complimentary threaded portion for receiving said shaft,
b. and further including a control knob mounted on said shaft at
its free end.
16. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said rotary
structure includes:
a. a shaft mounted relative to said housing means,
b. a pair of spaced apart support members mounted in spaced apart
relation to each other on said shaft for rotation thereon,
c. said plurality of spaced rotary members mounted on said support
members, and
d. a belt connecting said rotary motor to one of said support
members.
17. A pumping system as defined in claim 16, wherein said
positioning means includes:
a. a bracket secured to said housing means in spaced relation to
said rotary motor,
b. a positioning screw extending through said bracket to abut said
motor, wherein rotation of said screw repositions said motor to
control the tension in said belt.
18. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said fluid
conducting tube is comprised of an inner and outer concentric
tube.
19. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said
supporting means has casters thereon for movement of said pumping
system.
20. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said fluid
conducting tube is comprised of:
a. a plastic tube, and
b. an inner coating formed thereon having a resistance to the fluid
pumped therethrough.
21. A pumping system as defined in claim 20, wherein said tube is
of poly vinyl alcohol.
22. A pumping system as defined in claim 20, wherein said inner
coating is a polymerizing material.
23. A pumping system as defined in claim 22, wherein said
polymerizing material is tri allyl iso cyanurate.
24. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said housing
means further includes an access opening to facilitate visual
inspection therein.
25. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein said rotary
structure includes:
a. a shaft mounted relative to said housing means,
b. a pair of spaced apart support members mounted in spaced apart
relation to each other on said shaft for rotation thereon,
c. said plurality of spaced rotary members mounted on said support
members, and
d. means coupling said rotary motor directly to said shaft and in
axial alignment therewith.
26. A pumping system as defined in claim 13, wherein
a. said housing means includes a bottom wall, top wall, side walls,
rear wall and front panel in spaced apart relation to each
other,
b. a door mounted on said front panel to obtain access to said
pumping means, and
c. said rotary motor mounted on said rear wall with its shaft
extending therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates broadly to the transfer by pumping means,
active solvents and liquids, of various viscosities, either
individually or in combination with other materials and
particularly as it applies to the pumping of inks, adhesives,
lacquers, paints and cleaning fluids in the graphic arts field.
Heretofore there have been utilized in the graphic arts field,
various types of pumping systems for the transfer of inks,
adhesives and other fluids from reservoirs to fountains or transfer
stations or applicator stations or printing presses and other
equipment. Generally these pumps are of rotary, impeller or piston
design and composed of rigid materials which are resistant to
chemical attack by the materials being pumped. These conventional
pumps however are subject to a high rate of attrition due to the
exposure of wear surfaces to the materials being pumped and require
a high degree of expensive maintainance. Additionally, when changes
are made of materials to be pumped for differences in color or
other reasons, a delay factor in the operation is encountered
either for cleaning and decontamination of the exposed pump
surfaces or for replacement with another pump. In certain types of
operations where numerous changeovers occur, no pumps are used at
all and the materials are introduced into the system by manual
means. In all cases where pumps are used, substantially large
amounts of solvents or cleaning compounds are required to achieve
satisfactory decontamination of the pumps resulting in a high
continuous cost for materials as well as storage space. The clean
up time for the pumps represents a significantly costly downtime
factor of the press or other equipment which is dependent upon the
utilization of the pump and for reasons of reducing the down time
factor, many plants maintain a reserve supply of pumps for change
over and clean the pumps at a later time.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and
overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of the objections to
prior art practices by the provision of a pump that utilizes a
principle of squeezing an elastomeric tube whereby the only part of
the apparatus which is contacted by the material being pumped is
the inside of the tube, the connecting conduit and the coupling
means.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for adjusting the flow characterisitics as necessary to
meet the requirements for a varied range of materials and
viscosities.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid pump
with quick interchangability of the elastic portion of minimize
down time in production procedures.
Another object of the present invention is the new method of
pumping a fluid and in a novel construction and the adaption and
combination of parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid objects of the present invention and other objects
which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved
by providing a series of features, steps and elements assembled and
working together in interrelated combination to provide the effects
of the present invention.
Actual tests have shown that by the application of the pumping
method and apparatus of the invention, the effective results
obtainable in reduction of down time for cleaning, the amount of
solution required as compared to heretofore known or practiced
methods of pumping are substantially great enough to completely
replace existing pumping apparatus with the apparatus of this
invention.
In accordance with one essential embodiment of the invention, the
tube through which the material is pumped must be elastomeric in
nature and yet resistant to the solvency action of such solvents as
methyl ethyl keytone, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate and other
esters, and various alcohols either individually or in various
combinations.
A survey of the chemical, rubber and plastic manufacturers revealed
that no material is commercially available capable of meeting the
performance specifications required for practical utilization of
this method of pumping the heretofore mentioned formulation.
One essential embodiment of this invention is the development of an
elastromer material which does meet the required performance
specifications and has proven to be commerically practicable.
The elastomer is produced by effecting a polymerization of poly
vinyl alcohol and a monomer such as methylmeracrylate. The
polymerization is accomplished by immersion of the basic poly vinyl
alcohol material in the monomer and subsequent exposure to
radiation.
Poly vinyl alcohol is hydroscopic in nature and normally subject to
rapid deterioration by exposure to water or water soluble solvents.
When subject to the described processing treatment, the end result
is highly resistant to water as well as being inert when subject to
contact with the previously described solvent materials.
An additional embodiment of this invention is the use of an outer
tube or jacket which is also elastomeric and may be composed of the
same or a dissimilar material, such as P.V.C. The outer tube
insulates the inner tube from the abrasion and friction caused by
the roller, thus extending the life of the inner tube.
The apparatus as embodied in this invention has been run for
continuous extended periods before tube failure necessitated a
change and this has exceeded the requirements for commercial
justification and approval.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, a
housing is provided that contains substantially all of the various
integrated assemblies of the invention which permit the proper
control of the fluid being pumped therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be
particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and
the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better
understood by referring to the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the pumping system of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pumping action;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the housing means;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the utilization of
concentric tubing; and
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the tubing with a coating
thereon.
DISCUSSION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention as herein illustrated with respect to FIG. 1
is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and seen to
include supporting means 12 that has positioned thereon housing
means 25 which contains therein pumping means 30 adapted to pump
fluid at controlled rates and with positioning means 75 extending
from the housing means to permit proper regulation of the pumping
means. In addition the housing means 25 contains regulating means
120 which properly controls the tension applied to flexible tubing
through which the fluid is pumped through the pump for the proper
control of the rate of flow, which regulating means extends from
housing means 25. Further associated with system 10 is draining
means 150 which includes an exit through the housing means 25 such
that any spillage or overflow of fluid therein drains out and may
be collected. The interrelationship of the various elements of the
invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.
SUPPORTING MEANS
The supporting means 12 is in the form of a stand having four
vertically extending posts 14 interconnected by horizontally
extending bars 16 at the upper end thereof, which bars are
interconnected with the respective posts 14 by fittings 18 at the
upper end of the posts 14. At the lower end 14 we similarly have
spaced part horizontally extending bars 16 that are coupled to
posts 14 through fittings 20 in a conventional manner. Extending
from the bottom of each post 14 is a caster 22 with wheels thereon
to permit portability of the support means 12 to various locations
to which the pumping system might be utilized at various locations
with a plant. On the spaced apart bars 16 is platform means 24
which may be secured to the bars 16 in any conventional manner.
HOUSING MEANS
Housing means 25 is provided to substantially enclose a pumping
means 30 and as seen particularly with respect to FIGS. 2-4
includes a bottom wall 26, a top spaced apart wall 28, spaced apart
side walls 32 and 34, with a rear wall 35 interconnected to each
other in a conventional manner. The bottom wall 26 of the housing
may be secured in a conventional manner (not shown) to the
supporting means 12 such that it is rigidly coupled thereto. The
housing means 25 further includes access to the pumping means 30
contained within the housing means 25 by a front panel 36 provided
having a removable access door 38 with a handle or knob 40
extending outwardly therefrom in a conventional manner. The access
door 38 may be hinged or in some other manner removably secured to
the front panel 36, and may be of plastic or glass that is
transparent. This permits a visual inspection of the internal
workings of the housing. Various openings and cutouts are provided
in the housing means 25 to gain the necessary access to permit the
elements of the system to function with respect to each other as
will hereinafter be more fully explained.
PUMPING MEANS
The pumping means 30 includes a peristaltic pump designed to pump
the various fluids of the present invention therethrough and to
permit the control of various forces required to control the
pumping forces necessary with the change of tubular material as
well as consistency of the fluids pumped therethrough. The pumping
means 30 has a rotary structure 31 seen to include a pair of
support members or discs 42 mounted in spaced apart relationship to
each other, as seen particularly in FIG. 4, and having central
bearings 44 in axial alignment with each other and supported within
the housing by a shaft 45 that has a headed portion 46 at one end
thereof with the shaft 45 extending through the rear wall 35 and
through the respective bearings 44 and terminating at the opposite
end of the housing in a support channel 48 by threads or some other
means. The discs 42 are maintained in three spaced-part
relationship to each other by means of rotary members or rollers 50
which extend between the inner surfaces of the pair of axially
aligned discs 42 with a head enlarged portion 54 to maintain the
fixed position of the discs 42. The channel 48 has a base 49 that
abuts the upper wall 28 and downwardly extending arms 51. The arms
51 are secured to housing walls by means of fasteners 53. The discs
42 are fixed to permit them to act as a rotary assembly and for
angular rotation about shaft 45.
To obtain rotation of the rotary structure 31 in the direciton of
arrow 55 rotating means 60 is provided and coupled to the rotary
structure 31. The rotating means 60 includes a conventional rotary
motor 62 that may be electrically powered and situated adjacent the
platform 24 and secured to the rear wall 35 of the housing means by
fasteners 64 that extend through bosses or neck portions 66 that
extend from the motor housing with the fasteners 64 extending
therethrough as seen particularly in FIG. 4, such that the threaded
section extends through fastener openings 68 such that a washer 70
abuts the inner surface of wall 35 and retained by means of nut 72
thereagainst. By having a clearance opening 68 in the wall 35 a
fine adjustment of the physical relationship of the motor to
rotating means 60 may be established by positioning means 75. The
positioning means 75 is provided for the fine control and
positionment of the motor 62 so that the shaft 72 may be properly
positioned for the reasons to be hereinafter explained.
POSITIONING MEANS
Positioning means 75 as seen in FIG. 4 includes a bracket 76
secured to the rear wall 35 by means of fasteners 78 and having a
substantially horizontal arm 80 extending therefrom to accommodate
a positioning screw 82 having a threaded portion 84 which extends
through a mating threaded portion 84 which extends through a mating
threaded portion 86 in the arm 80 to the motor casing 62 in such a
manner that a clock-wise rotation of the screw 82 will help
position motor shaft 72 through the opening 88. The shaft 72
extends through the rear wall 35 and in turn rotation of the screw
82 will vary the tension in the driving connection between the
motor 62 and disc 42.
Obviously various drive means may be utilized for the coupling of
rotary motor shaft 72 to drive the rotary structure 31. As seen in
FIGS. 2 and 4 the drive means includes a pulley belt 90 that
extends within a groove 92 on pulley 94 and a complimentary groove
96 extends on the outer periphery on disc 42. The positioning means
75 permits the proper tensioning of the belt 90 such that it might
be easily placed between the grooves 92 and 96 and adjusted for
whatever wear results as the continued use of the belt occurs.
REGULATING MEANS
The regulating means 120 is provided to control the tension in the
tube 98 as the rollers 50 continuously engage it to get the
peristaltic pumping action as illustrated in FIG. 3. Each roller 50
is supported by means of metal bearing 126 to permit free rotation
of the rollers 50 around the respective axis formed by the shaft 52
in response to rotation of shaft 45 by the driving means hereabove
discussed. Accordingly when the roller 50 is in the left hand
portion of the cavity it will operate to compress the tube 98 and
flatten tube 98 out as is shown in cross-section in FIG. 4. This
forces fluid ahead of the compressed region. When the tube 98
returns to its normal shape once the roller 50 has passed by, a
vacuum will be produced in the tube tending to draw fluid
therethrough in the desired direction with the repetition of this
procedure the fluid is pumped from its inlet conduit 102 to its
outlet conduit 124 on a continuous basis. To control the tension in
the conduit 92 the regulating means 120 is provided and is seen to
include a controlknob 128 extending above the housing means 25 with
a control shaft 130 extending within the housing means 25 and
having a threaded portion 132 which mates with a complimentary
threaded portion 134 in the housing wall 138 such that angular
rotation of the control knob 128 produces vertical movement of the
shaft 130 which in turn is coupled to the fluid block 136.
Peristaltic action of the pump is obtained by fluid passing through
a conducting tube 98 which is deformable and has a memory, that is,
it will return to its original shape after being deformed. As is
well known in the art of peristaltic pumps, if a moving region or
movng regions of compression are provided along the length of the
tube 98, the action of the compressed regions pushing the fluid
ahead and the action of the tube in returning to its original
uncompressed shape provide a vacuum to cause fluid flow in the tube
according to the direction of movement of the regions of
compression. Tube 98 is connected at its inlet end 99 by clamp 103
to a quick disconnect coupling means 100 which coupling means may
be one of those well known in the art and which in turn is
connected to inlet conduit 102 that extends through the rear wall
of the housing means 25 and has the fluid entering therein in the
direction of the arrow 104. The tube 98 is then draped over the
rotary structure 31 such that it engages roller 50 and as
compressed the wall essentially forms an upper section 106 and
lower section 108 with the fluid 110 contained in the various
sections thereof as seen particularly in FIG. 3 as peristaltic
action of the pump occurs during the pumping thereof with the fluid
entering in the direction of the arrow 112 as the pump means
operates in the direction of the arrow 55.
The exiting section 114 of tube 98 similarly has connected by clamp
103 to quick disconnecting means 115, which extends through
regulating means 120 and through a conduit 116 which extends
through an opening 118 in the side wall 32 and through an elbow
fitting 122 which in turn is connected to a conduit 124 so that the
fluid may exit in the direction of arrow 112. Obviously a
positionment of exiting conduit 124 as well as the positionment of
quick disconnecting couplings might vary as to their relationship
either within or without the housing means or positionment in some
other manner that is desirable for the user.
GUIDE MEANS
Guide means 140 is provided to permit vertical movement of the
regulating means 120 and one form thereof is illustrated in FIG. 4
and is seen to include a pair of spaced-apart supports or columns
142 that are secured to and extend from the upper wall 128 to the
lower wall 126, and may be in the form of fasteners having nuts 144
at each end to maintain the necessary tension. The supports or
columns 142 extends through the support body 136 such that the
support body may ride freely on the two columns 142 as the
necessary adjustment of the regulating means is made by rotation of
knob 128.
DRAINING MEANS
Draining means 150 is provided in association with the housing
means 25 to permit an overflow or other escape of fluid 110 to
easily exit from housing means 25. The draining means 150 is
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 in the form of a conduit 152 secured
to the lower wall 26 and having a head portion contained within the
housing means such that if any escaping fluid reaches the height of
head 154 it will automatically exit through conduit in the
direction of the arrow 55.
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention 10a in which
the rotating means 68a is mounted in relationship to to the pumping
means 38a such that the motor 62a has its shaft 72a extending in
longitudinal axial alignment, or forms part of the shaft 42a such
that there is a direct drive relationship and no pulley belt or
other means is required. The discs 42a are mounted on shaft 45a in
the means discussed above with the rollers 50a engaging the
conducting tube 98a and compressing it to form upper section 106a
and lower section 108a. The shaft 45a may be integrally formed with
the motor shaft 72a or coupled thereto in a mechanical fashion, and
supported in ball bearings 160a that are situated in support
channel 48a.
FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of the invention which the conducting
tube 98b is formed of two concentric tubular members positioned one
within the other. As seen we have the inner conduit tube 98b and an
outer conducting tube 162b. It has been found that the utilization
of concentric tubes whether of plastic or other materials, provides
certain advantages in the pumping process as well as adding a
degree of insurance in that if the inner tube 98b was to rupture or
in some other way break then the outer tube 162b acts as a
protective sleeve yet at the same time will permit the unit to
continue to function since the respective tubes at there free ends
are clamped and held in place. Thus even if the inner tube 98b was
defective due to manufacturing, and rupturing at one point occured
it is unlikely that the outer tube 162b would have a weakened wall
at the same point. Furthermore, if a rupture did occur, the outer
tube 162b would retain the fluid. Accordingly, inspection unit from
time to time, or decreases in pumping efficiency that might be
noticeable, would permit an operator to shut the equipment in time
to avoid any spillage.
FIG. 7 illustrates an aspect of the invention in which the tube 98c
has an outer coating or layer 164c and an inner coating or layer
167c formed by polymerization. The outer coating 164c during the
process hereinafter explained actually penetrates the wall of the
tube 98c to a depth of penetration indicated by the phantom line
165c and in a similar manner on the inner side of the wall to a
depth indicated by the phantom line 168c.
One example of the polymerization procedure involves the bundling
of the tubes 98c in a container which is evacuated and filled with
an inert gas, such as nitrogen, and then filled with the monomer
material, such as methylmeracrylate which is in a liquid form,
thereby surrounding the inner and outer surfaces of the tubing 98c.
A period of soaking is performed, as for example, 24 hours, allows
an effective penetration of the poly vinyl alcohol tubing by the
monomer. The entire container is then subjected to exposure by a
radiation source, such as cobalt 60, for a period of time to
produce the desired polymerization. The time period may vary up to
24 hours and obviously is dependent upon a number of variables. The
period of time necessary for the soaking may be reduced by the
introduction of ultrasonic energy into the monomer fluid. The
frequency of vibration may be in the range of 20 Kc to 100 Kc. The
time may also be varied depending on the monomer. This process may
be applied to sheet material or other forms with the same end
results. The tubing diameter is about one-half inch inside diameter
to 5 inches inside diameter, and a wall thickness of 0.02 inch to
0.50 inch. The above resultant tubing has been found most suitable
for use in the transmission of fluids, such as the inks described
herein, in accordance with the present invention.
Accordingly, the fluid conducting tube to be used in the present
invention may be formed by various means and, as another example,
the underlying tube may be coated with a polymerizing material such
as tri allyl iso cyanurate, as by immersing the tube 98c within a
container and then creating a vacuum within the container in which
it is placed equivalent to 3 milimeters of mercury and then filling
the vacuum container with nitrogen. The polymerizing material is
then added to the container for a time period of say four hours.
The tube 98c is subjected to exposure by a radiation source such as
cobalt 60. In this manner a core of plastic material may be formed
into an object for various commercial uses. The core may be in tube
form or of sheet material.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying
drawing, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended
claims.
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